Chapter One

Cecily stared over the King land with contentment. It had taken both her and Teaghan time to understand that they didn't have to continuously look over their shoulders.

They'd left Reed territory three years ago. Soon, Cecily will be celebrating her twentieth birthday and she knew exactly what she wanted.

To take on the King name.

Sure, she'd been offered it numerous times over the past years but it hadn't felt right. Not then, at least.

After a deep sigh, Cecily stood up and dusted her shorts off. It was getting dark and if she didn't hurry someone would be sent to look for her.

Courtesy of her sister and brother-in-law, Alpha Reeve King.

No sooner had the thought entered her mind did she smell him. She couldn't help the grin split her face as she turned and saw Gael walking towards her.

"They sent you today, eh?" Cecily huffed as she walked towards him.

Gael had become a dear friend to Cecily. A very hot, dear friend. His dark brown hair that was nearly black, his chocolate brown eyes and let's not forget the hard body that stood a good seven inches above her five-foot-four inches.

The only downfall to having such a hot male close to her was the fact that he was not her mate. Plus, ever since she realized he definitely wasn't her mate, her feelings moved towards sisterly love.

That and her sister would kill her if she ever knew she thought of Gael in such away, even if it was two years ago. To Tea, she was still the baby sister.

"Somebody had to do it and well," he shrugged not really needing to explain.

"Who sent you this time?"

"Surprisingly, neither. I came myself because I knew if left to you, you'd have us all come looking, " Gael spoke over Cecily cutting her off. "You are that stubborn."

Resigned, she shrugged as they began their walk back to the packhouse. "Fine. I am but sooner or later everyone will just have to learn that I really can take care of myself."

She nearly cursed as she heard her own bitterness seeping through.

"Something going on, dragonfly?"

The nickname made Cecily smile briefly before she sighed, "I'm just tired of everyone treating me like I'm fragile. Like, I can't do anything more than the damsel in distress."

"Is that what you think? That we believe your lacking or something?"

"No, not lacking just unable to defend myself or like every day, I can't even be out here alone and come back on my own." When Gael chuckled, Cecily turned to glare at him.

His hands shot up in a sign of 'surrender.' "I wasn't laughing about your feelings but really Dragonfly, we don't think you can't defend yourself or make good decisions."

As they walked, Cecily threw her hands up in exasperation. "Then why am I unable to be gone an hour without someone coming to get me?"

Gael threw his arm around her shoulder, pulling her to his side. "You're important to us. And as much as you don't like to hear it you're beautiful. The unmated males took notice the moment you walked onto the territory."

Cecily's face heated uncomfortably. She hated her looks being brought into this. She couldn't help how she looked. "No one has ever given me any shit. They've respected what I've said."

"On the surface, yes."

Skidding to a stop she turned on Gael, "what the hell kind of cryptic message is that? On the surface," she mimicked, "what does that even mean?"

Gael frowned, "it means that you are mateless and even though you're under the protection of Alpha Reeve when you hit your heat no male will be thinking clearly."

Well, there went her cheeks ever being the same again. Cecily felt the scalding heat as she took in Gael's words.

She remembered Teaghan's heating cycle. It was awkward among the males. They were restless and aggressive with one another.

Thankfully her sister had been mated so it wasn't nearly as bad. She could now see Gael's point.

"Teaghan didn't go through hers until she was twenty-two. I have a couple of years before then."

"Every female is different and we are just being cautious."

"Great, so I'm going to be followed until I go through that? And, why did you come then? You're unmated."

"I am but you are special to me. I have a connection to you, a bond- I would never hurt you."

Cecily nodded because it was true. Her and Gael did have a special bond. One that neither of them could explain beyond their deep friendship.

"Fine," she relented, hugging his arm to her and continuing onward. " If you try to jump my bones don't be surprised when you choke on your balls."

She grinned, continuing on to the house leaving Gael standing there. She snickered when she heard Gael's painful groan. Most likely imagining it, sucker..