It’s Funny How Love Starts (IFHLS Book 1)

The next day was a hectic day for sure. My mom had gotten up early trying to get ready for the party. Thankfully she had help that day. My dad thought it was too much work for my mom to do so many things so he hired some people to do the chores and cook the food for her. She tried to do things but they wouldn’t allow her to and said that my dad had ordered them to not let her do any work. When I found her that morning, she was pouting.

“Geez, they won’t let me help at all!” she whined at me as I entered the kitchen. Three people were already at work making something I couldn’t quite make out. “Please, let me do something!”

“Mom, you should enjoy your free day,” I laughed. I loved my mom but sometimes she put too much stress on herself. She really deserved the free day.

“But I need to do something!” she said again, throwing her hands in the air like a maniac.

“Woah there,” Zane said, avoiding mom’s arms. “Don’t want to kill your favorite son,” he gave mom a morning hug.

“You’re her only son,” I commented, rolling my eyes.

“Oh, I thought you were her son to. My bad,” he grinned at me, coming up to me with his famous hugs that would give anyone daggered looks from girls.

“Go away,” I said, brushing him off but he wouldn’t let go of me. “Ugh, get off Zane.”

“Make me,” he laughed.

“Mom, he asked for it,” I warned mom before launching into one of our many fake fights.  I hate to say it, but as usual he won. He had his arms around me by the throat at the end of it, chocking me but not too tightly.

“Please, children. Out of the kitchen,” dad said, coming into the kitchen. “You too Marie. You should go shopping for a dress or anything that will keep your mind off until this evening.”

“Alaric, you know I don’t to go shopping unless it’s necessary,” she grumbled but she left the kitchen, obeying him. Zane and I walked slowly towards the door, hoping he still hadn’t heard about our incident but I guess we tried too hard to escape from his grasp. He grabbed us by the collar of our shirt which was easy for him with his macho arms. He used to swing me on his arms when I was little but now that arm was like a death threat.

“Zane Elijah Maxilum, Alexia Grace Maxilum, where do you think you’re running off to?” he boomed, making us and the three workers jump in surprise. Aw shit, he used our full names.

“Yes, dad?” I said in my sweetest voice.

“I’d like an explanation why there were pillows all over the floor when Alpha Slade retreated to his guest room,” he raged at us. Ugh, I betted it was the Alpha who told dad. At that moment, I hated him with a burning passion.

“Sorry father. It was my fault,” Zane said apologizing.

Dad sighed. “Just please promise me that there won’t be any silliness today at the party. It’s important that we leave on a good word with Alpha Slade.”

“Why dad?” I asked, curiously.

“You’ll know later today during the party but now I need you children to be on your best behavior and stay out of trouble,” he said, glaring at us one by one.

“Yes father,” we both said in monotone.

We eagerly went back to the game room and laid on the couch for a while. “I’m betting that it was that Alpha,” I said bitterly.

“Aw, come on Alexia. Forget about it,” he said, getting up from the couch. “We should be excited about today’s party. Don’t dance with too many guys though,” he growled at the thought of his last statement.

“Why? Too afraid I’ll find my mate before yours?” I teased. Werewolves only knew for sure that someone was their mate if they physically touch each other, even if it’s intended or not. That’s why we had these parties. I, on the other hand, didn’t really like to dance and have been usually avoiding all the guys, even if they did give me interested looks.

“Nah, just want to keep my little sis safe,” he said, cheerfully. “But seriously, don’t dance with too many of them.”

“You shouldn’t really be talking,” I laughed. My brother was such a flirt.

“Is little Alexia jealous?” he teased, laughing at such a thought.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Why of course I am,” I said sarcastically. I ran up to his couch and sat on him. “I’ll be so jealous,” I said again, squeezing the living life out of him and quite enjoying it to.

“You gained a lot of weight,” he gasped pretending.

“You’re mean,” I punched him, laying on the big couch next to him and tried to take up as much space as possible. He easily messed up my hair from the angle that we were laying. We stayed quiet after that, just hearing the muffled sound of the vacuum cleaner from the first floor and soon we both fell asleep on the couch.

“Aren’t you two cute?” I heard my mother’s voice before I saw the camera she was holding. “My two babies sleeping together. I haven’t seen that since you two were little kids,” she said then a flash blinded me for a couple of seconds.

“Mom,” we both groaned at the same time.

“Just for a keepsake,” she winked at both of us. “Anyways, the real reason I came here was to wake you two up. The party is about to start in ten minutes.”

“Aw, shit,” Zane mumbled getting up. The whole couch shifted by his enormous weight. That fatty.

“Language, Zane,” mom warned.

“Sorry mom. I’ll get ready,” he said and left us girls.

“You better get ready to Alexia. I already put a dress on your bed for you,” my mom said and then left me.

Exactly ten minutes later, the first guests arrived. Then more came a few minutes afterwards with everyone dressed in their best clothes. I was also in my best. I wore a strapless blue coral dress that fit nicely on my slim body and brought out my blue eyes. I noticed a lot of guys staring and looked the other way, hoping to ignore any invitations for a dance.

I spotted Zane dancing with a girl and other girls giving the her a deadly look. Poor Zane, poor girl. She would be bullied by the other girls afterwards.

“Wow, you clean up very nicely. Your hair doesn’t seem all that messed up,” I heard a voice behind me. Jace. I turned to face him and was a little taken back. He had cleaned up very nicely too. He had a tux and everything, his hair spiked up, his eyes full of life and color.

Alpha Slade was next to him and he nodded at me with acknowledgement. My mouth almost dropped when I saw him. He also had a tux but there was something about him that made him stand out of all the guys. I figured it was his sharp features and those dark black eyes that looked as if it was searching much deeper than your outer shell. To any girls he would’ve looked hot but to me I had to admit, I was a little frightened but then I remembered that he was the one who had gotten me in trouble. The thought of being frightened vanished immediately.

“You too,” I said politely, hoping to avoid the Alpha’s stare.

“Well I need to do something so why don’t you folks dance for the crowd,” Jace winked and left. What crowd? I thought. I turned around to receive a lot of daggers from all the girls in the room. Damn.

“Shall we?” Alpha Slade said, offering me his arm. I couldn’t really go back now so I took his arm and he led me to the dance floor.

He put one hand around my waist and held out the other for my hand. I put my hand on his shoulder and met his waiting hand with my other. Instantly, a shock traveled through both our bodies and we flinched, instantly letting each other go.

He was my mate.

The tingling sensation still ran through me even when we backed off each other. Shock read all over his face and I didn’t blame him because I was mortified too. Just when I thought nothing else could get any worse, it did. Suddenly there was a loud explosion and all hell broke loose.