28

Word Count: 2527

~Dove

We crowd outside onto the front lawn, some with our heels in our hands.

Ciella and Eden stand next to each other in front of us. Their cheeks are flushed bright red and they have to keep pausing for breaths between giggles.

The lake sits as a backdrop behind them. Moonlight pools against the surface, undulating over every ripple. The cool of night raises small bumps on my arms, warning me that this dip into the water is going to be bitterly cold.

"So, we're all going to strip down and run into this lake," Ciella announces giddily, bracing her hand against her mates shoulder so she can peel her heels off her feet.

"Whoever can last the longest in the water wins!" Eden adds animatedly, the clapping of her hands cutting through the soft music still drifting from inside.

Alissia cups her hands on their side of her mouth so her voice carries. "Wins what?"

Dev leans into me, raising crossed fingers as his voice lowers. "Please say a shit ton of money."

Ciella waves her hand dismissively at Alissia. "You can take the cake home with you, how about that?"

"And the wine!" Eden adds, swaying a little in her wife's arms, showing us all how much she's indulged in tonight.

Dev curses under his breath so I press my shoe into the tip of his. He grimaces as he shoots me a  beguiling look.

"Plus bragging rights," Claude adds.

I rub my hands together, my fingertips already turning cold. I'm not going to go down without a fight, and more than anything, I need to beat Varian.

"Bring it on." Dev whoops, pumping his fist in the air. I laugh as he rubs his hand over the top of my head playfully.

My amusement is short lived as my attention shifts to Varian. Our gazes clash, like darkness and light, mingling together until I force my eyes back to Dev.

I turn quickly, letting Dev pull the zip of my dress down.

Biting down on my lower lip, I smother a smile, hoping Varian is watching every inch of my skin being exposed while knowing he can't touch, can't be near.

Thankfully the lights are dim and the closer to the lake, the less I can see.

It makes it easier to concentrate on winning, especially as I can see Varian shrugging off his jacket, and then his shirt in my peripheral vision.

"Don't stare at my tits or I'll gut you," I grumble at Dev, plastering my hands against my chest to keep my dress up before the challenge starts.

He flashes me a faux pout. "Don't be unreasonable."

I barely have time to laugh before Ciella raises her hands into the air.

"Go!"

Everyone immediately begins tossing their clothes off their bodies animatedly, yelling and chanting drunkenly. I keep my gaze on the grass in front of me as the sound of rustling clothing falling echoes from next to me, Dev's clothing dropping at my feet.

I hesitate only a moment, my preference for modesty giving me pause. However, a lick of alcohol and the urge to get in the water and beat Varian at his own tradition is too alluring to deny.

Night air kisses every inch of bare skin that I expose until I'm entirely naked amongst the shadows.

Dev grabs onto my hand, pulling me along with him as we make a sprint toward the lake. My hair blows back behind me, a rush of adrenaline controlling every step I make into the dew soaked grass.

The lake comes up quickly, a well of dark oblivion. People jump in ahead of us, screaming and thrashing before diving into the depths.

I keep my gaze trained ahead, scared of the glimpses I may unwittingly get.

The edge of the lake appears at my feet. My ankles slosh into the water, which is bitterly cold and yet I'm anxious to get below the surface.

Dev dives in ahead of me, the darkness swallowing the top of his brightly coloured head. I follow suit, engulfing myself in the freezing water, that quickly presses the breath from my lungs.

As my head emerges above the surface, I gasp for air, the exertion of wading to keep my body afloat doing little to warm me. Dev appears next to me, shaking his head so droplets rain onto me.

"Fuck it's freezing!" His teeth chatter, his lips turning pale.

I look around, seeing people already desperately clambering out of the lake, taking the towels staff member offer them. Varian is wading next to Ciella and Eden, his gaze passing over to me.

I'm going to win this. I need to.

"It's kind of nice actually," I say, leaning back a little. My shaky voice is giving me away, but I can handle this. What is a little bit of cold to the satisfaction of beating Varian at this simple game?

Despite knowing I'm being petty, I'm not going to give in. I'm sick of seeing that smug look on his face.

"There's no way I'm going to last," Dev whines.

His legs are frantically swirling beneath the surface, creating a violent current that almost pulls me toward him. His eyes are darting toward the shore, and toward  pre warmed towels waiting for us.

"Funny. I think I've heard that through the wall before," I joke.

"Low blow." He splashes me and I squeal. "But seriously, I feel my balls receding into my body."

I shudder, not needing to know that. If Dev gives in, however, it won't be long until I'm tempted to as well.

Claude stands at the edge of the lake, a towel slung around his waist. He's watching me, his arms folded, eyes hooded. I avert my own, wondering how much of me he got a good look at while I was busy trying not to fall over my own feet.

"Don't leave me in here," I beg my friend, my teeth chattering against each other.

"We did the thing, let's go," he insists, inching toward the shoreline.

"No, I want to win this."

If only Ciella had offered up a cash prize for the winner. Then I would never be able to get him out of this lake...

"I'll just make you a cake at home, and I've already smuggled three bottles of wine into my bag," he exclaims lowly, side eying Ciella and Eden who we seem to be drifting closer to by the minute.

"Be strong, Dev. Don't give up." I strengthen my movements, trying to will some heat into my blood. "Try to distract yourself. Soon you'll go numb and won't even feel the cold anymore."

He blows out a breath, nodding. "I saw Varian's dick for like two seconds...holy shit."

"Big?" I already know the answer.

"Oh yeah." He groans, pinching the bridge of his nose. "My self-confidence is destroyed."

I wipe my hair off my face, sighing. The Alpha is still in the water, looking entirely unbothered by the temperature. It's beyond aggravating.

"Seems pointless comparing yourself to an Alpha," I say.

Dev nods his agreement, before groaning. "I can't take it...goodbye."

Before I can protest, he turns and swims toward the shoreline desperately. Eden follows after him, her entire body is bright red as she climbs out, immediately smothering herself in a towel.

"Traitor!" I yell out to Dev.

He pumps his fist at me in mock support before turning to start back off the hill to join the rest of the group.

"Come on Dove, we got this!" Ciella cheers shakily. I swim over to her and Varian, my joints so stiff from the cold they almost don't listen to my unconscious commands.

At this point, we are the only three left. Ciella is so drunk I'm surprised she can stay afloat, although that's probably why she's managed to stay in so long. Varian looks entirely unbothered, barely treading water.

"He's an Alpha. He's stronger and faster and probably warmer than us," I grumble, scowling at him.

He only smirks at me, his eyes tracing over the lines of my face. For a fleeting moment I feel the urge to shove my wet logged hair away from my face, but I don't bother. I don't need to look any particular way for him.

"But does he have our iron will?" Ciella winks, her makeup draining down her face.

"Good question."

"You'll just have to see, won't you?" He angles his head, a challenge haunting every word.

Ciella reaches for my hand under the water, her tentative smile drawing my attention. "It's so good to see you here and happy, Dove."

This past year has been impossibly hard, but I do feel happy. Leaving Matthias behind has lifted a burden off my shoulders. Not speaking to my father or sister, however, has been much harder. It's why being here tonight is such a relief.

"I feel...okay. This water has sobered me up, unfortunately." I sigh wistfully.

She grins, her teeth flashing white in the darkness. "We'll remedy that."

"Thanks for inviting me. You're both really important to me," I tell her earnestly.

"Please visit more. We have plenty of room for you here." She gestures toward the house, which is so magnificent I could never doubt I have a place here whenever I want it.

"I will," I promise.

Speaking to Ciella is making the time pass by easier, although one glance at Varian lets me know he has no interest in going anywhere. He looks maddeningly content while I'm convinced I'll never recover feeling in my toes or fingertips again.

"Okay, my nipples are freezing off so I'm calling it," Ciella announces, giving me an apologetic look. "Win for me?"

"I'll try."

She swims off, much to my disappointment. She doesn't have the same pressing need to prove Varian wrong for once.

"Going to join her?" He taunts, watching my jaw that shivers and all the blood that I'm sure has drained out of my face.

"Nope. I'm going to win." I lean backward so I'm floating on my back. It's much easier to concentrate on the fullness of the moon and the distant stars than looking into his eyes.

"It's a losing battle."

"Be quiet, let me concentrate," I hiss, closing my eyes.

I'm not just cold anymore, but in severe pain. My body hasn't turned numb like I hope, forcing me to feel every prickle of iciness. I'm not sure I can handle this for much longer.

Alpha's may as well be immortal. Their position of power has been worked for, has been claimed. They have trained their entire life for their position, and are blessed with genetic superiority.

This is easy for him.

"Why are you avoiding me?" He asks suddenly, the seriousness of his tone forcing me straight again.

"Why are you so obsessed with talking to me?" I retort back.

"I want to settle this issue between us." He wades closer, the water lapping against the hard planes of his chest. "I want to be able to be in your presence while you're visiting and not have you wanting me dead."

As much as that would be nice to believe, I'm sceptical. There feels as though there is more behind his incessant attention than the intention of peacekeeping.

"You still don't trust me," I deadpan.

He seems so wary of me. Every look is searching for something he hasn't quite figured out.

"Sometimes I can still scent Matthias on you." A darkness plays in the depths of his eyes. "I hate knowing he got to have you."

"Why?" I ask breathlessly.

"Because you bear my mark." His gaze dips to my mouth. "My scent doesn't belong where his does."

I narrow my eyes. He's doesn't mean what he's saying — not entirely. He's trying to taunt information out of me, trying to see how connected I truly am I Matthias.

He can't scent his enemy on my anymore. I haven't touched Matthias in over a year. He's trying to gauge my reaction, and I'm not going to give him the satisfaction.

"You did this to yourself," I growl. "Plus his was there first."

"Did it save your life?" He ask.

My eyes narrow. The only reason why Matthias was going to kill me was because of this mark, although Varian couldn't have known how Matthias was going to react to my father and I's capture. He could have easily turned against me, but regardless, I won't be forgiving Varian for the mark still tainting my skin.

"It...doesn't matter," I respond flippantly. "I want to take you up on the offer to have this removed."

He doesn't even blink. "It's done."

"Good." I blow out a breath, knowing that means having to see him again. "Good."

Finally, the one thing connecting Varian and I beyond Ciella and Eden will be gone. He will have no reason to bother me anymore, and if we run into each other again, we can be reluctantly cordial.

"Your teeth are going to shatter," he notes, pointing at my mouth.

I relax my jaw, realising I've been clenching to the point of pain.

"I can't feel my toes," I admit.

Winning isn't worth this amount of pain. I'm going to give in, wrap myself in one of those glorious looking towels and drink more alcohol to drown out the rest of the night.

"You won't win this, I'm afraid." He sweeps a hand through his wet hair, letting it fall back down over his forehead in a black cascade of slightly waves. "As an Alpha I could tread this water for days without an issue."

I stare at him blankly. "Seriously?"

"But I'm willing to concede on one condition."

"What?" I ask warily.

"I want to see you one last time before you leave in the morning." He looks back toward the house, light from inside gilding the strong line of his jaw. "I'm staying in the third guest suite. Come visit tonight."

"Why would I do that?"

"Just to talk. I promise." He smiles wickedly, suggesting talking may not be all that is on the table.

"Fine, but I'm not going to take your pity win." I begin swimming away, wincing at the stiffness of my limbs. "Bring me a towel please."

A member of staff rushes over to me, holding the towel out for me to step into.

"I won't look," Varian promises.

"By all means, take it in while you can." I rise from the water shakily, turning my body to face him in a moment of slightly drunk confidence. "Because you'll never see it again."

His head is bowed respectfully as he turns his back on me. The member of staff drapes the warm towel over my shoulders, and I almost groan in relief as I wrap it around myself.

"I wouldn't speak in absolutes, Dove," he calls over his shoulder. "Who knows what the future beholds."

🩷••🩷

As always, you can read this book 16 chapters ahead on Inkitt and 10 chapters ahead on Radish!

Your support means a lot to me!

~Midika 🐈‍⬛💜