Mae POV
I am humming with anticipation as we drive to the house that Kieran lives in. Apparently, there are a number of werewolves that live in this house, including Kieran's parents. I cannot believe that I have lived in such close proximity to werewolves all of this time and never knew they existed. It makes me wonder how many people I have met in my life who are leading a secret life, turning into massive wolves under the full moon.
I look out the window into the night sky to see the moon. I frown a little when I see that it is a half moon tonight. I guess I will not get to see Kieran turn into a massive wolf tonight, and a little frown tugs at the corners of my lips.
Kieran peeks over at me and lays his hand on my knee before quickly removing it. I tear my eyes away from the night sky and look in his direction.
"What's wrong?" Kieran looks worried. "This is still what you want, right?"
"I was just looking at the moon," I say, keeping the pout on my lips.
He leans forward, looks out the car window, and squints up at the moon. "What about it?"
"I was hoping it was a full moon tonight," I respond shyly.
Tish snorts loudly in the back seat, and Kieran looks at me in confusion. "Why would you want it to be a full moon?" Kieran asks.
Tish cannot contain her laughter in the back seat, and if I could reach back and smack her, I would. "She thinks there has to be a full moon in order for you to shift into your wolf," Tish chuckles.
A smirk crosses Kieran's lips, and I realize how stupid I must look. I turn to the window and keep looking out with my arms crossed over my chest.
"Oh, Sweetheart," Kieran coos at me. "There is no reason to be embarrassed. Not everyone can be a familiar like Tish."
"A familiar?" I sigh. "Isn't that a witch thing?" I feel so stupid not knowing all of these things.
"A witch familiar is different. A familiar to us is a human that is aware of our world," Kieran clarifies.
"So you can shift without a full moon?" I ask stupidly.
"I can shift whenever I want to," Kieran replies sweetly. "If you want, I can show you sometime."
"What does your wolf look like?" I ask him.
Kieran grumbles a little. "He is charcoal gray with bright blue eyes."
"You sound disappointed," I point out the obvious.
"An Alpha's wolf is supposed to be black," Kieran grumbles, and I can tell this is a sore subject for him.
"Oh," I respond quietly. I still don't fully understand, but I can tell it is a touchy subject, so I make a mental list of questions I will have to research later.
The rest of the drive is quiet, and I keep my eyes trained on the outside world. I keep thinking about how my life has taken such a strange turn. I never expected to move in with a man that I barely know. All I know about this living arrangement is that Tish and I will be taken care of.
I still cannot believe that Kieran offered to bring Tish along. As far as I can tell, they spent a glorious few moments together, and now they cannot stand one another. Jealously flares in my chest at the thought of the two of them together, especially after Tish explained how mind-blowing it was.
Suddenly, Kieran's hand is on my knee again, tracing little circles with his thumb. The simple action causes sparks to spread over my skin, and my jealousy wanes.
Kieran leans into me and whispers in my ear. "I can feel your feelings through the mate bond. She can't hold a candle to you."
My face flushes with embarrassment at the thought of Kieran being able to feel my feelings. "Can you read my thoughts too?" I snap back at him.
"Nope," Kieran's smiles. "No thoughts. Just feelings."
I let out a little sigh of relief until Tish leans forward in the backseat. "Wait until you find out he can smell your arousal."
I turn around with my mouth gaping open at Tish. She has to be joking. That is repulsive. But Kieran's smile tells me she isn't lying, and I desperately need to change the subject.
"How did you become a… familiar anyway," I ask Tish.
"That is an excellent question," Kieran replies, looking in the rearview mirror at her.
Their eyes meet and more jealousy flares in my chest. What is going on with me? I have never been so jealous in my life. Seeming to sense my uncomfortableness, Kieran looks straight ahead again.
"That is a story for another time," Tish says with a huff.
"I can't believe you never told me," I pout in the front seat. "I am your best friend."
"My life was kind of put on the line," Tish spits. "I had to keep their secret. Plus, would you have believed me anyway?"
"I suppose not," I say, but I cannot help but keep pouting over a secret that has been kept from me. I have never kept anything from Tish for as long as I have known her.
Kieran pulls into the massive driveway of the home, and my frown deepens. I guess I supposed that he was rich, but I had no idea just how rich. This house is massive. There are at least four levels that I can make out in the dark. Massive white columns line the front porch. There are a few lights on inside, and I can't help but wonder if I will be running into Kieran's fathers again.
As soon as Kieran put the car in park a beautiful woman comes running out of the front door. She has long, flowing blonde hair. Even as she runs towards the car, she is graceful on her feet. I cannot help but watch her in awe.
"Who is that?" I breathe out.
"Brace yourself," Kieran laughs. "That is my mother."