Exposed

Audrey

"So, you and Joey are a real thing now?"

"Yup..."

Jae cleared his throat and looked over his sister. He lightly pressed his fingertips to his eyelids trying to shake the image of Joey touching her. He felt chills go up his spine and a low growl escaped his lips.

"I'm sorry, I know it's a normal wolf thing, but you're my little sister-who's not a wolf might I add. I can't help but be bothered by this."

"What's there to be bothered by? We're just dating and he's mated to me so it's not like he's going to hurt me," Ki reassured him, touching his arm.

Jae chuckled at his sister's naivety. "Mates can hurt each other. It's not a typical thing, but it does happen. And you're not just dating. You've accepted him as a mate. He's going to mark you and then...mate with you," he cringed at the thought.

Choking on her spit, Ki struggled to regain breath and find the words to respond with.

"No one's talking about...mating yet. That's not going to happen anytime soon. I promise," she said flustered.

"No, Ki, it probably is going to happen soon and if it doesn't happen soon it's not going to go so well with Joey. Everyone here is half animal, which means they have very strong animalistic urges and I doubt he's going to wait long. That's just based off of all the mates I've observed while I've been here."

"I'm not comfortable talking about this. This is so weird!"

"It's a natural part of life. I'm used to knowing everyone's having sex but the idea of Joey being with you bothers me at my core."

"Don't worry, Jae. Joey seems like a really nice guy. I'm sure that sooner or later I'll really fall in love with him."

Jae sighed and pulled his sister into his chest. Ki rested her head against him as he wrapped his arms around her. Closing his eyes, Jae took in Ki's scent. She smelled of dirt and trees like she always did, even if she hadn't been outside. Ki could feel Jae's heartbeat against her cheek; it softly pulsed confirming that all of this was real. She's been thrown into a whole new reality and has only been coping by pretending her previous memories didn't exist.

"On a lighter note," Jae began, still holding Ki close, "Your room is almost finished. I've decorated it and everything for you. And it's right next to mine."

"Really? Oh my gosh, thank god!"

"Wow, do you hate staying with me that much?" Jae faked offense.

"Of course not. I love you, duh. But my own room at last, it's the best news I've had in a while," Ki said happily as she pulled away from Jae.

"There's also a computer and a phone for you in there because I can't take your friends constantly messaging me."

Ki laughed and then shrugged innocently, "That's how normal people talk. It was punishment for taking so long to get me a phone."

"Yeah, sure." Jae rolled his eyes as Ki left the room.

Ki stared at the clock in Jae's room. There was a note on the door from Joey saying to be ready by 7. It was 6 o'clock and Ki didn't know what she should wear. She could feel the panic rising up as she realized she had no idea what she was supposed to bring on a date. Her gaze fixed on the small collection of clothing Jae had bought her. None of it was fitting for a date. She didn't know any of the girls in the pack well enough to borrow clothes yet either. Ki let out a frustrated sigh and plopped down on the bed. The only girl she new in the pack house that would help her is Lumen. Lumen's age made it unlikely that she would have anything to offer that Ki would deem appropriate for a date. With no other option, Ki pried herself off the bed and padded over to Lumen's room.