Their Claim - Claimed by the Lycans

Lying Lips

"I asked, who are you?" He repeats, his tone dropping an octave lower, with more of a stern edge to it.

"Are you asking my name or my age?" I ask in equally hushed tones, daring to keep his stare.

In a matter of seconds, his stare grows intense, too intense, and his eyes darken as the air between us grows thick. He straightens his posture to assert his dominance which somehow makes him appear taller as he looms over me. But

I don't take the bait, though his proximity does make me nervous. I also stand up straighter, trying not to show any weakness to this towering man in front of me as I keep his gaze.

His orbs flicker black but then shortly after he closes his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose with a slight shake of his head and an exhale. Checkmate. "How old are you?"

".... 17"

His eyes fly open, shock written all over his face as he stares dumbfounded at me, searching my eyes like a lie detector. "And when will you be 18?"

Truth is, in a couple of months, but now that the dust has settled, and my brain is no longer clouded by lust, I can think clearer and I can tell his question is only for one reason, and so, to eject myself from the equation, I do what any morally sain person would do in the presence of a stranger. "In a year's time." But oh how I wish I could have said two.

His eyes narrow into slits as he studies me. "You're doing it again?"

"What?"

"You're lying to me."

"What!?" I shriek. "I-I've never lied to you before."

"So, I'm guessing you suddenly don't have to pee again?"

"I- I"

He looks on amused as I stutter my way out of this.

"Ouh, I think it's coming down." I squeeze my eyes shut and my thighs together, as I dramatically hunch over, gripping my stomach.

It causes him to chuckle, the kind of chuckle that makes me want to laugh along, but I'm in character and I have to play the part to the finish.

I pry my eyes open, his features light as his eyes wrinkle at their creases.

Why does he look so handsome when he laughs?

I feel a weird thump in my chest as I momentarily stare at him.

"It's ok, I'll get going so you can use the bathroom in peace." He smiles turning away to leave, but then he pauses briefly without turning around to face me. He simply angles his head slightly to one side, highlighting his strong jawline as his words fall over his shoulder. "Just know when the time comes, I'll be back for you."

And with that, he disappears behind the wooden door.

I wait awhile, just standing there in the bathroom, my mind trying to process what just happened. God damn.

I think I've had enough excitement for one day.

I open the door, check for a clear coast, and this time, I make it home without a hitch.

I flop unto my bed, getting lost in thought, mainly thoughts of Griffen.

Those damn ocean eyes that I don't mind drowning in. The way his arms made me feel so secure when he held me. His breath. His scent, ughhh.

My heart beats just a little faster each time I think of him and a satisfied smile breaks out on my face....

*****

"Anny?"

I jump and immediately glance around the room. It's dark, my windows are open but there's no sunlight streaming through.

What time is it?

"Anny? Are you in there?" My brother calls again, his footsteps ascending the stairs.

"Yeah, in here."

He bursts through the door, worry etched on his face. "What the hell girl, you've got mom and dad in a panic down at the tribal center looking around for you."

"And why aren't you down there helping them search for me still?" I eye him suspiciously holding back a grin. "Hmmm, you probably thought good riddance."

He leans in and flicks my forehead. "I knew you'd be home, you're reckless and selfishly thoughtless like that."

"So, we're definitely siblings then?" I cheekily respond.

He rolls his eyes, turning to leave.

"Hey, are you going back to let them know you've found me?"

"Nah" He nonchalantly shrugs, holding the door open. "they'll figure it out eventually." He then leaves, closing the door behind him.

Hmm, and I'm the thoughtless one.

I close the windows, pull the blinds together and flop back unto the bed.

Welp, goodnight, I guess.

My eyes close and it feels like only a second later that I'm startled again, this time by the sound of frantic knocks against my door.

"Yessss" I groggily groan out, squeezing my eyes shut tighter while sandwiching my head between the pillow to muffle the echoing bangs.

"We need to talk."

"Not now mom, can't it wait until morning."

"Anthenet, it's 9:00, in the morning." She emphasizes.

My eyes fly open, a bright ray of sunlight filtering through the slightly ajar curtain.

Where the hell did the time go?

Thankfully, the day after the festival is always a holiday but where's the enjoyment if I'm forced to wake up so early?

I drag myself from bed just in time to open the door on the second bang.

"I'm up." I stretch my arms above my head as a yawn forces its way from my lungs. "Ok, I'm ready."

She leads the way downstairs, taking a seat on the couch beside dad and gesturing for me to take the one opposite them.

"Where's Jason?" I ask, glancing around the room as I take my seat.

"He probably cleaning or studying, or-"

"So basically being the boring child" I smile, but I'm met with two stern, unamused expressions.

"Anthenet, I think it's time you grow up and start acting like an adult." Dad states. Cutting straight to the chase, I see. "You'll be 18 in a few weeks, yet you still behave childish and reckless."

"Why can't you be more like your brother?" Mom chimes in.

Her words pick my heart like a toothpick, it stings a bit yet hurts very little, I'm used to the comparison.

He's not such the Saint that they all make him out to be, but ok.

I'm already over this conversation, so I simply nod and agree. "I'll try better next time."

I'm dismissed shortly after and I make my way to Jason's room.

"Ah, I see you are getting the hang of it." Jason laughs. "How hard was that? That's what I've been telling you all this time, you just nod and agree and hold back on your little snarky comments and witty comebacks and voilà, conversation, done."

Right, whatever.

I plop my ass down on his bed, ignoring him. I'm here solely for the tea, not for the little chit-chat and he knows. "So how did it go?"

"You mean, who did HE pick?" He counters, a smirk playing on his lips.

I arch my brow questioningly at him. "Who 'HE'?"

"The guy you reeked of when I entered your room last night."

Sh*t. I forgot to wash his scent off. I quickly sniff myself.

"Don’t worry, it's gone now, but I hope you didn't go any further than 1st base."

"Well..." my cheeks flush red as I recall the way he held me, the way his hand roamed my body-

"Anthenet!? Did you f**king sleep with the guy?" Jason squawks, alarmed.

"Whoa, what the hell? Can you be any louder? It was just little touches here and there nothing more, trust me."

He breathes a sigh of relief. "Good, because it's rumored that the last girl in white ended up dead when they found out she wasn't a virgin anymore."