B0079G5GMK EBOK Read online

  “We're going to need one more plate,” I said and smiled at her.

  “I think I can count,” Clarissa answered indignantly and started to count the plates on the table theatrically.

  “Twelve!” Clarissa yelled triumphantly.

  “We're still going to need that extra plate as I invited a guest,” I mumbled quietly.

  Clarissa looked at me weirdly, but said nothing. She picked the extra plate from the cupboard and put it on the table. David put his book aside and stared at me questioningly. I formed Adam's name with my lips and looked really miserable. He got up angrily and marched in front of me. He grabbed me by my shoulders and looked deep into my eyes. He held me there for a moment that seemed like forever, and sighed. Slowly he let his anger pass and turned to the others.

  “Apparently Sofia has invited Adam to spend Christmas with us,” he said.

  “Mom!” Clarissa screamed. “How could you do that?”

  I shrugged and mumbled something about the Christmas miracle. My pack was in chaos. In a few minutes I had succeeded in draining the Christmas feeling from all of them and I felt like the lowest creature in the world. Tiamhaidh said nothing. He looked at the situation for a while and got up. Everyone went silent. Gunward had left the alpha-male place to Tiamhaidh and even though I was the leader of our pack, they seemed to listen to him better, especially in situations like this. The feminist in me lifted its head, but I kicked it back and swallowed my angry words before I could say anything. I loved Tiamhaidh and I was happy to have him beside me as Marie's partner. He glanced at me and I managed to smile.

  “Sofia is right,” Tiamhaidh thundered. “Adam is not a renegade-wolf and each one of us should've known to ask him here. It's Christmas, for God's sake! Would you want to be alone today?” Tiamhaidh leered at the others looking so convincing that they all lowered their heads in shame.

  “Thank you, Sofia, for remembering to invite him,” Tiamhaidh said and grinned at me like a little boy.

  I collected the remnants of my pride and started to order the others. The most important order was that they should try to behave like civilized people in front of Adam. I heard their silent complaints inside my head, but not even Clarissa started to argue with Tiamhaidh. Instead she feverishly searched for something in the room that she could wrap up and give to Adam as a present.

  At six o'clock sharp, we heard a knock on our door and Adam stepped in. Clarissa's mouth dropped and I told her to shut it immediately. Adam was as handsome as sin. There were a few snowflakes glittering on his black hair and his dark eyes gleamed alertly. His idea of a suit was tight black jeans and a dark grey sweater. On top of it all he had a black leather jacket that made him look really dangerous. He smiled boldly, but underneath his smile I could sense how unsure he was. Obviously he was prepared for us sending him away and he was surprised we hadn't done that yet. David surprised me as he took a step forward and smiled. He offered his hand and met Adam's wolf-eyes.

  “Welcome,” David said steadily in a low voice. “Let me take your jacket.”

  Adam looked at David, confused, and the bold smile disappeared. I was so proud of David. Finally I could move and went to hug Adam. He hugged me back, stiffly, but when I didn't let go of him, he tightened his grip and absorbed my strength.

  “Tapadh leat,” Adam whispered to my ear.

  “Shh,” I said, moved.

  The dinner went surprisingly well. Adam was a complete gentleman and even though Tiamhaidh seemed a little bit pissed as Adam stared thoughtfully at Marie, he said nothing. He just settled for scowling at Adam a couple of times. Adam looked at him like he was going to say something, but decided to remain silent. Clarissa had wrapped a picture of her and now gave it to Adam. Adam was thrilled.

  “So you don't have to stare at me all the time,” Clarissa mumbled, confused.

  Adam didn't care that it was the only gift he got. He hadn't brought gifts for any of us, but I knew he wasn't rude on purpose. He just wasn't used to visiting people’s houses, not to mention spending Christmas with them. I wiped his mind lightly and was surprised at how grateful he was to me. No one had ever treated him this kindly or showed him this sort of friendship. And the fact that he was here was the most precious gift he could ever get. Maybe he wasn't a lost case after all, I thought, and touched his hand.

  Every hour, Clarissa went closer to Adam. Adam was interested in her and she was too tired to pretend she didn't care. Ciall looked at her condemningly, but the others acted like they hadn’t seen what was happening in front of their noses. At the end of the evening she sat right next to Adam and playfully touched his knee at times. Clarissa was totally unaware of the rage that was storming inside of Joshua, or she would've been much more cautious. Finally, when everyone got bored of playing the fifth round of Pictionary, they started to disappear one by one to their rooms. Adam looked at me confused and prepared to leave. David pressed my hand and I glanced at him. I knew without speaking what he was trying to say to me. I coughed silently and Adam looked at me.

  “There's a spare bed upstairs, if you're interested,” I said warmly.

  Adam looked at me like I had lost my mind. He couldn't believe what he had heard.

  “It's an old sofa, actually, but it's yours if you want it,” I repeated my invitation.

  Adam stared at me speechlessly. Eventually Clarissa slipped by me and took his hand.

  “Come,” Clarissa said and smiled invitingly. “I'll show you your bed.”

  Adam let her lead him upstairs and glanced at me and David goofily as he passed us. I turned to David and kissed him passionately.

  “I love you,” I whispered into his lips.

  David took my hand and we went to our bedroom. Our eyes were locked to each other's and if I hadn't been so mesmerized by my husband I would've seen the poisonous look Joshua gave Adam and Clarissa.

  Later in the night, I heard Clarissa and Adam talking quietly on the sofa when I sneaked downstairs to get a snack. Adam was laughing softly in his rough tone and Clarissa prattling and giggling happily. I also heard something about coming dates and I smiled. Adam had lot of work to do, but at least he knew Clarissa better now and if he could find out how to use the knowledge, they might actually have some hope of being together.

  CHAPTER 19

  Clarissa

  Clarissa stood at the doorway of her next class and absorbed the familiar voices and smells. A bunch of girls whispered together and glanced at Adam, who was lounging relaxedly in the back of the classroom. At times the girls giggled like some brainless hens and looked at him temptingly. Emilie was coloring her nails and listening absentmindedly to Caitlin, who was trying to tell her about her holiday. The most annoying girl of the class, Nicole, was kissing her latest victim, Julius, a boy with angel curls in his hair. A couple of boys were playing with their cell phones. Stella had a hard time staying in her chair when she saw the man behind Clarissa. Clarissa sighed pleased. Everything was just the way it was supposed to be. Even when her life outside school was chaotic, in here she could pretend that nothing had changed in her life.

  Adam opened his eyes and looked at Clarissa, amused. “Do you really wish, you could be as ridiculously average as the other students?” Adam's voice echoed in her mind. Clarissa took a deep breath and scowled at Adam. “Leave my mind alone!” Adam straightened up and looked at the empty chair next to his table. Clarissa stood up straight and marched to the chair with her nose up. As she sat down, she couldn't help herself and grinned at Adam.

  The Christmas holiday had been the best holiday ever and the biggest reason for that was Adam. After Christmas Eve, she had seen him almost every day and after really getting to know him, she had changed her mind about him. Adam was as dangerous and as annoying as before, but underneath his tough shell she had discovered something so vulnerable and beautiful that it made her heart melt. Mom knew exactly what had happened. Though she had tried, she couldn't keep any secrets from her. Mom had, however, accepted the situation and helpe
d them to hide their secret moments from the others. Sometimes Clarissa was sure that Tiamhaidh knew, too, as he kept looking at them so strictly. But as he had said nothing, she couldn't be sure. Marie had gotten worse, and that had kept Tiamhaidh so busy he had no time for other people’s problems.

  Clarissa smiled at Stella, who had already happily placed herself in Jonas's arms. Blake stared at Adam and, not happy at all, sat on the other side of him. The class went by and Clarissa didn't really have a clue what was happening around her. Adam knew how to shut the others out of their minds and she found it really difficult to even try to look like she cared about what the teacher said about inter-crossing the vinegar-flies. Adam quietly commented on the teacher in her mind and filled her senses. She tried to answer him, but couldn't without laughing.

  She couldn't deny her feelings. Not anymore. She was so sure that everyone could read what she felt for Adam from her face, but they didn't say anything. The rest of the pack hadn't accepted Adam yet, if they ever would, but her mom had told Adam that he was welcome to their home anytime he felt like coming, and he had come. He was a familiar sight at their dinner table and there were times when Clarissa was sure Mathanan would put some poison in Adam's food, as he was so pissed at Adam. Adam was as cocky as before, but everyone had to live with that. Sofia had made up her mind and Tiamhaidh backed her up. The only way to stop Adam from coming would've been to challenge Sofia or Tiamhaidh, but no one was ready to go that far.

  It was a hard time for Joshua. He of all had the most difficulty accepting Adam's presence and Clarissa understood him perfectly. She had almost said the words, “I have decided to choose Adam,” many times, but every time she had opened her mouth to say it, the words had been stuck in her throat. Mom knew, but even when she urged her to say it, she couldn't. Clarissa sighed deeply. Why did this have to be so hard? She was supposed to jump from happiness and joy at her time with Adam, but she couldn't. There was nothing in this universe she wanted more than to be with Adam. There was no doubt about that, but by choosing him she felt like she was going to betray her pack.

  Mom would understand, she was sure of that. Mom had had this really dangerous affair with Gunward, so she had to know how Clarissa felt. And Dad, well, she could already feel his eyes accusing her and how the others scorned her silently. So Mom was the only one who could ever understand why she had chosen Adam, and wouldn't settle for anything less. She knew it was not the danger that floated around Adam. Well, maybe it was but just a little, and it didn't matter. Adam could've been anything and she would still be his. He owned her soul and she hoped that one day she would own his soul as well. If Adam ever left, she couldn't live anymore. She would simply die. Yes, you could, a small voice whispered in her mind. Mom could, even when Gunward was gone.

  Clarissa shivered a little. That was not the same, she reminded herself. Mom and Gunward would get back together eventually, so no, it definitely was not the same. She glanced at Adam, who seemed to laugh at her inner battle. Suddenly a weird thought came into her mind. Marie would accept him. Dear Marie. Marie was like a six year old these days and every time Tiamhaidh was not around, she climbed onto Adam's lap and circled her lost fingers in his black hair. For some reason, Marie seemed to be interested in Adam and if Clarissa hadn't been sure of him, she would've been extremely jealous.

  Adam was the one who never got tired of Marie. He could play the same stupid children's game for hours with Marie and for some reason Marie seemed to trust him. Tiamhaidh had sulked for some time, but eventually he had to give in. Adam offered him a break from being with Marie, and no matter how much he loved her, he really needed those moments. Stella pushed Clarissa.

  “A penny for your thoughts?” she whispered.

  Clarissa shrugged and smiled confusingly.

  “Oh, no! Don't even think of that! After this class, you'll have to tell me everything that you did on your holiday,” Stella glanced at Adam. “And I mean everything!”

  Clarissa looked at Adam, who stared back at her with his black eyes. Oh, my God! Would it always be like this? She was still surprised by his stunningly dangerous look, and she had watched him quite closely for two weeks now. Clarissa blushed and turned to Stella.

  “Are you sure you really want to hear everything?” Clarissa teased her friend.

  “Yes! And don't let even a minor detail pass,” Stella grinned.

  Adam touched Clarissa's hand lightly, and every single thought disappeared from her head. He softly fondled her skin on the inside of her wrist and Clarissa sighed with pleasure. Adam's dark eyes flashed dangerously and she felt how her own eyes responded to him by changing in to the golden-brown eyes of a wolf for a second. Clarissa screamed in surprise, making both Jonas and Blake jump up. Jonas looked strictly at Adam, but as everything seemed to be fine, he sat back next to the giggling Stella. Blake stared at Adam angrily. He opened his mind and tried to invade Adam's mind. He didn't succeed. Instantly he smashed into a defense so strong that he had to back up, startled. Blake moved his gaze to Clarissa, who looked at Adam in puzzlement. Blake wiped her mind, but it was covered as well and he couldn't go through her shield without harming her. Adam grinned at him and he sat back and hid behind his table, sulking. Clarissa was speechless. She stared at Adam. How amazing was that!

  “Again,” Clarissa whispered silently.

  Adam grinned and caressed her hand again. Each time the pleasure filled her, her eyes turned into those of a wolf. Finally, Adam took her hand away.

  “That's enough for now,” Adam smiled.

  “No! You can't stop,” Clarissa panicked.

  Adam grinned shamelessly.

  “If I don't stop now, we'll end up making love on the class floor,” Adam said in a velvety voice.

  Clarissa blushed hard, and instinctively pushed herself further away from him. Stella rolled her eyes and formed with her lips: everything. Luckily the class ended so she could rush out of the room and straight into the toilet. Stella packed her things as fast as lightning, and ran after her.

  Clarissa tried to cool down her burning face with water. Stella rushed in and pushed her lightly. Clarissa glanced at her nosy friend but couldn't meet her eyes. Instead she splashed some more water on her face and weeped quietly.

  “Wow!” Stella sighed.

  “You forgot to mention you were at that level already,” Stella said and looked attentively at Clarissa.

  “What level? There is no level and there is no affair, for sure!” Clarissa yelled.

  Stella turned the water off and shoved a mass of toilet paper onto Clarissa's hand.

  “Clarissa?” Stella asked.

  Clarissa stared at her shoes and drained her wet face.

  “Clarissa!” Stella yelled demandingly.

  “All right!” Clarissa screamed.

  She looked at Stella for a moment in confusion and raked her hair desperately.

  “I've been dating Adam for the whole Christmas holiday,” Clarissa sighed.

  “What! How? But what! I mean what about Joshua? Clarissa! Are you crazy?” Stella jumped excitedly in front of her.

  “Wow! I mean really wow!” she screamed.

  “Shh! Calm down,” Clarissa tried to stop her lunatic friend.

  Stella didn't know what she could do. There was no rhyme or reason in her speech, she just yabbered something. Eventually Clarissa decided to have mercy on her and spoke.

  “Adam spent Christmas Eve with us,” Clarissa began carefully.

  “Yes! And then you kissed,” Stella sighed.

  “No! We spent the whole night together and I guess that's where it started,” said Clarissa as if in pain.

  “You spent the night together! Oh my! And what did your mom say?” Stella asked with her eyes sparkling.

  “Mom asked him to stay.”

  “You're a liar! She did not, did she?” Stella gasped.

  “Oh yes, she did,” Clarissa convinced her and Stella pressed her beating heart.

  “Oh, my God! I wish my mom w
ere like that!” Stella sighed. “That is so romantic.”

  “No, Stella! We spent the night together talking, nothing else happened. I swear,” Clarissa corrected.

  “Oh,” Stella said disappointedly.

  “But we have seen each other secretly almost every day since that,” Clarissa said slyly.

  “So, romantic after all! You're like Romeo and Juliet,” Stella said longingly and pressed her hand theatrically to her lips.

  “Stella, stop that! It's nothing like that and besides, Mom knows,” Clarissa snapped.

  “What do you mean Mom knows?” Stella asked and looked at her demandingly.

  Clarissa sighed and grinned maliciously. “We tried to hide it from her, but the first time Adam tried to kiss me, she howled in his head so hard that no shield could've stopped her,” Clarissa laughed.

  “A wolf thing, right,” Stella whispered and tried to look mysterious.

  Clarissa laughed and nodded. Stella was so funny. When she had tried to tell her about her ability to shift shapes, she had said she didn't really want to know anything specific. They had agreed that if anything involved shape shifting, it would be ‘the wolf thing’. One day, though, Stella had to face reality. Especially if she wanted to share her future with Jonas.

  “Wait a minute. You said the first time Adam tried to kiss you. What about the second time?” Stella said, obviously satisfied with herself that she hadn't let Clarissa fool her.

  “Um, yes I did,” Clarissa purred. “And he really knows how to kiss. Oh, my God Stella! I'm so in love with him!”

  “And Joshua?” Stella asked carefully.