Free The Reluctant by Aila Cline Page A

every
intention of seeking their approval first.”
     
    “That’s not comforting.”
    He pulled me to him, forcing my lips
to accept his kiss. His tongue caressed mine and the familiar wave
of current crawled up my spine. He inhaled deeply.
    “I can’t live without you,
Emily.”
    I said nothing. I just continued to
let him hold me, stupidly thinking that this change, whatever it
involved, could not be that big of a deal. Apparently, werewolves
infested the state of California in droves. A thousand questions
swirled in my head, but I knew Will would only answer them
partially. No lies, just a strategic placement of the
truth.
    My gut told me that Luka would tell
me. At this point, I had accepted that I would be a part of Will’s
world. Luka would not Change me if he became my friend. In my mind,
I spun a plan to snare Luka’s affections and his trust. I did not
know then that I was one step closer to accepting my fate and
defying Will’s version of it.

    Emily

    Will and I sat in the kitchen sharing
lunch and talking about catching a movie when the doorbell rang.
Yes, contrary to what you probably believe by now, our lives
remained relatively normal, boring sometimes even, though the
Lycanti females stalked us from a distance and Will wanted me to
become like him. Our relationship existed easily and I was more
under his sway than ever. The doorbell, unlike the events of the
past two weeks, was a rare occurrence. Since only Luka ever visited
the house, I jumped up eagerly. Will looked very
uncomfortable.
    As well he should. After all, it had
been two weeks since the argument on the back porch. We had
discussed the matter very little since Will made it clear that
without Luka’s help, I could not be Changed. I took small comfort
in that. My plan would be easier if he stayed angry at Will. I
could not allow them have a chance to see eye to eye on Will’s
reasoning.
    I opened the door to Luka’s smiling
face. “Good day, Emily,” he said boldly.
    “Hey Luka,” I responded equally
affectionate. “What’s up?”
    “Nothing much. Just here to let you
and Will bask in my glorious wonder.” He spread his arms wide and
cast an attempted holy gaze towards the sky.
    I laughed and he relaxed. “Yeah, okay,
Ghandi, come on in.”
    Will stood and took Luka’s proffered
hand. “Hey man. Good to see you again.”
    Luka nodded. “I had to work some
things out. A long run cleared my head.”
    “Did you go home?”
    “Yes. I also visited your mother’s
clan on the way back to deliver non- FedEx-able messages to the
elders.” He grinned. “Your mother sent something for
you.”
    Will stiffened. “What?”
    Luka reached into the inside pocket of
his leather riding jacket. Oh, did I mention earlier that Luka’s
choice of transportation happens to be a Ducati 999? Probably not.
I was pretty dazzled by his personality at the arcade that night
and focused on Brooke and her hostility. Some things just slip my
mind as I recount events.
    He pulled an invitation out. “She
wants you to attend her Bonding.”
    “Again?”
    “She swears it is truly love this
time.” He cast a smug smile to me. “Surely you realize how
addicting it is to be in love?”
    I blushed. Will smiled softly at me as
he took the invitation and glanced over it
indifferently.
    “If I wasn’t in present company, I’d
say that the Lycanthrope don’t love. No offense, Luka.”
    Luka grimaced. “Yes, well, we
heartless fiends sometimes like to play dress up anyway and
pretend. Humor us.”
    Something passed between the men then
that I could not recognize. As an observer, I felt I had no right
to intrude on the tenderness of the subject. Luka’s laughing
demeanor had instantly turned mournful. I thought of my owl in the
park, so sad and lonely. I did not want to hurt my new friend by
bringing up something that he and Will would not discuss
openly.
    I attempted to change the subject,
lighten it up a bit. “We’re going to watch a movie tonight,