“This is it,” Greg said as he looked around. “Thank God, some lights are on. I thought they might be at the club.”
“Where a
re we at?” Alana asked in a slurred voice. All she wanted to do was go to sleep but Caine kept waking her. If he put his elbow in her ribs one more time she was going to break it. She stumbled and Caien slipped an arm around her waist and pulled her against his side. She stiffened at first but soon a warm tingle spread through her body.
His scent. She could wallow in his scent all day. Why hadn’t she ever noticed it before? It wasn’t a synthetic smell. No, it was all Caine. Manly and dark with just a hint of a spicy overtone. She jerked away when she realized her nose was buried in his neck. His rumbling laugh made her face warm.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, shuffling her feet.
He shrugged. “You can sniff me any time…anymore.”
She glared at him. “You are such a pervert!”
“Who was sniffing who?”
Pushing away from him she started to walk away. “Who was sniffing whom?” she snapped over her shoulder.
“Alana! Wait!” Greg started to reach for her arm but a rumbling snarl from Caine had him snatching his hand away.
“Right, right. Look, I’ll go first, just to be safe. Alana, you stay in the middle and Alpha bring up the rear.”
“Christ, Greg! Would you call me Caine for fuck’s sake?”
Alana shot a look over her shoulder as Caine let out a heavy breath. He was wiping at his face as his eyes stayed glued on her butt. She whipped back around.
“You know, it might help if you paid attention to what’s going on around you!”
“I’m trying, I’m trying but your ass keeps distracting me. It’s like a pendulum swinging back and forth. Very hypnotic. I’ve always loved your ass Alana.”
She rolled her eyes. “Caine, you don’t even like me.”
“I don’t have to like you to admire your very fine figure.”
“Spoken like a man.”
“In case you haven’t noticed I am a man, princess.” He paused before she felt the heat of his body behind her. Geez, he moved silently, she thought inanely.
“And just for the record,” he growled in her ear, “I do like you. Probably more than I should seeing as how you bashed my head in with an extinguisher.”
From in front of her she saw that Greg’s shoulders were shaking with silent laughter.
“You deserved it.”
“Hmm….”
Their banter stopped when Greg held up his hand and tilted his head. Alana held her breath and let it out in a rush when he motioned them forward again.
“Alright, second floor. Wait for me there.”
Caine ushered Alana up the stairs, ignoring her grumbling of him to stop pushing at her, before he started up the stairs himself. He paused on the porch when he realized that Greg wasn’t following him.
“What are you doing?” he asked without turning around as he saw Alana swaying drunkenly on the landing to the stairs before she rubbed her forehead and started up.
“I’m not sure. I just feel as if someone is watching us. I’m pretty sure that Ethan had a tail on me the entire time he had me looking for you. I don’t want to be come too careless Alpha….Caine. Now, let me do my job which is protect you. Get into the apartment and off the porch.”
“I don’t want anyone dying for me.”
“We would all die for you. Get used to it. Now, in the apartment please.”
Caine’s shoulders slumped as his responsibility seemed to weigh down on him. He had been so used to being by himself, doing what he wanted…now he had to readjusted his way of thinking to encompass so many faceless people. People that had always held out the hope that he had survived. He didn’t know if he could do it.
Greg looked down as he went up the stairs. He hadn’t been here in months but it had felt like so much longer. Doing what he did, pretending to work for Ethan, he had created some enemies within the pack. He was used to it but he didn’t want that anger to pass down to the people around him. He didn’t want to cause even more trouble for his family and friends so he rarely stopped by their place. But when he did it felt like coming home. They knew the real him. They had grown up with him and understood his dedication to getting rid of Ethan. And they also understood him leaving in the middle of the night and just reappearing months later.
It was a barren existence but something that he had to do. And not just for himself. He had others he needed to think about.
Motioning Caine and Alana out of the view from the peephole he raised a hand and knocked hard on the door. Through the door her could hear the abrupt silence before heavy footsteps came toward the door.
“Who the fuck is it?” A raspy voice came not far from the door. He grinned.
“Who do you think it is knocking on your door at two in the morning?”
The door was yanked open.
“Christ Greg! It’s good to see you! We thought you were the cops again. Our neighbors downstairs are always calling the fucking cops on us. Noise complaints and shit. Almost got busted for smoking that good shit you brought back with you last time. Did you bring anymore?”
Greg shook his head. “Nah. Nolan, I need you to do something for me.”
“Whatever you need bro!”
“Some friends and I need a place to crash for a few days. Will-”
“What friends? Dude, you don’t have any friends beside us. What the fuck are you on? Give me some of it.”
Clearing his throat Caine walked over. Greg stepped away.
“Duuuuude!! Get the fuck out! Are you shitting me? Do you know who you are? Slap my ass and call me Susan. You’re him.”
“Geez, does anyone not curse?” Alana muttered as she leaned against the wall. She straightened suddenly and brushed at her shoulder as she stared in disgust at the wall.
“Who’s the broad? She’s kinda hot in a librarian way.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I said-”
“Why don’t you keep you
r eyes in your head huh?” Caine snapped.
“Sure, sure. Whatever you say, man!”
“Caine, this is my younger brother Nolan. Nolan, this is-”
“Dude, I know who it is. Man, I never thought I’d see the day. Welcome to our humble abode alpha.” Opening his arms wide he grinned at them before waving them in.
Alana wrinkled her nose as the smell of weed reached her.
Greg grabbed his brother and gave him a bear hug. “I missed you, little brother.”
“I missed you too Greg. It’s not the same not seeing you all the time. I talked to ma the other day. She said to tell you hi and that she loves you.”
“The next time you talk to her tell her-”
“Yeah, yeah! I know what to tell her without using your name.”
“How’s the band going?” Greg asked as he looked around. Nolan nudged him.
“You don’t give a shit about The Shapeshifters. You’re just looking for…” He drifted off when his brother stiffened and he knew that he had spotted who he was looking for.
“I’ll talk to ya later Greg,” he said.
Greg didn’t responded as he took a hesitant step forward.
“I’ve missed you mate.”
Her body fit perfectly against his. He knew those planes and slopes like the back of his hand. He envisioned them a thousand times as he laid in bed at night. He let out a shuddering breath as his arms tightened around her.
“I’ve missed you every moment of every day, my love.”
He nipped gently on her bare shoulder before burying his face in her neck.
Pages: 1 2
Heheheh, Caine’s pretty hot-and-cold, isn’t he? Hopefully he’ll stay on the warmer end of the scale now that it’s all getting sorted out
Already I like Nolan. Duuuuuude, he’s such a like, loveable stoner type dude. And Greg=WIN.
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With all the pheromones in the air Caine is going to stay pretty hot from now on. Unfortunately…or fortunately for Alana depending on your point of view!
Nolan wasn’t supposed to turn out that way! But that face when I posed him? How could I resist Van? Seriously!! Haha!! He’s great!
*nods in agreement about Greg*
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Greg’s brother is a crack-up.So very opposite to Greg himself.
I bet Alana the thought of sleeping on the furniture will be enough to keep Alana awake. LOL! Weed! Language! Alana has such a stick up her butt. I think that’s why I adore her.
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EDIT: Scratch that first “Alana”. It’s too early for me, Phoenix!!
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LOL!! You couldn’t resist could you? Haha!!
I know! I didn’t intend for that to happen, at least I didn’t intend for him to be a pot head but that pic just cracked me up! I couldn’t resist! In my head he sounds like the turtle from Finding Nemo!!
No doubt, no doubt! I love Alana too for the same reason.
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You know I couldn’t resist! I have an addiction! Look at me twitch!
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LOL!! I was thinking as I posted it early this morning: I wonder if Pen is going to try and read this before she goes to work? Bwahahaha!!
I can’t say anything…I do the same thing!
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More sensory overload for Alana, probably a good thing for them she was too tired to process everything just at the moment.
Every family needs a Nolan
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Phoenix! This is wonderful! So well written. I enjoy this story so very much. Did you create this the apartment lot? It’s AWESOME!
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Poor Caine having to put up with Alana. Man is she all over the place… of course, considering what she’s been through, that’s not that terribly surprising.
Awesome chapter! I’m going to admit though, I can’t wait to get back to Dom and Julius. Dom’s probably my favorite character after Alana and I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen when she finds out Julius left…
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LOL! I know goodbye_sun! I don’t know how much she can take until she finally cracks! Which should be interesting to see!
I know right? Haha!! He’s awesome!
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Hey Noelle!!
Glad you’re enjoying this!! Thanks for the lovely compliments!
Nope, I can’t build for crap! All my stuff is usually downloaded and then gutted and rearranged. In this case I left everything in tact though…you can get it from here. They have some other amazing apartments!
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LOL! I know Marie, I know! I think, when she has a moment to sit down and think about things Caine is going to be keeping an eye on her for an entirely different reason! She’s not going to be pleased. Not at all…
Thanks! I know! I already have it planned out in my head…after the next prompt we’ll be back at Ethan’s place…should be interesting!
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My God, I just love Caine! “Are you decent?” “I’m dressed if that’s what you mean!” ROTF!! Love the tender way he checked Alana over, but still managed a wise-crack. The prissy school teacher is turning into quite the alpha chick, great urban shots, and can I say I am taking a liking to Greg?
Great update!
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PhoenixFG Reply:
May 1st, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Hahaha!! That was so a Caine~ish thing to say wasn’t it Karen?
She is and she doesn’t even know it yet! LOL!! I think she’ll be surprised to find out what’s really going on. Thank you! This is really my first urban scene in either story so I had to find the right buildings and whatnot!
I am too Karen! I love Greg!
Thanks so much!!
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LOL! I’m Dressed, Lady this entire chapter had me rolling Caine and Alana are utterly hilariously perfect together. And Greg… What a switcheroo, I adore him in this tale!!! much better than the character who shant be named, LOL!
I love how attentive Caine is with Alana, and her come back! Especially the germ part! LOL! And I hit the floor, Slobbering man beast!
How funny, I can just imagine the look of alarm and embarrasment that must have crossed her face when she realized she was busy sniffing him. LOL!
Your characters come so easily through, I can completely imagine sitting there listening to them talk!
I love Nolan and am so intrigued!!! Greg’s mate is gorgeous!!!
This was a stunning update!
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PhoenixFG Reply:
May 2nd, 2009 at 6:43 AM
LOL!! I know Cherie! His face was classic right there so I had to throw it in!! haha! LOL!! The character that shan’t be named! I love Jayden!
Ohhhh…that would be horrible wouldn’t it? Haha!! Especially seeing as how Alana loves her personal space!
Thank you so much Cherie!!
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Okay, okay…I loved this update…I can sooo hear everybody’s voices in my head. Your pics are always a perfect match to the dialogue. LOLOL!!!!!! I am in love with Greg…so handsome and sexy. And Alana cracks me up…i love the dialogue between her and Caine. I can’t wait until she’s gonna be one of “them” or at least half anyway. And Greg’s mate looks gorgeous…I am soooo jealous.
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PhoenixFG Reply:
May 2nd, 2009 at 8:25 AM
Just checking to see what the threading look likes since I was fiddling around with the coding! haha!
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Umm…I swear I left a comment on this post…I can’t keep track any more. Anyway, I loved this one especially the way Alana and Caine seem to be bonding…err…despite the barbs back and forth. That apartment building is to die for! Man it looked great, so real. Nolan totally reminds me of Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High doesn’t he? Dude! hehe OK, once again stunning shots but I have to tell you they aren’t needed the way you tell the tale. Great job Phoenix.
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Thanks Sis!! You can hear them too? Hahaha!! It’s crazy how they all have their own voices and personalities. Thanks so much! Greg belongs to Cherie! She just let me use him in this story!! haha! Thanks for stopping by! You know how much it means to me!
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LOL! You probably did Gayl…on the one on blogger! I had already ported the post over here before you comment! Sorry!!
Haha! Those two are something else!
It is amazing isn’t it? Talented bloody people!
Thanks Gayl! You know I suck at building so it was a download! Link is embedded under the name!
Oh wow! Thanks so much Gayl! Really appreciate it! You have no idea!!
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Nolan is adorable. I loved how Caine teased her for sniffing him. I bet that, once Alana gets her hands on the bathroom, we won’t be seeing her for a month or so.
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Hahaha!! Thanks Meralgia!! Nolan is a trip…or ON a trip! Either or!
Teasing Alana is one of Caine’s little joys! Hahaha!! Bwahaha!! So true!!!
And…did I mention that I’m glad to see you back!
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Hahaha, and he’s one of hers, apparently.
Thank you, really. I’m glad to be back.
Yeah, you mentioned it, but it’s nice to hear it again.
Damn, I’m yearning for the new chapter. Hurry up, haha
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Yeah…he is! She just doesn’t know it yet!
LOL!! I’m working on this chapter as well as the next chapter for my other two stories! Sooo….next chapter should be up within a day or two!
Aaaaand…hopefully you didn’t sign up for notifcation since I was fiddling with this and sent it like four or five times!! My bad if You did!
Well, for whatever reason it’s not threading my comment!! Hmm…must…resist…fiddling with it instead of working on story!
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He he he, me loves interaction between Caine and Alana.
Especially when he had her face in his hands, and you don’t have to like someone to appreciate their foxy form! LOL. The whole eyes on her butt thing cracked me up! When is she just gonna admit that she’s drawn to the guy!
Greg’s bro is quite funny! And ooooohhhh, a new girlie! She looks cool and love that last shot!
Great update!
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LOL!!! Those two are so much fun to write! I love their little idiosyncrasies. So funny! That’s one of my favorite shots. And you sure don’t do you? I’ve done it several times before! Haha!
His bro cracks me up! When I was editing I was just cracking up because I could hear his voice in my head! Insane! Thanks Emily!
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I have to love Greg’s brother!!! He is hilarious!!!
The story is taking a very interesting twist, Alana and Caine are no longer alone I really hope Caine will bring peace and a better future to his kin.
lol
I can’t wait for him and alana to have puppies
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PhoenixFG Reply:
July 7th, 2009 at 11:30 PM
I love Nolan too! I never intended for him to be like that but…I enjoy it!
Thanks Sandy! I really like how it’s going. I never know where each chapter is going to take me. I really enjoy the ride.
Hahaha!! Puppies!! You’re a trip!
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Oh wow, Greg’s brother brings me so much funny that he must never, ever leave! LOL! I love it. xD
“Who was sniffing whom?” LOL, Alana. She never lets down that teacher wall, does she?
Awwh, Greg has his own purple-haired pretty.
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PhoenixFG Reply:
January 3rd, 2010 at 1:11 AM
Nolan is made of win! Like seriously! He was just supposed to show up in two, maybe three prompts, but he has to stay now!
Of course not! My mom is a teacher and she’s always correcting people. You get used to it…most of the time!
I know!!
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