^ Grey siblings

"I got a girl crush, hate to admit it but I got a heart rush, ain't slowing down."
~Little Big Town, 'Girl Crush'

~~~

*Landon's POV*

"I can't believe this!" Lia huffs, pacing around the living room.

I sit back on the couch, crossing my arms over my chest in both annoyance and amusement.

Annoyance, because my sister called an 'emergency family meeting' as soon as Ryland and I got home from our trip. Now, instead of spending time with my mate, I'm squished on the couch with my brothers on each side of me. Since I still don't have a free pass to the Silver Woods Pack, Lia dragged Xander and Enzo over to my house.

Amusement, because I get to watch my sister freak out over something I totally predicated.

"I told you," I chuckle. "You're a lesbian."

"I'm not a lesbian!" Lia glares at me.

"Have you ever found a guy attractive before?"

She pauses. "Well, I've noticed when a guy is attractive."

"That's not the same. Have you been attracted to a man before?"

Lia frowns and shakes her head. "That's not a fair question. I never looked at anyone because I knew it wouldn't matter once I found my mate."

"So if you never let yourself explore who you're attracted to, how do you know you're not gay?" I question. Lia opens her mouth to argue, but no sound comes out. She snaps her mouth shut with an exasperated sigh through her nose.

"You're attracted to Ronnie, aren't you?" Xander asks softly. "I mean, you did kiss her."

"What?!" Enzo and I both shout.

"She kissed me!" Lia clarifies while glaring at our youngest brother.

"You kissed her back," Xander points out, shrinking into the couch when Lia throws him another glare.

"Lia, it's impossible to not be attracted to your mate," I argue. "The mate bond pulls us towards our mate. I fought it with Ryland, but now I love him more than I initially thought possible. You should give Ronnie a chance."

The door to Lucca's bedroom creaks open. Lucca leans against the doorframe, eyes squinting and hair messy as if he just woke up from a nap.

"I couldn't help but overhear your conversation," Lucca says with a yawn.

I roll my eyes. "Of course, you couldn't."

"Here's what I think," he starts, and I mentally prepare myself for another of his anti-mate speeches. "If you don't want to be with her. Then don't. The only reason you're hesitating is because you think you're supposed to be with her. Just do whatever you want."

"That's easy for you to say when you haven't met your mate yet," Enzo growls lowly. "You don't understand what it's like to have a mate."

"Thank god for that," Lucca scoffs. Xander winces at Lucca's word choice, using the name of a deity that's not our own.

"I can't wait for the day you meet your mate," Enzo says gruffly. "You're going to eat your own words. Just you wait."

Lucca snorts. "Yeah, sure. In fact, I doubt I even hate a mate. That bitch goddess probably severed my connection to whatever mate was 'destined' for me, and gave her a better mate. Who knows? Maybe Lia was my mate, but the Moon changed her mind and gave her to Ronnie as a punishment to me."

"That's not how it works," I tell him, narrowing my eyes in annoyance. "Ronnie and Lia were destined for each other. That's how the mate bond works."

"But you and Ryland are mates, and you two weren't exactly 'destined'. How do you explain that? You were both made for other people, and your bonds just attached out of desperation when your previous bonds were broken. You can't tell me all mates are destined for each other, when that's not true for you guys."

I'm off the couch and pinning Lucca to the wall in two seconds flat. Baring my teeth, I growl lowly as my eyes low with rage.

"Don't you ever question my relationship with Ryland," I threaten, and Lucca's eyes widen in surprise. "I can tolerate a lot, Lucca, but not that. Not you talking about my relationship as if it's not real. Yes, Ryland and I may not have the most traditional mate bond, but we're still mates. And you know what? Even if we weren't mates, I would still love him. Because I love him for who he is, not because of the way our bond pulls me to him. Our bond may be what made it easier to start another relationship, but Ryland is who I fell in love with. If you question that again, I will leave this house and never come back."

The room is silent; everyone stunned by my strong speech. Lucca's mouth gapes open and shut like a fish out of water as he tries and fails to come up with something to say.

'Babe, are you okay?' Ryland's voice floats into my mind. 'I can sense your anger.'

'I'm okay,' I assure him. 'Don't worry about me and go back to having fun with your friends. Love you.'

'Love you too.'

Sighing, I step away from Lucca and pinch the bridge of my nose. Once I've calmed down, I turn back to Lia, who's still awkwardly standing in the middle of the room.

"You may not have feelings for Ronnie now, but give her a chance," I implore gently. "You can label whatever you feel for her however you want. A simple attraction. A girl crush. Curiosity. Whatever. Just promise me you'll give her a chance. Okay?"

Lia studies me for a moment before nodding. "Okay."

An uncomfortable silence still lingers in the air after my outburst. Lucca glances at me, and I nod my head once to let him know that we're okay.

"So... you seem more defensive about your relationship than usual," Lia remarks as a grin slowly spreads across her face.

"Your point?"

"Pull down the collar of your shirt."

"No, you freak."

"Enzo, get him!" Lia screeches, and to my surprise, Enzo actually listens to her and lunges at me. He wraps his arms around me tightly, pinning my arms to my side. I bark a shout, but his grip only tightens. Damn warrior training.

Lia skips over, tugging down my collar and revealing Ryland's mark on my shoulder. It's fresh and sensitive, unlike the one that has closed up and scarred on my other shoulder.

"I knew it!" She cheers. "You guys mated!"

"What did you think we were doing on that trip?" I scoff. "Playing checkers?"

Enzo's arms tighten around me as his hold transitions into an embrace, and he lifts me off the ground.

"I'm so happy for you," Enzo chuckles. I gasp for breath under his crushing hug, and he finally releases me. As I'm trying to return the air to my lungs, Xander walks up and gently wraps his arms around my neck.

"Congratulations," he murmurs, and this time, I smile warmly.

"Thank you," I say as I ruffle his blonde hair. Xander wrinkles his nose, detaching himself from the hug.

"So, how was it?" Lia wiggles her eyebrows.

"Go home."

~~~

I initially felt like this was a filler chapter, but I don't feel that way anymore. It seemed important to have Landon and Lia talk about their mates. Plus, we never get to see the Grey siblings all together, so that was fun to write

Thoughts??

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

1.) I have started a book called "Crescent Woods: Anthologies". Basically, it'll be a collection of side stories that are important to the series, but aren't long enough for their own book. These are NOT the same at the extras I put on Patreon. The first story will be the behind-the-scenes of Lia and Ronnie, called "Warrior Mate"

2.) I have another book called "Crescent Woods: Universe Guide". I have a huge burst of inspiration for this series AND the spin-off series, and I decided to make it more complex with societal issues and the introduction of other species. The Universe Guide will have information on creatures, groups, events, etc. that are important to my Crescent Woods world. If you have any questions, please refer to that book

Phew, okay that's all

Q: Who was your first girl crush?
[mine was Jade from Victorious ✌🏼]

See you next time!
-Gumbie