While Jephthah was forcing a resolve to finally open up and talk to her, John was already hitting on her, making her giggle and playfully punch him on his shoulders.
Beta Royce and Daniel were talking about small matters and how he was planning on ruling his pack after his ceremony tomorrow and Daniel had to admit that he had thought lowly of Royce. He was actually very smart, talked from experience and wasn't quick to judge him when his replies were slow and dull when it came to tactical measures when ruling the pack.
Meanwhile, throughout the entire conversation they had, Nancy was latched onto his arm like she was stuck there and only resorted to staring at his perfectly sculpted jawline, shamelessly complimenting his lips and how much she wanted to kiss him.
No one really minded. Nancy was Nancy.
However someone did mind her shameless voice and her twitching eyes evidently said it without words. She wasn't even paying attention to Barton who made several failed attempts at trying to get her to talk to him.
When it didn't look like he'd shutup, she suddenly said outloud.
"You know Barton. I'm really thirsty. You know how you can be of real use to me right now?"
Daniel stopped his conversation to finally stare at the duo. His countenance changed at the way she spoke to his cousin like he was her slave and it darkened when he realized how Barton soaked in her words and nodded his head to every syllabus like a gold fish.
"You want some juice…wine? We've got everything. We could even get them together. I could show you the kitchen. It…"
Irritation flashing in her eyes, she managed a smile.
"I'd like some apple juice."
Barton was speechless for a moment at her direct order. However, he swallowed her obvious shallow treatment like a huge pill and managed a smile.
"Apple juice coming right up!"
"Honey I'd also like some apple juice as well please." Talia politely asked, pausing her conversation with John.
"No way. I'm not letting another man get my girl her apple juice. I'll get it myself." John said.
Talia laughed, her laughter a melodious flow of music as she playfully rolled her eyes.
"Who said I was your girl?" She asked, feigning anger but Jephthah could see the hidden smile in her eyes and the small blush that crept up her cheeks as John winked at her before joining Barton to leave for the kitchen.
Dora turned away with a smug smile for finally getting rid of him. However her smile froze when she saw the dark look on Daniel's face. Directed at her.
What had she done?
Before Daniel could say another word, Nancy grabbed his cheek and pulled him close so their noses almost touched as she shamelessly said.
"Aren't you going to get me a drink Daniel?"
Daniel really liked Nancy. She was sweet and incrediously hot but he really wasn't planning on hitting on her. He felt like he was hitting on a little cute sister. But since she showed interest in him and Dora had been shooting her silent icy glares, he wouldn't mind playing along with her in her little 'flirt game'. The look on Dora's face was priceless and he enjoyed the little payback.
"Sure. Apple juice, right?" He asked, already making a move to leave, a satisfied look on his face when Dora's hands fell by her side in dismay.
"Unbelievable," Royce suddenly chuckled. "Everyone's getting a drink for the women."
"You're welcome to join if you don't want to feel left out." Daniel remarked with a playful twinkle in his eyes.
Royce gladly accepted the invitation to be with the boys and soon, the girls were left alone with Jephthah who stood at the side, feeling nervous yet taking in the beautiful view of Talia as she held up her hair and placed a band around it, pulling it up into a tight pony tail.
She suddenly looked up on noticing his gaze on her and he looked away like a child caught doing something wrong, his hands fiddling with his clothes.
Feeling the urge to taunt the cute and quiet version of John, she walked towards him with a smug smile on her face, leaving Nancy and Dora alone.
"I can feel myself soaking wet at just the thought of him." Nancy suddenly told Dora, her eyes twinkling as she stared at the door where all the boys walked through to get the juice.
Dora whose arms were folded again with a sneer on her face suddenly froze at Nancy's next words.
"What did you just say?"
Nancy didn't note the lethal warning attached to that question as she shamelessly replied,
"I was talking about Daniel," Dora's eyes began twitching. Nancy sighed as she closed hers, relishing his scent of alcohol and forest when she was close to him. "I'm not letting my chance go by in seducing him before tomorrow."
"I don't think he'll be interested in someone like you." Dora quietly remarked, a smirk on her face as she prepared to see the hurt look on her face.
"You're right!" Nancy said in an 'oh-no' tone, not realizing the insult hidden in her words which caused Dora to boil in rage; resisting the urge to drown the bright blue haired colored girl in the pool. It's not like Nancy was more prettier than her. Not only was she prettier and had the better curves, she behaved normal asides Nancy who acted like she was a kid at times. Why would Daniel be interested in her.
"Do you think I'm a bit too clingy? It's just that I can't get enough of his scent and I'm just so crazy about him. I'll soon be 18 and yet to find my mate." Dora rolled her eyes when Nancy began talking non stop in her cheerful voice. What did she mean by 'yet to find my mate'. Was she implying that Daniel might be her mate. "My dad thought it'd be a good idea for me to come and spend more time here with so much people at a gathering. I might probably find my mate tomorrow at the ceremony. Isn't that wonderful?!"
Dora almost choked at her words.
For an Alpha's daughter who was supposed to have her shoulders raised high like Dora, she was just too cheerful and stupid to know who hated her guts and who didn't. And she was so careless with her words. Did she really think she'd suddenly turn 18 tomorrow and find her mate? Pathetic.
"Hi". Talia politely said, slowly walking closer to Jephthah like he was a ticking bomb who would explode at one misjudged move.