21

Tino's POV

I walked and Koa was leaning against his car so leisurely it made my heart lurch in excitement. He also looked deliciously...delicious. He was wearing a knit black loose, long-sleeve top. And dark wash jeans that hugged his tree trunk thighs. It made Zay stir slightly, which is always a good sign.

"You're staring," Vincent whispered next to me.

"I'm not staring, you're staring." I retorted back and rolled my eyes.

"Why the hell would I stare at Koa? You're staring, admit it."

"Your mom is staring." I huffed out and walked toward the car, wanting away from him. Koa's eyes were hot on my body as he trailed up and down my frame.

"I didn't peg you as a jewelry man." He said with a ghost of a smirk dancing on his face.

"And I didn't peg you as a man that used 'lol'" I teased back at him and walked around to the passenger side of the car. I hopped in quickly and watched as Kona ran up to Vin and they wrapped their arms around each other. No hesitation between them. I was jealous. Part of me wished I was able to have that with Koa. But of course, things had to be hard and weird. Like him.

What I mean by hard is not...that's not what I meant. I meant like physically. But not! No. Not his---I haven't even thought about that!

Well, now I am. I am thinking about it hardcore now.

The door opened Kona and Vin jumped in the backseat, and Koa got in the driver.

"Let's go Koainda, we are gonna be late," Kona spoke up, making me raise my brow in curiosity.

"Koainda?" I asked him, and I didn't miss how hard he gripped the steering wheel when I said it.

"Yes, it's my full name. Quite a mouthful if you ask me."

"I like it. It's different. Koainda." I know I shouldn't have done that, but I liked teasing him. His hands gripped the steering wheel even tighter and I couldn't help the smirk that covered my face. He put the car in drive and we headed on our way.

"And I like yours Valentino, but you prefer to go with a nickname."

"Tino is a great nickname." I looked over at him slightly, and his eyes were focused on the road but I couldn't help the beauty that was Koa. He was just so damn handsome. It wasn't fair. Especially the mole that sat perfectly above his lip. I wanted nothing more than to lic-- no stop. Stop its mind. Right now.

"Yes, but why not go by Val? Your brother goes by Vin, your sister goes by Vic. It only makes the most sense."

"Don't ever call me that nasty name." I could throw up just thinking about being called 'val' it just didn't fit. "That name is for an old Italian man. I'm Italian but I'm not old. Tino is better. Way better. Fucking Val, disgusting." I faked a gag and that caused Koa to chuckle slightly.

"How did you find out about this fair?" Vincent asked me. I could feel myself getting mad at the fact he interrupted Koa and I's a bubble.

"Unlike werewolves, Lycans like to integrate themselves into human society. So this way if we stumble upon one we know how to act towards them." I couldn't help but laugh at the slight jab he gave. "It's something I've known about for many years, and I thought others would have fun as well." He turned his head slightly and looked at me. Something was swimming in his eyes as he looked at me. "How was your trip?" And there it is. He knew I was lying. I'm sure it was that stupid mate bond. And also the fact that he stopped by my house to check on me and I was crying like a baby.

"It was fine," I muttered softly and turned my eyes away. He just hummed in response not wanting to push it. But knowing Koa we were just done talking about it for now.

We rode the rest of the way in comfortable silence. Koa kept looking over as if making sure I was still there and didn't run away from him. I would never do that. I don't think I could ever do that.

Moments later we were parking and we found Q and the others. The stench of humans hit my nose and I wanted to gag, but I had to play it off like I'd been around it before. The fair was bustling, and the noise of laughter and screams could be heard from the back of the the parking lot which is where we were. As we walked in we got many stares, more like Koa got many stares.

Werewolves were already more attractive than humans, there was something almost unnatural about the way we looked. But it was intoxicating to them.

But Lycans is a whole other story.

Lycans were a different kind of beautiful. A scary kind of beautiful. That grabs you by the throat and fucks you.

Okay maybe that's just what I want Koa to do, but anyways whatever. All I know is that these women and MEN, better keep their eyes to themselves.

We walked to the ticket booth and immediately her eyes went wide as she GAWKED over Koa. The night hasn't even started yet, and I was already fucking annoyed.

"H-h-hi! How many?" Her voice was squeaky and she stuttered. Her eyes never left my mates. Again seriously? Why is it that every time we go out, SOMEONE is getting in the fucking way? Well, not this time. Nope.

I had no idea where this newfound confidence came from, I didn't even want to be with Koa. Right? Right...?

"Yeah, two, please. They are going to get their own." I voiced up and pointed to the rest of the group. Vincent had an amused look on his face as he watched and I just rolled my eyes and faced forward. The girl still hadn't taken her filthy eyes off Koa. Irritation began to build and snapped in her face to pull her out of the daze.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't see you." She said as her face heated up.

"Did you hear at all what I said?" I was barely keeping it together, and I already regretted coming here.

Then Koa did something I didn't expect, but it immediately calmed my nerves. He walked to my side and slowly wrapped his hands around the small of my waist. His grip was strong and yet gentle as he pulled me into his side. The smell of peaches and sea salt invaded my nose and immediately calmed my anxious heart. To the point, I didn't even stop and fight my urge to rest my head on his bicep which was bigger than it. His scent enveloped me, his face in my neck. Him holding my hand and pulling me into his side.

"Two tickets please." Koa's voice was steady and calm as he spoke and once the girl saw that we were together she finally did her fucking job. She handed the tickets to Koa and he gave a soft smile and then led me away as we waited for everyone else to get them.

"Your temper almost got the best of you, Dolcezza." Dolcezza. It had been forever since anyone has called me that. He whispered as he moved me to where he was standing in front of me and he pulled his arm away. I couldn't help the slight pout that covered my face as he did it.

"Yeah, well. It's not my fault she doesn't know how to do her fucking job." I gritted out.

I finally forced myself to look at him and amusement danced in his eyes as he looked down at me. Those stark, silver eyes. Make my knees melt.

"You are jealous?" He raised an eyebrow at me and smirked. But I stayed quiet. "This seems oddly familiar does it not? Maybe I should find a bathroom." He said that last part as he looked around, even though that day ended badly. There was still good that came from that day that I remember.

And though I wanted to be mad at him for bringing it up, I couldn't. He had this weird way of making up for his past mistakes by doing nothing and I hated it. I laughed softly and ran my hand through my short curls.

"I miss your curls, should grow them back." He whispered as he focused on them.

I always tell people I cut it off because the short look made me look older. This isn't false, but the real reason, the sad reason is when I first got into episodes they were so long and I never took care of myself. To the point I would have matted hair. So it was just easier not to have any. And I would be forever grateful to Vin because he shaved his so I wasn't alone. But could I tell Koa that? No. At least not yet.

"Maybe." That was all I whispered back.

"Thank you for saying yes to coming with me. I always enjoy our time together." DAMN HIM. And his romantic words.

"No need to get all sappy." I huffed out and I could feel the heat rise on my cheeks which caused a smirk out of him.

"I promise you, this time I will not leave you. I'm not going anywhere, Valentino. Not unless you want me to. I know I said friends, but I can never just be your friend. I want you. And I will do whatever it takes to have you."

I can't say the declaration caught me off guard, it was Koa for crying out loud. But the intensity of his words and the way that I agreed with him, is what caught me off guard. No, we were not friends. No, we would never be friends. This was my mate, why was I still fighting this? I felt Zay start to stir slightly like he was coming back to life.

"You ready?" Q shouted before I could respond. Koa gave me a soft smile and turned away from me.

"Yes, we are," Koa yelled back and began walking not before grabbing my hand and pulling me with him.

The sparks erupted up and down my arm, his hand held mine firmly and I squeezed his, afraid that he would let go, and he would leave. But he said he wouldn't and for some weird reason I believed him.