It’s Funny How Love Starts (IFHLS Book 1)

“Travis’ dad might’ve initiated the fight but it was your dad was the one who actually killed him in the end. Of course by complete accident,” Jace said.

“What the hell? How on earth would you know?” I said offended by his accusation. Zane frowned but didn’t say anything.

“I happened to be there,” Jace said simply.

“That was six years ago at a bar dimwit. You wouldn’t have been allowed in anyways,” I laughed harshly. I had caught him there.

“How old do you take me for?” Jace mused, a smirk on his face.

“Too young to go off and hanging around in a bar six years ago,” I spat harshly.

“Gee, thanks but I’m twenty-seven for your information,” he smirked. My jaws dropped. There was no way he was that old. I knew he was older than Lucas but I thought he was at least in his early twenties. He smirked at my reaction. “Yeah, exactly.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be mated by now?” I couldn’t help asking. Usually werewolves found each other’s mate when they were really young around my age. It was weird to see that Jace still didn’t have a mate.

Jace’s mused face fell and he looked tortured. “My mate was Lexi, Lucas’ sister,” he said through his teeth. He looked like he was the verge of tears, his whole body stiffened. My mind metaphorically exploded from all the new information that had attacked me.

“Lucas has a sister? You were mated?” I asked more to myself, confused at his use of past tense.

“She was killed along with Lucas’ parents at a party that was ambushed by the werewolf hunters sent by that fucking human,” Jace cursed openly, referring to the ‘human’ as Travis.

“And how would you know?” I said coolly but I started to realize that it was most likely Travis.

“We were all there except Lucas since he was underage and when the werewolf hunters came in they shouted for Lucas’ dad saying that they wouldn’t harm anyone who led them to him,” Jace said with his eyes closed, thinking about the painful memory.

“It was hectic and when no one cooperated, they started a killing rampage. Some of us were able to take down a few dozen hunters but they just kept rolling in one after another. Fucking werewolf hunters killed them all. Killed Lexi,” he whispered when he said her name. No wonder Lucas always seemed so secluded and emotionless. His mood and abrupt anger must’ve been caused by the loss of his parents and sister. The mass murder was only two years ago.

I also knew what Jace was going through. Even though it was his mate who he lost, I still shared the common connection of losing someone close to you. In instinct, I put my arms around him and tried to soothe him. “I’m really sorry,” I said, meaning it with my heart.

“Thanks, kiddo,” he gave a small smile. “I’m sorry too for bringing up all the past. I thought it would be good for you to not get confused with anything and make your own opinion based on it but Lucas, I assure you, isn’t a bad person.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Zane led me upstairs and when we reached my door, he spoke. “Alexia, is there, by any ridiculous chance, that dad might’ve told Travis who killed his dad because he was hoping that Travis would eventually kill Lucas’ dad and that way he could take up both packs?” he frowned, not liking his theory. He was waiting for me to counter back and prove him wrong and I wanted to prove him wrong but dad did have a motive but there was still one thing that was off.

“Then he would’ve had to wait until Travis was old enough to take out his revenge,” I countered, hoping my argument would please both of us.

“When Travis moved, dad knew he would find the werewolf hunters and in turn they came to town to ambush the party Lucas’ parents and sister were attending,” Zane said, looking like he was going to be sick.

“And when dad found out Lucas became the next Alpha, he still had the backup plan that one day Travis would come back and finish Lucas off for the revenge of his father,” I finished. All these years I thought of dad as a respectable man but he was a killer. I never would’ve thought of him like this.

“Alexia, it’ll be fine,” Zane said, hugging me. I hadn’t noticed but I had started to cry. So many events happened today that it was hard to keep all the emotions in. I let Zane hold me until I was able to compose myself again. I was glad that I still had Zane.

“We have each other,” I said, a tired smile creeping on my face.

“Yeah, we do,” he whispered. “I really hate how Lucas thinks he can just barge in and take you like a conquered piece of land,” he said angrily but quietly so he wouldn’t be overheard.

“We have to deal with it and hey, it’s what mom and dad would’ve wanted,” I replied quietly. “I mean what they would’ve wanted me and my mate,” I said, forgetting how dad didn’t want Lucas alive.

“But they wouldn’t want you to be forced into it,” he said, suddenly letting me go. “I hate seeing you with him.”

“I made the deal and I know it was worth it. Worth seeing you alive and well,” I smiled, ruffling his hair.

“Hey, that’s my job,” he laughed but ended up sighing. “I just hope we can get through all this.”

“We will,” I whispered and tiptoed to give him a kiss on the cheek. He ruffled my hair and retired to his room.

I hesitated before opening the door to my room.  Lucas’ room. With my new knowledge, I was a little more than nervous to see him.