Newbie
Jasper
"Jess!" I hissed at my best friend across the room.
"Yeah?" She turned, giving me an exaggerated inquisitive look.
"Nice." I smirked. "I heard there's a new guy coming today."
"Oh, yeah." Her eyes widened and her smirk turned evil, "We really do need some hotties in this dump."
"Yeah, it's a pity all I can do is moon." I put on a sad face for her benefit and and laughed. "At least you might be able to snag him!"
"Dude, any guy who isn't head over heals in love with you I have no chance with."
I rolled my eyes at her antics. Jess was the most popular girl in our school; any guy would go out with her in the blink of an eyelid. Well, more appropriately, in the batter of an eyelash. She was blonde with bluish green eyes, had an impeccable complexion and looked like a model, the dictionary definition of beautiful (as cliche as that may sound). A deep contrast to my brown eyes, brown hair and stereotyped 'helpless girl' looks.
Though don't get me wrong, I was the opposite of helpless. My father had trained me to fight for the past 8 years of my life, and I wasn't exactly the most tame of people. Though that was another reason why guys didn't really like me; I was rude, hyperactive, and didn't like people trying to tell me what to do, how to act, or trying to look after me.
Back to the point, Jess' 'beauty' was made even epic-er by the fact that she wasn't like the stereotypical popular princess; she wasn't stuck up, she wasn't pointlessly rich and she didn't treat others like dirt. She, Tommy and Carrie were my best friends. Tommy was an awesome guy, his parents were great friends with my father and had been with my mother, and they had been there for us when she passed. Tommy was handsome and funny, but, despite his looks, everyone sort of ignored him or despised him - he's gay, and teenagers are judgemental. Carrie, my psycho bestie, had come in 8th grade when we'd met by me accidentally punching her in the face when Tommy ducked - a punch which she quickly returned, before the pair of us were sent to the office, clutching our sore noses. We were always going off at each other, and a lot off people thought we were enemies when we first met. We have been constantly swearing at each other since the day we met, and accidentally scared an old lady when we were having a swearing contest while walking home from school. She had an amazing personality and actually managed to pull off the psycho/smart-ass/genius thing that she was. She'd get straight A's if she showed up to school, but she constantly slept in, and as she was an orphan and lived with 'friends' who didn't really care if she didn't come to school daily - as long as her grades didn't slip - often she didn't bother coming to school until last period. I grinned, thinking of my friends, Jess the beautiful sister-since-birth, Tommy the evil little brother, and Carrie the psycho adopted twin.
I looked back at Jess and rolled my eyes, "If that's true, then you're gonna die alone." I turned and set my books on my desk, winking at her as she stuck her toung out at me, rolling her eyes back.
--=*=--
Our classroom door creaked open slowly and our teacher walked in with the famous new guy.
He was tall and looked athletic, but not thick-necked like the oafs on the football team; more like a soccer player. He had dark brown hair and dark, forest green eyes. Matched with a slanted grin, white teeth, and the kind of looks that any girl would go googly-eyes over, he looked like a popular dude with attitude. An extremely hot popular dude with attitude. The kind of person I'd learned to stay away from unless you want to be humiliated, ignored, or hurt. Shit, why am I practically drooling over him then?
I sighed, this guy did look nice. And really cute. Jess smiled at him and did that flirtatious wave where you twiddle your fingers, giggling. I sighed again - maybe I should go for a sighing record? - despite her being my friend, I was a bit annoyed at Jess' habits with guys. Her 'chew em up & spit em out' attitude. She didn't mean to, but she always did; she never really like liked the guys she dated. Don't get me wrong, Jess was neither player nor slut, she simply thought she'd like a guy, or she would think he was fantastic and charming and all that, and then... I don't know, realise that she didn't really like them enough to date them for ages. Or realise they were jerks.
I watched him as he walked towards the only empty seat in the class; the one next to me. There was something about this guy... I had no idea what made me think it but I was certain he wasn't a jerk. I turned and went back to talking to Jess, even though my eyes where constantly trailing over to him. Who knows, maybe they would go out, and maybe this relationship would work.
For no reason at all the thought of them together made me sad. She was my best friend, I wanted her to be happy no matter what didn't I?
I rolled my eyes at myself, I was acting completely melodramatic.
Pens and Girls
Jake
The classroom was hot, small and filled to the brim with 27 kids; well, 28 including me, extremely lucky me.
Mrs Grey, my new math teacher, introduced me to the class in a happy voice - as though I was a god-send or something - grinning wide eyed at me as she instructed me to take the only empty seat.
As I slouched in my chair I grabbed a book and turned to ask for a pen. My breath caught in my throat as I saw her, laughter still in her eyes from something her friend must have said.
"Um ... yes?" The girl sitting next to me looked at me, confused. She had dark brown wavy hair and dark golden brown eyes to match. Her face was spattered by adorable freckles, god, even her lips were amazing. She was beautiful. The hottest girl in this class by far. Shit, I sound like a chick.
I blinked; shocked at my idiotic staring. "Oh." I instantly put on a stuck-up smirk. "Could I use a pen?"
"Hmm ... I'm sorry what was that I heard you say? It sounded like bad manners to me." She looked at me sternly and I was shocked.
"Ah ..." I looked around nervously. Is she serious? Damn did I offend her? Wait why do I feel bad about upsetting her when I don't even know her, anyway?
She looked me in the eyes and started to laughed, she had such a beautiful laugh, "I was just kidding. Here." She held out a pen and stuck out her tongue.
I grinned at her, damn, she's evil.
She was pretty, a bit weird, and definitely evil. Why had I let my guard down? I sobered and made my eyes steely, no way was I getting attached to someone as amazing as her. She stuck out her hand for me to shake and started, "Hi, I'm ..."
I grabbed the pen and cut her off, "Hi. Thanks for the pen." I turned and faced the front of the classrom, counting the seconds until the bell rang.
I couldn't risk a girlfriend, not now, not after what happened.
Just a jerk
Jasper
I stared at the door. He had stalked out so angrily, as though... I don't know, I'd been a complete bitch or something.
I frowned, he was probably just some stuck up loser. And yet... there was somehing about him. Something that I really liked. I went over my every move and tried to pick out what I'd done wrong.
"Hey, Jasper." It was Jess. I stared at her and, realising I had been sitting there thinking about him, I shook my head; what did I care if the newbie was a jerk? I rolled my eyes at myself and grabbed my books, chucking them into my bag.
"Jasper!" Apparently Jess didn't like me not listening, and she threw a pen at my head.
I caught the pen mid air before it whizzed past me, "Yeah?"
"Hello!" Jess grinned and and sauntered over, giving me a hug. I grinned back and grabbed my bag.
As we made our way out of the classroom Tommy loped over, practically skipping, "Hey"
I looked up at his gigantic form, and burst into laughter, "H-hey."
He cocked his head, "What? Do I have mud on my face or something?"
"Nup, I just imagined you doing ballet."
"Hmm... I'd be good at that wouldn't I?" He spun around with his arms arched above his head, almost falling flat on his face.
"Toms, don't quit your day job any time soon." Jessie perked up grinning. Tommy was an awesome friend to us both, we hadn't met 'till sixth grade, but since then - and despite the fact that Tommy had always been taller than us both, nearly a foot in the case of Jess - he'd been like an adorble, yet evil, little brother to me, and, as Jess 'already has little brothers, and would never wish that upon anyone', he was a strange bestie-guy-friend to her. We'd all came even closer after he came out to his 'friends' and some people started to tease him. I had kicked a couple of guys in the balls after they bullied him. Jess and I had been constantly trying to make him tell his parents, but he was convinced they wouldn't accept him.
"Yeah... I probably shouldn't, hey?" He grinned at us as we all linked arms. Jess and I grinned at each other before we walked towards the seats by the tuck shop.
--=*=--
Suddenly Mariane, the local 'because I'm not the most popular girl I'm going to hang off the most popular girl, and pretend to be as awesome as her', started giggling, "Oh. My. God!"
"What?" I turned to see what she was batting her eyelashes at and saw the newbie staring at us. He met my gaze with a frown and quickly glanced away. I wonder what this guy had against me?
"The newbie is soo hot!" Mariane squeeled.
"Yeah, he is. It's a pity he's a jerk." I shrugged frowning. I saw Carrie winking at me and making kissing faces and stuck my tongue out at her, rolling my eyes and trying not too grin.
"W-what?!" Mariane looked like she was about to have a heart attack; that or she was going to attempt murder.
"Yeah, we had maths with him and he was... well, a total dick." Jess spoke up, nodding, staring at Mariane as though to dare her to disagree. Mariane was like the stereotypical popular, rude, and stuck up girl in almost every novel and movie there is, with double the rudeness and selfishness, and about 1% of the popularity, wait, no, -21%.
Mariane's face became alarmed and embarrassed; a child realising she can't, in fact, pull the puppy's toung out of its mouth, else its mother would bite her hand off.
I grinned as the bell rang for class, I was able to stick up for myself, but it was a hell of a lot more fun watching Mariane squirm as she tried to get in with Jess.
I hugged Jess goodbye and walked off with Carrie to our next class; we had extension English together this period.
Visitors
Jasper
I bound up the stairs 3 at a time, grabbing the key and kicking off my muddy shoes. I stomped grumpilly in the door and stopped as I saw my dad sitting on the couch.
"Hey Cat!" My dad jumped up, engulfing me in his arms. "They let all us dirty old miners come home early, great, huh?"
I grinned at him, "Yeah, it is." My dad was usually working in the mines up in Cairns for weeks, sometimes a couple of months at a time, with holidays of weeks or months in between.
I stay home with Yasmin, Ruby, Tony, Matt and Sarah while he's away. They are our awesome little family, despite the fact that most of them had no actual relation to us.
Yasmin is a 25 year old English Uni student who was one of my mum's best friends, and Matt is an ex-fellow miner of my father's. Ruby and Sarah were the only ones actually related to me, other than my father, in my family. Sarah is my plump housemaid-like great aunt, and Ruby is my amazing cousin, though she's more like a sister to me, and, of course, Tony is her fiancé, my almost big bro.
My father let out a short laugh and asked me the one question which I needed right now, "Your technique still good?"
I grinned. I loved my dad, he never wanted to pry, yet always knew the exactly right thing to say and when I needed to talk, he even endured talks about guys; well, I gues that shows how good friends we are. Since I was young he had been teaching me to fight, and our fighting was our secret language; the thing that only we shared, that only we understood. "Yeah, of course. I could thrash you with my eyes closed."
He laughed, "You wanna bet? Well, come on then."
-=*=-
Two hours later we both colapsed on the couch, laughing.
Suddenly my dad looked down at his watch and jumped up, "Shit!"
"What?" I looked up at him, alarmed.
"Some of my old friends came to town and they're coming over for dinner tonight. You have to help me cook, and then get ready. They'll be here in 2 hours!"
"Okay then." I jumped up to stand by his side and cracked my knuckles. "What's for dinner?"
-=*=-
I walked over to to the door before my dad could rush from his room in response to the loud knocking. I yanked it open and grinned at the man standing there, "Hey, come in. Dad'll be out in a sec."
"Thank you, Jasper." He grinned down at my slightly alarmed expression, "You don't remember me, do you?"
I grinned, at least there was a reason why he knew my name, "Nope, sorry."
He laughed heartilly, stepping inside and looking around. "I'm Exavier. And before you say it, no I wasn't named after the leader of the X-men." He smiled at me.
I laughed, "That would be pretty cool, though."
He laughed again, "Yes, perhaps. Well, this is my wife, Aviary."
A model like woman stepped inside, smilling softly at me and pulling me into a warm embrace, "Hello Jasper. My, I haven't seen you in years."
"Hello, Aviary."
"... and my son, Jake."
My eyes widened as the newbie walked in my front door. "Uh... hi."
"Hi."
Before I could convey my shock at having the new, hot, completely jerky guy in my house, my dad rushed out of his room, pulling Exavier then Aviary into a hug. "Exavier, Aviary, I haven't seen you in so long."
"You two, Mark, you two." Exavier grinned at him as Aviary continued, "Yes, and they've been docile and boring days!"
They laughed as we walked into the lounge room and my father looked to Jake, "Hello Jake, I assume you do not remember me?"
"No, sir. Quite unfortunately."
My dad chuckled, "Yes." He looked at me, narrowing his eyes, "Such good manners, hey Cat?"
"Huh? Yeah I spose."
He frowned at me, "Jasper." He glanced at the table, directly at my dagger and throwing knives sitting there.
"Oh, um, oops." I walked over and grabbed my knives. "Haha." I slid my dagger into my boot and my knives into a pocket in my belt band.
Exavier grinned and broke into laughter, "She reminds me of her mother."
My dad looked at me, frowning slightly, "Yes, and I can't decide if that's a good or a bad thing." I put my hand on his arm half smiling, and he grinned, "I'd say it's more good than it is bad, though."
Jake frowned at me as though confused as our parents laughed and I shrugged at him. I felt like poking my tongue out at him.
"Come on, dinner's getting cold." My father turned towards the dining room, smiling warm heartedly.
Strange New Friends
Jake
Who was this girl?
She was a 'family friend'. She had knife sheaths in her boots and belt. She... seemed different to the other girls at our school.
Did it mean she was like us? Or was she something else?
... Or was I just overreacting and being a loser?
I felt confused. And angry. Angry that I knew, as much as I may try and deny it, that this girl had some kind of hold over me. I liked her. I felt like I was connected to her in some way. But after what happened, there was no way I was going to ever admit this.
I saw it in my mind, walking into my best mates house, worried that something was going on with her, Jane, the girl I'd been with for over a year, and then, when I walked into his room-
My father's voice brought me back to the present, "So, what of you, Jasper? How is life?"
She looked up, "Oh... yeah, it's good." She smiled up at my father.
"How is your schooling? Are you doing well?"
"Ahm... yes."
"That is good. And what of outside of scho..."
"Honey, stop pestering the young girl." My mother spoke up, laughing softly at my father. He grinned as she continued, "I apologise, Cat, he gets quite excited sometimes."
"Haha, that's okay, Aviary."
My dad laughed, before sobering and turning to her father, "So, Max, is anything... changing?"
Her father laughed uncomfortably, "Ah... no, not yet."
I turned to Jasper, but she looked as confused as I felt. Were they talking about us, what we were? Did that mean that she was one of us?God damn! What the hell is she?
This had been one confusing day. And I had a feeling it was only going to get worse.
Stars
Jasper
I found him sitting in our backyard later that night; our parents were sitting inside, having a drink and catching up. My father had asked me to find Jake, he would be going soon, and they seemingly wanted to talk about 'adult stuff'.
I approached him slowly, looking up at the stars and the giant waxing moon - it would be full moon in a couple of days, "They're beautiful, aren't they?"
"Huh?" He followed my gaze to the sky, "Oh... yeah, they are."
"Those are the pointer stars, and there's," I pointed, "the southern cross."
I looked down at him and caught him staring at me, "What?"
"Um... nothing." he looked away.
"Okay then." I sat down next to him and leaned my head against the tree behind us. I turned my head to look at him and sighed, staring at the stars, why am I even attracted to this guy? I mean, it's not like I like like him, but... I don't know, there's something there. I looked back towards him, "So, why did you even move here?"
He stiffened, back still facing me, "Ah-"
I cut him off though, it was none of my business why he moved here, and I shouldn't be being a busy body, "Sorry, I'm prying; don't worry I don't expect an answer." Wait a second, why was I second guessing myself? And being ashamed for prying? Me? I'm known for prying and being rude, and though I didn't like how I acted like that sometimes, I don't second guess myself. I shook my head, "But if you want to get it off your chest, that's fine." I over at smirked at him.
"It's fine, and it's just sorta private. Though truthfully it's mostly for my dad's work. He got transferred here." He looked over at me and smiled wanly.
"Okayy then." I smiled at him, "Do you like it here though?"
"Uhh..." He looked sideways at me and half smirked, "Depends, is there a nice and truthful way to answer that?"
I pursed my lips and considered it, "Nope." I grinned at him, "Truthfully this isn't that bad a place, but it seems quite... weird and all that at first."
"Yeah." He smiled down at me and I became lost in his forest green eyes, hardly noticing the distance between us disappearing, "I s'pose it does."
Our lips met, and it was amazing, at risk of sounding like a dreamy girly-girl I won't describe it further, but I assure you, it was the best kiss ever - times 100. And 5. As the kiss began to deepen the same ironic thing that happens in all the annoying movies graced us with it's cliché-ness - his phone vibrated, quite loudly, and succeeded in startling the pair of us; causing us to jump away from each other.
I looked at his glowing phone in his hands and frowned, but looking up into his eyes that were solely focused on the screen of his phone, as though it was the most important thing in his world, I had to say something stupid, "Haha, texting your girlfriend, ay?"
"What? No!" He looked so alarmed that I laughed. I looked at him and caught his glare before his expression became cold, "What about you? Shouldn't you be running off to your little boyfriend, hey, Kitty-Cat? Or don't the guys around here like girls with knives in their boots? God, do you even know how to use them?"
I blushed and glowered at him, sobering immediately, "Okay, first off, no, the guys around here don't like 'girls with knives in thier boots' - or girls anything like me, they like the pretty ones. Secondly, what's your problem? Do you try to be a dick, or were you born that way?" I glared at him, turning to go, "Also, there's nothing wrong with having knives in my boots," I turned back around and grabbed my knives, throwing them at the target notched into the tree next to him. "I know how to fucking use them, Sir Dick, why else would I have them?!"
He stared at the three knives burried in the bull's eye of the target as I stormed away.
"Wait!" He grabbed my arm gently, turning me around.
I paused. He... did he actually just call out to me? He sounded so concerned, and almost apologetic. Usually when I went off at someone they got pissed, saying it wasn't their fault that I had overreacted when they did nothing wrong. I pulled my arm back softly, trying to ignore the tingles where he had grabbed me, "Wh... why would you want me to wait? Aren't you pissed at me for going off about nothing?"
"No." He frowned at me, "I'm not. Of course I'm not. And it wasn't nothing, I snapped at you first, I'm sorry." He half smiled at me, looking at me pleadingly.
I stared at him, he was sorry? That didn't make sense. Wasn't he a jerk or something? Suddenly my heart felt warm, this guy was so amazing, he was the first guy I'd met who actually seemed genuine, not just wanting me to forgive them so they could get in my pants - not that I would ever let a guy get in my pants, I'm only 17!
I looked up at him through my eyelashes, he was amazing. I walked up to him and wrapped my arms around him. "You are amazing."
He paused, before wrapping his arms around me and kissing the top of my head, "Why's that?"
"Most people get angry at me - or annoyed, or offended, or anything like that - when I snap, you know?" I looked up at him, "I... always push people away, hurt them so I won't get hurt, yet hurt myself in the process. And yet you... just appologised, and... you're just amazing."
Smiling at me he lead me down my back yard and pulled me against his chest, wrapping his arms around my torso. I leaned my head against his chest and fiddled with his fingers. We stared up at the stars together, I felt so comfortable here, with this amazing guy.
Jake sighed against my hair, "Jasper, what's your full name?"
"Jasper Scarlet Nichols Gotha. Why?" I tilted my head to the side against his chest, humming contentedly.
"I don't know, just curious." He kissed the top of my head. Tightening his arms around my waist, he lifted me slightly and before I had time to react sat on the log with me in his lap.
I laughed at him and nuzzled my head into the crook between his shoulder and head, "What's yours?"
He chuckled softly, "Jake Brian Rider."
"Mmm." I smiled my eyes drifting shut.
"What?"
"You have a hot name, Paul."
He chuckled, "Why Paul?"
"Because Paul Walker played Brian in Fast and Furious and I like the movie Paul." I mumbled sleepily into his chest. My father and I had fought for around 2 hours that afternoon and it was nearing 11 o'clock now.
"You like the movies Paul and Fast and Furious?" He chuckled, "Good, I didn't pen you as a The Notebook kind of girl."
"Why is everyone always talking about The Notebook? I've never heard of it aside from in books." I mumbled frowning into his chest. "And I like most action movies, and I like little kiddie movies, and some romance movies, and a couple of dramas, and I don't mind horrors as long as long as whoever's with me doesn't mind me hugging them to death. And I hate crime movies." I ramble looking up at his beautiful face through the fogginess of sleep, "And I love fantasies."
"Baby, you're rambling." He ran his thumb over my cheek, kissing my forehead as he lifted me up bridal style.
"Mmh, I know." I buried my head bak in his chest as my eyelids dripped closed. "You're so warm, Paul."
He chuckled again, before falling silent, "Jasper... before, you said..."
He paused and I nuzzled closer to him, "Yeah?"
He stayed silent, and I felt myself falling asleep, only just hearing him whisper before I dropped into unconsciousness, "Jasper, you are beautiful."
Anger
Jasper
It was like nothing I'd felt before. The next morning. I've been angry before. I've been furious beyond belief.
But I've never felt anything like this.
I felt like there was a choking, burning anger inside of me, and it wasn't going away, it kept getting worse and worse and if I didn't let it out soon I had a feeling something bad was going to happen.
"Jasper Gotha!" I heard a screeching voice in my ear.
"What?" I growled loudly whipping my head around, only to see - my science teacher? She was a complete bitch and annoying as anything; our entire class had hated her since grade 8. So since we'd first had her.
Her eyes widened at me "Uh... I... ah..." her eyes narrowed to slits, "How dare you speak to me like that?! Hmmnh, because you are usually so well behaved I won't send you to the office, but don't you ever speak to a teacher like that, young lady!"
"'Hmmnh', sure." One of the things everyone hated about her was that stupid goddamn 'hmmnh'. I mean, what kind of person makes such a weird noise?
I buried my head in my arms. I was so angry at Jake, after last night I wanted to see him, but no, he decided not to come to school.
I groaned as the bell rang, startling me.
Hopping up I put my arm around Jess' neck and stumbled out of the classroom - before you ask no, it's not that time of the month. I must have a cold or something, that or lack of sleep.
------
I put my head up as Miss Grey again woke me, because I was good at math and got A's on my tests Miss Grey didn't mind me not paying attention in class every now and again, and so I'd been sleeping away this lesson so far.
"Ah, thank you for joining us." Miss Grey smiled at Jake.
He was here. I stared at him and felt a smile on my lips. His hair was tousled and he looked as though he'd run here. He smiled at Miss Grey and looked worriedly around the classroom, my breath caught in my throat as his gaze stopped at me and he smiled brilliantly, coming to sit beside me.
As he walked up to me I felt angry. Shit angry. He'd ditched me for 2 sessions! After last night I had a shit load of questions, and he didn't show up! At least, that was the only justification I could find for my anger.
"Hey Jasper." I looked up at him, he was grinning. "Can I sit here?"
"No." I stared into his eyes as he frowned. "Fuck off."
"Jasper! Do not use that language!" Miss Grey looked at me alarmed, "Go and wait outside!"
I was so angry at that moment that I couldn't be bothered being 'good', "Hmm... no, thanks." She stared at me shocked as I continued, "Oh, don't worry, I'll go, but I mean go, not wait outside." I waggled my fingers at the class and bowed, "Buh-bye, ily guys"
I stormed out of the classroom, everyone staring at the door in shock.
Lunae Pack
Jake
I wrapped my arms around her, glad she couldn't see me as I grinned like an idiot.
She had forgiven me. I suppose it wasn't really much to forgive, but that she had forgiven me felt amazing. I don't understand why I feel like this about her; we'd only just met, and yet I felt like I'd known her for a million years.
I burrowed my head in her hair. She smelled like rain, chocolate and oranges. I shouldn't be with her, I can't like her, she's going to get hurt. She leaned her head against my chest and I tightened my grip around her waist. It was like an instinct. I wanted to protect her, I wanted to be around her. I just wanted her.
"Jake? Are you listening?" My father shook my shoulder and I turned towards him.
I grinned up at him, "Yeah dad, I know, we're going to meet our new pack."
He smiled as he turned onto a dirt road, "Yes, and this is the back way, just so you know. There's roadworks the other way." He turned into a windy driveway, "The alpha can't be here today, nor can his daughter, so the beta will be showing us around, okay?"
"Yeah dad."
A well built man walked towards us, he had slightly greying brown hair and looked like he was in his thirties. "Hey, I'm Matt, the beta, I assume you're Xavier and Jake?"
My father smiled at him, shaking his outstretched hand, "I believe we are."
Matt took my hand, shaking it firmly. As I was about to release his hand his eyes glazed over and he gripped my hand harder for a moment, before looking me in the eyes and smiling, whispering so only I could hear, "I was waiting till you'd show up."
He turned to my father leaving me to puzzle over what his words meant. I shook my head, we were probably a bit late or something. Matt began talking to my father and I as he showed us inside, "I'll start introductions with myself, well, you know I'm Matt, I'm a shifter and an elf. I'm 186 years old. And am a wolf and leopard." He smiled and laughed at my shocked expression. "Welcome to the Lūnae pack!"
We walked through the house, him telling us what each of the rooms were. We walked into the kitchen and dining room and were greeted by a plump wrinkly lady with violet eyes and a young intelligent looking girl. They were studying an old leather bound book and laughing. "Sarah, Yasmin? This is Xavier and Jake, they will be joining our pack."
The girl smiled up at me and my father, "Hey, I'm Yasmin! I'm a shifter and a witch. I'm a wolf, by the way."
"And I'm Sarah, I'm a witch. And practically a house maid." The plump lady grinned up at us.
"Oh, hey, I'm Jake... ah shifter and fae." I shifted on my feet and shook their hands.
"Ignore him, he's just a bit nervous," my father chuckled patting me on the back. "I am Xavier, Yasmin, a shifter and an old friend." He kissed Yasmin's knuckles; he'd worked for royalty or something a while ago. Suddenly Sarah plucked him away from Yasmin, crushing him in a warm embrace, "Xavier, dear, I haven't seen you in years!"
"Miss Anty!" I let out a short laugh, he sounded like an embarrassed little kid.
"Oh, Xavier, darling, your son must be feeling left out!" Sarah chuckled and trotted up to me, squeezing me hard as she wrapped her arms around me in a strangely comforting hug. I hugged her back and she chuckled, "Go on now boys, finish with you tour! You will be having morning tea with us!"
We laughed and followed Matt into a dark room. There was a guy playing video games on the big TV. "Hey, Drake! We have visitors, would you care to bless them with your attention?"
I heard a familiar voice groan and practically shout at our host, "Oy, dude, you made me lose! You got me killed, old guy!"
"Dracob?" I stared at the pissed guy as he stared at Matt.
His head whipped around to me and he jumped up, "Dude! Haven't seen you since Cairns!" we bumped fists and half shook hands then whacked each other on the side of our heads; our handshake. "That was like 7 homes ago."
"I feel sorry for your poor foster parents bro. You got some new tats, aye? Did you get adopted by this pack?" I grinned patting him on the back.
"Yeah, one of the families in this pack adopted me, pretty sweet family, got a kid your age." He chuckled, Drake was a nice person, he'd been bullied as a kid and now beat up anyone he saw bullying anyone else. That got a bit awkward when his foster parents had ditched him and I had to pretend to be 'Mr Jefferies' to bail him out; he'd beat up an 8th grader for calling some chick a whore and had ended up going to court himself. "Nah they're great. Sazzah likes them, so yeah. And plus, I like it here, you know? I have a pack. A family."
We said our goodbyes and dad and Matt motioned for us to go, they'd been chatting while waiting for us to catch up.
We walked out to the back yard where a lot of members of the pack where lounging around; we would be having morning tea with them soon. Matt lead us around the table, "This is Robert and Joan Johnson, and their adoptive daughter Sarah."
They turned to us smiling, "Hey guys! Nice to meet you." Mrs Johnson smiled kindly at us and turned to Matt, "Is Drake inside still?"
"Yea-" Matt was cut off by a high pitched squeal. "Jakey-Joo!"
"Sazza-Wazza!" I spun Drakes little sister around as she launched herself into my arms.
"I haven't seem you since Cairns Jakey!" She giggled wrapping her arms around my neck.
I smiled at Sarah's new adoptive parents, they were staring at me shocked. Sarah is a pretty timid kid, the first time we met she hid behind the couch. I only coaxed her out when I offered her some of my chocolate. "Ah... hey." I chuckled, rubbing Sarah's back, "Me and Drake were friends when we lived in Cairns, I met Sarah there. She's like a little sister to me."
They smiled at me and Joan giggled, "Well I'm glad you've been reunited."
"Mummy, can I please stay with Jakey? He's just going to meet the pack! It'll be fun!"
Joan laughed at Sarah's hopeful expression, "Sure honey." She looked over at me, "Can you bring her back before it starts getting dark, please hon?"
"Sure Mrs. Johnson." I ruffled Sarah's hair and set her on the ground, grabbing her hand lightly.
"Thanks. And call me Joan" She smiled at us as began walking away.
My father smiled at me, he had met Drake when we lived up in Cairns and we'd helped him out a couple of times when he couldnt afford food or new clothes for him and Sarah. Matt grinned and lead us towards the barbeque, "Over by the woods is Ruby and Tony," As he gestured towards a couple holding each other romantically on a picnic blanket, my thoughts found themselves wandering to Jasper. Last night had felt so amazing. Holding her like that was like second nature. Matt continued, bringing me to the present, "She proposed a couple of weeks ago, it was quite funny, because she proposed the same night he intended to; he'd prepared the whole night and everything, then she proposed while they were walking in the park." he chuckled, pointing to the men by the barbeque, "That is Jim, he's not usually a loner - his wife and four kids are at school-"
I cut him off, "His wife's at school?"
"Yes," Matt laughed, "she's a teacher."
"Oh, okay." I grinned at him.
"And with him is Neal, he has a younger brother and sister who are at school."
We continued on and Matt lead us over to three people sitting in lawn chairs, holding beers and laughing at each other, "This is Chris, Garth and Jacky." he pointed to the two blokes and the lady in turn. "Guys, these are our new pack members, Xavier and Jake."
"G'day. We hear you come from England?" the first guy, Chris, stood and shook my father and my hands.
"This was my old pack, actually." My father grinned, "We moved up to England when Jake was 4, but got sick of the rain."
"Well, good to have old pack members back then, mate." Garth shook our hands, grinning, "Is it just the pair of yous?"
"No, also my wife, but she's busy looking for a job." He shook his head, "We'd be fine to get settle for a couple more weeks, but she's always making sure we're all good."
"Well, hope we'll be meeting her soon. Have a seat." Garth sat back in this chair, "Jacky, there's only one other seat, I guess you'll have to come sit with me then."
She stuck her tongue out at him, but stood up anyway sauntering closer to him and waving at us, "Hey guys, I'm Jacky, his girlfr-"
Garth pulled her down onto his lap, nuzzling his head into the crook of her neck, "His mate. His amazing mate."
I shot a quizzical look at my father, but he either didn't see me or ignored me. Was a mate just a girlfriend? I glaced over at them and noticed their marks, they came up their necks and where partly matching, like two parts of a puzzle. Strange, weren't a wolf's marks supposed to be individual? Matt spoke up, "Well guys, that's the pack. The only others are the kids at school, I'll get Carrie to drive you and introduce you to everyone. She'll still be sleeping, well, she mightn't be but she won't be at school."
"Okay. Hey, one thing, what does Lūnae mean?"
"it's rising moon in Latin." he smiled before going to get the mysterious Carrie.
------
"So you're English, ay?" The mischievous looking girl next to me flitted her gaze over to me, she was wearing simple short shorts and a oversized tee; she evidently didn't care much for the crappy dark green uniform I was wearing.
"No, I was born here, we moved there when I was 4 and only moved back here last year."
"Hmm, well, I love your accent." She whipped her head around to me suddenly, "Hmm... you don't have a girlfriend, do you?"
I chuckled, before frowning, "Well, no, not really..."
She giggled, I wasn't sure whether he was coming onto me before, but now she seemed to definitely be in chick-mode, "Aww, so you're crushing?"
"No... yeah... I really don't know." I ran my hand through my hair. Whatever the situation with Jasper was it was confusing me out of my mind. I like her, but I shouldn't, and I doubt she liked me.
"Well, whoever she is, she's a lucky girl. But one thing? I know 4 girls who would come onto a guy as hot as you first - one thinks she's all that, one knows she's all that, one's a slut, and one's the alphas daughter. Actually... no, she wouldn't, our good ol' alpha's a bit hard to explain, but you'll understand once you meet her." She looked back over at me and smiled, "So in other words, you better make it known she's yours, cos she won't think she's shit to you till you tell her."
I stared at her, and smiled slightly, "Thanks."
~~*~~
"YO LULUS COME HERE!!" Carrie shouted over the noise of the courtyard, some kids looked up at her and rolled their eyes, a couple hopping up and coming over. She frowned over at the people who ignored her, "THAT'S ALL LULUS! WE GOT A NEWBIE!" She bellowed cupping her hands around her mouth and hopping up on a chair. More kids looked up, most of them staring at me. As they started walking towards us Carrie grinned, "Haha, see, I am triumphant!"
I shook my head and laughed at her, this chick was funny.
"Hello everybody! I have been sent to grace you with my appearance at school, and I bring a newbie in my wake!" The pack members cuckled at her as she bowed low. She straightened up, looking over at me, "So this is the teenage part of our pack." Looking back at the pack she smiled, "Yup, so this is Jake, he his father, Xavier and mother..."
"Aviary." I put in as he looked at me questionably.
"And his mother Aviary, are the newest memebers to our humble little pack." She grinned and stepped aside as the members of my new pack introduced themselves.
"Hey, I'm Justin..." A brown haired guy put out his hand for me to shake.
"And I'm Lucy." A petite girl with the same hair and similar facial features to Justin shook my hand.
"We're twins." They both said at the same time, grinning.
"We're in your math class with Mrs Grey, -" Lucy perked up.
"We saw you there yesterday." Justin continued.
"She's a part of our pack too-"
"She's a shifter, and a weather fae." The pair of them grinned at me. "We're shifters and elves."
"We have a telekinetic bond." Lucy grinned.
I scratched my head, they had finished each others sentences flawlessly - must be a strong bond. They stepped back as a group of four kids stepped closer to me. The smallest of the four of them spoke up first, "Hey, we're Mrs Grey's kids, I'm April. I'm a shifter, fae, and an elf. I'm in ninth grade in case you're wondering."
The oldest looking girl waved, "I'm May, I'm a shifter, elf and slightly fae. I'm in twelth grade."
"I'm Miley!" A girl who was slightly taller then April hugged me giggling, "I'm a shifter and an elf! Oh, and I'm in tenth grade." she smiled and flounced away to stand behind her little sister.
"Hey. I'm Liam. I'm a shifter, an elf and a fae." The guy who had been standing to the back shook my hand firmly, smiling slightly.
Again, before I could greet them the next kid walked up, "I'm Mike." The kid smiled shaking my hand, "I'm a sifter and fae. And I'm in tenth grade." He began to walk away, "Oh, by the way, Miley. is. mine." He growled slightly, his eyes flashing amber. He pulled Miley into his arms as she rolled her eyes, poking her tongue out at him. She mouthed 'sorry' to me before she was swallowed in his embrace.
Damn the people here are territorial over their girlfriends.
One last guy walked over to me, "Hey, I'm Tommy. I'm a shifter. Annnnd, I'm in your grade." He laughed. "And I reckon this sounds like a very scripted 'meet and greet'"
I laughed, "Yeah I s'pose." I scratched the back of my head as they looked at me expectantly, "Um... hey, I'm Jake, I'm a shifter and fae. Ah, I'm in eleventh grade..."
I trailed off slowly and Carrie chuckled, "Guys you're scaring him!Yeah, our packs pretty weird - don't worry we know it - oh, and the bell rang around 10 minutes ago so we should all get going."
As I turned to go after the rest of my new pack Carrie called out to me, "Oh, one thing, there's also the alpha's daughter. She hasn't turned yet and doesnt know anything about the fae world. She is the same age as us though."
"She's 16 and hasn't changed?" I looked over at Carrie quizically.
"Yeah, something about how she comes from a very powerful family and her body needs strength to turn into a... well whatever animal she is. So she doesnt really know any of us as her pack, we're all her freinds, but, well yeah." She shrugged grinning, "They say she'll be changing soon, and her father says she may have found her mate, though she doesnt know about mates of course."
She ran off quickly, leaving me with a single question on my lips, What is a mate?
Oh Shit
Jake
I walked into the classroom quickly and my eyes scanned the room; searching for the girl that had me obsessed. My gaze softened as I saw her slumped in her chair, and I walked towards the empty seat beside her, ignoring the teacher. She looked up at me and her eyes brightened, a smile flitting on her lips. Was she really happy to see me? As I walked closer her gaze hardened and her smile became a frown. Why is she pissed? I kept the grin plastered to my face and stopped beside her, "Hey Jasper." I reached to pull out the chair, "Can I sit here?"
"No" I frowned at her, why would she say no? I looked into her eyes and my eyes widened as i saw a sudden glint of amber, "Fuck off."
The sounds around me were muffled as I stared at the golden glint swirling in Jasper's eyes. Her friend's gasp, some guys' guffaws and the teachers shocked gasp, followed by the teachers offended screeches, and her demands of Jasper to go outside. The gold in her eyes brightened as she spoke up again, "Hmm... no thanks." Mrs Grey's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets and Jasper smiled tightly before continuing, "Oh, don't worry, I'll go, but I mean go, not wait outside."
Her eyes now completely golden she stood and turned to the class, bowing and grinning widely, "Buh-bye, ily guys!" she turned and walked quickly towards the door, leaving 27 shocked kids and 1 smiling teacher in her wake. I looked at Mrs Grey quizzically before remember that she was a member of my new pack. So Jasper is one of us then? I rushed out of the room, suddenly realising the full extent of what was happening. She had no idea what was going on and she was about to turn for the first time! Though every change hurts, the first is the worst, and I know from experience that not knowing why the hell your body was suddenly morphing into that of an animal's made it a shit load of scary. I sniffed at the air and followed her scent to the woods at the back of the school. As I rant brought the trees snippets of when I had first changed came to the front of my mind...
I tightened my jacket around my torso as I walked through the frigid English air. The jacket my mum had bought me a year and a half ago no longer fit me properly and was beginning to wear though; I'd need to buy another soon. I fastened my pace as I walked down the street towards my best friend's house. I had to talk to him about Annabella.
Annabella and I had been dating for over a year now. Today was, in fact, our two year anniversary. I even had a dinner planned for later in the evening. But I was worried. Annabella had been different lately. She hadn't been returning my calls, she was distracted all the time, and she seemed to always be busy. Maybe I'm making a big deal out of nothing, but that's why I'm going to talk to Mason. Despite the fact he was nearly two years older then me, Mason and I had been best friends since I'd moved to England 4 years ago. I could go to Mase about anything. I'd tell him what was wrong, and he'd end up assuring me that everything was okay and then we'd have a coke and play video games.
As I turned the corner to Mason's house I sighed, I bet I was just being overly dramatic again. I walked up Mason driveway slowly; I could hear the music blasting from two houses down so I knew he was home. Trying the doorknob I let myself in as I always did, thinking about how Masons parents were in London for work, and we could play Xbox on the big screen in the living room.
I walked up the stairs and groaned, "Dude, turn the music down!" as I stood at the top of his stairs I could barely hear myself think, his door was slightly ajar and I quickly trudged over to it so I could turn the music down. I barged into his room and stopped dead. That mother fucking asshole! Or rather, that girlfriend fucking asshole! I smashed my hand into his stereo and it stopped, causing the pair of cheats to look at me. "Oh. Shit." Annabella's eyes widened slightly as she looked at me. But Mason just smirked, "I'm sorry, man." He pulled the sheets up to cover himself and my girlfriend, causing more heart stopping anger to burn throughout my veins, "But it was bound to happen. You're just a little man, and Annabella here has needs." He turned back to Annabella before continuing, "Would you mind leaving? We're sorta... busy here."
And I snapped.
I didn't know what was happening to me as I fell the ground. A burning pain filled my body and I heard my bones snap. My legs reversed and hair pushed itself out of my skin pores, I felt my tail bone elongating and my ears shifting to the top of my head and the cartilage changing, the pain continued and deepened as my spine snapped and bent. Finally I had taken the shape of a black wolf. I raised my head as I heard Annabella's scream and saw the girl I had seen as mine in bed with another male. I growled loudly and pounced, claws ripping into the male's chest. I lowered my head to his neck, about to sink my teeth into the flimsy human flesh and crush the bones beneath my powerful jaws when I heard a pitiful whimper from across the room. I raised my head. It was the girl. No. Not 'the girl', Annabella. What am I doing? What... what am I? I jump off Mason and turn in a circle. Seeing the open window I jump and hurtle out of the 2nd story window, landing clumsily on my feet and stumbling before racing towards the woods. Suddenly I hear a voice in my head, Jake? Jake, come to the back of the house! Now!
I whimper, the voice in my head feels... how can a voice in my head 'feel' like anything? What is happening? I whimper again and run as fast as I can towards my house, arriving at the back door in a matter of minutes. I see my mother and father. I approach them slowly with my tail in between my legs. I let out a small whimper and my mother rushes towards me. "Oh, Jakey! It wasn't supposed to happen like this!"
I look into my fathers eyes and he sighs, "I will explain everything once you're ready, son."
I stop in my tracks. Jasper's scent is strong, she is close. I can't be worrying about my past right now. I have to think about Jasper.
Then I see her. She is curled up in a ball at the base of a gum tree. Tears are flowing down her face and she is shivering despite the heat. Her hair is frizzy and sticking up in every direction, twigs and leaves adding to the mess. As I stare at her I see tufts of fur breaking through her skin. Shit. She's close. I have to get her to her father.
I rush over to her and scoop her up in my arms running as fast as I can towards her fathers scent. She whimpers and curls up more, only slightly relaxing against me. Her father's scent is strong and an easy trail to follow. I speed up as I feel Jasper's fingernails becoming claws. I arrive at the pack house and don't even stop to wonder, "Marcus! She's turning!" I shout at the top of my lungs as I set Jasper on the soft grass at the edge of the woods. I brush her hair out of her face and murmur softly until I feel Marcus' presence behind me.
"Carol rang me. I didn't know if she would make it here. I had already told all the kids in school and sent out search parties to find her. Is she okay?" He knelt next to his daughter rambling.
"She's turning and he doesn't know what the hell is going on! She's not okay!" I ground out, frowning.
"If her weakest animal is a cat or something alike her bones will have to shrink. It will take a long time and it will be painful. We have to stay with her." Marcus ignored what I had said and looked up at me, "She needs you."
I realised he was practically begging me to stay and I smiled sadly, "I am not leaving her side. Ever."
Change
Jasper
My fingers wound themselves into Jakes shirt as fierce bouts of pains spread throughout my body. I whimpered again and turned my head away as I saw my nails fall of and small claws replace them. I tried in vain to stop myself from crying out as Jake put me down in the cool grass. It felt as though my bones were shrinking and changing shape. Tufts of midnight black hair were showing up all over my body and I had claws. Claws!
Jake caressed my face lightly, his touch bringing slight relief from the pain covering my body. I let out a small cry as he took his hand away, I could tell he was talking and could hear the sound but through the haze of pain I could neither tell who he was talking to nor what he was saying. I cried again as my ears began burning and began shrinking and changing shape, moving up to the top of my head. I watched the hand that was in front of my face as my fingers became smaller, the bones joining and breaking painfully, and I slowly fell into unconsciousness as the pain overtook my body, slipping into a state of half consciousness. The pain clear as day while my body shit down and I... slept.
~~•*•~~
I awoke with a pounding headache and my hair in my face. I reached up to push my hair out of my face, but it wouldn't budge. Rubbing at the hair on my face I paused, why did my hands feel... I whipped my eyes open and leaped to my feet, well attempted to, I ended up falling back down. Looking at my body I let out a loud scream, or rather, a loud meow. I am a cat! Why the fuck am I a cat?!
"Jasper! You're awake!" I immediately purred and forgot about my feline-form as I heard Jake's rumbling sleep laden voice. I turned to look at him and jumped gracefully into his lap; maybe I could get used to being feline.
Wait, what? No! I jumped back up and looked at him pawing at my face and meowing in distress. He has to know something! He was next to me when I... transformed. A sudden groan startled me and I let out a hiss at my... my father?! He's here?! So... I felt so confused and tired that I simply lay down. My father's deep, tired voice made me look up, "Jasper. I understand you must be confused, honey. You, and I, and Jake -- in fact, most of your school friends too - are shifters. But I can't explain yet. Your ability isn't limited to one animal, hon, I don't know how many animals you can turn into, but the cat that you are now is the weakest. You will change again soon. As soon as your body adjus-"
My father's rushed explanations were cut of by my pained yelp. I felt my small body being picked up and cradled softly, the tingles and slight relief making me aware it was Jake holding me. I shivered and yelped as I again felt my bones snapping and moving. Again slipping into unconsciousness...
~~•*•~~
The pounding in my skull woke me again. This time was different. I felt strong. I could hear the bush mice running around in the forest. I could smell the tang of my own blood from wear my new coat had reared at my skin. I opened my eyes. At risk of quoting twilight I won't describe it in detail, but I could see everything. From the details in the leaves 10 meters above my head, to the air molecules dancing around me. Sensing movement I whipped my head to my right. It was Jake. He was staring at me wide eyed. Is he scared? He should be scared. Maybe I could play a game with him...
I snapped out of the predatory thoughts and focused on Jake's eyes. I had never seen them in this much detail. They were truly amazing. The bright, forest green was splattered with darker greens and yellows, and a ring of dark blue wove around his irises. I sure do have powerful eyes. I paused, wait - what am I? I jumped to my feet and bent my head to look at my long feline body.
I was beautiful. My midnight black coat disappeared into the night air around me, splotches of a somehow darker shade covered my chest and back. I flicked my tail in pride; I was a panther.
I looked back up towards Jake and my father. Jake looked shocked, yet somehow... proud, and my father was grinning like a maniac.
I had begun to make a snorting-laughing sound, but it was cut of by my own scream. It was happening again. I felt Jake's arms encircle me and I leaned into him. I began to drift again. This time the pain was worse. I had begun to get used to it, but it felt like this was a lot worse then the two other times. I squeezed my eyes shut and for the third time that night, let the darkness take me.
~~•*•~~
I flicked my tail slightly and purred. Well, it was a purring-growling sound. Without even looking I could tell I was a wolf, and a very large one at that. I opened my eyes and got up, stretching quietly. Looking to my right I grinned wolfily. Jake was lying on the dew covered grass sound asleep.i couldn't really blame him as I looked up at the beautiful sun climbing above the trees. I trotted over to his unmoving form, stumbling a little at first, and stared at his creased eyebrows and taught lips. I bent my head and dragged my giant tongue over his face.
"Arh!?" His eyes shot wide open, his shocked expression making the situation even funnier. I barked out a laugh and he looked up at me, letting out an amazed sigh, "Jasper."
Sitting back on my haunches I cocked my head at him. Why was he looking at me like that?! Did I look like crap? My gaze wandered to my impeccable black coat and large yet lean wolf-body. No I didn't look like crap. I growled in frustration, all I wanted to do was shout at him! For fuck's sake, why are you staring at me like that?!
His lips twitched into a smile -- did he know what I was thinking or something? Well, Jasper, you just look so amazing.
I jumped back, looking around. I swear his lipss hadn't moved. I had been staring right at them, thinking of how amazing they would be to kiss... back to the point, it had sounded like he was in my head.
My eyes widened, the fuck, whenever I read werewolf books I always say how stupid it is of these chicks who have no idea whats going on. I mean, haven't they ever read a werewolf book?! So why the hell didnt I figure out what was going on 20 minutes ago! It is obvious, I am a werewolf... or a shifter I spose, seeing as I just turned into a heck of a lot of different animals, and Jakey-boy is in my pack, so we had a telekinetic bond. I rolled my eyes at myself, it was pretty obvious -- if you're into werewolf books, I suppose.
Woah, I've never seen anyone figure it out that quick. I turned to back to Jake, he was staring at me with a mix of wonder and humor in his eyes. It felt so normal to have his voice in my head. I walked toward him slowly, he looked so amazing, so... detailed through my wolf eyes. I stopped when I was a ruler's length away from him, cocking my head and exhaling, you're so amazing.
His cocky grin and I'm sure what would have been a cocky reply was cut off by my father's gruff voice, "I know you're excited, guys, and that you've all but figured out the gist of it Jas, but there's still more you need to know. You have to turn back Jasper, and then we'll all have a chat. Jake, you're parents are inside, your mum called a sicky today." he smiled warmly at Jake and turned to me, "Okay honey, turning back is sort of hard. Do you remember whe you broke your arm?"
I grinned wolfily at him, yeah, of course.
"And how you had to go to physio for weeks to learn how to use the muscles again?" He laughed at my expression as I pawed at my ear in distaste, "I'll assume so. Well, turning into and back from a wolf will be like that, learning to use the muscles. To turn back... well, just try and invision it, try and turn... I couldn't describe how to move your arm then, and I cant describe how to turn back now, you sorta just have to figure it out." He let out another short laugh and sighed, "Don't worry cat, there's no rush."
I smiled at him and sighed. I started envisioning myself as a human, my bones shortening and changing. Remembering when I broke my arm I tried using my muscles, though I didnt know what muscles to use. Suddenly it just clicked. I bent my paw out and into the shape of a hand, it turning fleshy and nails replacing the claws that were know on the ground. My legs reversed and spine straightened, my vision becoming blury with pain.
After 10 agonising minutes I sighed, I was human again, I sat up and smiled at my dad, before realising the obvious, "I'M NAKED!"
Fae Royalty
Jasper
I gripped the blanket Jake had tossed me tightly around my body. My dad was shaking with laughter and Jake was grinning. I scowled at the entertained boy, "What do you find so funny?!"
"Oh, you know, nothing. You look great by the way." A smirk curled onto his face and I blushed slightly, lowering my head as I grinned. God I hate him!
Babe, no need to be so harsh.
I jumped back in fright and his laughs echoed off the trees. "God freaking damn, that's gonna take some getting used to." I shoved my hand through my hair, almost dropping the blanket covering my nudity. "Gah, dad, can you hold this up please?"
His deep chuckles made me stick my tongue out at him as I reached for my clothes. I was lucky I had changed into a cat first. If I had've changed into my wolf I would have completely shredded my clothes, instead of them just slipping off me.
~~•*•~~
I slouched on the couch as my father went to get Jake's parents. I didn't get why, but I s'pose he wanted them to help with explaining or something.
I groaned as two ginormous legs laid themselves in my lap. "Seriously, Jake?"
"Yep!" He grinned at me and I felt my a smile curving into my face. I lowered my head, my hair sheilding my face from his view. The weight of his legs disappeared and I looked up at him through my hair. He was staring at me intently, sitting so his leg pressed against mine. My breath caught in my throat as he brought his hand up, hesitating sightly before tenderly sweeping my hair aside and holding my face softly. "You're so beautiful, Jasper."
My cheeks bloomed red and I turned my head away, my hair falling again. An annoyed growl brought my eyes to his again and he grabbed my face with both his hands, the softness of his touch contradicting the tender yet angered look in his eyes, "Don't you ever hide your face from me, Jasper Scarlet Nichols Gotha." He growled again before roughly bringing my face to his.
My eyes fluttered closed and I smiled into the kiss. Our lips worked together and it was as though sparks were flying between us. After what felt like hours of 'intimate lip-exercising' we pulled away for air. I leaned my forehead against his and let out a fluttering laugh. He smiled and I sighed contently, voicing my first thought, "You remembered my full name?"
His warm laugh filled the room and I blushed again, "How can you be so goddamn perfect?"
I laughed at him as he gave me a peck.
If only he knew. If he knew he'd think you were disgusting. I sighed quietly as I fought with myself.
Wait, can't he fucking hear m-
"If I knew what?" He raised an eyebrow at me, and my eyes widened. Fuck!
"Jasper no swearing." I whipped my head around to see my father entering the room with Xavier and Aviary behind him and I sighed in relief.
"Dad! You better explain all this shit to us now!" He grinned at my expression but Jake's parent's expressions contradicted his own with their matching tight smiles.
"Well... this might take a little while Cat, but why don't we all sit down first?"
~~*~~
I sighed, why do adults insist on tea and coffee when sitting down and telling 'stories'?
"Okay Jasper, so there's quite a lot we need to tell you -- and you too Jake." My father smiled as he finally began.
"Gah, dad, must we make it so formal and story-like?" I groaned, he is so annoying!
"Well, now that you said that, yes I do." I sighed and laughed with him. "We'll have to teach you how to control your thoughts too."
I just stared at him flatly as he grinned.
"Well, first off, Jasper, we obviously arent 'werewolves', per se. We are often refered to as that, becuase wolves are the most common of our animals, but we are simply shifters. We also don't have 'wolves', or whatever, that talk to us in our heads---yes, I remember when you brought up how weird that'd be when you were twelve."
"Hey, werewolf books are interesting!" I held up my hands and stuck my tongue out at my evil father, heart beating harder as Jake's deep chuckle reverbrated around the room.
"Anyway, there is a lot about us that humans don't know. For one, though we do have packs with Alphas and Betas, we have... well, we have 'leaders'. The Fae Royals and the Fae Council. They rule all of us. All of the Fae."
"Wait, there aren't just wer-shifters?" I raised my eyebrows, shit---vampires and leprechauns too?
He chuckled, "Yes. There are many species considered to be Fae, most common ones being fae themselves,as in fairies, elves, shifters and witches -- not the ones with warts and broomsticks. Your great aunt is a witch, by the way."
"Wait---my great aunt Sarah?!" I screeched.
"Yup!" The grin didn't leave his face, but his eyes held a hint of worry.
"Crap..." I ran a hand through my hair, but couldn't keep the grin from my face, "That's freaking awesome!"
"Hahaha, yes, I suppose it is, Cat," He smiled, but quickly grew serious. "Well, Jasper, you see, we used to have Fae Royals and the Fae council. But a man, he was shifter, fae and elf, thought that he would be 'better'. He spent years recruiting people, many of them dark witches, dark magic users, and evil shifters, known as dark shifters, they were the ones who believed the animals inside them were stronger and better, and who lived like their animals; some going as far as to... as to attack and eat other human beings and shifters," He gulped and a dark look crossed his eyes. "After years, years of he and his people hopelessly attacking the borders of the lone Fae Royal's, our last queen's, home, he finally stopped. The royal guard was niave. After a month we relaxed the border patrols and stopped watching out for them. And they didn't hesitate. They... they attacked near midnight and we weren't prepared. And they killed An- our queen." A tear escaped his eye as he recounted the story; he had been on the royal guard when our queen was lost. I cannot imagine the unjustified guilt he must be feeling. I stood up and rushed over to the recliner he was seated in, wrapping my arms around his shoulders. I couldn't help the tear that escaped as I consoled my father.
He drew in a shaky breath and looked back up at me, smiling at me, "There's more I have to tell you, hon, but any questions about 'werewolfism'."
I stared at him flatly, "No dad, no questions. At all." I punched him in the arm before swaying back to my seat and grinning at him, "Yeah I got quite a few obviously, you mind if I just shoot and you answer as quickly as you can?" I laughed as he nodded with a smile. "Uh... our coats, do the colours have to do with anything?"
"Nope. Any shifter can be any colour, though usually the colours of all their animals are the same, and it is often their hair colour."
I grinned, "Sweet, well..."
~~*~~
10 minutes of questions later I still felt like I didn't know everything. I had forgotten Aviary and Xaviar hadbeen there while my father and I were talking, but they had put in a lot with my queries.
"What's the deal with rogues?"
He grinned, "I knew this was coming. Well... rogues are depicted as evil, horrible creatures in stories, yes?"
"Yeah, I've read 2 or 3 books in which rogues aren't coming to eat all the little nice pack members, I think. And you know how many actual werewolf books I've read..."
His chuckled, "Well, yes, some rogues are evil. But 'rogues' in themselves aren't evil. They are exactly the same as wolves in packs, except they've either been kicked out, run away, were born without a pack, or were orphaned before ever knowing about their pack. They could be evil or they could be saints, just as packs, or individual wolves in packs, could be either evil or 'good'. It's purely dependent on the person themselves, not the way the fates have left them."
I smiled, "Good." Suddenly something came to mind and I sighed worriedly, "Dad... um, who is in our pack?"
"Well Cat, do you want a list or what?" He laughed again, well sorry I'm worried as to who my 'family' is!
"Nothing to be worried about Scar." Jake winked at me and I couldn't help my blush.
"Dad, please teach me how to stop thinking... aloud."
"Actually, Jasper, I didn't hear it that time." He jerked his head towards Jake with a grin. "He's in your head."
I growled, turning my head to the hottie next to me -- the hottie who had put his legs back in lap, did I mention? "Paul! Get the frig-sticks out of my head!"
His grin widened, "But I like it in your head. And 'frig-sticks'? Really?"
I smiled at myself, strugling to keep the angry glare plastered on my face, "Yeah, there're adults here!" At that I looked over to our parents, Xaviar and dad were sharing a knowing look and Aviary was just smiling at us with one of those 'aww' looks. I blushed again.
"Hmm, 5 consecutive blushes... I'm pretty sure that'd be a record shortie." His smile made my heart flutter and I almost smiled. Until I processed what he said.
"You asshole! I'm 5"7'! I am so not short!" I punched him in the arm as he doubled over with laughter and another blush found it's way to my cheeks.
"As funny as I' finding your bickerings, do you want to know who's in our pack or not? You'll be meeting them all for dinner this arvie, but you have met some of them before." My father cut off Jake's laughter and my embarrassment as I quickly nodded. "Well... there aren't thousands of people in our packs like there are in books, but we do have quite a few... So, you're going to be very pissed, as a lot of your school friends are in our pack..."
I cut him off with a gasp, "What?! Who? Oh shit, please tell me it's not Mariane!"
My father chuckled, "No, your great friend Melissa isn't in our pack... in fact, you know how I mentioned nearly everyone has some kind of fae in them? Well she doesn't have any traits."
"Hah! Suck to her then!" I giggle and glance over at my - now laughing - beau. Wait what? Beau?! God, I have issues. Glancing back up at Paul I narrow my eyes, "Don't even mention it Jake."
"I wasn't going to say anything." My heart flutters as he smiles, not smirks, simply smiles. He's so-
"If you lovebirds would stop google-eyeing each other, do you want to know who's in the pack or would you rather save it for tonight when you meet them?" My father grins as I roll my eyes, before realizing what he'd said.
"I'm meeting them tonight?!"
Impressum
Texte: Freya Baynes
Tag der Veröffentlichung: 25.04.2013
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To all book lovers.