After a few more history lessons, Xander and I agreed that I would be coming over to the pack each day after school to train and learn more about what the prophecy entails and demands of me. The problem with that though, was coming up with a valid excuse or reason for my new status as a wolf.
Since most of the pack members attended our school and they knew me as a human, there was no way to pretend I was a wolf from another pack, which left us with one last option, telling the truth. Not the whole truth but at least some of it.
Xander didn't agree with that though since he knew that wolves looked down on experiments like me and considered my kind impure and unfit to be in a pack. We had to leave that discussion at an impasse, to give him enough time to think of something else.
About twenty minutes to the completion of my shift, I had gotten woozy again and that had prompted Xander to take me home. I slept through the ride and woke up only when I was gently deposited on my bed at home, feeling better beyond my days, a proof that the wolf was finally awake, apparently.
Before leaving, Xander had checked the seal and confirmed my initial thoughts, my shift was finally complete. He could see the glow apparently and we were going to test out the effectiveness of the preventive measure we took, with Nat before school tomorrow.
When he was ready to take his leave, he had placed a kiss on my forehead and tucked me in bed with words of encouragement, "You'll be fine. I got you and you'll always have me, whether you like it or not."
I had laughed at his last words but deep down in my heart, I was grateful he bothered enough to remind me that no matter what happens, I could count on him. That same night I came face to face with my wolf again and we actually managed to hold a pleasant conversation this time.
Somewhere in my mind, I felt peace for the first time. Peace because I finally knew where I belonged or at least I was learning. I felt peace because I found someone I could count on without the worry of being a burden and it was a good feeling.
Waking up to the realization that the day was Monday though, was not a good feeling. Especially since I had practically been thrown into a frenzy by my wolf. Our conversation, bless the heavens had taken place in my dream, which had left me well rested all through the night since we were just making small talk.
Until she just went crazy on me and started ranting about how I sleep too much, wake your ass up, what kinda mate would want to be with a sleep slug like you. You can agree with me now that this wolf is definitely on the extreme end of the crazy spectrum.
I had practically jumped awake, as in flew from my bed cluelessly, landed on the floor in utter confusion kind of jumped awake. Even my alarm never put me in such a rattled position and that shit was crazy loud.
All this shit would have made sense if I was late but when I finally came to and checked the time, it was 5:45AM. As in I was jerked awake when I could've slept for one hour and an extra thirty minutes and still make it to school on time.
The whole situation slowed my brain's processing abilities for a while and before I knew it I was ranting out loud to a voice that only existed in my head. I would've even felt better if she replied but instead, she let me rant and rant and have I said it, rant some more. Only to reply smartly, "When you're done raving like a lunatic, go get dressed you'll know the reason soon enough." What a great way to start the week.
Following the instructions given, I went and showered. Took my time doing so since I couldn't go back to sleep. I couldn't wear any crop tops now since it would only reveal the seal on my back which was a bummer for me.
I later settled for red shorts, blue shirt coupled with my favorite red sweater and my black converse all stars. Since I had so much time on my hands I styled my hair with the curling iron giving it a few waves and let it fall freely.
By the time I was done dressing up, it was 6:40 and I knew Aunt Maia would be up and about by now, so I proceeded to the kitchen. Dumped my bag on the counter and walked up to the fridge to grab a juice carton, then a cup and sat down on one of the island stools to wait for her.
As predicted, less than five minutes later she walked into the kitchen shocked to see me awake and dressed up. "Wow, something good must be happening today", she said humorously as she began pulling ingredients out of the cabinets and fridge to make breakfast.
"Don't even start with me, I'm still asleep right now", I replied sighing. She laughed at that, "well why are you even awake and all dressed up by this time?" "That wasn't my choice", was my sour reply. "I was forced awake by this wolf in my head".
"I won't even ask any further", she replied smiling. "I know you're probably dying to put your hands on the wolf". "You know me so well", I replied placing my elbows on the counter. "I'm impressed though", she said absently as she began making the pancake mix.
"You're not the easiest person to wake and even when you do wake up, you have to be forced out of the bed again", she said with a direct stare at me. "I wouldn't say I'm that bad", I excused and she gave me a look of 'uh, uh'. "I just love my sleep is all and my bed is very addictive". "Yeah, right."
Not wanting to receive any more insults I digressed immediately. "So", I started as I made my way to her side of the counter. "Are we making special pancakes today for the special girl who woke up early today or are we making the bland ones my ma likes".
"How about we do both", she replied with a smirk. I love this woman. I joined her and what I like to call the breakfast kitchen frenzy commenced immediately. We made pancakes, bland ones and my specialty chocolate and strawberry ones, then bacon and scrambled eggs. The smell in that kitchen could only be described with one word, heaven.
At about 7:20 when we were cleaning up my mom and Adam both made their way to the kitchen, dressed and good to go. When I actually think about it, Aunt Maia was right about me. I didn't inherit the business drive my mom had. I loved working but you see sleep, sleep was just too important to me.
We ate our breakfast in companionable silence, my mom on her phone, Adam smiling all through just like me. We were the ones with the sweet tooth in the house. I was going through my last pancake when my heartbeat suddenly changed and started racing. Then almost immediately we heard the doorbell and the unmistakable scent of pine that breezed past my nose told me exactly who was at the door.
Aunt Maia went to get the door and shortly after I heard his voice, smooth as silk waft through the house with another voice I recognized as Nat's. They made their way into the kitchen, each said their greetings to my mom and she replied a lot better today, I'm guessing because Nat was present.
Adam on the other hand had cleared his breakfast and was able to give Xander a man hug. He was a huge fan. He gave Nat a hug too and then did their weird handshake thing they came up with. I just sat there nursing my last pancake with a smile directed at Xander. God I missed him.
Nat didn't know how to act with me since we basically left things unresolved between us yesterday. I had gotten over it though. My character was simple, so far as I said what I had a problem with and you now know it, it's done and forgiven.
Feeling bad for her, I stood up with my plate on one hand and fork in the other as I made my way to her where she stood by the counter and without a word I cut up a piece of my pancake and offered it to her with a look of 'don't you dare try to reject it'. She smiled, ate the piece and we hugged and fight's over.
When I moved past Xander to place my plate back onto the counter, he held me back with a firm grip on my arm. "Wait, I don't get a piece of pancake", he asked glumly. Smiling I forked what was left and offered it to him. He ate it happily, it was so cute I couldn't help myself, I started snickering and he gave me a questioning look which I could only shake my head in reply to.
With breakfast finally over and Nat couldn't tell shit about the seal on my back, we were good to go. I had to hug my mom goodbye since I wouldn't be seeing her the whole week until the weekend, due to the business meetings and conferences she had to attend to this week, a result of her attention to me.
She had a hard time saying bye but we both knew it was absolutely necessary. Since I was going to school with Xander, Adam would be dropping my mom off at the airport and most likely traveling with her. My mom had other security agents but Adam was the one she trusted the most. Most times she just sprung a trip on him whenever and wherever.
Armed with my bag and phone, I made my way to the door with Nat and Xander right behind me and Aunt Maia ready to see us out, only for me to open the door and hear Aunt Maia whisper in shock, "impossible".
That was the same thought I had the minute I opened the door and saw the woman standing outside, but I guess I was not the only one uncomfortable with her appearance because immediately, I felt Xander's arm wrap around my waist from behind to pull me to his side and saw Nat take a fighting stance. "What a great way to start the week indeed", my wolf mocked.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Xander asked coldly. His voice sending shivers down my spine. I took a few seconds to study the reaction of everyone around me and then came to a simple conclusion, whoever this person was, she was definitely bad news.
No one said a word for a few seconds and we all just stood there, Xander and Nat glaring at the lady, Aunt Maia sputtering gibberish like a fish out of water, my mom nowhere in sight thank God, and I just stood there staring.
With the silence becoming more unbearable by the second I took my time to study the stranger and on closer inspection I saw that she had similar features to someone I know, Aunt Maia.
She had the same liquid gold eyes, brown hair, taller than Aunt Maia's lithe form but skinny just like her. Even her cheekbones were structured the same way. The major difference between the both of them though was the tattoo creeping up her neck and down her arms.
"I asked you a question", Xander finally repeated. I guess he's done glaring now. "What the hell are you doing here?" "Hello sister", the stranger replied softly in a familiar voice completely ignoring Xander's question.
"Don't you ever sister me", Aunt Maia reprimanded hotly. "What are you doing here?" In all the years that I've known her, never have I ever heard her sound so pissed and super cold all at the same time.
"So no warm welcome there too", the stranger replied smiling. "I missed you Mai, but I can see you still haven't forgiven me. It's okay though, I have other business here". The more she spoke the more her voice rang in my head so familiar but I struggled to pinpoint exactly where I had heard it.
While all this was going on, the distance between us had been gradually shrinking. I don't know how but it was in that moment I noticed it. I moved to take a few steps back only to feel cold hands on my face, Xander far from my reach.
Everything happened within the blink of an eye and just like that I had memories flashing behind my eyes, ones I had locked so far, I had even become certain they were deleted. Memories that could only return because no one in my life has ever touched me with hands colder than ice, other than the woman who helped my father brand me with the seal of the goddess when I was seven.