"Why are we up so early again?" I grumbled, watching as Ricky walked out the bathroom in a loose towel. It was currently 5am and it's been 30 minutes since Ricky woke us up, let's just say I'm a little more than a little upset considering the fact that we stayed up until 2 in the morning last night.
He threw on the navy blue shirt with big white lettering he had set out on his dresser before moving into his closet to finish getting dressed, "I have to go pick up the girls and drop you off at home so you can get dressed." He answered simply, walking out in a black pair of pants "You can't just wear my clothes to school."
I grumbled Into the pillow as he walked towards my sprawled out body, "Why? It's not like it would be the first time." I yelped as he pulled the blanket, tossing me off the bed and onto the floor "Asshole." I grumbled, rolling onto my back as he crouched beside me.
He picked me up and I made sure to put all my dead weight on him as he carried me down the steps on his shoulder before setting me down by the island. "Tired?" Christopher questioned with a laugh as I let out a loud yawn.
I nodded, turning back to Ricky once Christopher made his way out the kitchen and back upstairs with his cup of coffee, "You left my clothes and my phone." He rolled his eyes before walking back upstairs, minutes later he was coming down with my things.
I smiled as I grabbed the pants from his hands and slipped them on before taking my phone and shirt as well, "No 'thank you'?" He questioned sarcastically.
"Thanks, I guess." I replied, wincing when I felt a smack on the head; He laughed as I flipped him off. He went towards the door and grabbed the sparkly purple helmet before tossing it my way "Ha ha ha, you're so fucking funny." I said, catching the helmet as I came closer.
He smirked as he leaned down again and grabbed another helmet, smaller than his but the same shiny black color, "I know." He put the helmet over my head, knocking on it twice before grabbing the one he had thrown at me and putting it back. I followed him out the house and watched as he started the bike before hopping onto the back behind him.
The drive to my cottage was long and the sun had finally started to show in the sky as we pulled up, he parked the bike in front and got off. I ran In front of him and slammed the door open causing savannah to jump, "What is wrong with you?" She questioned with a glare.
I ignored her stare as I walked in. "Your son is what's wrong with me." I grumbled as I landed on the couch face first, burying my face into the cotton pillows. As soon as I laid down I could feel something being thrown at my butt and groaned when I reached back and felt that it was my phone "Asshole."
Ricky laughed as he closed the front door, locking it. "He's just grumpy because he didn't get enough sleep." He walked up to Savannah and hugged her, giving her a kiss on the cheek as she laughed as well "Morning mom."
"Good morning." She replied back with a warm smile "the girls are in Omas' room and my keys are on the dresser"
"Okay, do you want me to sit her up for you?" He questioned as he handed his motorcycle keys to Savannah and made his way towards my Omas' room.
I flipped around on my back as she answered, "Yes, please." I watched her rush into the kitchen, probably going to cook breakfast for her and Oma. I sighed after a few moments of staying in the living room by myself before getting up and making my way into my Oma's room.
It was loud as the girls had cartoons playing on the tv and we're loudly singing the theme song; I ignored the chaos as I made my way to my Oma. Ricky had already finished sitting her up and was now talking to her so she didn't seem to notice my presence until I softly grabbed her hand "Goeiemôre, Oma. (Good morning, Oma.)" I greeted as she stopped speaking to turn in my direction.
"Is jy seker dit is 'n goeie môre? Jy lyk of jy deur 'n vragmotor raakgery is. (Are you sure it's a good morning? You look like you've been hit by a truck.)" She commented, ignoring my previous greeting with a snicker. I arched a brow at Ricky as he also let out a small laugh before going quiet and turning back towards my Oma, avoiding my angry stare.
"Miskien moes ek maar in die sitkamer gebly het. (Maybe I should've just stayed in the living room.)" I huffed, waving my hand at Ricky as I walked towards the side of the bed; He immediately scooched over, making room for me on the already small vanity stool.
Ricky wrapped his arm securely around my waist, making sure to hold us both in place as we shared the stool, "Awe moenie soos daardie hondjie wees nie. (Awe don't be like that puppy.)" He replied, grinning as I gave him a pointed look. "Ek is seker Oma het jou baie gemis. (I'm sure Oma has missed you very much.)" He nodded his head as he spoke, looking to my Oma for confirmation.
My Oma scoffed "Natuurlik het ek dit gedoen. (Of course I did.)" She defended "Al was dit lekker om nie wakker te word deur jou snork nie. (Though it was nice to not be woken up by your snoring.)"
I furrowed my brows as she giggled at my expression, "Wat?! Ek snork nie so hard nie! (What?! I don't snore that loud!)" I shouted, apologizing when the girls looked in our direction at the sound of my voice.
My Oma scoffed at my comment, clearly not believing a word I had said, "Liefie, ek is feitlik doof en selfs ek kan jou snork van heelpad hier af hoor. (Sweetie, I'm practically deaf and even I can hear your snoring from all the way in here.)" Ricky bursted out into a fit of laughter at her words as I just sat there with squinted eyes and a gaping mouth. There's no way she just said that...
I crossed my arms as I stood from the vanity, causing Ricky to almost fall as he had still been holding onto me up until then, "Ek gaan aantrek en met die enigste persoon in hierdie huis praat wat blykbaar eintlik vir my omgee. (I'm going to get dressed and talk to the only person in this house who seems to actually care about me.)" Ricky scooted over, once again taking over the entirety of the small seat, "And who would that be?" He asked in English, arching a brow as I walked towards the door.
I turned at his question and gave a playful grin, "Myself, of course." I answered in a 'duh' tone, "Ah yes, of course." He repeated with a goofy grin that mirrored my own.
I rolled my eyes as I left the room and went towards the bathroom, opting to not take a shower since I had already done so last night at Rickys' house. After doing a quick rinse off of my face I left the bathroom, heading towards the living room to scavenge through the boxes of clothes I had still yet to have unpacked. I pulled out a pair of sweatpants and a random shirt, not really caring what it was since I was probably going to be throwing a hoodie over it anyway. Today just seemed like a sweats and hoodie kind of day.
As I slipped the shirt over my head Ricky came out of the room, swinging savannah keys on his fingers as the two oldest of his younger sisters, Rhiyna and Sabrina, followed close behind him. Rhiyna, like her brother, is a direct copy of their father; The same black hair, hazel eyes, and semi-broad nose that have been partially diluted by savannahs' features. Sabrina on the other hand looked exactly like her mother with the same brown hair, emerald eyes, and facial features as savannah.
Sabrina is the oldest of the girls and is twelve while Rhiyna is the second oldest at eight, both girls were dressed in their private schools' required uniforms which consisted of either a tan or navy blue skirt and vets with a white undershirt and a tie that matched their vest.
I watched as Savannah walked up to them, kissing each of them on the forehead before bending down to fix one of the two black gelled buns Rhiyna had on her head. She looked just like a tiny mouse. "Are you going to need me to come back for Jaide later?" He questioned as she straightened back up. Jaide's the youngest of them all and was the only one who seemed to be an exact mixture of both her parents with Christophers' black hair, eyes shape and facial structure but savannahs' emerald eyes, nose, lips and skin tone.
She shook her head as Ricky leaned down and picked up Rhiyna who had been softly pulling at the leg of his pants. "No, I'll probably have your father come by and get her while I ride the motorcycle back."
"Alright, we're going to head out then." He replied, bouncing Rhiyna once before turning to me "Bye puppy." He called out with a grin, getting nothing in return but a middle finger to face. He laughed before kissing Savannah on the cheek, yelling a goodbye to both my Oma and Jaide, and then swiftly leaving the cottage in savannahs' car.
"You want something to eat?" Savannah asked as she made her way back into the kitchen, it's currently 7:30 which means I still have a good hour before I actually have to start heading to school; I'm still not understanding why we had to wake up so early. "Stefan?"
I looked up toward the kitchen where savannah stood still in front of the stove, watching carefully as she cooked both the pan sausage and bacon at the same time on two different pans, "Yeah, sure." I answered, breaking out my thoughts, "I'm gonna go take a nap though so just wake me up when you're done." She replied with a simple nod as I threw on a random hoodie before tossing myself back onto the couch.
It didn't take long for me to fall into a deep sleep, waking up 35 minutes later when savannah finished the food and told me to come eat. I stretched my aching muscles as I got off the couch, immediately regretting not still being asleep as I made my way towards the kitchen and sat at the small circular table. There was a plate with two pancakes, two pansasage, a thick piece of bacon, and a ton of eggs placed in the center of the table; I wasted no time in grabbing the plate and pulling it towards me, scooping and swallowing everything in large portions as I hurried to finished the plate and make it to school in time.
I placed the plate in the sink, washing my hand of the sticky syrup I had used before rushing to grab my things; I only have 25 minutes to grab everything and make it to school on time. "Bye Sav!, (Bye grandma!), Bye Jaide!" I called out as I ran out the door, stopping when I saw the familiar black SUV parked in front of my cottage.
I contemplated going back inside and just skipping for the day or shifting and hoping I could grab my stuff before Eze got out and convinced me to get in but ultimately just decided to get into the car, what's the worst that could happen? It's not like Ade can say anything worse than what he already has. I opened the door to the backseat, grateful Eze didn't try to argue with me about why I should be sitting in the front with my "mate".
"Good morning!" Eze greeted, a little too energetically if I'm being honest; I replied back with a smile and a small 'morning' back, but she didn't seem to mind. I looked up and caught eyes with Ade in the rearview mirror, he immediately looked away and seconds later started the car; We didn't speak to each other at all during the entire ride, but I didn't mind since Eze talked enough for the both of us.
When we got to the school I exited the car with Eze, leaving no time for insults to be exchanged. Eze gave me a cautious glance as we made our way towards the schools' entrance and after catching it a few times I decided to just ask, "What is it?" I questioned, turning and looking her in the eyes just as she made her fifth glance.
She flinched at the eye contact, "What?" She questioned back, feigning confusion "You keep glancing at me, what's wrong?" I repeated as she awkwardly looked away, gripping the strap of her gym bag.
"Are you avoiding Ade?" She questioned making me laugh at how worried she looked over something this small. Her head dipped a bit and for the second time since I've met her, I kinda felt bad for my reaction.
"Sorry- Sorry, It's just... I was just in a car with him?" I replied, making sure to show my confusion through my face and voice. If I was avoiding him I wouldn't have gotten into the car; Granted I was planning to either run away or skip school entirely when I first saw that stupidly pretty black SUV parked in front of my cottage, I still didn't!
She seemed hesitant to question me any further but thankfully decided not to, I am not in the mood to be interrogated, it's just too early.
"So..." she said after moments of silence, stretching out the 'o' as I glanced her way "You wanna maybe come over to the packhouse tomorrow?" She questioned with a hopeful smile.
I truthfully don't want to go anywhere near their pack grounds, let alone their pack house and I'm sure my "mate" wouldn't want me there either. I sighed as I looked away from her pleading eyes, "Can my friend come as well?" I asked, not trusting myself to be alone around my mates' scent.
"The one with the motorcycle?" She questioned, "That's the one." I answered back, my smile awkward as I waited for her reply.
"I'll have to ask, but I'm sure he can." She confirmed and I smiled at the thought of being able to explore a new pack with Ricky; We always used to do the same as kids but we were considered pups still so it was rare that we got in trouble for it, now we're a lot bigger and don't even attempt to step a toe into any neighboring packs territory for fear it will be our last time doing so.
After that lovely conversation we went our separate ways as I pulled my phone out and sent a quick message for Ricky to meet me at my cottage after school. The rest of the day went by fast and I fell asleep in most of my classes... okay all of my classes, I'm starting to believe my exhaustion has less to do with me staying up late and more to do with something else; I'll just ask Ricky about it, he knows everything.
I declined Eze's offer for a ride home as I opted to just shift since it would be faster and less awkward, plus my wolf was itching to stretch his legs and had been crying like a baby the whole day about it.
"Alright, see ya." I quickly walked past Eze and made my way towards the woods. I could feel her watching my every move which admittingly creeped me out a bit, but I said nothing as I continued my voyage into the trees; Stopping once I was a little ways past the edge closest to the school.
I made sure to thoroughly stretch my muscles, not wanting to deal with any cramps as an aftermath of "sws" : shifting without stretching. I wouldn't have to do this if I regularly worked out like other wolves but I've never been one for working out unless it was running, I love running; It makes me feel so free in a way nothing else has or ever will.
I could feel Leon jumping around in my head as he ushered me to move faster, obviously not caring about any future pain that might come to me through rushing. I finally stripped off my clothes after a few minutes of stretching and neatly folded them before putting them in my school bag, then I shifted.
It was a quick few seconds of sharp pain before I was fully transformed into my wolf and racing through the woods with my bag in my mouth. I gave Leon control and just watched from the back of my mind as he playfully zig-zagged through the trees, going off track every now and again to chase a rabbit or deer.
When he finally ran up to the cottage Rickys' motorcycle was already parked outside. Instead of taking back control and shifting like I usually would, I allowed Leon to stay in control and just watched as he walked up and scratched at the front door, whining like a puppy who had been left out in the cold.
It didn't take long for the door to open and I wasn't surprised to see Ricky standing in the doorway when it did, he cooed as he looked down at our form which was bigger than a regular wolves but smaller than the usual werewolves wolf form; Leon purred into the side of his hand as he scratched behind his ear before moving to the side and allowing him to come in.
Ricky grabbed the bag from between Leons' teeth, scoffing when my wolf playfully nipped at his fingers. I took control and shifted when I noticed him looking through the bag before pulling out my clothes and handing them to me.
I quickly put them back on as he went to sit on the couch, "So why'd you need me to come over right after school?" He questioned, turning to me just as I finished putting on my last piece of clothing.
I flopped down on the couch next to him, throwing a leg over one of his as he straightened up in his spot, "I want you to come with me to sëenige pack tomorrow." He titled his head at my reply, looking at me with confused eyes.
"Sëenige pack?" He repeated, "I thought we both agreed not to boundary hop no more..." he trailed off as he looked down at me, a silent demand for me to finish explaining what I meant.
"I was invited by a, um- friend..? To come visit her territory." I revealed, not sounding the least bit believable even to myself but hoping he'd ignore the tiny lie.
"Friend?" He repeated, arching a brow as I avoided his gaze, guess not. "The one I saw yesterday waiting with you in front of the school?" He questioned and I nodded my head in reply. "Why do you need me to go?"
"I didn't want to go by myself." I answered truthfully but all it did was cause him to sigh as he moved my leg off his, forcing me to sit up in my spot "Yeah I know, but why?" I tapped my fingers on my thigh, trying to figure out how the conversation would play out if I told him the truth.
"It's my mates' pack... he's the alpha." I flinched as he sprung up from the couch with wide eyes and furrowed brows; I couldn't tell if he looked confused or mad but as his eyes flashed silver I decided he was most likely mad.
"Alpha?!? You're mated to an alpha??!" He shouted, his eyes growing dangerously more silver as time passed. "Technically I'm not mated to him, he's just my mate." I joked, immediately regretting it when all I received back was a low growl.
"Yeah like that's such a big fucking difference Stefan!" He growled. He began pacing as I remained silent, watching his every move. "When were you gonna tell me?" He questioned, stopping in his tracks to look back at my still seated figure. "When were you gonna tell me huh?!?"
I looked him in the eyes as he stopped his pacing in front of me, "Stop shouting at me Ricardo." I gripped my hand on my leg to stop them both from shaking as my nerves worsened.
Ricky cautiously watched my bouncing leg and shaky hands before taking in a deep breath and letting it out, "I'm sorry." He said once his eyes no longer held any silver in them, letting me know he was now fully in control. "I'm sorry alright." He crouched down in front of me, slightly bowing his head as he laid his hands on top of mine on my lap.
I gripped his hands in mine for comfort, I mean it wasn't like I was mad at him, I was just a bit scared. Rickys' dad, Christopher, was a pack warrior and before Savannah decided to work in other packs as a travel doctor Ricky was being trained by his father to be the next head warrior; According to Christopher he could've achieved the title if they hadn't left but the loss never seemed to effect Ricky so they didn't dwell on it much.
Even though I already know neither Ricky nor his wolf would ever intentionally hurt me, it's scary whenever Rickys' wolf comes out; His aura always changes to one of a warrior whenever he does so and it forces both me and my wolf into submission. Controlling his wolf is something he was still learning to do and he had gotten pretty good at it but he always seems to take a step back whenever I do something that causes him to lose control.
I wiped at the unshed tears as I took a deep breath, "It's fine, will you come?" He looked unsure as he lifted his head towards me "I'll forgive you if you do." I bargained, laughing as he shook his head with a grin.
I watched as he sighed at the ground, his smile slowly fading as he looked back at me, "You being mated to an alpha is dangerous, especially if he's planning to reject you. Stefan, an alphas' rejection could kill you." He revealed with a voice full of different emotions, the main one being concern.
I grabbed his hands and squeezed them, forcing him to look up and meet my gaze "Please?" I pleaded, hoping the combination of both my puppy eyes and sad voice would be enough to convince him to come.
"Fine." He grumbled, looking away with a defeated sigh as a giant grin spread across my face. I wrapped my arms around his still crouched body, throwing both of us to the ground with a loud thud. Ricky groaned underneath me, rubbing his head before looking at me with an irritated glare.
"Oops?" I laughed, causing him to roll his eyes as he lifted us both up and sat back on the couch. I continued my giggling as I sat back down next to him. "So what are we gonna do now?" I questioned as I leaned my head onto his shoulder.
He looked down at me with a laugh and an arched brow, "You're the one who invited me over, remember?" I hummed in reply as he laid his head on top of mine, "Tired?" He asked as I felt my eyes starting to close.
"Maybe..." I replied, trailing off into a yawn causing him to laugh again as he moved us into a lying position with him on his back and me in between his legs on my side. I nuzzled my head into his chest, feeling the switch in his aura before he even said anything.
Micheal, Rickys' wolf, rubbed his hands through my hair, lulling me deeper into sleep, "Then we'll just lay here for a little." He hummed, continued his rubbing as I finally fell asleep.