Storm's Pov
Alpha of Alphas?
What the fuck is that? After they called me that, they sat back down acting as if nothing happened and Artemis has refused to look at me ever since they said it. True to what Ollie and Artemis said, no one objected to her being my mate and currently we are having an after party.
The cut disappeared and Artemis explained that it was because of her blood, it healed me.
I tried to get Ollie to explain what they said to me but he pretended as if someone was calling him and disappeared through the crowd. Selena took one look at my face and bolted to God knows where and as for Esme and Damien well let's just say the look they gave me basically said 'I should fuck off.'
Artemis is still silent just greeting those who come to get a closer look at me. I feel like a celebrity to be honest, watching as they bow or shake my hand some even go to the extent of hugging me.
"Artemis!" A warm voice drawls out suddenly pulling her into a hug and she eagerly returns it.
"Elizabeth thanks for coming." Artemis says softly pulling back with a grin on her face.
The woman waves her hand brushing it of as she grins at her. "There's no way I would miss it in the world." and proceeds to smack the back of Artemis head glaring at her.
"Ouch!" Artemis whines rubbing the spot where she was hit, a confused look on her face. "What did I do?"
She hushes her, wagging her finger in front of Artemis face. "I expected my son to obviously keep his mate from me one day but not you. How can you not tell me about him and let me wait like the rest of these people?" She questions a disappointed look on her face.
A chuckle comes from behind her, a man that seems to be in his forties places his hand of her shoulder rubbing it gently as he pulls her back from Artemis. Those blue eyes and hair remind me of someone I know, but who? His eyes snap to mine, a blank look quickly taking over his face as his eyes scan me up.
"So you're the human mate." He states and I gulp from the intimidating look he is giving me. The woman's eyes snap to mine own and they widen in surprise.
"Oh my goodness." She gasps stepping back in shock placing her hand on her chest.
"What's wrong?" Artemis rushes out hurriedly staring at her in concern and the man beside her rolls his eyes.
"Here we go again." He mutters under his breath staring at her with a bored look on his face.
"You're so handsome!" She squeals stepping closer and squishing my cheeks together kind of like what a grandma would do to a baby. She releases me tracing my jawline and she gasp once more. "See that sharp jawline and his eyes; so beautiful." She whispers.
I turn to look at Artemis a smug look on my face, she rolls her eyes at me but I can definitely see the small smile gracing her face. She grasp my biceps, squeezing it and the man takes her wrist pulling it back as he glares at me.
"I think you've fussed over him quite enough Lizzy." He grumbles wrapping an arm around her waist possessively.
"Hush now Edward." She scolds slapping his chest playful. "Oh my your children are going to be so beautiful." She coos staring at the both of us, admiration clear on her face.
She and my mom will get along so well.
I awkwardly clear my throat and Artemis looks at the ground, looking back up. "Anyway Storm this is Former Beta Edward Hugh and his mate Elizabeth Hugh also Ollie's parents." She introduces and that's when it hits me, no wonder I thought the man looked familiar. There is no difference between him and Ollie, actually they look so much alike that it's unnerving but character wise I think I know where he got his dramatic actions from.
"Hello." I say reaching out my hand to shake them but Elizabeth slaps it away pulling me down for a hug and the air gets knocked out of me from how tight she is squeezing for.
For a petite woman like her, she sure is strong.
"It's so nice to meet you." She exclaims happily pulling back to stare at me with warm brown eyes and I smile breathing out a sigh of relief when she let's go.
Edward grips my hand in a handshake, a grin on his face as he squeezes it firmly maybe a little bit too firmly. "Hurt her and you're dead." He says calmly still gripping my hand one last time before letting go. I clench and unclench my fist silently whimpering when it makes a small crack sound.
"We have to go its getting late." Artemis says softly and they nod their heads in agreement.
"You're right, come visit us at the pack house okay." She says and her mate drags her but she stops grabbing something from the small purse and handing it to me.
Opening my palms I choke on the air, Artemis begins to hiccup, a mortified look on her face as she openly stares at it, blush coating her cheeks.
"Seriously Lizzy!" Edward exclaims giving her a disapproving look but she brushes it of, grinning at us.
"I really want grandchildren but for now just wrap it up okay." She pats my cheek, winking and walking away with Edward. She stops suddenly narrowing her eyes at him and hitting the back of his head.
Edward smirks at her, wiggling his brow and she huffs rolling her eyes at him as he pulls her in for a hug but I don't miss the small giggle that escapes her.
Everything is silent as I stare at the condom, switching between looking at it and watching Artemis blush from embarrassment.
I raise my head slowly when a thought pops into my mind, my lips tugging up in a smirk as I stare at her deviously. "You know I think-
She quickly slaps her palm against my mouth eyes widening as she presses her lips into a thin line. "Don't even finish that." She mutters through clenched teeth and I wiggle my brow suggestively at her.
She quickly pulls her hand back, scrunching up her face in disgust as she wipes her palm against my shirt. "Did you just lick my palm?"
"Why did you prefer my tongue somewhere else?" I ask innocently.
She furrows her brows, confusion clear on her face. "Why would I want- oh my gosh!" Realization hits her at the double meaning of what I said and her jaw drops staring at me in shock.
I step closer, placing my finger underneath her chin to close her mouth. I stare at her lips for a second before shifting to stare at her eyes, making sure she knows I mean what I'm going to say. "If you open that mouth of yours I'll-
"Lalalalalala!" She sings covering her ears and closing her eyes tightly. I press my lips together muffling that laugh as I try to pry her hands away from her ears.
"I'm not going to listen to a word you say." She yells walking away from me and I burst out laughing catching the attention of those around me as they watch us. Chasing after her, I hear her muttering something under her breath.
"This is unbelievable, stupid Elizabeth making me feel embarrassed and causing Storm to make sexual jokes about it and stupid Red for freaking painting the picture in my head." She rants rushing towards the car and I can't help but laugh at her words.
******
Last night's event are the first thing on my mind when I wake up. The strange term they called me still resonates within and the fact that Artemis, Selena and Ollie were acting strange even makes it more confusing.
What do they mean by Alpha of Alphas? Is it some form of special title or does it apply to other wolves?
Well I know lying on the bed is not going to give me my answers, I need to talk to Artemis right now. So with that thought in mind I get up, doing everything as quickly possible and head downstairs.
I know Artemis is awake, even though I haven't spent much time I can tell she's an early riser and my theory proves to be right when I find her in the kitchen rummaging through the cabinets.
"Good morning Storm." She mutters without looking up and I freeze on the spot, how did she even know I was there? I hardly made any noise.
"You know it's really creepy how you're able to tell exactly when I'm there." I point out rocking on the soles of my feet as I stare at her.
She looks up smiling before tapping here nose and ear. "Werewolf hearing and smell."
My mouth forms an 'oh' shape, well that explains a lot. "What are you looking for by the way?" I ask moving to stand beside her and she shuts the cabinet huffing in frustration.
"The keys to the other car." She says moving in circles before finally stopping at the coat rack at the door.
I frown at her. "Why do you need it?" She ignores me still searching for it.
"Yes!!" She screams holding it up, a triumphant grin on her face, twirling it around her finger and she points to me. "We are finally going on the tour."
I smile at the excited look on her face nodding my head. "Well come on then." She grins grabbing my hand excitedly and pulling me to the garage. She unlocks the door, starting the car and backing out of the garage.
It doesn't take long before we are on the familiar road, and because it's during the day everything is much clearer now. The shops are opened and I watch as people moving about carrying out what I think is their daily life.
It still leaves me speechless just how much this whole place is hidden and no one has been able to find it.
"It's really impressive you know." I tell her still looking out the window.
"What is?" She asks tapping her finger against the wheel much like what Ollie does.
I glance at her waving my hand around. "All this, how is that no one has ever seen this because people camp around here a lot." I mutter looking back outside.
She chuckles, messing with the radio for a bit until she leaves it on a station playing a song. Running her fingers through her black hair, she looks in the rearview mirror before glancing in my direction. "I'll explain it later but first let's go to BBC."
"What's BBC?" I ask her furrowing my brows and her eyes lit up immediately, bouncing in her seat.
"It's the best diner around here, Bailey's Breakfast Cafe. She literally makes the most amazing waffles and pancakes ever and her burgers, oh my goodness! chefs kiss." She rants excitedly licking her lips at the thought of it and I can't help but chuckle at her.
"What?" She smiles turning to look at me and I shake my head.
"It's funny how in reality girls eat more than guys." She gasps feigning a look of complete horror on her face.
"That is so not true- oh my gosh we're here!" She squeals entering the parking lot and I'm quite surprised at the number of cars here. Aren't they wolves, what do they even need the cars for?
She parks, basically throwing herself out of her seat. I chuckle at her, stepping out as well and I have to shield my eyes from the bright sun. I get that it's summer but fucking hell it's eight in the freaking morning why does it have to be so bright.
Artemis grabs my wrist pulling me towards the diner. It kinda of reminds me of Betty's own but much bigger and cozy looking well from the outside anyway.
The moment we open the door, it's like everyone stops to stare at us, and I have to remind myself that it's going to be like this for a very long time. They bow their heads refusing to look up and I raise my brow glancing at Artemis.
"They are showing respect." She whispers, scanning around for a place to sit until she finds one. "It's okay, you can ignore us." And just like that they are back to eating and conversing but I don't miss the way they glance in our direction often especially when Artemis made a move to sit from across me but I pulled her placing her on my lap.
I swear I could hear cooing sounds coming from somewhere and that made her blush before sitting beside me. She turns to me supporting her chin on her elbow, placing the side of her face on her palm as she wiggles her eyebrow.
I snort flickering her forehead. "Don't ever do that again." She scowls rubbing the sore spot.
"I might be a werewolf but even that hurts when you do it." She grumbles picking up the menu.
"Sucks." I smirk laying my head on her shoulder. "What are you ordering?"
She tilts her neck to stare at me and I adjust my head giving her a better view of my face and she smiles. "The special." And looks back down.
"What's the special?"
"It's waffles, pancakes, bacon, sausages, and I think any drink of your choice." She replies and then giggles. "Ollie calls it the breakfast combo." I lift me head up throwing my arm over the black leather couch pulling her closer to me.
"Well then let's have that." I grin. Just then a waitress appears at our table head bowed.
"Are you ready to order Alphas?" She questions and Artemis nods.
"We'll have the special, Kristen." She says and Kristen looks up immediately shock evident on her face. Why is she shocked? Her name is literally on the tag.
"Uh-i..um anything else?" She says in a really high pitched voice.
"I'll have the strawberry milkshake, Storm?" She turns to me.
"I'll have the same." I mutter smiling at her and this time Kristen openly stares at me.
This is not weird at all.
"Thank you Kristen." Artemis says softly smiling at her and she closes her eyes shaking her head before bowing.
"Alphas." She murmurs softly, rushing to the back of the room but not before hearing her say, 'The Alpha knows my name and they smiled freaking smiled'.
It doesn't take long for the food to come, staring at it I now understand why Ollie named it the breakfast combo because what is in front of me can definitely feed about five people.
"Take the first bite." Artemis says looking at me expectantly just like the first time we went to Pablo's. Deciding to try the Waffle first, I bring the fork to my lips taking a bite and my eyes widen in surprise at the explosion of taste in my mouth.
"Holy crap!" I take another bite groaning in satisfaction. Artemis giggles eating hers as well. She finishes almost the entire thing and I stare at her in surprise when she's halfway through her milkshake.
She slurps freezing when she notices my gaze before gulping the rest and staring at me innocently. "What?"
I look between her and the empty plate, staring at her flat stomach and looking over her tiny frame. "How are you able to eat all this and still have room for that?"
"Oh well it's basically a werewolf thing, because we have fast metabolism and require a lot of energy, we tend to eat a lot." She mutter shrugging and slurping her drink again.
Of course it's a werewolf thing.
I grab my wallet about to pay and Artemis grabs my hand stopping me. "It's already taken care off." I frown but don't say anything grabbing the milkshake as well.
Artemis raises her brow at me, giving me an accusing look. "I could say the same about you and the food, your plate is almost cleared."
I scoff. "Key word being 'almost'." She rolls her eyes getting up.
"Come on." I nod slurping the milkshake and smiling in satisfaction. The reason why I got it was because it reminds me of Artemis lips.
Throughout the car ride, Artemis showed me various places from the pack hospital, the elementary and high schools, the malls, they even have a movie theatre. What was shocking was that they had their own college.
When I asked why they had she said some of the pack members wish to do more than just high school education so she had it built for them and grants assess to those who wish to attend the human colleges.
Makes sense anyway, but it's really amazing how much she cares for her people, her kindness and compassion makes her look even more beautiful than she already is.
Right now we're heading to the pack house and I ask her the question that has being on my mind. "Artemis."
She hums in response glancing in my direction briefly before looking ahead.
"Why was I addressed as the Alpha of Alphas?"
"Oh that, um it's just a title that we use when an Alpha finds the mate, if you were a woman you would have being called Luna of Lunas. It happens in every pack." She replies quickly without looking at me but why do I get the feeling she's lying to me.
"So it has nothing to do with you right?" I ask staring at her cautiously and she bobs her head.
"We're here." She mutters, turning of the ignition and rushing out of the car without even looking at me. I sigh opening my door and following after her. The pack house in broad daylight looks magnificent, almost taking the theme of a castle.
She opens the door and I'm stunned into silence by the amount of people in the room. Just like the diner, they stop to stare at us, some whispering and others pointing but quickly look away when Artemis fix them a pointed glare.
"The pack house is for those who don't have houses built for themselves. Most of my warriors live here including Damien, Ollie stays here even though he has his own house. My office is on the third floor and Ollie's parents have their room on the second floor." She murmurs walking past everyone.
"What about Selena?" I ask taking everything around me in curiosity.
"She also lives here although her parents are currently travelling the world." She replies
We pass by the living room and Artemis stops, taking a step back and glaring at the people there. They look to be in their teens, staring intensely at the tv with a game controller in their hands.
"Why aren't you in school?" Artemis snaps startling them and I chuckle as they desperately try to turn the game off but end up tripping on the chords.
"Oh hey Artemis." Dirty blonde guy says nervously rubbing his neck and brown hair guy smirks at her winking. I glare at him stepping behind Artemis, he looks up eyes widening in shock before looking back down the smirk completely wiped from his face.
"Does Ollie know you're here?" Artemis questions and a panicked look appears in their faces.
"Don't tell him else he'll makes us run a hundred Laps around the training fields." Brown hair guy grumbles. Artemis sighs rubbing her temples at them.
"Storm, these are Ollie's brothers Justin and Axel." She points towards them. So brown hair is Axel well I don't like him anyway. I nod at them still glaring at Axel.
"If you think Ollie is worse, wait till I tell your dad if you don't get out of here." She retorts calmly a bit too calm and that seems to terrify them because they quickly rush out of the room, grabbing their backpacks and heading straight for the door without even looking back.
"You're scary when you want to be." I tell her and she shrugs taking the stairs. We run into a few people on the way to her office, and we almost run into Ollie's mother if not for Artemis smelling her scent. She quickly backed us against a wall, waiting quietly for her to pass before breathing a sigh of relief the moment all is clear.
Currently I'm sitting in her office, it's looks like the normal office type theme. A bookshelf against the corner near the window. The coffee brown floorboards, the same colour as her desk and chair placed right in front of the window which gives an overview of the forest. An Arm chair near the fireplace with a grey rug placed neatly in front of it and the last bit of furniture is the brown leather couch backed against the wall.
She looks at me waiting for my reaction. "It's looks nice." She sighs smiling at me before taking a seat on the couch folding her legs Indian style. She pats the spot next to her and I take seat turning my body to face her.
"You probably have a lot of questions, so ask and I'll try my best to explain it." I look down deep in thought before looking back up.
"You once said you're able to shift into a wolf right?" She frowns but nods her head. "So why haven't you done it?"
She bits her lip, furrowing her brows as she fiddles with the hem of shirt. "I don't want to scare you away." She mutters in a small voice and I snort.
"At this point, I doubt anything can scare me."
"Yeah well you don't know." She murmurs twirling her hair around her finger. "But one day I'll let you see her." She adds staring up at me and I smile pleased with her answer.
"Okay, so tell me how is this whole place hidden?"
She gets comfortable, leaning her head against the couch. "It's like an invisibility spell, if a human should you know stumble here, the person won't see anything but just a bunch of trees. It's like the closer they get, the farther away we move and remember the barrier thing I mentioned about?" I nod my head asking her to go on. "Well it also protects us from outsiders, trespassers and other things."
I frown when I remember something. "Esme made mention of you creating that barrier.." I trail of waiting for her to explain.
"Yes but that was a long time ago-
"Wait aren't you 19?" I ask staring at her confusingly and she chuckles at me.
"I look 19 but I'm older than that, way, way old." She replies and my jaw drops.
"How is that even possible?" I ask, she opens her mouth about to reply and I raise my hand stopping her. "Wait let me, it's a werewolf thing." She doesn't say anything and shrugs.
I don't know if being a werewolf is a curse or a blessing.
"Go on."
She stares at me for a minute before continuing. "I made it a long time ago so technically no one should be able to break it but now with the number of attacks on our pack I would say someone has found a way."
"Is that why you are desperately trying to protect me?" I ask her curiously and she presses her lips together before agreeing. I guess it makes sense when you think about it, I'm basically human if a werewolf should attack let's just say I'm their next food.
She moves closer, taking my hand in her own and squeezing it. "But don't worry, I promise to protect you."
"I keep on telling you I can take care of my self." I say playfully glaring at her. "See these muscles." I mutter flexing my arm. "They aren't just for staring at Artemis, so wipe the drool."
She quickly raises her hand to her mouth wiping the corner but frowns when there's nothing. I smirk when she narrows her eyes at me. "That was not nice."
I shrug, winking at her. "Oh babe, I don't do nice." She blushes when she hears the nickname facing away from me.
"Just ask your questions." She mumbles and I chuckle at her shyness.
"Why is your house far from this place?"
"It's quite simple honestly, I like my privacy but also it's closer to the border, so if there's an attack well I'll basically be the first one there, that's why the training grounds is also closer and the pack away from us." She explains.
I look at her in surprise at how carefully planned it is. "That's pretty smart of you."
"Oh I know." She says throwing her hair behind her shoulder and giving me a cocky look.
"Such modesty." I mutter sarcastically and she giggles before a serious expression takes over her face.
"There's something I need to tell you." She murmurs looking around nervously and I frown at her, wondering what is so important.
She bits her lower lip, closing her eyes and releasing a harsh breath. She gets up, standing behind the chair and staring outside, a concentrated look on her face. "In werewolf community, there is something known as marking. " She begins clasping her arms behind her back and staring at my reflection through the window.
Confused as to where this is going I move to stand beside her staring out as well. "What's marking?"
She frowns deep in thought before sighing. "It's a bite mark I make on the your neck." And she brings her finger lightly tracing my neck until she finds my spot, my body shivers in pleasure when she lightly applies pressure. "Right there." She murmurs staring at it absentmindedly before shaking her head.
"So you're going to give me a hickey?" I drawl out even more confused than first and she giggles shaking her head.
"Well think of it as a permanent hickey, but painful for a few seconds until it becomes pleasurable then it leaves a mark, my mark." She replies and I frown
"Is it supposed to do something?" I ask and she nods her head.
"It's a special link between mates. It shows others that you're taken and also I'll be able to tell if you're in trouble, so in all I'll be able to read your emotions but since you're human it's only one sided. I can feel yours but you wouldn't be able to feel mine unless whatever I'm feeling is strong enough that it unconsciously sends it out to you." She explains.
"So you're marking your territory?"
She furrows her brows. "I guess you could say that." I scoff running my fingers through my hair, my mind a bit heavy from this revelation.
"I don't know about this Artemis." I retort a bit hesitant to actually have someone bite my neck. She smiles in understanding, giving my arm and light squeeze.
"It's okay Storm, take the time you need." She murmurs stepping close to hug me and I wrap my arms around her back, resting my head against her hair.
"Thank you." I mumble pulling back to stare at her. I lean my forehead against hers, rubbing our nose together and placing a small kiss on it. She giggles, twitching her nose and smiles at me. I tilt her chin up, leaning closer, eyes searching hers and I wet my lips.
The door suddenly bangs against the wall. "Your favorite person is- am I interrupting something?" I close my eyes, jaw tightening as I rest my forehead on Artemis shoulder.
Are you kidding me!!!!! This is the freaking second time!"
"Fucking cock blockers everywhere." I mutter annoyed and Artemis giggles stroking my hair. I raise my head narrowing my eyes at her. "You think this is funny?"
She nods smiling and I roll my eyes turning to glare at Ollie. "Your timing is absolute shit." I snap and he shrugs winking at us.
"I try. " With that he hops on the couch throwing his feet on it and staring at us smugly. "Oh Esme and Selena are on their way too, just thought I should get a head start and it proved to be a good idea." He smirks wiggling his brow and I groan stepping away from Artemis. Just then the door opens with Esme and Selena walking in.
They stop staring at the three us from Ollie's smug face, to my annoyed one and Artemis sitting rather comfortably in her chair.
"Ollie's being a dick again." Selena states rather than asking.
"Hey!" He yells an offended look on his face and Selena smirks at him, sitting on the armchair and crossing her legs over the other.
"Can you two bicker later." Esme says pushing Ollie's legs from the couch and taking a seat. He glares at her and she raises her brow at him. "You've got something to say Oliver, mmm?"
He clenches his jaw, looking away from her and she smiles smugly at him. "That's what I thought."
He looks back, crossing his arms and glaring right at her. "As a matter of fact, I actually do."
"Tell it to someone who cares." She deadpans. Ollie gapes at her, jaw dropped and I snort, Selena coughs muffling her laugh and Artemis sighs shaking her head.
"Esme just say what you have to say." Artemis says softly.
"I have good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?"
"Good news." She replies and Esme nods
"Okay bad news then."
I purse my lips at her. "Then why ask. " I mumble and she gives me a blank look. Immediately looking away when those eyes pierce right through me.
"I still can't figure out how they were able to break through so I took a sample of it that I'll be sending to my coven, maybe I can find something and if I do I'll let you know. "
Artemis clenches her fist glaring daggers at her desk. "The good news?" She mutters.
"Well I was able to create a spell that will allow the barrier to hold much longer than expected for two to three months give or take but if I'm correct and they are using dark magic well you're fucked."
Ollie scoffs at her, a look of pure disbelief on his face. "I think it's safe to say that you and I have different definitions of good news." She shrugs getting up and facing Artemis an apologetic look on her face.
"I'm really sorry I couldn't be of much help but I'll try and do my best."
Artemis shakes her head sighing at her and you can tell how much all this is affecting her. "You helped Esme so thank you and I'll await what you find."
Esme nods her head once. "In that case I'll see you soon." And disappears right in front of our eyes. I stand up straight, staring at the spot where she was, a look of shock on my face.
"Did you guys see that?" I whisper rubbing my eyes just to be sure that I'm not hallucinating but turning to look at them, they don't even look surprised. How did my life get to this?
"What are we going to do?" Selena asks staring at the ground deep in thought and Artemis rubs her face, running her fingers through her hair as she stares blankly at the desk.
Ollie stands up, rubbing his palms together and pointing at each one of us, a grin on his face. "Here's what we're going to do."
We all look up staring at him expectantly. "I'm gonna get my phone right." He begins and we simultaneously move forward to listen to him and with that he takes his phone from his pocket. "I'm gonna make a call to someone who can help." .
He begins pressing something on his phone, putting it on loud speaker so we can all here. Artemis leans over her desk, gripping the edge of it tightly as we all wait for whoever Ollie is calling to pick up.
"Hello, this is tub and fry how may be take your order?" My jaw drops to the ground as I stare at Ollie, the sound of something snapping grabs our attention, the edge of Artemis desk broken with pieces of it on the ground and in her hand as she glares at Ollie.
Ollie smiles at her innocently, dodging just in time to avoid the book Selena threw at him. "Yeah I would like two tubs of your spicy chicken wing and oh tab it to the alpha, she's paying."
This time he doesn't see the wood flying at him and it hits him on the forehead but it doesn't seem to phase him. He ends the call winking at us. "I'll be back soon." And with that leaves the room.
Ten minutes later, Ollie comes back a smirk on his face and drops the food on the floor. "Before you all yell at me, just know I had your best interest at heart. Thinking on an empty stomach is not really the way to go so dig in, yell later."
He does have a point and it smells kinda of nice so without much of a choice we all gather on the floor, Artemis and I sharing one tub and Ollie and Selena sharing the other. Lyle and Jay would have being so happy if they saw this.
Fifteen minutes later we are all done, lying on the floor. I can't even move from how much I've eaten so far and Artemis had to open the button of her shorts so she could breathe.
Ollie groans, holding a chicken leg covered in sauce. "I'm so full, can't eat anymore but I have to." He brings it to his mouth, finishing it up within seconds a drowsy smile on his face. "So worth it." And belches dropping his arm as he catches his breath.
So that's how Ollie's mom found us, on the floor with chicken sauce on our face and fingers.
"Oliver Tequila Hugh!" The mother snaps staring at him in surprise.
I snort, hiccuping in the process looking up to watch Ollie. "Your middle name is Tequila?" I ask laughing at him and he scowls at me.
"Don't ask and ma it's Ollie not-Ouch! ouch!" He whines trying to escape Elizabeth's wrath but she ignores him continuing to smack him with her heel. He crawls over to my side, nearly crushing my face in the process and stands up.
"What the hell ma!" He yells releasing a harsh breath, running his fingers through his hair as he watches the woman who he calls mother in surprise. Selena groans, mumbling something under her breath and falling right back to sleep. Artemis just stares blankly at the ceiling, paying no attention to them.
"No cussing, asshole!" Elizabeth snaps throwing her heel at him, which he dodges just before it hits him. She points a finger at him. "You and your brothers basically are like a thorn in my backside."
"You mean dad's dick is the thorn in your backside." He murmurs quietly but not really quietly since I heard it and fuck is it taking everything in me not to burst out laughing.
She stares at him in surprise." What did you just say?" She takes a threatening step forward and Ollie's eyes widen in surprise, muttering a low shit under is breath as he slowly backs away from her.
"I said you look beautiful." He mutters in a high-pitched voice, anxiously looking around for a place to escape. The only way to escape is if he jumps through the window and from how high we are, it's gonna be pretty much falling to your death.
Elizabeth raises her brow at him."Where are your balls honey? Did you lose them?"
Ollie scoffs at his mother, cupping his crotch. "There are right here, safe and in tact."
"Not for long." She mumbles and he eyes widen releasing a girlish scream. He looks at the door, window, door and finally window again.
"Fuck it." He mutters, opening the window and basically throwing himself out. My mouth opens in shock, as I rush to see if he made it and what do you know, he actually did and is running away unharmed.
"Stupid boy." Elizabeth mutters, shaking her head as she smiles at her son. I slowly turn to look at her, and she winks grinning at me. "Come down once you're done." With that she leaves and I stare at her retreating figure.
Like I said earlier she and my mom will get along just fine.
"Artemis." I call out moving to her side and she slowly opens her eyes staring at me. "Are you okay?" Concern seeping into my voice as I stare at her worriedly.
She smiles but it doesn't reach her eyes. "I'll be fine, but I need the catch up on work, wake Selena up on your way out." Her voice blank and closes her eyes once more. I frown at how withdrawn she's being but don't say anything.
I gently shake Selena and she grumbles something before fluttering her eyes open. "Artemis needs you."
She sits up straight frowning before nodding her head. She offers me a sympathetic smile. "She'll come around Storm, she just has a lot on her mind."
I give her a small smile, looking at Artemis one last time before leaving the room. Heading downstairs, I stop someone asking if they had seen Elizabeth and the guy points to kitchen. Following his directions, I open the door freezing on the spot when every eye turns to look at me.
They seem to be making dinner and in the mist of it all is Elizabeth with her dark brown hair tied in a messy bun as she stirs something on the stove. I smile waving at the women awkwardly and they bow their heads going back to cooking basically ignoring me. Someone taps Elizabeth, whispering in her ear and she turns immediately looking at me and smiling.
"I'll be with you in a second." She says, wiping her hand and taking off the apron. "Trisha come and take over and oh when my sons come from school tell them to wait for me in the living room." With that she walks to me grabbing my arm and pulling me out of the kitchen.
We leave the pack house, using the familiar route to the open space where the ceremony took place but instead of going there, we divert using another path. The weather is warm as we walk in silence and I watch as a content smile finds it place on her face.
She breaths in deeply, exhaling, and warm brown eyes almost like melted chocolate look at me. "How are you taking everything so far?"
I shrug kicking a stone as I stuff my hand in my pockets. "Honestly I'm just going with the flow."
She laughs staring at me amusingly. "The flow? You're a human placed in a supernatural world. I think it's more than going with the 'flow'." she mocks dragging me elsewhere.
"I don't really know what to do." I say truthfully after some time of just thinking. "I like Artemis no doubt about it but at the same time I feel like it's not real just a dream that I'm going to wake up from-Ouch!!" I yelp in surprise rubbing my arm.
"Why did you pinch me?!" I cry out and she smiles shrugging.
"Just wanted to prove you aren't dreaming." I stare at her incredulously.
"You and my mom really will be best of friends." I mutter and her eyes lit up in excitement.
"I will take that as a compliment." She winks grinning at me and I can't help but chuckle.
It's quiet, just the sounds of birds chirping and the warm air blowing that can be heard. She stops looking ahead and I follow her line of sight gasping at the view in front of me. There is a lake formed right in the middle, surrounded by trees and flowers, the water crystal clear that you can see the pebble stone beneath it. Since it's almost sundown, the orange and yellow sky gives it a serene look as the rays of light reflects on it.
"Beautiful isn't it?" She murmurs and I can't help but agree with her. It's so calming and peaceful here. She laughs suddenly sighing. "It's even more beautiful at night."
I don't say anything just admiring what is in front of me.
"It won't be easy you know." murmuring in a quiet voice and I turn to look at her. "You being a human, Artemis being an Alpha of a fearful pack, having to actually lead a pack. It's going to be tough and there are some days that Artemis is probably gonna act very withdrawn and cold towards you which will make you annoyed, angry, irritated you name it but my question is can you handle all this? Because the moment she marks you that's it, no going back."
The sky became darker and Elizabeth thought it best for us to head back. A word was not spoken between as after that. I think the reason why she also didn't try to form a conversation with me was because how much it affected my mood throughout the time by the lake. I mean she's not wrong, what could I possibly do for people like this.
I'm not a werewolf, I don't shift, I can't mark Artemis heck I doubt I can fight like they do. I sigh opening the doors to Artemis office, She and Selena look up immediately from the papers scattered on the table. Ignoring the questioning looks on their faces, I lie down placing one hand underneath my head and using the other to cover my eyes.
"Could you excuse us for a minute." I hear her mutter to Selena. I hear the scuffling of a chair and a door closing gently indicating that Selena left. Another chair is pushed back and I sense her looming over me, she gently runs her fingers through my hair humming a tune, body instantly relaxing as I sigh listening to her.
"What song is that?" I question after sometime, taking my arm off to stare at her. She squats, bring her knees up and resting her face against it the blank look still present.
"Something I randomly made up." She murmurs quietly still playing with my hair absentmindedly. I prop myself on my elbow, resting my face against my palm. Using my other hand to pat her head, she scowls moving away.
"I'm not a dog."
I smirk. "Technically you are one." Her scowl deepens and I chuckle at her finding it adorable. Staring at her, the smile slowly drops for my face and what Elizabeth said coming to play in my mind. Would I be able to do this? Looking at her furrowing her brows with all the stress on her face doesn't even help with my answer. If anything staring at her in making me stressed.
"Let's eat here before we head home." She murmurs getting up. I nod my head, taking her hand as we go back downstairs. She leads in the opposite direction of the kitchen, she opens the double doors and I find myself standing in a huge dining room, crystal chandeliers high above us, floors made of marble tiles, a very long table filled with all kinds of foods and equally a lot of people seated. As soon as we enter, all conversations cease and they stand up bowing their heads.
Their heads are gonna fall of with all the bowing they keep on doing.
The silence is deafening when we walk by them and the sound of my sneakers squeaking against the floor with every step makes me cringe inwardly. We finally stop at the other side of the head of the table, two empty chairs placed side by side over there. I pull out her chair, waiting for her sit down before pushing her back inside. I also take my seat and everyone follows sitting down.
Looking around confusingly as to why they haven't started eating yet and are still staring at us. I whisper my concerns to her and on the right side of her I hear Ollie snort, coughing to muffle his laugh but he's face scrunches up in pain when his dad hits the back of his head.
He grumbles incoherent words under his breath clenching his fist tightly as he glares at the table.
"They're waiting for us to start first." She replies and my lips form an 'oh' in understanding. Artemis grabs her plate piling it up with food and I do same. The moment we are done, she nods her head and everyone begins piling up their plates.
The silence is gone replaced with a lively chatter. On Artemis right is Ollie and his parents, on my left is Selena, Justin, smirky Axel and Damien. I don't really know much about the rest but I notice a familiar faces, like Samaria from across Damien. She keeps glancing up to stare at him, quickly looking down when he looks up blushing and stuffing her mouth with the food.
I don't think I'm the only who notices it because Justin grips his fork tightly, knuckles turning white from how hard he is gripping at as he subtly tries to glare at Damien.
Well then.
"What are you looking at?" Selena whispers stretching her neck to also look and realization dawns on her as a grin makes way on her face. "Ah, I see." And she places the salad into her mouth, looking at Justin and Samaria in amusement.
She shakes her head bumping her shoulder with Justin's , a smirk on her face as she nods towards the fork. "That is for eating not taking out your jealously."
He immediately let's go staring at Selena in surprise, mouth opening and closing as he tries to find his words. "I'm not jealous." He whisper yells.
"Yes you are." Axel mumbles through a mouthful giving his brother a pointed look.
Justin scowls at him. "I'm not." He denies and someone snorts across the table.
"Denial is the first stage." Ollie mutters pointing his fork at him and I stare at all of them in surprise. Where they all paying attention to this, fuck it looked like they were minding their own business. The only person who seems to be out of it is Artemis, staring blankly at her plate.
Furrowing my brows at her, I place my fork down using my hand to find hers under the table and squeezing it tightly. She tenses for a minute before relaxing returning the gesture. She sends me a grateful smile and I grin rubbing my thumb in circular motion on her hand.
"I heard you played video games before leaving for school in the morning." Ollie says. Justin and Axel freeze leaning back in their seat, their forks simultaneously dropping on the plate as they stare at their brother in shock.
"Artemis!." They yell giving her an accusing look and she purse her lips at them.
"You said you wouldn't tell!" Axel cries out glancing at Ollie who appears unaffected by the drama he just caused and very subtly avoiding the glare coming from his dad.
She gives them a bored look. "And I didn't." She states bluntly eating her food.
"Then how do you know about it?" Justin stares at his brother curiously and Ollie shrugs finally looking up.
"I didn't, you just confirmed it for me." Their jaw drops, a look of pure horror on their face and Ollie leans back a smug look on his face. "Tomorrow morning 4:30am, training grounds, 100 laps around the pack and in human form no shifting into wolves."
There's a series of protest and groans but one look at their dad's face and they shut up.
"This is ridiculous." Axel grumbles stabbing the chicken. "He was just like us."
"Hey!" Ollie protest an offended look on his face and Axel stops his actions glaring at his brother. "Don't take it out on the chicken." And proceeds to grab his plate exchanging it for his empty one and eating the chicken all the while Axel sat there looking at him. "Besides yes I was like you and dad did the same even worse so you should be lucky I'm lenient."
Justin scoffs under his breath. "Lenient my ass." He mutters. Throughout all this Elizabeth had been silently eating until Justin spoke.
"No swearing at the table." She snaps and Justin's eyes widen nodding his head quickly, looking down to avoid his mother's penetrating glare.
I laugh silently, reminds me of family dinners especially when Sunny brings her boyfriends to the house. Surprising they are all assholes and apparently she has an eye for them.
The rest of the dinner was ate in silence and everyone left to what I'm guessing their rooms but Ollie invited me to meet some of his friends after Artemis said she needed to make some calls, kissing my cheek before leaving to her office with Damien right behind her.
So here I am in the living room watching Selena crash Scott one of Ollie's friends who I learnt is the tracker of his pack in a game of Call of duty. After Ollie lost to me which he still thinks I freaking cheated and moved on the break the gun in a fit of rage he called Scott.
Scott looks like the typical nerd but with the body of a jock with Black untamed curls on his head and the huge glasses on his face and dark eyes fixed on the game.
"You can do this Scott, don't let a girl beat you." Ollie encourages moving to stand behind him massaging his shoulder.
Selena rolls her eyes at him, a bored look on her face as she plays the game with me using a throw pillow as a fan.
"Breathing down on my neck every five seconds isn't going to let me win." He snaps shrugging his hand of.
Ollie gasps in mock offense. "Well excuse me if I want to make you comfortable!" And proceeds to place his hand back there. Honestly Scott is losing and it doesn't take long before it shows.
He groans placing his hand on his waist as he glares at Ollie who looks close to tears. "This is your fault." He mutters and Ollie snaps his eyes to him.
"My fault?" He exclaims staring at him in shock and Scott nods. "How is it my fault?!"
"Well if you would have given me the space I asked-
"What fucking space! I was helping us win and even though you suck at-Ahhhhhh!" A girlish scream escapes when Scott tackles him to the ground hitting him at every chance he gets.
"Yeah well you're a freaking sore loser!" He snaps and Ollie brings his arm up covering his face.
"Not the face! not the- oooof!!" His plea gets cut of when unfortunately for him Scott's elbow hits his face.
He pushes him off, standing up and releasing a harsh breath as he glares at Scott rubbing his cheek. "I said not the fucking face!"
Scott flips him off pushing his hair from his face breathing heavily.
"What's going on here?" A soft voice speaks up and we turn looking at Artemis as she stares at the wrecked room with a frown on.
"It's his fault!" Ollie points at Scott a look of innocence on his face. Artemis rolls her eyes at him moving to stand beside me.
"You expect me to believe that?" She murmurs raising her brow at and he scowls.
"See this!" He mutters pointing to the bruise on his cheek. "That thing disfigured my precious face!"
"There's nothing precious about it." Scott retorts rolling his eyes and sitting by Selena.
Ollie raises his brow at him. "How would you know? Yours looks like it's been run over by a truck three times." And this time it's Scott who is scowling and Ollie smirking.
"Come on Storm let's go home." Artemis mutters ignoring them when they start bickering. "Bye Selena."
Selena looks up from her phone waving her hand at us. She gives Ollie and Scott a blank look when they asking her something basically ignoring them and looking back on her phone.
We step out and I stretch my hand forward looking at Artemis expectantly. She looks at my outstretched hand confusingly, hesitating before placing her hand in mine but I move it away stretching it out and she gives me an exasperated look.
"What?"
"Keys. I'm driving." I murmur moving my palm in a back and forth motion as I give it a pointed look. She huffs taking the key from her pocket and placing it in my hand begrudgingly.
I smile grabbing her hand with my free hand as I pull her towards the car, opening the door and helping her inside. She sends me a grateful nod and I wink, closing her door and moving to the other side.
I back out, switching on the radio and the sound of Harry Styles fine line floats through the car. I inwardly groan making a move to change it but Artemis stops me shaking her head and I leave it.
She leans her head against the window a tired look on her face as she sighs. I frown glancing at her worriedly.
"You can sleep." I mumble quietly and she raises her head to look at me for a minute before nodding; leaning back against the headrest and closing her eyes, the sound of Harry's voice calming her and within seconds she's asleep.
The house is completely dark when I get there, packing the car I get out making sure to grab the house keys before opening Artemis door, placing my hand on her back and underneath her knees as I carry her to the house.
She wraps her arm around my neck, breathing in my scent and cuddling closer to my chest. "Are we home?" She murmurs sleepily and I look down smiling at how adorable she looks mumbling incoherent words.
"Yeah." I whisper.
"You can put me down." And does the opposite, burying her face in my neck as she sighs in relief.
I chuckle at her before pulling her closer to me. I don't even bother turning on the lights , climbing up the stairs and taking her to my room. I gently lay her the bed, brushing the hair from her face.
I press my lips into a thin line having an inner battle with myself on whether or not I should take her clothes off.
"This is going to be fucking torturous." I mutter moving to her feet and taking of the sneakers. I take of my shorts and shirt, throwing them somewhere in the room and opening the dresser pulling a black shirt out.
I untie the knot she did with her shirt, clenching my jaw tightly when I begin to unbutton it. I never thought I'd actually be taking off clothes from a girl just so I can sleep. Never even did it with Calla, heck she never wore any of my shirts but here I am closing my damn eyes and putting my shirt on Artemis.
Opening my eyes, I sigh in relief when I realize I put in on right. It reaches her mid thigh and I turn her gently on her side unclasping her bra and pulling it out from underneath the shirt.
Black lace, nice.
I'm surprised she hasn't even woken up from all the sudden movement but I guess she's really tired. Getting in, I wrap my hand around her waist pulling her flush against me burying my face in her neck and placing light kiss on it.
She shivers, leaning her back against my chest and cuddling my arm tightly to her chest as her body relaxes and her breathing evens once again.
"Thank you Storm." She murmurs and I tense up immediately before relaxing.
"You're welcome." I mutter, closing my eyes and finally going to sleep.
A/N; Hope you enjoy this chapter. Leave a comment, vote and share if you want.
Peace out ;)