Chapter 18: Chapter 17

When Gentle Eyes left, I continued with my croissant mission. Not that hard, considering they are just pieces of butter nicely shaped to make us fall into the vicious circle of sweet addiction.

Uncle Andrew had bought me a croissant maker machine, and I was planning on baking at least forty, considering my household was filled with perpetually-ravenous werewolves.

I grabbed the phone and ran my fingers over my contacts, looking for Lucien’s.

I was not one of those people who would stop chatting to someone just because a stranger (who couldn’t remember names) informed me that Lucien was a short, black-haired guy, not fond of hygiene.

I didn’t judge a person by its aesthetics. And Lucien made me laugh so much that I often got cramps; once I even cried in the middle of the university. Of course, my pack members had immediately reported it to my father, who, in a panic, mind-linked me and asked who he should kill.

And maybe the fact that Lucien wasn’t tall and didn’t place ‘shower’ in his priority list could help me get through this little crush.

“Hello Bunny Doc” He answered after several rings, waking up the butterflies .

By his hoarse voice, he sounded tired and frustrated.

“Wow, what happened? You should take a shower and wash your hair, you know, it helps to wake up and to freshen up,” I joked with some honesty, as hygiene was important.

“What?” he asked confused.

“Nothing! Anyway, how are you, Rudy? Rough night?” I chuckled as I spread butter on a container.

He moaned, “How long are you going to call me by that demasculinized name? I already told you my real name, didn’t I?”

I rolled my eyes at that. What is with guys nowadays and their need to show their virility all the time? Apparently, Rudy was one of those ”I’m tough, I’m manly, I growl, red meat, grr, pff” males.

So why doesn’t he care about those greasy hair.

“You did tell me and I don’t care. Rudolph stays.” I smiled at myself, “Soo, what’s gotten into your panties this morning? You sounds terrible!” I teased, feeling some tension from his part.

He snorted at my comment.

Muffled sounds came from the other line. I wondered where he was.

“I’m not wearing panties, doctor bunny.” He replied in that deep baritone. “Actually, I’m naked. That’s how I sleep.” His tone dropped by an octave, but I could hear the smile in it. “Do you fancy a picture?”

I laughed, although it would be nice to finally see his face. I had begun to imagine him as one of those evil pixies who annoy travellers along their journey. And now the pixie had oily hair.

“No thanks, I’m good.” I settled.

His husky chuckle suggested he already knew that would have been my answer.

He can’t possibly have greasy hair with a laugh like that!

Somehow, we had never talked about meeting or showing a picture of ourselves. We were too busy arguing, joking, or just busy with our own lives. Somehow, I knew it was better not to see him, considering he was not my mate.

I had also considered asking if he knew a certain Liam from Dark Diamond, but I decided otherwise. Maybe Rudolph had never proposed to hang out in person because he had some insecurities related to his physical appearance (or his hair) or maybe people were bullying him. And if Rudolph had known I had met someone in his pack, he might suspect I knew how he looked.

Right then, a door swung open and a smiling Tiziano marched towards me, kissing me on both cheeks with his usual noisy ways. Happiness flooded his facial features when he noticed breakfast. He looked at the croissants like a hawk.

“Who is it?” he mouthed, gesturing to my phone. “Lucien” I answered back, in the same way, with my mouth.

Tiziano rolled his eyes and snorted loudly.

Although Lucien never took revenge on me for the fake profile on that Dominats website, and he never revealed what he had planned to do against me, the lad nevertheless took revenge on Tiziano.

I had the feeling that Lucien was a very vindictive person. Somehow, he had managed to find Tiziano’s full name, and had concocted something remarkably similar to what Tiziano did to him: Lucien had registered him on a dating site, but with women over 60. Upon the discovery, Tiziano had been so indignant and angry, and swore that the comeback would come soon.

With a quick move, my friend snatched my headphones and put on the speaker. “Hello there, asshole”

Lucien was silent for 5 seconds before laughing cruelly. “Tiziano, I guess. How are the grandmothers?” He asked with fake sweetness, referring to the various mature women who had pestered Tiziano over the past days...and sent pictures.

“Do they keep your little cock busy?” Lucien then added, and I blushed at his bold and crude words.

“They are not okay after I had to break their hearts. And how are your Masters and Dooms? Uhm? Found anyone that can stand your ugliness and terrible attitude?” Tiziano retorted as he stabbed a croissant and smashed it in his mouth. A second croissant followed right away. I stopped him before he made a clean house in his frustration, leaving only crumbs for the other hungry wolves.

“Moody much, today shit-face? Have you eaten lemons for breakfast or are you always this sour?!” Lucien retorted, sarcasm and laughter coming from his words,

“Yvaine! You shouldn’t hang out with negative people like him,” He then added, as if he were a father berating a daughter.

Tiziano growled viciously and I patted him on the shoulder to comfort him, though I couldn’t hide my growing smile.

“I don’t like you! Not at all! Yvaine stop talking to this bug.”

Before Lucien could respond, I intervened, “Go feed Plutos, or no more croissants for you!” I elbowed him on his ribs. Tiziano, however, did not move an inch nor he seemed planning to do it anytime soon.

To avoid another fight, I spoke before they could, “Rudy, lemons are very healthy, so there would be nothing wrong with consuming them.”

Deciding to spread some knowledge, I also added: “In fact, lemons contain a high amount of vitamin C, soluble fiber and plant compounds that give them a range of health benefits. Lemons can help with weight loss and reduce the risk of heart disease, anaemia, kidney stones, digestive problems and cancer.”

Before Rudy could utter a single word, my fuming friend attacked, “So, you should drink it abundantly!! Considering the horrible karma you probably have, I’m sure you will catch all those health problems, especially brain loss,” Tiziano underlined the word ‘loss.’

Rudolph chuckled, not at all offended. “I forgot you nerds are all doctors! Do you know many nurses down there?”

“I forgot you’re a pervert!” I retorted, with my brows furrowed.

“I bet he has zero girls, Ivy. Who would date this prick?”

“Well, Ivy doesn’t think I’m a prick. And she needs me, since her friends are all nerdy idiots.”

“So what time is your date tonight, baby?” Tiziano cooed, looking at the phone with a sly smile and completely changing the subject.

I rolled my eyes, understanding what he was doing. “Tizzy... Rudolph and I are just friends, and he goes out with girls too. Or at least he spends time with them.”

I remembered his allusions about certain bootie calls, not to mention Ludmilla, forever placed in the stalkers category.

“You have a date?” The voice that came from the phone seemed more serious, a tiny surprised.

“I’m not sure I can consider it a date,” I answered, avoiding Tiziano’s gaze.

“He is my tutor.” I added after a pause.

“Tutor?”

Is Rudolph just repeating things now?

“He is highly intelligent and the best defender of our wereball team. And you, Rudy? Do you even play in the second team? Are you even a reserve?” Tiziano taunted with sly eyes.

“Oh really? And where was this hero last time, when we kicked your Comet’s balls?”

I shook my head. Was there anything that might offend Lucien? Or dent him even in the slightest?

"He was there at the game, and if it weren’t for that Terminator scammer who cheated for the whole game, we would have won for sure. Plus, Alex, the hero’s name, has blocked your quarterback cheating ass many times.”

Rudolph was silent for a few seconds, perhaps Tiziano had offended him after all... “Ah, sore losers are the worst. Tizzy, be a man and accept with your head held high that we kicked your weak asses.”

Before Tiziano could began another tantrum and my battery would run out, I intervened once more. “Okay, enough, you two. Go in the living room while I make you a cappuccino!”

Tiziano grinned at me before staring back at the phone with hatred eyes.

“Well, Lucy, it was nice to meet you ... or not” he said with mocked sweetness. This time Lucien growled... why was Lucien, previously cool with anything, irritated all of a sudden? Tiziano had insulted him much more before.

Meanwhile my friend narrowed his eyes before surprise replaced anything else. Something in Lucien’s snarl must not have set well with him.

"Who did you say you were, exactly, Lucien?” Levels of suspiciousness increased.

The Comet’s captain chose that moment to make his entry, in all his glory.

He looked like he just got out of the shower as his red hair was still damp and droplets were falling from the sides of his face.

“Hi favourite twin” I greeted, ignoring Tiziano who glared daggers and knives at my phone, as if he could send them directly to the interlocutor.

“Hi Sis” Lachlan leaned down to kiss my cheek with a loud smack. “What’s wrong with him?” Lachlan gestured toward Tiziano with his chin... Still growling at my phone.

Phone that had been quiet for too long... Too quiet, considering who was on the other side.

“He doesn’t get along with Lucien,” I explained as Lachlan glanced at the phone with a questioning look before understanding crossed his face.

“Hello, Lucien!” Lachlan shouted, startling me. “Tell your loser quarterback that I’ll be there next game so he can start find a good excuse to not show up!”

Without waiting for an answer, he grabbed a hot cappuccino, as many croissants as he could fit in his big hand, and let himself fall on the sofa, next to Amaia who had somehow appeared unnoticed and now intent on reading something on her laptop. Lachlan had also managed to drag Tiziano with him.

My neighbours started to emerge so I put the earphones back on. “Sorry about that, Rudy. That was my brother and obviously your archenemy Tiziano.” I teased as I placed a second army of croissants on a tray. Ready to be baked.

“Who is your brother?” He became a piece of ice.

“Um, Lachlan.”

“The Highlander? That’s your brother?” He cursed under his breath, making me frown.

“Is there a problem with that?”

No answer came, but I heard more masculine voices coming out from the line. He was probably at his packhouse or something. Until then, we hadn’t really talked about our families.

“Ivy, listen, I-”

Makena’s arm snatched around my shoulders, I grinned at her, mouthing a good morning.

“I have to go now, Rudy! Flatmates’ breakfast today! ” Having said that, I hang out.

I felt as light as a feather and my heart was flying on top of it.

Then I remembered that I had a date that evening.

AN/ Hello loves!!

Next update: on Sunday :D

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