Chapter 115 - A Change of Heart

Since they had decided to leave right after an early lunch on Sunday to rest and prepare for school after their trip, Evan and Ryan planned to make the most of their last moments in Manvale.

First on their list was sunrise.

Right now, they sat on the porch, watching the sky change. Ryan had his head resting on Evan's shoulder, both wrapped in the fluffy blanket they'd taken from the living room without waking Angie or Michael.

It was a peaceful morning, and no words were necessary. They were simply enjoying each other's presence and the comfortable atmosphere that Ryan's home exuded without trying.

The sun was slowly peeking out from behind the trees, its rays caressing the two boys on the porch. It was as if the day was trying to live up to its name.

Evan closed his eyes—not because he minded the light, but to take in the moment with his other senses. Ryan's heartbeat was one of his favorite sounds, and he couldn't get enough of it. It was his personal white noise.

Although he didn't like getting up so early, he could get used to mornings like this.

The whole weekend had been amazing, and this was the perfect ending to it. Maybe that was why Evan was so much more aware of the difference between his home and Ryan's as soon as he said goodbye to his friends and crossed the threshold of his house.

"And the long-lost son is back," Evan's father greeted him with humor in his voice.

"How was your weekend? Did you have fun?" His mother peppered him with questions. She, too, looked excited about his arrival, and even more eager to hear his answers. It was a far cry from when Evan had returned from Marwell with his friends.

"Did you like their pack?" Just the question he'd been expecting.

"It was fine," he replied simply, putting down his bag, knowing that this conversation was far from over.

Evan's mum was definitely not fazed by his disinterested tone and continued her questions with the same enthusiasm. "Did you go to the pack meeting too?"

"No." His expression and tone made it clear that he couldn't imagine a worse time. But before it could turn into an argument, he decided to add, "We celebrated Ryan's birthday on Friday and spent Saturday with his friends. We didn't have that much time."

"That's a shame," his mother replied, clearly ignoring the first part of his statement. "I'm sure there'll be another chance."

Evan decided to put a positive spin on her words, focusing on the fact that it meant she wouldn't protest his next visit to Manvale. He decided to take advantage of that. "Actually, Ryan made a deal with his parents to come back in three weeks. His friends had told me to ask at home if I could come too, because they wanted to show me some cool places. We ran for hours and didn't see everything anyway." Not all of that was true, but his parents didn't need to know.

After years of experience, he knew exactly what worked on his parents and which version of the story to tell them to get them to agree. Again, it worked. "Of course."

"As long as it doesn't ruin your grades at school," was his father's condition.

"You don't have to worry." Evan immediately assured him. "My grades are as average as ever."

His father was amused by his answer, but the same couldn't be said for his mother. "And whose fault is that?"

"My genes?" Evan tried. But he realized immediately that he needed a better answer if he wanted to keep his Sunday peaceful. "They'll be better by the end of term, don't worry."

"Good." His mother nodded. "This is your last year to concentrate on your grades, so don't mess it up."

Evan didn't understand what she meant, since he still had his whole senior year ahead of him, which was definitely important for his studies. Especially since he wanted to graduate and go to university.

His mother read the confusion in his face before he could ask. "You'll be eighteen next year. There's a good chance you'll find your mate and she'll take up most of your time," she explained.

Evan rolled his eyes before he could stop himself. He couldn't help it when he heard the pronoun she.

"Don't roll your eyes," his mother immediately admonished him. "Your mate will be the most important part of your life. We'll have to make sure you graduate and don't run away with her." She laughed, but Evan wasn't in the mood to joke.

"You don't have to worry about that," he assured her.

"That's what you're saying now," his father interjected. "When we got together, my parents went crazy. You wouldn't believe how many times they've caught me sneaking in through the window since I stayed at your mum's after curfew."

"Don't set a bad example for him." Evan's mum swung a hand at him, but it wasn't a reproachful gesture, more playful.

When Evan had been a child, he'd loved these moments because they showed how much his parents still cared for each other after all these years. But as he grew up and realized his situation would be different, he thought they were hypocrites.

"Can I go to my room now? I need to unpack and I want to rest before I go study," he interrupted their moment.

Any other time, he would have turned this situation into an argument, pointing out that his mate didn't have to be a girl at all, but he didn't have the energy for that right now. After a perfect weekend with his mate, he didn't want to ruin the good feeling of it with an argument that would go nowhere anyway.

"If you always come home from Ryan's house this responsible, we'll send you there more often," his father responded.

"Go ahead, I'll call you for dinner later." His mom gave him a smile, genuinely pleased with his choice to focus on his studies.

"Sure." Without another word, he picked up his bag from the ground and disappeared into his room as quickly as possible.

Although he had told his parents that he was going to unpack and study, the moment the door to his room closed behind him, he collapsed on his bed. There was nothing more mentally draining than talking to his parents.

After a moment with his face pressed into the mattress, he decided to roll onto his back. Staring up at the white ceiling, he remembered how they had lain together in Ryan's room on Friday. It wasn't just the color of his ceiling that felt like such a stark contrast to Friday, though.

It was a silly thought, but he felt as though he had returned from Manvale a different person.

Evan was used to his parents' comments, his mother's nagging questions, and the expectations they all knew he couldn't live up to, but they pretended otherwise to keep the peace in the household. He thought he had made peace with it long ago, but now it felt like he was being suffocated again.

However, it wasn't the only thing that had changed after all these years, and thankfully, Evan was quick to realize that.

He quietly made his way to the bathroom, taking a change of clothes with him, though he had managed to shower at Ryan's house before they hit the road. Showering wasn't his goal, though; he just needed an excuse for his parents.

The downside of the werewolf house was that the walls were thin, and secrets were harder to keep—especially when everyone was home.

Before Evan turned on the water to create background noise, he shot Riley a text to make sure he had time. Luckily, his favorite cousin was all in on spending time with him, even if it was just on the phone.

"You look sad," was the first thing Riley said, though it seemed he'd planned a greeting but changed his mind as soon as he saw his cousin's face.

Evan chuckled at the irony. "I just told my parents I was tired, and they didn't question it for a second. How come I don't have to tell you anything, and you know exactly what's going on with me?"

"I'm your favorite cousin," Riley said in a tone that suggested it was a matter of fact, as if Evan should have already known that.

"Right. How could I forget?" Evan laughed, already feeling better despite the fact that nothing had really changed.

Riley smiled upon hearing his laughter, but his expression quickly turned serious again. "What happened?"

Evan sighed, not sure how to begin. "Nothing," he finally said. "Seriously, nothing. I actually just got back from Manvale. I met Ryan's parents and friends. They're all great. Their whole pack is great." He didn't say more, but it was immediately clear to Riley what was hidden between the lines.

"Not something you're used to."

"Definitely not." Evan laughed bitterly. He looked away for a moment, sorting out his thoughts and emotions, then let out everything that was weighing him down. "I've been there, and even though it was less than three days, I didn't mind being in wolf territory once. They were all great. I even talked to Ryan's neighbors. It was very different from what I'm used to. I didn't feel like avoiding anyone, and when we got back to Ryan's house, his parents were waiting for us with smiles on their faces, happy that we were spending time together. They even let us sleep in the same bed." For a brief moment, a smile appeared on his face at the memory of falling asleep in his mate's arms. "I didn't have to watch what I said or did. I could be myself and nobody minded. I was even told that I am a good influence on Ryan."

"He's happy with you, of course they think that," Riley affirmed, his tone steady and comforting, making it impossible for Evan to question the truth in his words.

"I just wish my parents could be happy for us too." Evan's voice softened with each word until it faded into silence. It wasn't easy to admit the truth aloud. He liked to pretend that he'd come to terms with his parents' lack of acceptance, that their opinions didn't affect his happiness. But deep down, he was still their son, still yearning for a hug from his mom or encouraging words from his dad. He knew, though, that such moments weren't in his future.

"I know," Riley began carefully. "Ryan is your family now, just as much as they are. There shouldn't be any doubt about that, but... the Bludd family has always worked differently. Don't let their expectations pull you down."

"That's easy to say." Evan murmured. He knew Riley meant no harm, but too little time had passed since the conversation with his parents for him to spare his cousin the aftermath. "I came home, and they basically said in one sentence that Ryan's a good influence on me because I'm focusing more on school—and that I should keep focusing on school now because next year, I'll be busy with my mate. And of course, they used female pronouns the entire time." His frown deepened, his expression mirroring his frustration as he replayed the conversation in his head.

"I know what you mean," Riley began, but Evan interrupted him, the words tumbling out in a rush.

"So many times I've tried to correct them, telling them that my mate doesn't have to be a she at all, but they don't listen. They just repeat the same thing over and over, as if they don't even care about my opinion on the subject." His voice grew louder with each word, rising with his emotions until it cracked, breaking under the weight of it all. He couldn't hold it in anymore, and the final word was followed by a sob he couldn't suppress.

Even though he averted his gaze, trying to hold back the lump in his throat and stop it from turning into a full-blown cry, Riley's gentle voice only made it harder. "Evan," he addressed him softly.

"I know it's hard, and it will be for a while. It's not easy to hear, but the truth is, things have to get worse before they get better. We both know what can happen if they find out the truth, but if the worst comes to pass, do you know what will happen?"

"What?" Evan managed to say, successfully keeping the tears from falling, though they were evident in his voice.

He finally turned his gaze back to the phone screen and saw a gentle smile on his cousin's face, despite the sympathy shining in his eyes.

"I know at least three people who would fight to have you stay with them. I'm at the top of the list, of course," Riley said, adding an encouraging smile.

"I'm pretty sure Ryan is at the top of the list," Evan corrected him, a hint of a smile finally appearing on his face as well.

"Angie would argue that she is," Riley corrected him in return, revealing who rounded out the top three.

Evan chuckled. "I guess Rory would be in there too."

"And Kieran, Josh, Aiden, Michael, and Lola," Riley listed all his friends, not only encouraging him but also showing how much he listened when Evan told him things about his life. He was sure his parents didn't know the names of his friends, but Riley did.

"Me too!"

Riley looked over his shoulder, and although Evan couldn't see his expression, he laughed because it was clear from his lack of words that he was giving Sam a look that said he shouldn't have interrupted their conversation.

Sam didn't care, though—quite the opposite. He stepped closer and leaned down so Evan could see him on the screen. "We would adopt you. I don't like kids, but it would be perfect. I'd be the cool dad. Riley would be the boring, responsible one."

Immediately afterward, Sam hissed in pain as Riley smacked him in the chest, clearly not pleased with his words.

"That's actually not a bad idea," Evan replied, smiling. Seeing his cousin happy with the love of his life could automatically make him feel better, no matter what the situation.

Then, his tone turning serious again, he asked the question that had been weighing most on his mind. "Do you think I should tell them?"

Riley turned his face back to the screen, his expression unreadable. Sam frowned but clearly held off on offering his own opinion, waiting for Riley to speak first.

"If it will make you happy," Riley replied after a moment, then frowned, as if reconsidering his answer. "If you're ready, go ahead. Maybe telling them will give them time to come to terms with it. And if it goes badly, you can just pack your things and stay with Michael. You'll still have a place to go, a way to finish school, and a chance to see your friends."

"And then, you come to New York for the break and have the best summer of your life," Sam added with a grin.

Riley rolled his eyes, and Evan, watching the two of them, couldn't help but laugh. He hadn't even realized when holding back tears had turned into holding back laughter, but with Riley around—though only on the phone—it was easy. And it seemed Sam was starting to have the same effect on him.

"I'll talk to Ryan and tell them. Time to rip the band-aid off, I guess." Though his voice lacked complete certainty, Evan knew it was the decision he had to make. He wouldn't change his mind. It was time.

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So... Evan made a decision. Only time will tell if it's a good one. How do you think his parents will react?