Chapter 61 - Hot Chocolate and Family Drama

Evan couldn't stop thinking about his mate.

His mate. How strange how easily he used that word. He promised Ryan that they would talk about their situation (or maybe their relationship) when he got back, but he had no idea what he was going to tell him. They both knew what they meant by the term, and both knew that their ideas couldn't be more different. While Evan had been dreading the moment he would meet his mate all his life, Ryan was looking forward to it. Evan had no doubt that he must have been disappointed when he realized who it was. Although Ryan would definitely say that he never doubted him for a moment, Evan doubted himself. For some reason, Ryan always saw the best in him and it motivated Evan to become the best version of himself. Mates were good for something after all.

Evan grimaced at his own thought. Ryan was not just good for him, but rather too good, though he would never say it out loud. There was only one obstacle left in the way (not counting Evan's broken heart), and that was their future. Their possible future together. Evan had never imagined himself anywhere other than New York and never cared what his chosen one would think of it, but now here he was, ready to trade his dream for a pair of chocolate eyes.

Now he understood exactly Riley's decision because he too was sure that if given a choice, he would not hesitate for a second to say his name. However, in the back of his mind, he still hoped that he wouldn't have to choose.

But his hope was too small. Especially these past few days, as Evan has seen firsthand how toxic his family can be. And he thought that they would be able to spend the holidays together peacefully. Actually, they probably would have if his mother's sister and her husband hadn't decided to visit.

Riley's parents.

They were enjoying Christmas, a holiday based on happy moments in the family circle, knowing that they had driven their only son away from them and practically thrown him out on the street. However, that was forgotten when they rang the doorbell of their house with a smile. It was forgotten when his mom and aunt started hugging each other and enjoying each other's presence. It was completely forgotten when his aunt leaned over and whispered to him how he had grown up and that she was already looking forward to him finding the right girl. Nobody suddenly cared that there was one less of them, and although Evan had endured it in other years, he decided not to participate in this farce this year and locked himself in his room immediately after the unwanted welcome.

"Everything okay, bud?" came from behind his door that day as his father knocked on its wooden surface.

"I don't feel like celebrating," Evan told him after he peeked into his room through the crack of the half-open door.

"Has something happened?" His father frowned but still did not step forward to approach him, silently waiting for his permission. Evan cocked his head to the side, indicating that he could come in, but did not invite him to his bed.

"Do you love me?" instead of answering his question, he asked him his own.

"Of course, I love you," he answered without hesitation but still frowning. This time for a different reason. Which parent wouldn't be surprised by such a question?

Evan let out a sigh. He might have expected such an automatic answer, but he wanted to hear the truth at least once in his life. Even at Christmas.

"Why do you ask?" after his pause, his father picked up the conversation.

"Did you love Riley?" Evan knew he was on thin ice, but he wasn't about to back down. He knew that his father would either redirect the question (although his mother was an expert at that) or call his question absurd and probably leave. Riley's name was simply taboo in this household, and Evan noticed long ago that he was the only one who still said it.

"Why are you asking me this Evan?"

"Because down there are my aunt and uncle who threw their own son out on the street and still pretend their lives are perfectly fine." He originally wanted to say more words, but he chose a milder version. However, even that was enough for him to shock his father with his words.

"I don't think they're happy they lost Riley," he protested.

"I don't think they're unhappy," Evan countered immediately, not immediately realizing that his father had finally said Riley's name.

This time it was the man across from him who sighed and moved to a chair at Evan's desk with that sound, surprising his son who had expected him to leave rather than discuss the matter with him further.

"I don't know what to tell you, Evan. I loved Riley," he said, immediately correcting himself, "I still love Riley, believe it or not. It was a tough time for us back then, and I can assure you that I had the smallest part in this decision..." But before he could say anything else, Evan cut him off.

"If you cared about him as much as you say and didn't agree with what they did to him, you could have helped him. You could have given him a roof over his head, you could have kept in touch with him. Anything," he countered. His father's words were just empty words that didn't really mean anything, no matter how good they sounded.

There was another moment of silence, so he added, "Just because you're the smallest part of the problem doesn't mean you're not the problem."

"What problem?" came from the corridor and Evan jerked in alarm. For a moment he completely forgot that he was in a house full of wolves who could hear everything.

"Nothing, May. Just some man talk," his father said immediately, and at that, his aunt appeared in the doorway of his room. She still had the same smile on her face, suggesting that she probably hadn't heard what they were talking about earlier.

"Actually, I was thinking of going for a run with my friends. I don't even know the last time I shifted," Evan decided to take advantage of the situation and propose a problem that the wolves would definitely not ignore.

His father seemed surprised at his change of subject, but he didn't show it for long since they weren't alone in the room.

"We're not good enough for you anymore, huh?" his aunt's tone was joking, and he was waiting for some remark about him being a teenager.

"Bet we're not cool enough for a teenager anymore." Just as he assumed.

"I've never felt so old," his father chuckled, but Evan could easily tell it was contrived.

"So can I?" he decided to step in and not prolong this situation. Running sounded great to him right now and was the perfect opportunity not only to avoid this visit but also to get rid of the thoughts that made him feel like a stranger in his own home.

"Come on, let him. He's on break, so let him enjoy it," his aunt supported him.

"Don't be long and call if anything," his father instructed with a sigh, and Evan didn't hesitate for a second. He got out of bed and headed straight for the closet. Although he didn't plan to stay in his clothes for long, he still needed something to keep him warm for at least a little while in the winter outside.

His father took this as a sign that it was time to leave his room and left with Aunt May who was explaining something to him with a giggle.

Sighing, Evan pulled on his favourite sweatshirt and ran a hand through his now tousled hair. He already needed a haircut, but somehow, he didn't care enough to do it. Plus, he still had Ryan's words in his head, telling him that he would look good with long hair. He probably meant it as a joke, but Evan still remembered it very well and wanted to do something to make him happy.

Thinking about his mate, a smile involuntarily appeared on his face. Only a few more days and he will finally see him again. He couldn't wait despite their constant texting.

He knew that Ryan was doing well at home and that he was happy to see his family and friends again, but he still looked forward to him being back in North Hallson. And maybe, just maybe, next time Evan could go with him. Although he dreaded meeting his parents, mostly because he was afraid, they wouldn't like him, he was ready to do anything to make them see that he was good enough for their son.

For now, he planned to convince another member of his family.

Even though he had never been to the Saunders' home, he knew exactly where to go. Maybe he had no idea what was constantly going on in his pack, but he knew where to find someone if needed. And so he found himself in front of the brown front door, ironically just when his mate wasn't there.

He raised his hand and knocked. He still didn't have Michael's phone number, so he couldn't check in advance if he would be home, but he could at least try.

It didn't take long, and the door opened, but behind it was not the familiar black-haired boy who often got on Evan's nerves. It was his mom.

"Hello, Mrs. Saunders, is Michael home?" he greeted politely and went straight to the point. She looked surprised for a second, probably because she had never seen Evan and Michael together, but then she smiled.

"Of course, come in." With a big warm smile, she stepped back from the door to let Evan in and closed the door behind them. He couldn't help but immediately his eyes wandered around the room in front of him, as he had never been here, despite how much time Ryan spent here.

"Michael, your friend is here!" Evan jumped as he didn't expect Michael's mom to start screaming. She noticed and turned to him with an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry. Would you like something to drink? We have hot chocolate," she offered him, and Evan thought about it, not knowing if it was appropriate. He didn't even know yet if Michael would send him home since the two of them hanging out was not something common for them.

"I want some too," came a voice from the top of the stairs. Michael was in his home clothes consisting of sweatpants and a loose sweater. He looked like he was doing nothing all day and just relaxing in his room.

"Hey," Evan greeted him, not knowing what else to do.

"Mom, you remember Evan, right?" Michael ignored him and focused on his mom. Evan was surprisingly happy about that since he had no idea how to introduce himself to his mom since they were from the same pack, but he didn't want to assume she would automatically recognize him.

"You're an Emily and Thomas boy, aren't you?" He automatically nodded at the sound of his parents' names. He didn't like to be associated with them, but in the case of the Saunders, it probably didn't matter, since they didn't spend time together and his parents were more their acquaintances and not friends.

"I'm sure Evan didn't come to talk about his parents," Michael interjected, steering the conversation away from Evan's least favourite topic, proving once again that the two were indeed friends.

"Well, I hope you came for the hot chocolate then. It's my specialty." Michael's mother did nothing about his remark and automatically went to the kitchen with a smile. Her son immediately followed her, so Evan had no choice but to join.

"How are you enjoying the holidays, Evan?" Mrs. Saunders resumed the conversation. She went to the kitchen counter, where she started preparing mugs, and so she and the boys were separated by the kitchen island on which they were leaning.

"Pretty good," he replied shortly, but then she looked up at him, expecting more, so he added, "I'm glad to have some peace instead of school."

This obviously piqued her interest as she immediately asked, "What grade are you in?"

"Same as Ryan," Michael answered for him before he could even open his mouth.

"We're in the same grade, but I don't go to North Hallson High School," he explained before there was any misunderstanding. Mrs. Saunders looked surprised at his words. It was to be expected when it was not natural for wolves to study outside of their pack.

"That's a shame. You and Ryan would definitely get along," she remarked, and the corners of Evan's mouth twitched at the paradox. Firstly, because she barely knew him and already assumed that they could get along, and secondly, because they understood each other more than she could have imagined, and fate was to blame.

"They get along. Sometimes too much. They get on my nerves," explained her son with a grimace on his face that revealed how much they can annoy him.

"Really? That's great," she perked up at this. "I was hoping Ryan would make some friends here. After all, transferring in the middle of high school is hard for anyone." It was hard to believe that this energetic and cheerful woman was Michael's mother.

"I'm sure he's got plenty of friends at school too. I think it's impossible not to get along with him," he finally decided to say more words. Ryan was clearly easier to talk about than anything else.

Three mugs were placed on the island, and Evan already knew by the smell that he had something to look forward to. His love for sweets was undeniable, and this chocolate liquid smelled like heaven to his nose. Heaven and Christmas.

He waited for the occupants of the house to take their mugs before reaching for the remaining one. He tried not to look too eager as he lifted it to his lips and took a sip, but the moment he felt the sweet taste on his tongue, he had trouble keeping from drinking it all in one gulp.

"It's the best hot chocolate I've ever had," he admitted aloud, and Michael's mom looked pleased with his words.

"Told you. Hot chocolate is my specialty." She was beaming and it was a nice change from the expression his own mother usually gave him. His thoughts quickly took a turn for the worse, but he chose to ignore them.

"It really is," he confirmed, taking another sip.

"You didn't come for the hot chocolate, though," Michael remarked, and Evan's gaze shifted to him. Despite his remark, he didn't seem to mind Evan's presence, so his words were probably just curiosity. After all, the two of them didn't just hang out, at least not without his cousin present.

"Nope. I wanted to go for a run, and I was wondering if you wanted to join." He shrugged his shoulders like it was nothing. They had already run together once, so Michael could no longer joke about the fact that he barely remembered what his wolf looked like.

"Sure." Michael repeated his gesture, and so it was agreed.

"We'll have another chocolate when you get back. To warm up," his mom said with a chuckle that was partially swallowed by the mug.

The black-haired boy immediately raised an eyebrow at her words, but before he could say anything, she overtook him. "It's Christmas. There's never enough hot chocolate."

Evan couldn't agree more.