What do you think so far?
Any suggestions?
***
I walked down the stairs to the sound of Sam giggles. I had to go change (my underwear) for certain reasons before coming down. I entered the kitchen surprised to see Kyle standing in front of the stove.
Thomas and Mason sat at the table with a giggling Sam wolfing down the food I prepared. The guys all turned to me as I walked in the room. They all greeted me with mornings.
I walked over to Sam giving him a kiss on the cheek repeating, "Happy birthday, Sammy." He giggled smiling happily at me.
"Do I get one too, Rue?" Asked Thomas wiggling his brows teasing me.
I scowled at him warning him, "you better shut up, Thomas."
"Someone's angry their morning activities were interrupted." He teased in a singing voice ignoring my warnings. Mason and Kyle both turned to me shocked realizing what Thomas meant.
"Didn't know you had it in you, Rue." Kyle added with a sly grin while Mason whistled. Sam continued eating not understanding any of these hormonal boys' words.
"Thomas." I growled at him irritated. Ugh he never listens. The guys all laughed at my reaction. "Shut up, all of you before I kick you out." I warned making them slowly stop. "Anyway what are you all doing here? Did plans change?" I directed the last question at Thomas.
"No. We are just here to congratulate Sam before you guys leave. Luckily we found a table of food waiting for us." Mason answered me holding up the chocolate chip pancakes I had made.
"Guys! You seriously didn't leave me any?" I asked looking down at the empty plate where the pancakes previously stood.
"That's what I am here for!" Stated Kyle holding up the spatula showing me the pancakes he was making. I chuckled at Kyle he was always fixing the guys mistakes ever since we were little.
"Ugh! Fine whatever! Eat everything. It's not like I put effort in it or anything." I mumbled angrily waking over to Kyle to help him out while Mason and Thomas chuckled to themselves.
"You need help?" I asked watching as he flipped the pancakes over.
"Umm...we need more bacon." He said pointing to the stove. I nodded gripping the bacon from the fridge.
"So buddy you exited to go to the carnival?" Thomas asked Sam who nodded excitedly back to him reminding me of Zeiden.
As if summoned by my thoughts, Zeiden appeared at the kitchen door at that second. I smiled at him as Thomas pulled out a chair next to him inviting Zeiden to sit there.
Zeiden nervously glanced at all of us, lingering on Kyle for a few seconds, before siting next to Thomas. "Did you have a good morning?" Asked Thomas playfully. Mason turned to look at him to wiggling his eyes brows.
Zeiden blushed mumbling, "Yeah." It made me smile as I turned back to the bacon.
"Kyle we need more pancakes, pronto." Shouted Thomas using his Spanish language at the end.
"They aren't ready, Thomas." Kyle replied not turning around.
"But I am hungry." Thomas complained in a whiny voice.
"Then get over here and make them yourself." Kyle growled his alpha side not likening getting ordered.
"Kyle you know better than to have Thomas close to fire. We don't want the kitchen burning down." I reminded Kyle smirking at Thomas who pouted at me.
"Alpha not cool. You know that was only because Jake wouldn't stop bothering me." He said defensively. The guys all tensed turning to me once the words left Thomas mouth waiting for my reaction. Except for Sam and Zeiden who looked at me curiously at the reaction of the guys.
"Excuses. Excuses." I said halfheartedly turning back to the stove. I could hear the guys let out a sigh relieved I didn't storm out of the room or yell like I usually would have done.
I blocked out the guys conversation with Sam after that focusing on the bacon as I tried not to think of Jake. But the more I tried not to I seemed to go back to that day.
To how I saw the life leave my fathers eyes his body clawed by my claws. To the looks of disgust and fear I received from my pack. To the body of my wonderful brother lying cold, dead.
I howled at the sky feeling my heart rip into pieces as my father didn't respond no matter how much I called out to him.
I looked up to see the rouges alpha's body and his sons lying on the ground a few feet away. Next to them I saw his body.
My wolf whimpered walking over to my brother ignoring the screaming of the pack as I walked over. I could smell the aroma of metallic iron fill my nostrils. Blood. It seemed to increase by the second.
I nudged my brothers body trying to get him to wake up. I barked at him trying to get him to respond. I licked his face trying to get him to say something anything.
'No! Please don't! I am sorry! Jake! Jake!' I screamed in my head trying to reach our mind link to feel it empty.
'Jake.' I whined in my head. I howled even louder when he wouldn't move. I howled until my throat ached and even then I howled louder than ever.
And when I couldn't anymore I curled next to him as the tears flowed. The screams of panic drowned by my howls and whimpers.
***
I washed the dishes as Mason and Thomas said good bye to Sam telling him happy birthday. The whole time I had kept to myself only speaking when Sam talked to me here and there.
The guys tried to lighten the mood but I could find it in me to do so. I felt a bit bad because it was Sam's birthday but I couldn't help it. As much as I tried to forget about what happen, I couldn't. The guilt was overwhelming.
"See you later, Rue!" I heard Kyle say behind me. I waved not turning back. I finished the dishes and headed to the living room where I saw Zeiden and Sam watching Spongebob.
I pulled on my jacket, scarf, and boots looking for my phone and my keys getting ready to leave.
I walked over to Sam who laughed as Squidward got shocked by jellyfishes. "Come on, Sam. Let's go." I said opening my arms to carry him. "Could you turn the tv off." I asked Zeiden gathering Sam in my arms.
We walked out the door and to the garage. I settled Sam into the backseat of my black 2020 BMW 4 series coupe. I turned back to Zeiden who still stood at the garage door not knowing what to do.
"What are you doing? Get on." I opened the passenger door for him. He hesitatingly walked over to the car glancing at me strangely. He seemed to be debating about something.
"What is it?" I asked surprising him.
"Huh?" He asked turning to me.
"Just say what you have been wanting to say since you came down. I know you have." I said giving him what I hoped would be a soft comforting look.
He looked down bitting his lip as he slowly asked, "Are you um..with K-Kyle?" He stuttered a bit at the end nervously peeking from under his thick lashes looking for my response.
I honestly got a bit too distracted by how cute he looked that it took me a moment to catch up to what he was saying. "What?!" I asked totally caught off guard.
"I-It's just that I um..saw you with him yesterday. Together." He said with a look so heartbroken and longingly that it made my heart physically ache so badly.
"Yesterday? We had a meeting. Weren't you asleep?" I asked trying to remember when he saw me and Kyle.
He looked even more hurt when I didn't denied anything instead turned the topic. "Yeah I um..woke up for a bit and we-went to look f-for you." He admitted.
"Zeiden," I drew his attention slipping my arms around his waist pulling him to me, "Kyle and me are just friends that's all." I assured him finding it ironic that he seem jealous when we were taking about him.
He looked a bit hopeful searching so brutally in my eyes for a chance of it being a lie. In the middle of his hunt he stepped away from me looking down hurt like a kicked puppy. "But I saw you laughing. With him."
I would have smiled at that moment loving that he cared enough to be jealous but I could physically feel his pain. It was pressing against the bond so heavily.
I reached up to him holding his cheek as I said, "You are driving me fucking crazy and you don't even realize it. I lov-" I stopped myself feeling the words on the tip of the top of my tongue. Fuck! I almost said it!
"I haven't felt like this for anyone other than you. So don't you doubt for a second that I don't care for you." The word 'care' felt like sandpaper in my mouth itching to telling him how I loved him. But now wasn't the time.
"You are my fucking world, Zeiden Backfield. Don't you forget that." I said giving him a lingering kiss on the cheek before I walking over to the driver seat. Once Zeiden got on quite in a daze might I add, I took off.
The whole ride Zeiden was quiet looking out the window in his own thoughts. I could feel my wolf pacing weary in my mind worried about our mate. Sam was in his tablet playing games.
***
I parked in the full parking lot of the town carnival. I had barely been able to secure a good spot. "We're here." I announced snapping Zeiden out of his thoughts. He looked around realizing we were here getting out of the car. Maybe I shouldn't have said all that now he is acting strange.
I shook it off again hoping it was nothing. I walked over to Sam's door unbuckling his car seat which was difficult considering how he wouldn't stop jumping with excitement.
"Come on, buddy." I took his hand once I settled him on the ground. This carnival was one of the towns biggest attractions because of how big it was. I have only brought Sam twice and he loves it every time.
Sam continued to pull my hand excitedly telling Zeiden about all the rides he wants to get on, the whole way to the paying booth. Once I payed there was no stopping Sam from dragging both our hands to the rides.
Since Sam just about reached the height restriction to most rides we where able to ride most of them. During the rides I could hear my mates beautiful laughter making me smile glad that he was now carefree.
When we passed a cotton candy stand, Sam instantly begged me for one. Adding the puppy dog eyes to show how much he wanted them.
I could remember the first time we came he filled his belly with cotton candy that we even had to go to the pack doctor the next day. That day I spend the whole day with Sam putting off my alpha duties and took him out for a run on my wolf.
I smiled at the memory taking out my wallet getting Sam his blue cotton candy. I turned to Zeiden who I found staring at the cotton candy in thought.
"Two more." I told the man who handed Sam his cotton candy. I paid the man thanking him.
"Here." I held the cotton candy out to Zeiden who seemed to blink out of his thoughts. I wondered what was going thought his mind right now. He looked down at the cotton candy then at me. His eyes seemed to brighten at the sight of the cotton candy.
"For me?" He asked looking down at the cotton candy. I nodded pushing it into his hands. He grinned taking a huge bit out of the cotton candy.
It might have been the mate bond talking but he looked so god like at that moment. He wore a grey shirt under a checkered blue and grey jacket, black jeans and brown shoes. His hair stocked out messily from the brown beanie he wore.
He looked so carefree running around with Sam throughout the day. If I weighted the most perfect day from my whole life this would be it. It was already past mid day already and we still hadn't finished going through all the rides.
As Sam was about to run off to another one I held back his hand. "Hold your horses, buddy. We need to fuel that stomach of yours before we continue." I told him turning to the food stand. I heard a stomach grumbling from behind me. I turned to see Zeiden holding his stomach a blush beginning to rise on his cheeks. He was too adorable for his own good.
I smiled teasing him, "are you hungry?" He flushes a deeper shade of red at my question but nodded nothing less. I reached for his hand hesitating a bit before gripping it. I turned to Sam a bit scared to look at Zeiden's face. "Come on."
The tingles skated over my skin and up my arm as my wolf purred. I could hear his heart beat rising beside me. We walked over to the food stand having to wait in line. I could see the tables getting fuller. "Go get a seat with Sam I will order. Do you want anything? I was going to order pizza and drinks." I asked turning to Zeiden.
"Pizzas fine." He mumbled calling Sam then turning to leave. I had to wait a few more minutes before it was my turn. Once I got the food I went to look for the guys surprised when I saw Zeiden talking to Dylan, his friend in school.
"Zeiden buddy you don't remember me?" I heard Dylan say as I got closer. I placed the food on the table turning to Dylan.
"Alpha!" He bowed slightly in respect greeting me.
I nodded turning to Zeiden who looked at Dylan in confusion. "You okay?" I asked him concern.
He turned to me brows pulled together and lips pressed tightly together. I noticed the slight sweat that form on his temples as he darted glances at Dylan. I could tell he was confused.
I pushed Zeiden slightly behind me not liking how Dylan was making he feel drawing Dylan's eyes to me. "Nice to see you, Dylan. Tell Kyle I said hi." I stated coldly dismissed him.
I glared at him making him stumble as he turned around leaving. He tried to look at Zeiden as he left making me growl louder at him. He bowed quickly leaving.
I turned to Zeiden who looked at the floor lips trembling his eyes focused on the ground. "Zeiden are you okay?" I asked softly laying a hand on his arm making him jump.
"Ohh y-yeah I am okay." He said taking a seat on the bench next to Sam who had already begun to eat.
"Zeiden." I said biting my lip. I wasn't sure if to ask him or not but he had something on his mind and I wanted to know what. I was afraid that I would regret asking later.
He hummed in response looking up at me. "Can't you tell me what's wrong?" I asked nervously.
"What do you mean?" He mumbled looking down at the table.
"I mean that the whole day something has been bothering you. Just know that you can tell me. I want to help you." I said reaching for his hand that rested on the table but he moved it. That hurt. Bad.
He looked up at me seeing my hurt expression. "Sorry. It's just that I see how you were with Kyle and I don't want to get in between that." He mumbled softly looking down at the table again.
"What?" I asked confused. I didn't expect that.
He tucked his chin closer to his body as a blush appeared on his cheek. "I-I sa-saw the way you were with him." He spluttered defeatedly.
"What do you mean?" I asked still confused.
"I saw you two together." He said sadly.
"Huh?" I asked trying to get him to explain.
It seemed to make him angry all of a sudden. "You were laughing and playing around! You were so happy. I never saw you laugh that much before." The last words he whispered so soft I almost missed them. I smiled realizing what he was talking about now. Is me laughing really that important. First Kyle, Thomas, even my pack and now Zeiden.
I chuckled finding his jealousy cute. He turned to me frowning. "What?" He asked pouting slightly.
"Zeiden, you have nothing to worry about. Kyle is just like a brother to me." I reassured him again but I could see that it didn't change anything in his mind. I wouldn't mind reassuring him for the rest of my life as long as he cared enough to worry about it. I sighed, "You don't realize the power you have over me do you?" He looked at me still confused.
"You know, I haven't been able to think about anyone else since I met you. You are in my mind all the time. You don't know how much you affect me. That day at the day care. You have me on my knees the second I see you. I told myself I would avoid you but that day all it took was a smile and I was at your mercy. How can you even doubt for a second that I would set my eyes on someone else?" I smiled at how he blushed from my words avoiding my eyes. "But if I have to say it. Zeiden," he turns to me, "I am yours."
After some silence just staring at each other, I saw him shift nervously in his seat. I grabbed a slice of pizza and placed it on a plate handing it to him. "Here. Eat before it gets cold."
After that he seemed to be more relaxed. Once we finished eating we continued to ride the rest of the rides until we had to go because Thomas texted the preparations were finished.
We had stopped by some games and I won Sam a teddy bear giving it to him as a present. We were currently on our way back to the car with Zeiden carrying Sam who fell asleep.
"Can I ask you something?" Zeiden's voice brought my attention to him. I nodded curious to what he wanted to ask. "Can't you tell me anything about my life before I forgot my memories?" He asked.
I tensed not knowing what to say. Should I tell him? But I didn't even know that much. And what about his scar and the bruise. What if he wanted to go back and he found something that just hurt him?
I had Mason visit his uncle while he was in the coma. But Mason said that the uncle wasn't even looking for him. He found that his uncle lived alone and would get drunk a lot. I didn't want my mate to go back to that. Or even remember that. Plus I was pretty sure he was responsible for my mates injuries. If that was even slightly true then my mate wouldn't get within a mile close to that man ever again.
Zeiden shuffled beside me waiting for my answer but I didn't say anything. "Then at least tell me about school." He plead.
I clenched my teeth not wanting to get angry at him. "What about school?" I asked.
"How did I do? Will I be able to finish Thomas said I was in my last year." He wondered curiously.
"Umm...you had good grades. And you don't have to attend. Mason talked to the principal and they said you had enough credits to graduate." I stated forcefully.
I saw him frown next to me. "Why can't I finish school?" He asked turning to me. How would I explain that he was in danger. That my brother could come out at any second he was alone and hurt him. At that thought my wolf growl. She was getting riled up at just the thought of something happening to our mate. I would be able to let him go.
"No!" I said coldly growling.
"Why?" He asked dissatisfied at my answer.
"Zeiden. I said no." I control my voice blankly stating that getting to the car as we reached it. I slammed the door behind me trying to control my breathing that had picked up. I could feel the burning on my shoulder indicate the fire was burning.
"Rue?" I heard a timid small voice ask beside me. I laid my head on the wheel trying to push down the fire while my wolf howled at me angrily for getting mad at our mate. I groaned feeling as she fought my control. The sound of my name on his lips wasn't helping. It just made her howl louder.
"Rue?" I felt the fire rise suddenly feeling too strong. I would need to chose to continue fighting my wolf or the fire. I let got of my wolf. My green eyes now swirling with flecks of gold.
"Look I am sorry. I shouldn't have pushed it." My mate apologized concerned.
My wolf looked up at the sound of our mates voice and purred loudly. She-I reached my hand out to cup my mates cheek. "Hello Zeiden." I purred his name making him shudder.
"Rue?" He asked confused. Now that my wolf took over it would be a bit harder to gain back control. It wasn't that hard to keep her in but once she was out she could be stubborn.
"Yes." I purred rubbing his bottom lip with my thumb.
"Sam." He said glancing at the back seat.
"He's sleeping." I said looking down at his lips licking my own.
"I am sorry for angering you earlier." He apologized again his breathing growing heavy as I moved closer.
"Don't worry about it. We are just worried about your safely that's all." I said trying to get back control but she wouldn't let go.
"My safety?" He asked.
"Yeah Brandon might-'' I groaned as I fought her to keep her mouth shut. He didn't have to know about Brandon. He would just worry.
"Rue? Are you okay?" He asked anxiously. I growled as she wouldn't let go. Ugh let go! I yelled at her. She held on for a little longer before huffing and giving me back control.
"I am fine." I huffed turning the car on as Zeiden looked at me confused and concerned. "That was my wolf." I explained not saying anything else as I pulled out of the parking lot.