by Unknown
“Be careful with him Ula. He’s a rogue for a reason and has earned that reputation well.” He gave her a peck on the cheek and began to walk out.
“Wait. What else is this about? You wouldn’t call on him unless you felt like the pack can’t be trusted. Why not get Tate or Ralph to head up the efforts? What’s nagging at you?” She said closing the distance between them so swiftly he almost forgot what a deadly wolf she can be.
“Rollin mentioned something that I guess I may have taken too seriously, but being Alpha I have to take everything seriously.” Rafe said and then went on to recount the happenings of the day.
Ula chuckled, “You don’t believe that snot do you? Really Rafe, Fridolf?” She turned and picked up the cups and took them to the kitchen and then froze.
“Is that what you’re doing here? Trying to sniff me out?” She whipped around and came directly toe to toe with Rafe. “Because if you even think that for a second”, she said jabbing a finger in his chest, “that I would ever hurt you or Connor, I will urge you to challenge me now and be done with it.” She finished chest heaving and her wolf visibly agitated.
“Stop being paranoid, Ula. I just have to be cautious with who I entrust with this. There are too many variables with the mage that I can’t discount that perhaps someone in the pack is involved. I never doubted you Ula, not once.” Rafe said touching her cheek.
“I don’t doubt your father either but perhaps there is some pack member who I should be more cautious of.” He said turning and walking out. He wanted to tell her that he needed something more from Vince. He needed to find the scrolls that detail Connor’s family history on Shae’s side. He needed to know if this had anything to do with kidnapping Connor to try to awaken his beast or whether this was a direct attack on the pack. He just couldn’t afford too many people knowing about the scrolls. He trusted Ula but the scrolls would bring her into something she would never be able to escape from and he rather keep her safe and take Vince up on his owed debt. Just then his phone rang.
“Fridolf. What is it, friend?” Rafe answered while getting into his car.
“I wanted to ask Connor to come over to make some entries into the journal of his experience and changes. We need to make sure we document anything he’s feeling and he’s due for a reevaluation. I also thought it would be good to maybe get him some more literature on the pack so he can refresh his memory. Maybe even...”
“Fridolf! You are getting carried away. He’s not a lab rat.” Rafe snapped at him a bit too harshly.
“Oh, sorry my lad. Of course not. It’s only what I do, you know, with all the new wolves. It can wait.” Fridolf said apologetically which only made Rafe feel like a big ass for hurting his friend’s feelings.
“No, no, you’re right. I’m a bit preoccupied so don’t take it personally. I will send him over to your place Saturday afternoon.” Rafe ended the conversation and rested his head on his steering wheel. Sometimes he just wanted to rest from the centuries of responsibilities and problems. He wanted peace and he wanted it with Shae. But he had Connor to think of and he turned the key and headed home.
I felt like I was neglecting Amanda by the time Friday rolled around. We had a movie date with Mike and Li on Saturday which I was looking forward to, and tonight I was going to meet up with her and her folks at an outdoor concert in the center of town. But before that I had to stay after school to turn over my volunteer project to Meg, a junior eager to take over my volunteer group I started. It’s called Little Farmers, and it has high school students paired up with elementary school kids to grow a garden at their school. We were deep into transferring the information onto her p.c. when I sensed someone watching us. I sniffed the air and the familiar scent that belonged to Amanda was near. I focused my sense of sound and could hear that she was not alone. Great Lexi was with her.
“Amanda come on! I am telling you, you’ve been way to shy and now he’s going to get snatched up by Meg the Legs!” Lexi shrieked in a loud whisper.
Amanda burst out laughing at the reference to Meg and the nick name she got from her squad. “Lexi, I’m not going to climb up there and spying on him, this is crazy! I mean, I appreciate you care, actually I’m a bit surprised, but this is just so silly.”
“Look here Amanda, I’ve got better things to do but I’m not letting Meg get her grubby claws into him. She is already taken over the squad before I’ve even passed on the head cheerleader chair to her.” Lexi said exasperated and probably annoyed that she had to explain. “Listen.” She continued. “She told Katy-Anne that she planned on getting Connor to ask her out before winter break, and she will go to whatever lengths she has to.” She said while pushing Amanda to the back corner window of the library.
“Ok, if this is part of some plan of hers I’m in.” Amanda said trying to squeeze between a shrub and the window.
She was able to crane her neck to see Meg swaying her hips while bent over the table across from Connor, who was typing something on his laptop. Her neck was starting to hurt so she tried to inch further between the shrubs to get a better view. She wished she hadn’t because Meg sashayed her way around the table and put her hand on Connor’s shoulder and leaned in next to him pointing at his screen.
“That little …” Amanda bit her lip feeling a deep sense of jealousy and anger that she let this happen. She knew she had been too distant and casual with Connor. She hadn’t even given him an opportunity to kiss her even though she knew he wanted to. She wanted to torture him a little for something so far in the past that wasn’t even his fault. He hadn’t bullied her and he even apologized.
“What a dummy, I’ve been.” Amanda said as she saw Connor look up at Meg and then Meg flipped her hair and it cascaded down on her side creating a blonde curtain blocking their faces. Amanda was so anxious to get a better view she pushed through the bush and felt the sting on her upper thigh.
“Ouch! Damn it. I tore my skirt and tights, and now I’ve got a scratch that’s burning the beegeezee out of me! All cause of that little…ugh. Now I can’t see them there anymore.” Amanda said trying to squeeze back through.
“Lexi, go check out the other windows and I’ll meet you around the front if I can’t find them.” Amanda said.
“You got it. Ooooh I can’t wait for the cat fight” Lexi said under her breath, and she headed around the side of the window.
Amanda took off in the other direction and turned the back corner and hit smack into Connor!
“Uh, um. Hey Connor, I was uh…I, um… Have you seen Lexi? She had something to tell me and I can’t seem to find her.” Amanda said out of breath and out of ideas on how to salvage his image of her as she stood there disheveled.
“I’m guessing she probably doesn’t use the library often so you’re best to just text her, since she could be anywhere.” He chuckled trying to hold his composure, but finding it difficult since he heard everything they had said down to her tearing her clothes. Her cry of pain alerted his inner animal and he dashed out of the library in search of her. His wolf was sated knowing she was ok.
“Oh, yeah. I’ll do that. Thanks. Well I’ve gotta go and help my mom pack up for the concert. I’ll text you once we find a spot so you know where we’re sitting. Do you want me to bring you anything?” She asked sweetly, I almost felt guilty for eavesdropping.
“I’m sure I’ll like whatever you bring. I’ll bring us some smoothies. You still like VeryBerry right?” I asked, while she was texting.
She stopped and looked up. “Yeah, wow, I can’t believe you remember that.” She said impressed and flattered that I recalled her comment at homecoming when we were talking about the bad refreshments.
“Cool. I’ll walk you to your car.” I offered
“Thanks Connor but Lexi is actually waiting for me at the front of the library, so I’m just going to head to the lot with her and see what she wants. But thanks again.” She said as she stepped backwards around the corner.
I knew what she was hiding and I gave into temptation and snea
ked behind her at a distance. I saw her turn around and hurry off towards the front of the library and I doubled over laughing at her Scooby-doo underwear peeking out from the tear in her skirt.
As I neared my house I heard my Dad on the phone with someone named Vince.
“Rafe, it may be best to send him to a safe haven. I can take him with me for awhile till you can find who’s behind this.” He said to Dad
“Vince, I am not hiding him away, besides he’s safer with me where I can make sure nothing happens to him. Just get me that information, and as always discretion and no tracks.” My Dad said hurriedly and hung up.
I walked up the porch steps and announced myself as I came in. “Dad, I’m in a hurry. I gotta get ready to go to the town center with Amanda to meet her folks.” I called out towards the kitchen as I headed to my room.
Dad came to the door a few minutes later. “Buddy, Ula is going to replace Caitlin at your school. She’s now made it her mission to be your bodyguard, so haha, tag you’re it.” And I could hear him laughing all the way to his room. I’ve been avoiding telling him about Li finding me out but I know now is not the time. I never keep things from him, this time I knew it would only give him one more thing to worry about and it could wait till this rogue pack was taken care of. I started getting dressed and began to think of Amanda. Nothing was going to ruin my weekend. I was going to see Amanda today and tomorrow, and I was determined to kiss her since I knew she was into me.
The town center was pretty crowded as everyone seemed in the mood to enjoy the last of the good weather before winter arrived. Amanda texted me that they found a spot by the glow sticks stand so it was pretty easy to find her. I spotted her sitting there in her black and hot pink jacket with silver scarf and matching winter cap. I thought she looked like the cutest girl I’d ever seen. I was obviously in my own Amanda world because I got tackled from behind by Mike.
“Gotcha sucka!” He said while dancing around me, and then he reached in to give me his hand.
“Thanks Mike, always classic clown timing. I’m meeting Amanda’s parents for the first time and they’re right over there.” I said pointing to Amanda who was smiling while giving me the thumbs up that her folks apparently didn’t see Mike’s jack ass move.
“Sorry bro. Hey we’re still on for the movies tomorrow right Connor boy.” He asked sheepishly.
“Yeah, but Rollin is joining us. Apparently, he called up Li and she invited him along.” I told him and immediately felt guilty for stinging him. I said it without thinking and apparent reaction for making me look bad in front of Amanda.
“I mean, it’s just a friendly thing, and you know Li, she wouldn’t be the sweet girl we know if she didn’t extend the invitation.” I added, hoping to ease his ego. I finished brushing myself off and straightened out my clothes checking to see if my chain was still on.
“Nah, it’s cool. I know this game and I am ready to take Li on if this is how she wants to play it. “He said while texting on his phone.
“Bro, don’t text her and make a big deal out of it. Really, it’s only going to make you look jealous.” I said, trying to grab the phone and spare him the embarrassment.
“I’m not jealous, and I am not texting her. I’m texting Lexi and asking her to come out to the movies tomorrow. She’s been hinting at wanting to go out again so it’s perfect.” He said while hitting the send button.
Not even a minute passed that his phone beeped and he had a grin on his face.
“Done deal. See.” He said showing me Lexi’s reply. “Well, I gotta go meet up with some of the guys from the team. We’ll stop by later before the concerts over.” He said while looking over my shoulder to wave at some girls on a blanket. “Say hi to Amanda for me, and sorry again.” He patted me on the shoulder and made a beeline to the girls.
Before I could move any closer to them, I texted her saying:
“i’m pretty nervous about meeting your folks after that. can you come over here?”
She responded:
“lol. they didn’t see it. on my way though.”
Amanda walked over to me and I gave her a hug, breathing in her sweet scent. It’s become like the air to me and with one sniff I felt balance. I let my hand trail down her arm and felt the smoothness of her skin and the tightening of her muscles. Her rapid heartbeat let me know it was ok. I linked my fingers with hers and her hands felt so soft and warm. I was relieved that the connection was mutual and she brought me over to her folks who were not what I had expected at all.
Her dad turned around and looked like he was stuck in the 80s. He had stone wash jeans with holes and a tie dye shirt with a dolphin on it. To top off his cheesy outfit he had long hair but only on the sides as his whole middle head was bald. He gave me a hug instead of a handshake and told me his name was Shaggy. Seriously, I never thought anyone was really named Shaggy, and now all I could think of was Amanda’s underwear.
Her mom was Starlet and really beautiful, which made me wonder how Shaggy was able to snag her. She had long blonde hair with a flower hair band. She wore tiny circle glasses with a purple tinted lens. She had on white bell bottom pants with a rainbow shirt and a beaded necklace with a pendant similar to the one Amanda had on.
“Hiiiiiiieeeee! I’m so happy to meet you Connor. Oh my goodness, you are so cute and Amanda was right you have such a good body.” She said while hugging me and inspecting my arms and back muscles. And in response I turned to Amanda giving her one of my best “Help Me!” looks! All she did was giggle while I was being prodded and poked.
Starlet let go long enough to pull me down to the blanket and launched a rapid fire session of questions in a bubbly sort of way. Meanwhile, Shaggy was just grinning and twirling his hair but I could tell he was watching me with scrutiny. My wolf senses told me they were harmless and gentle natured and loved their daughter a lot. Shaggy and Starlet went into some old childhood stories of Amanda that made me feel more at ease and familiar with them. Now it was her turn to get red and my turn to laugh. The concert started and I didn’t expect them to get up and dance to a beat that was all their own. It was kind of funny since the concert was a mix of reggae rock and they were doing a sort of disco rock. Amanda buried her head into her knees trying not to look at her parents so she wouldn’t get more embarrassed than she already was. I put my hand in hers, pulled her up and joined her crazy sweet parents.
Her parents were a lot of fun and I really enjoyed my night. We even danced a slow song together and I finally took the opportunity to kiss her under the candle lit gazebo. I guess that was what it was intended for. She was looking up at me so innocently that I gently cupped her face and placed a light kiss on her lips. I followed it up with a couple more to her cheeks and forehead and she rested her head on my shoulders and sighed. I got to take her home and it gave us a chance to enjoy the kissing more deeply and I used all of my self control to keep it PG-13. When I finally walked her to the door, we didn’t want to let go of each other and just stayed in each other’s arms for awhile until I heard her dad moving in the kitchen. I realized he was waiting for her and my Dad raised me right, so I gently slipped out of our embrace, kissed her softly and watched her go inside.
CHAPTER 9
I woke the next morning feeling like the world was mine. Amanda and I spent a great night together talking, joking, and making out. Last night went down as one of the best nights I’ve had in a real long time. I was still basking in the memories of her when my Dad knocked on the door. I forgot I had a full day and I pulled the covers over my head and mumbled, “Come in but I’m still trying to pretend I’m sleeping.”
“I heard about your night. Glad you had a good time but it’s about time I get to meet Amanda, at least eye to eye.” He said making his way to the other side of my bed and laid back resting his head on his hands.
“How’d you know about my night…oh yeah, my bodyguard must have told you. Damn she’s good. I wasn’t even aware of her being there.” I said still under my covers refus
ing to acknowledge the sunlight coming in through my windows.
“Yeah, well that’s why she’s a council member. She’s even deadlier than she is stealthy.” He said. And I could hear the proud grin in his voice.
“Have you checked up on Amanda too? Don’t answer that, of course you have. So what do you think about her?” I asked curious on his opinion.
“She’s harmless enough. Smart, pretty, honest, and genuinely into you. Her parents…well, I knew they were quirky but I wanted you to see that for yourself.” He chuckled while pulling my covers and starting up a game of tug of war. Tug of war turned into wrestling, which turned into a full on chase around the house, till finally our growling stomachs won out and we made a huge breakfast to tame our wolves.
After breakfast I headed over to Fridolf for my physical and some wolf psychiatry session. At least, that’s how I took it when my Dad started explaining the reason Fridolf wanted me to meet him. I guess I should be honored he wants to document my progress so any future pure bloods have something to go on.
Fridolf’s house was like a Swiss cottage. The outside had a nice garden that looked a bit overgrown but in a way that seemed like it’s meant to look that way. The inside was neatly decorated with books everywhere. He kept his library pretty messy but who am I to judge, my room has a colony of dust bunnies under my bed. Guess I’ve been too busy being a werewolf in high school to do those tedious things I use to complain about. Mental note-clean my room.
“Fridolf! You left your front door open, so I came right in.” I called out, realizing it’s kind of pointless for a wolf to lock his door. If someone tried to break in they’d be in for a surprise, and if some mystical creature wanted to get in, a deadbolt really wasn’t going to stop them.
“Hi Connor.” He said with a warm smile while offering me a place on the couch. “I’m not going to take up much time with this. Your dad told me you had a hot date tonight so I’ll make it quick. I just need you to make some entries on some of your changes. I know your dad doesn’t want you giving all your secrets away so just put some general stuff that you might think a new wolf could use to facilitate his transition. Maybe even put in there some things about your training sessions.”