Whoopsie Daisy

by C. Sunrise

  Twenty-five. Everything always seems to happen at twenty-five.

  “Think about it,” Kace adds as his thumb resumes gently stroking my leg. “We still have to learn the normal high school stuff, like everyone else. Plus, we need to know how to run a business and manage large groups of people, meaning post-secondary educations and lived experience are vital in our development and success as a pack-leader.”

  “Besides, how many nineteen-year-olds do you know that can take their mind off booze and sex long enough to plan, prepare, and cook their own healthy dinner every night, let alone run an entire pack of werewolves?” Blaze adds. “I sure as hell couldn’t. Hell, even the golden-child over there couldn’t manage that.” Blaze nods towards Kace. “Isn’t that right, Mr. Innocent?”

  Kace glares at him—a silently warning. This only makes me more curious to know what secrets they’re all hiding from me. Like I’m one to talk; I thought I could run the world in high school, and it wasn’t until I was in university that I realised how much I still had to learn. Now, with recent events, I feel like I’m back to square one—especially with these damn hormones hijacking my brain.

  “Oh, tell me more about this nineteen-year-old Kace,” I say turning my body to face Blaze. Kace tightens his grip on my leg slightly. “I feel like the rest of you don’t act very different from when you were nineteen, but to hear you,” I say turning my head towards Kace, “couldn’t control yourself, now this is a story I have to hear.”

  He’s always so mysterious, and of course I’ll jump on the opportunity to hear more. He flinches and I turn my attention back towards Blaze, noticing Craze and Laze smiling wickedly.

  “How about it, Kace,” Blaze says with his signature smirk. “Which story should we tell first?”

  Kace coughs, clearing his throat while the rest of us eagerly await his reply.

  “Let’s save that for later,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. “Kitten, we want to help you understand more about our kind, so how about we focus on that first? Then you can ask me anything you want.”

  I think for a second and then nod while centreing my body in the seat.

  Where do I even start?

  “Do you guys have that magical wolf-only intercom system? You know the mind link or whatever you guys call it.” I want to know more about how they communicate and maybe more about why I can hear them when others can’t—find out if they can hear things too.

  “Jesus, you really need to stop watching movies and reading stories,” Blaze says shaking his head, and everyone laughs.

  “No, we aren’t telepaths.” Kace chuckles. “We can sense each other’s emotions from a great distance away and are very good at reading body language. We have an excellent sense of non-verbal communication and can detect subtle facial expressions, changes in body temperature, changes in body scents, and the release of hormones. We can also smell other chemicals and nutrients in the body. For example, we can tell if someone is low on iron and can even detect certain cancers. So, although we aren’t talking in each other’s heads, we are still communicating without using words.”

  Interesting.

  “That being said,” Blaze adds, “some of the strongest of our kind, known as Primes, are rumoured to have been able to communicate one or two words to another Prime in situations of great distress. There used to be many Primes, but over the years, the Primes gene pools have been mixed. The original purebred Prime blood-lines have all died off, with only a few direct descendants of the original mixed Prime families still alive; these families have taken on the title of Primes.”

  Or so they think.

  “Are you Primes?” I ask, tilting my head slightly.

  Kace looks over to Blaze, pausing for a second before looking over to Craze and Laze. Then he looks back to Blaze, and they nod at each other. He takes a deep breath before looking into my eyes.

  “Yes, Kitten. We’re mixed blood-line Primes.” Kace smiles warmly, pride radiating from him.

  I nod at Kace before turning to the rest of the group. “All of you?” I ask, scanning their faces one at a time.

  “No, just Blaze and I,” Kace replies, confirming Papa’s suspicions. “Craze and Laze are high-ranking shifters, but they aren’t Primes.”

  I look over at Craze, who smiles and nods.

  “I might not be a Prime,” Laze replies, leaning forward. “but I’m equal to one in all the areas that matter.” He shoots me a cocky wink and I shake my head and chuckle.

  Oh, Laze.

  “Did your parents talk about Royals and Primes?” Kace asks, referring to the conversations I had with my parents before they left on their trip.

  I hesitate and look up into the trees behind him for a second before I reply. I remember my parents telling me to be careful who knows our secret. It’s clear that this group in front of me all know I’m like them, thanks to my eyes, but I still don’t know how much I should tell them. Thankfully, I’m good at playing dumb, which is easy in this case since I really know little about this topic, anyway.

  “I remember thinking about Optimus Prime during our discussions,” I admit with a shrug. “So yes, that’s vaguely familiar.”

  My reply earns head shakes from everyone and a groan from Blaze.

  Mission accomplished.

  “How the hell did you get a university degree in something other than movie trivia?” Laze asks and chuckles before getting elbowed in the ribs by Craze.

  “Well,” I say with an innocent smile. “I win people over with my charm and bubbly personality.” I flash my best innocent face and flutter my eyelashes.

  “Then BAM!” I slap my hands together and making everyone jump before continuing in a calm voice. “I annihilate them with my intellectual prowess. They never see it coming.”

  “Damn girl,” Craze says, nodding her head slowly. “I like you more and more every day. I might end up fighting all three of these fools and take you for myself.” We both laugh. The boys didn’t find her comment as entertaining based on the low growls coming from either side of me.

  Possessive much?

  I reach over and grab my tea, taking a sip and feeling the warm liquid as it slides down my throat—using this time to think of my next line of questioning.

  “Is there another name for sprit animals or inner animals or whatever the things are you shift into?” I ask, remembering Blaze say the word ‘beast’ in the kitchen.

  “We just keep it simple and say beast,” Kace replies.

  “That doesn’t sound nice at all. Why beast?”

  “Well sugar, the word beast isn’t always a negative thing,” Blaze replies, his smirk warning me of what’s coming. “For example, I have a beast in my pants that I would like to show you. Again.”

  I spit my tea across the table, spraying both Craze and Laze. Terrified, I sit there wide-eyed and covering my mouth, apologising from behind my hand.

  “Damn girl, that was kind of rude,” she says as she takes a napkin from the table and wipes the tea off her legs. “Funny, but rude. Good thing I like you, but next time just aim at Laze please.” Everyone, except Laze, laughs.

  “Speaking of rude,” he mumbles, glaring at Craze.

  I could sit here for hours watching these two—they should have their own show.

  “Anyhow,” Kace continues. “There are a couple of reasons for calling them beasts. One, it’s easy. Definitely easier than coming up with shapeshifter names for every animal and some were-creatures just sound stupid. Like a were-elephant or were-parrot. The other reason we say beast is because when we shift into our spirit animals, they are bigger than the animals you’re accustomed to seeing, especially Primes. For example, our backs stand at the same height as a human.”

  Makes sense. I nod and smile, thinking about all the different possibilities for beasts.

  “Were-bee. Are there were-bees?” I ask as a bee buzzes past me. “Oh my god, are there were-tarantulas?” I’m not a fan of spiders and shudder at the thought of encoun
tering a giant human-sized spider.

  “No, no insect beasts or anything like that.” Craze smiles and I release the breath I was holding. “You’re safe. There are also several species who no longer have shifters because their kinds died out, so now they just have the unbalanced ones, meaning they only exist in either human form or the animal form without the ability to shift.”

  Blaze smirks, itching to say something, but I fire my finger in the air and shush him before he tells me about the massive beast in his pants again. He flashes me a cocky smile, knowing I’m thinking about his beast.

  “Why doesn’t anyone see you?” I ask. “I’m sure it would be shocking to see a giant animal wandering around. Not to mention it would be all over the internet.”

  “We all have extremely heightened senses that allow us to detect humans at a distance,” Blaze replies. “So, we make sure to not shift when we could be spotted. Animals spot us but they don’t run off and post it on social media so they’re not a problem.”

  They all look at each other before he continues, “There’s also a group of high-ranking shifters that monitors all other shifters to make sure they behave themselves. If knowledge of our kind were to get out, it could lead to a massive war and lots of suffering.”

  “So, like a group of Super Beast Law Enforcers?” I was serious when I asked but giggle when I realise it sounds like the title of the next big blockbuster movie.

  “Yes, that’s right,” Laze replies, beaming with pride.

  Interesting.

  “Sounds like a tough job, keeping a bunch of supernatural creatures in line.” I look over each of their faces, noticing they all share the same prideful smile. “Who are these enforcers? Do you know them? Do people apply to be an enforcer like being a police officer? What do they do when someone breaks the rules?” I ask, trying to get them to confirm my suspicions about The Aze Team.

  Craze and Laze drop their heads and look at the ground, humming random tunes. Kace’s jaw clenches and Blaze stares at me while tapping his index finger on his lips; their nervousness is betraying them.

  “Ugh, my legs are sticky from that tea,” Craze finally blurts. “Did you put honey in there? You put honey in there, didn’t you? Laze, let’s go jump in the lake to get this crap off us.”

  She stands and pulls a reluctant Laze up and drags him towards the lake.

  “No, they’re born into it,” Kace whispers, his lip curling in disgust.

  How did this go from pride to disgust?

  “That’s right, sugar,” Blaze adds, clearing his throat. “Not everyone gets to be a Hunter, which is what we call the enforcers. Only the strongest warrior families can be Hunters because it’s our job to protect the Royals. Our job is to make sure more Royals, particularly Primes, don’t go extinct. We also help keep order and peace amongst the shifters, which keeps us safe from war and from involving humans in the crossfire.”

  “You said our job and we,” I say looking Blaze in the eye, noting the pride still reflecting in them. “Does that mean you’re a Hunter?” From the corner of my eye, I notice Kace lean forward and glare at Blaze.

  Bingo!

  “Nothing gets past you does it, sugar,” Blaze replies. He leans towards me, crossing his arms and resting them on his thighs. “Yes, I’m a Hunter. So is Craze. Laze too, surprisingly. So is…” He nods his head at Kace who is staring down at the ground. “Or should I say was?”

  “What does that mean?” I turn my attention back to Blaze. “Can you quit being something you were born to be?”

  Kace remains silent.

  Blaze looks at him and sighs before replying. “You’re not supposed to. It isn’t something that is approved of and it doesn’t go over well—there can be harsh punishments.”

  A momentary look of sadness washes over his face as he looks at Kace, who is still looking at the ground. They both remain silent; you could cut the tension with a knife. This is clearly a sensitive area for these two. I’ll ask Kace about it some other time, maybe he’ll be more willing to talk when we’re alone.

  “Okay,” I say loudly, startling them both out of their thoughts. “Back to the mysterious lives of werewolves.”

  Kace mouths “thank you” and squeezes my thigh, knowing I was intentionally changing the subject.

  I smile softly and continue my interrogation. “Do you shift unwillingly with the full moon? Do you have to cage yourselves to prevent your beasts from murdering people? Do you have magic healing powers? Do you age slower or live longer? Are there alphas, betas, and lunas? Is there a moon goddess? Do you have one selected soulmate? Wait, you said mate before—is that what you were talking about? Didn’t Momma and Papa mention mates? Why didn’t I clue into that earlier? Do silver bullets kill you? Is there magic too—witches and such?”

  They both sit there staring at me wide-eyed as I rapid-fire questions at them. Once I’m done, they look at each other and shake their heads.

  I bet they regret asking if I had questions.

  “Let’s see if I can remember all that,” Kace says and clears his throat. “No, we don’t have to shift at the full moon, although the moon affects some behaviours just like humans and animals and increases our desire to shift. No caging, except for mentally unstable beasts or those with certain illnesses. Yes and no—we heal fast but it’s not magic; we have two immune systems helping protect and recover. Yes, we age slower and live longer because we are healthier than unbalanced individuals. Yes, to alphas, betas, and lunas. Just like human cultures, there are those who believe in certain gods and goddesses, such as the moon goddess. We have mates, which are other beasts we’re drawn to, but your guess is as good as ours whether or not they’re soulmates. No, silver bullets don’t kill us as silver has the same effects on us as it does on humans.” He pauses, tapping his chin.

  “There are some who call themselves witches and warlocks,” Blaze chimes in, answering my final question “They use herbs and ‘potions’ to do certain things, but it’s not magic per se, at least not like in books and movies.”

  “Magic is just science we don’t understand yet,” Kace adds with a shrug.

  I nod, taking in everything they just said—my mind thinking of a million follow-up questions.

  “Everything you’ve told me so far makes sense. It all seems to be scientifically plausible, I guess, but what about the actual act of shifting? Taking one body and transforming it into a completely different body. Where does your human hide all of that fur when you’re not in beast-mode? How does a body change size like that? For example, Percy is smaller when he shifts, and you said you get bigger.” I shift my attention back and forth between the two of them, neither seeming to have an answer to that question.

  “Who, or what, is Percy?” Blaze asks to which Kace rolls his eyes.

  “No one and nothing,” Kace replies before I have a chance. “Kit-kat is just an annoying friend of hers.”

  Blaze looks like he is about to say something and then he stops when he sees me glaring at Kace, who sighs in defeat and mouths the word “sorry” to me.

  “Anyhow, back to your question,” Kace continues. “I guess that’s something that falls under science we don’t understand yet.” He shrugs and smiles.

  “Did you just say it’s… magic?” I ask teasingly.

  “Yeah, I guess I did.” He chuckles, and I catch myself admiring the way the skin around his eyes crinkles when he smiles.

  “Can I see them?” I look at Kace and then Blaze, tilting my head. They seem confused by my request. “Your beasts. Can I see your beasts?”

  They look at each other for a second before they both smile, showing off their perfect pearly whites.

  “You’ve already seen my b-” Blaze starts before I cut him off.

  “That’s not what I meant!” I turn briefly, squinting my eyes at Blaze. Kace’s eyes flicker again as Blaze stands and smirks. “I meant your wolves or dogs or whatever they are. I want to see you shift.”

  “He knows what you meant, Kitten,�
�� Kace growls and Blaze laughs.

  Blaze reaches down to untie his shorts and Kace leaps up and grabs his arm. He spins him around and pushes him towards the pool house, Blaze chuckling the whole time.

  “Not here,” Kace growls as they walk. “Do you want me to kill you in front of her?”

  “Now, there’s the Kace I love and miss.” Blaze’s hearty laugh bellows through the air as they enter the pool house.

  It’s taking every ounce of my energy to not squeal with excitement. I’m glad Percy was the first one I saw shifting; seeing someone shift into an animal was surprising enough let alone if they turned into a giant wolf-like creature instead of a larger than average house cat. I sit and nervously play with my fingers as I anxiously await their return.

  My mind wanders all over the place, not knowing what to expect when the boys come out of the pool house. I’m sitting here with a goofy look on my face and nibbling my lip, when Craze’s voice shocks me from my musing and back to reality.

  “What’s going on here?” Craze asks, and she and Laze come walking back from the water. “Where did Blaze and Kace go?”

  “They’re putting their clothes in the pool house.” I shrug. “I asked them to shift for me.”

  “Ooooooo,” she replies as her eyes light up. “They could have stripped out here, we would have enjoyed that show.”

  I blush, knowing she’s right; we would have enjoyed that. Perhaps a little too much. She sits next to me, so we’re both facing the pool house—like we are about to watch a movie at the theatre. Laze walks up behind us and leans against the back of the seat between me and Craze.

  “You really like him, don’t you?” Laze asks. “Maybe both of them. I can smell it.”

  Damn pheromones.

  “It’s not only pheromones,” Craze says, seemingly aware of what I was thinking.

  “I can smell... your arousal,” Laze continues. “We all can.”

  Kill me now.

  I automatically squeeze my legs together, knowing it isn’t helping one bit.

  “Don’t worry,” Craze says as she taps my arm with the back of her hand. “It smells good. Really good. It smells like-”