Royals

by S. Dalambakis

  Me: Those are some great photos. I love the pretend swoon one.

  Callyn: Oh, good. I almost didn’t send it, but thought what the hell.

  Me: I’m glad you did. Tomorrow we are going to take a picture together.

  Callyn: :) okay

  Me: Okay sweetheart. Hate to cut this short but I’m tired. Night, baby.

  Callyn: Get some sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow. Night.

  I get up, and pull down the covers. I climb back in bed and plug my phone in. I turn it on, just so I can see her picture. Damn, if she doesn’t look good on my phone.

  Chapter 13

  Callyn

  The next couple of weeks fly by. I got to spend more time with the guys. The more I get to know them, the more I like. They are all creeping their way into my heart. I finally got to meet all their parents. They seem nice and loving. But seeing as how my father is all I have now, I almost forget what it was like having a loving parent. Then I remember my mom. She gave me all the love I needed.

  I got good at avoiding my father too, over the last couple of weeks. I only had a couple of incidents with him, and they were tame compared to his usual. I go through the routine I have when I get home from school. I make dinner, grab my stuff and hide in my bedroom. Which is where I’m currently at.

  I plug my headphones into my phone. I open my music app and select the playlist Lucian made for me. I haven’t really listen to the playlist they made we a few weeks. They keep me busy. We hang out on the weekends, they pick me up in the mornings and drop me off after school. I haven’t needed to listen to music on the walk to and from school.

  I grab my books and start to work Calculus homework. I’m in the middle of solving a problem when a catchy song starts to play. I start tapping my pencil on my notebook and bobbing my head. This song really makes me want to dance. I grab my phone and jump up off my bed. I replay the song and start dancing. I’m not particularly good at dancing, but I don’t care. No one can see me. I start to sway and move my hips. I shake my shoulders to the beat. Then my butt. The song plays through. I put the song on repeat because I want to keep dancing. I feel so carefree in this moment. I smile and giggle. Oh, if the guys could see me. The song replays a couple of times. I’m catching on to the words and start to sing along.

  I spin around, and my heart stops. My father is standing in my doorway. His face is furious. Oh god. I should have known better. What was I thinking. I should have never used my headphones. I would have heard him come up the stairs. I tug on my headphones, and they fall from my ears. He looks at the phone in my hand.

  “Where the hell did you get that phone? I sure as hell didn’t get that for you. There’s no way in hell I would even let you have one,” he yells. “Dancing like a whore on top of it. Who taught you to do that? Are you dancing for boys that way?”

  He crosses the room in two strides. He yanks the phone from my hand, turns and throws it at the wall.

  “Answer me,” he screams. His breath heavy with the stench of alcohol.

  “I-I-I,” I stammer. My throat is thick with apprehension. I can’t even get the words out.

  He grabs me by the arms. The grip is so tight, that I know I’ll have his hand prints marking me. He shakes me.

  “Why can’t you just listen. Is that too hard for you?” He shoves me, my hip hitting the edge of my night stand. My father walks over to where my phone landed. Turning back to look at me quickly, before he precedes to stomp on the phone. “I’ll make sure you can never use this again.”

  Please for once let this be the end. I close my eyes and silently pray. But it’s not. I hear the buckle of his belt. I open my eyes to see the belt being pulled through the belt loops of his pants. My father folds the belt in half, making his way to me. I brace, waiting for the first strike. The first hits my left side. The second hits my right. I cross my arms around my middle and hunch over. The third hits my back. It hurts so much that I scream. That earns me a fourth. I collapse to my knees, curling myself into a ball. I’m expecting another hit, but it doesn’t come. I glance up and my father is looking down at me. His chest heaving. His eyes so full of hate.

  “Why do you have to look like her?” he questions, before promptly turning and walking out of my room, slamming the door shut behind him. I huddle into myself as much as I can and cry.

  I cry for so long my throat hurts and my muscles are stiff from being in the same position for so long. I force myself to get up. Every muscle protesting as I do. I hurt everywhere. I glance at my phone. I gingerly make my way over and bend down. The moment I pick the phone up, the whole thing falls apart. I start to cry all over again.

  ∞∞∞

  I crack open my bedroom door, and listen for any movement. It’s quiet, eerily so. I open my door just enough that I can squeeze through. I’m careful of the floor boards that creek, as I make my way down stairs. I peek into the living room, checking to see if my father is passed out on the couch. I don’t know how many times that has happened over the years. Luckily, he’s not there. I sigh. I glance back up the stairs hoping that he is passed out in his bed and not in the bathroom. That has happened countless times over the years as well. I tiptoe to the landline phone in the living room. I pause before picking it up.

  Is it too late to call? I glimpse at the clock on the wall. It’s almost midnight. They are all probably in bed. I shouldn’t do this. I should just wait until tomorrow to tell the boys at school. But what if one of them have been trying to get ahold of me? Who would I even call? I start to bite my nails. The indecision is killing me. Just do it Callyn. Pick up the phone and call the first number that pops into your head. I hesitate. Why am I so worried? If they don’t answer I can leave a message. I’m going to call their cell phone anyways. That shouldn’t wake anyone else up.

  Quit stalling. I pick the phone up, before I can talk myself out of it. I dial Graydon’s number. Probably not my best option, seeing as how he’s so surly all the time. But he makes me feel safe. I cross my fingers and hope that he answers. On the third ring, he picks up.

  “Hello,” his voice raspy from sleep.

  “Graydon, it’s Callyn,” I whisper. There is a moment of silence before he says anything.

  “Callyn, are you okay? What number are you calling from? Where are you?”

  “I’m fine. I’m home. This is my house phone.”

  “Why are you calling me from your house phone? Why are you calling so late? What happened to your cell phone? Are you okay?”

  “Um…” I hesitate to answer. Should I tell him the truth? I quickly decide against it. “I accidently broke my phone. So, if you or one of the other guys tried to get ahold of me, that’s why I haven’t answered. I don’t know when I’ll be able to replace it. Can you let the others know?”

  “Yeah, but how are we supposed to reach you until then? Can we call this number?”

  “NO,” I practically shout. I wince, looking toward the stairs. I hold my breath for a moment, waiting to see if my father hears. I don’t hear anything. I clear my throat. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to say it that way. You can’t call this number. If I need something, I’ll call one of you. My father…My father wouldn’t understand or approve. It’ll be better for everyone if you don’t call here.”

  “Is that why you are whispering? So, he doesn’t hear you?”

  “Yes.” I look back to the stairs, picturing what would happen if he caught me on the phone this late, let alone with a boy.

  “Callyn, what’s going on? Don’t tell me nothing. Your reaction and answers aren’t normal.”

  I sigh into the phone. “There is something going on, but right now isn’t the time to talk about it. It’s late and we have school tomorrow. Plus, if I get caught,” I trail off leaving the rest unsaid.

  “Fine. I’ll let it go for tonight. This conservation is far from over. I expect answers tomorrow.”

  “I know.”

  “Good. I’ll text the other and let them know what’s going on.”

  “T
hank you, Graydon.”

  “Anything for you, Callie bear. Go to bed and try to get some sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  I nod even though he can’t see me. “Goodnight.”

  “Night, baby.”

  I hang up the phone and tiptoe my way back to my bedroom. I quietly close my door and crawl into bed. Pulling the covers up to my neck, huddling on my side. I close my eyes knowing that I’m not getting out explaining what is happening. I start to cry. I hope they don’t think less of me when they find out that my father abuses me. I cry myself to sleep dreading the morning to come.

  Chapter 14

  The Boys- Zeke

  Graydon texted us all late last night. He gave a rundown of what happened and that we were finally going to get some answers from her today. I believe him. There is no way any of us could let this slide. I don’t like the idea of her being in that house with no way for her to reach us in case of an emergency. We all piled into Graydons SUV today. We were all dressed and ready to go faster than normal. I know the guys are as eager as me to finally get answers.

  Now, were sitting out in front of her neighbor’s house waiting for her to come out. After what Graydon said we thought it would be better to sit here. We don’t want to give her father more ammunition. What seems like hours later, even though it was just minutes, Callyn comes out of her house. She glances up and looks around before spotting us. She walks stiff all the way to the car. I hop out of the front and wait for her to take the seat I was just in. She slowly gets in and sits ramrod straight in her seat. I close the door. I hurry and get in the back right behind her. I watch as she moves so slow to put her seat belt on.

  Don’t think I missed the wince on her face from the movement. Graydon must have seen her struggle because he reaches across her to grab the seat belt. When he does Callyn visibly tenses and tries to shrink in on herself. She lets out a whimper. Graydon immediately sits back.

  “Callie bear,” he whispers.

  Ever so slowly she looks up at him. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean…” she trails off and starts to sob uncontrollably. “I…I know… I know you wouldn’t…I’m sorry,” she says between hiccupping sobs.

  “Callie bear, I’m going to touch your face.” She nods. Graydon gently cups her face, using his thumbs to wipe away her tears. “Take a deep breath for me.” She does. “Good. I’m going to put your seat belt on and we’re going to get out of here.”

  “I can’t miss school. They call home.”

  “Shit, she’s right Graydon,” I say.

  “Fine, we’ll go to school, but start talking.”

  “Where do you want me to start,” she says looking out the window. Avoiding looking at us. Looking so defeated. I hate it.

  “Start with what happened last night,” I say quietly.

  The more she explains what happened, the more pissed I’m getting. My throat is starting to hurt from forcing the growls down that want to erupt. I want Graydon to turn the SUV around and head back to her house, so I can beat the shit out of her worthless piece of shit father. My hands are balled into fist. I want to punch something, preferably her father. With my jaw tight, I look to the others. Each of them have the same look on their face. Anger. Hatred. Loathing.

  How could her father lay one hand on her? His own daughter. I would never. I can tell you, I’ll try my best to protect her. I’ll be damned what the Council says, Callyn is my mate. The second I can I’m taking her away from that hell hole.

  Maximus

  I have never felt rage like this. We all knew something was going on, but I don’t think any of us thought it was this bad. Callyn was still talking when we pulled into the school parking lot. We waited out in the SUV for her to finish this story. She goes silent.

  “Angel, is that all that happened?” I ask.

  “Last night yes. Graydon’s number was the first I could remember. So, I asked if he would relay the message to the rest of you.” She reaches to take her seat belt off, but Graydon stops her.

  “I’ll get it,” he says.

  I jump out of the back, and rush over to her door. I open it and help her out. The rest of the guys get out. We start to walk, at Callie’s pace, into the school. Not wanting someone to over hear the private conversation, I start to ask her about her phone instead. Someone breaking their phone is normal. They just wouldn’t know how Callie broke hers.

  “What are you going to do about your phone? Are you going to get a new one?” I question.

  “I don’t know. I don’t when I could get a new one.”

  “Do you have insurance on the phone, they might be able to replace it for you?” Lucian asks.

  “I don’t know. I would have to go to the store and have them look it up. I got that phone right after I got my license.” She looked around. Satisfied no one was listen she continued. “At first my dad didn’t want me to get them, but he realized how beneficial it was, when we ran out of food. I could go grocery shopping. From there it turned into me making sure the bills where paid, because they were constantly getting shut off. He would drink the money away. So, I came up with a way to keep the bills paid. I made a deal that I would make sure the bills got paid and groceries were bought and whatever was left over would go to him, so he could drink.”

  “Are you fucking kidding me,” I say. She shakes her head.

  “I also mentioned children services being called and he readily agreed. His drinking got progressively worse over the years. It turned from just on the weekends, to weekdays too. At this point we’re lucky he functions enough to keep his job.” She shrugs her shoulders like it’s no big deal, wincing in the process.

  The bell rings and no one even went to their lockers.

  “We got five minutes before the tardy bell,” Lucian says. “Hurry. We’ll finish this later.”

  We all scatter, but Callyn. She just turns with her head down and starts to walk in the direction of her first class. My girl, so broken. I rush to my locker and barely make it to my class before the tardy bell. I want to fix this, but I don’t know how. I know there is more to come, and I don’t know if I can take it. What she already has shared has me twisted up inside. I pull my phone out of my pocket and hit the home button. Her smiling face is looking up at me.

  It’s a candid picture of her. She has no idea I took it. My thumb runs over her face before the screen goes black. I put my phone away. I have feelings for her. At first, I was confused by them. I wasn’t sure if I liked her because she is my destined mate or if it was her as a person. The past two months we have grown closer and I realize how much I want to be near her. Hear her voice, see her smile, listen to her talk. I can’t stop thinking about her. It’s fucking hell not being able to tell her. Who is she, regarding us. We still don’t know much about her and there has been no word from the Council since our last meeting. It looks like we may have to show up randomly. It doesn’t look like the council is going to be to forthcoming with information.

  I don’t have the slightest idea what to do to help her. Right now, I want to hug her and never let her go. Not doing anything is going against all my instincts as a shifter. My wolf is riding me hard to protect our mate. I have to figure out a way.

  Lucian

  Callyn was already in her seat by the time Zeke and I got to class. I glance over at her. By looking at her you wouldn’t know anything was wrong. But now, we knew. We all fucking knew and did nothing. Why? Because she wouldn’t tell us. Plus, the Council has forbidden us from doing anything. We need to have another conversation with the council. There is no way that they would stop us from helping Callyn now. Shifters value their mates. If the council knows that our mate is being abused surely, they will let us act. She told us. That has to be prove enough. I’ll take her before the Council so they can see the bruises themselves.

  Now, I’m thinking Graydon was right and we should have pushed. I have no clue what we could have done to help. I feel so useless. I want to see how bad the damage is, but I’m afraid to ask. I
don’t know if I could handle seeing it either.

  Taking a closer look at her, I can see how uncomfortable she is. She has pulled her shirt sleeves over her hands and is twisting them. I reach over slowly and take one of her hands in mine. I give it squeeze. She moves her hand and laces our fingers together and squeezes me back. I pull her hand to my lap and hold it until we have to set up our lab equipment. Both me and Zeke have been trying to be gentle and make Callie aware of all our movements. Seeing her breakdown earlier was enough to last me a lifetime.

  The urge to pull her into my lap and shield her was insane. I’ve never wanted to do that with any girl. I’m looking at her now, and I think it’s the first time I’m really seeing her. The beautiful, smart, sweet, kind, loving, broken girl. She’s strong. She may not think that right now, but she is. I love everything about her. Callie’s hair falls in front of her face and she pushes it back behind her ear. My hand twitches because I want to be the one to do it. Callie looks up at me, probably sensing I’m staring at her like some sort of creeper. She gives me this side smile smirk.

  It hits me like a ton of bricks. I like her. I mean like her, like her. I want to grab her face and kiss the shit out of her. Oh, fuck. What the hell am I going to do? I can’t act on these feelings. Not now. I know the mate bond was the initial reason I started to like Callie. But as the weeks go by, and the more I get to know her, the more human feelings started to develop. I didn’t know how much until now.

  My expression must have changed, because Callie is frowning. I smile at her. Hoping I’m portraying everything is fine, when it clearly isn’t. It must have passed, because she gives me a small smile and returns to working on the questions.

  Zeke looks over Callyn’s shoulder. He meets my eyes, giving me a what’s up look. I just shake my head. It looks like us guys are going to be having a talk as well. Before I know it, chemistry is over. Callie moves to get her bookbag, but I swoop in and grab it before she can.