I own nothing except some original characters I sometimes bring in. Kelley Armstrong owns The Otherworld and all the wonderful information there.
Ch. 2 The Alpha's House
Max POV
I was allowed to fill my plate with whatever food I wanted and I was so hungry, so not used to eating such nice things I wanted it all, but I didn't dare. It had to be a trick or something. Instead I took a roll and some fruit and just one piece of bacon. I hadn't had bacon in so long. I just couldn't resist one piece even if I would be punished for it.
I went back to the table after grabbing water—juice might be pushing it too far—and sat fingering the bills in my pocket. I would have to pay them back for this somehow and I didn't have much but maybe it would be enough if I was careful. I stared at the mounds of food they had on their plate and compared it to mine.
"You call that a meal?" Nick asked. I shrugged and took the bacon, taking little bits of it and sighing with pleasure. It was so much better than I ever remembered. Antonio suddenly got up and left, but I didn't turn my head to see where. I knew when a plate was set down in front of me with more food that I had ever eaten in my life, though. I licked my lips and looked over at him.
"You're not leaving until all of that is gone," he said and started in on his own meal. Nervously I eyed the food. I wanted it so badly but all this food cost so much. I fingered the money again in my pocket and finally took it out, shoving it across the table to Elena now. I knew she was the one in charge here.
"What's this for?" she asked, not touching it. I went crimson and looked at the floor, at my plate, at the table and anywhere but at her.
"I...it must cost a lot...I should pay...I need to earn my keep," I finally got out whisper quiet. If my parents had drilled anything into my head all my life, it was earning my keep. I heard a soft growl off to my left and jumped a bit, pushing back in my seat.
"You didn't have any money on you when we found you. Where did you get this?" Antonio asked suspicious. I whimpered slightly and tried to reply, but my mouth was so dry I couldn't. Seeing the fear in my eyes and with a touch from Elena, he calmed down a bit.
"First of all, hun, you don't need to give us money," hun? "...and second of all, we won't tolerate stealing of any kind. That's how you got the money, right?" she asked and I nodded. Maybe she had lived this kind of life at some point in time too because I saw a bit of understanding in her eyes.
"But not from you guys, from some human down the hall. He looked rich anyway. I only did it so I could pay you back," I protested, but she shook her head. If she understood she definitely did not agree.
"The thought was nice, but you will never steal again and you will bring the money back to the human you stole it from and apologize," she ordered. I gulped. She wanted me to apologize to a human? I wasn't sure if I could do that.
"Eat up and then I'll take you upstairs," Antonio ordered. I looked over at him. He still look a little annoyed. I gulped but obediently dug into my food. "Go slowly, you'll make yourself sick," he said eventually when he had noticed me again and saw how fast I was eating. I nodded to this and tried to slow down but I couldn't. I had never been this full in so long. It felt so good to be full.
Once I was done eating, Antonio was as good as his word and he took me upstairs and made me show him the room where the human was staying. I was beyond confused at this point. Was I a prisoner or a kid to them? They seemed to think both and had no idea how to treat me. I had no idea how to act around them either. No one had ever been this nice to me without wanting something. Oh. There it was. They wanted something from me, but what did they want?
I knew what most people wanted from me, but last night, hell, in all the time I had been with them, no one made a move to hurt me in any way. The man walking behind me didn't even put a hand on my shoulder without letting me see what he was doing. I was free to back away or accept. He seemed hurt when I didn't accept for some reason which I didn't understand. Why did he even care about me when he thought I was a man eating mutt? None of this made the slightest bit of sense.
"This is it?" Antonio asked when I stopped outside a door. I nodded. He reached around me and knocked. I tensed, but he didn't do anything more than that. We heard rustling inside and finally the man opened the door. "Hello, sorry to bother you, but I'm Antonio Sorrentino and my son here, Max, seems to have taken something belonging to you," Antonio said. I tensed when he said I was his son. Something I wouldn't mind. That is being some nice guy's son, but it would never happen.
Antonio cleared his throat and I held out the money. "Sorry," I said quietly. The man eyed me and snatched the money back, crossing his arms and glaring. He looked at me as if I was a piece of garbage under his shoe and I felt like it too.
"You should learn to discipline your kid more. He's obviously just a sorry little shit for brains snob who thinks he can get away with anything. Good for nothing," he hissed and slammed the door so fast I backed up into Antonio. Instant tears sprang to my eyes. I was only trying to pay the pack back.
"Stupid moron," Antonio muttered. I didn't answer but turned and headed back to our room. I opened the door and stepped towards the washroom, trying to banish my tears, but I couldn't. They were not only tears of shame but of fear, uncertainty and stress. Nick stepped from the bathroom and I slipped past him quickly and went in, locking the door. I slid against it and pulled my knees against my chest, sobbing. I hadn't felt so worthless in such a long time. I was tough, I had to be, but suddenly having someone be kind to me was breaking me down. It was breaking down all the walls I had built because I wanted it so badly. I wanted kindness and acceptance so much it hurt. I wanted it so badly I hadn't even tried to escape yet, clinging to the hope that maybe this was it, maybe I could have the life I wanted. I am not sure I deserved it but I wanted it.
"What happened" Nick asked as I shook and cried. God, I felt like such a little baby. I was such a child just sitting there, crying and not being tough and strong like I was raised to be. What was wrong with me? No. I couldn't do this. I could not get as attached as I felt myself becoming to these people. I could not get hurt again. With determination I stood and went to the sink, splashing cold water on my face and ignoring the knock at the door.
Soon I would be gone from here and from them and their niceness or feigned niceness would only be a pleasant memory. When would I learn? Apparently my father was right. It took a good strong beating to get anything into my head. Another knock came at the door just as I unlocked it and strode out and bumped into Nick who had been knocking.
I easily steered around him, though, and found Antonio at the balcony door now looking out. Instead of looking at him, I sat on the bed and pushed myself back against the pillows. "Max, I'm sorry that man said those things to you. If I had known I would not have made you go over there. He's just a stupid loud mouthed coward, too scared to even face us head on when he insulted you," Antonio said, turning to me and walking to the bed. He sat on the edge and reached for my leg, but I jerked back, pulling them to my chest and wrapping my arms around them.
"Doesn't matter, when am I allowed to go?" I asked next. I was not prepared for the hurt that burst through the man's eyes, but he covered it very quickly. I looked at the bed spread instead, fingering it. What, did they expect to keep me like a freaking pet or something? No way. I'd rather be out in the real world and on my own than to be treated like...treated like what exactly? They hadn't beat me or forced me do much more than apologize to some human. They hadn't called me names or made me feel stupid, but I didn't trust it. I didn't trust that eventually they would start doing this. They would see how rotten I was and start.
"The Alpha wants to see you and then he will decide," Antonio told me. I nodded to this. Fine then, just fine. I would see the man and then hopefully he would allow me to leave.
"Good," I answered and looked towards the window now. I could tell he knew I was pushing him away, but I am not sure if he honestly cared or not. Judging by look in his eye he did care, but I had to pretend I didn't. To get through this I had to pretend the pack and this man were beneath my notice.
By that afternoon we were on the road again. Antonio and Nick had offered to bring me in their car, but Clay hesitated and Elena had to agree. Once they were out of sight and Elena was busy packing, Clay grabbed my shoulder and squeezed, reminding me of my place. "Don't make me regret this," he reminded but in a softer tone than before. It surprised me. I nodded as he turned me back around and pushed me to sit down on the clothes drying rack which was really just a small bench seat. I sat and looked at the carpet. Well, at least they weren't giving me food and compliments, making me feel bad for being cold towards them. That would only make detaching myself from them a lot harder.
I sat waiting until Elena pulled me up by the arm and guided me to the door and down the hallway. I heard Clay behind us carrying the bags and finally paying at the counter. I kept my eyes on my feet and got into the car when Elena opened the door. She waited for me to buckle and then shut the door, locking it. When Clay came, they had a split second conservation before they both got in. Clay drove and Elena sat in the passenger seat.
The drive was mostly silent and I let myself zone out. They had already asked me all the questions they were going to for now. They knew my name and beyond that it seemed sufficient. Their research would tell them my age and anything else they needed to know most likely.
I slumped on the seat and drifted in and out while they drove. I only woke when I felt someone shaking me. I immediately flinched away and jumped scared. I looked up to see Elena shaking my arm and trying to wake me Clay, who was standing behind her, rolled his eyes and grabbed my arm hauling me up and out. He did not caring if I was awake or asleep. I briefly wondered if he was this gruff with everyone or just mutts. He seemed little more on edge, a little meaner now that we seemed to be at someone's home.
"Come on," he said pushing me ahead of him. I almost stumbled but then caught myself as we walked. I looking up at the huge stone home and I was suddenly scared, I was sure I was meeting the Alpha. Clay guided me up the stairs and Elena opened the door. We walked inside and past Antonio and Nick. Antonio gave Clay a look and Nick tried to smile at me, but I looked away from both of men. Don't get attached, Max, remember that.
I was marched past them and into the study before I could see any more identifying features. Clay left me when we were past the threshold. I did not get the chance to get a look at this Alpha. I saw his feet moving towards me, leather loafers, and kept my eyes on the hardwood floor. When he was too close, when I felt his presence and power I stepped back and tripped falling to my knees and catching myself. My face reddened at the stupidity and I chastised myself. He crouched suddenly right in front of me but I kept my eyes downcast. It was never good to challenge the Alpha upon meeting him, especially when he decided your fate. In a lightning quick move he suddenly took my jaw in his hand and forced my head up. For a fleeting second I looked into eyes and then looked down establishing my submission to his authority right away.
"What's your name?" he asked softly. His voice was much softer than I anticipated but with much more authority. I hadn't heard that much power in a voice since I had lived with my father. It made me shiver just to think about it. I suddenly wondered why he was asking because I was sure he already knew.
"Max Logan, sir," I answered. I adding the sir in for good measure and hoped it would help my case. I didn't have much going for me right now but I had politeness and respect. It had been beaten into me, literally, since early childhood.
"Have you had your first change yet?" he asked next. This surprised me as a next question he would ask. Why did he want to know about my changing cycles? Didn't he want to know if I was a man eater?
"No, sir, I'm only sixteen," I answered, lied. He said nothing to this. I thought about telling him I had been itching and having pains lately. I had wondering if this meant the change was coming soon but thought better of it. If he was going to have me killed what would the point be?
"Look at me," he commanded after a few more seconds of silence. I met his gaze immediately looked into his dark eyes. I noticed a slight slant that might suggest Asian heritage. I also saw the Alpha wolf in the background full of authority and wisdom.
"Did you have anything to do with the man-eating or mutt killing?" he asked suddenly. This question didn't surprise me at all. It actually made me relax a bit now that we were back on the topic. It was a precarious topic to be sure though.
"No," I told him. I looked sincerely into his eyes and conveyed the truth I hoped. I had heard a good Alpha can always tell when someone is lying. Here's hoping this was true.
"Why was your scent there?" he asked next along the same lines as Elena's questions. I knew now he was trying to slip me up with telling one version to him and one to her in case I was lying. It was an easy to spot tactic and an easy trap to fall into.
I recited my story, the same one I told Clay, Elena, Antonio and Nick and told him I had nothing to do with it. He kept my gaze for a few moments before I looked away again submissive wondering if this is what he wanted. I wondered if he would give the order to end my life now. I felt a slight panic rise in me but I squished it down again. I had to keep my head here.
"You seem sincere enough. I will give you a second chance Max but if I find out you are lying we will speak again and there will be consequences," he said in a harder voice. I gulped and nodded forgetting he had my jaw which made the move awkward and impossible. He let me go suddenly and I looked up again as he spoke to me.
"One last question, how old are you?" he asked. I opened my mouth to tell him once again.
"Sixteen…," I maintained and looked up, big mistake. I looked away and answered once more in a whisper. "Fourteen, I just turned fourteen," I admitted. Clay swore in the background as if knowing I was younger than he suspected made his treatment of me worse.
"You are not to be left alone with anyone younger then yourself; an older pack member will be with you at all times. You will do as you're told, when you're told by whom you're told. If you stay under the pack protection you will contribute to the pack in any way I deem necessary, including running errands, training, studying and anything anyone wants you to do. You are a pack guest because you are a pup still and because I do not think you were directly involved," he stated. I nodded totally believing him as he gestured for Clay to pull me up.
I was suddenly so confused. Why wasn't he sending me away? I had been sure he would send me away once he confirmed I wasn't a threat to him. Why would he bother being nice to me? Maybe Antonio had told him something and he was keeping me around because of that? I wasn't sure but I was sure as hell confused.
On my feet now I saw him looking down on me, my small five feet frame not cutting it with his 6'1 stature. "When is that last time you ate?" the Alpha asked regarding my frame. I blushed; it wasn't always easy stealing food when you wanted to stay in the same town for more than a few days. The pack had fed me the few days I had been with them, though.
"At the hotel with the pack," I answered truthfully.
"And before that?" he asked, watching me as I rubbed my wrists absently anxious. I considered lying for a moment, but it's not like it was not obvious. I was definitely someone who ate very little even at the best of times.
"A few days before the pack...found me," I said telling the truth. The last time I ate, before the pack, was when I stole from the supermarket down the road and a vigilant employee caught me almost yanking me off my feet when he grabbed my coat sleeve. I hadn't gone back and I hadn't chanced anymore run-ins.
"While you're here you will take care of yourself," he ordered me. I found this odd but didn't question it. He was the Alpha and if he was asking me to do little more then take care of myself I was lucky. Damned lucky.
"Yes sir," I answered. I let my hands fall to my sides. Absently I grabbed one finger with my other hand and began picking away skin around the edge of my cuticle, a stress relief I was never aware of until the pain made me aware.
"Elena, would you take him to the dining room?" the Alpha asked softly. Elena nodded and took my arm gently this time like leading a kid. I supposed to the pack I was a kid but now that she knew I was sticking around she didn't seem to want to treat me like a recalcitrant mutt. This was a relief.
"Can I...am I allowed to ask a question?" I asked as she started to pull me away from the room. She stopped and looked back at the man who turned to regard me with his deep dark eyes.
"Of course," he answered giving me permission now. I knew I would have to wait for permission here for even the most trivial things. It was the werewolf hierarchy. It would be frustrating as hell, but as always I would do everything I could to survive.
"What's your ah, name...ah sir," I asked. I knew I should know this but I could only remember Elena and Clay's names because they were so famous in the werewolf world. Of course I remembered Antonio and Nick's names too, but only because I was with them for a while and I was on alert when I was with them. For the most part the Alpha kept out of sight and therefore out of mind which is the way the pack liked it.
"Jeremy," he answered simply and then turned back towards his desk. I nodded at this and let myself be led away by Elena out of the study. I took the opportunity to look around a bit at the house. The house was even bigger than it looked from the outside, like the Tardis. An old wooden staircase wound to the top floor and the same hardwood floor that was in the study was in the hallways and foyer here. A small wooden table pushed against the white wall on the opposite side of the staircase held an old looking vase and lots of unopened mail as well as a few sets of keys. We proceeded down the hallway and I gazed curiously at the pictures. Most were of two blonde haired kids but I also saw a few of the pack members I had met already.
The second door down the hallway led into the dining room. We walked in and the first thing I saw was Nick and Antonio standing there and talking around the dining table that was filled with delicious smelling food. My stomach grumbled and my mouth watered at the sight but I kept silent and still. I looked away from them and around the room. The long table was set up in here for at least twelve. It sat on top of an old looking oriental rug. A bench stood on one of the walls and a dark wooden hutch, filled with china and taking up almost a wall, stood on the opposite side. There were two painting of wolves, one in play and one in sleep on opposite walls.
"Max, you remember Nick and Antonio" Elena said. She let my arm go then. She must have known it was safe for me to be left with them. They were both much stronger and more experienced than me and I wasn't stupid enough to do anything in their presence.
"Mom," two little voices called before anyone said anything else. They startled me and I jumped a bit. I looked over to see two little kids no more than four or so years old run to Elena with huge grins plastered on their faces. She bent and picked them up hugging them and smiling. She seemed to transform into a totally different person. The girl kept in her embrace for a bit longer than the boy who wiggled out and stepped back still smiling.
"It's about time," the girl snorted as Elena set her on her feet. She had to be Elena and Clay's, she looked so much like them and the boy too. The girl seemed more like Clay when she crossed her arms and glared though.
"Shut up Kate, mom and dad have to work," the boy chastised in the tone and manner more befitting of an older child and not a little boy. He stood straight with authority in his eyes and nodded to Elena as if in an adult conspiracy.
"Don't tell me to shut up, Lo," Kate growled. The boy rolled his eyes and looked at his mother as if to say look what I have to deal with.
"Max, welcome to the pack's protection," Antonio said now pulling my attention back to them. They were the threats I needed to keep an eye on now. They may have been nice to me before, but I had to be careful. I nodded not quite sure if I felt the welcome yet and not sure if being welcomed by the pack was the best thing right now. It beat being killed by the pack though I supposed.
"Thank you, sir," I said politely. I was trying to establish that I knew I was younger and I knew Antonio needed respect. It was best to play it safe for now. Nick suddenly laughed a booming laugh startling me again. A wide grin spread his face naturally lighting up his brown eyes. I blushed from being so jumpy but no one commented on it.
"He isn't sir, Max," Nick explained. He looked as if he was about to thump me on the back. I flinched and tensed, he stopped with his hand in the air. Finally he dropped it. His smile only left his face for a moment before it returned a bit more awkward this time but still amenable.
"Antonio is perfectly fine, just like before," Antonio said. He took up the same smile as his son. For a second I warmed and remembered how nice it felt when they were being so kind to me. Instantly I banished the thought, though. Be careful, Max. Please just be careful.
"Yes s...Antonio," I said. I stopped myself just in time from doing what he told me not to. Looking past the men I caught site of two younger guys entering the room. One had blonde hair and was a bit older looking like a surfer and the other a bit smaller and younger with dark hair and eyes. They caught site of me and looking surprised and curious they both headed over.
"Max, this is Reese and Noah," Nick introduced. Reese smiled at me and held out a hand. I looked down as I was bringing my hand to his and noticed he had two half fingers missing but I shook his hand anyway without comment. As soon as the shake was done he stuck that hand in a pocket seeming to be ashamed of it. Noah regarded me for a moment before nodding to me and smiling a bit. His dark eyes were a little suspicious of me, though, and I couldn't blame him, I was suspicious of him and the whole pack.
"Max is under pack protection for a bit," Nick told them. He didn't elaborate as to why or how, they both nodded looking me over for a moment before speaking. I looked away embarrassed. I hated being scrutinized.
"Cool, be nice to have another young guy around," Reese said. I looked at him oddly for a moment before I registered he wasn't talking funny he just had an accent, as Australian accent by the sounds of it. He looked me over then with his wolf's eyes and I shied away, giving him instant submission. I wasn't sure if this is what he wanted, but as an older member this is what I was supposed to do. When I looked up again, he was studying me with his arms crossed but he said nothing.
"He is closer to Noah's age," Elena called. I looked over at her and saw the kids on the floor in a full out rumble match. She pulled them apart and shook her head. Finally, with Kate crossing her arms and Logan looking smug they stared at me. I liked kids though these two seemed like a bit more than kids.
"Fourteen," I said. I turned back to the guys now. I hoped one of them was somewhat close to my age. I had never really had a chance to hang out with anyone my age before so it might be good or at least interesting. I wasn't sure Reese liked me, but Noah seemed to.
"Eighteen," Noah told me now which pleased me. If we got along it would be nice to have him around. I nodded to Noah's answer just as Logan and especially Kate exploded with questions about who I was and why I was here. Logan walked around me in a wide circle examining me while Kate cocked her head standing a bit further back and observed me like a wolf. Elena explained just as Jeremy and a beautiful red haired woman came into the room arm in arm. I stood rigid and waited for my next order from the Alpha of the pack.
"Let's eat," Jeremy called; everyone took their places as Clay walked into the room. The kids, I assumed twins raced to him now. Kate willing threw her arms around his neck while Logan accepted a little hair tussling. They both tried to speak over one another until Jeremy shushed them and told them to find their seats. I watched Clay closely, he had smiled at the children and seemed to indulge them. It was hard for me to see Clay the cold hearted killer and Clay the father as the same man.
I stood where Elena and the rest of the pack had left me waited to be told what to do before I made a move just in case. There must have been places everyone was assigned to sit at and I didn't want to mess with the hierarchy of the Alpha's house. Hierarchy is something every werewolf's brain is hard wired to understand and no werewolf benefits from messing with this whether mutt or pack.
I saw Reese and Noah take their places easily with ready smiles coming to their faces. They instantly grabbed for food and for a second I was jealous, but I shook it off. I wanted to be as privileged as they were but I couldn't help that. As if he felt my eyes on him Reese turned and watched me for a moment. Was it my imagination that the bigger wolf didn't like me? I wasn't sure. I looked away from his gaze again which wasn't really unfriendly or anything. His wolf was very dominant right now though and seemed to be telling mine to be careful.
"Max," Elena said seeing me standing there awkwardly. She gestured to a seat near the end of the table and between Noah and Reese. I nodded at her command and strode across the room. I sat where she indicated immediately. This seemed an appropriate place, between a strong pack member and a younger generation pack member who status was likely high above mine but still not high in the pack yet.
"Max, have you met everyone yet?" Elena asked. She started to pass around dishes as she spoke filled with potatoes, chicken, veggies and fruit. The pack members started swiping from them as soon as they got close enough. The best way to live to the full benefit of werewolf powers was to eat as healthy as possible and exercise as much as possible much like a human would to get the most benefit out of their lives.
"Not everyone," I answered politely. I immediately looked around the table again but looked away studying the hard wood pattern when I saw Clay studying me along with the twins. It might have been my imagination but it seemed his look held a warning that said don't you dare make a move. I was not planning on it. To do something with this many werewolves around would be suicide.
"Well, the kids are Logan and Kate, they're five, and Jeremy's girlfriend is Jaime," Elena introduced now. I looked at the kids I had just learned were twins but they weren't paying attention to me anymore having already caught onto the werewolf law of eating: eat what you have and eat fast or lose it. I swept my gaze from them to the beautiful red head Jaime.
"Nice to meet you, Ma'am," I said softly. I dropped my gaze as soon as her eyes met mine. She was the Alpha's mate and therefore she had a high status in the pack. I needed to make a good impression on her by not challenging her.
"How well your parents must have taught you," she said. I chanced a glance up to see her smiling. If only she knew what my parents had taught me, it came nowhere close to manners and politeness, not by a long shot. No, that was something I had picked up after my father left and I found it easier to be a polite sweet young man to get what I wanted instead of the werewolf soldier fighter. He trained me from three to twelve and then he moved on leaving me behind but his lessons stayed imbedded in my head. "It's Jaime sweetie," she smiled. I nodded making sure to acknowledge her and her status as the Alpha's mate each time she took the time to speak to me or look at me.
I looked away from her sweeping my gaze across the table again and noticed he was watching me. I hoped I was doing what he wanted; I could hold his piercing gaze long and turned my head quickly hoping he would see I did not want a confrontation or to challenge him. I suddenly wondered how anyone ever had a conversation with him if no one could ever look at him for long periods of time.
"Alright," I answered. My plate now full. I had been concentrating so hard on my actions I didn't notice someone had already filled it with food because of the dishes Elena was passing around. I didn't touch it, though; I was starving at that point. I knew I had to wait for the Alpha to start out of respect and pack law. Jeremy in turn waited for Jaime to start and I then waited for all the older pack members to start before I began observing the correct manners for a werewolf household.
I ate what was provided, didn't ask for more and only answered direct questions. I had plenty of my own questions but I wasn't comfortable with asking them just in case that was considered stepping out of line or the answers to my questions were considered none of my business.
"There plenty if you want more hun," Jaime suddenly said. She was directly behind me, I had been so lost in thought I had neglected to notice her there. I jumped a bit angry with myself that I had not been tracking everyone's positions at all times. I kept my instant attack reaction under control by clutching the sides of my chair tightly. My eyes instantly zoomed to Jeremy to see if he had noticed. He wasn't paying the slightest bit of attention, maybe on purpose or maybe not.
"Yes, please and thank you," I answered her. I let go of the poor dining room chair which was about to get crushed under my fingers. She placed a bowl of potatoes, veggies and chicken in front of me and I politely filled my plate again and was thankful my stomach was filled for the first time in a long time. I ate slowly savouring the food this time and enjoying the wonderful treat.
"You promised we could have some ice cream after dinner," Kate suddenly called startling me again. I waited for my heart to stop beating hard before I focused on the table again and on the little girl. She baffled me; usually werewolves bore male children and if they didn't they left the female children to be raised by humans. A female child of a werewolf was essentially a human. Here they had two children, a boy and a girl, I wondered if this was the modern day way for a pack to do it. Bear children and you must keep whatever you got, it was interesting to think about.
"You did, at 3:08 PM," Logan said and dug out a note pad. He looked at it, nodded and then looked at Jeremy. I noticed that most of the pack gazed at them with fond smiles and indulgence. I looked up to make sure Jeremy was too. He was watching them with a contented expression. A twitch of his lips suggested an emotion I am assuming was a smile. I decided I would watch him when I could because he definitely was not a man who wore his emotions on his sleeve but in his eyes and his small gestures. I needed to learn everything I could about the man.
"I'll get it," Clay announced and smiled; this was still an odd side of him to see. I guess it is always odd to see anyone who you have heard a lot of bad things about being the opposite. It erased the picture you had of them in your mind. In this role he seemed like just another man doting on his children and not the ruthless pack enforcer out for blood that everyone outside the pack knew.
I looked down at the bowl of ice cream being passed my way by Noah but declined it with a polite "no thank you". Everyone has their weirdness, I not only don't like ice cream but I'm also lactose tolerant too. If you want to torture your children please make sure they are born being lactose tolerant, there really is no other way to do it. My declination was thankfully not noticed by the pack who ate and talked. I stayed mostly silent watching them and gauging their strengths and weaknesses. Some were obvious such as Antonio's strength, Noah's unpretentious nature and Reese's confidence but others I only caught glimpses of such as Elena's feral side, Nick's intelligence and Clay's flexibility.
"Clear your plates please," Elena told the children breaking into my reverie. I looked around now seeing everyone getting up and taking their dishes plus an extra item on the table to a room beyond the dining room. I got up and picked up my plate doing the same thing as them and picking up the empty potato dish as I walked by it.
The room beyond the dining room turned out to be the kitchen, a modest size with modern stainless steel features. I handed my dirty dishes to Jaime who thanked me and proceeded to put the plate, utensils and glass into a big dishwasher and the potato bowl into the soapy sink where Noah and Antonio stood washing and drying dishes.
"Thank you, Jaime, it was excellent," I said. I wanted to make sure to compliment her especially in the Alpha's presence. She beamed at me making her eyes light up and making her even more beautiful before going back to what she doing. I backed up now making sure not to bump into anyone and that my back was against a flat surface. In this case the fridge was my protection. Her smile was nice and warm and inviting, but I had to remember not to get close to anyone here. They were not my friends. I was in the enemies' camp after all.
I looked back to see Jeremy walk up behind her and for a split second he just looked at her, his lip twitching and his eyes sparkling. He was engrossed with her which showed when he interrupted her dish stacking to hug her from behind and whisper something in her ear. I quickly wondered how long they had been together and added it to my list of growing questions. I was also surprised he was being so emotional around me, an un-trusted mutt who just entered his house. I had heard pack Alphas were fierce and stone cold un-emotional but I had heard the info from my father so it probably was not the most reliable.
As I watched, another thought struck me, when was the last time I had seen someone be so gentle with a lover? On commercials in the TV stores I browsed in when I was cold and bored or in magazines I stole from stores maybe, but never in real life. In real life there was no such thing as real love, was there?