Chapter 6: The Secret's out

Hellooooo so I went out of the country! To Greece, Turkey, and briefly stopped in the Paris airport. It was a life changing experience and something so amazing and incredible. Word to the wise my friends, never ever give up the opportunity to travel it's one of the greatest gifts you can have. I will never stop traveling and seeing the beautiful world God has created and the beautiful people. You should get out and explore too, it's worth every penny!

Any way mini rant over, sorryyyyy

Let me know what you all hope to see in the story….. BIG BOMB about Jay…. But this is only the beginning, get ready folks. It's getting wild.

Seth's ears perked up slightly as he came within a mile radius of Liv's house. There was laughter, but not from Matty or Livy it was more man like but still soft. "Shut up." The voice spoke. He recognized it instantly, Jay.

He cocked his head to the side. Slightly confused but at the same time amused. Jay had been at Seth's house every single day since he started fixing up his house. All the other pups were running around with friends and such, but Jay has an odd attachment to Seth. And whether Seth knows it or not yet, he has a great attachment to Jay as well.

There's just something so off and mysterious about Jay... Something that intrigues Seth. Yet the boyish charm, the innocence, the soft underlying skepticism of anything nice also Intrigues Seth, after all he's only 13 years old. He's still a child. A child who looks about 15 maybe 16 on a good day, and acts about 20. Accept in these rare moments like today where he sees the kid coming out in Jay. This is why he has a connection with Jay.

It was almost odd. The new wolves were all so young, but Jay probably changed the most. No one really has an explanation for it other than that maybe he hit "puberty" before the others. The others still look like little kids where Jay quickly got the teenage genes almost overnight. He's still oddly puny though especially for a wolf.

As Seth slowly approached he hid back in the woods and watched as Jay and Matty played a light game of football. He could see Liv sitting out in the porch watching them. She was smiling. Something he rarely saw. Jay was good with the kid. Well... Jay is a kid. So they're... Playing?

(Seth's POV)

Jay got the ball and side stepped Matt easily. Matt growled, annoyed. Jay didn't give in though. He could easily beat Matt every time but instead he made it seem like a close race but then never let Matt quite win. Matt was getting annoyed. Jay is acting like a shitty older brother. "Get back over here butt face!"

"Oh butt face? Nice dippity shit head." Jay laughed.

"Ahem." Olivia said, she cocked an eyebrow at the boys and it made butterflies twirl in my stomach.

"Sorry ma'am." Jay mumbled, the most respectful I had ever seen him.

Olivia nodded and went back to looking at her magazine. Meanwhile Jay tackled Matt lightly to the ground, and they wrestled around a second. "Maybe if Seth would stop being freaky and actually get out here he could join." Jay whispered to Matt. Matt's eyes widened and he looked toward the woods, opposite of where I was standing. Jay shook his head and pointed directly at me. So I slowly approached and walked out to them.

Olivia smirked a little but then looked back at her magazine. "Jay? What are you doing here?" I asked, pushing the blush from my cheeks.

"Playing with your kid. He's kinda cool. He thought I was you when I got too close in wolf form and we've been playing ever since. I used to be a QB too... But the kids got nothing on all this." Jay mumbled wiggling his eyebrows and Matt tackled him again to the ground.

I smiled slightly. I never had brothers. I tackled Jay and pulled Matt off him. Matty seemed a little surprised but he recovered quickly and both boys teamed up against me, "Woah! How's this fair!"

"No one said it was fair, dad." I grinned wide at that and I even saw Liv smile slightly before looking uninterested again.

Jay chuckled and got the upper hand. Flipping me on my side. If I really wanted to I could've knocked him out, I easily have 80 pounds or more on him. I decided to let both of them tackle me. It was a little strange but heartwarming also to see Jay so carefree. After all, I spent nearly a month straight every single day with him and I've never seen him this happy.

"Okay okay enough. Dinner will be ready in 10, Seth, Jay, would you like to join us?"

"Absolutely." I answered without a beat.

Jay smirked at me and I took his head into my side in a headlock. He gave a thumbs up to Livy before elbowing me and escaping.

I watched Livy walk away as the boys went back to tossing the ball. Her long sexy legs took long strides and her long hair swished against her back. She wasn't quite strutting. But walking with an air of confidence that suited her well. I glanced back at the boys before following after her. I closed the door on the way in the house.

When I entered the kitchen she was singing to herself, swaying her hips back and forth to the beat. I bit my lip in an attempt not to laugh. She was really into it. When the fist pump started I couldn't help it, I let out a loud laugh then quickly covered it, but it was too late. Olivia flipped her head around and screeched nearly dropping her bowl but I reached out and grabbed it. "You ass!"

I smirked and put the bowl on the counter, "You can't just walk into someone's house and not knock and scare the crap out of them! What is your problem!?" Olivia's arms were going everywhere and her eyes were bugged out of her head.

"I'm not the one yelling."

"You!" Olivia struggled for the right word. "Ugh!" She yelled, slumping against the counter.

I smiled and leaned against the other one. "I figured if I didn't invade you wouldn't let me in? "I mumbled innocently.

Olivia put her hands over her face and rubbed it, "You sound just like your son."

"Or maybe my son sounds like me."

Olivia couldn't help but laugh at that. "Liv, you look exhausted. Sit down I'll cook." I could tell she needed rest. Her eyes have black long circles under them.

Liv looked at me a second almost studying me. I fought hard not to shift from foot to foot under her gaze. "Wouldn't that be like a date or something?"

I looked at her seriously a second. "Would you like for it to be a date?"

Liv cocked her head to the side as if deciding for herself what exactly she thought. "I suppose not. Although I guess we do have to talk sometime." Her voice was lowered and soft and she refused to meet my gaze. "I never thought I would see you again Seth. Matt really likes you."

I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. "I like him too." There was a silence between us. I walked slowly to her. I kneeled down in front of her chair and brought her chin up to meet my gaze. "I missed you so much it was unbearable Livy. You were my best friend. Nothing was the same without you there."

"I missed you too, Seth." Her eyes were watering and she reached out and grabbed my neck. Hugging me. She was hugging me. I held her in my embrace as long as she would allow. When she finally pulled away she was content again but her eyes were glossy.

"So, how about we cook together? Talk a little."

I nodded eagerly and followed her around and did as she asked. I would rather her rest but if she won't I will gladly let her boss me around so we can talk a little. "So what were you up to? All those years with the Cullen's?"

"I finished high school. Traveled around with them exploring the different areas. Nothing much to be honest. It was actually pretty lonely and boring. The Cullen's were nice and all. But vampires don't really know how to be constant company. I hung out with Jake and his family a lot. Saw them go through the process and grow together."

"Did you ever hang out with anyone outside the Cullen's?"

"Nah. Well besides the Denali's. Other than that no."

"So you never dated?"

I turned around and looked at Livy a second. "No. Nothing ever felt right. What about you?"

Livy blushed, "I tried to. Saw a couple different guys but it was almost always awkward. Having a child at such a young age is more baggage than most guys want. Besides I was pretty busy chasing Matty around. I mainly hung out with the Pack and Claire."

I nodded I couldn't help but be relieved by that. "That why you don't surf anymore?"

Livy shrugged, "I guess a lot of me just kind of slipped away. A lot of what I do now focuses on school and Matty. Being a single mom is hard."

"You don't have to be anymore." I whispered. There was a silence between us as water boiled on the stove.

"I suppose I don't." Livy said after a few minutes. She looked up and smiled at me. "Welcome home Seth."

I hadn't smiled like I did in that moment in a very long time. All the rest seemed fake in comparison. I grinned wide and went to her side squeezing her into me. "God I missed you."

Livy giggled and quickly escaped from my side she took a bit out of a carrot then pointed it at me. "Don't think you're off the hook yet. You still have 10 years of best friend crap to make up for."

"Oh I intend to win your heart Olivia." I smirked, lifting one eyebrow.

Livy crossed her arms, "Oh is that right?"

"Yep. And there's nothing you can do about it."

Livy smirked and picked up a potato off the counter before flicking it at me. "What about this?" It hit me square in the nose.

I blinked. Picked up a bigger glob of noodles and flung them right at her. She gasped in shock. "Anything you can do I can do better Baby." I sang

"Nope." Olivia laughed and flung meat sauce at me, right in the hair it goes.

"Oh no you didn't." I mocked a valley girl perfectly.

"Sure did sugar." Livy laughed, with a mock country belle accent.

I laughed and tackled her pulling the food and her to the ground with me. Before I knew what happened we were both covered in noodles. Meat sauce, and potatoes. Livy's laugh echoed off the kitchen walls and mine nearly drown hers out. I hadn't laughed that hard in years.

"Mom?" A voice asked. We both paused. Matty was looking at both of us, his eyes wide. Jay came rushing in behind him and his eyes were dancing with amusement. Matt's eyes soon followed. They were both holding in laughs at the site of us. There was food everywhere.

Matt reached over on the counter and held up a glob of noodles before turning to us with mischievous eyes. "Don't you dare." Livy said. Looking at our soon with wide eyes.

"But mom, you got to play how come I can't?"

"Well... I... Umm." No response.

Matt reared back and I clenched my eyes shut in reflex but when it didn't hit me I heard it come in contact with someone else. Assuming it was Livy I looked down at her in my arms but she was looking at me just as confused. We both looked back at Matt to see him holding his stomach laughing while Jay was scowling, with a huge pile of noodles on him. I couldn't help but bark out a laugh.

"You're going down kid." Jay growled. Matt ran around the corner and Jay quickly caught him, drowning him with the remaining meat sauce. It soon became a huge fight between the four of us.

"Alright alright! Enough!" Olivia finally yelled. We were all dripping with food. We all paused and looked at each other and ourselves.

"There's only one shower. I'm going to order some pizzas then I'm going to get in it. There's a hose and soap I'm going to get. Seth make sure the boys get washed off, then I'll let you use the shower if you want."

I nodded, "its okay. I'll hose off with the boys."

Olivia grinned, "Alright then." She disappeared and reappeared with soap. "And we're ALL going to clean this mess up. So hurry up because I want it clean by the time the pizza gets here. Mama's hungry." Then she waltzed out of the room. I couldn't help but snort. Same old Olivia.

I gathered the boys and we hosed off in the backyard, I lathered them both with soap. Another rare instance where Jay's 13 year old personality shine's through. Boys don't like the idea of anything being clean.

I studied Jay. His mannerisms seemed strange when Matty was clean I sent him in the house, Jay went to follow after him but I caught him by his collar he looked up at my strangely. "You seemed to really enjoy yourself in there."

Jay nodded, "It's cool to see a real family."

"Real family?" I cocked an eyebrow.

Jay's eyes widened and he squirmed under my gaze. He tried to slip inside but I grabbed him again. "We need to talk. We've spent almost every day together for a month. You need to tell me something what the hell is going on Jay?"

Jay looked vulnerable and anxious. He tried to run but I caught him and tackled him. When he tried to escape I pinned him to the ground. "Let me go!"

"No. Not until you tell me what's going on."

"Why do you care!?"

"Because I care about you. Is that so hard to believe?!"

"Well you shouldn't!"

"Why?"

"Because I'm stupid, and no one wants me there not really. The only reason you like me is because I'm a wolf in your pack and you have too."

I scowled and let him go. I made him sit by me. "If I didn't like you, I wouldn't have had you at my house helping me the last month. I wouldn't run after you when you storm off from the rest of the pack because of your anger issues. I wouldn't take you under my wing like I have. I wouldn't think of you like I do my own kid and protect you like I have. And I sure as hell wouldn't be having a food fight with my imprint and son with you if I didn't like you."

"My parents kicked me out. I don't want to talk about why. I don't want to talk about how. I don't even want to talk about who." He said the words almost instantly. I don't know if it was a reflex or because he wanted to say it for so long but didn't know how but something was telling me it was the second guess.

"What?" I asked shocked, that was so not was I expecting. What the hell?

"As soon as I went wolf they kicked me out."

"Wait, how did they know you were a wolf?" There was a sudden pause. "Wait, Jase. Did you tell them?"

Jay shook his head quickly, "No! Jake told me he would kick me out of La push if I did that. It's against tribal law! Even though I didn't even grow up here. I wouldn't do that."

"Then how did they know something was wrong?"

Jay shrugged, "I don't know. My parents were always a little weird. They hid a lot from me. I don't even know what they did for work. They were never home. I basically raised myself." Explains the maturity.

"Wait, so where have you been living?"

Jay avoided my gaze and looked away. "Jase. Where have you been living?"

Again silence.

"JAY!" I snapped.

"A cave." His voice mumbled hesitantly.

"A... What?"

Jay looked at me under his lashes and shrugged. "For god's sake Jase! What the hell! Why didn't you tell me! How did you even keep this from us!? What do you mean a cave? Have you been going to school at least!?"

Jay looked away again.

"Oh you have got to be kidding me. You haven't been going to school either!? You're 13 years old!"

Jay scowled. "I was in a different school before! I didn't even know La push existed. I'm half white I'll be such an outcast there! I don't even know how to speak Quileute. How the fuck am I a wolf again!? I mean come on this is some type of sick joke. It's bullshit Seth!"

His eyes were watering and my heart shattered a bit. Poor kid. "Com'ere." I sighed. And hugged him into my side. His throat constricted and I heard a sob escape his lips.

"Hey its okay, you're fine. You're going to stay with me now alright?"

"But how," sob. Oh god. What have I gotten myself into? I already have one kid I barely know now I'm taking on a new one.

"Shhh buddy. We're wolves. The council will work it out. Are you sure your parents don't want you back though?"

"They," sob. "Told me if I came back they would shoot me with a golden arrow. What the hell does that even," sob, "mean?"

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion. "I have no idea buddy."

I continued to hold him as he cried. When his sobs finally seized he crawled out of my arms. "You alright?"

Jay shrugged. Back to the moody Jay I see. "Did you mean what you said? About me staying with you? I can work. I can do all your chores or clean stuff or something and work for my room. That's what I did with my parents."

I frowned, "No need for that buddy. You're a kid. You should act like one."

Jay looked at me confused. "But I've always had to do that?"

"Not anymore. You're a kid and can act like one. Besides the whole wolf thing. That kind of strips you from your childhood I guess. But Jake and I are going to try and keep you and the others from that. Speaking of Jake we need to talk to him about this."

Jay's eyes widened, "No! He might try to send me back there. I can't go back there Seth!" His eyes were wide and he looked ready to flee at any second.

"Relax kiddo. I won't let anyone take you back there."

"Promise?"

"Yeah I promise."

"Seth?" Jay asked after a second. He was looking up at me with admiration in his eyes. "I've never trusted anyone like I trust you... Just so you know... I... You... Um."

"Love you too kid." I chucked and hugged him to my side. I've barely known him more than a couple months and already he's made such an impression on me.

As we were walking back in the house it hit me that I just signed up to be responsible for a human being that I barely know. And I would already have to betray the kids trust because I have to tell Jake. And then the council will know. I mean what type of parents threaten to kill their own son with an "arrow" what was all that about anyway?

When we came back in Matt was sitting crossed legged on the floor with his pizza. Olivia was dressed in PJ's with no makeup on, and was chowing down on her pizza as well. Livy told Jay to get pizza and he did, then when he went to sit on the couch she laughed and shooed him away. "No way kiddo. You hit the floor. 13 year olds don't eat on my white couch in this house. Seth will be lucky if I allow him the pleasure." Her eyes twinkled and she glanced at me, Jay rolled his eyes but did as she asked.

I wondered briefly if she saw the exchange between Jay and me. When I sat down and the boys were settled however my question was answered. She looked over at me. Her mother hen eyes glistening and mouthed to me. "He okay?"

I shook my head slightly. And mumbled back. "Tell you later."

Livy nodded.

I sat back on the couch, a whole seat away from Livy no matter how much I wanted to simply cuddle her in my arms.

It was in those moments of silence I realized today was the first day I had a completely not dramatic day with Livy ... But then even more drama with Jay.

We almost felt like a little family in the quaint shoebox house. Until the awkward moment of the night where Livy seemed to realize what she was doing and excused herself from the room. She didn't come back out until I was gone. Right when you think something is right it goes wrong.

Worst thing is I didn't even do anything. Jeez Liv. How much longer is it going to take until you start trusting me again? I really miss those days that seem like a fairy tale ago now. Not exactly the fairy tale I would be reading Matt to sleep with a couple hours later. More like a nightmare.

Then there's Jay... What even happened today? How's that going to turn out. A fairy tale or a nightmare one... Will I regret inviting him into our family?

Not possible.

Right?

Eeeeep, review PLSSSSSSSS… I need the encouragement!

Also, have any of you been to Greece?! Or maybe I have some readers from the area... say what that would be crazy. It's truly a gorgeous country!