A/N ; 68 hits for last chapter and only 1 review *starts to sob*……thanks to my faithful reviewer maron771121 for actually telling me her opinion….

Chapter 10 –

Over a week had passed since Zeva had joined their pack. Alec and Max had been taking her to Command with them whilst the kids were at school. And then dropping her off home when they knew someone would be at home. They had hoped she would show signs of an improvement but she was the same as before. They were beginning to lose all hope when something happened which brought about a change in her.

One night, Cade got home late, to find everyone sleeping. It wasn't such a big deal. He always got in late when he went out with his friends. His parents never waited up for him because they always knew where he was and they didn't mind him staying out till late. There was no danger in Deania anyway.

He moved about the house silently because he didn't want to disturb anyone. He knew their instincts wouldn't wake them because he was pack but two of his family members, his Mom and Lima, were light-sleepers if they ever slept in the first place.

Having gotten ready for bed, he was about to get into bed when he got a whiff of the smell of tears. He left his room to go and see who was crying. He checked his sisters first but they were both sleeping soundlessly. He knew the smell hadn't come from his parents' room because they weren't really the type to cry unless a situation was really bad. That left only one other person in the house. He quickly made his way to Zeva's room to check on her.

Cade involuntarily gasped when he got into her room. The smell of her fear and tears was so strong it momentarily left him breathless. He shut the door behind him to keep the smell from getting to the other pack members. As he approached her bed, he could see she wasn't awake. She was dreaming in her sleep. Tears were falling from her eyes and she was tossing her head restlessly as if an invisible force was hurting her.

Cade sat beside her. Not knowing what else to do, he started to try to wake her up. When his hands touched her shoulders, she arched and hissed in pain. 'Zeva, wake up. It's only me. You're safe.' He buried his head in the crook of her neck and nuzzled it. He felt a change in her. Suddenly, she sat up looking startled. He was knocked back by the force of her movement as he had been practically glued to her neck.

For the first time since her world fell apart, Zeva felt herself come out of the white place she was hiding herself in. A place where there was no feeling, no pain and no thought. She felt something on her neck. It felt hot. Just like the lava. No, she wasn't safe. It was still hot. The lava was gonna come get her like it took all the things she loved in the world. She struggled to move away from the heat. It was moving on her neck. She pushed at it, willing it to go away. Finally, she wasn't hot anymore.

He felt embarrassed at the way she was looking at him as if he had all the answers. 'Zeva, you had a bad dream. I came to check on you. Erm…you'll be okay now. Just remember you're home, nothing can hurt you. Okay, I should go now.' He said, awkwardly. He wanted to comfort her by holding her but like hell, was he going to have this whole 'chick-flick moment', as his Uncle Dean liked to call it, with her.

Zeva was okay to retreat back into her safe room. But before she could, she heard a voice. She was sure she had heard this voice before. She followed the voice to find the way, to find the source. She heard the voice and believed what was being said. Then she saw the source of the voice for the first time.

She looked at him with her soulful oceanic orbs for eyes and nodded, looking disappointed. Cade didn't pay attention to the significance of the action at first but his brain quickly processed what had just happened. Had she understood him?

Zeva looked at the boy and didn't feel threatened, instead she felt safe. He was about to leave her. Her fear returned. No, she couldn't go back again. She grabbed his arm in panic. She tried to say something but her throat had a lump in it. She couldn't talk around it. Why couldn't she talk?

Cade was about to get up when she grabbed his arm. He looked at her, trying to figure out what was happening. The needy look in her eyes said it all. 'You want me to stay?' He hesitated before asking. She simply nodded and moved away to make room for him. What the hell? Had she just offered him a place in the bed beside her? It wasn't a big deal to share a bed with your family, in Deania. He had done it a lot of times, at some point in his life, with all his pack members. However, she was different. She wasn't his sister. 'Are you sure you'll be comfortable?' He hoped she changed her mind. He didn't want to sleep with her. The needy look was replaced by a panicked look. He sighed in exhaustion. He felt tired. He was ready to drop-dead anyway so he just gave up and got in the bed beside her. If it was going to make her feel safe, then it wasn't really a bad thing.

An hour passed with Cade trying his best to fall sleep without so much as moving. It was driving him crazy to have her so close yet so far. He watched Zeva as she slept peacefully. She had immediately fallen asleep when she was sure that he wouldn't leave her. For the past few minutes, Cade had the insane urge to spoon himself with her and fill his nose with her scent which thankfully was now her own unique scent rather than the overpowering smell of death which initially had mingled with it. After a number of failed attempts to get to sleep, he finally gave into his urge and pulled her against him in his arms and buried his nose in her neck. She instinctively moved closer to him and he spooned himself with her. The pleasure he felt, just by holding her, made him drowsy and put him to sleep.

The next morning, Max went around the house waking everyone up as usual. She didn't think much of it when she saw her son's bedroom empty. Sometimes, Cade left early for school, before others got up. It wasn't unusual. So, when she went to wake Zeva up and help her get ready, she wasn't expecting to find her son holding the new family member in his arms as they slept in an intimate position.

'Cade!' Max yelled. 'What the hell are you doing?' Max rolled her eyes when Cade tightened his arms around Zeva, subconsciously.

Cade and Zeva stirred simultaneously. Cade nuzzled Zeva's neck and then grudgingly pulled away.

'Mom?' He managed to croak out.

Max followed Cade with her eyes as he got out of Zeva's bed and tried to make a bee-line for the door. 'Erm, not so easy. Cade, why were you sleeping with Zeva? And in just your boxers?' She gritted out. 'Hmm?'

Alec came through the door with a questioning look marring his face. 'Maxie, what are you yelling for?' He then turned to ask his son. 'Cade, what's this about?' He looked at his half-naked son, up and down and glared at him for good measure. He knew Max wouldn't be mad at Cade unless it was a serious issue. Cade was her favourite, her golden mama's boy.

Cade let out a long-suffering sigh and threw his hands in the air in surrender. 'This isn't a big deal. I don't know why Mom's so worked up about it. I only shared the bed with her. It's not like something happened.'

'What? You did what?' Alec fumed. 'Why?' He knew his son was into girls way too much for his young age but he couldn't believe he would take advantage of a defenceless girl, just for kicks. He panicked when he remembered that Cade had helped Zeva in the bath. Had his son took advantage of her, thinking she couldn't tell anyone? Shit, he should've never let Max sway him into believing it was okay. Zeva couldn't even tell them if Cade had indeed done something.

As if reading his father's thoughts, Cade shook his head. 'Dad, relax. I swear I didn't do anything to her. I was sleeping here because she wanted me to stay. I came home late and got ready to go to bed when I smelt intense fear and tears. I checked the girls' room but they were sleep and then I figured it couldn't be either of you so I went to check on her. She was having a bad dream so I woke her up and told her she was with pack and safe. She responded. I was about to leave but she grabbed my arm.' Cade explained in a detached tone. 'She wanted me to stay.' He repeated.

'How do you know?' Max was feeling wary.

'She grabbed my arm. And, I asked her. Don't you guys get it? She can understand. She understood me. She was responding to me using her human side. She's back, I can feel it.' Cade looked over at the dishevelled Zeva who was sat cross-legged on the bed. She gave him a shy smile. He couldn't help himself, he smiled back. He turned back to his parents and saw them glaring at him. He felt himself go red under the scrutiny.

Max moved over to Zeva and tried to test her son's claims. 'Hey, honey. How are you feeling?' Zeva shrugged at her in answer. 'Do you know what happened to you?' The little girl nodded and tears formed in her eyes. Max felt Alec come and sit beside her. She knew he was more experienced in talks like these because he had been through similar experiences.

'Hey, sweetheart. Can I ask you about something, if you don't mind?' Alec took hold of Zeva's hand.

Max wasn't surprised to hear the softness in Alec's tone and to see how he was gently holding the little girl's hand. However, she was amazed by Zeva's reaction. Zeva crawled into Alec's lap and rested her head on his chest.

'Zeva, look at me.' Alec lifted her chin up so he could look into the blue oceanic orbs. 'Zeva, are you out of the white room, the room where you don't feel anything, kid?' She nodded in response, a single stray tear falling out of her eye. Alec's throat constricted. He wiped the tear away and resumed his questioning. 'Do you remember what happened?' Alec's nose filled with the scent of fear as she vigorously shook her head, up and down. 'Thanks, kiddo, for telling me. We are your family now. You don't have to be scared anymore. You're safe with us. I am your Daddy, this is your Mommy and that's Cade.' He finally pointed at the figure still standing in the doorway looking nervous. 'Okay?' Alec smiled at her. Zeva smiled back at him. He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. 'Right, Maxie, what say we send Zeva to school with Cade today? Would you like to go school, Zeva?' She nodded, enthusiastically and scrambled off Alec's lap.

Zeva hugged Max getting into her lap and nuzzled her neck before looking hopefully at her. Max laughed. 'You're already giving me the puppy eyes and pout? Okay, you can go to school. You want help getting ready?' Max heart filled with joy when Zeva gave her an indignant shake of head. 'I'm so happy you're getting back to your old self. Get ready, kiddo. I suggest you run it to the bathroom before Cade, otherwise he won't leave you any hot water.' Max said and saw Zeva jump off her lap. Grabbing her towel, she zoomed out of the room.

Max left the room followed by Alec. Before leaving, Alec playfully punched his son on the shoulder and said. 'Cade, shouldn't you be getting ready for school? What are you still doing here?' He grinned at the mortified look on his son's face.

Alec and Max decided it was best if they both went to enrol Zeva at Cade's school. They dropped Mila and Lima off at Biggs' house so they could go to school with Lyla and Kyla. Then, they walked with Zeva to the high school.

There were three schools in the nation. The first was elementary for under 6yr olds, then the kids moved onto secondary for ages 7 to 13 and finally, the high school which catered to 14 to 16 yr old kids educational and training needs.

Cade practically ran out of the house like a bat out of hell at the realisation that he might need to walk to school with his parents. He loved his parents and everyone knew who they were but he was past the age of walking with them to school. He had already lost a lot of self-esteem when he was caught shopping with a girl by Reul and his gang, he didn't need them adding to the insults. He had a reputation to maintain.

Ryan had called him to give him the heads-up to the situation back at school. Reul and his boys had already told most of the school about the shopping trip in such a short time. Already, everyone was talking about Cade and his shopping spree. Ryan had told Cade to avoid getting in school early and rather arriving on time for their first class. Cade had agreed with Ryan's suggestion and had walked into class just seconds before their biological systems teacher walked in.

Deania's schools operated in a very different way compared to ordinary schools. The high school had three big gym size classrooms. The 14 yr old kids were all in one room, the 15 yr olds in another and the third room had all the 16 yr olds. It didn't matter what you were, you were put in the class which had kids the same age as you. The teachers got rotated around depending on their expertise in a subject every hour. The elementary and secondary school had similar structures and operated in the same way.

Cade got in the chair-desk combo in front of Ryan and relaxed. He was happy to have a friend like Ryan who always had his back. They had always looked out for each other since they were babies. It had helped that their Dads were best friends; which meant they saw each other all the time. They had practically been inseparable from an early age. He didn't know what he'd do without his best friend.

The teacher began her usual boring lecture sending half the class into doing other things to entertain themselves. The students became alive again only when the school's head mistress, Beato, came in and motioned for the biology teacher to stop her lecture.

'Morning, kids. I am sure you are aware we have new children who will be joining us at our schools. Most kids have already been placed in classes but we had one kid who hadn't joined us in our quest for personal development and improvement. Today, I am happy to announce that she is well enough to join you students in your studies.' Beato looked at the door and signalled for someone to come in. Everyone perked up excitedly when they saw Alec walk in followed by Max, and the little shy girl hiding behind Max's legs. 'Boys and girls, this is Zeva. Be nice to her. She doesn't speak but she understands everything.' Beato gave the biology teacher some instructions about Zeva and then left using the excuse of her workload.

Taking turns, Alec and Max hugged and kissed their new daughter and then left after telling Cade to look out for her and to walk her to Cece's after school.

To Cade's horror, the biology teacher, Lari, told the guy sitting in front of him to move so Zeva could sit near him instead. He passed the entire school day literally watching her back. And passing notes to Ryan about how pissed he was at his family and the new family member. After school, Cade and Ryan walked her to Ryan's home and then left to go to Cade's place. He was glad that he at least hadn't had any insults thrown at him by anyone and no one had even acknowledged her presence, instead insisting on pretending she didn't exist.

'You know, Cade, I'm surprised no one made any jokes about your little situation.' Ryan was sat on the kitchen counter drinking a Coke. 'And, everyone pretended Zeva wasn't there.'

'Yeah, I'm surprised too. Maybe, it's just I'm so awesome they wouldn't dare.' Cade said, rummaging through the cupboards to look for all his favourite snacks. Where the hell did his parents hide all those awesome foods? 'Where the fuck do they hide all the food?' He fumed.

'Where did she go at break and lunch time?' Ryan wondered out loud.

'How the fuck am I supposed to know where she went? But don't tell Dad or Mom. They'll kill me. They'll start giving me lectures about protecting my pack.' Cade rolled his eyes. He huffed out, annoyed, when he opened another cupboard full of drinks. Seriously, his Dad's obsession with all types of drinks was scary.

Ryan jumped off the counter and opened a small drawer which was hiding a massive cupboard inside its small exterior. 'Chill, dude. Have I ever told them anything? I was just wondering cause she wasn't in the hall which means she didn't eat lunch.'

'She's probably dieting.' Cade shrugged, avoiding Ryan's stare. He looked in the cupboard and found it was a hidden storage place for all the awesome snacks he loved. 'How did you…' Cade began but was cut off by Ryan grinning stupidly and pointing to his nose.

'Our noses aren't just for nuzzling each others' necks, you know.' Ryan wiggled his eyebrows and winked, knowingly.

Cade felt himself go red. He knew what Ryan was talking about. Zeva had nuzzled his neck when he had dropped her off at Ryan's and instinctively, without thinking, he had returned the favour. He had instantly regretted it when he had seen the devilish smirk on his best friend's face. 'Shut up, bitch.'

'Whatever, jerk.' Ryan came out with his usual reply. 'I don't see your problem in admitting you like her.' Ryan grabbed a packet of crisps and went to sit on a couch in the living room.

Cade was furious. No one told him how he felt, his feelings were his, no one understood them better than him. 'No, I don't. I hate her.'

Ryan smiled mischievously. 'There's a fine line between hate and love. At least, you admit you feel something for her.'

'Damn it, I have a girl as my best friend. You always wanna talk about feelings.' Cade glared at Ryan as he sat beside him. He opened his bag of peanuts and munched on them, trying to take out his anger on them. 'I don't have any feelings for Zeva. I don't care what you think because I know I don't. I hate her. I wish she wasn't here. In fact, I wish she didn't exist.' He didn't know why but he felt like killing himself for saying such harsh things about her.

'Zeva? You were talking about Zeva?' Ryan faked shock. He knew they had been talking about Zeva but he also knew that Cade was tight-lipped when it came to his actual feelings and there was only one way to get the truth out of him. And that was by tricking him. After 15 yrs of perfecting the art, it was now second nature to Ryan.

'Well, weren't you?' Cade had a panicked look on his face. All Ryan could think was, mission accomplished. He knew this was the opening he needed.

'No. I was talking about that 16 yrs old leggy brunette who we haven't fucked yet but were planning on doing, if the mission hadn't come up. I was offering her to you because I thought you really liked her.' Ryan tried to keep a straight and serious face.

'You can have her. I don't want her.' Cade blurted out, uninterested.

'Well, that's obvious now. You've just made yourself quiet clear on who you do want.' Ryan saw Cade looking around as if looking for an exit so he could escape. Well, not so fast, buddy. 'I guess I can see why you like her. She is smokin' hot. Shame, she doesn't talk. I would like to hear that sweet little thing's accent. Europeans are supposed to have sexy accents.' Ryan heard Cade growl angrily low in his throat. Ryan decided to push it. 'But I guess we could work something out. It doesn't matter if she's quiet. Her looks compensate for that. Maybe, it'd be better. It would be a different experience.' Ryan tried to look offended when Cade grabbed his top in a death grip.

'Ryan, she's off limits. She's my pack. Don't you even dare think of her in that way or talk about her like that, ever again.' Cade snarled at him.

'Cade, why are you getting your panties in a bunch? I thought you hated her and wished her non-existence.' Ryan challenged.

'Well, I do. But that doesn't give anyone else the right to talk about her like that.' Cade replied, hotly. He saw red at the thought of any other male being with her. She was his, damn it. Oh man, what was wrong with him? He wasn't supposed to think that. He was going crazy. It was all her fault.

Ryan couldn't hold it in any longer, he burst out laughing. Cade gave him a confused look. 'Dude, you're so easy to crack. I knew you'd get all Alpha male on me if I talked about Zeva like that. You were so jealous. I can't believe you felt threatened. I was talking about Zeva all that time. No leggy brunette. You are so whipped, man. You want her bad. And, you know what's funny? You won't be able to seduce her like you do with other girls. She's different.' Ryan clutched his stomach as he started laughing again.

Cade huffed. 'No, I'm not whipped, damn it.' He murmured, feeling uncertain. No, he wasn't whipped. She was pack. The animal inside him was just protecting what was theirs. But she wasn't his, was she? This was all so confusing. It was all that infuriating blue-eyed female's fault. He was the butt of jokes because of her. Usually, Ryan would be the first to deny Cade would ever have feelings for any girl and today, he was the one who was telling him he was whipped. This was all her fault.