Thank you guys so much for being awesome. This chapter's for you :D
I pulled Lurai down the creaky steps behind me, my hand clasped firmly around hers. Emily was stirring a large bowl of thick, red sauce. There was a vast pot of noodles boiling on the stove. My face lit up. "Spaghetti?" I asked cheerfully, drawing in as much of the scent as I could. Emily leaned the bowl away from me, smiling broadly, before setting it down in front of Sam. "Stir," she commanded, stoking his cheek with the back of her fingers. Sam grinned at her, before taking the wooden spoon from his fiancé's hands and attacking the sauce like it was his job. Emily turned and took a large, metal spoon in her hand and stirred the long, thin noodles, before turning her now concerned eyes on Lurai.
"You okay, hun?" she asked, her dark brows knitting together. Lurai rolled her eyes, but smiled at her cousin all the same. "I'm fine, Em, really," she said.
The screen door crashed open. The first through it was the dark skinned Embry Call, his shaggy hair hanging wavy in his face. He was followed by the slightly shorter Quil; then the light haired Seth and his equally light haired sister Leah; Jared came too, sidling sideways through the door because his broad shoulders barley allowed him purchase; Paul stumped quietly in next, his eyes on the two youngest pack members behind him, Collin, and Brady. Each was dark skinned and had dark eyes, and were unnaturally brawny, even Leah. I felt Lurai tense slightly, still hidden behind me. Embry's eyes were sweeping the room, drinking in everything. He turned to me, his stupid smile playing on his face.
"Where's she at, man?" He guffawed loudly, the rest of the pack howling in agreement behind him. I stepped aside, then, revealing Lurai and all her beautiful glory. Embry's eyebrows disappeared in his hair.
"Well hello-o, there," he said huskily, angling himself forward, and holding out his hand, "My name is Embry Call, my good lady, and it's very nice to finally meet you."
I growled from deep in my throat. Lurai glanced back at me before taking Embry's hand slowly and shaking it. My friend quickly amended, changing his posture so quickly that I thought he might fall over. "Think of me as your big, stupid brother," he said, smiling warmly down at the girl who was at least a full foot smaller than him. Lurai smiled, and said she'd be sure to do so. It was then that Embry stepped back to engage Sam in conversation that shy little Quil stepped up to meet her.
"I'm Quil. It's really nice to finally meet you, welcome to the pack," he muttered, eyes glancing gently to me every once in a while as he spoke. I grinned at him, and tossed a wad of paper towel at his face. Good old Quil, never wanting to over step the boundaries.
Leah came trotting up next, and Lurai looked completely terrified. She flipped her long hair over her shoulder and waited, eyes tense. Leah Clearwater's face was almost always set in a scowl, and I noticed the corners of Emily's mouth turn down in a disapproving frown. It was a well known pack fact that Emily and Leah were second cousins. Sam had been dating Leah when he had imprinted on Emily, and that caused a family turmoil fit for a soap opera. It then struck me that Lurai, Leah, and Seth were kind of related; in a way.
Leah stopped in front of Lurai, her face still ugly. "Hi," she said, her tone dripping with so much venom that it almost stung me. I half rose from my chair in the corner, but a quick glance from Sam quickly found my rump back in the seat.
Leah stood in front of Lurai, staring down at her as if she were a cockroach on the sidewalk. Lurai looked up at Leah with very much the same look on her beautiful face, and I felt a rush of new affection for her. The taller girl stalked away then, taking her place beside Embry, who shied away. Lurai was the only one who hadn't shown fear in the presence of Leah Clearwater; wench of the pack.
Seth Clearwater romped up next, his round face jovial. He took both of Lurai's hands in his and kissed them. "Welcome to the pack, little one," he laughed, patting her on the head. Seth was easily the tallest, now rivaling Sam, who was at a ridiculous six feet nine inches. He had promised us he was done growing, and said the same for Seth, who was at six feet eight. I came at six foot seven. Shaking my head out of my height reverie, I watched as Seth stepped over past his sister and to Embry's other side, punching his pack brother in the arm.
Jared lumbered up next, and Lurai looked rather overwhelmed. I could see how meeting so many new people in one day could wear her out. She'll sleep well tonight, I thought, as Jared greeted her and made room for Collin and Brady, who came together. They each ruffled Lurai's hair playfully, causing her relentless giggles, and shook her hands at the same time. "Glad Jake's finally found someone who's good for him," Collin said teasingly, although he eyed me with wary eyes. I nodded at him minutely, before Brady picked up the rolled up paper towel and chucked it at my face. I caught it before shoving it into the garbage can, a huge grin on my face. I reached over and pulled Lurai into my lap, brushing my lips along her jaw line. I heard Sam clear his throat from across the room, but Emily was all smiles as she poured the huge pot of spaghetti noodles into the strainer suspended over the sink.
Embry leaned over the table, eyes screwed up in concentration as he arm wrestled Jared over the last cookie on a pink, floral glass plate. Jared slammed Embry's fist down hard against the rickety wooden table, making it shake. Sam gave them each a warning swipe to the back of the head, though he was grinning profusely. Jared snatched up the cookie and downed it in one bite, swallowing loudly. Embry rolled his eyes and turned his attention to Lurai again, who was seated comfortably on my lap, her arms around my neck.
"So, little sister," he began, flexing the stiff muscles in his right hand, "how old are you?"
Lurai's face reddened slightly at being called upon while the whole pack was present; or maybe it was the ever so evident fury on Leah's face. But she answered Embry warmly, as a little sister would.
"I just turned seventeen a week ago," she said, running the tips of her fingers down the back of my neck. Her chilly fingers left a trail of ice where they raked my skin. I leaned my head back against the wall. She was doing it again.
Jared turned to her then, picking a chunk of cookie from one of his back teeth. "Favorite color?" he asked, watching as Emily began to pour the noodles and sauce into one, huge blue bowl.
"Um," Lurai pondered for a moment, still stroking my neck. I did my best to suppress a groan. It got harder when she moved to the hollow below my ear. I shook my head quickly and gave her a teasing, accusing look.
"I'd have to say it's red," She finally answered Jared, the fingers of her other hand swirling in my hair. Jared's grin grew wider. "Me too!" He said, and Lurai smiled.
Seth raised his large hand from across the kitchen, eyes bright. "Favorite band?"
"Rise Against," Kim answered immediately, deftly, as if she didn't care what anyone else said. I squeezed her around the waist. She did have good taste in music.
Leah's scoff was loud across the now quiet kitchen. I felt Lurai stiffen in my arms and I tightened them, ready to hold her down if the tiff got out of hand. Emily stopped stirring the sauce and noodles together, her eyes on her cousin and second cousin.
"What?" Lurai asked defensively, her eyes narrowed to slits. Leah waved a hand in the air, a sneer appearing across her teeth. "Nothing, nothing," she chided, then pulling that same hand through her long, brown hair, "I just didn't think your choice would be so…manly."
Lurai's body became as still as a statue. I felt her move to stand up, and she was too quick for my sluggish arms. She was on her feet before I even had time to blink; her legs set, eyes still narrowed. Leah suddenly stood, too, ands he paced closer, towering a good five inches over Lurai. But still, the shorter girl never faltered as her ice blue eyes glared up into Leah's dark ones. When she spoke, her words were barely audible. But I was sure everyone in the room heard them as clearly as I did.
"At least I don't look manly, Lea-uh."
Leah's snarl sounded as if it tore her chest open. Seth and I leapt up at the same time. He took a hold on his sister's elbow, dragging her back to where she sat. "Stop it, Leah," he commanded in his deep voice, light brows knitted together. Leah was still snarling quietly as Seth pushed her down into the old chair. The grin he flashed Lurai was admiring.
Suddenly, Embry and Quil broke out into applause. Jared, Collin and Brady followed soon after, hooting and cheering loudly. Emily even had to work to keep her smile hidden. But Sam's face was serious, stern.
"Enough." Was all he said, and the noise stopped.
Lurai and Leah were still staring daggers at each other, both of their lips curled back. Seth was patting Leah half heartedly on the shoulder, rolling his eyes behind her back. Quil chuckled, and Leah threw herself out of her chair. It hit the china cabinet behind her; the dishes rattled threateningly, and Seth reached back to steady it. She was out the door then, thumping louder than necessary down the stairs and bounding off into the forest. Lurai was still on her feet. I had one of her hands, and was tugging on it like a child, begging her to sit. No one said a word.
And suddenly, Emily burst out laughing. Sam was behind her then, a stern, disapproving look on his face. Emily turned to him and laughed harder. "You can't tell me she didn't deserve that!" she panted when the laughter had abated, and tears streaked down her face. "Guess you're right," Sam said, a tiny hint of a smile on his lips.
I managed to pull Lurai back into my lap and secure my arms around her waist again. Every muscle in her body was tensed, ready to fight if Leah came back and demanded it. I rhythmically rubbed her forearm with my palm, and planted a kiss on the back of her neck. Immediately her muscles loosened and a smile came to her face. Her eyes lost the ferocity and gained back the happiness and contentment they usually had. Embry was laughing quietly and shaking his head as he began to arm wrestle Seth, now for the fun of it.
"We got a tough one on our hands, guys," he said loudly, winking in Lurai's direction.