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*Disclaimer* I don't own Darkest Powers. But I can't wait to finally get the book, I'm picking it up this weekend and am sooo stoked :D
~Chapter 26: His Father ~
DPOV
The scents all around me were being mixed about by the cool breeze filing in from the open bathroom window, the knowledge that I am not the only werewolf in this house, and not to mention this whole town lingered at the tip of my nose. I stood at the mirror towel drying my hair and staring intensively at the thoughts that lied far beyond the appearance of it. I felt so tense smelling all these territorial pheromones that came with living with three other young werewolves, I could even tell which of the toothbrushes belonged to whom.
I felt my fangs again, no matter how much I recognized they were there it still was a surprise to find them every single time, it was like I couldn't believe it... no_ like I couldn't accept it. Although I was the youngest of the boys, I was the only one of them that underwent my first complete change, I could tell just by their look and smell. They gave off the scent of youth and vulnerability, but maturing... while I_ smelt of a grown wolf eager for territory... and a fight. No matter how much I really did not want to, my scent presented me as a dangerous enemy, and I could see it in all the people I shook hands with, they could sense my threatening pheramonal appearance as plain as day.
My nose was a lot more sensitive lately, picking up the minutest and meaningless scent it came in contact with, and it was starting to get annoying. Then all of a sudden it would lock onto the scent of a rich delicate nameless something that only my nose could decipher as Chloe, then my heart would jolt, and my senses burst. When that happened it was hard to keep my composer as the other part of my being would howl as sensations of nervousness rocked me.
I placed on a new pair of dress clothes supplied to me from the eldest of the group Ethan, and could smell his scent like a smack in the face as I patted the shirt flat to my stomach. I didn't really understand the reason for all these pointless introductions, although it did intrigue me to know that my honest-to-god hereditary father was living just a ten minute drive from here, so close yet so far away. Just like those eyes so similar to mine that hung only inches away from me at our first meeting, when I was accepted.
I struggled into the pants, realising that even most werewolves did not have my large bone structure as I sucked in what little gut I had and squeezed my hip bones as best I could into his pair of 36's. It really sucked that I never had the chance to buy my size clothes with Chloe's money when I had the chance a while back; I wore the same thing for a week while on the run. It didn't matter that my clothes appeared baggy back at Lyle house; they did fit me in the shoulders and waist, and back then I was still maturing fast, too fast, I had to have them big to in order to still have room to grow just in case. And even now, I could still tell I was growing, when I was back at the safe house I could at least fit into Liam's 34's. Would I ever stop at some point... jeez?
Then my mind turned to the alpha, his tall thick powerful stature and piercing angry eyes, would this be what I become? I looked over to my reflection and remembered that man from when I was in shock, how similar he was to the alpha, I blinked back this thought and focused on the mirror, I didn't really have that far to go now did I?
~*~
As I sat in the living room starring off into my thoughts Simon came up and asked me to go check on the girls, when I asked what for he just told me that if we were to leave in a half hour that we should try to hurry them up or we won't get out of here for another three. I got myself up and made my way to the stairs, what was Simon plotting with that innocent face of his beaming at me?
CPOV
I was sitting up on Tori's bed, she insisted to make me up before we left, and to shut her up I accepted. I didn't really mind, if anything it could possibly help with the alpha's impressions of me a little from last time ...possibly, I'm not saying that it will though, I could only hope.
Tori was all over me, doing one thing to my hair, and something to my eyes the next, always snapping at me to stop squirming and quit whimpering. But I couldn't help it; I wasn't used to all this attention to my body and fussing over small details. Then she pulled my clothes from my back pack and started getting me to try stuff on.
After about halfway through the third change, I gave up and picked up a dull old t-shirt and my favourite jeans.
"There, I'm dressed, we done this now?" she shook her head in shock.
"What! You are going somewhere looking like that?" I grumbled my annoyance to myself and stuck out my head to look up at her directly.
"This is fine okay? It's not like we are meeting the president and besides, he will have most of his attention on Derek so who cares what the rest of us wear?" She turned away and huffed.
"I'm just trying to help you look more feminine, you and I both know your short and curve-less and lacking..." she started making half-moons in the air near her chest. I could feel my face heating.
"I know I am not the most pubescent chick my age alright! I get that!"
"I am just trying to help you."
"This," I said waving my hands to my body. "Can't be helped," then I grabbed my clothes and headed to the door.
"No just one more, I promise this time I'll get it right!" I had my hand on the knob and turning it open when suddenly Tori came up to me and pulled up the front hem of my shirt.
~*~
"D_ Derek!" I heard being shrieked by Tori, I honestly couldn't see with the hem of my shirt up over my face, but as soon as she said that name I shot my hands up and pulled my shirt back over myself. Then my eyes focused upward to a very red Derek, his fist still raised in preparation to knock, and then he backed away and turned around, his fingers tapping his thigh nervously. I knew he didn't see anything, (even if I did have anything) because I was wearing my bra, but still getting flashed like that really really embarrassed me especially in front of Derek!
DPOV
The door flew open and I was faced with a bellybutton and the flash of an underwire with blue polka dots. I didn't even have enough time to process what I just seen before I turned facing the hallway, my hands fidgeting and face so hot it could fry eggs.
"S_ Sorry!" I stuttered, my shoulders hunched, and my voice shaky. "I shouldn't of_."
"No it's my fault." Chloe said sort of in a laugh, her fists grasping the hem of her shirt as she stretched it father than it could possible go. Tori was in a state of complete shock, she was stuck with her mouth open and eyes wide. Then after a moment Chloe picked up her clothes pile that I just realized was all over the floor and began to shove it back into her knapsack. "I have to stop putting you in all these awkward situations." I looked back and saw that she was wearing makeup, her face was clear and even toned, and her eyelashes were black with mascara, she looked like a completely different person. But still very beautiful, I could feel my heart beating a mile a minute. But as I looked past that I still saw Chloe, then I saw the polka dots... and the shower incident, and my nerves came back to me.
I rolled on my heels and added to them that we are leaving in 30 minutes, completely regurgitating what Simon said because my own words couldn't come out.
"S_ so if you can finish up what you're doing it would be well appreciated." I said fidgety, my voice cracking at least twice. They nodded, and slunk back into the room, closing the door behind them. Even as far as the stair case I could hear Tori breathlessly apologizing to Chloe a million times over. Chloe just stayed quiet, and this is what worried me.
"Hey bro you look like you just seen a ghost?" Simon said as I finished the steps, I just raised my head and shook it, my face reddening again. Then I huffed.
"No," I said, my breath raspy and I swallowed. "No...I-uh, saw polka dots."
CPOV
Tori decided to lend me a dressy shirt, it was sort of long on me, and a little big but it was stretchy and clung so it didn't fall off. It was a simple black shirt with sleeves and a flare to the end, nothing of the wow factor, and if anything Tori's shirt was far flashier but I liked it. After Tori done herself up the best she could with a small bag of cosmetics she decided to carry all around New York while on the run (I was guessing a necessity for Tori's survival) I-I mean "we" -were allowed to head downstairs to leave, and none too soon because we were pushing our time limit.
~*~
It was a short drive to the Alpha's house, and we were very quiet, especially Derek who was looking downward to his hands so intensively I was scared he would start conversing with them. There was no doubt he was out of it, no matter how calm he acted I could tell from a mile away he was dead scared. It was one thing to have only the Alpha visit him, but now he was going to the Alpha's house and seeing his entirely new family. He did not have home turf advantage, he was a fish out of water and I could sense the despair that radiated off of him like a tumbling tsunami wave.
I walked like I was almost intruding by stepping onto the front porch. I was making as little noise as I could as we stood at the entrance and rung the bell. I looked around, the place was average and lived in, homey and warm, heck even inviting! Then the door creaked open and there stood a dark-haired teenage girl, her brown eyes were wide and surprised and it took her a second to really find her words.
"H_ Hello," she stuttered, her voice quite pleasant sounding even under that nervous cord she put into it. She was tall for a girl, about 5' 7 and lean not bulky like most people her height, she was almost what many would call dainty. Her hair was long, and slung into two very loose braids. She smiled a nervous smirk to us, and then pulled the door open farther.
"We were expecting you." She said sweetly, then her eyes looked up at Derek and her glance wavered. "P_Please do come in."
As I glanced at her in front of us my eyes couldn't help wonder what they were looking at. Could this be Derek's sister? I thought about the talk I had with Liam back in the woods when Derek was changing. How Derek had other siblings, but could not all of them been taken? She looked so much like the 12 year old Derek from the photograph, so much it was scary, but she was obviously much older than twelve. Another thought came to my mind, this was the very first time I seen a female werewolf, all the people who came to the house were men, or the women were behind them in the door way so I never really got a good look. She was the complete opposite in size and power to Derek, I guess women were normal and human looking, while most of the men... I don't know, just seemed completely different. She called out to papa, and the Alpha and his wife popped around the corner, so she was the daughter... Derek, looks like you have a sister!
We sat down in the little arrangement of the den; we decided not to bring the frat pack because we didn't want to swarm the house with too many people (six is enough), and the lady of the house was all flustered as her eyes fell on Derek.
"Oh dear, what is your name?" Derek told her, and just happy with that she went to grab some snacks for all of us.
The daughter was in the kitchen, unsure whether to come in and sit with her father or not. Speaking of fathers... the Alpha was all smiles toward us, his dark green eyes dancing with glee.
"I'm glad you were able to find the place!" he said, and I could see in his look that that was not what he intended to say but he just couldn't spit it out.
"Well, we wouldn't have taken so long if a few certain someones weren't taking forever to get ready." Simon spat mockingly, looking over at Tori and I. The Alpha smirked a bit, then his gaze fell back to Derek.
"I am just thankful that you are able to be here to see your family." He said standing, then he came over and pulled up Derek and ushered him into the middle of the room. His wife came forward grasping her daughter by the waist and a big smile on her face as she nodded her head up to Derek.
"Everyone, this is my wife Linda and my little kitten Sophie." Sophie appeared a little annoyed when he said kitten, and I couldn't blame her. The Alpha waved his family to us, then he put his arm around Derek and shook him a little bit.
"It's good to finally have you with us Derek," Derek looked lost for words; I knew for a fact he was not used to being the center of attention. So instead of saying anything he just nodded, his gaze looking to his feet.
~*~
After a while the conversation fled to less awkward topics, things seemed to go without a hitch and everyone was enjoying themselves. Liam and Andrew conversed with the Alpha's wife, Simon and Tori and I made our acquaintance with Sophie and Derek... hey, where is Derek?
Silently I slipped from the room and began to wander around; if anyone caught me I would just say I needed the bathroom... yes that would be perfect. I made my way down the side corridor and found a door that was left ajar, and I heard voices inside. One was the Alpha... and as I sneaked closer I heard the grumble of Derek's.
DPOV
We sat down in a small study covered in old books and a bureau with a closed laptop, the Alpha led me here and for some reason. He motioned for me to sit down on a pile of old boxes as he cleared off his -way too small to possibly bear his weight- computer chair and sat down upon it.
"Are you alright son?" he asked, the hair on the back of my neck rose at his words. I bit my lip, I didn't really feel it was right for him to call me son, I barely knew this guy. But somehow... I felt like I did know him, we had a connection although it was one I could only realise vaguely. I swallowed hard to clear the lump forming in my throat.
"What do you mean sir?" he lowered himself slightly like my words hurt him, but for some reason at the time I could not put together why calling him sir was so bad. He quickly recovered and looked to me.
"Don't act like I or nobody else cannot see you are out of it son, I'm worried. Is it something I did, am I bringing all this onto you too fast." I rubbed my knuckles, my eyes unable to meet his. It was just so hard to do this, but I had to tell him, or I wouldn't just make myself miserable but him, and no doubt everyone else too.
"You see, right now I have another father figure in my life sir." I saw the Alpha stiffen, but then he softened and placed his giant hand on my head, pushing my bangs away from my eyes. He was smiling a fatherly smile, showing his canines slightly, and this made me flinch. "I_ It's just that you remind me so much of him sir, but right now I can't see him, and I'm worried he is in danger." His smile fell, and his hand lowers away.
"What is this all about?" he whispered, his brows furrowing.
"Simon, the blond guy, he is my adoptive brother, his father and him took me in when no one else would, and now all because of me, he went missing a few months ago." I didn't want to show my emotion but I couldn't help it, my head lowered and I felt my body shake as I held back sobbing. He kept quiet as if he could not come up with something to say, that is when I took a gamble, I hoped he wouldn't over react.
"The people who took my other father sir," I looked up to him and he stared. "were also the ones who took your kids."
CPOV
I heard the crash of papers and boxes, Derek growled a yelp in surprise and I leapt out of the way as the Alpha tore down the hallway, yelling "I'll kill em', I'll kill em'!" repeatedly. Derek shot from the room and saw me, he then pleaded for me to stay where I was as he ran after the man. I watched as he dashed in long awkward strides to the den, my heart was fluttering, what was going on? Who was he going to kill?!