Chapter 7: Meet the Gandillons.

"Bloody Moon, I can't believe this is happening!" Riker yipped. It was four days after the concert, and he was running around like a mad man. Lark had spilled the beans to his parents about the concert-and who he was with. So, of course, Vivian and Gabriel wanted to see who this girl was, and what she was doing hanging around their son.

But the one thing they didn't know was that Khloe wasn't wolf-kind, as he'd told them.
Mom and Dad are in for a big surprise,Riker thought grimly as he peered out the window, searching for Khloe's car to pull up. Let's just hope that something doesn't slip from them about our kind.

Suddenly, a green VMW Beetle stopped in front of his home. He saw Khloe jump out hurridedly, her tawny hair flying everywhere, and even from here he could smell her nervousness-or was it fear? It was sharp and strong, like she was afraid of something. But of what? He wondered. Was it meeting his family? Coming to his house? His stomach plummeted as he thought of another reason; maybe she was coming to break up with him, and was worried at how he would react? Riker growled softly at being so vulnerable in this girl's clutches. Was this how every guy felt about his girl? With one last glance at the window, he ran downstairs.

Khloe made her way nervously to the door, her thoughts whirling. She was walking right into a den of wolves. How would they react to her? Would they attack? Or would they just leave her be?

I hate so many questions. Khloe sighed, smoothed down her black skirt, and ran her fingers through her hair.

I should have brought some gift to them, She thought grimly as she reached for the door knocker. But what do you get a bunch of werewolves? A slab of meat? Khloe giggled softly to herself as she banged on the door. Maybe I should have brought along my revolver, She couldn't help but think. She imagioned herself standing in Riker's living room, gun in hand, scanning the room with stoney eyes. Then Riker's face flashed in her mind's eye, and she shook her head. How could she do something like that?

But how can I be dating a lycan? For pity's sake, my father is a werewolf hunter! She grimaced as she remembered where he was tonight; on a hunt again, stalking some beast close to the Gandillon's territory.

I hope for Riker's sake it's not someone he doesn't know.. Just the idea of causing Riker pain made her heart ache.

Just then, the door opened, and Gabriel and Vivian stood in the doorway.

"Hello!" Vivian greeted warmly. Her eyes were narrowed and cold though. "You must be the Khloe that Riker keeps talking about. Come in, come in!"

Khloe gave a nervous smile, and stepped inside. The living room was visable from the hallway; it was large and spacious, with big cushiony armchairs centered around a fireplace. Khloe wanted to go and bury herself in one of the couches and forget about meeting Mr. and Mrs. Gandillon.

"Please, make yourself at home in the living room," Gabriel said, his voice velvety, as if trying to comfort her and make her comfortable. His mate though had her lips pursed, and her eyes were visious. Khloe nodded, and settled herself on one of the armchairs.

"Thank you very much for inviting me into your lovely house," She said, using her best manners. Gabriel grinned. "Why, seems like Riker picked a very proper young lady."

Vivian growled softly, and Khloe blushed.

Just then, Riker came from upstairs. He was dressed nicely, with a black button down shirt and khaki pants, and for once, he'd actually done something with his hair.

Khloe wanted to run up and whisk him away, and never think of his parents again.

"Khloe, I see you've met my father, Gabriel, and my mother, Vivian." He said. Khloe nodded, and forced a smile for him.

"Yes," She said.

"Well, lunch will be ready shortly," Gabriel said, "so, you two can just sit and talk..or maybe you can show Khloe the house, Riker."

"Just don't get near that rancid bedroom of yours," Vivian hissed. Riker's cheeks colored instantly, and Khloe lowered her eyes.

"What can we do, when everyone's here?" He muttered. Gabriel's eyes danced in amusement, but Vivian wasn't happy at all.

Lark suddenly walked in the front door, along with Sorcha, Den and Kall. Riker groaned. This wasn't going to be pretty.

"Hey there, Rikie!" Lark said. Riker growled when Lark used his pet name. Khloe burst out laughing, and the four turned and finally noticed her.

"Hiya, new gal," Riker's sister yipped. She was looking at Khloe warmly, unlike Sorcha who appeared like at any moment she would run over and strangle the meat-girl. Den and Kall though, watched Khloe like she was a tasty morsel. Riker put a protective arm around her, telling the other boys to back off.

"Well, you kids go and show Khloe around," Gabriel boomed as he stalked off toward the kitchen. Vivian grabbed her son's shirt before he could run away, and told the teenagers, "Go ahead and take Khloe upstairs. Show her the game room; I have to have a little talk with Riker.."

Den and Kall passed each other a glance, and they got a mischevious look in their eyes.

"But Mom-" Riker protested.

"No buts," Vivian snapped. She glared at her son, and all he could do was watch helplessly as his so called friends drug Khloe upstairs. He hoped they didn't do anything stupid, otherwise he'd have to get angry..

"What is the meaning of this?" Vivian snarled as soon as the others were out of earshot. "You told your father and I that this Khloe was a loup-garou! But in reality, she's a human! Well, what do you have to say?"

Riker's eyes flashed. "So what if I lied?" He hissed. "You did the same, long ago."

Vivan's face became a mask of rage. "And look what happened when I tried to get intimate with a meat boy! I was nearly killed, and so was your father! The pack was nearly exposed! Riker, you have to stop seeing her!"

Riker growled loudly, and his eyes seemed more golden then anything. "You can't tell me who to date!" He said defiantly. Vivian put her hands on her hips, and quoted, " 'Don't date if you can't mate,' "

Her son snorted. "I'm dating her, not trying to get her pregnant. And besides," He added softly, "she believes in us.. she's different."

Vivian's eyes widened, and she was reminded of a young girl who thought that same thing about someone as well..

"But Riker," She said, her voice gentler as well, "you could never show her your other side, not even if she does think we're real.. Aiden thought that same thing.." She trailed off, her thoughts on the boy that'd made her life so confusing, yet had made it joyous as well.

She sighed.

"We'll talk about this later." The pack's queen said. "Right now, you need to go upstairs and make sure that the others aren't playing some prank on her."

Riker nodded, and turned to go. He was stopped by his mother's voice, "But Riker, you know that this will not last forever... you'll let something slip soon, or worse, reveal yourself. Don't make the same mistake I did.." Then she hurrided out of the living room, and headed to the kitchen as well.

"So, Khloe," Den said, a cocky grin on his face, "How far have you and Riker gotten?" Khloe blushed, but said boldly, "Why do you want to know? Jealous, or maybe you just want to find out because you can't get past first on any date."

Kall brayed with laughter, and Lark giggled. "I like you, Khlo," She said. Den scowled and Sorcha glared at the newcomer.

"So, what's your last name?" Sorcha questioned. Instantly Khloe became nervous.

"Um, Tea- I mean, Rickwell." She was breaking out in cold sweat, and she had no idea why. And why did she start to use her real name?

Sorcha raised an eyebrow.

"Don't studder there, Miss Tearickwell," She sneered at the meat girl, running the two names she'd given to the group together.

Khloe's eyes narrowed, and anger coursed through her. She did not like this Sorcha.

Right before she was going to say something, Riker came in.

"Hey everyone, hope you're being nice to Khloe," He said. He studied them behind Khloe's back, and bared his teeth. Lark rolled her eyes and Kall snickered.

"The others were just telling some of your families' interesting history," Khloe commented. "And you never told me you had a sister, or that you're cousins and uncles and aunts lived with you."

Riker snorted. It was easier to call everyone in his pack family, then explain.

"Yeah, well, I figured you'd find out sooner or later," He said, carelessly.

Just then, Vivian's voice rang from downstairs. "Lunch is ready you guys!" She yelled. The guys, along with Sorcha, got up and raced down the stairs, while Lark, Khloe and Riker stayed behind and took their time.

"Sorcha doesn't seem to care for me much," Khloe said to the two. Lark shook her head. "Well, no. But that's because she's been trying to date Riker for quite some time now. She's just jealous."

Khloe looked back and forth between Riker and his sister. "But isn't she your cousin?" She yipped.

"No..." How could he explain? Thinking quickly, he said, "Sorcha's the landlord's daughter. She lives nearby, but drops by time to time."

"Oh," Was all Khloe said. When they reached the dining room, there were three spots between Gabriel and Vivian. With a purposeful glance to his sister, he and Lark took the two seats besides their parents, leaving the middle seat free.

On the table was loads and loads of meat. Khloe's eyes wrinkled up in disgust; she was purely a vegitarian, but she didn't want to insult her hosts. With a slight grimace, she stabbed at some steak and put it into her mouth. She wanted to spit it out, but denied the urge.

"So, Khloe," Vivian said as she sawed through a peice of hamburger. "What do your parents do for a living?"

Khloe chewed her steak slowly, and finally managed to say, "My father is a real-estate agent, and part time hunter. My mother passed away five years ago.."

The girl looked down at the red, tender food. She hated bringing up her mother.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," Vivian said sincerly. Khloe smiled slightly, "It's alright. I've gotten used to it."

There was a few moments of quiet, before Gabriel cleared his throat, and Vivian asked another question.

"If you don't mind my asking, what's your father's name?"

Without thinking, Khloe answered.

"Aiden."

The clatter of a fork falling onto the plate was the only thing that anyone heard. Gabriel looked at his mate with understanding eyes. Vivian was staring, wide eyed in surprise at the meat girl in front of her. Riker and Lark gave each other worried glances

"Aiden? Aiden Teague?" She asked shakedily. Khloe realized what she'd said, and muttered, "Oh, no. Aiden Rickwell.."

Vivian relaxed. "Sorry, it's just I used to know a Aiden Teague, and he doesn't bring back happy memories.."

She cleared her throat.
"And, your mother's?"

"Kelly, Kelly Cinkas."

The rest of the visit was pretty quiet.

Later, when the sun was setting, and Khloe was fixing to leave, Riker took her hand and lead her away from everyone, into the back yard. She giggled as he kissed her neck gently, trying to restrain himself from biting her. Suddenly, she grew serious.

"I don't think your Mother liked me," She confided in him. Riker's eyes were still on Khloe's lips, but he answered quickly. "No, she loved you. I just think she got freaked out by your dad's name."

Khloe shrugged Riker off, and looked him in the eye. "What happened to her and this 'Aiden'?" She inquired. She was curious of what her father had done to make a werewolf, a loup-garou, so afraid of her.

Riker sighed. "He tried to kill my mom when he found out something about her back ground," He said, using the edited version. Khloe was quiet for a few moments, opened her mouth to say something, but closed it quickly. She couldn't tell him, not yet.

"Hey," Riker said, his lips curved with desire. "Forget about it; you're going to always be welcome at my house."

She smiled and said one thing before their lips met.

"Thank you."

High above them, the ever watchful moon shone brightly down on them, looking out for her children.

A/N :
Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't updated in so long, but things have been crazy for me. I'm actually quite proud of this chappie; I think it's longer then my other ones have ever been. I've also seen some new BC fictions around, and I plan to check them out. Anyway, rr! Critiques are welcome!

Mady