~July 2nd~ In a dark and cold room, on a dark and cold night…
Bryce walked into the Beta's house. He listened all around the house.
Silence.
Bryce smirked. Where oh where could his little mate be hiding?
"Ethan…" he whispered. "I'm home…"
More silence. Bryce peeked into the bathroom. Empty.
"I can play this game all day, Ethan," he chuckled, "You know you can't escape me…"
Bryce heard shuffling from the closet. Then a streak of black hair raced across the hallway.
"Got you." Bryce growled, following Ethan.
When Bryce opened the door to the bedroom, he saw Ethan whip his head around. Ethan's eyes widened.
"Where were you going, little mate?" Bryce asked, advancing upon Ethan. The young werewolf tried to avoid being backed into a corner, but it happened nonetheless.
"I don't want anything to do with you!" Ethan shouted. "You ruined my life! I, Ethan Nakamura, reject you, Bryce Law-"
Bryce growled and pressed his arm against Ethan's throat. "You don't get an opinion. What you 'want' or 'like' doesn't matter. Here, in this household, you belong to me."
"I…would…rather die…than be yours…" Ethan choked out.
Bryce smirked. "That can be arranged."
He pressed his arm on Ethan's throat until he could feel Ethan's crazy heartbeat on his chest. There was no air entering Ethan's lungs. His face was turning red, blue, purple, until finally Ethan slapped his hand against Bryce's hand.
Bryce let go and Ethan slid to the floor, gasping and coughing. "Now, we don't want that happening again, do we? So what are you to me?"
Ethan looked down at the floor. Bryce saw his lips moving.
"What was that? I couldn't hear you!"
Ethan took a deep breath and whispered the phrase once more.
"One more time, babe, I want you to say it."
Ethan heaved out a sob and said it out loud. "I'm yours."
Bryce breathed in and smiled. "That's what I like to hear. Now, Ethan darling, meet me in the basement in thirty minutes."
Ethan looked up at him, tears gathering in his eyes. "The basement? Why?"
Bryce bent down and went to whisper in his mate's ear. "Because that's where no one can hear you scream."
Aww, I feel so bad for doing this to Ethan! The awful things about being an author…
~August 18th~ In the morning…
Percy awoke in his bedroom. He smiled at his blue ceiling.
Finally, Thalassa! I'm sixteen today!
He hopped out of bed and went to the bathroom. Percy brushed his teeth, washed his face, and showered. He got dressed and wore his favorite pair of jeans, his favorite green converse, his favorite green beanie, and his favorite green hoodie. (It was only his favorite because he stole it from Jason).
Just as Percy was about to leave his room, a knock on the door sounded.
Percy paused, then opened the door. Jason stood on the other side holding a plate filled with blue pancakes, a candle stuck in the middle of the first.
"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you! Happy birthday dear Percy, happy birthday to you!" Jason sang as he stepped into the room.
Percy laughed. "Thank you!"
Jason placed the pancakes on his bed. He pulled Percy into his chest and kissed the top of his head. "I hope today is everything you've ever wished for, mate."
Percy felt his heart flutter. "I already got everything I wished for," he said, leaning into Jason's embrace, "the day I met you."
Jason grinned and his eyes twinkled with happiness. Percy could practically see Caelum doing somersaults.
"Would you do me the honor of sharing these pancakes with me?" Percy asked, sitting on the bed.
"I would love to." Jason said, and the two weres enjoyed a peaceful breakfast with each other.
After Percy and Jason finished, they walked downstairs joking. As soon as Percy's foot was on the last step, he was tackled by his parents in a hug. Jason grabbed the plate in time before it crashed to the floor and chuckled at the small family.
"Happy birthday sweetie!" Sally said. She kissed her son's cheek.
"Thanks, Mom." Percy blushed.
"I can't believe it. Sixteen, already? You're practically a fully grown werewolf!" Poseidon said, then laughed at the expression Percy gave him.
"You know my wolf is the smallest in the entire pack, Dad." Percy rolled his eyes. Jason snaked his arms around his waist from behind. "Caelum and I think that just makes Thalassa even cuter."
Percy blushed harder than before and wriggled out of Jason's embrace.
"Alright, Percy. Tell me what you would like to do today, and I will try my best to grant your wish." Jason bowed to Percy, looked up, and winked.
Percy smiled and stood on a chair like he was making a huge decree. "Well, good sir, if you insist. Today, I would like to spend the entire morning with my mate. Perhaps a walk in the woods? Perhaps we finally let our wolves speak to each other?"
Jason's eyes turned red at the thought. "I think Caelum likes the sound of that," Jason said, his voice deeper than usual.
This caused Percy to blush and his voice faltered. "A-and in the afternoon, I would like if we were to invite all of our friends for a movie and games night."
Jason smiled. "This sounds like a very relaxing, fun day, Perce. And at the end of it, I get to give you your present."
Percy's eyes widened in childish glee. "Present?" He asked.
"Of course!" Jason said. "What kind of a mate would I be if I didn't get you a gift?"
Percy grinned and hugged Jason again.
Sally and Poseidon watched with soft smiles on their face. No doubt both were remembering the story of how one met the other.
When the two pulled apart, Poseidon turned to his son and hugged him. "Have fun today." He let go and ruffled Percy's hair. Then he turned to Jason with a serious face. Jason lost his smile and gulped.
"If I hear of any funny business," Poseidon warned, sticking his finger in Jason's face. He let the threat hang in the air. (Mostly because he couldn't think of anything to threaten the Alpha with).
Jason nodded severely. "O-of course sir, no funny business. Just two mates celebrating a birthday."
Sally chuckled and grabbed Poseidon's hand, dragging him off. "Have fun you two!"
"But not too much fun!" Poseidon yelled as the door closed. Percy laughed at Jason's relieved expression.
"C'mon." He said, taking Jason's hand. "We have a day of relaxation to get started."