It must be nice having such close friendships. Maybe one day we can have that too. “I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” I start to walk away.
“Are you sure we can’t give you a ride home? There is plenty of room.”
I wave my hand above my head. “I’ll be fine, but thanks.” I walk the six blocks home.
∞∞∞
I put my bookbag on the kitchen chair. I look through the cupboards to see what I could make for dinner. Spaghetti and meatballs sound good. I check the freezer to see if we have frozen meatballs. We do. Ooo, garlic bread. Gathering the ingredients, I start making dinner. No sooner than I put the water on the stove, my phone vibrates. I look to see that not one, but all the boys have texted me to see if I made it home okay. I couldn’t help but smile as I reply.
Chapter 4
The Boys- Graydon
“I don’t like that she is walking home. None of us know how far away she lives. It doesn’t feel right. I’m not just talking about her walking home by herself either. Something is going on at home. She practically bit my head off when I offered to give her a ride. She doesn’t want us to know where she lives,” I say as we all get in my car.
I make my way over to Zekes house and pull in his driveway. I wasn’t kidding when I said we all live close. We all live on the same street. Zeke at one end, me at the other. Lucian lives across the street from me and Max a couple of house down from him. We grew up together. We have been friends since we were kids. None of us make a move to get out of the car.
“How long do you think we should give her to get home?” Lucian asks.
“I don’t know. 20 minutes. We don’t know where she lives. It can’t be too far if she walks home,” Max answers.
Exactly 20 minutes later we all text her.
Me: Hey, just checking to see if you made it home okay.
Callyn: Yes, I did thank you for asking. :)
Callyn: You know the others texted me too…lol
Me: Yeah, we’re all still sitting in my car. None of us liked the idea of you walking home.
Callyn: Why are you all still in your car? I know, but I’ve been walking home for years. I’ve walked home at all my other schools.
Me: Yeah, we were waiting for you to text one of us back. I get it, but I still don’t have to like the idea. Maybe you’ll let us give you a ride home tomorrow?
Callyn: Not likely…lol. There are just some things I’m not ready to share yet. I mean we just became friends. I need to get to know you, all of you guys.
Me: I understand. We won’t pressure you. That doesn’t mean we won’t ask every day.
Callyn: Thank you. That means a lot to me. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll say yes. See you tomorrow.
Me: See you tomorrow.
I look around and see I’m the only one who is still texting her. All of them are giving me a weird look.
“What?” I say with more venom than necessary. I don’t like the looks they are giving me. It’s not my fault that she was messaging me. They can’t get mad at me over it.
“What did she say?” Lucian questions.
“She got home safe. I asked her if she would let us give her a ride home tomorrow. She said not likely, that there are some things that she is not ready to share with us yet.” Zeke’s eyebrows scrunch together.
“I knew something was going on. Did you see her face when Lucian touched her arm earlier?” Zeke states.
“I also saw her flinch when Max bumped shoulders with her. You know she isn’t going to tell us shit,” I state angrily.
“Not yet. We have to get her to trust us,” Lucian says.
We all nod our head in agreement. We just have to take our time, because the second we push her, she’ll run away. I like her. She’s my mate, I can’t lose her.
“We will when the time is right, and that time is not right now. We have to gain her trust first and she has to be the one to tell us that something is wrong. Did anyone ever think that maybe we are all overreacting and there is nothing wrong. Maybe she is just uncomfortable around all of us. Four big guys she doesn’t know approach her. She has every right to be cautious. Plus, we need to trust her. She’s about to be thrust into a world she has no idea even exist. We have to be make sure she is ready for that,” Lucian states.
He is right. It’s hard not to do anything. She’s my mate. I want to protect her. And I will, the second I can. When I do, I will tear the heads off anyone who harms her.
Zeke
Is she being abused? What if she is being inappropriately touched? I can’t even say the right word. It’s too horrible and sick to even think about. God, I hope I’m wrong on both accounts. What if I’m not? What if someone is hurting her? Don’t let me find out someone is hurting her. I clinch my fist. What kind of asshole does that to someone? What kind of man or woman does that make you? One of the worst kind. I have no tolerance for those kinds of people. I growl low in my throat.
“We have to do something.” My voice barely coming out human.
“What would you like us to do?” Graydon practically yells.
“I don’t know,” I say frustrated. “I know we can’t do anything yet, and I hate it. I hope we’re wrong.”
“We all do,” says Max.
“How about we go inside. You know my mom has food cooking. Let’s eat and do homework. Then figure out a way to get Callyn to trust us. Maybe we can ask my mom? She always gives good advice.” The guys all nod their heads in agreement.
We all get out and shuffle into the house. It’s just me and mom here. We don’t have a very big house, but my mom works her ass off to provide for us. I got a job to try and help, but I don’t get many hours since I’m still in school and play football. If my mom had it her way I wouldn’t work, but the little bit I do make pays for the gas in my truck, lunches out, and dates (which I don’t really go on). I figure the less money coming out of her pocket, the better. It means more money for food and bills.
I just wish I didn’t have a dead-beat father. He bailed on us the minute he found out that my mom was pregnant. Which is unusual for a shifter, but we found out he had a family somewhere else. Neither woman is his destined mate, because after the feelings that have surfaced just from today, from meeting my mate, I don’t know how he could do anything that he has done. How he could intentionally hurt his mate? I would rather die. Which is also why knowing something is going on with her and I can’t do anything about it, is killing me. I’ve heard all my life about what I could feel if I ever met my mate. It pales in comparison.
After my father left, he never contacted us. It is what it is, and my mom has plenty made up for it. My house is a small two-bedroom, two-story home. The living room is to the right, the kitchen is to the left, when you walk in the front door. The laundry room is down the hall. There is a storage closet across from the laundry room. There are stairs in front of me that lead to the upstairs, where there are two bedrooms and a bathroom. We all walk into the kitchen and there is my mom making dinner. I walk over and give her a hug.
My mother is in her late thirties, but you wouldn’t know it. She takes care of herself. Her brown hair is braided down her back. It’s the same color as mine. Her blue eyes always seem to see right through me. She is short, only coming to my shoulders. She might be small, but I know better than to try to pull anything over on her.
“Hey, mom. The guys are here. We’re going to in the dining room to work on some homework.”
“It’s the first day Zeke. They gave you homework already?”
“Yeah. Not much. The guys are probably going to stay for dinner. Is there enough?”
“Of course.” She looks over at me. She must have seen something on my face.
“Is there something else, Zeke? Is it serious? Are you guys in some of trouble? Is everyone okay?”
“Yes, it’s probably serious. No, we are not in trouble. Yes, everyone is fine.”
“Okay. Just checking. Dinner will be done in thirty. We’ll talk then.”
&n
bsp; “Thank you, mom,” I say and give her a quick kiss on the cheek. I see the smirk on her face as she swats at my arm.
“Go do your homework.”
If anyone can give us some perceptive, it will be my mom. I just hope to hear something good.
Maximus
Zeke’s mom always makes the best food. One of my favorites is her homemade tacos, which she made today. She even fries the shells and shapes them herself. “This is so good Miss M,” I say as I shovel food in my mouth.
“Glad you like it Max,” she chuckles. “So, how about to guys tell me what’s going on.”
All of us look over to Lucian. He is better at explain things. I try to keep everything light hearted. The jokester if you will. Lucian tell Miss M what happened and what we suspect. She is quiet for a moment.
“Alright boys, I need you to listen and listen good. You are probably right, and something is going at home. I pray what we are all thinking is wrong, but encase you are right, you will not pester her about this. Do you hear me?” We all nod our heads. “She has to be one to tell you. If you ask her about it or bug her, she won’t tell you anything. You will in fact push her away. Now, I know you boys mean well, but you just met her. Give her some time to get to know you, and you her. When she is ready, she will come to you, then you can act. You also need to go and talk to the Elder Council.”
Miss M gets up and starts to clear the dishes. She turns back, “I believe you are destined to be her mates. I believe that she hasn’t known love in a long-time boys, and it seems like fate is going to be making that up to her, with the four of you. I also feel like something bigger is at play. Just be careful. Talk to the Elder Council, they will be able to help you more,” she says.
“What do you mean, mom?”
“She is the mate to all of you. I’m not sure why it is happening now, but the last female to have four mates died around 200 years ago. A true alpha pairing is what it is called. Like I said it is something that you need to talk to the Elder Council about, they will have more answers.” She puts the dishes in the sink and walks out of the kitchen.
“Well, shit,” exclaims Graydon. We all look at each other.
“One thing at a time. Your mom is right Zeke. We must wait for her to come to us. Let’s just be her friend and show her that we are not going anywhere. That will be the first step. Then hopefully with a little bit of time and patience she will be comfortable enough around us to tell us what is going on.”
“What do you think Lucian? You’ve been awfully quiet,” questions Graydon.
“I don’t know what to say that wasn’t already. I agree with everyone. When I go home, I’ll ask my grandfather when we can go and speak to the Elder Council,” he says as he shrugs.
I get the sense that he is leaving something out. “You sure?”
He sighs. “I don’t know.” He runs his hands down his face and leans back in his chair. “Look I like her. I’m not going to lie. I can’t stop thinking about her. Even right now, I’m wondering what she is doing. I don’t know. I just want to get to know her. I want to be around her. She is beautiful. I know some of this is the fact that we are destined mates.” He shrugs his shoulders. “She’s not like other girls. Now, with what Zeke’s mom said, there is even more uncertainty. I just hope she can handle everything. Hell, I hope we can.”
He looks around to all of us. “But whatever comes my way, I will deal with. I don’t care what you decide, but I’m not going to let my mate go. She is good. Even through whatever she has been and is still going through. She is good. Can’t you see it?” Lucian gets up from the table, grabs his bookbag. “She needs someone to fight for her for once, and I will. I’m going home. I’ll talk to you guys later.” A few second later the front door closes.
We are all sitting here with our mouths open. Lucian doesn’t say much, well not much about his feelings. This is surprising, to say the least. I meet Zeke and Graydon’s eyes.
“Well damn.”
Lucian
I walk down the street to my house. I am such an idiot. I literally just told them I am going to pursue Callyn with or without them. I don’t see them backing down. I know our lives just got a whole lot messier. I don’t even know if she likes me. If she was a shifter I wouldn’t have to question. She would feel what I do. But she’s human and they don’t think the same way we do. The guys are going to think I’m crazy. Hell, maybe I am. But this girl has me all twisted up inside.
I go inside the house. It’s just me and my grandparents. I don’t like to talk about my parents. It’s still too painful. I walk to the kitchen and see a note on the table. Luke, Went to bingo. Made dinner. Yours is in the microwave. I’ll be home by 10. Grandpa had to stay late with the Council. Love, Grammy. I smile. I love my grandmother. She has tattoos all over her arms and legs, and right now because the weather is nice, she still drives her Harley. My grandma is kind of badass. The total opposite of my straight-laced grandfather. His gray hair always slicked back. His clothes pressed, never wrinkled. Always proper when he talks and acts. But they make it work. I leave the dinner she made in the microwave for now, chances are I’ll eat it later anyway.
I jog up the stairs and go to my bedroom. I put my bookbag down on my desk chair and plop down on my bed. I pull my phone out of my pocket and pull up Callyns name. My fingers hover over the keyboard. What do I text her? Should I text her? Would she even want to hear from me? I sigh and put the phone down next me. I glance back to the phone. Screw it. I pick the phone up and bring up Callyns name again. Just text and see if she is busy. Message and get to know her.
Me: Hey, you busy.
I roll my eyes. Really Lucian. You couldn’t do better.
Callyn: No, just got done with dinner. How about you?
Me: Same. Just relaxing in my bedroom. Wanted to check in on you.
Callyn: :) awe Luke I’m okay, thank you for asking.
I got a smiley face and she called me Luke. I had the stupidest smirk on my face.
Me: I wanted to talk with you and get to know you. I know we just met today and I wanted to make sure you were comfortable.
Callyn: At first you guys are kind of overwhelming, but I am comfortable around all of you. Not sure why. It’s strange. I’m never like this around people, especially people I just met.
Me: I understand. It’s always just the four of us, but there is just something about you. You want to play 20 questions? I promise not to ask anything to personal. You can ask me questions as well.
Yeah. Good thinking Luke. This should be an easy way to get to know her. Since I promised not to ask anything to personal, it should be fun. She should agree. I hope. I don’t have to wait too long for her reply.
Callyn: Yeah, but I get to go first.
Me: Deal
We spend the next hour just texting and sending the lame getting to know you questions. Her favorite color is coral. Her favorite food is tacos. She’ll have to try Miss M tacos. She’ll love them. She doesn’t have a favorite sports team because she doesn’t really watch them. Well, that’s going to change. I’ll make a Rams fan of her yet, but it was the best conversation I’ve had with a girl. It was silly and stupid, and I image her laughing while we texted. I like everything I’ve learned. It makes me like her even more. I’m so screwed. There are a lot of unanswered question, but it will work out.
It has too.
Chapter 5
Callyn
The next day at school was more of the same. The boys were overprotective. I noticed some evil glares from the girls. I never had to worry about drama before. I don’t want to start now, but I have a feeling my trouble is only starting. I sigh as I walk into the house, closing and locking the door behind me. I make my way to the kitchen. I place my bookbag on one of the chairs by the kitchen table, as I make my way over to the cupboards. I open almost all of them to see what I could make for dinner.
There is instant mash potatoes and canned vegetables. I just need to see if there is some kind of meat. I check t
he fridge and find beef tips and gravy. The premade kind that you just pop in the microwave. That will have to do. I’m in the middle of making dinner when my phone buzzes. I pull my phone out of my pocket and lean against the counter while I check it. I see four missed text, one from each of the boys. I couldn’t stop smiling. I open each message, and they are all asking if I got home okay. It’s nice that someone cares enough to check.
I’m too busy texting that I don’t realize my dad pulls in the drive. We’re lucky he’s a functioning drunk. I got to give myself a hand for also not ruining the food. The sound of the keys jingling in the knob grabs my attention. I panic as I frantically look for a place to put my phone. My eyes scan the counter top. Spotting the cereal container, I rush over and pop the lid tossing my phone in. I just push the container back when my father walks into the kitchen.
Crap. Crap. Crap.
I hope I left my phone on vibrate. Oh god. Why can’t I remember. I hope none of them text me. My heart is beating a mile a minute. My dad narrows his eyes.
“What are doing just standing there?”
“I-I-I was just making dinner.”
I can hear a faint buzzing sound.
Shit. Please don’t hear. Please don’t hear. I repeat as a mantra in my head.
“Well, is it done? How about you just get the hell out of my way.”
I simply nod and move to the other side, not wanting to leave the kitchen even though I should. I can’t chance him finding the phone. I shudder at the thought of what he would do to me. He grunts as he makes a plate, and goes to the fridge to grab a six pack. He leaves the kitchen and goes to sit in the living room. I wait until I hear the T.V. come on before I release my breath.
I go to the container with my phone, glancing back to make sure my dad can’t see me. I quickly pull my phone from the container and rush to my bookbag. Opening the front pocket and shoving my phone there. I take a deep breath, to try to calm my racing heart. That was close.
Royals Page 3
