Surviving Primrose

The Alpha's Son

Shall we talk first impressions? 

This boy in front of me is just so adorable! Adults everywhere must completely love him. He just glanced at me, clearly curious, but looked away with a sweet pink tinge on his pinch-able cheeks. now, it should be pointed out that I can only approach him with the mindset of a woman who is almost twenty years old. I imagine that Prim was smitten with him in an entirely different way but he's a child and I'm an adult in the body of a child.

I just want to give him a huge hug and tell him he's a good boy but I'm pretty sure that'll just make me look crazy. As I'm fighting down my internal fangirl, Prim's dad walks over to the alpha and they shake hands warmly while they greet each other. Of course they get along after working together for years. They turn to the group and I know it's time for introductions but I still have no idea how to act.

'Alpha Eric, you've already met my wife, June' he says, nodding at Prim's mum and I finally learn her name. 

'Yes' Alpha Eric replies in a deep but clear voice, with a polite nod and a smile in her direction. 'These are my kids, Chris' he nods to Prim's brother 'and Primrose' and to me.

I give the most natural smile I can manage through the nerves and Alpha Eric smiles back and nods to me too. 'It's lovely to finally meet you both' he says gently before turning to his wife. 'You all know of my luna, Grace' he says with a loving glance in her direction 'and this is my son, Drake' he finally introduces him.

He was holding out a hand for Drake to come over to him but the boy just smiled uncomfortably and I realized I wasn't the only one feeling the knots in my stomach.

There was a kind of awkward pause and I decide to step up, as the oldest (kind of) of the kids. I wave, grabbing Drake's attention an give him my sweetest smile, underestimating Prim's naturally pretty face  and say 'it's nice to meet you Drake, I've heard a lot of good things about you. You can call me Prim.' I hadn't been sure what would happen but it was like a wind blew all the tension out of the air.

Drake's smile became more natural right away and he seemed to rush to speak. 'Yeah, it's nice to meet you too!' Even his voice was calming. It was hard to believe that such a cute child was destined to grow into a strong alpha.

'Lets get to the picnic site then' Alpha Eric said, beaming at our little exchange.

Chris had stood next to his parents right away and was letting the two of us talk first so I walked over to Drake and fell into step next to him as we start walking. The area we walk into is soothing, the path surrounded on all sides by wildly grown trees and grasses. The sounds of bird calls over head follow us as we go, accompanied by the rustling of little critters on the ground. The area felt secluded and safe.

I could tell he was still tense but I knew exactly how to break the ice.'Do you like drawing?' I asked, knowing full well he did.

Drake lit up immediately and turned to me. 'I do! Do you draw too?' he asked and I nodded in response.

'I do but I'm not very good' I admit, knowing that Prim had no experience and unsure if my own ability could be used to substitute. 'Could you maybe show me some tips?' I ask, making sure to look embarrassed in the hopes he'll accept. I doubt the dream will go on that long but it'll make him happy so I might as well set something up.

'Of course! You could come over to the pack house tomorrow?' he offers, immediately on board.

'That sounds great!' I say, happy that he seems so much brighter. We spend the rest of the short walk talking about what we would like to draw and pointing out spots that would be good to sketch as we emerge from the treeline and start walking along the path on the bank of the canal.

Ducks swim past, raising their bills hopefully in case we had bread to feed them. Moorhens and Herons keep their distance in the water and on the opposite bank. A gentle breeze flows around us and keeps the early summer heat at bay.

Not long after, we make it to the wide open, grassy area the adults have picked out and they get us to help set the blanket down and unpack the food. Everything looks great and I can tell from the smells wafting around us that it wasn't just how it looks.

We sit down and Prim's dad passes me a plate full of food. A grimace spreads on my face as I look at what he's picked. A few sandwiches, quiche, sausage rolls and an apple. The sandwiches and sausage rolls were fine but the quiche and apple were definitely not something I would have chosen. There were even mini pizzas and peach slices! They would be much better.

Drake must have noticed me looking longingly at the other options because he brought his food over and sat next to me. 'Wanna trade?' he asks, grinning but still managing to look sweet. 'I actually wanted these' he says, not waiting and taking the foods I didn't want and replacing them with the things I wanted.

 Damn, this kid must be an actual angel. I'm singing his praises as I bite into one of the little pizzas happily. 'Thanks' I say after the first mouthful, he clearly wanted these himself but let me have them instead.

The atmosphere was light and happy. Conversation flows easily between the group and when the food had been finished and we felt ready, we take to the small field for some light sports. There doesn't appear to be any werewolves that don't enjoy physical exercise and so the whole group gets into it and nothing feels forced.

I'm surprised by how light my body feels and how natural it is when I try to move. It makes the games so much fun and even when I mess up or fall, all I can do is laugh. Drake and I get really competitive when the tennis rackets come out and the rest of the group cheer us on as we hit with all our might. Run, jump and strain to keep each other on our feet. Even when I lose I don't feel too frustrated, just determined to show him what I've got again soon.

We rest for a short while afterwards, re hydrating and passing around congratulations for games well played. Chris makes a point of sitting next to me and ruffling my hair annoyingly but I somehow avoid the urge to stick my tongue out at him in front of the alpha.

The time to pack up comes quickly even though everyone's hoped it wouldn't. As we pack up, Alpha Eric speaks up with a smile 'we'll have to do this again soon' he says, looking at the group fondly as we all nod.

'Dad?' Drake asks, stowing the left over food and drink in a basket 'can Prim come over for a bit tomorrow?'

Alpha Eric looks surprised but then a strange mixture of happiness and relief flashes across his face. 'Of course she can' he beams, glancing over at me 'you can come for lunch if you'd like? Our cooks make a great fish pie' he offers and I can feel my mouth starting to water.

'Can I?' I look up to Prim's dad pleadingly, already aware that he would love a development like this.

'I'll drop her off at half 11, then?' he asks Alpha Eric with a grin and everyone is all smiles.

As we walk back, Drake tries to strike up conversation about what we'll do tomorrow but Chris decides to be what I'm gradually learning is his usual, annoying, self and keeps walking between us and butting into the conversation.

The walk back to the cars feels much longer than the walk out and I spend most of it glaring at Prim's brother. I just manage to wave a goodbye to Drake before I get cut off again and he's gone. I huff at Chris and climb into the car in a strop.

As we buckle up, Prim's dad is the one who speaks up about Chris' behavior.  'What were you doing back there?' he asks, clearly annoyed that I couldn't spend as much time as possible befriending Drake.

'I just thought she already has enough friends' Chris says and shrugs nonchalantly. 'I don't see why she needs a boy for a friend anyway' he adds, giving himself away. He had been playing the role of protective older brother, keeping the big bad alpha's son away from his little sister.

Shock was followed by laughter, my voice rising as the thought of him acting so cute settled further in my mind. Prim's dad looks like he wants to say more but his daughter's laugh and his wife's poorly hidden smile are enough to get him to hold his tongue this time.

We get back to the house and I flick Chris' ear playfully before jumping out of the car and running into the house, laughter bubbling out of me again as he leaps out to chase me.

I'm caught easily in the living room and pinned, tickling fingers finding my sides and causing me to squeal and try to wriggle away. 'say you give up and I'll stop' he says, grinning ear to ear. I shake my head at first but it's too much and in the end I give up.

'I give up! I give up!' I gasp between giggles and he lets me go. We both roll over laughing and it isn't long before Prim's mum comes in, trying hard to look disapproving even though she's amused. 'I'm going to get dinner ready' she says, giving us both kisses on our heads 'you two go get changed into something clean.'

We do as we're told and as I climb the stairs and feel the fatigue starting to set into my body, I'm a little sad that this bright dream will come to an end soon. At least until I open up the wardrobe and see the selection I have to choose from. This girl doesn't even have pajama bottoms! It's all night dresses. So long Prim's ultra girly life!

After a quick look I choose a simple but cute dress and change quickly. Unsure of what to do with my other dress I just decide to leave it on the bed for later.

'Mum's gonna yell at you if you leave your clothes lying around again' comes the taunting voice from the doorway. Ugh, I wish he could give it a rest for just one minute. Is this what all siblings are like? I turn to him and pout but he just keeps watching me smugly. The problem here is that I genuinely don't know what to do with the dirty laundry in this house.

I keep my eyes locked on Chris and pick up the dress, tauntingly exaggerating the movement making and expression that could only mean: "happy now?". He nods approvingly and points out of the room to a door down the hallway and I march out like I'm being taken to jail. Secretly relieved that my taunt worked.

We get to a large bathroom with the option of a shower or a bath and I quickly spot the basket of clothes near the door. Looking triumphant and keeping up the act, I drop the dress in like I'm doing a slam dunk.

There's a moment where we both enjoy the act we're putting on before Chris does the most sarcastic clap he can manage and walks away.

The rest of the night passes peacefully enough. We all eat dinner together and watch a film cuddled up to the adults before me and Chris are sent up to bed. I stare up at the ceiling happily. This dream had been fun but it was about time to get back to my real life. One yawn and stretch later and I'm fast asleep.

Drakes P.O.V

I had expected her to be like everyone else who's parents had suggested to my dad that they get to meet me. Going on about how we're the same age and could become great friends but when we meet it's clear they've been forced into it and are doing the bare minimum to hold my attention. They wouldn't have had any interest in being friends if I weren't the alpha's son.

But she was different. Her smile and the effort she put into getting to know me was real. She didn't just let me win when we competed, I could tell she was really going for it. For the first time, it feels like I can make a genuine friend and not just a future connection.

Her brother didn't seem too happy that we were getting on. He stayed quiet at first but quickly got protective when she showed real interest. I'll just have to win him over somehow!

First, I need everything for tomorrow to be perfect.I start clearing my room as soon as I get home, not wanting her to think I'm messy and get scared off. Stopping at my game collection I hesitate, there are a few we could play together and it could be fun but I'm pretty sure that girls aren't interested in games? Erring on the side of caution, I put the games away in a draw too and instead get out all the drawing supplies I have and sort them on my desk so that they're ready and easy to use. Okay, this should do.

I can feel an uncomfortable mix of nervousness and excitement making me sick. My parents will get angry if I don't eat dinner so I need to calm down. Things will go well tomorrow, I know it.