An Unusual Mate

Chapter Two

Kaila's pov

As I open my eyes, I find myself between my brother and best friend, completely naked. I sit up slowly gasping as pain shoots through my back. My brother shifts, turns over and starts snoring again. Rather than trying to move again and risk waking them up, I teleport into the bathroom. I slid to the floor waiting for the nausea and dizziness to pass. Slowly I pull myself into the shower and let the hot water flow over my wings as I push them out slowly until I'm crying and cussing myself out. I knew better than to fight my visions like that but I still do it from time to time. I've gotten a lot better from my first one at ten. Fighting them only makes them harder for me to recover. I slid to the floor of the shower as the vision replayed in my head. Slowly I push my wings again and this time there was almost no pain plus the water was starting to cool. I slip on my robe and tiptoe into my walk in closet and slip into my black tank top and some matching leggings. I find my black high tops and walk into my kitchen. I start the coffee machine and find some items in my refrigerator to make breakfast to thank them. I go outside on my back porch and sit on the swing letting the cool morning air wash over me.

After a minute, I walk back into the kitchen and begin preparing breakfast. I turn on my mp3 player and connect it to my speaker. As I mix the waffle batter, I sing along to Whitney Houston's I have nothing. Cooking and baking always lifts my spirits when I'm down. As I flip the bacon and scrambled the eggs, my brother walks in. "Good morning, James." I lean over and kiss his cheek. "Good morning Kai, how are you feeling?" "I'm good.” His smile at me and I toss in some chocolate chip to my batter and start placing the batter in my two waffle irons. I continue singing as he comes over and starts cutting up fresh fruit. As the smell of waffles fill the house, Tanya stumbles into the kitchen. "Good morning sleepy head" I tease her as she stumps in a chair. "Coffee?" She croaks through a yawn. I laugh and place a cup in her hands. "Mmmmmm that's nice!!! What you making?" She moans as she sips the coffee. "Chocolate chip waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon and fresh fruit." She smiles and says, "that sounds awesome. Can I help?" As I tell her I have it when the dizziness from earlier comes back. I drop to the floor placing my head between my knees as I steady my breathing. "Sis?" I hear James concerned voice but I can't answer with my heart pounding in my ears. Slowly it begins to ease up but I still don't trust myself to move yet as I feel Tanya and James kneel on either side of me. "Don't let the food burn." I mutter as I slowly lift my head. Tanya goes to turn everything off and take the waffles out. James lifts my head so that I look him in the eyes. His eyes widen and he ask, "have you ever felt like this before?" I look at him weirdly and say, "feel like what? I'm just a little dizzy. I always feel off after an intense vision." I go to stand up and I make my way over to the table. As soon as I start eating the dizziness return intensely along with a nauseous feeling. I barely make it to the sink before I puking my breakfast. I groan as I wash my mouth out before sinking to the floor. I think hard recalling the one other time I'd felt this bad.

"Tanya call my mom." I mutter as I curl up on the floor. James comes over and sits on the floor with my head in his lap as Tanya call. "You have felt this bad before, haven't you sis?" I nod and close my eyes, "last time was when I was ten, after an intense vision where I was out nearly six hours, it was then mom started giving me what she call my "special juice". He groan and said, "Of course she would name it that. When the last time you had any?" I look at him. "Last time.. I don't remember, probably a few months ago. I never knew what it was but I always felt better afterwards. I also never asked...no I did ask once and she said it was red wine and a secret ingredient." "Aunt Anna says not to fall asleep. Uncle Chris is on his way here." Tanya says as she kneels beside me. I reach for the phone and she hands it to me. "Mom, what's in the juice you used to give me?" I get no response but I can hear her breathing. "Mom, I know you heard me. I know you said red wine, what else was in it?" Still no response. "Mother answer me please." She sighs and says, "please don't hate us, or judge us. We only did what was best for you." "Mom, I am not going to hate you, whatever it was it always made me feel better. The way I feel now, I feel as bad as I did when I was ten." "What do you remember about that night?"

-flashback-

I woke up starving as I look over and looked at the clock. It was nearly 9pm. I'd been brought home from school because I'd passed out. According to mom, I'd had something called a vision. I just remember not knowing what was going on and waking up back home feeling tired and cranky. "You're awake." I slapped my hands over my ears as my mom spoke. "I'm right here why are you telling mom?" She look at me confused but lower her voice. "I wasn't yelling, baby. How are you feeling?" "I'm hungry." She helped me out the bed and we walk into the kitchen. She makes my favorite, Mac and cheese and fried chicken. I eat about three mouthfuls before I get super dizzy. "I don't feel good, mama" She came over and looked at me as my dad walked in the kitchen. "Hey, kiddo." He smiles at me. I begin taking deep breaths as comes over too. "Whoa you okay kiddo?" I shake my head as I jump up and run to the sink. I throw up as my dad pulls my hair back from my face and I realize I'm shaky and sweating. I push away from the sink to get something to drink after I rinse my mouth out. As I look in the refrigerator, I notice the steaks my mom had taken out to unthaw. I don't know why I did it but I pulled them out and started eating them raw. I sank to the floor moaning softly but wasn't as dizzy or sick as before. Weirdly it seem to be what was helping me. "Baby, you need to talk to us." My mom's voice snapped me out of whatever weird trance I was in. I looked up saw them both watching me before my dad walked away from me. Now I felt sick but for a different reason, I felt disgusted in myself. "What's wrong with me, mama? Do you and Dad hate me?" "No baby, we are learning what works for you and what doesn't. Daddy is going to make you some special juice. Never be ashamed of what helps you. We aren't ashamed, you aren't a shifter like us so we have to learn about your powers just as you are learning about them." Dad walked back with a cup with a straw. "Drink this and let's see how you do with this." He kneels down and I sniff the straw but the only scent I can identify is wine but there's something else in it and it's making my mouth water. I suck the straw hard and sigh as I begin to feel warm and tingly. I look at them and they smile. I quickly finish the cup and look around at the mess I made with the steaks. I cry because I don't know what's wrong with me or why the juice settled me so much. From that day forward at least once a week my parents gave me the juice until I left when I graduated high school.

-end flashback-

As I think over it, it hits me. "Blood... You gave me blood?" I suddenly feel sick for a different reason. I feel myself start hyperventilating and James grabs my face. "Sis calm down. Take all the notions in your head and throw them out. Vampires aren't the only ones who drink blood." I look at him and say, "Why weren't you there at that time...what about you?" So many questions run through my mind and I hear my heart pounding. "I wasn't allowed to be around you until you started to come into your power but Anna and Chris knew of me. They called me after your first vision. How do you think they knew to have blood on hand? I told them it was possible you would crave it but wouldn't know what you needed. I told them what to look for but they would know if you couldn't keep food down. I didn't think you'd m******e raw steaks. When they asked what would be the best way to give you blood without you freaking out I was the one who said mix it in wine. I was always there sis. And I'm here now. If it's makes it easier to swallow thinking of it as juice or wine then so be it. It's apart of what we need to survive with out it we get weak and possibly in extreme cases die. You still have a lot to learn, a lot to do, so do what you have to do and get it in your mind to incorporate back into your diet."

I nodded and then looked at Tanya. I expected many things from her, understanding and her nodding wasn't it. Then it hit me, "you knew too?" She shrugged and said, "remember when we were twelve and you had that vision at our home? You seemed out of it and was too sick to walk. Aunt Anna told my parents how to help you. We all accepted it because we accepted you." My mouth dropped open not because I was the last to know but because my best friend had watched me drink blood and never judged me. I started crying and she reached over and hugged me. "I meant it when I said I'd always be your best friend no matter what." I nodded and sniffed as I tried to stop crying. James calmly wraps his arm around me and gently pushes Tanya. She takes one look at me and backs away. "If he doesn't get here in the next five minutes I don't care James. I'm telling you now. I've seen her delirious before and she ain't there yet." I thank the goddess silently for given me a friend like Tanya.

I picked up the phone and said, "Mom, I guessing you sent dad with... Umm... Blood." I whisper the last part still unsure of my feelings. "I did.. he shifted so Hunter should be there soon but I heard Tanya. If you start to really feel out of it, don't hesitate to trust her. Don't wait if you don't have to. Hunter is older now but we wolves stay in shape." I looked at James and chewed my lower lip. "I think I'm okay. The dizziness has passed for the moment.” I feel my eyes flutter as I start to feel light-headed. I hear James talking to me but my body is starting to feel like lead is weighing it down. "I'm okay James." I whisper as I lean heavily into him. I feel more than see Tanya pulling me over to her and I shake my head hard. I still have a sense of awareness and I am determined to wait. My parents live about a hour away so by my dad pushing Hunter I'm guessing he could get here in thirty. I have no idea how long we sat there but I feel what feels like pounding on the ground not far off after a while.

My dad suddenly runs in and I hear him fussing but I can only catch bits and pieces. "Why...wait...she...out of it." James mind link me. "You need to drink this now sis. It's okay it's not Tanya." With that I part my lips and a straw is placed in my mouth. I suck as hard as I can and I taste the wine first and it starts to chase the leaden feeling. I blink hard as I take another pull. Slowly I am able to take the cup for myself. I adjust myself as I feel a hand brush against my forehead. I look up and see my best friend smiling at me with no judgement in her eyes. Too soon the cups empty and I still feel dazed. I don't say anything as I sit the cup down. I cry as I pull my knees to my chest, I'm scared, ashamed, embarrassed, and a lot of emotions at once. I hear movement but I close my eyes as my emotions continue to crash over me.

Tanya's Pov

I watch my best friend fall apart. I can hear Uncle Chris and James still arguing about how James sat here and let her get that sick instead of making her drink from me. My head is starting to hurt and I know this must be part of what my friend feels on a daily basis. I pick up the cup and call to them since they seem more into their argument than her. "Uncle Chris, James, something is wrong here." They ignore me still and I hear my aunt on the phone saying something. "Auntie.... Kai's crying and not responding. What's wrong with her? Uncle Chris is arguing with James." "Yaya honey... You are gonna have to help her now... I'll deal with them later. Kai needs more blood, something tells me she was completely out of it when Chris got there. The backpack has blood and wine in it. Empty a bag in the cup then fill it with wine and let her drink it. As she stabilized she won't be as emotional. Her body is in shock and then I just put more information on top of it." I find a pair of scissors in the backpack and fix the drink. "Yaya you have to watch her... I don't know how much she's gonna need but she isn't going to tell you either. She's going to resist drinking it as well. Until she is out of it and tells you with words she's okay and she can move without the dizziness make her keep drinking it. I'm on my way with more as we speak. I'm going to shift so I can get the faster hopefully before you finish that supply." With that she hangs up and I reach over gently nudged the cup back in Kai's hands. She is hesitate to take it but I guide it to her mouth and as she drinks it she sighs. She finishes the second cup quickly and starts tugging at her hair. An old habit that means she wants something but it ashamed to ask. I refill her cup and she again takes it hesitantly. After three more cups of this, I empty the last bag and realize she still looks out of it. Then I remember something from our childhood. I look her in her eyes and realized her irises are blood red. I bit my lip as she sucks down the last bag. I look over and see them still fussing and Aunt Anna isn't here. As I sit there contemplating I hear Kai's breathing begin to pick up. She looks wild and out of her mind as she yanks at her hair. I make the decision for her as I bring her head against my chest. She tries fighting me but for the first time her fight is weak. I'm scared for her because I've never seen this side of her. I bring my wrist to her mouth and even as she tries fighting it, I feel her energy wane and her instinct take over.

I gasp as her canines bite into my skin. That s**t hurts but I hang on for her. I close my eyes and hold her close as I whisper to her words of encouragement. Suddenly I feel my arm being released from her and look up to see Aunt Anna in front of us. Kai looks up and as she realizes what's happening she begins to freak out. She isn't using words but she pushes herself away from me and stumbles falling into the fridge. The commotion finally forces James to stop arguing. "What happened?" Auntie Anna glares at them both and say, "While you two were having a testosterone fight, Yaya here may have just saved Kai's life." She pushes her hair back off her forehead and I notice she's sweating. She must have pushed her wolf, Midnight, hard. She looks at me and the empty bags, "I'm guessing she was sucking them down faster than you could fix it?" I nod, "after the last bag her eyes were still red and she was hyperventilating. I was only trying to help." She gives Kai another cup but I notice she didn't put any wine in it. "You did well child. These two dimwits here were no help." She lifts Kai's head and I see her eyes are black now. "Yup, she should start slowing down soon. This is partly my fault. I never told her and getting her to come home lately has been difficult." Kai shudders and places the cup down. "I'm sorry" she whispers over and over to me. I look at her and am about to say something when auntie shakes her hand, "Until she comes to terms with this for herself, she's going to feel guilty. So you telling her it's okay and that you're okay isn't going to register to her." She doesn't ask or wait for Kai to ask, she just refills her cup. Kai shake her head hard and pushes herself to her feet. She stumbles as she run out the kitchen. We all hear her slam her bedroom door. James sighs and is getting ready to go after her when Auntie grabs his hand, "leave her be James. I heard what you said to her, but like I told Yaya, she needs to come to terms with this for herself." James shook his head, "I can feel her pain, Anna, she isn't no where near where she should be. She needs more than that. I get giving her time but she needs to adjust now. I can't allow her to fully come into her power if she can't accept this part of herself. I had to deal with it because I knew early on. I still hate that I have to have blood but I don't let myself go too long. I drink enough to keep from feeling sick. I never compare myself with vampires." "Can you stop her from coming fully into her power? Can you make her accept this? We came to you when she first got sick. We knew she'd freak out. Not only did she experience a taste of bloodlust, she found out she has to have blood and she drank from her best friend!!! YOU TELL ME HOW YOU'D DEAL WITH THAT?!?!?!" James stepped back realizing she's right. I look at my auntie and she's shaking and her eyes are black meaning Midnight is at the surface.

Kaila's pov

I run to my room and slam the door. Even though I know I feel no where near normal, I also know not only has my parents been feeding me blood over the years, I also just drunk from my best friend. I scream as my tears fall harder. I'm scared and freaking out and I know it. I start pacing my room trashing it as I try to relieve my frustration. Suddenly I feel more than see my bean bag chair fly across the room. I stare at it knowing I was no where near it. Now I'm freaking for another reason. "What the fuck...what the fuck...what the f**k?" Is all I can mutter. I feel wild and crazed and out of control. My door opens slowly but because I have no control I throw whoever across the room without touching them. "Whoa sis. Easy there!!!" James yelps flipping to his feet as he lands. I look at him and find myself scared more of myself then ever. He walks slowly towards me, I'm guessing in am attempt to calm me but all that does is make me scream at him. "NO DONT COME NEAR ME, JAMES!!!!" suddenly he is thrown across the room again and my hand are tingling. I look at them completely bewildered. By no means am I weak but at this moment I'm really scared and anxious. He seems to realize that but because of the commotion everyone runs into my room. "Sis, I need you to take a deep breath here. I'm not going to mention the biggest issue going on here so I'm going to talk about what just happened. Is that okay?" I take a breath trying to calm down and I nod. "I think I know what happened. You just revealed a new power, telekinesis but we’ll work on that later." I sit down on my bed and try to focus. Now that I was starting to calm down, my body felt drained and tired. I just wanted to sleep but something told me I wouldn't be able to sleep. While I was trying to accept things I felt the bed sink beside me. "Do you still trust me Kaila Lillian Parks?" Hearing him use my full name forced me to look at my brother. My family only did that when it was something vitally important and it always made me focus. I run my tongue across my teeth and am surprised my canines are still sharp as hell.

"I need you to be truthful with me.. no more hiding things from me. I need that from all of you if I'm to try to understand." I look at my family. He nodded and said, "what do you want to know?" "You said I can't come into my full powers if I don't accept...that part of it...is that true?" He shook his head, "No you are going to come into your powers regardless but it's gonna wipe you out. Honestly, that leaden feeling you felt, that's the extent of bloodlust for us. We can still fight against drinking and then we fall asleep never to awaken. For vampires it's worst, bloodlust sends them into a frenzy that makes them drink. Also you never had to experience it to this extent because you had blood at least once a week. The wine doesn't weaken it for us like it does vamps. That's why Anna insisted you stay awake but it's also why you fought against Tanya. We are stronger than our bloodlust and once you get the hang of it, you may never experience it to this extreme again. Right now you sitting here, calmly rationalizing this conversation is a good thing." I looked at him and realized I was feeling light headed but as long as I didn't move or think to much on it, I could focus. I also realized that I also couldn't sit by and do nothing my entire life. I was here for a reason. Suddenly my vision came full force to my mind and I gasped realizing several things from it.

"Sis?" "My vision, I just realized something... I saw myself do things... I can't explain them but I had to have not been feeling like this to do them. I also think I died a few times in it. Not me per say but the bodies I was in." "I don't even know the extent of what you'll be able to do, I just know you can be extremely powerful if you allow yourself to be." I nodded and sighed but as I did that my eyesight swarmed and I found myself leaning into James. "Kai, girl I need you to pull it together. I got a brother to figure out." I heard Tanya tease me as she came and sat on the other side of her. "What do I have to do.. I felt better faster with Yaya..but I..." I trail off as my voice fades. "There are donors on beck and call always. I actually know a few who would be willing to help." I heard my dad say as I fell into James my body felt heavy and I didn't know what to do or say anymore. I knew I no longer could hide what I needed and I decided right then and there, I'd never feel this helpless if I could help it again. Pushing myself up I grab my brother's chin and mind link him. "I'm done fighting it, whatever I need to do just tell me." "Try to open your eyes sis." I force my eyes open as the cup is place in my hands. My mom is kneeling in front of me and she looks me straight in my eyes. "Are you sure you want to do this like this?" I nod and begin drinking. "Your eyes aren't red so you may not be as bad as you feel." I nod again and even I realize I'm not sucking it down as fast as before.

After two more cups, I no longer wanted anymore, even though my brother looked at me and frowned. I sigh softly and say, "James, I'm tired ok? I'm hungry as well seeing as I didn't eat breakfast and it's going on.." I glance at my clock. "Noon now. So stop with that look. I feel fine and actually am starting to want to throw up. My teeth are mine again so I'm going to assume those things mean I'm pretty far from bloodlust. If you continue to push the issue I'm going to throw you across the room then I'm going to throw you out of my house." He smiles and I realize I fell right into his trap. "Yup, you're back. Let's get you something to eat." I smack him as we head out into the living room. I head to the kitchen desperate to find something to eat. I find some sandwich meat and cheese. Then I dig around until I find other ingredients. I quickly eat my sandwich realizing just how hungry I was. As I down my kool-aid, I find my eyes are heavy. I yawn as I clean up the kitchen grateful that someone took time and cleaned it from the failed breakfast. I walk back into the living room and lay across my sofa as my family decides on something on TV. I find that I'm struggling to keep my eyes open so I stop trying and fall into a deep sleep.