My Own Destiny

Meeting the Family

Seth

It was decided we were having an early lunch.

The whole gang decided they would go with me, even Travis.

Hey, at least now when we were late getting back, Travis couldn’t complain since he was with us.

I admit I was not thrilled about bringing both my brothers and my sister to meet Aurora right away.

We had just met and now I was surprising her by bringing them home.

I did not have her phone number, so I could not call to warn her. I had hoped she would text me since I left my number, but no such luck.

I stopped on the way to pick up a pizza and salad. I had no clue what she might like, but figured who doesn’t like pizza.

I let my brother drive. Travis had an SUV.

He needed something big enough for his wife and the two kids they had. They planned on eventually having at least one more. I was always a little jealous. They were high school sweethearts and were amazing together. I always wanted something like that but every girl I meet turned out to be a disaster.

Maybe Aurora would be different, I thought to myself as we pulled into my driveway.

I handed the pizza box off to Peter so I could fish my keys out of my pocket.

I could barely contain my excitement to see Aurora again. Even with my siblings along, I felt more excited than nervous.

I opened the door and walked in with my two brothers and sister following me.

As we entered, I saw Aurora walking into the main living room with one of my plush towels wrapped around her body.

I found myself dumbstruck as Aurora stopped and froze, staring back. Not only was she wrapped in a towel, but her hair was still wet and her skin had that damp look like she was fresh from the shower.

It wasn’t until my dumb a** brother Peter with his smart mouth spoke that I was reminded I was not alone, not only was I staring at Aurora naked in only a towel. But so were my two brothers and sister.

“Well, hello beautiful.” I heard out of Peter’s mouth and felt like turning and clocking him one, but I knew he could kick my a** if he wanted to.

“Ah, I’m ah, sorry….” I stammered, “I didn’t know they were going to come with me for lunch, I ah…”

My sister saved me, “Why don’t you finish up then join us for lunch when you're dressed.” Marissa said, always saving me from my fumbling thoughts.

Aurora gave an embarrassed smile, “I will be right back. Thank you.” She said, glancing at my sister.

I turned and smacked my forehead with my hand as I walked to the kitchen cupboard to grab the plates. I just stood there staring like an i***t.

Marissa came to help me get what we needed for our lunch.

“She is a looker, I’ll give you that.”

I sighed, “Yeah, Peter seemed to enjoy the view.”

When I heard Marissa laugh at me, I turned to glare at her. She tried to contain her amusement as she tried to give me an explanation.

“Look, maybe its good to see how she reacts to his flirting, remember…”

“Don’t say it!” I turned back to the countertop to pick up the napkins.

“Oh come on, if you had paid more attention to Amber’s flirtatious ways you could have avoided a whole….”

I turned back around, “Aurora is nothing like Amber or any of the girls I have dated. Besides, Aurora is a friend.

“Ah huh.” Marissa said as she took the plates and napkins from me and walked into the other room.

Aurora

My face must have been burning red. I had been in such deep conversation with Mia I completely let my guard down and had not heard them enter the condo. I was so embarrassed, and I never thought he would be bringing others home with him.

I knew from the pictures in the bedroom that those were his brothers and his sister.

Meanwhile, I could see Mia in my head, rolling around laughing hysterically.

‘Good thing you wore that towel.’

‘Stop, because if you had not been in my head telling me to leave before he came home. I would have heard them.’

I saw Mia roll her eyes, ‘Sure blame me, you need to pay closer attention.’

I was so irritated with Mia, I pushed her to the back of my mind. She wanted me to rush out and leave without saying a word or leaving a note.

In my defense, that would have been extremely rude.

Mia felt that it was better than the possibility of getting him stuck in the middle of my mess.

I hated to admit it, but I did agree with that, but to just leave before he came home was still rude.

I quickly dressed and towel dried my hair, leaving it damp and loose. Hopefully, I could use it to hide behind should my face turn red again from embarrassment.

Then I thought to myself, screw it, I’m a werewolf for Goddess’s sake.

Although I never made a habit of prancing around the pack territory nude, the majority of my pack have seen me naked multiple times over the years. I should not feel uncomfortable if they saw me in a towel.

I stood up straight, squared my shoulders and walked out of the bathroom.

Seth practically jumped out of his seat when he saw me.

“I am so sorry….” He started trying to explain himself.

“It’s okay, I hadn’t heard you come in. It is your house.” His reaction confused me.

At least until what I assumed was his brother stood up, giving me a big smile that I am sure won him many hearts over the years.

Holding his hand out, “Hi, I’m Peter.”

Peter was almost the same height as Seth, maybe just a hair shorter with lighter brown hair that almost touched his shoulders. He had an athletic build and a flirty attitude.

I politely took his hand in a firm handshake, “Aurora, Its nice to meet you.”

Peter let his hand linger longer than I thought polite, so I pulled my hand away and turned my attention to the others.

“This is my oldest brother Travis and my sister Marissa.” Seth said as he nodded towards each of them.

Travis gave a polite nod but it was his sister that I focused my attention on. She gave me a huge, fake smile.

‘Oh, she does not like us.’

‘You are sensing it too?’ I responded to Mia.

‘Yup,’

“I brought pizza and salad home for lunch; I wasn’t sure what you liked.”

Seth pulled my attention back to him.

“You really didn’t have to, but thank you.”

‘Shes staring at us.’ Mia growled out.

‘I know, just be nice.’

“I didn’t have much food in the house.” Seth offered as an explanation.

“So, what now?” I heard from the only other female voice in the room, making me look at his sister.

Seth and I both turned, looking at her.

“Seth explained you were passing through, so when you leaving?” She asked, then took a bite of pizza.

“Marissa!” Seth said loudly.

I looked at Seth, “Its okay.”

I turned to face Marissa again, “I actually had planned on possibly staying in town for a while.”

“Really?” I heard from Seth, sounding excited.

Turning back towards Seth, I could not help but smile at the happiness shining from his face.

“You can help me find a suitable place to stay?”

I saw Seth’s smile get bigger, “You should just stay here.”

I tried desperately not to frown, “I don’t know if that is a good idea….” I had started saying when Marissa interrupted.

“That is a very bad idea.”

Seth’s expression changed as he furrowed his brow, looking at Marissa. “Why is that such a bad idea?”

They held eye contact, and if I hadn’t known better that they were only human I would have thought they had a private conversation going on.

Finally, Seth spoke. “This is different.”

“Doesn’t seem different,” Marissa said, not backing down.

I glanced at the other two males in the room and they both looked away like they wanted no part of this conversation.

I sat up straighter, not entirely sure what this was about, but I needed to take control of this conversation.

“Seth, it is very sweet of you, but I do not want to involve you in my problems. I worry they may eventually come looking for me down this way, its just a matter of time.”

“See.” Marissa said happily with a big smile.

Seth turned towards me, “Don’t you see, they are less likely to find you here staying with me than a motel. You said yourself you would need to pay cash. The places that would accept cash only are not places you should be staying.”

I frowned, I did not know how to explain that I eventually needed to return home to my people. This was all temporary. My mind was racing, trying to find an excuse, something they as humans could understand.

Finally, I took a deep breath, “My staying here or wherever I end up is only temporary, I will eventually need to return home. Once I turn twenty-one, I will be entitled to my trust fund and then there is no way they can force me to ah…marry Jullian.”

Marissa narrowed her eyes at me, “You think your trust fund is going to stop a bully like that?”

Maybe this wasn’t the best reason after all, but I did not know how else to explain my need to leave when I turned twenty-one.

“Yes, because I would be able to support myself.”

She gave me a look, like I was stupid or something. “Duh, you’re out here now supporting yourself. Get a job and you’ll be fine.”

I looked from her to Seth then back, “Regardless I will return home when I am twenty-one. I am not going to turn my back on my whole family, I just need some time.”

Marissa opened her mouth to say something, but Peter cut her off.

“Maris, leave it alone. It sounds like a rich people's problem. You’re rich aren’t you?” Peter walked closer to us.

I frowned again, “I never really considered us rich. When I say trust, it is enough to buy my own place while I start a career. It's not like I would never have to work.”

“Stay with me.” Seth added again.

I shook my head, “I really don’t think that’s a good idea…”

“Why?” He asked.

“I…” I sighed, “Seth, you are super sweet, but I have to be really careful not to get caught up in anything with anyone.”

“Aurora, we are friends, I should be able to help a friend.”

“What’s so bad about this Jullian?” Marissa asked.

“We really don’t know each other that well, but the other night we came home from a dinner date.”

I lowered my voice a little, knowing I would probably turn red from this conversation. “When he dropped me off, he tried to force me to have s*x with him. I told him I was not ready.

My brother and his Be….Ah his best friend Brutus happened to be at the house and heard us and they stopped him.” I paused, “The next morning I found out that he had another female stay the night with him.”

“What?!?!” Marissa seemed outraged, “And your family still expects you to marry him?”

I shrugged, “There are a very well known family. My father spoke with his father, and it will never happen again.”

“And you believe that?” She asked.

“Oh heck no. I pleaded with my father, but he said the wedding would continue so I left.”

Marissa moved a little closer, “I would offer to let you stay with me but my place isn’t very big.”

“She can stay with me!” I heard Peter offer.

Marissa raised an eyebrow at him. “Yeah, and Marybeth I’m sure would just love that. Peter has a girlfriend.”

“What? I’m only offering as a friend, Just like Seth.”

Marissa opened her mouth, like she was going to argue with Peter but instead just shook her head, “If you use a credit card they may be able to find you, places that take cash are dumps.” She sighed, “I guess here is the best place for you.”

She turned towards Seth, “Problem is, my brother is always willing to help a damsel in distress and he gets attached and gets himself hurt.”

I looked back at Seth who looked like he was about to come to his own defense.

“I cannot have that; I cannot be anything other than friends.” I paused; I could see he still had that hopeful look.

“There is someone back home, a childhood sweetheart.” It was a blatant lie, but I needed to stop that look he was giving me.

I knew if I was not careful, I would develop feelings for Seth, heck I already had the begging stirrings of something.

If I were smart, I would just move on, but something deep down stopped me. “After I turn twenty-one and am able to access my trust fund, we will most likely be married.”

I could see the change in his eyes as I spoke my words. I had already hurt him.

After several seconds that seemed to go on for an eternity, hearing the tick of a clock, the breathing of each person in the room, hearing the slight scuff of someone’s shoe moving, Seth finally broke the silence.

His eyes held that gleam again, “That does not change a thing, you would be safer here. Nothing will be under your name. It's settled you will stay with me for as long as you like.”

I glanced around the room, Marissa no longer seemed to protest, his two brothers didn’t seem to care either way.

‘He’s already fallen for us Aurora.’ Mia said, sounding sad.

‘I know and I do not know what else to say to change that.’

“I will need a job.”

That got Marissa to sit up straighter, “Oh the dinner is always looking for help for the overnight shift.”

After that, things fell into place, I would stay with Seth and get a job.