2.
1462 Words
Lathering the soap all over my body I quickly rinsed off and stepped out of the shower, wrapping the small towel around my body.
I didn’t have time to wash all of the flour out of my hair so I swept the long strands into a messy bun on top of my head, hopefully I could use the school showers and wash my hair during lunch.
I never ate in the cafeteria with everyone, I learnt years ago that reduced teacher supervision and ample food did not a happy lunch make. I was very familiar with having to shower at school and way too familiar with washing foreign things off my body and out of my hair.
I sighed and looked at my reflection. I knew I was a bit of an oddity in terms of appearance. I didn’t really remember my parents very well but I definitely had some Asian lineage because my skin tone was tan and my eyes were slightly curved, though I had deep blue eyes, a curvy frame and dark blonde hair that obviously came from elsewhere.
I didn’t think I was beautiful by any means but I definitely didn’t deserve to be ridiculed the way I was.
The trio on the other hand? There was no denying they hit the genetic lottery.
Ralph and Rafe were both 6 ft 3, leanly muscled and lithe like panthers. They had lightly tanned skin, bright green eyes, almost delicate features on their handsome faces and red hair with golden strands woven through that they kept shaved at the sides and long on top. They were identical down to the number of freckles across their noses. I don’t know why or how but I have always been able to tell them apart, even when their parents couldn’t.
Lyall on the other hand was a beast of a man. 6 ft 6 in height and packed with muscles, I bet his toes were probably jacked that’s how ripped he was.
His skin was a gorgeous caramel, his hair was black, shoulder length and wavy.
All of that was enough to turn heads as he walked through a room but then his face, oh good lord his FACE. The twins had a pretty face, but Lyall’s was so unbelievably chiseled and well structured it was like the gods had sculptured it themselves. The finale being his incredible dark violet blue eyes that were so mesmerising I tried not to look into them if I could help it.
“Do you need catching little Rabbit?”
Shit. I shook myself out of my thoughts and sprinted to my room, clutching the towel like my life depended on it.
Whatever new game this was. I would not let it defeat me. I wasn’t going to be here forever. I just needed to get through the last few months of school, turn 18 and then find myself a job…. Preferably as far away from here as I could get.
I yanked on my oversized sweat pants and hoodie and ran down the two flights of stairs to get to the kitchen where yet again the Goddess tormented me by having all three of them sitting at the counter waiting for me.
“Made an effort just for us?” Lyall asked with a sneer. “Do you even own clothes that fit?”
“You look like a boy,” Rafe said.
“A homeless one.” Ralph added.
Goddess give me strength.
“Apologies that my appearance distresses you Alpha,” I murmur sarcastically. “I thought you were hungry, not after a fashion show.”
“Can’t it be both?” Ralph purred as Lyall glared at me.
I rolled my eyes. “Stop it. I’ll make your food, I’ll wash your clothes, I’ll clean your house but I don’t have time for whatever new game this is.”
“Game?” Lyall asked and there was definitely a threat in his tone.
I didn’t have the energy for this today. I had been up studying until 2am so my 4 am wake up call was more than unwelcome.
I didn’t reply and instead busied myself making pancakes, bacon, eggs and toast. They watched me the whole time. I don’t think they ever took their eyes off me for a second.
This new and unwanted attention made me so on edge that without thinking I grabbed the hot pan by the sides instead of the handle, the heat instantly burning my flesh and agony spearing my hand.
Without thinking I knocked a glass over as I dropped the pan on the floor, eggs and bacon sprawling everywhere.
Fuck. They didn’t force me out as a child, but Alpha Randolph and Luna Arley didn’t like me, and if I damaged their fancy floor they might actually hurt me, the fact I had denied their boys and the new Alpha sustenance would definitely earn me some sort of punishment.
“I’m so sorry!” I blurted, quickly picking the pan up so it didn’t burn the floor, fighting the wince as I stepped on some broken glass. “I’ll pay for any damage.”
“Show me your hand.”
“I’ll go to the store and replace the food I just wasted. I really didn’t mean to-“
“Give me your hand,” Lyall’s deep voice rung with such authority I didn’t realise I had obeyed until I felt his strong hand cradling mine.
“This was stupid of you.”
“I didn’t mean to ruin breakfast.” I whispered.
Violet eyes snapped to my face and I couldn’t look away. “You think I give a f**k about the food?”
“Yes?” I replied in a question.
“Stupid.” Lyall repeated.
The intensity of his gaze was too much. I gently pulled my hand out of his grasp and back away from him, further cutting my feet open on the broken glass on the floor. Jesus Christ today sucked.
I wasn’t a shifter but I knew not to show weakness in a pack setting so I did not let them see how much pain I was in and I would not let myself cry.
All three froze as one.
“What the f**k is that?” Rafe snarled, no sign of the cheeky smirk.
“Is it YOU?” Ralph demanded.
I had no idea what the hell they were talking about.
“I really need to clean this up, the pancakes are ready if you want to take-“
My next words were cut off as I was suddenly off the ground and being held against an incredibly warm wall of granite.
“She’s f*****g bleeding,” Lyall growled.
“Her hand is burnt to s**t too.” The twins said as one.
“I’m fine,” I tried again. “If you would just-“
“Cease speaking!”
I shut my mouth immediately.
What the hell was happening? They had seen me hurt many times over the years, they had CAUSED the hurt so many times over the years. Why the hell did it matter now?
I was so grateful it was so early. Alpha and Luna would still be sleeping so hopefully I could let them get this white knight bullshit over with quickly so I could clean everything up and have breakfast ready in time for when they woke.
“You smell it too right?” Rafe asked quietly.
“I would have to be dead not to,” Ralph replied.
“It’s getting stronger every day.” They said together.
Well now I was pissed off. I hadn’t been the one to throw lake water and flour on myself this morning and then ensure I didn’t have enough time to properly clean up.
“I just showered,” I snapped. “So save your stinky comments for someone else.”
“I told you to cease speaking,” Lyall said again harshly, but his hands were so gentle as they pulled broken glass out of my feet.
“Should we call the doc?” Rafe asked.
“No!” I almost screamed. “Please I’m fine.”
I couldn’t be around the pack doctor. I didn’t know why but an internal alarm went off whenever he was around and as I got older it alarm got louder as his interest in me seemed to grow deeper. When I got my period he even went so far as to ask if he could take some blood as a sample to study the differences in human and shifter DNA.
A blood sample that did not come from my arm. f*****g creep.
I had avoided him ever since and today would not be any different.
- Writer
