Hidden Fangs

Surprises Around Every Corner.

I look up to Joe thinking of ways to calm him down. I hug him and tell him that it’s being handled. I just hope that works. Everyone knows that our mother abandoned us and everyone knows Joe took me under his wing. His wife died around the time I met him. I like to say we needed each other just as much. He hugs me back and says it’ll be okay. Once he’s calm I turn around and bring out the plates of hot food I was holding. The customers thank me and I go on to the next table. At 8:00 pm, I clock out and get ready to go home. I worked for 10 hours today. The boys rode the bus so they’ll be home and hopefully getting along with each other when I get home. I pick up take out for them which consists of Pizza, cheese sticks, and wings. I know they hate it when I work late. But that’s the only way to provide the life they deserve for them. I stack the food boxes on top of each other and make my way inside. They’re all watching a movie on the couch and semi getting along. I put the food on the counter and get plates and cups down to start setting the table. Once everyone is eating the usual chatter picks up. I asked about their day and they all had a great day. I ask James about his day again because of the bullying situation. He smiles up to me and says “it was great! No one said anything to me. I told them I wasn’t running from my problems and they could fight me!”. I chuckled at my brave baby brother and ruffled his hair. Everyone had finished eating and we all were lazily on the couch watching Netflix. “Okay my boys, it’s time to shower and get ready for bed.”, nobody wanted to but they knew they had too. One by one they got showers and went to bed. I cleaned up the mess from today and looked at my schedule for tomorrow. School and work at Gammie’s place. I laid out my school clothes for tomorrow and went ahead to lay out my work clothes for the diner. I went to the bathroom to shower and let the warmth engulf me again. It’s my way of processing my day. After getting out, the shower I realized I came unprepared and forgot my clothes. I grabbed my towel and wrapped it around my body and quietly headed to my room. I shut my door and went to grab my night clothes. I dropped my towel and started to get dressed when a howl outside caught my attention. I slipped my shirt on and ran to the window. There he was again, under the same tree. He was looking at me and it dawned on me. He just saw my naked body outside the window. I dashed and cut the light off and got into bed. If I pretend nothing happened then nothing happened. I steadied my beating heart and lay in bed. After what felt like forever I finally fell asleep. I thought it would be a normal sleep but here I am once again face to face with the wolf. “Tomorrows your birthday, isn’t it Amelia Jane?” Shocked is an understatement. “H-How do you know that and how do you know my name?” I stutter out trying to make sense of it all. I am once again lost and confused. His deep chuckle gains my attention faster than I’d like to admit. “It’ll all make sense in due time, remember?” I sit down on the grass and think about our last conversation and suddenly look into his eyes. “I’m not a wolf though. I would know if I was right?”. He looks up at me and somehow morphs into the stranger that’s captivated my mind. “YOU’RE NAKED” I scream as I fall back trying to cover my eyes. He looks confused as he looks at me, “you have kids do you not?”. I look up and make eye contact and it suddenly makes sense. “They’re my brothers, not my biological children. Though I do intend to adopt them after tomorrow.” A look of satisfaction washes over his face and he blows a breath of relief. “You have no children?” He asks in a shaky tone. I laugh a sarcastic chuckle and reply “Unless I am the Virgin Mary! I’ve never even had a boyfriend! I’ve had to raise my brothers since I could talk.” After a moment of silence and what felt like forever, he spoke in a quiet tone, “what do you know of your people?” My people? What is he asking? “My people? My parents? My mother is a junkie who robs and steals from us every chance she gets and my father is unknown. Probably a buyer who paid my mom for s*x. I’m not sure I’ve never even heard of him. I doubt my mother even knows.” I say as I throw my hands up. This is trauma I keep at bay and now it’s out there. That I am probably the product of prostitution has haunted me since my younger years. He nods his head and runs his hands through his perfect hair before he continues, “You are a shifter, your father had to have been a strong alpha or even alpha king. Your aura is stronger than most, which is why I was drawn to you. Our souls are tied, destined. You are to be mine and I am to be yours. Until the day one of us should perish, the other will follow suit.” “Ummm excuse me?! You could have slowed it down, that's a lot to process at one time! This is a dream that isn’t real!” I shout and before I know it we are nose to nose and he’s staring into my eyes. I don’t know how but just making eye contact I was able to feel that he wasn’t lying. What the f**k am I getting into?! Before I am able to speak again he kisses my forehead and rubs my face and I swear I could physically feel his kiss. My eyes widen and I go to ask how but he stops me. “I’ll see you soon, my queen.” I jolt awake in a panicked stupor and look around my room in a haze. My alarm sounds a second later causing me to jump. It’s 5 am and it’s time to start my day. Downstairs I head to the kitchen. I cook a normal breakfast consisting of eggs, bacon, grits and biscuits. The boys rush down stairs and are at the table as I prepare their plates. As I round the corner Liam gasps, “Are you wearing contacts?! You look different!” Asher looks at me from head to toe “yeah your hair is different too!” Confusion is all over their faces. I run to the mirror in the hall and my once ordinary brown eyes are a bright amber color. My hair which is normally tamed and blonde is a dark curly black. Panic sets in and I rush up the stairs into the bathroom as I take in my new face. What the hell happened to me?! I was normal last night! It was HIM, he told me I would change! He did this. Before I can yell, a voice in my head speaks. “Hello, Amelia. I am Hera. I am your wolf.”