Sisters by chance - The beginning

Sleeping Arrangements

Sofia’s POV

I look away from both of them, focusing my eyes on the stunning view in front of me. In my head, all I see is their smiling faces, looking back at me, so handsome! A content sigh escapes me, this is nice. Far away on the other side, the campsite can be seen. It looks tiny. In an attempt to buy me some time regarding the sleeping 'arrangements' I ask Lucas about his family. He lives with his mom Laura, and his younger siblings: River, Willow, Naomi, and Kate. They all seem to be lovely! His father’s name is Henry, and he also lives at the campsite, but they don't speak much. Henry is a drunk, and friends with Hugo. The mention of Hugo makes me nauseous, I have to close my eyes and breathe slowly. Thinking about it, I think I heard him mention Henry.  

"Do you miss them, you're mom, your siblings?" I wonder, thinking about my own family. Seeing their faces. 

"Nah, I know where they are and can visit whenever. I've had years with them, now I want time with you!" 

"Oh! I would like to meet them sometime!" 

"Whatever you want, angel!" He said, taking my hand and holding it. Jacob stands up and walks into the house. When he comes back he brings our pizzas and a box of fries. The magical scent makes my mouth water. At the same time as Jacob sets the table and serves me my food, he starts telling me about the pack and being a wolf. As children they are like humans, they go to school, they play, and grow. But they train a lot from an early age, both boys and girls train to learn how to fight, fight to protect themselves and the pack. Some of them will be warriors, others will have regular jobs. Almost every family in this village has at least one warrior in it. They train daily except Sundays. Jacob is responsible for the protection of the southern border and is a first responder if the campsite needs help. It's convenient when he lives so close. He is n Alpha and a worrier. 

When they turn eighteen their wolf awakens. Jacob's wolf is named Blue. Jacob did not choose the name, Blue told him his name when he awakened. It's weird that way. That two individuals can share a body. Lucas explains his bear a bit differently. He is a different being, but not as

forthcoming. They are more the same than different somehow. Bears don't live in packs, they have their families. 

It’s so wonderful sitting here talking, it’s effortless. I try to not look at them all the time, but it's hard. It still surprises me how good-looking they are. 

When the pizza is eaten and the sun begins to set Jacob goes inside and gets coffee for him and Lucas and tea and a

blanket for me, how did he know?

The silence falls over us. I observe the calm water, its dark surface. The trees stand completely still, like a wall, they cast their shadows over the shiny surface. Soft thin clouds sail slowly across the pale sky.

“So, sleeping arrangements Angel. We haven't forgotten…” Jacob purrs glancing at me over his coffee. 

“Yes, well. About that! You two have been sleeping on chairs for days. So, Lucas, you take the guest room, and I'll sleep on the couch!” I say with a shrug. When they don’t answer I look up and burst out laughing. They look at me aghast. 

“What?!” I managed to get out through my laughing. 

“You are not sleeping on the couch!”

They answer with one mouth. 

“Why not?” 

“Because!” Jacob responded.

“Angel, you deserve a bed. And a good

night's sleep!” Lucas insisted. 

“Absolutely not! Jacob, this is your home, you have a bedroom. And Lucas needs to lie in a proper bed. Don’t deny it, I saw you at the hospital!” I say while poking him in his chest and giving him my most stern look. “And I’m fine!” I concluded.

“You're in the guestroom, and I’m on the

couch!” Lucas declared with a tone telling me it’s final but with a twinkle in his eyes making my core clench and my resilient falter.

“Fine!” I pout. What is with these two and always ganging up on me?

After saying goodnight and hugging them tight I walk up to my new room. It has been a long, long day. The soft color scheme is relaxing. The queen size bed looks as soft as a cloud in the sky, I drag myself into the bathroom for a quick shower before bed.

I took off my clothes and put them in the hamper before stepping into the shower. I simply let the day rinse off and enjoy the clean feeling. After washing off I dry myself and put on some new underwear and some ‘protection’. I go out to the bedroom and find a t-shirt on my bed. It smells

like Jacob but I don't put it on, I can never sleep in clothes. But I bring it to my face and smell it, like a total creep. Content I lie down under the cover and close my eyes.

It feels nice, soft, warm… and despite that, I can't fall asleep. And I can't put my finger on why. I toss and turn. Why can't I sleep? I'm f*****g tired…  

Annoyed, I throw the cover to the side

and pull the t-shirt over my head. The smell makes it feel a bit better. My throat is dry, I'm guessing from all the salt, I need a glass of water or something. I sneak through the hall and down the stairs to the kitchen. I search the cabinets for glass and find it. I let the water run until it gets cold before pouring it.

I jump up onto the counter and shriek when the cold stone hits against my thighs. Scared to wake them up I throw a hand over my mouth. I don't want to make them think something is wrong. 

I sit and wait but nothing happens, I sip my water and close my eyes thinking about an expression: let sleeping dogs lie. Does that apply to bears too? I giggle to myself and lean back against the wall behind me with a sigh.

How did this happen to me? 

I still can't understand why Hugo took me, killed my family. My beautiful sisters and a wonderful brother. They never got to live. Silent tears roll down my cheeks. I've never in my life cried this much.

The vague scent of freshly cut grass reaches me while a couple of hands sneak over my thighs to my hips. He stands between my legs and hugs me.

"Did I wake you?" I sob through the tears.

"I couldn't sleep, I missed my hospital chair!" he mumbles in my ear, making me giggle.

"You smell so good!" he

continues with his face buried in my hair.

"Christmas?"

"Honey, and cinnamon ..."

"Honey?"

"Every bear's favorite!" he growls softly as he buries his face against my neck. The vibrations make me shiver. I lean forward into his embrace and relax. I put my head on his shoulder and sigh contentedly while slowly drifting off to sleep.

***

I wake up feeling hot, too hot all over. I'm tucked into bed with a T-shirt on under the covers. The sun is shining through the slightly parted curtains. Dazed and sleepy I pull the

shirt over my head with an annoyed grunt and throw it across the room before I slump back down on my pillows. A

sharp intake of air stunned me, and I pulled up the duvet to cover me up. I sat back up to search the room with my eyes. On the floor, by the door, Lucas lies with a pillow under his head and my shirt over it.

Memories of falling asleep on the

kitchen countertop while leaning against Lucas flash before my eyes. 

"I'm sorry...” he mumbled from the floor while pulling the shirt off his face, his voice is hoarse "I couldn't sleep without your scent".

I chew on my lower lip contemplating that. Even I have to admit that it wasn't until I felt the warmth and smell of Lucas, I was able to fall asleep.

"I'm sorry Lucas, I'm new to this, I don't know how to handle you two. This Mate and partner thing. Humans don't do it like this, we date, get to know one another before the sleepover. If it's not a one-night stand or something!" I ramble trying to explain my confusion.

His deep chuckle interrupts me,

"I know how humans work, Jacob does too. We haven't been living under a rock!"

“Oh!” That is my brilliant answer.

“We are trying to take things as slowly as you want and need. It's just hard, we have got used to your scent, that's all! If you

want more space we’ll give it to you.” 

A knock on the door interrupts us. Lucas moves his legs out of the way, remaining on the floor while reaching for the

doorknob and opening the door up. Jacob comes in with raised eyebrows, the fact that Jacob has clothes reminds me that I have none, and neither does Lucas. He is on the floor in a pair of boxers. 

“You slept here?”

“Yes, on this exact spot!”

“Oh, why wasn't I invited to the slumber party?” Jacob pouts.

“No offense, she fell asleep in the kitchen, I just brought her up and couldn't leave.”

“I can relate to that!” Jacob laughs and walks inside. 

“Good morning beautiful, how did you sleep?”

“Good, thank you! You?”

He walks up to the bed and sits down next to me, all handsome. I have morning breath, and my hair probably looks like a bird's nest. My fingers grip the cover hard, and I like my lips nervously. He gently pulled my hair out of my face and tucked it behind my

ear. 

“We were talking about her needing more space, we are a bit overbearing…” Lucas mumbles from the floor, making Jacob

pull back his hand. It sounds so hard when he says it like that. I don't know what I want. 

“I didn't say that” I whisper softly. “I don't know what I want…please don’t hate me! It's just really confusing…”

“How so?” Jacob asks, looking at me apprehensively. 

“I’m only human, how can I ever be enough? And I’m scared, what if he broke me?” The bed dips on my other side and

I take a deep breath knowing they are both here, it makes me scared and excited. And it's a weird combination. 

“You're not broken, angel. And we can take things at your pace if you want. It’s just the sleeping that is unbearable. You know

you smell like heaven to me, and I miss you when I’m not with you.”

“I missed you too, I couldn't sleep last night, that's why I was in the kitchen,” I confess, looking up upon them.

“See, we are meant for you! And as soon as you feel safe enough I’m going to show you that you, my angel, are not broken!” Jacob says with a sly smile.

“How about you take a shower, and we make breakfast. And we can spend the day getting to know each other some more?”

Lucas asks. 

“Yes, excellent! And don't forget, we have a date!” Jacob growls playfully at me before kissing my cheek and walking

out. Lucas gives me the shirt back and turns his head slightly so I can put it on. He then lifts me up bridal style and carries me to the Bathroom. He starts the shower and kisses me on my other cheek before leaving too. I stand there less confused and more so excited.