MAGDALENE’S POV
I couldn’t believe my eyes.
“A…August, did you just call me mate?”
He staggered without an answer and I had no choice but to catch him before he fell on me.
Staggering like that, I helped him in, took off his shirt, and rushed to get him warm tea.
The fact that he came to me, of all people, was shocking enough.
“Should I help you to your room?” I asked after he seemed calmer. “Or call your July or anyone else?”
He waved his hand dismissively. “Can I stay with you for a while longer?” His tone was breaking slowly and his wolf flashing before his face. “I…. I need your warmth closer”
My mind was confused — muddled with panic. Is he messing with me right now?
“August you rejected me, hated me, and even called me names!” I had to remind him now when I couldn’t keep the curiosity to myself any longer. “Was I just a hit and run doll you could bully and come running to when you’re in need?”
Surprisingly, August went dumb, head bowed, hair still dripping.
My anger rose higher. “Talk to me, August Ernesto! You’re the only one I didn’t interact with until yesterday, you rejected me at school, called my mum names…. August did you even have a heart?”
He shook again, and I was expecting him to say something this time, but he got on his feet. “I’m sorry for bothering you. My car ran out of gas on my way back home and the rain—”
“I’m not asking about the rain!”
“I’ll leave, but don’t tell my brothers I came to you, because—”
“You called me mate just now!”
“That was my wolf—”
His response made me chuckle this time, more dryly than normal. “So your wolf didn’t reject me, you made that up huh?”
“Forget that I ever came. It wouldn’t happen again” Then he walked away like he was never here, leaving me dumbfounded.
Was he into drugs that are affecting his brain?
Or was he…
“Arrghhhh!!!” I yelled angrily, throwing my pillow in frustration. “f**k you once again, August Ernesto! Fawwk you, Fawwwwk!”
•••••
I seriously needed more sleep!
But f**k it, I have to be at school!
“Moses was a dancer!” Mum’s constant praise of her Alpha Moses served well in place of my favorite Billie Eilish for mornings. “Darlene, I don’t want to come back!!”
“Mum…” I whined rinsing my mouth after brushing. “Enjoy yourself while it lasts, you don’t have to report everything to me”
Despite her over-protectiveness and over-control, one thing I noticed about Mum was that she always makes sure to report everything about herself to me.
Even before we moved here, I was her guardian. Though sounding wicked and mean, she’d still call over little things!
“Did you remember, Mrs. Big Belly? That fat-bellied woman living on our street back at our former pack….”
I was now sitting comfortably in the tub having an early morning coffee, she continued on and on until I was ready.
“Alright bye mum. I’m preparing for school!”
“I haven’t told you about the guest opposite our room…”
I ended the call. “What a talkative…”
Getting ready was quite fast as I wasn’t a makeup person.
Finally, I’d be out of the mansion’s walls and mix with people from this pack after two months!
‘Let’s not get into trouble, Magdalene!’ I told myself, set to leave the room but the door opened before I’d even placed my hand on the handle.
“Heyyyy” April greeted happily, startling me. “I thought you’d still be sleeping”
He was dressed differently from someone going to work at a company.
This wasn’t the April I used to see every morning — dressed in tight-fitting suits like a business magnate this one was different…
“Your hair… Why did you color it?”
He flashed me a smile, using my mirror as he fixed it. “I’m going to school today. I dyed my hair this morning”
I couldn’t believe my ears. “Going to school? I thought as the Alpha’s sons… Only August attends school and what about June and July?”
“Whatever, I don’t know” he faced me. “Do I look good enough?”
My jaw dropped. Good enough? This was insanely breathtaking!
Pink hair like a K-pop idol, long earrings, neck chains, rings and dressed like a music artist… “April you’re…. You’re on a whole different level”
“I know it” He pinched my cheeks. “Let’s go together. I heard that bastard made his rejection public, I don’t want it to affect you. He practically owns that school”
“Which…” My voice trailed off as the memory of August’s last night’s intrusion popped into my mind.
“What?” April blinked.
I opened my mouth to talk again but remembered that August didn’t want his brothers to know he was here. I shook my head. “Nothing. Let’s go…”
He grudgingly rushed after me, but the scene in the living room was different.
“Are… are these demi gods?” I didn’t know when I spoke up.
“Did you sleep well, Lene?” June approached me first.
July followed, smiling brightly. “What would you like to have for breakfast?”
This rush of affections was all overwhelming, I moved like a robot with them to the table and the three took turns to serve me, like I was some princess.
‘Is this a dream?’ I wanted to believe otherwise but I shook my head.
Whatever it was, I definitely don’t want it to stop.
June’s brown skin shone excellently under the armless leather jacket and cowboy hat he had on like a horse rider and July totally on a new look different from the young CEO I knew.
Smart jeans and a white top, his braids changed style to curly hair streaming down to his shoulders…
“But… But guys I could eat…” I wanted to tell them to stop watching me like that, but my breath caught in my throat — I ended up getting drunk in their allure.
‘Will this last long?’ A subconscious part of my mind asked. ‘What happens when mum and Alpha Moses comes back?’
“Mary you okay?” April tapped me. “You’re spacing out”
I blinked quickly. “Oh I was…”
Out of nowhere, the air changed, maids bowing toward a direction and just like I looked at a fixed direction, the brothers also turned their heads — only for us to see him there.
Mr. School Prince Charming is hotter than hell….
“This bastard…” April was about getting angry and ready to charge at his brother, but I pulled him and shook my head.
August said nothing to anyone, not sparing me a glance, served himself, and ate like none of us were ever there!
‘OMG! Is he mad?’
April and July purposely got up to sit beside him, watching his every move like hunters.
“Stop that, it’s stupid” June hissed at them. “He could remain dumb for life for all I care”
I guessed that this war was the limit to August’s pent-up anger. He got up, banging his hand on the table. “If you have issues with me so bad, June, why hide behind a girl’s grudge to vent that out?”
“Shut that disgusting mouth up, August!” June was on his feet immediately.
I swallowed hard. They were going to have another fight because of me?
“Guys…” I spoke up slowly. “Can we have a peaceful breakfast?”
April laughed, rather enjoying this. “They’d be fighting for who’s the eldest since childhood. It’s understandable”
Even though it sounded like it was a mere sibling argument, I still couldn’t be calm.
“But…”
August sat down respectfully before I’d complete my words.
“Good that you know your place!” June trolled before sitting down too.
The atmosphere around the table changed after this and I knew another fight might pop up if this atmosphere raged on like this.
Hurrying, I finished the food on my plate and got up.
“You’re full?” April asked first.
June got up after him. “I’d take you to school…”
July smirked. “I follow wherever she goes”
The shower of affections almost felt too cringe but I faced August instead with a fixed smile. “Gamma August can you take me to school?”
His brother gasped. “I’d rather carry you on my back than let this lunatic drive you to school!” June who doesn’t talk much talked.
“Yes. My car has everything you’d need…” April waned to compete.
But August got on his feet, eyes sterner than normal.
My heart thumped, waiting for his reply, and just as I thought he’d agree he suddenly grabbed his coffee and drank it all up.
Then replied in the most chilling tone ever. “No”