When the Sky Comes Down

Chapter 19

[Nicole’s P.O.V.]

On Sunday, we have breakfast with everyone. Keith didn’t get the chance yesterday to meet the family, mostly because I kept him occupied. They need to meet him, they need to agree upon letting him in. That might be harder than I thought. Yesterday, after I brought Keith back to his room, my brother came to me. He is the alpha now. He wasn’t happy, told me Felix came to him to tell him what happened. He felt a little threatened I believe. Keith managed to make Felix submissive without even speaking. All he needed to do was growl and Felix had held back. Keith showed real dominant characteristics, alpha characteristics. I ensured my brother that Keith had no interest in becoming the pack’s alpha, that he was a good person, that he would make a great beta. I ensured him that he would like Keith. He in return demanded to meet Keith. Hence the need to eat breakfast together.

I walk Keith into the dining room. It is all filled. My brother, James, is sitting at the head of the table, his wife, Lila, is sitting to his right and their son, Trevor, opposite to her. To my surprise, Lexi is sitting between Trevor and Harlen. Harlen seems upset, again. Gina is sitting opposite to Lexi, with her two sisters, Lina and Nina next to her. Then there’s Harlen’s family. The Johnsons aren’t here yet and neither are my mom and dad. Harlen clearly kept two seats next to him free for us. I pull Keith along by his hand. We’ll first need to introduce him to James. I stop when I get to Lexi. ‘Lexi, stand up,’ I whisper. I should introduce her too. She looks at me, all confused, but gets up nonetheless. I stand behind Trevor and look at James. ‘James,’ I start. I have to admit, I’m a little anxious. What if James won’t have Keith? I will have to leave, but where to? Keith and I could start our own pack, I suppose. ‘This is Keith,’ I say, as calm as possible.

Keith reaches out his hand. James gets up and shakes it. ‘Pleasure,’ James says.

‘The pleasure is all mine,’ Keith says. They let go of each other’s hands.

‘And this is his sister, Lexi- Alexia.’ I gesture to Lexi.

‘We have met,’ James says. He smiles and nods to Lexi. I have to admit, I am flabbergasted. James seems to notice. ‘Trevor introduced us. And Harlen.’ He looks at the two men at Lexi’s side. ‘Your sister seems very fond of you Keith.’ I feel hollow in my chest. I’m such an i***t. I have been preparing Keith, but I haven’t been preparing Lexi. I didn’t realise she would meet James before Keith would, let alone that James would ask her about her brother. I have no idea what she might have told him. Even if Lexi thinks they are good things, they might be frowned upon by the pack. ‘Did Nicole show you around?’ James asks Keith.

‘She did,’ Keith answers. He smiles. Keith has a very kind smile. I know a lot of people immediately feel more comfortable when seeing him smile. ‘She’s planning on showing me around the town today,’ he says. He looks at me and I just melt away for his eyes. I can see so much love in it. I have been longing for that love for so long and now I am finally receiving it. ‘I heard it is quite impressive,’ he says. I can’t help but put my head against his shoulder.

‘It is,’ James says.

‘Perhaps I can show Lexi,’ Trever suddenly interrupts. ‘I am sure she will be fascinated by it. She has never seen a pack before.’

‘We will discuss that later,’ James says. He gives Trevor a pet on the shoulder.

Why is Trevor suddenly so invested in Lexi? He never really met her before. He saw her before, but never sought contact, even though I told him she is a friend of mine. ‘I would like to join you,’ James says. I look at him in surprise. He never joins when we guide around a possible new member. ‘If you don’t mind?’

‘Of course not,’ I answer, before Keith can.

‘You are welcome to join us,’ Keith confirms.

James nods. ‘Good, now, let us have breakfast.’ I take Keith back to our chairs. My parents have joined now. I’m sure Keith will have to answer a lot of questions during breakfast.

I just hope they get to love Keith as much as I do.

[Alexia’s P.O.V.]

After a good and long shower, brush my teeth and I braid my hair from my crown down. I rarely get the chance to braid it anymore. Keith doesn’t want me to, seeing how it attracts the attention of vampires. I get out my red dress. No vampires around, so why not wear red now that I can. I look at myself in the mirror. I look cute. I think. I hope. I turn around a little. Nicole said it’s a daring dress to wear at school. I put on my little black flats with open toes. There’s a knock on my door and I walk over to open it. To my surprise, it’s Trevor. He smiles widely when he sees me. ‘Well, don’t you look beautiful.’ I look down shyly.

‘Isn’t it too much?’ I ask. I rub the soft fabric.

‘It looks beautiful on you.’ He places a kiss on my cheek, making me blush even more. ‘Come,’ he says, ‘let me get you to the dining hall.’ He offers me his arm and I decide to take it. He guides me through the hallway.

We have barely walked out, when we see Harlen. He stiffens, looks at Trevor, then me. His eyes widen. ‘No,’ he says. He walks up to me. ‘No, no. You have to change.’

‘I- I- Sorry?’ I mutter.

‘She does not have to change,’ Trevor says, clearly a little annoyed.

‘She- She does,’ Harlen says. His eyes are dark again and I can see the lump in his pants. ‘She can’t walk around like this.’

‘Why not?’ Trevor says.

‘Because- Because- Because! That’s why.’ Harlen seems angry.

‘That’s not a reason. Lexi…’ Trevor looks at me. ‘…you don’t have to get changed. Harlen doesn’t decide what you get to wear.’ Trevor is very calm. ‘I would not wear this at school if I were you, because of the red, but here you have the right to wear whatever makes you feel good.’ He looks at me with his kind eyes. ‘Okay?’ I nod.

‘But,’ Harlen mutters.

‘Sorry Harlen. She has spoken. We will see you at breakfast.’ Trevor takes me along.

Harlen quickly follows. ‘You know what they think when they’ll fee her like this?’ he says to Trevor. ‘Lexi, red might be attracting to vampires, but it has it’s affect on wolves too. Why do you think we find blushing sexy? Or red lips?’

‘Red is sexy, even humans think that,’ Trevor says. ‘Vampires cannot control themselves with red, we can.’ He looks over to Harlen. ‘At least, most of us can.’ Harlen growls at him. Their arguing over this make me think that I should maybe change to just make this all go away. We walk down the stairs.

‘I-‘ Harlen grunts and hurries off once we get to the ground floor.

Trevor shrugs it away and takes me to the dining room.

There’s already food on the table and a long man with white blond hair and honey coloured eyes is sitting at the head of the table, reading a newspaper. ‘Who is he?’ I whisper to Trevor.

‘That’s the alpha,’ he whispers back. ‘And my dad.’ I stop walking. Trevor is the son of an alpha? ‘Dad,’ Trevor says. He sets a few more steps without me. His father gets up and they hug. Then Trevor moves out of the way. ‘This is Lexi,’ he says. He reaches out his arm to me. I slowly walk up to him and allow him to put his arm around my shoulder.

‘Lexi,’ the man says slowly. ‘The sister of the potential, right?’ He looks at me.

‘Yes, she is,’ Trevor answers. He looks at me and smiles. I shyly smile back.

‘Well, you’ll have to tell me all about yourself, Lexi,’ James says. He gestures to the chairs next to him. Trevor slides one back and gestures for me to sit on it. Once I sit, he moves it forth. Then he comes and sit between me and his father. ‘So my sister tells me you might be a wolf too,’ James says. I look at them.

‘Nicole,’ Trevor explains, ‘She’s his-‘

‘Yeah,’ I say. I knew that. ‘Ehm-‘ I pull my fingers. ‘We try not to discus my heritage too much.’

‘Is it a sensitive matter?’ James asks, frowning.

‘A little,’ I admit.

James smiles at me reassuring. ‘Don’t worry,’ James says. ‘Not a lot of people know. Besides, I am sure you’ll find out in due time.’ Trevor smiles at me too. ‘Would you like something to drink, Lexi? Tea, coffee?’

‘Some tea would be nice,’ I say.

‘Will be right up,’ a lady says.

‘Thank you,’ I tell her, as she rushes off.

‘So, why have I never heard my son talk about you before?’ James asks. Trevor looks at him.

‘I think because I started this year.’ I look at some of the food that is already on the table.

‘Are you hungry?’ Trevor asks.

‘No, I just see a lot that I don’t know.’ It’s out before I realize. I close my eyes and sit back in shame.

‘Well, you should try it all than,’ James says. I look at him. He and Trevor don’t seem to be laughing at me, not pity me. They don’t even really seem surprised. James smiles. ‘So you started this year, how do you like it so far?’

‘Oh I do.’ I smile. ‘Though not everything is as I expected,’ I admit. ‘I constantly have to be supervised.’

James frowns and so does Trevor. I can clearly see the family resemblance. ‘How come?’ James asks.

‘Oh, well there is this vampire who seems to be after me.’

‘Excuse me?’ James puts down his paper. ‘A vampire is after you?’

I feel my cheeks burn again. ‘Yes, well-‘ I pull my fingers harder. ‘Apparently he likes me. Or, wants me.’ I frown.

‘Who?’ Trevor asks.

‘Gregory,’ I tell him. ‘I don’t know his last name, but I keep getting warned about…’ I see them exchanging looks. ‘…about, him.’

‘Rightfully,’ James says. ‘I heard stories about the boy,’ he mumbles. ‘You better keep safe.’

‘Keith makes sure of that,’ I tell him. A lady comes walking up with a tray. She puts a cup of tea in front of me and a cup of coffee in front of Trevor. ‘Thank you,’ I tell her. She gives me a smile and hurries off. ‘He, my brother, he is very protective over me,’ I tell James. ‘Extremely.’ I look at my tea. ‘And rightfully,’ I add to it. I look up at James. ‘He’s a good brother. Without him I would have been alone.’

‘How come?’ Trevor asks me.

‘My mom, she left us. She constantly left us,’ I say. ‘I have a few older brothers and a sister,’ I add. ‘But they were a lot older, and they moved out quickly.’

‘And Keith took care of you?’ James asks.

I nod. ‘He always has. He takes care of me when I’m at my best and at my worst.’ I look at my fingers. They are all red and painful. ‘He is a good guy. He is a little overprotective at times, but he means well.’ I look at James. ‘He would die for me, and I know that. When you’re family, he would do everything for you.’ I smile to myself and then look at James. ‘You have a great sister,’ I tell him.

‘Ah, yes, Nicole.’ James chuckles. ‘She’s a…’ He pauses a moment. ‘…a special girl.’ I tilt my head a little. He seems to understand the question. ‘She has her quirks.’

‘Doesn’t everyone?’ I ask.

‘I suppose,’ he laughs. Trevor chuckles.

‘What are your quirks?’ Trevor asks, smiling widely.

‘Me?’ I look at him. ‘Oh I have many.’ I giggle nervously.

‘Tell me one?’ He pokes my side and I shrink in a little. ‘Just the one?’

‘Okay,’ I say. I softly slap his finger away when he tries poking me again. He just chuckles. ‘Ehm- I pull my fingers when I get nervous, or when I am anxious. Or embarrassed. Or when I feel out of place.’

Trevor looks down at my red fingers. I hide them away in shame. ‘Doesn’t it hurt?’ Trevor asks.

‘A little. Sometimes.’ I look at him. ‘Depending on how hard and long I pull on them.’ I swallow my anxiety. ‘How about you, what are your quirks?’ I look from Trevor to James.

‘Oh,’ Trevor laughs. ‘I don’t know.’

‘I do,’ James says. Trevor looks at him in surprise. ‘I always have to walk on someone’s right side.’ He shrugs. ‘Having someone on my right side feels strange.’

‘I never noticed that,’ Trevor says, thinking about it. ‘You indeed do that. You always move people to your left when walking or talking.’

I smile. ‘That is a little bit of a quirk.’ James smiles back at me. ‘Keith he has the tendency of humming when he feels ill,’ I smile to myself. ‘Oh and- and, his nose whistles when he gets really angry.’ I laugh.

‘He whistles when he gets angry?’ Trevor laughs.

‘I don’t think I’m supposed to tell anyone about that one,’ I keep back a chuckle. ‘He probably won’t like me telling.’ I take a deep breath.

‘What would he do if he found out?’ James asks.

‘Oh he’d be a little angry,’ I tell him. ‘But he is a forgiving person. He loves me, he won’t like me telling someone, but he also knows I tend to have trouble with boundaries. He has tried to teach me, but I have some problems with them.’ Trevor takes my hand, preventing me from pulling my fingers. I look up at him, to see a gentle look in his eyes.

‘He taught you boundaries?’ James asks. ‘You mentioned your mom being away a lot, but what about your father?’

‘I don’t know him,’ I say. ‘None of us do.’ James frowns. ‘Keith took that role on himself. He made sure I was clothed and fed, he made sure to teach me everything I needed to know.’ I look at James. ‘He didn’t have anyone to teach him, so he found it important that I did.’

‘It’s a wonder he’s as optimistic as he is,’ Trevor says. Sometimes I forget he is going to our school too. ‘And as social.’ He looks at his father. ‘He isn’t big on parties, he doesn’t like going to them, but he makes sure to get to know everyone. He makes sure to talk to everyone. He might not always remember everyone’s names, but he does remember a lot of other things.’

‘Oh he does,’ I say. ‘He does his best to remember everyone, because he disliked to be overseen or forgotten himself. He never wants anyone to feel that way.’ I feel so sad when I think about the fact that we were left to fend for ourselves. ‘I at least had Keith,’ I mumble to myself. ‘He came back for me, every weekend. I am sure he would have loved to stay with his friends, but he came back for me. He wasn’t planning on getting a pack,’ I tell James.

‘He wasn’t?’ James asks.

‘No, he was planning on buying us a house, so I would have a place to go. He knows that entering a pack means I have no place to go. Though I suppose that wouldn’t be completely true. I still have my other siblings, but we’re not as close and they have their own lives.’ I look at James. ‘But he was willing to go without pack for me,’ I say. ‘I told him to get one. Especially after I found out Nicole was his mate.’

‘That is really sweet,’ Trevor says.

‘Your brother has never lived with other wolves before, has he?’ James asks.

‘Well, with one,’ I say. ‘Or actually two, if you count our mom. But the other, our brother Ferril, he died before he could ever attend school.’ I look at James. ‘Keith always saw us as a pack, though it kept on getting smaller,’ I tell him. ‘He was broken over Ferril’s death.’ I remember the moment. Ferril was about six years older than me and he died at the age of twelve. I myself don’t really remember much about it. I just remember everyone being very sad and telling me he would never return. They never told me how. I remember a little about him, though. He and Keith were both very fond of me. I remember him being angry at me for something, but I can’t really remember what about anymore.

‘How about his relationship with Nicole?’ James suddenly asks. ‘It took him quite some time to realise they were mates.’

‘He is a careful person. He always takes everyone’s feelings into account. Sometimes it gives him trouble, because he can’t always please everyone. But he surely tries to do so. He has his limits though,’ I say. ‘Not too long ago, someone was attacking Nicole at a party. I think she is one of your pack?’ I look at Trevor.

He nods. ‘Yes, Felicia.’

‘Keith stepped in. Mostly because he was the subject of the argument, I believe.’ I look at Trevor. He just nods. ‘That’s how I know him. He wants to please, but if he cannot please everyone, he will go for justice.’ I take a sip of my tea.

‘I look forward to meeting him,’ James says.

Eventually, more and more people come and join us, they are all very curious and ask a lot of questions. They all seem very careful and aware of my feelings, which is nice. Harlen has come and sit next to me and Gina sits opposite to me. At first she couldn’t stop talking about my dress and saying nobody ever allowed her to wear red, that it looks beautiful on me. ‘Don’t you think, Trevor?’ She looks at him.

‘Absolutely,’ he tells her, while looking at me. ‘The most beautiful thing I have ever seen.’ He smiles at me and I feel my cheeks burn again.

‘That’s a compliment,’ Gina tells me. ‘Trevor is very picky when it comes to girls. Maybe he mated with you? You wouldn’t know of course, because you’re not a wolf.’ I hear growling all over the room. She clearly said things she is not supposed to say.

‘Gina,’ James growls softly.

‘Sorry,’ she says quickly. ‘But you never know.’ She looks at me. ‘He is artistic, like you. But he is more into music, he’s not a great painter. His drawings are more like stick-people. That reminds me, you will teach me how to draw, won’t you?’

‘She will only be here for today, Gina,’ Trevor says. ‘How can she teach you how to draw in just one day?’

‘I don’t know. She’s the teacher, ask her.’ Gina puts a piece of bread in her mouth.

‘She’s not a teacher,’ Harlen says. ‘Just because you want her to be, doesn’t make her one.’ I look at him, this is the most he has said since he joined us.

‘Now I’m curious about your drawings,’ Trevor tells me. He hold a basket with bread in front of me and I take two. ‘Will you show me later?’

‘Sure,’ I tell him. He smiles, but Harlen growls a little.

Nicole and Keith come hurrying in. ‘Lexi,’ Nicole whispers, once she reaches me. ‘Stand up.’ I blink a few times in surprise and get up as she asks. I’m not sure why, but she probably has her reasons. ‘James,’ she says. I look at James. ‘This is Keith.’ James gets up out of his chair and he and Keith shake hands.

‘Pleasure,’ James says.

‘The pleasure is all mine,’ Keith answers. He looks relaxed, as if he’s home.

‘And this is his sister, Lexi.’ She gestures at me. ‘Alexia,’ she then corrects herself and shakes her head lightly.

‘We have met,’ James says. He smiles ad me and nods. I smile back. I hadn’t realised Nicole might want to introduce us. I hope I didn’t ruin things or make them look stupid. ‘Trevor introduced us. And Harlen.’ I look over at Harlen. He wasn’t here when I met James, so maybe he talked to James about me before. Harlen isn’t looking at me, so I turn back to James. He seems very calm and collected. ‘Your sister seems very fond of you, Keith.’ I look at my brother. He smiles at me and I smile back. I hope I haven’t let him down. He looks away, to James. It would be good for Keith to join this pack. He clearly feels good here.

Trevor is softly pulling my dress a little and I look down at him. He smiles and gestures for me to sit down. I try to sit without pulling too much attention to myself.

Trevor bows towards me. ‘Don’t worry so much,’ he whispers. ‘You’re doing great.’ He takes my hand. I have been pulling my fingers again. ‘Take something to eat, to get your mind off of it.’ He grabs a bowl of fruit and puts some of it on my plate. ‘Try some,’ he whispers. I know the cherries, blueberries and strawberries, but there are many other fruits in it that I don’t know. I spike some on my fork and take a bite.

‘Perhaps I can show Lexi,’ Trevor suddenly says. I look up when hearing my name. He looks at me and then at his father. ‘I am sure she will be fascinated by it. She never has seen a pack before.’ I hear Harlen growl softly and look at him. He looks angry, or perhaps sad. I have to admit that it bothers me that he seems so upset. I put my hand on his lower arm and he looks up at me. He looks so hurt. Did I do this to him? He gives me a little smile, as if trying to comfort me, but it fails. He puts his hand on top of mine and just lets it rest there.

‘We will discuss that later,’ James says. I look at James and Trevor. James is petting Trevor on the shoulder. Harlen’s hand softly pinches mine and I look back at him. He just looks at me and keeps my eyes locked in his.

‘Lexi!’ Gina interrupts. I look up at her and shake my head to clear my mind. ‘Have you ever tried jam? It tastes great on the toast.’ She points at my toast.

‘I haven’t,’ I say. She hands me the jar and I take it. I’m not sure how to proceed.

‘Let me,’ Harlen says. He takes the jar, grabs a knife and starts putting jam on my toast. I see Trevor watches, I can see him do so from the corner of my eye.

He suddenly turns to his father. ‘So, can I give Lexi a tour of the town?’

‘You are not going to give up on that, are you?’ James sighs.

‘Probably not,’ Trevor admits.

‘Fine, just make sure not to leave her alone. You know how the pack can get with new people.’

‘Can I come!’ Gina shouts.

‘No!’ Trevor says.

‘I wasn’t asking you!’ Gina sneers at him. ‘Dad?’

I tune out and take my toast from Harlen. He gives me another little smile and then looks at James. ‘I will be going with Trevor and Alexia,’ he says. People fall quiet. ‘I promised Keith to stay with her, she knows me.’ He looks at me. ‘I won’t leave her side. Not anymore.’