13.
1380 Words
Arro sat opposite Gatlin a smirk on his well-sculpted face watching as she dove into the food that had been placed at the table. Gatlin wasn't a large person, she was a skinny little rake, she wasn't very tall either yet here she was stuffing her face with pancakes, sausage, eggs and bacon and Arro could have sworn she hadn't even stopped to take a breath while doing so "stop staring at me" she grumbled with a mouth full of food.
"Call it morbid fascination" he chuckled before taking a sip from the mug of coffee in front of him. His fingers tapped against the white porcelain.
"The food is crap at the camp" she grumbled once more while shoving another fork full of food into her mouth.
"And it's brought out a very ladylike side of you" Arro continued to laugh at her expense.
"I never claimed I was a lady" Gatlin rolled her eyes before slumping back against the brown pleather seat in the booth they had sat in.
"I'm not even touching that one" he shook his head with a laugh "who were you talking to before I stopped by this morning anyway?"
"Nosy much" Gatlin gave him a playful glare.
"Your mum?" The words alone made Gatlin begin to laugh.
"No..." she suddenly became serious "that would mean my mother would have to take an interest in my life."
"Not very close to your family? I thought you were at Onyx's ceremony with them" Arro gave a questioning look making her sigh.
"That was more for looks... My dad was my mum's first mate he died when I was little then she met my stepfather and his daughter..." she sighed once again letting her body slump forward and her face falls into the palm of one of her hands "and I didn't fit anymore. A blemish on their picture-perfect family and since they had my sister it's just felt like they've been waiting for me to leave."
"Harsh..." Arro's voice turned soft "I'm so--"
"Don't... You're the first person I've told that to before and I don't need to hear I'm sorry or be given that pitying look. I have my plans outside of this pack which includes not coming back" Gatlin explained it so coldly and stiffly it almost made a shiver run up Arro's spine.
"I'm the first person you told it to" a smug smile crossed the young Alpha's face over that information "you know I was thinking when the month is up I would accompany you to your aunts ya know to make sure you get there safe and sound."
"What about your training? Aren't you meant to be getting ready to become Alpha, that's only a few months away isn't your twenty-first birthday around then" Gatlin questioned.
"Eh," Arro shrugged his slender shoulders. He wasn't as large as his cousins but Arro still had muscle to him even though he was quite thin "I'm sure it won't matter if I'm gone a month or four right?" he shot a playful wink "need to make sure you're settled" Gatlin looked at Arro, he continued to smile and she couldn't help but return it. He was sincere even if he was being a goofball she could tell he was sincere about making sure she was okay. Her whole life she had spent in this pack and no one cared what she did but it only took him such a short period to and Gatlin couldn't help but appreciate him more. With a fond smile, the pair continued their breakfast joking and talking.
:::
It was late in the night, Gatlin had spent the entire day with Arro until finally returning in the late afternoon. She was exhausted as she stretched out of the lumpy uncomfortable mattress, Gatlin couldn't help but yawn once again but sleep just didn't seem to want to come and decided to read one of her botany books. She didn't know where her love for plants came from but nonetheless, she loved it and loved learning more. Fixing her glasses that often slid down the length of her slender nose before going to grasp at her chest before sighing and remembering the necklace was gone. Indeed she hadn't had it long but when it was the only thing she had of her father it instantly became precious, one of the most precious things she owned which made her heart sink over losing it.
As the night went on her eyes grew tired she glanced at the time on the small clock beside the bed her eyes widened at the time reading it was two in the morning but her eyes widened further when a soft knock came to the door. She questioned who would be visiting this late but got up opening the door slowly "I'm starting to enjoy your kid pyjamas. What's it going to be the next time I see you little hearts? Maybe teddy bears?" there was no greeting just straight into the snarky comments from Jaxon as soon as the door opened. Gatlin glanced down seeing the pair of flannel pink pants with birds on them and quickly cursed under her breath.
"Why am I not surprised you sleep shirtless" she quickly countered once she lifted her gaze. It was hard to miss Jaxon in only his low-hanging sweatpants while having his bulging muscles on full display.
"Why see something you like" he teased causing her to roll her eyes.
"What do you want Marks? It's late" she whined not having an interest in the late company.
"Easy now, Pryce. I stopped by earlier but you weren't here. I just remembered--"
"Marks!" she snapped at him "get to the point" Gatlin was ready to argue with him until Jaxon pulled his hand from his pocket revealing a long chain a gasp escaped realising it was her necklace.
"Lose something?" he questioned holding the necklace up in front of her face the pendant swaying in midair.
"W...Where did you find it" she stuttered out.
"Out by that lake. You must have dropped it" Jaxon unclasped the chain before stepping closer. His chest almost bumped into her face as he reached around securing it around her neck once more. At any other time perhaps she would have pushed him away but she was so happy over the necklace that it didn't even phase her. Jaxon smiled to himself once he fixed the necklace before stepping back once again observing his handy work "there."
"Jaxon, I..."
"You're using my first name? Man, this must be serious" he chuckled.
Gatlin wasn't usually warm and fuzzy but she threw her arms around his shoulders hugging his large torso" It means a lot thank you" she mumbled.
"Yeah... Yeah, you're welcome" it became obvious he wasn't a hugger but nonetheless wrapped his arms around her giving a squeeze till someone clearing their throat caught their attention. Glancing up they were met with an annoyed Onyx.
"Excuse me" was all he growled out and the two parted letting the large man pass by "and Jaxon, get back to your room" he ordered making his way to the bathroom at the end of the hall.
"Sir yes sir" Jaxon scoffed.
"You're not Beta yet, Jaxon and I am the head warrior, I'm in charge. Get to bed" he growled before slamming the bathroom door closed behind him.
"Man, someone mustn't have got laid" Jaxon muttered out with a chuckle.
"What?" Gatlin questioned.
"It was the weekend, Pryce. Where do you think Onyx was? He's usually joined at the hip with Eliza but by the late-night entrance guess they had a fight..." he shrugged but a mischievous smile played on his face "wonder what it was about?" his brown eyes focused on Gatlin.
"I don't know what you're talking about" Gatlin held an unamused look on her face.
"Sure you don't. Anyway, you should hit the hay it is getting late" he continued to hold a smile "night, Pryce" and with that, he turned on his heel walking back down the hall.
"Night, Marks" Gatlin replied as she closed the door the last thing she saw was Jaxon flashing another smirk her way before she retreated into her bedroom and hoped to get some sleep.
- Writer
