Phacelia

Chapter 2

"I can't stay long." I remind Miya as we all get out of the car at Mussy's.

"Why not?" She pouts.

"I snuck out, remember?"

"Oh yeah."

"You snuck out?" Julien asks from behind me.

"I got sick this morning and my brothers didn't want me to go to school."

"You snuck out. To go to school?" Julien asks seemingly more confused.

"Yeah, man," Miya interjects. "If you're going to hang with us, you have to be cool and rebellious like us."

We all slide into a booth with me in the middle.

"Yeah, we're wild." I chuckle at Miya.

"So, why'd you come up to us this morning?" Miya asks nonchalantly as she browses her menu. Julien's face reddens as he tries to hide behind his menu.

"Not just this morning." He says his words slowly as he's thinking about how to same them. "I've wanted to say something, strike up a conversation. But I only see you guys in class. I saw you on the field today and the field is where I feel comfortable. You guys just seem like really nice friends."

We sit in silence for a minute, waiting on Miya's reply.

"I'm really glad you said something, Julien. I'd be happy to be your friend." I say after Miya is silent another minute. Julien smiles at me.

"I want a burger. Anyone else?" Miya interjects as she puts down her menu.

"Just fries," I reply.

"It's much too cute over here." Miya takes over to go give our order. "I need something with more drama."

As if created by Miya's wish, Adeline turns the corner of the restaurant. I roll my eyes. Adeline Grace Blanchet; the girl who demands all attention. She wishes she was born into a position of power; preferably future Luna but at the very least, beta's daughter, also known as me.

"It's my little flower!" Addy squeals as if she's delighted to see me and leans over our table. I'm more comfortable with Addy than I would like to be. She was in the same class as my brothers and hangs around them and Axton as much as possible.

"I think I'm getting sick again," I say out loud. "It's from the stench of bull s**t nearby." Julien chuckles from beside me.

"Don't be like that." Addy fake pouts. It's gonna in a second as she carries on. "You should be congratulating me." She holds out her left hand to shove a large diamond ring in my face. "Axton asked me to marry him so I'm here to show everyone this beautiful ring!" Addy squeals.

Oh hell. As much of a pain in the ass Addy is now, it won't be anything compared to how she'll act as a Luna. Miya slides into her seat from behind Addy.

"Miya! Did you hear?" Addy asks.

"Uh, yeah," Miya looks around the restaurant. "Pretty sure everyone heard, princess."

Addy rolls her eyes. "You guys better start treating me with respect. I'm officially your future Luna, you know."

"Maybe Axton will find his mate first." Miya shrugs taking a bite of her burger. Everyone knows Addy isn't Axton's mate, no matter how hard she wishes it were true. I roll my eyes, already exhausted. Miya knows what she said is going to rile up Addy. There's the kind of person that doesn't think before they speak. There's the kind of person who thinks nod holds back. And then there's Miya, who thinks and does it anyway.

"Listen here, you little piece of s**t!" Every ounce of fake happiness disappears from Addy's face. She reaches down and grabs Miya's wrist, making Miya drop her burger. Miya looks up, glaring back at Addy, ready for a fight. I jump across the booth to crouch in between Addy and Miya, grabbing Addy's wrist that holds Miya's wrist.

"You can't put your hands on your future Luna!" Addy shrieks like I just hit her.

"You're not s**t yet, Adeline." I growl at her and tear her hand away from Miya's "Don't you lay your hands on my friends." Adeline looks around the restaurant, seeming to realize the time and place is not in her favor.

"I'll see you guys around." Addy glares back before leaving the restaurant.

"Aw, thanks, babe," Miya says softly as she's already picked her burger back up.

"I'm going to be hearing about this later." I sigh at her.

"I can tell you guys are going to be trouble." Julien chuckles.

Miya drops me back off at home. Knowing my brothers are still out, I use the front door instead of my window. Not that they could change the fact that I already went out anyway. I go upstairs to shower away the sweaty workout from this morning and change into a comfy pair of pajamas before crawling back under my covers. Everything is quiet for about a half hour until I hear the three boys enter in from downstairs. I listen as my brothers bounce their way upstairs and into my bedroom. Axton isn't with them, probably making himself comfortable in our kitchen. My brothers open the door, barge into my bedroom, and sniff the air.

"How long do you say, Saber?" Skye asks. "15 minutes?" I peek my head up from my blankets to watch their spectacle.

"No," Saber replies, playing his part. "I'd say she's been home," he takes another sniff from the air. "30 minutes."

"Whatever could you be talking about?" I blink innocently at them. "I have been right here awaiting your return."

"Dad linked us when you got home," Skye reveals his secret, pointing to his head. Another thing I'm not excited about gaining. Wolves from the same pack can communicate by linking, it's like sharing thoughts. It'll probably be like having my brothers on a walkie-talkie in my brain at all times.

"If you're feeling well enough to be out," Saber starts. "I imagine you're well enough to hang out with us." Skye finishes.

"I could," I reply, thinking about earlier today. I know Axton is here and I'm not ready for whatever lecture Addy's drama has gotten prepared for me. "But I think I'll stay here instead." My brothers close the space between my door and my bed and take a seat. Skye sits at the head of my bed while Saber is sitting at the foot.

"Are you feeling okay?" Saber asks in a soft voice.

"I think she's okay," Skye answers for me as he tosses my covers aside. Fully prepared for what they are about to do, I relax my entire body to try and make myself heavier. My preparations prove to be in vain because my brothers still easily pick me up. Skye has my shoulders and Saber has my ankles as they carry me off to the basement. The basement is decorated as a man cave for my brothers. There's a pool table, a punching bag, a popcorn maker, and an L-shaped sofa in front of the tv stand. "Delivery!" Skye yells as he kicks open the basement door. Axton smiles at us as we enter. My brothers toss me down on the corner part of the sofa before taking a sit between Axton and me. I half listen to the boys talk about pack business as I catch moments of Axton glancing in my direction. Great; he's preparing the lecture. Minutes later, Axton finally gets the courage to stand up and sit next to me. My brothers watch curiously but continue talking.

"Hey," Axton whispers to me. "I'm sorry for whatever part Addy had in your confrontation today."

"It's okay," I reply, surprised she didn't blow the whole thing out of proportion. Or maybe she did and Axton just knows better than to blindly believe what she says. "Thank you."

"However," he adds. "From now on, if you have any—"

"Wait," I interject, no longer in a whisper. I should have known to not count my blessings too early. "I don't know what sob story your fiance told you, but I was just keeping the peace."

"Yeah, that's why you physically grabbed her." Axton sneers at me, getting angry. Suddenly. He remembers my brothers' presence and looks over at them sheepishly.

"What fiancé of yours?" Skye starts. "Is getting into a fight with our sister?" Saber finishes. Both of them stare Axton down, waiting for an answer.

"Addy," Axton sighs. "I'm engaged to Addy. My parents think it's time. I've searched for my mate in all of the available wolves here to no luck and my parents think Addy will make a good Luna." My brothers shake their heads sympathetically.

"It's not my place, but this isn't right." Saber sighs.

"Did she hurt you?" Skye asks, glaring at me, anger directed towards the not-present Addy.

"No, I was protecting Miya." I tell Skye with a smile.

"More like protecting Addy from Miya." Saber chuckles. Axton squirms in his seat, obviously uncomfortable with the conversation about his Luna.

"Do you think Miya would make a good Luna?" Saber asks with a laugh. I want to tell him all the reasons that Miya would make a great Luna, but I decide to change the subject for Axton's sake. To do that successfully, I have to choose a topic Skye is passionate about. Skye because he is the most outspoken and carries conversations easiest.

"How was that show the other day?" I ask. Skye's already told me all about it, but I know he won't hesitate to tell me all over again. Music is Skye's greatest love aside from pack and family, especially Indie music.

"Oh, my goddess! They were so good!" Skye exclaims. I look over at Axton, who sends me a relieved smile. We hang out for a while longer, mostly listening to Skye talk about different bands and music. Once I start to get tired, I bid the boys goodnight and head off to my bedroom for sleep.