Scorched Future's

New Friendships and Problems

Chapter 10

Tarius

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I hugged Athena while dropping her off at her house, and that may have been the worst mistake I have ever made. I thankfully brought a jacket to cover my tell of enjoying the hug a bit too much. I've never gotten a hard on from just hugging a girl, I dont understand what it is about her, but I guess I dont just connect ws with her emotionally. She seemed to enjoy the hug too though, after, her eyes lingered on me for a moment and my eyes studied her, but after a second I said goodbye, turned and left.

The walk on the tracks with her was truly magical, she understood me unlike any other person I know. We didn't talk about our family's, but I was glad for that. Rehashing my dad's death didn't sound great to me, plus, from what I've gathered, it's just her and her mom. We talked about all sorts of other things to get to know each other. It was the best time I had in a while. She was unlike any other girl that I've met or my mom has tried to set me up with.

After my walk with Athena I headed toward the woods to find Kamil, sure, I may not like the guy all that much since he is and seems to be very conceited, but I'm not gonna just have people mad at me for reasons beyond my control. Kamil obviously knows I'm a Reelora, so I shifted into my deer form once I reached the woods.

The difference between werewolf shifting like what Kamil does, and Reelora shifting like what I do is that Kamil at all times has a passenger in his body, his wolf, he also has the power to allow his wolf to take control of his body when in his wolf form. For me, I am able to shift from human to deer and visa versa anytime while still maintaining my full mental presence. So, I didn't know if Kamil was going to be himself when I found him meaning I had to be extra careful.

I heard a growl in the near distance and I knew it was because he was close and could sense me. In this form I have extra heightened senses and am ten times more aware. I neared where I heard the noise from before and could feel a close presence. When I turned to look to my left I saw him charging at me until I was tackled to the ground. What Kamil had forgotten was that even though deer are typically weaker than wolves, being a Reelora is an even stronger type of deer, plus, I am the lead male of my family which strengthens me even more. I shoved Kamil off of me and gave him a light but firm nudge on the head and hurumphed loudly indicating for him to stop, and he did. His eye color faded from black to grey, his normal eye color, and stepped back into a bush causing it to rustle. At first I thought he was going to leave, but he actually came back out of the bush and was in human form. I guess he was smart enough to undress before shifting so that he could change back into his clothes, thankfully enough I did the same. So I went behind another bush and walked out in human form as well so that we could communicate.

"What are you doing here Tarius?" He said in an aggravated tone.

"I could tell you were aggravated with me this morning and I needed to know why." I responded matter of factly aggravated with how I need to explain everything in detail

"Do you like my mate!" He snapped and growled at the end of his sentence. I was quite confused as to what he meant. Wolves usually mate at an older age than twenty two like Kamil is just to be sure they are positive on the mating feeling, though they tend to know instantly. It suddenly dawned on me, was he referring to Athena as his mate?!

"Who is your mate?" I asked nonchalantly

Another growl escaped my throat as he shouted angrily

"Athena!"

And sure enough I thought correctly, and I now had a problem.

"Well, then yes, i do believe i like your 'mate' and am pursuing her." I answered calmly,

Over the span of my life I learned that the calmer you are in situations like this, the better of you are, you cant fight fire with fire, only with water or a fire dispenser. My dad was always very good at that. I just had to figure out a way to pursue Athena, but not get on little wolfie's bad side, even though I could take him any day of the week, that arrogant little d**k. After thinking, I knew what I had to do and say.

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Chapter 11

Kamil

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"We're not going to physically fight over her affection." Tarius stated and I was completely confused.

Not only did I want to fight this old buck, I wanted to kill him. So why would I go along with anything he wanted or suggested.

"Why should I listen to you?" I asked firmly but inquisitively

"Well, firstly because I'm older and less irrational. Secondly, because Athena would never have an interest in you if you kill me, which you wouldn't be able to. And finally, because we shouldn't bring her into our world just yet until she has chosen one of us for a life partner, and she should be able to do that without any influence." He said

What he said sunk deep into my thoughts and I knew it was the right plan. So in return I responded

"Okay, that sounds fair enough. I have only one thing to add."

"Sure, what is it?" He asked

"Neither of us can have s*x with her until she's chosen and the other person has to know she made her choice. " I said while pointing my finger

"Sounds good to me. Do we have a deal?" He held out his hand waiting for me to shake it as he made this statement

I shook his hand knowing that eventually something in this plan would go so very wrong. Once he pulled his hand away I didn't want to deal with any awkward conversations with Tarius so I turned and bolted back into the woods.

I could hear him scoff in the distance, but since I'm a werewolf I was already miles away within seconds.

I ended up at my friend Brayden's house shortly after leaving Tarius standing in the woods. Brayden is also a werewolf, like me. I knocked on the door and he welcomed me in bringing me into his kitchen.

"What's up with you dude, you look like your back in high school worrying about an exam." He laughs

"I'm almost positive I found my mate." I said looking down at my hands that are resting on the kitchen table with what I know to be a fearful expression on my face.

When I looked up I saw him smiling wildly and I was now even more worried so, I put my head down on the table and grunted, secretly wished the world would open and swallow me whole.

"Come on man, you found your mate, you should be over the moon! What's wrong?" Brayden said in hopes to coax the truth out of me, and it worked, I straightened up and said

"She just moved here and lives down the street from my house. I don't know much about her but she is the most beautiful being on this earth and I just fell a complete inhuman urge to make her mine."

"So what's the problem, make her yours." He said

"I can't, it's not that simple. She's friends with Tarius and he has romantic interest for her as well." I said in all seriousness

Brayden rolled his eyes at me and flailed his arms around while he said

"Of course you choose this girl to mate with so that you can fight with an older supernatural being. Why would anything be simple with you!"

"There's more." I stated somberly

Brayden has always been my best friend and anchor, when I get into trouble, he's always there to help get me out of it and make me laugh in the process. I'm worried this time though, I haven't told him how royally I have screwed up yet and I know he won't react well and I'll end up dragging him into my mess as always. He pulls a chair up next to me, sits down, and lays his head on the table groaning.

"How could there possibly be more?" He stated in a serious yet somehow humored tone

" I may or may not have been in the woods when Tarius came up to me, Dolphos tackled him, Tarius bucked me off and we made a deal." I said mumbling the last part

"I cant even with you, you tackled an elder deer! Other than his mother, Tarius is the eldest full on Reelora of their kind making him the strongest of all! What was that last part you mumbled?" He said very aggravated and that last question seeming to dawn of him

" I made a deal with Tarius" I stated inwardly cringing at my stupidity

"Well. What the hell was it." Brayden scolded

"We made a deal that we aren't allowed to physically fight and whomever she ends up choosing is the one that has to at last tell her and bring her up to date on our world."

"Okay... that sounds civil enough." He sighed

" I told him I needed to add something." I added

Brayden shook his head at me and waved his arm gesturing for me to continue on, so I did

"I added that neither of us could have s*x with her until she had chosen."

Brayden sighed and said

"Well, that could have gone way worse, so I guess you did okay. I just hope she really is your mate dude or else this is some real extreme form of suicide."

I nodded and slapped him of the shoulder saying

"Thanks man"

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Chapter 12

Athena

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I continued to mash the cauliflower in the pot on the stove for my mom while she cut the ends off of the green beans on our cutting board. I had my earbuds in blast the song My Girl by The Temptations form my time travel playlist and I was literally mashing the cauliflower to a beat !

I finished cooking with my mom and listening to my music when my mom and I sat down for dinner. I never told her about how I went on a walk with Tarius and blew off school for a bit. I enjoyed my time with him so much and really hope we do it again. He is such a wonderful person and I know that this relationship will bloom.

"So." My mom says "Have you talked to that boy who knocked on our door laterly?"

I think for a moment and realize I completely forgot about Kamil and how odd he was acting yesterday! I know that he lives two houses over, so I decided I was going over there after dinner to talk with him and just get to know him better.

"No, I haven't. I was actually gonna go over to his house after dinner to talk with him." I stated and my mom nodded in response

Throughout the rest of dinner my mom and I talked about how we were both liking the new town and how we are going to finish up the emptying of the boxes.

The next thing I knew I had already finished dinner and doing dishes and was on my way to Kamil's house. I determined which house was his and walked cautiously up to the door. Just as I was about the knock on the front door a little boy, maybe seven years old answered the door.

"Hi!" He said "I normally can't answer the door for strangers, but you smelled fine."

I couldn't help but laugh at that last part. I smelled fine? What did that mean?

"What's your name?" I asked

"My name's Kai." He answered

"Ah, Kai, coming from Japanese origin and having the few different meanings of ocean, restoration, and recovery." I said smiling

Kai giggled and a woman began to approach the front door where Kai and I were standing

"Kai sweetie, who's this?" She asked while smiling at her son and then looking back up at me

"My name's Athena, I live a couple houses over." I told her with a smile

A bright look of realization seemed to pass over her face as she began talking again

"Ah, the infamous Athena! My son talks so much about you! Come in, come in. My name is Kelly Astor, but you can call me Kelly" she said stepping with her son to the side making a pathway for me to walk through and enter their house. She closed the door behind us and continued toward their families main area that had a huge conjoined kitchen and living room. As soon as we walked into the room Kai walked over to and sat next to a girl who was definitely older than Kamil and I. There was also an older man on the living room area sitting who I could only assume to be Kamil's father. Mrs. Astor nudged me and said

"Let me introduce to to everyone."

I nodded in response

"This old man here is my husband Kurt." She said with a joking tone as Mr. Astor looked up at his wife and I and shook his head while laughing

"The girl sitting on the couch next to my baby boy Kai who you met, is Karissa, my daughter."

Karissa had already been looking at me and smiling when we both waved at one another before her mother continued

"You of course know Kamil who isn't here yet, and his older brother Kaiden isn't home either but I am sure you will meet him eventually." She said smiling over at me and continuing

"Everyone, this is Athena, I'm sure I dont have to elaborate on who she is since Kamil has already told all of you."

Every person in the room including myself was laugh by that point because of her statement when Kamil walked in and said

"You better not all be laughing at me" before jogging over to his little brother who was hysterically laughing, Kamil picked Kai up flipping him upside down and shaking him around. The harder that Kamik shook him, the harder he laughed. It was the most adorable sight and something on my insides tugged at the sweet sight.

After Kamil put Kai down he began walking back over toward his mother and I, he gave Mrs. Astor a kiss on the cheek and she soon left the room along with Karissa and Mr. Astor. Kamil then took my hand leading me through his front hallway and turning left to exit a back door. Once we were in his backyard I couldn't believe my eyes. To the left was a large house shed that was beautiful and mainly glass, straight down the middle there was a huge area of garden that was growing strawberries, tomatoes, green beans, cucumbers, and many other plants and edible goods. Finally to the right and in the continuation of the yard it was all woods. I observed Kamil's backyard for quite some time until I looked back over at him to realize that he was intently staring at me, with, fondness? I tried to gather myself only to notice that in my state of awe, I had let go of Kamil's hand and placed my empty hand on his shoulder, oh the embarrassment, no wonder he was staring at me. It wasn't with fondness, it was with observation, like how you look at a monkey in a cage. I moved my had and intertwined my hand's finger's. I was nobody's monkey, no matter how amazing it felt to touch him.

Kamil lead over to me closer and said in my ear in a sensual whisper

"Follow me"

And of course, like a lovesick i***t, it just plain dumb human being I followed him. The large glass house shed that I saw before neared and the closer we got the more it looked like a, pool house? Did someone live in there? There are human belongings in it. Kamil then took out a key and opened the door causing me to believe that he was the one living in here! "This is so cool!" I said

He chuckled in response and then said

"I would hope so, I designed it to stay as close as I could to my family."

I wistfully smiled and said

"I love how close you and your family are. It's a great thing to have."

He at first had a positive reaction to my statement until the question that I really hoped he wouldn't think of dawned on him.

"Are you close with your family?" He asked

I sighed and debated whether or not I should open up to him since I dont know him that well and I just came here to talk about how odd he was acting. But, looking at his handsome and inquisitive face, I decided to tell him.

"Well, here it's just my mom, my grandparents who I before now only talked to on the phone once a week. My dad's in Florida still along with my two half sisters."

He looked partially sad, until it looked like he thought of something.

"Well, what about the rest of your family? Everyone's got some crazy aunt's, uncles and cousins!" He said hopefully

My demeanor dropped even more as I responded

"One of my aunts on my father's side still lives in Florida, actually, they live together and my grandparents on his side who I loved dearly died. "

"As for the aunts, uncles and cousins, the rest of my family either lives in Germany and I've never met them."

I continued and when I finally stopped, I was going to look up, fully expecting a pitying face, and that's what I got. With scrunched in eyebrows, a frown and sad eyes he leaned over to me and gave me a hug, his embrace was warm and friendly, like your best friend's hug when he or she knows your sad. I wiped one stray tear off my face and backed away from the hug.

"Thanks" I said to Kamil

"What for?" He asked confused

"Being a good friend." I responded with a meek smile

He smiled back at me and continued to give me the tour of his "room" which was more like a small house, it had three different rooms consisting of a bedroom, common area and bathroom. He told me that he didn't have a kitchen because he enjoyed sharing a kitchen with his parents and siblings, it gave them time to bond and hang out.

Once we finished the tour we went back into his living room and both sat down in quiet for a moment. Since it was a bit awkward I had opened my mouth to talk but he had cut me off saying.

"Are you and Tarius a thing?"

He looked a mixture of sad, angry, and anxious so I knew what I had to say, the truth.

"Kamil, I just moved here less than a month ago. I don't even know anyone in this town beside my mother, you and Tarius. So no, I'm not a 'thing' with anyone."

Though he looked more relaxed I was now a bit hurt and angry that he would think low of me without even hardly knowing me. I wanted to go home, now! I stood up from my seat turning to walk out the door only to see Kamil in front of me. How the hell was he here when he was sitting a second ago more than five feet away! I completely dropped my purse on the floor and I must have been showing my confusion and fright on my face because he stepped forward intern causing me to step back tripping on my purse and falling back only to have him end up behind me holding me up, how did he do this!

I straightened myself up, grabbed my purse and stepped back farther while saying

"What the actual f**k?" I was really a lot louder than I intended to be but I'm sure he understands why.

"I know" he said "I'm not going to hurt you, just stay and listen for a second."

I really was frightened but deep down I had an intuition feeling that he wouldn't hurt me. So, I stayed as he asked me to. After shutting the door I said

"I will be leaving in five minutes so talk."

I pushed past him sitting back down on the chair I was in before. He followed sitting in a closer chair than he was in before. He held his head in his hands while saying

"s**t, s**t, s**t, shit."

I sat there patiently waiting for an explanation with my arms crossed. Kamil then pulled put his phone and I sat up straighter.

"What are you doing?" I demanded

"I'm calling him so that I'm not brutally murdered for breaking our deal by accident." He responded

Who was he? What deal? How the hell did I get mixed up in all of this?

"She knows" Kamil said to the person on the other line

"Okay we're in the backyard, see you in a second." he finished off the conversation

"Who was that Kamil because I am really thinking about leaving right now and packing my bags." I said sternly

He opened his mouth to talk only to be cut off by a knock on his door, Kamil stood to and walked toward the door and began opening it.

What the hell! Why was he here?