Apprentice to the Alpha 

Ten: Eagle-Eyed Jack

---Evelyn---

It was weird waking up to Josh but also nice. I got a little ahead of myself though… I’m super embarrassed that Josh had to stop me. I know he wants to wait, he’s told me! But I guess with morning brain and everything going on, my body kind of had a mind of its own. I need to make it up to him somehow; I know better than this.

After a long enough time has passed that my dad won’t think I actually was awake when he looked in, I head downstairs. Sure enough, Josh is working tirelessly on the griddle while my dad is frying up eggs and bacon. I resist the temptation of wrapping my arms around Josh. 299 days and I can show my feelings; I can wait until then.

My dad sees me enter the kitchen and immediately puts me to work. “Start setting the table then go wake your mother. Breakfast is almost ready.”

As I dance the stairs, I daydream of how differently this morning could have gone if I had been 18. Josh and I could have actually done the deed and my dad wouldn’t have almost lost his s**t on Josh for being in my room. Then I could have invited Nate for breakfast and… Oh. He’s in the hospital. He might not even be around to have breakfast with us once I’m 18.

My movements slow down and I take a minute before knocking on mom’s door. “The men made food, come to eat.” She yells out that she’ll be there in a minute.

---Josh---

After my treasure left the room, Jack stares me down. “Don’t think I don’t see the way she looks at you. I know you care about her, but remember the promise you made me. She is 17. No matter how you feel about her, while she lives under my roof the only person she is allowed to date is her mate. And it’s impossible for her to know who it is right now.”

Damn, this man has eagle eyes. It’s a good thing I haven’t f****d Evelyn because I bet he’d know the second it happened. “I respect your rules, you guys have done everything for me. Besides, I really do see her as a little sister. If somehow we did turn out to be mates it would probably be weird for me to get used to.” I reply in a tone that I hoped seemed casual.

Jack squints at me before nodding. “So you still haven’t found the lucky girl yet?”

“Unfortunately she’s not at my university. I might have to attend one of those courting parties the local packs throw one of these days” I say, shuddering at the thought. Parties were definitely not my favorite.

Jack laughs at the idea of me schmoozing it up at one of those parties, looking for my future mate. He’s in hysterics by the time Evelyn returns.

“What’s so funny?” She asks as she starts bringing the finished food to the table.

Jack wipes a tear from his eye and continues laughing. I guess I have to answer this. “The idea of me going to a wereball. Really not my scene.”

Evelyn’s face darkens but she forces out a laugh anyway. “Yeah, you really aren’t a huge people-person, huh.”

---Evelyn---

Breakfast would have been nice if I hadn’t been feeling so shitty. There was tons of food, and my dad kept telling jokes he had seen on Laffy Taffy wrappers. Not that the jokes were funny at all, but seeing Josh and my mom’s annoyed faces while my dad laughed was definitely worthwhile. I felt like s**t. Plus guilty that I felt like s**t. I hated feeling like a shell of myself, especially when Josh looked at me like he thought I’d fall apart at any moment. Josh excused himself to do homework, and I happily left to go be alone. That’s what I needed right now, a little peace and quiet.

***

The weekend passed like this, me spending most of my time in my room, though occasionally heading to the basement to keep Josh company when he asked. I could tell he was trying to cheer me up, but the only thing that would make me feel better was Nate waking up. My dad called daily for updates, but besides that Nate was still alive, there wasn’t a whole lot else to say.

***

Sunday night, my mom came into my room with some potato soup. “Honey? I know you aren’t feeling too well, but do you feel up to school tomorrow?”

I force my eyes from the ceiling to her face. “I don’t know. Can we tell the school I have a sore throat or something? I just don’t think I’d be able to concentrate right now. Not till I know Nate is better.”

She looks at me concerned, but nods. “Well, Josh is leaving in a few minutes, you might want to say bye.”

Oh. Josh. Yeah I definitely need to see him before he goes. I shoot him a text.

Me: [Do you have time to spend with me at our spot tonight before you leave?]

Joshie: [I’m sorry gem I have class early. Ill be back friday lets go then]

He’s right, I should have asked him before he was literally packing to leave town. I head down the stairs to say goodbye and catch him as he’s loading up his car.

“You were going to leave without saying goodbye?” I ask, tears welling up in my eyes.

He pulls me into his arms. “Of course not. You’re my treasure, remember? I was going to load up my stuff then come up to your room.”

I smile and lean up for a peck. There isn’t enough privacy to give him the kind of kiss I actually wanted to, so a quick kiss will have to do.

“What’s that about?” He asks as I pull away.

I glance at the door to make sure nobody saw. “Just for being you. Have a good week honey. I love you.”

He swings me into a hug. “You too, gem.”