Whole Again

False Alarm - Jennifer

The rest of the day went by very smoothly. I spent most of it focusing on Bai while the other carers tended to the other kids. It was the most Bai had interacted with anyone, so they didn’t pull me away. He really seemed to relax and open up while we played chess, and I’m hoping in time I can maybe get him to play with one of the other children, maybe one even willing to let him teach them to play chess. He’s such a sweet boy, I’d love to see him making friends.

I’m just in the kitchen doing the dishes after lunch when I hear footsteps approaching carrying the scent of rose and chamomile. A smile breaks across my face, and I spin around and leap at the tall figure entering the kitchen. They catch me effortlessly as I breathe in their floral scent.

“Pappa!” I cheer as I feel my dad’s arms wrap around me and swing me around with ease.

“How are you, Cupcake?” He asks joyfully while kissing my cheeks and setting me on my feet.

“I’m wonderful,” I smile up at him, “What brings you by? This is such a nice surprise.” I take another sniff and quickly catch a whiff of the herbaceous scent of basil and thyme and my smile only widens. “Mamma!” I cheer, breaking free of dad’s arms and stepping into the hallway just as my mum approaches. I throw my arms around her and feel her arms catch me and gently rock me back and forth, instantly relaxing me.

“Hello sweetheart,” she smiles down at me, “Your dad and I were hoping you’d join us for something to eat and drink at the café.”

“I would love to!” I smile at them.

“See? I told you she wouldn’t say no,” my dad smirks haughtily.

“Congratulations, Craig, you know our daughter,” says my mum, rolling her eyes.

I giggle and shake my head, “I’ll just go and let the others know.”

“We’ll wait for you outside,” dad says.

I quickly go and let the others know that I’ve cleaned up and I’ll be out for lunch with my parents. Since I was almost finished with my shift anyway, they let me know I don’t have to worry about coming back today. I quickly go and grab my things, meet my parents outside and walk with them to the café next door. I haven’t seen my parents in a few days, so this is so nice to be able to catch up with them. It’s still so weird not to be living with them anymore.

My parents are the two most amazing people on the whole planet. My dad Craig is 48 but he looks late 20s, is 5’8” with chiselled features, a pointed nose, a warm smile, and deep brown eyes. Dad used to have shoulder-length brown hair, but he’s starting to bald on stop so now he keeps his hair shaved so it’s not as obvious, and I think the shaved look suits him – goes with his 5 o’clock shadow too.

My mum, Melissa, on the other hand, is 47 and does look early 40s, but that’s because, unlike my dad, my mum is human. It’s pretty obvious that any Omega is an Omega because one parent is human. I mean, every Omega I’ve ever met had one human parent, but I think among our species, so many people look down upon Omegas to the point they create myths about them, like saying things like they are wolves shunned by the Goddess or some nonsense.

“Complete BS. Even we wolves know it’s just how genetics work. Same as if a makkari and a mutolupus got together. Who knows what kind of magical combo that would make? But it’s still very likely that person would be born an Omega, meaning born with a wolf who can’t shift, but I bet they’d still pack a lot of magic. Because your mother is human it means you carry more human DNA than the average mutolupus which suppresses the ability to shift. It’s not rocket science. Some people just look for reasons to be prejudiced,” Beatrix scoffs.

“I know, I just wish we were more accepted and appreciated for what we are instead of shunned. It’s as much an insult to you as it is to me, and I don’t like the idea of people insulting you,” I say with strong disapproval.

“Knowing how much you care for me is all I need,” she says affectionately, nuzzling me through our bond.

I like to think I’m the perfect blend of my parents, though I definitely didn’t get either of their heights. Stunted growth and all that. My mum is the same height as my dad with beautiful short shiny blonde hair like golden wheat. It also used to be longer, but she cut it all off to be in solidarity with my dad. It’s not shaved completely off, but it’s super short now and just a little side-swept at the front for definition. She still looks stunning though. In fact, it really opens her face and shows off her teal eyes and bright smile that my dad says I get from her.

Once we get to the café dad goes to the counter to order for us while mum and I sit at a table outside under one of the open umbrellas. It’s a beautiful day today so I’m glad we’ll be sitting outside.

“So, how’s work?” Mum asks enthusiastically.

“Work is amazing,” I smile at her, “The pups and snakelets are so much fun. I spent most of today working with one of our new additions and I really think I can get him to open up,” I say proudly.

“Jennifer, that’s wonderful,” my mum praises, squeezing my hand, “If anyone can get through to a child it’s you.”

“Thank you, mum. How’s your work?”

“Just a lot of editing mostly. Though I have been booked to do photography for a wedding next month and some big companies anniversary bash in a couple weeks. So, business is good.”

“Those sounds like fun,” I chirp as dad walks out with a plate of muffins and drinks. An iced mocha for mum, an espresso for him and a berry smoothie for me. Yum! I eagerly take my smoothie, “Thank you, dad!”

“You’re welcome Cupcake,” he says as he sits down sipping his drink, “So, any thoughts on enrolling in a good college? Your mum and I were discussing it and there are some great-looking courses on childcare and early development that I think would be right up your alley.”

I sip my drink and pick at my blueberry muffin, “I’m not sure. I don’t want to leave the pack or the kids, and it’s not like there are any colleges that teach care of supernatural children. Plus Landry is still adjusting to life at Invictus and suddenly applying for college would mean a lot of changes for us. I just really don’t think I want to do the college thing.”

“Three, two, one…” Mutters Beatrix. I look up and notice how my parent’s expressions have changed to one of displeasure.

“I know college is important, but you’ve both said it’s different for supernaturals. I’d still have a lot of opportunities here at the pack and I already have a job I love, even more so now since I can work at the daycare full-time instead of juggling it part-time with my schooling now that I’ve graduated,” I say happily, but their demeanour doesn’t change.

“It’s not that. We completely respect your choices regarding your education, and you’re right, things are different for you since you live in the pack and the pack supports everyone, it’s just that…” my mum trails off, grabbing my dad’s hand for support.

“We’re not sure about you and Landry. You’ve both moved awfully fast, marked, mated, and living together and you’re only eighteen,” my dad says with worry.

I frown, “Lots of people get marked and mated and move in together at my age. Why is that so strange for me?”

“After what he did to you it’s just too soon. Jennifer, you’re a kind and sweet girl, we just don’t want you to be taken advantage of,” my mum tries to explain.

“It wasn’t his fault. You don’t know Landry like I do; you won’t even try to get to know him. He never wanted to hurt me,” I say, getting agitated.

“He nearly killed you,” my dad says in a pained voice, but his words sting like silver lashes that make me wince at the sound of them.

“He didn’t know that would happen! His dad never told him! He made a mistake but he’s trying so hard to make up for it. He’s torturing himself every day,” I say as tears fill my eyes, “I feel his pain every day. His guilt, his remorse, all of it. You don’t know what his dad put him through. He never tried to hurt me, Landry loves me, he just acted out of fear of his dad. You’re not bonded to him like I am, no one knows his heart better than me, so you can’t go and say I’m being taken advantage of like I’m a naïve little girl. I know you love me and just want to protect me, but you’re not being fair to him,” I say with all the force I can muster.

Beatrix howls proudly in my head, “Way to go Jennifer! If I could clap I would, but that was amazing! I’ve never seen you speak up like that before, I’m so proud of you!” Beatrix cheers while running in a circle.

“I love my parents and I know they mean well, but Landry is suffering enough right now, I won’t let them speak poorly of him when I know he’s a good person. He made a mistake; he doesn’t deserve to be hated forever for it.”

“Hey, you don’t have to convince me, I’m on your side.”

My parents stare at me wide-eyed with mouths agape. My instinct tells me to apologise because I don’t like speaking to people in such a manner, but this is Landry. He’s my animai, the one the Goddess chose for me, and he has no one in his corner. Well, he has Matthan and for that I’m grateful, but outside that he needs people and I’m all he has. If I don’t have his back, who will?

“We’ve never heard you speak like that before… we’re sorry sweetheart, we never meant to upset you. We’re just worried about you. You can’t imagine how we felt seeing you so broken, fighting for your life. It… it was like history was repeating itself,” my mum says as tears pool in her eyes. Dad quickly wraps her in his arms to console her, and I immediately feel a pang of guilt.

I could never know what they went through the day I was born. Terrified I would die. I mean, I was technically born dead. I survived when I should have died. Then they were forced to see me at death’s door all over again. I can imagine that being very traumatic for them.

“I’m sorry mum. I know that was hard for you both and I don’t want to hurt either of you, but Landry is my person,” I sigh, “Dad, how would you and Amandus feel if someone spoke about mum the way you speak about Landry?” I gently ask.

Dad sighs, “It would upset us very much. Jennifer, I do understand where you’re coming from, but we’re your parents. Asking us not to worry about your well-being is like asking the earth to stop turning. It can’t be done,” he says, reaching out and squeezing my hand.

“I know, and I’m grateful each and every day to have amazing parents like you. I love you both to the moon and back, I just wish you’d make a little room in your hearts for Landry too. He needs a family,” I gently beg.

They look at each other and fall silent, no doubt linking with one another. They each nod and turn their attention to me with gentle smiles.

“We’ll try harder,” my dad promises.

“For your sake,” says mum.

A smile spreads across my face and I reach over the table to hug them both as tight as I can. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” I cry.

Mum chuckles as she strokes my hair, “You’re welcome my love.”

As I start to sit back in my seat, sharp pain strikes my side knocking the wind out of me. I cling to the table, trying to process the pain that makes it hard to breathe as Beatrix’s howls echo around my mind.

“Jennifer!” My mum cries, leaping from her chair to come to my side, “Jennifer what’s wrong?”

“I don’t… know,” I pant.

Beatrix begins to whimper, “Landry’s hurt.”

“What?! What’s happening?!” I shout at her but quickly focus more on my bond with Landry and Matthan, “Lan? Matthan? What’s happening?” I ask in a panic.

“Everything is fine, I promise,” says Matthan, but I don’t believe that. How can anything be fine when my ribs feel like I got hit by a tank? Is it his dad? Did Landry’s dad come back and is now hurting him? Fear and panic rush through me and without a second thought, I’m up on my feet and sprinting across the street while I faintly hear my parents calling my name behind me. I don’t have time to think, I just keep running.

I know I’m not that fast, but I’m still faster than a human, and something has happened to Landry. I focus on our bond and let it pull me to him, pushing my feet faster than I’ve ever pushed them before. I race through the pack, my hair whipping harshly against my face as I run down side alleys, back routes, and tree lines until I enter the pack training grounds, the pull to Landry now getting stronger while his roasted coconut scent is carried on the breeze.

Beatrix is shouting in my head, but I can’t make out a word through the sound of my own blood pumping. My eyes dart around the field and I see Landry lying in the centre of the field with his face scrunched up from the pain I feel radiating through his ribs, while the large frame of Gamma Tyson hovers over him. Without thinking, I race forward and throw myself on top of Landry, using my own small body as a shield.

“STOP! DON’T HURT HIM!” I scream.

I feel tears pricking my eyes until a soothing hand begins to caress my hair, and a thumb brushes lightly against my cheek bringing with it a familiar comforting electric jolt. I slowly lift my head and look into the worried eyes of my Landry.

“Pixie… you’re shaking like a leaf,” he says as he wraps his arms tightly around me.

I glance over at Gamma Tyson who is standing in front of us with a stupefied look on his face. He blinks repeatedly and then lowers and shakes his head.

“You didn’t put your block up, did you?” Tyson says accusingly as he gives me a sympathetic look.

“Why would I ever want to block out Jennifer?” Landry asks and I can feel how offended he is by the thought, which I find very sweet.

“So she wouldn’t have to feel me sack you just now. Why else do you think she just flew out here like a bat out of hell screaming for me not to hurt you?” He yells in frustration.

“Oh… s**t,” says Landry, now looking down at me with a guilty expression while I’m still trying to figure out what the heck is going on, “Jen, I’m so sorry, are you okay?” He asks, cupping my face and looking me over.

“Am I okay? Are you okay? I felt you get hurt,” I say as I carefully lay a hand on his ribs and watch him bite back a wince, but I can feel how tender he is.

“I’m okay, really,” he says as he gets us to our feet, “I’m so sorry, I didn’t even think about blocking you out, I don’t train very often, and well… I obviously never had to in the past. Can you ever forgive me?” He asks guiltily.

I blink back my surprise, “You’re training? But you hate training.”

“That’s what I was trying to tell you, but you were so laser-focused on getting to Landry that you didn’t even hear me. The Alpha has convinced Landry and Matthan to have private training lessons. Best believe I’m giving Matthan an earful for not letting us know and scaring us half to death like that,” Beatrix grumbles.

“I know,” Landry sighs, “But Alpha made some good points.”

I frown at the thought of Landry fighting. My Landry is so sweet, he’s not built for fighting. It’s why his dad always looked down on him.

“You don’t want to be a fighter, and I don’t want that for you either.”

“I still don’t want to be a fighter; this isn’t about me learning to be a warrior. I just want to be strong enough to stand up to my dad and protect the girl I love,” he says while caressing my cheek.

“Alpha Amelia thinks this will help with Landry’s confidence and I agree with her,” says Matthan.

“So this isn’t about fighting?”

Landry shakes his head, “Only for training purposes. I shouldn’t keep relying on Matthan to come to my defence and fight my battles for me. It’s not just about me now, but I have you to think about. I could never forgive myself if something happened to you because of me,” he says sadly.

I look up into his eyes and place my hand to his cheek letting our bond bring him the same comfort it brings me, “If you think this will help, then you have my support. Just give me a heads up next time,” I say with a warm smile.

Landry nods fervently, “I swear on my life! I’m so sorry, Pixie. I’ll remember to put my block up next time. I don’t want you getting hurt,” he vows while wrapping his arms around me. I hold him tight and breathe him in, just relieved to know he’s okay and happy that maybe he’s found something that can help him cope with his problems. Now I just need to explain to mum and dad why I ran off, so they don’t panic.

“Teenagers,” I hear Tyson mutter with a shake of his head.