Fates Must Be Kidding

Being caught off guard

Things have been surprisingly good recently, so good that I sometimes have to remind myself to be on the alert. Even though I am feeling safe now, no one knows what tomorrow has in store. And I do have a legit reason to be guarded, it's actually the only thing that I wish were different - the Council hasn't found people behind the Facility yet. When their investigators got to the place, it was completely destroyed, so little evidence could be recovered. It seems that those assholes are laying low somewhere for the time being. At least I hope they are, because the other option I have on my mind is a lot worse. They could have just moved their operation to a new location. However, I will give it some more thought when I have Ricky, Teddy, Rose and Knox by my side. It's as much their revenge as it is mine, and I'm sure we'll get it sooner or later.

As for the big experiment, it is going smoothly so far, both at school and outside of it. The atmosphere in the hallways is more relaxed now, students are mingling, and even partying together, from what I've heard! Well, except a small group of morons, but even they see that they are alone in their f****d up way of thinking. I can't wait for them to put two and two together and start ridding themselves of their shameful prejudices. They will only benefit from it! But it has to be their decision, if I could beat it into their heads, I would have done it a long time ago. As you can see, even I admit that violence isn't always the solution.

Also, I decided to be a bit more approachable. I got together with Lisa, Aaron and Miles a couple of times. I'm not entirely sure what their reason for hanging out with me is, for me to protect them, for them to show me their gratitude or because they like me. I do have a tiny suspicion that Aaron has a little crush on me though. However he hasn't gathered up his courage to do something about it. Which is probably a good thing, I have no idea how I would feel about it. As for my guys back at the pack, we have movie and game nights from time to time. With some practice I will be able to kick their asses at that too!

Despite my plate being pretty full with everything happening, nothing, and I mean NOTHING, can distract me from my mission. My every morning starts with me crossing out a day in my calendar - just 10 more left until we finally leave. I'm also working on planning out the route we will take, for some reason I have this nagging feeling that our first stop should be Las Vegas. Like I said before, my gut has never let me down, so I won't start doubting it now. Las Vegas it is! I can't wait to see the big guy! I wonder how they are all doing...

That's what I'm thinking about as Damon, Derek and I get back to the pack house from school to find it in complete chaos. People are running around, moving stuff, bumping into each other - at first I think that we are under attack! But then I spot Luna who looks even more excited than she usually is. She almost skips in our direction and says, "They will be back tomorrow!" She claps her hands and basically runs off to the kitchen. Judging by the guys' wide eyes they are caught off guard as well. I must admit it took me a minute to realize what the fuss is about, Leo and Ryder must be coming back home sooner than expected. This makes me happy for the Alpha and Beta families, they missed them a lot. The whole pack did.

I share my explanation for the madness surrounding us, and they nod in agreement. Almost simultaneously we turn around and head to the training ground, looks like it will be our safe haven for the rest of the day. During dinner the atmosphere is buzzing with excitement, but everyone is also a bit calmer. Probably because everything is set for the welcome party tomorrow. I wonder if I will get along with them. That's kind of important, if I am to stay here for a while.

The next day is a blur until it is 5 pm, that's when the Alpha's car pulls up to the pack house. He and Beta Nathan get out first, with two tall guys following behind. Wow, they are hot! I hope I'm not drooling, I have  reputation to uphold! I snap out of it when the Luna loops her arm through mine and gently pulls me in their direction. "Come on, I'll introduce you guys!" When we get closer she lets me go and gives both boys what looks like a bone-crushing hug. Leah, the Beta's wife, does the same. I don't want to ruin their family moment, so I stay frozen in my spot looking around, until I hear my name. "So you're the Mia we've heard so much about!"

They are even more dazzling up close, stupid teenage hormones!!! Okay, get your s**t together, Mia! By some miracle I muster a smile and respond, "Yep, in the flesh!" The guy who looks like a male version of the Luna smiles back and offers me his hand for a handshake. "Nice to meet you, Mia! I'm Leo!" I give him a firm handshake, and do the same with Ryder. They are complete opposites appearance-wise. Leo has dark brown hair and almost black eyes, while Ryder is blond with blueish-green eyes. Probably that's what sea water looks like on a sunny day. Leo interrupts our eye-gazing by saying "My Dad mentioned that our training tomorrow should be interesting." I turn to him with a smirk, "I'm looking forward to seeing what you've got!" They both find my friendly challenge entertaining, but before they can come back with a smart comment they are surrounded by other pack members.

After this we all have a pack barbecue, for most of which I actively avoid a certain golden-haired guy, whom I catch looking at me from time to time, which makes me self-conscious and uncomfortable. Fortunately, he and Leo are kept busy catching up with Damon, Derek and the rest, so I quietly slip away and get to my room. I wake up with a much clearer head and hurry to get ready for the training. I am one of the first ones to get to the training ground so I have plenty of time to warm up before the main attraction arrives. Both Leo and Ryder look like they have just rolled out of bed, unfortunately it doesn't make them any less appealing. 

"Are you ready or do you need to warm up?" I decide not to waste any time and get straight to business. This is the environment I'm comfortable in, so their good-looks aren't that much of a distraction. Leo gives Ryder a little push and says "He is ready!" I seriously doubt that, but I don't mind teaching them a lesson. I get into my stance and wait for him to make the first move, most of guys do. And Ryder isn't any different, he is trying to overpower me, which is more difficult than it my seem. I am smaller, more agile and MUCH faster. As he rushes towards me I leap over him and back kick him in his back. He stumbles a bit, and I use it as an opening. I lower myself to the ground and swipe at his feet. This time he falls down, but quickly pushes himself back up. 

I think now he'll take me more seriously. We exchange punches, and circle each other for a bit. I can hear our training mates cheering, sounds like they are evenly split between the two of us. Ryder launches another attack, during which I slip and he manages to send me flying with an uppercut. To say that it hurts is a major understatement. He rushes to me to check if I'm okay, but I push him away. I look at Lucas to let him know that I'm fine, and get up. I shake my head to get out of the daze I'm in, wipe some blood from the corner of my mouth, and motion for my opponent to continue. I can see doubt in his eyes, so I push kick him to show that I'm serious. He nods and goes for a side kick, but I catch his foot and pull him towards me. Since he is off-balance I go for a risky move - I go down and sacrifice throw him over me. He lands hard on his back and taps out. I twirl and bow to the whistling and clapping crowd. Leo helps Ryder up and pats his shoulder with the words "Thanks, buddy, for showing me that I'm way too hungover to go against her!" To which Ryder responds "I wouldn't be so sure that it would help you much if you weren't!"

Those words make me beam, he can take a loss without coming up with excuses and trying to put his opponent down. He congratulates me, and we all carry on with the training. Afterwards I head to the kitchen to find our chef Mrs Davies. She is busy like always, it's not easy to feed over 300 werewolves even when you have a dozen people helping you! She notices me right away, "Hi honey, what can I do for you?" 

"Hi, Mrs Davies. I was wondering if you could do me a favor."

"Sure, what is it?"

"Could you bake a cake for me for tomorrow? I don't really care what kind, it's up to you really!"

"What's the occasion, if I may ask?"

"Um, well, it's my birthday tomorrow," I don't want to make a big deal out of it, I've never celebrated it before, and it's a completely made up date (since I have no idea when my real birthday is), but I started a new life here, so I might as well keep making positive changes.

"Of course, honey! I'll get right to it!"

"Thank you, Mrs Davies, you're the best!"

"Tell me something I don't already now," she winks at me and hurries off.

Now that that is taken care of, I can get on with my day. After school and more training I get dragged to the movie room for a movie night. I tried to get out of it, but Leo played dirty and used his puppy eyes on me! Somehow I end up on one of the couches, sandwiched between him and Ryder, despite loud protests from Damon and Derek. Something about them being my oldest and dearest friends. Leo just shushes them when the movie starts - the Fellowship of the Ring. I think I'm the only one who has never seen it, no childhood, remember? I'm so engrossed in it, that I forget how close I am to Ryder, and when I try to adjust my position I accidentally elbow him. His groan startles me. "Oh s**t! I'm so sorry!!!" 

"I'll live, don't worry! It's nothing compared to the beating you gave me this morning," I can clearly hear that he is teasing me.

"You only have yourself to blame, you shouldn't have underestimated me!" I retort.

"Hey, cut me some slack, I just didn't feel like hurting a beautiful girl. But I've learnt my lesson!" His bluntness leaves me speechless, so he smirks at me and goes back to watching the movie. Holy s**t, did I hear that right???!