The roads were quiet tonight. There weren’t many cars out as I drove. I had the radio playing softly, but more than anything it was background noise. My jeep wrangler held three people inside. I was driving, Lia took passenger, and Poppy claimed the entire back row.
I flipped my blinker on, even though nobody else was on the road, and turned off the main road and took a left onto the gravel road leading to the pack house. As we pulled up I felt as if something was off, but I couldn’t place the feeling. I parked and just sat there basking in the silence. The air felt almost thicker and slightly tense, like something had been thrown off or something was coming.
I was snapped out of my train of thought when Lia tapped my arm. “Are we going to sit here or actually go inside?”
It was then I realized we had been sitting here for the past five minutes, engine still running. I quietly turned off the engine before pulling my keys from the ignition. I slid my seatbelt off and hopped out of the car. I locked it and listened as my shoes crunched under the gravel.
The three of us walked up the porch steps before knocking on the front door. When we got no answer I took the initiative to just see if it was unlocked to which it was. Inside you could hear soft voices from within the kitchen and by the sound of it, it seemed that nobody knew that we had just wandered inside.
I slipped my shoes off before I followed the voices down the hall to the kitchen to find all the pack members huddled around the table. I wouldn’t be as surprised as I was if I hadn’t seen Kara and Hana among them.
“We are being attacked from the East, West and now the North hyung. It’s only a matter of time before they attack from the South too.”
“We must take action now.”
“The longer we wait the more time they have to surround us.”
Voices flooded the space and it didn’t take us (me, Lia, and Poppy) long to figure out that the pack was making a battle strategy. One that hadn’t been introduced to us until now. Well, technically we wouldn’t have known unless we had came inside.
My eyes scanned the room again to see literally every single pack member here in a huddle, minus me, Lia, and Poppy. It then dawned on me.
We were not invited to this pack meeting.
Immediately anger began to rouse in my veins and by the look on Lia’s face I knew she had the same thoughts.
It didn’t take long for somebody to notice us in the kitchen entrance and once our presence was discovered the kitchen went silent.
“Y/n, Lia, Poppy. So glad you could join us.” Taeyong, the NCT pack alpha broke that silence awkwardly. It seemed as if he was trying to diffuse the tension.
Too bad those words were transparent to the real meaning. He didn’t invite us on purpose.
My glare didn’t lessen, but I remained silent. Lia, however, couldn’t contain her anger.
“Oh really? So glad for us to join you? Yeah right Taeyong. We knocked on the door and got no answer so we invited ourselves in to find the entire pack minus me, y/n, and poppy, having a meeting.”
“A meeting that we weren’t invited to apparently.” I added.
The pack was silent as they knew they were caught red handed. After a moment of silence, Cassidy, Taeil’s mate stepped forward.
“It’s not that we didn’t want to invite you loves, believe me. It’s just that this is a pack thing you know?” That only fueled our anger.
“A pack thing?” Poppy repeated brows furrowed and head tilted to the side.
“Aren’t we a part of the pack?” Lia snapped staring at Cassidy before flickering her eyes to Hyokyo who was Yuta’s mate. The looks on their faces basically told us all we needed to know.
A scoff left Lia’s throat. “Wow just wow.”
“Lia it isn’t what you think-” Hana started, but Lia immediately cut her off.
“Isn’t it though? You don’t consider us a part of the pack.”
“Now hold on a minute-” Hyokyo began.
“No we will not. Answer my question. Aren’t we a part of the pack?”
“Well of course you are.” Cheyanne the luna countered.
She came forward and placed a hand on Lia’s shoulder. “You are a part of the family girls.” She paused as if thinking her next words carefully.”It’s just that you aren’t like us.”
“Aren’t like you?” I snapped.
“You aren’t wolves.” She finally said.
And that’s when it all clicked into place. In unison we all stepped back and scowled.Poppy was the first to speak up.
“Your aren’t as strong as we are. You could be hurt.” Our luna continued.
Lia let out a bitter, watery laugh as she got frustrated the tears would also come. “So that’s why we weren’t invited. Because were human?”
The room once again filled with silence. Lia’s words were the truth that none of the wolves could deny. With their silence we got our answers.
I shook my head as I looked at each pack member. Each member had the same look as the last and I couldn’t bare looking at them much longer.
“Well I’m glad to know that’s what you really think,” Lia hissed. “I guess you won’t have to worry about us much longer.” She spun on her heel and disappeared from the kitchen.
“I hope your meeting goes well.” Poppy whispered before she too disappeared from sight.
I shook my head before I followed the other two girls. We slipped on our shoes and headed out the door, not forgetting to slam the door behind us.
School the next week was pretty much a game of how-long-can-you-avoid-the-pack. I had managed to be quite successful and it was today I actually thanked my teacher for putting Haechan on the other side of the room.
Throughout class I felt his stare on me. No it wasn’t the look at person and look away type stare. It was the full on stare at them until they turn around type stare. I began to feel uncomfortable, but I knew if I looked now I wouldn’t be able to turn down his puppy like gaze. So I kept my stare forward for the entirety of the period.
Class ended fairly quick and I was able to sneak out the door and disappear into the crowd of students easily. Guess those are the perks of sitting near the door. I practically ran down the stairs towards the back lot doors to go to my tech class. Thank god none of the others had this class. Lia burst out the doors and ran towards my car, something she never really did....Unless she was being chased.
From behind I watched as the doors flung open and out came Hana and Jaemin who’s eyes locked straight onto Lia’s running form before they followed her lead. I knew they were faster than Lia, but Lia had a head start. I quickly started the car and pulled out of the spot, giving her more space to jump into the car so we could leave.
She finally reached the car and ripped the door open not even taking her bag off yet when she slammed the door shut and demanded that I drive. I listened to her frantic tone and began the short drive to the tech school down the way.
“So what was that about?” I started the conversation.
“They tried to corner me after class, but I booked it out of there. The aftermath was that they attempted to catch me before I made it outside.” Her voice was slightly out of breath from all the running.
“Well cudos to you for beating two werewolves.”
“Yeah I’m pretty good and surprised not gonna lie.” She grinned wildly making me snicker at her words.
By the time our laughter stopped we had reached the tech school.
“Let’s go eat, I’m starving!” Lia exclaimed as we began walking in.
After getting our lunches we sat at our usual table and began to eat.
“I wonder if we are getting a new project today.”
I shrugged. “If we are I hope it’s not a boring video. I couldn’t stand the last one.”
I pulled my phone out and scrolled through the various messages. Five from Haechan, three from Hana, four from Poppy, and two from a number I didn’t recognize. My brows furrowed as I clicked on the message.
Hey cousin! It’s your girl May. I got a new phone (if you didn’t notice) and I wanted to let you know I’m coming into town to visit you! I’ll be staying for the rest of the school year and my credits have already been transferred over.
Oh btw I’m arriving at your house around 2:30 today. See you soon!
My jaw dropped realizing my cousin would be here in a matter of hours. Joy spread throughout my body at the thought of hanging with my cousin.
Lia noticing my grin tilted her head suspiciously. “Why are you smiling like that?”
“My cousin is coming into town,”
Surprise covered her face. “Oh May is coming into town? When?”
“Dang that’s short notice, but I’m glad she is. I haven’t seen her in so long!”
“Same. And get this.” I paused for dramatic effect. “She’s staying till the end of the school year!”
“Shut up no she is not!” Lia grinned. “This is fantastic news! The trio is getting back together. Look out everyone!”
Once May did arrive it was like a hug fest between the three of us.
“I’ve missed you so much!”
“Well you are now stuck with us for awhile now so get used to it.”
May herself was a human, but that didn’t mean she was dense either. She knew about the supernatural world. The reason being that I was a supernatural being myself. I was what you’d call an elemental. Specifically a water elemental.
The power itself was pretty cool, but it also had a dark side to it as well. Water is a liquid just like milk or tea. So technically speaking I could control anything of a liquid type substance. But being called a liquid bender isn’t ideal.
“So how is my favorite human and my favorite elemental?” May asked after she plopped herself down onto the couch.
“Been okay.” Lia shrugged.
“It’s been pretty good up until last week.” I muttered tossing the crackers to May.
“What happened last week? Who do I got to fight?”
I snickered at my cousin’s behavior. “No one May.”
“Besides May I don’t think you want to get involved in the bf drama.” Lia exclaimed not realizing what she said until it was too late.
“Wait hold up. Bf drama? As in boyfriend drama?” May’s eyes lit up.
Lia tried to play it off. “I meant it as best friend problems you know?”
May wasn’t buying it. “Your best friend would consist of either y/n or me Lia. And since you don’t seem annoyed by either of us, I want the deets on your boyfriends.”
We sighed defeated. “Fine, fine. Yes we have boyfriends.”
“Names.” May was already grinning.
“Donghyuck but he goes by Haechan.” I immediately replied.
“Jaemin. But I call him Nana.” Lia sighed.
“What do they look like?”
“Both are taller than us, cute, sweet-”
“No. I want to see pictures you nuggets!” May insisted.
After playing a round of what seemed like twenty questions about our boyfriends she finally seemed satisfied.
“Okay I approve. For the moment in time. When can I meet them?”
“Well the thing is” I started
“We got into an argument” Lia finished.
The room went silent and we both dared glances at May to see her silently sitting there thinking. She seemed to be processing our words carefully. Her expression remained tranquil....for about five seconds.
“All the more reason to meet them.”
“Why is that?” I asked cautiously.
“So I can yell at them for making my girls upset obviously. So what are you waiting for?” She jumped up off the sofa, brushing off her jeans.
“Wait you want to meet them now?” Lia was gobsmacked.
Neither of us were ready to face the pack yet, but May didn’t know that our boyfriends were part of the pack. She didn’t even know what our arguments were about. But she was adament about meeting the pack.
“No Lia I want to meet them last tuesday. Yes today!”
Lia and I shared a look that read well-now-what? Glancing at May I knew she was determined to meet them today. I had really only one option. So I sighed before grabbing my car keys and decided to drive Lia over to the pack house to meet Haechan and Jaemin. Lia and I could only pray she wouldn’t ask too many questions.
Once we arrived at the pack house, it was very worrying how she’d react. Lia had bucked up the courage to text the group chat and tell them the situation. From what I read they seemed ectastic that we were talking to them again so I prayed it would all go smoothly.
As we walked up to the front door my nerves began to kick in. I took a deep breath to calm myself down before knocking on the door. Withing moments of the first knock the door swung open and I was pulled into a warm embrace by none other than Hana.
“Great you guys made it! Come on in.” She grinned pushing the door open wider.
We all slipped off our shoes before shuffling into the warm house.
“Everyone is in the living room. Don’t be shy I promise they won’t bite.” I sent Hana a warning glance hoping that May didn’t get her double meaning. Lucky for me May just laughed along before following us into the living room.
As soon as I stepped into the living room I was met with the grinning faces of the pack pups minus the twins. Must be talking it out at home.
Haechan’s eyes lit up at the sight of me willingly inside the pack house and he grinned at me patting the seat next to him. I slowly wandered over to the spot he was patting and settled into the cushion. I slightly tensed when he wrapped his arm around me, but soon relaxed despite being mildly annoyed from last week. Stupid mate bond.
“Aw what an adorable couple!” May coo’d at us grinning.
I cleared my throat lightly blushing.”May this is Haechan my boyfriend, Haechan this is May my cousin.”
Haechan grinned. “Ah so this is the famous May I’ve heard so much about.”
“All good things I hope.” She giggled shaking his hand.
“Of course. My girl would never talk bad about somebody. She’s sweet that way.” Haechan grinned kissing my cheek.
“Yeah it adds to her charm.” Hana added in settling down next to Mark.”Lia why don’t you take a seat and introduce her to Nana?”
Lia glared at Hana before plopping herself next to Jaemin. Well she tried at least. Jaemin instantly pulled Lia onto his lap with arms around her waist as he leaned back against the sofa.
Lia’s cheeks flushed with scarlet. “This is Jaemin my boyfriend.” She managed to get out a clear sentence despite her flustered state.
“Nice to meet you May. I hope we can become good friends.” Jaemin smiled a mega watt grin at May.
“Why don’t we all go around introducing ourselves minus Nana and Haechan.” Hana leaned her head onto Mark’s shoulder, eyes twinkling. “I’ll go first I’m Hana.”
“Hi I’m Mark, Hana’s boyfriend.”
“We are missing one. He should be coming in soon.” Hana smiled at May who was memorizing name to face.
“Alright well it’s lovely to meet you all.” May leaned back happily.
Small chatter started up around us and I looked to May to see her chatting with Hana and Mark before I caught Lia’s less than amused gaze.
Haechan nuzzled his nose into my cheek before he kissed the spot. I leaned away still annoyed with him and the rest of the pack.
“Oh come on love. Please don’t be mad at me.” Haechan whined laying his head on my shoulder.
I huffed turning my head the other way.
“Babeeeee.” Haechan was persistant and the tone in his whine told me he would soon have the puppy eyes out and those were something I couldn’t resist. “Love come on look at me.” His voice dropped an octave as he coaxed me to look at him.
I felt my resolve begin to crumble. I finally sighed and spared him a glance to find him giving me the damn puppy eyes and to top it off a cute head tilt. I stared at him trying to seem annoyed, but once I dropped my glare he grinned leaning forward to pull me into a hug.
“I knew you couldn’t resist me.” He teased resting his head on mine.
“Yeah, yeah. You cheated. You know I can’t resist the puppy eyes.”
“Don’t you mean my dazzling charm?” He smirked.
I rolled my eyes leaning back and patting his cheek.”Yeah that’s what it is babe.”
He playfully nipped at my hand. “I’m all yours darling.”
I rolled my eyes again gazing around the room to land on Lia who had her arms crossed as she tried to get Jaemin to let her go. By the looks of it she wasn’t winning. Her eyes rolled at something he whispered in her ear before they landed on me and the look basically screamed help me.
I snickered before I attempted to get up myself to no avail. Apparently Haechan wasn’t allowing me to leave his side now. I turned to glare at him, but was interrupted by Jeno walking inside.
“Man you guys should’ve came with me on patrol! There was this massive elk just waiting to be taken down-” He was cut off by none other than Mark.
“Jeno meet May. Y/n’s cousin visiting from out of town.”
Jeno popped his head into the living room and he froze at the sight of May. He seemed to recognize her human scent, but he remained still just gazing at her before Mark cleared his throat.
“Oh how rude of me. I’m Jeno nice to meet you.”
May smiled at him rising to shake his hand.”I’m May as you now know. It’s nice to meet you too.”
Jeno reciprocated her smile kissing her hand. “The pleasure is all mine.”
The room filled with silence until Lia cleared her throat.”Well would you look at the time. It’s six o’clock which means we’ve got to get back and make dinner.” She began to rise up until Jaemin pulled her back down.
“Why don’t you three stay here for dinner? There is plenty to go around.” He smirked.
“Yeah and we want to get to know May a little better. Isn’t that right Jeno?” Haechan joined in.
“Yeah I think it’s a grand idea. Y/n we can cook tomorrow night okay? I’d like to get to know everyone else better.” May chimed in too.
“Especially Jeno.” Chenle teased before he darted into the kitchen to avoid Lia and I’s glares.
“It’s decided then. I’ll go inform Taeyong you are all staying for dinner.” Hana jumped up and left the room, but not before sending me a knowing wink.
