Chapter 25

"That's where you underestimate your brother." He said, pointing his fork at me. "Are you saying I can't make something as simple as a slice of toast?"
I gulped down half of the orange juice. "I didn't say that, you did. What did you cook?"
"Ah, that's better. I've to tell you that Stephaney actually made this." He said, gesturing across the table with his hand. "There's some raw meat in the fridge if you want it."
I nodded.
"I was afraid I was going to have to eat the whole thing by myself. My brothers said you'd like it."
"Phyllis was here?" He nodded.
"Why didn't you wake me?"
He laughed for a while. "I did. You scolded me twice, and the third time you almost slapped me."
"You're lying." I said, horrified. "I wouldn't do that."
"But you did." He shook his head at the memory. "When you first woke up, you asked about Phyllis, why?"
I looked at his poker face for a sign of anger, but there was nothing, instead curiosity flashed in his eyes.
"I guess I miss him." I said. "I didn't see or talk to him the last time I was with you."
"Your girl is more interested in me." Said another voice right behind Peter.
"Phyllis." said I excitedly. I was literally bouncing up and down in my seat.
"Now that's what I call a hug." He said with a twinkle in his eye.
"Why do I've a suspicion that you guys didn't go home." Said Peter casually.
Phyllis gave him a disgusted look. "I can't be in the same room as Arlene."
I took a deep breath. "Guys, she's your sister and she's pretty cool."
"Cool?" Peter asked. "You've only met her once. She's not cool. She makes it impossible for us to breathe."
"She's not that bad." I continued to defend her.
"It's just that you've a good heart and that's why you don't look past the outer beauty," Phyllis said.
"Did I miss the party?" This time Stephaney took the floor. "The breeze is cool. It's a wonderful time to be on all fours."
"I think so, too," said Peter. "Maybe we can get some fresh air after breakfast."
"Yes, Daddy." said Phyllis playfully. Peter rolled his eyes. I'd to smile. They looked so human.
Stephaney sat next to me, staring at my face with sombre eyes. At first I ignored him, but after a minute I couldn't take it anymore. I was sure my face would have exploded if he'd kept staring at me.
"What?" I asked with a frustrated sigh.
"You said you missed Phyllis." He replied as if that made sense.
I gulped down the rest of the juice. I was suddenly thirsty. "And ...?"
"So you didn't miss me?"
I looked into his eyes for a long moment. "I missed you, too, Stephie."
"Don't call me that." He said.
"You're acting like a whiny girl." I breathed.
I rolled my eyes. "Why are you guys always shirtless anyway? Is Sunday the day you've to take your shirts off, because if so, I definitely didn't get the memo."
Stephaney stood up and pointed his finger at Peter, "I didn't know you'd a tattoo."
I followed his thick finger to Peter's upper chest, and that's when I saw it, my mark. It was that of a howling wolf with fur as black as night. In the centre were the initials E.C. I couldn't swallow my pride, as hard as I swallowed.
"Oh, that," Peter said uninterestedly. "That's not a tattoo. I got it a few days ago. I woke up in the morning and it was just there."
"Then what's it?" asked Phyllis more insistently, staring at it in wonder. He ran a hand over it and Peter winced.
"I got it the day after she marked me." He said, pointing his finger accusingly in my direction. "It's to show other people that I'm taken."
"Well, it's in a stupid place. People don't walk around bare-chested."
"Werewolves do, especially in mating rituals." I said.
"Even the girls?" asked Phyllis, her eyes wide with excitement.
"Yes." I sighed, not liking his train of thought.
"I wish I was a werewolf." He added in a whisper.
"That would be a good thing. You'd have found your mate by now." said Stephaney.
Phyllis cleared her throat awkwardly, "Come to think of it ..."
"That lights up, too." muttered Peter. "Why?"
I looked away sheepishly. My cheeks were on fire. "When I think of you..." I hoped he'd understand. That was all I could say in front of his siblings. It was hard enough to confess my feelings to him, but for someone else to hear me...
He smirked. "I see, and why does it sting right now?"
"Because someone other than me is touching it."
"Get your hands off me, you pervert!" said Peter to Phyllis.
In seconds, he sprinted away in beast form.
Phyllis was the second one to follow. His coat was a nice brown chocolaty color. They ran with such grace that for a few seconds I just stood there watching them in awe.
I closed my eyes; I could barely remember my wolf. I could feel my bones cracking and rearranging themselves. Within seconds, an anguishing pain attacked but just for a moment. The next second I was in all fours.
I could see miles away. My wolf could pick up Peter’s beasty laugh from a distance. I couldn’t help but smile. I’ve never enjoyed my wolf form before. I couldn’t wait any longer I ran after them.
I heard the same cracking sound and I looked behind me. I had forgotten Stephaney was there with me. I waited a few seconds for him to join me. When he did, we bumped sides and raced to where we could hear Peter and Phyllis barking playfully.