Ariella
Dad visits the rest of the wares in the hold before we leave. He replaces the manhole cover and then we all walk back towards the cars.
“This is not good,” Grandad Gamba says, and the rest of us agree with him.
“No, it ain’t,” Dad replies. “The mention of that damn tranquiliser had both me and Abriya feeling sick.”
“Poor mom. He must wanna use it on her so she can’t use her howl.”
“My thoughts exactly,” Grandad Victorio says. “We need to stop him.”
“We need that tranquilizer so we can find out what’s in it and what it can do now,” Denda says. “That stuff was bad enough the first time around, and if it’s changed…”
“We do, but we have nothing at all to go on. And Abriya can’t go to war right now either,” Dad says, sounding frustrated.
I stay quiet while they talk heatedly amongst themselves. I’m gonna have to ask for my magic from Aura. I don’t know how we’re gonna find Maximus otherwise. I’m nervous of having so much power, but I need to suck it up so I can help my family and all wares.
***
Dad’s quiet during the drive home. I would love to know what him and mom are talking about right now. I wonder if I’ll be able to hear their thoughts like Aura can once I have my magic.
Do I really wanna hear their thoughts, though?
I shudder at the idea of hearing all their sexual thoughts. If I do end up hearing people, I hope I can turn them off.
Don’t think about it, Ariella… Think of something else, quick...
I pull out my cell to message Davonyé. I wanna tell him something real. He’s sent me so many texts over the last couple of days telling me how he felt about me. I should tell him something…
Hey. I hope work is bearable. All day long I think about you. I feel like we’ve been away from each other forever. I can’t wait to see you. A xx
Then I message Harmony.
Hey girl. I'm on my way home.
She comes online straight away.
On my way.
We won't be home for another hour, I reply.
I'll wait.
Damn. What is with her? You okay?
No. See u soon.
Shit. Now I'm really worried. If we weren’t werewolves, I’d be worried she’d gotten herself pregnant with how she’s goin’ on.
I hit backup and screen-watch for Davonyé’s message. Twenty minutes later and there’s still no reply. I sigh and look out of the window. He’s at work, Ariella…
“What’s wrong?” Dad asks from the driver’s seat, and I feel him take a quick look at me.
“Everything,” I tell him honestly. “All that's happened over the past week… But mostly? I miss him.”
“Baby, I know you do. You ain't had much sleep over the past few days either so your emotions will be all over the place, too. You sure you wanna go back to school tomorrow?”
I turn to face him. “And miss out on seeing Davonyé?” Because the way I’m feeling right now, I’m gonna fall asleep, I just know it. “I'm going to school, dad.”
He rolls his eyes. “You got your own place now. Why don't you just invite him over?”
“He doesn’t finish work until midnight, but I might invite him over.”
He shrugs. “It's your house.”
That makes me smile. “Yeah, it is.” God, I love my dad. He's just knows.
***
We get home just after six, and after getting Harmony from the main house, we go over to mine. We sit in my room after I make her a water. Her silence is driving me mad.
“Talk, Harmony. Your silence is killing me.”
“They can't hear us?” she asks quietly, referring to the rest of the family in the main house.
“No. Only if I have a window open.”
She looks relieved. “I think Carisse’s brother is my mate.”
Fuck! “What the hell? How? Why do you think that?”
“Cuz I met him.” She bites her lip. “And I felt some crazy shit happen when I did.”
“Oh, God. Describe it.”
“Well, for one, I've never seen a guy so fuckin’ fine before. And the way he looked at me had my heart going crazy. Then he shook my hand and I felt like he damn near electrocuted me.”
Ugh... “That sounds about right.” Carisse’s brother, though, of all people.
“I dunno what to do, Ella. I was all set on cutting her off once her mother and her brother collected her from mine. But then I saw him and realised the reason I've felt so connected to Carisse was because of her brother. This whole shit is awkward as fuck.”
“Have you seen him since?”
She shakes her head. “No. Carisse ain't been at school. Said she was taking a couple weeks off so she can get a car and get her head straight or whatever. She's asked me over to her brother’s house, though, but I've been making excuses not to go.”
“No matter what happens with me and Carisse, I’d never ask you to stay away from your mate. I know eventually shit might kick off with us, and I don’t want it to get in the way of you and him.” Davonyé and me might have to keep us a secret for a while.
“Yeah, but when she finds out, she’ll think I knew, so she’s gonna cut me out of her life anyway.”
“So you need to establish some kinda connection to him before that happens. Kiss him or something so he can’t get over you. But if you wanna carry on fuckin’ other guys then I suggest you don't sleep with him. You’ll both get possessive after that.”
She frowns but quickly sighs deeply. “I don’t think I wanna be with anyone else already. I can’t stop thinkin’ about how good the sex is gonna be with my mate. I don’t even have to tell him about being a ware for a whole year yet, either.”
“Well, whatever you’re thinkin’ about the sex? It’s even better,” I mutter my thoughts.
“Oh, my, God.” She narrows her eyes at me. “Have you slept with Davonyé?”
I smile. I can’t help it.
“Shit, well you kept that quiet. No wonder he stopped messing with Carisse.”
“Did he?”
“Yeah, she kept messaging me sayin’ he was coming up with random excuses not to touch her. That mate pussy fucked him up.”
I roll my eyes but feel good inside. “That’s good to know.”
“He looks like shit y’know. You can tell he’s really missin’ you.”
Now I feel awful. Davonyé…
“Sorry, I know you ain’t been able to help it, but he looks like a lovesick puppy.”
“We’ve been messaging. He’s better now. Anyway, what are you gonna do about your mate?”
“I dunno. Maybe I’ll meet up with Carisse one day next week. See if I can spend some time with her and Jaheim.”
“That’s his name, yeah?”
“Yeah. So sexy. Harmony and Jaheim. Goes good together, right?”
I laugh. “I guess.”
“Your mom looks big enough to pop now, don’t she? She says the baby’s due any day now.”
“Yeah. We’re all just waiting now. I hope she doesn’t come when I’m at school.”
“Right, cuz you’d never get back in time.”
That’s true. “Yeah...” I need that magic.
“Alright. So you’re definitely back at school tomorrow?” she asks before downing her glass of water and making to leave.
“Yeah. I’ll give you a ride if you want?”
“Cool. Oh, yeah, and I’ve been doing some thinking and I wanna say I’m really sorry for not being there for you over the last few months. I didn’t think about all the stress you’ve been under. So, to say sorry, I’ve ordered you a Yankee Candle gift hamper. It should be here sometime next week.”
Wow… “Harmony, thank you,” I say and walk over to hug her.
She hugs me back tight. “No, thank you, for always being there for me. I love you so much.”
“And I love you,” I tell her earnestly. “And congratulations on finding your mate.”
“Thanks—damn, girl, maybe practice not hugging people so hard,” she says as she pushes me away.
I laugh at that. “Sorry. I will.”
“Good. See you tomorrow.”
I see Harmony out and then hear my phone vibrate on the side. I run to it faster than I need to, but the thought of finally hearing from Davonyé is too much.
I been thinkin’ bout you, too. I’m on a break now. What you sayin about lata?
Message me when you get off work. I’m gonna try stay awake.
Aight. You ok tho?
Yeah, just tired. It’s been a hectic few days. How r u?
Better than I was. U goin back to school 2mro or u still caught up?
Nah, I’m goin school.
Aight. If I don’t c u later then I’ll c u 2mra yeah?
Ugh, I wanna see him later, but I’m exhausted…
Defo, but still message me after work.
I will.
I feel the swarm of butterflies in my stomach just from the thought of seeing him. I jump in the shower just in case. I hook my phone up to charge and then lie in bed. I’m gonna try get some sleep before he gets off. Last thing I want is for him to come here and I’m too tired to fuck.
I laugh nervously to myself at that thought. I need to calm the hell down.