"I don't want to study anymore," Harry growled and leaned over and kissed Brooklyn's neck.
"Harry, no," Brooklyn said and pulled away from him. They were both lying on his bed with books scattered in front of them.
"You hate school, you hate studying," Harry mumbled. "Take a break."
"You take a break," Brooklyn said.
"I am," Harry said. "With you."
"No-"
Harry grabbed Brooklyn's shoulders and gently turned her so she was lying on her back, looking up at Harry. "Yes," Harry said. "We have all night to study."
"I want to study now," Brooklyn said and gasped when Harry trailed kisses down her neck.
"No you don't," he said.
"No, I won't let you distract me, Harry!"
"Oh really?" Harry wondered and kissed her jawline, sucking on her skin.
"Y-yeah. I was really starting to understand those French words."
"You were?"
"Uh huh," Brooklyn nodded.
"Babe," Harry sighed, "tais-toi et embrasses-moi."
"I have no idea what you just said-"
Harry's lips stopped Brooklyn talking and she gasped, surprised by his force.
She didn't not like it.
Harry pushed the books off his bed and gently straddled Brooklyn, being careful not to put any weight on her stomach. Brooklyn met Harry's lips eagerly and she grabbed hold of his smooth blond hair, pulling him closer.
Soon enough there was a knock on Harry's door.
"Fucking hell," Harry growled and sat up. "What?"
The door opened and Laura, Greyson's mother, poked her head in. "Oh, gosh, sorry!" Laura apologised, smiling sheepishly when she saw Brooklyn's and Harry's position.
"What is it, Laura?" Harry asked.
"I just wanted to let you know that the move went smoothly," Laura said softly and Brooklyn frowned when Harry tensed. His hands were bunched into fists on either side of her head.
"Anything else?" Harry asked stiffly.
"They asked for you," Laura said.
Harry's eyes widened ever so slightly. "They did?"
Laura smiled and nodded. "Will you go soon? To visit-"
"I'll think about it," Harry said sharply.
"That's always your answer," Laura frowned.
"And I always think about it," Harry snapped. "Thank you, Laura."
"Sorry to interrupt," Laura said and smiled at Brooklyn. "Hi, Brooke."
"Um... hi," Brooklyn said awkwardly.
"You can go now," Harry said.
"I'm cooking dinner. It'll be ready in about an hour if you guys want it," Laura said and stepped back and closed the door behind her.
"Harry," Brooklyn said softly, "are you okay?"
Harry was looking off to the side, his eyes narrowed.
"I'm fine," Harry said dismissively and Brooklyn sat up, placing her hand on Harry's arm.
"No you're not," she said. "What was that about?"
"Nothing," Harry snapped and stood up. He crossed his arms over to his chest and walked over to the window, staring out in silence.
"Harry-"
"Don't fucking question me about this, Brooklyn!" Harry said sternly and Brooklyn frowned, watching Harry for a few moments before standing up and walking over to him. "Broo-"
"I'd been there for a few days," Brooklyn said and looked up at Harry. "That's what it felt like. It was dark, it always was. I heard clanging, it sounded like metal being smashed together. It was so loud and I was so scared." Brooklyn paused and watched Harry's expression. He was frowning, but he understood when Brooklyn grabbed his hand and placed it on her hip, where the scar that looked like a burn was.
"Babe," Harry whispered, "you don't need to tell me this."
"You want to know."
"I do, but-"
"You're going to find out eventually," Brooklyn sighed. "He grabbed me and held me down. I didn't know what he was doing until I felt the heat. He hadn't even touched my skin yet but I could feel the burning metal rod as it neared my skin. It was excruciating. I've never felt pain like that. My skin was blistering and burning and it went on and on and on. He held the burning rod on my side for what felt like hours. H-he... he just left me there. Once he had b-branded me. He left me there to deal with the pain. All alone-" Brooklyn took a deep breath and swallowed. "It was horrible."
Harry was silent and he lifted Brooklyn's top to look at the scar. It was a circular mark. A brand.
"I'm so sorry," Harry mumbled and wrapped his arms around Brooklyn, pulling her close. "What you've endured... no one should have to go through that."
Brooklyn buried her face in Harry's chest. "I've never told anyone what I've told you," she said.
"You've told me and we don't have to talk about it ever again," Harry said. "Not unless you wanted to. Okay?"
Brooklyn nodded. "Okay."
"Thank you for telling me," Harry said and cupped Brooklyn's cheeks. He softly kissed her lips and brushed his thumb over her cheek. "I guess I owe you something. You've told me so much about you."
"I don't know anything about you, Harry," Brooklyn said. "Not really. You know everything about me."
Harry sighed and pulled Brooklyn over to the bed. They both sat down and Harry ran his fingers through his hair. "I told you about my parents. They were in an accident?"
"You said they weren't the same," Brooklyn said quietly.
"They were attacked by rogues."
"Rogues?"
"Werewolves that aren't in a pack. They're vicious, deadly. All they do is create chaos," Harry said. "They were messed up really bad when they were attacked. Real bad."
"I'm sorry," Brooklyn whispered.
"Their minds weren't the same. They were shells of who they were. A lot of the time they forget everything. Who they are. Who I am. Where they are. We had them moved to a home in the city where they can be cared for better. They can't even look after themselves."
Brooklyn took Harry's hands and squeezed them tightly.
"I used to blame myself. I was there when they were attacked. I was attacked, but my injuries were nothing compared to theirs. I was was fine and they-" Harry sighed. "My sister was there as well."
Brooklyn froze. "Sister?"
"She was 5. I was 8," Harry said and pursed his lips. "She didn't make it. Her injuries were too severe."
Brooklyn stared at Harry with wide eyes. She didn't know what to say.
"I moved to the pack house after the incident. I was all alone. No one could get through to me, until I made friends with Greyson. He's stubborn, he didn't give up on me. He's the first person who made me laugh after the incident. His family are the closest thing I have to a family. They helped bring me up."
"They did a good job."
"No they didn't," Harry scoffed. "I'm not the friendliest guy around."
"You could be nicer," Brooklyn said teasingly and Harry chuckled slightly. "I'm so sorry, Harry. That's... it's awful."
"It could be worse. At least my parents are still alive. Their quality of life is shit, but they're breathing," Harry said.
"Are you going to see them?" Brooklyn asked.
"No. Laura always asks and I never go. I stopped when they forgot who I was."
"She said they asked for you."
Harry looked down at Brooklyn. "I'm not going to see them. What's the point, I bet they won't even remember me once I've been to see them."
"It might be good for you to go," Brooklyn said. "Not for them. For you."
Harry shook his head. "Stop talking about it," he said. "It's over. It's done. You know now."
"I know," Brooklyn nodded. "Thank you."
"Like you said, I know everything about you. It was only fair I told you my secret."
"All our secret are out in the open," Brooklyn said. "Now let's take our mind off them."
"How?"
Brooklyn pointed to their school books that were scattered on the floor. "We didn't finish studying."
*