Siblings

The moment Claire stepped foot on the gravel, a she-wolf raced up to her, pulling her into a bear hug. "I'm so excited to finally meet you!" she squealed. 

Claire didn't move. She could hear the wolf's heartbeat jumping with her. The way her blood pumped. The way her blood smelt. She was getting dizzy. 

Colin noticed the stressed body language of his mate and pried the young woman off with a laugh, "Relax. Introduce yourself at the very least."

Slightly embarrassed, she stepped back, throwing her long, brown hair over her shoulder. A young man, about Colin's age, stepped forward and wrapped his arm around her waist, offering her a foolish love-struck grin. He looked a bit like Colin too. He stuck his hand out with a smile and said, "I'm Reed, and this is Kali." 

Claire smiled slightly, taking his giant hand in her own. "Claire," she replied softly. 

Colin wanted to pick up his mate in his arms and tuck her away. He wanted to kiss her flushed cheeks. She seemed shy, but he was fairly confident that it was because of the newness of the entire situation. She was too brave to be shy.

Another pair of wolves approached them, although there was something different about the man. He smelled like a wolf, but more, human? 

The young woman was taller than her companion, over six feet tall. She looked remarkably like Reed, and Claire realized that they must be Colin's siblings. The two looked far more like one another than Colin, but there was a familiar resemblance for sure. 

She stuck her hand out and said in a surprisingly high voice, "I'm Lily! And this is my mate, Joe." 

Claire repeated her own name and moved to study Joe. He was of average height and very well built. His slightly slanted dark-brown eyes never left Lily, as if he were concerned for her. 

It took Claire a moment to realize that he had been transformed, like her. Another person who wasn't raised in this world. 

'But I guess that I was born into it,' she thought bitterly. 

Colin squeezed her hand gently, bringing her attention back to the small crowd forming around them. Word had spread quickly that the youngest son, the unwanted one, had found a mate. But the gossip was more about what she was then who she was. Matt had drunkenly let slip two nights before that she had been living with a vampire. As soon as her scent had hit the air, people began to whisper.

"Serves him right." 

"A monster for a beast." 

 Claire could hear every word, and most of it confused her. Colin and the other wolves talking to him heard it as well. He watched her shift on her feet uncomfortably, once, twice. And before she could a third time, he said, "We should get going. I want to take a shower. I'm sure Claire does too." 

She nodded gratefully, leaning into his touch as he snaked his arm around her. Colin grinned, puffing his chest out with pride. He was protecting his mate. Yes, it was from social anxiety, but still. He was doing what he was meant to do. 

"Go straight to your home," Alpha Peter commanded, stealing away Colin's grin for himself. "I would hate to think how some of the warriors would react if they haven't been told there's a vampire running around." 

Colin huffed, fighting back his wolf's sudden rage. He did not let his father's words get to him anymore. But his father was threatening his mate now, and Colin knew better than most that his father did not make empty threats. 

Pulling her a little closer, Colin brought Claire to his home. They made their way along a gravel road for a bit before turning onto well-trodden grass pathways. Claire looked around, a smile on her face. The houses they passed were all on the smaller side, often two-family homes, but they all had wonderful little yards filled with gardens and toys. Children played in them, throwing balls and swinging on swings. Parents stood on porches, eyeing the passersby cautiously. But Claire was too enamored with the charms of the homes to take notice. Colin watched her, ecstatic that his mate liked his pack's home.

"We are almost at my place," he said proudly. 

Claire nodded, her smile suddenly dropping. They had been walking hand in hand, but Claire let go of his. His skin felt cold without hers. "Is everything alright?" he asked, concerned. "If you don't feel comfortable staying with me, I can find a hotel? Or you can stay in my place, and I'll crash at Cillian and Molly's." 

A small smile twitched her lips at his sincerity. She shook her head. "I don't mind staying with you," she began softly. "But why don't you live in the packhouse? I thought that the Alpha's family always lived in the house." 

Colin sighed. He knew that he would have to explain everything to her eventually, but not yet. Not when she was still new. Not when she was still sad and scared. "It's a long story." 

Claire nodded, biting her bottom lip. "I have some of those too," she replied quietly. 

Agreeing to allow one another's secrets to stay hidden for a little longer, they turned onto Colin's block. It was a small cul-de-sac, just four two-family homes. Colin pulled out his keys as he brought her up the driveway to his home. She moved to take the path towards the door, but Colin kept going behind the house. Finally, they arrived at 4 ½ Beryl Court. 

Colin's face flushed slightly as he undid the locks. He lived in a converted garage behind Cillian's house, which had enough room for the single young man. But Claire, she lived in a mansion. A palace, even. "I, uh, I haven't been here for a bit," he said, embarrassed. "I didn't know that I'd be having anyone over either." 

Claire grinned, easing his anxiety. She knew young men and had very low expectations for his home. The fact that he locked his front door was a direct upgrade from many of the men she knew. If he didn't have a pile of dirty dishes and owned a bedframe, he would be at the top of her list. 

The one-bedroom apartment was clean, but clearly owned by someone who was busy. Colin's jacket hung lazily from the back of the kitchen chair, and his shoes were in a pile by the door. Glass cups were scattered around on surfaces, but the home itself was in good condition. The floors were swept and the windows were dusted. Colin watched anxiously as her blue eyes swept over the room. He was suddenly aware of how plain it was. He didn't have many, if any, decorations. A small smile played on his lips as he wondered how she would one day decorate their home, but he pushed that thought away for more pressing matters. 

As they took off their shoes, Colin pointed to the bathroom door. "Why don't you take a shower first so I can tidy up?" It sounded like an offer, but it was a silent plea. 

Claire nodded and took a few steps before stopping, dropping her head to the ground. 

"What's wrong?" 

Claire looked up at his worried face, fighting back tears in her eyes. "I don't have any clothes." Colin didn't understand why that would make her so upset. "Everything is back with Elias." 

Oh. Colin walked over to her and waved her into the bedroom. He pulled out a pair of sweatpants, briefs, and a large tee shirt. He laid them on the bed and tried to smile, although her wet eyes made it difficult for him to do anything but go kill her sire. "You can borrow my clothes for now, and we can get you more stuff later." 

She nodded, sniffling. Colin reached over to wipe the stray tears that had escaped, but Claire pulled back apologetically. 

It hurt him, but he only smiled tightly and nodded. If she needed time, he would give her eternity.