Issac answered his phone with a smile one afternoon, “Just the voice I wanted to hear.” Eva chuckled on the other end, “Now why is that?” Issac replied, “Because it makes me smile. And I have some rather juicy gossip to share but you have to keep it tight-lipped.” Eva responded, “Well now I have to know what it is.” Issac told her about finding Tressa and Tressa being Benjamin’s granddaughter. Eva shook her head on the other end, “Holy shit. That is crazy even for our weird-ass world.” Issac laughed, “I know, just when you think nothing can surprise you something like that happens.” Eva looked at the bouquet he had sent to her work address that day, “Well you surprised me with flowers.” Issac ran a hand through his hair, “It’s cliche I know.” Eva ran her fingers over the petals of the multi-colored daisies, “Cliche is roses, you sent daisies with a very sweet card. We’ve never met in person, I could be hideous or a total bitch.” Issac responded, “I’m pretty sure Ian would have way more stories to share and vent about if you were a bitch. And how do you know I’m not ugly?” Eva chuckled, “I don’t but maybe I should find out.” Issac grinned, “Is that a hint that you wouldn’t say no to meeting in person?” Eva sighed, “I have an assignment at work that will take me a few days. But after that…” Issac replied, “Then let me know as soon as you are available.” Once that conversation was finished Issac called his father saying, “Hey, we are likely going to get asked to do a memory walk on behalf of Alpha Benjamin. Just wanted to give you a heads up.” His father, Travis, replied, “Good to know. Do you have an idea why?” Issac nodded, “Yeah my team and I found his granddaughter who was assumed dead.” Travis responded, “Understood. We’ll talk in person later.” Issac hung up knowing all too well that his father was under tight scrutiny. Travis was one of the most powerful arcane in the local community but that also meant he was under the microscope more often than not. Community gossip needed to be handled carefully, especially about the leading members such as Alpha Benjamin.

  CHAPTER 6

  Summer was coming up on lunchtime at school, which in high school meant finding somewhere socially acceptable to sit. Granted in this smaller town almost everyone was Metanoid or in a Metanoid family. So the cliches were more Metanoid type based. That being said, Summer didn’t always fit in with the other lupine girls. They were more outspoken and crude than she preferred most of the time. The sanguine type girls were kind but more sensually confident than she was. And arcane type girls were exclusive, not liking to associate with other types very often, at least not at this school. Summer finally decided to sit outside and eat at one of the outdoor tables. She pulled her jacket close as it was a bit chilly that day but at least she didn’t feel pressure while trying to have her meal. A minute or two later a familiar voice said, “Got room for company?” Summer gave a small smile turning slightly to say, “Only if you want to continue to kill your social standing.” Ash came to sit across from her running a hand through his brown hair, pulling it up in a short ponytail, “Eh, social standing is overrated. I know that is blasphemy for lupines but I’m just throwing it out there.” Summer chuckled a bit avoiding his calm gray gaze, “It’s okay. It is overrated.” Ash took a bite of food saying, “Anything exciting in your life?” Summer pushed her food around a bit, “I…met a new cousin. She is pretty cool.” Ash frowned, “New cousin? Did someone get married?” Summer shook her head looking up at him in excitement, “No, it’s crazy actually!” She gave him the highlights of the story best she knew and Ash grinned at the end, “That is pretty ridiculous. I mean in a good way. Wow.” Summer nodded looking back at her food, “I like her.” Ash smiled, “Then she is a good person. You have a great sense of people.” Ash then sighed looking past Summer, “Which leads me to ask a random question. Things I should know about Mary Tarpin?” Summer winced, “Has a great track record of making out with anyone male and has an annoying high-pitched laugh.”

  Just then that high-pitched laugh came from nearby, “Oh my God! Ash! There you are! Why are you hiding out here?” Mary Tarpin came to sit next to Summer and shoved her to the side, “Move over a bit Silent Girl. But seriously Ash, come sit inside.” Ash narrowed his eyes slightly, “That’s Summer and I’m fine where I am thank you.” Mary Tarpin waved a dismissive hand towards Summer, “Oh I know her. Now, I’ve heard that in our next class, there is a partner project and of course I want you to be my partner.” Ash swallowed a bite of food replying, “I’ll bear that in mind.” Mary Tarpin gave another squealing laugh, “You are so funny, Ash! Well, I’ll see you soon.” She scurried back inside and Ash rubbed his temples, “My God that is obnoxious.” Summer gave a faint smile at that. Ash said, “I promise that is literally the last person I would ever purposefully partner with.” Summer chuckled slightly. The lunch bell rang a bit later and the pair parted in the sea of students. The next class did involve partners and the teacher began to randomly call out student names to make the pairs. Summer tried not to have a panic attack as her partner was one of the more flirtatious lupine males Tom. Ash ended up getting paired with Mary anyway. Then the teacher stated that the assignment was to take care of an egg like it was a baby for a whole week. Tom grinned and winked at Summer, “Good thing you are probably really good with responsibility. I’m only good at what makes babies not taking care of them.” Summer was pretty sure she blushed ten shades of red even as Tom leaned over to say, “And I’ll give you free lessons anytime.” Summer got home that afternoon and instantly called to her mom, “I’m going to Grandpa Ben’s to do my work.” It was a common thing for her to do so her mother said that was fine just to be home for dinner.

  Tressa and Ben came back that afternoon to find Grandma Iris making hot chocolate for a teary Summer in the kitchen. Ben instantly growled, “Who am I killing?” Summer sniffled crumpling up a tissue, “It’s okay…I’m just panicking…” Iris huffed, “Silly group projects. Like taking care of an egg is anything like a baby.” Tressa pointed to the egg sitting in a shoe box on the table filled with straw, “That egg is supposed to be a baby?” Summer nodded miserably. Ben put his hands on his hips, “I’m pretty sure you aren’t crying because of the egg.” Tressa sat down across from Summer saying, “Hey baby eggs are stressful. They break easily. Tell you what, let’s brainstorm names over the rest of my box of cookies, deal?” Summer instantly nodded and snatched the box with the egg dashing out of the kitchen towards the guest room. Tressa whispered as she followed, “You probably do need to kill someone. I’ll keep you posted.” Tressa came into the room shutting the door and saying, “Okay what the hell, girl?” Summer was already sniffling again, “I hate having to seem like Grandpa Ben has to keep stepping in or my dad. You were right though my partner is essentially the worst.” Tressa came to sit next to Summer hugging her, “Okay then what can we do about it?” Summer sniffled grabbing another tissue, “I already avoided him but now I’ll have to be with him in that class plus probably some after school.” Tressa said, “Okay and who is this and why is he terrible?” Summer wiped at her eyes a bit, “His name is Tom and he is the son of a lesser alpha. He pretty much sleeps around and is great at making me uncomfortable. Plus a girl came and pretended I didn’t exist while trying to talk to Ash. So it’s been a sucky day.” Tressa frowned, “No kidding. Well, if Tom tries anything can you just bite him or maul him or something?” Summer shook her head, “I’m not stronger than he is. If I try to use my lupine nature then he will feel justified to do the same.” Tressa crossed her arms, “Well this is sounding like a potential Grandpa Ben or Dad conversation after all. Do you at least have them on speed dial?” Summer nodded, “Definitely.” Tressa sighed, “Then focus on the egg. Try to ignore or avoid Tom. If he pulls anything then you call whoever needs to come kick his ass. I am not sure about all the wolf stuff yet or I’d volunteer.”

  Summer nodded calming slightly, “It was just…a bit much for me today.” Tressa waved a hand dismissively, “Happens to all of us. Now we do need to give the egg a name.” Later that evening Summer was sitting in her room at home and her phone began to buzz. She answered it with a shy smile, “Hey.” Ash sighed on the other end, “The universe hates me.” Summer chuckled a bit, “But Maria doesn’t.” Ash laughed saying, “So true and so not my type. Speaking of terrible partners, are you okay? You looked pretty shaken with Tom.” Summer toyed with her bedspread, “Yeah…he just…puts me on edge.” Ash rolled his eyes on the other end, “You are officially the nicest person on this planet. Just say the guy is an asshole.” Summer smiled, “Okay well he is but the project will be over in a week. So I’ll try to avoid him and still pass.” Ash said softly, “If he so much as says something perverted. Call me.” Summer bit her lip slightly replying, “Thanks. Maria might get jealous.” Ash chuckled, “Let her. Seriously, call me, okay?” Summer nodded, “Okay. I promise.” The pair hung up shortly. Meanwhile, Tressa got a call as well and answered it with a grin, “Hey Sexy Beast.” Ivan chuckled, “Hey, puppy.” Tressa sat on the bed in the spare room saying, “So you talked to Amy because only she would know that I hate raisins.” Ivan replied, “Of course I did. A man has to use all resources at his disposal when it comes to learning about a particular sexy female he has in mind.” Tressa twirled a stray strand of brown curly hair, “Oh? You’ve thought of me then?” Ivan gave a warm chuckle, “In great detail, puppy.” Tressa asked coyly, “Do I get to hear these details?” Ivan responded, “In about two weeks you do.” Tressa pouted, “So Gramps was being serious about that?” Ivan replied, “Ben is never not serious. But I did want to check in on you. How has it been meeting the family?” Tressa smiled, “I have the sweetest, cutest, cousin named Summer. My grandma is pretty awesome. And Ben is growing on me. Not sure about my Aunt Clara yet. But hell having anyone is better than no one.” The pair spoke for a bit longer before ending the conversation for the night.

  Ash heard a familiar voice from downstairs at his family’s home. He came out of his room, shoving his phone in his pocket from calling Summer. Issac looked over as Ash came into the living room, “Hey.” Ash came clasping Issac’s hand with a smile, “Hey.” Their father Travis was sitting on a couch nearby clarifying, “So you found Alpha Benjamin’s granddaughter?” Issac nodded, “Yes. Benjamin wants to do a memory walk.” Travis said, “Well that makes sense. I’ll call and talk to him about it.” Issac turned to his younger brother, “How is school?” Ash shrugged but motioned to the side, “Come see the latest idea for a project.” Issac soon was staring at an egg in a box of straw, “An egg?” Ash sighed, “Apparently this is like taking care of a kid somehow.” Issac gave a half smile, “So who is the mother?” Ash grimaced, “The assigned mother is a girl named Mary who is the most irritating female ever.” Issac chuckled, “What if you got to pick?” Ash rubbed the back of his neck saying, “That would have been, Summer.” Issac’s eyebrows rose, “As in Alpha Benjamin’s granddaughter?” Ash muttered, “You didn’t have to remind me about that.” Issac shook his head, “I don’t know much about Benjamin’s grandchildren but anytime her name comes up it’s with a smile and positive so guess you have good taste.” Ash shoved his older brother, “And you? Mom might arrange a marriage for you soon.” Issac flinched, “Gods, no. I have someone that seems…promising. I’ll keep everyone posted.” The brothers were six years apart but had managed to be close while growing up. They had many similarities. Both were quiet, studious, fast learners, and ever vigilant against being recruited for The Flame. The Flame was a predominately arcane gifted group that were extremist in their view of the world. They saw humans as inferior due to a lack of any anima or arcane ability. They also believed in Metanoid purity in the bloodlines so marrying outside your type was heresy. Issac cuffed Ash’s shoulder, “See you around.” The next day at school there was a large number of students with the egg project. It took some creativity to navigate through the day while keeping the boxed eggs safe. Summer smiled as Ash came to sit outside with her at lunch. He set the boxed egg down next to Summer’s box nearby, “Still looks good.” Summer nodded, “I got lucky, Tom is absent today.” Ash sighed, “Maria is not.” Summer chuckled, “How is it going with her?” Ash winced, “Besides the ear-splitting laughs she has now taken her attempts at flirting to the next level.” Summer wrinkled her nose, “Ew.” Ash laughed, “My thoughts exactly.”

  Tressa spent the day in the kitchen with Iris. Tressa was typing up notes on recipes that Iris showed her and they baked almost constantly while talking. Tressa treasured every second. Iris did as well and the pair grew closer by the hour. The pair carried on conversation as they worked. Iris asked, “How are you holding up with all this?” Tressa sighed, “Honestly, that changes by the hour I think. Some moments it’s exciting, sometimes frustrating, goes from making sense to seeming insane, and that’s just the magic shit. Having a whole huge family I never knew…that's its own thing.” Iris nodded, “I can only imagine it would be. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or be an emotional mess. I figure that would be normal.” Tressa laughed lightly, “Oh I didn't need all this to be an emotional mess.” Iris winked, “I will say that catching Ivan’s attention is a positive bit in all of this.” Tressa nodded, “One hundred percent true. He has been texting, calling, and checking in on me all the time. Not in a weird way. Just that he is concerned and aware that all this crazy shit is happening. That’s new for me.” Iris scoffed, “Well then you’ve dated losers before.” Tressa rolled her eyes as she stirred some ingredients, “Also one hundred percent true. Granted, I didn't know the last one was a magical asshole. I just figured out he was an asshole.” Iris cocked her head, “Oh?” Tressa nodded, “Yeah, his name was Paul and apparently he was arcane. Used me like some damn magical battery for himself. He was full of flattery and shit at the beginning. I met him at a party. But that changed within a month of us getting serious.” Tressa stopped stirring, her mind going over memories. She shook her head, “Looking back I can't believe I was so stupid. I let him manipulate and convince me I was the one imagining things or being dramatic. I finally woke up. I met Amy. She may be human but her ability to read people is the human version of magic. She met Paul and I at an event that was being catered by the cafe she worked for at the time.” Tressa smiled as she stared blankly ahead, “We hit it off right away. She wasted no time telling me that Paul was bad news. I didn’t give her credit at first but over a month she could point out things in a way that was so simple, yet I couldn't see it. Anyway, I ditched his ass but he always seemed to find me for the next two years. Seems that magic jewelry is a bitch.” Tressa blinked coming more back into the present, “Sorry, didn't mean to space out.” Iris chuckled patting Tressa’s arm, “Don’t apologize. I have a lot of stories to hear! I am sorry any of that happened.” As the afternoon wore on Tressa said, “So you and Gramps aren't completely opposed to Ivan being a more permanent fixture in my life. Have you known him for a while?” Iris chuckled, “Well what I’ve heard of him is good. His father is respected and has been loyal to your grandfather.” Tressa then asked softly, “What were my parents like…together I mean?” Iris paused in washing the dishes they had made during the baking of the day, “They were quite the pair. Your mother, Maria, had just as much spunk as you, or even more. She met my son, Owen, in high school. Her family moved to this town about that time. Pretty much as soon as she saw Owen she made up her mind to pursue him. Owen isn’t boisterous or outgoing so I was afraid he’d never find a girl. Turns out he didn’t need to, the girl found him.” Tressa chuckled, “Go mom.” Iris nodded, “Owen was afraid to pull Maria into the chaos and secrecy of the life of a Metanoid. But the pull to be with her was too much to dig his heels in too long. I remember he came to me to practice how to talk to Maria about all this magical craziness.” Iris dabbed at her eyes with a sigh, “He eventually told her everything and Maria said ‘Well if you’ve been waiting to kiss me because of some crazy wolf thing then get over it.’ She then kissed him before he could respond. Needless to say, it merely confirmed that they were to be together. From that point on Maria was here more than she was at her own family’s house. She was fearless and Owen came to respect that about her. As time passed and they married, Owen included Maria in every meeting, and event, and didn’t keep a single secret. They were thick as thieves.” Tressa sniffled with tears in her eyes, “That is so damn sweet!”

  That night Ivan called Tressa who picked up with a smile, “Hey, sexy.” Ivan replied, “Hey, puppy. How are you holding up?” Tressa leaned against the window in the room she was staying in at her grandparents, “I’m good. Mostly.” Ivan said, “Well it’s a hell of a lot to take in.” Tressa nodded, “No kidding. I’ve been hanging out with Grandma Iris today which explains my love of baking because she is amazing.” Ivan replied, “That sounds completely logical for all the shit that has likely made no sense recently.” Tressa laughed, “True. And she told me about my parents…” Tressa felt her throat close up slightly. Ivan said softly, “I’m sorry, Tressa. I can’t imagine how bittersweet that must be.” Tressa nodded blinking tears away from her eyes, “That sums it up. I mean the magic part of this bullshit is one thing but having a whole damn family I never knew is next level.” Ivan respond, “There may be more pieces to the puzzle once Issac and his dad do a memory walk with you.” Tressa took a breath in and out, “Yeah I’m not sure if I should be scared shitless or excited.” Ivan laughed a bit, “Both I figure.” Tressa moved to sit on the bed saying, “Tell me about your family. Amy and I never knew normal…so yours will probably sound normal.” Ivan spoke about his family for the next hour. Tressa laughed at some of his stories and others she just listened wistfully. Ivan came from a large family with five younger siblings. He talked about the pressure that came with being the eldest and being a male. Ivan told stories of his siblings playing pranks on each other, including him. He also told stories of them sticking up for each other over time. Ivan gave a brief overview of some of the basic large packs and family structures. As a lull came to the conversation Tressa said softly, “For the record I still want you to stay single until Gramps gets his act together in a week and five days.” Ivan gave a warm chuckle, “Counting the days, puppy?” Tressa countered, “Don’t act like you aren’t. You know I’m the hottest thing you’ve ever seen.” Ivan replied, “You are that and then some. Get some rest, puppy. And check your doorstep in the morning.” The call ended but moments later Summer was calling Tressa. Tressa chuckled as she answered, “Hey baby girl.” Summer was soon chattering away about her day and Tressa was more than content to listen. By the end of the day, Tressa laid down with a smile. She texted Amy before turning out the lights and just waiting to see what the next day would bring.

 

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