4 - Bubbling Over

~Cadence’s Point of View~

Seven hours. 

Seven flipping hours they’ve been in my place and won’t leave. Three hours ago they ordered Chinese and the waft of it was enough to make me ALMOST give in. I texted one of my long time on and off again fuck buddies after that and begged him to bring me some lunch. When he showed up and saw them at the door, he ran off. Now he won’t answer my texts at all. I was certain if I tried someone else it would be the same result.

Prisoner in my own damn apartment!

“Reporter starves to death due to her own stupid pride, next up Ollie the circus cat.”

I was certain every real news story you saw on TV only made it on air to fill time for the actual mindless crap people tuned in to see.

If I didn’t have the bathroom in my bedroom, I’d be in a real tough spot. My apartment was on the third floor, so I wasn't too keen to jump out the window. But the day was still long and I couldn’t imagine wasting a Saturday night in here because I was too chicken shit to face my…

“Mates! Mates! Just say it, hmmmm,* my wolf said, beside herself.

She was reveling their scent, begging me to open the door. I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I never thought they’d stay this long, they’d get bored or surely have to pee! They’d also have to keep ordering food seeing as my fridge only had beer, wine and bottled water. At twenty-one it was pathetic that I survived on cafeteria food and whatever other restaurants were around. I hated to cook. All that work for so little pleasure, just like finding someone bad in bed. It practically made me tick with dread.

*Go out there! You’re always a stubborn ass but this is really ridiculous,* Fanny huffed.

*This is a matter of principle now! They are not going to wear me down,* I insisted.

I rummaged around in my backpack and found two granola bars. I happily ripped one open and moaned since I was so hungry. 

“You better not be in there having fun without us,” I heard from just behind the door.

I threw a pillow at nothing, and it landed just shy of the door. I pulled the covers up over my head and sighed. I knew damn well they could blow the door off the hinges if they wanted to. They’d just write a check to the school to fix it without a second thought. 

“Cadence, seriously you can’t stay in there forever. Just talk to us,” a voice said.

That must be Weston, he seems like the weaker link. Hmmm, mental note. I ripped open the second granola bar and inhaled it, feeling a bit better. I heard movement in the living room then kitchen, and to my complete shock, the outside door closed. 

Was this a prank? To lure me out? Neither of my windows faced the front, I had no way to get a visual. After a couple minutes of not hearing anything I got the nerve to open the door a bit. Their scents were faded. I bolted out and looked around the only other two rooms in the place. They really had left! I dashed to the front door and threw the dead bolt just in case.

My stomach grumbled and of course I had to wonder if they left any food. I made my way to the fridge and opened it, the entire top shelf was full of containers, egg rolls and drinks. I immediately grabbed several and investigated, they were almost all full. 

*See? They are thoughtful! They want to care for us,* Fanny said, preening.

“Yeah regular gentlemen, those two. They wear spandex pants and throw themselves at other males for a good time. Dumb jocks only thinking with what’s between their legs. We need a real partner, someone with an actual brain,” I said, with a mouthful. 

I fixed a plate, heated it up then sat at the breakfast bar. My eyes fixed on a note, and I was so glued to the perfect cursive penmanship that I almost didn’t read it. Once I finally focused my eyes and did, I immediately began to choke. I coughed and coughed but a chunk of chicken lodged in my throat, cutting off my air. 

I heaved and hit my chest, tried to breathe through my nose but there was no relief! I tried to scream but nothing happened, I was certain few of my neighbors were home on a Saturday. 

Shit, shit! I’m gonna die. I’m gonna die!!

*Do something! Run into the counter,* my wolf yelled as I began to feel faint.

“Reporter dead by General Tso, body not found for weeks, live at five.”

I got it together and took the four legged princess’ advice. I ran at full speed into the ledge of the island, and I watched in shock as the chicken flew out of my mouth, and landed with a squish on the floor. I heaved again, falling backwards, eventually hitting the back of the couch and falling over it. 

“Fucking hell,” I groaned, trying to calm down.

I couldn’t have been that close to the end, my life didn’t flash before me or anything dramatic. I was sprawled across the cushions, my butt halfway to falling on the floor. My chest rose and fell rapidly as I finally calmed down. Once I felt confident my feet could hold me, I tried to get up. 

Nope, still not good, I thought as my thighs wobbled. I fell back to the couch, feeling weak and exhausted like I’d just run a marathon. I picked up a pillow and brought it to my chest, squeezing it. 

*Ooooh yeah that’s it,* Fan said, forcing me to sniff it. 

Hmmm. Damn it! That’s Lenox. He probably rubbed his bare ass all over this pillow for all I knew. I wouldn’t put it past his ego.

I laid on the couch and closed my eyes, still trying to process all this. I had to know I would eventually find my mates, I had to know I couldn’t put it off forever. But Alphas … and Kellers at that. Moon Bay. Ugh!!

Everyone knew that the whole pack was just full of themselves. Nothing but a bunch of pretentious jackasses. They all walked around as if they owned the place, and well some of them might if their parents have deep enough pockets. Even when dating I made it a point to stay away from anyone in that pack, for fear of getting knocked up or something and having to be stuck with someone there. And now … here we are.

I was pretty sure I dozed off, I wasn’t entirely sure. When I finally properly sat up my eyes moved to a pen laying on top of Alec’s folder. I quickly picked it up and stared in shock as I noticed that they not only answered every question, they also wrote two pages up as if they were writing the article themselves. Shit, I could just turn this in and call it a day!

*Ohhh! Let’s read it! I wanna know all about them and our new family,* my wolf said, insistent. 

I waved her off and got to my feet, remembering my food. As I turned to go back to the kitchen, my eyes practically bugged out of my head as reality set in.

I looked at the clock and noticed I’d lost half an hour. STUPID, STUPID! 

I ran into my room and grabbed my phone. I frantically flipped through my call log and dialed.

RING RING RING

“Come on, come on! I know you’re home,” I said, ready to start cursing.

They now had about a 45 minute head start, there would be no way I could make up that time. Oh yeah, and I don’t have a freaking car!! This was bad. I could try to get the idiot twins’ cell phone numbers but that would take too long. There would be questions I’d have to answer.

Oh this is just bad. So damn bad.

RING RING RING

“You have reached a voicemail box that has not been set up, goodbye.”

Fuck my life!!

I looked for a back-up number and dialed. Still no answer. It was Saturday afternoon, there was no reason not to answer!! How do some people not pay attention to their phones?

“Think Cade, think. You need a car, who has a car,” I said, out loud.

I quickly put on my shoes and grabbed my purse. I snatched an egg roll off my plate and ate it as I flew out the door and down the stairs. I made my way to the next building and took the stairs two at a time.

BANG BANG BANG

“Hey, Hailey? It’s Cade,” I yelled, impatient. 

A knot started to form in my stomach. My paranoia was already getting the best of me. Maybe I should just crawl in a hole and forget chasing after them. No, no that wasn’t an option.

The door finally flew open and there stood a sexy werefox I used to date, well sorta. She looked and smelled like I’d certainly interrupted something. I bit my lip.

“Oh hey Cade… it’s uhm, not the best time unless you wanna join,” she said, raising her eyebrow.

If this was literally any other day I’d shove her in this door and rip off her robe. But right now, I was close to losing my lunch and clawing off someone’s face all at once. Two faces to be exact!

*No you won’t,* my wolf scolded.

“Hey uhm, actually I need a favor. Kind of got my visitor out of the blue. Any chance I can borrow your car to go get some stuff at the pharmacy,” I said, trying to look pitiful.

“Oh. Yeah that’s fine I’m kinda staying in for the day myself,” she said, giggling.

“Cool, I’ll owe ya one. I’ll fill it up for you,” I said, practically snatching the keys as she held them out.

“No problem, just bring it back tomorrow whenever, I may not hear the door. It’s not usually locked though I’m sure you remember,” she said, running her perfectly manicured fingers through her sexy brown hair. Her robe opened a bit, revealing half of her perky and soft double D. I licked my lips but I’d much rather be licking her. Damn she’s still hot. My mind flashed to how amazing it is to be buried in those tits. I was barely a full B cup so luscious full breasts were something I couldn’t get enough of and dreamed about regularly.

*Quit it!! We’re not looking at ANYONE ELSE, even females,* Miss high and mighty Fanny huffed.

Ohhh! But some females are soooo damn beautiful. So damn tasty!! How am I going to give them up?? I absolutely loved boobs, hmm…

I stood up straight and wished I could hit myself with a bucket of cold water. This was pathetic! How did my life come to this? 

“Thanks hun,” I said, turning on my heel and moving away from her as fast as I could.

“Reporter offered threesome, declines it to drive alone to the middle of nowhere. Stay tuned for sports highlights!”

Two hours later and ten more calls that went unanswered I was about to officially lose my mind. I couldn’t believe this was happening and I almost wanted it to be a bad dream. Or a prank. The Keller brothers certainly seemed like the type to pull this kind of shit on me. But deep in my bones I knew it was going to be just as I suspected.

I made it to the Silver Falls packhouse gate and one of the guards sauntered out, probably not recognizing the car. I quickly assessed him, and couldn’t remember his name. I rolled down my window. 

“Ohh hey Cade. I just met your mates! Really cool dudes, super funny,” he said, smiling.

SON OF A BITCH!! 

“Shit! Sorry no time,” I said, hitting the gas and blowing past him. 

They oughta have some real kind of gate here, I doubted that male could stop a wounded rat from getting through.

I sped like hell across the property, finally slamming on the brakes as I took in the shiny black pick-up truck that was certainly out of its element. The people here couldn’t probably afford a tire on that thing. I parked Hailey’s ten year old Honda next to it and practically threw myself out of the car. I quickly heard voices coming from the backyard, loud laughter. I made a face.

I stomped around the house and took in my parents sitting in front of a small fire with none other than the Keller twins. 

“Ohh sweetie! The boys said you might be coming. How could you not tell me you found your mates? And they’re so handsome, good manners,” my mom said, beaming at Lenox.

Manners??? If I wasn’t so pissed I’d double over with laughter until I peed my pants.

“Ohh Mrs. Mattison, Cade wanted to keep us all to herself but we really thought we should introduce ourselves,” Lenox said, taking her hand and kissing it.

*Aww so cute,* my wolf cooed.

I balled my hands into fists and growled. Fucking donkey!

“Weston, Lenox, can I please see you inside,” I said, through clenched teeth.