-3- Family and food

While the crowds slowly departed and many pack members stopped to congratulate their undefeated Alpha, I took the opportunity to slip off for a well deserved shower.

Not only could I smell the metallic mix of our blood smeared across my face and body but I could taste it too, leaving a bitter copper taste across my tongue.

After showering I quickly dress in my comfy fitted grey lounge suit and white trainers, before standing in front of the mirror to assess the damage. My face was covered in black and blue bruising, my left eye swollen as I knew it would be but thanks to the healing abilities of werewolves I knew the damage would be gone in a day or two, some of the bruising was already disappearing.

Taking one finally look at my poor bruised face I sigh, grabbing my sports bag before leaving the changing rooms.

I hadn't managed more than ten steps before I heard the shouting and saw them running towards me.

"Weyyy the mighty Rors!" Kane, Kash and Kairo all cheer with a mock bow, I can't help roll my eyes at them chuckling as I attempt to walk past.

"I have to say I'm amazed you didn't die, most Alphas wouldn't have been so soft yanoe" Kash added sounding surprised and amused at the same time.

Soft? Is he serious?! I'd like to see that mother fucker walk away from a fight with the Alpha, that little bitch cries when he stubbs his toe.

I send him a look as if to say 'really?' As Kairo gives him a swift slap to the back of the head before rushing to hide behind me, making me chuckle knowing it was a move I'd always used on him when he was being annoying or a moron.

Kash rubs the back of his head in annoyance sending death glares at Kairo who was now poking his tongue out at Kash in his usual childish cocky manor. I side step out of the way leaving him wide open, he spins his head towards me with a look of shock and betrayal.

"Ohh no, you don't get to hide behind me just because I survived the Alpha, treacle" making sure to put emphasis on the stupid name he insisted on calling everyone when he was in his cocky moods. He looked from me to Kash and back again before he sprinted off in the direction of the barbecue.

"Wait, when did they set up all this?" I asked as I looked around us, realising that the training grounds had now been transformed into a huge summer barbecue, complete with bouncy castles, inflatable hot tubs, pools and a DJ with light up dance floor.

I'm so glad school broke up yesterday for the summer, no rushing around or being late today.

Kane let's out a laugh beside me, while taking in the clearly confused expression on my face. Grabbing my hand, he leads me towards the piles of food "Come on Dolly day dream, let's get some food in you and build that energy back up". I hated that nickname but I guess it really was quite fitting.

Squeezing through the crowds of people, we finally made it to the food and of course Auntie Cece was there prepping plates of meat ready for Uncle Mac to throw on the barbecue.

My stomach rumbles as the delicious smell of various foods hits my nostrils.

'Pork belly. Pork belly. Oh please please please let there be pork belly' Alma whined while excitedly bouncing around my head, guess I wasn't the only one that was hungry, who would have thought it after such a huge breakfast. Now where are the plates.

After piling my plate high with a variety of food I find I seat within the stands ready to tuck in.

Ohhh it smelt so good!

Just as I lift a large pork belly from my plate to my lips, someone sits in the seat beside me. I didn't think much of it, assuming it would be one of the boys coming to bug me like always.

But then a hand reached over and took a pork belly from my plate.

Now I know it can't be one of the boys, they know better than to ever take pork belly from Alma, unless they wanted to see my psycho bitch come out to play.

Snapping my head to the left in annoyance I see Landon smirking while biting into my pork belly! Son of a bitch! Would this egotistical fuck face ever learn to leave me alone?

A growl escaping my lips at the sheer audacity of this moron, Alma was furious! 'Rory, kill him.'

I feel her trying to push her way forward and by the look on Landon's face he can see it too, "sorry I should have asked but it's just a pork belly" he quickly apologises with a nervous chuckle. I don't say a word just stare at him deadpan. He shifts uncomfortably in his seat, running his hand roughly through his hair "h-how a-about.." he pauses taking a deep breath before continuing "how about, you let me make it up to you. Dinner? Tonight?"

My mouth drops open in shock, speechless. Did he for real just ask me out?!

'Is he serious? He can't be serious? Maybe he's got a death wish?' Alma asks also shocked.

Maybe I hit him a little too hard yesterday or something knocking a screw loose inside that thick head of his, should I get him a doctor?

Before I can even respond, laughter breaks out behind us. Of course the boys had heard every word, Kash and Kairo barely able to breathe through laughing, Kane however did not look impressed. In fact, he looks angry, absolutely livid actually.

Turning my attention back to a now very red faced Landon "Err no.. thanks.. think I'd rather try pissing in a thimble" I offer him a sarcastic smile while Kash and Kairo laugh even harder before turning to leave, followed closely by Kane and the giggling duo.

What on earth was that even about?!

The rest of the day went on without any drama and strangely after our little incident, Landon was no where to be seen.

It actually turned out to be one of the best family days we'd had in a long time, no pranks or silly arguments, just laughter, fun and plenty of food. I guess I'd better make the most of it really, now the summers here I had a feeling I'd be sent off for some intense training somewhere.

As the sun began to set, all of the families started to make their way home.

'Kids, me and your mum are going to make a move, anyone that's wants to travel with us get a wiggle on, if not you're in with Kane' Uncle Mac's voice sounded through our family link.

Sometimes having mental links for communication was a blessing, other times a curse. There was no missing calls or ignoring messages. Boom, they were just there in your head.

We all agreed to pile in with Kane, giving mum and dad at least an hours peace from us lot, they knew all too well that we'd be stopping at the ice-cream store on the way home, it was Kane's tradition whenever he took us home from anywhere.

The four of us headed towards the car, pushing and teasing each other as we did.

"SHOTGUN!" I shout sprinting to the front seat just as Kane unlocks the car. I climb in locking the door behind me while laughing to myself, oooo Kash is gonna flip.

"No way, how the fuck is that fair? I'm older I should get the from seat" Kash moans just as I knew he would.

"Sorry bro, she called it" Kane laughed shrugging his shoulder at yet another of Kash's bitch tantrums.

Yes, victory is mine! I poke my tongue out at him, earning a head slap and giggle from Kairo. Such a dick!

We pull into the carpark of the ice-cream store, it was quiet for a Friday with only a handful of cars parked up, I guess most people attending the fight had gone home after the barbecue. I quickly unplug my seatbelt and rub my hands together excitedly thinking about all of the different flavours that await us.

Stepping inside the store Kairo quickly found the perfect table, what that actually meant was it was a corner sofa booth and not just a table surrounded by hard plastic chairs, comfort really was everything when munching on ice-cream.

The boys all rush to take a seat leaving me to order and pay for the ice-cream, typical.

"Two double chocolate and strawberry, one banana and bubblegum and one..." I pause while looking over the selection of rainbow colours in front of me, still undecided on what I actually want today.

"The caramel choc chip is nice with banana" a familiar voice behind me chimes in.

'Oh that does sound nice' Alma adds.

"And one double caramel choc chip with banana please" I smile at Margaret, the elderly lady behind the cash register, not bothering to even turn to see who had offered such a mouth watering suggestion.

"Take a seat dear, I'll have them over to you in just a moment" Margaret says sweetly.

I plonk myself down on the sofa at the corner booth table next to Kairo, he really had chosen a great table, these sofa seats were so comfy!

"So what'd you go for this time?" Kairo asks nudging me in the ribs. He knew me well enough to know that I'd never have the same thing twice on the trot.

"Double caramel choc chip with banana" I wiggle my eyebrows up and down while looking at him smiling.

"Oooo that sounds gooood!" He responded almost dribbling at the thought.

"What made you come up with that?" Kane asks, suddenly taking an interest in our conversation.

"I didn't. The guy behind me recommended it" I said turning to point towards the man that was stood behind me as he now paid for his order. That's when he turned his head so we could finally see his face.

"You have got to be kidding me?!" I burst out suddenly both annoyed and disgusted that I'd ordered something he had recommended, Landon.

All three boys start laughing before Kash sarcastically says "Yeah, I'm sure that tool just gave you a recommendation for the most amazing ice-cream in the world" making them all laugh a harder.

Five minutes later they finally stop, five whole minutes of endless laughter.

They only stopped because Margaret was setting the ice-creams down on the table in front of us. I shook my head at them all before looking down to see what monstrosity I'd ordered thanks to him. My eyes widen at the sight of it, surprisingly it actually looked amazing! Six huges balls of the creamiest looking caramel ice cream I'd ever seen, full of chocolate chips with way more than a drizzle of caramel sauce, on top of that sat three balls of the sweetest smelling banana ice-cream, easily matching the size of the first six only they were covered in fresh banana slices with a mountain of whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles.

WOW!!

"This..." I motion my hand over the feast before me while looking each of the boys dead in the eye "..is ALL mine. If you so dare as to even try to take the teeny tiniest of little tastes, I will destroy every bone in your greedy hands! Do you understand?!" I ask with my voice full of seriousness, while again looking each of them dead in the eye

"..unless of course it's disgusting, in which case you can all fight over it for all I care" I add with a quick smile.

A light chuckle coming from the booth beside us. We all move and turn to see who the fuck was laughing at our private conversation.. of course, Landon. Someone clearly has an issue with eavesdropping. A low growl rumbles through Kane's chest, if it wasn't for my werewolf hearing I doubt I would have noticed it at all.

"What a tool!" Kairo says shaking his head and turning back to his ice cream. We all turn back agreeing with Kairo for once. I start tucking into the incredible looking ice cream, that I was still yet to even taste. I took a decent spoon full and shoved it into my mouth, I hated it.

I hated the fact that his recommendation was so fucking good!!

For the next ten minute we all ate almost in silence, nothing more that satisfied moans from each of us.

When we'd finished we thanked Margaret and made our way to the car. This time Kash beat me to the front seat so I was demoted to the back with Kairo.

As I open the door to get in, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Looking around the car park I found no one, the place was almost deserted other than an old Ford escort that I knew to be Margaret's and a black truck.

Taking one last look towards the ice cream store before finally getting into the car, I spot Landon watching me out of the window. I guess the black truck belongs to him. Our eyes meet for a moment as a smile appears on his face.

What a weirdo. I simply roll my eyes at him and get in the car closing the door behind me.

We arrive home around 9:30pm. Auntie Cece and Uncle Mac were probably in bed watching a film by now, it had become a little routine for them as us kids got older, in bed by 9pm for a film and some alone time.

Walking through the door, I kick off my shoes and make my way upstairs to my room.

"What don't fancy killing some zombies?" Kairo asked as I reached out to open my door.

"Not tonight bud, don't think it'd be fair seeing as I've only got one eye" I chuckle lightly at his disappointed expression and walk into my room. Sure the swelling had gone down since this mornings fight with the Alpha, but it was still too swollen to focus on killing zombies with a head shot.

I flop down onto my double bed staring up at the ceiling and let out a tired yawn. I think I'll take a nice hot relaxing bath and go straight to bed.

'Now that sounds like a plan' Alma agrees as she too yawns inside my head.