4. Oh Brother

My birthday was less than eventful -the way I liked it- as my father was busy doing work for the Alpha, my mother unexpectedly having a shift at the hospital, Ostana was stuck with the Alpha on official pack business as her mind now only consisted of her mate Laker Foreseen, and Emrys' seemed to be out of the house since late last night. A part of me oddly wished he was here.

Ostana and Laker disappeared together until today when she showed up at my house, an hour before she had to met with her father and our Alpha to shower and change -as she always had a change of clothes here- and her appearance said more than her babbling words; on the brightside, she bought me a slice of tiramisu and a small gift.

Credits to The Office rolled on my laptop as I sat up in bed, in front of me laid poetry as the wind blew harshly against the house; clicking on 'play' only to be welcomed by the next episode of The Office, I heard something downstairs fall and break.

Did I want to be a part of a horror movie cliche? Nope.

Wide-eyed I glanced toward my closed bedroom. "Fuck no," Bringing the lilac covers up to my chin, sliding the poetry onto the floor, and bringing the great Michael Scott closer to me. "I am not dying today Satan,"

Chills danced upon my body as a familiar but transparent scent caught my nose, hair prickled up on the back of my neck, and as another crash sounded, I jumped. My heartbeat picking up, racing aginst my now shallow breaths.

Okay, I thought to myself, I don't want to die, but I also don't want whoever is down there to get me...

Peering around my room, I spotted my window. "Thank you Goddess above, thank you," I muttered as I leapt out of bed, clad in my shorts and thick sweater, my braided blonde hair laid over my shoulder as my fingers unlocked my window and slid the glass up enough so that my body could easily climb out; the bark of the branch was wet and harsh as a fog settled over our town. 

In small white puffs came my breath.

Both legs and arms hugged the branch, my heart raced as cold sweat coated my palms, and looking down onto my empty backyard, I prayed to the Goddess above that I could somehow turn into a possum and climb to safety.

If I wasn't scared for my life right now, I'd probably laugh about how I looked like some spider-monkey.

You got this Celeste, just breath. In and out, in and out, in an- what the hell is on my leg? Taking a deep breath as I felt little legs scitter across my skin. Don't freak out, don't freak-

Too damn late.

A scream escaped my lips as I pushed the critter off my leg, only to fall in the process and land on the wet, dark grass below me with a 'thump', my ass already bruising and a headache started to form in my head. Stupid bug.

"Celeste?" The familiar voice sounded like velvet, warmth kissing my toes. I rubbed my face before shaking off both the pain and odd feeling that came across my body.

"Out here,"

The backyard light flickered before casting its warm wave of light out, illuminating the damp grass and myself as I started to sit up. With a slide of the door, footsteps sounded as I closed my eyes and wished that this awful headache would just disappear; warm hands touched my shoulders and sparks of what seemed like pleasure exploded in my whole body.

"Are you okay? Where are you hurt ? Do yo-"

Gasping as I turned around, I met his orbs of silver.

"Mate." It escaped my lips quicker than lighting. Lighting of excitement made my heart skip a beat as I saw him in a different light and that scent clouding my thoughts.

Moments of silence passed between me and Emrys, his midnight hair blending into the night behind him, and something sparked in those now silver eyes as he studied my face; too many emotions crossed both of our faces.

Until common sense hit me like a ton of bricks.

Scooting out of his touch, away from those already addictive sparks and forcing his scent out of my mind, I saw the flash of guilt and rejection paint his face; biting my lip back to hold in a whine at his facial expression, wanting to stop whatever had caused him pain, my heart broke.

"W-wait," Breaking the silence, I stood with trembling hands. "This... This isn't right," Shaking my head, pain from my fall disappeared in the moment.

"Yes it is, Celeste," Emrys spoke with complete confidence, determination in his eyes as he took a proud step forward. 

His usual leather jacket hid his white t-shirt but did little to hide his muscles that fitted into the sleeves perfectly. 

"Am I not good enough for you?" His black brows furrowed together, that sculpted face crying out in pain and rejection as tears pooled in the corners of those mesmerizing eyes.

"No," I practically shouted, hating the way Emrys looked so defeated. Closing my eyes and rubbing my forehead for a moment, I sighed and looked back to Emrys. "Its... It's just your my..." My voice turned to whisper. "Brother."

"Hardly," Emrys' voice so quiet I was surprised I heard him.

Deep in thought, I shivered from the heavy wind that blew.

"Here," Emrys took a step forward as he took off his leather jacket. Before he could reach me, I stepped back and shook my head; that look of defeat crossed his beautiful features once more. 

"Please," He whispered with a crack of his voice. "Let me take care of you, Lessie,"

That was all it took for me to have tears running down my face and my feet rushing to my bedroom.