Chapter six

The amazing Dave Vengua in the flesh." The Alpha greeted with a broad grin, readily stretching his hand for a handshake.

"Hello, Alpha Thorne." Dad replied enthusiastically, taking his hand and then embraced him like they had been friends for a long time. I rose an eyebrow at the whole exchange. Wasn't this supposed to be some kind of routine investigation?

Can't say I was surprised though. Dad had his way with almost anything. In Howldrige, Dad was literally the pride of the pack with most wolves growing up with him as their role model. It was quite tiresome but like Derek said, things would definitely be easier with him around here. I blew a sigh of relief.

"I'm so sorry about the arduous interrogation routine your daughter had to go through yesterday." Alpha Thorne apologized, his hands on my father's back. "The rogue attacks here in New York are pretty wild so we have to be careful."

"I understand, it's fine." Dad turned to me. "Sophia, I met Alpha Thorne at an event at the palace a few years ago."

"That's great Dad." I said, forcing a smile.

They walked into the packhouse discussing with a sandy blonde haired dude trailing behind them. He was huge like Derek and his scent identified him as the Beta but I haven't been quite introduced to him yet. The whole thing that really puzzled me this morning was when Derek arrived at our hotel this morning. Looking cute with his black jet hair just slightly messy, the behemoth was dressed in fitted dark cargo pants along with a maroon tightly fitted T-shirt. I don't know about me but Clio had her jaws drooling when she saw him. But it was just another attraction, not her mate. It was quite frustrating, feeling attracted to someone else this quickly. I wanted to experience what it meant to have your soul-mate by your side, just like the romance stories and probably have a happy ever after.

But happy ever afters don't exist or do they?

Okay back to Derek, he was so sullen and didn't even talk to me. This guy was so weird, seemed to have a lot behind that handsome face of his. Hate to admit it but I sulked in the corner, sitting for my Dad to get ready, casting side glances at the guy who supposedly likes me.

The moment my Dad stepped out of his room, Derek's face lit up immediately. Yeah, my Dad was his hero. I really got annoyed seeing that. A hand tapped on my shoulders, interrogating my trail of thoughts. I swiveled around to find Derek giving me a faint smile. Speaking of the devil..........

"A penny for your thoughts? You have been moody since I picked you guys up from the hotel."

Oh he noticed. "Nothing, just feeling homesick, that's all."I replied with a weak smile. I looked over at the building whose door had been shut, trapped between two warriors, only that they were different from the ones of yesterday.

"What are they gonna be doing in there?"I asked him, noticing his gaze was fixed on the door.

"Nothing really, just talking because the Alpha is still really into the Crimson Talon and he would probably keep him busy, just for them to become close friends, so they might take a while, if not all day."

I nodded, taking all the information in. "Isn't there anyone from the Talon in your pack?"

"Not really, all the recruits mostly come back after their first encounter with the Spirit of the Phoneix if they don't end up dead and some..........died." He said with a bit of a sullen expression.

"And knowing all this, you'd still wanna join even if you are picked?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at him. I didn't get why people would put their lives at risk just for some powers.

"You won't understand."Derek said plainly, placing his hands in the pockets of his pants. I guess we would never get on the same terms with this issue. An uncomfortable silence filled the air as I leaned against his SUV. I pursed my lips, feeling awkward.

"So what am I gonna do around here?"I asked, breaking the dammed silence. I really had to get something doing in this darn city."I don't know, wait for them?" Derek said, kicking his legs against the dirt.

"Just take me to the hotel, would ya?"I asked with an irritated tone, turning over to the passenger seat to get settled in. Derek was just plain boring and I had to go back, read some books or finally unpack my luggage. He climbed into the truck, closing the door behind him. "I have a better idea." Derek said with a little smirk, turning on the ignition.

At least he smirked. I couldn't help but chuckle internally at that.

"What?"I asked, buckling up my seat belt, looking up at him. "We are going over to my house."He announced, his golden brown eyes lit up with a tinge of excitement.

*********

"Wait, why are we here?"I asked as Derek pulled up in one of the houses in the midst of the pack's estates."This is my house."Derek replied, not really answering my question.

"And why are we here?"I repeated, looking straight ahead at the brown and green two storyed structure in front of me. There was a lovely lawn in front of the house."Loosen up a bit, would you? You don't have to keep worrying. I won't do anything to you."He added, narrowing his eyes a bit.

"Well, you should learn to ask for someone's consent before driving them to god-knows-where. Maybe that's the reason Diana is bitchy towards you."I muttered, not loud enough but I knew he heard anyways.

"Come on, let's go in. And Diana is bitchy around everyone."Derek added, leaving the car. I hopped out of the car to meet him. Sighing, I placed my hands in my back pockets. "Okay Derek,why are we here? Why am I at your house?"

Derek turned over to look at me, golden brown eyes filled with such affection that I thought I might just melt."I want you to meet my family." Why was he caring so much? We just met a few days ago.

"But why? You and I barely know each other. This city is so strange to me and I'm feeling so homesick-"

"And that's why I'm here. Just trust me, okay?"Derek said soothingly, slipping his hands into mine. I kinda flushed at that but held it together as I reassured him with a nod. We walked through the lawn which had an excluded garden at the far right. The smell of some peculiar herbs around here was so strong but I had come across a bit of that when going on errands for a few of the Moon disciples whenever they visited our pack.

"Mom!" Derek called out, sliding the glass doors open, his grasp on my hand tight as if he knew that I didn't want to go in. "Si,si, I'm coming!"I heard a woman reply him with a strong Spanish accent from the kitchen. We moved into the living room. The living room was simple and warm, a nice environment for bringing up a family. A beautiful fireplace was carved on the centre with cushioned chairs surrounding it with an expensive fur rug in front of it. A few photos of Diana, Derek and a look a-like of Derek in their teenage years, and a blonde 8-years old girl in pigtails with their parents were placed over the fireplace. Diana had glasses on and was smiling, happy even. I wonder what had happened to her.

"Derek!" A sharp voice snapped, making me turn to the staircase. A short blonde girl bounced down the staircase with a determined look on her face. She didn't look at all like Derek or Diana. Though Diana was average but this girl was just plain short, about 5'2. I looked at Derek who had an exasperated look on his face.

"What happened? Why did Aiden pick me up? C'mon,spill the beans!! Cat got ya tongue?"She questioned hurriedly,her arms crossed, waiting for an answer. I was wondering how someone could talk like that, all within a second.

Derek scratched the back of his head for an answer."Sorry, I have been busy through out yesterday..........and today, apparently. The short blonde scoffed, plopping hard against the armrest of the nearby couch. "That's the same crap you and Diana always have."

"We are actually protecting the pack, you know."Derek pointed out, his eyes narrowing.

"Whatever."She rolled her eyes and stretched her hand, rubbing her palm in order to collect something from him. "My 200 bucks."

"What?! You're serious about that?"Derek asked with a dumbfounded look.

"Well I didn't stutter, did I? I want my 200 bucks."

"Brenda Theodora Longwalk, didn't I cash out your weekly allowance yesterday?!" A firm feminine voice intoxicated with a deep Spanish accent boomed as a short blonde woman in her mid-years walked into the living room. Oh now I see where the girl got her looks. Their mum was short, just like her,wavy shoulder-length blonde hair, piercing icy blue eyes with a pale tan skin.

The girl, Brenda almost froze but swiveled around to face the firm glare of her mother."You are not allowed to have more than a weekly allowance of $500! "

"But mum, I'm gonna be eighteen next month! That literally is supposed to change!" She yelled out of exasperation, jumping out of the comfort of the couch.

"Well, I didn't say it would, did I?"

Brenda turned to face Derek who had a smug smirk plastered across his face."This isn't over. I'm gonna get that money out of you, one way or the other."The blonde swore, holding up her fingers before swiftly taking off for the stairs."Thanks mum."Derek said grinning, dropping his keys on the coffee table. I shuffled my feet uncomfortably now the drama was over.

"Oh no, you're gonna give her more than that, for her next week allowance ."She said,her hands finally falling by her sides. Her gaze moved to me, her lips curling up a little."Derek, who's your pretty friend?"

Derek, who had fallen in the comfort of the couch, looked up to his mother, his gaze falling on me. I was so damn nervous.

"Good day ma'am,"I muttered out nervously."Good day to you dear."She greeted,her firm glare softening."A lycan, aren't you?" She said,her blue eyes sparkling with such warmth."Oh, were are my manners, have a seat."She said, taking me by the shoulders and ushering me to one of the couches. She radiated the same warmth James's mother always did, just that she had these rare emerald green eyes. Oh, I hope I get rid of this homesickness.

"Mum, this is Sophia."Derek answered after staring at us for a long time. "Your girlfriend?" She asked with slight amusement in her voice. Even within my severe state of nervousness, I knew I was blushing way too hard. I looked over to Derek who blushed slightly before looking up to meet his mother's blue eyes.

"Derek has a girlfriend?!" Brenda yelped in surprise, her voice echoing from the staircase before running down, coming to sit on my armrest, examining me closely."Pretty hazel eyes, soft brown hair...... Oooh bubble gum....what shampoo are you using?" Her curious blue eyes suddenly swiveled around to face Derek, then turning to face me."Wait, but she is not from here," She said, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion."Who is she?"

"Si, her scent is unusual. She is not from this pack." Her soft tone gone and her blue eyes narrowing, making me flinch.

"Well, you won't let me explain before making assumptions."Derek cleared his throat before continuing."She and her father are not from around here so they met up with the Alpha today and the Alpha has given them permission to remain on our territory."

"Oh sorry about that. Well she's pretty and cute...........so you two have my blessings."She said with a broad grin. Well she was quite loquacious. She looked at me silently with an intent gaze, which honestly was giving me the creeps.

"Wait, what did you see in my brother? He's so boring, I mean he doesn't even like smoke like once in a while." She scoffed, muttering away in my ear while Derek spun around his mother like a little child which I found quite amusing. I'm quite sure it was because of the tamales his mother was cooking in the kitchen because the distinct aroma lingered in the air.

"Derek literally has one tattoo and I literally tricked him into it. I mean he and Diana- Wait, have you met Diana? She is so bitchy-"Derek swiveled around suddenly, cutting her off.

"WE. ARE. NOT. DATING.And quit chattering away, I bet mum can hear you from the kitchen."

"Gee, alright. I was just keeping your little friend company."Brenda complained, finally getting up from the armrest.