Chapter 20 – You should find a boyfriend
Rue’s POV
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Iris had come home just a day after going to the Blood Claw camp for kids. After the outbreak, it was only wise for the kids to get quarantined at home, where they would get good care from their families.
She lay on the couch, her hair spilling on the cushion like she owned the whole world. I sat across from her, watching her color a certain picture book. Watching her was like therapy to me.
“mom” Iris suddenly called, her eyes uncannily mischievous “When are you going to get a new boyfriend?”
I nearly choked on my drink. ” Excuse me?”
She used the picture book to cover her coy smile. “You are too beautiful to stay single. Everyone says so. Even my friends think you should have a boyfriend by now.”
I was caught between laughter and helplessness. ” Iris, who exactly have you been sharing my love life gossip with?”
“No one” she shrugged as she pulled the book closer to her face “…just my friends.”
“But mom” she removed the book, her expression flushed red “Father’s day is coming up at school. I don’t want to go with grandpa again, he is always on his phone and he is too old to be my dad. I want someone else to take me. Not you also – no offense. But likely…a man.”
“You want to replace me?” I placed my hand on my chest.
“I would never” she said sweetly as she shook her head” But everyone else gets to bring someone. I also want someone cool…handsome, tall, strong.”
“Iris” I said.
“Mom, I’m eight, I know these things.” She replied with a grin.
She was growing, that much I knew. And it was only a matter of years before she would turn to someone else and not the little doll I knew her to be.
Later in the afternoon, Percy arrived.
He looked slightly out of place with his hands shoved into his pockets, as if he wasn’t entirely sure what to do. Ris was the first to open the door for him and lead him to the living room where both my parents sat.
“Percy, what a surprise.” My dad said when he saw him.
“Hello Alpha Cyrus” Percy greeted.
“You have to stay for lunch and eat.” My mom chimed.
Percy began protesting but my mother was already bustling towards the kitchen dragging me with her.
“Let me do the cake today,” I offered, already rolling up my sleeves
“Darling, do you remember the last time you made the cake?” my mother smiled
Heat rose to my face, “That was only one time”
“One time?” she asked “we had to throw it away because even the dog refused to eat it.”
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Before I could retort, Percy slipped into the kitchen. He went straight for the whisk and with every seriousness, began whisking away. From his clumsy movements and the odd way he held the whisk, I knew he wasn’t experienced. But his determination outweighed his professionalism.
“Which is your favorite flavor?” I leaned closer and asked.
He paused and thought for a while, seconds close to a minute.
“Its not a hard question” my mother chuckled.
“Actually none, I’m not that picky with stuff.” He replied.
“So you are easy to please. Unlike picky Aiden who needs everything specific to the smallest detail.” I laughed softly
Percy slightly frowned but he stayed focused. He arranged the berries with painstaking care, lining them in perfect alignment.
“and you have OCD too.” I arched a bro.
He shot me a flat look.
“He’s trying, dear. Let him.” My mother chuckled from the sink.
“My goodness, he’s about to color code the sprinkles” I joked.
“Read my mind.” Percy lightly chuckled.
Before he made me run crazy with his antics, I eventually chased him out of the kitchen.
As we ate, the conversation was fluid and smooth. My father preferred to talk about work and pack related stuff, much to the disapprovement of my mom. The latter on the other hand endlessly interrogated Percy.
My mom practically fished for any information pertaining to Percy. His childhood, family, hobbies…his future prospects of a family.
Whenever Percy’s response was something she wanted to hear, she’d smile blindingly towards me. At one point, she even leaned closer to me and whispered ” I like him. You should think about keeping him before he is taken.”
I’m pretty sure everyone heard that.
After eating, when I stood to clear the table, Percy followed suit and helped me. He didn’t even stop there, he proceeded to help me clean the dishes.
More than once, our hands brushed and lingered longer than necessary. But the both of us chose to avoid any conversation leading to that.
When we were done, I found my father on a call with the shaman. He spoke of the outbreak, and the possibility that we had actually developed a functioning remedy to slow down the infection.
My father’s decision and order was impartial. “When you administer the medicine, you should prioritize those who need it most first.”
They discussed further specifics as Percy mouthed his goodbyes. He had already learnt that when my father got on any call, it would be hours before he got off.
My mother insisted that I walk him out.
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Shopiter 20-You should find a boyfriend
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The evening air outside was cool, the sky painted in a reddish hue. Percy lingered, looking at me with a searching gaze that always made my wolf uneasy.
“Thank you,” he said, almost too casually.
“For what?”
“For the meal, and the stories” His eyes flicked briefly toward the door, where Iris’s laughter still echoed. “Its been long since I was surrounded by a family’s warmth.”
Something stirred in me, a pull I couldn’t ignore. My wolf whispered of an ancient destined bond, of mates and fate, but I shoved it down. Not here. Not yet.
I nodded to him as he got into his car and drove away.
As I got back to take ut the trash, I ran into Sora – Aiden’s sister. I wondered what she was doing around here at that particular time.
Her lips curled up in amusement when she saw the trash I was carrying.
“Well, well,” she drawled. “Didn’t expect to see you working as a servant in the Blood Claw pack. At least you’re finally where you belong-cleaning up after others.”
I lifted my chin, unsure of what to answer her. I wondered if she just happened to pop up everywhere just to
torment me.
P
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