Faye's POV
It was still evening at the time, we were having dinner. Eriko had ordered pizza. He was not able to cook, so we all sat at the dining table eating, the box open between us, slices disappearing one by one. No one said a word the whole time. The only sounds were chewing, the soft scrape of paper plates, the cardboard box opening and closing when someone reached for another slice.
I am normally left handed, but due to what had happened today in school I was forced to use my right hand to pick up my pizza. My left hand rested on my lap, swollen knuckles brushing against my jeans. Every time I forgot and tried to move it, a dull ache reminded me. The skin felt tight. Tender. I kept flexing my fingers under the table, pretending I was just adjusting my position.
And for God's grace, I was not the only one injured in school today.
"What happened to your eye?" Paye said to his son Kaye, who came home today with a swollen eye.
Kaye kept chewing for a second before answering, like he was buying time. "Some girl punched me today at school."
"And what did you do that made her punch you?" Paye asked.
Straight to the point. He did not even feel the need to say sorry. He already knew that Kaye started it. We all did.
Well, because Guru had taught us to use action as self defense, and that was what I was trying to do too. I saw her trying to punch me first, then I punched first. Act first. That is what Guru always says.
Kaye looked down at his pizza. He did not know what to say or how to defend himself. His small fingers pressed into the crust.
Oh, poor five year old boy.
"Look, this is not Redwood. Do not use violence on people. Be friends with them, not punch them," Paye said.
Kaye nodded quietly, eyes still on his plate, shoulders slightly hunched.
"So a girl punched you? Come on, boy, you have to be strong like a man. You know my little daughter is the same age as you, strong. No wolf can touch her, and you do the same. Let no wolf touch you. Tomorrow I will drive you to school and show you my baby girl so you can learn some things from her," Eriko said.
He spoke with a small laugh, like it was something light.
"You have a daughter?" I asked, pausing mid bite.
"Yes, I do. My sweet little Dina. She spends weekdays with her father and weekends with me," Eriko said, pride clear in his voice. His chest lifted slightly as he said her name.
Kaye lifted his head slowly.
"Dina was the one who punched my face."
The room went silent for a second. Even the chewing stopped.
"Oh my goddess, I see you two have already met. I am going to talk to her tomorrow to take it easy on you next time," Eriko said.
"What were you thinking, fighting an Alpha's pup? Do you know how dominant they are, and do you want to get in trouble with her father?" Paye voiced out, shaking his head.
"I am also her papa too, so do not worry. I will talk to Dina."
"Talk to Dina. He is the one who needs to be talked to. Alphas are dangerous kind of wolves. Getting involved with them will break bones."
"Okay, Dina is no bone breaker. She is cute and friendly. Just tomorrow you give her a hug and smile. You will be friends," Eriko said.
Kaye nodded, even though his swollen eye said otherwise. He blinked carefully, like it hurt.
Then Eriko turned to me. I was busy fighting with my pizza using the wrong hand, trying not to drop it. The slice kept slipping, cheese stretching awkwardly.
"What about you, how was your first day?"
"Great," I lied.
The word came out too quick. I took another bite so no one would ask more.
I did not want my brother to freak out the same way he did with Kaye.
"Great? Did you make friends with Princess?"
"Princess who?"
"Princess Kings, the one I told you was friendly."
Friendly. That bitch does not look friendly to me. In fact, she looks like Regina from Mean Girls, but instead of blonde she has dark hair and glowing eyes.
"I have to go get tampons at the store," I said quickly, remembering it was that time of the month. I had checked earlier and used the last one.
I stood up before anyone could ask more questions. My chair scraped lightly against the floor.
Kaye insisted he followed me. I objected at first, but he started making those faces, the big eyes, the small pout, lower lip trembling just enough. The kind that gives you no choice.
"Fine. Put on your shoes," I muttered.
We arrived at the supermarket. It was in town, and thank goodness Eriko gave me his car keys. My hands felt steadier on the steering wheel than they did in class earlier. The road gave me something else to focus on.
We entered the store and I picked up a few things I needed. Tampons. Soap. A chocolate bar that I did not even plan on buying but grabbed anyway. Kaye picked a juice box and carried it proudly to the counter like he had contributed to something important.
Now we were sitting on the bench outside, having some time off before we head back to the house. The night air brushed against my face. I could still feel the faint throb in my hand, but it was not as sharp now.
Kaye sipped his juice quietly, feet not quite touching the ground.
"I miss Guru," he said.
"Me too," I replied.
The words felt heavier than I expected.
I leaned back against the bench and stared ahead.
"Do you think he going come find us?"
"For sure. Guru will come for us. And when he comes, we will go home. Back to my life. Back to my friends."
Back to Redwood. Back to normal.
"I hate my new school," Kaye said.
"I hate the Alpha princess. My phone is broken thanks to them."
I clenched my jaw slightly.
"I thought you were going to sell that bag," he said.
"I was, but I have not found a buyer. I checked the shops today and they asked for a receipt. If I had my phone, I would have sold it online."
Kaye nodded like he understood business and online markets. Sometimes he talks like he is ten, not five. Kaye and I do talk like grown ups sometimes. Guru always says he is smarter than his age. Even if we argue all the time, he is my nephew and my pal.
After spending some time outside, we decided to go home. We walked to the parking lot. I pressed the unlock button on the key and looked up.
Then I froze. Someone was leaning against Eriko's car bonnet. Not just leaning. Making out. My stomach twisted instantly.
"What are they doing?" Kaye asked.
I quickly covered his eyes with my good hand.
"Do not look."
The girl's back was against the car. The other person's hands were on her waist, fingers pressing into fabric. Their heads moved close, very close. Anger rose fast in my chest.
"Hey, get a fucking room, you idiots!" I shouted.
They stopped. Slowly. They turned to look at me.
It was her.
The princess bitch of an Alpha. And that one who used her heels to crack my phone.
My chest tightened.
"You bitches!?"