20

Tino's POV

"There he is! Your father said you went on a trip? I'm a little hurt I wasn't invited." Q spoke as he walked toward me. I hated that I kept this secret from Q. I should have told him, but it's better if only a handful of people know. This way it can't get out. Not that Q would tell anyone, other than his mate. But it's his mate I'm worried about. He can be a blabbermouth.

I was sitting in the family room watching a movie. Finally out of my episode. Which took longer than usual. It mostly lasts 3-4 days but this one lasted a week. An excruciatingly long week. My father got scared I wasn't going to be okay soon enough before the passing so he took it upon himself to postpone it. Which I think was the main cause of it lasting so long, because instead of waiting to tell me, he told me on day four.

"Yeah man, just went into town, nothing crazy," I mumbled out and shrugged as he circled the couch to join me.

"I'm sorry to hear that your passing got pushed back. This rogue situation is so fucked up."

To keep the calm around the pack my father told everyone that the reason why my passing was delayed was because of the rogues. Was I upset? Yes. But am I also extremely relieved? Yes. I am.

"What did you do while you were gone?" He asked as he plopped himself on the couch next to me. I hated lying to him. Truly I did. But it had to be done.

"Nothing special went swimming. Walked around with the humans. It was quite relaxing."

"Man, next time you go. Bring me. I would love to see what it's like around humans." Q had a distant look on his face as he said that imagining what it would be like.

Years ago we used to mingle with the humans, but when word started getting around the werewolves do indeed exist, no one believed them but we thought it best to go into hiding. Rather than risking someone believing them and then something bad happening. I had very few interactions with humans growing up but I have been around them more than other wolves. Seeing as some will never see any of them ever.

We fell into a comfortable silence as we continued to watch the movie, Monsters University. One of my absolute favorites might I add.

"OH SHIT! That dude went to college with them? That makes sense why he hates them so much." Q screamed out and I looked at him confused.

"Have you not seen this?" I asked him with a playfulness in my tone.

"Nah, man. I don't watch kids' movies like you." I scoffed at his slight dig and turned my head back to the screen. I felt my phone buzz in my pocket and pulled it out to see who texted me.

Weirdo: I heard you are back in town...glad to know you're okay. This is Koa.

I couldn't help the slight smile that was begging to appear. I never deleted his number and I never changed his name. But the last text message I had ever sent him, made my heart squeeze in sadness. I wonder if he read it, and if he had, how'd he felt? At the time I meant it, but now I'm not so sure I feel the same. But I can't imagine coming back to your phone and the last text from your mate said 'I wish I never met you'. That would break any man's heart to pieces. I should apologize...

Me: I know it's you.

Me: Thanks.

I'm an idiot. I should have said more.

Weirdo: Did you go to the fair? It's a human tradition where they ride rides, and eat unhealthy food, lol.

Did this man just say lol? I never thought I'd see the day. I also had no idea what a fair was but I couldn't tell him that. I had to play along.

Me: No I didn't go, I had no idea it was even going on.

Weirdo: Would you want to go? I'm sure we could get it approved by your father.

Was he asking me on a date? It should bother me a lot more, and I should be a lot more hesitant but I'm not. Which was even more confusing. I guess I had taken too long to respond because he sent another one.

Weirdo: As friends, of course. And we can invite others.

"OOZMA KAPPA! That's what I'm talkin' bout! That giant squid bitch ain't stand a chance." Q yelled and I jumped a little. Man, he was really into this movie. "I should have watched this shit earlier."

Me: If you can get it approved then yes, we can do that. But I'm not asking my dad.

Weirdo: Of course, I wouldn't expect that of you. LOL.

Again with this damn lol. I shouldn't find it as cute as I do.

Me: Cool

Weirdo: Cool, cool, cool

Is he copying me? Why did I like that so much? Goddess, I was down badly. This is not good. Not good at all.

"Ayo that dance goes hard as fuck. Sully killing that shit." That made me chuckle as I put on my phone and focused on the movie.

"Koa is going to try and get us approved to go to a 'fair'. It's a human tradition." I told him and his eyes went huge.

"Fuck yeah, I know what a fair is! I've been wanting to go forever."

"How do you know what a fair is?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

"The internet, nig-." I interrupted him before he could continue.

"Q..." I warned him. I always felt uncomfortable being called that and Q knew that. That's why he liked to call me it.

"Man, whatever. Are you going to ask your dad or what?"

"Hell the fuck, no. You already know how that would go." I yelled out. "Koa is asking. He is more likely to say yes that way."

"Oh goddess, good. I was just making sure. Because I want the option to go." I rolled my eyes at his comment and we fell back into silence. Ten minutes later my phone buzzed and I looked down and a soft smile danced across my face.

Weirdo: We are good to go. You and I, Vin and Kona. Q and his mate, plus Victoria and her two friends.

SHIT SHIT SHIT.

"You good?" Q asked and I handed him the phone and he read the text. "Oh. OOHHHH. This is going to be a shit show." He said as he handed my phone back. "Also his name is Jonah, not 'my mate' thanks."

I haven't seen Genna in days, really not since that day, and the last time we talked was when I was at the diner. I mean I can't be mad at Koa, he had no idea what happened between us. Should I tell him? It happened while he was gone. Well, the day before but it still counts. I won't be made to feel bad about it, even though I do.

"I'm happy for you though, opening up your heart and shit. Giving him a chance." That warmed my heart as Q spoke. It meant a lot that he said such things, seeing as all that he has gone through could have ended him. But is he strong, so strong? I wish to be more like him.

"We're friends. But thanks." I huffed out.

"Yeah 'friends'. We will see how long that lasts." He teased and focused his eyes back on the TV.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing, nothing at all. I'm all for a slow burn." He shrugged, the end of the sentence trailing off focused on the movie. "Bruh what? The mom is listening to metal? That shit is funny as fuck."

"Tino! What is this text we just got saying we're approved to go to the human 'fair'? What even is a fair anyways?" I turned and saw both of my siblings walking over with confusion all over their faces. Vin knew a bit about human life, but Vic knew nothing. My father never let her leave so the fact she got accepted is a surprise to me.

"It's like a festival, rides, food. Shit is cool." Q mumbled answering for me.

"I've never been off the pack lands, I'm excited!" Victoria yelled as she jumped on the couch from behind and sat beside me. "Awe, monsters university. You should have told me you were watching it." She and I made up my first night in my episode, I had apologized while I was bawling my eyes out. All she did was roll her eyes and told me that I didn't need to apologize in the first place.

"Who's idea was this?" Vin asked me.

"It was Koa's," I told him truthfully. I didn't have to turn to look at him to already know what his face looked like. Confused.

"Oh? Interesting. Okay. Well, if we are leaving at five then I should go get ready. You should too. And try not to look so...wolf-like." Vin warned me.

"Why are you telling Tino that? He already knows how to look. He's been around humans multiple times." Q spoke but his eyes were still glued to the TV.

"Right. It was just a reminder." Vin said quickly. Victoria turned and looked at Vin scowling at him for almost blowing cover.

"I don't have to invite the girls if you don't want me to." Vic's voice was soft but Vin and I heard her and looked at her.

"No, it's okay. We have to face it at some point." Vin answered and I couldn't agree more. There was no hiding from our past mistakes. "I'd just have to tell Kona a lot sooner than I was planning." He mumbled that part mainly to himself but we all heard.

I don't know if telling our mates would bring more harm than good. But I didn't want to find out. At least not yet. Koa and I always seem to have problems and right now, I just want peace. I have my problems to deal with too. I can't take anymore...obviously.

"Can you all shut up, it's about to the scare game finals." Q piped up, causing me to snicker, and Victoria to roll her eyes.

Vincent didn't sit down, no he did the Dad thing where he stood by the couch and just watched, acting like he didn't want to watch it in the first place. I tried to focus on the movie but all I could do was hope and pray tonight went smoothly. Because even though I hated it, I needed my mate. And it felt like these episodes were going to be happening a lot more than I want.

******

I stood in the mirror looking at my outfit hoping it wasn't too 'wolf-like'. I tried to find the loosest shirt I could but even that still showed off my incredible physic. I had on a pair of black sweats and tennis shoes. I was going for a chill vibe today seeing as we were going to be walking around outside. I had my chain and bracelet on, my hair was now thick on my head and the curls making their debut, and I had a headache from watching so much TV so glasses were the vibes for the night.

Even though I hated them. With a passion.

I think I still looked good. I hoped I looked good. I hoped that he thought I looked good. I grabbed my phone as I saw it light up through the mirror and immediately grabbed it.

Weirdo: On my way to come get you all!

Me: Okay. Umm but Q and Jonah are going to drive the girls. It'll just be me and Vincent with you and Kona.

Weirdo: Cool, cool, cool.

Me: Are you mocking me?

Weirdo: Maybe.

I don't know why but this playful side of Koa made my heart flutter and made me smile. Was he always like this? Or was this new? How I wish I knew the answer to my question.