50. A Surprise Visit

Between school, my friends, and working for our fundraiser, I don't have much time to think about what happened to me only a couple of weeks ago. Dante and Ella want me to see a therapist twice a week, so I'm doing that. And it helps to hang out with Felix and Dario. They know what I'm talking about without me having to go into detail.

I make it a habit to visit them every alternating week on Saturdays after lunch.

"Charleston," Felix greets me with a grin when I come into his room in the infirmary. By now I'm well accustomed to it. "Look what I can do." With Dario's help he grabs the edge of the bed and pulls himself up. He lets go, standing by himself before having to grip it again.

"That's great," I comment, not sure what else to say. My heart breaks for him. He was the guy who knew so much about waterfalls because water is his big love, because he is that athletic. He is an outdoor person through and through.

"They will let me start water therapy soon," Felix says. "And they will teach me how to use the wheelchair. Dario and I have big plans once that happens."

"We have," Dario says. "Dad will regret his life choices once more," he adds dryly, making Felix chuckle.

"It sucks I can't go to any parties like this, though. I need to heal faster!"

"We will make our own," Dario says. "I told you I have plans. Dad is literally saying yes to everything at the moment. We need to jump on that chance."

"It's okay." Felix grins. "It's not that important. You should go out, though, Dario." He looks at me now. "You need to drag him along somewhere."

"The fuck I will," Dario says before I can even answer.

I don't say anything. I've noticed Dario is particularly ambitious with his studies. He barely hangs out with anyone or does anything. He's asked me not to tell anyone. I'm not sure why, but I couldn't do anything else but promise him. He told me he didn't want this issue to be about him, and instead wants his family to focus on Felix.

"My sixteenth birthday is soon," I tell them. "I expect the both of you to show up."

"We will," Felix says. "By then I will hopefully be able to maneuver the wheelchair." He turns to Dario. "Oh, I forgot to ask you something! Where did Liam go? He dropped by early in the morning, around 5:00 a.m. which was pretty crazy, and then said he had work to do."

"He visited you at 5 a.m.?" I ask. "That is early."

"Maybe he had to take a trip to an alpha meeting," Dario suggests.

"But wouldn't he have said that?" Felix asks. "He was being super-mysterious."

"Maybe you imagined things," I say.

"Doubt it. Liam is my brother," Felix says. "I know all of my siblings. They have something about them when they are hiding something. It's hard to explain."

Dario smiles. "Felix has always been good at reading people. Maybe that's your gift?"

"I wished I had a cooler gift," he complains.

"Reading people and being able to tell their intention is pretty cool," Dario points out.

"Being able to stop time for a few seconds like Aurelia can do is pretty cool," Felix argues. "Or Liam being able to detect lies."

"Aurelia is your sister, right?" I ask. "I've heard so much about her."

"Yes, she is pretty awesome," Dario says.

"Unfortunately, she is still in Paris," Felix sighs.

We discuss Liam's whereabouts a bit longer when voices reach us from the corridor. The door to Felix's room opens, and Alpha Elden peeks inside. Liam is right behind him.

"We were just talking about you," Felix says.

"About me?" Liam says, smiling while he sits down at the edge of Felix's bed.

"Felix thinks you are up to something shady," Dario says.

"I said mysterious, not shady!" Felix argues. "Dad was weird too."

Elden chuckles, exchanging a gaze with Liam. "Do you want to know what Liam and I were up to?"

"Yes!" Felix says.

"Well then." Elden stands up to open the door further. Behind it there is Marius, who I've met a few times by now. Then there is a long-legged beauty with long dark-brown hair and a sexy guy with tattoos.

"WHAT!?" Felix exclaims, almost dropping out of his bed. Liam grabs his arm at the last moment. "Finn and Aurelia!"

The young woman, Aurelia, hurries into the room and hugs her two younger brothers. The tattooed guy who Felix addressed as Finn follows suit and squeezes Dario first before gently hugging Felix. I remember his name from Felix and Dario… He has to be the third brother, who is the alpha of a pack further in the north.

"Mari and Liam got me from Ocean Snow," Finn explains. "Freya and our ranked members are taking over while I am here."

"And then the trio picked me up from the airport. I can only stay for a short visit, but I couldn't not come," Aurelia explains. She turns to me with a smile. "You must be Ella's and Dante's niece, right?"

"Yes, I am Charlie," I mutter, swooning a bit when I look at her. She makes me question my sexuality for a moment.

I make room for the siblings, my heart both jumping in joy for Felix and Dario to be surrounded by all their brothers and their sister, and at the same time feeling a bit sad that I don't have that. My sadness doesn't last long though because Ella and Dante both pick me up today.

"So, where do my two favorite potatoes want to eat dinner?" Ella asks.

"Are you seriously calling us potatoes?" Dante snorts. "Is this a new nickname now?"

"I want to be an owl potato," I say. "Ella, you are a warrior potato or a painter potato."

"Goddess," Dante groans. "And she is on board too."

"I think this would be cute for a comic," I add.

"What am I going to be?" Dante mutters. "The couch potato?"

It's silent for a few seconds before Ella and I burst into helpless laughter. "I can't believe you made such a dad joke," Ella snorts.

Dante acts all offended while we poke fun at him, but I can see him smiling.

Felix is adamant about helping with the fundraiser project, claiming he is happy to do something so he won't die of boredom. He and Dario have become like extended family to me, like two brothers I never had. Since both of them are eager to help Austen, Ty, and Gisela join me sometimes when I visit.

It's so much fun when it's all of us. I even found the courage to show them the comic I was drawing which ended in Gisela getting into an owl phase too and stocking up on owl patterned hoodies. Things for Ty seem to be looking up slightly too. He is less gloomy recently.

This time when we visit Silverlake, it's Alpha Liam and Dave taking us to the pack. They are visiting Apha Elden for a meeting and offered to take us along. At first the whole atmosphere in the car is a bit weird. The guys are spellbound by being in the same car as their alpha, while Gisela has a little fangirl moment. Soon however Dave takes over the conversation and things calm down, well, as much as things can calm down with two boys constantly asking about training and how to become a warrior.

Apparently, Ty in particular seems to be looking up to the alpha. Gisela and I exchange a gaze and giggle. Oh, how I wish I could mind link already just to gossip with her.

"Dario is actually tutoring some of the younger students now, isn't he?" Gisela asks me.

"Oh?" Liam says. "I didn't know that."

"Yes, he was actually handpicked by the headmaster because he is so ahead," she explains.

Liam stays silent for a while. I can almost see the wheels turning in his head. Then he smiles and doesn't ask any more questions. "He is an incredibly smart kid. I hope you make sure to distract him a bit from his studies occasionally."

"We can certainly do that!" Ty promises.

Once we arrive at the pack grounds, Felix is already moving around in his wheelchair, waiting for us.

"I see you are already mobile, little brother," Liam says while Felix wheels circles around him.

He jokes around with his two younger brothers before stepping aside for the rest of us to greet them. Before I can head to my friends, though, Liam holds me back. "Charlie, I don't want to make you spill your secrets," he says quietly. "But is it true what Gisela said about Dario?"

I know instantly what he is talking about. For a moment I shift around, not sure how to answer. I don't want to break my promise. But I also don't want Dario constantly taking a step back and believing he doesn't deserve any attention. "He is very worried about Felix," I finally say.

Liam assesses me for a second, then he nods. "I think I understand what you are saying. Thank you for telling me."

I feel relieved that he isn't asking any more questions, and also that I was able to give him a hint. Meanwhile, Dave steps next to Liam. He told us previously that it's the first time that he is in a meeting with Alpha Elden.

A soon-to-be luna from an allied pack is here too. I spot her talking to Dario's and Felix's mom before she joins Liam. "Dalila," he says. "It's a pleasure. Thank you once more for your help."

"Anything for you and your family," she says. "You have helped me so much ever since I became Tony's mate."

So that's Dalila, the IT genius. Ella told me she was the one who hacked the vampires' firewall. Pretty cool! She seems to know Dave quite well, instantly chatting with him and talking about a pen and paper meeting they soon have.

"So, this is Silverlake Pack," Dave muses. "The myth, the legend." He grins. "With the scary alpha."

"Who is right behind you," Dalila tells him.

Dave turns around, his eyes landing on Elden. "WAH!" he exclaims. "He is here."

Felix and I burst into helpless laughter. Apparently, it's a huge thing that Dave and Alpha Elden are meeting in person, and I probably should act dignified, but I can't help it. Dave is so funny. Liam just shakes his head, his expression something between annoyed and amused.

Alpha Elden doesn't say much and instead leads his guest into the packhouse, leaving us to ourselves. Felix uses the moment to show us his skills on the wheelchair, then the twins show us around the pack.

"You are definitely coming to my birthday, aren't you?" I ask them.

"Of course," Felix exclaims. "Dad was so happy when Dario and I asked him if we could come. That's a first."

"Yes," Dario says. "He was truly supportive. He even offered to take us to a beach party."

Felix chuckles. "As if I'd go to a beach while I'm still like this. I'm not that much of a masochist."

"So, you are coming," Austen says. "Awesome. I think Beta Ella and Beta Dante are planning a huge party for Charlie."

"They are spoiling her so much, I'm actually envious." Gisela grins.

"Same," Ty says. "My dad actually forgot about my last birthday."

"What?" Dario stares at him.

"He has a lot of work," Ty says. "But he promised me for this year we'll take a trip."

I feel relief at his words. Dante and Ella have talked about my birthday since I started living with them. To imagine Ty has known his parents his whole life, and still… one of them forgot. Well, he does seem happier now. So, here is hoping.