Supernatural//[ON HOLD]

Supernatural//10

Ten.

"Oh, wow. That's amazing!" I exclaimed. The faces of these people I'd known for three weeks stared back at me, worried and dubious, as if instantly regretting their decision to reveal the very secret they'd struggled so hard to keep. To clarify, I asked, "All of you?"

Cassandra shook her head, smiling slightly. "Not me. I'm a mortal. Just like you."

I nodded and met each pair of eyes individually, trying to make out what was different about them. I found nothing. They looked like any normal teenagers with petty issues about school, boys, girls, homework, and drugs. One glance at them and you can't distinguish the supernatural part. Out from the public eye, Justin had said. They needed to blend and going to school and socializing with other teenagers their age, they fit in just like they're suppose to. However, without a nudge in the right direction, you would never think they're werewolves instead of kids. "So, it's genetics? Not those Hollywood stereotype with the painful transformations and the hair and the full moon thing that when you get bitten, you're automatically a werewolf...right?" I pursed my lips, waiting for someone to confirm my statement.

Upon hearing the words Hollywood stereotypes, they all groaned and cursed, as if the movies dirtied their pristine image. "Yeah. There's no pain, just distorted image. It's genetics." Ryan nodded, snorting and rolling his eyes slightly, "You really can't believe the Hollywood b.s."

"Apparently not." I clapped my hands together and stood, taking in the capacity of the room. It was completely packed. Teenagers varied in ages; ten was the youngest and twenty, or so it seems, was the oldest age. They sat, scattered, around the room, occupying the roundabout sofa and a few chairs were pulled from the kitchen to make more room. Almost all of the members of the Pack was here, in this room, all inspecting me, contemplating. It was more than a bit unnerving. But I held my chin high and didn't flinch when my eyes meet theirs. In my eyes, they were nothing more than teenagers with key issues. "So, this is your big secret?" I finally said.

Ryan's forehead scrunched in confusion and I smiled. His expression was being mirrored by almost everyone except his mother, who was smiling at me, smug and all-knowing.

"I would've thought you guys were aliens from space." I joked.

That earned me a few scattering laughs and my heart plunged when Ryan's expression remained as serious as ever. "Look," I backtracked. "I know it's crucial that I keep this a secret and I will. No one will know. But if you guys were wary of me or didn't trust me. You had no reason to. Everyone has secrets. And yours isn't something you can escape. I won't hold it against you for not telling me sooner. Heck, I'm surprised you're telling me this soon. It seemed kind of sudden but-"

"Jamie," Ryan interjected. I swiveled around to look at him and stopped my excessive talking. Whenever I'm nervous or angry, in this case it's the first one, I babbled and my words stumbled over each other in its haste to escape. "Shut up."

I blinked and when I glanced at him, I was relieved to find he was hiding a growing grin. I felt my own smile spread on my face and sat back down, slightly flushed and embarrassed as his friends were whooping and making unnecessary comments to Ryan about his need to control his 'girlfriend'. Crossing my arms over my chest, I gazed at Justin gratefully as he stood to take the floor.

"Do you want to stay here?" He asked me solemnly and the last of the carefree ambiance floated out the door as everyone resumed their carefully masked nervousness. "We're uncertain when he'll show but just in case..."

I held up my hand and he raised a brow. "Who is he? Why me?"

Justin's eyes flitted to his son's and I observed the way they communicate with their eyes. After a while, Justin turned back to me and said, "I'll leave that explanation to Ryan. I'm sure he's better suited to answer your questions about the whos and the whys. Now, back to the matter at hand, where will you be staying? We cannot let you stay at home where you're partially unprotected. He can show up anytime, presumably when you are alone."