The Outsiders

The Outsiders: Chapter Twenty-Eight

Soum Menjivar

Sjal glared at me and Khristopher as we sat, eating our breakfast.

            As Khristopher sipped the broth and wiped Ocmjai's face, I could only give Sjal a hard look as I took a bite of the soft carrots. Seem had been busy contacting the Alphas along the border of Vertime, using the last of the Pack's scouts — with the help of one the Elder's soul-magic protection spells to ensure their arrival to and from. Sbjal had taken their seat as part of the Elder's Cabinet — the name for the Elder's of the pack — helping the caregivers and common folk. Sjal, enraged with grief, only glared at us as he picked at a small necklace that hung from his neck.

            With a small smile, I could recall the simple piece of jewelry from anywhere. Matty wore the small necklace when they felt scared or anxious, usually picking at it when he had an important test or assignment due. He wouldn't trust anyone with it before, but seeing as Sjal held it dear to him, I guess a lot had changed while I was with the Jaiocm Pack. Though a small wash of sadness dawned over my features, just being next to Khristopher as he babied Ocmjai seemingly tamed the small pit in my stomach.

"Why are your eyes purple?" Ocmjai asked after they swallowed their food.

"My mom's eyes were purple, so it would only be fair I had them too," he said, wiping the last of the broth from Ocmjai's mouth.

"So did Daddy's mama have his eyes too?"

Pulling my attention to them, Ocmjai stared at me with a certain twinkle in his eyes. Khristopher smiled between the both of us, not so subtly placing his hand on my thigh. Giving him a look, I could only laugh as he feigned innocence, giving my thigh a small squeeze before waving his hand on my hand. Looking towards Ocmjai, I could only smile at his confusion.

"Well, I never got to know my birth mom, but my adoptive mom had darker eyes."

Ocmjai's mouth parted into a small "o" as he twiddled his thumbs, slowly nodding.

"Ock! We found a lizard!"

"Don't yell! You'll scare it! Ock, come!"

A small child yelled for Ocmjai, clearly enthralled with the small lizard along with four other children. Lighting up, Ocmjai darted towards the small group of children. As the kid ran towards their friends, I was left with Khristopher as we stared at them with matching grins.

After last night's mating, I had only grown closer to a Khristopher. His touch was warm, bringing a large smile to my face. When he left to go sort out matters with Seem, my body yearned to be near him all the time. I could hardly go to the bathroom without missing his scent and his touch. We were bonded, emotionally and physically, marking each other in memory of our love. Though I thought it was weird at first, nothing ever felt more right.

"We're in the midst of brewing war, and you ingrates decided to mate." Sjal seethed.

            We both turned to him as he slammed his plate down onto a log, shattering it into small pieces of clay. Standing from his seat, he glared at the two of us, clenching his fists. Furrowing my eyebrows, I sat rigid on the log, holding Khristopher's shirt before he tried to confront Sjal.