WILD SOULS ❇ RHYDIAN MORRIS

chapter three

Lone Wolf

Rhydian, Mila, and Jasper stood to the side slightly as Maddy spoke with Tom and Shan. “We were so close and you just messed everything up.” Tom shouted. “There was something important I had to do.”

“What? More important than the photography club?” Tom asked as he and Shan glared at the three new kids.

“They are more important than the photography club!” Maddy exclaimed. Everyone shared looks, unsure what she would come up with. “We’re fostering Mile and Jasper.” She lied. “And uh, Rhydian’s my distant cousin.”

Tom and Shan looked unconvinced. “I didn’t want them here so I treated them badly. That’s why Rhydian and MIla lashed out and trashed the dark room.”

“Look you don’t have to be bestfriends but they’re going to be apart of my life now.” Maddy finished her small speech. 

They waited in silence as Tom and Shan pondered ther options. As much as they were unsure of the new kids they didn’t want to lose Maddy. “Okay, sure.” Shan finally said.

“Welcome to Stoneybridge mates.” Tom told Rhydian and Jasper. “You guys really don’t like football?” He asked. “No.” They both answered, making the group chuckle. “Well I’m freezing so let’s go.” Shan said.

________

The group of six ended up at Bernie’s, the cafe Mila and Jasper had stopped at that morning. Each sat around with a cup of hot chocolate. 

“Here’s to the Late, Great, Photography Club.” Tom cheered, raising his mug. “It was fun while it lasted, yeah?” Everyone clinked their cups together. Mila smiled, feeling like she had a group again.

The bell above the door chimed, signaling people had entered the cafe. The K’s, three girls Mila had realized were the ‘popular ones’ of their grade, approached their table. 

“We have a proposition for ya.” Kara started with a smile. Mila rolled her eyes. “You've got a proposition for us?” Maddy asked in confusion. Kara nodded, holding up a flier. “It’s this competition and it’ll cost too much to get our photos done professionally.”

“And we need a photolio.” Katrina added. “Portfolio.” Kay corrected. 

The six shared looks of confusion. “So if you take our photos we’ll join your photography club.” Kara explained. Their eyes all went wide.

“We’re not going anywhere near your manky darkroom.” Kara added, noticing their reactions. “We’ll just put our names on the list so Jeffries doesn’t shut you down, do we have a deal?” Kara asked.

Maddy stood with a smirk. Spitting into her palm before holding it out for a handshake. The girls cringed and backed away slightly. The six teens all laughed. 

_______

As they left the cafe Mila noticed that Rhydian had started in the other direction. “Hey, I’ll catch up with you guys.” She told Maddy and Jasper before running to the blonde.

“You’re gonna stay right?” She asked him. “I never said that.” He answered but a small smile played on his lips. “Pity, you got a fan club.”

Rhydian followed her gaze back into the cafe. The three K’s sat near the window staring at him. Both listened in to hear them gossiping about Rhydian. 

“If that doesn’t scare you off, nothing will.” She chuckled. Though he was slightly scared of the three he laughed along with her. “So, I guess that means you’re staying too?” He asked her.

She sighed. “Hopefully, Maddy’s gonna talk to her parents ‘bout taking in me and Jasper.”  He smirked. “Well I’ll only stay if you do.”  He told the girl, making her smile. “You got yourself a deal, Rhydian.” 

________

“Maddy, who are these two?” Maddy’s mum asked as Mila and Jasper walked in with her. “My friends Mila and Jasper, they’re from school.” Maddy told her.

Her dad came into the living room quickly. It was clear that they never had other people inside the house. “Well, you know we don’t like having guests over this late.” He told her. “I know.” Maddy chuckled.

“I was wondering if they’d be able to live with us for a while.” She said nervously. Emma and Daniel shared a look of shock. “That’s not possible.”

“They don’t have any family or a pack.” Her parents perked up at her choice of words before each taking a deep breath. It seemed as though they hadn’t noticed the pair were wolfbloods before that moment.

Both quickly calmed. “You don’t have a pack?” Emma asked, gesturing for them to sit down. “No, they were killed by hunters.” Mila explained. “We were lucky enough to escape.”

“Where have you been living?” Daniel asked them. “There was an abandoned house out in the woods a few miles away.” Jasper told them.

Emma and Daniel shared a sad look. “Well, I suppose we could take you guys in.” Emma told them. “Oh mum you’re the best.” Maddy cheered. “

“We’ve got to go through some ground rules, though.” Daniel said. “Have you transitioned yet?” Emma asked them. Mila nodded and Jasper shook his head. “Alright well, we have a space in the basement for full moons.”

The siblings nodded. “And no one else can know the secret, only the pack. We don’t let non-wolfbloods in the house okay?” Daniel said with a flash of his eyes.

All of the eyes in the room also flashed. He was the alpha and he had to make sure it stayed that way. Emma let out a small gasp when she saw Mila’s.

Instead of the typical pale gold her eyes flashed a cold blue. “Y-you’re eyes.” She muttered. Maddy followed her gaze in shock. “Oh, forgot to mention that.” Mila mumbled.

“I thought it was just a myth.” Daniel said in shock. “What’s a myth? Why are her eyes blue?” Maddy asked. “Um, sometimes instead of having the blood of a wolf the females of a family can have the blood of a coyote.”

“That's a thing?” Maddy asked. “That’s so cool.”

Mila chuckled. “Not as cool as you think.” Maddy looked at her in questioning. “She’s right. Coyote’s are much more impulsive.” Emma explained.

“Which means a high blood lust and low anger control.” Mila added. “Well, you have us now.” Maddy said. “We’ll help you.”

The kids all smiled. “Alright, time for bed.” Daniel said. “MIla you'll be with Mads, we can get a bed tomorrow. And Jasper can have the spare room.”

“Thank you, for all of this.” Jasper told them. “You guys didn’t have to.” Mila added. “Nonsense, we’re glad to take you in.” Emma said, hugging the pair.