Don't lose HOPE [COMPLETED]

Chapter 21

HOPE

When I'm done, we walk down to the others that are already sitting down and eating. They look at me a little worriedly since they know that I know about them.

"Good morning. How are you feeling about all this?" Kate asks.

"Strange...but I'm fine," I say, giving her a small smile.

I sit down next to Zeke and he scoots my stool closer to him, as usual. Now, I know why he always wants to be so close to me and hold my hand all the time.

"We would never hurt you in any way, Hope. You're one of us since you're Zeke mate. You're family," Richard says.

I nod and smile. Family. That has a whole other meaning here. This is a real family, what it should be like. It doesn't matter that they're werewolves. Zeke hugs me since he can sense what I'm feeling.

I'm happy.

"Yeah, we've got your back, girl. We willl kick anyone's ass that tries to hurt you, Evelyn says."

Chris chuckles at her and shakes his head.

"What! You don't think I can? Just because I'm not a warrior doesn't mean that I can't kick ass. I'll show you right now," she says annoyed at him and rolls up her sleeves.

"No, I'm not fighting you." Chris says.

"Why? Because you think that I'm weak?"

"No, because you're my mate and I don't want to hurt you. I have no doubt in my mind that you could kick someone's ass...with your temper," he mumbles that last part out.

"I heard that."

"Sorry, love," he says, kissing her cheek, trying to suck-up.

"You're lucky that you're a hot piece of ass. You're making it up to me later," she says, smirking.

We all laugh at them and the guys shake their heads.

"So, I guess Zeke has filled you in on everything?" Kate asks me.

"Most of it," he says, and I nod.

"Good. Just ask us if you have more questions. Are you still up for shopping?"

"Yes."

Mira comes in and we drive off after Zeke has asked me one last time if I'm okay. I assure him that I am even if my brain hasn't really catched up on everything, but it will eventually.

It's not as many people at the mall today, and I'm thankful about that. I don't think about the people that much, though. They kind of seem a bit inessential at the moment with the things I've just learned.

I buy some warmer clothes⸺a jacket, a beanie, gloves, warmer shoes, etc. I try to stop Kate from buying so many things for me, but she insists. She even gets me some more shirts, and I agree to some long-sleeved tops that aren't hoodies.

Evelyn insists on going to the lingerie store again to buy more underwear. "You will need something sexy for when you mate," she says.

I stop in my tracks, Mira almost walks into my back and Kate and Evelyn stop in front of me and turn around.

"What?" I ask confused, starting to get nervous.

Evelyn and Kate look at each other.

"He didn't tell you about the mating, did he?"

"I-I just thought that I had to turn 18."

"Oh," Evelyn says, and they turn around and start walking again like nothing happened.