Black Rose

6.

It was raining in Tulsa once we arrived. I had grown so accustomed to the warmth of Hawaii, even in the very little time that I was there, that Oklahoma's rain and wind felt deadly cold. The ever present palm trees were now replaced by hills, plains, and deciduous shades. Everything in Hawaii just seemed more vibrant and alive. Though I missed home, I don't think it's a place I'd want to settle in for the rest of my life.

My heart almost skipped ten beats at the familiar tall and insanely muscular man heading in our direction. "Ace!" I exclaimed, rushing my way to him. I attacked him in a hug, surprising myself at how elated I was to see him. Ace was my first taste of home since I've been back, and I couldn't wait for the rest.

"Ulvta," He laughed, greeting me with a hug back. I took a step back after our embrace, taking in every inch of his face. His dark brown eyes, long black hair, angular face, defined jawline. I missed him. I missed him and the others so much I wanted to cry tears of joy right here. He playfully shook his hand through my hair. "What have you done?" He laughed, then I realized he noticed my eyes as he tilted my head up.

I laughed. "It's a long story." Keahi, Tula, and Rayne slowly walked up behind me, obviously unsure on how to react. "Guys, this is Ace. Ace, this is Keahi, Tula, and of course–"

"Rayne," He finished for me.

Rayne flashed him a radiant smile. "Long time, no see." They embraced in a hug. A hug I felt a little too uncomfortable watching. I stepped aside, giving them a moment.

"Wow," Tula said softly enough for me to hear. "If the rest of your werewolf friends look like that, I cannot wait to meet everyone else."

I giggled softly. "Come on. Let's go."

* * *

The whole car ride there I nervously chewed on my lip. My bottom lip was so sore, but I didn't care. I was on the verge of having an anxiety attack. The fact that I was going to see Badge in a matter of minutes made my stomach do some crazy things. I know it's only been a week, but to me it feels much longer. When you go from spending almost every day seeing someone, to having no kind of contact whatsoever with that person for an extended amount of time, it changes things.

I knew Ace was trying to distract me by asking about the trip. I told him about Florida, Paris, skipped the part about L.A., but continued on about Hawaii. The others would chime in here and there, but they seemed to just listen to my story. My thoughts, my experiences, my anxieties. It had only been thirteen days, and yet I feel like I could give Odysseus a run for his money with his ten years.

As we pulled up to Sue's cozy house nestled in her little opening in the woods, I could feel the full on anxiety hitting.

"Tatum, calm down. Your heartbeat is literally giving me a headache," Ace said, killing the engine.

"Sorry," I mumbled. I forgot what it was like being around a bunch of people who are hyperaware. People who can hear you move, breathe, and think. It was something I was going to have to get used to again. And something I was going to have to be cautious about at the same time.

Everyone was here. I could tell by all the cars parked out front. Part of me hoped that Badge would be too cowardly to face me, but I saw his black Camaro parked too. Taking in all these cars, I had no idea what the living arrangements were going to be like. It was safe to keep everyone under one roof. Sue's house is an adequate size, but not adequate enough for sixteen bodies.

We went to retrieve our luggage in the trunk. Keahi kindly pulled out everyone's suitcase, and handed it to them. When I reached for mine, he stopped me. "I got it," He assured me.