Strong One

Chapter 4 Changes

My friends have all matured over the last year.  Things are a little strained between us. They are all talking about university or getting jobs while Ryker and I will have to retake the year.

"Your brother isn't the same as he was. He's hardly talked to his friends this last year. Spending a lot of time with you or helping out with the running of the pack. He nearly tore the throat out of one of the girls he'd slept with.  When they met in the pack house, after she said something about you.  Your parents had to both hold him back. He was a little scary and the girl has stayed well away from him since" Sam tells me.

"My dad says he's nearly as good as the top warriors now in fighting.  He said he'll be even better once he's shifted" Noel adds.  "He hasn't shifted yet?" I question.  They shake their heads. It's assumed it was because you were in a coma.  He might shift, now you're awake again" Sam continues.

"I know who my mate is" Noel says shyly.  We talk about mates for a while.  But it's the last thing I want to talk about, as I can feel my mate bond with my twin even more now.  Then I go back to the pack house to see if I can help my dad some with the work he has to do. I find him in the kitchen "if you could make up some milkshakes, smoothies, made with lots of fruit, please. Haley said that could help with Ry's stomach problems. She has also prescribed some medicine that will protect his gut a bit" he tells Mary, head of kitchen.

"Hey Ethan, glad you are up and about. You've grown so tall" she says to me as I walk into the kitchen. "Hi Mary, good to see you too. Dad, I came to see if I could help you?" I ask "yes, thank you. I'm having problems with the internet connection again" he says which makes me smile. He still hates tech things. I wave goodbye to Mary and head to his office.

"You'll have to find away of dealing with your stress Ryker.  To have the threat of an ulcer at your age is terrible.  I thought the training, with the warriors was to help with that?" I hear pop say to Ry.   "Guess its not worked as well as I thought.  I'll do better, I don't mean for you to worry" I hear him say. "Ethan good to see you" dads second says as he walks from the other end of the house.

I lift my hand in greeting and walk into the office. "Dad said the internet was playing up again" I tell pop, not looking at Ry.  "I think we should pay for the faster speed now.  There are so many pack members using it" pop suggest.

"There's different speeds now?" I question.  "Yeah, we have up to 5G now. But you know your father hates to deal with that stuff" pop answers.  "I'll get on it.  I'll also check the data usage and memory.  That can all slow down the connection" I say sitting at dad's desk.  I begin to feel a little better, being in the same room as Ry again.  When dad comes back in, he uses his lap top and sits on the other side of the desk.

"Hey sweetheart, did I remember to put in the meat order for next week?" he asks pop.  I see pop look over and smile at him affectionately "no, I did it, this morning.  I've also paid this month's gas bill and reordered for them to come and refill the empty gas tanks as well as delivering enough charcoal for the BBQ's now the summer seems to be extended" he answers.

Dad blows him a kiss, that sexy brain of yours is the best" he jokes.  "Why thank you, but this sexy brain in hungry.   Ryker I'm going to get some lunch, you okay here?" pop ask Ry. He smiles and nods his head.  But I can tell that the smile doesn't reach his eyes.

This is how our days go, until we have to start school. The first day back is always a little stressful. Ry is looking a little lifeless these days which is worrying.  I am still angry though and have ignored Soren's warnings.  But the new guy who is also retaking the last year seems nice. As I didn't want to sit with Ry, he sat next to me and we seem to hit if off.  He does seem to really dislike Ry though.