𝑷𝑨𝑷𝑬𝑹 𝑹𝑰𝑵𝑮𝑺 • 𝐫𝐡𝐲𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧. 𝐦 (wolfblood)

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐧𝐞

Lia sat surrounded by physical comfort: the chunky wool cardigan she was wearing, the two blankets covering her legs, the pile of pillows comfortably arranged between her and the headboard of her bed, and the warm cup of tea in her hands. She sat with her mug in one hand while she picked at the tiny bobbles of wool that littered the surface of her cardigan with the other. Her window was open. She hadn't found the energy to get up and close it.

Rhydian had left three hours ago, escorted from the house by Emma and Daniel who dropped him off at Mrs Vaughn's place, along with at least half a dozen boxes of his stuff. He had moved out, for good, and Lia couldn't even imagine what he was thinking right now. She had wanted to message him, shoot him a quick text to ask how he was, but thought better of it. He needed space and time to process and settle back in with the Vaughn's. It wasn't that she was worried about him being there - she had met Mrs Vaughn briefly a couple of times and she was absolutely lovely (Rhydian had even asked her over to dinner once so they could meet properly, but that was before he left and they never got the chance). She had two other boys whom she fostered: one eleven and the other nine, and they all seemed very close-knit.

But she was human, a human who didn't know that wolfbloods existed. She was unknowingly fostering a kid who was half-wolf, and if she ever found out... well, Lia didn't even want to imagine what sort of chaos would erupt. Even aside from this, Lia still had her concerns, and they had been racing through her head for hours.

She heard a soft knock at her door which was already half-open, and then it swung open gently and Emma poked her head around, "Hey, Lili."

Lia murmured a hey in response and took a sip of her tea. 

She heard her mum sigh, then felt the bed dip as she sat down beside her on the bed. Emma placed her hand on her daughter's leg, "Listen, pet. I know this is all a bit sudden, but you had to know that this was going to happen eventually."

She dipped her head in a nod, "I know, but I don't understand why you and Dad didn't say anything to any of us - Rhydian especially. He deserved to know."

Emma sighed gently, lifting the top blanket off Lia's legs and pulling it over hers once she was settled in next to her on the bed. She turned to look at her daughter, "I understand that it feels like we went behind your back, but you have to realise that this was for the best."

Lia held back a retort, barely.

"Look, me and your Dad," Emma blew out a sigh, flicking her bangs out of her eyes, "We get that you and Rhydian are close, and it's sweet, but we just didn't want you two getting too close. And with living in the same house-"

Lia's eyes widened, and she cut her mother off with a sharp exhale, then a soft laugh. She pinched the bridge of her nose, squeezing her eyes shut as she figured out how to word a response, "Mam, trust me, you really didn't have to worry about that," she let out another quiet laugh, flustered, and shook her head, finally looking at her, "It's... it's not like that between us. Trust me. That is off the table, far from it... and will be for a while."

Emma toyed with the cuff of her blouse, letting out a soft laugh of her own which Lia assumed was one of relief, "Okay. I believe you, but you can see why we were concerned. I mean, you're both sixteen, and-"

"Can we please move on?" Lia said quickly. She couldn't take any more of this conversation. The point had been made and accepted and they had much more to discuss. Emma nodded, laughing silently, even turning her face away to grin. Lia narrowed her eyes at her, even though she couldn't see, and took a small sip of tea which was quickly cooling. She swallowed and shook her head, "That can't be the only reason why. What else is it, Mam?"