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14| Homecoming

Friday | November 4th, 2016 | Katerina | After School

"Are you feeling nervous?"

I shrugged my shoulders, hands shoved in my pockets. "Not really." To be completely honest, I was nervous as fuck, but I didn't want Eliana to know that.

"I hope you know I've learned how to tell when you're lying." Her eyes were narrowed in a playful manner and her lips were formed into a small smirk. "You don't look me in the eyes, and you crinkle your nose right before you speak."

"I don't do that."

"You just did it."

"Okay, fine. I'm nervous. Happy now?"

"It's okay if you're nervous. You're meeting your birth parents for the first time. You don't know what to expect," she said.

I gazed up at the dark sky, watching as the rain fell heavily from the clouds. Neither of us had anticipated rain, so we were waiting to see if it would let up a little before we tried walking home.

"What if they don't like me?" I whispered. I glanced over at Eliana. "Or maybe I'll do something wrong, and they'll hate me forever."

"Kat, they're your parents and they haven't seen you in years. They love you. They'll be happy to have you breathe in their direction."

I couldn't help but snort at her last statement. "You're such a dork."

"You love my dorkiness," she retorted.

"Maybe just a little."

The smile on her face quickly disappeared as she furrowed her eyebrows and frowned. "Who's that?" She pointed to someone behind me, and I turned to see who it was.

It was difficult to make out the figure through the heavy rain, but I recognized the black and white hoodie even from this distance. It was Cato. He was standing underneath a tree, eyes observing us intently.

"That's Cato," I said. I pulled the hood of my hoodie over my head, intending to head over to see him to see why he was here of all places. "Stay here. I'll be right back."

I hadn't even moved an inch before I felt her grabbing on to my wrist. "I'm coming with you."

I shook my head. "No. Stay right here. I don't want you getting sick because of the rain."

"But-"

"Just stay here, okay? I'll be back soon."

I took off into the downpour before she could argue with me more. The rain had almost completely soaked through my hoodie and clothes before I made it over to Cato. His clothes were thoroughly soaked, but he seemed unbothered by it.

"Cato, what are you doing here?" I asked, pulling my hood off my head.

"I follow you everywhere, remember? I have to make sure you're safe at all times," he answered. "I normally wouldn't show myself, but I did so out of curiosity."

"Curiosity? What are you curious about?"

"You and that human...Eliana, was it? The two of you share a strong bond, and it's not a normal bond. It's one that's strengthened by ancient magic."

Ancient magic. He had to be referring to the Tree of Time.

"So, what if it is? What's our bond have to do with you?" I knew I sounded defensive. I couldn't help it. When it came to me and Eliana, I didn't like people snooping around our business.

"Calm yourself, princess. I was merely making an observation. I mean no harm whatsoever. It's just unusual for a werewolf and human to be bonded so closely together." His eyes traveled behind me, and I just knew he was looking at Eliana.