Midfield Academy: Book 3

Chapter 26: Crippling Anxiety (13 years, 10 months)

"So you'll be here with me next year?" asked Raven, sitting up.

"I guess." Daven rested his chin in his hand and stared out the window.

Darius squeezed his eldest son's shoulder. "It'll be good for you." He glanced at Jagger who sat across from him in the booth. "You too."

"Yes, Sir," Jagger breathed.

"That's so exciting." Raven smiled at them. "It's really fun to go to school here. They have a ton more activities than back home."

Daven arched a brow. "I'm not in the mood to play human."

Storm rolled her eyes and took a drink from her glass. "You're never in the mood to do anything. You take after your father."

The alpha shot back in his seat. "His bad attitude is somehow my fault?"

She shrugged. "If you forgot, in school, I was the one that went above and beyond, while you settled for mediocre. Our sons reflect that."

Darius frowned. "We're not talking about this."

Raven ran his hands down his braid and looked between his parents. Their schools days always seemed to be a topic to avoid.

His father's eyes grew wide, and he straight directly at his younger son. "What is that?"

The sub bristled at the comment. "What?"

"Sticking in your ear," he said firmly. "What did you do?" He turned to his mate.

"You're overreacting," replied Storm. She looped her arm around Raven's shoulders. "I think it looks nice."

The waitress arrived with the food and started setting it on the table. Raven sunk down in his seat. He wasn't hungry anymore. He probably shouldn't have done it without checking with his father first.

"Come here, now." Darius leaned across the table and held out his hand.

Raven moved closer.

His father snatched his chin and turned the boy's head from side to side. "Good god, Storm. You let him poke holes in his ears."

"We went by the stand and decided to give it a try." She shrugged. "What does it hurt? They're super cute actually. It really suits him."

"You pierced his ears!"

She sighed. "Calm down, Darius. It's two little holes. Like honestly, all he has to do is not put them in for like three days, and they'll close. Besides," she tucked her hair behind her ears. "I got mine done too."

Darius's mouth fell open. "You are one thing, Raven is another."

"Don't use the gender card on me," said Storm. "If Raven wants them, he can have them."

Darius gritted his teeth. "Take them out."

Raven bowed his head. He just got them put in, and they had finally stopped hurting. He really liked them too. His mother had even bought him a whole bunch of earrings. With his eyes burning, he reached up to taken out the little diamonds.

His mother grabbed his wrist. "They said not to take them out for at least three weeks unless to change them, or the hole will fill in overnight, Ravy. Remember?" She looked directly at her mate. "I spend a lot of money on earrings today, and he will be wearing them."

"Fine." Darius sat back and clenched his jaw. "He's taken them out over the summer, though."

"Raven can do whatever he likes. If he wants to keep them in, he can."