Within the Forest (Werewolf Solangelo AU)

Chapter Seventeen: The Pack

Nico's POV

The conversation with Will's parents was.. Uncomfortable. I had nothing to say since I was probably just as clueless as they were. The look Will's dad was giving me told me that I was supposed to be saying something, but I just looked away every time I noticed it. Will must have noticed he was giving me dirty looks because I felt his arm wrap protectively around my shoulders. I couldn't help but blush at this simple action and I had the urge to shake him away. The action was a little too possessive for my liking. I'm sure Will didn't mean anything like that but I just didn't like it. I let Will's arm stay there, but only since the way Papa Solace was looking at me made me anxious and he averted his eyes from me when Will did put his arm around me. I didn't bother to check if he was returning the look or not.

"So that's everything," Will finished explaining everything. I was grateful he didn't mention Nathaniel. I kept my head slightly ducked so they wouldn't notice the bruises that Will had went crazy over before.

Will's mom, Naomi he told me, was leaning against the wall. She was.. Smiling. Once again, uncomfortable. Will's dad, Apollo, was still staring at me. Then Naomi suddenly clapped her hands. I'm pretty sure everyone jumped at that. She then walked over to me and.. Hugged me? She pulled me to her and held me. I have to admit, I was startled. She put pressure on my bruises and I winced. She gently pushed me away when she must have felt me tense. I stared at her for a moment before she smiled at me again. "Welcome to the family, hun."

I almost cried. I would have if Apollo didn't stand up right at that moment and walk out of the room. I turned to Will who's eyes were filled with hurt from his father's actions. Naomi flashed me one more smile before hurrying off and following Apollo. I turned to Will to who just staring at the spot Apollo disappeared to as if expecting him to come back. I walked over to him, shifting uncomfortably. I couldn't help but feel like this was my fault. Well.. It was. If I wasn't some useless human and maybe even a girl, Apollo wouldn't be so disappointed. I wasn't sure what upset him more, Will having a male as a mate which meant he couldn't reproduce or Will's mate being... Human. Maybe both. If I was a werewolf girl then he would be more than accepting. I was snapped out of my inner struggle by a warm hand gripping mine. I looked over at Will who was grinning down at me, pulling me towards the front door. He had his mother's smile.

"Come on! Let's go meet the pack!"

I stared at him for a moment before giving in and following him. He pulled me out of the house, pulling me closer to him as we began to walk through the crowd of people. The crowd took notice of Will and began swarming him.

I yelped a bit as I was starting to get bumped and push about, afriad I was going to get knocked away from Will. I felt like I was about to be carried away in the crowd when I was suddenly lifted up. The person did it so easily I felt like I was just a small child. I watched in surprise as Will sat me on his hip like I was five. That's when the crowd actually noticed me and began to back away. Will nodded and continued to walk, most likely not giving putting me down a second thought. Should I.. Ask to be put down? I.. Didn't want to be. Not that I like him holding me! It's just that I don't want to be trampled. I held his shirt and awkwardly wrapped my legs around his waist as he carried me. My face burned. I buried my face in my shoulder, groaning. This was pretty humiliating.

"Will! There... Who's this?"

That voice. That was the girl who tried to capture me after Will hid me in the bushes. I looked up from Will's shoulder and saw a girl and a boy. The girl looked just plain confused and the boy looked amused. Probably by the fact that I was being carried like this. Okay. Now I want down. This was ridiculous.
Will did put me down without me asking him, thank god. But then he immediately pulled me to him. I flinched a bit at the sudden action and pulled away. I let.him act possessive once. No more. He didn't even give me a second glance. He let me pull away but took my wrist instead. I felt my face heat up again. Great.

"Hey! Guys.. Okay. I have to tell you something. This is Nico. He's.. He's my mate," Will said quietly, kind of nervous. I was a bit nervous too. I prayed they wouldn't react like his father did. I looked over shyly and waited for their response, my body still turned towards Will. We sat in a moment of silence until the girl spoke up first. "So that's why you.. Ohhhh! That makes so much sense know!" The boy still looked confused. The girl nudged him and he jumped and smiled at me. I couldn't help but turn away. At least they aren't mad. "Well.. At least he's cute," The boy shrugged. Will chuckled and hugged me again. "Hey. Mine." I've never turned so red in my life.

But at least I know I have a chance of being accepted by the pack....