Blind To Reality

2- Conditional Love

Ashe P.O.V   (Angel, above, ready for the soiree- think of his hair as a little longer and lighter)

"Angel, are you excited?" I could hear Aeri hopping around, twirling with something that tinkled at it clinked together. Papa, as he preferred to be called, thought that with a new start, we should all get new names. Aaron was now Aeri, and my other brother was now Aeon. I was a little jealous of their names, considering the girliness of mine... But my whole family loved it, and they often told me how well it fit me while hugging me close, so I was okay with it, for them.

"More nervous than excited," I scratched my thumb nail with my other thumb, hands raised to my chest. "Will there be a lot of people?"

"Some, but not too too many," I listened as he- I shook my head, A-Aeri liked to be referred to as 'she', flopped onto the bed. "It'll be great, though. They're like extended family!"

I listened to her roll about on the bed, making a mess of it, most likely. I didn't mind because it was her room, anyway. I just came in because I was nervous about this soiree we were expected to attend, "Do-do I really have to go?"

"Don't  you love us? If you do, you'd go, for Papa," It sounded like Aeri was pouting and disappointed in me. I really hoped she wasn't, I was just nervous is all. "And everyone is excited to see you."

I nodded my head, turning and carefully guiding myself out of her messy, who-knows-what strewn room. They had told me numerous times that I looked angelic, which was why they chose my name. They didn't use colors to describe me like... Like who? They told me that my eyes were calm, yet bright and that my hair glittered like sand through one's fingers. They said that my skin felt soft and that it looked like the taste of whipped cream; I laughed at that one. 

I edged to my room, going into the bathroom to clean up for the soiree in a few hours. Aeri was still trying to decide on her and Aeon's outfits, because they liked to match while Papa and Mom had already picked mine out, leaving it on a hook on the wall in my room. From my short touch-perusal, I was pretty sure I'd need help getting it on.

After my shower, I donned an undershirt and some briefs like Mom told me to because of the outfit's cut, starting to blow dry my hair only to turn it off when I heard Aeri yell, "Angel, Aeon and I will help you get ready, just wait for us!"

I sighed, setting down the blowdryer in defeat. Aeri liked playing with me like I was a doll; especially my hair, which I thought could really use a trim, but everyone told me was unnecessary. The most I got was the ends cut, even though I really wanted a bit more off, like a few inches or so. 

***

"Aaaaaand, there," I could feel Aeri leaning away from me, studying her work. "You look..... Adorable!"

I knew she wanted to hug me, but the chance of messing up her work overruled her nature... For now. I heard Aeon shift, "He looks just like his name. Papa will be really happy when he sees us."

"What do you guys look like?" 

"Pretty much like you," Aeon, always the boy of few words, but greater actions.

I heard Aeri slap him playfully on the arm, "Jeez, Aeon, he needs details.Okay, you look very fluttery and innocent and soft. We look similar to that, but we have some shadow and darkness in ours, like highlighting, or uh, layering. Don't worry, we look cute and match really well."

"I don't like that you used the word 'cute' when describing me," I frowned at them. Cute? Yeah, teens aren't supposed to look cute.

"Aww, even your pout looks angelic now, Angel," Aeri booped my nose. Sadly, I wasn't fast enough to knock it away.

"Okay, time's up, let's go downstairs," Aeon turned, walking away from us.

Aeri took my hand, following Aeon.

Jay P.O.V

I studied his card, leaning against the warehouse once more; the same warehouse David and I had waited by previously. 

The phone rang three times before being answered by...

"Why, hello, Jaybriel," His voice was smooth, something like amusement slipping through, "I was expecting your call. Not quite so soon, but that's alright with me."

"You know why I'm calling," My grip on the phone tightened, turning my back to David, who demanded to listen in on the call. He had been angry when he found out that I had kept the card; that they had given me a card.

"Not really, no," I could hear his smile through the phone. "Care to enlighten?"

"Well, you guys killed our Alpha, so I'm not welcomed here any more," I gritted out, shoving a hand in my pocket.

"Aww, that's too bad, and I thought you two were an item," The man breathed falsehoods. "Don't tell me that he blame you for his own stupidity? Tsk tsk, such a child still. I worry about what will happen to your pack."

"Th-that no longer concerns me," My face flamed at having to say that. The people here may have not been related to me by blood, but they were pretty much family nonetheless. "They aren't my pack anymore, though I should be able to exist in this territory still without much trouble."

"Oh? And why is it that you aren't being killed for your 'transgressions'?"

"Call it the last gesture of an old lover," I bowed my head a bit as I urged the words past my lips.

"Ah, well, at least he did one good thing out of all the bad for you," The guy actually sounded a little sympathetic. 

"Is that job you offered before still...?"

"I told you before that there would be a place for you. We'll meet you where we had you wait the last time."

A click officially ended the call.

"That's good, because you only have an hour to pack your things and go," David stated, pushing me out of his office and slamming the door. 

The night was cool, having only been told to wait here again, all I could do was make sure that there weren't any broken glass or syringes or condoms around before settling my scarce belongings and taking a load off.

I had finally just beat another level of Candy Crush before my senses picked up movement. I stood, brushing my jeans off and stepping so that nothing could trip me up, just in case. I suppose that was a good thing, considering what waltzed out of the shadows. Well, I guess more like who.

"So, are you this 'Jaybriel' person?" A cocky-looking guy in the usual dark outfit and masked face walked out into the lamp light, along with several others that spread out away from him.

I watched them all carefully, having a bad feeling, "Yeah, but I prefer 'Jay'."

"Well, if you survive this, not any more. Boss likes Jaybriel, so you'll be Jaybriel, or you'll be dead."

"They both kinda suck."

"Either way, you'll get used to it."