Broken Halves

Chapter Thirty-One

POV: Cole

"Hey," A soft voice calls causing me to look away from Jorden. I nod at the human girl who has approached where I stand leaning against the school's brick wall before quickly moving my eyes back to Jorden who I fear is in the midst of starting a fight. At 17, I had now grown into a tall height for my bulky form while Jorden as well had filled out. With that being said however, we are both still growing according to Nona.

"You are very protective of your brother aren't you?" The girl asks me while turning her own gaze to Jorden. Once again I shift my attention to her. When we entered human school we did so under the guise of the two Richards brothers. "Yeah I am." I say to her quietly, taking a moment to look her up and down.

"So you two live with your grandparents right?" She questions me just as the guy Jorden was talking with squares his shoulders as if ready to fight. "Excuse me." I say to the girl before walking quickly to stand by Jorden's side. As werewolves, we are stronger than the average human. Meaning, a teenage fight is the last thing we want to get involved in.

"Jorden," I say stepping through the quickly growing crowd. "Walk away." I advise as Jorden tenses in anger with his fists clenched. I raise my eyebrow towards the guy, taking a moment to seize him up. Jorden isn't typically the one to get angry out of the two of us. Believe it or not, humor aside, he is typically the level headed one when it comes to the both of us.

"Step aside Cole." Jorden's blue eyes shift to mine. I shake my head while taking a step closer to my trembling best friend. "You know you can't fight him Jorden. One punch and this guy would be knocked out. A few more and you'd kill him and then Grandad would be the least of your worries. Calm down." I talk soothingly to him as he closes his eyes and breathes deeply, trying to reign in his raging emotions.

"You're a coward." The kid spits in our direction. Swiftly, I turn around and grab the collar of his shift, lifting him slightly so his toes dangle on the ground. "I am saving your life you pathetic boy. One blow from my brother and you'd be knocked unconscious. You should think before you run your mouth you stupid kid. Now get out of here, I don't want to see you around either of us again." I drop the kid to his feet and watch as he scrambles away surprised by my strength and cold words.

"Cole." Jorden says shakily from behind me. I quickly turn around and scan him for damage. "What's wrong Fly?" Jorden sucks in a breath, "Grandad." My eyes widen in fear and I look over my shoulder to see Grandad stalking over here from behind the group of human students who had all swarmed to see the fight. "Shit," I say while running my hand through my hair in a feeble attempt to calm my stress. Grandad won't be afraid to make a scene in front of the human students; he knows humiliation is one way to get to me.

"Hey Grandad what are you doing here?" I question with a smile, trying to convey some of Jorden's signature charm. The students only part, allowing him enough room to reach the center where Jorden and I stand. Other than that, they are unmoving, eager to see the drama unfold.

"Don't you try that on me Colton Jameson Richards I am not your Nona." Jorden snorts and takes a step back while I sigh. "Nobody was harmed Grandad." I say in an attempt to defuse the situation before it starts. My grandfather visibly shakes as fury courses through him. "So you pick him up by his collar and threaten him? When will you boys learn that violence and threats are not the answer to your problems?" Grandad's face turns a deep red and I know he is struggling to contain his anger.

"I've never seen him this angry." Jorden whispers into my ear. I discreetly nod trying not to upset Grandad further. "How do you expect me to rely on you Cole, to put my trust in you, when you go around acting this way with people obviously weaker than you? You're no different than your father that way!" I visibly flinch and move backward at his words.