Where The Wild Things Grow | Paul Lahote

viii

viii | the disciples

Talise was absolutely confused. She laid in her bed, her pillow was fluffed to comfort her neck. She sighed. She knew her life was going to change but the past few events were completely dramatic.

She had a brother. She's been around Embry several times and she never expected anything. Was it her fault? Should she have known?

Then there was her father. After she got home that night, he repeatedly texted her phone, even called. She was so upset. She didn't want to hear any of that. She didn't want to hear "I'm sorry" or "I didn't know how to tell you" her argument was, how could you allow one of your children to be fatherless? To have them wonder their whole lives what did they do wrong for you not to be there? She was so upset because it was so fucked up.

Her wondering mind came to a stop when she heard the front door open, she quickly got out of the bed and walked into the living room.

She saw Paul with Embry, they both looked tired.

Paul lit up when he saw his girl though. She was so beautiful standing there in her night gown which was just a huge t-shirt. He walked over and hugged her tightly.

"I missed you," he whispered as he allowed his nose to be engulfed by the smell of her shampoo.

"You too, pa." Talise grinned. She gently placed a kiss on his cheek before Paul's lips touched hers.

Embry cleared his throat. Ever since he found out Talise was his sister things were weird. Even weirder than being a shapeshifter. He always felt drawn to her, but he never knew why. Until now.

"Oh, Embry," Talise smiled. "What are you doing here?"

Before he could speak, Paul's booming voice carried out in the room.

"Patrol duty. It's my turn to train him, me and Jared switch out every three days." Paul walked in the back room to pull out some blankets from the closet. "So I thought it would be easy for him to crash here."

Talise nodded, "Of course, that's a great idea." She walked over to the middle couch. "You can sleep here. It's a pull out couch." She began to pull the cushions off but Paul and Embry both stopped her.

"Baby, we got it. I'll make sure he's good and he knows where the food and drinks are...and the bathroom."

Talise kissed Paul once more. "You're so sweet."

Embry chuckled. It was weird seeing a soft part to Paul. The older teen quickly looked at him and growled.

"Paul," Talise scolded. Her lover gave her puppy dog eyes before kissing her forehead. She looked at her brother and smiled. "Sleep well."

Embry shyly looked away. "You too." Being under Talise's gaze made him feel like a kid again, like he finally found his best friend. What every boy needed, a big sister.

•••

The next morning went by slow. Talise wish she could work but that didn't go as plan. The school thought it would be best for her to start after the baby was born and her six weeks were up. It was frustrating because she needed something to do. She wasn't worried financially because thankfully her dad had money saved for her since birth.