Luke Cates was just about to head out the door when he heard his father call him from his office, “Luke, I need speak to you.”
Luke internally cursed but made his way into his father’s study. Inside stood his father as well as Sherman Blackstone. “Yeah, Dad.”
“I’m sure you are well aware that Jeff Donner and his family were found and being brought back.”
“Yeah, I heard something about that.” Luke answered. He didn’t think there was any member of the pack who hadn’t heard. The Donners had been gone the longest of any of the pack that had tried to leave. It was big news that they were back.
“Well I know you remember that they have two children your age.”
“Is this going some where?” Luke said impatiently. He knew Sophia was working and would be getting off soon. He was hoping to corner her, make her talk to him. And his dad was taking too long. His dad knew that Luke had been friends with Michael Donner back before they left.
“I want you to make sure that the younger members of the pack do nothing to make them feel like outsiders. They may not have lived here for eight years but they are still pack. They do not deserved to be punished for their parents sins.”
Before Luke could respond they could hear a SUV approaching the house probably carrying the exact people they were talking about. He had to admit that his curiosity was peaked about them. They had lived away for years; they had been able to do what the rest of them hadn’t. Not to mention he wondered how strong they were, if living away had weakened them. “Alright Dad. I’ll talk to them.”
A few minutes later the SUV was parked out front of the house and the three waited for their first glimpses of its occupants.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Liz hopped out behind her brother surprised by the weather. Although it had still been warm when they left Roswell in Wolf Lake it was damp and cool. She glanced up and caught site of the large house that belonged to the Cates. It was beautiful.
“Get moving.” Tyler ordered from behind them. The two saw the other men unloading their stuff as they headed to the front door and waited as Tyler rung the bell. The door was opened a moment later and they were face to face with Willard Cates. Although it had been years Liz could still recognize him from her memories of when she had seen him in her younger days, at church, around town and other so forth. He had a kind face but one that she knew could change to intimidating in a heartbeat. After all he was the Alpha, the most powerful Male of the pack. “Michael, Elizabeth come in.”
Willard looked over the two teens as they made their way in and stood in the foyer. Michael took after his mother in looks but had the aura of his father and uncle. He could tell he was protective of his sister. Elizabeth was shorter than her brother by perhaps a foot and had gotten her dark features from the Donner blood in her. He didn’t fail to notice the ugly bruise that marred her face or the way she glared daggers at Tyler. Willard wasn’t happy knowing that it was probably he that gave it to her.
Liz could see two others were with them as well an Indian man she also recognized, Sherman Blackstone, the keeper of their clan. He knew all the history of their pack. She didn’t get a chance to look over the other guy before Mr. Cates introduced him, “I’m not sure if you two remember him but this is my son Luke.”
“I couldn’t forget Luke, not after some of the stunts he, my brother, and some of their friends pulled.” Liz stated. Luke had been a friend of Michael’s in elementary school. Like them he had grown up, he was pretty cute even more when he half smiled like he was now. She could tell he was thinking about what she said.
Michael looked at his once friend and nodded, “Hey man.”
“Hey.” Luke said back.
“I’ll leave the three of you to get reacquainted for a minute while I speak to Tyler.” Mr. Cates announced. Mr. Cates, Tyler, and Mr. Blackstone all went through a nearby door. Liz figured Tyler was going to give his report on what had happened.
The three teens were left standing in the foyer. Luke took the time to look over the two newest members of his small pack. Michael was probably about six-foot and looked strong. He had a roughness to him that Luke could see he used so people didn’t get too close to him. He had a feeling though either he and Michael would be friends or adversaries. Next he looked over Liz. He had to admit she was hot. She had long dark brown hair, big brown eyes, and a slim body. She had enough similarities to her cousin that Luke thought of Sophia. He could see in both the twins’ eyes that they had flipped, it was something he had come to easily recognize. And remembering the stories he had heard about the Sheriff and his brother when they were younger he didn’t doubt that they were strong in wolfen form.
“Dad might not tell you but most of the younger ones of us go out to the woods at night for runs. It gets pretty wild, if you two are up for it?” Luke challenged.
Liz rolled her eyes, Luke could see her frowning but Michael just said, “I think Liz and I can take anything you can dish out.”
Luke smirked at Michael. Liz looked over the rest of the house as much as she could while she half listened to her brother and Luke talking about different stuff. Her mind was back in Roswell with Max along with her heart. It wasn’t long before Tyler came out of the room they had disappeared into earlier. He grinned at Liz who ignored him before heading out the front door. Liz couldn’t help but shudder when he passed by her something Luke noticed, “You’ll find you’re not the only one without a great opinion of Tyler.”
Mr. Cates appeared then at the door, “Michael, Elizabeth come into my study. There are a few things we need to go over.”
Michael and Liz nodded to Luke in good bye before heading into the study while Luke headed out to his car. The windshield had been repaired a few days ago so he was able to drive to the lodge in hopes of talking to Sophia.
Part 17
As Michael and Liz made their way into Mr. Cates’ study they noticed that his wife had joined them as well. Liz knew Vivian Cates on sight; she was an intimidating woman. “Hello, Mrs. Cates.”
“Hello Elizabeth. Hello Michael. Nice to see you back in Wolf Lake.”
Michael and Liz took their seats across a large desk from Mr. Cates and Mr. Blackstone. “A lot has happened over the last few days to both of you but now you need to get settled into you lives here. You know that your parents will be in seclusion for a while so in the mean time you will be staying with your Uncle Matt.”
Despite her sour mood Liz couldn’t help but smile a little at finding out where they would be staying. At least they wouldn’t be staying with some member of the pack that they didn’t know plus she knew her Uncle Matt wouldn’t be downing humans to them. After all he married one, her Aunt Marie.
“Since you just arrived you won’t be expected to attend the church on the hill tomorrow but I expect to see you both next Sunday.” Mr. Cates continued. Liz could hear Michael faintly groan knowing he would have to get up early on Sunday mornings and Michael was not a morning person. “And you’ll start classes on Monday.”
“Monday you will go to the office and arrange your classes but no matter what you will have me for pack education fifth period with me.” Mr. Blackstone stated.
“What about our parents? Will we get to see them at all?” Michael asked.
“You’ll be able to see your parents once a week for two hours.” Mr. Cates stated. “Once they are out of punishment probably a few months, the four of you will move into your own house.” They could hear yet another vehicle approaching when Mr. Cates stated, “There is you Uncle now.”
A few minutes passed before the front door opened and an older man came into the study. Except for looking a few years older his face had not changed, Liz smiled before running to him. “Uncle Matt.”
Matt Donner caught his niece and hugged her tightly. She and her brother had always been like his own and despite the circumstances, he was glad to see them. They pulled away and Matt looked down at her. “I can’t believe how much you look like your Grandma Claudia.”
Liz smiled at him for the comment about looking like his and her father’s mother. “Daddy says that all the time.”
“It’s true.” Matt answered. He too noticed the bruise but decided to ask Liz or Michael about it later. “I know you two and Sophia are the same ages but I was still half expecting to see a little girl when I came in here. Do you still go by Lizzie?”
“Liz.” Liz said before moving out of her brother’s way so he could greet their uncle.
Michael wasn’t sure at first what to do. A part of him wanted to do the same as his sister but the fact that he was a guy who didn’t show his emotions much held him back. That didn’t stop his uncle though. Matt grabbed him into a big bear hug. When they broke apart Matt looked him over; “Well I think you got all the height between you and your sister.”
“She’s just a little pipsqueak.” Michael joked.
Liz smacked him on the arm as their uncle looked towards where Mr. and Mrs. Cates and Mr. Blackstone were watching the family reunion. Their uncle created the adults before saying. “I already loaded all of their stuff that was outside so if everything has been covered I’d liked to get them settled. Sophia should be home from work by the time we get there.”
“I think we went over everything what we didn’t I’m sure they can find out from you.” Mr. Cates stated. He dismissed them a few minutes later and Liz and Michael followed their uncle out.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Sophia wiped down the diner counter for the tenth time in the last fifteen minutes. She couldn’t help it, she was nervous. Today was the day her cousins would be back. They had been close but she hadn’t seen them in eight years. What would they be like? Her dad had told her that they had both made the ‘change’. Would they treat her like other members of the pack did, like a half-breed? From what she remembered she couldn’t imagine either of them acting like that but people changed. She glanced up at the clock and saw that she had only fifteen minutes until she was supposed to be off. The diner was almost empty, only a few people were there. She turned to wipe off the counter behind her when she felt Luke enter. He was watching her again; she could feel his eyes on her back.
She could hear him walk up and take a seat at the counter, “You know you can’t keep ignoring me.”
“I sure can try.” Sophia stated turning around. She was still mad at him for the little scene in front of Scott. She had been having a great time with Scott and he had even kissed her. But then Luke Cates had the nerve to come and tell her that he was taking her away. All because he didn’t want her to go out with a human even if she was half.
“Why are you still mad?” Luke asked.
“Oh, I don’t know maybe because you ruined my date by acting like a Neanderthal?” Sophia said sarcastically. “Like you were some big caveman that had the right to drag off what you thought was yours?”
Before he could say anything Sophia threw down the rag and said, “You know what Luke? I’m not going to get into this with you. I’ve too much other stuff on my mind.”
Luke looked at her and could see she was worried over something. And he thought he knew what. “You’re thinking about your cousins aren’t you?”
Sophia’s eyes snapped up but she said nothing. Her reaction proved Luke’s statement right. “I saw them. They were at the house talking to my Dad.”
“What did you think of them?” Sophia asked momentarily forgetting she was upset with Luke.
“Michael seemed cool but Liz seemed a little I don’t know mad I guess.” Luke said shrugging.
“Well wouldn’t you be? Knowing Tyler I doubt he was friendly when he drug them back.” Sophia said. She glanced up at the clock. “My shifts over.”
Sophia headed to the back to change into her street clothes before sneaking out the back door hoping to avoid Luke. She wanted to try and get home before her dad. They had already cleaned the house up and Sophia thought she’d start dinner so they could all eat together.
Luke knew that Sophia snuck out the back door to avoid him. He needed to figure out how to talk to her. Luke shook his head in exasperation. There’s no doubt that he was attracted to her. He’d never reacted with anyone the way he did with her. The night last week was completely unlike him. He had a bad temper, yes, but he had never gotten upset just because some girl that he wanted to fuck went out on a date. Other times he would’ve just laughed and waited for the girl to come to him not stalking her and then beating up her date. But if he was completely honest with himself, he’d have to admit that he cared about Sophia Donner a lot, maybe too much.
Part 18
“I know you guys just got here but I have to lay down some rules while you stay with us.” Matt stated as he drove them to his house. He saw both of the twins nod so he went on. “You guys will be in at curfew, go to school on time, keep up your grades, the usual stuff. But I want to add some. I know you both have gone through the change and I know you’ll want to go on runs through the woods and as long as you stay out of trouble and obey the curfew rules, we won’t have a problem. But no flipping in the house, okay?”
“Got it.” Michael answered just as Liz said, “Sure, Uncle Matt.”
“I’m not going to sugarcoat it for you. Things are probably going to be a little strange for you two here. The pack is going to be weary of you, you’re not outsiders but you have been living away. Most of the humans around here aren’t going to be like the ones you’re used to living around. They know about us, and they might shy away from you. Not all of them but they might.” Matt finished saying. “Now Michael you’ll be in the guestroom and Liz will be bunking in with Sophia. If that is okay?”
“That’d be fine.” Liz answered. She wondered if Sophia would have email, maybe she could get a message to Max. She wouldn’t tell him where she was but that she was okay and that she loved him. She’d also tell him how sorry she was that she left. Of course then it would probably bring up more questions for him about her. Maybe it’d be better if she didn’t talk to him. But it was hard. She had only been just over a day but to her it seemed like forever.
They pulled up outside of the house. Neither one could see too much of a difference since the last time they had been there except everything seemed smaller. Like things tend to when you remember them through the eyes of a child. Liz grabbed her backpack and purse to follow her uncle and brother to the front door.
Sophia watched from the front window and saw her cousins with her dad, she had heard his Explorer coming a block away and felt her anxiety heighten. ‘Calm down, they’re just your cousins.’ Sophia chastised herself. She was hopping her and Liz as well as Michael could be close. Then maybe she wouldn’t feel like such an outsider. And she could talk to someone else besides Luke about flipping.
The three made their way inside. Liz saw Sophia waiting nervously in the middle of the living room. Liz could see a lot of the same girl that she used to always play with in her face especially with the glasses. But like everyone else she had changed over the years. She gave her cousin the warmest smile she could, “Hey Sophia.”
Sophia smiled back, “Hey Liz.”
“I think this is the quietest I’ve ever seen two girls be in one room.” Michael joked. They all laughed which broke the uneasiness. Liz and Sophia moved to hug then Sophia went to hug Michael, “I see you haven’t changed any Goober.”
“Hey, just because I haven’t seen you in years does not give you the right to call me horrible kid nicknames.”
“Yes it does.” Sophia stated. She was glad everything seemed to be okay with the three of them. “Dinner’s almost ready. If you guys want to sit down, I’ll get it.”
“I’ll help.” Liz said following Sophia into the kitchen. Sophia showed her around the kitchen, where stuff was and they both headed out with the food.
As they sat down to eat Liz asked, “Uncle Matt said you just off work before we got here. Where do you work?”
“I’m a waitress over at the Lodge.” Sophia answered.
“Do you think I could get a job there? I used to waitress back home, in Roswell.” Liz said. She might be living in Wolf Lake but she still considered Roswell home.
Sophia smiled. She liked the thought of Liz working with her. “I’m not sure but I could talk to Rusty and see. We can even go tomorrow.”
“That would be great especially if I don’t have to wear antennas.” Liz stated.
Their uncle choked slightly on his food, “Antennas?”
Michael chuckled, “The restaurant we both worked out cashed in on the whole crash rumor. They had alien stuff everywhere.”
“Yeah, we had to wear these sea foam colored dresses with aprons that looked like large silver alien heads and antenna headbands. Not the best look.” Liz explained.
“Well our uniforms are pretty plain. And no headbands.” Sophia stated.
“Then somebody up there loves me.”
Part 19
By the time dinner was over they had caught up on quite a bit. Michael and Liz talked about how they had done in school, Liz with her sciences and Michael with his art, and told them about their parents. They didn’t go into the personal stuff though. Their uncle and Sophia caught them up on the happening of Wolf Lake. When they were finished with dinner and clean up it was late and their uncle took Michael to the guestroom while Sophia took Liz to her room that they’d be sharing.
“I cleared out some room for your clothes and stuff. I wasn’t sure how much stuff you’d be allowed to bring.” Sophia said cursing herself for reminding Liz that she had been torn away from her home.
Liz saw Sophia cringe at her own words, “Tyler let us bring as much as we could pack up, I still had to leave quite a bit of stuff behind. And it’s okay. I don’t want you to feel like you have to be on pins and needles about what you say. I don’t mind talking about it, it even helps.”
As Liz started to unpack Sophia pulled a photo album out from under her bed and said, “I got all of your postcards. I saved them and put them in here.”
Liz was shocked that Sophia still had them. Against the better judgement of her parents Liz had started sending Sophia postcards right after they left. She’d buy them to show where they had gone even after they had settled in Roswell and had gone on summer trips. They were left blank with only Sophia’s name and address; she had done that so at first glance no one would know who they were from. The only place she hadn’t sent one from was Roswell. She flipped through the pages and smiled at the memories. There was even one she had sent the past summer when her friends, Michael, Max and her had taken a road trip to San Antonio and gone to Six Flags. She pointed at it and said, “Everyone wanted to ride Joker’s Revenge for the thousandth time so I acted like I needed to go to the bathroom and sent that. It was a great trip.”
“Sounds like fun.” Sophia stated. “You know I was worried about how you and Michael would be when you got here.”
“Why?” Liz asked as she moved back over to her bed.
“Well Dad told me you two had flipped and most of the pack here ignores humans as much as they can and since I’m half….” Sophia trailed off. She felt like she didn’t fit in with the pack or with humans.
“You thought I would ignore you.” Liz finished. “Hey, most of my favorite people are humans. They’re just like me just less fur.”
Sophia laughed at Liz’s statement. “I wish the rest of the pack felt the same way.”
“Can I ask you a question?” Liz asked.
“Sure.”
“I know you haven’t flipped but have you shown any symptoms?” Liz asked.
“How do you know I haven’t flipped?”
“Just a feeling. I don’t think Uncle Matt would make a rule that we couldn’t flip in the house if you had.” Liz explained.
“You’re right, I haven’t. And yes, I have shown some signs over the last few weeks.” Sophia said.
“Let me guess? Over sensitive senses, glowing eyes?” At Sophia’s nod Liz went on. “I first flipped just over a week ago so it’s easy to remember. Michael’s first was a month ago.”
“What was it like?”
“I won’t lie, it was painful as hell. I knew what to expect I had been there when Michael flipped. I was at a party when it started; thankfully Michael was close by and got me out of there. But after I got through the first time, it was like for the first time I was finally fitting into my skin. I had always wanted a normal life even denied it that I was going through the change but I found that by doing that I denied myself a part of me. I could still be a Skinwalker and live my life.”
“So it didn’t freak you out about loosing control and becoming an animal?”
Liz shrugged, “After the first time you get control.”
“Someone told me that having sex can jumpstart it.”
“My parents told me the same thing, they wanted me to be careful when I was with…someone.” Liz said. “But you don’t have to. Is there anything else you want to know?”
“Not right now.”
“Well if you do, just ask me.” Liz said.
“Am I going to have to hear the two of you yacking all night?” They heard Michael ask from the doorway. Liz and Sophia both grabbed pillows and threw them at him. He caught both of them as he moved forward. He plopped down on the floor in front and leaned back on Liz’s legs. His room was right next to theirs and had heard them talking. “I’ll never get any sleep if you two are up talking.”
“Yeah, right. You sleep like the dead.” Liz said rolling her eyes.
“Well at least I don’t talk in my sleep. Or do you not remember the last time you did when other people were around?” Michael teased. Liz’s eyes widened in remembrance of the time Isabel and Ava stayed over and she accidentally called out Max’s name when she was sleeping. She grabbed another pillow and started hitting him with it of course Michael retaliated and when Sophia joined in it became an all-out fight. They only stopped when they heard Matt clear his throat. They all looked at him like little kids caught with their hands in the cookie jar.
Matt smiled at the kids, “Your parents got settled and since their SUV just got dropped off since they won’t be able to use it.”
“Does that mean Liz and I get to use it?” Michael asked.
Matt dangled the keys; “Yup but you have to share it.”
He tossed them to Michael but Liz snatched them before he could catch them. “I think I better keep these. Michael has a tendency to loose stuff.”
Matt nodded while Michael scowled. It wasn’t long before Michael and Matt left. Both girls changed into their sleeping clothes and went to bed.
Part 20
Takes place at the same time as Liz/Michael's reunion with Sophia
Max lay in his room on his bed listening to his stereo ignoring his sister’s insistent knocking. It had been a few days since he, Alex, and Ava had found out that Liz and her family was gone. They had called Kyle’s dad, the town Sheriff, and reported what they had found. They had gotten reamed for leaving school early and going into the house but had admitted that everything looked suspicious. The department wouldn’t do an official investigation until they had been gone a week but the Sheriff had looked into it on his own time. He was friends with both the Parkers and was curious what had happened. With Max’s dad’s help they had started looking into what might had happened. There was no sign of a struggle although there was some places in the backyard that had been trampled like someone had possibly been watching. But that was it, no word from any of them.
There were a couple of strange things his dad and the sheriff had found. Their bank accounts were worked to go into a frozen state if not used for in a month; something that was unusual except for people who left the country for extended periods of time. His dad had also found out that the house contract had a clause that it was to be reclaimed by the bank if the Parkers were to somehow become missing for the same amount of time. It was suspicious, like the Parkers had planned for the possibility that they would disappear.
Isabel gave up doing the polite thing by knocking and just barged in. She headed right to Max’s stereo and turned down the Counting Crows. She then turned to where her brother laid on the bed. She, along with almost everyone else was worried about him. While their friends missed Michael and Liz, Max had been hit hardest. He had been going to school and work but they could tell he was just going through the motions. The only time his mood changed was when he was working to find Liz. “Max, Mom wants you for dinner.”
“I’ll be out in a few minutes.” Max muttered.
“No, you’ll come out now.” Isabel stated. She moved to sit down next to him on the bed. “Max, Liz is one of my best friends and I miss her just like you do but I think you might want to face it that she’s not coming back.”
“Isabel, something happened to them. They didn’t just disappear.” Max stated.
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because Liz wouldn’t be with me one night then just leave if she had a choice.” Max muttered more to himself but his sister heard.
Isabel had already figured out that Max and Liz had slept together the night before it was discovered that the Parkers were gone. Max’s statement only confirmed it. “Max, I don’t think she would but maybe she wanted to say goodbye.”
Max felt his anger rise at his sister. "Get out."
"Max." Isabel started to say but Max got up and started leading her to the door. "I said get out."
Max opened the door to push his sister out of the room but saw his dad was on the other side. "Hey dad."
"Hey kids. I was wondering if we could talk?"
There was something about the expression on his dad's face that told Max it was serious, "Sure Dad."
The three made their way back inside Max's room and sat down. When they were sitting when he started, "Jim and I found out more information on Michael and Liz."
"What? Did you find out where they might be?" Max asked enthusiastically.
"No, we were looking into their records and found that the birth certificates are fake." Philip explained.
Max and Isabel were in shock. "Fake?"
"Yes, it appears that the Parkers forged the records probably when they came to town." Philip stated.
"But why?" Max asked.
"I don't know Max. There could be several reasons. They couldn't use the real ones or it's entirely possible that Liz and Michael aren't even the Parkers kids."
Max shook his head. "No, I know that they are their kids. I've seen their baby pictures."
"Me, too. And they look like their parents." Isabel added.
"Well kids, the only other thing I can come up with is when they came to Roswell they were running from something and it caught up with them. Jim and I will keep looking but we're reaching nothing but dead ends. I don't know what else we could do. I'll tell your mom you’ll be out in a few minutes." Philip said before leaving.
"Max, do you think what Dad said is true? That the Parkers were running from something?" Isabel asked.
Max reached over and picked up a picture of Liz off his side table. It was right next to a group photo. "I don't know Iz. It would explain a lot.”
As they went out, Max’s mind was running a mile a minute, had Liz been hiding some big secret from him?
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
The next day-Wolf Lake
Matt let the kids sleep in the next day knowing they probably hadn’t slept much in the previous days. Sophia was first up then Liz. Michael came trudging in shortly after. He stumbled over to where the coffeepot sat. “Morning.”
“Actually its afternoon.” Matt stated.
“Whatever.” Michael muttered half asleep.
“Well I have to get ready to go to the station. You kids be okay?”
“We’ll be fine. Sophia said she was going to take us around Wolf Lake, you know get familiar with it again.” Liz answered.
“Good. Then I’ll see you later.” Matt said before kissing Sophia on the head and leaving the room.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
“And this is the wonderful Lodge diner.” Sophia said jokingly. Her, Liz and Michael had gotten an even later start than they had planned since all three of them had to eat, shower etc. By the time that they reached the lodge it was early evening and the diner was almost empty. The patrons that were there made Sophia loose her joking mood.
Liz felt Sophia tense up, “What?”
“Nothing.” Sophia said. Liz looked in the direction that Sophia had been looking at. She saw a group of four teenagers, a girl and three guys, one of who was Luke Cates. Because they were with him she knew they were pack. As she watched them play pool she saw Luke look up at them and smirk before yelling, “Michael, want to play?”
Michael looked over at the group then back at his sister and cousin, “Grab me when you guys are done.”
Liz nodded and Michael headed over to the table. Liz noticed that the other three members of the pack were watching them closely, two guys, one girl, and the guys focusing mostly on Michael while the girl was on Liz. Liz also noticed that Luke watched neither one of them. His focus was solely on Sophia in more than a friend’s way. Sophia pulled on her arm, “Come on, let’s go talk to Rusty.”
Michael watched the girls go through the back door to what he figured was the kitchen as he walked up to the pool table. He like Liz knew that they were pack. He nodded to Luke, “Who should I play?”
“Me. The rest of these guys don’t give any competition. This is Sean, Randy, and the blonde is Presley.” Luke stated, “And you guys know this is Michael Donner.”
The guys nodded towards Michael while Presley smiled at him in a way that Michael figured she thought was sexy. Michael sort of remembered the three of them from before.
“So I guess Liz is going to get a job here.” Luke said.
“Yeah, Sophia took her to talk to her boss.” Michael stated as he watched Luke break.
“Damn, Mikey your sister is hot.” Sean stated. He had caught sight of Liz Donner the moment she walked in the door. He couldn’t take his eyes off of her until she had disappeared behind the door; he’d definitely have to talk to her soon.
“For one thing, don’t call me Mikey, secondly she is not hot, she is my sister. That excludes her from the hot category, got me?” Michael said as he took his shot. He eyed Sean to see what he’d say.
“Gotcha ya.” Sean stated. The game went for awhile Michael and Luke tied in the number of balls left on the table.
"So it must be a bitch living with the Sheriff and the half-breed." Presley stated
Michael couldn’t believe the nerve of this girl but before he could say anything he heard his sister’s voice behind him. “Who do you think you are calling Sophia that?”
Michael, Presley and the three boys turned to see that Sophia and Liz had came back out. Liz was standing with her hands on her hips and Michael could tell Presley was in for it. Not that she didn’t deserve it, Michael would have stepped in but his sister was scary when she was like this. Michael and Liz were very protective of each other but also of their friends and family.
Liz was fuming despite the good mood she had just been in when Rusty had told her she had the job. Nope that happiness had flown out the window when she had come back and heard some girl calling her cousin such a horrid name.
Presley just eyed the new female, instantly not liking her. No one spoke to her like that. “You haven’t been around here for awhile so I’ll let that slide this once.”
“You can let whatever you want to slide but I’m not. You have no right to call Sophia names.” Liz stated.
“And whose going to stop me? You? I don’t think so.” Presley challenged.
Liz took the challenge and stepped forward. “I doubt you think at all.”
Liz could see that she had struck a nerve at what she said, that was when Luke stepped up. “Both of you cool it.”
“But Luke…” Presley started to argue.
“Zip it Presley. Liz is right, Sophia is one of us and should be treated like it.” Luke stated in a tone that left no room for argument.
Sophia grabbed Liz’s arm and started to pull her away. “Let’s get out of here. You still have some stuff to unpack to get ready for school tomorrow.”
Liz looked to Michael; he nodded to and said, “Go on. I’ll be home soon.”
Liz knew he was going to make sure Presley didn’t run her mouth after they left so she conceded and the two headed out the door.
Part 21
"God, are all female pack like that? Or is that just Presley?" Liz asked furiously as soon as they were out the door of the lodge.
"Please don't consider all of us in the same category as her." Liz and Sophia heard another voice say, a female one. They turned to look at the person who had spoke. It was a girl about their age, blonde hair down to her shoulder and green eyes. "Let me guess, Presley running her mouth again. Acting all high and mighty?"
"Doesn't know how to shut her mouth." Liz stated.
"I think I like you." The blonde said. "I'm Maria, Maria Deluca."
"I'm Liz..."
"Donner. I know. News travels fast Wolf Lake especially with members of the pack." Maria finished.
"Really?" Liz asked.
"Girl, you're the hottest news this town has seen in months. After all your family was the second capture this year." Maria stated.
"Who else?" Liz asked.
"Ruby Cates. It was over half a year ago though." Maria explained.
"Ruby Cates? As in the Alpha's daughter?" Liz asked.
"Yep." Maria stated. "You and I are going to be good friends, I'll keep you up on all the gossip."
"Maria was in a different elementary class than us before so you probably don't remember her." Sophia stated. She liked Maria. She was always so nice just like her friend Sara despite the fact Sophia was only half wolf. They didn't appear to look down on her like most of the others.
"Well I hope we're in lots of classes now." Liz said. Maria seemed cool, and she had a feeling that they could be friends.
"If I don't see you before, I'll see you in Mr. Blackstone's class. Now I better get inside before they call off my set." Maria stated.
"Set?" Liz asked.
"Maria sings in the bar. She's really good."
"Ain't too many places to sing in Wolf Lake so I do it every chance I get. Bye." Maria waved before heading inside.
Liz and Sophia started heading for home. Since Sophia had been showing them around town and it was small, the three of them had walked there so now they had to walk back. They hadn't been walking about five minutes when Liz said, "Okay, I've got to know. What is up with you and Luke?"
"There's nothing between me and Luke." Sophia said a little too quickly.
"Uh Huh. That's why he didn't take his eyes off you the whole time we were there?" Liz teased.
Sophia sighed, "To tell you the truth I'm not sure. He's goes back and forth. It's like one minute he acts like he likes me then the next he's..." She trailed off.
"He's what?" Liz asked.
Sophia tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and said, "Over the last few months I've been talking to Luke about changing. You know stuff that Dad won't talk about. We got closer and then one night he invited me to a rave out at the lake. I took it as us going together. When I got there I couldn't find him right off and danced with Randy, the taller blonde that was with Luke. After the dance he pointed me in Luke's direction. I wondered into the woods and saw him having sex with Presley."
"NNNOOO." Liz said interrupting.
Sophia nodded. "I took off, ran. Later he told me he had sex with her because she was there. That he was with her because I had told him that I wasn't ready and he was respecting my decision."
"What a bunch of shit." Liz stated.
"And then he ruined my date. I went out with this guy from school, Scott, a human. We had just gotten done eating pizza and were walking down the street. Scott and I began to kiss when Luke came tearing down the street in his car. He jumped out, threw Scott away and tried to drag me back to his car like I was his." Sophia explained.
"So he could bang someone else but you couldn't date? How one-sided." Liz said.
"I was so mad at him. I grabbed him and flung him back into his car. He went through the windshield of his car." Sophia said.
"Oh God." Liz said unable to hole back a little bit of laughter at the thought of her cousin tossing the Alpha's son like that. Then it hit her how she had done it. "That's what you were talking about when you said you had symptoms."
Sophia nodded. "I ran to the station wanting dad's help. He told me my eyes were glowing. He got me calmed down and I haven't had another episode like that since."
"Sophia, I'm speaking from experience when I say once you go that far you're going to flip." Liz stated. "There's no going back."
"I'm just scared, it's not Dad has been forth coming with answers and he basically tried to bar be from seeing Luke." Sophia stated.
"Speaking of Luke again, what happened after he went all territorial and you calmed down?" Liz asked.
"Nothing. I've avoided him as best I could and when I couldn't I spoke in monosyllabic answers." Sophia answered.
"And what do you want to happen?" Liz asked.
"What do you mean?"
"With Luke. It's obvious you still like him despite what's happened. So what are you going to do about it?" Liz asked. Normally she wouldn't want her cousin to get involved with someone who had already hurt her but she could tell that Luke Cates was where Sophia's heart was set on.
"I don't know, what do you think?"
"I think if you want to be with him, fight for him. But let him suffer for a little bit so he knows that he can't hurt you again." Liz said. "Then once he's suffered grab on to him and never let go."
Sophia looked at Liz and asked, "You had to let go didn't you? When you left Roswell you were forced to let him go."
"Yeah," Liz answered. They arrived at the house and saw that they were the only ones home. They went in through the kitchen door and Sophia grabbed a container of ice cream out of the freezer and two spoons. "Why don't you tell me about him?"
Liz grabbed a spoon and sat down deciding she needed to talk to someone.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
The song in this part is Kissing You (Love Theme from Romeo + Juliet) by Des'ree
A voice from the lounge across from the diner caused Michael to look up from the pool table. The voice was sultry as it sung. “What is that?”
“What?” Randy asked.
“That singing.” Michael said.
“That just the singer in the lounge.” Luke answered. “Come on.”
The five of them headed for the lounge. As they entered Michael’s attention was drawn to the stage. He caught sight of a beautiful blonde. She was a few inches taller than his sister with a curvy body and full lips. Lips that moved over the words she sang.
Pride can stand a thousand trials
The strong will never fall
But watching stars without you
My soul cry
Heaving hard is full of pain
Oooh, oooh, the aching
'Cause I'm kissing you, oooh
I'm kissing you, oooh
Maria put everything she had into her singing. She loved to sing, if she could leave Wolf Lake she’d probably go to New York to pursue a career. But that wouldn’t be. Maria looked up at the audience and caught sight of some teen pack had come in. She caught site of one she didn’t recognize and knew that he had to be Michael Donner. He was tall with spiky hair and a smirk on his face she was sure was always there. She had to say he was good looking, extremely so. It would be nice to have a little change in the regular guys in Wolf Lake.
Touch me deep, pure and true
Give to me forever
'Cause I'm kissing you, oooh
I'm kissing you, oooh
Where are you now
Where are you now
'Cause I'm kissing you
I'm kissing you, oooh
Michael couldn’t take his eyes off of her. Michael was starting to be able to tell humans and wolves apart on site. And by the way she seemed to be staring back at him, with an animal quality she was most definitely wolf. He needed to find out about her, “Who is she?”
Luke was the one to answer him, “Her name’s Maria Deluca, she’s same age as us. She’s Sean’s cousin.”
Maria’s song ended and the room was filled in applause. Michael was about to head over to her and talk to her when Luke grabbed his arm. “Her set just started. She’ll be up there for awhile. You can catch her after or tomorrow at school.”
Michael nodded. They went back to play some more pool. He didn’t get a chance to see Maria, she must have slipped out when she was done. He would have to find her at school.
Part 22
Liz dug her spoon in and pulled out a large bite as she thought of where to start. “His name is Max. I met him the first day we moved to Roswell. We were unpacking when the doorbell rang. I ran to answer it and when I opened the door there stood a woman with two kids, a dark haired little boy and a blonde girl. It was Max and Isabel. They were there to welcome us. They lived close by and saw us moving in. Michael and Dad joined us and the four of us became friends. Later they introduced us to another three of their friends and we became inseparable. Max and I were really close friends, we talked and spent a lot of time together. I knew I was falling in love with him but didn’t want to ruin our friendship. Then a year ago that Max and I became more. We were studying when he suddenly kissed me.”
Sophia smiled she could see the love in Liz’s eyes when she talked about Max, “Sounds sweet.”
“It was. Mom, Dad, and Michael gave me a hard time at first but I’m stubborn and I won. They let me date Max without giving me a hard time.” Liz explained.
“And Max didn’t know that you were a wolf?” Sophia asked as the two girls cleaned up the kitchen and headed upstairs.
“No, I never said anything. Except for Mom and Dad's enhanced senses being able to pick up when we were getting ‘excited’ while we were making out nothing ever came up until I first flipped. That party I was at? I was with Max at the time.” Liz explained as she looked over her stuff she had yet to unpack. She tossed everything on the floor deciding to do it later. But did grab a picture of Max to show Sophia. She knew Sophia had seen the pictures but Liz hadn’t told her who any of them were. “That’s him.”
“He’s cute.” Sophia stated. “So when you first started to flip, he didn’t see you?”
“Nope, thanks to Michael. But until I got the hang of it I put some distance between us. We had just gotten back together the night Tyler showed up.” Liz said thinking about the time she had spent in Max’s bed. She could still feel his lips, the softness and the heat of his skin, and the pure ecstasy he had brought to her body. She was thinking of it so much she almost didn’t hear Sophia’s question. “Did you two ever…..?”
“Sleep together?” Liz finished.
“Yeah.”
“The night we had to leave. So it ended up being the best and worse night of my life.” Liz said as she settled into bed. It wasn’t long before she was asleep dreaming of Max.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
The next day Liz woke up by her alarm disturbing a very pleasant dream involving Max. Then she started to feel nervous about school. She didn't know what to expect. She dressed simply in a pair of black hiphuggers and a white babydoll shirt. She left her hair down and put on some light makeup. The last thing she put on was a silver necklace Ava had given her. She grabbed her backpack, which only held a few notebooks and pens and headed out of the room. Sophia had gone to get ready in the bathroom after Liz was done so Liz headed to see how her brother was. She knocked lightly on his door and heard a mumble that she took as for her to come in. She opened the door and saw Michael was sprawled across his bed in his boxers. She would have thought he hadn't gotten up at all if his hair hadn't been wet. He and their uncle were sharing one bathroom while Sophia and Liz shared another. She hopped on the bed and started jumping up and down. "Wake up! Wake up!"
"Liz, if you love me you'll stop." Michael pleaded.
Liz plopped down next to him. "You have ten minutes to get downstairs for breakfast and then another fifteen before we leave. Come on, I'll even pick out your clothes."
"Great," Michael mumbled. Liz went to her brother's closet and started going through his clothes. She picked out a simple black T-shirt, a pair of jeans and his black doc martens. She kicked Michael's leg and dropped his clothes on him before leaving. She headed downstairs and into the kitchen where their uncle was making breakfast. Sophia and Michael joined them shortly after then the kids headed to school. Michael parked the truck and they headed inside.
Michael, Liz, and Sophia entered the building and began moving towards the office. The normal humans felt their hair stand up on end as they watched them move, although they did not know why. The Pack did. This was the first time most of them had seen the twins since they had been back so they looked them over. Both were moving with the swift, fluid, and grace of wolves. A few of the smarter Skinwalkers quickly reevaluated their opinions of Liz and Michael. They would be someone to reckon with. They might not have lived in Wolf Lake all of their life but they was far from weak.
"Here you guys go. There's two dean of students, one for each group. You're supposed to talk to Mr. Devane. He'll get your schedules together." Sophia explained. "I'll be back after first period to show you where your classes are."
"Thanks Sophia." Liz said. Sophia hurried off to her locker and the two went into the office. Mr. Devane was waiting for them. After finding out what classes they were in at their school in Roswell and looking through the classes available Liz and Michael were able to get their schedules by the end of the period. They walked out and saw Sophia as well as Maria waiting for them. "Hey petunia. Sophia told me you were getting your schedule and I just had to see what classes they stuck you with."
Michael couldn't believe that the girl he'd been eyeing last night was standing right in front of him and apparently knew his sister. He watched Sophia and Maria look over Liz's schedule before Liz remembered Michael didn't know Maria. "Maria, this is my brother, Michael. Michael this is Maria Deluca."
"Hey." Michael greeted as Sophia snagged his schedule to look it over.
"Articulate aren't we?" Maria joked. "We better get to class. I'll see you in fifth, Liz. Bye Sophia."
"Actually Michael's in the same English class as you, think you could show him the way?" Sophia asked.
"Sure, come on." Maria said trying to lead Michael down the hall. It was bustling with kids and Michael could see they were all trying to check out the new kid. But his attention was on Maria. "So you must have made quiet an impression."
"What?" Michael asked confused.
"I noticed you hanging out with Luke Cates and his little group last night including my cousin Sean. They're usually pretty selective about whose allowed in their group. And didn't think you'd been here long enough to impress them that much." Maria stated.
"Luke and I used to be friends before we moved away and he was the first our age we saw when we first came back, including Sophia. Luke and I get along and the other two are okay. It's better than spending all of my time with females."
"And what is wrong with females?" Maria asked as she placed her hands on her hips.
"Uh," Michael stuttered, "Nothing. It's just I'm used to having guys around to hang out with."
Maria smiled and leaned in close to his ear and asked in a husky voice, "And would hanging out with me alone be so terrible?"
Michael gulped. He was completely confused now. One minute this girl was getting mad because she thought he was insulting women then the next she was almost coming on to him. Not to mention he felt tongue-tied with her, something he never was. Finally he did untangle his tongue. "No, that wouldn't be bad at all."
"Good to know. Here's our class." Maria said pointing to a door then to a teacher next to it. "Ms. Topolsky, this is a new student, Michael Donner."
Then before Michael could get in another word Maria ducked into the classroom leaving him with the teacher. The teacher told him the information he needed to know as well as gave him a seat. Michael groaned when he saw it was on the opposite side as Maria.
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