The Lycan Within

c. twenty five

"For the love of God, Benjamin!" I said, placing a hand on his chest to steady myself as I jumped up, reaching for the hair dryer he held high over his head. I didn't have many pet peeves, but this was most certainly one of them, and Sebastian only leaned on the bed post, stifling a laugh as he watched the two of us.

"God? You're a lycan sweetheart, you mean Goddess," he says, his hand easily raised up into the air and I tried once more to reach it. I smirked as an idea came to me, and instead of jumping I took a simple step back. He looked down at me with an amused smile and I returned the gesture, which slowly became a chuckle at the way his features contorted into one of utter pain as my fist retreated from his stomach. As I'd hoped he would, he keeled over and with him, came down the hair dryer which I gladly took from him

"You do know you could've asked for help," Sebastian's smooth voice said, and I only glared at him, at which he cleared his throat, feigning seriousness.

"I was clearly coping," I said, at which he cracked a smile as I happily put the small device away. I turned to find Benjamin sulking and as he caught my gaze, he squinted at me.

"I think I definitely preferred you and Catori not being friends, now you're learning from her," he grumbled, at which a small giggle from the doorway came and I turned to find Catori and Irene both stood in the doorway.

"It would've happened eventually, I don't think you realize how infuriating you can be," she said with a shrug, as the two of them walked over, sitting on either side of Benjamin on the brown love seat as I moved to stand beside Sebastian, who immediately put an arm around my waist, pulling me closer to his warm body. My cheeks burned as tingles erupted where our skin touched and a small smile tugged at my lips.

"Catori, why do you hurt me so?" Ben said, placing a hand over his heart, as he wiped away non-existant tears.

"When you live as long as we do, only two things don't lose value," she said, looking over at him a bored expression on her face, a much better replacement to the permanent snarl that used to linger on her face. "Sex, and bothering you," she said with utmost seriousness. Sebastian pulled me even closer, his grip on my waist stiffening and I couldn't help the dirty thoughts that ran wild in my head. My body reacted accordingly, and I noticed the deep laboured breaths Sebastian was taking. His hand lowered dangerously to my hip, and at this point, I couldn't hear what the other three in the room were saying. I dared to look up at him, and his predatory gaze was already upon me. His eyes had darkened lustfully, and he winked at me, before turning to the others, although I noticed the red tinge in his cheeks.

"So, who's going to tell her?" he said, and I quirked my head sideways as I looked to them all.

"Well, kiddo," came the voice of Benjamin, "Shifting makes you one of us, for real. You're joining our pack tomorrow," he said with a smile, and I couldn't help the tears that prickled at my eyes.

"So, we become a real family?" I ask tentatively, and Irene coos, alongside Benjamin ss even Catori's expressing softens. Sebastian pulls me from his side and into his arms as he rubs my back gently whispering gently into my hair as he nuzzles his head there.

"You've always been family, as much as I detest you," said Benjamin and I growled playfully, which he returned.

"But yes, we become a real family," finished Catori and I looked around, my heart swelling with joy and contempt.

*

I groaned as the sunlight filtered in through the curtains, and I turned seeking solace in the warm, dark space of Sebastians grip, and a deep chuckle rumbled from his chest.

"Well, princess, had it been any other day, I'd let you sleep for as long as you like, but we have a busy day ahead of us," he says, his husky morning voice a melody to my ears. He presses a gentle kiss to my forehead, before suddenly his warmth is gone and suddenly Irene's shrill voice is all I hear.