I have a layover right now for three hours, so I'm gonna knock out a chapter for y'all :)

Chapter Quote:
"There's nothing quite like a really good kiss."
~Shay Doran, Nightshade
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Chapter 6

Caleb 

Over the course of next two weeks, I convinced Elaine to let me help her clean up after we were done eating.  Callie dragged Spencer to dance class each day.  He told me he actually enjoyed it, or at least when they learned hip hop.  Ballroom was another story apparently.  Lily would always walk sleepily into the kitchen after they left.  She was obviously not a morning person.

"Morning Sleeping Beauty," I greeted.

"Shut up, Prince Phillip," she grunted.

"I made you a plate for when you woke up.  It's in the fridge," Elaine informed.  Lily thanked her and heated up her meal.  She sat at the bar and began eating.  Her eyes turned on me as she said, "So, you're still here?  I thought you'd be gone by now?"

"I'm not sure where to go from here yet.  I might be around for a few more days."

"Good, because I'm the awkward third wheel when it comes to Callie and Spencer and I typically don't have anyone to hang out with when they're gone.  Let's go out to the woods.  I'll show you around our territory."

"Sounds like a deal.  I have nothing to do today so I don't see the harm," I said.

"Just be careful you two.  You may be alphas but you're still young," Elaine warned.

"I'm always careful," Lily declared.

"Debatable."

"You're definitely always blunt," I remarked.

"You're always a smart-ass," she countered.

"Only to you."

"I'm flattered.  Okay, let me get dressed and I'll be ready." Lily disappeared upstairs for ten minutes before reappearing in shorts and a tank top with some sort of sleeveless jacket over it (I don't know what they're called- I'm no fashion expert).  She led me out the door and shifted into wolf form.  I debated telling her about my ability to change coat colors but I decided against it.  They already thought I was weird enough.  No need to give them any more reason to at the moment.

Okay, so seriously, who are you?  You seem pretty trustworthy but you have way too many secrets.  Spill. Lily ordered.

You do know you're not my alpha, right? I queried.

Just because you're an alpha doesn't mean you can waltz into our lives and just live with us without telling us exactly who you are.  Obviously you don't want us to know because you think we're going to send you back but we're not.  It's not like we're kidnapping you and you're American.  I doubt they're going to look for you in Canada.

I mentally sighed, making sure she knew it too.  I stopped next to a tree and shifted forms.  I sat against the trunk.  Lily sat in front of me, leaning back on her hands and legs crossed in front of her.

"All right, you want to know about my family?  Here I go.  My family has been through a lot and I'm probably putting them through more crap by leaving but it's for the better.  I was just a bitter reminder for them and I didn't want to be.  My brother was an ass who wouldn't let me live my mistake down even though I was doing that job just fine on my own... thing is he was right.  It was my fault and just because I know it doesn't mean I wanted him bringing it up every time he got the chance.  I still love him but I couldn't handle it anymore.  I couldn't handle him yelling at me.  And then my dad... he never trusted me to be alone to watch any more of my siblings afterwards.  Whenever we went on hunts or whenever we had to go to the store, unless someone else was there with me to watch my siblings, he wouldn't leave me alone.  I didn't like the feeling of not being trusted, of feeling that I couldn't go to anyone to talk to.  And then my brother Hunter and I got into massive fights which sent me over the edge.  In our last one I got a black eye.  He got a bruised cheek.  It was so stupid but we fought over everything and I was tired of it.  So I left.  I packed some clothes, my laptop, some snacks, and left.  Three weeks in the wilderness before Elaine and Michael found me, and now I'm here with no plan on where to go next, no idea how I'm going to get money... I didn't think this totally through which is obvious but I couldn't stand being home anymore."

Lily appeared deep in thought. "I don't understand something though."

"What is it?"

"You said something caused your brother and father to never trust you again, but what was it?"

I felt my eyes stinging from tears but I forced them away before I spoke.  I still had trouble speaking about this.  I'd always have trouble speaking about this. "My youngest sister, Elsa, she had twin named Anna.  About two years ago, I was watching Anna while the rest of our pack went hunting because she was sick and I had a project to finish for school.  Three hunters broke into our house and tried to kill me.  They killed Anna in front of me.  I don't remember much after that.  I woke up in my room with my mom at my bedside."

"How is that your fault though?  You were what... twelve?  You, a twelve year old against three trained Hunters, had no chance.  We're alphas.  We feel like it's our fault if anything happens to our pack even if it's not.  Like Spencer, his parents left him with the Searchers because they couldn't take care of him financially.  When I met him, and he told me, I felt like it was my fault even though I knew there was no way I could've stopped his parents from doing what they did.  But it hurts him, and I hate seeing any of my pack members in pain.  Callie, her parents were killed by Hunters when she was four so she remembers it.  I can't count the number of times I've ended up staying with her through the night because she's had a nightmare about it.  But my point is, your sister's death isn't your fault.  The only fault lays in the people who did the killing.  Your brother probably feels guilty and blames himself but since you were at the scene of the crime, he takes it out on you by blaming you for the whole situation."

I let her words sink in.  More so the information about Spencer and Callie than anything.  I'd been wondering how they ended up in Elaine and Michael's care but I was so new I didn't dare find out why.  Instead I asked, "How did you end up here?"

"Same as you, but different reason.  I ran away because my mom died during childbirth and my father went mad with grief.  He took it out on me physically.  I came here five years ago.  Took refuge with the Searchers who in turn put me in the care of Elaine and Michael.  Spencer was the first to come when he was three.  Then Callie.  Then me.  Now you."

"I'm sorry."

Lily shrugged. "I don't miss him.  I miss my mom.  I wish I'd gotten to meet her, and sometimes it's really hard when I remember that I won't ever meet her, but then I remind myself that I have an amazing family here.  I have a pack here, and whether you like it or not, you do too now."

"I have to admit, I may have only been here for a couple weeks, but I love it here.  I like being in a place where the people around me don't judge me for past mistakes," I confessed.

For the first time, Lily gave me a genuine smile. "Elaine and Michael weren't kidding when they said you could stay here as long as you like.  I'm American like you.  Spencer and Callie are both Canadian, but the Searchers have ways of getting you papers that make you look like you're an actual Canadian citizen without actually being so.  Technically I'm an illegal immigrant.  The Starks have my original birth certificate in a safe.  But my new birth certificate says I was born in Canada so I'm allowed to go to school here and everything.  They could do the same for you if you wanted but they'd have to know your last name.  The Searcher's refuse to make false last names for people unless it's for security measures like Shay Doran's parents.  They were given false names I'm pretty sure." I gulped.  If Lily knew about the Dorans, she would definitely know about the Laroches. "You know the name, don't you?"

"Who doesn't?" I countered.

"They're famous, but I think the Laroches are more famous now.  Between Renier helping end the war, the Lightwood pack for officially starting the movement with the Searchers, and Arya Laroche killing Lumine, you have to admit they're a pretty badass family.  I'd love to meet them."

Oh yeah, she definitely knew about my family.  At least she didn't know the names of my parents' kids... yet.  I switched topics and I'm not sure how long we talked before I asked her, "So what do you do during the summer?  Callie and Spencer have their dance classes.  What about you?"

"I spend my time exploring outdoors once they're back.  Elaine and Michael don't really like me going out by myself, at least not in the wilderness.  They're fine if it's just in town though.  I also read a lot.  I learn about the family business.  Spencer, Callie, and I are going to run it after Elaine and Michael.  They own a chain of hotels called the Fairmont.  They're mostly in Canada and the US but they have one or two in the UK.  England and Scotland I think but I don't know the exact places.  Probably London for England but I have no idea for Scotland.  But hey, I'll learn it.  We should head back.  Lunch will be ready soon and Spencer will get really grouchy if we're late because Elaine and Michael won't start eating unless everyone's there.  Come on." The two of us began walking back to the house. "What did your parents do?"

"Ironically, they're in the hotel business too.  My father ended up buying properties and now we rent houses to people too.  Everyone in the pack has a job.  My mom runs the hotel itself.  My dad handles the rented properties.  My parents' seconds handle the stock.  The others do the top managerial positions at the hotel or help out my dad."

"What hotel is it?  Maybe I've heard of it.  I mean usually if a Guardian family runs something, most people know about it over here."

"You're going to kill me when you find out..." I said.  I knew she'd find out sooner or later, and it was better coming from me than someone else.

"What are you?  A Laroche or something?" Lily laughed.  When I didn't say anything, only giving her an extremely guilty look, her eyes widened. "You're a Laroche?!"

"Yes."  She punched me hard in the arm. "OW!"

"I can't believe you're a damn Laroche!  I was sounding like a fool because I idolize your family for being so badass and then I have an actual Laroche sitting in front of me letting me make a fool of myself.  What were you thinking?"

"That we were having a nice conversation at that point and time and didn't want to ruin it?" I replied.  She hit me again.

"So your dad is Ren Laroche?  And your mom is Arya Lightwood?  And your dad's second is Loren Hess right?  I don't mean to sound weird which I probably do anyway considering I know so much about your family but Loren is seriously good looking.  Good looks run in your family apparently though.  This is so cool!"

"Did you just say I'm good looking?" I mused, giving her a cheeky grin.

"Don't get on your high horse.  All Guardians have supernatural good looks," she said, wiping my cheerful expression off my face. "Are you going to tell Elaine and Michael?  If not, you have to at least tell Callie.  Spencer knows about your family but he doesn't really idolize anyone or anything.  I mean if you wanted to tell him, you could because he wouldn't freak out like Callie would.  Don't get me wrong, we'll keep it a secret.  I mean there's stuff that Elaine and Michael still don't know about any of us and we've been with them for years.  You're secret is safe with me."

"You're a very ranty person when you're excited about something, did you know that?" I commented.

"Oh shut it, pretty boy."

I gave her a light nudge with my shoulder. "Thank you though, for keeping it a secret.  I appreciate it."

"You're welcome."  The two of us walked up the hill just as Michael arrived in the car with Callie and Spencer.  The two Guardians hopped out of the car.

"Geez, Lily, it's been less than twenty-four hours and you're already hitting on Caleb?  That's a record!" Spencer shouted.  Lily growled at him but he just laughed.

"I'm part of a record?" I queried in amusement.

"A new one.  I've never dated anyone.  And don't listen to him, he's just trying to embarrass us."

"I think it's embarrassing you more than me."

"It is not.  I don't get embarrassed."

I leaned in and whispered, "Then why are you blushing?" I strutted away over to Spencer and entered the house with him, leaving her more irked than embarrassed. "So how was dancing today?"

"I've decided I'm going to become a hip hop dancer.  It's so freaking awesome!"

"It is not," Callie griped. "Ballroom is much more fun."

"I beg to differ.  All you do is twirl and stuff."

"Not in the advanced classes!"

"One happy couple," Lily said.

"At least I have a significant other, Carter," Callie retorted.

"I'm very content on my own.  I just don't like being the awkward third wheel with two.  But now that Caleb's here, that's changed."

"He said he won't be here for long though."

"He'll be here long enough for me to have back up.  Besides, it'll be two alphas versus a beta and an omega.  Who do you think will win that one?"

"I think we need to eat," I jumped in.

"I know I said this before, but I like him.  I like the way he thinks.  We're similar that way."

"You mean all you think about is food?" Callie joked.

"Yes," Spencer and I replied simultaneously.  We high-fived each other.  Lily and Callie were staring at us like we were mental.  They shook their heads, leaving the foyer to go to the kitchen.

"You can't leave me Caleb.  I've never gotten to enjoy seeing that look on their face before until you came around," Spencer said drolly.

"I feel like if I stay any longer, Lily will kill me in my sleep," I said.

"Nah, if you two went for a walk and she didn't kill you then, she won't now.  Oh, and I doubt she'd kill you after finding out you're a Laroche."

"What?!  How did you-" I began.

"She wasn't exactly quiet when she found out and I had the window rolled down in the car.  And you yelped pretty loudly which means she must've hit you."

"I did not yelp," I protested indignantly.

"Uh huh.  Listen, we all know now but we're not going to say a word.  They already prevented Lily's dad from taking her back.   He found her, tried to break his way in.  He was in the hospital for a month after the damage Elaine and Michael did."

"I think my parents would be much worse.  I mean, I don't think they'll look in Canada so we don't have to worry but my parents are frightening when they're mad.  When they fight, they're clever.  They're able to separate the group and attack one-on-one.  They taught us all how to do it.  I should teach you three."

"You teach us your moves, we'll teach you ours.  Deal?" Spencer held out his hand.

"Deal," I agreed.
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Three months later... 

I sat in my desk chair, scrolling through the endless bouquets of flowers and bouquets of cookies.  My mom's birthday was coming up and I wanted to send her something.  She wouldn't be able to trace me if I paid with my debit card.  At least I didn't think she could...

"Hey you," Lily said, entering my room.

"Hey," I replied, not looking her way.  I felt her stand behind me.

"Who are those for?" She inquired.

"My mom.  Her birthday is coming up soon.  I want to send her something."

"I don't know much about your mom but roses are always a good way to go."

"If her second's daughter didn't have an entire garden full of nothing but roses, I'd go with that option," I laughed.

"Lilies?"

"I thought about it... but my mom knows that certain flowers and even certain flower colors have meanings.  I went shopping with my dad once and he told me that.  I always remembered it."

"Your mom sounds interesting."

"She is..."

"You miss her?"

"Yeah.  A lot.  Her and my sisters.  I miss my dad too but he and my brother never treated me the same after Anna.  Anyway, on a happier note, what are you doing?  Shouldn't you be school shopping with Elaine?" I turned around in the chair.  Lily leaned against my desk.

"There was some trouble at one of the hotels so she and Michael have been dealing with that all day.  Shouldn't you be packing?  I thought you were leaving before school started?"

"I don't have much.  I'll do it the night you leave.  That anxious to get me out?" I joked, glancing at my computer.

Lily didn't find it funny. "No.  Quite the opposite actually.  I want you to stay."

I turned back to look at her. "What?"

"I want you to stay," she repeated.  Taken aback, I asked her why.  I mean, she and I had definitely gotten along while I'd been here but she had seemed like she didn't care if and when I left.  She'd seemed totally indifferent about it.  Spencer and Callie were more vocal about being mad about me leaving even if they laughed when they mentioned it.  Lily paused before answering.  I figured maybe she liked having another alpha around or someone to banter with like she mentioned the first night I was there.  I didn't expect her to lean down and kiss me.

"That's why.  I like you Caleb.  I like you a lot," she admitted. "If you really want to leave, I'm not going to stop you.  But I'm sure as hell going to try and talk you into staying."

"You just kissed me," I stated, dumbfounded.

"And knocked out all your sense apparently.  I mean that's not much but still."

"I-uh- I just didn't know you liked me like that."

Lily looked down.  It was the first time she'd never been able to look me in the eye. "I thought you were a cute dork when you arrived, one that smelled really badly by the way."

"You're never going to let me live that down are you?"

"No, but moving on.  After we had that talk in the woods, I started liking you.  Spencer and Callie know.  They know just about everything.  It's why they've been so pushy about getting you to stay.  They told me that you were still leaving and that I needed to take it into my own hands.  So I did.  And I don't think it's working."

"No, no... I mean, I definitely like you."

"But you miss your family."

"I do.  But I would also miss you and the others if I left.  I don't feel judged here.  It's a nice feeling.  I'm a terrible runaway, aren't I?"

"No, you're just conflicted, which is okay.  I guess you have to decide which is more important to you.  If you choose to go back, Elaine and Michael would drive you.  But if you decide to stay with us, you could go to school with us, learn our trade in the hotel business, the works.  I'm not going to choose for you though.  You have to do that for yourself." Lily kissed me on the head this time before leaving me alone.  I groaned.  I hated this feeling of indecision.  I wanted to be back home with Elsa and my mom and Ember.  But then there was the thing with my dad and Hunter... maybe living with the Starks could be something different.  They knew of my past, they knew what had happened, yet they didn't judge me, and I loved them for that.  Maybe being here could be a new beginning.

A new beginning...

"That's it!" I exclaimed, violently swiveling my chair so I could face my computer.  I scoured the internet for flowers that meant a new beginning because my mom would know, and if she didn't, she'd figure it out.  My mother was smart beyond words.  Elsa and I had inherited that from her.  I'm not saying Ember and Hunter were stupid by any means, but they never did as well in school as me and my baby sister.

I found out that daffodils represented new beginnings.  I ordered a bouquet online for her along with some cookies that said 'happy birthday'.  I didn't send a card or anything because I knew she would know (that and my siblings would say it wasn't from them).  I placed the order and headed to Lily's room.  I was going to tell her that it was time for a new beginning for me, starting with her.
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So Caleb decided to stay with the Starks.  Wonder what's going to happen... let me know what you think in a review :)