Auri's pov :
My family was in the middle of eating when Darren's eyes clouded over, indicating he was using the pack mind link.
"He does that a lot, you know." My dad nodded towards Darren's statue like figure.
I chuckled, "I remember. When I was younger, I thought I was really good at freeze tag, turns out no one was playing with me, y'all were just casually talking through your minds."
"Oh the good days, when my babies were both itty bitty," my mom said dreamily, while dad just chuckled.
"We may have grown, well Darren did most of the growing, but we're still your babies."
My mom gave me a sad smile, "I know, I know. But one of these days, you and your brother are going to find someone who will steal your heart, and you'll have no time to love anyone else."
My dad slightly growled, causing us to receive a few stares from humans nearby, "No one will be taking anything from my daughter."
I rolled my eyes, "Even if someone was to 'steal my heart,' I will still love you, all three of you."
My mom nodded, while my dad glared at the table, "Stupid boys, thinking they're all that and robbing innocent girls."
I shook my head at my dad, "I haven't been robbed, yet, so don't stress too much."
"Yet?" My dad's jaw tensed.
My mom spoke before I could. "Yet," she said, a small smile playing on her lips. "You know all that I ask is that when a boy does steal your heart, you tell me—and no funny business happens while I'm around."
I laughed at my mom, "Sounds fair."
My dad butted in, "And all that I ask is that you don't associate with males—ever, and that the funniest business you ever do is going to the circus."
"A bit late for that, Pops," Darren said, no longer mind linking.
My dad growled, while my mom squealed.
"Yeah you know Auri here, hangs out with more guys than she can count," I kicked Darren's leg under the table, but he kept talking, seemingly unfazed, "Who knows what they do. Or how many she's done."
"What is his name? Is he human? Oh I want to know everything!" My mom was practically bouncing in her seat, while my dad sat across from her, jaw clenched, hands fisted, and pitch black eyes.
"There is no 'he.' And I haven't done anyone." I answered, glaring at Darren the entire time. "And the guys I hangout with are friends, maybe you should get some, Darren."
Darren scoffed, "I have friends."
"You have a friend." I corrected.
"Nuh uh." Darren crossed his arms over his chest.
"Uh huh."
"Jase and Greyson are my friends."
"Oh gee, I stand corrected, you have two friends." I sassed.
"Nuh uh. There's also Kai and Dylan." I rolled my eyes at Darren.
"Knock it off, both of you. We're in public." Mom reprimanded.
While Mom gave Darren and I a speech on the importance of manners and how siblings shouldn't fight, I noticed Dad's eyes cloud over for about a minute.
"I'm sorry, I have to get going." Dad said, standing up, and interrupting Mom's lecture.
Darren stood beside Dad, "We should get going too."
I gave my mom a hug, and then wrapped my arms around my dad, "Bye daddy."
"Bye sweetheart, I'll see you soon." He kissed my head.
As we pulled apart, I saw his eyes linger on mom, but he made no move to say goodbye. He just shot one last smile at us, mostly Darren and I, and exited the diner.
Mom sighed, "I'll see both of you soon, okay?" Darren and I nodded our heads, and she left after pecking both of our foreheads.
As she left my shoulders slumped. How can my parents work things out if they only talk when Darren and I are around?
"It's gotten better, you know." Darren said as we walked to his car. "Well it got better today. They talked, and recently, that's been a rare occurrence."
"It's over isn't it? They're no longer Mom and Dad. There's just Mom, and just Dad."
Darren shot me a weak smile, "Maybe. But that doesn't change anything. We'll always be Darren and Auri."
I smiled a real smile, "Awe, get all mushy are we?"
Darren chuckled, "Always have to ruin the moment, don't you?"
I shrugged, "It's my specialty."
The trees kept blurring past us as we raced back to the pack. It was silent, the only thing I could hear was the low growl of the engine as we accelerated. We kept increasing speed, and slowly, the road began to narrow as we got closer to pack territory.
It was about half a mile before we reached pack lands that it happened. Everything was moving fast. Everything was a blur, except the other car. I saw the other car. I watched, paralyzed in fear, as it accelerated towards us.
There was no sound, until SMASH.

•••

How is everyone? It's been so long since I've updated and I'm so sorry for the wait.
The past week or so, I've been trying to come up with an original plot line and I've finally came up with one! I'm so excited for everyone to read what happens, and follow the many twists and turns I have planned.
Please keep voting and commenting! Thanks you so much for all the love and support.
xo Meghan