SURPRISE PART 3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

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Damon's P.O.V

"Now, if you're further away from your target, the forward grip is the best bet," I say as I take my stance and settle my thumb on the handle, turning for everyone to see. "It's a little quicker and it allows you to reach them with more speed and strength than if you tried the reverse grip."

The group in my training session watch me closely before they try mirroring my actions, their eyes focused on me as they took their stances and raised their blades.

"You will all drift to different types of blades and knives with time so the length will be a factor. But all of you should keep your feet light and your body solid," I say as I gesture to my stomach and upper back, "your attacks should be swift, but hold power in each one."

Stepping forward, I bounce on my feet before I demonstrate a line of swings and cuts with my trailing point in hand. I move fast, pressing forward against my imaginary enemy as if I was slicing them open from their abdomen and their inner arms.

The jet black knife had a small, sharp blade that I'd curved at the tip to increase its damage. Even though it was a nice blade it was nowhere close to my go-to knife. But these were still beginners, so a smaller knife was a better starting point.

"Go for vital points," I remind while I slide around my opponent on my knees and slice what I imagined would be the back of their knees, "when using knives you want to make the enemy immobile so you can handle them after."

Getting to my feet, I turn to everyone while I twirl my knife between my fingers, "any questions?"

When they all stare at me wide-eyed and stiff, I offer them the smile Will said I should to make people relax. 

I didn't think I had a nice smile. I thought it was a bit strange actually, but Will loved my smile, he said it would brighten anyone's day if I showed it to them, so I was trying. 

Today was my sixth class for training others to use my knives specifically and even though there was a list of people waiting to join them, it still surprised me every time I walked into the training room and found them all waiting for me.

I'd thought some people might sign up then get scared and bail, and some had in the first session, but not as much as I thought. 

The first session had been hard to start with. Everyone was a little wary of me but I understood why so I didn't let myself get angry about it or bothered. I had a reputation to fix and I was the only person who could do that. 

So even when people were annoyingly clumsy and dropped my knives or asked me the most stupid questions, I didn't let my frustrations peak. Instead, I took a moment to cool down by reminding myself that they were pack and that they were here to learn from me.

It was an alpha's job to lead their pack, and if I was going to be a good alpha one day, I needed to have the patience to lead them here.

Reminding myself of that made it easier for me to be patient with them, understanding too. After the fourth class, very little upset me quickly or genuinely drove me to anger. It was mostly smooth sailings.

And I guess that news spread because more people showed up to every session and the waiting list kept growing. Now, we were in one of the biggest training rooms in the armoury to house the near fifty people I was training today.

Someone raises their hand and I raise my chin at them, gesturing for them to speak. 

"Using a knife requires speed and precision," he starts and I nod, "what if we have neither of those things?"

That gets a laugh out of a few people and a chuckle from me too because the guy had asked it so innocently.

"You do, all of us have precision and speed, we're werewolves," I reply honestly. "We've gotten lazy the more we've evolved and integrated with other species, but we still have those baseline instincts. We're one of the fastest creatures on this planet, you just have to train yourself to recognise the knife as an extension of yourself and you'll be set."

"And how do I do that?" 

"Wrong choice of words," I allow, "that's what I'm here for. To teach you how to use knives in any situation, against any opponent." I look around and try at a joke, "even onions."

A breath passes and for a second my heart drops before smiles spread around the room and tense bodies slowly relax. 

It was a horrible joke, one I knew Pops would probably make, but it'd done its job. They were relaxed and smiling, ready to listen to me - me! 

My heart swelled and staying relatively serious suddenly became very difficult. 

You are killing this! - Theo praises proudly while he prances around with so much happiness I couldn't stop myself from smiling wider.

I can't believe I'm actually doing this - I admit. I'd honest to Goddess thought that I'd have snapped at someone by now, but even though the urge had risen, it was easier to bury than I'd expected.

I can! - Theo declares viciously - I knew you could do this. I've always known. You just needed some time to find yourself again. 

Basking in Theo's praise, I redirect our enthusiasm to the waiting group and start sectioning them off into groups. Showing them the elementary grips and attacks I wanted them to practice, I pass from group to group, person to person, giving each attention and praise that warmed the pack bond.

"Try relaxing your back here," I say standing beside an older woman to demonstrate while I tapped at my lower back, "it'll give you more flexibility when you strike."

I slow my movements down for her and she watches me like prey before she mirrors my movements, trying them out for herself until she got it and grinned at me, "thank you a-, Damon. Thank you, Damon."

With a nod, I move on to the next person with a chest full of happiness and a head full of Theo's screamed encouragement.

Time passes too quickly and before I knew it, the two-hour session was done. The realisation threatened to take my smile away but when I looked around and saw how upset everyone else was, it made it return with ease.

"We'll continue on Friday," I say as pick up the bag of sleeves and spread it across one of the back tables that Mekhi had set up with wipes, "make sure your knives are cleaned and sleeved before you leave."

I watch as one by one everyone filters out the room, being sure to follow my instructions before they left with a 'bye Damon' or 'thank you Alpha Damon' or 'that was really fun Damon'.

Lots of people called me Damon, the more traditional called me Alpha Damon because of my blood, but it was nice to just have them talk to me. To actually approach me with questions - even the stupid ones - or a word of thanks instead of walking around me to avoid interacting with me.

I'd always thought my pack had too many weak, annoying people, but they weren't. Well, there were some weak and annoying people but for the most part, they were alright. 

The more I got to know them, the more I liked them. 

But they were still some annoying, hateful people I planned to pluck out one day. 

I would never forget the way many treated Levi when they thought no one was watching. The way they called him 'the rogue son' and forget their respect when our parents weren't around. They'd called me Demon too but I'd actually been an asshole, Levi was the best of us, he always had been. 

He'd never deserved the animosity they had for him.

Weeding out those vermin from our pack was something I'd always promised myself I'd do once I was alpha. That was one promise I would not break, no matter the state of our relationship.

I'm sure he'd love to hear that from you - Theo prompts hopefully - or in general, just to talk. I know he misses you just as much as you miss him.

I'll call - I promise him as I always did.

I wanted to talk to Levi, wanted to tell him everything and hear all I'd missed. To say sorry for always being a dick, to tell him I had been hurt and still was, but I understood now. In parts. 

I wanted to tell him that it was fucking complicated but that I missed him. That I really fucking missed him.

And I tried. Almost every night now I picked up my phone and stared at his number. I just never found the strength to press call.

Maybe I would tonight.

When I'm the only person left in the room that smelt too much of disinfectant, Mekhi breaks out from the shadows dressed in his trench coat and hoodie with gum in his mouth and a grin on his lips.

I'd fucking missed Mekhi.

I missed Mekhi more than I thought, more than I ever thought I could. When Will had told me he was awake after our escapades, I'd barely managed a shower before I was up and heading straight over.

I'd stayed glued to Mekhi's side for as long as I could until he had the strength to teleport me back to the suite. Then I when straight back over.

But I couldn't help it. It was fucking amazing to have Mekhi's grumpiness and despondence back. When he'd decided to knock out for two weeks and show me how useless I was without him, I'd been a little fucked. 

I'd just grown really accustomed to always having him beside me, just a call away to help me with any and everything - no questions asked.

The amount of shit Mekhi agreed to was terrifying.

Then the asshole had fallen into a mini-coma and I realised just how close we actually were, how close I was to him at least. But I was pretty sure that Mekhi felt the same with the way he'd glued himself to my side recently.

"You're like a teacher now," he says, that grin of his turning smug, "it's weird to see."

"I'll take weird," I reply before narrowing my eyes, "how are you feeling today? Are you okay to be out like this?"  

Mekhi rolls his eyes like he always did but he nods anyway, "I'm fine Damon. Katerina gave me the all-clear a week ago and I've been fine, you're the only one who still worries."

"Me and Will," I correct.

"You don't have to," 

"We kind of do. Someone's got to watch out for you," I reply with a shrug, "you try to do too much Aurora."

That takes Mekhi's grin straight off his face and I pick it up eagerly, cackling at the anger that flickers in his eyes. 

Mekhi had been up for a week now and I genuinely couldn't remember the last time I actually said his name out loud, it was only Aurora and Sleeping Beauty for me.

The fact that his new names had spread to everyone in his house was like a treat.

"You are so fucking annoying," he grumbles as he digs his hands in his deep pockets, a scowl twisting his features down.

"Yeah, I am," I admit before I gather my shit and head out the door. 

Mekhi follows behind me, watching my back as always while I tried to figure out what other shit I had set for the day.

Will was home so I'd get him before I went for a run, and we'd usually stop at the house after, but everyone was trying to keep me away from there.

I mean, I got why. My birthday was only two days away and they were clearly planning something, they just really fucking sucked at not being obvious about it. 

That and Hagen couldn't keep a secret for shit.

"You got plans today?" I question and Mekhi brings himself in step beside me before he shakes his head, "then I guess we're going for ice cream today."

"Ice-cream?" He repeats with a frown and I nod.

"Will's been itching to go with you, he's just been holding himself back while you recover," 

And Mekhi had recovered. I'd always thought Mekhi's strained features were remnants of his past or that, that was just his face, but without his sister's torment, Mekhi was oddly brighter. 

Not personality-wise though. He was still a neutral, slightly miserable fuck, but he looked like a neutral, slightly miserable fuck who was healthy, now.

He even felt it. Being around him was like standing next to a really bright lantern with the way his magic glowed non-stop. I'd only felt his power in bits before, like a flickering light, as well as the night we'd enjoyed our pinatas -  we had to do that again soon -, but it was constant now.

But even though the change was noticeable to me, it didn't seem to be to anyone else. No one asked questions, no one looked at him twice, and Mekhi continued to mind his business as always.

"Well if we're going now, he's not that way," Mekhi says making me stop in my tracks.

I wanted to run first but clarifying that didn't matter now, "he's not home?" I ask and Mekhi shakes his head.

"Is he with the family?" I ask and Mekhi shakes his head again, chewing his gum with leisure.

My instinct was to worry but Mekhi didn't look worried and he'd said it without panic in his voice, so I made myself relax.

"If he's not home then where is he?"

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Keeping to the back of the group, I work my way around the few people who'd gathered around something of interest.

Mekhi and I move quietly, not wanting to draw any attention our way while I try to catch a glimpse of what was going on that had everyone smiling so much.

Eventually, I find a space wide enough for me to look over several heads to see... Will.

Seated crossed legged in the centre of it all with Sassy protectively standing at his side, Will smiled at the four kids who were talking animatedly at him whilst clearly trying their best to keep a distance from him.

When they fucked up and got too close., Sassy was right there, pushing between them and growling with all her teeth on display.

"The thing is, Köhl turned twelve three months ago!" One kid says with wide brown eyes and hands that moved too much, "he was the first to hit twelve out of all of us and he still hasn't shifted!"

(A/N - I know I mixed up Damon's shifting ages earlier in the book. I've got a bullet journal for writing now and I've noted that wolves shift at 12 and Damon did at 10)

By the way one of them pulled his legs in tighter and tried to hide, I guessed that one was the Köhl who hadn't shifted. 

"He's trying, like really hard," another says and they all nod in agreement, "and we've all given him all our tips for how we shifted, and the elders talked to him too! But it's just not working."

"Well, it's nice that you're all trying so hard to help your friend," Will starts and they all preen from his praise,  "but tell me, is there any rule that he has to shift at twelve?" 

With confused frowns growing, they shake their heads.

"I don't think so," the one with the busy hands answers.

"Well then, maybe it would be best to just wait until Köhl shifts." Will says to the friends, "if it hasn't happened yet, it simply wasn't meant to. But that doesn't mean anything is wrong, he'll do it when he's ready."

When the kids don't jump into another ramble, Will looks to Köhl who was peekinging up at him nervously, "it'll happen when it's meant to. I bet your wolf is just waiting to make his special entrance."

Köhl's lips tug up a little at the corners, "maybe," he whispers and Will nods.

"Some people shift earlier and some shift later from what I've heard, so you just have to be a little patient alright?" 

Köhl nods and this time a real smile grows on his lips, "thank you." 

Will nods and all the kids say their thanks in a rush before they get to their feet and drag Köhl away, saying how lucky they were to talk to their future Luna.

The words made my chest fill with pride as I watched Will get to his feet and talk to the lingering onlookers with a confidence that seemed to only grow with each passing day.

He was perfect with them; sure, respectful, firm and kind, and they loved him for it. Only when the small crowd broke apart did I notice Emris. 

As the only elder I found tolerable, Emris was a welcomed sight and so was the way she watched Will with eyes that glowed with approval. 

"You were very good with them," Emris comments once she's the last person left.

Not recognising Emris to be an elder, Will smiles and dives into an easy conversation with her without the usual reservations applied to elders.

But Emris was gentle and kind, so she smiled and listened, replied and spoke for a few minutes before she took her leave. Catching my eye on the way, she offers me a gentle smile before she turns and walks away, quiet and calm as always. 

That'll be good for us - Theo comments as we watch Emris patter away - she'll tell the others about Will, they'll like him in no time.

I nod my agreement. Elders weren't my favourite people in the world, and if Will took care of that side of things in the future, I'd be a very, very happy man.

Turning to face us when Mekhi and I were the last ones left, Will's eyes grow wide with surprise before he squints a little as if trying to make sure it was me. But when Sassy growled beside him and walked away, he got all the confirmation he needed.

Fucking bitch.

As Will comes to me, Mekhi steps away, giving us some privacy while still making sure he was close enough to help if needed.

"Hey," Will greets as he crashes into me, hugging me tight enough to bruise, "what are you guys doing here?"

"Looking for you," I answer honestly as I run my fingers through his hair, "I thought you were home today, how did you end up here?"

Growing unusually red in the face, Will explains, "I was just taking Sassy for a walk while I explored the pack. There still so many places I haven't seen, so I was just wandering and these kids ran up to me asking if I was your mate. When I told them yes, they just started talking to me."

"And how was it?" I ask, ducking my head to catch his expression properly.

Will flicks his eyes away from mine as he shrugs a little, "it was nice," he whispers, "I was a bit scared at first because they got close, but some people closeby told them to keep a distance and they did."

"But what was it like talking to them?" I push, trying to pull the answers out from him, "Helping them? How was that?" 

"It felt good," Will admits as he curls his fingers into my shirt, "it felt really good."

I pick Will up without warning and he makes a squeal of surprise while his hands scramble for something to hold onto. I bring him into my arms and squeeze him to me, littering him with enough kisses to last a lifetime.

In all the time we'd been home, all I wanted was for Will to grow to love the pack in all the ways I did. To want to lead them how we were supposed to, but I'd had to keep those wants to myself. 

Theo always said it was up to Will at the end of the day, what he wanted to do was his choice and we'd always have to respect that. He'd never failed to remind me that I had to leave it up to him, and if he decided that he didn't want to lead a werewolf pack, then I'd have to respect that. 

And now Will was here, acting every bit like the Alpha I knew he would be.

"Sleeping Beauty!" Will shouts over my shoulder, "help me!"

I turn just in time to see Mekhi's face fall flat, "after that? Not a chance in hell."

"Don't be bitter Aurora," I say sadly as I set Will down and walk us to a scowling Mekhi, "don't you like you're new name?"

"I'm not coming with you guys," Mekhi states but I stop him from walking away by wrapping an arm around his neck.

"Stop being such a baby," I groan while I force him forward with Will tucked under my other arm, "we're going to get ice cream and then we're going to go by your house and force Quinn and Colson to hang out with us."

"Ooh, that sounds good!" Will cheers while Mekhi groans as if he'd rather be drowned.

"When did the two of you get so social?" He complains while he drags his feet beside me, "what happened to being recluses?"

"We found other recluses," Will answers and I nod my agreement.

Quinn and Colson were nice to be around, easy actually since they liked Will and me both.

"Now, what's your favourite flavour Aurora?" I ask with a chuckle that Will picks up making us all shake.

Mekhi sets his eyes on me and they glow the same second my arm around him sets on fire.

"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!" I shout as I jump away, swinging my arms around like a windmill while I try to put out the flames.

"I told you to stop," Mekhi mumbles while he digs in his pocket for a new piece of gum. 

"You never said to stop!" I holler while I keep waving my arms around.

Lots of wind put out fires, right? If I made wind, the fire would go out. But then why was it spreading?! 

Holding onto his thighs with his eyes barely open, Will laughs harder than I'd even seen before. His laughter turns silent as he follows me with his eyes, gasping for air that just went out in the form of more laughter.

"Mekhi," Will wheezes, "stop."

I knew this already.
I'd witnessed countless examples of it first-hand.
It was no fucking surprise.
Still, my mate was a fucking asshole.

"No," Mekhi replies with a shrug, "and my favourite flavour is cookie dough."

"You fucking g-"

"Drop and roll!" Will shouts through his snorts, "stop! drop! and Roll!"

Instead of demeaning myself in the way I knew Will was just dying to see, I tear the sleeve of my shirt off and pat the remaining flames away before I stare at my red arm that was splotchy with burns.

It was nothing that wouldn't heal in a few hours, nothing that really hurt but that didn't make it any less annoying.

"I'll get you back," I warn Mekhi who just grins like he couldn't wait. "And you," I point at Will who was still laughing his ass off, "you'll pay plus you're walking to the shop."

"Wait, no!" Will tries, suddenly sober from his laughter and completely serious. "I can not make that! I am very unhealthy Damon."

"Not my problem," 

"Damon," he tries but I start my shift.

Turning to Mekhi, suddenly desperate and terrified, Will asks, "You'll take me right Mekhi?" 

Will was sporting that begging look that only worked on me but it was adorable that he was trying.

"Mekhi?" Mekhi repeats with a frown as he steps back, "I thought I was Sleeping Beauty."

Will shakes his head adamantly but Mekhi only waves his hand before he disappears.

They're buses that run, see if you can catch one - I say through our link before I take off, leaving Will stranded in the middle of a meadow with his mouth agape.

But I only waited two minutes before I turned around and went back for him.

There wasn't a thing in this world that could make me leave my mate on his own. Even his smart mouth.

Only a few paces away from where I'd left him, Will beams at the sight of me and immediately jumps up and down, clapping his hands with delight. 

"You asshole!" He admonishes with a smack to my side as I lower myself from him, "I really thought you left me.

Chuckling internally, I keep myself steady while he climbs on - Never - I promise him and he leans down to press a kiss to the top of my head.

Giving me the pat that told me he was ready, Will holds on tight and I take off like a bullet.

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"No, because that just doesn't make sense," Quinn argues and Will raising his bottle in agreement from his place in my lap. 

I frown up at him but he just shrugs, taking a sip of his drink like if he hadn't just betrayed me.

"It makes sense to me," I reply but Quinn just keeps shaking his head, his frown deepening with each second. 

"You're telling me you won't drink the human's alcohol because it's against their laws, but growing up, you kept trying to drink our pack's brew when you were underaged?" He says slowly as he keeps his vibrant brown eyes pinpointed on me. "And you think that makes sense?"

"Again, it makes sense to me," 

Quinn's mouth falls open and his eyes narrow as if he was trying to find the answer he was looking for, just by looking at me.

"Damon's an anomaly," Will comments as he puts his empty bottle down and leans into me, "his personality is full of contradictions but that's what makes him Damon."

"Contradictions?" I question and he nods seriously.

"Your favourite colour is black but most of the things you own are blue, you love sunny days but you hate the feel of sunshine on your skin after three minutes, you love helping people but you hate dealing with people," he lists from his fingers with a speed that was a little alarming. 

"You hate all things that aren't werewolf related but your mate is a human and your best friend is a warlock. You've got the personality of someone who's social, but most days you hide away in a book when you can. You say you hate eggs, but you have them almost every morning and even when you're rude, you're incredibly adorable."

 "And you won't drink the humans' alcohol that doesn't even affect you because it's against the law, but our alcohol, that you're not supposed to drink, you'll do in a heartbeat." Quinn adds with a pointed finger and even Colson nods beside him.

"Contradictions," Mekhi mumbles in agreement before he scoops up up another mouthful of his cookie dough tub.

"Well..." I fumble on a response, not knowing what to say when everyone was in agreement about something that I hadn't realised until they pointed it out. 

The only thing I could argue against was the favourite colour bit, but I didn't think I needed to tell everyone how I'd started loving blue because of Will's eyes.

Plus, that was his fault, not mine.

"It's not a bad thing," Will says in a soft whisper as he presses a gentle kiss to my cheek, "I like your contradictions, they make up all the things I love about you."

Kissing the hidden spot where Will's jaw found his neck, I smile into him, happy to accept that I was a walking mess if Will loved me for it.

While Will quickly gets caught up in another conversation with Quinn, I focus my attention on Colson who'd barely said two words for the night, only nodding and shaking his head to share his thoughts.

"You good?" I question and big surprise, he nods over the rim of his glass. 

"We're not annoying you guys?" I press.

Incoming shocker. Colson shakes his head, his expression sharing nothing new.

I glance and Mekhi and he - the more vocal of the two - provides me with a proper response, "if we were tired of having you guys around, none of us would still be here."

"Good," I say before taking a sip of my drink.

While I'd always known that Mekhi's housemates weren't any more social than him, it was surprising how much they seemed to like Will and me. 

At first, I thought they were just being accommodating while Mekhi slept, and maybe they were, but now they were friends to me. Real friends.

Colson, quiet as he was, could actually carry on conversations with me when he wanted to. I'd realised it depends on moods with him, but the second I switched the topic to weapons, he'd be right there, listening intently while I told him about how I crafted my blades. He understood what I said, made suggestions and asked questions too. 

That plus the fact that he was neutral to any shit I said, no matter how crazy, made Colson amazing in my eyes.

I wasn't so much a fan of Quinn as I was of Colson though. But he was still great, Quinn was a nice enough guy but I never found myself excited to see him as Will always was. Still, Will and Quinn got along like no one's business, they had that same blend of cocky and sarcastic edge to them, so who was I to say shit about that. 

It was nice though, having friends. 

Before it'd always been Amelia and me, then Mekhi came along and it was the three of us for a while but it never felt like this. Maybe it would've if Amelia was here with all of us, but it was family night and she couldn't skip it. 

But still, when it had just been the three of us, it was never this relaxed or fun, just hanging out in Mekhi's backyard while music played from someone's phone.

When I actually thought about it, I didn't think I'd ever spent time like this with Mekhi before Will. But like a lot of things in my life, Will brought about change, good change, and I was actually having a good time.

There were no fake smiles, hesitant gazes or any bullshit like that. Just a couple of werewolves, a warlock and a human having a good time.

I loved every second of it.

It was four drinks in when Will started to get a little tipsy, his giggles coming more freely now and his little retorts a tad bit more venomous than usual. Which was saying a lot. That and the way he clung to me like I was his favourite stuffie were the only indicators that he was edging towards drunk but I found it adorable.

He was like a koala in my lap and I found the thought oddly endearing.

"He says he can talk to animals but I've never seen it," Will explains to everyone like if he was telling some amazing story, "and I've seen loads of animals in the last year with Damon. Birds, squirrels," he falters for a moment, "and other animals."

Mekhi snorts, his smile easy as he swung from his hammock, the alcohol seeming to get him too.

"I never said I could talk to animals," I reply while I push his hair back from his face despite the way he fusses against it. "I can just connect with them, in a weird way. They listen to me and I just feel what they're thinking a bit, sometimes. I don't even understand it myself."

"So what I'm hearing is a whole lot of this," Will claps his fingers together to make a talking motion, "and I'm not seeing anything really happen."

"You want a demonstration," I mumble and he nods his head seriously.

I'd actually toyed with the idea of surprising Will with a bunch of animals for his birthday but that weekend had been enough of a mess, the last thing Will needed was a bear trying to come and say hi.

(A/N - I actually did write that scene where Damon took Will out to see animals that weekend, and there really was a bear present LOL. I just ended up scrapping it)

"And I'm sure everyone else does too," Will says as he smooshes his cheek to mine like he was trying to merge us together with only his determination. 

Turning to face Colson, Will keeps my face plastered to his and forces me to shift as well until we're facing him, "Colson?" he asks.

"I wouldn't mind," Colson replies while he circles the glass of whiskey in his hands.

Will moves us again, "Quinn?"

"I'm down," Quinn confirms and Will swivels us to Mekhi who had a leg hanging out the hammock now.

"Yes," he answers before Will could even ask.

"Then everyone up!" Will declares as he jumps from my lap before he tugs me to my feet, "I'm dying to see this."

With Will at the head, we all follow behind him in a staggered line that could barely manage to find our way out of the house. But we do it, somehow, and head straight towards the nearest clearing to the woods we could find. 

It was late, far later than I thought and even though there were still a few people on the streets, it was our little band that was the loudest.

I hadn't drunk anything, nothing to actually affect me anyway since I hadn't been in the mood. I was way more interested in seeing what Will became when he had a few glasses in him.

The payoff was amazing.

At the first sign of trees, Will shoves me forward like a toy and gestures wildly at the dark woodlands, "come on," he claps his hands, "do your magic shimmy-mabiggy."

"Shimmy-mabiggy?" Quinn repeats and Will grins.

"I like it too," he declares, still smiling even when Quinn tries to tell him that he wasn't a fan of Will's new favourite word.

Shaking my head, I look towards the woods and take a moment to listen for any creatures nearby. 

Most seemed asleep with how quiet it was and I wasn't a dick enough to call them out, but I could hear some movement of what I guessed were the nocturnal of the lot.

I walk forward and keep going until they could sense me and then scent me. It was my scent that they seemed to love so much, that or me, but they had to sense me first. Just calling them would make me look stupid if I didn't give their crackhead tendencies a chance to notice me.

"Come on out," I call out, staring at the dark woodlands ahead.

Immediately, the sound of incoming animals answers my calls but being the breed of shit species, Will doesn't hear it and snorts behind me, clearly finding the whole thing amusing.

But like some shit from a movie, a few seconds later animals start emerging from every corner of the woods around us.

Foxes, badgers, little hedgehogs and more owls than I knew what to do with, all coming towards me with the joy of someone reuniting with some long lost friend.

Will's snorts weren't audible anymore.

"No!" I shout before they can try to actually touch me, "none of that shit. Just stay close.. ish."

They listen, they always did. But the birds seemed to have the hardest time of stopping themselves right before they were going to hook their claws onto some part of me. 

Thank Goddess they really did listen.

The other little guys stay near my feet, all excited and happy to see their version of catnip. Unaware or ignorant to the fact that they all would make good meals for me. But I wasn't a dick, not that much of a dick anyway.

"No sneaky shit," I warn them as I turn around. I didn't trust the way one fox was looking at me.

But it doesn't pounce at me as I'd suspected, and when I'm facing my friends again, I can't help the cocky grin that spreads across my face.

Quinn's face was blanch as if he'd seen a ghost, his eyes unblinking and glued to me while he discreetly took several steps back. Mekhi looked slightly less terrified, more surprised and a little weary of the owls he was eyeing intently. Colson was neutral as always, still quietly sipping on his whiskey.  

But Will, aw my sweet Will.

My little human had his mouth to the floor while his eyes darted between me and all the animals at my back. The emotions flying through our bond going from surprised to freaked out, to awed to excited to terrified and right back to surprised to do it all over again.

"Now do you believe me?" I question as I gesture to the animals at my back.

"Y-Yeah," Will manages before he rubs his eyes and nods, "yeah, you were telling the truth."

"The fact that you keep calling me Aurora while you're clearly Snow White is appalling to me," Mekhi mutters, his eyes still glued to the owls.

I open my mouth to reply but stop at the sight of Will and Mekhi beside one another. The same pair of evil from earlier who I'd promised revenge, just standing there now, waiting for it.

By the way Mekhi stared at the owls, I knew he either was scared of them or just weary, either would do. And I knew my mate well enough to know that while he wasn't afraid of any of the animals here, if all were coming after him, he'd run.

This is wicked - Theo comments despite his small smile.

Good thing I'm feeling wicked then.

With a smile on my lips and excitement in my heart, I crouch down to the little animals and point to Will, "that's my mate," Will immediately tenses and I grin, "why don't you go say hi."

"No!" Will screams, already stumbling back, "No! No! No! Fuck no!"

The little creatures run to him and Will bolts.

"Damon!" He screams while his legs take him off in a sprint.

With the way Will was creamy bloody murder, I started to worry that he might actually be afraid of foxes or some shit, but when I remembered the way he'd laughed while I was on fire and doubted this gift of mine for months, I really didn't want to.

Plus, it was just fun to watch.

When the owls take flight, I call them back with a click of my tongue, gently rubbing them while I look at Mekhi.

"You afraid of owls Mekhi?" I ask my friend who's eyes glowed with clear fear. "Do they scare you?"

"Damon, don't you d-"

"Go say hi to that one," I whisper to the owls and they immediately take flight.

Mekhi lets out some sound between a screech and wail as he tries to teleport and fails. 

He was scared, fucking petrified, and we both knew how too strong emotions could fuck with a witch's spells. If he couldn't concentrate, then he couldn't do shit - no magical shit at least.

So I watch, with a wide grin and warm heart, the way Mekhi zaps between distances of a few metres, never getting anywhere far. Everytime he appeared somewhere, the owls were two seconds behind him and ready to greet him with love.

Love that Mekhi didn't want it by the way he cursed them to hell and back.

It was an entertaining thing to what while Will continued to run circles around them, screaming so loud I knew he'd have no voice tomorrow.

Fuck, revenge was truly beautiful.

Quinn and Colson watch the show in measured silence, clearly entertained but with no particular allegiances to put a stop to the others' misery.

I told myself that if they weren't drunk, Will would have the sense to come to me for protection and Mekhi would be able to hurt me enough to ensure I left him alone. 

I told myself that because when ten minutes passed with no change, I was starting to fear that the two people I was closest to were actually idiots. 

"This explains why you and Mekhi are such good friends," Quinn says as he returns from his short endeavour to get more drinks for us.

Sitting next to Colson and me in the spot we'd made to watch the ongoing show, he hands me a bottle before he gestures at Mekhi with his own, "he's Aurora and you're Snow White," he says with a wicked grin.

"It all makes sense," Colson mumbles, allowing a small smile to peek through.

Rolling my eyes, I ignore the teasing and look to Will who was out of breath and near tears. But he'd also finally decided to try running to me to end his misery.

So he wasn't an idiot.

Sprinting towards me with a red face and eyes full of rage as well as fear, Will pushes himself with all the strength in his human body, and fuck if the sight wasn't fucking hilarious.

If you're Snow White, do you know what that makes Will? - Theo asks, sounding dreamy and deliriously happy from watching our mate run towards us - despite the circumstances.

Chuckling to myself, I stand and brace myself for impact.

Our Prince Charming.

-----------------------

They have friends!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SOBS

Thoughts?

Damon teaching classes?!!?! Will being the Luna-Alpha we all know he is?!?!?!!?!? 

Them having friends and hanging out with them ughhhhhhhhh

This was meant to be a fun, casual chapter to show how Will and Damon are on their casual days now, and the relationships their building. It's just a bit of fun and I love it!!!!!

If you want to know a bit more about Quinn and Colson, there's a Patreon extra with them in it a bit called - A day in the life of Mekhi - link in my bio!

But this is the final surprise for you humans! I hope you guys enjoyed this special triple update! You got fluff, smut, comedy and just more Delicate than ever before loool. 

Thank you for being patient with me, supportive and just amazing, I always appreciate it.

I'll be writing some Master for a while now, so please don't harass me for Delicate updates. I'm currently working on a Linked chapter so hopefully you Patrons get that soon, but yeah, I'll keep you updated as I always do.

Love you all!!!!!

Until next time,
B

yeeeeeeee Humanssssssss