"You're not coming in." May looked at her father in a mixture of pure horror and embarrassment.

"Why not? I think it's only fair I introduce myself!" He argued.

"Stop torturing her!" Miranda interrupted, looking back at May from the drivers seat. "Go, have fun. Send me a message when you're ready to be picked up."

May barely mumbled goodbye before she was out of the car and anxiously walking up the path to the driveway. She could faintly hear her dad laughing as the car started to reverse and turning around, she gave a little wave before stopping in front of the door. Raising her hand to knock, it swung open and a panicked looking Josh filled the doorway.

"Hey." May smiled up at him, while he looked around nervously. "Whats up?"

"Your, ah parents dropped you off?"

"Yeah?" She asked confused. "I don't drive yet."

"Good. Come in." He took her arm and pulled her inside which made the nerves May had been feeling since he asked her around triple instantly.

Glancing around the foyer, May now understood why he had commented on her house being a home. Everything here was white, stark and plain. There wasn't a lot of furniture either as they moved through the house, just the basics needed to get by. No photographs or art gave the walls life, no carpet or rugs of any kind to add some colour or warmth and with that thought, May shivered. The house didn't fit Josh at all. He was so bright, and nice and welcoming. This place made her want to turn the other way, which only increased as they neared the kitchen and the sterile smell of lemon cleaning products flooded her nose.

"Mum, this is May. May, this is-" Josh half mumbled as they entered the open kitchen space.

"Tanya Burton. It's lovely to meet you!" The woman grinned a toothy smile, and May forced herself not to step back as a well manicured hand was offered. "Joshua has told me so much about you."

She shook it hesitantly, the woman's grip only tightening as May went to pull her hand away. Sharp, pointy nails scratched against May's palm and Josh had been right. This woman wasn't anything like her Mum. Miranda had the ability to make friends with anyone; her aura calm and gentle. Nothing about this woman said gentle and the air around her was tense, like a warning to stay away. Her blonde hair was cut above her shoulders in a blunt bob, and the tailored grey pants and white blouse seemed to fit just that little bit too tight - not at all comfortable.

"Oh, has he?" May forced a smile and glanced at Josh who only glared at his mother. What was with boys and being angry lately, May thought.

"Now, don't hold it against me, but I've been busy all day so got a few things ordered in for dinner. Are you hungry now?" She asked, already moving around to the where a few boxes sat by the much too clean sink.

"Yeah, let's get this over and done with." Josh snapped, taking May's hand he led her through to another room where a dark oak dining table had already been set. It looked out of place with all the white, and May wasn't sure what to say as she took the seat Josh offered to her. "Let's eat, and then we'll go somewhere else."

"Um, okay?"

"Here we are!" Tanya exclaimed a little too loudly as she put down a plate in front of May, and then did the same for Josh. The rich spicy aroma of the curry had May's stomach growling and as a large bowl of rice and naan bread was put on the table, she realised she was starving.

"This smells delicious! I can't remember the last time I had this." May inspected her dinner hungrily, and out of the corner of her eye saw Josh staring at her. "What?"

He only shook his head and looked to his plate while Tanya glared at her son. May didn't want to get involved in any family disputes, so tried to stay neutral. Maybe it was simply Josh's opinion towards his mother that had May seeing her in a bad way, and this time when she looked at the woman, she saw some resemblance of Josh in her. Yet having the same nose didn't mean much as far as liking people went; her eyes were her sons too, only much more colder if that was even possible. May reasoned the woman was going through a divorce, so clearly she wasn't her usual self. Maybe she was nicer once, and now she was just left angry with the world.

"So, what are your plans for the future May?" Tanya asked curiously, passing around the yellowed rice.

"Oh, I'm not sure. I've always wanted to get away from here, travel a bit. I think I'd miss my parents too much though." She laughed awkwardly, unsure how that sounded in front of Josh.

"You two have that in common then, well not the part about missing parents."

"Well you make it hard." Josh grumbled, simply pushing around bits of vegetable in his food.

"Can we just one nice meal Joshua!" Tanya snapped before taking a deep breath and a mouthful of wine. "Sorry."

May shrugged, and took a mouthful of the curry, savouring each and every flavour. It was delicious and looking up, she paused her chewing and nervously swallowed as both Burton's' simply stared at her. Self consciously she grabbed her napkin and wiped her mouth, checking her shirt to make sure she hadn't made a mess. Just as quickly, the pair of them dug into their food like they just remembered it was there.

The more May ate, the quieter Tanya became until they were nearly halfway through the meal and someone knocked on the door. Josh dropped his fork loudly, looking at his mother questioningly, but she merely excused herself and to answer it.

"That'll be Dad. She told him she had a special guest coming around for dinner tonight, making him think she is seeing someone." Josh whispered, yet May had a horrible feeling that was a lie.

"I mean really, you can't just come around here whenever you feel like it!" Tanya screeched and from the look of frustration on Josh's face, May only felt sad for him having to live like this.

"It's okay." May tried to assure him.

The hushed whispers were hard to hear and May felt bad for eavesdropping, so she stopped - jumping barely seconds later when Mr. Burton stormed into the dining room. Surprise and a flicker of happiness crossed his face, before he straightened his suit jacket and coughed awkwardly to clear his throat.

"Joshua. May, is it? Lovely to meet you." He quickly offered his hand and not used to parents being so, formal, May shook it trying not to cringe at how it was slightly damp.

"You too, Mr Burton." She glanced back at Josh who was still staring at his plate.

"Are you enjoying dinner? It's one of my favourites."

"Ah, yes. It's lovely."

"Oh for gods sake, just get out!" Tanya yelled from the kitchen.

He said nothing, simply turning on his heel and walking out.

Well it wasn't like it could get much worse, or so May reasoned. "So, they're your parents."

"Yup." Josh sighed seemingly in defeat.

"Well, now I've met them both. Your turn next." She gave his hand a squeeze before taking another mouthful of food.

"So Ryan has decided to join us for dinner." Tanya said sharply, instantly sitting down and having more wine.

Sure enough, the older man who really did look Josh now May had a chance to get a good look at him came and sat opposite Tanya with his own serving of dinner.

"Great." Josh sighed.

"So, May. Tell us about yourself. Josh has only said lovely things about you." He asked, oblivious to the tension in the air.

"Oh, good. Um, well-" May thought about what to say as she chewed.

"Your parents live near here?"

"Yes. Kind of. Just on the other side of the train tracks. We live near one the entrances to the national park."

"That sounds nice. You and Josh have hiked out there?" He didn't seem all that interested, but May was happy to answer to keep the flow of conversation going.

"Dad-" Josh groaned.

"We did." May gently nudged him, trying to make him understand it was okay.

"I've heard there are all kind of wild animals running around out there." Tanya added, making May laugh as she remembered what Josh had told her about his mother's worries.

"Bears and wolves? Yeah, no. I think people have scared them off long ago. I've lived there my whole life and never seen anything." His parents shared a look, and May regretted laughing now. "We were completely safe when we went walking."

"What about your parents?" Ryan narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at May.

"What about them?"

"Dad." Josh warned.

"What do they do for work?" He asked, ignoring his son.

"Um, my Dad actually works with the police department in the K9 unit. He's responsible for training, and helping the handlers. That kind of thing. Mum is a managing director at Mentogrey International."

"Interesting. How did they meet?" Ryan pushed, making May feel nervous all over again.

"Oh it's quite an amazing story really." May loved her parents story, but the truth was something she never got to share with strangers. "My Dad was out camping and believe it or not, my Mum was actually in a plane crash not far from where he was!"

"A plane crash?" Tanya didn't believe her.

"Yup! I think my Nan still has newspaper cutouts about it all. Anyway, he pretty much saved her life, they became friends before falling in love with each other. It's quite romantic really, I mean, he was out there camping right where her plane crashed. I like to think it was fate they met." May told them dreamily. "They've been together for nearly twenty years now."

"That's kind of amazing. You never told me that before." Josh finally spoke words, rather than mumbled bits of nothing.

"You never asked."

"So your father was out in the forest-"

"Camping." Josh cut off his Dad. "Enough with the twenty questions. I know it's strange for you two to hear of people being in love, staying together and being nice to those around them. It doesn't make them different, it makes them normal and you two look pathetic."

"Joshua!" His mother gasped offended.

"I've had enough. May, come on. Let's get out of here." Josh was up and gone before May could answer him.

"Um, nice meeting you?" She weakly said before going after him. "I don't mind the questions Josh. Really."

"Well I do." They ended up outside, and as he started down the street, May was hesitant to follow. "Come on, there is a park just up here. I need to get away from them."

Reluctantly she moved after him and soon enough they were sitting out in the dark on an old swing set. Night insects chirped and frogs croaked, a beautiful song that stopped any awkward silence growing between the pair of them.

"May, my parents aren't what they appear." Josh finally spoke.

"Okay?"

"They're not good people. I'm sorry about all of that."

"It wasn't that bad, honest."

"You don't know them like I do okay. Just, don't let your guard down around them, that's all."

May frowned. "Josh, they don't, like, hurt you do they? Chad can get the councillor-"

"Oh no, nothing like that." He quickly told her. "They just- you know what. Nevermind. I'm glad that's all over with now."

They ended up laying down on the lawn nearby, staring up into the night sky looking for shooting stars and talking about anything they could think about. It wasn't a cold night, not like they'd been having lately and May found herself thinking of Caleb. They had always done this, taking the shortcut to the look out near her place and sitting on the old bench seat to stare out into the nothingness of the forest. Maybe it was the shifter blood in her, but being outside in nature had always made her feel home, yet it didn't feel quite the same now.

"Hello?" Josh interrupted her thoughts and May blinked away the memories.

"Sorry, what?"

"Where did you go?" He turned to look at her, and she avoided his gaze as if thinking of Caleb now was forbidden.

"I was just thinking. I used to do this all the time with a friend of mine. I miss it." She sighed.

"Miss the friend or the chatting under the stars?"

"Both." May admitted. "But this is nice."

Josh was quiet until his hand found hers. "Is that friend Leanna? She's been looking so sad these last couple of weeks."

"No. It was ah, her brother actually. Leanna and I, well it's complicated."

"The guys at school, are they part of this complication?"

"A little.Surely you had this at other schools, you know the popular kids and the not so popular ones? It's not different to that really." May lied.

"Yeah, but I don't see that being the case here. Did you, date, her brother?" He tried to sound neutral, but failed.

"Kind of, but it wasn't as simple as that. We all grew up together, our parents are really good friends. Unfortunately, we're all too different so now we're getting older, we do our own thing. Plus, after my birthday last year, Caleb and I had a fight. He said some pretty horrible things and we haven't spoken much at all since. I guess his friends and family chose a side and it wasn't mine." May figured that was all she could really say and hoped it was enough.

"So, Leanna's friends? They're on his side?"

"Yeah."

"That's really lame. I feel sorry for them not being friends with you." Josh grinned making May roll her eyes.

"You're all talk aren't you?"

"Amongst other things." He laughed. "They're kind of like a pack, what with the way they walk around all tough. I see them in town together too. I wouldn't be surprised if they ended up in a gang or jail later on in life."

"Oh you have no idea!" May laughed, though really her joke should only be funny to her. "Bunch of mutts they are too."

"I can't imagine you like being like them."

"I guess I never was and that was the problem." She rolled over onto her side to look at him; his skin looking almost translucent in the eerie blue moonlight.

"I'm glad you're not." He reached over and kissed her in such a way so was she.

Without realising it, they moved even closer together. Thigh was touching thigh and the space between them vanished. Josh's hands curled around May's loose blonde hair, while hers came to rest on his side; her fingers skimming curiously over the exposed patch of skin over his hip. Within a breath, their closeness changed again as Josh moved so he was now leaning over her. On instinct, her legs circled his waist - their kisses became more needy and lost in the moment, May didn't realise her wrist was vibrating straight away.

"Oh no, that's my mum!" She cursed, daring to look at the screen as Josh moved back. Both were breathing hard, and May closed her eyes as she answered. "Hello?"

"Honey, it's getting late."

"Yes. It is. I'm ready." May held her breath, only releasing it as the call ended. Instantly her face went bright red, and looking up at Josh, she didn't regret a second of it as he smiled back at her.

"Busted."

"Shut up." She grinned back and once standing, they brushed away any leaves or grass trimmings that had stuck to them. Walking back to Josh's, hand in hand, May was positive she was actually dreaming. "Thank you, for tonight."

"Ha. Thank you for being so great about the nightmare that is my parents."

"Honest, they were fine and dinner was delicious!"

"Oh, that reminds me. Wait here a sec." He ran inside while May stood unsure on the doorstep. He soon appeared with a small plastic container of leftovers. "My Mum is weird about left over food and she ordered way too much. Did you want some to take home?"

"Yeah, that would be great. Dad will probably eat it when I get home." She laughed, just as Miranda pulled up on the curb. "Goodnight."

This kiss was sweet, simple and quick; the kind May didn't mind if her Mum saw as it looked completely innocent. Her mother said nothing as she got in, and the drive home was quiet, giving May plenty of time to simply stare out the window as she thought about how completely smitten with her life she now was.

There was a lot Miranda wanted to say, things she wanted to ask, but she decided to let May share in her own time. Despite that, she was quick to pick out a leaf stuck in her daughter's hair and to offer a small bottle of perfume for May to spray herself with before going inside.

"Have a good night?" Miranda asked curiously.

"The best. His parents are full on though."

"Do I need to, ah talk to you about-"

"Don't say it and no you don't. It wasn't like that." May defended, looking at her mother in horror as she held up the leaf. "It really wasn't."

"Good. I trust you, just please don't make me regret that. Your Dad's in a bit of mood too, so good luck."

They went inside and Braydon was there waiting for them. May felt herself shrink under father's gaze, and before she could think of something to say that wouldn't get her into trouble, he sneezed.

"What is that smell?"

"Perfume?" May sniffed, only smelling the musky vanilla scent of the spray she'd used.

"No, it's kind of like a curry mixed with rotten eggs." He sneezed again and May instantly covered her mouth. Had she been making out with Josh with bad breath?

It smelt okay to her, and then she remembered the container of food she had. "I had curry for dinner and brought home leftovers. It doesn't smell that bad."

Braydon took it from her and she offered it to him, barely breathing in a full breath before wrinkling up his nose in disgust. "That's not right. You ate this?"

Miranda leaned in and took a sniff. "Smells great!"

He looked at both of them as if they had grown two heads.

"Try some. Maybe you're just being over sensitive." May decided moving into the kitchen.

"Or over dramatic." Her mother added. Miranda grabbed a teaspoon and took a sample of the orange sauce. "Oh that's good!"

Braydon looked looked like he could throw up. "I'm not even tasting that. Take it from me, that is not good for you. Throw it out."

Miranda paused as she went to grab another spoonful, glancing at May before focusing on her husband.

"I promise you it tastes amazing. What's wrong?" She asked softly. "I don't understand why you're reacting like this."

"Throw. It. Out." Braydon surprised both of them as his eyes flashed to that of the wolf, his words coming out with a snarl before he moved off upstairs.

"Mum?" May watched her dad go completely confused.

"It's probably some stupid, primitive issue he has with you bringing home food from your boyfriends house. Don't be surprised if you find a dead rabbit or deer or something waiting as breakfast in the morning." There was a hint of worry in Miranda's tone, cleverly masked by sarcasm as she glanced up through the ceiling. "Sometimes they don't think like we do."

"Okay."

"Come on, it's late. Time for bed." Miranda put the leftovers in the bin and May didn't protest, though now she was terrified of bringing Josh around to meet her Dad if that was his reaction to leftovers.

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May was starting to realise something about herself - she was sold on flattery. Beautiful. Amazing. Kind. Josh seemed happy supplying her a never ending list of compliments about how wonderful she truly was. It wasn't something she needed to hear, but after the hits her confidence had taken in the past year, she let herself enjoy it. Not only that, the crush she had on Josh was turning into - something. May wasn't completely sure, but she was liking every second of it. That was even with the little alarm going off in the back of her mind, warning her to be careful. May ignored it since she reasoned it was all of Caleb's fault, and Leanna's since now she struggled to trust the people around her who apparently cared.

"Did you Dad like the leftovers?" Josh asked curiously as they worked on their homework together Sunday night.

Looking up at the screen May quickly nodded. "Oh yeah. He said to say thanks."

"Really?" He frowned before nodding. "He's welcome."

"Actually, are you free one night this week? Mum said you're welcome to come over for dinner anytime."

"Sounds great. I'll just check with my parents. Don't want to mess up their stupid custody schedule." Josh muttered bitterly.

It was then May sensed other shifters nearby and quickly ended the call. Going to her bedroom window, she opened it up and breathed in the cool night air - picking out the various scents that it carried to her. Sure enough, the lone figure of her father in wolf form sprinted across their backyard and over the fence to where his pack waited. For her whole life all she had ever wanted was to join them. As a child she'd run with her Dad, the kids happy to race each other as if they were as wild and free as their parents.

When it came closer to her time to shift, she'd felt the energy of the pack calling to her and the urge to call out and howl with the wolves had become unbearable. Even now she felt that restless energy; the call of the wild that had her body burning with the need to run. Her senses sharpened, her jaw began to ache as she clenched her teeth together to stop herself from calling out 'I'm here, let me come with you!'

May's heart leapt at the sight of Caleb approaching and for a second she was terrified that she hadn't just thought those words, but had in fact screamed them into the night. He lingered in the light from the kitchen window, avoiding the back verandah where May knew her mother would be as he moved to her side of the house. A small, yap like whine left him as if he was calling her down and she did consider it until another wolf appeared - Nate. After a minute or so the pair took off the same way Braydon had gone and May let go of a breath she didn't know she had even been holding as she closed her window on a world she wasn't a part of.  

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Is this going too slow? I feel like it is, but without making jumbo chapters I'm trying to give background without an info dump yet reading over it, I'm like ah enough get to the good bits (which will start to happen soon) What do you think? ER xx