Cody's POV

I waiting on the curb down the driveway from the pack house, tracking my lyft on my phone as it approaches. I gnaw on my lip as I wait, anxious about going to the Faerie kingdom again.

I had only went once before, about a year or so ago when Taylor had invited me over for dinner to meet his brother. It was the most overwhelming and stressful experience of my life. There were too many people and too many names and titles to remember, too many unknown foods and textures with too many silverware options. Too much judgment and worrying over outfits and aiming to be politically correct. Not to mention the sneers and looks of disgust over the fact that I was the only werewolf there. The whole ordeal just stressed and tired me out until I ended up leaving in the middle of the function, ignoring Taylor's calls on the way home.

A cowardly move, I know but the overwhelming feeling of everything happening all at once was enough for me to want to claw my ears off from the noise and scream at everyone to shut up.

Not exactly the best way to make first impressions

So instead I left, and after finding me the next day, Taylor apologized. He admitted that he should have known me well enough to know it wasn't a good idea and promises the day time he would invite me to his home would be at a time where I wouldn't have to deal with so many people and chaos.

And when he asked today, with Enza coming too no less, I felt like I had to at least give it a try.

Though, the moment things get out of hand, I'm running away

Finally the car pulls onto the street, coming to a stop in front of me. I confirm his name and license plate before getting into the car, sending a text in the newly formed group chat that I'm on the way.

I look out the window, watch as we exit the Autumn Falls pack and pass by the Winter Moon entrance, the huge forrest we share soon fading away into the background. Before long though, a different kind of forrest arises in the distance, it's trees brighter and alight with the earth magic that's found in all the Faerie Lands.

I look out the window and drink in the beautiful scenery, rolling hills and a beautiful lush forrest spread out ahead of us, a large beautiful lake to be seen in the distance. I'm holding my breath as he drive down the hill, the distant views disappearing over horizon once again.

I see plenty of signs on the road pointing towards the Faerie Town in the center of their territory, where Taylor told me there's a smaller Faerie version of downtown Kaulike. There's also numberous manors and mansions lining the distance, signs pointing to prestigious family names that have been Lords and Ladies of the court for generations.

I think about how different Kaulike must be from the human country that a lot of ideas like school and others things came from. I wonder how different it is in Alaria where the Supernaturals there have kept bordered closed and sealed off, not just to the human country but to us as well, claiming we no longer remember our roots. I shake my head of the random facts and rabbit holes my brain has found, focusing instesd on the fact that I have to be surrounded by condescending Faeries the whole time I'm here. The driveway we turn down is long and winding, the trees on either side adorned with flowers of all types. The scenery leading to the large manor is beautiful and I can't help the smile that crosses my face as my knee shakes.

Anxiety is in the background of my mind as the car approaches the manor. Even though I never actually got the chance to talk to his brother, he gave off this aura of grace and royalty and mine gives off anything but.

I worry about how I'm supposed to act in this place and making an ass out of myself, but before I can calm myself down or possibly even run away, we're pulling to a stop in front of the large beautiful manor. While the manor itself is still looking new and refurbished, the vines and flower growing along the side gives it a fairytale rustic feel to it that I love. Architecture and nature are two things that I've always enjoyed, and to see them so masterfully down together is satisfying in a way I can't express.

Suddenly the door is opened for me and I realize that I've just been sitting there looking stupid, staring at the magificebt building.

My cheeks flush as I step out of the car, the annoyed lyft driving frowning at me, but he doesn't say anything, just goes back to his car to get out. I vaguely wonder if he thinks I live here, but banish the thought with a snort, instead going to face the completely intimidating entrance to my friends home.

I swallow thickly before awkwardly waking up the grand stairs on my own, Gaurds standing around the gardens and doors, pretending as if their eyes are following my every move.

The thought of their judgement makes my palms sweat and my heart beat quicken, but I keep walking, keeping my eyes to the ground so my shaky legs don't cause me to tumble down the stairs. Because then I would have to pass away, attend my own funeral to see who came, and disappear for good. I groan inwardly at my anxiety, wishing it would be helpful for once, but no give as I finally reach the last step.

The gaurd to the left comes alive, his Earth Faerie clothes fitting him nicely. "Name and business?" He asks me, and it takes me a second to realize he's asking why I'm here not the company I'm CEO of.

"My name is Cody, uh, Taylor told me to come and hang out with him and Enza after school." I tell him tentatively, clearing my throat from my nerves. Thankfully he doesn't ask anymore questions.

"We've been expecting you, Master Cody. Please, enter." He tells me and my brows raise at the fancy title as the guard falls back into his position, almost seeing like a statue with his stillness and concentration. I go to continue walking, but catch a look at the guard on the other side of the door. I catch a glimpse of a lip curled in disgust and brows marked by anger, but as soon as I read the expression it's gone, awareness of being watched changing the guards demeanor.

My eyes prick a bit before reminding myself that it's not personal.

Faeries are notoriously known for being almost as exclusive, condescending and superior as the Angels. Faeries being the only species the heavenly creatures tolerate. Werewolves and Vampires are barely recognized as subpar species that the Faeries and Angels can use to their advantage. Children of the night however, aren't even seen as that. None of them are even welcome on Faerie lands.

Sometimes with humans and their ignorance being the forefront, it's easy to forget and ignore the fact that Interspecies relationships are tense at best.

Thankfully Taylor and Enza are two of the few Faeries that don't fall into that tragic stereotype. Even though I'm not a leader like he is, I pay close attention to what's going on in the world, especially politically and socially since those are the way that the world end up with a change so radical. My affinity for reading and the pace that I'm able to definitely helps with the information I've gathered. I haven't gotten many chances to put it to use, but Interspecies relationships as well as histories have always been a particular interest in mine.

The large entrance doors are opened after given a signal and I walk through the golden doors, the greenery following us inside the manor, the ceilings covered in beautiful vines and flowers.

The green white and gold ambiance is soothing and invigorating and I find myself enjoying it more now that there's not hundreds of people milling around trying to talk and get the most attention. I hear my name called and turn towards the right to find the grand staircase that I remember, Taylor and Enza standing at the top grins wildly and waving to me.

I notice some of the gaurd shift and their moods change and I try to ignore it.

As time shifts closer and closer to my eighteenth birthday, I've realized that my ability to sense and understand other peoples emotions has grown, the ability sometimes overwhelming when it's all I can feel, even above my own feelings. I remember my father telling me that Omegas sometimes get blessed with special abilities besides their speed that rivals even Alphas and an aptitude for healing. I don't know much about it, but what I do know is that so far, it only happens randomly every once in a while, though for each time the ability lasts longer and longer.

It's been on the back of my mind for weeks, knowing that I was growing closer to my powers awakening and being able to be of some use to the pack and those around me at least. But the pain of not having my parents here to explain things and share this power with me makes it hurt to think about it try to use it. So instead, like all the other times, I push the thoughts away as well as the faint but steady stream of feelings that I can feel around me.

Instead I focus on the smiling faces of my friends as I start towards the stairs, my shoulders relaxing the further I get away from the cloud of negativity choking me from below.

"Cody! I'm glad you came. Taylor just filled me in on the torture he forced you into last time. I wouldn't have blamed you if you flaked." Taylor tells me as he envelops me into a warm hug that only relaxes me further. I chuckle as Taylor scoffs and rolls his eyes, though his smile doesn't leave his lips.

"No, I promised I would come." I tell them as Taylor lead us down the hall towards a separate wing of the house. In a few minutes we're at his room, and I can only cringe to myself as I think about the amount of time it must take to do anything or find anyone in this manor.

"See, Enza. At least someone is a man of his word." Taylor grumbles as he walks through the doors, leaving them open for the two of us to step through.

It's Taylor's turn to roll his eyes as I laugh at their never ending banter, the adoration the two of them have for each other so obvious and beautiful. "He's so dramatic. I forgot I promised to give him some of my leftovers and then I ate them all." He tells me and Taylor scoffs as if reliving the whole ordeal again.

I laugh at the two as I look around Taylor's room it's a nice beige with gold accents, plants all around the room and ceiling. It feels nice, relaxing and calm, and it takes me no time at all to find a comfy couch to sit in. With Taylor's permission, that he claims I don't need, I take off my shoes before settling on a couch, my legs immediately coming up fold over me as my feet rub together, my hands immediately. I hum contently as Taylor and Enza settle in a love seat, their legs immediately intertwining as if unconscious already.

My heart pangs in jealousy for a moment before I remember that I only have a little less than a month left before I turned eighteen and it was my turn.

"I see that look, Cody." Enza says and my cheeks are immediately flushed, shame flooding me in an instant, but before I can apologize, he continues. "It's okay, I know that you're going to find your Mate when you turn eighteen. Actually, it seems as if he's found you already." Taylor says and my eyes bulge out of my head as his eyebrows wiggle, my cheeks red for a completely different reason now. "I know that Alpha James has been around trying to talk to you and ask you out." He says and I gape at Taylor in betrayal.

He holds his hands up in innocence but I refuse to believe in his traitorous ass. "What? Alpha James? Enza don't talk crazy, it doesn't suit you. Did you even hear yourself? He's the Alpha. There's no way in hell I could be a Luna." I tell him, the thought of it alone making me want to pass out, but Enza laughed his smile mischievous and proud as if he won.

"Interesting how you didn't say you don't like him." He teases and I groan, throwing myself back into the couch as Taylor laughs with him, seemingly enchanted by his lovers beauty.

"Well, I don't. I don't even know him. And anyway, he has a girlfriend." I tell him, and I ignore the way my heart squeezes at the the reminder. "Anyway, did you finally get to meet Taylor's brother?" I ask trying to deflect the conversation and from his eye roll I can tell he can see right through me. But he still answers and we spend the evening gossiping and enjoying a meal made by Taylor's personal chef. It was a little nerve wracking to have people serving me, but it was also nice in a lazy way. While we were eating Taylor told us about how weird his brother has been and how there's been a series of deaths lately in the Kingdom. The news was frightening but he assured us that he was going to make sure things got handled properly and whoever was responsible got arrested.

Apparently being the next Leader of the Earth Faeries came with responsibilities that weren't always as dull as annoying paperwork.

Now, as we turn on a movie and laugh about the people at school, I can't stop thinking about a certain brown eyes Alpha and the date he asked me on. What I told Enza was true, I don't like him and I could never be Luna, but I have to admit, there's a part of me that likes the feeling of being liked. But I refuse to allow it to go to my head or act on it, I want to wait for my Mate to date after all.

But even as I try to get myself lost into the movie, something tells me it won't be as easy as I hope.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Wow guys this is so different from the original but I love it. and i also love being able to put in clues and information about the bigger picture in every book.

Thoughts?

Comments?

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