I was so, so mad. By the time May dropped me off at home, it was already 10pm.
Dinner had just been the twins, Anita and I.
Tristan hadn't even shown up, apparently he had been 'too busy'.
The twins seemed unfazed by this because apparently it happened all the time but I wasn't used to that.
Tristan did not have the right to make surprise plans including me and not even show up for them.
I had enough on my plate with the AAP as it was. Another thing that he had decided on.
I tossed my backpack furiously on the floor as I walked into my room.
"Someone's mad." Hazel sang. She was sitting cross legged on my bed. Already in her footsie pyjamas with her curly hair done in a bun above her head.
Kat was on her bed in the same form and in the same attire. Aunt Sarah had thought it would be the cutest thing to get all three of them matching pyjamas like that.
I thought it was adorable as well but Parker begs to differ and getting him in his is a serious battle.
"Tell me about it." Kat responded. "Wanna join us? I'm teaching Haze some meditation techniques to help her control her spontaneous shifting."
Hazel widened her eyes and mouthed 'no, she isn't.'
I didn't want to say anything but Kat - who had a temper worse than anyone I have ever met - teaching sweet, bubbly Hazel how to control herself was kind of a strange sight.
"No thank you." Was all I said politely. "I just had a sucky day, that's all."
Hazel stretched her legs in front of her. She patted a spot on the bed eagerly. "Tell us all about it."
I knew she was just trying to get out of 'Kat yoga' and I couldn't blame her.
"You're literally the only person I know who would be mad about being with Mr dreamy, Tristan freaking Melrose!" Kat spoke in irritation.
Hazel sighed at her older sister. "Katherine, consideration, remember?"
Kat nodded. "Oh right." She smiled at me but it seemed kind of strained. "What happened, sweetie? Dinner didn't go well?"
"Kat finally agreed to go to therapy again." Hazel spoke seeming nervous.
Kat's not so little bursts of anger have been a problem for sometime.
She used to go for therapy and take some medications a few years ago to control them and with time, she finally found her stride and has been okay.
Heightened emotions usually trigger her.
I had been so focused on myself that I didn't even realise all this stress with the AAP might have triggered her again.
"Hazel, we're not talking about me." Kat growled.
This had never been an easy topic for her.
"Crystal, tell us about dinner." She demanded.
I took a seat on the bed besides Hazel.
"Well Tristan made dinner plans at his house without even informing me and then he didn't even show up!" I yelled.
Hazel and Kat didn't react.
They just stared at me.
"And?" Hazel asked.
"And he shouldn't have done that." I responded. "He shouldn't have made those plans in the first place if he knew he wouldn't make it."
"Did you ask him why he wasn't able to make it?" Kat asked.
I didn't like this! Why was she being the voice of reason when I wanted her to be as outraged?
"He should be doing all the talking! I'm the one who deserves an explanation here! Why are you on his side? Aren't you the one always preaching about feminism?"
"Hey." Kat raised her hands in defence. "I am a feminist but Tristan is the alpha. For all you know, he didn't make it because he was fighting off another rogue. Remember that? It only happened yesterday."
Although I didn't appreciate Kat's condensending tone, I grew worried.
What if Tristan had encountered a rogue?
What if it was as vicious as the one that had attacked Joshua?
What if he was hurt?
I would feel something, right?
Surely there would be some kind of sign if my soul mate was ripped away from me or hurt.
"I get it, Cryss, I really do." Kat spoke. "But the Luna does have certain duties. And traditionally, you would have been required to move in with Alpha Tristan if you were of age. They're many duties you would have to fulfil now. And you will find yourself spending more time at the alpha's manor more often. I'll be with you obvi. I hear they have an endless supply of caviar over there. And a sick gym."
"And she'll be there for emotional support." Hazel added.
"That too." Kat waved her off. "My point is, the luna has duties too. Tristan won't always be around or available, you know."
"What duties?" I asked nervous at the prospect of doing yet another thing I would suck at.
"Well the Elders and the council usually outline those. It's different for different alphas. Alpha Jean wanted her husband helping out with social relations but he was also good in combat so she wanted him front and center in the defence wing too. It's all about how Tristan and you will work as a couple, really."
'Couple'.
Would the pack even see us as that really?
Tristan has never really treated me as a prospective... partner in any way. If anything he has always treated me like a child. An annoying child for that matter.
The only time he ever truly showed a want for me was the first time we met. And even then, his 'want' wasn't sexual or anything like that. It was the imprinting process...
You found your mate. And you never wanted to spend a minute away from them.
I felt it too...
"Crystal!"
I heard my name get called from downstairs.
"Coming, Aunt Sarah!" I called back.
"Your mum probably wants to make sure I ate." I told them. "Brb." I rushed down the stairs and realised something was different.
I was feeling drawn to something - someone rather.
Tristan.
I couldn't really describe how strong this feeling had gotten since he had claimed me.
Before, I had been aware of his presence in a certain vicinity but now I was quite literally being drawn to him.
I thanked God Uncle Victor was still out on his jog. Him encountering Tristan at this hour on a school night would not help things.
I walked into the kitchen.
Aunt Sarah was by the kitchen door with Parker talking up a storm about what he did today at school.
Tristan actually looked at him attentively, nodding along.
When Aunt Sarah saw me, she looked relieved.
She pulled Parker by the shoulders. "Hey, Crystal's here. Why don't we let her talk to alpha Tristan now?" She asked him.
Parker was sipping on a juice box. He looked up at me.
"But I wanna talk to Alpha Tristan. Why does Crystal get to talk to him?"
Aunt Sarah looked trapped.
"Um, because -"
"He's my best friend." I answered. "You know how Sean from school is your best friend?"
"We're not doing that anymore. The traitor broke my favourite crayon. I cannot be friends with people like that!" Parker squeezed the box as he spoke and some apple juice spilt on him.
"Oh baby." Aunt Sarah picked him up. "Look what you've done, let's go clean you up."
"And have a talk about how he's too young to be cutting people off." I muttered.
Aunt Sarah gave me a worried look. "Tell me about it. I think he's teacher calls him a mini Don Corleon behind my back." She whispered.
"Bye Alpha Tristan!" Parker yelled as Aunt Sarah carried him away.
"See you later, Parker." Tristan waved.
"Crystal!" He screamed my name sounding eerily like Uncle Victor. "Get back in here before 11, you can't -"
Oh gosh.
Aunt Sarah covered his mouth before he said something else.
I shook my head before walking towards the door.
Tristan was leaning against a wall.
He pushed himself off and looked at me.
"Hey."
I folded my arms across my chest.
I could see Peter in the front seat of the SUV parked a few meters away. I couldn't tell if anyone else was in there from this far away but it was clear that he was the driver.
"Are you coming in?" I asked Tristan.
He looked exhausted. He wore a the pack combat uniform looking all ready for action in his human form.
He probably hadn't been wolfing out.
"No." He replied. "I told your aunt I wouldn't be staying long."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Why are you here, Tristan?"
His face grew dark. "If you want me to go, just say so."
So now he was mad?
Uh-uh. No way.
I wasn't going to let my fury be undermined. Not today.
I stepped outside and shut the front door.
"Why didn't you show up for dinner?" I demanded.
I saw the window of the SUV where Peter sat begin to rise slowly until it was fully closed.
Tristan's expression didn't waver. "I was attending meetings all day then I was at the border and -"
"You couldn't call? Or text or ask one of your apprentices to do it? Seriously Tristan! I'm not your puppet and you shouldn't think you can tell me where to be whenever you want. I have classes and homework and assignments and apparently training as well because you said so."
Tristan put his hands in his pockets, still not reacting.
Stop being so calm, dammit!
"I thought you liked Anita. And aren't you and Mikey friends?"
"I do think Anita is nice. And well, I don't think either of your brothers are people I would call 'friends' but - arg! Tristan, are you even listening to me? You made plans that you totally flaked on and you keep telling me what to do and I don't like it."
Tristan was quiet for some time and just stared at me. "Sorry." He finally spoke.
Unbe-freaking-lievable.
"This won't work, Tristan. Not if we don't set some rules." I told him.
"Rules?" Tristan asked me dryly.
I nodded firmly.
"Rules. I don't think you respect me quite frankly."
"You don't-" he stopped himself looking too tired to argue. "Fine, Crystal. Draft your set of rules and give them to May or Peter then we'll talk about it later."
He was dismissing me. Like a parent entertaining their child pretending to be an adult.
"Stop it!" I yelled in frustration.
Tristan rose his brows at me. "Stop what?"
"Treating me like a child!"
"You are a child." He spoke.
I don't know why the directness of his words offended me so much.
"I am not!"
He rolled his eyes. "I'm not trying to insult you, I'm just saying you're young."
"So are you." I retaliated.
He smiled as if amused.
It was easy to forget that Tristan was only twenty two.
He hardly smiled.
But the few times he did, it made him look ten times younger. His dimples came out without much effort.
Peter had dimples too. Little depressions on his cheek that showed too easily.
But Tristan's dimples were stubborn.
They demanded a smile to reveal themselves and whenever he allowed me one, I couldn't help but hope for it to last.
It never did.
He walked over to the porch seat and sat down.
"What's the first rule?"
I was amazed. But I didn't let the opportunity pass by, I rushed to seat beside him.
"Do you have your phone?" I asked him.
He dug into his pocket and pulled out the device.
"Wanna see who I'm talking to?" He smirked.
I scoffed. "Whoever's dms you're sliding into is not my business." I told him as I took his phone and pulled up the notes app.
Tristan had a fingerprint id on his phone and about 52 unread messages.
I know I said I didn't care but that seemed kind of suspicious to me.
"Number 1," I typed, "Crystal doesn't have to do anything Tristan says."
"That's a bit vague" Tristan muttered not looking pleased at all. "What if I tell you to run because you're in danger? You just won't do it?"
"Okay, in cases where my life depends on it, I might listen to you."
Tristan let out something between a grunt and a laugh.
"What's the second one?"
"Try to make it to dinner at least five times a week. I get that you're super busy as alpha but... well..."
"You're really pissed off about the dinner thing, huh?" He still seemed amused.
I rolled my eyes. "First of all, you shouldn't have sprung that on me like that. I have my own life and plans and secondly... I think your brothers were more upset than I was." I said the last part softly.
It wasn't my place to get involved in Melrose family business and I was definitely still mad at Joshua but I couldn't help but bring this one up.
When Anita announced that Tristan probably wouldn't be making it and that we should eat without him, Michael dove right in but I could see the disappointment on Joshua's face.
His face practically dropped after the news.
"I thought you weren't friends with my brothers." Tristan muttered, looking away from me.
"I'm not." I spoke. "But I know what it's like to hope someone shows up and they just... don't."
He sighed.
"You know, they tell you all about how the war was horrific. How scared everyone was... how the humans almost got involved..." he was looking up at the stars, looking like he was somewhere else completely. Someplace distant. "I was there. I saw it happen... People don't understand that after the war ended, we needed to keep fighting a different battle, to keep it that way with the union. I will never stop fighting so that no one in this pack will ever have to experience war again. If it means I miss a few meals with my brothers, then I'm afraid it'll have to be that way."
He was still looking away.
"Have you ever told them that?" I asked.
He didn't answer. He just took the phone from me.
"Number three, Crystal has to befriend Josh and Mikey." He announced as he typed.
I didn't argue or really say anything.
I felt like Tristan had just revealed a side of himself he never really ever showed people. Even if it was brief. Very brief. I felt like I understood him more.
I was never planning on telling him anything Joshua had said to me. I was allowed to be mad at him.
But causing problems between brothers was never something I intended to do. So I just kept quiet about it.
"Is that why you changed the partnership rules?" I asked remembering how I was stuck with Joshua this entire month.
"No. I changed the rules because my apprentice candidates spent almost five years with a guy who turned out to be a traitor."
I laughed humourlessly. "Yeah, I can relate."
Tristan looked at me thoughtfully but before he could say anything else, we heard the door of the SUV swing open.
Peter gestured to his wrist.
Tristan checked the time on his phone.
He started to rise.
I was immediately attaked by the cold night air he had been blocking the minute he rose.
I didn't even realise the sense of comfort that I felt from being around him.
"I have to go." He announced.
"More meetings?" I asked wryly.
He gave me a smile.
"Any progress?" I asked nervously because it sounded way better than 'have you found and killed my ex boyfriend yet?'.
"That's classified."
"Even to the luna?" I tried.
"You don't want to be the luna, remember?" He smirked.
I sighed, he had me on that one.
I remember what Kat had been telling me about the luna's responsibilities.
"Won't that be a problem though? The luna not fulfilling her duties?"
"I already talked to the elders. I made it clear what I expected your role to be."
I rose my brows at him. "You decided what my role would be?"
"Crystal, do you really want to get into this?" He asked irritably.
"Rule number one, Tristan! You should have discussed this with me first."
He rubbed his temple really looking to exhausted to argue.
"Fine, I'll schedule a meeting for you and the elders."
My eyes widened. "I didn't say -"
"You'll have to meet them eventually." He shrugged.
"Yeah but I didn't think - hey wait! Your grandmother is an elder, isn't she? Does that mean -"
"I already asked her. She didn't submit your name for the AAP." He spoke.
I felt disappointed. That would have at least been one problem gone.
"Are you sure?" I asked.
"I know when my grandmother is lying to me." Tristan spoke.
This didn't make any sense. If Nana Francessca didn't nominate me, who did?
His eyes suddenly flashed green and he got that faraway look.
I rolled my eyes.
It barely took forty seconds and he was back.
"Bridget?" I asked, not one bit pleased about this whole 'her being in his head' business.
"Yeah, I really need to go."
He looked like he wanted to say something.
I froze under his gaze. I felt like he was going to do something.
Maybe hug me? Or hold my hand? Just something that would assure me that I wasn't the only one whose wolf was stirring right now.
"Maybe put that as number four." He spoke, taking a step backwards.
"What?" I asked worried that he had somehow read my mind.
"Crystal doesn't have to worry about Tristan touching her inappropriately. I would never, you know that, right?"
I wanted to say something but my body was at war right now honestly. Did I want Tristan to touch me? It was only natural because he was my mate.
"Number five?" I croaked out changing the topic. "I don't want to be part of the AAP anymore."
Tristan frowned. He shoved his hands into his pockets. "I see. Do me favour, though. Don't make your decision now. Make it after tomorrow's lesson."
"What lesson is that?" I asked.
His eyes flashed green for about ten more seconds. He flinched.
'I need to go." He announced and started walking away.
Peter had already started the car.
He turned abruptly.
"One more thing!" He spoke. "You're going dress shopping for the ball tomorrow with Bridget and Nana Francessca."
With that, he quickly got into the SUV before I could even protest.