Fated To The Lycan Brothers
Chapter 10

Suri Nightingale

When I got back to my room, the first thing I noticed was the two boxes-one small and one big-on my living room table. Yes, I have my own living room, like what the hell, right?

I cautiously walked over to it, wondering what it could be and who could have put it there, but when I saw what it was, I flipped.

My own laptop and cellphone and in the newest version, too. I don't think it's even been released to the public yet. Damn.

I ripped through the packaging in seconds and stared at the expensive technology that was now in my hands. It seemed so unreal since all my life I could only afford those that were second hand and even recently, they had given up on me from how outdated they were so I had nothing.

I said earlier that I didn't want to use most of the perks, but hey, a girl needs a cellphone and a laptop, right?

I activated the phone and began to scroll on it. I don't have any accounts on social media due to the fact that I rarely have a phone and also I like my privacy so what I did instead was research something.

I typed in, 'What Do Teenagers Wear To The Mall'.

It seemed silly, but I was someone who has never fit in and as much as possible, I didn't want to stand out like a sore thumb in a place like this. I needed to look like everyone else and I was sure this is where all the teenagers got their inspiration. I walked over to my closet as I looked back and forth between what the website said was good and what wasn't.

Then I came to the conclusion that for tops - cropped ones were good, bulky were not, and for pants, ripped jeans were in, baggy pants definitely out.

A few minutes later, I came out with a white corset type of top and paired it with ripped blue denim jeans and white sneakers that I could have sworn was a collab between a sneaker brand and a high fashion one. Definitely something I would have never been able to afford.

When I looked at myself in the mirror, I felt... normal. For a fleeting second, I couldn't help but smile because for the first time ever, I didn't see myself and thought I looked way older for my age since most of the jobs I did required me to look older.

I looked at my face and hair and thought of doing something with it and ran back to my walk-in closet where hoards of different types of makeup were just there. Whoever Keith hired to fill this place up for a teenager, they definitely knew what they were doing. Since I just wanted to look a little more alive, I got black mascara, a soft pink blush, and lipstick of the same shade and went to work on my face. I thank the club and Red Mama for teaching me how to use these things because if I had no experience, I would end up looking like a clown.

"Wow..." I mumbled to particularly no one as I blinked in front of the mirror.

I really did look like every other teenager. Not one that had three side jobs. Not one that had been running away from something and someone her whole life. And definitely not one who's only ever known hardships since her mom died.

A knock on the door took me out of my thoughts and I quickly got up and ran to it. It must be Lucy. Maybe she can give me an honest opinion on what I look like and it's not because I actually care about other people's opinions; especially not the brothers. I just wanted to... know.

But when I opened the door, someone else that was definitely not a female in a uniform stood in front of me.

"Hi," Devon greeted me with a warm smile.

It was hard to not get distracted by how much more gorgeous he looked with a perfectly-fitting white top and jeans. It was so simple yet it looked so good on him that it almost seemed like he was going to a photoshoot.

I then realized that we were obviously wearing the same colors and it looked like we decided to match like a freaking couple. s**t. Is it too late to change?

"Wh- what are you doing here?" I managed to ask him, pulling me away from my millisecond of admiration.

Another difficulty I realized around the brothers was the fact that it sometimes becomes a challenge stopping myself from getting lost at staring at them. It's like they were all born to be appreciated.

"I didn't want you to escape so I decided to pick you up."

I rolled my eyes at him. "I already said yes, okay? You don't have to act like I'll run away from you."

"No offense, but your track record isn't really helping your case there." He says, but not in a way that he was judging me, but he was kind of just pointing it out.

I opened my mouth to say something, but realized he was right and I didn't know how to defend myself from that.

I just let out a deep exhale before shaking my head at him. "Whatever. I'm here, you're here. Let's get this over with."

"Ladies first," Devon said before gesturing to me to go ahead.

I hated that he was so polite and so charming, but I also kind of... liked it. I figured I much preferred this than being treated like a piece of meat that was disposable to them like the two other brothers did. Then I stopped and thought about it.

Did I actually prefer them being nice? Or would it be better if they were flat out mean so then I would know they weren't hiding any ulterior motives? Oh my god, I don't know anymore.

When we got to the basement after using the elevator, I don't know what I was expecting, but it was definitely not their own freaking garage that seemed to just never end. I don't know if this was a garage or a car show of luxury car brands. How many vehicles does a person need?! I rate this a ten on the absurdity scale.

"My dad sometimes gets paid with cars. He's an avid collector of the old and classic models." Devon shared as if he read my mind.

"Oh... that's cool." I mumbled in response as my eyes passed each one.

Keith really had come a long way, based on his story. If my mom hadn't left him that day, would he still have become who he is today?

"Which one is your car?" I asked Devon and he turned to me with a smirk.

"Pick one," he said so casually.

"What?" I asked as I stared at him confused.

"My car is whichever I feel like driving and right now, you're the guest, so you get to pick. Come on, Suri." He said with a light chuckle and a little smile that made my heart skip.

Or was it the way he said my name like he loved every letter of it?

Ugh, damn it. Stop overthinking things, Suri! Fine, okay. I'll go with whatever his flow is.

"Um..." I scanned the vast space until I saw a car that caught my eye.

A black Jeep Wrangler. It looked so simple yet so... enticing. Something about it seemed fun to ride so I pointed to it and Devon turned to me with a pleased smile.

"Good choice, Suri. You got taste." He said to me with a wink and I internally screamed at my heart to stop doing that damn thing where it flutters.

"Yeah... sure..." I said awkwardly before we walked over to the Jeep.

Devon gets inside and pulls down the visor. A set of keys fall from it and he dangles it in front of me. "Last chance to tell me if you want to drive."

I shake my head. "No, thank you. I'll stick as the passenger."

If I was going to figure out this place in case s**t hits the fan, I needed to be on the lookout first. That means I have to overanalyze every corner that we pass by and I can't do that if I'm distracted while driving.

"Suit yourself, but just so you know, drivers get stereo perks. You're forced to listen to my music." He wiggled his eyebrows at me and I tried not to laugh, but it was so cute that I couldn't hold it.

"There she is. I knew the relaxed Suri was somewhere in there." Devon said, making me blush, but also making me self-conscious.

I cleared my throat and adjusted my seatbelt before looking out of the window. He seemed to have gotten the hint and didn't say anything else as he just proceeded to play his music.

Honestly, I was half expecting him to start playing some country music or any genre that would bore a teenager (not that country was boring, it's just not very typical), but instead, Take On Me by A-ha started playing. I turned to look at him with a confused expression. "Really? Eighties music? I didn't peg you as that kind of guy."

Devon looked at me with an amused smile. "And what kind of guy did you peg me as then?"

I shrugged my shoulders and figured if I'm going to be stuck with him for the whole duration of this afternoon, I might as well try and sort of enjoy it.

"Britney Spears? Spice Girls? You look like you would fanboy over Posh Spice." I teased and Devon faked a shocked and offended expression as he put his free hand on his chest and looked at me mouth agape.

"Me? Fanboy over Posh Spice? First of all, I am more of a Sporty Spice kind of guy and second of all..." He pauses when he takes his phone and starts scrolling on it like he's looking for something. The stop light turning red was perfect timing for him to do whatever he was doing.

He smiles cheekily on his screen before looking back at me, but instead of saying something, he's just looking at me with such a stupidly cute smirk.

Half of me wants to punch it out of him, but the other half wants to kiss his stupidly cute face.

Oh, god. What is happening to me?

I realized what Devon was looking for so seriously when a familiar sound of a laugh came on the speaker and then...

"Yoooo, I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want!" He suddenly busted into singing mode and I couldn't control my laughter.

He continued singing even when the stop light turned green and eventually, I joined in too.

"I wanna, I wanna, I wanna really really really wanna zigazig ahhh," I sang and Devon was-terribly-doing some beatboxing sounds with his mouth. Nearing the end of the song, we were in duet mode.

"If you wanna be my lover-" He sang before pretending to pass the mic to me.

"You gotta, you gotta, you gotta-" I continued and then we turned to each other with a nod and a smile and both knew the closing part had to be done together.

"Slam, slam, slam, slam!" We half sang and half shouted in the car.

I couldn't stop laughing as Devon started wiggling his body and singing the last part enthusiastically.

"Slam your body down ah zigazig ahh," he emotionally sang like he was on stage, singing as one of the Spice Girls, before pretending to pass the mic to me again to finish it with a bang.

I pretended to clear my throat before jokingly moving my hands across my hair in a seductive way like how the Spice Girls do.

"If you wanna be my lover!"

And then, as my audience, Devon started clapping and cheering.

We laughed for what seemed like half an hour and I actually felt exactly what Devon said earlier - relaxed. For the longest time, I was terrified of ever dropping my guard in fear of the unexpected suddenly appearing. But right here, right now, I felt... safe.

"How's that for a fanboy?" He asked as he gave me quick second glances, but even those short looks made my face feel warm.

But this time, I didn't try to deny them, because I realized that it might actually be fun just enjoying myself without overthinking. Especially when it was with a guy like Devon.

"Hm..." I pretended to think hard about my answer before turning to him with a grin. "Four out of five. Minus one because you didn't belt out Sporty Spice's part enough." Devon fake-gasped at me before chuckling and then after a few seconds of silence, his lips curve into a mischievous smirk. "Did I hear that correctly?"

"What?" I asked curious and cautious.

"Is my number one fan asking for an encore?" He asked with a cheeky grin.

I looked at him wide-eyed. "What?! I didn't-"

"Say no more!" He shouted excitedly before clicking play on the screen and not a second later, Stop began to play on every speaker in the car.

"You just walk in, I make you smile. It's cool, but you don't even know me."

As Devon continued to sing like he was having a solo concert, I couldn't help but feel completely and undeniably at ease.

No pressure. No uncomfortability. No judgment.

Just him and me and all the classic Spice Girls songs.

I guess moving here wasn't such a bad idea after all, I thought to myself, but I don't get to revel in that too long before something else pops up in my head. Or rather, two people.

Atlas.

Wes.

Making me come to a final conclusion that in fact...

They were the enemies.