This is a CHRISTMAS BONUS TO ALL OF MY FANS, READERS, AND SUPPORTERS! So, hi! I want to take everything sloooowww I don’t want any of you getting annoyed because it’s a little be tooooo cliché and way tooooo fast as well. Grr, well! I hope you enjoy! This is the longest chapter that I wrote in my opinion and because it’s long…. I don’t know if it’ll bore you guys—but I added a bit of excitement in the end! So you shouldn’t miss it! ;) I hope you like it!

Hush, Howl – Christmas Bonus

Darren

Taking Sapphire and Rosy home with us made me feel a mixed emotion of anxiety and excitement. I was happy that Rosy’s mom allowed them to come over for our chemistry project, though I couldn’t help but feel anxious about how my parents would react when they are informed of Sapphire being mute. But I don’t care whatever reaction they may have. The thing that is important for me is Sapphire—I don’t want her getting hurt.

      My father had always advised me that having a mate means so much more than physical contact of intimacy. Mates are persons destined to be with us the through thick and thin—they are the companions who, no doubt, would never leave us alone despite of the difficult obstacles in life that challenges us.

      Those words encouraged and gave me hope of the fact that Sapphire and I could go through this together despite of her condition. Sure, she might be mute, but her language was distinctive. She was unique and different from the other girls that I’ve seen before. Regardless of the fact that almost everybody at school despises her because of her inability to talk, she still managed to go through every challenge that she faced in life.

      What made me think most about is how she was stuck mute. She was so beautiful that at first sight I expected her voice to be enthralling and melodic—not that I still believe in that fact. The whole day through I was asking myself—what could be the main cause why she wouldn’t speak? No matter how achingly painful it is to not ask her about it, I kept my curiosity to myself because—if possible—I don’t want to open those wounds that might’ve caused her to drop into situation. Something in my guts was telling me that she wasn't born without a voice.

      After school hour, we decided to head home straight—we don’t want any run-ins with Caitlin and her friends. The drive towards the pack-house was utterly quiet—despite of the awkward silence existing between Rosy and Daniel on the backseat. Sapphire looked longingly out into the wilderness, her eyes following every evergreen tree that we passed by.

      I examined her while driving. And it only happens that she was fidgeting with a golden necklace around her neck. I deciphered a carved figure of a wolf that looks as if howling to the moon. An amethyst.

      “You have a nice necklace.” I complimented, breaking the silence existing between us. Sapphire looked at me and smiled warmly. She held the necklace tight as if it would disappear in thin air if she ever would let it go.  She bobbed her head a single time at me and smiled.

      “It’s a family heirloom of hers.” Rosy piped up.

      “I forgot to ask.” I told her. “Where are your parents again?”

      My question made both of them quiet and I saw a hint of sadness flash in Sapphire’s eyes. I spared a single glance at the road to see where we are going before turning to Rosy. I perceived the same kind of emotion written across her face. Glancing on the road again, I turned to look at Sapphire and noticed that her eyes were slowly becoming teary. I guess this was really a stressing matter for the both of them so I decided to let the topic drop.

      After a few minutes, we pulled up in front of the pack-house and we all hopped out of the car—our bags slung over our shoulder.  My mother must’ve heard us arriving because the door opened and closed, then our mothers —Daniel’s and mine—emerged,  standing in front of us with excited expression plastered across their faces. I think I never told them about me bringing home my mate with me and Daniel’s too.

      I looked at Daniel questioningly and he flashed me a sheepish grin. Scratching the back of his neck, he began to speak. “I kind of told them about us brining home our mates." he said. For Sapphire and Rosy, it may sound like the term of friends—but for me, Daniel, and the rest of our kind, it was so much more.

      Glancing back at my parents, I saw my mother engulfing Sapphire into a hug and while Marissa—Daniel’s mom—was hugging Rosy. Sapphire and her cousin seemed shock from their reaction when they pulled away and just flashed them a nervous and hesitant smile.

      “Oh! Sorry about that dearest, we were just sooooo excited!” my mother clapped her hand excitedly and smiled sweetly at her.

      “Yeah!” Daniel’s mom squealed. “This’ll be the first time that they’re brining girls with them home! Oh—and state the fact that they’re cute and pretty, too!” she added.

      Rosy gave out a nervous chortle while Sapphire grinned with anxiety. “So, what are your names?” My mother asked sweetly.

      “My name’s Rosalind. But--but you can call me Rosy, and this is my cousin Sapphire.” Rosy told them, gently prodding Sapphire’s arm with her elbow as they both extended out their hands as a sign of acquaintance.

      To our surprise, instead of just shaking their hands, our moms crushed them into a hug once more and began squealing like teenage girls. I rolled my eyes, in coordination with Daniel’s. Our parents were really close to each other—including the fact that Daniel’s father was the beta as well.

      “What are we waiting for? Let’s go inside! Zoe and I prepared dinner!” Daniel’s mother practically jumped on her place—well, she kind of did.

      “Uh, mom, I think they came over to help us with our chemistry project.” Daniel butted in, clearly extinguishing the bursting flames of excitement of both of our mothers. “Where is dad by the way?”

      Our mother’s exchanged glances, mine was first to speak—again. “I think we were a little too excited. Well, your father went out with our housemates. He somehow convinced them to go out foraging. But—of course, some of them are left here.” She added, giving us a slight nod.

      Despite of the awkwardness the lingered between all of us for a few minutes, I encouragingly nudged Sapphire to walk forth our humble home. With that action, we all began to stroll inside the house—which surprised me that it’s empty because most of the pack members would be busy doing some things all around. Our parents must’ve really convinced the pack to leave and busy themselves hunting down a few animals before coming back home.

      On our way to the dining room, I saw a few pack members lingering around different places—mostly children. They didn’t really mind strange, new presence but some curious ones did, Sapphire and Rosy patiently introduced themselves towards them as polite as possible.

      Once inside the dining room, we noticed that it was all set up with some of our housemates eating. Everybody seated themselves into a seat and began digging in on their own scooped-up meal prepared in front of them. Our moms eagerly dug into their food.

      Rosy and Sapphire chose to seat by each other while Daniel and I chose to seat on either side of them. Our moms sat on their usual places, just opposite of where Sapphire and Rosy were sitting. We placed our bags down on the floor just beside our seats so that we can easily take them when we leave.

      “I’ve noticed that Sapphire’s been really quiet. Have you got any problems dear?” It was my mom, her mouth half-full of a certain dish. That sentence made Rosy and Sapphire exchange hesitant glances.

      “Uh, mom, she—kind of—can’t speak.” I told her, watching her intently as she grabbed the napkin placed beside her plate and wipe it across her lips. Her face remained blank as we all waited for her reaction.

      “Does she have something in her throat?” now this is getting really awkward.

      “Uh . . . no mom. She can’t really speak.” That stilled her action and I can see the others staring straight at her, waiting for her to see her reactions.

      “Oh, that’s good. She really must be shy.”

      For the first time in my life, I could never get why my mom was so dumb.

      “No mom . . . as in—she cannot talk.”

      She looked at Sapphire with a short-lived glance. “That’s great!” she gushed. “Look on the bright side. I can keep talking without being cut off! She’ll make a great daughter-in-law! She can't even protest.” she gushed, instantly covering her mouth after the realization of what she just said. Sapphire looked at me questioningly and I looked at the wall—resisting the urge to bang my head onto it.

      “Okay, okay! I think you guys just have enough food, don’t you think? Go on and do your project now.” Marissa flicked her wrists dismissively at us and we all happily obliged.

      Rosy and Sapphire seemed uncomfortable the way when we were leading them towards my room. Daniel’s was really untidy, and I don’t think the girls would like the sight—so we silently agreed with each other that we’ll do our project on my room. Once we got to our destination, we placed our bags by the wall and brought out the papers that we needed for our chemistry project.

      “So is this project about the scientific demonstration for the anatomy of matter?”

      “Yeah, that’s pretty much it.” I answered.

        “Darren! I think I left my toy car in your room!” Ben’s voice echoed behind the door, loud booming knocks followed after. I made a silent excuse and approached the door, opening it to reveal my younger brother.

      “You left your car?”

      “Yeah!” he answered cheerily, walking inside my room.

      “Wait, so you’ve been playing inside my room?”

      “Nope! It’s the remote control one! I think I drove it inside your room!”

      I looked over my shoulder and spotted Sapphire pulling out something from under my bed. The nose of the car was sticking out under the covers and when it emerged from its hiding place, I noticed a camera sitting on top of it—stuck with the car with a duct tape. Sapphire glanced at my brother quizzically then handed him his toy.

      “What’s that camera doing on top of your car?” Daniel asked.

      “I’ve been recording you lately.” He said, nonchalantly. My brows furrowed—did he just invade my privacy? Sapphire giggled silently on her position.

      “What?”

      “Yeah. I know that you jump out of your window and shift—“ Daniel’s hand flew towards my brother’s mouth, clamping it so that the next few words came out as a muffled voice.

      “Okay! That’s enough sugar for you! Why don’t you go out and play, hon? We have a little project to finish.” Daniel ushered him out of the door and closed the door behind him. Daniel turned to me, tucking his thumbs inside the pocket of his jeans and carefully approaching Sapphire and Rosy who were standing by the window of my room.

      “Forget the sweetheart—he got talent on spying.” He chuckled nervously—but our guests didn’t seem to buy it. Nevertheless, we proceeded to do our work in silence.

~*~*~

“That’s it!” Rosy beamed, grouping the bits of papers that she printed. “You just need to rephrase it a little and it’ll be perfect!”

      Daniel gently took it from Rosy’s hands and began to read the passage. All of us were sitting on the floor in a circle, papers scattered on the space between us. “That was amazing! Mrs. Atkins will be surely impressed!” Daniel cheered, jumping from his seat while holding up the papers in the air as if it was a piece of treasure that he just found.

      “I think her name was Mrs. Adkins . . . but who cares anyway.” She shrugged and well all laughed. She then unexpectedly turned to me. Sapphire got up and motioned for Rosy that she’ll be heading to the bathroom to wash her hands. Rosy nodded. But once she was out of sight and the door closed behind her, Rosy turned to us unexpectedly and beckoned us to come closer—as if she was planning on telling us something.

      “What is it?” Daniel inquired, inching closer to her.

      Rosy flicked her wrist in the space existing between them. “Personal bubble.” She muttered and then proceeded to the main topic. I laughed quietly at the sour expression Daniel was showing. “Okay, so I need your help in this, guys.” Her words came out as a whisper. “In two weeks, it’ll be Sapphire’s birthday.”

      “Sapphire’s birthday?” my voice was hushed, but shock was etched on my face.

      “I know—but it’ll be hard. This day is something that she wants to be normal, like she never wanted it to exist at all. She’s turning seventeen this time and this’ll also be her parent’s death anniversary.” She told us, sadly. "She'll be angry at me for telling you guys this, but it is necessary. I want her to be happy again."

      Death anniversary? So that’s why she almost broke down when I asked about her parents when we were sitting at my car. That necklace she was wearing must’ve been something really important to her. Why haven’t have I thought of this sooner?

      “Her birthday was the day she lost her parents when they were driving towards her school for the singing contest she joined. After that, she stopped talking completely. That was the same day she lost her voice.” She sighed and got on with the topic. Daniel and I were frozen on our seat, listening to her story.

      “As much as possible, she tries to move on from the past. But still, there was something hindering her from doing so—on my opinion. She saw her parents die in front of her eyes. There’s nothing worse than that.” She paused. “It has been years since she last celebrated her birthday. Celebrating that day for her was also like celebrating her parents’ death. Therefore, she chose that day to be like any other—normal with no cakes or birthday parties.” She leaned back and rubbed her temples. “This time, I want her to see the bright side. I want to let her know that this day is not only the time for her loss, but a day where she also gained something. I want to help her move on.”

      Sadness washed over me. So, that answers all of my questions. If there are anything that’ll help for her to speak again, then I’m in on it. There are no greater rewards than seeing my mate living on with her life with happiness. She can never really be stuck on the past.

      Maybe this is my chance.

      “Count me in.”