Unspoken

Chapter 11

As we walk towards the living room, I can hear male voices, some young and squeaky some deep and masculine.  I stop to tug on Mateo's hand, pulling him to a stop as well.  He looks back at me with a cocked eyebrow as if asking what was wrong.

"What if they don't like me?" I whisper.

Mateo laughs, pecks me on the cheek and says, "They are going to love you as much as Joel and I do.  Come one, love.  Everything will be fine.  I will be right by your side."

I nod, take a deep breathe and start forward behind Mateo.  We walk into the room and all voices stop.  I peak around Mateo's shoulder to look around the room.  There are a total of 13 people in the room, including my brother, Mateo and I.  All of the guys are either standing or sitting around the room.  Everyone is looking at Mateo as if waiting for him to start giving a speech, with the exception of three.  Joel is on the couch grinning stupidly at me.  Next to him is a very young boy about 6 or 7 who is bouncing in a sitting position on the couch.  He is also smiling at me.  Next to the boy is a man about Mateo's age who is staring at me with a blank expression.

Mateo puts his arm around my back, pulling me to his side.  I look up at his face but can’t read his expression.  I look around the room once more, my eyes resting on the young boy next to Joel.  He has a grin that stretches from ear to ear and is still looking right at me.

Mateo clears his throat, looking at each person individually, "You all know that I have found my mate and she has accepted me.  This, my friends, is Cintia, or Cici as she prefers.  There are a few things you may not know.  First being, Cici is Joel's older sister.  Secondly, as she was raised in the human world, without any knowledge of our kind’s existence, we will all need to teach her.  She had her first shift last night.  While Joel and I were running to catch up to her, she took down her first kill, the 14 point buck we have all been trying for years to get.  Well, I am happy to say that he was as delicious as we all expected."

"Yeah, but she does not like to share with anyone other than Mateo.  She actually growled at me, her brother.  So don't get between her and her food." Joel laughs and winks at me again.

Everyone laughs and I think I hear someone mumble something about like brother like sister.  I just smile and shrug.  "It was really easy and I like to run but these two are really slow." I say, trying to get more laughter out of them.  Every one of them gasps and looks to Mateo or Joel to see if it’s true.

"Yes, it is true.  She is faster than either Joel or myself.  Also, just so no-one is surprised, she is pure white, not a single strand of color to be found on her fur and she is almost the same size as I am." he pauses to allow everyone to get over their shock.  With everyone talking at once I have to cover my ears as the noise is deafening.

"QUIET!" Mateo booms from beside me.  As he speaks, I feel a surge of energy pass through me and look around the room to see if anyone else feels it to.  Everyone, including the ones standing furthest from us, is quiet instantly, their eyes flying to Mateo.

"Now, one at a time, are their any questions or concerns?" Mateo says, sitting in the recliner, pulling me onto his lap.

"I have one, I have one.  Can I be her guard?  I will take care of her and make sure to teach her everything you have taught me.  Please, Mateo, please?" the young boy asks while continuing to bounce in his seat.

"I think that is a great idea.  Cici, the young pup's name is Roberto.  Do you think you would like to have him guard you" he says, smiling into my eyes.  Even though I am sitting in his lap, our heads are even with each others.  'Really, that's my protection?  A little kid?' I think at Mateo only.