"Eddie! I can't believe it!" Elina squealed as she pinched my cheeks in complete happiness and perhaps a little sadness.
I stood still with a tight smile.
Sure, I loved her to death, she was practically my sister and my brothers mate, but she sometimes still saw me as the eight year old Eddie she met nine years ago.
"Elina, its just for a little while," I laughed and Tate circled his arm around Elina, resting his hand on her belly.
"And how much is a little while exactly?" A new voice said and I leaned to the side to see my eldest brother Dale, walk out from the Committee with Tom.
"Who knows," I shrugged, "-perhaps a few weeks, a few months. Just until I get bored, really," I shrugged with a smirk, trying my best to seem indifferent.
Tom chuckled at my words and grinned over to my two brothers and Elina.
"He is your fathers son. The attitude must run in the family," Tom commented and I smiled in return.
Elina furrowed her eyebrows and glanced around at the mention of my father.
"Say," she began, "-where is Roger? We're letting Eddie out of our sight for the first time and he isn't here?" she said almost upset. It was several months into her pregnancy that she was showing, and her emotions changed constantly.
"Shh," Tate cooed as he kissed her forehead, "-father already wished his luck to dear Eddie. His visiting a few packs down east."
Ever since Elina had entered Tate's life nine years ago, she brought him happiness. Not just to him, but to us all. Now that she was carrying Tate's child, he was possessive as ever and tried to maintain her happiness at all times.
I smiled at my family. I then glanced behind and let out a loud sigh.
"Well, I'd like to not be late on my first day," I explained as I lifted up my duffel bag that rested on the floor and pulled it onto my shoulder.
"Eddie why can't you just stay here and study? School is school. Does it matter where you go?" Elina frowned and I gave her a small smile.
"Elina, I've been here my whole life. I want to see somewhere new. Make new friends," I explained and she simply sighed.
Elina and I had a close friendship. Ever since I was eight. She was my role model and I remember how I used to worship her and call her 'cool' all the time due to her Elemental abilities.
The thought made me smile.
"No use standing there and looking good," Dale smirked, "-go on."
I couldn't help but smirk in return. I had to admit, I had a humorous family. They were still young and it eased me that they wouldn't be going anywhere anytime soon.
"Eddie," Tate sighed, "-take care of yourself. I want you back in one piece. And keep the mischief to a minimum," Tate said firmly and I knew exactly what he was referring to.
"Yes Alpha," I smiled with a small bow and my brother rolled his eyes at my response. Elina beside him laughed and I gave them a small wave.
I turned around and began walking away. It was winter, and the wind blew harshly as I pulled my coat closer together. I didn't bother controlling it or slowing down its movements.
Once I was a fair distance away, I heard footsteps and turned around to see Elina.
"Damn Elina," I said with a fake frown, "-miss me already?"
Elina rolled her eyes and quickly turned around to look around. Probably hoping to get back before Tate went into possessive father mode.
"Funny," Elina said dryly, "-I just wanted to say don't listen to Tate," she grinned and I raised an eyebrow.
"Remember when I found out I was the water Elemental? Till this day I don't keep it to a minimum. Since you're not going to be with me, clearly you'll be very bored," she shrugged as she spoke, "-so have fun. However," Elina's voice suddenly went from playful to serious.
"Be careful who you tell. Hunters these days are just getting worse," she stressed out as she glanced down at her belly, frowning.
"We can't afford losing anyone else," she said in a quiet voice, referring to my uncle. Colin.
Before I could let the emotion of sadness be evident on my face, I simply chuckled and gave her a quick hug.
"Aren't I always careful? Trust me. I learned from your mistakes once upon a time."
Elina simply smiled at me as she rolled her eyes.
Saying goodbye again, I watched as she walked back towards the Committee. Once she was out of sight, I let the stern look pass across my face.
I started walking in another direction. Not the one of my supposedly new school.
I fastened my pace and glanced at my watch. I used my werewolf speed to swiftly dash around trees as I returned back to a walking pace.
The wind wasn't in my favour as it blew towards me. With an almost irritated sigh, I lifted up my palms and motioned the opposite way.
The wind halted in the air. It then picked up speed once again, and began blowing like previously. However this time it was facing the same direction of my walking route.
After several minutes of walking I hoisted my duffel bag higher up onto my shoulder as I squinted my eyes.
I spotted a group of people, huddled around a fire between the trees. It was still morning but it was cold as night.
As I approached closer a few of them turned around and eyed me. They themselves were werewolves and sensed me before I got to close.
They were about my age. A few only a couple of years older. There was about five of them.
One of them nudged the boy near him and nodded towards me.
"I think we've got another member," he mumbled and the other looked over at me.
Three of them were young like me. The other two were older. Possibly in their late twenties or early thirties.
One of the older ones walked towards me and he held out his hand for me to shake.
I nodded my head and took his hand, giving it a firm shake.
"What has you wanting to hunt down these hunters?" he asked in genuine curiosity.
"My uncle was killed by one," I simply stated.
The man gave me a nod.
"I see."
One of the younger ones rubbed his hands together and glanced around at each and everyone of us.
"Well? I think its just us interested from south. Shall we head west?" he said as he pushed his glasses higher up the brim of his nose.
The second man who was older than the other three shrugged his shoulders.
"Why not."
I looked around at them awkwardly. It seemed like no one knew each other just yet. The group was just forming so I spoke up.
"Sounds good to me," I smiled in a light tone, "-we'll gather as many members interested before nightfall. Then perhaps head down the main border line towards the north side?"
The boys all glanced at each other. No one else was offering any ideas so a few shrugged and nodded in agreement.
The boy with the glasses smiled at the small progress. He seemed happy with the arrangement and pointed at himself.
"I'm Noah," he introduced himself.
I glanced around to see no one bother to copy his movements. Leadership was in my nature so I cleared my throat.
"I'm Eddie," I commented.
The other four caught the drift. The one who shook my hand, one of the older ones, offered us a smile.
"My names Chace," he said and I smiled.
The other one who looked the same age as the older man also spoke up.
"I'm Dan."
The two younger ones who looked about seventeen glanced at one another.
One of them didn't smile or offer any greeting. If anything he seemed like he preferred not to talk. He didn't exactly give off an arrogant vibe but more of simply being a man of few words.
The other one however scratched the back of his neck. He slowly raised his hand.
"My name is Charlie," he said almost shyly, "-but you can call me Charles or Charlie. I mean my names Charlie but," the boy paused for a second before giving us a nervous laugh.
"Yeah Charlie."
I couldn't help but chuckle along with a few of the other boys.
"And yours boy?" Chace said as he looked over at the quiet one.
The boy glanced up at us before looking back at the fire that was lit up.
"Chris," was all he said.
None of us questioned it any further. I slowly nodded my head as I watched Noah clasped his hands together.
"Well, uh," Noah said awkwardly, "I guess welcome?"
I couldn't help but grin. However I backed him up.
"Yes. Welcome."
"Welcome to the Werewolf Commission."