Their Simple Kind of Love

Daydreaming

Katie's POV

The bell signaling the end of third period rang, and I gathered up my book, eager to be done with calculus. It was one of my least favorite classes. I wasn't terrible at math. But I also didn't care for it. I walked out of the class and down the hall to my locker. I had been happy that Ben wasn't in school today. Tim told me that he and his father were meeting with Alpha Nate today. So I sort of felt bad for the Alpha and my brother.

A hand slapped the locker beside me, and I jumped. Ben may not be in school today, but his best friend and future Beta, Nelson, was. Nelson was only slightly less obnoxious than Ben. "Hey Katie, how is it going?"

I sighed heavily and glanced at Nelson. He had his brown hair spiked, and his brown eyes gleamed as he smiled creepily at me. He was wearing black jeans and a black muscle shirt. "It's going. What can I do for you, Nelson?"

He leaned against the lockers. "Benny told me that you are coming to the party on Saturday. Are you bringing anyone?" He c****d an eyebrow.

"Tim," I replied, and he huffed.

"No, not Tim. Your brother is a douche. I mean, are you bringing any chicks?" He asked.

I slammed the door of my locker and started walking towards my physics class. "Oh, Michelle is coming and maybe Freddie."

"Oooh, Michelle." He purred, and I had to refrain from gagging. "Tell her I'm looking forward to seeing her." He snickered and walked in the opposite direction.

I scoffed and hurried to my class. I was happy that I had Michelle and Tony in the class with me. I took my seat between them with a huff.

"What's up?" Tony asked, leaning over.

I shook my head. "Oh, Nelson being Nelson," I mumbled.

"What did that douchebag want?" Tony snickered.

I glanced at Michelle, who was chatting with another girl in the class. "Oh, he is excited that Michelle will be coming with us to the party."

Michelle looked at me with a flip of her hair. "What? What did you tell Nelson?" She nearly squealed.

"Just that you are going to the party," I replied.

She grabbed my hand. "I am so going to handcuff myself to you, so neither one of us gets in trouble." She stated.

"If you must." I snorted. "But you like Nelson. I mean, didn't say you hoped he was your mate."

Michelle balled her fist and punched my shoulder. "No!"

I rubbed my shoulder. "Yes!"

She was about to retort when the bell rang, and our teacher Mrs. Quick glared at us. I just waved at her, and she rolled her eyes before starting the class. Michelle kept giving me dirty looks the entire time. 'What?' I mind linked her.

'You know I stopped liking Nelson when I caught him making out with Jennifer,' She grumbled.

I let out a giggle causing the teacher to glare at me. "Ms. Ford, Ms. Brody, do you care to share with the class what you two were discussing via mind link?" Mrs. Quick is a member of our pack, and everyone in the class is a werewolf. "Don't think I won't tell your fathers. Especially yours, Ms. Brody," She directed her stern gaze at Michelle.

"I uh was clarifying something for Michelle, Mrs. Quick," I blurted out.

"Then what was so funny?" The teacher inquired.

We both shrugged. "It was just a random giggle, ma'am," I responded.

The teacher shook her head and turned her back to the board to continue her lecture.

'Why am I the one the gets in the most trouble?' Michelle grumbled.

I covered my mouth to stifle my giggle.

After the class ended, it was now lunchtime, and I was starving. I was looking forward to having some chicken nuggets and fries. I didn't care that it was food that toddlers love. I loved me some chicken nuggets. I walked with Michelle and Tony. On the way to the cafeteria, I saw my stepsister Wendy sitting in front of the office. She was wearing some short, ridiculous dress today. She had tears running down her cheeks. "What's wrong, Wendy?" I sat next to her. I looked at Michelle and Tony. "You two go on ahead. I'll be right there."

"Okay, but don't get mad when they run out of nuggets," Tony taunted me with a smirk before walking away with Michelle.

"My teacher kicked me out of class for wearing this dress," Wendy sniffled. "Of course, the teachers can't reach my mother, so I have been sitting here for hours."

"Alpha Hudson visited the pack today, so I think she may be with my Dad in the meeting," I explained to Wendy. I opened my backpack. "Anyways, I have extra clothes," I handed her a pair of shorts and a plain pink t-shirt.

Wendy sighed. "Thank you, Katie." She sniffled again and stood up.

"I am going to lunch now. Come join us if you can," I smiled at her before rushing towards the cafeteria, hoping there were still chicken nuggets left. I entered the line just behind Nelson, of all people. He was chattering with some girl in line in front of him and barely noticed me. The server handed him the last serving f nuggets, and I let out an irritated growl.

Nelson popped one in his mouth. "Mmm." He smirked before stalking after the girl.

I looked at what was left and wound up with a slice of pizza and french fries. I walked over to my table and set my food down, and flopped down beside Michelle. She looked at me and laughed.

"I see they ran out," Tony said while munching on nuggets.

Michelle taunted me with one and then ate it. "Mmm, they are delicious today."

"You guys all suck," I snarled while picking at the pizza. Only our school could mess up pizza.

"Why was Wendy stuck in front of the office?" Tony asked as Freddie sat down beside him.

"Hey losers," Freddie blurted out with a snicker.

"Didn't you see how she was dressed?" I replied to Tony. "Marilyn thinks it's okay to send a seventeen-year-old to school looking like a hooker." I bit into a fry and looked over at Freddie. "Hey! How did you get nuggets? They ran out while I was in line?"

"Oh, they just brought out a fresh batch," Freddie replied while eating a nugget.

I folded my arms and pouted. "Damn." I looked at my pizza. "I want nuggets."

"So, what are we doing after school?" Michelle chimed in.

I shrugged. "We have to get up early tomorrow for training. So, nothing major."

"Let's just watch a movie or two," Freddie suggested. "I hear the newest Saw movie just started streaming on Netflix."

I groaned. "No, Freddie. No Saw." I was not a fan of horror movies.

She scoffed. "Oh, come on, Katie, we can't watch Disney movies all of the time."

"How about we watch the new Marvel movie?" Tony interjected.

Nelson walked over to our table and smirked at Michelle. "So you coming to the party, Shell?" He winked at her.

She shrank into her seat and glared at him. "Yes, but Katie and I are lezzing it."

Nelson laughed. "Oh, Benny will be happy about that. His bed is big enough for four." He clicked his tongue and walked away.

"Ugh, I don't know who is the bigger creep," I shuddered.

After lunch, the school day went fast, and I was relieved to be on my way home. For some reason, my wolf was on edge and pacing in my head. 'What is wrong, Zia?' I asked her.

'I just have a bad feeling.' She replied quietly.

It was my turn to drive, and I had borrowed my brother's new Jeep. I was waiting for Michelle and Tony and spotted an interesting rock on the ground. There were a lot of lava rocks where we lived, and this one was about fist-sized. It was multi-colored, and I had never seen one like it.

"Picking up rocks for my brother?" Michelle said from behind me.

I held up the rock. "Just this one."

She shook her head. "You two are weird." She snickered. "I guess Tony ran home. Something about rogue activity on the north side, and his Dad needed him to assist."

I frowned as I pocketed the rock. "Oh no. I hope they are alright."

Michelle shrugged. "They will be alright," She assured me as we got into the Jeep.

I pulled out of the parking and drove towards the packhouse. My mind immediately began imagining the look on James's face when I gave him the rock. He would smile his brilliant smile. He may even brush the hair from my face. He may even kiss-

"KATIE!" Michelle screeched as a car horn startled me from my thoughts. I had drifted into the opposite lane, and a box truck was coming towards us. I swerved back to the other side just in time to avoid a collision. I pulled over to the side. "What the f**k was that?!" Michelle screamed.

I panted as I put the Jeep into park. "I spaced out."

"Were you daydreaming again?" She yelled. "Switch seats with me. I am driving."

"Tim won't be happy if I let someone else drive his Jeep," I protested.

She opened her door. "Tim will be a lot less happy if his sister crashed his Jeep because she was daydreaming. Now switch," She ordered in her alpha tone. It didn't work on me, but my body and wolf sensed the power behind it.

I sighed as I got out of the Jeep and switched seats with Michelle. She put the Jeep in gear and continued driving towards the packhouse. "Were you daydreaming about James again?"

I nodded as I leaned against the window. "It's been happening a lot."

She chewed her bottom lip like she wanted to say something but refrained.

"Michelle?"

She shrugged. "What?"

"You look like you want to say something to me."

She sighed. "I do want to say something to you. But I can't. Because it would ruin everything."

I narrowed my eyes at her but let it go. We were silent the rest of the drive. We pulled into the garage, and my brother was standing outside with James. James looked hot wearing a pair of ratty jean shorts and a ripped tank top. My mouth watered at his muscles glistening in the sunlight. Michelle parked the Jeep, and we got out.

Tim glared at me. "I thought I told you not to let anyone else drive me Jeep," He snarled.

Michelle stepped towards him and put her hand on his chest. "Calm down, Timmy. Katie was daydreaming and nearly killed us. So I drove the rest of the way."

"What!?!" James growled. "What do you mean she nearly killed you both?" He demanded with more anger than I expected.

"She swerved into the opposite lane, and we nearly collided with a box truck," Michelle told her angry brother. She put a hand on his arm.

James looked at me. "What the hell were you daydreaming about that almost got you killed?!" He yelled at me, and I started to tremble slightly. I hated hearing angry in his voice. He must have sensed my fear and took a deep breath. "I didn't mean to scare you, Katie." He hugged me, and I relaxed at his sandalwood scent. "Please be careful. I don't want anything to ever happen to you." He released me, and I whimpered at the loss of contact. He smiled at me and then turned to Tim and Michelle. "Let's go inside." We all followed him into the packhouse.

I felt the rock in my pocket but hesitated giving it to James. I felt guilty for upsetting him. I sighed sadly, and James glanced back at me. He sighed. "Katie, I am sorry for yelling at you." He said gently while Tim and Michelle kept walking. He tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. "Do you want to do anything fun tonight?"

"I was already going to watch movies with Freddie and Michelle. I don't want to stay up too late." I told him. "Early training in the morning."

He chuckled. "You are always so dedicated to training."

"Well, I am the Beta's daughter. I should use my beta strength to train so I can fight for my pack."

"You are so right."

I put my hand on the rock and pulled it from my pocket, and held it up. "It's a weird-looking lava rock."

He took it from me and looked it over. "Neat." He flashed his brilliant smile, and I nearly melted as he leaned in to kiss me.

"James!" Alpha Nate interrupted us.

James pulled back from me with a low growl. "What, Dad?" He snarled.

I glanced over to see my father standing next to Alpha Nate. "I need to speak with you in my office, please," Alpha Nate said to James.

James's shoulders fell, and he looked at me. "I'll see you at dinner?"

I nodded at him as he walked towards his father and mine. Zia whimpered as we watched him walk away. Alpha Nate and James started towards the office. My father lingered for a second and gave me a smile I hadn't seen on his face in a long time. I took a deep breath and ran upstairs to my room. I dropped my backpack on my bed and walked to the kitchen. I was feeling a bit peckish and opened the refrigerator to find a snack. I settled on some cheese cubes and pepperoni. I sat on a stool at the counter and zoned out while snacking. The slamming of a door startled me, and I turned to see Marilyn storming towards me with Wendy behind her.

"Katherine!" She snarled at me in her high-pitched voice. She pointed at Wendy, who was wearing the clothes I had given her to wear at school. "Can you explain why my daughter is dressed like trash?"

I chewed on a cheese cube as I pondered my response. "The school doesn't allow us to dress like hookers during school hours."

Wendy held back a snicker as her mother seethed at me. "You find that funny? You are just jealous that Wendy is ten times prettier than you. You can't handle that a plain jane nobody like you will end up with a nobody for a mate," She screeched.

I rolled my eyes and ate another piece of cheese. "Whatever you say, Marilyn."

She roughly grabbed my shoulder and pulled me off the stool and open-handed slapped me across the face.

"Mom!" Wendy screamed at her.

"You are just a motherless little piece of trash. Your father should have fed you to rogues a long time ago!" She screamed and slapped me again, and I heard a loud growl shake the walls. I looked past Marilyn to see my father and brother standing in the doorway of our private apartment.

"Marilyn!" My father roared and rushed towards her. I looked at my brother, who was seething with anger himself. "Why are you hitting my daughteR?"

Marilyn began the fake waterworks and pointed at Wendy. "Look what she made Wendy wear at school."

My father's eyes flicked towards me. "Dad, a teacher sent Wendy to the office because the school doesn't allow students to dress like hookers. I gave her some normal clothes." I explained to my father, and he sighed.

"All three of you go downstairs. I need to speak with Marilyn." My father said with an icily calm tone.

I glanced at Marilyn, who was trembling with anger. "Dad-"

"Go downstairs, Katherine," He repeated as he stared at Marilyn.

I just looked over at Tim and Wendy before the three of us scrambled down the stairs.

We reached the bottom, and all panted. "What the hell?" Tim snarled. "Dad and I walked in right when she screamed and then slapped you."

I touched my cheek and hissed at the pain. "That was the second slap," I mumbled as my brother wiped his thumb on my cheek.

He growled lowly. "That b***h is dead. If Dad doesn't take care of her, then I will," He glanced at Wendy. "Sorry."

I sighed, walked away from my brother, shuffled into the common room, and sat on one of the couches. Wendy sat beside me. "I am sorry my mother sucks," She sighed. "I hate her." She began to sob.

I wrapped my arm around her shoulder as she sobbed. Michelle walked into the room and saw me with Wendy. "What the hell is going on up there? I was coming down the stairs and heard Jon and Marilyn screaming at each other." She looked at my bruised cheek.

"Marilyn slapped me, and my Dad caught her. So he kicked the three of us off of our floor." I sighed as Wendy sniffled.

"My stupid mother is pissed that Katie loaned me reasonable clothes at school today." She sighed. "I hate dressing like a damn hooker."

Michelle sat on the opposite side of me. "Your Mom needs some serious help. She is so deluded it's not funny."

We sat and talked on the couch for a couple of hours until dinner was ready. I was about to stand up when James walked into the room with a couple of fast food bags in his hands. My mouth watered as the food smell his my nostrils. "Hey Katie, I heard you didn't get any chicken nuggets at lunch today," He smirked at Michelle.

"Who told you that?" I looked at my friend. She just shrugged. I looked at James and his gleaming hazel eyes.

James held up the food bags. "Want to eat outside with me?"

I smiled at him. "Sure." I stood up and looked at Wendy and Michelle, who were both gleaming at me. "See you both later." I waved and followed James out of the common room and out of the house. He leads me to the gazebo in the garden. There was a couple of tables with chairs that had chess boards on them. We sat at one table, and he set the bags down.

"Want something to drink? I am going to go get myself some soda."

I nodded. "Sprite, please." I stuck my hands into the bags and pulled out a large order of chicken nuggets and some fries. There were also some onion rings and jalapeno bites. "I see we are going for healthy tonight."

James laughed and nodded. "Yep. I'll be right back." He ran into the packhouse.

I sat and looked at the food and couldn't help but smile. James had gone out of his way to get me the food I had wanted for lunch. I bit into a nugget, and tears welled up in my eyes. 'Why are you crying over nuggets?' Zia mused in my head.

'I don't know. James is all I can think about lately. Like I cannot get him out of my head. It's like he is my mate or something.' I told my wolf, who made a laughing noise.

James returned with four cans of soda and set them on the table. He also set a grey rock with white spots on the table. "It's a dalmatian rock." He grinned as he sat down.

I picked it up and smiled as I ate another nugget. "Thank you. I shall anme it Pongo."

He laughed. "You and your Disney movies." He grabbed an onion ring and dipped it in a cup of ranch. "What are you guys going to watch tonight?"

"I don't know. Freddie and I are stuck in a stalemate. She wants to watch the new Saw movie." I shuddered.

"What's wrong with Saw?" He asked.

I shook my head. "I don't like gory movies."

He snorted. "You are a werewolf."

"So!" I squeaked. "I just prefer Disney movies."

He laughed. "I love you-" He paused. "I love your innocence." He shook his head and looked away from me.

We ate in silence for a minute. I enjoyed the food and kept making "mmm" noises. James was silently watching me, and I noticed his eyes changing colors. It was like he was fighting his wolf. "Is my moaning for my food disturbing your wolf?"

"You have no idea." He nearly whispered.

I sighed and finished my food. "Thank you for my nuggets," I reached across the table and touched his hand. His breathing hitched as I stroked the top of his hand. He let out a low growl and stood up. "I'm sorry."

He faced away from me. "No, it's not you, Katie." He breathed out. I stood up and touched his back. He turned to me, and his eyes were still changing colors. "Can I kiss you?"

I just nodded absentmindedly as he leaned into me and put his hand on the back of my neck. His lips met mine, and I felt a faint tingling sensation as I looked into his eyes. We held the kiss, and I pulled back slightly with a light gasp. He growled and pushed me against one of the columns of the gazebo. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he pressed into me and deepened the kiss. I felt the heat rise between us. His lips felt like they belonged on my lips and no one else.

One of his hands traced down my body, making me squeal from the contact. His lips moved from mine as he kissed up and down my neck. I moaned from the sensation. I felt myself getting aroused, and his growls almost became feral as I panted from the heat.

He pulled away from me with a roar. Turning around from me, he stood in the center of the gazebo.

"James?" I said when I was finally able to speak.

He slowly turned to me. "I almost lost control," He sighed. "I'll see you later, Katie," He said and then jumped over the railing of the gazebo and ran off towards the woods.

I frowned and wondered if I had done something wrong. I walked over to our table and cleaned up the mess, and took the trash into the kitchen to throw it out. Sighing sadly, I trudged towards the common room and ran into Freddie.

"Hey, I guess we are watching Jurassic World tonight," She told me. "Tony insisted."

I just nodded. "Okay," I spoke out quietly.

Freddie scrutinized me. "Hey, you okay?"

I shrugged. "I'm fine." I looked past her towards the stairs and saw Marilyn walking down with luggage in her hands. An omega followed behind her with more luggage. She looked over at me with hatred. "This is all your fault," She hissed as she walked by me and out of the house.

Freddie let out a feline-like snarl. "I hate that b***h," She said quietly.

"Hey Freddie, tell them to start the movie. I'll catch up. I need to go check on my Dad."

She nodded. "Okay." She gave me a sympathetic smile and walked away.

I walked up the stairs to the Beta floor. I walked through the door. My Dad was sitting on the couch with a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other. "Daddy?" I said as I approached him.

He looked up at me and wiped a tear from his cheek. "Marilyn and I are no more." He spoke quietly. I sat next to him, and he turned to me. He touched the fading bruise on my cheek. "I can't believe I let that woman torment you for so long. I was blind and stupid and under her spell. She is a witch."

I leaned into him as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder. "We all suspected she was."

He took a deep breath. "I was blind for so long because of her." He looked at me with a smile. "I nearly missed how much of a beautiful woman you are becoming. Your Mom would be so proud of you."

Tears welled up in my eyes and fell down my cheeks. "I miss Mom."

"Me too, Katie. She may be gone, but she left me the best parts of her, you and Tim."

I hugged him and buried my face in his chest. "I missed you, Dad," I cried into his chest and relaxed when he hugged me back. I remained on the couch with my Dad the rest of the night just talking to him. I missed watching the movie with my friends, but I needed to be with my father.