VIVIAN'S POV

"Nicholas, I'm home," I called as I stepped into the house. Nicholas emerged from the dining area.

"You're back," he sighed.

"Yes, Nick," I replied.

"So, how was school going today?"

He asked reluctantly, approaching me. I gasped for breath, closing my eyes in the process. I would rather not have a tussle with him. He has stood by me all this time and has always been supportive since they killed our parents. I closed the space between us and engulfed him in a tight embrace.

"I'm much obliged to you for moving us down here. I am glad we left; how else can we feel comfortable living where our own parents got killed?" I asked.

Nicholas heaved and gave me a peck on my left cheek.

"Did you make any new friends today?" He inquired.

I smiled, and a light blush covered my cheeks.

"Go ahead; tell me everything. I am eager to listen," he requested energetically when he saw the smile on my face. I was too reluctant to tell him anything since it was my first day at school.

I pouted my lips and shrugged.

"I surmise you'll find out, since one of them is moving in with us," I said.

Nicholas abruptly frowned at me. He clearly did not see the value in the news I'd recently given him.

"Who's moving in with us?" He asked, looking wary.

I gulped and pulled my brother Nick over to the lobby area.

"Well, it's just more than a friend coming over to stay with us," I told him.

"More than what?"

"I tracked down my mate today." I spoke huskily and bit my lower lip.

"Oh! I guessed as much. Who is he? And what status does he have in the pack he belongs to?" He asked me. I rolled my sleeves, feeling apprehensive.

"He's an Alpha, and he's the one that will move in with us this evening," I said.

Nicholas stayed there, trying to figure out what he had just heard, before standing up to walk around the lobby area.

"Do you grasp what this implies?" He growled. "Two Alphas under one roof!" Nicholas shouted, absolutely shocked at what he heard.

"But Nick, the condition was that either he moved in here or I would rather move out to live with him. Initially, his intention was to take me away from you!" I shouted out.

Nicholas abruptly quit pacing and mumbled a few words. He ran his hand over his face and shook his head in outright disagreement.

"I surmise I can approve this on one condition," he said.

I gazed at him with much confidence.

I really needed his approval, but the decision he was about to make was a tough one as he continued to pace back and forth.

"Anything that seems right, Nick!" I hissed.

"A piece of advice, Viv; you know what?". he queried.

"Nope," I replied.

"Play safe. That's all I can say for now."

"Everything is going to be fine, Nick. Trust me."

"This is a very silly decision that you've made. Inviting total strangers to my house? I do not fancy that; you better keep an eye on them when they finally show up.".

"I won't disappoint you, Nicholas. I promise to keep Creed at bay."

"It's alright, Viv. Whatever". He shook his head, trying hard to accept my proposal.

"Lest I forget, my friend Elena will be coming for a sleepover tonight."

"Okay, here we go again." He sighed, already fed up.

"I was wondering if it's a good idea," I inquired.

"Yeah, sure, I will not bug you for that; do whatever is going to make you happy," Nicholas replied.

"Her brother will also come," I said with the utmost excitement.

"Oh, that will be great; we can even throw a party if you wish." Nicholas heaved and rubbed his palms together. It was getting cold; winter was finally approaching.

Although the frosty weather that usually comes along with the season might not be appealing to everyone, winter has lots to offer.

He scurried away and headed for the kitchen.

I immediately followed him. The room was quite dark, for the dying embers on the hearth provided only a faint radiance.

I sat with Nicholas close to the burning hearth to reduce the impact of the chilly weather.

He brought some pancakes from the oven, along with two bottles of soda. We ate as we sat in the fireplace, sat on rugs around the hearth, munched on the sugary pancakes, and gulped down watery coffee.

Is there anything so snug and cozy, more pungent of home than a good fire crackling on the hearth? I could feel the heat, and it made me feel better.

Some moments later, Nicholas and I arranged for drinks and snacks, while he later ordered some French fries from a nearby restaurant.

Carson City was just filled with eateries, but home delivery services were very poor. Sometimes it took an eternity before an order arrived. We patiently waited for our package as I sat in expectation of my potential guests.

Creed turned up seven minutes earlier than Elena. Nicholas exchanged pleasantries with Creed, followed by slapping handshakes and a bear hug.

Later, he had taken Creed upstairs to his living room before Creed even settled down. They hadn’t returned at this point.

"Any food, Viv, I'm famished," Elena wailed. I chuckled.

"Well, French fries have to be here any moment from now," I told her, and she smiled.

"By the way, where is Tyler? I thought both of you were planning to come together." I inquired.

"Actually, he's spending the night at his mate's homestead," she said.

"You mean he has a mate?" I asked, stunned.

"For real, you would have met her, yet she wasn't in school today since her father was having jungle fever. I heard he has been showing signs of recovery, but Tyler needed to be there for her this evening," she said.

"That is entirely justifiable." I smiled and led Elena to the Parlor.

"So, I heard Creed is moving in with you?" Elena hissed and arched her eyebrows. I giggled at her silly behaviour.

"Indeed, he is moving in. He is presently upstairs with my brother Nicholas," I shrugged.

"Do you mind?" I handed a bottle of brandy to Elena.

"This brandy tastes awful," Elena said, frowning.

"It's good for the weather," I replied.

"I prefer that bottle of wine over there," Elena said, pointing at the cupboard next to the dining room.

"Nick will be mad at me if I make any attempt to touch that wine." I spoke.

"Well, fuck him, just bring me the wine. I do not mind driving him nuts," Elena bragged.

"I'm sick of you using the F word; you really need to expand your vocabulary," I said.

"Where I grew up is a crucial factor in my way of speaking, so I'm never going to stop soon, bitch!" Elena said.

I grabbed a nearby broom to take a swipe at her, but I missed. She was becoming stupid, and I hated it.

Elena still went for the wine against my order. The bottles were opened, and we decanted the wine an hour before having our meal.

The delivery man had arrived—well, this time around, not the usual middle-aged men that usually showed up, but a cute teen boy dressed in a white shirt with black trousers and a well-pronounced bowtie.

"Your order is here," he said.

"Thanks a lot," I replied.

"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting; I was stuck in traffic."

"Oh, it's okay. Have a nice day."