Unfortunately for Blake, there would be no visit from the friendly wolf that night. However, he didn’t know this, and stayed outside for several hours until he was eventually called back in by his mother.

“Sweetie, you’ll catch a cold if you stay outside for so long; it’s not the summer anymore.” Blake smiled, giving his mum a hug before joining her for dinner. His dad was out of town for work, so it was just the two of them, as he was an only child.

His phone buzzed, and when he saw who the text was from, Blake’s face lit up in a grin.

Atti🌙: hey!

Atti🌙: so I forgot to say this earlier but sorry you had to be there for that awkward moment earlier

Atti🌙: you probably already know bc Riya can’t keep her mouth shut, but we already made up :)

Leaving the messages unopened, Blake would wait until after dinner to open them. However, the damage had already been done. “Is it your girlfriend?” His mother asked, an inquisitive playfulness to her tone.

“Not at all! Just a friend,” Blake rushed to explain. She nodded, but added “you like her though, don’t you? You don’t look that happy when Freddie texts.” Blake squirmed in his seat.

“We only met recently. And besides, it’s his birthday today.” She looked up abruptly at the use of the masculine pronoun, but nodded anyway, changing the subject. Blake wanted to come out to everyone in his life at the same time, rather than have to hide anything. So, slowly, he would drop hints to his mother, until he felt capable of telling her the truth.

—————

Atticus snuggled down in bed, contented and happy after he and Blake had exchanged goodnight texts, promising to talk again soon.

After his and Riya’s small argument, he had decided he should get therapy. He needed to be able to talk about the incident, and he knew he should tell his father, or at least Ceyden. So, he’d gone to his dad, asking for him to help Atticus find one.

He’d knocked on the door hesitantly, but the alpha wolf had let him in shortly after. “Atti! Ceyden told me what happened - some wolf giving you trouble?” Atticus had grimaced, taking a seat opposite his father.

“Yeah, I got pushed over. That’s not really what I wanted to talk about.” Alpha Rayen stood up, coming to sit in the armchair next to his youngest son. “Is everything ok?” Atticus looked into his father’s red eyes, and shook his head.

“I need help. From a therapist. There’s some stuff I need to tell you, but I just can’t at the moment. I’m hoping therapy might be able to help me there.”

Rayen had nodded understandingly, placing a soothing hand on his son’s shoulder. “Alright. I can find one for you?” Atticus nodded, smiling gratefully. Rayen squeezed his shoulder gently. “Atti, just please, once you can talk about it, let me know? I need to make sure you’re safe.”

Atticus had stood up, going to his father for a hug. “I will, I promise,” he said, biting back a sob. Rayen ran his hand through Atticus’s hair, holding his son tightly. “Can I ask Ceyden and Riya about the incident today though? I get the feeling you’d rather not talk about it.”

He had nodded, talking about Daniel’s treatment of him was always difficult, but he was bothered that if he kept getting hurt, eventually Blake and the others would notice something about his healing speed. And he’d rather not have that conversation any time soon.

Now, as comfortable in bed as Atticus was, he quickly drifted off to sleep, thinking that eventually, he’d have to tell his father that he’d met his mate, also. But, that could wait for now. Having a human mate was a bit much to spring on him right now.

—————

“Dude, your attendance must suck,” James observed in maths the next day. Atticus grimaced. “Yeah it really does. At least I’m not behind on the work.” James looked at him curiously. “Which wrist got hurt again? Not your dominant one, I hope.”

It had been, actually, but Atticus had deliberately left out the fact that it was a sprain, and played it off as the other wrist. He wasn’t a fan of lying to his friends, but that was better than saying ‘eyo, I’m actually a werewolf so I heal speedily!’

The problem, was Blake. He’d been there when the nurse said it was a sprain - Atticus was hoping he could play it off as an incorrect diagnosis after visiting the hospital, which he definitely made sure to visit.

History arrived, and Atticus realised Daniel wasn’t in. Maybe he was ill. Except he’s a werewolf, you idiot. We don’t get sick. Atticus knew it was most likely his father’s influence - he was sure Ceyden and Riya would have told him it was Daniel, and the guy probably knew he fucked up, because Atticus wasn’t going to stay silent forever.

Maybe a biiit longer, but eventually, he’s screwed, Atticus thought with glee. Parting ways with James and his other friends from the book club he’d joined during the first break, Atticus quickly located Riya.

“Hey there,” he said, snaking his arm around hers. “Hey Atti! Oh, you should be careful, Blake’s gonna know your wrist is healed if you show it off like that.” He’d deliberately worn a jumper which had too-long sleeves, so that Blake wouldn’t be able to see the almost-completely-gone bruises.

Reaching the table with their friends on, Atticus searched around for oceanic blue eyes…only to realise they weren’t present. Riya voiced his unasked question. “Where’s Blake?” Amy took a swig of water, before elegantly reapplying her lip gloss.

“He didn’t tell you? He’s sick. Apparently he stayed out in the cold too long.” Riya gave Atticus a look which said ‘humans are such weak creatures’, and he couldn’t help but giggle a little. Gingerly extracting his phone from his pocket, Atticus typed a message to Blake.