Bab 56: Chapter 51: Distracted by cupcakes

It was four o'clock in the afternoon and the school had just ended. The two boys did not have any practice after school so they immediately went straight home.

Usually, Erick would send Amber home, together with Hamish since his house was near to his as well. But that day, Amber had told him that she will be going off with Jeayan for a study group. Since when were they close? That was something Erick did not know. He was unaware that Jeayan would sneakily seek Amber whenever Erick wasn't around and would bring her along to meet up with her other friends. Yes, by friends, she meant her other shifter friends. Though, Jeayen did not tell Amber that she was a shifter nor do her shifter friends. She did not think it was in her place to tell her about shifters.

And so, it was only Erick and Hamish in the car, where the former was driving the latter back to his house.

Hamish did not know that Erick was planning to go and talk with his mother so he was a bit surprised to see Erick get down from his car after he parked his car in front of Hamish's house.

Noticing the slight confusion on Hamish's face, Erick let out a light laugh. He placed his arm around Hamish's shoulder and asked teasingly, "What's wrong? Don't you want me in your house now?"

Hamish rolled his eyes and said, "Nah, just wondering why are you here… that's all." he then stopped and squinted his brown eyes at Erick suspiciously. "Are you looking for my dad?"

Erick let go of Hamish and went ahead towards Hamish's house, leaving him looking after him. "Nah, I'm looking for your mom."

Hamish frowned. Now, that was even more suspicious.

Hamish's house was a two-storey bungalow, similar to Erick's house. The walls were painted cream inside and outside with flower pots being placed near the front door, giving the place a homey atmosphere. Inside, the kitchen was to the right, once entering the house. And the living room was to the left. Next to the kitchen was the laundry room, where there was a washing machine, laundry baskets and so forth. The front hallway also leads to the staircase which brings up to the second floor where the bedrooms and Fergus' office were located. Though, the kitchen here was much bigger than the one in Erick's house. Probably because Fergus had extended the kitchen space so that his wife, Mary, would be able to do her baking and cooking.

And that was one of the reasons as to why Erick actually likes to visit Hamish's house. His mother was an amazing baker. As mentioned before, his mother, Mary Carter, owns a bakery in town. Although it was only a small bakery, it was famous for its donuts and pies.

It was what attracted Fergus when he first met her. Mary was not a local and had moved to Burkendall town after her own parents had died. Wanting to start a new life, she moved to Burkendall town and had opened up a bakery.

Fergus, at that time, was doing his usual morning routine, where he was patrolling the town, making sure that there wasn't any trouble. Feeling hungry, he decided to stop by at the bakery. He heard that it was newly opened and thought to give it a try. Before he had even entered the shop, his wolf, Elias, was pacing about, feeling edgy. It has been awhile since he had felt this way; excited and agitated. Fergus felt that there was something that was pulling him inside the bakery and so he did enter.

When he first entered, it was not the smell of freshly baked breads, pies and pastries that knocked him. Instead, he was hit by something pleasant. Sort of like earthy and fresh like the rain. And when he looked around, trying to find the source of the scent, a cute redhead woman stood in front of him. She was of average height where the top of her head could reach up to Fergus' chin. Her eyes were hazel brown, like the colour of autumn. Her hair was tied up in a bun with fringes framing her heart-shaped face.

It was then Fergus knew that she was his mate.

Erick remembered this story because Fergus used to 'bragged' at him and Hamish of how he had met his mate. Sometimes Erick wondered how this childish shifter could become a Beta or even be the father of Hamish.

Looking back at Hamish, he too wondered how Hamish was born from those two. Fergus was a free and easy shifter while Mary was a friendly and sweet woman. But Hamish? He was quiet and could be very cold and unfeeling. Makes one wonder whether he was adopted or not.

Noticing that Erick was staring at him with a suspicious look, Hamish frowned deeper. "What?" he demanded.

Erick shook his head. "Nothing, nothing," he said. He then went to open the front door and yelled out, "Aunt Mary! I'm here!"

Walking out from the kitchen, with her apron on, Mary smiled and gave Erick a huge hug. "Erick sweetie! It has been awhile since you've last visited here." She then pulled his arm and led him to the kitchen. "Come, come. I have some treats for you."

Inside the kitchen, there was a distinct smell of freshly baked pastries. And by the look at the pots that were piling up in the sink, it seems like they just caught her when she had just finished baking. On the kitchen table, there was a plate that was filled with beautiful cupcakes. Each cupcake was decorated with colourful frostings and sprinkles.

The look of how pretty they were made Erick and Hamish inwardly cringed. They want meat. Not some fancy pastries.

But not wanting to hurt her feelings, both boys sat down while she served them four cupcakes each. The cupcakes seem to be of chocolate flavour.

While the two boys stared down at their plate, not moving an inch, Mary went on to clean the kitchen island, wiping away the flour and frostings that caught on the table. After cleaning the table, she went back to them and was puzzled to see them not eating yet.

"What's wrong, boys?" she asked in concern.

"Is this going to be your new pastries that you're going to sell in your bakery soon?" Erick asked, pointing at the cupcakes.

"Why, yes," she answered with a soft smile. "Go and have a bite and let me know what you think," she urged them.

The two boys each grabbed a cupcake. They both have chosen the chocolate cupcake. After taking a bite, their eyes widened. It was simply delicious! As Erick chewed on the pastry, he looked down at the cupcake. Inside, there was a little hole, probably where the chocolate liquid had flowed out from. It was slightly sweet yet had that sharp taste of a dark chocolate. And the chocolate liquid tasted smooth and rich. It was so delicious that he did not notice the chocolate liquid had dripped onto his chin.

"Wow, I never thought it would be this good, Aunt Mary!" Erick exclaimed with a huge smile. Hamish just nodded as he finished the rest of the cupcake in one bite.

Mary chuckled as she walked over with a napkin. She gently wiped the chocolate off Erick's chin and patted his head.

The two quickly finished the four chocolate cupcakes and asked for more.

Luckily, Mary had made more extra batches and gave them another four cupcakes each.

Once they were done eating, she quickly grabbed a food container and placed more cupcakes in it. She handed them to Erick and told him to give it to his parents.

Erick nodded and waved them goodbye.

Just as he walked out of the house, he stopped short.

'Goddeemit! I got distracted by cupcakes!' he cursed inside, slapping a hand against his forehead.

Inside him, Dane was inwardly rolling his eyes and muttered, 'What an idiot!'

Erick immediately turned back around and opened the front door again. "Aunt Mary, wait! I need to talk to you about something!" he shouted, heading back into the kitchen.