Chương 7: He is my family
As she reaches her porch, she spots Mrs. Baker, red-faced and screaming at the top of her lungs.
Though she is usually well-mannered, the Baker family has always been a thorn in the neighborhood's side—thanks to Stefan Baker, her father's friend.
Mrs. Baker's voice rings out, loud enough for anyone nearby to hear. "Stefan's dead! Found him by the frozen lake, no marks on him at all!" Her voice wavers between grief and frustration.
Paisley stands still, absorbing the news, while the neighbors exchange quiet glances. She swallows hard, trying to understand what that is supposed to mean. She couldn't find his body out of her house as well early in the morning. She thought they would be arrested. How did he get there? Was he alive and went there?
She can't find questions. Adrian was with her last night. She spent most of the time until he fell asleep. So there is no way Adrian would get out of this storm.
She shakes off the odd feelings. Adrian Maybe Adrian tried to send him somewhere else. He just disappeared; it wasn't like Adrian hurt him badly.
Despite Mrs. Baker's fury, no one seems surprised—or upset. In fact, some of them look relieved.
"Paisley! Did you hear?" Mrs. Baker hollers at her. "The sheriff said it was a heart attack. He was in his wolf form, for God's sake! Don't these fools ever learn our wolves can't handle the cold?"
On the balcony above, Mrs. Amber, a cranky but beloved 89-year-old Beta, Scoffs, wrapped tightly in a blanket. "Serves him right, idiot. Thought he was invincible."
"Grandma, please!" Paisley called softly, her breath visible in the chilly air. "Go inside. You'll catch a cold."
The old woman chuckles, waving her off. "You're too sweet for your own good, girl. You go inside too—it's freezing out here."
Just as she turns to enter her room, Mrs Amber waves her hand, " Hey! Manager! Thanks for the medicines at the last moment."
Paisley turns toward her front door, finding the manager on her porch, carrying two massive shopping bags.
She blinks in confusion. "What are you doing here?"
He gives her a sheepish grin and sets the bags down at her feet. "You should've taken more."
Her frown deepens. "I don't need them."
"Of course, you do." He crosses his arms, giving her a knowing look. "There's snow everywhere. You can store meat outside—nothing will spoil."
"I can't take all this," she says firmly, annoyance creeping into her voice. She hates feeling like a charity case.
"Don't be stupid, girl." He flicks her forehead lightly, making her wince. "That kid needs a lot of food. Everyone knows you're the one looking after him now."
Paisley clenches her jaw, torn between pride and practicality. She hates the idea of relying on handouts, but Adrian comes first.
The manager gives her a warm smile. "Take it, Paisley. No arguments. You'll need it, and no one else here is going to use it."
With a sigh of resignation, she grabs the bags, muttering a reluctant thank you. The manager grins, satisfied, and turns to leave.
As he walks off, he calls over his shoulder. "Don't forget—everything's still free! Come back if you need anything!"
Paisley stands on the porch for a moment, watching him disappear into the snow. The wind howls around her, bitter and sharp, but inside her, a strange warmth flickers. She has more than enough now, and Adrian won't go hungry—for a little while, at least.
Paisley presses her lips together, looking around. Everyone waves their hands, " Paisley! I filled my backyard with everything. I am not innocent like you. If you want, we can throw a BBQ party.!"
One of male Beta Neighbors grabs a beer out of the snow and shows her, " It's all free. Why do you care about anything? As long as you can save our money!" He grins.
" I got my mufflers free too!" Mrs Amber reveals her broken teeth with a huge smile.
" So, stop hesitating! Take them!" The Manager pats her head and puts them in the doorway.
" Um. Would you like to have a cup of coffee?" She asks, feeling a strong sense of gratitude.
" No! Child. Get inside. It's getting stormy. Also, we have to discuss Mr Baker's funeral. You should enjoy your time with your family!"
The word family makes her stun. She doesn't think of him as family. But still, the feelings of having someone waiting for her in her house makes her feel less lonely.
But everything is emotional and kind until she finds herself unable to carry all the bags from the porch.
She hurriedly opens the door and puts her bags on the doorway.
As she tries to walk out to grab them one by one, a pair of hands wrap around her waist.
" What -?" She looks at the pair of hands.
" Where did you go? I was so scared. Did you abandon me?" Adrian, full of tears and silent sobbing keeps asking questions.
She calmly turns as she suspected that this was going to happen. But instead of answering, she responds with a question, " Will you help me? Adrian!"
" Help you?" He lets her go and faces her with a tear-stained face.
She can't help chuckle to herself, keeping her composure perfect. He is a crying mess. It looks weird to see a boy crying like this.
"Help me carry some of the bags."
She grabs the heaviest one and gives him the one with snacks only.
Happily he runs inside, wearing pajamas. Paisley almost forgot about his dress. He is walking around with pajamas when the weather is freezing.
She hurriedly gathers everything inside. Placing them on kitchen counter, she grabs the clothes and jackets.
" Adrian! Come here!" She asks him coldly.
Adrian runs towards her like an obedient kid. He looks much better than yesterday. His eyes are more beautiful and warm than they were yesterday.
" What is it ? Paisley!" He asks in an adorable way.
" Did you eat everything!?" She asks while cutting off the price tags.
" Yes. I ate everything!"
Paisley smiles subconsciously and says, " Good boy!"
Adrian pauses, looking at her with a flushed red face. Did she just say that I am a good boy?
Happy and proud, he nods, " Paisley's food is tasty!"
She glances at him and holds the Tee and a sweatpants towards him, " You can change your clothes now. Those are for night only."
" Are those mine?" His eyes spark as if this is first time he saw clothes.
" Everything is yours. From today onwards, you will handle your clothing, bathing and sleeping." She says.
" Why? You hate me?"
" No. Because from today onwards, you will be a good boy and a big boy who knows how to take care of himself"
" Oh!" He looks sad. But says nothing.
" Go and change in your room. Come downstairs after changing!"
Adrian nods quietly and runs upstairs.
Paisley hasn't noticed him being so sad. All she is thinking is what she should do with all that meat.
While unpacking everything, Paisley notices the layers of snow have increased. The doorway is blocked within an hour.
She looks outside. She can't see anything, not even the house.
Undoubtedly the storm started before she could remember.
But instead of worrying about it, she realizes that she can adopt the methods like her neighbors. Carefully, she opens the door, some of the snow falls off as she pulled open the door.
" What are you doing?" Adrian curiously walks towards her. The wind is strong. But thanks to the direction of the wind, it doesn't enter the house.
" It's a refrigerator!" She grins.
Adrian tilts his head and watches her placing the boxes of meats under the snow. Some juice and eggs. Since she won't leave the house and nobody comes here without any emergency, she won't have to worry about being ruined by someone as well.
But her attention goes to a shadow that suddenly appears before her.
She flinches, recalling last night's incident. But seeing her being so freaked out, Adrian's eyes sharpen and shift on the person.
" Paisley! It's me!" The person shouts.
" What? Manager? What are you doing here?"
" I knew it happened. Did you put the meat under the snow?" He chuckles.
She looks a bit uncomfortable and embarrassed, while wondering how he came here under this weather.
" Is it not right?"
" Don't put the meat here. You can store other things. Anyway, here's it. I forgot to give you this!"
" A cooler box?" Paisley holds it with a frown.
" It will store the meat for a few days, at least 10 days. My friend made it. He lives in the northern area. It's always cold there. So they restore the fresh meat in it."
" How much is it?" She asks, looking at him with a worried expression. She can't give him a 100$ since she doesn't have any more money.
" No need! He gave us three to use for long term camping. But we don't need three. So here is it. Use them! Don't need to return it after the storm! But -!" He glances at Adrian who is holding the eggs.
" Will you be able to take care of him?"
Paisley glances at Adrian who looks scared of the Manager, " I will. He is my family now!"
Adrian looks at her, shocked and stunned. She thinks him as her family. His heart pounds against his chest. Like a teenage schoolgirl he blushes and fidgets adorably.
She takes the meat out of the snow and stands up, " Thank you!"
" No worries. But be careful. Judging by his eye color. He might be a Dominant Alpha. If someone learns about his existence. It will be hard for you."
She frowns narrowly while looking at his eyes. Obviously - it's really something that a mere Omega like her feels threatened.
" Don't worry! He is still a kid. Nothing will happen. I won't let anything happen to him either!" She says, her voice determined.
" Good! And if you need any extra part time jobs. Call this Man!" He hands a card, " They are recruiting part timers."
Paisley looks at the car, it's a bakery. She knows it. On way home from her community college, she passes the bakery. It will be a perfect place to start working.
" Thank you."
" No worries. Anyway, I have to drive home. Stay Warm. Don't get out. The water supply won't be stopped. So don't worry about anything else! There are some candles and charger lights in a bag. Use them!"
Saying, he runs in the middle of the storm. The Van is on the road, covered with layers of snow blankets. She can't help but feel more grateful towards this community.
"Paisley!" Adrian grips her sleeve, " Am I a burden? What should I do with my eyes?" He asks, tearing up.
" Don't worry about what he said. Just make sure you eat well!" She says, looking at the card. She must get this job.
" I need to admit you into a school too!" She mumbles, taking all the meat and fish to the table.
" Can I go to school?" Adrian's eyes spark.
" I will make sure of it!" She says calmly. " Let's restore the meat first!"
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