D-did he just say that my baby is a guardian angel?

I mean, I've met a couple of angels before. And I know that guardian angels are, supposedly, very rare; but I never knew that I'd meet one. And my babygirl, out of everyone? I knew she was special; I just didn't know how special. How could I have not smelled it on her? I decide to voice my thoughts.

"Babygirl, y-you're an angel? A guardian angel?" I can't keep the amazement out of my tone. She blushes under my gaze. Her ears and neck turning pink.

Fuck, I wonder how far that blush travels.

Woah, Ashton, chill. This isn't the time for you to get all horny. I just really fucking hope she's my mate . . .

"That's..." Cole starts.

"Amazing," Xavier finishes.

I can tell they're both as dumbstruck as I am.

"Okay, you love struck pups; now's not the time to get your panties in a twist." Damnit, I totally forgot that this bastard, Ian, was even here! Stupid fucking vampires, always acting like they're better than every other supernatural species.

"I--" Avelyn is cut off from whatever she's about to say because the other students start to trickle back into the gym, dressed in their gym clothes.

"This isn't over. Now go get dressed before we get caught," Ian, Mr. Brown, orders us.

Fucking bastard.

We head to the locker rooms to change, Ava splitting up from us to go to the girl's respective locker room. My brothers and I, being the only ones left in the guy's locker room, try to discuss what the hell just happened.

"I-I can't believe she's a guardian angel. I knew she was perfect; I just didn't know she was that perfect. Look at her, my kitten, a beautiful fucking angel," Cole gushes.

"I know, right? I literally didn't think she could get any better. I just hope she's my mate." Xavier is sporting this hilarious lovestruck puppy look on his face, and I'd probably laugh too if I didn't know that I have the same look on mine.

"I hope she's mine, too," I practically sigh in contentment.

"Same, I just feel this connection with her. Like we're soulmates. Damn, I just realized how whipped I sound right now," Cole laughs. I do, too, but then I realize that I feel the same way. We can't all be her mates. Can we?

"Wait, so we all feel a connection to her? How's that even possible? I've only ever heard of a few stories of someone having multiple mates," I say.

"True, but then again, it's also very rare to be mates with someone from a different supernatural group. And to find a guardian angel. Let alone one as gorgeous as Ava," Xavier rebuttals.

"Honestly, if we were to all be her mates, I wouldn't really mind. I mean, you guys are my brothers. And sure, it would be a little awkward at first--and we'd have to figure it out, but I think it'd be worth it. Besides, we share everything. At least I know if I'm not around, then she'd be safe with one of you. Plus, as strange as it might sound, I think it might be kinda hot." Cole starts to blush at the end of his speech.

"M-me too," I admit sheepishly. When did I become such a bitch? I honestly don't even care about the answer to that question.

"Well, I'm not going to lie and say I don't think it might be kinda hot to share her with you guys. And I would like to know she is safe with you; I trust you more than anything. And as much as I'd like to continue this conversation, I think we should get dressed and go back out there. I don't like the thought of leaving our angel alone. Although, I'm pretty positive that bloodsucker won't make a move with everyone else around," Xavier says.

Nodding in agreement, we all get dressed so we can go out there and see our baby. I don't like or trust that filthy vampire, and I'm not leaving her alone with him for more than two seconds.

~~~

Werewolves. They're werewolves.

At least now I understand the growling, but I'm still dumbfounded.

How?

My magic seems to buzz. I don't know why, but I feel content--even with the incident with Mr. Brown. He's a vampire, obviously. I knew there was something off about that guy. I just felt a sense of unease and foreboding with him, a sense of evil. Now I know why. Whether I'm grateful of that or still shaken up, I haven't quite decided just yet. But either way, no matter what happens, I know my boys will be there to protect me.

Yes, I've decided, they are my boys.

I've realized claiming them as mine just feels right. Whatever that means for the future, we'll decide later. And again, I can feel my tattoos buzz in delightful agreement. I mean, they did say that I was a part of their family now.

I realize I have finished changing while lost in my thoughts. I'm wearing a white t-shirt with the sleeves cut off and a pair of black athletic running shorts. I had seen the other girls wearing similar attire, so I assumed this would work just fine.

In a daze, I exit the changing room to find my boys waiting just outside the door with worried expressions. But, upon my arrival, they all seem to immediately cheer up.

"There you are, kitten! You had us worried. We were about to run in there to make sure you were okay."

I smile at this. They're so freaking adorable; I can't believe they were actually worried about me. I'm still not used to people caring about me, so I try to hide my grin. . . Which I fail at miserably.

"Come on, princess. I don't want them to think we're ditching, or anything."

With that, Xavier grabs my hand and leads me out to the gym. I feel sparks and tingles where our skin touches, and I revel in it for a moment. It's strange, but it's amazing. I don't let myself get caught up in my thoughts, though, because when we enter the gym I can feel the heated stares the moment we enter the room. It's a bit nerve-wracking if I'm being completely honest. I've never been one to have anyone notice or pay attention to me. And even though some people--girls mostly--are scrutinizing and glaring, the attention is still new and off-putting.

And with our arrival, Mr. Brown starts class.

"Alright everyone, now that everybody is here--even though it took ages," he pauses to send a glare our way. Please, like it's our fault you held us up. "we can finally get started. All right, I've decided, today we're running laps. For the rest of class, I want to test your endurance and stamina. Like I said, this class will not be easy; you're going to have to work hard if you want to pass. Start at the beginning of the track so we can begin." With that, everyone lines up along the track that stretches along the perimeter of the gym. There are three rows: front, middle, and back--since we can't actually all fit on the track if we stand side by side.

My boys and I are in the front row--don't know how that happened, but it did.

Ian blows the whistle to signal everyone to start running, and we all take off. Some leading, and some trailing. My boys and I are at the head of the group. They're giving me looks of astonishment; they probably didn't expect me to keep up. Well, jokes on them. I used to sneak out of the house all the time before I moved. Though, the only place I ever visited was the woods outside my backyard.

I always found peace and serenity in the freedom of the outdoors. I would climb trees and sit peacefully with the animals that inhabited it. I loved hopping across branches and being able to look over the beautiful scenery. I find myself smiling and sighing in content just thinking about it. I can tell the guys can see the lovestruck look on my face, as they have smiles of their own.

"What are you thinking about, kitten?" Coco asks, not even breaking a sweat.

"Just about the woods. I used to sneak out almost every night, before I moved here, to bask in the fresh air and beautiful scenery," I answer.

I can tell Xavier and Ash want to ask me another question, but they are unable to because Mr. Brown blows the whistle and tells us it's time to get dressed.

The guys and I part ways to change. You know, because we obviously can't change together. But I catch myself thinking about them changing and about--what I'm sure--are their amazing bodies. I blush in response to my thoughts.

After changing back into my regular clothes, I exit the locker room to meet the guys; I have seventh period with Xavier. I don't know how were going to be able to just go back to class after what happened, and I assume that now that we're going to have a free period, Xavier might want to ask me about my parents. And I'll have no way to get out of answering. Oh, joy!

~~~

After Avelyn returns from changing, the bell conveniently rings, signalling it's time for our last period. Seeing as we have study hall together, I figure now would be the perfect time to question her on her "parents." If you could even call them that. I feel my fists clench in anger even thinking about what they've done to my princess.

We separate from Cole and Ashton, and I grab her hand to lead her to our class. I feel tingles where our hands touch, and I know that I'm never going to get used to that feeling. I also decide that it's one of my new favorite feelings in the world, and I can't imagine never feeling it again. Honestly, I just want a valid reason to touch her. Though, I'd never admit to it.

Once we've arrived at our class, I lead her to the back for a seat. This way, if we talk in hushed voices, we'll have some sort of privacy.

We take our seats and the bell rings for class to begin. Mrs. Little, the teacher--like most of the other teachers--glances at us but leaves it alone. I'm pretty sure since this school doesn't have that many students or teachers--despite the normal-sized building--all of these kids have had every teacher at least once. And I'm pretty sure even the teachers can tell we're new and not just freshmen. Plus, I'm sure they gossip. (Don't all teachers?) Not to mention she probably recognized our facial expressions as not wanting any attention.

Good.

I can't say that I'm not relieved, because I am.

"All right, class, like every year, you may use this study hall period as time to get your work done. You may also talk in hushed voices, being respectful to the students whom actually use this time to study, even though it's the first day. I'm sure at least one of your teachers have already assigned you something," she announces, giving me ample opportunity to talk with Ava.

"Princess, I think now is the time to address the issue with your parents. There's no getting out of it this time, Ava," I begin. I hear her breath catch and turn to look at her with concerned eyes.

She looks down and sighs, most likely realizing I mean businesses.

With the other students engaging in their own meaningless conversations, they don't hear when she replies.

"Xavier, really, it's not important. I already told you, I'm a monster. I only get what I deserve." Her voice sounds so broken, and I honestly don't know where she got the idea that she's some monster. She's a perfect angel, literally. So I decide to tell her just that.

"Darling, sweetheart, princess; you are no monster. You're beautiful. You're amazing. You're literally an angel. I've told you before; you're part of our family. How could you ever believe you are a monster when you're the most innocent and pure person I've ever met?" She blushes, and her eyes keep switching back and forth between mine. Her ocean blue eyes are so gorgeous, and I get lost in them once again. She breaks the intense stare, and shifts her gaze towards the ground, a blush forming on her cheeks and ears.

"That's what I've always been told. My parents have always treated me like I thought I deserved. They've always told me that I was worthless and beastly. Well, actually, they used to be kind. It all started when I was around seven. Mother and Father were fighting, and me being the idiot I am, decided the eavesdrop. They had been fighting a lot recently, and I was curious as to why. Long story short, I ended up tripping, falling, and getting caught. They weren't happy. So they they gave me a punishment for 'being a bad girl'. Years later, I ended up finding out that my mother was actually my stepmother. At least, that's what I've been told. Though, she's always put up with me, and she's the closest thing to a mother I have. So I still refer to her as Mother."

She's mumbling by the end of her rant, and all I can focus on is the "punishment" aspect.

"Avelyn, what kind of punishment?" I question apprehensively.

She looks me in the eyes once more.

"It depends," she starts. "On what I've done wrong and what I deserve."

"If I accidentally burn their food, then they burn me with one of their cigarettes. If I don't clean the house to their liking, then they lock me in my room for days without food or water. If I end up eating or drinking anything without their permission--even if it's been days since my last glass of water, and I'm practically dying of dehydration--they'll make me drink Mother's 'special drink for bad girls'. Which is basically a mixture of salt and bleach. Thankfully, I don't get that one too often. I'm not able to talk for weeks after that one. The list goes on and on, and I don't really feel like continuing right now. It's too hard to talk about, especially around so many people." She quickly glances around the room, as if proving her point.

I let out the most low and menacing growl that I can possibly conjure, and I can feel my wolf about to surface from pure anger and disgust. But I try to keep calm, for her sake.

"Don't worry, princess; I'm never letting them hurt you again, and I won't continue making you reopen old wounds." She sighs out of relief and looks to me with heart-throbbingly thankful eyes, which makes me smile in return. I briefly turn my attention back towards the clock to see how much time is remaining.

7 minutes. Thank God.

Once I get out of here, I'm immediately talking about this with Cole and Ashton. I would mindlink them now, but I don't want to distract them while they're in class. Also, this is just something we need to discuss in person. I don't know what's going to happen from here, but I do know I'm not letting my princess back into that house with her piece-of-shit-parents, whatever the repercussions may be. And my brothers and I will protect our angel from those monsters and from that vile bloodsucker, Mr. Brown.

____________________________________

Thanks for reading this chapter. Sorry I took a while to update I've just been super busy. Also, I doubt anyone's even noticed, but it's saying the author of the book is Tori_Maye. I have no clue why, as that was my old username from ages ago. Like, when I first got a Wattpad account, ages ago. Obviously, I've changed it since then to create my own new creative and individualized persona. I honestly don't even know how to fix it, though. So I'm just gonna hope it fixes itself. The struggles, I tell you. The struggles.

Okay, I'm done ranting now.

As always, until next time...

Sincerely,

The Annoying Author Lady