Walking into Mr.Chen store, the strong scent of fresh ginger engulfed bringing back old memories both good and bad. It was one of the many places my mom took us as kids. There were even times  I could remember after school waiting with Mr.Chen for her to pick me up. He was one of the few people she trusted with her children. Even as adults he treated us like an extension of his family. 

 He was the reason I was here, instead of like most store owner or managers, when Quinn wandered in with a broken hand and a cut on her cheek with the stench of alcohol pouring off her, he didn't immediately call the cops, instead he called me or my father to see what we wanted to do. Most of the time, like now I just went down and got her. 

Walking past the front counter, my eyes linger on Mr.Chen as he nodded gently, even though he aged, it seemed painfully slow, he went years without changing, he claimed into was the Ginger and natural herbs... but there was something strange about it. looking at me Mr.Chen nodded carefully pointing towards the aisle that held the alcohol. 


Reaching the aisle I watched Quinn oblivious to my presence pick up a large glass jug, the writing in hanzi the liquid and jar itself both clear in colour.  With her casted hand Quinn twisted the lid before taking a large swig her face distorting from the alcohol.  Rolling my eyes I shook my head at her taking long strides down the aisle.


"I don't know what disturbs me more, the fact you are drinking straight from the bottle of some unidentified Chinese alcohol. or the fact your drinking before 10 am" I stated firmly crossing my arms over my chest.


"Its noon somewhere" she shrugged taking another shrug walking towards.


"First off, not the saying. Secondly somewhere is not here."  I insisted following behind her.


"What can I say, I'm just so excited for tonight"  Quinn grumbled walking up to the till


"Tonight?" Mr. Chen  questioned scanning the bottle


"Our grandparents are in town, holding some fancy dinner that we have to go to"I informed not wanting Quinn to answer.


" Ah, very well. I hope all goes well"  Mr.Chen added letting Quinn scan her card before she walked out of the store.


Shaking at my sister's antics I gave Mr. Chen a light wave before chasing after her.  Quinn's long slender legs carried her quickly down the sidewalk. Chasing after her I latched onto the faded strap of her saddle bag causing her body to jerk back slightly as she haulted.


"What Micah." She demanded to look over at me. " you going to scold me for day drinking like dad? I'm a fucking adult" She growled.


"Actually, I was going to ask what happened to your face and your hand" I insisted on picking her arm up by the cast.



" I got in a fight" she declared like it was the most obvious thing in the world.


"That's more than just some fight, I've been spending enough time and seeing enough stupid fight to know it takes a lot to do this type of damage to one of us, shifted or not"  I stated focusing on her arm,  Quinn yanked her arm away avoiding eye contact her mouth twitching, she was debating on lying to me. I knew it.

"I drank a little to much the other night and tried to go see Emerson. Mouth got the better me"  She stated still avoiding my gaze.


"One of die Oma and Opas men did this to you?" I questioned concerned filled my voice.


"Yeah.. some blonde prick" She grumbled turning her back to me as she began walking again.


"There's a couple of those there I've noticed" I admitted rolling her eyes. "Are you still going to dinner tonight then?" I added


"Do I have a choice? I mean have to meet all my protentional brother-in-laws" she somewhat joked.


"At least you don't have to have a special dance with every single one separately. I don't dance" I informed with a slight groan.


"Actually, watch you and Adam dance is one of the only things I'm looking forward to tonight" Quinn smirked at me, as I groaned picturing it. 

"We are going to look like two octopus on LSD, neither of us can dance, and he's giant. The only person I know taller then he is Luciano, who is an entire foot taller than me. who I pray to know how to dance because its already going to be weird with him and Roman for that matter. " I insisted shaking my head at the thought.



"Don't worry, I'll make sure Emerson films it all to play at your wedding" Quinn teased

"Well... there is a five in twelve chance that won't happen so... fingers crossed?" I almost suggested as we walked.


"It's going to be okay, from what you've told me about Roman and Luciano there both moderately strong. Adams a bonified genius, and well.. Nicks good at getting what he wants and Lennox is ticking time bomb. I'm honestly surprised he hasn't already gone to jail for murder" Quinn assured attempting to ease the situation.



"Yeah.. I guess.. but you haven't met Theron yet... the one die Oma chose...  He may not be as built... but I guarantee he's just as strong.. and something about him... there something dangerous in him I can feel it..." I admitted half looking at her.


"It'll be okay. No matter what you have me and Emerson and of course Campbell" She informed grinning.


"Oh my god.. you're bringing him aren't you...." I gasped looking at her fully a devious smirk on her lips


l"Mame said to bring the cinnamon man" Quinn insisted, attempting to mimic Mame with Campbell unintentional nickname, I couldn't help but giggle.


"He really does smell permanently of Cinnamon, like its infused in his clothes" I giggled


"That's because he's more fireball then man, or wolf for that matter" Quinn snickered.


"And I do not doubt.. he drinks the stuff like its water" I teased smiling at her.


"Coffee at the diner?" Quinn hummed nodding towards the diner.


"You can have coffee, I'm  having a shake" I asserted carefully pulling her across the empty street



Quinn wrapped her arms around my waist leading me across the rest of the street and into the dinner.  Entering we gave  Berry a slight wave as he head perked up from the behind the coffee machine, a warm smile spread across her face nodding towards the two empty stools as the bar top.

As Quinn as I claimed our spots on the two empty stools the swivelled under us.  Quinn didn't even get a chance to order before Berry was walking passed up with a tray full of orders in one hand and a single black coffee in the other for Quinn.


"Amirah is making your shake" Berry informed exiting behind the counter


"Consider how her first day went, I'm really proud of her" I informed at Berry walked past


"I too" She smiled heading to the empty table

Amirah had only been at the dinner a couple of weeks now, both Berry and I worked her first shift with her. At twenty-four it was her first real job meaning her experience was limited. It only took an hour for her to end up locked in the backroom crying, from a mixture of being overwhelmed and drunks wandering over from the pub next-door being jerks.  It took two hours of me and Berry tag-teaming to try and calm her down and another hour after that for who to reemerge from the backroom. 


I hadn't had a shift with her since, but I was happy she stuck through it. When you got passed the stress of rush hour and learned to ignore the rude and crude comments of the drunks the dinner was a nice place to work. We all got along like a dysfunctional family, we did our best to support each other and Mame was basically everyone granny who overfed us and sent us home with leftovers. 

After a few moments later Amirah appeared with my milkshake,  I could see Quinn examining her instantly.  Amirah was a classic case of don't judge a book by its cover. She was stunning,  long legs, curvy figure, gorgeous longspun raven locks and dark brown pools of molasses you could drown in.  Ones that only complimented her sun-kissed skin It was all matched with ever classic resting bitch face. 

It made her look and seem like the stereotypical rich mean girl, and although at one time she may have been the rich girl, mean just didn't seem at all like her thing. She was a bit of a hot mess, gorgeous on the outside but a chaotic mess on this inside. 

"Here you go Micah" Amirah smiled gently


"Thanks, Amirah"  I replied with a soft smile and nod as she returned to her other customers


It took seconds after Amirah was out of earshot for Quinn to pull her eyes off her and lean in close to me, Looking over her shoulder a few times to make sure no one was listening before focusing on me.


"Mame hired her? her? she looks like a freaking Muslim barbie" Quinn whispered harshly.



"She's Lebanese and Mexican, but she's also second-generation Canadian and I don't know what her religion is and it's not really our business. "   I informed mocking her stature as I leaned, in Quinn's face dropped.


"still. Barbie"  Quinn stressed.


"If you mean by Barbie,  she pretty to look at yes. but she likes you and me and everyone are more then just looks. She's super sweet and isn't as put together as everyone seems to think and she'll be the first to tell you that. If you asked instead of judged" I hummed, only increasing the dramatic of her eye-roll.

"Alright,  I bow. your right... not like I actually have a right to judge, I was just drinking Chinese vodka out of the jar from the store"  Quinn admitted bowing her head.

"None of us do. If there is one thing I've learned from the women of Aurum falls Pack,  is we need to support each other.  Fix each other crowns instead of ripping them off each other" I suggested with a light shrug.


"Ha, if only...  you  know.. I wasn't too sure how I felt about you spending so much time with that pack at first... but It looks good on you..." Quinn assured. 


"They accept me, well most of them" I chuckled " but I like them.. they feel like family, and not like die Oma family... but like you and Emerson.," I added smiling.


"I'm happy for you" She smiled, suddenly pulling me into her.


I froze for a moment, surprised by her actions. Quinn had never been good with affections, she may have been able to tell you how she felt, but showing it... wasn't her strong suit and meaningful hugs... we'll they were like kryptonite for her...  After a few short moments, the shock wore off as I wrapped my arms around her tightening the hug.