My first morning in Beacon hills started with back pain as I edged off the uncomfortable couch I was sleeping on.

Mess surrounded me, piled high with filled garbage bags, toys and god knows what else under all the shit everywhere. With sleep still in my eyes, I managed to get the bin bags outside and into the trash without too much hassle. I hadn't heard anything from Aya, nor the kids then again I assumed it was too early for my sister to function.

As I trudged inside, I groaned at the sheer mess that filled the house. How was I meant to get through it all?

First things first, I needed to get the boys up and at it for school.

"Aya," I called and knocked onto her bedroom door.

No reply.

"Sis, the kids need to be up for school and I've got no idea where their stuff is or where they're going."

Again nothing. I sighed with gritted teeth and pushed open the door.

Snoring filled the air as well as smoke from countless cigarettes. There was a sour smell of liquor in the air and I pressed the bridge of my nose. I wouldn't kill my sister. I wouldn't kill my sister.

"Hey!" I jostled her awake with a shake on her shoulder. She was tangled in her sheets, which needed changing.

"Fuck off," she muttered and turned over.

"Hey, mom," I seethed, shaking her shoulder again. "Your boys need to get ready for school as I don't know what I'm doing, help me out here!"

Aya growled and shot up from the mattress, her eyes hazy and angry.

"The kids know where their stuff is and where they're going, they're six not two. Now, kindly fuck off, I was sleeping."

She barged me out of the room so hard I almost fell into the banisters of the stairs as she slammed the door in my face.

I counted down from ten slowly thinking I might just lose my goddamn mind in this house.

The boys were sleeping soundly when I entered their room, which made me smile a bit. One thing I could say for my sister, she made beautiful kids. The twins shared a small double in a box room, the only room left was taken up by a small dresser.

"Okay boys, up and at em." I clapped my hands a little. AJ sat up blinking, rubbing his eyes while Todd just turned over and pushed his face into his uncovered pillow. The bed wasn't even dressed in sheets or anything.

I checked my phone. "It's 7:30, boys, I want you into the bathroom to brush your teeth right now unless you want to be visited by the tickle monster."

AJ jumped up, looking startled and scurried out of the room. Todd just whined into his pillow. I crept up beside him.

"Looks like you've given me no choice, Todd..." I jeered playfully then raised my hands and growled as I tickled the boy in his sides. He squealed and laughed and his legs kicked to try and get me off of him.

I stopped, and the boy huffed for air. "Go on, go clean your teeth."

"Mama let's us sleep to whenever we want." He didn't argue, just stated. I pressed my tongue to the roof of my mouth.

"Well I'm here now, and you need to be dressed and fed before I take you to school."

I patted him on the back as he slid off the bed and begrudgingly walked to the bathroom.

My nose wrinkled and I opened the windows, these boys would quickly outgrow having to share a bed. They had one nightstand on Todd's side while AJ's was pushed against the wall. It was covered in paper plates with half eaten food and empty cups.

Some part of me wanted to just scrap the whole house and start over but who had the money to do that? Not me that was for sure.

Ellie was up and gurgling by the time I got into her room.

"Hi, sweetie," I cooed and scooped her into my arms, tickling her little belly.

As I passed the bathroom, I stuck my head in. "Boys, do you wear uniforms or just your own clothes to school?"

"Whatever we want," Todd replied as the two of them shared a footstool to see into the grimy sink.

"Right, I'm going to feed the baby, I expect you both dressed and downstairs in 5 minutes okay?"

I left them to get dressed and took Ellie downstairs, careful not to trip on the stuff piling up one side of the stairs.

My phone vibrated in my pocket and I pulled it out.

Liam: ur still coming tonight?

I plopped Ellie into the now clean highchair and went to the cupboard for her formula. Why was Liam so keen on getting me to meet his Alpha? Scott looked to be around my age, I doubt he was claiming territories so what the hell could he want with me?

Tomoe: do I have to?

I watched Liam's typing bubble pop up.

Liam: yes, pls it's important, game starts 6:30 u can come watch and we will meet aftr

I rubbed a hand down my face.

Tomoe: yeah ok

After that, I got the baby fed and the twins as they came down in their little hoodies and jeans. So cute. I strapped Ellie into her stroller and walked the kids to school.

"What time do I need to collect you?" I asked Todd as we approached the elementary school.

"We finish at 3:30, you don't need to get us, uncle."

I shook my head and kissed them both. "I'll be there, okay?"

After talking with one of the overseers of the kids, I had my name put down to collect them for the foreseeable future. I didn't miss the looks I got when they knew which family I was from, no doubt Izumi making a great impression.

I was used to feeling unwanted and judged.

I didn't belong anywhere.

Walking back through town, Ellie had fallen asleep which gave me some peace of mind. The walk to the elementary school wasn't far from the house.

I had to wonder what the hell a teenage Alpha wanted with me, a stray with no pack just trying to lay low.

I didn't know why, but I knew it couldn't be good.