Mixed Feelings (Makai's POV)

When Storm finishes the pack of popcorn he was eating, I wordlessly hand him the third one. I couldn't stand the taste of microwave popcorn, but Storm loved it, so I always make a point to stock up so that he would have some to eat when he comes over to watch movies. He gives me a grateful smile before returning his attention to the movie we are watching.

Or more accurately, the movie he is watching. Because while Storm is enjoying the movie, he is the one who had me enraptured and not the movie.

I drink him up greedily, storing as many memories of him as I can to keep me in his warm aura after he leaves. When something makes him laugh, my heart skips a beat.

He is simply...beautiful. It is fascinating to watch his expressions change as he watched the movie. You could always tell what Storm was thinking by the expression on his face.

There are times when I suspect that he is trying to hide his emotions, but most of the time he wears his feelings on his face. And when he laughs like he just did, my chest warms and the heat spreads throughout my body, leaving me hot and breathless.

Storm has a thing for human movies, and although I don't particularly see the attraction myself, it has become a way for us to spend time together when he visits. I don't mind because I just want to spend time with him regardless of what we do during that time together.

Today I've been so distracted by watching his reactions that I wouldn't even be able to mention the name of the main characters if I were asked.

Most of the time, I paid attention so that I could contribute when he decides to discuss or respond appropriately if he wants to vent after watching. But there were times, like today, when I missed him so much that he is all I could think about and focus on.

When he lifts his head, I quickly avert my gaze so that he doesn't catch me staring.

"This film was fantastic! Tom Holland's performance as Nathan Drake was superb! It was great to see him excel at a character other than Spider-Man," he praised, startling me.

Apparently, the movie had ended, and I don't recall any scenes.

"Pathetic," Kitai snickers.

I ignore him. I realize that Storm is staring at me, clearly expecting me to say something.

"Sure, it was great," I reply quickly, flipping through my memory book to find the film.

"Of course, Tom's amazing as Spiderman, but it's also great to see him in other roles," he adds, and I nod in agreement while still trying to place the movie before he notices my lack of attention.

Spiderman...Tom Holland...Uncharted!

When I recall the movie, I sigh inwardly in relief.

Confident that I can hold a conversation now, I expounded. "I agree, he surpassed my expectations as well. He was fantastic in the role, fully embracing the character and delivering an outstanding performance. I like how he's introduced as a street-smart guy with a cool bad-boy side, flirting with customers to get close to them before pickpocketing them; it was very entertaining to watch."

"Right?", Storm exclaims in surprise, looking at me with a wry grin. "I'm impressed. For a while I thought you weren't paying attention".

"Ha!" I could hear Kitai laughing like a lunatic.

Of course, I hadn't been paying attention. Because of how distracted I get when Storm and I watch movies, I had a hack that enabled me to pretend I had been paying attention. I make it a point to read the reviews, synopsis, and cast information for all the movies I know he'll be interested in before we watch them.

I have an excellent memory, so storing reviews and movie information is no problem. It helps me to make comments here and there without a problem.

I didn't have to say much, and because I'm not a talker, so he is usually satisfied.

Happy, Storm shuts down my laptop and climbs from the bed. "What do we do next?"

I looked at him in surprise. "Don't you have to leave yet?"

"Nope. I told my family I would be out for the day. I'm all yours"

"All mine. A man could dream." Kitai drawls.

"Shut up Kit. Plus, you're not a man, you're a wolf," I added with an inward smirk.

"My name is Kitai!" he huffed. I push him away.

"Kai, can I see your latest paintings? What have you been working on since I have been away?"

"I started a new collection. Maybe we could go and take a look."

Except for my mother, Storm is the only person who knows that I am a professional artist. He even found me an art exhibitor who buys my artwork outright and sells them in her shop. He was so excited when my art started selling that he wanted to tell his father and share it with the pack so that they will appreciate me more. His words.

Storm hates how the pack treats me. I have told him numerous times that I don't mind, but it still upsets him. Something comes to mind as I think about his family. "Where did you tell your family you were going?"

He flushes with embarrassment. "I told them that I was visiting the twins. Don't worry, they will cover for me as usual."

"Storm, we talked about this. You don't have to feel bad. It is not your fault that your family is not fond of our friendship. To be honest, I can see where-"

"Don't you dare, Makai."

He said it softly, but I almost shivered because he sounded so cold and it was so unlike Storm.

"Don't even think about siding with them on this. I don't understand why you let them use you to gain prestige as a powerful werewolf pack, fighting in the pit and always winning for them when they treat you like a pariah every day."

I sighed. This was an old argument. Storm had been taken aback when his family and even pack members had openly disapproved of our friendship when it first began. He had been angry and ready to fight anyone just to be my friend. It made me feel good on the inside to have someone care so much about being my friend.

I had expected him to simply forget about me and stick to his other friends, but he had returned, upset that I had abandoned our friendship so easily.

I eventually persuaded him that fighting wasn't worth it, and that we could be friends without anyone knowing. All he had to do was make an excuse and use his teleporting abilities.

As we both grew older, he had needed a cover, and the twins had been made aware of the friendship. Surprisingly, they hadn't been a problem either. They had been awed that Storm had managed to be friends with me. They supported our friendship because according to Adam, "Anyone who exchanges craft paint for cupcakes cannot be that bad."

Storm's eyes suddenly glowed, and I knew they were calling him back.