Chapter Text
Maddy knew that she was luckier than most kids. She had two loving parents who loved her and each other like breathing. She had friends who she trusted and loved. She had a relatively smooth and easy life, minus that one thing that made her different from everyone else. That made her and her family stick out like sore thumbs, even if others didn't know about it. Despite all that, she had always felt like a very core part of her had been ripped away from her the moment she was born, like something - or someone - had been taken from her when she was nothing but a small cell. She had tried to explain her feelings when she was younger to her parents. They had simply told her it was her wolfblood self that wanted to get out, but Maddy remembered the look on their faces that exposed the fact that that was not how they had felt as kids.
She never forgot that, understanding that this was something she couldn't explain. Not to her parents, not to her friends, not to anyone. It was an empty hollow feeling that only got deeper and more aggressive as the years went on. However, since she had known it her whole life, she managed to live alongside the feeling, rather than let it consume her.
As she pulled her arm into the hoodie's sleeve, she blinked in confusion out of the window of her bedroom, trying to get her thoughts in order. Something felt different today. Something was new. The air seemed different, the light in her room seemed to shine brighter. Maddy had absolutely no idea how to place the feeling, and was prepared to store it the same way she had the familiar hollow feeling. Except, those two seemed to contradict each other, one being familiar and cold and the other being new and warm. The teen shook her head, in an attempt to clear it as she adjusted her bag's lace.
Once she made it to the kitchen, her parents were already out of the cellar, making breakfast. Her mother smiled brightly at her as she entered. The morning routine continued as it normally did, the family displaying their love for each other through small gestures.
When she finally made it to school, she reunited with her friends - Shannon and Tom - at the entrance. The redhead going on about the beast being a familiar thing, as Maddy and Tom shared amused glances as the rambling went on. However, all the familiarity was stripped away from her as she inhaled the air of the hallway.
Wolf wolf wolf wolf a wolfblood nearby.
She almost sprinted to find the source immediately, if it weren't for Tom pulling at her to go with them to their first class. Her mind raced and her heart sped up, her vision blurring a little in her haste. She felt a million questions lingering beneath her skin. She was angry. A wolfblood was in her territory! They could be a threat, for all she knew!
However, all of the negative thoughts vanished as if they had never even crossed her mind once she locked eyes with him. The hollow feeling she had dealt with her whole life vanished immediately, filling her whole body with nothing but pure warmth. Mr Jeffries was making some stupid joke, but she didn't hear a single word as the world seemed to stop spinning. The air thickened and his eyes brightened and went wide in realization. His tense shoulders softened as if the weight of the world fell off his shoulders as he took her in, just as much as she did him. Time seemed to slow down just to give them time to take each other in. They both knew that this was something beyond their understanding, leaving them both so excited for the future like never before. Just when it seemed they would spend eternity just looking at each other, Mr Jeffries addressed Maddy directly.
“Smith, since you're the only one left standing, would you be so kind and show Rhydian around school today?”
The girl wanted to drop to her knees and kiss her teachers feet in the biggest gesture of gratitude she could think of. She locked eyes with Rhydian again and she could swear he was thinking the exact same thing, if his delighted expression was anything to go by.
“Of course, sir!” Rhydian looked like he wanted to sob at the sound of Maddys voice, leaving the girl breathless and desperate to hear his. They moved in perfect sync, Maddy nudged Shannon to take her seat as she moved to the middle row to sit next to Rhydian, who welcomed her with a bright, warm and wolfish smile. She returned it and they pressed their chairs together as close as possible. Is this even real? How the hell can one find their other half so easily? Yet here they were, pressing their legs and shoulders as close as physics let them. They didn't say a word as Jeffries continued his lesson but they didn't need to, not yet at least. Once the lesson ended though, they both moved with a little hint of suspicious amount of speed as they all but flew out the classroom, running through the hallways and out the entrance, heading to the woods with purpose.
They laughed, chasing each other deeper and deeper into the woods. Once they found an area they liked the most, Maddy threw herself into Rhydians arms, who caught her effortlessly, spinning her around like a disney princess. They laughed louder, their bond tightening and filling them both with nothing but pure bliss and a feeling of home. They both felt it. It was an electric thread that tied them together in more ways than one. They could feel the connection deepening, spreading across every single cell they had in their body. Maddy held him close once they tumbled to the ground, hitting the ground with a soft thud.
“There you are.” Maddy was right to be excited to hear his voice. She practically melted as her skin prickled with goosebumps. There you are. She knew exactly what that meant. There you are, the one I've been looking for my whole life. There you are, my other half. The gaping hollow feeling was so gone as if it never existed in the first place as she looked at him again.
“As happy as I am, I think this leaves me with more questions than answers.” Maddy said, lightheartedly. “Despite being wolfbloods themselves, my parents clearly didn't experience this before they met.” Maddy realized she was implying romance between herself and Rhydian but it didn't seem wrong or out of place. It fits. However, that wasn't what was on Rhydians mind. He sat up, staring wide eyed at her.
“You have parents like us?” She blinked and felt her heart warm.
“Yeah, we were born this way, Rhydian. It comes from our parents.” And so she spent the next few minutes telling and explaining the history of wolfbloods and finding out about Rhydians history. Maddy felt a ping of pain when she realized how alone he usually actually was. She swore to him that he would never feel that way again.
“Ready for another round?” Rhydian asked as he leaped up to his feet. She smiled brightly and they raced each other back to school, Maddy winning this time. Rhydian picked her up from behind, and she squealed. They laughed and once he put her down he rested his chin on her shoulder, wrapping his arms around her and closing his eyes. She relaxed completely, wrapping her own arms on top of his and closing her own eyes. They stayed like that for a minute, just breathing each other and the air around them in. Maddy only opened her eyes when the bell rang. He slowly let go of her and they made their way to their next class, laughing, talking and dancing (Rhydian spinning her around and them having leaps in their steps). They both knew it was so uncommon for people who have only known each other for a few hours, if that, to behave the way they were. They knew it would raise questions and yet they didn't care. Not even a little.
Once the day was halfway over, and they were sent to lunch, Maddy led Rhydian to the table she shared with Tom and Shannon. He followed without even being asked, nodding in greeting at the other two as he sat down next to Maddy. The girl introduced them, keeping a soft smile on her face.
“Guys, this is Rhydian! Rhydian, these two are my best friends; Tom and Shannon.” Rhydian shook both of their hands, respectively. Tom and Shannon exchanged a look but it wasn't a judgemental one. They smiled and welcomed Rhydian with ease.
“So, Rhydian, how are you liking stoneybridge so far?” Tom asked, starting conversation. Rhydian glanced at Maddy, who smiled brighter as he did so.
“It's pretty good so far.” he replied, softly bumping his shoulder against Maddy. She giggled and rolled her eyes dramatically, clear fondness all over her features. “Yeah, I think it's…I love the vibe. The weather.”
“It fits our aesthetic.” Rhydian laughed and Maddy grinned, proud of the inside joke. Tom and Shannon both blinked in confusion, sharing another look. Both Rhydian and Maddy caught it and Rhydian started laughing harder, Maddy joining in. Their laughter was the loudest in the canteen, making several heads turn in their direction. They didn't care though and the teachers didn't say anything, presumably because they couldn't bring themselves to do so, Rhydian being the new kid who they wanted to feel welcomed. It lasted for several minutes, both of them almost falling over.
What made them laugh the most was just the fact that it wasnt even that funny, the joke itself that is. They just felt so free being able to have someone to relate to, someone who they didn't have to hide themselves from. It felt freeing, if anything. Maddy leaned her head on Rhydians shoulder as their laughter continued and Rhydian wrapped his arm around her, holding her in place. They smiled brightly at each other, sharing pure love in one glance.
The four of them - Maddy, Rhydian, Shannon and Tom - walked out the school together as a group. It was clear to both wolfbloods that their human companions were very confused and bewildered at the way they were acting. Again, they can admit that it was out of the ordinary to become so close so quickly, but they didn't care. Maddy also knew that her friends would most likely corner her at some point, which she couldn't help but find funny. As the group talked about school drama, telling Rhydian who to avoid and just random topics, Maddy turned to Rhydian. As Tom was talking about the football team, with Rhydian half listening, she tapped his back gently. In some weird borderline telepathic way, she was able to ask him if he wanted to come over with one look. He immediately tensed up a bit, but when her eyes softened he took a deep breath.
The boy shrugged, nodding. Maddys smile widened, and she interlocked their fingers on instinct. Rhydian squeezed them lightly, pulling her closer. The rest of the walk went peacefully, Maddy and Rhydian parting ways with Tom and Shannon along the way.
When they made it to Maddy's house, they both stopped when they noticed her parents were home and as if on cue, the door opened and both Dan and Emma came out, clearly sniffing an unfamiliar scent of wolf. Maddy turned to Rhydian, giving him an encouraging smile.
“Mam, Dad, this is Rhydian Morris, a new kid in our school.” she introduced, pulling Rhydian forward a little more, gently. “Rhydian, these are my parents, Daniel and Emma.” She gave both of her parents a genuine smile and they both relaxed, deciding to trust their daughters judgment for the moment. Dan was the first of the adults to break the ice, stepping forward and extending a hand.
“Welcome to Stoneybridge, Rhydian. Call me Dan.” He gave the kid a soft smile and Rhydian relaxed, shaking his hand respectfully.
“It's lovely to meet you, Dan.” Soon enough, Emma followed suit.
“Would you like to come in, darling?” Maddy almost cheered. Her mother being the alpha of the family made most of the main decisions, and was the one who was the most protective and defensive. Her being the one to invite a newcomer to their house was a big deal. Rhydian exchanged a look with Maddy and seeing her happy as ever expresion, smiled warmly at Emma and nodded.
“I'd love to.”