2

Dinner is when they conduct a head count of all the kids who came to the manor for the summer. To ensure none of us strayed too far. We live in the valley most of the time, but nothing beats the forests and beauty of the manor village when we have amazing weather and so much free time. Rema Sierra loves having us here. It feels like a vacation when we are on school break.

We get to run free, explore more, and live life a little differently from the helicopter-style parenting we have back home. My mom and dad can be a little suffocating at times when it comes to our every move, so at least coming here, Rema allows us to be like the other kids. Fewer restrictions and some time to be children who aren’t the alpha’s bloodline. Our Rema understands that being some sacred tribrids and alpha firstborns doesn’t mean we have to live in cotton-wool padded cells.

School’s out for six weeks, and our parents are allowing us some freedom in coming here without them to stay with my grandmother. For the first time ever, we’re not being shadowed by guards wherever we go.

Turning twelve opened up a whole new world of independence because my parents think we’re finally old enough to act responsibly.

I didn’t want to come to explore at first, but the more Eve talked about what we might find, the more I was interested. The history of the battle fought here, and the mystery of why we have never been allowed to see for ourselves, clawed at me. I yearned for a hint of excitement in our safe and stable life. Maybe finding some keepsakes that confirm the history of what went down here.

It can get a bit boring back home sometimes, so I understand why my sister feels hemmed in.

All these stories of wars, enemies, and feuds. Our family history is insane, and what with Eve and me being tribrids, which is unheard of, we live pretty mundane lives. Just over-protected pups in a huge pack, in a very large territory, so we have nowhere else to explore.

Eve’s had her powers and gifts for a long time. She wants to throw it off and flex them a little, but she’s never allowed to back home. Rema bound some of them when she was only two for reasons I don’t remember, and she told me she exists with this feeling of growing intensity inside her that longs to be released. That she knows she's capable of more, but some invisible wall holds her down. She is waiting for the day the chains are undone, and she can feel what’s being held back.

Not that I would know as of yet, I have nothing and not even an inkling of my wolf. Not that it’s abnormal at this age.

I often wondered if they bound me too, and that’s why I still haven’t turned, but my Rema said I was just a late bloomer and I would get there in my own time.

Even though my dad turned at eleven, my mom turned at eighteen, so maybe I will too.

“You know, if your parents found out we snuck out and came this far, they wouldn’t let you come back here for school breaks anymore.” Simon, always the voice of caution, has been trying to stop us from this mini adventure since Eve planned it yesterday. Part of the reason our parents planned our vacation with my friends in tow was because they are sensible and good kids. Simon hates breaking the rules, and Maisie is afraid of everything. I guess that’s why I always liked him. He is always stable and good and longs for a quiet existence where he does not rock the boat. He’s dependable, like his dad. It's also why Eve hates him.

He’s boring and predictable, and she thinks that, as a male, he’s weak. I think he’s safe and drama-free and could offer a quiet life.

“Hmmm…. I’m more worried about my Rema finding out. She will lock us in our room until we go home.” I point out, knowing my grandmother is fiercer than either of my parents, and Grandpops Radar would happily cage us if she asked him to. For all her leniency and softer parenting style, she can be far more dictator when you cross her. My younger uncle doesn’t get to step out of line at all. He’s younger than us but far more obedient.

“We won’t get caught, though, right?” Maisie's little voice breaks in. Little Miss Scared of Everything. I'm amazed we even managed to convince her to come. Her voice trembles, fingers fidgeting as she warily keeps looking behind us as if we might have followers.

I used to think I was the one with a lot of fears and a lack of bravery when compared to Eve, but Maisie made me realize that I'm pretty brave, just not as stupid as my sister. I’m not reckless, and I think about others before I think about myself, unlike Eve.

She’s selfish to the core.

Maybe it’s because she's the eldest and I'm the baby. Growing up, I felt like I was in her shadow when it came to her powers, her gifts, and her rapid evolution, and I had to shine in other ways. So, I learned to be likable and caring, while my sister learned only to crave praise for being the best at everything.

“Not if you shut up, walk faster, and don’t tattle tale.” Toya bumps her on the head with a soft closed fist and no real intent. Affection in her words rather than insult. Always carefree and easy to go with the flow, she's weirdly unnerved and doesn’t mind breaking the rules.

Toya is a nice balance between wild and calm, much like her momma. She’s my backup woman whenever I need one, and my best friend in the whole world, just like Aunt Meds is my mom’s best friend.

“If my dad found out we did this, I’d get the blame. I’m older by almost two years…. You know he would see me as the ringleader.”

“Uncle Seth knows fine well; if there is a ring leader, it’s always Eve.” Toya pats his back, soothing his worries, saying what we all know, and I nod.

We all know it’s true. Since we were old enough to walk, Eve has craved excitement and adventure, and the reason we get into trouble, if ever, is always down to her. Her plans, her actions…and her fallout.

“I don’t know where she gets it from; both my parents were always good and longed for stability and a quiet life.” I shrug it off as we push past low-hanging branches, brush aside the leaves, and continue into this dense wood where no path exists anymore. “My mom said all she ever wanted was to belong and find peace and safety.”

We’re following the shadow of the mountain, amped up on the history lessons of a great war and the final battle that happened here so long ago. For the last week of school, we had been learning about the Santo pack of the past, and the final version of events before the term ended.

My mother headed it astride Aunt Carman because she was carrying us in her belly and couldn’t turn wolf. My Father was some possessed minion of the vampires and witches and wanted to kill her.

It’s wild to me that this ever happened, and it sounds like a fantasy story written by humans. The books Eve likes to order online and smuggle into our bedroom under the radar of our parents.

If they knew how much human stuff she brought into our lives, or that she owns a cell phone they’re unaware of, they would never let her out again. We get to use the internet at home and order online, but it’s all supposed to be okayed by them first. No human influence, no social media, no human friends online, no links to the world outside the Santo pack. The internet is meant to be a tool when needed, not a necessity. We’re self-reliant and don’t need humans meddling in our species.

“Your dad rebelled, did he not? Split the pack and tore us from enslavement…. They both hacked down the feral vampires and created an alliance with your grandfather. How is that being good? That’s crazy, heroic, and wild. I couldn't even imagine such things happening now. Even war…battles…fighting….. My mom told me all the wolves used to be trained in the art of fighting and war. Every single one, no matter age or skill. They had to learn to fight to keep the pack safe.” Maisie links an arm in mine as we walk comfortably. Sounding in awe of a past we will never experience or begin to understand.

Simon pushes ahead, looking for signs of where my sister has already walked, and Toya lags, stopping every so often to keep watch from our rear to ensure no one has followed us. We would all be in big trouble if they did. I guess, like me, she is not fully comfortable with breaking the rules and coming this far, even though we both thought it sounded fun.

“Different times, I guess. It’s wild that everyone learned to fight. I can’t imagine…. Even kids our age…Your dad was a full-turned-wolf at eleven and had even battled vampires to the death. Madness!”

Now, it’s a choice at any age.

If you want to learn, to one day join the ranks of the guards, then you can. It’s not a given, and we’re not crying out for foot soldiers because we have no wars to think of. Most wolves, especially femmes, choose the homelife now. To grow chubby, create families, and raise pups in our peaceful bubble. The Santo pack has a significantly larger land area than packs farther away, so we don’t have to fight turf wars, and no one ever strays our way.

We’re fortunate that we've created such a large community where we can live unencumbered by the outside world. My dad inherited enough money and the means to succeed in the world of investments and hands-off businesses, so we have never wanted for anything. It will pay for many generations of the Santo family.

The mansion, the manor, and all the land in between belong to us, and other packs stay away. Only the vampires venture in to visit whenever my grandfather shows face. Our world is small and safe, and we have never known a single hardship aside from our parents' rules and regulations.

“I think I see her up ahead.” Simon pulls our attention to the lone figure of my sister sitting on the root edge of a fallen tree. Dressed in her trademark dark form-fitting clothing more suited to a spy in one of her human novels, and hangs one leg down to dangle the vast bulk of the ancient tree that serves as a massive bench. She’s watching the mountain, almost hanging over us, and sighs noticeably.

“I already went and came back. You guys are so slow that I could have napped and still waited. This was pointless. The cave entrance into the mountain has been sealed shut. Rocks, boulders, and by the stupid symbols all around the rim…that damn witch has been here and made sure no one can ever get in.”

Eve is annoyed and deflated, and all thoughts of adventure and discovery are dashed to death. The atmosphere around her cloying in the air and sucking it in like a black hole. Dampening the mood and making me antsy at the subtle change in her. I have always been sensitive to her moods.

“The witch?” Maisie stands tall on her tiptoes as though it will somehow help her see further through the dense woods at whatever cave entrance we can’t see. Endearingly cute with her small frame and childlike mannerisms.

“Leyanne Cruden. You know who she is…That Scottish one that shows up from time to time to see my parents and my grandmother. I recognize the shitty scrawl.” Eve spits with accusation, cursing as she sometimes does, and I sigh at her.

“Oh yeah…. the one with the crows. She’s pretty.” Toya finally catches up to us and moves to climb the tree to get up beside Eve, although they sit a little apart, given that they have never really gotten on. At times, I think none of these three would be friends with Eve if I weren't here as the go-between. They’re my friends. I know it, and I feel it in their care for me, but Eve has always been apart from us.

She doesn’t care about them, and they don’t care much about her. She has done something to each and every one of them in the past to leave them with mild PTSD when it comes to her. So now they slightly fear her.

Like an outsider who tolerates their presence, she never really keeps friends of her own, as just about everyone irritates her. No one is good enough for the great and powerful Eve. Claiming she needs friends like she needs another hole in her head.

Sometimes I think she only tolerates me because I am her twin.

“It's been a long time since she was here…I wonder where she goes?... Why do you think they sealed it?” I let Maisie go so I can wander a little further to peek through the undergrowth at the looming rock formations near the base of the incline. There is an air of cold and oppressive about the mountain that makes me shudder right to my core. The air feels flat and dead around it here.

“Same reason they forbid talk of the past, of Juan Santo…. of anything that might pop their little delusional bubble of peace and light.” Eve scorns, kicking at the bark with the one leg she has up and hitched on top. “Anything dark or dreadful gets locked away out of sight and out of mind…how very wolf of them.”

“Don’t say his name…you’ll anger the fates and bring a curse to we four.” Maisie gasps in shock, covering her ears as though to avoid any fallout from uttering his cursed name. Strongly believing in all that befalls anyone who should anger the fates.