Idiot brother

“Don’t me mad, you know I was only joking with you, don’t you Ad-y?” Shane asked.

He uses Gabe’s nickname for me and I can see Gabe in the corner of my eye freeze over the sink. Shane’s eyes dart across the room to where my best friend stands. I don’t know what’s going on with him, but there’s something in his gaze that tells me he’s hostile.

“Of course I knew you were joking,” I murmured in an attempt to get him to stop looking at Gabe that way.

It’s common knowledge that there’s a different way of life within the packhouse. For a servant or a worker the sure way to a shitty life is to get on the bad side of the heirs or of anyone of rank. I plaster a smile on my face for my best friend as Shane looks away from Gabe and back to me. His fingers release my waist and slides lower down my back.

“Shane’s sense of humor is oh-so-funny… not,” Mavy said.

“I love you too,” Shane chuckled.

The one time there wasn’t darkness in his eyes was when he talked to Mavy. It was plain to see that he thought the world of her. Mavy rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue at him. I couldn’t laugh this time because my mind was stuck focusing on Shane’s hand and where it was going.

“Anyway, Daddy do we know yet where the Crescent Ball is going to be this year?” She asked.

“Not yet. Speaking of, we have a meeting this afternoon to vote on that. Don’t be late son,” Alpha Joshua said to Shane before he turned back to Mavy. “It’s come down to the Silver pack and Desert Moon pack.”

“We still don’t know where our vote is going. Have you given it more thought?” Luna Rose asked.

“Well… The Silver pack is a smaller pack and it isn’t well off, so it would be a burden financially for them if we vote to have them host the Ball. If we don’t have it there… we’ll have no other choice but to have Desert Moon pack host,” Alpha Joshua said.

“Wouldn’t Desert Moon be the best choice then?” Mavy asked.

“Is it safe?” Luna asked.

“We don’t have an alliance with their new alpha, but he hasn’t shown any hostility towards the other packs. Desert Moon would be the better between the two financially. Plus, we’d get the chance to talk about an alliance,” Alpha Joshua said.

“Maybe we can find our mates at the Crescent Moon Ball,” Mavy squealed.

I internally groan at the mention of searching out or Goddess-given mate. She turned toward me and threw her arms around me. She stopped with her hand on my back. Leaning back she looked behind me as Shane slowly withdrew his hand. She glared at him and he flashed her a bright smile.

“Visiting other packs does raise the chance of you finding your mate…” I trailed off.

“Me? You mean we can find our mates,” Mavy teased. She elbowed me and gave me the side-eye. Her eyes are telling me I will not be able to escape this year. The fierceness in her gaze tells me she’s a woman on a mission.

“Daddy, can Adea and I go shopping this weekend for dresses? Please?” Mavy asked with big bright doe eyes. Alpha looks at us, pretending to consider his options, before he glances at his mate. I don’t even get the chance to tell him there’s no need when Mavy clasps her hands together in front of her chest and shakes her shoulders left and right like a child begging for candy.

“That sounds like a good idea. Nothing inappropriate Mavy, you hear me?” Alpha Joshua asked.

“Yes! Yes! Yes! Thank you Daddy!” Mavy squeals.

Ding! Ding!

“Trent’s here! Gotta go.”

Mavy picks up her phone, confirms that it’s Trent, and giggles. She jumps to her feet and squeezes my shoulder before walking over to Shane and giving him a hug. Next she gives her dad a kiss and her mom a hug. She walks backwards towards the exit.

“Adea! I’ll see you at school,” she said.

She smiles at me and waves before giving Shane a death glare. Then she turns and rushes out of the kitchen. I stand to my feet and start grabbing all of the dishes. I pile them high, grab the two stacks, and head for the sink. Gabe cleans up after breakfast so I can make it to school.

“See you later Alpha and Luna,” I said with a bow.

“See you after school,” Luna Rose said.

“See you Ady!” Shane calls after me.

I don’t know what’s gotten into Shane today. Over the past few weeks he’s progressively gotten more aggressive towards me and I’m not sure why. I keep to myself and complete all of my duties. Shivers run down my spine as I remember the feel of his hands on my back. The memory of his touch and his warmth stirred something inside of me. I didn’t dare put a name to those feelings. I wave goodbye to Gabe, grab my things, and run out the door.

I check my phone and smile. There’s still time for my favorite thing to do. I prefer running to school. I haven’t heard my wolf yet, but I think she’s going to show up soon because my body is changing. My sense of smell is heightened and I love the smell of the woods. The ones behind the pack house call to me.

I pull my hair out of my bun as I take off into a sprint. My feet propel me forward and the trees blur around me. I run until I get to the clearing where the grass meets the small creek. My one and only safe haven. I’m tempted to jump in, but I know better. There isn’t enough time for me to swim, change, and get to school. My backpacks drops to the floor and I lay down on the grass.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath as I listen to my favorites sounds in the world. The sounds of the grass swaying in the wind, the birds as they sing their cheerful songs, and the subtle splashes from the creek. The rays from the sun dance across my skin and I smile. I could lay here all day if I could. It’s only when I’m here alone in this forest that I admit to myself that being a rogue couldn’t be so bad. The bell rings far off in the distance and I sigh. I open my eyes and grab my bag.

Time for school.