Chapter 3: Seasons.

Heather’s POV.

“Do you have to leave tomorrow?” My little brother, Weslee asks as he pokes his head out from beneath my blanket.

I ruffle his black hair with a faint smile and nod, “Hm, but I’ll always visit. Mom wouldn’t let me miss on that”.

He comes out of the blanket and sits on his heels, a sad pouty look coloring his cute face. Ugh! It’s the puppy eyes again.

“Darlings! It’s dinner time!” Mom’s holler saves me from the hypnosis and I jump off the bed. “Lee lets head down or those rowdy brothers of ours will eat our share”.

The kid runs out first and I dash in pursuit. When we get there, the dining table is packed and Harrison is about to drop my meatball into his gaping mouth.

“Oh you wouldn’t dare!” I speed towards him and knock the fork down. He grins at me and I shake my head sideways.

“Mom, Harry’s doing it again” I call out to mom in the kitchen and watch his face go pale.

How much I love this look on his face. My smirk broadens when I hear her approaching footsteps which stops beside me.

“Harry, how many times do I have to keep telling you not to bully your sister? Stop picking on her- Harlow! Don’t try to eat your baby brother!”

And off she goes, scolding Harlow and petting the crying Weslee who’s frightened and shaken from the horrible experience.

My family is large and very noisy. Well, that’s not a surprise for one like us, ten children and two awesome parents. I’m the eighth child and currently the only daughter left in the midst of these rowdy boys.

“Heather can you pass the jug over?” Yohan is my immediate older brother and is three years older than I am.

Our eldest siblings are Marian and Marina, who are not living with us anymore and are with their mates. Next is Hardin, who took over the alpha position from Dad a few years back. Then the triplets, Harrison, Hayes and Harlow. Hayes is an angel and the other two… annoying demons.

Yohan follows next and there’s me, Zachery and our sweet little seven year old, Weslee. Crazy as we are, they’re my greatest treasures.

“Daddy!” Weslee’s excited scream has all the ruckus knocking to a pause and mom sighs, dropping her hands akimbo.

“Hey little pup” Dad picks him up and walks towards us. He kisses mom on the cheek and slides into the chair at the top of the table.

“You’re early today, I’ll serve your meal right away” Mom comments and he hums, setting Weslee onto his lap.

“I spoke to Liam about it and Georgia’s happy to have you over. Done packing?” He speaks, referring to me and I nod happily.

“Yes…” Intending to sound as happy as I portray myself but I hit a wrong tone and everyone is staring at me.

“You don’t wanna leave anymore?” Yohan asks and I Shake my head furiously, “I do…just…gonna miss you guys”.

Oh no, I think I’m gonna cry. Warm arms comes embracing me from behind my chair and I ease into the motherly warmth.

“My little princess, mommy misses you already. Ugh, I also don’t wanna let you go” She hugs me tighter, her chin on my head and I smile softly.

It’s a decision I made myself, to go to Los Angeles and do my highschool over there. I can’t keep hiding in my mom’s protective wings forever. As great as I’d really love to, I need to do this.

I have to grow up.

“I’ll be fine. Besides, I’ll come home for the weekends when I can and we can still call each other- even link each other too” I beam optimism and mom chuckles, rubbing my arm gently.

“I know you’ll be fine. You’ll be in safe hands. Just promise me three things, don’t beat up anyone. Of course it’s different when they try to pick a fight” She giggles with a wink and dad groans.

“Make sure you get them in good time” Harlow grins at me and I laugh, “I’m not that brutal. Only if my switch is flipped”. Now I put on a proud air and lift my shoulders.

Mom laughs at my act and continues to say, “Be yourself always and don’t let those jerks bring you down or make you feel otherwise. You’re mom’s brave girl and a darling at heart. And we love you endlessly”.

A kiss to my head and I think I’m growing homesick already.

“Thirdly…” The suspense in her voice makes me tense as she drags the silence, earning groans around the table.

She smiles mischievously and whispers into our shared link for everyone to hear. ‘When you find a boy you like, introduce him asap”.

“Mom!”

                                ***

Rise and shine, a beautiful Sunday morning. And the day I leave my family, my pack, and head off to ignite my life’s journey.

“Sweetie it’s getting late! Your uncle will soon be here!” Mom’s voice gets me on laser speed downstairs, only to be engulfed into dad’s waiting arms.

“My little pup, dad’s so gonna miss you. Our precious princess” He kisses my temple and I hug him back. “I’m gonna miss you too”.

Mom watches us with a loving smile that makes my heart ache. I detach from dad and hug her next. “Mom! My one true love! This parting shan’t be for long. I shall return in the blink of an eye”.

Always dramatic about how much I love my mom and dote on her.

She rubs my back gently, “You take care of yourself and never hesitate to give me a call, okay? Study hard and always be happy”.

The hug slackens and she holds my chin, smiling down at me as tears swarm in my orbs. “I will…take care too and if my brothers are causing too much trouble, I’ll be here in a flash to whoop their asses”.

“We heard that!” And they all stumble down the stairs while I whistle ignorantly, backing away less suspiciously.

“Come back here you pup” I’m gripped suddenly and lifted off my feet as I scream. “Put me down!”

“Pipe down you crazy kid, I won’t drop you” Hardin’s voice comes chuckling in my ears and I squeeze my mouth shut, quitting my qualms.

“I came as fast as I could, to bid you before you leave. Uncle’s arrived and will be here soon” He informs me and I blink, he’s already here?

Noticing my shock, he places me down on my feet, for the others to steal me in an ambush.

“I-am-su-ffo-ca-ting!” I protest desperately but they don’t wanna let go. This crazy boys will be the death of me someday.

“Hey now, that’s no way to treat your little sister” A voice that’s neither of ours speaks and I force my way through the tight hurdle to see Uncle standing at the threshold.

He waves a hand at me with a funny smile, “You good in there?”

“Save me!” And I reel into act again, successfully getting pulled out and set free. I scurry to hide behind him as mom carries my backpack out of the house.

“I know I’m earlier than I said I would, but the girls literally kicked me out to go rescue their cousin. So, here I am, doing as ordered to” He says and dad laughs at him, slapping his palm on his shoulder.

“They sure know their way with you, soft spots everywhere” He teases and uncle sighs, “Yeah yeah. Okay boys, now help your sister take her things to the car”.

Grumblings and groans and they all shuffle out, doing as told.

“Don’t just come ordering my kids around. I’ll get mad at you” Dad frowns and uncle smirks, “Well, you were slow on that call”.