Chapter 3: Home Sweet Home

***Mia

"Mia!” I heard my mother call, her voice ringing in my head. Mother often linked me while I was hiding deep in the woods. Staying within the realm, I was never out of her reach.

I slid my dress down and tucked it into my bag along with my book. I got down on my knees and arched my naked back, allowing Lily to transform into her ravishing white bodice. I listened to the cracking, contorting of bones as my arms and legs elongated. Hair rippled through my skin, revealing the ivory mane as Lily’s claws dug into the earth. She was a massive wolf; I trusted her with every ounce of my soul. She would protect us at all costs.

Lily grabbed the bag with her teeth and began to sprint through the forest. It was pure freedom; what birds must feel flying through the clouds. My wolf knew these woods, combing over every inch, as she dodged tree limbs and broken logs. Her legs never tired. I was merely a passenger, enjoying the journey, while my wolf carried me home.

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I reached the small cottage, not nearly big enough to house our large family. I opened the door to utter chaos. I had two sisters and three younger brothers. Though the twins, Madeline and Erica, were only 16 years old with no fear of being courted, the house was bustling with commotion. Our small village rarely had visitors and the girls buzzed with excitement, trying on various dresses and accessories. Shawls and shoes were strewn about the room.

Sparring was heard in the living room. The boys... Jordan, Connor, and Gabe were all under 10 years old. What a rascally bunch. They lunged and wrestled each other to the ground. Yips and cries were heard from the lot. Goddess, I couldn’t wait until their wolves came. Maybe then, they would be able to run the energy out.

I chuckled as I strolled through the mayhem without a second thought. Our house was always in disarray, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Mother was busying herself in the kitchen. Sweat was beading on Evelyn’s forehead as she seemed to be taking on several chores between the stove and oven. She kept a small bakery in the heart of town. So, the comforting aroma of sweets and bread always filled the house.

My father was a Gamma and had died a couple years before. He was defending the town from a group of rogues that had crossed into our border. Since our pack was much smaller than others, we didn’t have the numbers needed for defense. He and a few other men died that night as the rogues pillaged the land. They were eventually killed but not before attacking a couple homes on the outskirts.

As the oldest, I often trained with my father and hoped to be a Gamma alongside him. But now he was gone and sparring without him seemed like a painful reminder of his absence. However, I had to push forward and continue my training. Our pack needed all the warriors it could muster.

Pack living was a volatile one. We didn’t have witches to help defend our borders like some of the other packs. A few patrols guarded the barriers but we were on constant alert.

But Mother held down our little fort, now that it was just us. I tried to help as best I could with the younger children. I saw the silent struggles my mother faced; the puffy eyes that made their way to the kitchen after lonesome nights. She had lost her mate... her one and only. A part of you died after losing your mate. But Mother powered through without complaint, only surrounding herself with the love of her children.

“Oh, those boys! They’ll be the death of me,” my mother sighed.

“Please... you love it,” I winked back at her. “If this house were full of well-behaved children, imagine how boring your life would be. We give you meaning,” I teased. I dipped two fingers into some frosting that was sitting in my mother’s mixing bowl and licked my fingertips. Evelyn swatted my hand away playfully.

“Why aren’t you ready yet? We have to be in the square in an hour and here you are, running up and down the woods, doing Goddess knows what. Hurry and get ready!” she urged.

“Lily was restless... We needed some fresh air,” I smirked. My mother glared as I finally turned to make my way up the stairs. I shut the door and collapsed on my bed. An uneasy pang made its way to my chest.

“Be safe, little Mia,” my wolf warned. Lily was my protector, my confidant. The twins had each other; the boys had one another. But I had my wolf. She had saved me from death and now... what was this warning? Why did I feel the same uneasiness blanketing her thoughts?

“I’m being silly... What do I have to be worried about?” I tried to reassure myself. Lily said nothing, but I could feel her apprehension. A tinge of fear shot down my spine. I pushed it to the back of my mind and began to get dressed.