53. Tattered dreams

Emma

I grin, my little legs pumping as I race for home. The little sea shell is clutched in my chubby hands and I can’t wait to show them to Ma. I found it! One of the treasures of the sea.

For as long as I can remember, the sea has always called to me. I’m just like Ma in that. Werewolves however, have no business on the sea so we stay here on land. Father says we can be protected here on land, amongst the pack. I hate the pack. They look at me strange, and they don’t like playing with me.

I prefer the sea anyway. Ma says I should be patient and grow strong first. When I do, I’ll show Father I can protect all of us and we can finally go to the sea.

Today, I finally found my first treasure and I can’t wait for Ma to see it. I turn the corner and run towards home. It’s at the end of the street, and other wolves refuse to live close to us so we’re the only ones on the street. I like to pretend Ma and Father are just so rich they bought the whole street.

“Ma!” I’m yelling long before