I stare at the empty space where Leon had been, seriously contemplating whether I should chase after him and prolong the conversation by once again trying to pointlessly convince my stubborn brother I was in the right, or to just simply accept that the argument was over and that I wouldn’t have a say when it comes to the pack. It was clear that whatever option I chose wouldn’t benefit me at all, but I was just so frustrated! I understand that the pack is important and that the pack is the only family we have, but what about our lives? What about our future? Its understandable that my kind wish to stick to tradition, but the world around us is changing. How long can we stay like this? How long can we hide our secret? Each year the forest is getting smaller and smaller. Our food’s getting more limited by the day. If we do not learn how to integrate ourselves into society, how will we survive when our home, our traditions, are no more?
That was the argument that I wanted to get across to my father, to my brother, to everyone, but no one listens. They have seemed to convince themselves that I’m some school obsessed teenager with a bad attitude and no plans for the future. They think that school for me is a hobby, an experience that will be over in a few years and will teach me how to better run the pack when I take over. That’s what frustrates me. As bright as they are, they still childishly refuse to accept the truth.
Shaking my head and taking another calming breath, I unclench my fists and roll my shoulders to work out the tension. What was the point of arguing, of helping, when they refused to believe or accept it?
As I continue to question myself and my pack, my little brother Seth bounds into the kitchen with a joyful smile on his face, his blond curls bobbing as his warm brown eyes eye the forgotten plate of meat thoughtfully. I give him a small smile as I try to hide the agitation and frustration churning in my stomach. He turns to me and smiles even wider.
“Is that your breakfast?” he questions carefully, trying not to give away what he wanted to ask but failing completely. His expression and hopeful tone gave him away. I smile warmly at him as I walk over to the meal and slide it in his direction.
“Knock yourself out.” His eyes brighten as he discards the utensils and not so delicately shovels some meat into his mouth, moaning happily to himself as he proceeds to chew and clean off the plate. I chuckle at his overexaggerated display of hunger, watching as he licks the remaining juices off the plastic before placing it down on the bench top with a longing look.
“Settle down Seth, you act as if you haven’t eaten in weeks. Didn’t you finish your own breakfast not too long ago?” He looks away sheepishly, licking his lips out of habit as he energetically half-skips over to the sink to wash up.
“I know, but I just get so hungry! Having high metabolism is tough. I don’t understand how you can go for, like, ages with eating nor do I get why you dislike the taste of meat, it’s delicious!” I quickly pluck the dish out of his hand to clean it myself. He pouts for a few seconds before regaining his cheery nature. I focus on the forming soapy bubbles as I once again go over this topic with him.
“You already know why Seth, remember? I’m only half-werewolf, so I get all the wolf attributes and minus the intense hunger and only slightly above average metabolism. My mother was a rogue from unknown origins and is said to be a hybrid. We don’t know exactly what I am, but for now it seems that I’m purely werewolf with less of the side effects. Plus, I’ve kind of gotten a bit too accommodated to human food.” I give him a guilty look, causing him let out a bubbly giggle as he nods to himself. He walks over to the calendar positioned near the middle of the fridge and scribbles something onto it. I rinse off the soap, stack the plate into the dishrack and throw him a confused look. He catches my stare and answers simply.
“Dad wanted me to wright down when the Treaty Ceremony was going to be held. He said it was to ‘remind that irresponsible son of mine that he needs to attend something that is actually important’ or so he claimed. I don’t know who he means though, I really hope its not me.” He murmurs in genuine puzzlement and worry. I clench my jaw at my father’s statement before forcing it to loosen as I face my eight-year-old half-sibling. I walk over to him and place my hand comfortingly on his shoulder. He stares up at me with eyes full of trust.
“Don’t sweat it Seth. I’m certain that he doesn’t mean you.”
“Really?”
“Really.” He throws his arms around me in quick display of affection before smiling at me and prancing out of the room in his own bubble of contagious happiness. I was confident that out of my whole pack, Seth was my favourite. I loved his ability to brighten up any room.
Following his lead, I too exited the kitchen and continue down the long hallway that lead outside, ignoring the date of the ceremony. If that Alpha was going to act like a bastard, then I was going to defy his rules. I wasn’t going to sit around and accept how he treated me and the things I liked. He has disrespected my decisions and hard work on multiple occasions, so why would I put in the effort to make him happy?
The phone in my left jean pocket vibrates, alerting me of a message. Taking it out, I glance at the screen, the time reading one thirty pm as a small notification sat under it. It was a text from my classmate Jonathan asking me to meet up at the café in the town located at the east side of the forest. Without a thought I quickly accept the offer and start to walk in the direction of my destination. It was about time I had a little time away from the pack. I needed to breathe.
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