“I’m out,” I breathed as my sister claimed the rest of my cards.

Maggie smiled. “Guess you get to scrape the dishes.”

“He won the last round,” said my dad.

“This is the game that counts.”

“And if I win, you get to do it all by yourself.” He eyed her.

Maggie groaned. “Sure. Whatever.”

I sat back and watched them finish the round. Stomping came down the stairs. I heard my brothers come home, but it sounded like they were fighting about something. Jedrek left the house and slammed the door. 

Ricky scratched his head at the bottom of the stairs. “Well, I told him.”

“Is he alright?” asked my dad, turning in his seat.

“No.” Ricky entered the dining room. “To be honest, I’m not okay with it either. We’re needed here, yet we’re going to be sent off to some lumberyard. Northern Ridge has enough of their own humans. Why do they need us?”

“Don’t know. Nothing can be done,” said Maggie with a sigh. “Sitting around worrying about it won’t change the werewolves’ minds. The same thing happened to my friend’s brother. They just say you’re going and you go.”

Ricky shook his head and sat at the table. “Always the voice of reason, hey Mag?”

She shrugged and flipped over a queen. “In this family, someone has to be. Jedrek is too hot-headed, and you feed off each other’s bad attitude.”

Rolling his eyes, he folded his arms and turned to me. “Are you alright? I saw that werewolf pick you up.”

“I’m fine.” I stared at my lap. “I’ve never seen that werewolf before. Was that a Northern Ridge werewolf?”

“No. Wolfsbane.”

I flinched at the name. “No wonder he was surprised by me. He acted like I was some animal that needed to be put down.”

Ricky gave me a sad smile.

Clearing his throat, my father handed the cards to Maggie. “Let’s put them away.”

“I was about to win.”

“Put them away,” he said firmly.

With a huff, she did as she was told.

“Come get the plates,” called my mother. “The food is ready.”

Ricky stood and went to do so.

“Coming.” Maggie hurried after him.

My father cleared his throat. “I’m thankful to Midfield for letting us keep you. Jedrek forgets that we are lucky. The only reason we didn’t have to worry about the twins being born with the same disorder is that the werewolves were able to fix the gene. I just wish we could have caught the problem before we had you.” He clasped my hand. “You didn’t deserve this. Midfield understands that for us, you’re our son, and we’d do anything for you.” He chuckled. “Who knows, maybe they’re using that to get us to behave. Everyone has to do their part.”

I glanced at him. “Jed talks about free humans. The ones who live in the south.”

My father shook his head. “We’re better off here. You’re better off here.” He pointed at me. “Things are not easy in the southern lands. They have nowhere to go when famines hit. They have to trade with the werewolf to survive. We're better off here, under the protection of the Midfield pack. It’s hard living under werewolves, but the protection is worth it. We are far better off here than we would be under another pack.”

I let out a heated breath. “Better than Wolfsbane.”

He laughed. “Much better than Wolfsbane.” 

“Dinner is served.” My mother carried in a big pot of spaghetti. 

My siblings passed out the plates and utensils while my mother went back for the toasted bread. My dad served me and placed my plate in front of me with a piece of bread. 

“Did you see the kids down the road?” said Maggie. “They started having a mud fight where the pipe blew out and nearly hit a werewolf. Old lady Peterson came yelling and screaming down the road. You should have thought they were throwing rocks at each other. ”

“Oh, so that’s where all the noise was coming from,” laughed Ricky. “I thought something had been shot. A little mud never hurt anyone. Hitting a werewolf might end with community service, but that woman panics over the smallest things.”

The door opened, and Jed entered. He walked over to the table and sat. Dishing himself a plate, he started to eat and remained silent. 

Maggie glanced around the table. No one wanted to bring up the twin being sent to Northern Ridge. We all know Jedrek would get upset and end up storming out again.

My sister tapped her fork on her noodles. “Well, she chased them down the road. Kept saying she didn’t want any blood on her steps. If they wanted to die, they should do it at their own houses. The werewolf just laughed through the whole thing. It’s the one you like, Mom, with the marking on their face.”

She nodded. “Good thing.”

The conversation continued. I listened to them talk about the day, occasionally looking at Jed. 

“Do either of you want to help Jax with his bath?” asked my mother, looking between the twins.

Jedrek cleared his throat. “I can. Ricky did it last time.” He finished his plate. “Are you done?”

I nodded. I had eaten most of my food and was just pushing it around, waiting for everyone else to get done.

My brother finished his glass of water before standing and walking over to me. Pulling back my chair, he picked me up. I looped an arm around his neck. Jed took me upstairs to the bathroom. He set me on the floor on the rug. “I’m going to take a quick shower. I didn’t have time earlier.” He pulled his shirt over his head.

I nodded. “That’s fine.”

After he undressed, he stepped into the tub and closed the curtain. I lay down and closed my eyes. For doing nothing all day, I was exhausted. Jed turned off the water and grabbed a towel. Pushing back the curtain, he wrapped the towel around his waist and picked me up.

“Don’t fall asleep just yet. You have dust all over your face.”

“Sorry,” I yawned. “I sat outside, and the wind was blowing.”

“That’ll do it.”

He set me on the bottom and started the water. Jedrek unwrapped the bandage from my arm. It was bruised.

“Ricky mentioned you have a run-in with a werewolf.” He smiled. “Serves you right. You need to put up with some of their bullshit like the rest of us.”

“Funny,” I muttered.

He laughed. “I think this should last you a couple of months, so you’ll be safe.”

“Jed, stop.” I rolled my eyes. I felt pathetic enough.

“Alright, alright. When a werewolf thrashes me, I get a little sensitive as well.”

I shook my head and let out a deep breath. “Do you have to leave?” I whispered.

He pushed back my hair and used a cup to wash out the dirt. “I’m not going to let a fucking dog tell me what to do.”

“Hmm… don’t let Mom hear you use that word.”

“Are you going to rat me out?” He flashed me a smirk. “I’m not going anywhere. In fact, I’m going to get us out of here. We’ll go south and be with the free humans.”

My head rolled to the side. “Go without me.”

“Jax.” He frowned. “Why would you say that?”

I let out a shaky breath. “If you get a chance, leave me. I’ll slow you down. If you’re caught trying to escape, you’ll be killed. You have a better chance at making it without me. I’m not going to live that much longer anyway.”

“Don’t.” Shaking his head, he massaged shampoo into my hair. “If Mom heard you say that, it would make her cry. Forget me call them dog—fucking mutts.”

“It’s true.” I looked him in the eyes. 

Jed sat still.

“I’m getting worse. Twenty-three years is pretty good for someone like me. I’ve lived longer than anyone thought. I don’t want you to get hurt because of me.” I grabbed his hand. “You’ll be the oldest after I’m gone, even if it’s only a few minutes. I’ve never been much of a big brother, but I want you to save them. If they can be free, it’s worth it. You’ll never make it if you have to take me.”

“Mom and Dad won’t leave you.” He rinsed out the soap. “I’m not comfortable leaving you either.”

“Then get Ricky and Maggie out of here, before they send you away. You’re nineteen, and Maggie will be eighteen in two years. Once you’re an adult, they’ll just send you away. The werewolves are letting you come back this time, but next, they might not. They could be lying, and you might never come back. They could sell you to another pack. They could do the same to Maggie. Even if Dad and Mom won’t go, at least you three can be together.”

Jedrek nodded and hugged me. “I love you, Jax. You were a better big brother than you give yourself credit for.”

I laughed. “Just because it’s impossible for me to fight with you like Ricky.”

He chuckled. “True.” With a sigh, he tousled my hair. “I’m going to take care of them. I’m going to take care of this family. You have my word.”