(Jedrek)

I stumbled through the forest, struggling not to trip over the overgrown vegetation and fallen branches. I shouldn’t have come back this way, but with the werewolves in the area, I couldn’t risk taking a usual trail. The dim glow of the dying amber appeared through the trees. It looked like everyone had already made a run for it. 

Emerging from the forest, I brushed off my clothes and checked my hair for any twigs and leaves. 

“Jed!” Ricky jogged toward me. “For fucksake, where did you go? The werewolves are scoping this place out. Three patrol vehicles were spotted.” He held up that many figures. “I thought for sure you got caught, and I was going to have to tell Mom and Dad that we’re going to have to bail you out in the morning.”

Swallowing hard, I shrugged. “I saw. I was hiding. Dad would beat our asses if we got locked up.”

“Exactly. So try to be more careful.” He squeezed my shoulder with a chuckle. “Let’s go home before we do end up getting caught.”

We headed back toward the house. My stomach was still turning from what I had seen. I couldn’t tell anyone that I was a prime candidate to be a werewolf's bitch. I’d rather die of toxins. 

Ricky glanced at me. “Are you alright? Was it a close call? You’re looking a little pale.”

I shrugged it off. “It was a long day, and it ended with a little too much excitement. I’m fine.” I forced a smile. 

“So it was close?” he laughed, draping an arm around my shoulders. “You’re so lucky. Dad would work us into the ground if we got picked up by the werewolves. Too tired to even lift a fork, let alone think about sneaking out,” he said in a deeper voice. “You ungrateful motherfuckers. I should leave you in jail to rot for a few days.”

I laughed hesitantly. “Sounds about right.”

We cut through the fields and hurried across the lawn. Ricky started climbing. I checked around and spotted headlights in the distance. 

“Hey, hurry up.” I tapped on the ladder. “They’re patrolling around our street.”

Ricky moved onto the roof, and I followed him up. We slipped into the bedroom and hid on either side of the window as the truck passed.

“I think someone is in the back,” he whispered.

I scoffed. “Unlucky bastard. I’m sure we’ll hear about it tomorrow.” I eased the window closed before we went to our beds.

Jax hadn’t moved. I was thankful he was a heavier sleeper, though I doubted he would tell on us. I scanned my brother's frail form. He looked skinnier. For how the werewolf talked about all of their grand achievements, I would think they could do something for him. Those fucking dogs probably could, but didn’t want to waste money on a human. 

Lying down, I faced the wall. I had bigger things to worry about. I needed to find out whether that machine was real or even accurate. I couldn’t trust some guy whom I barely knew and randomly had a blood tester. The machine looked like a piece of shit, but if there was any truth to it, I wouldn’t be going to Northern Ridge. My name would end up on a potential mate registry, and I’d get picked up by some overgrown mutt. That was not happening. I’d kill the bastard before they could ever leave their mark on me.

***

Jax tightened his hold around my neck as I carried him down the stairs. 

“Where do you want to go?”

“The couch is fine.”

“I could wheel you outside,” I offered.

“No, maybe tonight. It’s too hot.”

Nodding, I took him to the living room and placed him in his usual spot. I draped a thin blanket over his legs and turned on a fan. 

“Do you want a drink?”

Jax shook his head. “No, you need to get back.”

I shrugged. “I’m not in a hurry to do farm work. We need to move some pipe, and that’s a killer in this heat.” I dropped into a chair. 

He sighed and peered out the window. 

I drummed my fingers on the armrest. “I can make you lunch. Actually, I think Mom mentioned something about that.” I stood. “There’s probably something in the fridge.” 

Going to the kitchen, I searched through the shelves and spotted a container. A note was on top with how much time to reheat it. I tossed it in the microwave and poured a glass of water. I took out two cans of soda. I popped one open and drank it as I carried the other items into the living room. 

“Holy shit!” I put the cans and glasses on the coffee table. “Jax, your nose is bleeding.”

“It’s fine.”

“Your face looks like it got hit by a bat.”

“You’re being dramatic,” he snapped. “It’s a bloody nose.”

I hurried to the kitchen and returned with a rag. “Here.”

The microwave started to beep as I helped him clean up the mess. Letting out a sigh, Jax slumped against the couch and dabbed at his nose.

“You were right. It’s not too bad. You just smeared it everywhere.” I went to grab his food and stirred it as I returned to the living room. I set up my brother's tray and sat on the ground beside him to finish my soda.

“What’s the point?” he whispered. “I’m so tired.”

“Take a nap then.” I shrugged.

“Of existing,” he muttered.

I eyed him. “Knock it off.”

“I’m a burden on this whole family. I will probably die soon.”

I scoffed. “Whatever weird scenario you like mulling around in that head of yours, cut it out. You’re not a burden to anyone. Stop talking about death.”

“Says you. I’m the one who had to be carried everywhere. I can barely move my own wheelchair,” he breathed. 

“When did I ever say I didn’t like pushing you around?” I waved my hand. “Never. This is a secret, but I actually like carrying you up and down the stairs. It’s great for the biceps and shoulders.” I flexed. “Great all-around exercise.”

He scoffed, rolling his eyes. “Knock it off. You’re not impressing anyone.”

“If that’s the case, then I need to do a few more trips.” I leaned toward him. “Do you need to use the bathroom, Jax?”

He shoved my head away with a smile. “You’re not funny.

I laughed.

“Do you and Ricky really have to leave?”

I took a sip. “I’m going to try and find a way out of it.”

“I hope you can.” Jax checked his nose. “Mom and Dad need you here. What if they send Maggie away next? How are we supposed to meet our quota? It’s not like I can help.”

Standing, I grabbed a pillow and tucked it behind him. “I don’t know. Mom could wheel you into the fields and you could pick weeds.”

Jax shook his head with an annoyed expression.

“I am working on it. I’ll do whatever I can to stay. No one wants to go to Northern Ridge. The werewolves there are more deranged than the ones overseeing this place.”

“Don’t say that too loud.”

“We’re alone. Mom and Dad aren’t here to yell at me. They’d be so disappointed that they didn’t raise a fellow furry ass kisser.”

“Jed,” he breathed. 

I laughed and handed him the glass of water. “How’s the nose?”

“Fine. It stopped.”

“Hmm…” I took the blood rag and went to get a new one. I tossed the old on the kitchen table and returned to my brother. “Just in case.” I put the cloth where he could reach it. “I’d better head out.”

“Please find a way to stay.”

Nodding, I turned to leave. “I’m working on it. I promise. No more morbid thoughts.”

I went into the kitchen and straightened up anything that had been left out. I glanced at the blooding rag. Jax was right, no matter how much I didn’t want to admit it. He was getting weaker, and that scared me. I opened the cabinet and took out one of the plastic bags that my mom had washed and reused. I didn’t think she’d notice one missing. I’d bring it back after I cleaned it. 

After folding the cloth to conceal most of the blood, I slipped it into the bag and tucked it into the band of my jeans. I pulled my shirt down and left the house.

“I’ll be back later. Mom will be here soon to check on you.”

“I don’t need a babysitter,” he replied sharply. “Go already.”

“Alright. Eat your food or Mom will nag you when she gets here.”

“Just go, Jed.”

Laughing, I stepped outside. I hurried across the grass and disappeared into the field. This felt wrong. Was I really being tempted to test my brother’s blood? Jax was twenty-three. Because of his disability, they had never tested him. 

“Shit.” I took out the bag. 

Why should I test him? If it was bad, nothing would come of it, but if it was good, was I going to hand over my brother to those mongrels? They’d force him into a mating. A mating that would cure him—he’d live. Hell, he’d outlive me by a long shot.

“Shit.” I kicked at the dirt and pulled my hair.

I didn’t want to ever see any of my family as werewolves. I also didn’t want to see the day that we would have to bury Jax. 

“No,” I stated, turning around. “I’ll put it back. Throw it away.”

Stopping at the edge of the field, I groaned. Testing it wouldn’t hurt. I wasn’t hurting anyone. I was simply gathering important information about my family that I could use to keep those fucking dogs away from us. Shaking my head, I marched across the field toward where my father and brother were working. I’d decided later. 

Dropping to one knee, I dug a small hole and placed the bag inside it. I smoothed the dirt and placed a rock on top. This was a problem for tonight, because right now, I need to get back to work.