Heather’s POV.
“Do you have to leave tomorrow?” My little brother, Weslee asks as he pokes his head out from beneath my blanket.
I ruffle his black hair with a faint smile and nod, “Hm, but I’ll always visit. Mom wouldn’t let me miss on that”.
He comes out of the blanket and sits on his heels, a sad pouty look coloring his cute face. Ugh! It’s the puppy eyes again.
“Darlings! It’s dinner time!” Mom’s holler saves me from the hypnosis and I jump off the bed. “Lee lets head down or those rowdy brothers of ours will eat our share”.
The kid runs out first and I dash in pursuit. When we get there, the dining table is packed and Harrison is about to drop my meatball into his gaping mouth.
“Oh you wouldn’t dare!” I speed towards him and knock the fork down. He grins at me and I shake my head sideways.
“Mom, Harry’s doing it again” I call out to mom in the kitchen and watch his face go pale.
How much I love this look on his face. My smirk broadens when I hear her approaching footsteps which stops beside me.
“Harry, how many times do I have to keep telling you not to bully your sister? Stop picking on her- Harlow! Don’t try to eat your baby brother!”
And off she goes, scolding Harlow and petting the crying Weslee who’s frightened and shaken from the horrible experience.
My family is large and very noisy. Well, that’s not a surprise for one like us, ten children and two awesome parents. I’m the eighth child and currently the only daughter left in the midst of these rowdy boys.
“Heather can you pass the jug over?” Yohan is my immediate older brother and is three years older than I am.
Our eldest siblings are Marian and Marina, who are not living with us anymore and are with their mates. Next is Hardin, who took over the alpha position from Dad a few years back. Then the triplets, Harrison, Hayes and Harlow. Hayes is an angel and the other two… annoying demons.
Yohan follows next and there’s me, Zachery and our sweet little seven year old, Weslee. Crazy as we are, they’re my greatest treasures.
“Daddy!” Weslee’s excited scream has all the ruckus knocking to a pause and mom sighs, dropping her hands akimbo.
“Hey little pup” Dad picks him up and walks towards us. He kisses mom on the cheek and slides into the chair at the top of the table.
“You’re early today, I’ll serve your meal right away” Mom comments and he hums, setting Weslee onto his lap.
“I spoke to Liam about it and Georgia’s happy to have you over. Done packing?” He speaks, referring to me and I nod happily.
“Yes…” Intending to sound as happy as I portray myself but I hit a wrong tone and everyone is staring at me.
“You don’t wanna leave anymore?” Yohan asks and I Shake my head furiously, “I do…just…gonna miss you guys”.
Oh no, I think I’m gonna cry. Warm arms comes embracing me from behind my chair and I ease into the motherly warmth.
“My little princess, mommy misses you already. Ugh, I also don’t wanna let you go” She hugs me tighter, her chin on my head and I smile softly.
It’s a decision I made myself, to go to Los Angeles and do my highschool over there. I can’t keep hiding in my mom’s protective wings forever. As great as I’d really love to, I need to do this.
I have to grow up.
“I’ll be fine. Besides, I’ll come home for the weekends when I can and we can still call each other- even link each other too” I beam optimism and mom chuckles, rubbing my arm gently.
“I know you’ll be fine. You’ll be in safe hands. Just promise me three things, don’t beat up anyone. Of course it’s different when they try to pick a fight” She giggles with a wink and dad groans.
“Make sure you get them in good time” Harlow grins at me and I laugh, “I’m not that brutal. Only if my switch is flipped”. Now I put on a proud air and lift my shoulders.
Mom laughs at my act and continues to say, “Be yourself always and don’t let those jerks bring you down or make you feel otherwise. You’re mom’s brave girl and a darling at heart. And we love you endlessly”.
A kiss to my head and I think I’m growing homesick already.
“Thirdly…” The suspense in her voice makes me tense as she drags the silence, earning groans around the table.
She smiles mischievously and whispers into our shared link for everyone to hear. ‘When you find a boy you like, introduce him asap”.
“Mom!”
***
Rise and shine, a beautiful Sunday morning. And the day I leave my family, my pack, and head off to ignite my life’s journey.
“Sweetie it’s getting late! Your uncle will soon be here!” Mom’s voice gets me on laser speed downstairs, only to be engulfed into dad’s waiting arms.
“My little pup, dad’s so gonna miss you. Our precious princess” He kisses my temple and I hug him back. “I’m gonna miss you too”.
Mom watches us with a loving smile that makes my heart ache. I detach from dad and hug her next. “Mom! My one true love! This parting shan’t be for long. I shall return in the blink of an eye”.
Always dramatic about how much I love my mom and dote on her.
She rubs my back gently, “You take care of yourself and never hesitate to give me a call, okay? Study hard and always be happy”.
The hug slackens and she holds my chin, smiling down at me as tears swarm in my orbs. “I will…take care too and if my brothers are causing too much trouble, I’ll be here in a flash to whoop their asses”.
“We heard that!” And they all stumble down the stairs while I whistle ignorantly, backing away less suspiciously.
“Come back here you pup” I’m gripped suddenly and lifted off my feet as I scream. “Put me down!”
“Pipe down you crazy kid, I won’t drop you” Hardin’s voice comes chuckling in my ears and I squeeze my mouth shut, quitting my qualms.
“I came as fast as I could, to bid you before you leave. Uncle’s arrived and will be here soon” He informs me and I blink, he’s already here?
Noticing my shock, he places me down on my feet, for the others to steal me in an ambush.
“I-am-su-ffo-ca-ting!” I protest desperately but they don’t wanna let go. This crazy boys will be the death of me someday.
“Hey now, that’s no way to treat your little sister” A voice that’s neither of ours speaks and I force my way through the tight hurdle to see Uncle standing at the threshold.
He waves a hand at me with a funny smile, “You good in there?”
“Save me!” And I reel into act again, successfully getting pulled out and set free. I scurry to hide behind him as mom carries my backpack out of the house.
“I know I’m earlier than I said I would, but the girls literally kicked me out to go rescue their cousin. So, here I am, doing as ordered to” He says and dad laughs at him, slapping his palm on his shoulder.
“They sure know their way with you, soft spots everywhere” He teases and uncle sighs, “Yeah yeah. Okay boys, now help your sister take her things to the car”.
Grumblings and groans and they all shuffle out, doing as told.
“Don’t just come ordering my kids around. I’ll get mad at you” Dad frowns and uncle smirks, “Well, you were slow on that call”.
I giggle and skip outside to see my brothers stuffing my luggage into the car trunk and that lonely feeling creeps in through the back of my heart.“That’s the last one, shut the trunk Yohan” Mom tells him just when I come to give her a side hug, pressing my face into her shoulder.“Changing your mind so fast?” Harrison wiggles his brows at me and I glare deathly at him who quickly looks away, whistling.“Don’t be mean Harry, she’s leaving, at least bid her properly for once” Mom scolds and he groans, dragging his feet towards me.We’re staring at each other at first and next, his fingers sink into my hair as a smile grows on his face, making his slate-blue hazels twinkle softly. “You be a brave girl and stick up for yourself. Anyone try to mess with you, just let me know. And I’ll eat them aliv-“Harrison” Mom reprimands and he moves away to hide behind Hayes who f
First day of school, anxious since unlike the past, my mother isn’t here to accompany me. It’s just me, Gloria and Drake as I force my legs to move forward. The anxiety is so powerful around my legs!“Uh…Heather, are you okay?” Ria’s voice of concern hits me and I shake my head, more to convince myself.“Y-yeah…just a little nervous” I give a chortle, eyes moving around until they spot something.My sharp ears catch onto a sound of distress and my eyes zone on the bent form by the entrance of the large building. Without a moment hesitance, my legs are closing in on the person.Peering around the person and attempting to help him with his things strewn over the concrete ground, I gasp when the head warmer on his head slides off a bit to reveal tufts of white hair.White hair? Puzzlement paints my face as I move to speak to him instead. “Hi…are you okay? I can help”.No
“Heather Slater…isn’t it? The little wolf princess” The dirty-blonde in front sniggers with his nose high up as his oceanic-blues pin down on me.Ugh…how much further is this day willing to rot? I tusk to the side, dropping my shoulders to face him squarely.Taller than me, maybe five feet, two…or thereabout. The other six behind him, three girls and there guys, looking all… condescending. It prickles over my skin, tracing disgust at the back of my mouth and it makes my face crumple up.“I’m not holding a ball tonight, so move” I’m upset enough for the day. And I can feel the alpha blood in me rippling impatiently.I meet his infuriating gaze, even towering over it and he shifts back, making me ease the alpha intimidation leaking out and into my aura.“Pests” I spit, brushing his shoulder harshly despite how much shorter I am as I walk off. Ria giggles behind me, &ldq
Sitting around the dinning table for dinner, Drake nudges me in the side and I put down my fork-full of Italian pasta to give him a hard stare.“What is it Drake?” I ask in a cold voice and he gives me a funny face, leaning to whisper. “How’s the kid you met today? Got him home safely?”“What are you two whispering to each other?” Aunt inquires, helping little Knox with his meal. Knox is alpha Leon and Luna Zenaida’s three year-old son.“Uh…” I trail off, not sure if I should go ahead when uncle suddenly speaks.“Heard there’s a new kid in town. He must’ve gotten enrolled into the school, yeah?” He asks, staring directly at me and I nod stiffly.Lowering my head and pretending to be into my meal, twirling the fork about. “Yes” I give a curt reply and hear him hum.“What kind of kid is he? A wolf? A human? Did he move in alone?”
“You were amazing back there” Asher comments and I let out a shy smile, rubbing my arm with eyes on the floor. “Thanks”.Ria is ripping her hair out and gritting her teeth furiously. “I totally had the win secure! If you hadn’t pulled that secret move- Sheryl!”“Don’t sulk on that, Ria. It was only practice, you’re just as good as I am” I tusk and look away in time before she lasers me with her eyes.“Heather!” I chuckle, now looking to Silver who’s quietly walking beside me and looking to have something he wants to say to me. So I use my shoulder to nudge him a little.His attention drops onto me instantly, giving me the chill feels he knew I was going to do that.“You want to say something? Butter me up?” He chuckles at my silly question. “You’ve got a pretty agile wolf, quite rowdy but more focused than you are”.My face flare
Observing the students running round the oval, I spew out another sigh. I got done with my share of laps and I’m so bored right now. And Ria just happens to be one of them heaving their lungs out as they start their tenth lap.“So boring…” I sigh again, my palms cradling my face and I glance through my peripheral to see that annoying group walking towards where I’m seated.The boredom zips off and is replaced with a bold frown literally carving on my face like a perfect mask. What do they want now?I bolt to my feet, drilling my hands into the connected pocket of my azure hoodie and is turning the opposite way when a snicker behind me has me retaining my position.“Oh you’re alone. Where’s that kid- what was his name again?” Ignacio’s snickering voice rings irritably in my ears, making my frown engrave deeper.“He’s called Silver” Another measly person speaks in response
“Sweetie tell me what’s wrong…are you hurt? You don’t like it there?” The worry in her voice makes me cry more, badly in need of her right here with me.“Mom…I hurt…” My voice breaks at the memory but I push on, “…I hurt my friend…it wasn’t intentional- b-but… he’s not letting me apologize…. I think he hates me now”.The sobs explode from my lips and I find myself allowing it to control me as I cry freely, forcing the hurt out of my heaving chest.“Baby please don’t cry…it’s not your fault, he just didn’t perceive you correctly. It’s not wrong to make mistakes but it is when you don’t try to fix it. I’m sure he just needs time… he’ll come around and you-“Who the hell is that bastard?! Making my little princess cry! Harlow we’re leaving right now”. Oh no…if they
Never have I felt so evaded to the point of utter frustration. He's been eluding me to the point where I can simply take no more.With a disgruntled look on my face, I step out of the change room.The hallway is almost empty as the students are already leaving for home after training classes."You look like a wild animal let out from the zoo. Are you planning to eat him alive?!" Ria gasps dramatically, her hands flying to her mouth and my eyes twitch with annoyance."I was going to start with breaking his legs but I think you'd make a fine tryout. Don't you think?" I smirk at her, ghoulishly and she backs away."Scram Ria, I've got a prey to catch" And I stride forward, whipping my head side-to-side in search of his traces.Then I find him at the school courtyard that's at the back of the front building. This time, I don't hide my presence as I rather blare it, running towards him."Silver!" His body jolts from my shrill call an