CHAPTER FIVE
TINY'S POV
"You're unbelievable!" Serene cried, slamming the paper on the table.
"Girls!" Teresa barked, "that's enough! Finish your tasks. The children are up."
I glance from Kobay's image to see a wave of children hurrying down
the stairs. Teresa always had a gift of knowing where the children in her care were. Nothing gets past her. A young little boy shuffles tiredly at Akila while rubbing his small round eyes. He peeks from his hands showing a glimmer of emerald green as he yawns pitifully. I get up from the table and move back into the kitchen to
attend to the sink. Serene lifts the boy and sits him in between her and Akila.
"Morning mama," the young boy yawned as Akila affectionately smoothed his hair.
"Good morning Charlie," Akila said as she pecked the top of his head with
a light kiss, "did you sleep well?"
"Kind of," the boy chirped as Serene pushed a plate in front of the six-year-
old.
"Did you have a bad dream?" Serene chimed in.
Charlie shook his head as he leaned onto his mother's shoulder. It was honestly strange how strikingly similar Charlie was to Akila. He inherited her ginger hair, freckled face, and button nose. The only difference between the two was his golden eyes. Akila used to hate the color of those eyes because
they belonged to her abuser. But she soon found a reason to love them when she gave birth to Charlie. It was a heartbreaking moment that turned full circle. She deserves a life of bliss after everything she's been through.
If the rogues and their coward king were gone, she would never have to endure the hell they put her through.
Teresa chimes in as she assigns the rest of the children to their seats, "hurry, hurry. We need to say grace and eat before class starts. Moon goddess knows we're on little time before the Redwood and Walker packs arrive for the festival."
The children erupt in sounds of glee and gloom. It was hard to read the room. The orphanage consisted of thirteen children ranging from the ages of sixteen to three months old. Seven girls from twelve years old to three months old. While the six remaining boys varied from a sixteen-year-old to one-year-old. Apprentice den mothers would switch between three pupils to prevent burnout while developing bonds and social cues.
Teresa clasped her hands to regain the attention of everyone, "quick reminder, children. Alpha Gahiji has asked that we put on a show to
welcome the neighboring pack's juniors."
I listened to the sound of the eldest children groaning and bickering while the little ones jumped enthusiastically. The two most aged boys caught my attention as Luca scoffed unapologetically while Skye buried his head into his folded hands. Out of all thirteen pups, the eldest boys were by far the most dramatic.
Teresa beckons me to rejoin the family for grace. I turn the facet off and dry my hands. Everyone followed Mother Teresa's cues and bowed their heads as she started grace. When Teresa finished her prayer, the room resumed with endless chatter and giggles from the little ones.
"Okay," Teresa smiles as she lines each plate with a set of silverware, "be sure to thank Serene, Tiny, and Akila for making breakfast. We've got a busy couple of days ahead of us, so brace yourselves."
"Thank you!" The little ones chattered excitedly while the older children said their thanks politely.
Serene brushes herself off as she gathers herself to stand by my side, "Tiny, if you help me usher the drinks out I'll do the dishes."
"Well," I say as I dry my hands off, "can't say no to that!" Serene smiles as she collects an assortment of training cups and glasses.
She pulls the milk cartoon and orange juice from the fridge before settling the liquids beside me. "Same as usual," she whispers while filling two straw cups with juice and milk into a sippy cup.
"So, run me through it." As I poured five glasses of milk, I said, "four cups of milk for Charlie, Kent, Rue, and Cecilia. One sippy cup for Gideon."
"That leaves two straw cups for Laken and Rice," Serene nods, "three more juices for Marcus, Kredin, and Skye."
I bite my bottom lip, pouring steaming coffee into a glass filled with ice, "then one glass of iced coffee with creamer. Can't forget that or Luca will whine."
"Hey!"
Dramatic as ever.
"Yup," Serene laughs, glancing at the pouting teen, "then one glass of water for Bambi and a bottle of breast milk for little Esmé."
"On it," Akila chimes in, making us both squeal in surprise. She cocks her head to the side before rolling her eyes, "anyways, remember to pick out apples for the pies at the cafe today, Tiny. We need a specialty to draw in the evening crowd, so we need your talents."
I nodded as Akila joined my side to warm up a bag of breast milk, "so I'll leave here in about twenty minutes, leaving dishes for Serene and feeding Esmé to you."
"Sounds good," Akila huffed.
"That should give you plenty of time to make it back before lessons." Serene adds, "plus, I'll ask Jasmine to help with the show before you open the cafe."
A tinge of excitement washes over me. I almost expected it to be relief at the mention of extra help. Teresa was on pins and needles trying to gather herself with the arrival of the Redwood and Walker packs. So the mention of Jasmine, who's known as Silver Crest's finest sewing apprentice, is wonderful. If it wasn't for Jasmine, we wouldn't have half of the clothing we possess for ourselves and our siblings. Additionally, Jasmine and Akila have become practically inseparable outside of the orphanage. It was nice seeing Akila nice to someone other than Charlie and me. Akila lines a tray with the cups before sauntering off to the dining table. If I'm going to make it in time for lessons, I should leave now. You never know what to expect in the forest and I had a gut feeling about leaving sooner rather than later.
"I'm going to head out. Not really hungry," I lie as I grab a small sack to carry a few rolls.
Serene turns to me, placing a hand on my shoulder. "I can put your breakfast together real quick," she brushes a lock of my hair from my eyes.
I looked over my shoulder, seeing Akila still busy sorting out drinks, "it's okay. I can manage."
"Are you sure?" She asks as I drop four rolls into a bag.
"Yeah," I smiled reassuringly as I hugged her, "I'll have a snack with me and eat at the cafe later. Not really hungry."
I watch as Serene drops the conversation as she joins the family for breakfast. A feeling of gratitude buds in my chest. It wasn't always easy to talk to her, but she's learned how to communicate with me. I brush past the kitchen and make my way to the door as Akila looks up from her plate.
"Hunt a few rabbits too!" I heard Skye shout behind me as his brother Marcus cried out, "rabbit stew!"
There was a time when Skye wouldn't look us in the eyes, and Marcus forbade himself from speaking again. If my boys want rabbit stew, I'll search the entire land just for them.
I grab my bow from the mudroom, and the corner of my lips lifts as I glance over my shoulder huskily, "I shall grant your request."
"Be careful!" Teresa and Akila shouted in unison as the soft cries from baby Esmé filled my ear.
I nodded as I signaled Akila by pointing to the stairs. Shortly after, she rushed up the stairs with a bottle in her hand. Behind her tough demeanor, we all know she adores the kids. Especially when a new baby is in the house. A loud creak erupts as I drag the heavy wooden door open. The crisp autumn air hits me as the breeze drags a few leaves into the air. The sun is now nestled in the blue sky as puffs of clouds rolled by lazily. I remember back when I still had a sense of smell that even the leaves carried a certain scent. A tinge of sadness weighs on me at the thought.
I wish I could smell.
I close the door behind me as the sound of ramping chattering grows dim.
As I headed towards the shed for my gear, I caught a glimpse of a tall lean figure approaching the door. Curiosity bubbles inside as I throw my satchel over my neck.
Why is Alpha Gahiji visiting at dawn?