"Keep an eye on Nash," I hear my mother bark at me. For some reason, it
is my responsibility to take him for a walk through the forest to help burn out some of his 8-year-old energy.
I nod. I know how protective my mother is over her youngest child. Everything in our household was about him, and I would be lying if I didn't say I haven't developed some hurt feelings over it.
My eyes watch as Nash jumps up and down trying not to land on any of the sticks. He is so lucky right now that he can enjoy the childhood fun. Soon he'll come of age, and he has to start training to become a werewolf, and all the fun will be replaced with skill lessons and constantly trying not to mess up.
"You stepped on one," I laugh, hearing the cracking of the stick beneath his feet.
"No, I didn't Cricket." He sticks his tongue out at me, his hand instantly flying on his hips.
"Yes, you did, see it's broken."
"Whatever I'm racing back to tell Mom."
"Good." I roll my eyes.
It didn't matter how this trip turned out, I would be the one who ended up getting in trouble. So why do I care if he tells on me?
I watch as he takes off towards the house. We were lucky if we made it a mile into the woods, he should be fine.
He went in one direction and I went to another. My ears listen to every animal in the woods, birds chirping away, squirrels running up the tree.
Taking a seat under a tree, I look up at the sky. My mind is wondering where I will end up as a werewolf and who I will end up leading. Will my pack respect me, and if I'll ever find my mate. To comprehend that you were an Alpha wolf at the age of 13 is a hair-raising event. For one, it is your destiny to become such a great leader. For two, the werewolf inside you selects your love interest. So when other boys are crushing on girls in school, I know to make the right decision and save my heart a lot of heartbreak.
The morning was fading into the afternoon, and I knew I must be heading back. I would rather stay here all day.
Entering the house, I noticed my father sitting at the table with this newspaper, and my mom pouring him a cup of coffee. My mom did everything for him, cooked his food, and filled his plate. I don't know if I'd ever want a girl catering to me.
"Where is your brother? It's time for lunch?"
I feel my world starting to spin. Here all this time, I was worried about getting in trouble, just because I told Nash he stepped on a stick, but now I lost him.
"Did he come back?"
I see my dad lowering the newspaper. "You let your brother come back by himself?"
"He didn't want to walk anymore. I was only a mile up, maybe even less."
"You know you're not supposed to leave your brother," I don't hear anger, in my mom's voice just sadness and disappointment
My eyes watch as my dad flies out of the house. I know that he is harder on me because I am supposed to be Alpha. It is the oldest child's job, girl or boy. Nash being second born, this is another thing he got a pass from.
When I find that little brat, I swear. Over half the time I get in trouble because of him. My feet walk to my room, as I no longer want to deal with a family drama. My hand pushes open the door, and this is precisely the moment that my life changes forever. I can see out the window since it faces the backyard, my dad carrying Nash in his arms. Even far across the distance, I can tell that Nash is limp, and I can see the water dripping off his clothes. What did I do?
I race back towards the kitchen, not even caring about the trouble I'm about to be in. I was just worried about my little brother, whom I was responsible for. If I can't even take care of one single 8-year-old, how am I going to take care of an entire pack?
I can see my dad's been crying, his eyes are swollen with a puff of redness. My mother drops to her knees in the kitchen in the middle of trying to cook. And I stand here like a speechless idiot. I know that I can never apologize for this.
"Look what you have done Cricket?"
"Dad…. I .. am sorry." Stuttering was never really my thing, but I can't imagine saying it normally with the nerves running through my body.
"You think an apology makes up for letting your little brother drown in the pond?"
I shake my head quickly. "He was supposed to come back home."
My dad marches to me, my dead brother still in his arms. My eyes were on him, but my ears listened as my mother called the police over to our house.
I felt the sting hit my face, and it was the first time I'd ever been hit by anyone in the face. My dad was known to give me a spanking on the butt, which I learn quickly to avoid. The pain was horrible on my face, but I don't think it measured up to the hurt in my heart.
"You are worthless cricket and you're going to be a horrible leader." My ears heard the words of my father, permanently storing them in my brain.