When I jolted awake, my body felt like something wanted to take over. I quickly covered my mouth, remembering where I was. It had been a while since I had that dream. Worried that someone might have heard me squeal again, I glanced around through the little peephole.
Luckily, no one was around.
Bathroom break? Or dinner?
Taking my chance to escape, I hopped out of the barrel, tumbling onto the floor. My legs were killing me after being cooped up there for hours. While I struggled to get off the ground, the surrounding ghosts laughed because I could barely walk.
They're such little jerks…
Pushing the urge to grumble at them, I crawled towards the tent's opening. I saw everyone sitting by a campfire in the distance, enjoying a meal. Vera, Caden, and Aiden sat there, unaware I was so close to them.
Yet Mom and Dad were missing from the huddle they were having. With brief hesitation, I tried to sneak around the camp to enter the howling forest. However, it wouldn't take long before I ran into a complication.
After all, there's no such thing as smooth sailing for someone like me.
The moment a black cat, Shade, my mom's familiar, crossed my path, my heart dropped, especially when her little blue eyes stared at me. I froze in place when she tilted her head.
You're probably wondering what I'm doing here when I'm supposed to be home!
Though if Shade was here, then...
Oh no!
Before I knew what I was doing, I picked her up without hesitation, running with her into a hiding spot near some crates. Covering her mouth, I hoped she wouldn't give me away as my parents came out of the tent nearby.
Crap! Crap! I'm so screwed!
I broke into a cold sweat, shivering where I thought when I heard their voices.
"Lily... Don't worry, I'm sure we'll be fine." Dad, a silver-haired Lycan, assured Mom, a powerful human witch.
The moment I heard his voice, my poor heart stopped.
I'm doomed. Game over! You're too close!
"I can't be as optimistic as you, Fenris." Mom sighed, not sure of what was to come.
Her beautiful blue eyes gazed down at the floor as Dad quickly picked them up and back to meet with his crimson gaze.
"Look, with Vera's spell, we should be able to put Alijah away once and for all. After that, we'll go back home together, and Rem's waiting for us back home to be victorious, too." He nuzzled his nose into Mom's neck.
She sighed yet again, gripping his arms. If only they knew I was right here listening to them. Sadly, it didn't help that the little feline could have given me up any minute, too.
Please... don't do that, Shade!!!
"I know it is, but I don't know. Something feels weird. Maybe we shouldn't have left Rem back home. Perhaps that's what's wrong with me. Her birthday's today, too, and here we are with the others, and she is missing." Mom shook her head.
Unlike her, Dad was sure that was the right decision, though.
"There's no way I am bringing her near that psycho. We don't need two complications. As much as I hate saying that, this will be a battlefield if he doesn't see reason." Dad noted.
Ouch... I'm not a complication... but the solution. Get that right, at least!
There were so many things I wanted to say but couldn't.
"I know. I don't want her anywhere here either, but still, it's hard for me to see them and not her. Not after almost losing her twice." Mom winced as her voice broke
Ah... That's right…
In response, Dad hugged her tightly.
"Hey, Lily, I miss her too. Caden and Aiden do, too. They say it's a little too quiet without her around. Vera, though…" Dad chuckled, making Mom smile.
"She says it's the perfect gift for her birthday. The getaway she needed from her sister." Mom giggled.
Dad seemed pleased to have successfully cheered her up.
I swear I'm not that bad. Maybe a little loud and explosive, but that can be good, too!
"We'll get her a little something when we get back. I hope Amelia isn't having a hard time with Rem, though. I know she was dead set on coming here with us. Maybe we should call them." He suggested, pulling away from her brown locks to look at his phone.
Mom glanced around, noticing her familiar was missing.
"Wait, where did Shade go?" she asked, looking around for the little cat.
She received no response, leaving me to wonder why the feline hadn't given me out. She could have done it anytime since they shared a telepathic connection.
"Uh, well, perhaps she's out for a stroll. I think she wanted to avoid Ruzgard for today. For some reason, those two are oil and water." Dad assured her.
"Shade?" Mom called again for her before turning back to him.
"She rarely leaves me alone like this. Something isn't right." Mom grabbed onto her arms, unaware her familiar was in her youngest daughter's hands.
The way I was holding Shade somewhat annoyed her, though. It was like having a plushy while hovering my hand over her mouth like that would stop the telepathic connection between Mom and her.
"I'm sure she'll find you soon," Dad tried to keep Mom with him.
Luckily, she could never resist him for long before she gave in to him.
Shade's indestructible while in this mortal realm. So, there's nothing to worry about.
"If you say so." She smiled.
A soft hum left Dad as he leaned towards her.
Now, one would think this was adorable. What wouldn't I give to have someone like Dad for myself? They have been together for thirty-four years. Wow, that sounds like a lot, but it isn't charming to see for me.
Sadly, I had no one like that since being a luma made it so people wouldn't want to courtship me. No, they preferred my sister over me, but that didn't mean I had no suitors. I was the child of the most powerful witch, and Lycan made me somewhat desirable to some, but I wasn't interested in them.
Nope... All those suitors aren't appealing to me.
My heart was taken from that moment, I…
I... Wait, that doesn't matter. It's all one-sided, anyway!
What did matter was that Vera had more boys after her from every race that I could count, but only one ever got close to winning that icy heart of hers—a sun elf named Felix, Amara's brother, came close.
She was the one who helped me come into this world along with my siblings.
Well, back when I almost killed my mom, she managed to save us both.
From what I heard, Felix was also at the camp to fight the evil. My brother Aiden had a crush on Sophie, who was Liam's and Melody's daughter.
Yep, my weirdo of an older brother is in love with a cousin since Melody is Dad's half-sister.
However, the close relation made that pairing sought after by the elders of the wolf pack.
All those old folk talk about is purifying the bloodline. Bah, they even wanted to marry me off to the first Lycan who wanted me. Thankfully, Dad stopped that before it started.
Caden was another troubled child for the elders of our pack, as he was a free soul, much like me.
At least I seek to be free… Just because my current love is a lost cause. Anyways!
Sophie was also there with Aunty Melody and Uncle Liam, who were probably celebrating our birthday with my other siblings at the campfire.
"In the meantime, how about you and me..." Dad began, gripping her hips before tugging her closer.
My eyes twitched, and I couldn't hold it in any longer. Hearing that from my parents made me so uncomfortable that I shivered where I stood.
It's not like nasty gross! But it is a weird type of gross, which is the problem because I'm their kid and hear everything! I don't need to witness this my entire life!
Luckily, they retreated again into their tent, allowing me to sneak by and into the edge of the Hollowing forest with Shade in my arms.