Ariadne – Not So Grown 

Mom was sat at the kitchen table, her head in her hands, as Dad told her about Brad’s behavior. I stayed out of sight, but I know they knew I was there. Any wolf worth their salt would know when someone is listening in. Mom is crying and Dad wants to comfort her, but she brushes him away and with the same motion wipes her tears.  

She took a deep breath, “he is lucky. We are lucky. How many Alphas banish whole families for things like this?” She took a sip of the tea she’d made to calm her nerves. It must be cold by now, but she didn’t seem to notice. Her hands were shaking as she set her tea down. She clasped them together and held them to her chest to hide the shaking.  

Brad came down the stairs and brushed past me, his duffle bag clocking me in the face. That was probably on purpose. He stomped into the kitchen, making it well known he wasn’t happy about this. I watched him drop his bag on the table, upsetting mom’s tea. Brad instantly reacted in disgust, “What the fuck, mom! Now there’s tea all over my bag!” 

She carefully picked up the tumbled cup and cleaned the mess with some paper towels. She said nothing and would not look at Brad. Dad stepped in, pulling Brad away from his mother and the table. “That is not how you speak to your mother, son.” 

Brad scowled at dad. Then he said it. The thing that usually sets off dad and leaves mom crying in her room. “You’re not my father, Lucas!” Dad’s face turned bright red, and mom abruptly stood from her chair knocking it over. “I am the son of an Alpha, not some filthy Beta like you!” Oh, that part was new.  

Dad didn’t have time to rage. Mom pulled Brad to face her and through gritted teeth and barely controlled anger, “Your father was the second son of a second son. He was never the Alpha of a pack.  Not only that he was a vile, evil man. He took joy in hurting others. He took joy in hurting me. Your father was never my mate. He used me and laughed at my bonded mate when he felt the pain, and even more when he ended his own life to stop it. He beat me into losing two pups during pregnancies. When you survived, he tried to kill you. H-he was going to kill you! I... I did it. I killed him first!” Mom was shaking all over with the effort of keeping her wolf from taking over. She was breathing hard now, tears rolling down her cheeks.  

Dad didn’t let her push him away this time. He held mom to his chest, and she fell apart. Sobs racked her body as dad rubbed her back in slow circles with one hand. Brad’s mouth opened and closed a few times, like he wanted to say something but physically couldn’t. He reached for mom’s shoulder. Dad turned them around to block the contact, and then picked up mom, cradling her. He took her up the stairs, passing by me, and into their room. 

Brad stood in the kitchen, just staring. I wanted to yell at him. I wanted to fight him. I wanted to tell him how much of an asshole he is. I wanted to defend Mom. But I can’t. I know Brad. He’ll just get mad at me. He’ll say the thing I hate most, “She’s not your mom!” I balled my fists in anger just thinking about it.  

It’s true that Dad isn’t Brad’s dad, and Mom isn’t my mom. Mom is Dad’s chosen mate. My mother, Dad’s first mate, died in a fight with rogues when I was only a few months old. Creek Run is our home pack, mother was Alpha Ryan’s sister. Luna Daisy insisted on Dad and I living in the packhouse for a while. Luna cared for me so Dad could continue as Alpha’s Beta, but also never be too far from me. I don’t remember much from that time. Just some fuzzy memories of my cousins, Jonquil being hyper and stubborn, and Declan was quiet and observant. For a while I thought Rhys was my baby brother. 

Then came Mom and Brad. I’ve always felt that even though they are not bonded mates, the Goddess gave Mom to Dad. He told me she needed to be protected. Now I know why.  

I followed Mom and Dad’s example, and walked away, leaving Brad to his own demons. At the top of the stairs, to the left was their room. To the right was mine, Brad’s, and our bathroom. I went to my own room and quietly closed my door. There was too much loud today, I didn’t want to add to it.  

I looked around at my sanctuary. Dad told me that my mother painted it herself, in a burst of energy, just days before I was born. The blues, greens, and purples might seem melancholy to most, but they are my happy colors. Recently Mom helped me redecorate. The paint is the same, but I changed all my furnishings and décor. Everything was very modern now, and either stark white, or inky black. I thought the style to be very mature, but right now, I feel small. 

I went to my mirror and looked at myself. I am tall for a young lady. Only 14 but already 5’ 10”. Long straight black hair, dark eyes, and if you ask Dad, too pale. Although, that’s probably because I don’t do much outdoors. I am strong, of course, but only because I am a werewolf from an Alpha bloodline. I have made no effort to be stronger and I do not train.  

I thought of Brad and all the years he trained, the goal we thought was for him to be Beta someday. The future Alpha’s most trusted outside of her mate. That role was all but promised to him. Jonquil does not have a best friend. She's friendly, for sure, but when I see her surrounded by everyone at school, she still looks lonely. Once Brad leaves, many of the wolves left will be vying for that abandoned role of future Beta.  

I look at myself again. Almost 15. Almost exactly two years younger than her. As of right now, I am not so grown. But I can change that.