“Hey kids, you all look so great! Be safe, be smart, and remember that if you’re not, well…look at how your mother and I got Jayden!” My dad exclaims with a smile.

I manage a nervous smile back and adjust my jacket. Why is he so embarrassing. “Gross dad, that’s disgusting. You’re my parents.”

“Eli, stop it. You’re embarrassing him.” My mother chides, but I see the smile on her face.

“Don’t worry Mr. and Mrs. Belle, I’ll be sure to keep my eye on him.” Selena says with a smile.

“Yea, and I’ll keep an eye on those two.” Tilly rolls her eyes.

“Thank you Tilly, now before ya’ll leave let me get a picture.” My mom says before we disappear out the door.

With a grumble we all stand together and smile for the picture. As soon as we hear the tell-tale snap of the shutter we turn and hightail it out of the house and to the car. I finally let myself take in Selena. She’s been my girlfriend for a year now and she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Tilly calls me a sap, but it’s true. When we graduate in two years I want to marry her. I help her into the car then slide in beside her as Tilly takes the driver’s seat. With a final seat belt and flask check, Tilly pulls out of the driveway and speeds off to our junior prom.

~~~~~~~

Arms reach out and wrap me in them, sheltering me from the panic that was rising. I let out a small sigh and press myself into the body they’re connected to, letting his scent wash over me.

“Caleb.” I breathe.

“You’re alright. I was able to get your father’s no good ass off the couch today to tend to his crops.” Caleb tells me.

“Thank you.” I whisper.

“Anything for you.” He replies, his hand brushing against my cheek.

I smile and lean into his hand, feeling its warmth. He leans closer and our breath mingles together. I close my eyes and let our foreheads rest against each other.

“You’re too good to me.” I tell him.

“Nonsense my Little Wolf.” He jokes.

I smile and press my lips softly against his. He kisses me back then pulls away, his dark eyes searching mine. They’re that perfect shade of dark dark brown you can just get lost in. I like to think that his eyes are like the deepest part of the ocean. The part I one day want to walk into and just disappear; let the ocean wash away my life. Surely nothing down there is worse than the person that used to be my father.

“Do you really have to do this?” He asks softly.

I nod. “You’ve seen Fenris’s hair. If father finds out he might as well be dead. I have to leave and convince the council to take us in or let us make our own pack.”

At the sound of his name, my little brother Fenris comes out of his bedroom. “Sissy.” He whispers, coming to me.

His silence is normal. Since he’s only known our father after our mother’s death, he’s learned to keep as silent as possible and hope that Father forgets he’s alive. Our mother died giving birth to Fenris and father hasn’t been the same since, blaming him for the death. But it was mother’s choice to have him even though she knew it’d kill her. And now, his hair is turning white, a sign that he would grow to be the alpha that takes over my father’s pack. Before us wolves had become civilized, alphas were known to kill the white haired children to keep their pack. With how far father has fallen since mother’s death and how much hate he already carries for Fenris, I wouldn’t put it past him to revert to that.

“Hey, buddy.” I whisper, smiling at him. “I have to go on an adventure. But Caleb is going to protect you. Do whatever he tells you okay. I’ll be back soon, I love you. Don’t ever forget that.”

He nods solemnly, his eyes tearing but he doesn’t say a word. I grab the bag I stashed a few days ago and give Caleb a quick kiss. Without another goodbye, I turn and walk out the door.