Tatum and Henry

I sigh as I sit on my seat and look out the window as the train takes its route through Sefton, my last stop. Sefton is not a city really, it does have a central business district and is divided into boroughs like Little Vallis, but it’s not a big city like Titan or Capria. I sigh as the train stops at the main station and grab my duffle bag, suitcase and backpack out from the overhead shelf.

Adjusting my backpack on my bag and taking my bags in my hands, I make my way out of the cabin and out into the hallway. Down the stairs and out the carriage I walk, looking up at the signs to see which exit I need to take to get out. I’m meeting Henry out at Eastern Street, and finding the sign, I follow the throngs of people down an underground hallway and out the gates.

People push past me in their rush to get to wherever people go from the train station in the middle of the day, and I find myself outside a large sandstone building with shops selling food.

“Leo!” I hear from my right. I turn in that direction and see my tall brother looking at me with a huge smile on his face. My brother Henry stands taller than the human males in the crowd. He’s six foot-four and built, and I watch as males walk nervously past him, and females look affectionately at him. Henry wears his hair with a classic comb and fade back, which shows off the many piercings he wears in his ears and on his face. If you didn’t know him, you’d feel intimidated, but he’s really a big softie.

“Henry!” I smile as I drop my bags on the ground and hug my older brother. Henry is also ten years older than me, but thanks to his werewolf genes, he looks young.

“Hey sis, how was your trip?” Henry asks, lifting my duffle bag and suitcase as if they weigh nothing.

“Boring,” I admit, making him laugh.

I follow Henry into the outside carpark and towards his chevvy truck.

“Is this bigger than your last one?” I ask Henry as I watch him swing my luggage into the trailer. Henry looks at me and smiles, his white teeth showing.

“Shut up,” he laughs, opening the door so I can climb in.

Henry makes his way out of the carpark and drives out of the CBD towards I don’t know where.

“We’re staying at Hembry house,” Henry explains, breaking the silence as he drives.

“The Hembry House,” I repeat, looking at my brother. Henry smiles again. I’d heard about the Hembry's when I was at Waning Moon pack Hospital after the war. They’re a family of white wolves, or should I say, female white wolves. My nieces’ best friend is the first white wolf born in her family after sixty years- they’re very rare.

“How is Rhiannon?” I asked, thinking of my niece. I’ve been getting letters in the form of drawings over the past two years, and we’ve had zoom conversations. She’s a little mini-me.

“Cheeky. She starts school next year and is really excited,” Henry replies

“Have you guys decided on what you’re doing, are you coming back to Silva Luporum?” I ask him.

//\\//\\//\\

“Let’s see if they have any clean glasses,” I suggest, opening a cupboard. I hear a door open and then a smell hits me. Oranges and ginger.

- Mate! – my wolf links me, all excited. I slowly turn as I sense a presence behind me. A younger version of Saxon is standing there, only his face is softer, more like Margot’s. Our eyes lock and I hear him say ‘mate,’ as he begins to smile. He takes a step forward but then stops when a she-wolf wraps her arms around his arm.

“Everything okay honey? Why’d you stop?” the she-wolf asks. She looks at us, a smile spreading across her face. I’m stunned as I look at her. She is beautiful. Blonde, of course, wearing a bodycon dress which show off all the right curves.

“Hi, I’m Jaylah,” she smiles, reaching her hand out to me and Tatum. I look over at the younger version of Saxon, and he has the gall to look guilty.

“Really?” I ask, not looking at Jaylah’s hand. I take a step round him when I’m hit with another smell, orange and cinnamon this time.

- Mate? – My wolf links again. Another younger version of Saxon walks into the room, identical to the first one, this time walking alongside a different female.

“Mate,” he says, stopping in his tracks. The girl walking with him turns towards him and grabs his hand.

I have two mates, I think as I look at them both, and they both have girlfriends.