The Pack - On the Run

I ignored the curious stares everyone kept on so openly giving me as I made my way through the cafe, my sneakers thudding softly on the floor.

Leigh emerged from the kitchen with the clean tray of cups. I saw the worry in her azure blue eyes, but I paid her no heed, set on one thing - grab Mikey and leave the asshat.

Even if for a tiny little while.

I stopped by our table as the soft sound of chiming announced Louis’s presence. I ignored those tiny, irritating prickles of awareness on my skin and the voice in my head that pointed me back to the source of my current agitation.

I’d have enough of him - even if my wolf didn’t share the sentiment.

I couldn’t really blame her, though. Not when she didn’t see anything wrong with the archaic patriarchal system we were thrown into. It seemed so normal to her, like the air we were breathing. It was my human side that couldn’t agree with the idea of being on the leash.

Lately, I’d been feeling more and more bipolar.

I threw my hand forwards as I said to my brother, my voice unnecessarily curt, “Come along. We’re leaving.”

Mikey’s eyes grew big as saucers before he hastily scrambled on the couch and crossed it in two large steps, landing softly in front of me. He then took my hand.

“Josie...” Louis cooed behind me, trying - probably - to soothe the fury and agitation I felt boiling inside me like hot lava. My wolf whined in my head, but I bit the inside of my cheek, ignoring the annoying sound as I tugged my brother towards the doors.

“Josie, ju-”

“I need a break Louis, ” I cut him off, not even looking at the guy. If I did, I would probably lose my momentum and crack with how the wolf pushed me to make amends. I was not ready for that.

“I need to think this through. It’s all just to much. I want to spend some time with my brother. Alone. Please, don’t follow us.” And with that, we left. Funnily enough, the guy let us, but I felt his gaze at the back of my head the entire time like a twinge of conscience.

“Where’re we going?” Asked Mikey timidly once we left the warmth of the cafe.

The air was still damp, and chill lingered in the air, seeping through our clothes as we stepped onto the pavement. Redforest Town was close enough to the forest that the smell of resin, dew, and rotten leaves pierced through the odour of concrete and exhaust.

“You’ve been bugging me to skip stones since like forever. I guess there’s no time like present.” I forced myself to smile crookedly at my brother, ruffling his hair as I did. He was innocent in all this; there was no need to vent on him further.

My brother beamed at me, his eyes shining like two gold coins.

“I know just the right spot! We’ve been there with Jonah before!” He exclaimed, pulling me with him with the enthusiasm of a seven-year-old.

I laughed, and this time, it was genuine.

Maybe a break from the supernatural wouldn’t hurt that much.

Maybe it wouldn’t hurt at all.

* * *

There was just one problem with my theory.

It was just that - a theory.

As hard as I tried to reclaim the tiny pieces of normalcy, the reality always found a way to bite me right back in the ass. This time was no different.

The noon was peaceful for once, except for the hunger gnawing at my stomach like a feral dog. I didn’t get to eat those pancakes in the end, but my pride deterred me from returning to the Evertons just yet. Plus, Mikey seemed to have the time of his life. His cheerful, carefree expression was enough to keep me throwing those stupid stones and run around the trees playing tag.

It was enough to keep me from thinking about Louis and the emptiness I felt without him.

But as always, the calm was only an illusion - an interlude to the drumfire about to come.

This time in the shape of my mother.