Danny-

"So when do you get your grades?" Asks Dad with zero preamble as I walk through the door.

"Hello, Father. Happy Friday to you. My day of soul-crushing finals was terrible. Thank you for your concern," I rattle out in a robotic tone.

He cocks an eyebrow at me before he speaks again, "not a fan of the attitude, but I'm sorry. Was it really that bad?"

I shrug and shake my head, "noooooo. Theo's really helped me with math. That was the only one I was really worried about. I think they have to have the grades posted by Monday."

Dad shakes his head, "Technology. Ok. Then happy winter break, my darling baby boy. Scott'll be here in a couple of hours." he pats my shoulder and heads back to the kitchen. "Family run out at Grandpa's when he gets here," he says over his shoulder.

I drop my head in defeat. Scott's a great guy....just a shitty brother. I'm the baby in the family, so that means being compared to him in all aspects.

Sports- he was the captain of the hockey team. I might be, but not yet. They won 3 state championships with him. We're hoping for the first one this year with me.

School- valediction. Full ride scholarship to Oregon. Thanks to Theo, I'll get a B in math for the first time since the 3rd Grade.

Love life- his long-term girlfriend has been in his life since they were both freshmen. I'm a recovering fuck boy who's secretly bi and crushing hard on Theo.

I grab my bag and head upstairs. With a mighty thud, I hit my bed and look over at the window. I can't help but perk up at Theo's dinosaur eraser on the window sill. Next to the monkey eraser and the pig eraser he got me the last two times we went to the arcade. Crushed me in everything but air hockey yet again.

"My little Theo zoo," I say with a big smile.

I pull out my phone and text the guys.

Bro chat

Me- Theo's birthday's coming up. What's the plan?

Theo- nothing.

Brenden- I'm thinking a party.

Theo-I'm thinking no.

Theo- ich denke nein

Bryce- only losers know German. I'm thinking a party with the team. The Varsity bros.

Me- loving this plan. Theo!!!! Come play with us.

Theo- only cause you'll all die without me.

Bryce- says the guy that wants to go on a hike this weekend.

Theo- it was an idea.

Me- no hiking, birthday boy. Brenden round up the guys. Party. Saturday night. Bryce, get your Dad on board.

Theo- good luck.

Bryce- it's a team-building exercise, baby cousin. He'll be fine.

I see a text from Theo pop up in our own chat.

Theo- please don't leave me alone at the party.

Theo- I get weird vibes from some of the guys still.

Me- I'll protect you, little one.

Bryce texted me too.

Bryce- be extra nice to Theo this weekend. His Dad got sentenced today. Dad just talked to him.

Me- oh shit.

Bryce- yup, plus I think my Dad finally got a lead on his mom in Vegas.

Me- dang. Lots of news.

Bryce- wanna hang out tonight?

Me- I wish Scotts coming home tonight. Going to our grandpas for the night.

Bryce- eww, I'm sorry. You'll need Theo to be your DD Tomorrow then.

Me- probably. :)

Bryce- remember what I said.

Me- yes, yes, I can't make the first move.

I toss my phone in annoyance.

Bryce has been up my butt for weeks now when I talk to Theo. I promised him I wouldn't make the first move; I keep my promises. I just also flirt with him sometimes. He and Brenden think Theo likes me back, but I'm not sure. 

Still, I promised Bryce I wouldn't make the first move.

My phone buzzes again and again, but I ignore it and look at my army of erasers and wait for my asshole big brother to show up.

*******
Like everything with my older brother, the plans changed at the last minute. He wanted to go to grandpa's house first and play in the woods.

And like always, Dad caved for his precious eldest son.

Grandpa owns a chunk of land just down the coast from Seaside, about an hour's drive from home. Perfect for a pack of shifters to come and spend some time in our other form safely.

Dad takes a deep breath as he gets out of the car. "Smell that, Danny?"

I just nod; he's talking about the trees and the animals. I can smell Scott and Grandpa in the house, and I can hear them laughing.

I lean against the car and pull out my phone and remember there is no service here. With a groan, I put it back.

"Come on, Danny," says Mom with a quiet whisper. "Let's have some fun tonight."

I just nod and follow them. Scott has always been their favorite son. Dad's an alpha, grandpa, before him and Scott will probably follow in their footsteps. I want to be an alpha, but I'll never compete against him. Jessica could give him a run for his money, but our pack has only had one female alpha, so she's a long shot.

"Danny boy," shouts Scott as he leads Grandpa out the door. I'm shocked when he pulls me into a hug. "I've missed you, baby brother." 

Mom beams at this brotherly affection, and I just pretend it's real. He hasn't spoken to me since our last run around Labor Day. No texts. No calls. Doesn't even like my posts on Facebook. It's all a front.

"I hear the team's doing well?" He continues.

I nod again, but this time I actually speak up, "yup. We won our first three games."

"Dad told me Bryce's cousin is actually pretty good," says Scott in an annoyed tone. Theo and I are defensemen, so Dad's comparing Scott to Theo, and he hates it. He wants to know if he's better.

"Theo's the best. Coach thinks he could go pro if he wanted," I say back with a smile.

Dad hears this boast and swoops in before Scott can be a dick, "come on. Go get ready. Your mom and I have plans this weekend, so it's our only chance to run before Christmas. So let's have some fun."

Mom and Grandpa nod, and we head inside. I strip out of my clothes and transform into my badass wolf self. Grandpa's waiting on the porch for us already. He runs almost every day, but it's more fun when you're with your pack. I nuzzle up to him and show him the affection he needs. Grandpa, Dad, and I look like each other in human and wolf form. Tall and muscular, with blue eyes and brown hair. Our black wolves are bigger than Scott and Mom's, reddish-brown, like their hair color. Once the five of us are ready, Dad takes point as the alpha of our family now that grandpa is older and runs into the woods. The rest of us are hot on his heels.

Even with Scott home, it's always a good night for a run.
*********

It's well past midnight when we all finally walk back to the house. It was a great run. Thanks to the rogue, we haven't been able to run in our normal woods, and we try not to run too much down here. The seaside pack is understanding, but even they have limits.

I'm pulling my pants on when Dad walks into the room stretching. "Damn, I needed that. It's been too long."

"Just need that asshole to leave our area," says Grandpa in an annoyed tone. A few weeks back, the rogue came through the property but not close enough to be a genuine concern.

"Pops, what do you know about him?" Asks Scott as he pulls his shirt on.

Dad lets out a sigh. "Not much. The packs in Portland and Seattle say they're all accounted for, but it could be an Omega. They can't keep track of all the shifters there."

"This is why packs need to communicate more. Too many questions" groans Grandpa.

"Yes, dad, I know," snaps Dad, and Grandpa turns and mumbles, "back in my day."

Dad rolls his eyes and continues, "Seattle said they had a bear shifter killed and eaten. The humans think it's a cult, but you know what happens when a shifter's eaten." He ends with a serious look, and Scott nods.

Eating humans gives us extra strength, but it doesn't last long. Eat too many humans; they know something's up and panic. That's why it's been against our Laws for a hundred plus years. Punishable by death. We can't survive if the humans turn on us. Eating another shifter, however, gives you the strength of your shifter and theirs; the powers last longer, but you crash harder. It becomes addicting.

"So a bear ate a bear?" I ask.

Dad shakes his head and takes the offered hot cocoa from mom. "Thanks, babe. No, Seattle thinks a wolf or lion did it. Mixing their powers and smells. That's why we didn't recognize it. Portland and Tacoma reported similar attacks. Two wolves in Tacoma, a coyote in Portland, and a small pack in Forks said they were attacked but managed to get the pups to safety, and the beast left." 

I can't believe it went after kids. Most shifters change the first time when we're 5 or 6, so they need extra protection.

"Whatever this thing wants, it's moving between Seattle and us back and forth. Of course, it could still be human, but at this point, with that many shifters powering it...I don't even want to know what they're like," says Dad softly.

"The Eugene pack is being extra careful in case it comes down that way," says Scott, and dad nods.

"Be careful," he says to Scott, and then he turns to Grandpa. "All of you." Grandpa waves him off, but I know he's worried. If this rogue is killing other shifters, then he could come after anyone.

Mom claps her hands, "ok. Let's get home. It's Christmas. We have stuff planned. Let's focus on the happy and save that beast for later."

Scott hops up and then turns and holds out his hand to pull me up. I give it to him cause Dad's watching. He wants us to bond.

He pulls me up with a smile, "I'm happy I'm back, baby brother."

I don't trust him...not yet, but we will see what happens next.

Grandpa hugs us all and says we'll see him in a couple of days. Mom and Dad are going down to Seaside in the morning to celebrate their anniversary and go to a show with a couple other pack members. Scott's got a party tomorrow night, too, so he'll crash there with the shifters that are back from college for winter break.

And I.....plan on getting shit-faced and having fun with my bros. It'll be a good weekend for us all. Then Christmas is on Wednesday, and We have the big pack holiday party. Presents. Santa and tons of food.

As I get in the back seat, I can't help thinking about how this will be a great Christmas break...even if Scott is here.