Chapter 3 - Family

Seven years later

I giggle happily, watching my brother Alex as I stumble around the yard, chasing his brown wolf and reaching for the fluffy tail he sways before me. Alex stays just out of my reach, as always, his tongue lolling from the right side of his muzzle as he gives me a wolfish grin, a twinkle of mischievousness in his eyes.
"Geminie, leave your brother alone." My father, Bastian Blake Beta of Hidden Claws, orders, his stern angry eyes bearing down on me. I stop in my track, a small spark of fear budding inside me as I stand before this man. Alex nudges my hand gently, whining lowly as he wraps his furry form around me.
"Alex and I are playing father." I answer quietly, leaning into Alex for comfort while trying to avoid the glare my father sends me. At seven years old I have never been able to understand why my parents were so stern towards me. With Alex being only eight years older than me at fifteen I always felt like he is the favourite of the two of us. No matter how close we are and how much my brother adores me, in my parents eyes I am nothing compared to the future Alpha.
"Gem as always your brother is the future Beta. Mika will be his priority as Mika will be our next Alpha. You are just a she wolf who will have to move the moment you find your mate." My mother Jasmine Blake, states, rolling her eyes and standing next to my father. Alex lets out a sigh and licks my face, motioning towards the house and silently telling me he is going to shift and clothes himself before returning to help me with our parents. Alex, thankfully, never agreed with our parents and always stood up for me.
"As Alex's little sister, he should protect me too. We are family and it should be his job to protect his family." I argue back, upset at feeling like nothing to my parents. Within a blink of an eye my body is falling sideways and the sting of flesh hitting my cheeks brings me to the reality my mother has slapped me. Anger radiates off of both of my parents as their eyes glare daggers at me.
"Geminie Blake, Mika will always be more important than you and that is final." She yells out. My father stands silently behind her, disappointment mixed in with his angry gaze as he stares down at me. I hated both of them. Without another word and tears falling down my chubby cheeks and the stinging skin of the left side of my face I take off to the woods behind me and rush towards where I can feel safe and loved. The shout of my father calling me back and fear of any punishment they will give me fuels me to run faster, towards the river where I can hide my scent from anyone who tries to follow me.
Alex taught me this trick where you enter a river until it is up to you knees and walk in either direction. The water washes away any scent a werewolf can follow and allows you to get away safely. My direction is the waterfall that is North of the pack boundaries. My safe spot lie just beyond the flowing water. Wading in the shallow part of the river, I wipe the tears still falling from my eyes to help me see as I make the two hour trip to the water fall that falls from the large mountain our pack sits in front of and I find the vines that climb up the side of the rocks that I easily slide behind. Keeping inside the small stream that flows inside a hidden cave, I let the glowing moon stones guide me towards my destination until the stream breaks off into two and a light at the end indicates sunlight.
A lush meadow greets me, my short legs hidden in the tall grass and wild flowers as I walk towards the weeping willow tree wiping angrily at my tears. This is my happy place, I refused to cry here.
"Gem, who hurt you this time Little Wolf?" A soft melodious voice fills my ears as I lean against the tree where she waited.
"My parents, as usual." I whimper out, feeling strong arms pick me up and hold me gently to a warm body, one who smells like the wild flowers here.
"What happened this time?" Lizaria, the elf that guarded this hidden meadow, continues, her long black hair blowing in the wind as she comforts me.
"The usual. Alex and I playing but being told to leave him alone. I will never be important to them, will I?" I answer, my voice growing quietly as I look into the elf's green eyes.
"You are bound for great things, Little Wolf. I can see it." She says instead, always dodging my questions. I pout, tears flowing down my chubby cheeks once again. Lizaria sighs, carrying me from the comfortable shade under the willow tree and towards the small lake where unicorns drink and frolic around.
"Little Wolf, one day I may not be able to protect the unicorn. Witches and werewolves, especially Soulless, hunt them for the magic hidden in their body and blood. Do you know why I let you come in?" She asks, her eyes holding pride at the hidden home she protects. I shake my head no after thinking, my white curls bouncing with the movement as a light breeze brings the scent of flowers closer to us.
"Because you look at them as friends. I was weary that day I found you here, curled up amongst the foals fast asleep. Always sending you back home but you would show up." Lizaria smiles at me, her slender fingers wiping away the tears from my face as she kisses my forehead. That was last year after a fight father and I had. I followed a sent up the river that comforted me and that's when I saw the unicorns.
"Do you mean it?" I ask quietly, hiding my face in the crook of her neck.
"Of course Little Wolf. Now, go to sleep it's late. You'll wake up at home soon." Lizaria's voice soothes me too sleep, my little body exhausted from the crying and soothing talk with the elf I think of as my mom.
"Gemmy is this where you have been all day?" A hand shakes my shoulder gently awake and my eyes slowly open to see Alex looking worriedly at me. His hand touches my face, causing me to wince and his eyes harden in the dim light. I most likely gained a bruise from the slap earlier today. I am in Alex's closet, a teddy bear two times the size of my small body acting as a bed as the clothes hanging above me hide me from view in case anyone came looking for me. The same place Lizaria always sends me to keep me safe.
"Yes, I fell asleep crying." The lie comes easily as Alex ruffles my hair and carefully scoops me into his arms with a sigh. Silently my brother carries me into my room and tucks me into bed, a look of sadness in his eyes that I never seen before.
"I always tell them that you always hide in my room but they never listen. You're my little sister and I know you Gemmy." Alex starts off running his hands through his hair and staring outside my window at the full moon shining down on us with a warm glow that brings me peace.
"I know Alex." I yawn out, giving my brother a sleepy smile at his concern.
"Go to bed Gemmy. Tomorrow you have a big day with the Alpha Family." He bids me good night and flicks off the lamp beside my bed before getting up and leaving me to sleep under the comforting glow of the moon light.