Family

12

Silas POV

"Come on bub!" Lee whines taking my hand.

She pulls me out the back door where she discovered a tree house. Lee has been running around while I slowly explored my new home but I guess she found something worth slowing down for.

"Come on its so cool!" She cheers and I shake my head.

"I can't go up there Lee... I can't climb that high." I know it would take more energy than I have to get into the towering oak tree.

"Come oooooonnnn." She begs and I sigh.

"Sorry Lee... you go. I'll watch." I say. She pouts but makes her way to one of the blocks nailed into the tree to make a hand or foot hold. She makes it about half way up when a voice stops her.

"Not so fast, little sister." Jay calls after her. "Come down it's time for dinner. Believe me, mom's cooking is way better than that hospital food."

Lee looks down but seems unsure how to get back down. Up is easier because you can see where your hands and feet go down is harder.

"I can't!" She yells hugging the tree suddenly scared of the height.

"Hwtas ogign on uot rehe!?" Dad yells ruining out. "Lee? Uoy okay pup? Moce wdno lpesae?"

"Lee... what's wrong little sister?" Jay asks.

"Mi edacsr!" She yells in her gibberish language. "Nact tge wodn!"

"Uoyr kyoa, Lee." Jay responds shocking me. He knows her language too!? "Mi micogn ot teg ouy."

With that being said our eldest brother climbs the tree. It takes a minute before Lee transfers her grip to him but then she holds on for dear life.

"Jay! Is she okay?" I ask once he is back on the ground.

"Just a little scared I got her Si." He says. I'm confused by the name but ignore it for now.

"Lee." I say hugging her.

"It's okay bub... the big one got me... thanks Jay." She smiles a little but still looks shaken.

"No more climbing without one of your big brothers alright princess?" Jay says and I see a fire in her eyes.

"I'm not a princess!" She yells then looks at me before turning back to Jay. "Mi a mamga tjsu kile uoy!" She yells something in her language making me frown.

She's keeping secrets on purpose?... why can't she talk to me? Maybe she likes them better. It was us against the world and now? I guess it makes since she'd like Jay better. He could save her. I can't.

"Come on pups." Jay says getting my attention. "Dinner time."

Jay POV

I saw the look Silas gave when the little girl switched languages. He looked hurt.

"I'm a Gamma just like you."

That's what she yelled. Apparently her birth patents taught her well about not sharing who we are to humans. Referring to herself as a Gamma would only cause more questions from the boy but now he just looks so pitifully sad.

Once inside we set the young ones on seats that are a bit taller than the rest so they can reach the table better. Not booster seats but more like the old step latter chairs that are just a bit taller. Both pups look amazed by the tall chairs and start chatting happily about it. I guess having Lee's attention back has Silas less pouty.

"You can talk to her too." Dad says rather than asking. "Why are you hiding things from us, Jay? We're family."

"I wasn't hiding. With Silas I wanted to see how everything would play out until he needed someone. With Lee I never needed to say anything because you have Theo to translate. We are Family Dad... but did you ever think of talking to the family before doing this? I can't help but love that boy and I've been lying to him. I keep telling him he is going to be okay, and dear God I want him to, but lets be realistic Dad. You brought an amazing little brother into our lives so we can watch him die. You are the one who isn't looking out for this family." I rant to him in a whisper at the doorway and luckily the others don't seem to have heard me. To preoccupied with the pups and getting the food on the table.

Dad is at a loss for words as I walk over to the table. Silas calls out to me and I sit next to him. A part of me hates that my Dad brought this boy into our lives but the majority of me couldn't imagine not having him here. It's a war of emotions because as a Gamma I need to think logically and logically this boy will only cause grief for our family but as a being with a beating heart I can't stomach the idea of leaving him behind. He deserves a family... I just don't want to lose him now. The way he looks up at me like I hang the stars... it's the way my other brothers used to look at me before they grew up and I've missed it. I can't lose my baby brother.

"Jay, come to my office. I need to talk with you." I get a mind link from Alpha Scott about half way through dinner and excuse myself.

"You called, Alpha." I say walking into the office.

"Yes, Jay." He responds waving me over to the chairs. "I want to talk about the human boy."

"Are you really okay with him being here?" I was afraid he wouldn't allow it and am surprised he did so calling me here as soon as we get home makes me have to ask.

"Well... I wouldn't have allowed it if your father had asked that's for sure. It's reckless and is only going to hurt your family... but me pushing Jackson out of the pack for it won't help matters. I want to be here for your parents when that boy breaks their hearts. We both know what will happen. The boy reeks of death... I'm afraid I'm going to lose my Gamma for a while as he deals with the boy... that's why I wanted to talk to you. You are a smart kid. Way too smart to let your emotions cloud your judgment. I need you to step up as Gamma until your father is able to fill the role again... think of it as good practice for when Luke takes over."

I'm shocked at this. I never thought he'd have me take over early. Nick is only 16. He won't become Alpha until he is 25. I have time but he's right about Dad and like I told Levi in the hospital I'm going to be strong for my family.

"Yes Alpha." I nod.