Family

23

"I'm sick." I whine, not fooling anyone.

"I would have thought you'd want to head back to school to meet up with your friends. The group that visited The Orion Star pack got back last night. They should be there." Dad says, and I groan.

I forgot I'd told him my new "friends" went on that trip. It was a long weekend, so 3 days of not seeing my tormentors while I learned about wolves. It's been fun, and all my brothers have joined in in my lessons. Sadly, every second seems like a lesson, now that they realized how little I know. They just figured someone else filled me in because I never asked questions. Mom, dad, and the boys all feel rotten about it and have been trying to make up for not teaching me sooner.

"But I'm sick!" I complain, and dad rolls his eyes.

"I know better, pup. I had 5 before you, and they didn't fool me either. Now, get up before I make you get up." He orders, and I sit up.

"Yes, Gamma." I grumble before getting dressed. I don't want him to drag me out of bed or pour cold water on me like I know he has done to my brothers. I'm usually the first one up, so he might go easy on me, but I'm not taking any chances... I just really don't want to deal with my bullies. I know it's going to be rough after the incident in the woods.

Once I'm dressed and downstairs, I head to the kitchen for breakfast. Lee is bouncing in her chair as she devouers her bacon. Avery looks like he's gonna fall asleep at the table, and the twins are arguing with our parents.

"I'll say it again, this is why we need 2 cars!" Theo says.

"You had your own car, and you wrecked it. The next one is on you." Mom tells him.

"But why am I being punished for his incompetence?" Levi groans. "I didn't wreck my car, and now I have to deal with them all complaining because there are 5 of us in one car."

Levi and Theo are 17 and Juniors, so they drive us all to school. Paul graduated last year, Avery is a freshman,  Lee is in first grade, and I'm in third.

"I complain because I'm stuck between two car seats!" Avery snaps before taking a bite of his cereal.

"It's a booster seat!" Lee complains not wanting to be thought of as a baby.

"You're the smallest Ave. Theo wouldn't fit." Levi sighs like he's said that a million times before... which he has... every school day.

"Suck it up, boys." Dad cuts in."The 20-minute drive to school won't kill you, and if you hate riding in the car that much, shift and run. As long as one of you drives the pups, I don't care."

"But then we'll be all sweaty at school." Theo argues.

"Maybe that will teach you not to total your car. At any rate, if you three pester your mom about this one more time, you'll all be running to school, and I'll take the pups until your attitudes improve." Dad threatens them. "Driving is a privilege. One I can and will revoke. Part of being allowed to drive to school is driving your siblings."

My older brothers grumble, but no one argues. Eventually, we all pile into Levi's car. For once, they don't argue the entire way there, but I can tell they are still a bit salty.

I make it through most of the day without incident. At second recess, that peace, however, is broken.

"What did you tell the Alpha!" Garrett, the Alpha of third grade growls pushing me against the fence.

"What are you talking about?" I respond, standing up straight.

One of our wolf lessons was about dominance. In any group of wolves, a little "Alpha" will appear. Wolves follow strength, and Garrett has proven himself the strongest. Because I never fought them, I became essentially a rogue wolf. As a "rogue," it is accepted that the "pack" would be against me. I didn't realize how much the adult world would be mirrored in the elementary school world, but here we are.

"The Alpha took you into his office after you nearly got us killed by that rogue! What. Did. You. Tell. Him!?" He growls pushing me with each word.

I feel my wolf stir within me. I guess after getting to know that side of myself better, he is more willing to protect me.

"Don't touch me!" I growl. I can feel my eyes flashing with my wolf, and all the boys step backward.

"What are you gonna do about it, human?" Garrett hisses.

"Maybe you shouldn't..." Gavin, Garrett's best friend and the "Beta" of third grade starts, but Garrett ignores him.

"Come on. What are you gonna do?" He says, and I take a deep breath. I can't start a fight. Uncle Scott said that. I don't want to fight, but the wolf in me? He does. "Exactly, nothing." With that, Garrett punches me, and I feel my control on my wolf snap.

I lunge at my prey, who shrieks as he tries to elude me. Once he realizes he has no escape, he shifts as well. We circle each other and are about to lunge as two larger wolves scruff us.

I feel the growl of the teacher rumble through me as I dangle from his maw. I see the other students head inside and Garrett hanging from another teacher's mouth.

Once we both still we are taken inside. The walk of shame for any pup here. Being scruffed by a teacher and carried down the hall to the accidental shift room. Garrett is dropped inside first before the teacher carrying him heads down the hallway. Garrett seems to know the drill as he disappears into the room. Soon, he is standing outside in fresh clothes.

Next, I am placed in, but I look back at the teacher who brought me here. I don't know what to do. Garrett scoffs as his teacher returns.

"Shift and find clothes that fit." The teacher tells me. "No speaking unless spoken to until your Alpha arrives. We will be calling him to deal with you two."

I nod and go into the room. There is quite a lot to choose from in the closet here. It doesn't take too long to find something that fits, and it all seems new.

I keep my head down as I exit the room. We are led to the principal's office to wait for our Alpha's arrival. Both teachers remain, I guess, as witnesses, while we sit quietly.

"What happened?" We hear the voice before we see Alpha Scott walk through the door.

How do we think Alpha Scott will respond?

What do you think will happen with the bullies?

Let me know what you think!

-Ru