2.

Sophia pov.

“The wolves were really big. I didn't think I'd be able to right them off, but it seemed like the more the cane, the stronger I became.

I had been taking a walk when I heard a scream of a young child. She was being attacked by wolves and they looked really hungry.

I sprung into action, taking my wold form and standing in front of her.

I felt really alive while fighting. When I had dealt with them, I turned back to make sure the little girl was okay.

I started walking away, thinking she would be afraid of my wolf form, but she stretched out a hand and I brought my head down.

She used her little arms to wrap me as far as they could go and she said,

“Thank you, my Alpha."

I wake up with a jolt and squint my eyes at the sunlight. A sudden knock on my door, frightens me further.

“Come in."

Sam and Sunny walk through the door.

“You idiot, I told you we should have waited a while longer. You woke her up!" Sam whisper yells at Sunny.

“No you didn't. Stop acting so smart. You were the one who said you wanted to check on her-"

“Oh shut up! Well, we've woken her up now. We can't put her back to sleep."

“With witchcraft we can... It happened in Snow White. All we need is a magical poisoned apple."

I stared at the both of them go back and forth and I have to admit that I missed this arguing.

Sometimes, I doubted if Sam was older, because he and Sunny acted like the same age... always bantering and fighting over little things.

“How're you feeling, Sis? Sorry this buffoon woke you up. Next time, I won't forget his chains."

Seeing my cousins like this brought a smile to my face.

“I'm fine. I'm actually hungry so could the both of you out yourself to good use and get me some food..without the poisoned apple? "

“Yes! Right away, My Alpha!" Sam said and immediately slapped his hand over his mouth.

“What did you just say?"

“Nothing. I said nothing!" His demeanor said otherwise.

“Who's the idiot now?" Sunny says with a smile.

Sam immediately rushes out of the room with his hand still on his mouth and Sunny smiles and gets closer to me..

“Forgive him. He hasn't taken his medicine. As you can see, he's clearly mad. I'll be the bigger brother and I'll make sure he takes it."

“Sunny", I start, “Why did he call me an Alpha?"

“I told you, the man is clearly mad."

“No, it wasn't just him... Yesterday Aunt Kathy, you and I had a dream just now about..."

“Well then, it seems everyone in this household is mad. I'll leave you to your madness now." He says and hurriedly walks out of my room.

I freshen up and take a deep breath. I get to see my dad today. I didn't know what to expect. Would he accept or reject me?

My dad is a nice man, but he didn't like indiscipline

I go downstairs, smelling the burnt eggs and bacon my brothers plan on bringing me for breakfast.

Just then, Aunt Kathy walks out of the guest room saying,

“What in the world are the bunch of you doing?"

“It was him!" Sam and Sunny say at the same time, pointing to each other.

I just laugh and Aunt Kathy turns to me.

“Morning, Aunt Kathy. I asked your son's to get me something to eat. I just didn't know they'd try to burn the house with us in it."

“If you wanted breakfast, you should have just asked me. Now shoo! Shoo! Both of you." She chases them both away. “Go clean you uncle up."

The mention of my father makes my stomach churn, and I don't feel hungry anymore. Aunt Kathy seems to notice this because she says,

“Its going to be alright."

I sit on one of the stools and rest on the kitchen counter.

“How bad is his Illness? How long does he have-?"

I let out a cough and a sneeze.

“Bless you. The poison had already got deep into his system, by the time we found out, he was already weak from the inside. The sorcerer said he has a few weeks to live. We're glad you came back. He needs you. He's holding on just for you. He needs to see you before he dies." She says softly.

“Why? He has Seth. He's the oldest son I let out another sneeze.

“It seems like you're coming down with a cold. I'll get you some medicine."

“I'll be fine. Just give me the food."

I quickly wolf down the food (pun intended). It's time to face my father and I don't think I can.

I knock gently, and enter the room.

The room is so cold. My dad who was a large man now seems like a shrunken old man. His lips were so pale and I slowly walked to his side.

I reached out to hold his hand, and I jumped at how hot he was. I was so lost in thought I didn't notice he had woken up.

“Is that you, My Sophie?" My dad's feeble voice made my heart break.

“Yes daddy. It's me. It's your Sophie."

“You didn't correct me this time. You always used to say your name was Sophia and not Sophie. My little princess." He let out a small laugh.

“I'm so sorry, dad. I'm so so sorry. I wasn't here to protect you. I let-" The tears just kept rushing down my face and I couldn't control them.

“No, it's not your fault. Don't ever think that. Everything happened for a reason. Everything led back to you. You are going to take over from me, Sophia. You will be the Alpha."

“Dad, what are you saying? My cousins-"

“Your cousins are not fit. Seth's anger, irrationality and fierceness is not fit for the throne, and do you really think I'd let those other two children rule my people?"

“But, how can I do this? I don't even know the first thing about leading anyone. I can't even tell Sam and Sunny what to do. I can't even find my own socks sometimes."

What in the world was my dad thinking?

“Being an Alpha, isn't about getting it right. It's about giving your best and trying to make your people happy. I've seen you. I watched you growing up. You exhibited characters only an Alpha would. Remember the dream you had when you were a child, that was the confirmation we needed. And the dream you had this morning as well." My dad held my hand.

“How did you know about that?" I shivered. The room was too cold.

“I'm the Alpha. I know everything. You'll understand when you take over from me. Sophia, this is my dying wish. Be strong, I believe in you. You're falling sick. Go get some rest. I'm not dying now.

“Sleep well, dad. "

I slowly shut the door, holding onto the door handle and resting my head against the door. I sneezed again and I honestly didn't feel so good.

I walked back to him to and laid down on my bed, covering myself with the bed cover.

Now I knew why Seth hasn't spoken to me since I came. He feels robbed. He's the oldest child and naturally, the title of Alpha is supposed to go to him.

Aunt Kathy walks in with a tray.

“Your father says you need some attention."

She placed the tray containing chicken broth and medication down.

“You father always talked about you. And he told me you won't take medication without chicken soup. So I made some."

Thinking about this made me teary and I started crying, remembering how my dad always cared for me when I was sick.

“. I can't loose dad too. I'll have no one else."

She got closer to me and pulled my head down to her chest, patting me.

“You'll always have me. I can't take the place of your dad and you know I don't have a female child. so I would love to take care of you. You'll also have your Uncle Tim and Fred. Your cousins would give their life to protect you. You will never be alone."

She wipes my tears and begins feeding me the broth soup and gives me my medication. She takes the tray and tucks me back into bed.

I close my eyes to force myself to sleep, when my door opens. There's only one person that doesn't knock when entering my room.

Seth.

I sit up on the bed and look at him. He just wears a poker face and puts his hands in his pocket.

“I heard you were sick."

“I am."

“You'll be fine. Try to get some rest." He says and begins to walk away. It was obvious he was so uncomfortable. He had never been the one to be emotional or express his feelings.

He always tried to bottle everything up.

“I'm sorry. For leaving. I'm sorry I wasn't here to protect them when it happened. I'm sorry I left everything in your care. I'll try to change my Dad's mind. I don't want this. I don't deserve the position. You'll do better. " I try to explain.

“You don't have a choice. Neither do i. I must admit, when he first said it, I was so mad. But now, I've come to accept it as it's his dying wish. " He says and gives me a small smile.

“I'll find who did this and make them pay. I promise." At least, I owed my dad this.

“I believe you, My Alpha. I'm glad you're safe sis."

When he reaches the door,

“I won't mind being the General of the Army though. I'm sure I'd do better than you ever will."

He shuts the door behind him and I let out a smile. I'm happy things between Seth and I are good now. Seth had always protected me when we were younger and I really loved my cousin.

Another knock comes through the door and it seems like everyone in this house didn't want me to get the rest they kept asking me to.

Two heads poke through a small crack in the door.

“Are you asleep, Soph?" Sunny says with his baby voice he knows I like.

“I don't think that can ever happen since everyone keeps coming in here. Come in." I give in.

Him and Sam happily trot into my room and sit on my bed, on either side.

“Seth said you're sick, Soph." Sunny holds my face in his hands.

“No shit Sherlock, look at her. She looks like Frankenstein."

My eye widen and I gasp.

“Sam! Do I look that bad?"

“No! No! No! I meant, you look pale. I didn't mean you looked ugly." It's cute watching him try to defend himself.

“Ignore him, Soph. Told you he was mad." Seth dismisses him.

“We're here at your service. We'll be your handy men till you get better. "

“Thanks guy, right now, I just want to get some sleep . I have a headache."

“Alright, get some sleep."

“Arent you guys going to leave? "

“Nope. We'll be here for a long as we should."

I give up trying to convince them to leave, knowing full well they won't, unless they wanted to.

I close my eyes and start drifting to sleep as Sam begins singing a song dad always sang when we were kids. Sunny and I join in soon after.

The door opens... again and I open my eyes to see Seth standing there.

“Can I join? " He says, playing with his hands.

He comes to sit at the foot of the bed and all four of us start singing and and soon enough, I'm lulled to sleep.

We didn't know my dad heard us singing and it brought a smile to his face.