Ilayda

Taking a deep breathe I force myself to roll out of the comfort of my bed and make my way over to the bathroom. Throwing my messy hair up in a bun, careful to keep my ears covered to hide my horns as best as I can, I slip on a pair of leggings, warm socks and a hoodie and make my way downstairs. With it being early march it was still a little chilly outside. As soon as I hit the bottom step I'm nearly knocked over by two little bodies that crash into me.

“Theo, Leo, don’t knock your sister over!” my mom shouts from the kitchen. 

I looked down at them, Theo was 5 and Leo was 3 and they both had deep brown curly hair, they looked just like dad, but had moms vibrant eyes. “It’s alright mom I just wasn’t paying attention” I shout to her. 

I look up and see her leaning against the doorframe to the kitchen, a smile on her face. As beautiful as ever even in an apron, straw blond hair in a messy bun and 5 months pregnant, her blue eyes looked tired but always shone. I loved this woman. Crouching down I looked at my brothers and in a silly voice said “Have you been good for mom?” They looked guilty on the ground and shook their heads. “No? Well I think it’s time for tickle punishment!” They giggled and started running away as fast as their little legs could carry them as I chased them around the living room. 

I felt Soni smile in my head as she curled up, she loved these boys. I heard the front door open and the familiar scent of my father wafted into the house. He always smelled like a cup of freshly brewed earl gray tea, it was calming. 

“Honey, welcome back! Are you staying for breakfast?” I heard mom shout.

“Yeah I got some time!” He holard back. My dad always went out to the forest in the early morning to hunt for herbs and roots he could use in his homeopathic remedies. As a doctor he used modern medicine but was a firm believer that the earth could heal you just as well. He came over to me and pecked me on the cheek before swooping down and grabbing his boys. “So I’ve heard you’ve been giving your mom and sister some trouble huh? I think it’s time for some food in these bellies.” My dad chides and pokes them in their tummies and takes the boys into the kitchen. 

“Hey Dad?” I asked helping Theo into his seat.

“Yes pumpkin?” My dad responded as he wrestled Leo into his highchair.

“Soni really needs to get out and run around. Do you think there could be a safe time to do that?” I asked nervously. Soni’s ears perked up. Soni wasn’t a normal wolf, she was very small and sparkly, white gold like a star with glitter that shedded off her when she ran. Thankfully it didn’t leave a trail and disappeared instantly. More just like sparkles that surrounded her constantly. Her eyes were like pink diamonds and she was faster than a normal wolf and could jump longer distances almost as if she was flying. So we had to be very careful about who saw her because it was very evident she was not the average wolf.

My Dad finished with Leo and looked up at me with a sad smile. “Let me ask the Alpha Pumpkin to make sure. You know you can’t be seen.” 

I bite the inside of my cheek and look down sadly and nodded in understanding. 

Mom, sensing my displeasure comes around and cups my cheeks. “How about letting her out in the garden? Just for now baby, it’s hidden enough.” she said and placed a small kiss on my forehead. 

I looked up at her and smiled, Soni’s tail instantly started wagging. She loved the garden, being surrounded by all of the plants always made her happy. “That would be perfect mom thank you.”

She looked at me sternly. “But don’t leave the garden.” she said. “I can’t risk anything happening to you” Her eyes held a sadness before shifting back into her usual cheery self. “Alright family let’s eat” she clapped and sat in her seat next to dads.

I helped serve Theo who sat next to me before serving myself and listened to my parent’s discuss the day, something about the alphas son taking over, which I tooned out because I already knew as the new alpha and luna were my best friends. I reached over and grabbed one of moms famous vanilla cranberry scones and took a huge bite of it nearly moaning from the flavor.  

"Ila?" Soni prods. Startling me out of the food trance I was slowly falling into.  

"Yes Soni?"

"Do you think our mate will love us as much as mom and dad love each other?" She muses.

I don’t know Soni, maybe one day the moon goddess will be kind enough to grant us a mate. Then we will know. I reply. 

But truthfully I had no idea. I wasn't even sure if I wanted a mate. But that wasn't up to me to decide. 

After breakfast I shoed mom a way to rest while dad got Theo ready to take to kindergarten. Washing dishes was calming and it was the least that I could do for mom. By the time I was done Dad had already taken Theo and Leo was playing in the living room while mom sat in her rocking chair. 

Bringing her a warm cup of tea I said, “I’m going into the garden mom” and kissed her temple.

“Be careful baby” she said lovingly, “and be back soon”.

“I will, I promise” I say to her. I could practically feel Soni jumping up and down in my head with excitement. I strip off my clothes so I don’t ruin them and let the shift take over. Soni comes to the front of my mind and I let her take control. As soon as we shift she starts stretches her legs and walks around the garden.