Chapter 4: Change.

I giggle and skip outside to see my brothers stuffing my luggage into the car trunk and that lonely feeling creeps in through the back of my heart.

“That’s the last one, shut the trunk Yohan” Mom tells him just when I come to give her a side hug, pressing my face into her shoulder.

“Changing your mind so fast?” Harrison wiggles his brows at me and I glare deathly at him who quickly looks away, whistling.

“Don’t be mean Harry, she’s leaving, at least bid her properly for once” Mom scolds and he groans, dragging his feet towards me.

We’re staring at each other at first and next, his fingers sink into my hair as a smile grows on his face, making his slate-blue hazels twinkle softly. “You be a brave girl and stick up for yourself. Anyone try to mess with you, just let me know. And I’ll eat them aliv-

“Harrison” Mom reprimands and he moves away to hide behind Hayes who frowns at him. “What? I was being encouraging”.

I shake my head with an amused smile just when I see Grandma making her way towards us. I step aside to fall into the same path as her and when she sees me, she smiles warmly.

“Aw my little princess is leaving today. Do take care and listen to your uncle and aunt okay?” She embraces me gently and I nod against the top of her shoulder.

“I will, and take care of yourself too grandma. I know my brothers can be different shades of pain…but they’ll behave when you scold them”.

“Hey Heather don’t say unnecessary things and get your ass into the car already” I hear Harlow’s disgruntled voice and giggle secretly.

Zachery comes to hug me from the side and I rest the lower side of my face against his head. “I’ll be fine Zach, you look after Weslee and be obedient to mom. Okay?”

He hums his reply and I smile, now standing on my own and staring at my lovely family.

“Wait! Wait! I’m not there yet!” And big sister Marian comes stumbling into the group with her blonde hair all over the place.

She pushes through the boys to pull me into a tight hug, “I’m gonna miss having you around! Did Marina call you already?”

I nod, “She did…ranting her regrets for not being able to come bid me herself. Ugh! You all make it seem like I’m leaving for some far away land. I’m just over at the next city”.

I drawl with an eyeroll and get my head trapped beneath Harry’s arm. “Hey! Let me go!”

“Son let your sister go, and it’s time to leave” dad and uncle walk into the scene and I’m instantly set free.

Twisting my neck and rubbing with my palm to rid the strain, I puff my cheeks. The prospect of no longer seeing these people everyday like I grew up to, burning in my eyes.

It’s hard to bring my lips to make the words as I stare at them. Exhaling forcefully, I brace myself and steel a smile.

“Goodbye now, I love you all and I’ll give you call once I get there. Bye Mom!” Especially her! I can’t live without my mother!

Dad wraps an arm around her waist to pull her into his side as she smiles tearily at me, blowing me a kiss. “I love you, sweetheart and stay strong”.

I give her my best smile and avoid my brothers’ gummy hug as I run into the backseat of the car.

“Ready Heather?” Uncle asks and I nod, slowly tearing my eyes from the window to sit properly. “Yeah….”

                                ***

“Heather!” And I’m engulfed by my cousins, Gloria and Kamila who keep screaming as they literally drag me into the house.

“Gosh! I thought I was under an attack” I gasp dramatically, earning giggles from them.

We don’t get to walk too far when I’m nudged from my side and when I look to see who it is, my smile widens.

“Drake! Alpha Leon!” They’re the girls’ elder brothers. Alpha Leon is the alpha of ‘Black storm pack’, taking after his father while Drake is his younger brother who’s the same age as my brother, Yohan.

“You’ve grown up so fast. But you still got a long way to go though” Drake teases, a smug smirk on his face and I pout angrily.

He’s bonked on the head by his older brother who scolds him, “Don’t go spitting nonsense and get her luggage out of the trunk and into her room. Now”

Drake groans but does as told while I and the others walk into the living room where aunt comes, holding a spatula in her hand and coming to hug me with Zenaida by her side. She’s alpha Leon’s pregnant mate and Luna.

“Heather, you’re here. Welcome dear” Aunt pulls me into a hug and I reply the hug eagerly.

“And you must be hungry from the drive here, come sit at the table let me serve you your meal” Zenaida beams at me and I smile over at her.

“You should give your mother a call- have a sit” They began to fuss about me and it makes me feel so happy to be here.

But I don’t let Zenaida do anything to which she pouts to but still does as told and sits on the sofa by the fireplace, drinking slowly from the cup of water in her palms.

“Heather, come check out your room. We’ll help you unpack” they girls crowd me again but aunt shakes her head at them.

“Not so fast you two, let her put something in her tummy first. You can do that later- where’s your father?” She cranes her neck in search and I step in to provide a reply.

“He’s out with alpha Leon and they’ve gone to the pack house- oops! Mom’s calling first” I smack my face with my palm as I scold myself for not calling her first.

The moment I slide over the answer icon, her voice comes caressing my ear and I smile.

“Sweetie, have you arrived? How’s everyone?” I smile at the concern and love in her voice.

“Sorry my love, I didn’t call first. I just got here, and the house is cool. About to eat me a good yummy meal” I act the part and hear her laughter from the other end coupled with Weslee and Zachery’s.

“I’ll let you eat up and call later, okay?” She says and I nod like she can see me, “Okay, bye Mom. I love you”

“Always the mummy’s girl” Drake comes to sit directly opposite me and I stick my tongue out at him. “Jealous much?”

“What- no! Like hell…” His voice tappers off at the end and I scoff.

After my sumptuous meal, I race up the stairs to my room with my cousins to unpack my things and get the room arranged.

“You’ll be attending the same school as me. Great! I won’t have to be alone nor bother about making friends with you here” Gloria lays backward on my bed and I poke her head with a giggle.

“You’re still stuck up in your room all day huh? No worries, I’m here to heat things up anyway” I give her a wink and she rolls onto her tummy.

“It’s such a good thing you came…freed from those wolves” She squeals dramatically and I push her away.

“They’re my brothers you know- and I’m a wolf too”. She hisses to the side, “Ugh! Don’t ruin my moment please”.

I place the framed family photo onto my bedside table with a smile lingering on it. It’s a perfect capture of little ten year-old me and the rest of my big noisy family. Letting go slowly, I plop down on my bed with the girls who have found a photo album in my backpack. And we pass the night reminiscing my good old golden memories.

And in four days, I start school.