Chapter 2

Singarti took off like a shot from a gun in the direction of home. We retraced our run to the waterfall at full speed. I had to come to a screeching halt when my path home was blocked by rogues! Three of them, to be exact. I mind linked my brothers as I looked around to be able to tell them where I am, “Guys, I have three rogues in front of me, starting to attack. I’m by the hollowed out oak tree.” They all gasped and Micah linked, “On our way, sis. Try to hold them off.” I closed the link and ran into the group, grabbing the throat of one. I picked him up and slammed him into the ground, breaking his neck to kill him. The other two just stood there, not attacking me. Probably because I’m an omega. They would realize their mistake when my brothers ran to them and killed them by grabbing throats and shaking violently to rip their throats out and letting their bodies drop to the ground. I just shook my head after it was all done and linked, “That was almost too easy. They didn’t even put up a fight.” Alex linked, “I’m pretty sure they were trying to take you alive.” I sighed, “It doesn’t matter now. They’re dead. Let’s get home. I have homework to do before Wednesday.” Micah agreed, “Yeah, let’s go.”

We ran, still in wolf form back to grandma’s house. I stopped to shift and get dressed while my brothers walked into the house in wolf form because they shredded their clothes when they shifted to get to me. I could hear grandma yelling at them from where I was getting dressed, “You boys better start shifting outside before I start swatting your mangey asses as I kick your wolves outside. I don’t care if you’re naked. We’re werewolves! There is nothing you got that we haven’t seen before.” I laughed as I listened and got dressed at the same time. I walked into the house and found grandpa sitting in his chair, reading some reports that Uncle Nico wanted his opinion on. I kissed him on the cheek and he smiled, “Did you have a good run?” I smiled, “I did. I was at the waterfall and felt like someone was watching. Singarti told me to get out of there, so we ran back. I was almost home when I was blocked by three rogues. They didn’t act like they wanted to fight me. They just stood there, waiting for me to attack.” He asked, “So that’s why your brothers jumped and ran out of here and why they walked back into the house a bloody mess and still in wolf form?” I laughed, “Yes. So, it may be my fault that they got the ass chewing from grandma.” He laughed, “They got the ass chewing because they wouldn’t shift back to human form before they walked into the house. That’s on them… not you.”

I went to my room, took a shower, then put on a black tank and a pair of black shorts. I took my phone out of my backpack and called mom. She answered on the first ring, “Hey sweetie, how was school today?” I smiled, “It was good. How are you doing today?” She sighed, “I’m fine, baby girl. Your dad is taking excellent care of me. There is no need for you to worry about me.” I retorted, “But you know I will because you would worry about me and you know it.” Mom responded, “Because I’m your mother and that’s my job. Your job is to trust your parents to take care of each other and live your own life.” I argued, “I’m not going to let my best friend suffer and not worry. Simple as that. Also, I have some other news for you.” Mom asked, “What is that?” I smiled, “I came up with a solution for my little dilemma. I saw my advisor today and told her about my predicament and she had the perfect solution. All of the classes I need to get my master’s degree are available on the online classes. Therefore, I will be able to come home, take care of you and still be able to go to college. I just won’t have to physically go anywhere. I just need to work on the assignments. Therefore, I will not be putting my dream on hold.” Mom went silent for so long, I had to ask, “Are you there? Did you hear what I said?” Mom replied, “I’m here. I’m just in shock that you would do that.” I smiled, “Mom, I know you want me to experience campus life, and I am. I hate it. I want to come home after this semester is over. I will be taking my classes online until it’s time to start my residency. I’m going to try to do my human residency at the hospital in Leadville. If I can’t do it there, I will try to do it in Denver.” Mom sighed, “You really want to do this, don’t you?” I replied, “I do, mom.” She replied, “Then I guess we will be expecting you to stay when your brothers go back.” I smiled, “They know what I’m doing and they really want to go to campus. I think Alex and Zach really need to be on campus. They don’t have the self-discipline to do this.” Mom agreed, “Yeah. They would never get any work done.” We talked a little while longer, then I ended the call after telling her I love her.

I sighed to myself and pulled out my trig book and calculator and sat at my desk. I took out my notebook and pencil, then started working on my homework when there was a knock on my door. I yelled, “Come in,” and my door opened slowly to reveal Zach, holding his trig book. I laughed, “Were you too busy with your arm candy to pay attention to the teacher’s lecture?” He chuckled, “Maybe. Can you help me understand this?” I spent the next hour explaining it to him, and it was like a light bulb turned on when he finally understood, “OH! I get it!”  I laughed and shook my head, “Wow. You really need to be paying attention to the professor instead of your arm candy for the day. What are you going to do when I start doing my classes online from mom and dad’s house?” He sighed, “I never thought about it. I just assumed you would always be around us.” I laughed, “You will always be able to reach me. I just won’t be in front of you.” He lowered his head in defeat, “I guess I’m just going to have to enjoy the time I have with you!” Then he jumped out of his seat and grabbed me, pulling me to the floor, then tickling me. Then my other two brothers ran in and yelled, “Pile on!” All three guys, totaling nearly eight hundred pounds, laid on top of me and I was about to lose my breath. I finally choked out, “Enough!” They all got off and I stood up, “You are all grown ass men acting like four-year-old boys. When are you going to grow up?” Alex yelled, “Never! Adulting is too hard.” I laughed, “You guys are nuts. Now get out of my room so I can do my homework.” The guys left my room, and I sat at my desk to continue where I left off.

When I finished my homework, I went to the kitchen, grandma was sitting in the living room. I grabbed a cup of hot water and a tea bag, then a slice of the coconut cake and sat in the living room with grandma. I smiled, “I told mom about what I did.” Grandma asked, “What did she say about it?” I sighed, “I told her why I did it and I think she finally understands why I want to do it. She’s finally giving in.” Grandma smiled, “Well, good. Your mom is a strong woman, Adele. She will get through this.” I sighed, “I would believe that if kidneys were readily available.” Grandma sighed, “I know, but we have to hold on to hope. Your mom has guts. She has the courage to get through this. She is otherwise healthy. If I know your mother, she is continuing her workouts and trying to eat healthier.” I nodded, “I think you’re probably right. When I get to go home, I will start working out with her again.” Grandma smiled as she winked at me, “I know you’re planning to help her live until her kidney transplant. Just don’t let her overdo it.” I smiled through my tears, “I wouldn’t dream of it. Part of me wants to baby her.” Grandma smiled, “You know you will drive her nuts if you do that.” I laughed, “I know. I just wish I could take it all away from her.”

Grandma sighed, “A kidney will come available soon. I have hope.”