The twins, still in their wolf form, raced right into the lake playing like little pups. Dipping their heads into the water every so often to wash off the remaining flour stuck to them.
Everyone else went to shift back into human form. While they did this, I went into the woods to gather wood. When I came back with a heavy load there were lawn chairs set up around our fire pit.
Jared we came over and took the wood from my arms with a smile. My arms were grateful to the lessened weight. As I shook out my arms, hot breath floated over my neck as arms wrapped around my waist. I was then lifted off the ground spinning in circles. I shrieked as I realized it was Finn as he laughed in my ear.
Pounding on his arms trying to get him to let me down. Saying between giggles, "Let, me, down!" Once I was gently lowered onto the ground I spun around to face Finn. A huge grin spread across his mouth as he saw my face. "Come on, your going to have old lady wrinkles," Finn held back a laugh as he touched my creasing forehead.
Shooing his hand away, I walked and sat down into a chair. Trying to hide a smile but failing miserably. The next couple of hours went by fast as we told campfire stories and roasted marshmallows.
Taking a bite into my third s'more the twins told a scary story in low whispers. Focusing my attention on them I didn't hear the footsteps that where approaching me. "Rarrr!"
I jumped in surprise as my s'more fell to the ground in a sad thud. I turned around to see who gave me the heart attack and saw Lilac showing her canines. I slapped her on the shoulder with her feigning hurt.
"Guys, don't do this to me," my voice sounding a little whinny.
Lilac laughed as she took her seat next to me. "Awe Cress, its just so easy," Lilac responded.
I grunted as I picked up my pitiful s'more covered in sand. Sighing I threw it into the fire. With my fingers sticky I decided to wash them off.
Slowly, I got up stretching my stiff muscles from sitting for 3 hours. Walking towards the water, a feeling of content washed over me.
I bent down into a crouch position and rinsed my hands in the cooling water. Looking out into the beautiful dark blue water, the moon's reflection shimmered in the water as soft waves came to shore.
A sigh escaped my mouth as worries came to mind. Tomorrow will be my first time going to a real school. I have always been home-schooled because my parents were afraid of all the bullying that would happen to me.
Since I am a shift-less pure bred. It would be another story if one of my parents were human than the chances of having a shift-less child would be 50%.
But that's not all. I am deemed a freak since I have blonde hair and blue eyes the opposite of my parents. My parents think I got my blonde hair from my grandma who is my mom's mom and a human.
But no one knows where I got my blue eyes since my grandma had brown. Unless, one of my ancestors had blue eyes. But its really confusing because my brothers look exactly like my parents but I don't.
I am even the shortest standing only 5 foot 3 while my brothers are 6 foot 2. My mom is 5 foot 8 and my father is 6 foot 3. I really am like the runt of a pack.
A gentle warm hand landed on my shoulder and I jolted in surprise. I looked up and saw dark brown eyes with the black rim around the irises looking down at me. I smiled at Garrett as he knelt down next to me washing his hands.
I watched the water swirl as I moved my fingers around. A sigh sounded from Garrett and I looked up into worrying eyes. I ducked my head down while my feet played in the sand knowing what he's going to say.
With a gentle but deep voice he said, "Cress you need to stop stressing over everything you'll make yourself sick. I know you'll do just fine tomorrow."
I nodded and stood up. With rocks in my hand I started to skip stones. Garrett did the same with a sigh escaping his lips. Garrett can always tell whats going on in my mind.
Oooh, I skipped 5. Then Garret skipped 10. I wrinkled up my face in playful annoyance. How can he do that. I shouldn't be surprise but somehow it always does surprise me.
Then, having an urge to tell Garrett my thoughts, I said in a gentle but slightly shaky voice:
"I know ... I have been trying but its hard not to think that I am different and that scares me a little. I don't think the bullying will bother me as much because I know they just want to pick on someone to make them feel big. But what I worry about is that they could be telling the truth." Tears threatened to spill down my cheek as I desperately tried holding them in. I won't be weak in front of him.
Strong arms enveloped me as he put his head in the crook of my neck. Feeling his steady breathing against my neck, I took a deep breath in trying match his. To my surprise, I didn't realize that my breathing was on the verge of hyperventilating.
Garret's calming scent of pine needles and warm campfire washed over me. Garrett is practically three times my size standing 6 foot 3. He's all muscle, but it comforts me.
Garrett always does this to calm me down. Its like he can feel me stressing out even though I try to hide it. He is one of the only people who really gets me. Not that my family and friends don't, its just easier with him somehow.
He's always there for me. Almost like an overly sweet and protective brother.
Garrett seemed to sense me calm down and slowly unraveled himself from me. He placed his hands on my shoulders and turned me around. With my short height, I look right below his chest.
I didn't look up at him because I was unsure what to say after feeling a little embarrassed.
Seeing that I didn't look up at him, he brought his long fingers and gently tips my chin up so I was looking into his eyes.
In a serious, but sweet voice, he says, "Cress, you are perfect just the way you are and don't let anyone or anything define you, ever. You got that." He said with a little more emphasize on "ever" and I nodded my head.
When he was content with my response, he ushered me back to the campfire keeping his hand on the middle of my back.
No one noticed that we left or if they did, they didn't let on that they saw. They know that our relation is a little different. After a few minutes, we all decided to pack up and head back since we start school tomorrow.
Garrett and his wolf allowed me onto his back again with the help of Lilac and her wolf. With Garrett in the lead, we all headed back to the clearing. As everyone changed back into human form, I grabbed my prank buckets and walked back to the Chief's son's house. (Aka the Alpha's house)
Jake and Jared soon caught up to me as they started to push each other around playfully. Boys will be boys. I smiled as I shook my head.
Jake saw me smiling and came over happily resting his arm on my head. "Jake!" I said with mild annoyance as I tried to duck from his arm.
Jake's eyes started to glint as he found something humorous to do. Jake asked, "Did you hear anything? It sounded like a squeak or something."(reference from Horton Hears a Who by Dr. Seuss)
Jared piped in with a noticeably cheerfully attitude. "No i didn't. I can't see anyone either." The twins started to look every which way trying to find the person who the sound belonged to.
I giggled knowing the boys were trying to cheer me up. "I am right here!" I exclaimed, faking anger. The boys stopped faking surprise as they looked at me.
Jared's eyes went wide as Jake said, "Whoa, when did you appear." Then we all bursted out laughing as we thought about how funny it was.
As I lead the way into the house a tall, slim women with long raven black hair, dark brown eyes and a warm soft smile peaked her head from the living room. With an increasing loving smile from seeing her kids she went hurriedly over to them.
My mom came over and gave me a big wolf hug. I wrapped my arms around her inhaling her smell of flowers and fresh dew. Then she gave a bone crushing hug to each of my brothers.
Then a tall intimidating man stood well over 6 feet came into view. Ducking from the low ceiling, his black hair was in a braid down his back with a very minuscule amount of flecks of grey.
Anyone would know who his son's are because they are an exact replica. However, the father had more pronounced features.
"Daddy!" I said running and gave his waist a hug.
Chuckling, my father replied warmly, "Hey there Cressie." Patting my head before we broke our hug.
My father walked over to my mom's side and placed a kiss on her head before pulling her close. I smiled at the affection they gave each other.
I hope one day I'll be imprinted on and have a mate of my own. If, I mean, only if, I have one. Its said that the moon goddess gives everyone a mate good or bad. Oh, how I wish that I have one.
Knowing I probably should get ready for bed, I exclaimed, "I am going to get ready for bed. Gotta be rested for the first day of school."
I smiled trying to hide my doubts and expressed excitement instead. I think it worked because my family smiled. I ran quickly up the stairs to my bedroom on the second story.
Once in my room, I grabbed a pair of light weight pajamas, undergarments and ran into the shower. When I was done, I crawled into my comfortable bed and pulled the quilt to my chin.
Sleep quickly overcame me from the days events with my last thought of the moon's reflection glimmering on the water.