Rejecting the Future Moon Goddess

CHAPTER 2 Family

　　Seven years later…

　　I giggle happily, eyes following my brother Alex as I stumble around the yard, chasing his brown wolf form and reaching for the fluffy tail he wags before me. Alex stays just out of my reach, as always, his tongue lolling from the right side of his muzzle. He gives me a wolfish grin with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

　　"Geminie, leave your brother alone," My father, Bastian Blake, Beta of Hidden Claws, orders. His stern, angry eyes bear down on me, making me stop in my tracks as a small spark of fear buds inside me. Alex nudges my hand gently, whining lowly as he wraps his furry form around me.

　　"Alex and I are playing, Father," I answer quietly, leaning into Alex for comfort while trying to avoid the glare my father sends me. At seven years old, I have never been able to understand why my parents are so strict with me. With Alex being only eight years older than me at fifteen, I always felt like he was the favourite of the two of us. From the food he receives to the gifts given, I am nothing but a second thought to my parents. No matter how close we are and how much my brother adores me, in my parents' eyes, I am nothing compared to my brother and the pups of our Alpha and Luna.

　　"Gem, as always, your brother is the future Beta. Mika will be his priority as Mika will be our next Alpha. You are just a she-wolf who will have to move the moment you find your mate." My mother Jasmine Blake states, rolling her eyes and standing next to my father. Alex lets out a sigh and licks my face, motioning towards the house and silently telling me he is going to shift and clothe himself before returning to help me with our parents. Alex, thankfully, never agreed with our parents and always stood up for me.

　　"As Alex's little sister, he should protect me too. We are family, and it should be his job to protect his family." I argue back, upset at feeling like nothing to my parents once again. I just want their love and affection too. Within a blink of an eye, my body is falling sideways, and the sting of flesh hitting my cheeks brings me to the reality my mother has just slapped me. Anger radiates off of both of my parents as their eyes glare daggers at me.

　　"Geminie Blake, Mika will always be more important than you, and that is final." She yells. My father stands silently behind her, disappointment mixed in with his angry gaze as he continues to stare down at me. I hate both of them. I hate their unfair treatment and reminders that I am not important, that I will be nothing but a mate to some wolf one day and must be an obedient lady. Without another word, tears falling down my chubby cheeks and the stinging sensation on the left side of my face, I take off to the woods behind me and rush towards where I can feel safe and loved. My father's shouting for me to return, along with fear of any punishment they will give me if I turn back, fuels me to run even faster towards the river, where I can hide my scent from anyone who tries to follow me.

　　Alex taught me this trick where if you enter a river until it is up to your knees and walk in either direction, the water washes away any scent a werewolf can follow and allows you to get away safely. My direction is the waterfall north of the pack territory's boundaries. My safe spot lies just beyond the flowing water. Wading into the shallow part of the river, I wipe the tears still falling from my eyes to help me see as I make the two-hour trip to the waterfall that falls from the large mountain our pack sits in front of. I soon find the vines that climb up the side of the rocks that I easily slide behind. Keeping inside the small stream that flows into a hidden cave, I let the glowing moonstones guide me toward my destination. The stream breaks into two and a light at the end of the cave indicates sunlight.

　　A lush meadow greets me, my short legs hidden in the tall grass and wildflowers as I walk towards the weeping willow tree, wiping angrily at my tears. This is my happy place; I refuse to cry here.

　　"Gem, who hurt you this time, Little Wolf?" A soft, melodious voice fills my ears as I lean against the tree where she waited.

　　"My parents, as usual," I whimper, feeling strong arms pick me up and hold me gently to a warm body, one who smells like the wildflowers here.

　　"What happened this time?" Lizaria, the elf who guards this hidden meadow, continues, her long black hair blowing in the wind as she comforts me.

　　"The usual. Alex and I were playing but I was told to leave him alone. I will never be important to them, will I?" I answer, my voice growing quiet as I look into the elf's green eyes.

　　"You are bound for great things, Little Wolf. I can see it," She says instead, always dodging my questions. I pout, tears flowing down my chubby cheeks once again. Lizaria sighs, carrying me from the comfortable shade under the willow tree towards the small lake where unicorns drink and frolic around.

　　"Little Wolf, one day I may not be able to protect the unicorn. Witches and werewolves, especially Soulless, hunt them for the magic hidden in their bodies and their blood. Do you know why I let you come in?" She asks, her eyes holding pride at the hidden home she protects. I shake my head no after thinking, my white curls bouncing with the movement as a light breeze brings the scent of flowers closer to us.

　　"Because you look at them as friends. I was wary that day I found you here, curled up amongst the foals, fast asleep. Always sending you back home, but you would show up." Lizaria smiles at me, her slender fingers wiping away the tears from my face as she kisses my forehead. That was last year after a fight father and I had. I followed a comforting scent up the river and that's where I saw the unicorns.

　　"Do you mean it?" I ask quietly, hiding my face in the crook of her neck.

　　"Of course, Little Wolf. Now, go to sleep, it's late. You'll wake up at home soon." Lizaria's voice soothes me to sleep, my little body exhausted from all the crying and the soothing talk with the elf I think of as my mom.

　　"Gemmy, is this where you have been all day?" A hand shakes my shoulder gently awake, and my eyes slowly open to see Alex looking worriedly at me. His hand touches my face, causing me to wince, and his eyes harden in the dim light. I most likely gained a bruise from that slap earlier today. I am in Alex's closet, lying on a teddy bear two times the size of my small body, as the clothes hanging above me hide me from view in case anyone comes looking for me. This is the same place Lizaria always sends me to keep me safe.

　　"Yes, I fell asleep crying." The lie comes easily as Alex ruffles my hair and carefully scoops me into his arms with a sigh. Silently, my brother carries me into my room and tucks me into bed, a look of sadness in his eyes that I have never seen before.

　　"I always tell them that you always hide in my room, but they never listen. You're my little sister, and I know you, Gemmy." Alex starts off, running his hands through his hair and staring outside my window at the Full Moon shining down on us with a warm glow that brings me peace.

　　"I know, Alex." I yawn, giving my brother a sleepy smile at his concern.

　　"Go to bed, Gemmy. You have a big day tomorrow with the Alpha Family." He bids me goodnight and flicks off the lamp beside my bed before getting up and leaving me to sleep under the comforting glow of the moonlight.