Rejecting the Future Moon Goddess

CHAPTER 3 Bloody Picnic

　　"Now you know the rules, Geminie. Be polite and don't eat too much. You're a lady, not a Rogue." My father warns, and I nod, my curly white hair bouncing with the movement. Mother and Father set high expectations for me the moment I was old enough to hold a fork. Sit with your back straight and hands folded in your lap. Never rush to eat your food, and only eat what is on your plate—never ask for more. Never speak unless spoken to, and if I do not follow this rule when out in public around other pack members or dignified visitors, then Father will punish me. I learned quickly what a leather belt felt like against my skin the first time I asked for more food when I was hungry. After that, I obeyed each rule without a fuss, even if my back hurt from sitting straight for so long or if my stomach protested for food in the middle of the night.

　　"I understand, Father and I will behave properly," I answer quietly as I catch Alex clenching his fist and glaring at our father from behind him. After my first and only punishment for not following these rules, Alex and our cousin Gracie helped me with moving around and cleaning the wounds caused by my father's rage. I know that my brother is thinking about those long and painful four weeks I spent last year. I can tell both my father and mother, who stood just to his left side, are about to say something else in warning, but the front door behind me opens, revealing the easygoing, smiling Alpha Sorus as he walks in and ruffles my curled white hair. A tall man with black hair and tanned skin, Alpha Sorus always has treated me like his daughter, Lace. I feel safe with him and always wished that he had been my father and not this man who yells and threatens me.

　　"Sorry I'm late, Bastian. Mika was trying to find his new toy car to show Gemmie here. You know how kids are," Alpha Sorus explains, looking down and winking at me. I know that Alpha Sorus secretly wishes for me to be his son's mate. I had overheard my father and him talk about it one time when waking up in the middle of the night to use the washroom.

　　"It's fine, Alpha, I understand." My father answers, smiling warmly. Mother stays quiet, giving me one last warning look to behave before excusing herself and heading into the kitchen. I could never understand why my parents always warned me to behave. Can't they see that I'm a good girl? I stay silent as the Alpha and my father talk about pack matters, Alex giving me a reassuring smile.

　　[Remember to tell me all bout your day when you get home tomorrow.] Alex links, giving me a wink and quietly slipping out of the room after I agree happily, heading up the stairs to what I assume is his bedroom. Being the next Beta, I know Alex has been given work from our father to look through on the weekends as a way to train him. He hates it as my brother has little to no freedom to go out on the weekend like a normal teen. Something he complains a lot to me about when ever Alpha Sorus takes me out along with his family.

　　"Well, we should be heading out now before it gets too late. Bastian I will bring Gemmie home tomorrow safe and sound, so have a good night. You ready to go, Gemmie?" Finally, the conversation ends between the two grown wolves. I grin, looking at the out-stretched hand offered to me after picking up my bag that contained some clothing and a sleeping bag for the night.

　　"Yes, Alpha," I answer Alpha Sorus, taking his hand and skipping out the door as I leave without a glance backwards or saying goodbye to my parents. The excitement of getting away from this house and from my parents makes me extremely happy. The walk towards Mika, Lace, and Luna Reena—the blonde, fair-skinned wolf who Lace takes after—is filled with Alpha Sorus asking about my school life and what I've been up to since I last saw the Alpha Family. The pathway through the pack leads us closer to the dense forest on the west side of Hidden Claws. I love the smell of our forest, the scent of wildflowers mixed with tall Canadian maple trees and sturdy pines. I'm almost done telling the Alpha about the book I'm reading when I'm tackled to the ground, and a giggle fills my ears. Lace's scent fills my nose as her blonde hair brushes against my cheek.

　　"Hi, Gemmy!" She greets me, the two of us giggling as we sit up and start chatting about our trip today. Alpha Sorus chuckles as Lace and I jump to our feet excitedly, my friend pointing to where Mika and Luna Reena stand waiting for us. As usual, Mika is holding a Nintendo DS in his hand, the sounds of a video game blaring from its speakers. I frown in the direction of the twelve-year-old. I know that it's not his fault my brother is forced to spend more time with him than me and that my parents make his future more of a priority than mine, but I couldn't help but be slightly resentful and jealous of this future Alpha of mine. Even if he is cute.