A Matter of Convenience

Nine

~Isis~

I groan and crack an eye open, having been awakened by a constant beeping. I swear this is the last time I fall asleep with the television on. Sometimes, I like the background noise and other times, I’m just too exhausted to remember to turn it off.

I shift in my spot, and my entire body lights up in pain. I crack an eye open and am met with bright white walls. I suddenly remember where I am. I didn’t go back to the packhouse last night; I stayed in my dad’s room. I wanted to be close to him, especially since I had no idea how much longer I would have him. “How’d you sleep, Issy? You don’t look very comfortable.” I stretch out, trying to get some blood flowing to the numb parts of my body.

“I’m fine, dad.” He chuckles and shakes his head.

“I guess I have to take your word for it, hmmm?” I sit up in the recliner they have in the room. I look over at my dad, and my emotions start to take over. I close my eyes and take a few deep breaths. The last thing he needs is to watch me get emotional. I need to be strong for him.

“Did they bring breakfast yet?”

“No, but it will probably come soon. You don’t have to stay here. You can go train some warriors or whatever else you want to do.” I lean over in the chair with a smile on my face.

“If you remember, I’m not supposed to be here this weekend. All of my duties have been farmed out. I guess you’re stuck with me, old man.” Dad smiles, but it isn’t as bright as it usually is. I know that he’s deteriorating right before my eyes, but I don’t want to admit that it’s true.

“If you want to be bored watching me all day, be my guest.”

“I’m sure I’ll survive.” I lean back in the chair and let my mind run. There’s so much I could say, but it all seems trivial at this point. I want to say something profound, but I have no idea what that would be. I settle on sitting with my dad in silence. “Hey, dad?”

“Hmm?”

“I…I’ve been thinking about what you said yesterday. You know, about that mate issue.”

“Yeah, what about it?” I shift and turn my body towards him.

“First, why is it that we have to have mates to take over the pack.” Dad sighs and shakes his head.

“It’s an old custom from long ago, and we are stuck in the dark ages. When it first came about, it was a way to try to keep women from running packs. If they had to have a mate first, it would hold them back. Then, once they got their mate, they would come up with a way to have the mate be the one to take over. As times changed, we didn’t. Other packs in different parts of the world have let this go. They don’t require a mate to take over a pack. I’ve always said that we need new elders who are ready to embrace change. I had hoped this would be abolished before you came of age to take over, but I wasn’t that lucky.” I get what he’s saying, but it doesn’t make the situation any easier to deal with.

“Do you really think it would make sense for Ericson and I to join together?”

“You are both up to take over their packs but have no mates. We have a long-standing alliance with his pack, which differs from most alliances. We are this way because the packs are so close together. Oh so long ago, the packs were joined as one. They split under amicable terms.” Dad leans closer to me. “I don’t understand why you dislike Ericson so much. I swear I don’t remember you two having any major issues growing up.” I sigh and think back to our childhood.

*Flashback*

I don’t always get to go with Dad to his meetings, but he’s letting me go this time. I’m excited because I don’t know who will be there. I love it when the other kids are there because it’s always fun to play with others.

Dad says that since I’m only six, I can come to meetings to visit. He says I will come to meetings to work once I get older. I’m actually excited to become an Alpha. I think it’s going to be a great job to have. I love my pack and can’t wait to be able to take care of everyone.

After lunch, I run out into the garden. I run after Myra, a friend of mine that I see pretty often. When I reach her, we start to play tag. There are other kids around, but they are doing their own thing.

Myra takes off running fast, and I run after her. She makes it to the forest, and I lose sight of her. I try to follow her scent, but I’m not good at that yet. I run through the trees, looking for Myra. I start to hear crying, so I follow the sound.

I make it to a clearing and see Myra on the ground with her knees drawn up. Her face is buried in her knees, and she’s crying. I rush to her side and put my arm around her. “What happened, Myra?”

“Ttttthey are laughing at me. He called me a fat pig.” I look around and see kids here and there.

“Who called you that?” Myra points to her right without looking up. There are a group of boys talking and laughing. One of the boys is standing in front of the rest, with his arms wide at his sides. His face is puffed out, and he’s huffing and puffing. I knew immediately that he must be the one who said it.

I stomp over to the boys, right into his face. I push against his shoulder, making him fall to the ground. “You are a mean doody face. How dare you make fun of a little girl and call her names. You’re horrible!” I turn on my heel and march back to Myra. I help her up, and we walk back to the house.”

*End of Flashback*

That was my first time meeting Ericson, and I don’t have to say how much I was not impressed. I don’t know what would possess him to say those things to a little girl, but he did. Myra cried the rest of the time we were there. I saw more over the years, but our relationship did not improve. That said, we are adults now, and maybe we can figure some things out. “Issy?!” I turn to my dad and his panic-stricken face. I guess he must have been trying to get my attention for a while now.

“Sorry, Daddy. I was just thinking about the past.” He sits back and seems calm.

“If nothing else, you should go talk to him about it. Maybe you two can come to an understanding.” I guess talking to him couldn’t hurt. I just need to let go of the past or at least try to learn who he is now.