Pack Rejects
1009 Words
AYRRA
"What is the number 1 rule?"
"No spells, mother".
"Because?"
"No one must know what I am. I know mother, I'm nineteen".
"Then tell me why you're casting spells in the backyard".
I sigh. I know I've f****d up, although I'm not ready to admit it to her. The backyard is a pretty open place, but I was excited about the boiling spell I recently mastered and I tried it on the first bucket on water I found as soon as I got back from the day's work. The bucket of water just happens to be in the backyard.
"The backyard is not so public" I say, gesturing feebly.
She stares at me blankly. I sigh, throwing my hands up. "I'm sorry, it was thoughtless". I looked around. "No one saw me. No wolf around here knows the scent of magic".
She sighs, and her whole body sags with the breath she lets out. It's not a sigh of relief. "But did you see it?" I say in a quick whisper and close the space between us, cutting off what I know she's about to say. "I've finally perfected the spell. I can boil water without fire now". I grin.
She looks down at me, a smile pulling at the corner of her lips. "You should have known how to do that since you were twelve".
I shrug. "My education began late". And it did. Mother was terrified of teaching me anything about what I was till I was wise enough to keep it a secret. I didn't come into that wisdom until I was fifteen.
She's still staring at me, and worry is creeping into her eyes again. I open my mouth to say something else to clear it, but we both turn our heads at the sound of faint knocking. "Go see who it is". She says quietly. I nod.
"Where's your mother?" A huge male growls at me as soon as I open the door.
"At your service, sir". I say, trying not to scrunch up my nose in disgust. It's Han again, and there are two new green welts under his right eye. He's leering, as usual, and I really pray mother is feeding him small doses of wolfsbane, instead of medicine for the welts that always come back. I look down as he brushes past me. He does not fail to brush his hands across my thighs as he walks past. I grit my teeth.
"Welcome sir". My mother's says quietly as soon as we're inside. "I'll fetch your medicine right away". She gives me a warning look before she leaves to her medicine room. I let out a small breath.
"Your wolf come out yet, girl?" Han grunts.
I shake my head, my gaze on the ground. "No, sir".
He makes a sound in his throat. "Pity. Maybe someone would have been interested in ya if you'd had a wolf at least. Useless".
I don't reply. He's right. My mother and I are almost pack rejects, and we live off odd jobs and people like Han, who come to get medicine from mother in secret for their strange sicknesses. My mother has a wolf, but mine has refused to show. Mother says it's my witch genes dominating my wolf genes. But a werewolf without a wolf is nothing, and has no place in the pack.
"People like you should be thrown out of the pack". He continues, picking his nose. I keep my eyes on the ground, refraining from reminding him that he wouldn't have my mother to get cheap medicine from if we were thrown out.
"Your mother is a w***e, and you're the product of whoring. It's a wonder you're alive. Alpha Logan was merciful, goddess bless his soul".
I'm used to the degrading words. Han is one of mother's many patients, who cannot afford the expensive medicine from the pack doctor, and instead secretly come to the pack's pariah, who is suprisingly good at making medicines that work. But they never forget to remind us of our place when they come.
"I'm sorry for the delay sir". My mother says behind him, and he turns around. I look up. She has a small vial in her hand. She stretches it out towards him, and he snatches it. "The usual way, twice a day". She says.
He grunts. "Your girl here was just telling me that her wolf hasn't come out yet". He hands her a few coppers.
"Not yet". She replies, collecting the coins with more grace.
"A shame. She'd have been useful". He leers at me again.
Goddess please, wolfsbane. Please.
"Your medicine should work permanently this time". He sneers at my mother. "I'm wasting too much money here". He makes for the door, and I hurry after him.
"Wait". My mother says behind us. I stop and turn, and Han does too with a sound of irritation.
"What is it now?" He snaps. "I have places to be at".
Mother c***s her head slowly, and my breathing hitches. "You should watch the food you eat".
"What?" He snaps. He doesn't notice the change.
"You should watch the food you eat". She repeats again, her head tilted. The energy in the room is starting to change.
"I heard what you said the first-"
"What my mother is trying to say", I cut him off. "Is that your eating habits might be the reason for your condition, sir".
He tears his gaze off her to glare at me.
"I'm in no condition. Just a couple of bumps. Looks like you both want to make a case out of me." He growls.
"Forgive us, sir". I sneak a glance at mother. She looks shaken. She can't help herself sometimes.
"I'll not be wasting money here any more". He brushes past me, roughly yanking open the door. He gasps and stumbles back. I hop out of the way to avoid him crushing me to death. I see who's at the door, and I stumble back too.
"A-Alpha Lorcan". I stutter.
- Writer
