Rejection, Refuge, Revere

“Miss Mo! Miss Mo!” One of this kid’s call while tugging on my sweater. I look down to see the big blue eyes of Kit, one of the boys. Squatting down, he leaps in my arms squealing when I stand up and spin him around. “I’ll see you soon, Kit. Be good for your mama okay?” I ask, sitting him down and he nods with a smile that has a couple teeth missing. “I will! BYE!” He yells as he runs to his mom. Turning around to wave goodbye when they reach the door. Kit’s the last child to leave for the evening. His mother is always late, due to being held back at the diner she works in. I turn around, sighing when I see the mess. I turn the old radio we have on and begin singing and dancing around, while cleaning the daycare. Once I am done I look around, taking in the changes since The Hamps bought the place. They love children and don’t have any of their own, so they decided to buy the daycare, while helping me where they can. Everything got updated, from the new foam puzzle floor, to the shiny new ceiling fixtures. They even bought more toys and are working on building a new outside playground for the children. The door bursts open, making me jump five feet in the air. I turn to see Mrs. Hamp stumbling in with boxes piled high. “Oh! Let me help you.” I say rushing over and grabbing a few of the boxes from her. We make our way to the table in the lunchroom and set them down. “I didn’t think you would still be here with the ball tomorrow.” Mrs Hamp says, gray eyes studying me, while turning to the boxes to begin opening them. “I just got done cleaning when you came in.” I tell her and watch curiously, as she begins pulling out clothing from the box. When she catches me, she smiles. “I thought we could keep extras for children who make messes and don’t have anything clean to change into. I also have jackets and coats for when they go outside.” I smile.“That’s a wonderful idea.” I reply as I begin to unfold the first box in front of me. I pause when she tisks at me and smacks my hand. “Ow!” I cry, pulling my hand to me to cradle it. She rolls her eyes at me. “Oh please. That was barely a tap.” I smile. “You need to get home and ensure you are packed, I will take care of these.” She says, shooing me away. I grab my things and walk toward the door. “Bye Mrs. Hamp. Have a good night.” I call as I open the door. “May the goddess bless you, Amona.” She says as I shut the door behind me and begin the walk home. My stomach is in knots the closer I get. I have been to four balls. Each one has been disappointing. The first one, I was excited to find my goddess gifted mate, now, I’m not so sure I have one. I’m 24, most people find them by the time they are 20. You’re able to find your mate as early as 16 these days. I have to believe that the goddess will send them to me when we are both ready. Everything has a purpose and I believe that. I walk up the stairs to my family home and can already hear the shouting. Goddess I wish that I was able to be on my own, but they don’t pay me enough at the daycare and women stay with their parents until they find their mate or become warriors. Warriors have their own quarters, which is where my brothers are. Opening up the door as quietly as possible I slip inside, hoping nobody will see or hear me. I failed. “THERE YOU ARE!” Mother yells and rushes up to me to grab my cheeks and squeeze them. “I told you to be home my 3. It is nearly 8!” She shrieks, flinching in pain as I try to nod. “Sorry mother.” I say and she squeezes tighter, her nails digging into my skin as my eyes water from the pain. She lets go and shakes her head, her brown curls bouncing with the movement. “Such a disappointment. Your brothers are ready and waiting for you. Move your a’s.” She says, shoving me towards the staircase. I stumble, but manage to catch myself. “Yes, mother.” I answer and take the steps two at a time in case she tries to reprimand me again. Quickly packing my clothes and necessities in my old leather suitcase, I make my way towards the door and down the stairs. When I reach the bottom my father grabs my arm tight. “Do not. Embarrass the family more than you already do, child.” He says, squeezing then letting go. “May you find your mate so we don’t have to deal with you anymore. Be their problem and not ours.” Mother says, from the side of father. “Yes, mother. Father.” I answer and head out the door. “Goddess, please let this be the ball your gift for me comes.” I pray. I think you should just tear them a new one. Lou, my wolf says. I nod, not able to answer her. She always says that, but we can’t. I won’t stoop to their level and risk being banished for attacking another member of the pack. They’ve been trying to find reasons to kick me out for as long as I can remember. The wolfless waste of resources. Goddess. Please. I pray once more as I make my way to the car my brothers are in. When I shut the back door they both turn to face me. Thadius has our mothers dark brown hair and hazel eyes. He is the oldest at 29. Charlie has the same hair with our father’s dark blue eyes. He is the next in line at 26. Then there’s me. I’m the baby at 24 and I take after our father, with dark brown hair that’s almost black and dark blue eyes. My facial structure is more soft, like his mother’s was, I also received the height of the women on his side. Five foot seven inches, small for a wolf. Mom hates me for it. She wanted a mini-me version of her, but instead she got, well, me. Once it became clear that I wouldn’t shift, she was glad I didn’t look like her. My brothers eye my face and their jaws tighten. “You ready to leave or are we going to sit here all night?” I ask. They huff, but turn around. Thadius puts the car in drive, taking off down the road like a demon escaping hell. Sighing, I place my head on the cool glass, rubbing my jaw. Goddess. Please. I pray again.