Connection

Chapter 2: Growing Up

There comes a time in our lives when you have to grow up, some more quickly than others, like in my case. 

This day started as they usually do. I woke up to a phone from my parents. "Good morning Marisol!" Dad and Mom yell through the phone. 

I groan into the phone and groggily say, " Morning, mommy and daddy. How was your flight?" "It was fine. we are in Lamia." "Oh, tell grandma and grandpa, I said hi!" I burst. "Remember what you need to do today, sweetheart," Dad adds.

"Yes, I remember," I grumble while rolling my eyes. "Do not roll your eyes, young lady; they will wind up stuck," Mom says.  

"How did you even know," I question. "I know my children. Now, what do you need to do today?" Mom asks.

 "I need to train with Levi, help uncle James run the pack, study, and train more with Lani. Mommy, why do I have to do all of this? Most people my age are at the park or pool hanging out. They get to leave the pack to shop. Why can't I?" I pointed out.

"We can't discuss this right now, but when we get back, it will be the first thing we do. Okay, sweetie?" Dad adds. "Okay, daddy. When will you be back?" I ask. 

"We will be back hopefully in a couple of days." "Okey dokey, love you, mom, and love you, dad." "We love you too. Bye."

As we hung up the phone, I wipe my face in my hands and groan in them. Why can't I be a regular teenager?  

I get out of bed and head to the bathroom. I brush my teeth and wash my face. I take my bonnet off and throw it on the sink. I start to mess with my curls, pulling some curls apart, creating the perfect twist out, or at least trying. 

I head to one of my drawers and pull out some comfy clothes. I ended up pulling out some black shorts, an oversized Tupac t-shirt I might have stolen from Jaylyn or Jai, a sports bra, and some mix-match socks.

I find my Adidas and quickly put them on. I run down the stairs and to the kitchen. I have to start my day off right, and breakfast is a perfect way. "Should I make breakfast for myself or the others too?" I ask myself. "We will make some for the others too. We like them today." I respond to myself.

I gather everything needed to make pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausages, biscuits, and gravy. After about an hour I was finished. I made my plate of food, picking out the best-looking pancakes and sausages and adding eggs too. After a couple of minutes, Jasper, Jai, and Jamari make their way to the kitchen. 

"I'm guessing the smell of bacon woke y'all up?" I ask them. All of them groaned in response but were happy to be eating. 

About ten minutes later, a pregnant Leilani waddles down the stairs, followed by Jaylyn and Kahlani. 

"Good morning," I yell to them. Each of them follows with a good morning back. "What are y'all doing today," I ask. 

"Mom and Dad called me, so now I have to train you," Jasper says slightly annoyed. "Same," Leilani blurts out. I roll my eyes, "Why can't I just be like y'all were at my age? I can't even leave the pack grounds. It's not fair," I whine. 

"I think mom and dad just have some big plans for you. Maybe they are trying to make you Alpha one day." Jai says. "But why wouldn't it go to Jasper? He's the oldest, That’s how it works with most packs," I question.

“We aren’t like most packs,” Jai says.

"You know, mom told me something but promised me not to tell you," Leilani snickers.

"So tell me, Lani," I bleat, "Please tell me, I do anything," 

"So you will massage my feet? Or help me shave? Or.." 

"I'll do whatever you want; I shaved your back for prom, just tell me please, Lani," 

"Mom told me that mom and dad are-"

"Hey Marisol, I need to meet everyone in your dad's office. Please quickly." James mind-links me. 

"Hey, umm, sorry to cut this short, but Uncle James just mind-linked me sayin' we need to go to dad's office now. He has something to tell us."

We all walk to my dad's office. The vibe in the hall as we walked was ominous. Something's bad has happened, I can tell. 

"Do yall have an idea of what James wants to talk about," Jai asks? "Not really, but I feel like something bad has happened or is about to happen," I say, my voice laced with worry. 

"My wolf feels like something is missing," says Jesper. 

"Like something is missing," Jaylyn questions.

"Yea, Ant is telling me someone in the pack is gone. He can feel someone is missing," replies Jasper.

"Wait, what do you mean, like someone left or as someone died," Jamari adds.

Before Jasper could answer, we made it to the Alpha's office. 

Lani opens the door, and we all piled into the office.

"Y’all should sit," James says. I started to take a good look at him and notice his eyes brimming with unshed tears. Something bad has happened for sure. 

It was silent for what seemed like an eternity before I decided to speak up, "Umm James, did something bad happen."