The Assumed Fake Spell

Chapter 2 - Growing Up

Andrea

    I woke up feeling on edge. It was the anniversary of the day my parents died three years ago. As always on this day, I simply wanted to be left alone, so I could wallow in the sadness that enveloped me every year.

    However, I quickly realized it wasn't an option. When I didn't join the pack for breakfast, my brother decided to intrude on my day of self-pity.

    Knock, Knock, Knock

    "Andrea, open the door! We need to talk," I heard Anton say.

    "I don't want to talk to anybody at the moment. In fact, I don't want to talk to anybody at all today," I groaned out in response.

    A second later, Anton roared, " Enough of this bullshit, Andrea. It is beyond time to move on. Start living in the present and forget the past," while impatiently banging on my door.

My eyes instantly filled with tears. I couldn't believe my brother would say such an awful thing to me. "Go away, Anton. I can't believe you would tell me to forget our parents, especially today," I screamed in anguish.

    "Andrea, please let me in. You know that's not what I meant. I can't stand when you lock yourself away like this. Please little sis, let me in," Anton pleaded.

    "No, Anton! Please, leave me alone," I cried.

    After another minute or so, Anton sighed loudly, before I heard his retreating footsteps, as he walked down the hall. A little while later, I could hear more footsteps coming down the hall in my direction.

    As I expected, they stopped directly outside my door. A second later, there was a softer knock on my door before someone said, "Sweetie, please open the door for me. I know you are in pain, and I need to confirm that you're alright."

    Jeanie, I thought to myself. She had been so good to me since my parents died, I couldn't ignore her, so I pushed myself off the bed and threw the door open.

    She was quick to pull me into her arms and wrapped me in a big hug. I let out a sob, and the tears I had been trying to keep in started flowing again like a waterfall.

    After a few seconds, Jeannie delicately lifted me up enough to walk us back into the room and closed the door. Right away, I let go of her and plopped back down on my bed.

    "I-I can't believe Anton told me to forget about them," I choked out between sobs.

    Jeanie sat down beside me and pulled me into her side by wrapping an arm around my shoulders. She let me cry through the pain, while she rubbed up and down my back.

    Once my sobs settled down, she tilted my chin, so she could gaze into my eyes. Seeing so much love in her pretty amber eyes made my heart swell a little.

    Jeannie let out a small sigh before mumbling, "I know your brother didn't mean to make you think he wants you to forget your parents. He only wants you to let go of the pain. It is breaking his heart to see you this sad. He feels like he is failing your parents by not always keeping you happy. You are his top priority above everything else, and he wants what is best for you. Please, try to remember this is a hard day for him just as much as it is for you."

    Her words bounced around in my brain for a second before realization hit me like a brick. I had been selfish towards my brother. Not once did I think about the pain he is also experiencing. Nor did realize I am causing him more pain.

    After giving Jeanie a quick hug, I gushed, "Thank you. You always know what to say to make me realize I'm being a jerk. I'm going to find Anton."

    I heard her reply, "You're welcome, dear," as I ran out of my bedroom in search of Anton.

    It didn't take me long to find him in his own bedroom. He was sitting hunched over in his chair with his head buried in hands, silently crying.

    It broke my heart to see him consumed by so much sadness. He was typically so upbeat and outgoing. I ran to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. In return, he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into his chest.

    Anton sighed before he whispered, "I am so sorry, Andrea. I have failed you and our parents. All because I couldn't protect them on the battlefield doesn't mean I can't protect you from the heartache. You deserve so much more." He kept rambling until I grabbed his face and made him meet my gaze.

    "I don't deserve more, you do. You have given up so much to care for me. I am sorry about not being here for you like you needed. Please forgive me for not being here for you like you have for me," I mumbled with sad eyes.

    For a second, Anton appeared to be taken aback. He gently wiped the tears falling and replied, "You are my reason for living now, Andrea. I want to see you happy and full of life again. I will always forgive you little sis."

    After that, he pulled me in for another hug, then we spent the rest of the day hanging out, just the two of us. We looked through the old photo albums and laughed and cried while we recalled memories from our younger years. It turned out to be a wonderful day, and it was what we both needed to really move forward.

Jesse

    'Four years', I thought to myself. It'd been four damn years of slowly watching my mum wither away. Four long years of my heart turning to stone.

    Every year on this day, my mum wouldn't even get out of bed. She would lay there the entire day and cry for the loss of her mate. I couldn't stand to see her like that anymore.

    Since my father's death, I put my focus on my training and Beta responsibilities. When I did have free time, I spent it consoling my mum, in hopes that she would be able pull herself out of the depression that was killing her.

    That morning, I put all my rage and heartache into training. Next, I shifted into my wolf form and ran through the forest for about two hours. It was the only time I felt the weight lift off my shoulders, and I needed the run more than ever.

    As I ran, the wind blew through my chocolate colored fur and began to calm me down. Let me tell you, it was the best feeling in the world to me.

    Once I felt a little better, I went back to the pack house. Still, in my wolf form, I ran straight to my bedroom door. As soon as I reached it, I shifted back into my human form, before I walked into my room.

    Right away, I took a quick shower, then I got dressed in a pair of black gym shorts and a black t-shirt. Once dressed, I made my way to my mum's bedroom, so I could check on her.

    After entering her room, I warily walked toward her bed. Even when sleeping, she usually moved a little, but she was laying there dead still. It didn't even look like she was breathing. I reached out to stroke her cheek and realized that her skin was cold to the touch.

    "Mum," I croaked out.

    I knew I wouldn't get a response. I knew the moment I felt her ice-cold cheek that she had finally succumbed to the heartbreak of losing her mate.

    Right away, I shifted into my wolf form and let out a sorrow-filled howl. Within seconds, at least thirty other werewolves came running into the room. I turned to face everyone and began menacingly growling at them.

    "Shift NOW!" Alpha Drake commanded in his alpha tone.

    Without a second of hesitation, I shifted back into my human form and immediately crumpled to the floor. Right away, Alpha Drake embraced me in a hug and mumbled, "I know you are hurting, but take comfort in knowing that your mum is no longer suffering. She is back with her mate, now let her rest in peace. It is time for you to fully move on with your life. You have become an amazing Beta, and you have a bright future ahead of you. One day you will meet your mate and..."

    The second I heard him say 'your mate' I growled out in anguish, "Never! Never will I accept a mate and subject myself to the misery of losing them. Never!!!" I yelled out the last word.

    Alpha Drake stepped back and shook his head in disapproval before he grumbled, "I hope you don't mean that. Your mate is a blessing from the Moon Goddess. Should you be lucky enough to find her, you should cherish her and love her while you have that chance. We will get your mum ready for burial. Be ready by four this afternoon."

    Without another word, Alpha Drake turned on his heel and left with the others following right behind him. I took one last longing glance at my mum before dropping my head in defeat and heading back to my own bedroom.

    I was still completely naked from shifting, but I didn't care if anybody or everybody saw me. Nothing could pull me out of the auto pilot mode I was in at that point, and I stayed on auto pilot the rest of the day.