Heal Me

Chapter 1 "Caleb! Carson!" Mum yelled. I rolled over and yawned, opening my eyes. Today is the day I've been waiting for. I'm finally 16, which means I will shift and receive my wolf from our Moon Goddess. I'm beyond excited... I peered over at Carson with a big grin. He was white as a sheet. I jumped off my bed and rushed over to him. "What's wrong?" I fretted as I sat on his bed. He sighed and shook his head. "Come on, tell me?" I urged. Carson is my twin brother. He nearly died when we were ten. A rogue got into our pack and took him. He was gone for hours before he was found on the borderline. Carson never repeated what happened to him, but whatever it was, it shook him up to the point he stopped speaking. The only way he will communicate is through mind link, and even then it's one-word answers or short sentences. I wish Carson would tell me what happened. All I want to do is help, and I feel useless because I don't know what's going through his mind. Ever since he has been a nervous wreck. He hates crowds, and he doesn't like any social gatherings. Hence his reaction right now, it's our 16th birthday, and our parents have made a huge deal about it. "I don't want the party." He whispered through our link. I sighed and draped my arm around him. "Stick with me. I won't leave your side." I muttered, and he bobbed his head. "Well, come on. We need to see what mum wants before she comes up and drags us downstairs." I grinned at him. He chuckled a little, and a genuine smile appeared on my face. We made our way downstairs and into the living room. "Surprise!!" Everyone clapped. My eyes darted around the room, and I scowled. The living room was nearly full... My dad's Beta and Gamma were here with their families. "You know Carson doesn't do well with crowds." I snapped through the link with my parents. Carson had backed away, and I could feel his body shaking behind me. "You could have warned us," I grumbled. "Don't be silly. It's your birthdays, I thought he'd grow up a little and enjoy himself." Mum snorted back. I covered my hand around Carson's and squeezed. "It's ok. It's your day too." He muttered. I turned and furrowed my brows at him. "No, it's not ok. They have two sons, they should meet your needs too." I sighed through the link. "Happy birthday, boys." My dad slapped our shoulders and grinned at us. I forced a smile and tightened my hold on Carson's hand. My dad is the Alpha of our pack, The Yellow Stone. He's retiring when I'm 18, so I can take over. He said I'll take over with or without my mate. They want Carson to be my Beta, he's exactly who I would want by my side if that's what he wanted, but he doesn't... And our parents don't listen, or they just don't care. "If they say anything to you... Block them out and tell me immediately." I instructed Carson, glancing back at him. He nodded and fixed his gaze back on the floor. They have no time for him. They don't try and help his condition. Instead, they make things worse by calling him names and saying he should get over it. I have caught our mum hitting him before because he wouldn't talk to her. I think she knows more than she says, but when I ask Carson, he shrugs and says everything is ok. I try and not to leave him alone with anyone. I make sure I'm always close by. In public, we are the picture-perfect family, but behind closed doors, we are anything but. Things will change when I become Alpha. All I need to do is keep Carson safe and happy for the next two years, and then everything will change. I took a deep breath and then made my way over to the sofa, tugging Carson with me. Mum sat down, leaving only one space beside her. I rolled my eyes and went to the chair on the opposite side. I signalled for Carson to sit. When he did, I perched on the arm. I glanced over at mum and she rolled her eyes at me. "Go sit with mum," Carson said as he looked around the room with weary eyes. I shook my head when he glanced up at me and gave me a stifled smile. "Are you excited to receive your wolf, boys?" My dad's Beta, Oliver, asked. I looked over at him, "Yeah we are. I'm excited to see what colour we are." I responded, smiling at him. "Oh, please. You're going to take after me, Caleb." My dad smirked. "He on the other hand will probably take after his mum." He added, pointing at Carson. I rolled my eyes and then glanced at Carson. "We're twins, I reckon we'll twin in wolf form too." I chuckled. "There was a time we couldn't tell you both apart." Mum sighed, having a distant look on her face. I knew what was coming next... "But now... we know you talk-" I grunted and turned to our dad. "What time does the ceremony start?" I asked. Dad glanced at mum, who was scowling at me. I stifled a laugh and focused on dad again. "Eight pm. Your shifting should start around half eight as that's when you were born." He smiled. I nodded and smiled back. "Ok. So, we'll meet you back here then." I announced, standing up. "Wait! Where are you going?" Mum asked, standing up and coming over to me. "We have plans with our friends." I shrugged as Carson cowered behind me. "He can go." She whispered through gritted teeth before looking back at me. "It's a special day for you, my love." She cooed. I shook my head in disappointment. "You have two sons, mum," I whispered back. She paled and looked around to see if anyone was listening. I rolled my eyes as she glared at me. "I'll see you all later. Come on, Carson." I nodded at everyone in the room and pulled Carson in front of me. I placed my hands on his shoulders and marched him out of the room. Chapter 2 I sighed as we walked down the forest trail behind our house. "I'm sorry," Carson whispered. I stopped and turned to face him. "Sorry for what?" I asked, raising a brow. "Ruining your birthday." He replied, looking down. My heart dropped as he answered. "Carson, you aren't ruining anything." I sighed. "Get those negative thoughts out of your head." I playfully tapped his temple. He rolled his eyes and shoved me. "See, this is what I wanted. The playful Carson." I smirked. "Come on," I chuckled as we continued on the trail. We stopped once we reached the yellow stone. Our pack is called The Yellow Stone pack because of this random huge stone in the middle of the forest. It's not exactly yellow, but it reflects against it and gives off a yellow colour when the sun hits the stone. Behind the stone, I could see our friends: Lily, Marcus and Ruby. We all grew up together. They don't treat Carson any differently than how they treat me, which I appreciate. "Happy birthday, you guys!" Lily squealed, running over to us. She peered at Carson and had a hopeful look on her face. They have been pining for each other for ages, but they wouldn't let anything happen because of the mate bond. The mate bond is sacred to us werewolves, a gift that is given from our Moon Goddess. So they're hoping they'll be mated to each other, and I hope they are. "Thank you," I reacted, grinning. "Finally 16. Happy birthday!" Marcus cackled, striding towards us. Out of our friend group, we're the youngest. They've already shifted. Marcus and Ruby are mated together, which is amazing. "You'll find your mate soon," Ruby winked at me. I nodded and grinned. "Have either of you got your wolves yet?" Marcus questioned, glancing between us both. We both shook our heads, and Marcus hummed in response. "We won't start the shifting until half eight, so they might come just before or after the shift is complete," I answered again. Receiving your wolf is different for every werewolf. Some wolves can come to you hours before your shift whereas some don't come until after. It's probably going to be the latter for us. "So, what do you want to do?" Ruby asked, raising her brow. I glanced at everyone before settling on Carson. "You can choose," I asserted, grinning at him. ... After we had spent the full day at the lake, we left and made our way back home to get ready for the ceremony. "I wish we didn't have to shift in front of the whole pack." I groaned. "I know," Carson replied through the link. "I'm going to speak to dad about Marcus being my Beta, and you can get on with your studies for being a doctor," I mentioned as we arrived in front of our house. He spun around and stared at me, "Really?" He asked. I nodded and smiled at him, "Of course. I'd love for you to be my Beta, but I know it's not what you want." I commented. He gave me one of his rare genuine smiles, and I felt like a weight came off my shoulders. It wasn't often Carson smiled, but when he did, it was like the day got a little brighter. "We don't have long till the ceremony." Mum's voice boomed through the front garden. I sighed and rolled my eyes. We headed inside, and dad was standing at the bottom of the stairs. "Caleb, I want a word with you." He stated as he looked between us both. I nodded and motioned for Carson to come with me. Dad shook his head, "No, just you." He deadpanned. I frowned and shook my head, "No, Carson comes as well." I recounted. Dad shook his head again and glared at me. "Fine," I groaned. I turned to Carson, and his eyes were pleading with me, "If anything happens, link me straight away." I ordered as I watched him ascend the stairs. I glanced at mum and she rolled her eyes at me before heading into the living room. I breathed out in relief and followed dad into the kitchen. "What's up?" I inquired. "As you know, you'll be shifting today, so I'm going to be sending you away for the rest of your Alpha training." He declared. My eyes went wide, and I was speechless. He can't be serious, can he? He can't send me away... That'll leave Carson here, alone, at their mercy. "And Carson?" I asked. He rolled his eyes and snorted. "Boy, he's holding you back." He chortled. I grimaced and sucked in a breath. "No." I proclaimed. "He's not a burden." I snapped. He stormed out of the kitchen and made his way to the stairs. "Fine, we'll see what he has to say for himself, will we?" He growled. He halted at the bottom of the stairs and spun around to face me, "Oh wait, he won't, will he? Because the fucker doesn't speak." He yelled. I can't believe he's our dad... He gives me everything I want, and I never have any problems with him, but when it comes to Carson, he's nothing but a nuisance for them. "Ok!" I shouted. "You can send me away, but no one lays a finger on him." He raised his brow at me, "No one will lay a finger on him... What are you on about?" He commanded. I rolled my eyes and pushed past him. "Caleb Stone." His voice was monotoned and professional. I knew he was putting his Alpha mask on. I whirled around and stared at him. "Don't forget who you're talking to." He deadpanned. "Yes, Alpha," I nodded before continuing up the stairs. I reached our bedroom door and opened it. Carson was sitting on his bed. He flinched and recoiled towards the bedboard as I pushed the door open. I sighed and pushed a hand through my hair. "We aren't staying here. We'll do this damn ceremony, but we're leaving tomorrow." I declared through our link. His eyes went wide, and he sat upright. "We can't go running in the forest." He panicked. I shook my head, "We'll be okay, I promise." I whispered, keeping my voice calm. "No, no. The forests aren't safe. The Dark Wolf. And rogues." He shuddered. "The Dark Wolf is just a story that parents make up so pups don't leave the pack lands." I rolled my eyes. Chapter 3 I stood in the mirror, looking at my reflection. In just under 2 hours, my life is going to change. I'm going to become a wolf, and everything is going to be different. I took a deep breath and peered over at Carson, who was glancing between the outfits our mum had placed out on our beds. I scoffed and went over to him. "Your suit is nice, Caleb." He muttered through the link. I rolled my eyes and looked down. A new navy three piece suit had been laid out on my bed, paired with some black dress shoes. I'm going to my shifting ceremony, not my Alpha ceremony. Why the need to prance me about in fancy clothes which will get shredded to pieces is beyond me. I glanced at Carson's outfit... My mum had been in his wardrobe and pulled out the first thing she saw.