Royal Hybrid

Wasting Time Pt 1

The skulk’s young are usually watched by the elders while parents tend to their clan duties. Before my father died in the accident, mom and I used to go to the daycare all the time. It always brought a smile to my mother's face, but- for me, it was still like playing with a younger sibling, something I've never had, and when I would ask why my parents would always brush it off. We already have you.

Since my father's passing, I haven't been to visit the daycare, and I feel like I’ve been neglecting them. So what better way to waste my time?

Tap, tap. I knock lightly on the front door to the daycare. It’s an entire house located a few yards from mine. It looks like an average home for humans, something we’d find in the cities—Vast off white side paneling, a two-story house, the roof angles into a triangle. One would think it’s odd having them so close to the alpha’s home. However, that’s usually how it is, so the alpha’s can protect the young.

The door squeaks open as a familiar face greets me; an older woman, the most senior in the clan who’s over 300 years old. Her hair is snow-white, wrinkles caress her tired face, her bright green eyes are still bright with life.

“Topaz! What a surprise,” Grams coos in delight.

She pulls me close, hugging me tightly. Her shorter stature makes it weird as she barely comes up above my chest.

“Hi, Grams,” I grunt. For an old woman, she still has supernatural strength in her bones, something I occasionally forget.

“We thought you forgot about us,” she chuckles as she shoos me inside to the living room couch that’s only a room away.

“Mom’s been busy, and I haven't really done much, to be honest,” I suggest. The smell of heavily seasoned chicken being cooked fills the air making my stomach growl.

“Well, tell that woman that she needs a break. Give her a good scolding for me when you go back over there.”

“I will,” I softly laugh.

“Do you want anything to drink?”

“I’m good. I just want to see the pip-squeaks.”

“Water it is then,” she mumbles as she shuffles her way into the kitchen. Her pink house shoes scoot against the wooden floor with ease.

Thud, thud, thud. Loud pounding thunders on the floor above me as children's laughter flows down the stairway.

“Topaz!” Two children scream in unison as they sprint down the stairs. Their identical white fox onesie hoods flapping behind them as they bounce across the floor barefooted toward me.

“Jade, Amber!” I greet the twins as they pile onto my lap.

“They found you before I could holler at them,” a displeased Grams grunts.

"Where're the others?” I question, rolling my eyes. Typically there are at least four here at a time. The twins are always here since the Beta’s that went missing were their parents. Thankfully they were here when it happened, so they stayed safe.

The girls haven't accepted it yet, but they’re only six. Another reason I wanted to come see them.

“Pack duties are slow, so they didn't bring them in,” she states with a shrug.

“We like it when it’s just us,” Amber, the youngest by a few minutes, squeaks with her bright pink lips puckered. Both have long red hair; the only way to tell them apart is Amber's eyes are a bright brown, while Jade’s are a vibrant green.

“Oh, yeah? Why’s that?” I quiz jokingly as I tickle both of them gently on their sides. Through bursts of laughter and squirming, I stop and wiggle my eyebrows at them. “Huh, huh? Why’s that?”

“Because-” Jade states with battered breath.

“We get Topi all to ourselves!” Amber finishes for her twin, which causes them to giggle together.

I chuckle at them as they both jump off my lap and run to the kitchen, no doubt to annoy Grams. The sound of a cookie jar being opened sounds through the otherwise quiet house.

“Hey! You little devils, get your fingers out of that jar!” Grams scolds the twins, her voice as clear as day all the way from where I sit. “No cookies until after dinner.”

I chuckle as I make my way to the door frame and lean against it. Grams is standing over the stove, a pan over the flame, gently cooking the chicken. Amber and Jade cling to both of her legs. My stomach growls once more at the smell of the food Grams is cooking.

“I think Topi is hungry!” Amber giggles as she rushes to hug my leg; Jade follows her hugging my other leg.

“Is that so, Topaz?” Grams asks as she looks at me.

“I’m a little hungry, but Mom said I’m allowed to go hunt tonight,” I suggest. I’m excited to go hunt, but she’s by far the best cook in the skulk.

“Ah. Well, why don’t I save you a plate, and you come by tonight to pick it up.”

“I’ll take you up on that offer,” I chuckle.

“When are you going to stay the night with us?” Amber questions, looking up at me with her large brown eyes.

I bend down and brush the long hairs that hang down out of her face. “How about I come to stay tonight?” I ask both the twins.

“When you come to get your food?” she asks quietly.

I look up at Grams for approval, she nods her head in agreement. Although I could stay if I wanted to regardless since I’ll eventually be alpha. I like asking for permission first because this is like my second family, and I know how much Grams works for them.

“Of course,” I smile brightly, “but first, I’ll have to go to my house for a few things.”

“Then you’ll be here?”

“Yes,” I chuckle.

“How long will that be?” Jade speaks up.

“Maybe a few hours after sundown,” I suggest.

“Will that be very long?” Amber asks, tilting her head.

“Not at all,” I smile as I pull them both in for a hug.

“Uh-hum! Go get cleaned up for dinner,” Grams clears her throat as she shoos the little ones from the kitchen. “Topaz, be careful out there,” she chides me.

“Of course, I always am,” I grunt as I fall back onto the door frame.

“No, I mean,” she pauses for a moment, “I mean, there are things out there you don't understand yet. You need to be really careful compared to some of us.”

“So I’m told,” I say with a sigh. I still have no idea why I can't shift freely while the rest of the clan can. I don’t get why I’m so heavily guarded. Maybe Grams has the answer? “Why is that?”

She pauses as she shifts her feet, putting her attention back on the meal she’s cooking. Chicken, baked potatoes, corn, and green beans. “I can't tell you that, honey.”

“That's what everyone says. If you want my honest opinion, it’s starting to piss me off,” I growl between my teeth.

“Topaz!” she scolds me with a cold glare.

“Sorry, Grams, it’s just frustrating. I hate feeling so useless.” It’s the truth, I’m an alpha, and I know little to nothing. I’m thankful Crevan has agreed to teach me, but for some reason, I think he’s annoyed that they’ve never taught me anything.

Regardless, I don't want to mess anything up.

“Well, why don't you go make sure the runts are squeaky clean and sit down and enjoy some television. You’ll have to watch those annoyingly high pitched cartoons, but it entertains them, so I won't complain much,” she laughs as she pulls all the food from the stove and begins to place it on plates.

I push myself off the door frame I had been leaning back on, “That’s fine by me. Anything is better than sitting alone in my room.”

Grams smiles at me as I twirl around to go check on the pip-squeaks. If I know them, they have yet to wash their sticky little fingers.