Without a Wolf

Chapter 6: Not So Different

Tommy

My alarm went off and I opened my eyes to glare at the inanimate object that acted like the devil. I pushed the button to turn it off, but it only turned it up, making me sit up in bed and start smashing the box to turn off the beeping.

"Turn off damnit!" I groaned.

"Language, buddy," Charlie said, walking into my room. "Woah, what did you kill last night?"

I ran a hand through my messy hair before I said, "Very funny. How come you're dressed already?"

Charlie was wearing his normal look of jeans and a tight shirt. Girls swooned over him because of his looks, and because he was the alpha's son, but now they'll probably steer clear of him because of Lily.

"I was just awake, so-"

"Up all night with your mate?" I smirked.

He frowned at me but I saw him blush in the dimness.

"How would you know about that stuff?" he asked.

I laughed at him. "I took health class. I'm not an idiot."

He nodded as I tumbled out of bed and got dressed. Why bother showering if I have gym first hour today? I threw on a pair of basketball shorts and a white t-shirt. I wasn't as stylish as my siblings, but I did seem to have more fun.

We both walked down the hall and knocked on Sophia's door. There was no sound from behind it. I knocked on it again.

"Hey Soph, you up?" I asked.

I looked at Charlie when she didn't reply and he looked a little worried. We opened her door and stopped when we saw at she wasn't in her bed. Charlie walked into her room fully and started to move the covers aside and then he looked in her closet and then looked in her bathroom. I turned around to ask mom if she knew where Sophia was, but mom was slowly closing her door to make no noise.

"Good morning," mom smiled.

"Mom, where's Sophia?" Charlie asked.

Mom shook her head. "She's asleep in my bed. I'll send her to school later when she's gotten some sleep."

"Did she not sleep last night?" I asked.

Mom shook her head. "I don't think she slept at all until an hour ago."

Charlie and I nodded. We followed mom downstairs and into the kitchen where she started to cook up some French toast. I couldn't stop thinking about Sophia. Why didn't she sleep last night? This is another night this year where she didn't sleep at all. Was she worried about her mate? About Charlie and Lily? Or was it about River?

"Mom," I started. "Do you know why Sophia didn't sleep last night?"

Mom sighed and nodded. "I have a good guess."

"What?" Charlie asked, looking very confused.

Mom turned to us with a plate full of French toast. She put the plate in front of us and I took a large piece. "I have a feeling she was worried about her mate. And I guess Chalrie."

Charlie sat up. "Why would she be worried about me?"

"Well, for starters, you two were so close that you told each other everything and wouldn't let your father or I know unless we bribed you, and now Sophia is confiding in me with all her thoughts about things. How bad was that fight between you two?" mom asked.

"Sort of bad, for us, I guess. We both apologized though."

Mom nodded. "I understand, but I can tell that she feels left out of things. She doesn't really know where she belongs anymore. Everyone around her is finding their mates, moving on with their lives and their wolves, but Sophia is stuck. She feels that if she can't keep up with you, her twin, then she'll be left behind."