Serving Lachlan

I

I let out a beleaguered sigh as my eyes caught the wall clock hanging on the kitchen wall.

Three

Two

One

"Mom! Lach's being a whiny baby again!" Lachlan's older sister, Margot, screamed. The annoying chit always had one thing or the other to scream about every day, mostly about one thing or the other Lachlan had done.

Not for the first time, I wished I were back in Rome. The women then were demure and compliant, or at least clever and indomitable, not this…abominable terror that not even Aita could've imagined.

"Out of my way, slowpoke," Margot said, shoving Lachlan to the side as she walked down the stairs. All the boy did was stand up, dust himself and continue walking down.

I breathed out heavily. If Margot was a terror, Lachlan was a disappointment. The boy was weak and soft, horrible traits to have as a high priest of a god of the Underworld.

"Morning Calu," he said with a smile as he sat down.

Margot scoffed, "Still talking to your imaginary friend?"

"What's it to you?" He retorted sharply.

Behind Lachlan, Hugh and Cristine, their parents, were coming down the stairs - and Margot noticed the same thing. I cursed, knowing exactly what was going to happen.

"Oh nothing," the chit said with a sly smile. "I'm sure your imaginary friend is great."

"Imaginary friend?" Hugh's deep voice boomed. "What's the meaning of this Lachlan?"

Lachlan looked away from his sister and kept his gaze on his plate. At least he had the common sense to stay quiet this time, I thought.

"Hugh, leave Lach," Cristine said as she organized their morning meal. "We're going to be late soon."

Hugh grunted and sat down. "I'd better not hear anymore of this imaginary nonsense. Real men don't imagine."

Hugh's only consideration was what real men did. Personally, I applauded his masculine training, but I wasn't so foolish or blind not to notice his actions upset Lachlan, although I had no idea why. He should be grateful he had a father to put him through - boys of old didn't always have a father.

Thankfully, Cristine was quick, and as soon as Lachlan finished eating, he took his food box and left the house.

"Did you have a good night Calu?" He asked as we walked to the bus stop.

I let out a grunt. "As good as I possibly could."

He grinned, "Awesome. Did you like the bed I made you?"

I scoffed, remembering the miniature basket he had assembled for me. My wolf had not been pleased. "Do I look like a dog to you, little human? How could I possibly have used it?"

He frowned, "Oh. I forgot even as a wolf you're big." He shook his head and smiled again. "It's okay. I'll just get you a bigger one."

I suppressed the desire to growl at him. "Do not worry yourself. I do not sleep, therefore I do not need a bed."

He rolled his eyes, in a rather sassy manner for a six year old. "I know you don't sleep. That doesn't mean you shouldn't have somewhere to rest."

I couldn't resist the second urge and let out a small growl. This was an argument we had been having the past week, yet Lachlan was determined that I have a 'bed'. It was pathetic, but I had to admit he had an admirable persistence - the only admirable thing about him.