Among The Wolves

Book

“Lins!” I exclaimed, seeing her halfway up the climbing wall with no safety gear on. Wey’Don was sitting casually at the top, cheering my sister on.

Lins turned around and saw me. A bright smile spread across her glowing cheeks. “Look how high I am, Kejy! I'm going to make it to the top!”

“Not on my watch you are not! Come on down!”

“But Kejy-”

“No buts. Please get down before you injure yourself.”

Lins pouted but proceeded to climb down. I stood under her in case she fell and glared at Wey’Don who never lost his enthusiasm.

Wey’Don feigned innocence. “What'd I do?”

I helped Lins down the last few knobs and asked her if she was hungry. It was now past noon and my tummy was rumbling. Lins nodded and we both began to walk back toward the packhouses. “Did you by chance teach Duo’Lae mama’s lullaby?”

Lins looked up at me, obviously confused. Shaking her head, she confirmed what I thought, “You are the only one that sings it, I don't share that with anyone. I didn't even tell my foster mom.”

I nodded. I wanted to find out how Duo’Lae knew that song, but I felt it would be inappropriate to grill a young child about the things she knew. I should think of another person to ask. Certainly, her mother wouldn't talk to me. Perhaps her father or her grandmother?

“Are you going to leave me up here all by myself?” Wey’Don called out after us.

I scoffed, looking over my shoulder. “You are just fine. You got up there, and I have no doubt you can get yourself back down.”

Wey’Don smirked, “I can't fool you, can I?”

I rolled my eyes, “What is there to fool?”

Wey’Don jumped from the top, grabbed a nearby rope, and easily slid down. It looked as if he floated to the ground, I was impressed. “Whatcha going to eat?” he asked, catching up to us.

I shrugged, usually the water Eta or Ty'Mee supplied us with food. With them both absent the last few days, our food options had diminished. I could presently think of half a box of crackers that might fill us up. And maybe there was another pack of instant mash potatoes from the Vakusian grocery store. I would have to check the backpack for that one.

“Do you want to come sit with me in the central dining area and eat? We always have enough food.”

I hesitated, this was something even I had never done. “I don't know. What would the other wolfbloods think?”

“Eh, don't worry about them. Usually, once they have their plate, they keep to themselves. Besides, it will be good for you all.”

Lins tugged my hand. “Please? I don't want crackers again.”

I raised my eyebrows, Lins had already figured out what our meal was going to be. I guess it shouldn't be too hard to figure out since that is what we had for breakfast. The first half of the cracker box.

I bit my lip and rubbed my forehead where an inkling of a headache was forming. Had it just been me, I would have declined and went about my merry cracker way. Yet, Lins affected my decisions so much. Given her oggly eyes, 
I nodded and Lins cheered. She grabbed Wey’Don's hand and pulled us both toward a better meal. I did not resist her pull and jogged next to her.

Before we reached the central packhouse I noticed Ty'Mee walking out of the main packhouse. Already winded, I let go of Lins’ hand. “You guys go ahead. I want to catch my breath and talk with Ty'Mee.”