Exposed

Warped

"I don't want to."

"Oh come on, Kiwa. Just do it," Jae whined at his sister.

"No. There's no reason for me to change my form. I'm a fox and I'll stay a fox."

"Why are you so stubborn about this? Are you scared you'll be ugly or something?" he teased.

"Just drop the subject. There's no need for me to change into a human."

Jae rolled his eyes at his sister before speaking up, "Why do you always speak to me like that? Like you're better than me. We're the same, Kiwa. Stop looking down at me."

Ki watched Jae barge out of the cave.

"Don't worry," Jade's voice came from behind Ki, "He's just a little restless at the moment. All of our brother's have felt like that at some point."

"I'm not looking down at him, but it is our brother's job to assist us. Not be in charge."

Jade chuckled, "Ki, that very sentence proves you do look down on Jae, just a little bit."

"No, it doesn't."

"You just said he's here to assist you. Like it or not, that is looking down on him."

"It's the truth," Ki said, starting to get frustrated.

"It is the truth, but remember we are all equal. We all have the same parents, they are no less than us simply because they look like wolves and have a different role to play."

"I know..."

"Without our brothers, we could never save all those lives and avenge our mother. That werewolf pack needs us to help them, but no one really trusts a fox. They are the beginning of the cycle, Ki. Don't forget to appreciate them," Jade spoke softly, nuzzling Ki.

"You're right. I guess I got a little cocky."

"I'll be leaving to join Liam soon. Make sure you and Jae patch things up before I go. He's who is responsible for teaching you the things you have left to learn. Respect him as your guide. As your big brother."

Ki wandered outside in search of Jae. 

"Come on Jae. Where are you?" Ki yelled into the air.

"Ki?"

Ki turned to see Jae walking towards her. She smiled and ran up to him. She rubbed against him as a sort of apology hug. Jae nodded in understanding and forgiveness.

"I'm sorry, Jae. I got a little big headed. Please, forgive me?"

"Of course," he said nudging Ki back to the cave, "Let's get inside before it gets too dark."

Ki curled up to Jae, feeling his warmth. She had always felt safe with him. She apologized silently for taking him for granted. Thankfully, Jae was a forgiving older brother. 

Jae pulled his tail around his sister to keep her warm. He stared down at her small form sucking the heat from his body. He tried to keep the negative thoughts away, but he couldn't fight them off anymore. He really felt like a dog. One that blindly follows its master, despite how it's treated. He clenched his jaw at the thought. "I am not a dog," he thought, staring down at the thing that called herself his master. 

I am destined to be the alpha of a whole pack of wolves. I don't need her. I never have. She has nothing without me. No way in. No one to save. Because I'll be in charge. I'm the one that has the power. She's just an immature nuisance that I have to raise. I could easily leave her behind and take my place. Or better yet, I could make her my dog. A little fox on a leash, subject to her master's will. 

Jae smirked in the darkness, his anger taking over him.