Step UP

1

****If we remembered  everyday that we could lose someone at any moment we would love them more fiercely and freely,  without fear, not because there is nothing to lose, but because everything can always be lost.****

I felt a spasm deep within me, an immediate ache from loss. I had not yet made it home, but I knew the Epsilon with me felt it to. We bolted into a dead sprint for the house. Something bad just happened.

The faint glow of town unfolded in front of me, everyone was coming out into the streets, everyone felt the ache I was feeling. All the lights at the Alpha house were blazing, shadows darting by windows.

I quickly shift, skipping steps to the front door. Flinging them open I am met by my mother. She looks exhausted, deep circles under her eyes. she is holding a blue sun dress for me to throw on.

"Where is Dad? I must see him!" I bark, rage begins to build inside me.

My mothers eyes drop, tears escaping cascading from her golden brown eyes down her cheeks. That's when it hits me. I run to the top of the stares tearing open my parents bedroom door. The Iota are lifting him onto a gurney. This isn't real....this can't be real...he cannot be gone. I hadn't realized I was whimpering. The top Iota noticed me and motioned for them all to leave the room.

I was alone, with my thoughts and my breathing. I was the only one making noise.

"Dallen?" Mom poked her head into the room. "Honey" She came across the room to stand beside me, she gently took my hand in hers. Her touch is cold. "Do you still want to see him?" She comes around me reaching for the top of the sheet.

"Y ye. yes please" I murmur.

Gently she pulls the sheet down from Dads face, he looks so, so peaceful. He never used to look that calm, always brooding over something, the lines on his face aren't as deep as they always seemed to be.

"Okay" I whisper, though I don't think you could even call it that.

I leave the room, not waiting for mom to cover him back up.

The Iota go back in to finish whatever they have to do.

An Omega tries to dodge me in the hall, but neither of us noticed each other in time.

"Sorry Alpha" he doesn't make eye contact.

The title name, my name now. It makes my ears burn.

Sitting on the Balcony I gaze at the moon trying to speak to her with no luck.

A mournful howl escapes my lungs filling the night air with my despair, soon the whole pack joins in. A weeping chorus of sorrowful wolves.

What a way to end my birthday.