Gods and Monsters

Ch.35 Goodbyes

When the red minivan pulled up outside of their house, Elias tore out of the front door and down the steps. The backdoor slid open and a smiling Sam appeared before Elias tackled him back into the car. Marlo and Aurora were laughing as they chased after their brother and greeted the Baxter's.

Mia stood silently beside Maverick who had been standing on the front porch all morning trying to ignore the itch the sun caused over any exposed skin. It wasn't intolerable, just annoying. Arkaelis had told him with time it wouldn't bother him at all. Maverick had learned that they didn't speak in years but decades. So he didn't really know how long the sun would bother him.

He glanced through the open front door to see Raza following his brother around the living room carrying three small backpacks. Sage had been acting weird all morning but it was expected since they would all be leaving soon. Maverick didn't like this idea. Leaving Sage behind didn't sit right. It's like how bones ache before a storm.

Maybe it was just his guilt from abandoning his siblings once already. Leaving them to fend for themselves and be taken care of by his little brother. It was wrong, he knew that as much as he knows now.

Mrs. and Mr. Baxter walked up to the house, the big male carrying two duffle bags as he followed behind his Mate and eyed Maverick. The wolves were suspicious of him because of the stereotypes surrounding the two beings. Maverick barely knew anything about Night Children or Fae, even less about the Wolves. He didn't hold the same suspicions, he just wanted him to stop fucking staring at him.

His eyes burned as he forced them to shift to the swirling crimson he'd seen in the mirror. The wolf's back straightened but he looked away thankfully.

Elias was glued to their pup, basically hanging off of him as the taller boy shuffled up the sidewalk slowly. Maverick glared at the young wolf, feeling the need to protect his younger brother even if there was no real threat. He just wanted to scare the pup a little.

Sage breezed out the front door, Raza right behind him. Mia moved to stand beside them and Maverick crossed his arms, leaning against the wall.

"Your Alpha said yes then?" Sage asked, the Baxter's stopping at the steps leading up to the porch.

Maverick watched curiously as their heads lowered in what looked like submission. It was weird but he wanted to know why. Who the hell was his brother to them?

"They can come with us!" Elias said excitedly, still jumping on the pup who looked content from the attention.

"Good." Sage smiled, seeming genuinely happy about that. Maverick guessed it was a good thing, or else Elias would have thrown a fit and it would have complicated everything. His little brother was strangely attached to the pup. It was similar to how Raza is with Sage but Maverick doesn't understand the bond Arkaelis told him about. The guardian had mentioned that most don't understand it until they themselves are bonded.

Sage looked over everyone, knowing they had to leave but also wanting to be with them just a little longer. The plan was for Razalious to take them to his father before coming back to stay the night until his mom was strong enough to go. Sage knew by the morning they'll be able to move her without the risk of being thrown up on or her struggling. It wasn't that he worried about.

Putting on a smile, Sage stepped down from the porch and went to Elias first. His little brother protested at first but then reluctantly let Sage wrap him in a tight hug.

"Stay will the kids, okay?" Sage said, pulling back and meeting Elias' green eyes.

"It's only going to be a day." Elias rolled his eyes, thinking his older brother was being dramatic.