Bloodlines and Betrayal

6. 🐺

The morning light crept through the curtains, heralding the start of what promised to be a lively Saturday. As I stretched awake, the tantalizing aroma of breakfast wafted through the house, mingling with the sounds of my younger siblings bickering. It was a familiar symphony—sizzling bacon, sweet cinnamon rolls, and the mouthwatering scent of chocolate chip waffles and pancakes. Every weekend, the breakfast debate was an event unto itself, as the kids squabbled over which dish to prepare. Today, however, we had reached a compromise: an all-you-can-eat breakfast feast. The kitchen was a hive of activity as Mom worked her magic, turning our kitchen into a bustling bakery. Her culinary skills were legendary within our family. Breakfast was just the beginning; Mom was the backbone of our family's meals, seamlessly shifting from breakfast to lunch, dinner, and snacks. She was a master chef, while Dad's attempts at cooking often required emergency services. Dad had a reputation for turning cooking into a fire hazard. His last cookout had nearly burned down the house when he overcooked the steaks. Since then, the fire department had warned him sternly, and now, he was only allowed to perform kitchen tasks under close supervision. His duties were limited to washing dishes or setting the table, tasks he performed with begrudging acceptance.Hazel, my youngest sister, adored helping Mom and Aunt Leah bake. She had a notorious sweet tooth and always volunteered to lick the bowls clean. Watching her, you'd think she had never seen sugar before. Her excitement over sweet treats was palpable—her eyes would glaze over, and she would drool like a pup spotting a chew toy.As the smell of breakfast filled the house, we all gathered at the dining table, eagerly anticipating the feast. Mom set down glasses of chocolate and regular milk, a nod to the chaotic morning routine that revolved around our family's favorite foods."Now, kids," Mom began, her voice a mix of authority and warmth, "we need to wait for Dad and Uncle Ian before we start.""Aww, come on, Mom! I'm starving," Max complained, trying to pour milk without spilling. "I need to eat so I can get taller and stronger. Maybe I'll break Colton and Troy's football records someday."Kaylie chimed in, "I can't wait to join Charlie and Kaylie on the cheerleading team. I want to be captain one day. Thanks for letting me be on the team now. I'm learning so much.""You're doing great, Hazel," Kaylie said, fixing plates for the younger kids. "And we could use your help picking girls for this year's team. Your feedback would be invaluable."Aunt Karen, who had joined us for breakfast, eyed the spread with longing. "If those boys don't hurry up, I say we dig in without them. I'm starving."Mom sighed and grabbed a plate. "Alright, let's start eating. They can join us whenever they get here.""Hey, what about us? We're hungry too," Colton grumbled as he joined the table, his mouth already full of waffles. "It's not our fault we're stuck dealing with pack business.""Sorry, Max, but you're still too young for the meetings," Colton added, shrugging as he poured syrup over his waffles."Maybe we can ask Dad and Uncle Ian if Max can attend the next meeting," I suggested, trying to cheer Max up. "They might be open to it."Max looked hopeful. "I hate being left out of important stuff like pack meetings.""Nice try, but you still stink at lying," Colton teased, copying notes into his notebook. "Watch your tongue or you might find yourself on the receiving end of a prank.""Hey, don't forget to do my homework," Troy interjected, wiggling his eyebrows playfully. "Being Beta has its perks, especially with the ladies."Hazel, who had been quietly stirring her chocolate milk, suddenly erupted. "SHUT UP, OR I'LL BITE YOUR TAILS OFF! I'M TRYING TO PAY ATTENTION!""Bro, Hazel's scarier than Mom and Aunt Karen when we're in trouble," Troy said, hiding under his desk as if it could protect him from her wrath."Don't be a baby," Colton said, playing with his pen. "You're sixteen. Are you seriously afraid of a little growl?"The banter continued until it was time to clear the table and start our lesson on family history. My father and Uncle Ian always took this part of the weekend seriously. Their storytelling was a mix of education and entertainment, filled with tales of our werewolf lineage and the legends that shaped our family.After breakfast, we gathered in the library, a vast room that felt like a treasure trove of knowledge. The library was two stories high, with wooden ladders sliding along the shelves, and a skylight shaped like a wolf's paw print allowing sunlight to filter through. It was a peaceful space, perfect for our family's tradition of learning.Dad entered with a fresh pot of coffee, and Uncle Ian followed with a donut in his mouth. The sight was both amusing and fitting. Uncle Ian's attempts to talk while chewing had become a running joke."Alright, let's get started," Dad announced. "Since the younger kids are here, let's go over the basics again. We need to refresh the boys' memories, too."Uncle Ian, still munching on his donut, began outlining the history of werewolves on the board. "Werewolves, or 'lycanthropes,' are humans with the ability to shapeshift into wolves. The term 'werewolf' comes from an old English word meaning 'man-wolf.' The history of werewolves spans many cultures and thousands of years."Colton, confused by Uncle Ian's donut-muffled explanation, whispered, "Do you know what he just said? I can't understand a word with that donut in his mouth.""You're going to have to do your werewolf homework," I said, trying to sound serious. "Mom and Aunt Karen are planning Hazel's party, and we need to know our stuff.""Alright, let's eat," Aunt Karen said, eyeing the food. "If those boys don't hurry up, we'll be late.""Hey, we're hungry too," Max protested. "And it's not our fault we're stuck doing pack business.""Sorry, Max, but you're too young for the meetings," Colton said, stuffing his face with waffles."Maybe we can ask Dad and Uncle Ian if Max can attend the next meeting," I suggested, trying to lift Max's spirits. "I'm sure they'll agree.""Nice try, twin, but you still stink at lying," Colton teased. "You better watch out or I'll make sure you wake up to a fresh makeover.""Watch it, Colton. You're walking a fine line," Kaylie growled. "I'll make sure you don't get any sleep.""Alright, everyone, quiet down," Uncle Ian said, rubbing his temples. "It seems like we need more homework since you weren't paying attention."He turned to the board and wrote, "Each of you will write a six-page paper on our history and legends. It's due at the end of the month."Colton groaned, "You know, you're an ass for suggesting this. Thanks for the extra work.""Don't worry, I'll handle the grading," Uncle Ian said with a grin. "And remember, it's all part of learning our family's legacy."The room erupted in groans and complaints. Kaylie's frustration was palpable as she declared, "I'll make sure Colton's face is on social media if he keeps this up.""I'll be ready," Colton said with a smirk. "And don't worry, I'll sleep with one eye open."As the morning wore on, Hazel's temper had finally settled. We found her in the kitchen, where she was busy helping bake cookies. Her earlier tantrum had dissipated, replaced by the joy of baking and indulging in her favorite treats.The rest of the day seemed to fly by. Before we knew it, it was evening. The anticipation of the upcoming week was mixed with excitement about seeing my crush, Alex, the next day. We had a history project together, and I couldn't wait to work on it with him. Alex had this way of making everything seem effortless, like a marshmallow melting in the fire—sweet and comforting.After a day filled with family, learning, and laughter, Kaylie and I settled into my bedroom. Hazel, already exhausted, had fallen asleep. Kaylie and I watched a movie, sharing popcorn and cookies, a comforting end to a busy day. My king-size bed was perfect for all three of us, offering ample space as we snuggled under the covers.As I drifted off to sleep, the events of the day replayed in my mind. The chaos, the laughter, and the love that filled our home made me realize how precious these moments were. Tomorrow was a new day, and with it came new challenges and opportunities. For now, I was content to rest, surrounded by family and the promise of a bright future.