"Pandora, come in darling, dinner is set." my mom's voice rings through the yard and I have to turn to look at her and yell a response. I cup the corn snake and let it wrap itself around my wrist before smiling and turning back towards home. I've barely stepped a few feet in when a scream pierces the room and I look to see my older brother standing on top of the table.
The one where we are supposed to eat.
"Oh Nash, get down, we are supposed to eat there." Mother scold him and he doesn't respond, but simply gapes at the snake that has made its way to settle on my neck. The snake observes my brother before sliding on top of my head and resting his head there. I feel him flick his tongue out, his scaly skin vibrating slightly as he does so. My brother, who's face is still ashen, calls out.
"Mum, look what Pandora brought in this time!" his voice is coated in fear, and the shrill in his tone is rather amusing.
"It's lovely dear," my mother states warmly without even looking up. I snicker and she raises her head to meet eyes with me. Her soft smile freezes and horror etches into them. "Oh goddess Pandora, what on earth is that?!" this time her voice is shrill and she's clutching the spatula tightly in her hand, holding it out like a weapon.
I snort. "It's a corn snake mother, completely harmless I assure you." My mother eyes the snake and then me wearily. She must finally think I've lost it.
"This is why we shouldn't home school her. Instead of bringing home people, she brings home pets." Nash mutters, still standing on top of the table.
"Nash, for goddess's sake, get off the table. You're the pack warrior for goodness sake, act like it." I giggle at my mother's words before sitting down at the table. Deciding to have some fun, I run my hands up my brothers leg softly enough to freak him out.
Screeching, he jumps so high his head hits the ceiling slightly, causing a small crack to appear and he literally flies to the couch in the adjacent room. Bursting out laughing, I have to clamp a hand over my mouth to muffle my laughter when he shoots a petrified glare at me.
"What is that noise?" my father's sound reaches my ears and I look to see my dad make his way into the kitchen along with my eldest brother Perseus. Perseus stills when he sees the corn snake resting on top of my head. He blinks a few times before taking a deep breath and taking a seat next to me.
That went well. Perseus was rather accustomed to my strange behaviors. That doesn't mean I don't occasionally scare him, but he's more comfortable than Nash is. My father however is as bad as my mother and when I look up, I see him standing far away from me, closer to my mother, eyeing me. More specially the snake.
"This is Thomas," I pipe up, smiling at the snake. I put an arm out and he slides onto it, wrapping himself around my forearm.
"It has a name?" Nash's voice squeaks out and I nod, resisting the urge to roll my eyes at the sight of my 21 year old brother. "What happened to Aries?" He refers to the mouse I found last week in our basement and I hum. "He's in my room somewhere." I smile as my mom puts food on the table.
Once everything is set, my mother sits and before we eat she faces me. "I've never thought I would have to say this, but Pandora darling, can you put the snake away while we are eating."
"But he's hungry" I protested.
"I don't think snakes eat broccoli or meat," Perseus comments, picking at his food with his fork. I snort.
"Of course they don't. They eat birds and their eggs. And mice." I put in. Suddenly I freeze. "Aries!" I cry out in fear and apprehension.
Nash lets out a bark that morphs into a laughter which immediately subsides at the nasty look I send him. "It's okay, I'll train him not to eat Aries." I tell myself confidently and with that thought, I lay the snake outside the steps of the house. Our area was fenced in so I wasn't exactly concerned about losing Thomas. "I'll be back" I murmur, leaving him to feed himself. Going back in, I wash the dirt and grime off my hands and my face and head back to the dinner table.
Dinner is filled with quiet and peaceful chatter. "The King is holding his annual ball next week. We received a invitation."
"As we should" Nash pipes in, "I mean, I am pack warrior after all." he flexes his biceps, showing off what really wasn't that much. Smirking, I drag a finger against his leg again and giggle hysterically when he yelps and jumps, shaking the table and causing food to fall off it.
"Pandora!" he hisses at me and I grin.
"Right," I drawl out. "Pack warrior my foot." I spoon myself some chicken and broccoli. "I doubt the other warriors are afraid of snakes."
Perseus is silent. He tunes out the banter between me and Nash and after a minute he speaks up. "Pandora, you will be coming this time."
I turn to face my eldest brother. "Why?" I question him curiously. I've never had to before."
"You turned 18 moons this season." Perseus shoves more food in his mouth and I look at my mother. She smiles softly and I shrug. It was just a ball.
It's when I'm eating that I realize something. "Isn't the full moon next week?" I question.
"No Pandora, it's this week." Nash chips in, while eating his food, half of it falling out back on the plate. I grimace at his table manners and scooch a little closer to Perseus. I look at the moon outside and It's not full.
"I'm pretty sure it is next week." I point to the outdoors and Perseus looks up before muttering what we were all thinking.
"Shit."
--->>> --->>> --->>>>
YOU ARE READING
Pandora
Werewolf"She is a queen. Her soul is royalty" Pandora always knew she was odd. Maybe it was because she resembled absolutely no one in her family tree, or that she had more animal friends than human ones. Or perhaps it had something to do with the fact tha...
