Orphan Wolf

14 One Big "Happy" Family*

"Get up, Alic!" Dad wakes me.

"Hu?!" I turn over to look at him.

"Fold up the blankets and get in here. I need help." He calls from the kitchen.

I do as he says. "Why can't we just eat at the pack house?" I ask.

"I like cooking breakfast for my pups, but your house guests give us three more mouths to feed, so I need help." He answers.

I sigh and help him cook.

"I know he's you're Uncle, but he is also a visiting Alpha. I expect you to show respect and make sure they have everything they need. We don't want a war, and Alphas can be unpredictable. They are your guests. You are representing our pack. Let's make sure this ends peacefully." Dad tells me.

"I will." I tell him. I never thought of the diplomacy involved in meeting my family.

A platter full of bacon and another of sausage. Piles of pancakes mounds of scrambled eggs. So much food you'd think we were feeding half the pack.

"Holy crap Dad do we really need this much!?" I ask.

"Well, let's see 2 Alphas, 1 Delta, and 3 Betas if we count you and your sister. You know ranking wolves have higher metabolisms. It takes a lot to feed an Alpha." Dad says.

"He's not wrong." Uncle Rhy says, walking into the dining room. "Looks great, Clayton." He sits down, followed by Pops and Delta Sam.

"Ruby down here!" Dad yells as we sit.
"Morning Rhydian, Simon, Delta." He greets them.

"I'm up geeze!" Ruby complains as she enters and sits next to dad.

"Morning Ruby." Uncle Rhy says, smiling at her.

"Alpha." Is her monotone response as she loads a plate. The rest of us do the same. Ruby goes to eat, but Dad stops her, grabbing her hand with a look at Uncle Rhy.

"Come on guys, this is your house! Just eat no need to stand on formalities." He says. Typically, no one eats before an Alpha in a show of respect.

I grab my fork and dig in. The table becomes alive with action as everyone eats, grabbing seconds and thirds. Dad was right. The food was completely gone.

"May I be excused? I need to get ready for school." Ruby asks.

"No school this week, pup. I'll call them and have them send your work home with the twins." Dad says.

"I can't miss. I don't want to be behind. I just skipped two grades. I can't just skip a week!" Ruby yells and storms off to her room. She comes back a minute later, fully dressed. "I'm going!" With that, she leaves.

"I won't make her spend time with you." Dad says.

"We wouldn't want you to." Pops responds, putting a hand on his son's shoulder. "It wouldn't be right."

"Can I still stay home?" I ask.

"Yeah, Alic. I'll call the school. You still have to do whatever work they send home, though." Dad says.

"Yes, sir! Will do!" I eagerly reply.

"You play cards, pup?" Pops asks.

"Not really...." I answer.

"Well, no time like the president to learn." Pop grins.

"Euchre time!" Uncle Rhy adds pulling out a deck of cards.

This is the most confusing game in existence. The high cards change every hand sometimes Jack's are powerful sometimes they suck. I think Pops may regret having me as his partner.