CHAPTER 51
The best thing about nights is that I can finally read a book without any interruption. When it comes to daytime, I feel like everything is going to ruin my reading experience. The first time I tried to read a book on school was when I was in high school. At first it was great to read inside the library, but when people started to treat library as a cafeteria, that’s when I lost my focus and passion for staying and reading inside.
I closed the book after I reached half of it. The story was about war and orphans. In short, it’s a whole lot of mess. I remembered what Mom said earlier. Danger is everywhere. Danger is inevitable.
I placed the book on my bedside table and turned off the lamp. As I was feeling the cold misty air of the night and the comfort of having to sleep on my soft linen bed, I heard noise downstairs.
It wasn’t just a noise. It’s a type of noise you would hear when someone is messing over.
I couldn’t just let it happen. What if Felix got an allergy and needed medication? What someone have an heart attack. I maybe overthinking right now. Still, I stood up and gathered all my courage to open the door of my room and walk to the stairs.
The lights downstairs was open. As far I am concerned, I knew I clicked the turn off switch before I get up. There must be someone down there. I could be one of my brothers or my Mom.
My right foot made a sound as I make my first step on the stairs. The peacefullness and quietness turns to noise. I only love this kind of silence when I am reading and not when I’m checking what the fuck is going on downstairs.
I trudged more, holding the railing tighter as I get closer to our ground floor.
The main door was open. Prints of dirt surrounds it. It could’ve been Felix or Jay but they never let dirt to stay that long. They will surely clean it. My eyes trailed to the prints. I traced where it was heading. Then I saw a wolf the same time plates clattered to the ground. Another wolf was breaking our couch on our living room.
I couldn’t move. I can’t. As much as I want to run or fight, I couldn’t. It all felt like a nightmare.
The gray wolf at the kitchen who broke every glasses and plates turned to be. He growled. Calmly at first and then intensely. I step back. I almost let my self fall from the handrail, but I managed my balance.
The wolf made a sound again, calling the attention of the other wolf. In a sudden, two wolves were already looking at me. Staring at me as if they wanted to kill me. If only I know how I shapeshift, I would’ve tried to fight or scare them. But I can’t. Even though I am the daughter of the most powerful wolf in this town, half of me is human. A human who can’t kill. A human who also needs protection from these kind of beings.
The frontrunner wolf scratched the floor, ready to aim its paws on me. I gripped tighter on the handrail. I’ll kick or punch its face if it comes to me. I believe I can fight them. I could do my best to preserve my life.
It released a long and strained howl then it jumped onto me. I closed my eyes and hugged myself. I don’t know. I was ready to feel the pain and get hit by the wolf’s paws. But as soon as I opened my eyes, Felix blocked the wolf. He stood in front of me. Instead of me, the wolf hit Felix.
“Felix! Oh My, God!”
I don’t know what to do anymore. Felix fell from the peak of the stairs to the ground. His head even made a sound.
I rushed downstairs. I should help Felix. I should fight the wolves.
The other wolf jump onto me but I kicked him straight in the eye. I rushed to help Felix and aid him. I tried to reach for the knife but the wolf hit me again with its paw.
“Catherine!” Mom screamed upstairs. She rushed to help us. A dagger on her hand, which I didn’t know she has inside her room. She straddled and attacked the dark gray wolf that I hit in the eye.
Jay followed and assisted me with the other wolf. It was so strong. I tried my best to shapeshift, to also transform into a wolf. But I can’t. My mind was too distracted. Felix on the floor, not moving. Mom fighting eye to eye with the other wolf.
“Cath, stay away from here. Don’t hurt yourself,” Jay said. The wolf left a scratched mark on his face. Oh, my handsome brother. He doesn’t deserve this.
I was left to stare at them, fighting to protect their lives and protect me. They did it to protect me while I am just here to watch and seek protection for myself. Is this my destiny? To run and hide? To witness how people die from protecting me. Is this really what I want?
With rage and power, I screamed. My energy all out. I felt my body changing. I felt fur starts to build up from my body. I feel stronger. I feel that I wasn’t the same as the Catherine who let other people to save her. I am here to save and fight.
My vision as a wolf was much clearer. I can hear better and I don’t feel any pain inflicted earlier at all.
I assisted Jay. I hit the wolf with my paws and knife-sharp nails. It left blood on the wolf and cried into pain. Then I aid Mom and did the same. I feel strong and wanna do this more. I want to hurt the one who did this to us. When the wolves stopped moving, I relaxed. Breathe in, breathe out.
I found myself back to my human self once more.
We dashed to Felix. Blood on his head and scratched shirt on his chest. Ribs are broken. The least thing I am thankful is that he’s alive and well.
“Felix, my brother…” I hugged him and cried it all. I can’t let this happen. I already lost a lot of people in my lfie. I can’t bear to lose my brother. I can’t bear t olose Felix who’s always there to remind of the right thing to do.
His hands were weak when he purred me like a cat. “Take care as always.”
I cried more. Jay cried too. Mom was emotionless but I knew how her traumas came back along.
“You can’t leave us, Felix. We’ll lose our oldest brother.”
“Jay… I knew you could be one for Cath. Take care of her. Cook her favorite meal. Protect her. Don’t leave this world just like how I did. I love to two of you. The two of you are always going to be my babies.”
We kissed him. Then he stopped breathing.