Page 4

When I arrived there was an influx of shifters and even a few humans for the full moon. I met a visiting female shifter and happily assisted her through the blood moon. Then I got to beat the shit out of a few non-human scum, which was just as thrilling.

But now? Now I’m fucking bored out of my mind. There’s still another almost two weeks until the equinox. My parents, and the majority of my siblings, won’t arrive until closer to the day. Until then I’m on my own with no one to distract me from the sheer boredom of this small town.

Sure, there’s the lake. I could go swimming with some friendly mere’s, and have some fun but that would only fill one day. What would I do with the rest of my time?

Growling in frustration I crawl to my hands and knees and sit back on my heels. Rubbing my eyes with the palms of my hands I clear the sleep from them.

The living room is dark—except for the bright ass sunshine beaming in through the slits in the curtains. There are a few items of clothing strewn across the back of the chairs and couches. Dirty cups and empty take-out containers clutter the kitchen counters, the trash can overflowing where it sits against the wall because I’m too fucking lazy to take it out. To be fair I’m used to room service taking care of things like trash and laundry.

There has to be someone in town my parents usually hire to work for them while they’re here. Maybe I should text them to find out. Though if I do, my mother will know I’m here and probably show up way earlier than planned. And I definitely do not want that to happen.

Fuck. I’m going to have to clean up myself, aren’t I?

I stand and survey the space trying to gather enough energy to actually clean. My tail flicks behind me in agitation and brushes against a pile of something I’ll no doubt have to clean up as well.

“Guess I should get started,” I grumble under my breath. “Maybe just the trash.” I wrinkle my nose as I get closer to the mountain in the trash can. “It is starting to smell.”

I manage to force myself to take out all the trash and at least start a load of dishes in the dishwasher.

“Look at me, being all domestic and shit.”

When that’s finished, I shower and slip on a pair of loose jeans remaining shirtless, slipping my tail through the custom-tailored slit in the back so I don’t have to cram it down the pant leg. Not that any human can see it anyways. Why hide it? I’d rather be comfortable.

Strolling through our spacious and professionally decorated vacation manor, I find myself in the kitchen rummaging through the fridge searching for edible leftovers in the remaining takeout containers. Thank fuck they have Dottie’s here. Her food can rival any Michelin star restaurant in the world.

Looks like there’s some bacon and cheese fries left. I pull it out and transfer it to a plate placing my hand flat on the bottom. I generate heat in the palm of my hand. Not sparking a flame, just infusing my hand with heat like a hot plate until the cheese is melted and gooey once again. Sometimes having fire abilities is awesome.

I’m halfway through my breakfast of champions, when I hear the front door slam and then the voice of my younger brother call out through the house.

“What the fuck man? Can you at least pick up your dirty underwear? Gross.”

I laugh around a mouth full of fries and wait for my little brother to make his way to me in the kitchen. He strolls in moments later glaring at me with false indignation.

Endo is the youngest of all my siblings, and the one I’m closest to. We’re the black sheep of all the kids. The ones that give our parents the most headaches. I’m rather proud of that fact. They’re so uptight and snobby I’m glad I’m not like them.

Both Endo and I possess a lot of similar traits, thanks to our mother passing on her animal magic abilities. She’s an animal and water nymph with more sea-like attributes, but without her blood we wouldn’t have our own animal traits. Not to mention our ability to speak to animals and sense their presence.

Although we both possess physical animal attributes they differ greatly between us. Where I have crimson hair and tiger stripes across my body with a tail to match, Endo has short russet suede fur with white deer spots along his neck and chest, his hair almost golden. I know he also has a deer tail too, but he keeps it tucked away. It was a source of teasing from the boys growing up.

Endo is cute, like an adorable little doe, with soft features and attributes of docile animals that tend to be prey. I, however, have attributes of predators, giving me sharper, harder features. We may be physically different but extremely similar in our dislike of family status and forced socialite behavior. Being the cream of the crop is neither of our preferences. We’d both be completely happy never participating in social events ever again.

“What the hell are you doing here so early? Whenever mom does manage to force you to attend, you usually show up hours before the celebration,” he says in greeting.

Leaning my elbows on the kitchen island, I shrug and go back to eating my fries.

“No reason, just felt like it.”

Which is true. I have no idea why I’m here or why I came nearly a month before the equinox. If Endo knew how long I’ve been here he might die of shock.

“What areyoudoing here so early?” I retort.

“Mom tasked me with getting the house ready, which I thought would be an easy task since it has supposedly been empty for months. I see now we’ve had a squatter who doesn’t know how to use one of the multiple washing machines.”

Endo picks up a piece of clothing, a shirt I think, between his fingertips and flicks it onto the pile on the floor.

“I was gonna get to it. Be happy I just cleaned the kitchen.”

He looks around the kitchen, the flattening of his lips telling me he doesn’t believe me. I may not have mopped or wiped down the counters, but the trash can is empty, and the smelly take out containers are gone. I call that a win.