North Side

Sabrina's eyes had misted over when her brother walked across the graduation stage. True to his word, he walked with grace and intelligence, lifting his diploma high above his head as cheers rang in the air. His cheeks were alight with a pink hue, and his blue eyes danced as looked through the crowd. He spotted his sister and his parents perfectly. He gave a goofy grin, tipped his hat, and continued on down the stage.

"I can't believe our little boy has graduated," Sabrina's mother hiccupped.

Sabrina nodded along, her eyes still watching her brother take his seat. She, too, could not comprehend it. At eighteen, he was the last child of their parents to finish high school. A wave of nostalgia washed over her as she took in the school's colors and banners. Everything was the same as it had been five years ago.

The ceremony had ended, parents and loved ones swarming their children. Sabrina and her family decided to hang back towards the exit for a quick getaway. Her plan, as she hated being engulfed in tight spaces.

"Sab!" A slab of muscle barrelled into her before she could react.

"Oof!" She shoved him away. "Goddess, Lucian." She slapped him on the shoulder with an admonishing look, then promptly pulled him into a hug that was more of a squeeze.

"Okay, Sab," Lucian pat his sister's back uncomfortably. "People are staring."

"Let them stare," she mumbled into his neck and hugged him tighter. "I haven't seen you in months." She let him go a moment later, albeit unwillingly. She let him go a moment later and watched as their parents congratulated him on his big day.

They ventured out of the lobby an hour later. Lucian had been stopped by classmates and teachers alike. Teachers gushed to their parents about him and classmates made promises to see each other before heading off to wherever their next destination led.

Unsurprisingly, teachers barely remembered Sabrina as she tended to take a backseat in the social world of high school. Lucian was the opposite. He tended to leave a trail of laughter and smiles wherever he went. He made it his endeavor to make at least one person laugh a day. He succeeded in his goal by the time the first period started. His light shone brightly in the darkness, a beautiful soul unleashed in a hormonal teenager.

The family decided to depart, heading to a local dinner. They were seated in a far corner booth that had other families chatting vibrantly. Their family would be no different.

"What are your next steps, Luc?" Sabrina asked before digging into her meal of chicken parmesan.

Lucian's cheeks tinged pink as excitement bottled up in his blue eyes. His entire body was practically vibrating with energy. "I'm off to Greystone!"

Sabrina coughed on her food. She reached for her glass to take a sip of water.

Lucian continued, blissfully unaware of his sister. "I'm following your footsteps and training to be a warrior! I got my acceptance letter in the mail; Commander North Stoll will be my captain." His eyes held pride in them; why wouldn't they? The Commander was the top fighter for the Greystone pack. It was renowned for its intensity and deliverance of the best fighters any pack has ever seen.

An interview was hard enough; getting accepted was an even more amazing feat. Training under Commander North Stoll? That was unheard of.

"That's incredible, Luc!" Their father filled in for his choking-on-water daughter.

"Isn't it?" The light in his eyes burned brighter, his smile grew even wider. "I'll be just as good as you, Sab."

Sabrina, who was still recovering from her choking fit, smiled up at her younger brother. "I am so happy for you. I hadn't realized you applied."

He scratched the back of his neck and a shy smile appeared on his lips. "Yeah, well, college didn't seem right. Stuck in classes and learning to sit in an office isn't what I want for my life. Being a warrior: that's next level."

"You'll still have classes," Sabrina advised.

Lucian shrugged. "Yeah, but they're centered around the pack and the intelligence I'll gain is far greater than what I'll learn at a human school. And there's a forest!"

Sabrina chuckled, as that was what she became excited over as well.

"Who was your captain?" Lucian questioned.

"Commander Richard Stoll."

"Holy shit." Lucian dropped his fork on his plate with a loud clatter.

"Language!" Their mother admonished.

A sheepish smile was sent her way before he turned his attention back to his sister. "Commander North's freaking father?" He raked his hands through his hair. "Goddess, Sab. He's a legend. They say he took down a pack of rogues with his bare hands. Bare hands, Sab. And you were trained by him?"

It was Sabrina's turn for her cheeks to tinge pink.

"That means you also trained with Commander North! Before I leave, you have to show me some moves so I can look cool. I don't want to look like a fool in front of him. Did you know him well?"

She shrugged her shoulders. "We talked occasionally. When do you leave?"

"In about two weeks. Think that's enough time to train me?"

She snorted. "Luc, it took me four years. Two weeks won't cut it."

"Damn."

"Lucian," his mother growled.

"Sorry, mom." He perked up and turned to his sister once more. "Hey, why don't you take me to Greystone? It'll be a trip down memory lane."

"I would love to, but I have an assignment."

"When do you leave?"

"In a couple of days."

Lucian pouted. "Life of a warrior, huh."

"But I promise I'll come back and visit when I can. I won't leave you stranded." Sabrina hoped her answer would be sufficient for him. She just didn't know when her next visit would be. She specifically left out telling him which days she would come; her schedule was too unpredictable.

"I'll hold you to it," Lucian smiled.