LIVING THE DREAM
CHERISH – LIVING THE DREAM
I start my day early, eager to spend some time alone with my brother. We run together every day but today we’re earlier than normal since he’s going to have some travelling to do afterwards. One of our best friends from when we were just pups is having a commitment ceremony in a nearby pack and Daemon is going as a guest. They invited me as well but the distance is far enough for it to be undoable for me. Being as small as I am, I don’t travel swiftly in either form so going anywhere takes twice as long. Where Daemon will be back in a couple of days, I would need more than a week.
Daemon is my twin, older than me by seventeen minutes. He was born healthy and robust, weighing just under nine pounds. He was a large baby and it came at a cost – me. I followed behind him but almost as an afterthought. My petite body weighed less than three pounds and I required assistance breathing. From the moment I was brought home from the hospital to now, Daemon has always been my guardian. I believe part of him blames himself for how risky my first few months were but no one else does. I certainly don’t! He is my favourite person in the world and by far the better of us. His capacity for love and compassion is boundless and someday he is going to make his mate exceptionally happy. Daemon is still a large specimen, now over six feet and nearly as wide. He has been training as a warrior for years now which has translated into big muscles and abs of steel. He’s my brother so I can’t say I really noticed but over the years, having so many other she-wolves trying to get on my good side has told me otherwise.
I throw my hair into a simple ponytail, dressed in bike shorts and a tank. I leave my room and head down the hall to the stairs, knocking on Daemon’s door as I pass. He gives me a shout so I know he’s up and head downstairs to wait for him. Mom pours me a glass of juice that I barely touch when Daemon enters the kitchen. He has clearly thrown on whatever was laying on the floor because everything is wrinkled and his shirt has sauce stains on it. Mom makes a noise of annoyance while rolling her eyes in jest, fully used to the slob my brother is. He gulps down some juice as well then, we head outside. Our yard faces the forest out back so it is a short walk to the treeline. We duck inside and undress, keeping our backs to each other so there’s no embarrassing moments. Within seconds, the sounds of our bodies contorting and converting echo through the trees to be replaced by the joyous howls of our wolves taking control.
Daemon’s wolf, Kenner takes the lead with me and Malin chasing closely behind. He runs fast but maintains a speed I can match, allowing us to run side by side. Kenner and Malin are mirror reflections of one another, nearly identical but unique. Kenner is a darker shade of blonde and he has a large patch of blonde on his right side. Malin is lighter and has a patch of brown on her left side. Despite Daemon and I being fraternal, there is no doubting we’re related. His blonde hair is darker than mine but we share the same green eyes we inherited from our dad.
Malin, like most wolves, loves to run and play in the woods. Our petite size makes it dangerous for us to venture near the border so we only go for runs when Dad or Daemon are available to come with us. It makes everyone breathe easier knowing I’m not on my own and Malin likes the company so everyone wins.
Kenner is just as protective of Malin as Daemon is of me. He stays close to Malin, allowing her plenty of play time as well as some wrestling, always following her lead. Wrestling is something Malin especially enjoys because it is an opportunity to exercise her wild side. We don’t participate in warrior training as there are no opponents our size and in battle, she issimply not a competitor. We were disappointed when we first learned that there were always going to be obstacles in our plans but knowing that, we can work with those limitations.
The time to end our fun comes far too soon but I know Daemon needs to get moving. He and Kenner have a full day of running ahead of them so I’m extra grateful my brother made time for me before leaving. We make our way back to our clothes and redress, again giving one another the appropriate privacy. As we walk toward the house, Daemon throws his arm over my shoulder and pulls me close.
“I’m going to miss you Nugget,” he says into the top of my head as he gives me a kiss. I hug him back just as tightly but don’t say anything in case I start crying. He’s only going to be gone a couple of days but we’ve never been apart before and I’m already dreading it. Malin is whimpering quietly, her connection to Kenner as close as Daemon and me.
We enter the house to delicious aromas wafting throughout and the sounds of mom and dad in the kitchen. We wash up before sitting at the table and diving in, enjoying this quiet time together as a family. Mom has outdone herself as she always does, ensuring our wolves get their fill. There are eggs for me but pancakes for dad and so much bacon, sausage and ham you could easily make a meal of just meat. Easy conversation flows between mouthfuls, excitement for Daemon’s trip being the dominant topic. This is the furthest he’s ever gone on his own so while he’s anxious, he’s also thrilled. I know he’s also hopeful that he’ll find his mate while visiting, since we both know with confidence that our other halves are not in our pack. I’m secretly keeping my fingers crossed that everything works out the way he is hoping it will – he deserves it.
Once breakfast is done, I help mom clean off the table and load the dishwasher. Daemon gives us all hugs and kisses before leaving on his trip, eager to get underway. I manage to keep my tears contained until he leaves, then turn to my dad’s embrace. I knew it was going to be hard seeing him leave but I’m surprised by the hollowness his absence leaves in me. Dad indulges me until I catch my breath, surprised by my strong reaction. Once everything is cleaned up, I head upstairs to take a quick shower. My room isn’t large but it does have an attached bath I share with Daemon. My sanctuary is in the turret portion of the second floor which means lots of unusual angles and corners but I love it! Likely half the size of the one Daemon occupies but it is unique and it’s mine. My bed is centered in the curved windows with a white canopy of lace hanging from above. My clothes are overflowing my small closet and drawers but it is still neat and clean. Daemon’s room needs a bulldozer to get everything off the floor.
After my shower I braid my hair into a single pleat down my back to ensure it’ll stay out of my way. I don’t worry about makeup because I know I’ll be sweating soon enough and nobody wants to see my mascara running down my face in streaks. I head back downstairs and find dad in his chair, listening to the stereo. He is a huge fan of Andrew Lloyd Webber and enjoys endless hours of simply sitting and listening. I’ve become a fan as well but not to the same degree dad is. I give him a kiss on his cheek before turning to give mom a quick hug. I place a large, slurpy loud kiss on mom’s cheek which earns me her bountiful giggle and laugh. I tell them I’ll be back by dinner and head out the door.
