#cartember

Dark

I still remember those long days and darker nights, when Joe was taken away from us, I wanted to go out and look for him. I said to dad "I can help" but he said no, I was too young.

And I was so angry at him, because Joe was a baby, and the monster was hurting him only for who he was, for who he will be, and we had to hear that monster breaking his bones, making him crying, screaming for dad, for us, to help him.

And it was so unfair, it should be me, I am the big brother, I should be the Alpha and Joe'd be safe at home, I don't mind to get hurt if it means to keep him safe, to keep them safe, because I'm the big brother and he was a baby, he is a baby, even if he is a man now and he is my Alpha, he always will be my baby brother, and I always will be his big brother.

Spring time was the best. The weather was just right, the flowers in full bloom, and the trees as green as ever. Kelly and I just got done with our run. We made our way to the house. Pushing each other, snarky remarks, and laughing.

Before we made it to the house, we felt someone approach. It was fine though. The bond said packmatefriend.

Robbie came out of the tree line in his wolf form and in his mouth...

I looked at Kelly and said “Kelly, what the hell?” I laughed my ass off. Robbie was prancing toward us with flowers in his mouth. Flowers! Kelly’s face turned red as he quickly made his way toward Robbie.

He tried to whisper as if I wasn’t a werewolf and can still hear him.

“Robbie, come on in front of Carter?” Robbie let out a little whimper. It wasn’t a sad one though. It was playful. He knew Kelly was pleased. So did I.

Kelly looked back at me and turned red again. I am going to give them hell for this. They make it too easy.

Kelly looked back at Robbie. He tried to fight it but it was inevitable. His grin was wider than ever. “Thank you” he whispered as he took the flowers. Robbie nudged his nose against Kelly’s other hand. Kelly petted Robbie’s head and giggled. He then bent down and pressed his forehead to Robbie’s. Gross. They started to head over to me. I smiled. I was happy for Kelly. I liked teasing Robbie but I cut him some slack from time to time. He made Kelly happy. Therefore, he made me happy.

I was too distracted by my brother and his mate being lovey-dovey and making me about to blow chunks. I didn’t notice Timber. And he...

“You’ve got to be shitting me.”

Timber also had flowers in his mouth. He was now in front of me. I heard Kelly snickering and Robbie snorted. Robbie. That damn bastard! He was with Timber. They have been buddy buddy lately.

I looked at Timber and said “Absolutely not.” Timber whimpered. Unlike Robbie, his sounded sad. It was starting to feel blue. Ugh! “Fine!” I exclaimed. I took the flowers.

“This is dumb. I’m going inside.” I didn’t wait for the others. I got inside and damn it all. My face was hot. I’m embarrassed. Yeah that’s it. My heart was beating so hard I thought it would burst. What? I didn’t dwell on it.

I got out a vase, poured water in it, and placed the flowers in it. They still haven’t came in. I was walking toward the door to see what was taking them so long. Before I turned the doorknob, I looked back at the flowers. I felt my heart beating hard again. What the hell was happening? I couldn’t help but smile though.

I opened the door. Robbie had shifted back. He and Kelly were holding hands. Kelly still held his flowers and he was smiling. I looked at Timber. He was sitting down, tail wagging, and tongue hanging out. He was happy. Fucking shit.

I was lying in bed. It was a winter night and snowing hard. I was freezing my ass off! I already threw a throw blanket over my comforter. Fuck this.

As I got up preparing to shift, I heard scratching at the door and whining. Seriously, fuck this!

I began to open the door but the damn idiot didn’t wait. Timber pushed the door open and right passed me. He hopped on my bed and began to get comfortable. He laid down like it was his bed!

I glared at him and said “Hell no.” He snorted and looked down at the empty spot on the bed. By empty, I mean this tiny, almost nonexistent space! The only way to fit is to be as close to each other as possible. Nope.

“Timber. Get. Down. Now.” He shook his head. Okay it’s on.

“I’m not playing dude! Get off my bed!” He stared at me.

“Come on! We both can’t even fit!” He looked down at the bed. Through the bond that has formed, he sent comesafewarm. Why does this keep happening to me?

“If you don’t get down, I’ll beat your oversized wolf ass!” He snorted. Damn.

“Fine! So annoying!” Well at least I didn’t have to shift into my wolf form.

I got into bed and under the covers. It’s not easy getting under the covers when Timber was practically the size of the damn bed. Ugh!

I got into a comfortable position, then he tugged on my shirt sleeve. I’m going to kill him. “I’m in bed! Now stop before I kill you!” He kept tugging. What is his deal? I gave up and scooted closer. His tail began to wag and then it laid still.

Today was going to be a good day. It was Mother’s Day after all. I accompanied Kelly and Joe to the flower shop. We do it every year. We would dress in nice suits and take Mom out to dinner. After dinner, we would take a stroll through the forest until we were exhausted.

We made our way downtown and entered the flower shop. It always smelt good in here. Each flower with its own unique scent. I could stay in here forever.

The flower shop trip was a tradition. Dad valued traditions. Each of us would go around and pick out one type of flower. Once we discovered the flower we would like to give Mom, we asked the flower shop workers their opinions. The arrangement was made and we went back home to pick up Mom.

We were almost home and chatting. Today we talked about our mates. It took a while for me to figure out how I felt. I didn’t understand it. Mom said she didn’t at first either before she got with Dad. Eventually my feelings for Timber grew. I was happy. I always wished to have the love Mom and Dad had. Now I do and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

I pulled the car up to the house. As we got out, I had to mess with them. It was my duty as the oldest brother.

“My flowers are obviously better” I said.

Kelly snorted and Joe said “Whatever asshole. Did you see the look the workers gave to your choice? You’re lucky Kelly and I have taste.”

He and Kelly bumped fists. The little shits. I took the flowers from Kelly’s hand and shoved them both.

We got to the door and knocked. We were gentlemen taking Mom on date. We did everything by the book.

Mom opened the door. My eyes widened. She was beautiful. Mom wore a lavender dress. It was a little tight around the waist and flowed at the bottom. She wore a silver, crescent moon necklace. Dad got it for her one Mother’s Day. She still wore it every now and then, but Mother’s Day was the day she had to wear it.

I looked at Kelly and Joe. We all smiled at each other. We then looked at Mom and together we said “Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. We love you.”

*Carter-Sunflowers (warmth, adoration, dedication)

*Kelly-Snapdragons (graciousness)