"Sarah! Sarah! Wake up! .. come on wake up luv' you're going to be late for school otherwise...SAR." the woman choked up at the end with a very unhealthy cough; sounding like she had already smoked a pack of cigarettes this morning alone.

"Sar.." her voice was horsed from all the shouting, the last few months it became more frequent. It wasn't all my fault per say but I wasn't helping it either. I kept my eyes shut but we both knew that I was awake. Had I even been to sleep yet? I felt her hand rest on my shoulder then...

"Alright alright. I'm up!" my voice snapped as my eyes flung open as they darted towards her direction. I tried everything in my will to hold back the harsh sharpness in my words. Clearly it didn't work. It slipped in there though because I noticed how my mother winced back, scared. Her already 'too tired for this bullshit' eyes stare off behind me before they land back on me while she backs away, back towards my bedroom door. I've been having that effect recently and I just don't know how else to control it. After a few silent curse words to myself; I sit up slowly while I only wore a white tank top to bed, my black curls fell past my slouched shoulders, feeling already exhausted and today hadn't even fully begun.

The rest of my naked form was covered still by my blanket and I dreaded having to move in the next few minutes to finally get dressed.

"Sorry Ma, I'm up and I'll just have to walk a lot quicker today.. it's no biggie" I lied and hated it so much, how my mother couldn't realize when I was chocking up on my own words. It was such a huge deal because at times I found it a struggle to even walk to the shop. Just around the corner.. it's our shop just around the corner, the ones that just sit empty for most part of the day but by nighttime you can bet anything; it's ram packed with people buying cheap alcohol and cigarettes. "I..I'm sorry I got angry.. you know I'm not a morning person" which wasn't a lie yet it felt like one now. Why do I feel like a terrible person? I tried a soft attempt at a smile but it certainly didn't portray how I was feeling on the inside. Was I even a person? Everyday I became more aware of patterns, this regular cycle of the same events happening day in and day out. The feeling of being trapped in a body, no scratch that.. soul that I rarely even recognize as my own anymore.

"Sticks and Stones, They may break your bones, But words will never hurt you"

A silent moment fell as quick as my mothers word spoke out and I could sense she believed in them when she attempted to push a smile through. Just barely but it was there and I looked away just so I could roll my eyes. Being naive was one thing but If only she'd known that those words were a load of trash.. sticks and stones did break my bones and words were most certainly the worst part of it all.

"Please try and stay all day today" her voice was first to break the silence but it came out all hoarse again as my eyes peered in her direction, she wasn't waiting for any response as she seemed to slip back behind my door. That was the most unlikely thing to happen today, just like any other day I got up and headed straight for my shower.

"So I don't have a say in this?"
"No. No you do not son and this is final. End of discussion and.."

I didn't hesitate to heavily push through the heavy oak door. My father; the king had paused in his words towards my oldest brother who gave me an as surprised look as what my father did. I stood still then as my feet felt nested to the ground as my eyes flickered between the two, my father looked puzzled at first but then he crossed his arms over his chest like he was getting ready to discipline me for something I had or hadn't done. Then as I looked over at my brother he shook his head, didn't even seem too pleased to see me either apparently because we both knew why I was here.

"Thomas? Are you just going to stand there or is there a reason why you barged in.. you intruded on a private matter." My father spoke all too confident as he sat behind his huge oak desk while my brother was stood just at the tip of it, being stuck in the middle of us now.

"Yes..there's a reason.." I breathed out and quite frankly needed to intake a huge one before I started again. I shifted my gaze again directly to Lee with that look on his face almost pleading that I keep my big mouth shut for once.. sorry bro not today, not ever.

I glance back and focus all my attention back on the king.

"I am replacing Ren. I do not care what you say father.. Ren.. he won't survive all on his own and I'm not about to let him be around more than 1 - even if he does become mates with 'the one' what's to think that they won't just use him.. hes so sensitive and needs protecting and if so be it that I take his place then least I'll know he'll be more safer here at home.. with yous" I breathed and for a moment I glance back at Lee as if I was seeking some sort of back up or understanding that what I'd said was true, but all I saw was my brother now chewing his lip nervously while observing our fathers reaction to this sudden declaration. Yes it's a declaration that I will not be taking a no as the answer.

I also then turn to see how the king has reacted but by then hes already standing, taller than me but he has nothing on Lee as they stand side by side. He lazily lifts his arm up and sighs running his fingers through his now gray hair then it effortlessly fell back to his side.

His grey eyes scaled my body from head to toe until he finally looked straight at me. "You.. you know your older brother has already put himself up to take his place but my my... you an all' Listen I know how much you both worry for him but he's a big boy and I'm sure he will be fine so please if you may.." his voice was cool but had a dark edge to it trailing off while his hand outstretched again but only to point to the door as my eyes followed. The king was ordering me out and that only made me more pissed off with the whole situation and him. I was never involved in these 'private talks' yet I always found a way to find out and just like now... I was going make sure to have my input this time.

"No! I am not letting this happen! You dont spend enough time with him to know that he'll be okay.. you don't even know these alphas! And you want to send Ren to find out?!" I raised my voice as my hands clenched into fists by my side and that's when I felt Lee's warm hand grab at my arm, trying to assist me to calm down and leave. Nope. Not happening. I was pretty adamant to stand up to my father this time and pulled my arm out of his grip only to shuffle more forward towards the desk.

"I. am. going. to. replace. Ren." I made sure to speak much slowly first to which my father titled his head curiously and I continued "There is no name on the contract so they do not need to know.. plus I'm pretty sure Ren would be more than happy to hear he gets to stay with one of his brothers than being alone..." I watched as his eyes trailed over towards Lee behind me with a scowling look then he equally gave the same look towards me. "He didn't tell me or Ren a thing.. I've just got good hearing.." it wasn't exactly a lie but after the first few times of listening to their conversations I just knew Lee would have to tell me everything, including the contract - terms and conditions.

One year away from home didn't seem all that bad..