SCAREDY CAT.

They were my older brothers, who were so protective of me when they were around, and as soon as they were done with high school, they left without a word, which pissed me off.

This time, I’m not letting them off the hook.

“Oceana, it’s time to be crowned,” my mom announced.

I looked over the big gate as it opened up so widely.

Guards came up to me and gave me an enormous animal skin to put on. I took it from them and wore it, but it stinks like dog poop.

“Be quick with it, Oceana,” my mom reminded me.

“Show yourself to the whole kingdom,” my father encouraged me. “It’s possible your wolf will come out of you as the ritual is going on.’

I bobbed and walked to the gate barefoot, my white hair flowing all over my face. I was so nervous that I stopped looking at the thousands of people waiting for me to appear before them.

I saw lots of blood spilled over the cold floor, stinking and gross with organs over it; I almost puked.

I was terrified. “Mom, I can’t walk over this; this is so gross. Why are there organs scattered everywhere.” I covered my nose with my hand.

“Don’t you dare puke, Oceana; proof to them you are a princess that could lead and protect them tomorrow; don’t act like a baby.’ My mom hushed me and handed over dried head of a wolf.

I nearly screamed.

She closed my mouth by slapping it with her hand.

“Prove it to them,” she commanded.

I was shaking and looked over at Carmine, who gave me a thumbs up, and Gerard, who nodded at me to go on.

I shook my head; at least he would understand how scared I was.

He came to me and rubbed my shoulder with a smile.

“I’m scared, Gerard; there’s blood and organs all over the place. I feel like I'm in the midst of dead bodies. I want to vomit. Please tell Mom not to do this.” I pleaded with him.

“People are watching, Oceana, but I’m here for you; do it for me, love, I will always be here to support you.’

“Okay, Gerard.’ I gobbled my saliva and began walking.

Slow.

Everyone was watching. I was scared, hoping that I wouldn’t fall on my face. I stepped on the cold blood as my body shivered and my eyes welled up with tears.

I began imagining all sorts of horror movies and being eaten alive.

What kind of ritual was this?

Suddenly, something moved under me.

I screamed and nearly fell on my face, Gerard caught me in his arms and carried me up in bridal style with blood dripping from my legs.

I looked up at him, holding the terrifying wolf's head.

"Scaredy cat.' he whispered and grinned at me.

"I'm not..."

"Hush! The people are watching you, little wolf.'

I tried to hide my smile as he began moving, stepping on the blood. He walked barefoot in front of these thousands of people with his gentle grace.

I held him tightly; he got to the end of the red line and put me down.

He took the crown from one of the council elders and put it on my head, and then bowed before me.

I then look at the rest of the people, who also bowed before me, welcoming me as their princess.

“Hail Princess Oceana.’ Everyone cheered and clapped for me.

The celebration began, but my parents were not happy about it about Gerard interfering with me, they hoped I had gone through it alone.

Although Gerard helped me, I tried to avoid embarrassing my parents in front of the people.

That'd what most important right?

I tried to be happy and smile for the public, thankful to Gerard for being by my side throughout the celebration.

It was because of him.

I got through the festival. We had lots of fun.

He played, carried me on his shoulder around the whole place.

We both threw sweets and balloons at each other. Carmine also joined in, running away from the festival.

That night, after celebrating, my parents asked me and Alex to excuse them.

I did, but my curiosity got the best of me, and Alex just went back to his games.

I hid behind the pillar, trying with so much strength that I was virtually sweating profusely on my forehead to eavesdrop on them.

Finally, I could catch a few words.

“Why did you come back?’ My father’s voice sounded solemn, and he slammed the table.

“Dear, you need to calm down; the kids will hear you,’ she whispered.

“I… I had to come for the...

“I don’t want to hear any excuses from you; don’t you dare fail me and the clan?’

Why was he talking to Gerard in such a manner? I thought he was happy he came home.

Was it because he helped me?

“Let this be the last time you come home until Oceana finds her mate, or else you will cease to be my son.’

What were they hiding? Was the father disowning Gerard, or was I thinking something unrelated?

I noticed Gerard and Carmine, leaving the dining table, I better run before I get caught.

Anyway, I was going to find out someday and they can’t hide the truth from me forever on why my brothers are not always around.

I got to school the next day and noticed people whispering among themselves.

I don’t know why but I lowered my head and concentrated on searching for Jessie, when I felt something hot poured on my head.

I jumped up, shouting panickingly and taking off anything that was on my head, to my surprise it was pasta.

An Alpha poured this on my head, I looked around and it was this girl named Beatrice; I hated her with every guts

How dare she, I growled, glaring at her.

“Do you hate your life so much to do this to me?”

I got such a badmouth huh, for a ten-year-old little kid, well, the school taught me that.