Brothers’ Regret After I Left

The night of my first shift at eighteen, my two older brothers brought home a twelve-year-old orphaned Omega.

My alpha brother seized the rare healing herb I'd spent all my savings on—herbs meant to ease my first transformation—and gave them to her instead. "You're strong enough," he growled. "You don't need such precious herbs."

My beta brother snarled with fury, pointing toward the door. "Get out! Don't come back!"

I said nothing more, just grabbed my packed bag and left.

They assumed I was merely throwing a tantrum, that I'd return in a few days.

My brothers, finally free of my presence, took the orphan girl on an international vacation to the Caribbean islands I'd always dreamed of visiting.

Many days later, when they returned to the pack, they were shocked to discover I'd accepted an offer from the neighboring pack's Head Healer. The position required fifteen years of isolated herbal research.

I could never return home.

That night, they fell apart.

1

The night of my first shift at eighteen, my two older brothers brought home a twelve-year-old orphaned Omega.

My Alpha brother seized the rare healing herb I'd spent all my savings on and gave them to her instead. My Beta brother snarled with fury, "Get out! Don't come back!"

They even took the orphan girl on an international vacation to the Caribbean islands I'd always dreamed of visiting.

Many days later, when they returned to the pack, they were shocked to discover I'd accepted a position required fifteen years of isolated herbal research.

I could never return home.

That night, they went crazy.

…

The day I accepted the Head Healer's offer happened to be the Full Moon Festival—the most sacred day for werewolf families to reunite and celebrate together.

My mentor walked me to the door of the healing chambers, her voice gentle as she offered her final advice:

"In five days, you'll begin your fifteen years of isolation, Ember. Remember to say proper goodbyes to your family."

The Northern Territory was always cold. I stood on the street corner for what felt like hours, finally gathering enough courage to attempt mind-linking with my brothers.

Unsurprisingly, they had blocked my mental connection long ago.

With a sigh, I pulled out my phone and called my Alpha brother, Ryker. Twenty years as siblings should count for something.

No matter how ugly things had become between us, we deserved one final meal together.

He disconnected my calls repeatedly before finally shutting his phone off completely.

Swallowing my pride, I dialed my Beta brother, Axel.

This time, after an eternity of ringing, he deigned to answer, like he was granting me some grand favor.

Afraid he'd hang up, I rushed my words:

"It's Full Moon Festival today. Could we... could we celebrate together at home?"

Silence stretched across the line. I carefully added:

"I bought gifts for everyone... I even found a Moon Goddess dress for Willow—her favorite style."

Willow was the Omega orphan my brothers had adopted.

Axel's