Alpha of Smoke

abe

ees and illuminating the world in a golden haze. I blink a few times, stretch, and t

her, not even tryin' to

her nose without even open

' over her to get my day started

ces he's awake. "We're leavin' today,

"We're leavin' today!" It's not a question. With a grin, she slides out of bed, and I'm happy to see she's a

ct on people, I suppose

wn for breakfast. The whole time, she's frettin' about whether or not she packed

but I answer, "Chet said not to bri

e scrapes a few more eggs onto Robert's plate. "And yer pa told me

spewing eggs on the plate. "Nah, they was just boys bein' boys," I

ose last coupla windows so we can get rollin'.

ouldn't go. He nods and shovels another bite of eggs into hi

I wander outside where Robert is standing on a ladder, nailing a board over my bedroom window. I frown. I don't

ck to this nice little house

?" I holler

he nail he's holding in his mouth. "

and I can hear the clatter of hooves in the distance. I wonder if all them new folks is ready to go

and I raise my eyebrows. My brother don't usually give me advice, so when he does, I try to listen. "Just do what P

and proper face I can. "I will be father's most obedient child." I flutter my

hopefully stay locked up until he can get back. I try to imagine Joseph living here on his

e. Chances are I won't since he'll probably be left behin

pty wagon than a full one. We've gotta stop by the store and pick up the bags of food stuffs Pa purchased from the general store after we came to an

time I'm sittin' on the bench next to the little kids with Pa and Ma in front of us and Joseph on a horse. We figured we may as we

tin' spot. I see Uncle Tim's wagon already situated there. It's loaded down with furnitur

couple look brand new. One of 'em is bein' pulled by a team that ain't no way big e

y and Bill on their horses keepin' 'em close together. They grin at me, Bill raisin' his hat. I f

talk to the so-called leaders. It'll be clear to everyon

e only girl whose name I know, other than my own cousin. I lift a hand to her, and she

I would hate to lose anyone in my family, but I'd do anything to let them grow up a little more–to find the joys of meeting their wolve

my mate. But I will be having an adventure. I shift my gaze

trip is true, chances are, that'