No Place Like Home

Chapter 3

Ruth’s POV

I roll over in my bed trying to get comfortable. I sit up and look around confused at how I ended up in my bed. The last thing I remembered was I fell asleep on the couch waiting for Jubal to get home. I slide out of bed and walk into my bathroom. I look in the mirror and gasp when I see that the sleeves of my jacket are pushed up to my elbows.      

          Brushing my teeth, I hurry and finish my morning routine. I knew that Jubal was up because I could hear him moving around in the kitchen. Slowly I picked out some clothes, dreading going downstairs and facing him. For months I had managed to keep the scars hidden, but in just a day he found them. I felt so defeated and useless at that moment, that I just slide to the floor and pulled my legs up against my chest.

          I must have sat there close to fifteen minutes crying. I heard Jubal yelling for me. “Ruth, you need to hurry up. Breakfast is ready and we have a meeting with some friends of mine. If you’re not down here in five minutes, I’m coming up to get you.” I couldn’t tell anything by the neutral tone of his voice.  Splashing cold water on my face to hide the redness of my eyes, I slowly make my way down the stairs.

          The long sleeve western shirt I chose hid my scars, as well as the blue jeans. I left my hair down. Taking a seat at the island table, Jubal slides a plate loaded with food in front of me. My eyes go wide in shock when I see how much food is on the plate. Picking up my fork, I start to eat. Jubal’s eyes never left my face.

          I managed to eat all the bacon, two sausages, a biscuit, and half of the eggs along with the whole glass of milk. Pushing the plate to my brother, I stand up. “You didn’t finish eating.” I shrug my shoulders and pull out my phone. –I’m full. You said something about a meeting?

“We’re not leaving until you finish eating.”

          -Then I guess we’re not going anywhere because I can’t finish the rest of that. I don’t have a big appetite. He lets out a long sigh and dumps the leftover breakfast in the trashcan. “Let’s go.” He says pointing towards the front door. I lock the house as he pulls his truck out of the shed. Climbing into the front seat, I slam the door shut and buckle my seat belt.

          “So my boss, the mayor, wants to meet you. His name is Nathaniel Holmes. I think you’ll like him…” Jubal cleared his throat and that’s when I noticed that he looked nervous. “Did Dad ever tell you that our family had a secret?” I keep my eyes on my hands as I think of how to answer his question.

I nod once and I heard him sigh as if the weight of the world fell off his shoulders. “When did he tell you?”

-The day I turned 10. He said that the only reason he was telling me was because when I turned 15 or 16, I would change into one as well. I looked up at my brother from the corner of my eye and I couldn’t help but see a spark of hope flash through his eyes.

“And have you?” I shake my head no. He sighs and starts the car. “Mom wasn’t the same as Dad you know? There’s a chance you might be like her. You won’t have to stay human.” He says softly, his eyes on the road as we leave the house. I couldn’t help but feel hurt at his comment. –I’m sorry if my being human instead of wolf upsets your plans Jubal. I didn’t ask for this.

I show him my words, but he doesn’t speak. Instead, he pulls over to the side of the road and looks at me. “That’s not what I meant Rose. Even though I’m sad that Mom and Dad are dead, I’m glad that you’re here with me; human or shifter.”

-Do you hate Mom for what she did to Dad? He looks surprised at the change of topic, but shakes his head no. “I never hated her Ruth. Sure, I was mad that she cheated on Dad with Dolph, but I forgave her.” Jubal reaches over and makes me look at him. “But I love you no matter what. You are my sister. The day they brought you home, I spent the whole day just holding you and telling you stories. You started walking at a year, and the only person you would go to was me.”