Page 59 of The Tribrid Princess and the Taste of Chaos
“But he’s the only one who listens.”
“Oh yeah? Yet, you still don’t appreciate me,” I remind her mockingly. “That hurts.”
She snorts. “Puh-lease. Hurts? Dude, do you even have feelings?”
I smirk. “You’re right. So, I’m sure you weren’t asking Carter to order you some makeup before we left?”
“He said I’m too young for makeup.” She frowns deeply now. “He’s an ass-”
“Tara.” Mom frowns, and she huffs.
“Please, Jayce. I promise I’ll be nice the next time you come down!”
That promise never lasts…
“Alright, send me the links, and I’ll get you what you want.”
“She doesn’t need anything!” Mom protests.
“He said yes!” Katara shouts, running off. “I’m going to send you the links from Grandma’s phone and make sure you get thecolours I ask for.”
“Yes, boss,” I say in a bored tone.
“You spoil her,” Mom scolds me lightly.
“I have one sister, let me spoil her. Besides, she spends far less than Theo, Carter and Ares.”
“That’s true.”
“Do you need anything?”
She tilts her head and smiles warmly. “No, thank you. You really are such a good boy, Jayce.”
I don’t like being called a good boy, but honestly, I’m not about to say that to her either. She’s getting emotional, too. I cock a brow. “Hey, we’re not that far. If you want any of us to pop down to visit, I’ll make sure all of us do. So, no tears,” I say firmly.
She wipes them away. “I know. It’s just the house is so quiet when you are all gone, and I don’t know... I just feel like, you know, life is short.”
I look down, knowing what she means. We don’t know who will die first, but inevitably in the war to come, many of us will. Only a fool would think that we’ll all make it. But if my family could all live, in return, I’ll willingly sacrifice myself.
“It is short, but even if we die, we will unite one day, right?”
She nods, but her eyes still glisten with tears.
“Let me guess, Dad’s away for work again, too, right?”
She nods vigorously. “Yeah, he usually is nowadays.”
I wish he didn’t have to. I’d take his place so he could spend more time with Mom, but he wanted me to complete my training. Holding the title of Alpha of the pack isn’t somethingI’ve cared for; the rest are competent enough to take the position. I’d rather be out there doing what’s needed.
“Once I’m done here, I’ll make sure you two get a lot more time together.”
She smiles at that. “That would be nice. So, you made Division Leader! You’re the youngest division leader they’ve ever had! Congratulations!”
“Thanks, but it’s just a title. We all do our part.”
She nods. “Absolutely, that’s how a team works. So, I heard Sienna is in your team. How is she coping?”
I suddenly feel as if she can see right through me, and I put on my mask of indifference. “Yeah, she’s fine.”
