Wallace

As I followed Orpheus out I wondered if Wallace is my 'Bio dad' then would that make Orpheus my brother? I never had a brother but always wanted an older one growing up. Siblings, in general, seemed to be a nice thing to have. In books, they had your back and I wanted that. Orpheus didn't talk as we made our way up the mountain path toward the sun. It would only be a few hours before it set. I wonder how long it will take to get to Wallace.

After 20 minutes I couldn't take the silence anymore. "Ayame said Wallance is your dad. Do you ever go fishing with him?"

"Fishing is something he does alone. He says everyone is too loud to bring with him." he stopped and turned "He's not my Dad. He was the only one willing to take me in after I was abandoned by the Mirror Falls." His eyes were both hard and distant. He shook his head and turned back around. "We are almost there. When we get there to be quiet and let me speak. Wallace won't be happy we interrupted his fishing."

"Okay." A small part of me was a little disappointed. He probably would make a good older brother. Seemed the type to protect those he loves. I wanted to talk more but Orpheus seemed on edge as we continued on. He acted like we were getting close to something dangerous instead of a man fishing.

When we stopped again we stood by a river. I had expected to find a man sitting with a fishing rod, but instead, I watched as a huge fox snapped his jaw snatching a fish from the water. I should have hidden like Orpheus told me but instead, I started forward.

"What are you doing!" Orpheus grabbed my jacket and yanked me behind him.

"I don't.." shaking my head I couldn't finish the sentence. I felt drawn to the fox and wanted to bury myself in its fur. Which sounds insane. No way was I saying that aloud.

As I tried figuring out what was wrong with me the fox dropped the fish and stalked toward us growling. It snapped at us before shifting into a man I recognized. He was on the slightly heavier side with a streak of white in his hair on the left now but it was him.

"You know not to bother me when I am fishing! It is the only time I ask the tribe to leave me be." He growled out the words making me shiver. I was not going to back down now that I was here. I needed answers and no angry beast-man would scare me away from them. Before Orpheus could open his mouth to answer I stepped out.

"Hello Wallace, My name's Amber and it's my fault we are up here. I need some answers and I think you may have them." I held my head high and my hand out. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Orpheus jaw drop before he switched to scowling at me for again not listening.

Wallace was staring at me the same way Ayame had when I glowed but this time I am not glowing. Before I knew it I was knocked backward and my head was spinning in shock. Before me, Orpheus and Wallace were throwing punches at each other.

"Don't you dare touch her!" Orpheus yelled hitting Wallace in the gut.

Wallace staggered and laughed "Or what big boy? You'll take me down for once? We both know I am stronger." He blocked as Orpheus aimed for his mouth. "Alway quick to fight this one is." He shot me a quick grin before ducking out of the way of the next fist. Wallace charged forward grabbing Orpheus around the waist. In a blink, they were rolling in the dirt.

"Get off me you sadistic bastard," Orpheus growled as Wallace pinned him to the ground.

Wallace only laughed "You started the fight and you want me to stop." His eyes then turned hard. "I went to shake her hand and you threw her to the ground." The growl this time gave me a shiver. "You act like I hurt my own daughter after finding her. If anyone should throw the first punch it would be me on you." Orpheus let out a whine as Wallace put more pressure on his chest with his knee.

I couldn't stand Orpheus's being in pain anymore. "Get off him!" both of them snapped their heads in my direction as I stomped toward them. I grabbed Wallace's arm and pulled."I said get off. You're hurting him." To my dismay and his, I easily pulled him off. We stared at each other for a sec before I rushed to Orpheus. "Are you okay?" I reached out my hand to the confused wolf.

"I am fine." He didn't take my hand and got up by himself. He seemed upset that I stepped in.

"Stupid wolf was I supposed to just sit back and watch. Sorry but not my style. I help my friends when they need it whether they want it or not. Get over your macho man self." I turned toward Wallace leaving Orpheus looking like I hit him where it counts. Wallace gave a soft chuckle as I walked toward him.

"I think we need to talk. It didn't slip past me that you called me daughter during your brawl." I held out my hand with a smile. Unlike someone else he took it.

"I knew the moment I got a good look at you. You look too much like Serafina not to be. Where's your Mom?" He looked so happy but I knew my next words were going to crush him.

"She passed away 18 years ago." I could look at him but I knew but the gush of wind and howl he had shifted in his devastation.