by Jenny Tia
“I am not an abomination!”
He grabbed at the sheets on his bed and smashed his fists into the mattress as he let out a screech so loud and animalistic it almost morphed into a howl. “I am not a beast! I am not a beast! Get out! Get out!”
He broke down into tears, curling up over his knees as he wept. He wrapped his arms tightly around his shins and pulled himself into a tight ball. My wolf whimpered, pawing at my chest as my heart broke into a thousand pieces for Eli and his hatred of his wolf.
I glanced at a guard and he nodded toward the door. He was right. There was nothing more for us to do in here. We made our way out, and as I stepped through the threshold, I heard the hybrid muttering something. I turned back, and Eli glared at me over his knees. His words were muffled, but I heard them well enough.
“The day of reckoning for beasts is coming. When they will pay for their true sin of annihilating the pure and clean people of this land. And when the day of reckoning comes, the world will be wiped clean as it once was before, but this time it will be right.”
My stomach sank because there was something seriously important about what Eli just said.
The walk back to the observation room felt like it took fifty years. Each step was heavier than the last. My shoulders ached, and I felt like I was carrying the weight of the world on my back. Eli’s words had planted some kind of seed inside me, and my wolf was trying to dig it out before it took root. Maybe it was too late.
By the time I got back to Alpha Hughes and Casius standing in front of the monitors, I was full-blown paranoid about what was coming for us.
I just stood in the doorway and looked at them.
“Good job, Nicolas.” Alpha Hughes nodded to me.
I grunted.
“You got out of there before it got nasty.”
“You two heard what he said though, right?” I frowned. They glanced at each other and I let out a frustrated sigh as I closed the door behind me. “What is this day of reckoning? Do you know more about this than you’re telling me?”
Casius ran a hand over his face.
Alpha Hughes wet his lips. “The only intel we have is from the snake shifter, Leroy.”
“The guy who told us that the humans were targeting the mates of the pack Alphas?”
“Correct.” Casius nodded. “That’s it. That’s all we know.”
Alpha Hughes added, “But clearly there’s more to it. That scripture Eli was reciting, or whatever it was, sounds like there are more pieces to this puzzle.”
“It sounds like some kind of history between wolves and humans that we weren’t taught in school. And it sounds like someone has brainwashed Eli to hate his wolf, and that we should be preparing for a battle.” I caught myself bracing for retaliation, given how sharp and direct my words were. Not exactly how I was meant to communicate with the Supreme Alpha and the Alpha Select, but I was at my wit’s end.
They looked at each other and let out heavy breaths.
Alpha Hughes broke the silence when he cleared his throat. “Yes it does, Nic. It does sound like that, doesn’t it?”
The Alpha’s left me in the observation room where I sat and watched the night-vision footage of Eli sleeping in his cot, and the other human lying motionless in his bed. With nothing to distract me, paranoia pulsed through my body. After an hour of chewing my fingernails, tapping my foot, and running my altercations with Eli through my mind at least ten thousand times, my wolf was pushing against the surface, howling to get out.
I was due for a break, but instead of going to the break room, I needed something different. I stuck my head out the door and called down the corridor, “Yo, Lachlan?”
Two seconds later, the guard appeared at the other end of the station and waved.
“Man this desk while I go for a run?”
He sprinted to the observation room, hurled over the seat beside mine, and sat down with his legs swinging. “Yes, boss.”
“I’m not your boss.”
“Okay, then, bro.”
I laughed and patted him on the back as I stood up. “It’ll lose its novelty after the first day.”
“How long are you going to be gone?” He sounded seriously worried.
“Not that long. Just keep an eye on these screens and make a note of anything for me to replay when I get back, okay? They’ll probably just sleep through, but I need you here, just in case something happens.”
“Sure thing.” He leaned forward and stared at the monitors like it was the world volleyball championships. I snorted and gave his shoulder a thankful squeeze before I let my wolf lead me outside.
The night air was still warm and thick with the smell of the pine trees that grew in downtown Everglow.
I stripped then shifted right at the door, shaking myself from head to tail, releasing the tension of the few days. I dragged my clothes into a neat pile by the door, and then lifted my snout to the sky. The moon was rising over the downtown buildings and was in its waxing cycle, growing stronger and brighter every night. I’d seen it from the hospital, but that was through a tiny window. There was nothing like getting directly under its beams. It felt like meeting an old friend, or a part of myself.
I yearned for the woods, but there was no guarantee the wolves guarding the area would recognize me as Casius’s second in command. Not worth the risk.
So I took off down Main Street and headed south, straight toward my old neighborhood. My wolf knew the way by instinct and memory, following the scent of magnolias on the breeze. I let out a soft, happy whine of nostalgia. It was the smell of my favorite childhood memories—the magnolia tree at the front of my mom’s house only flowered at night, and only flowered in summer. The scent of it had wafted into my childhood bedroom and even woken me up once or twice in the middle of the night; it was the smell that punctuated my memories of my mom tucking me in bed, of neighborhood cookouts, and of wrestling with Casius in the front yard under a near-full moon as wild, hot-blooded teenagers. And it was the scent that always led me home.
I followed it, and soon enough I was standing outside my childhood home. The single-story, pale blue house looked white under the moon’s glow. It was late, after midnight, and all the lights were out. I was happy to see there was no flicker of a television or a glow of a computer—my mom had bad insomnia since my dad had died, and she’d be up at all hours when things got bad for her. The darkness told me she really was doing well. But I still wanted to see for myself.
I pushed open the gate with my snout and it creaked on its hinges. I padded lightly up the cobblestone pathway, enjoying the pressure of the different sized pebbles under my paws, until I veered off onto the lush lawn, circling around the trunk of the huge magnolia tree and over to the front window. I leaned up onto my back paws and balanced on the ledge as I pressed my snout against the glass. I could see through a gap in the curtains into my mother’s room, and I saw her sleeping soundly, covers pulled up under her chin.
I trotted around the back of the house to the small backyard. When I’d lived here, it was full of toys and balls, and each summer we’d filled a blow-up plastic pool with water from the garden hose, but Casius and I always managed to bust it wide open with our roughhousing. Each fall, I had to pick up the deflated plastic that had lain there in the backyard for weeks, and then stuff it into the garbage can.
But now, of course, there were no kids, so the backyard was simply used for mom’s laundry. The washing was out, and a line full of whites glowed with the light of the moon.
I nudged a laundry basket out of its place by the back door and over to the clothesline. If I couldn’t run in the woods, I at least wanted to make myself useful. I nipped gently at the corner of a shirt and tugged at it until the decades-old pegs gave away. With my very front teeth, I carefully lowered it into the laundry basket, and then carried on with the rest of the clothes.
It would have been easier to do it all in my human form but being a naked guy in a backyard would seriously cause trouble if someone
spotted me. Besides, my wolf was happy to be out, and I liked the physical challenge. Jumping over fallen logs and scrambling up craggy cliffs was one thing, but try folding laundry with a long snout.
Once the basket was full and the line was empty, I gathered the pegs into a pile on top of the clothes and then nudged everything over to the back door. I sniffed at the space under the door, taking in the scent of my mom and the kitchen that was right on the other side. I whined as I caught the smell of salami and pop tarts.
I thought about going in. I could just fish out the spare key under the third flowerpot by the fence, creep inside, avoid the creakiest floorboards, and snuggle down into my childhood bed that was now just the spare bed. How nice it would be to wake up the next day and share a breakfast with my mom, to tell her all about Stefan. I could even invite him over.
That was the type of thing I would do—the type of thing I could do—a few months ago, before the humans had appeared. Life was different now. It wasn’t so sweet and safe. Everything seemed normal out here in the suburbs, but would I even be able to fall asleep here, knowing all of this normality was at risk of humans destroying it? Could I even enjoy breakfast with Mom if I thought for one second it might be the last breakfast I ever had with her?
Duty called. And besides, I knew Lachlan didn’t quite have the spirit to stay in that cocoon of an observation room for long. Not many people did.
12
Stefan
By the time Saturday rolled around, I had given the idea of going over to Nic’s house extensive and serious contemplation, going over all the pros and cons multiple times. In the end, the pro that won out was me getting to have sex with a hot guy. And Nic definitely fell into the category of hot.
I didn’t generally engage in casual sex. I’d tried it a few times after things went south with Justin, but it wasn’t really me. Granted, it was a great way to get rid of tension without romantic complications. That was definitely me. I was not into relationships, not anymore, so I was also confident I’d be able to keep the whole fated mate thing separate from the act of Nic and I engaging in some physical fun. I just hoped he was a good cook since I was going to have to eat whatever he made beforehand.
Casius came home looking exhausted that evening. Julian greeted him with a kiss and Casius nearly fell into his arms. Witnessing such a tender moment, even though I had seen tons of affection between my best friend and his mate, made me squirm in my seat. A sober fact had crept into my consciousness: I was an outsider in their house. I wondered if I was starting to wear out my welcome too. There was still no news on when I’d be able to get back to Goldleaf. And even though I had no intention of moving to Everglow permanently, maybe it was time to make other arrangements, like finding my own apartment to camp in while the roads were still closed. Once I started to picture it in my mind, I started to like the idea. Someplace a little further out of the city. Somewhere quiet. Maybe with some woods nearby.
“Hey, Casius?” I asked once Casius and Julian’s moment had finished. “Could you give me Nic’s number? He was supposed to text it to me, but he forgot to do it before he left the other day.”
Casius smirked at me but thankfully withheld whatever ideas he had about my intentions. “Sure, I’ll text it to you.”
“Thanks.” I immediately felt my phone buzz in my pocket. Now I had Nic’s number, I went into the guest room to type out a message to him. I flopped down onto the bed and looked at my phone. Did I really want to do this? My wolf released a low whine as if pleading with me to try.
I sighed, and then started typing.
Hey, Nic. Were you serious about me coming over tonight? Let me know and I might actually show up… - Stefan.
Nic texted me back right away.
Absolutely! Come on over.
He sent me his address, and the evening, which had so far been just hypothetical, suddenly became all too real. I tossed my phone in the air but it slipped out of my hand and bounced onto the floor. I swore and dove down to pick it up, realizing my hands had become sweaty with nerves. The phone hadn’t cracked, thankfully, but my nonplussed approach to sleeping with Nic seemed to have developed a crack of its own. I was nervous as hell.
Nic’s house was supposed to be not too far from Casius’s, but of course I managed to get lost. I drove along a highway with a view of the city. The big, flashy buildings and bright lights made my head start to ache. I missed being able to wander down streets in Goldleaf and pop into a little store for an impromptu shopping trip without having to elbow my way through crowds on the sidewalk. I missed sitting on my porch after work watching the sun go down and just hearing the sounds of birds and insects, instead of truck brakes and blaring horns.
Yep, I’m definitely a country boy.
The only benefit of being in Everglow was being near Julian and the cub he’d be having any day now. I did hate the thought of being far away from them, especially once they had the baby.
I merged onto an exit ramp, hoping I was heading toward Nic’s neighborhood, and then eventually turned down a surprising green and quiet street as the last of the day’s light turned dark gold. Tall pine trees cast shadows on Nic’s brick driveway and across the hood of my car as I pulled in. The house was inviting, a modest ranch style with a mulberry tree and a verdant front yard. I looked at the front door and thought I saw Nic’s shadow through the glass.
This fated mate psychic power business is too creepy. I shook my shoulders to get rid of the feeling.
I opened the car door, and as soon as I closed it, I heard the door to Nic’s house swing open. A rush of scents came at me: Nic’s spicy beta pheromones, his own unique scent of lemonade and peaches, and the savory scent of something cheesy in the oven.
Nic was looking like dinner himself. He leaned against the doorframe with his dopey grin plastered across his face while he rested his left hand high on the wall, emphasizing his bulging shoulder and bicep muscles. His gray tee shirt wasn’t doing much to hide his pecs and abs either.
Then I saw another long shadow, and this one wasn’t from one of the ancient trees nearby. Nic was wearing gray sweatpants, and the evident bulge in the center of his pelvis sloped in a tantalizing curve to the left. A strong urge to grasp at the waistband to yank them down surged to my fingers, which twitched visibly. By contrast, my wolf wanted to curl up in Nic’s strong embrace and simply be held.
“H-Hi,” I managed to say.
Nic grinned. “Hey, Stefan. I’m glad you showed up. Come in.”
“Didn’t I say I would?” I put my bag down by the door and kicked off my shoes. The entryway was cozy and welcoming, with a dark wooden bench, mirror, and sculpted wooden hooks in the shape of deer antlers attached to the wall.
“Yeah, but I still had my doubts.”
“Something smells good. Is it pizza?”
“Good nose! Why don’t you have a seat? I’ll plate you up a slice. It should be done about now.”
I sat down at the dining table and had another look around at my surroundings while Nic was busy with the pizza. The living room had a plush-looking blue couch and a dark wood coffee table that looked like someone had sculpted it from a trunk straight out of the woods behind the house, which were visible through floor-to-ceiling windows on either side of a set of double doors.
“Have you always lived here?”
“Always? Nah, I moved here after I joined the Inner Guard. But I like it. I love the peace and quiet. And it gives me space to run.” He slid a plate in front of me. “Careful, it’s hot.”
“Oh, that’s fine, I like things hot.” I immediately felt my face flush, and I cursed the implication I’d just made.
Nic grinned and watched me lift the slice of pizza and take a bite. The cheese stretched out comically before I eventually had to pull it apart with my fingers. The chewy crust and herbed sauce were delicious, not to mention the generous amount of cheese.
Hm. So he’s a good cook as well…
I paused to wipe some grease off my fin
gers. “I took you for a city boy. I hadn’t pictured you in a place that was more…country.”
“We’re technically still within city limits, but yeah, once I saw this place, I just couldn’t pass up the sense of tranquility I felt here. Maybe that’s why we’re fated mates because we both like—”
I was about to take another bite of pizza, but I dropped it back on my plate. “I’m not here to talk about that.”
Nic looked frustrated for a split second, but he nodded. “Well, this place sort of gives me the best of both worlds. If you come over during the day sometime, I can show you the woods. There’s an amazing little stream that runs through there, just a few minutes run from my backyard.”
“That sounds nice.” I took another bite of pizza and discovered a few slices of pepper and onion beneath the cheese. “Mm,” I mumbled as I chewed. “Did you make this pizza yourself?”
Nic shook his hand mid-air as he chewed, then answered, “Sort of. It’s a pre-made base and sauce, but I chose the rest of the toppings and baked it.”
“I like the peppers and onions.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Nic beamed at me again. “I added chili flakes ’cause I know you like spice.”
I swallowed and licked my lips, trying not to meet his gaze. I liked spice in the bedroom, but he couldn’t know that. Nic reached across the table and took my hand. My fingers tingled at the places where his skin touched mine.
If this is any indication of what it will be like when more of our skin touches, then I’m in for some seriously hot fireworks.
Perhaps sensing my thoughts, Nic stood up and came around to my side of the table.
“Come with me.”
“Where are we going?” I had an idea. But I wanted to see him get a bit more persuasive.
Nic tugged on my hand and I felt the phantom ribbon between us tug me at the same moment.