Reluctantly Lycan

by Strider, Jez

  “Some males of our species are disinterested in the opposite sex before their transition. Sometimes it takes finding their mate to set off the spark.” He shrugged. “I wasn’t one of them. Then again, your mother was around my entire youth.”

  They drove further. “You should have come for us sooner.” Jak said softly.

  “Yes. I should have, but my pride wouldn’t let me.” Kaden rubbed his eyes with thumb on one and index finger on the other and gave a light squeeze. “Park here.”

  Once again, Jak hit the brake too hard and their bodies jolted forward at the sudden stop. “Sorry.”

  “It’s fine. You did well. Just need practice.” He headed toward the forest, his son on his heels trying to keep up. The city boy appeared out of his element and Kaden shook his head. Buildings and busy streets were no place for a young wolf.

  “So what are we doing?”

  “I want to prove to you what we are. I could have shifted elsewhere, but I wanted us secluded in case you scream or freak out.” He gestured upward and out with his hands. “This is our element. Hunting, running, nature.”

  Jak lifted an eyebrow, but didn’t argue. “If you say so.”

  When they reached the same clearing Kaden had run to after the first night at Mara’s, he stopped. “Okay. Now this is going to be shocking, but you need to know the truth and this is the only way I can think of to show you.”

  “Oookay.” Jak said slowly, in a drawn out, apprehensive manner.

  “I need to take my clothing off so if you want to turn around, it might be less awkward.” Kaden lifted his hand and scratched the back of his head nervously.

  “Turning my back on a naked dude. Sounds like a great plan.” He did, crossing his arms and tapping his foot on the underbrush of the forest. Each pat of his shoe caused the sticks to make a crackling sound.

  Kaden undressed quickly and piled his clothing on the ground. Then he inhaled a deep breath and shifted into his wolf form. He sat back on his haunches, trying not to appear threatening. This was difficult considering his bulky size and sharp teeth. To get Jak’s attention, he barked, as much like a normal pooch as he could manage and hung his tongue out of his mouth sideways. It was his idea of casual and friendly, though he felt stupid.

  His son jumped when he heard the bark. Kade could hear the boy’s heart racing like that of a scared bunny. He’d certainly chased his fair share for fun.

  Jak turned around, eyes as round as the moon herself when he laid them on the jet black wolf before him. Kaden swished his bushy tail back and forth in a friendly manner. Yep, he really did feel like a dog instead of the leader of a pack of vicious protectors.

  “Y… you r… r… really are a… wolf.” Jak stammered.

  Kade gave another bark and the boy jumped again. The shock of having what you knew about the world shattered had never happened to Kaden. His entire life had been spent around other wolves, both male and female. He couldn’t begin to imagine what his son was going through. Jak could deny the spoken truth, but now it had been revealed to his eyes. Kaden gave a snort through his nose, hating making a fool of himself, but feeling it necessary. He rolled over onto his back and wiggled around like a silly puppy.

  Jak backed up against a tree. His legs shook so severely he could barely stand. With hands over his eyes, he spoke quickly. “Change back please.”

  Shifting and dressing was finished in half a minute. Kaden placed his hand reassuringly on his son’s shoulder. For the third time, the poor kid nearly jumped out of his skin. He stared up at his father with a mixture of awe and terror.

  “That’s going to happen to me?”

  As gently as his serious face could manage, Kaden smiled. His son stared up at him with the same eyes as Mara. Despite the fear, they held a familiar sense of trust. One that Marala had once possessed. He understood why she had run away. He, her protector, had destroyed a sacred trust. Now, he had a son who looked to him for guidance.

  “Yes.” Kaden said simply.

  “Does it hurt?”

  Kade took a step back, giving the boy some breathing room. “It’s uncomfortable until you get used to it. But, our bodies are meant to shift. The bone structure and muscles know what to do. It doesn’t really hurt.”

  “When?”

  “On the night of the first full moon after your eighteenth birthday.” He answered.

  Jak put his hand over his mouth. Most teenagers looked forward to the transition, but Kaden could understand why his son would be apprehensive. This was all new and sudden.

  “Thanks for showing me. I’d like to go home. I also owe Mom an apology for calling her a liar and crazy.” He started walking into the forest like a zombie, but in the wrong direction.

  “I’m sure she understands.” Kaden placed his hands on his son’s shoulders and turned him around. “This way. I better drive.”

  The diner had a few patrons. One man sat at the bar. He was reading a newspaper. In a booth in the far corner, an elderly couple chatted and smiled like teenagers in love. That’s the kind of relationship Taylor knew he’d never have. He fiddled with the napkin on his table, anxiously tearing off little bits until he had a small pile of paper in front of him. Any other day, Mara would have been out to take his order by now.

  “Excuse me.” He called out to a waitress with a tray full of breakfast in her arms.

  She gave him a look of impatience. “I’ll be with you in a moment, sir. We’re shorthanded.”

  “Was it Mara? Is she okay?” He was on his feet before he realized it and the woman took several steps back. What was I thinking leaving her alone with that giant wolf dog thing?

  “Uh, yeah. Said she had a sore throat or something. She never calls in sick, so I’m guessing it’s pretty bad.” The woman started walking away. “I’ll be back in a moment for your order.”

  There was no need. Taylor wasn’t sticking around. He had to check on Mara. He grabbed his camera off the table before heading out the door. A cab passed him by, then another. That’s how it went when he was in a hurry. Finally, one stopped and he gave directions to Marala’s apartment building. If anything had happened to her, he would never forgive himself.

  After calling in sick for the first time in almost five years, Mara walked into her bedroom. She bit her thumbnail as she stared at the scene of the deed. When the sordid memory aroused her, she marched forward, jerking the sheets off the bed. The blankets were gathered up into her arms next and she headed downstairs to the laundry room. That male wolf scent had to go.

  She left the washing machine running and headed out the door. Probably not the best idea since her laundry had been stolen before, but at the moment, she could care less. When she neared the top of the stairs, she heard a loud banging and someone calling her name. Taylor. She took the rest of the steps two at a time and called out to him when she reached her floor.

  “Taylor! What are you doing here?”

  He turned to her and she saw him visibly sigh as he rushed toward her. For a second, she thought he was going to hug her, but he must have noticed her recoil back from him. “I… was worried after last night with that animal and all.”

  “I’m fine, really. Thank you.” She walked by him and unlocked her door. The man was as handsome as could be and just as sweet, but she needed him gone before Kaden returned.

  “I get it, you’re not into me. That’s fine.” He followed her inside while he talked. “Tell me why. I’m used to getting what I want. Come on, I mean if the food wasn’t good or something, I apologize.”

  Mara laughed a little. “It’s nothing like that. I told you, my son comes first.”

  “So? Doesn’t mean you can’t have a life, too. You’re deprived of social interaction. Intimacy.” He grinned.

  She frowned. Marala liked this guy. The best part? He wasn’t a wolf. Hurting his feelings was not something she wanted to do, but he wasn’t the type to give up easily.

  “I had meaningless sex with my ex last night after you left and he’s g
oing to be back here soon with my son. I’m a terrible, pathetic person and you need to go back to your fancy photographer life. Find a girl without baggage and take pretty pictures of her.” Blunt, but that’s what it would take.

  The grin slowly faded, but Taylor was nodding. “So you’re getting back together with your son’s father.”

  “God, no.”

  “I’m confused. Why can’t we go out again if you’re not getting back together with him?”

  “Are you insane? I told you. You want a woman of loose morals who can’t keep her legs shut?” She made a sound of disgust, hating herself.

  Taylor smiled again. “Normally, yes. But, I hardly think you’re like that. It’s not like we we’re a couple. We haven’t even had a real date. You hooked up with an ex. No biggie.” He sounded a little jealous despite his words.

  “Listen. They’re going to be back soon and you need to go. Kaden is not a man to be trifled with. I really am sorry. In a different time or world, maybe, but I can’t see you again.”

  “A photo to remember you by?” He lifted the camera that was hanging around his neck.

  “If that will get you to go, fine.”

  “Smile, beautiful.” When she forced one, he clicked the button and the flash lit up the room. “Maybe when things settle down we can try again. What do you say?”

  “Maybe.”

  He winked and then left without another word.

  Taylor didn’t go far. He knew something was up and he was determined to figure it out. Dinner had been great. He’d been charming and she interested. Then that dog and her baby’s daddy had shown up to ruin everything. Mara was different, too, and not only her exotic eye color. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

  All these things raced through his mind as he waited on a bench across the street for the father and son duo to return. He dug a discarded Cosmopolitan out of a nearby trash can and kept his face concealed as he watched, his eyes barely peeking over the top. His private eye work came in handy in situations like this. He hadn’t lied when he’d said he owned a studio, but down and dirty investigative work gave him a thrill and a few extra bucks.

  A dirty, beat up Jeep went down the road. Shortly, it came back from the other direction, parking in one of the few spots available. Jak hopped out of the passenger side and a huge man with long black hair out of the driver side. He was most definitely “the ex.” If Jak had been hopped up on steroids, then they would have looked alike.

  Taylor waited for them to cross the street and enter the building before tossing the woman’s mag in the trash and following. He waited until he could no longer hear their footsteps on the metal stairs and then climbed them himself. His back pressed flat against the wall at the top. He peered around the corner to see them disappear inside. After a quick glance around, he slinked up to Mara’s front door and pressed his ear against it. The material was cheap and thin, so he could hear most of what they were saying.

  “I’m sorry, Mom. I should have never doubted you were telling me the truth.” Jak said.

  “It sounds crazy, so I don’t blame you. What did you think about it?” She asked.

  “Still trying to figure that out. He made it seem cool and he rolled around on his back all funny to make me less scared.” Jak laughed. “Good reason to skip school. I’m going to my room so you can talk. Thanks, Kaden.”

  What the fuck? Rolling around on his back? If this dude was a pedo, Taylor swore he’d break every bone in his gigantic body. Even if it took a large hammer to do it.

  “You did that, Kade? A pack leader acting like a common dog?”

  “Yeah, well. That’s what dad’s do, right? Make the hard stuff easier for their kids.” He went silent for a moment. “He needs to be with other wolves, Mara.”

  “I can take care of him.”

  “I don’t doubt that, but it will be easier for him. For you. For… me.” He seemed to be waiting for her response. She didn’t say anything, so he spoke again. “You can shake your head all you want. It’s the truth. Do you know I looked for you? Took me two years. I didn’t even know I had a son until he was a toddler. What I did to you wasn’t fair, Mara, but neither is what you did. I couldn’t bring myself to confront you because I was afraid I might kill you.”

  Mara began to speak, but a sob choked her up. “I’m sorry, Kaden. I was only a child myself.”

  “Me too. It all started with my mistake. And last night, you know that was the wolf. I’m sorry if I did… anything against your will.”

  “You couldn’t help it and neither could I. It was because of how long we’ve been separated….”

  A phone went off and Kaden let out a growl. “One moment.”

  “Sure.”

  Taylor couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Packs and wolves. That brute saying he could have killed sweet little Mara. Apologizing for doing things against her will. Taylor wondered what the man had done to cause Marala to leave him in the first place. This conversation was definitely none of his business, but the longer he listened, the more curious he became. Besides, he thought he might love that woman. Maybe. Infatuated at minimum.

  “What?” Kaden said sharply into the phone. “Missing?” His tone softened. “Keep everyone calm. I’m coming home. We’ll find him.”

  “Kaden, what’s wrong?” Mara asked.

  “One of the boys nearing his first shift went missing last night. We’re not sure if he ran away or something worse. Are you coming home with me?”

  “It’s been too long. I don’t think I can.”

  “What about Jak?”

  “I’ll send him to you when it’s time if that’s what he wants.” She answered.

  Growing brave and stupid, Taylor twisted the knob slowly and pushed the door open a crack so he could see inside. He knew violating their privacy was wrong. Sure, he’d spied on cheating husbands and wives and taken pictures of naughty nannies, but not once had he invaded privacy so severely without being hired.

  Kaden reached into the inner pocket of his leather jacket, pulled out a fat stack of cash, and tossed it onto the kitchen table. “There’s a thousand dollars there. Pack up what you can, rent a car, and come home when you’re ready. Hell, call me and I’ll come back and get you if you want.” He turned toward the door and Taylor ducked back just in time. “I have to go.”

  “Wait. I…” She paused. “I hope that kid is okay.” It sounded like she wanted to say something else.

  “Me too.”

  Taylor scrambled through the hallway and down the stairs while he still had time. He snapped a picture of the license plate on Kaden’s Jeep before jogging up the street and hailing a cab.

  Dumbass! Kaden slammed his fists against the steering wheel as he gave himself a good talking to. “Stupid, stupid! Why didn’t you tell her you still love her?” Not only did he not know how to act around the only woman in the world he had ever had sincere feelings for, he’d left without even telling his son goodbye.

  Between thoughts of his estranged family and the missing boy back home in the mountains, he teetered on the brink of losing his mind. The pack couldn’t even keep its shit together for a few days without him. His second in command, the beta wolf Levi Boone, needed a thrashing or two. Kaden was planning a beating that would send him home whimpering with his tail between his legs to his mate, Elle.

  Kade scoffed. At least, Levi had a mate. And… he was back to thinking about Marala again. The cycle was never ending throughout his entire eleven hour drive. Nothing was resolved, he was tired and cranky, and the irritating scruff on his chin was getting worse.

  After driving past good ol’ Dollywood and through the tourist strips, he turned onto a side road and drove for nearly thirty minutes up a road that inclined and curved. Near where it ended there was an overlook. Kaden parked and walked to the wood’s edge. He sniffed the air and scanned the area before pushing a large log blocking a narrow dirt road aside. Returning to the Jeep, he drove it through, got out again, and replaced the natural bl
ockade.

  In a matter of minutes of driving, the woods thinned to reveal a small town. Cabins dotted the area. Some were arranged in a semi-circle to form a sort of village center around a water well. Other homes, further out, were barely visible since they were nestled into the woods. Most were small, one or two bedroom homes. Two larger ones housed unmated wolves. One was for the males of age and the other for females.

  Dakota, the wolf haven named after Kaden’s ancestors when they returned to claim the area, could be completely self-reliant if need be. Solar panels distributed power, though it was finicky at best with the tree coverage and random weather. There were generators if power failed. A tributary flowed nearby and a natural spring just a short hike down the mountain.

  The pack members were free to come and go as they pleased. People went shopping, enjoyed events like minor league baseball games, and went to the Rod Runs to check out the hot cars. Children attended public schools, if their parents chose not to teach them at home. At the end of the day, though, most everyone returned to the safety of the wolf sanctuary.

  With the loss of wolves for numerous reasons ranging from old age to leaving for different packs, the town now housed about twenty lycan. There should have been more rituals held in honor of the moon, more encouragement to breed. Those responsibilities rested with the alpha female and there wasn’t one. The wolf gene was dying out.

  Kaden walked up to Levi’s house and knocked on the door. The beta answered and bowed his head respectively as he gestured for the pack leader to come inside. “Explain.”

  Levi went to his bedroom and shut the door softy, so as not to wake his mate, before returning. The man was older than Kaden, almost as big. His short shaggy hair was an ash brown and he had matching light eyes.

  He poured them both a shot of Tennessee whiskey. “Last night he went to meditate in the forest. Common for a boy near transition. When he didn’t come home, his parents came to me.”