by J. K. Jones
They all nod.
“Good. Ryu and I will create a diversion then you can grab as much food as you can, stuff it into this sack, we will meet at the rendezvous spot. You guys better be there or else.”
Their rendezvous spot ended up being behind a couple of trash cans in an alleyway, but they all know how to get there. That's the most important thing.
Caleb takes off his clothes, shifting into a lovely dark brown wolf. Allister soon follows, blushing hotly as he turns into a grey wolf. They take off around the bend, both knowing they will be faster in wolf forms if they need to run away.
“Useless fucks,” Kenyon grumbles. “Ryu—I don’t like the way Allister looks at you. Do you want me to beat him up for you?”
Kenyon likes saying things like that.
For some reason, he thought beating other wolves into a bloody pulp would make Ryu happy. Only it didn’t. It made him kind of scared. “No. It’s okay.”
“Hold my hand,” Kenyon demands quickly. “If we are going to be together you must always hold my hand.”
Ryu nods eagerly, taking his hand. Kenyon had certain rules that Ryu didn’t mind following. Sometimes though, the rules were oppressive, stifling even, boarding on commands more than anything else.
“Let us get our food.”
They pick up some rocks and start throwing them wildly at their tents. Several of the soldiers jump out, wondering where it’s coming from only to be hit in the head. Ryu and Kenyon stifle their laughter, throwing as hard and as fast and they can.
More soldiers start pouring out of the tent, each of them seething at being disturbed. They are on a large hilltop, down below is a ravine. Most of the soldiers are shouting back at them, threatening them to come out.
“Now for my greatest trick of them all,” Kenyon says, eyes glinting in the light.
He pours some gasoline on the ground, watching it trail down the hill and into the ravine of water below. Ryu frowns, this part of the plan they did not discuss. Usually, when they plan things like this Ryu is aware of what is going to happen next.
This time, it seems that Kenyon kept it to himself.
“Don’t be upset, baby,” Kenyon says happily. “I wanted it to be a surprise.” He lights a match, eyes half-crazed and face twisted in a smile. “Light those fuckers up!”
He lights it.
Ryu backs away, both of them watch as the fire trails down the hill, making a beeline towards the ravine before it bursts into flames.
Kenyon laughs, throwing his head back as some of the soldiers that are standing close catch on fire. Ryu’s eyes widen, watching them flail around as they burn to a crisp. Their horrified screams make his stomach curdle and he wrenches forward, puking his guts out.
The smell of burning flesh fills the air.
Ryu’s eyes water and his legs shake. He’s never seen so much death. Beside him Kenyon is howling with laughter, his face split in a demonic jeer.
This is wrong. He feels sick knowing he played a part in it.
They weren’t good people, but they didn’t deserve to die like that, especially the ones who had no idea what was going on. Ryu cries then, big fat tears rolling down his cheeks as he hides his face away from the carnage.
Kenyon stops laughing, he becomes alarmed when he sees the tears on Ryu’s face. “What is it!? What’s wrong? Are you hurt?”
Ryu shakes his head.
“What?” Kenyon asks. “You don’t like my trick? Come on, after what they did?”
Ryu’s lip trembles. “Kenyon that’s—it’s wrong to kill people. Marissa says so—”
“Who gives a monkey’s ass about Marissa!” Kenyon spat. “She’s a dumb girl who doesn’t know anything. You are such a baby. I don’t even know why I bring you anywhere.”
Ryu sniffs loudly. “Sorry.”
Kenyon softens, taking his hand. “Come on. They must be at the meeting place already. I don’t trust Allister not to eat all our food.”
The prospect of a full stomach causes Ryu to turn away, yet in his mind, he can still hear their screams.
Chapter 12
Allister is changing back to his human form when they arrive.
Both of them are covered in a black sheet of smoke and soot but are otherwise unscathed. Kenyon grabs the food bag immediately, rummaging through it and noticing how it is nearly filled to the brim!
“This could last us weeks!” He declares happily, grinning from ear to ear. “I told you it would work Ryu! Never doubt me!”
Ryu jumps up and down happily, smiling so hard his face hurts.
“Tonight, we will have a feast.”
Caleb inches forward, looking at the bag brimming with goodies. “So, we split it fifty-fifty?”
Kenyon snatches the bag away quickly. “What? I never said that. You guys get some bread and that’s it. Ryu and I did all the hard work.”
“There’s enough food in there to feed a small army,” Caleb says, eyes narrowing.
“I said no such thing,” Kenyon replies coolly. “Take your loaf before I change my mind.”
“Tsk,” Allister fumes. “I told you. He’s always like this. As soon as we have a good haul, he takes it for himself. Greedy.”
Kenyon’s face darkens. “What did you say?”
Ryu steps in between them, not wanting another fight to break out. Over the last few weeks, he’s noticed Kenyon’s tendency towards violence, every day it gets worse. “Calm down. There is enough for everyone.”
“Exactly, listen to Ryu. We are all brothers. Why not share?” Allister says suddenly backtracking.
Kenyon flies forward, punching Allister in the face.
Allister is flung back, like a rubber band he snaps forward, then back, his head hitting the concrete.
“You fuck! Don’t ever say my mates' name!” Kenyon spasms, kicking and punching Allister on the ground.
Ryu watches on, stomach twisting in knots. He grabs Kenyon trying to stop him from hurting Allister too badly. “Don’t!”
Caleb joins in, shoving Kenyon off him.
Allister is bleeding heavily, the wound on his head makes the blood pool around him.
“Let’s go!” Kenyon grabs the bag of food then takes off in the other direction.
Ryu gives them both a sad look, hesitating briefly.
“He’s not breathing,” Caleb says thickly, touching his friend's face. “He’s not breathing.”
Ryu shakes his head, backing away slowly. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”
He runs, his face burning with more tears as he chases after Kenyon. They were supposed to be together forever. Regardless of what happened. However, treating their friends like this doesn’t seem right and Ryu knows that something is deeply wrong with Kenyon.
-
“Those fuckers,” Kenyon spat, kicking and punching the wall viciously. “Thinking they can blindside me! I hope he’s dead! If he isn’t, I’ll send him to hell myself. I pray to Qharuer, the God of Death, every night to kill them and give me all the strength in the world.”
Ryu trembles.
They aren’t supposed to pray to evil gods. They are supposed to pray to the good gods, who would bring them happiness and good fortune, not death and destruction.
Ryu finally breaks down.
He cries so hard and for so long his face hurts. Kenyon hugs him tightly. “I’m sorry mate. I’m sorry. Let me kiss it better.” He pecks Ryu on the forehead. “There you go—all better.”
He’s seen mothers do that to children and they stop crying immediately. Ryu doesn’t know why it didn’t work with him. In his heart, he feels an unrelenting sadness, something that seeps deep within his bones.
Kenyon grows in aggression and hatred. Ryu feels powerless.
“Don’t pray to those Gods!” Ryu exclaims. “They’re evil. They will bring nothing but death and misfortune upon you.”
“Shh,” Kenyon says quietly. “I don’t do it all the time…. just sometimes…I also pray to Jocasta, Goddess of the Moon, to bless
us.”
Ryu looks at him hopefully. “Really?”
“All the time,” Kenyon puffs his chest out. “I pray we’ll be together forever. Nothing will break us apart. Even when our bones turn to dust.”
Ryu wipes his tears away, feeling a little better.
“Let’s eat.”
They open their bag of goodies, each taking out the meat and cheese, eating small measured bites. The fruits they can save for later, knowing in a few days it will go bad.
For the next few weeks, they have enough food to get by.
Ryu and Kenyon go down to the watering hole, which is a sewer under the city and bath. They wash their clothes and splash around, laughing and joking the whole time. When evening comes, they make their way over to the warehouse, both of them grinning with happiness.
However, when they get there a man is rummaging through their things.
Kenyon howls in outrage, grabbing a steel pole and beating the man senseless. The man looks old, hunched over with shaking hands trying to defend himself.
“You fucker! I’ll fuck you up if you took anything!”
“I’m sorry!” the old beggar says, falling to the ground. “I was just looking—I didn’t know this belonged to anyone!”
“You lying fuck!” Kenyon growls, hitting him savagely. “If I ever catch you here again, I’ll kill you!”
Kenyon smacks the man hard in the face, causing a sickening crunch sound.
“Stop!” Ryu grabs the pole, effectively stopping Kenyon from trying to cave the man’s head in. The beggar looks up at them, the moonlight making his face more visible.
He looks dirty, face awash with grime and sweat. However, his eyes are clear, vibrant even, although he is heavily bearded, he doesn’t look that old.
Kenyon storms away, rummaging through their things to make sure nothing was taken.
Ryu stares back at the man, offering his hand to him. “Are you alright?”
He stares at Ryu’s outstretched hand, before taking it, his grip firm. “Thank you, young Omega. I am sorry I went through your things. I truly thought this place was abandoned.”
“It’s okay,” Ryu says softly, twiddling with his wet shirt. “We were washing in the sewers. We were only gone for a few hours.”
“Of course.” The beggar dusts off his filthy pants. “Can I trouble you for some bread? I have been starving here and—”
Ryu makes a silent gesture, his eyes darting back to Kenyon who isn’t listening to their conversation. He runs to their bag of food, quickly breaking off a small piece of bread and handing it to the beggar.
The man smiles, hiding it quickly in his pants pocket.
“I guess I’ll be on my way,” His eyes twinkle in the moonlight and he salutes Ryu. He leaves then, whistling with each step and Ryu watches him, wondering why he feels that this man is very strange.
-
Later that night they huddle together.
Kenyon pulls Ryu very close, nestling for warmth. Winter has finally come and soon they will need to find a more secluded place to fend off the bitter winds.
“Stupid beggar,” Kenyon mumbles. “If I had a rock, I would bust his stupid head open.”
Ryu’s breath hitches. He doesn’t like when Kenyon says such things. Mostly because he knew, given half a chance Kenyon would do it.
“I don’t like how he looked at you.”
Ryu shifts uncomfortably. “What do you mean?”
“You are mine. He shouldn’t look at other people’s things.”
Ryu didn’t understand. How could he belong to someone? Weren’t they friends? Didn’t friends have their own will?
Kenyon often says strange things though. So, he disregards it completely.
“When I get older nobody will look at you. I will be the only one to look at you. If anyone looks at you, I’ll kill them.”
Ryu felt a pang in his chest. “I—I don’t want you to kill anyone.”
“They deserve to die. All those Silvercrest Howlers. They’re worthless and petty,” Kenyon continues as if Ryu hadn’t spoken.
“But—”
“Quiet!” Kenyon barks, nostrils flaring. “Do you smell that?”
Ryu’s eyes widen, they quickly scramble to their feet but it's too late.
The place is swarmed with wolves.
Chapter 13
They snarl, mouths twisting around their razor-sharp teeth. Kenyon tries to run for the door, but one of the wolves catches his ankle, clamping his jaws down and tearing at the flesh. He screams, flailing wildly trying to break through.
Suddenly the room fills with light, several soldiers walk in wearing black combat gear and the Silvercrest coat of arms on their brassard.
One of them steps forward, eyes holding the same mirth as earlier.
“Take this one to the mines,” he says, pointing to Kenyon who thrashes against their hold.
“No! Don’t! I’ll kill you fuckers! I’ll kill you!” The soldiers drag him away and Ryu is left there shaking so badly it judders his bones.
This is it.
The end to his life. Soon he’ll be sold to the highest bidder. All Omegas were afraid of the black-markets, with Kenyon he never had to worry about being sold there.
Now things were different.
He starts crying, trembling violently as the wolves surround him.
The food from earlier turned into coal in his stomach. Everyone has been ripped away from him in a matter of minutes.
“What do we do with this one?” one of the soldiers asks. “God, this place stinks of shit.”
Ryu is too scared to be offended.
He wishes he has courage like Kenyon to fight them back, and hate them all with the same vengeance. Only he doesn’t, he can only stare wildly at them all.
“I’ll take him,” the man from earlier states. He looks lean, his face bright and eyes smiling. “Don’t you remember me, little one?”
Ryu shakes his head.
“You gave me some bread earlier.” He kneels in front of him. “You’ve forgotten so soon?”
It’s that beggar.
His eyes widen, taking in his form now. Gone are the horrible rags, in its place is combat gear and an imposing aura. This man pretended to be a beggar, just so that he could gain their trust.
“Come on Randolph.” One of the other soldiers laughed. “You’ll frighten the poor Omega.”
Randolph ignores him. “What’s your name?”
“Ryu Suzuki.”
“How old are you?”
He lost count ages ago, but he thinks he might be eight. “Not sure.”
“Where are you from?”
He doesn’t know. Nobody does. In the slums of the Filthy Claws, there were many nameless, parentless children. He is just one of them. Ryu figures his parents must have abandoned him at birth. He is half Caucasian and half Japanese. He doesn’t belong anywhere. The name “Ryu Suzuki” was given to him at the small orphanage that closed down many years ago.
“You have the most expressive grey eyes I have ever seen…they’re the color of storm clouds….” he says almost in awe, then clears his throat. “Omega’s don’t do well in the mines….so, what should we do with you?” Randolph thinks to himself loudly. “Oh, how about you come live with a friend of mine? You can be a servant in their household.”
Ryu doesn’t say anything.
For all he knows, this could be a trick and without Kenyon to tell the difference, he feels lost.
“That settles it then,” Randolph says confidently. “Get him dispatched with the other children. We will leave as soon as possible.”
Ryu bits his tongue until it bleeds.
He thinks of Kenyon being dragged away; his eyes fill with tears, but he holds himself together. It doesn’t matter anyway.
Ryu allows them to take him away.
He watches as they set fire to the warehouse. They put him in a van with several other small children, each of them Omegas. Ryu curls himself up into a ball, his heart br
eaking into a million pieces.
For he knows he will never see his home or Kenyon ever again.
Chapter 14
Silvercrest Howlers Clan
Hiratsuka 06'
Ryu hurries to sweep the floor, knowing his chores will only increase if it doesn’t get done. Amaya is expecting a lot of visitors today.
“Hurry,” Martha says, shooing all the other servants.
Ryu runs to the living room, smiling as the other servants’ brush and dust here and there, they are all buzzing with excitement. The young master has finally come of age, presenting as an Alpha. Alhazred turns eleven years old.
They all ban together to roll back the great rug, some of the younger servants laugh and giggle as if it were a game of football, chattering and frolicking like mad. There are four servants in total, Ryu included. Two girls and three boys.
Martha is the head servant; she makes sure everyone is doing their duties properly. The older women’s face is heavily lined with wrinkles, oftentimes she has a bright smile and a kind expression.
Ryu has been here a few years.
Just after he was taken Randolph dropped him off, stating that he would be well looked after here. As the only Omega in the house, he kept primarily to himself, staying with a few servant girls and keeping away from the male Alphas.
Nobody likes Alhazred.
He is mean, angry most of the time with a deep scowl. He never plays with them, nor does he talk to them at all. He mainly yells and screams when they accidentally touch his toys.
His sister, Listeria is different.
She plays with them, brings them toys from the town, and even takes them out sometimes. He likes her a lot, but the person he likes most of all is his Mistress, Amaya.
She’s a soft Beta, often bringing him treats when he did a good cleaning job, even going as far as to allow him to eat leftovers at the table. Martha at first didn’t agree with it, even advising Amaya not to treat servants above their station, however, Amaya simply smiled, stating she used to have an Omega boy who died during birth.
Ryu reminds her of him.
And so, they become fast friends. Much to Alhazred immense displeasure and jealousy. Today was indeed a joyous occasion, with Alhazred presenting as an Alpha, which meant he would serve with the Silvercrest regiment, they were held in the highest regard in the whole pack.