Feral

by Nicole Luiken

  The Alpha released her, like a dog discarding a chew toy. Tail up, the Alpha trotted into the house, not even glancing back at the vanquished enemy. Chloe was left kneeling and bleeding in the grass.

  Nathan came over to her and made a pronouncement. “Since Chloe has seen fit to tell the humans Marcus is alive, he shall continue going to school and he will be her responsibility.”

  Chloe gaped at him. She had no problem taking responsibility for Marcus, but did Nathan really mean for Marcus to go to school full-time tomorrow? He wasn’t ready.

  Nathan glared at her and she snapped her mouth shut and bowed her head. Now wasn’t the time to argue.

  Nathan gave a grunt of satisfaction, then went into the house. Judy followed. Dean’s dad, Rick, jerked his head and Dean, Brian and Kyle and all walked away in silence. Only Kyle glanced back, his face white with shock. At a guess his Bite had been gentler.

  This had been an object lesson for all the teens: disobey and be punished.

  Finally, her family came forward.

  Her mother helped her up. Tears stood in her eyes.

  With a little cry, Chloe embraced her. She clung to her mother because for a moment, just a moment, she’d considering not belonging to the Pack.

  “Let’s get you home,” her father said gruffly, patting her back. “You did very well not to make a sound. Your friend Judy squeaked like a mouse. Her dad almost died of embarrassment.”

  Marcus had Changed to a wolf. He pressed close to her legs, guarding her. She bent and petted him, almost falling over as a rush of dizziness hit her. “It’s okay,” she told him. “I survived.” Then, whispering, “I’d take twice the punishment to save you.”

  He whined, not liking her words.

  There had been no mention of judging Marcus tonight. She tried to take heart from that, but it was difficult not to think of Nathan’s command as setting him up to fail.

  She walked to the SUV under her own power, careful to choose the right-hand seat so the seatbelt didn’t touch her fresh Bite. Marcus wedged his heavy body between her knees and the front seat.

  Once at home, she studied her Bite in the mirror. She prodded the half-circle imprint of wolf teeth gingerly. The places where the incisors had punctured the skin were torn-looking. Savaged. They still bled slightly.

  Her dad’s face tightened and flushed red when he saw her shredded skin, but his hands were gentle as he washed the wounds clean. “I normally wouldn’t bother with antibiotic cream, but … ”

  The cream stung, but only a little. Chloe moved her shirt to cover the Bite mark up; it made her sick to remember how she’d been forced to submit.

  She spent the rest of her evening in her room. Her parents left her alone, but Marcus nosed open the door and kept her company.

  She craved the comfort of her bedroom, but she couldn’t settle down. She tried reading a book, but threw it down after a few pages. She went online, played a game of solitaire, then closed her laptop and gave up.

  She hugged her knees and addressed Marcus. “Why am I so upset? I’ve been looking forward to getting my Bite and officially joining the Pack forever.”

  He rested his muzzle on her foot and regarded her with mournful eyes.

  “Oh, yeah? Well, your turn is coming, buddy. You’re going to have to join the Pack too.” Once his feral status was cleared up.

  To her astonishment, Marcus Changed into a boy. He crouched, naked, at the foot of her bed.

  “No,” he said, his voice raspy.

  Chloe sat up, electrified with joy and relief. He could talk! She opened her mouth to congratulate him, but he was still speaking, each word an effort. His blue eyes burned into hers.

  “Sick One is not my Alpha. You are.”

  Did she understand? Marcus held his breath. He didn’t have the words to explain the wrongness he sensed in the female Alpha, the sickness. And the male Alpha would act to protect his mate, rather than the Pack. The need to warn Chloe was so strong it had broken the silence inside his head.

  Chloe’s eyes widened. She put a finger to his lips. “Not a good idea to go around saying you won’t obey the Alpha. Promise me you won’t repeat that part?”

  Marcus nodded, struck dumb by her touch.

  “I’m so glad you can talk again! This is fantastic.” She pretzelled forward over the foot of the bed and hugged him.

  He hugged her back enthusiastically. Usually when she showed affection, he sniffed her neck, taking pleasure in her special scent, but the Bite smelled of the Bad Alpha so he turned his head. Their lips grazed. Marcus stilled.

  He waited for her to spring back, to let go, but she didn’t. Her breathing sped up, and her hands moved up to his shoulders. She closed her eyes, tilted her head, and kissed him.

  Marcus kept his eyes open so he didn’t miss a moment.

  Her lips were petal-soft, and her chest pressed to his felt amazing.

  His wolf howled at him to kiss her harder, to claim her, but she was his Alpha. She led, and he followed. He trembled with the strain of holding back.

  After a moment, she broke the kiss. She smiled, but her cheeks glowed pink. “Um, better put on some clothes, and then we can go share the good news.”

  He donned a pair of sweatpants, then Chloe took him by the hand and pulled him into the living room. “Mom! Dad! Marcus spoke.”

  chapter

  16

  To Chloe’s relief, her parents didn’t immediately interrogate Marcus about the plane crash. As much as Chloe needed to know how and why Abby had died, she did not want to risk Marcus clamming up again.

  Instead her father asked about Marcus’s time in the woods while her mother smiled through happy tears. “Wolves are pack hunters. How did you survive on your own?”

  “Killed small things.” Marcus’s voice rasped. “Mice. Squirrels. Rabbits.”

  “And that gave you enough protein?” her dad asked, keenly interested.

  He shrugged. “I scavenged some. Ate beavers.”

  Chloe blinked in surprise. “Beavers?”

  He nodded. “Beavers are good eating.”

  “Any fish?” her dad asked.

  “Tried.” Another shrug. “Not a good fisher.”

  “Any trouble with predators?”

  “Wolf pack chased me away once. I avoided bears. Moose almost killed me.” He shivered. “Gored with antlers, then trampled.”

  Chloe nodded, unsurprised. Moose could damage cars.

  Her dad leaned forward in his chair. “Now, this is very important. Your answer needs to be added to the Pack Lore to help others. Did you spend the entire time you were missing as a wolf?”

  Marcus inclined his head. “Three times I Changed to boy. Twice in first moon after crash while I slept. But too cold. Changed back again right away. Once in summer to pick berries. But skin too vulnerable.” He paused. “Too lonely.”

  “Amazing,” her dad said. “Thank you. This is very important information.” He patted Marcus’s shoulder. Then paused. “Are you ready to talk about the accident? I know it’s a painful subject.”

  Marcus shook his head. “I don’t remember the crash.”

  Her dad nodded wisely. “That’s not surprising. The memory may return in time, or not. But Marcus, know this: whatever happened, your parents and sister would be very happy that you survived.”

  Marcus stilled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

  Chloe’s heart squeezed. It had never occurred to her that Marcus might feel guilty that he’d survived the crash when the rest of his family hadn’t. Was that why he’d stayed a wolf so long? To punish himself? Her throat tightened.

  Her father stood. “Well, it’s late, and it’s been a long day. We should all head to bed.”

  “Dad, will you tell the Alphas that Marcus can talk now?” And that he isn’t feral?

  “Yes, of course. I’ll call them first thing tomorrow morning.” He paused. “If you want, I will also ask Nathan to rescind his order for Marcus to attend school until his control is be
tter.”

  Chloe clenched her teeth in resentment at the need to beg permission, like a kindergartener asking to go to the toilet.

  “Unless you feel ready to return, Marcus,” her dad added.

  “I will follow Chloe.”

  “More time would be better,” Chloe said. She just didn’t think they were going to get it. Marcus returning to school early was part of her punishment.

  She got ready for bed, then dithered. Should she leave the door ajar for Marcus as usual? She squirmed inside, remembering their kiss. But he always slept as a wolf, and he’d be hurt if she shut him out.

  Marcus didn’t come. Chloe couldn’t relax, listening for the tick of claws on the hardwood floor. After twenty minutes, she got up for a glass of water. Marcus lay on the bed in the room across the hall, wolf eyes gleaming in the shadows. Voices in the kitchen clued her in: her parents were awake.

  “—worried about their relationship,” her mom said.

  Chloe paused.

  Her dad sounded doubtful. “Marcus is younger than her. Isn’t that the kiss of death in high school?”

  Her mom snorted. “He Changed for her. Do you know how powerful and flattering that is? He looks at her like she hung the moon. That has an effect.”

  Oh, geez. Chloe’s ears started to burn.

  “Chloe’s an Alpha in the making,” her dad said. “She may just accept it as her due.”

  An Alpha? Anxiety seized Chloe’s lungs, making it hard to breathe. Her dad had it wrong. There was no way she could be an Alpha. An Alpha was the best at everything. The only thing she excelled at lately was getting into trouble.

  “A year ago, maybe,” her mom said, doubt in her voice. “Now? It’s different.”

  Yes, her mom understood. The vise around Chloe’s chest eased.

  “Chloe has had a hard time of it these last few months,” her dad agreed. “She’s not making it any easier on herself now that she’s Changed either. I’m worried what will happen if she keeps pushing Olivia.”

  “It’s her nature to protect. Everything Chloe has done has been to defend Marcus.” Her mom sighed. “I’m just worried she’ll break his heart.”

  Chloe retreated silently, biting her lip. She wanted to protest that she would never ever hurt Marcus. Nor was she some femme fatale, breaking hearts left and right. But Marcus did have feelings for her, and she’d impulsively gone and kissed him again tonight.

  And, to be truthful, she’d liked it.

  Her wolf had wanted more, but her human side was wiser. Marcus was still a year younger than her, and Abby’s brother. More than that, he didn’t need a girlfriend, he needed friends. People to stand with him against the Alphas. He did not need her confusing him about their relationship by sending out mixed signals.

  She would take more care with his heart.

  Marcus nosed her awake at the ungodly hour of 5:30 a.m. She pried open one eyelid and peered at his wolf face. “Let me guess, you want to go for a run.”

  He licked her chin.

  She recoiled. “Stop that! Okay, thanks for letting me know. See you later.” She rolled over and closed her eyes again.

  A moment later the quilt slipped down to her waist. She grabbed at the hem and a tug of war ensued.

  Sighing, Chloe sat up. “Really?” The idea of leaving her warm nest and going out into the frosty morning didn’t appeal, but in the end she couldn’t resist Marcus. Marcus the boy was so solemn, but his wolf showed signs of the mischievous personality she remembered. “Fine. You win. We’ll go for a run.”

  The ground outside froze her bare feet, and crisp, cold air chilled her lungs. Shivering, Chloe stripped off her pajamas and threw herself into the Change with new fervor.

  Becoming a wolf was as good as donning a winter coat and boots. The weather changed from unpleasant to invigorating.

  Marcus sat on his haunches, waiting for her.

  Feeling playful, she darted past him, racing for the trees. He joined the game, running alongside her. Joy bubbled up inside her along with a feeling of rightness. Of belonging. Of Pack.

  Of being courted by a potential mate.

  The last thought troubled Chloe the girl. The she-wolf vaguely remembered resolving the night before to protect Marcus by pushing him away. How silly.

  Dismissing the whole matter, the she-wolf charged under a conifer’s sheltering branches and startled a brownish-white rabbit into flight. Marcus yipped, and the chase was on.

  “Chloe!”

  The faint call made the she-wolf cock one ear. Someone was calling her human name. For a moment, that seemed unimportant. Chloe had just scented something interesting on the wind: chicken, maybe? She sniffed again and wrinkled her muzzle in distaste. Foulness. If that was a chicken, it was a dead one. Maybe many dead chickens. Chloe took a step toward the rank smell, but the black and cream wolf nipped her flanks.

  “Chloooo-eeeee!”

  Memory returned. She abandoned the strange smell and bounded in the direction of her house. Marcus kept pace at her side.

  She Changed as soon as she reached the pile of clothes she’d left in the yard. Marcus beat her, his transformation so smooth and flowing it looked almost painless. Naked, he entered the house. She gritted her teeth until the Change released her.

  Chloe panted, crouching on all fours in the yard. Would that ever get any easier? Or less painful? It freaking hurt.

  Both her parents’ vehicles were gone. Odd. She’d thought they were going to talk to the principal this morning. An emergency must have come up at the clinic.

  How late was it? Chloe hastily redressed in her pajamas then hustled inside. She’d missed the phone call to the Alphas.

  Instead of a note, her mom had left packed lunches for them both: hers in her usual insulated carrier and Marcus’s in a brown paper bag. So the Alphas hadn’t changed their minds.

  Fine. They would do this. She would prove that Marcus wasn’t a danger.

  A glance at the clock told her they had ten minutes until the bus came. “We’re going to be late!” she called to Marcus, hitting his doorjamb on the way to her own room.

  Off with the pajamas. On with clothes. Bathroom next. She ran a quick comb through her short hair and sped into the kitchen.

  She gobbled down some bran muffins for breakfast—not her favourite, but much faster than cereal or toast. Marcus just shook his head when she offered him one. She chugged chocolate milk and then strolled out the door as the bus pulled up.

  Despite the challenges ahead, she was in good spirits. She was officially part of the Pack, a Dud no longer, and Marcus had made so much progress. She couldn’t wait to see the expression on the other kids’ faces when Marcus spoke.

  Dean wasn’t on the bus. Kyle was, which surprised her, but both he and Brian were dozing. Should she blurt out the news? Nah, more fun if she sat back and let it happen. Marcus was silent, absorbed in staring out the window at the passing trees.

  “Is it true?” Judy asked as soon as she got on. “Can he talk now?”

  Oh, right. She’d asked her dad to tell the Alphas.

  Chloe smirked. “Why don’t you ask him?”

  Judy cleared her throat. “Hey, Marcus.”

  He kept staring out the window.

  Judy tapped his shoulder, and he startled, whipping his head around. Judy shrank back, then tried again. “Hi, Marcus.”

  Chloe was afraid he wasn’t going to respond, but after a few seconds he said, “Hi, Judy.”

  Judy started to cry. Marcus looked at Chloe in bewilderment. “It’s okay.” She slipped over into Judy’s seat and gave the other girl a quick hug. Chloe teared up a little, too. “It really is going to be okay. Marcus, me, your mom. Everybody’s good.”

  Judy offered her a watery smile. “Yeah.”

  Ilona boarded the bus and frowned at them. “What’s up? Did someone die?”

  “Yes,” Marcus said, startling both Ilona and Kyle, who had woken up. “My sister.”

  Abby. Chloe’s heart hurt, but le
ss than it used to. Abby would be happy that Marcus had survived.

  Ilona’s mouth hung open. “You can talk?”

  He nodded.

  “That’s great!” Kyle said. He pounded Brian on the back. “Marcus can talk!”

  “So how did you survive the plane crash?” Ilona asked, being her usual forthright self.

  Before Chloe could hush her, Marcus answered, “I don’t remember.” Ghosts haunted his eyes, and Chloe moved back across the aisle to hug him. He leaned his head against hers in a wolf nuzzle.

  Ilona’s eyebrows shot up, but Chloe didn’t care.

  “Shouldn’t Marcus be in the other classroom with the nines and tens?” Mr. Presley frowned.

  Chloe felt blindsided. Marcus had been in the same grade as Kyle and Judy, but he’d missed a year of school. Which would put him in grade ten. But there weren’t any Pack in the split grade nine/ten classroom. Judy’s sister Gail was the next oldest and she was in grade eight.

  Beside her, Marcus became as tense as a bowstring. Taking him away from Pack was a bad idea.

  “We’re not sure,” she said. “My parents were supposed to come in to discuss it with Ms. Kim this morning, but they got an emergency vet call. Please, can he sit with me until they arrive?”

  “I suppose so,” Mr. Presley said.

  “I’ll be quiet,” Marcus said.

  Mr. Presley startled, but quickly recovered. “Good.”

  True to his word, Marcus sat through English quietly, watching out the window with predatory intentness. Math, which was also taught by Mr. Presley, came and went in similar fashion.

  All morning Chloe expected Marcus to be called to the office for his conference, but by noon her parents still hadn’t arrived. Maybe the appointment had been rescheduled?

  They ate lunch outdoors, the Pack closing shoulders against the townies. Dean sat on top of the table and cast longing glances at Ilona, who ignored him but did a lot of hair-flipping and posing.

  Marcus looked around carefully at lunch. No one was watching so he let his bun fall on the ground where the gulls or rodents would soon find it and feast. He just ate the meat: corned beef with a thin film of mustard. He did not see the point of mustard, but at least there were several ounces of meat.