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Take a peek into Michael’s past in this exclusive 1,000 word short story and the night that changed it all.
Michael Howell felt empty as he stepped out of the forest. Before him loomed the plantation style building that he had visited every summer since he had been born. It was home to most of his best memories. Tonight though, he did not look upon the House with happy eyes. Ever since his parents had passed ten years ago, something dark had taken root inside of him. That darkness had spread over the years and he wasnโt the only one who noticed.
The sharp feel of dry pine beneath his bare feet hardly registered. Memory was all he had. The pack was his only family now, meant to guide and support him. He didnโt feel like part of their family. He didnโt feel like part of anything. And therein lied the problem. A wolf was nothing without his pack. Any day now Alexander was going to say something. Michael could feel it. He was a legal adult by every state law, every mortal law. He wouldnโt be permitted to stay. The question was, would he be permitted to live?
David bounded out of the trees a couple paces behind him. His best friend had only ever been energy. He knew something was off too, but he would die before admitting it out loud. โDude, you didnโt wait for me. I thought we were gonna chase Vicky and Scarlett.โ
Michael shrugged. โIโm not really in the mood for chasing tail tonight.โ Davidโs face turned into a frown.
โThatโs all well and good for you. But what about my wing man? Scar is something else. You know? What if sheโs the one?โ
Michael let out an aggrieved sigh. This again. โYou think everyone is the one.โ
โThatโs not true.โ
โMarissa?โ
โShallow.โ
โKaren?โ
โSnarky.โ
โLucille?โ
David hesitated. Lucille had been his first love. He would have done just about anything for her. Right up until she dumped him for Calvin. Michael personally thought it was a poor choice. Strictly speaking, David was on the fast track to being the most imposing wolf in the pack. That kind of status brought perks.
โPuppy love,โ his friend finally responded. It was the single most insulting thing your partner could accuse you of and it was what Lucille had called it.
Michael walked a few more steps and caught sight of someone as they stepped into yellow porchlight. He swallowed. Alexander Wolfsbane did not need Davidโs bulk to be an imposing man. His quick reflexes and sharp intellect had rightfully earned him his title.
โWhat do you say we go into town? Chase someone else for a change?โ The suggestion immediately perked David up.
He pumped his fist in the air as he proclaimed, โYes!โ
Michael spared another glance at the man. His eyes glinted yellow in the darkness as he watched the two. Michaelโs anxiety increased two-fold. He couldnโt help but wonder if he would survive this night as he walked away from the Alpha of the North Carolina Pack.
Chapter 2
Michael couldnโt stay focused on any of what David was telling him. He was too absorbed in his own miserable thoughts. It had been a mistake to run so far from the center of the pack; it only highlighted that he was different.
โI think Iโm broken,โ Michael said over Davidโs elaborate story.
โEveryone thinks that when theyโre nineteen.โ
โIโm serious, David. Something is wrong with me. Iโm notโIโm not like the others.โ Davidโs eyes tightened with anxiety.
โDonโt say that,โ he whispered.
โNot saying it doesnโt make it any less true.โ
โLook, things got rough for you when your parents passed away. I get it, I do, butโฆโ
โMurdered,โ Michael interjected. David stopped. โThey didnโt just die in their sleep. They were doing His bidding and they were killed.โ
โYou donโt know that.โ Michael speared him with a look. โMike you gotta let this go.โ
The salt shaker flew off the table to shatter against the wall. Other patrons in the cafรฉ turned to stare. โI will let it go when he does something about it. He was supposed to protect them. Thatโs his job.โ
David glanced around noting the attention they were gathering. โWe should get out of here.โ Michaelโs chair squealed against the flooring and only Davidโs reflexes prevented it from crashing to the wood.
They walked in silence back to the House. There Michael insisted on being left to fume on his own. The rage he felt at his parentsโ death consumed him any time he looked at the Alpha. A voice drifted from the tree line and Michael felt as if heโd been doused in ice.
โMichael Howell, Iโd like a word with you. Walk with me.โ
Michael seriously considered ignoring the command and making a run for it. The simple fact that he was able to consider the option at all was part of the problem. No wolf should be able to disobey a direct command from their Alpha. Still, he wondered how far he would get before someone in the pack caught up to him. The Howells were natural trackers, and even as the last of them Michael was no exception. Only one thing prevented him from turning tail and bolting as fast as his legs would carry him: the wolf that inevitably caught him would undoubtedly be David. He wouldnโt do that to his brother.
During Michaelโs tense moments of indecision. Alexander remained perfectly still, patiently waiting for his decision. Michael couldnโt shake the feeling that this was some kind of test and he was failing miserably. He swallowed hard and turned to face the man he couldnโt respect as Alpha.
โYes sir.โ
The trees had barely closed behind them when Alexander spoke again. โYou have lost the meaning of pack.โ
Michael felt a stab of pain in his chest.
โI hope some day you can find it again.โ
Michael glanced over at the stoic man at his side. โWhat?โ
โIโm sending you to Raleigh until you can learn.โ