Jacob Boris stared dejectedly at his pack members, all gathered in a circle around him. He knew all their individual stories: from the college student who was Bitten by a rabid changeling, to the young 14-year old who found herself in the dead of night among a gang of werewolves. Hs knew all their stories, had to listen to each and every werewolf in his pack tell the story of how they were changed the moment they joined his pack . It was one of his many roles as an Alpha, his many, challenging, tiring roles.
Like coming to terms with meeting his son again.
He sighed and rubbed his eyes tiredly. He remembered the pang of guilt that had racked him ever since Lauren had brought his son to him. He had looked into his son’s eyes and blanched: the hatred in them had been acute and raw. How did he not recognize his son the moment he had walked into their pack?
His every waking moment since then had been tormented by the hatred in his son’s eyes. He’d tried to make amends, had followed his son around trying to explain himself, but it had been like talking to a brick wall for all it was worth. Was this his own type of karma, for all those years ago when he had Bitten his son?
“Alpha..?” One of his pack members, a bald, muscular man called uncertainly.
He looked up, his eyes red-rimmed and tired. “Hiram,” he murmured “What is it?”
Hiram looked around at his fellow members, then back at their Alpha “It’s Lim. She has been missing since last evening.”
Jacob waved his hand dismissively “Have you tried perhaps calling her?”
“We did.” The man replied “It was not going through.”
“That’s hardly something to be worried about, Hiram. She goes off like that many times, I’m sure she’s fine.”
Hiram stepped back into the circle of werewolves and kept shut. Soon another werewolf walked into the circle and nodded courteously to his fellow pack members. He looked a lot like Hiram, only more bearded and less buff. It was Elias, Hiram’s twin brother.
“Alpha,” he bowed to Jacob “We have visitors. It’s Lim and a couple of other people.”
A sigh of relief rippled through the pack as Lim walked into the circle with Beth, Axel and Mike. Mike and Axel glanced around uneasily at the pack of terrifying-looking people: this was their first time among a group of werewolves this size. Beth, however, walked forward to Jacob, unfazed and unbothered, and bowed.
“Cut all the formalities, Beth.” Jacon said and stood up from his seat. “We’ve known each other for years now. We’re more like family, are we not?”
“Yes, Jacob. You’re right. And that’s why I came to you the moment I heard. We need your help and the strength of your pack. Trouble is looming.” She said under one breath.
The pack murmured in fear. Hiram and Elias looked at each other with worry. “Trouble?” Jacob asked, his brow knitted in concern. “What do you mean?”
“Dr Makovsky…” Beth said meaningfully.
Jacob sighed and closed his eyes “I guessed as much. Where’s Lauren?”
Lim walked forward “She was taken to Dr Makovsky by-by-” She looked at Beth for help.
“Aidan.” Beth finished on her behalf “Your ???.”
The werewolves began to growl in unison, a combined growl that sent shivers through the rest of the people. They felt personally attacked; danger to a wolf of their pack meant danger to all of them.
“Alpha,” a ginger-haired young woman among the pack growled, her fangs extended and her eyes glowing yellow “When do we attack?”
Beth’s last sentence had defeated Jacob. His shoulders slumped, pain evident in his vivid green eyes “My son.” He muttered to himself.
“Will you help us? You have to help us.” Axel said, moving forward “Dr Makovsky’s army is huge, terrifying. His wolves are rabid, and they won’t hesitate to attack people if he so commands. I’ve seen them firsthand-their sheer size and number. This battle is much bigger than what you might imagine, and we need all the help we can get. if we don’t stop him-”
“Then more werewolves and mass killing.” Mike continued “The end of humans as we know it, at least on this side of the world. What the doctor wants is an army of werewolves, and he almost has it.” Beth, Lim and Axel turned to Jacob pleadingly, along with his pack. They all waited for his command, bearing him down with their eyes.
“No.” He whispered and looked away, not wanting to see the disappointment on their faces. “I can’t help you, Beth. Not with this-this kind of problem. I’m sorry, but I can’t join you in a battle I know you would lose. You told me about this doctor, years ago when you moved here with Lauren, and from the sound of it the doctor doesn’t like opposition. I cannot put the lives of my members in danger. You would have to fight this battle yourselves.”
“Is this only because of Aidan? You’re consumed by shame. You Bit him, I know. But-”
“This is more than just him, Beth.” He whispered hoarsely “This is-”
“It’s about you, isn’t it?” Lim spoke up. “You’re-scared. Scared to face your son on the other side of the battle. You’re ashamed and scared, and you would rather sit here playing Big Bad Wolf with a couple of changelings than do what’s obviously right. A brave Alpha would do what’s right, what’s good, without nursing sentiments. If you’re too scared to face a real battle, you’re not worthy of being our Alpha.”
“Enough!” Jacob roared “You will not follow them to battle. As your Alpha I command you to stay here.” His voice sent a wave of power through the pack.
“No!” Lim retorted, her eyes alive and fiery. She seemed to be fighting against the Alpha’s power “I will take no commands from an alpha who is a coward.” She said and stormed away into the trees.
Jacob watched miserably as Beth, Mike and Axel followed Lim out of the circle of werewolves and into the trees, a lump of despair forming in his throat. He looked on as the members of his pack turned to go, leaving him to his scattered thoughts and emotions.
Help them, they’d said. How could he help them when it would mean facing his biggest fear and mistake in battle?