WastingAway
After finding a strange wolf in her secluded world, Kona was full of questions, anxieties, and fears. Her brother ran besideher,ignorantofhowherworldwasblowingup.
Outofallthequestionsracingthroughherhead,theonlyonethatstoodoutwas:shouldshetellherfather?
Alpha Leo had always been stern aboutthe outside world. They were notallowed to question or talk aboutthe past. Theystillgrievedforthelossofamillionwolveswhenanillnessdestroyedtheirrace.
Anillnessthatstillhadnocure.
Alpha Leo and the older generation had run from it, cutting ties with every family member It made them grumpy, bitter,anddomestic Whichwasanicerwordforlazy
KonaandMasonleftthewoodsandenteredthefarmland Broccoli,turnips,lettuce,andothervegetablesweregrowing inthefields Thereweresheep,pigsandcows,goatsandchickens
The livestock jumped at the sight of them Cows mooed in upset The chickens threw themselves out of the way, squawkingandtheirfeathersblowinginthewind MasonandKonacouldn’thelpbutplayfullyattempttosnagalegortwo Theshriekingandbuckingweremusictotheirears.
After the large barn thatheld the horses, they passed by several small houses made oflogs.The shacks were simple, with fabric for doors and curtains for windows.Itrarely gothothere,never reaching above ninety a few days outofthe year.Itdid getseverely cold,buttheir bodies were used tothe winter.Their thick furs were made for the brutalcold of Russia,wheretheirancestorsresided.
Theyranpasttwentyhouses,andthenthetownfollowed.Itwasbarelyhalfamilelong,withbeaten-upbuildingsthat hadseentoomanyharshsnowstorms.Theroadswereonlydirt.It’sthekindofplaceseeninWesternmovieswithwooden framesanddust-coveredwindows.Theonlydifferencewastheydidhaveelectricity.Nocars,however.Vehiclesweren’ta priorityinatownfullofbioformsthattransformedintowolves.Andnoonelivedmorethanamileapart,soevenifthathad towalk,itwasn’tastruggle.
Kona ran down the center of the town The night cooled the land, and a fire lit the town square with a whole pig roastingovertheflames Herfamilyofahundredgatheredwithdrinksintheirhands,relaxingforthenight Theirchores wereover,andnowtheypartied
Konaslowedherpace,straighteningherhead Sheweavedherwaythroughthecrowdandwasignored,anunwanted princessduringtheirtimeforfun Someglancedathersecretly,awkwardstaresshecouldfeelonherback Kona didn’tknow whatmade them sodistant She tried as a young girltobefriend them,and though they pretended wellenough,therewasalwaysahesitancyinhowtheyspoketoher.Likeshewasamonsterintheirworldofmonsters.She wasn’tdifferentinlooks,personality,orabilities,yetforsomereason,shedidn’tfitin.
HerfatherassuredheritwasbecauseshewasthenextAlpha.Hetoldhernottoworrybecausewhenshebecomesthe leaderoftheirpack,theywilleitheracceptherorbetossedoutintotheunknown.
Kona’sblueeyesrestedonthedoorsaheadasshecontinuedgoingdownthecenterroad.Thegiantgateswerelocked and only opened once every three months for provisions.Noone was allowed togooutexceptthe truck driver.Gamma soldiersguardedthedoors,theirrifleshangingofftheirshouldersastheylookedoutward,neverinward.Theykepttheir well-trainedeyesonthecumbersomestretchofwoods,alwaysreadyforanattack.
Exceptnoattackhadevercome.
Lycansdidn’thavemanyenemiesexceptfortwo.Humansandthediseasethathadnoonelefttokill.
Asideroadledupthroughlushtreesintoawell-pamperedcompound.Itsfrontyardwasfulloflushgrass,exotictrees, and beautiful colorful flowers It was a Greek mansion with white stone, square lines, and three levels of rooms and bathrooms Despite the town deteriorating slowly, the house was just as old but well cared for It was built for royalty,
meantforAlphaandhisfamily.
Two young gamma wolves sat on the patio steps. Gammas were the soldiers of the pack, all male. They hunt and protect.ButforKona,theyhadanotherjob:spying.Theyreportedallhermovements,andifshehadn’tbeenwithherthree brothers,theywouldhavebeenfollowingherlikepesteringshadows.
Tallygottohisfeetwhenhenoticedherapproaching,andhereacheddownforVince,pullinghimup.Theyattempted toactlikedignifiedsoldiers,puffingouttheirchests.They’retooyoungtobeofanyrealassistancetoanAlpha.Twelveand thirteen were the typical ages to begin learning their roles, but currently, they were out of those. Vince and Tally were seventeen, and though it was beneath them to do such menial work, no one else was willing to degrade themselves to house-sit.
Konadidn’tevensparethemaglance.Sherantotheshed thatsatbesidethehouse.Shedived intotheopenwindow, goingthroughthecurtains.It’sherethatshemadehershiftbacktoherbioform.Everylycanhadabioform,theformthey werebornwith Mostcallithuman,butKonaknewthesciencebehindtheirevolution Bioformbecameamoreappropriate termaslycansresultedfromasillyscientistinearlyGreeceexperimentingwiththingsoutofhisscope
That’s if the science is to be believed
MostlycanswerereligiousandbelievedinGreekMythology Forthem,Zeushimselfborethem ButKonahadahard timebelievinginsuchinsanestories Itsoundedmorelikesuperstitionandparentstryingtoscaretheirkids
She smoothed herwaist-length silverhairin the mirror,using asoft-tipped combtogothrough the delicate tendrils Shebrusheduntilitshined.Inaflowing,loosedress,shesteppedoutoftheshedwithbarefeetslippingthroughthegrass.
Masonpulledonrunningshorts,slidingahandthroughhisshortsilverlocks,barelytohisear.Hestretchedandbent hisneck.LikeallLycans,hewasnaturallyinshapeandlikedtoshowoffhisabstoanyonearound.Shepushedhimasshe passed,andheslappedherhand.
As she rounded the house to move toward the entrance, Tally once again nervously straightened his spine as she approached.
“Ismyfatherhere?”
“Yes,DeltaKona.”Hepulledthescreendooropenforher.
Konadidn’tknow ifshewas ready tofaceAlpha.Shefeared he’d beabletofeelallheranxiousness and try topry the secretsoutofher.
Theinsideofherhomewas justas beautifulas theoutside,with whitehardwood floors moving fromthefrontofthe house all the way to the back door Each room was of a different design, all done by none other than her mother Her mother,Margo,kepther expensive taste in Greek culture,which showed through allthe gold and marble The windows werewideand unblocked,allowing lighttoflow intothehouse,with big whitecarpets,couches,and statuesofGodsand Goddesses
Therewas noquestionthatherparents believed intheLycanreligion They had poured itdownherthroatsinceshe couldremember,butitneverinterestedher.Sheknewfairytaleswhensheheardthem.
Kona padded down the halltothe grandiose kitchen in the back where her father sat.Her father,Leo,and twoBetarankedofficerssatdrinkingcoffee.MaximandaBeta-in-training,hisson,Alec.Theysnappedtotheirfeetingreeting.She couldfeeltheweightofAlec’sstare,hisblueeyesasintimidatingasherown.Hissilverhairwascutshortandspikedatthe top,a replica ofhis dad.They could pass for twins despite Alec being twenty-three and his father almostfifty.Bioforms didn’tageaftertwenty-one.
Konawavedthemoff,takingaseatatthetable.
“Kona,wewerejusttalkingaboutyou.”
“That’s notasurprise,”sheresponded,annoyed.They werealways ‘justtalking abouther,’and they werealways ‘just finished’.
“Ithinkwe’realldonehere,”herfatherstatedwithasmile.“Thankyou,gentlemen.”
Oncemore,Alec’sstarepressedonthebackofherhead Shetriedherdamndesttoignoreit Heleaneddownintoher ear,“MayItakeyououtlater?”
The thought caused unwanted excitement Alec was her betrothed, and growing up, she used to idealize what that wouldmean Butastheygrewolder,shelearnedhowmuchofawomanizerhewas Therumorswerehardtoignore “I’ll letyouknow”
Henodded,“I’llbewaiting.”
Shewatchedthebackofhimasheleft.Shehadgrownuplovinghim,butaftershelearnedaboutallthegirlshealready sleptwith,shewantednothingmoretodowithhim.However,herchoiceswerelimited.Alphasmatethestrongest,andhe
hadprovenhisstrengthenoughtimestodemonstratethathewasherbestmatch.Lovehadnothingtodowithit.Emotions wereforhumans,notwolves.
Herfathersippedcoffee,“Howwastheriver?”
Kona struggled with her secret. She didn’t keep things from her father, and there typically wasn’t a point to it. He alwaysfoundoutanyway,butforsomereason,shedidn’twanttoexposethewolfyet.
“Fine,”though theliewould gonoticed.He’d senseherdeceptionamileaway.Alphas wereextensions ofthegods so theysay.Andgodskneweverything.
Asadistraction,shespoutedout,“Alecaskedmetomarryhim.”
Her father’s cupspilled,slipping from his weak fingers and landing on his jeans.He halfstood,cursing,grabbing for napkins.Themaidtriedtohelp,butthecoffeefellonhisprivates.Hewasredinthefaceashebrushedherhandsoff,“I’m fine,thankyou.”
Her mother,a spitting image ofher exceptwith shortsilver hair and deepscars on her neck,leaned in,ignoring her husband’sproblem “Areyouserious?”
“No,” Kona grinned, cackling evilly ather father’s expression Margo huffed, slapping her napkin down A marriage wouldbeafunplannedeventandsomethingtooccupyherotherwisedullafternoons
Lessthanamused,Leoheldouthiscupformorecoffee,andthezetaservantrushedtofillit “Aunionbetweenthetwo ofyouwouldmakemeveryhappy,”heforced
“He’smycousin,”shepointedoutforthetenthtime.
“Secondremovedcousin,”herepliedforthetenthtime.“AndheisthefutureBeta.He’ssmart,strong ” “YouknowyoupraisehimsomuchI’dthinkyouwereinlovewithhim.”
Margohidherlaughterbehindhercoffeecup,shruggingwhenLeoglaredather.
Mason satbeside her and plopped a ham sandwich in frontofher.Kona’s stomach growled atthe sight,and she lost herselfinthesnack.“Alec’saprick,”headdedandthenmumbledunderhisbreath.“Wishhe’dbeattackedbyadick-eating bear.”
“Watchyourlanguage,”Margoquicklychided.
“He’smoreinlovewithhimselfthandad.”
Leoallowedtheinsulttorolloffhimself.“He’sBetablood.Ifhewasn’tproud,therewouldbesomethingwrong.Aside fromthat,youarebetrothedtohim,sostartgettingusedtotheidea”
Konaignoredhiscommentlikesheignorediteverytimehesaidit “Can’tIpickmyownBeta?”Konachewed,covering hermouthasshespoke
“Traditionally,yes,youchooseyourownBeta Butasourpopulationiswhereitis,thereisalackofoptions Youwant thestrongestbloodline,andAlecisthesonofmyBeta Hewillbeagoodwarriorandadvisorforyou”
“Whatif…”Shepickedatthepieceofbread,hereyesderailing,“Whatifwegolookingformore?” “More?”
“Morewolves?”
Therewasatensenessinhisshouldersalready.“Kona,youknowtherearen’tany.”
“ButAmerica’sabigplace.Andwe’refromRussia.Whatiftherearemoreoverthere?Whatifthediseasedidn’tspread thatfar?”
“Kona,”Margowarnedlightly,sippingherdrink.
Herfathergottohisfeet,“Iwon’thavethisdiscussionagain.”
“Daddy ”
Heslappedhishandonthetable,meetinghergaze,“They’realldead.Didyouforget?Theplaguewipedusallout.And what disease failed to kill, the human race hunted down and paraded their bodies in town. You never saw it, so I understandwhyyouwanttogooutandseeforyourself,butwhenyoubecomealpha,Iprayyourselfishnessfadesbyyour obligationtoourpeople Unlessyouwanttoberesponsibleforeradicatingtherestofourkind”
Konabowedherhead,“I’msorry Ijust Whatifit’snotbadanymore?It’sbeentwentyyearssinceanymemberofthe familyleft Alotcouldhavehappened”
Leostraightenedhisshirt,tryingtocalmhistemper “Ifthatisariskyouwishtotake,dowhatyouwantwhenyourule this family Butas long as I amalpha,noonewillbehunted downand murdered”Hetook back his seat,focusing onthe papersinfrontofhim.
Itwasquietafterhiswords.Kona’ssecretwasonherlips,dying toburstforth.Shewanted toprovetohimthattimes had changed. That life recovered, and a wolf existed outside the fence. But she couldn’t. She feared he would be more
defensivethanopen.Ifhesawthewolfasathreattothesafetyofthepack,he’dkillit.Shewouldneedtoshowhimthatthe intrudermeantnoharm.Butfirst,shewouldhavetofindthatoutforherself.
Kona reached for her father’s hand. She pressed his knuckles to her forehead, clenching his fingers. It’s a sign of obedience,offorgiveness,ofsurrender.Sheheld ittoherskinforalong moment,waiting forhimtorespond.Hemoved andcuppedhercheek,leaningoverandkissingherhead.
“Everything I dois foryoursafety.And thepack’s.I know you arefeeling thepressureofalphahood,butyou arestill monthsaway.Donotresentmyrestrictions.Learnfromthem.”
Shenoddedagainsthim,staringdejectedlyattheground.Konadidn’tunderstandwhytheycouldn’tsimplylook.How couldheknowiftheplaguewasoverifhedidn’tjourneyoutsidethewalls?
“I’mgoingtomystudy,”hemurmured,kissingMargoashewalkedout.
Masonnudgedher,“What’syourproblem?”
Konasunkinherchair,guiltoverridingherneedforknowledge Sheknewthepastwaspainfulforherparentsandall theelderswholivedthroughit Somanyfriendsandfamilywerelostintheplague Thousandsofwolvesdyingofffroma simplebug Suchpowerfulbeastsandyetdestroyedbyanillness
Whenshewaslittle,itwashardtoimagineanyLycangettingsick Sheneverexperiencedacoldoranupsetstomach Nobrokenbonesortornligaments,and humanailmentshad noeffectonthem Theonlytypeofdoctortheyhad intown wasamidwifetohelpwiththebirthingprocess
Kona was two months away from turning twenty-one, and then she could challenge her father to be Alpha. She wouldn’twin,notyet.Notbecauseshecouldn’t.Perhapsshe’dbebraveenoughtobesthiminbattleinayearortwo.
Butdidthatmeantwomoreyearsofbeinglockedinthisblackhole?
Twomoreyearsofseclusion?Ofloneliness?Offeeling liketimewaswasting away?Konadidn’tthink shecould even stayforonemorenight.
Kona threw her gaze outthe window toward the woods in the back ofthe compound.She was going tosee thatwolf again.Therewasnodoubt.
Temper
Leo ’sheavyfootstepssoundeddownthehall.Konalookedupfromhercookedfish,feelingthetensioninherchest.He steppedintothedoorway,worryinhisblueeyesashespoketoMargo.“Keepthekidsinthehouse.DannyandLyric areatJasper’s.”
“What’shappened?”shewonderedasKonaandMasongottotheirfeet.
“I’llexplainlater.Untilyouhearfromagamma,stayput.”
Kona’sheartlurched,andsheshovedafterherfatherinapanicashewentfortheexit,“Daddy,whatisit?”
“Wearen’tsureyet”
Shesnatchedthescreendoorbeforeitcouldshut “CanIcome?Ishouldlearn-”
Leoturnedonher,“Doasyouaretold,”hegrowledviciously ThetoneofAlphawavedoverher,andsheloweredher head instinctively “Tally,”heturned his attentiontotheboy,“Keepherinside Donotletherslipfromyoursight Vince, youwillstayandguardthisdoorwithyourlife”
“Yes,Alpha,”theyrepliedinunison
TallytookholdofKona’sarm,pullinghertothedoor,butshestruggledagainsthim,“Letgoofme.”
“Please,DeltaKona,Alphainsists.”
Konastaredafterherfatherashestalkeddownthelongdriveway.Histwobetasinwolfformcametohisside,followed by twelve gammas, a powerful pack meant to conquer. Did her father find out about the stranger somehow? Would her chancesoflearningabouttheworldouttherebehuntedandkilled?
Another pullon her arm sparked her temper,and she rammed her elbow back.Tally caughtit,a move thatsurprised her,andshewhippedherheadaround.Shehadn’trealizedhewasafewinchestallerthanher,butthatonlypissedheroff more.Sheyankedoutofhisholdandpushedthroughhimtogetintothehouse,throwingaglareoverhershoulderasshe paced theliving room.Tally stood with his hands clasped infrontofhimlikeasecretserviceagent.Gammas werereally one-minded.Theyfollowedherfather’sorderswithoutregardforanyoneelse.Shewouldn’tbelievetheyhadapersonality ifshehadn’tseenthemlaugh Andtheyapparentlydon’tfeelpaineitherbecauseherhitwouldhavebrokenhishand Konaturnedtohim,“Howdidyoustopmyhit?”
Tallyremainedsilent
Shesteppedinfrontofhim,aggravatinglylookingup “Answerthequestion,Gamma” Hisgreeneyesloweredtohers,andhesimplysaid,“Imoved”
Hissarcasticreplycausedagrowlinherthroat,“Itshouldhavebrokenyourhand” “Howdoyouknowitdidn’t?”hechallenged,repositioninghisgazesoitwasjustaboveherhead.
Sheglanceddownward.Thoughitwasonlyaminutelater,itwouldbehealedbynow.“Youdidn’tcry.” “I’mnotagirl.”
Her fist tightened, more than ready to make him squeal like a pig, when Mason came over and gripped her wrist, “Okay,crazy.Canyou bring itdownasmidge?Comehere;you need ahug?”Hetook herresisting forminhisarms,and though she fought, all the anger began to die away. Mason always knew how to calm her. She sunk into him now, her fingers curling around his shirt,breathing in deepsohis scentoverpowered herlustfor battle.Only seconds in,and she knewshehadoverreacted.Shameoverwhelmedher.
And this is why I don’t have friends, Konamiserablyacknowledged.Hertemperhadbeenexplosiveeversinceshewasa kid.Peoplelookedatherweirdlyfornoreasonotherthanherhistory.Shewanteditnottobeherfault,butitclearlywas. Konakepthercheekpressedagainstherbrother’schestasshelookedatthesoldierinfrontofthedoor.Tallyremained steadfast,butshe noticed when he flexed his fingers underneath his other hand He tried tohide it,butshe did dosome damage
“Sorry,Tally.”
Hestiffened,hisgazeflickingtoher,totheceilingashenervouslyreplied,“It’sfine,DeltaKona.”
Masonpartedfromherandheldherbythearms,“You’vebeenontheedgesincethelake.Youstillpissedyoucouldn’t catchafish?”
Shenodded,wishingthatwasit.Shedidn’tknowwhatwasgoingon.Upuntilthismorning,shekeptherselfdistracted. KonaimmersedherselfinlearningGreek,learninghowtofish,andtryingtofigureouthowtoplaythepiano.Therewere notutorsheretoteachsuchaninstrument.Lycanstypicallydidn’tlearnhumanarts.Butshewastiredoflearningtofight and huntwhen she already knew everything.She was better than every gamma in the pack and had beaten Beta Maxim numeroustimes.Therewasnothingelsetolearnandnowaytogrow,soshefocusedonnon-lycanhabits.
AsshestudiedTally,wonderinghowhecouldstopher,sherealizedshe’sneverfoughthim.Infact,shehadneverseen himfight.HetrainedwithHammond,aloneandinsidethebarn.Neverhadsheseenhimscrimmagewithothergammas. Howcouldshelivenearsomeoneherwholelife,andtheystillweresuchamysterytoher?
Masonshrugged,“Can’tbegoodateverything”
KonarolledhereyesasshewatchedhimwalkuptoTally “Yes,Ican”
Masonwasn’tonetodomuch ofanything Heliked todraw (atalenthekeptprivate),and heliked tosunbathe,butit didn’tseemtodomuchfortheirtypeofskin
Our skin type,KonareiteratedasshenoticedhowdifferentTallywas,standingbesideherbrother
Tallywastheonlypersonthatwasn’tintheirbloodline.Hehadbrownhair,greeneyes,anddarkerskin,likeHispanic humans.Theirparentshadbeenrunningfromtheplaguewhentheysoughtrefugeintheircompound.Tallyhadonlybeen ababythen.
“Whattypeofwolfareyou?”Konablurtedout.
Masonturnedtoherwithknitbrows,“Thatwasrude.”
Konadidn’tflinchasshewaitedforananswer.Foryears,she’swantedtoaskandneverfoundtheopportunitytodoit. Tally kepthis distancefromher.Now,shewas morecurious thanever.Whatif,inhis answers,lies thereasontherewas anotherwolfintheircompound?
And Tally’s wolf is different than ours. Almost as dark as the wolf I saw today. “IamLykanos,DeltaKona,”Tallyexplained.“Butifyouareaskingmybreed,Ican’ttellyoubecauseIdon’tknow.” “Wehavearchives You’veneverwantedtofindout?”
“Thispackismyhome Itdoesn’tmatterwhereIcamefrom”
Masoninterrupted,“Kona,dropit”
“Iwasjustaskingaquestion I’dwanttoknowifIwasdifferentfromeveryonearoundme” “Tally’sfamily Leavehimalone”
Tally intervened,“It’s okay,Mason DeltaKonahas every righttoask meany questionshewants”Herested his eyes onher,“Idon’tseemyselfasdifferent,sofindingmybreedhadnointerest.It’snotgoingtochangewhoIamorhowyou seeme. ”
Konadidn’tlikethoselastwords.Itwasalmostlikeaninsult.“HowIseeyou?Andhow’sthat?”
Therewassilenceinhisresponse,butthetensioninhisshoulderstoldhertherewassomethingtohiswords.Instead, hebowedhisheadinsubmission,“Imeantnothingbyit.”
Sheknewitwasalieandwouldhavecalledhimoutonitifhermotherhadn’tcalledherintothekitchen.Konaletitgo. Fornow.
Threat
Leoeyed the foxhole with disdain.A hole by the fence,ten miles from home.Were there more?Itwould take days to cover the entire length oftheir wallthoroughly.How long had itbeen there?How long had he been unaware ofthe dangers?Itfeltlikeaslapintheface.HewassopositivethatKonawassafe,butthiswasanaddedstress,blindinghim withtherealizationthatshewasindangernomatterwhathedid.
Leo’sbarefeetsteppedaroundtheholebeforehesquatteddowntogetacloserlook.Heworeonlylooserunningshorts, exposing his skin to the nightair.There were dozens of scars riddled across him, scars he won in battle.Something he hadn’tbeenapartoffornearlytwentyyears
Enhancinghissmell,hetookawhiffoftheairaroundhim Hecouldsmelltwo,no,threedifferentwolves,twowiththe distinctstenchoftheNajikapack HehadagoodunderstandingwiththeAlphaofthatclan Whywouldthemanattempttobreachhiswalls?
His two betas approached Maxim was the same age, having been his beta for more than 3 decades Like the older generation, scars were plenty on his neck and arms Maxim was halfthe reason Leo was able tostay Alpha for so many years.Besidehimwashisson,Alec,whowasinhistwenties,learninghisplace.He’llbeKona’sBeta,sohistrainingwasfar moreextensivethananyoneelse’s.
“Whatdoyousmell?”heaskedAlec.
“Threecreatures.Twomales,onefemale.Najika.”
“And?”heprobed.
Alecshifteduncomfortably,glancingathisfather.“DeltaKona,sir.”
Leonodded,staringattheground.Coulditbeacoincidence?Theproblemwiththesmellwasitsabilitytolinger.Her scentcould havebeenhereforaweek ormore.Withoutrainorsnow todiluteit,therewasnotelling how long agoKona passedthroughhere.
Changingthesubject,helookedupatMaxim.“WhywouldAlphaRandalbetrayus?”
“Power Greed Food”
Leopoppedhisheadup “Food?”
“I’ve been watching numerous problems facing the Lycans in America A shortage of elk and deer has become a substantialconcern,and we are the lastknown reservation Jealousy willmake them attack Especially ifthey think they canwin”
Leorubbedhisjaw,“Twentyyearsago,Americawasasafeplaceforrefuge Now,weareoverrunwithLycansinevery state,andtheirnumberscontinuetogrow.Ishouldhavemovedustosomeuninhabitedisland.”
“Thiswastherightmove,Alpha,”Maximassures.“Wecouldn’thavepredictedasituationlikethis.”
“Well,weshouldhave.Shouldwemove?Findanotherplace?”
“ForKona’ssafety,Alpha,no.Wehavethebestdefensiveprotocolsinplace.”
“Howdidthishappen?Don’twehavecameraseverywhere?”
Maximwhistledandwavedhisfingers.GammaHammondapproached,theleaderofthegammasoldiers.Heprovided theupkeepoftheirdefense.LeoaskedHammondthesamequestion.
Thebig,burlymanansweredfirmly,“Thecamerasaresufficient.However,rodentsandotherwildlifeeatatthewires constantly.Wetrytokeepupwithsecurity,butI’mafraidtherejustaren’tenoughpeopleforsuchawideperimeter.”
“Howlonghavesomeofthesecamerasbeenoutoforder?”
“Afewweeksatatime,Alpha.Thecamerasaroundthecompoundarekeptasatoppriority.Allofthemworkwell.”
“Atleast,there’sthat,”Leobitterlyreplied “WhywasInotawareofthis?”
“Igivemyreportmonthly”
Leonarrowed hiseyes.Though Hammonwasn’toutrighttelling himhehadn’tread thosedamnreports,itwaspretty obvious.Thereweren’tenough hours intheday tositand read adocumentfivepages long.His betakepthimuptodate with any significant problems. And though this had been a comparable small situation, it had blown up into extreme importance.
“Iwantallthecamerasfixedwithinaday.”
Hammondnearlylaughedbeforechoking.“I’msorry,Alpha,that’simpossible.”
Leostood,“Makeitpossible.”
Hammondsaidnomoreandbowedhishead,steppingaway.
LeolookedtoMaxim.“Howmanydowehavetosearchtheperimeterforholes?”
“Gammas,sir?Fifteenareavailable.Theguardsonthewallwouldmakeitforty.Ifweincludechildrenovertheageof fiveandeldersundertheageofninety,eighty-one.”
Leoordered,“Usethegammasbutkeeptheonesatthedoorsintheirplace Andifchildrenwanttohelplookforrabbit holes,itwillbeafunexperienceforthem”
Maximreassured,“Again,Alpha,Idonotthinkthiswasdonemaliciously Konawassafeinthehousewhenthealarm wentoff Mysoncouldberight Thecreaturesimplywantedtoeat”
Leowas notgoing totakeany chances “Itmeans there’llbemore Weneed warning signs Trespassers shotonsight Untilthen,Iwanteveryholefoundandcemented Andwemustfigureouthowtokeepthemfrommakingmore”
Leocontinued tostare outpastthe fence.WhatifKona had seen it?She would realize his lies.She would wanttogo outsidethefence.She’dabandonhimforhertasteoffreedomand,indoingso,condemnherselftodie.
HecouldfeeltheweightofBetaMaxim’sstare,andheliftedhisblueeyesup.“Istheresomethingyouwishtoshare?”
Maximtentativelyquestioned,“CanIbehonest?”
Leoturnedtofacehim.Hereliedonhisbetamorethanhisownwife.“Itdepends.” “ItmaybetimetotellDeltaKonathetruth.”
Leoscoffedandshovedbyhim,walkingalongthefence,searchingforothervileentrancestotheirprivateworld. Maximwaved offhissonand followed after.Theydistanced themselvesfromthepacksonoonewould beawareofa betaarguingwithhisalpha.Itwasarareoccurrence,butbetaswerethevoiceofthepeople,anditcouldnotbeignored.
“How many feelthis way?”LeospokeGreek.Itbroughtcomforttohimtohearitand say it.Twenty years away from hishomeland,hewantedtobelievetherewerestillpiecesofitinsidehim
“Most”
Leostoppedandgapedathim “Most?”
“Abouteightypercent”
“Thatleavesonlythechildren”
Maximbowedhisheadslightly “Soeveryone,”Leokickedatthedirtathisfeet.
“We understand your fear. I remember what they did to that newborn girl in Abakan. And she was second born to AlphaTolya.Butdoyouthinkit’spossiblethatthesesuperstitionshavemeltedwitheachcomingyear?Perhapswefearold valuesthatarenotpertinentinthisera.”
Leo wished it were that easy. Simply forgetting prophecies and legends and folding them into make-believe and haunting stories would makelifeeasier.And perhaps therewas sometruth.TheLycanworld didn’trideonevery Greek mythasitusedto.Hecouldseeitinnewsreportsandthroughtheinternet.Theworldhadchangedwhilehewasstuckin thisawfulplace.
Butitdidn’tmakeitsaferforKona.Nothingcouldevermakeitsafeforher.
“Leo,”Maximrestedahandonhisfriend’sshoulder,“Atsomepoint,she’sgoingtofindout.Makeitonyourterms.”
Leoshruggedoutofhisgrip,“Shefindsout,andthenwhat?Shetakesthepackandleaves.She’llbehuntedinminutes andkilled”
“Orsheisangryforatimebutforgivesyou and realizesyouractionswereforthebest Konaissmart,and,morethan anything,shelovesandtrustsyou Shewillunderstand”
Leoclenchedhisjaw,staringintothedarknessbeyondthefence Whatwaitsforheroutthere?Friends?Orfoesbythe dozens?
Maximcouldsensehisworry.“Konaisstrong.Ihavetrainedhermyself.Shehasbeenabletobeatmeforthepastthree years.Herpowerisgreaterthanyours.”
Leoroundedhim,“Itisnotmeshe’llhavetofight.TheAlphaCouncilwillseekherend.Theywillnotallowhertoexist.
Therearenofemalealphas,Maxim.She’sathreattotheirsociety.She’sathreattoLycanseverywhere.”
“Youdon’tknowthat,”Maximharnessedhisalpha’sanger,replyinglightly.“Younevergavetheworldachance.There mightbeotherswillingtoacceptheraswedid.Andifnot,IwillfightbesideherasIhavefoughtbesideyou.Butwecannot hidehereforever.Youmustseethetruthinthat.”
Maximalwaysspokewell,sayingeverythingLeoneededtohear,evenifhedidn’twanttohearit.“Yourconfidenceis notmyown.Icannotriskmydaughter’slifeonthemerechancethatshewon’tbetakenfromme.”
Maximdidnothaveadaughter,andhedidn’tunderstandthatdespitehowpowerfulKonawas,shewasfragile. Leogaveintooneconcern,“Let’sopenupnegotiationswiththeNajikapack.” “AndKona?”
Leosethisjawandreplied,“She’llbebusyplanningawedding.”
Maximgavehimadisappointedlook,butLeowouldnotacknowledgeit.Konawassaferwithamate.Andthoughshe mayhatehimforatime,it’sbetterthandeath
Choices
Kona saton the music bench nextto the piano. Her eyes wentover her sheet, playing the notes in her head.Every so often,herfingerdancedacrossakey,tappingittolistentothetextureofthesound.Thoughsheappearedfocused,she was far from it.Her gaze flicked outthe bay windows,searching for her father,hoping her prayers tothe gods kepther strangersafe.
Tally continued to stand at the room ’ s entrance, refusing to sit. His discipline, though admirable, was annoying. He didn’ttrusthernottorunoutthedoorandwas,therefore,readyatamoment’snotice.Shecouldoutrunhim,butshehad alreadybrokenhishandandfelttooguiltytobreakanythingelse
Itwas calm outside,the world dark with only moonlighttoexpose the road totown Lycans see betteratnight,butit wasadifferentsortofsight Inthedarkness,nightvisiontookoverandtransformedtheshadowsintoredheatsignatures Theirsenseofsmellheightened,andshecouldusuallysmelleveryanimalinamile’sdistance,butitwasdinnertime,and several differentscents were interfering A softlightin the corner was enough for her to see the paper in her hand and Tally’sreflectioninthewindow Toooften,shecaughthimgazingatthebackofherhead
Her mother’s scentoverwhelmed her,and she popped her head upas Margoentered the room.She saton the white leather couch,her feetsinking intothe fuzzy carpet.The zeta servantlaid a plate ofcookies and a juice container on the tableinfrontofher.“Coffeewillbereadyintenminutes.”
“Thankyou,Hanna.”
Konamindlesslychewedonacookieasshestaredatthefloor,contemplatingwhethertotellhermotherwhatshesaw. While Margo took Kona’s side most of the time, there were certain things her mother disapproved of. Talking about outsidethewallswasoneofthem.
Eversincechildhood,Konawastoldthehorrorstoriesofadisease.HerparentscalledittheWolfKiller.Shewasshown pictures ofboils and blood seeping fromeyes and ears.Children,men,and women,noonewas safefromthefatalillness. Her father believed the human race created such a sickness; their hate for Lycan-kind was rooted deepintotheir weak bones
‘Make no mistake, Kona Humans are threatened by us We are walking, breathing weapons Their jealousy knows no limits ’ Konaburstforthwithaquestionbeforeshecouldstopherself,“Haveyouevermetahuman?”
Her mother sighed, already sensing Kona was searching for something, “Yes” She glanced toward Tally and smiled, “Wouldyoulikeacookie,Tally?”
“No,thankyou,ma’am”
MargowashumoredbyTally’sstubbornness.Hewasdeadsetonmakinganimpression;shewonderedifKonanoticed atall. The boy had been infatuated with Kona since he was a child. It was clear to her, but Kona never glanced in his direction.ItwasMargo’sfault,sheknew.AlecwasKona’sbetrothed;assuch,MargoallowedKonatolooknowhereelse. Ofcourse,itwasalltheory.Hisglancestoward Konamightbecompletelyempty,and Margowassimplycreatingthis heart-wrenchingdramaforsomethingtodo.Godsknow,shewasboredoutofhermindaftertwentyyearsofbeingstuck inthisplace.
Margoalmostwished someonewould attack theirhomeforthethrill.Itwas terribletothink ofand always madeher feelguilty,butshewasraisedinawarringpack.Shehadwarriorbloodinherveins,whichhadbeenforcedtolaydormant fortoolong.Twentyyearsofslowlydying,asoldier’storment.
MargosatbackandmetKona’sgaze.ShehopedwhateverquestionsKonahadwouldn’tbeasked.Margohatedlyingto her.In the beginning,itwas easy totellastory.A little girlbelieves anything withouta doubt.Butas Kona gotolder,she couldheartheinconsistencies Shesuspectedtherewassomethingwrongwiththisworld AndifKonafindsout,whatwill beleftoftheirfamily?
When,Margoacknowledged,not if.
Konashiftedtowardher,“IwasreadingaboutAlphaKolyainschool.HewasDad’sgreat-great-grandfather?”
Margosmiled,“Youwerenamedafterhim,youknow.Themostfiercegodofourhistory.FivethousandLycansunder hiscommand,thebiggestpacktheworldhadeverseen.Andhasseensince,”MargopausedasHannasetacupofcoffeein herhand,alreadypreparedwithcreamandsugar.“Lycanswerebeinghunteddownbyterrifyinghumans,”shesnortedat theabsurdityoffearingsuchaweakrace.“Liketheydidwithwitches,humans’fearledthemonmassivemanhunts,killing humans and Lycanalike.AlphaKoylaheld themountains,thesafestplace forourkind.Forprotection,ahundred alphas bowed tohis rule.Which was unheard ofatthattime.Alphas were independent,traveled in packs offifteen or less,and constantly fought each other for four common reasons: food, land, strength, and women. ” Margo smiled at the ridiculousness of it. “Butthatchanged, Lycan’s lifestyle changed,” she paused and then added, softly, distantly, “It’s odd whatfearcando.”
“Butitdidn’tlast”
“No,”Margoadmitted “Peaceneverlasts”
“Well,whathappened?”
“Ithoughtyousaidyoureadit?”
Konabowedherhead,“Igotdistracted”
She giggled and shifted in her seat “There’s a lot that happened You should read it; it’s an excellent book” Margo lookedoutthewindowandstood,“Yourfather’shome.”
“Doyou lovedad?”Konabowed herhead;thesuddenquestionspunMargo’s head,and shelooked atKonawith knit brows.
“Ofcourse.Whywouldyouaskmethat?”
“Youwerebetrothedtodad.NowI’mbetrothedtoAlec.ButIwantmorethan…Idon’twanttomarryhimjustbecause he’sstrong.”
Margo rested her hand on Kona’s silver hair, running through the white, grey, and black tendrils that mixed in her tresses.“Yourchoicesaresmall,baby,”shemurmuredsoftly,“Youhaveanobligation.”
“DidyoupickDadbecauseyoulovedhim?
Margo looked over her daughter’s face, unsure what to say. Life before was different, and there were options. She didn’twantherdaughtertohaveanyfalsehopethatshe’dfindamancapableofbeinghermate andlovehim
“I didn’t pick your father” She touched her neck, exposing the long scar “He picked me I was one of twenty-two womenfightingforhisaffection Somewereolder Someyounger Someprettierbutnotmany,”shegrinned,makingKona giggle Thenhersmilefaded “Iwaschosenbecauseofmy strength Idid loveyourfather It’swhyIfoughtsohard,but,” shepauseswithsoftgriefinhergaze,“Ittooktimeforyourfathertoloveme”
Konahadn’tthoughtofitfromherfather’spointofviewbecausehe’saman,buthewasanalphalikeher Sheshouldbe talkingtohimaboutthis.
“NowyouwillbeAlpha,andtheywillfightforyou.”Margoshruggedsoftly,“Iftherehadbeenothers.”
Konaknewtherewereothers.Hersecretwolf,ifitwereLycan,ifitwereaman,couldbepartofherchoice.“SoIdon’t havetomarryAlec?”
Margodidn’tlikethisthought.Therewasnooneelsefitforher,butasMargoglancedoverhershoulder,shedidlovea littledrama.“Theymustprovethemselvesworthyofyou,andwhocanbeatBetaAlec?Whowouldtry?”
Margo turned to leave, but her gaze shifted to Tally as she passed him. He stared at the ground, wide-eyed and consumedinthought.Andthoughshecouldn’tbesure,butshecoulddreamshesawhopesparkinhisgaze.
Secrets
AsLeopredicted,Konawassittingonthesteps,waitingforhimtoreturn.TallyandVinceremainedbehindher,vigilant intheirorders.His walk was slow as his betas returned totheirbioforms.Theweightofhis decisionformed aballof regret in his stomach. If there was any other way to keep Kona safe, he prayed to the gods that they reveal it before he announcedhisdecisiontomarryhertoBetaAlec.Helookedupatthestars,searchingforasign.Unfortunately,theyhave alwaysbeensilent,andhehadlittleexpectation.
Leowavedahand,dismissingthepack,butcaughtAlec’sgaze,silentlyorderinghimtoremainbesidehim.Hewasn’t abouttoigniteKona’swrathalone Konastood,“Didyoufindanything?”
Leoshookhishead
“Oh”
“Wereyouhopingforsomething,DeltaKona?”Alecproddedwithasmirk Hergazedarkened,andaftercrossingherarms,shesaid,“Adick-eatingbear” “Kona!”Leogapped.
“Masonsaiditfirst!”shefoughtlamely,bowingherheadtoignoreherfather’sreprimand.
Leoscoffed,thendirectedhisattentiontotheboysonthestep,“Headtobed.”
“Yes,Alpha,”theyrepliedinunison.KonalookedafterTally,buthedidn’tglanceherway.Hewasjustanotherperson whothoughtshedidn’tbelong.
“Kona,”Leobeganbravely.Margoexited thehouse,and hestumbled onhis words.Hehadn’tconsulted his wife,and making thedecisionwithoutherwould havebacklash.Hecleared his throattogaincourage.“Alecand Ihad achanceto talk.”
Kona’sarmsfell.Sheknewwhatwascoming,likeanasteroidspinninginthesky.
“Ithinkit’stimeto ”
“No!”Konabackedup,readytogofullballisticonherfather
“Kona,marryingAlec-”
“Iwon’t!”shescreamed “Thereareunattachedalphasallthroughouthistory Idon’tneedtobemated”
“Thesafetyitbringsyou ”
“Fromwhat?”Konascreeched,wavingherarmsaroundandlookingforaliensinthewoods “Safefromwhat?Thereis noonehere,Dad Nothreat!Theonlythreattomeisyou”Thewordscameoutofhermouthtooquickly,andshetouched herfingerstoherlips,surprisedtheyhadevencomeout.Wasthathowshereallyfelt?
Leo’swolfbucked,andhesteppeduptoher,“Excuseme?”
Thealphainherrespondedtothechallengewiththoughtlessheed.Konatookasteptowardhim,andthoughhewasa foottaller and bigger, she feltnofear looking intohis eyes.Her wolfdominated, erasing her human fears and replacing themwithherlycanconfidence.“Theonlythreattomeis you. ”
Leo felt the surge of his wolf, every pore tingling. His teeth sharpened, his nails grew to a dangerous curve, and he twistedhisneck,stoppingthebonesfromshifting.“Youwilllistentome.OrIwillmakeyoulisten.”
Kona fisted her hands, knowing she could take him on, knowing she had the power within her to take him down, conquerhisrule,andovertakehisthrone.Herwolfwassosure,utterlyreadyforsuchachallenge.
“Delta Kona,” Tally interrupted, and though neither of them looked at him, he continued, “I forgot my way home. Wouldyouwalkwithme?”
Kona snapped her head towards him The excuse was so ridiculous that it burst through her consciousness She blinkedathim,atthepanicinhisface,andtheworryonhisbrow Ifonlytocalmhim,shenodded
Hishandrestedonherback,guidingher,andeachstepshetookbroughtbackrationalthought.Bloodreturnedtoher face,herheartpoundedinherchest,andwildchaosranthroughherhead.
I almost fought my father.
Hertemperhad nearly gotthebestofher.Challenging herfatherwas notinherplans.Shedidn’twanttobeangry at him.Butwhydiditfeellikeariftwascomingbetweenthem?KonaglancedbackatLeoandAlec,butshedidn’tseethem. Sheletherselfbetakenaway.Shewasnumbfromsuchathought.Shewouldhadnointentionofchallengingherfather,but that’sherwolfwanted.Konadroveherhandsinherhair.
Leo let her go He had almost struck her He never raised a hand to Kona, never needing to She liked to question his authority and push him pastthe limits ofhis patience,buthe expected nothing else from his heir She’d make a horrible alphaifshedidn’tdisobeyandattempttofindherownway.
LeodismissedAlecandtookaseatonthesteps.
AllthefearsthathaddevelopedsinceKonawasbornwereconsuminghim.Allhecouldseewasfireandmayhem.Kona screaming for him.Margowas crying,begging for his help.These were the dreams thatplagued him since the midwife handedhimalittlegirlinsteadofaboy.
Lifewouldhavebeensodifferentifthegodshadn’tchosenhimfortheirgames.Ifhehadaboylikehewassupposedto, he’d still be one of the most powerful lycan today. He was a descendant of Alpha Koyla. It was in his blood to lead thousands.Hehad conquered halfofEuropewith twothousand lycaninhis pack.Hehad thefiercestluna,thestrongest beta,and themostfearless gammatofightbesidehim.Warwas allthey knew,and yetwarwas allthey wanted.Thetaste forbattlewasasmuchapartofthemasthetasteforblood.
ButitendedthedayKonaarrived.Somanythingschangedwithinaninstant.Allhisfriends,allhisfamily,theybecame his greatest enemy If they had found Kona, they would have offered her up to the gods as a sacrifice, and then he and Margo would have been bled dry, their heir defective, and therefore their rule flawed Superstition was stronger than familybonds
Margo’s hand rested on his shoulder, and he quickly grabbed her fingers, kissing her knuckles Her presence was alwayssoothing,likeabalmtoawound Wouldtheybeinthispositionifhehadn’tfallensodeeplyinlovewithher?Shesat besidehim,snugintohisside,andhenuzzledherneck,inhalingherscent,sinkingintoherveryexistence
“Thatdidn’tgowell.”
LeolookeddownthepathKonaleft.“No.”
“Didyouthinkitwould?”
Hechuckled,“No.”Leoremoved hisarm,scratching thegrowing beard onhisjaw.“Wehad anintruder.IfKonasees them…ifshelearnsthetruth…”
Margosighedasshelookedafterherdaughter.Shewasrelievedandwasfinallyabletosay,“It’stime.”
Leorearedback,lookingatherwithwildconfusion.“What?” “Wecantellhernow.”
Pushing himself to his feet, Leo distanced himself from his mate.How Margo thoughtthatitwas possible blew him away.Theyweresupposedtobeonthesamepage.
“Whenshe’sAlpha,”Margopushed “Andyoucan’tkeepthatdoorlockedanymore;whatwillhappenthen?” His heart raced as his anger escalated, but the thing that pissed him off most was that he hadn’t an answer to her question
Margograbbed his hand,“Fear made us hide And I always believe we did the bestthing for her,butnow I fear she won’tbeabletoforgiveus Ourliesaretoogreat,andthey’vegoneonfortoolong IwanttosalvageasmuchofherloveasI canbeforeshefindsoutandhatesus”
Leosnatchedhishandaway,“Iwon’tletthathappen.”
“Howdoyouplantostopher?She’sstrongerthanyou.”
Leobarredawildfang,hisprideunwillingtoacceptthatfact.ButMargo’sexpressionforcedhimtoadmit,“Shedoesn’t knowthat.”
“Another thing we keep from her. She hasn’t even been trained to use her full power. She doesn’t know what she’s
capable of Whatifshe accidentally kills someone?Her temper keeps escalating” Margoheld her arms around herself,“I justfeelsomethingbadisgoingtohappen.Theliesjustkeeppilingon.Whatifsheleavesherewithoutunderstandingwhy we did whatwe did?Whatifshe won’tletus explain?And she steps intothe world,unknowing ofthe dangers?” Margo wenttohim,herfingersonhischest,overhisscarsasshebegged,“Let’sgotoherandseekherunderstanding.Wediditto keepheralive.She’llthankus.Shehasyourheart.She’llbeangry,butshe’llstillloveus.She’llstaywithus.”
Leo fell back against the house, nearly defeated by his mate’s desperate plea. Margo once again grabbed his hand. “Please,mylove,let’sfixit.”
He wanted toplease her.Margo’s happiness was a partofhim as much as breathing.She was his mate,and her soul soaked into his. But protecting Kona had been an addiction for the past twenty years, and stopping now, exposing all, wasn’tpossible.Hehadtoprotecther,evenfromherself.
“No.Notyet.”
Margo sank, her shoulders drooping, her hands falling, but Leo cupped her cheek, forcing her gaze back onto his “Soon,” he promised, but it was an empty promise Under the house, Leo had built a metal prison strong enough to withhold an alpha He had it made before he knew what kind of person Kona would become The prophecy for female alphashadscaredhimenoughtothinkhe’dhavetolockawayhisdaughter
Now,hewasgoingtouseitnottokeepherfromharmingothersbuttostopherfromhurtingherself
“I’ll tell her,” Leo said “One more week for me to fix our shields, ensure our weapons are enough, and fix this disagreementwiththeNajikaclan.ThenI’lltellherandletherdecidewhatshewants.”
Margocouldn’tshaketheworry inherchest.“Every day is anotherchanceforhertolearnofourdeception.Another day,weriskourdaughter.”
Herestedhisforeheadagainsthers,“Notyet,mylove,please.”Hekissedhergently,andthoughsheallowedit,hefelt herdistance.
Marog pulled outofhis hold,standing,“I’m going outwith Hanna for drinks,” she announced,walking away,“Don’t waitup.”
Another night alone wouldn’t make a difference. Margo’s depression was a weight he carried on his shoulders. She wantedoutofthiswalledworldasmuchasKona.ShemissedthelifetheyleftbehindinEurope.Twentyyearsofpictures offamilydon’tdomuchanymore.Leolethergo,unwillingtofeelhersadnessanylonger.Herattitudewouldalterwhenhe foundawaytokeeptheirdaughteralive Andafterallthisisover,he’llfixtheirbreakingbond
Relax
Konadidn’tknow whereshewas going.Shewas simply following every footstepTally took.Konastared attheback of hisheelsmindlessly,herthoughtsuponherfuture.Theonlyfutureshecould seewasthepathherfatherwasdigging forher.Itwasafateofmisery.Adestinyofpowerlessness.HowmuchlongercouldsheallowLeotoguideher?Howmuch morecouldherfathersuppresshersoul?
ItbecameapparentwhereTallywastakingherastheyapproachedtheredbarn.Arottenladderrestedonthesideofit, and heclimbed up,lookingdown,waitingforher.Shesmiled,herhorriblemood shiftingwiththeclimb.Hegrabbed her handonthelaststepandhelpedheroverthewall
Thisloftwasherhideout Itwasapatheticlair,tobesure,becauseeveryoneknewaboutit ButthefactthatTallywould takeherheretocomfortherwasanicegesture
Sittingontheedgewiththeladderbetweenthemandtheirlegsswinging,Konalookeddownintotown Thebonfirein thecenterwasbrightandlarge Thepignearlydevoured Manymembersweredrunkanddancing Somesneakingoffto makeoutintheshadows ofthebuildings Itcaused uncomfortablefeelings inKona How many times had shewondered whatitwouldbeliketobeoneofthosewomen,tobewhiskedawayandfeltupinthedark?
Konashifted awkwardly as ifTally could read herX-rated thoughts.Shefeltpathetic tobesoscared ofromance.She couldjumpoffacliffintoawaterfallbutcouldn’tlookaboyintheeyes.Shecouldfightwithabear,confrontherfather,and beatupanyonewhomadefunofherbrothers,butanyflirtingsmothersher,weakensher,andleavesherdisappointedwith herself.
It’s not my fault. The first boy I kissed made out someone else the next day.
Konatookabreath,“Thanks.”Shedidn’twanttosay‘thanks.’Shewantedtotellhimallthecrazythoughtsinherhead, butshehadherplace,andhehadhis.Agammacouldn’tunderstandalphaproblems.
Tallyshookhishead,“Noneed,DeltaKona.”
With her patience already on edge, calling her ‘Delta’ shoved her into yet another rage, and she clenched her teeth. Sometimesshejustwantedafriendtorageto Masonwastooagreeablethatshecouldn’ttalktohimaboutalltheangerin herhead “Don’tyougettiredofbeing ”
His eyes were on her, and she couldn’t find the will to insult him There was nothing wrong with following orders, doingwhatyourtold,andnevercrossinglines Justbecauseshewasunhappywithherplaceinlifedidn’tmeanhewas She shruggedandshookherhead,“Nevermind”
Tallyencouraged,“Saywhatyouwill,DeltaKona”
Shegrowledwithaggravation,“Can’tyoueverjustrelax?Stopbeinga–” “Agamma?”
The word was a reminder.He was a footsoldier, and she was his superior.Kona didn’tknow why she wanted more fromhim.Shewaslookinginthewrongplace.“I’veknownyouallmylife,andIfeellikeIdon’tknowyouatall.”
Tally shifted till his back rested againstthe frame, one leg hanging over, another bentinward with his arm hanging over,“Thereisn’tmuchtoknow.”
Tallydidn’tknowwhatshewantedtohearbecausethetruthwasshedidknowhim.Hewasanorphan.Hisfamilyhad beenescapingtheplague.Hismotherhadn’tmadeit,andthenhisfatherdiedafewyearslater.Hewasanonlychild,raised byHammond,theleaderofthegammas.Fromtheageoffive,hewastaughtthathewasforKona’sprotection.Hewasn’tan individual;hewasn’tmeantforanythingbutKona’ssurvival.
So,whatdidshewanttohear?Hewasanintrovertandkeptonlytohimself.Masonwastheexception,andmostofthe time,Mason was the only one doing the talking Tally trained ninety percentofhis day Otherwise,he was in this barn, preparingforthedayKonawouldneedhim
DidsheknowtheextentHammondhadbeatendownhissoulforhimtobeeverythingsheneeded?Hedoubtedit,and he held noillwillagainsther.Itwas Alpha’s orders thatmade him a sacrifice,nothers.And even ifshe did know,Tally couldn’tfindthedrivetohateher.
Perhapsbecausehewasstupidlyinlovewithher.
“Nevermind,”Konamumbled.
Tallywanted totalk toher,wanted herinterest,butheknew tocutitoff.Hammond would disciplinehimifhefound himtalkingtoher.Evensittingherewithherlikethiswasagainstprotocol.
Tallygottohisfeet,butKonagrabbedhishandinapanic.“Stay,”shepleaded. Tally looked down at her, to their hands, clenched his teeth, and wiggled his fingers out of her hold, “Beta Alec is coming,”herevealed.
Konaspunherhead toseeAlecclimbing uptheshaftofthebarn.Konabowed herhead,relieved noonehad seenher silly,inappropriatetouchofhishand “Thankyou”
“Goodnight,DeltaKona”
AsAlecapproached,Tallyswunghislegovertheladderandheadeddownward Shewatchedhimuntilhereachedthe bottom Heglancedup,methereyes,andgaveasoftsmilebeforemovingon Alecsatbesideher “DidIinterrupt?”
UnlikeTally,whowasmeanttoobeyher,Alecwasherequal,andshecouldsaywhatevertheheckshewantedtohim. Atonetime,perhapsshethoughtshecouldconfideinhim,butnow,“Shutup”wasallsheeverwantedtosaytohim.
Alecchuckled,“Sotouchy.Don’tworry.Yoursecret’ssafe.Iwon’ttell.”
“There’snothingtotell.”
“Yeah,doesn’tmakesense.”
“Oh,why’sthat?”
“Why would you goforapony whenyou cangoforawild stallion?”Hetouched thewhiteedges ofhis nicely shaped hair,keepinghisthick,definedjawupinsophistication.
Konahungherhead,“Ohgods.”
Alecgrinnedbright,“Likeyouhaven’tthoughtaboutit.”
“Ihaven’t I’drathernotcontractanSTD”
Hefakelaughed,“HumansgetSTDs Theonlythingwehavetoworryaboutisoffspring” “Howmanydoyouhavesofar?Ten?Fifteen?”
Alecsighedasheleanedbackonhishands,flexinghisbicepsandmakingsureshenoticed,“Isthatyourproblemwith me?”
Kona rolled her eyes and sneered athis pathetic attempttoseem innocent,“No No,Alec,that’s notmy problem with you. ”
“Thenwhat?I’mthewholepackage,andyouwanttoactlikeI’mnotgoodenoughwhileyoustareatthathalfling.”
“Tally’snotahalfling,and I’mnotstaring.Ibarelyknow him.”Konawasn’tgoing toletAlecinsultTally.Halfling was thenastiestwordLycanshave.Itmeanthewasn’tawholewolf,andnothingcouldbemoreoffensive.
“I’mjustsaying.Youarealuckygirltomarryme.”
Shewantedtopunchhiminthethroat.“We’renotmarrying.”
“Come on,Kona,” he laid back on the hay.“You can fightitallyou want,butwe make sense.Think ofthe power we couldhavetogether.”
“To do what?” Kona scoffed. “We are a dying breed stuck on an island, surrounded by humans who hate us and a diseasethat’sdestroyingus.AsfarasI’mconcerned,Ihavenofuture.AndwhateverIdohaveisn’tbeingwastedonbeing yourmate.”
“Haveyoueversmokedweed?”Alecsuddenlyaskedwithamischievoussmirk,“Itmighthelpyouwithallyour rage, ” hegrinnedwickedly “Sexcanhelp,too”
Konarolledhereyesandwrappedherarmsaroundherlegs “That’smyproblemwithyou,Alec Youdon’tcare Doyou really believeyou werejustputonthis earth fornoreason?IfeellikeI’mwasting away And eventhough Iknow weare the lastofourkind and this place is keeping us alive,I still,”Kona didn’twanttosay it She feltashamed Herfatherhad done somuch tokeepthem alive allthis time,and here she was,ready tosneak outthe door when he wasn’tlooking.“I wanttoseeitformyself.”
Alectookabreathashesatup,“Look,twomonthsuntilyoucanchallengeAlpha,right?”
“Yeah. I actually have to beat him, you know that, right? And even if I win, then what? I can’t take the pack and go anywhere,”Konalaidbackonthewoodenfloor,staringatthedarknessofthebarnceiling.“Thisisourfuture,”shesighed. “Nothingness.”
Alecchewedhislip,watchingher,debatingwhethertosayit.“Let’ssneakout.”
Konaglancedathim.Hisblueeyeswerenearlywhiteinthereflectionofthemoon.Herbrowsknit,“Sneakout?” “Yeah.Wantto?”
She satup, “Are you serious?We could getsick.We could bring itback and infecteveryone.You haven’tsnuck out, haveyou?Tellme.”
“Gods, relax,” he scoffed, rubbing a hand through his hair. “I was kidding. See, this is why you need to smoke something.”
Searching
Konarubbedhereyes;thecomputerlightwastoomuchaftersomanyhours.Nearlytwointhemorning,awholenight searchingforinformationaboutLycansorthefantasizedwerewolf,therewasnothing.Itwasalmostlikeablackhole. AnytimeshecameacrossanewspaperwiththewordLycan,thelinkwouldn’tclick,ortheinformationwasblottedout. Whatifhumanswerecancelingthemoutofhistory?Pretendingtheyweren’tatfaultforthegenocideofherspecies?It sounded like something humans would do. She may have never personally met one before, but from TV sitcoms and movies, their evil tendencies bleed even into the children. There was nothing in their entertainment with Lycan characters ItwasliketheywerepretendingLycansdidn’texist
Kona opened hercloset,shedding herselfofherpajamas She knew she’d getin deeptrouble ifshe stepped outofthe house,butshedidn’tcareanymore Ifherfatherthoughtshe’dgotothealtarwithoutafight,hehadanotherthingcoming Konawasgoingtomeetthisstrangewolf Andshehopedmorethananythingitwasalinktoherbeginning Shesqueezedintoherspandexuniform Itwastightaroundeverycurve,shovingbetweenherbuttcheeks Shegother arms through and worked on the zipper She struggled, squishing in her boobs, the zipper going up between them and endingatherneck.Itwassimilartoadivinguniformthatshe’dseenontheDiscoveryChannel.Thethickfabricendedat mid-thigh and mid-bicep.The biosuitwould stretch over her wolfform.She hated the thing,never wearing itwillingly, butifshewantedtotalktothestranger,she’dhavetotransformbackintoherbioform,whichshe’dprefernottobenaked.
Konastoodinsideherwindow.Shedidn’tknowmuchaboutsneakingoutexceptforthedesperateneedtobequietand unseen.Gammaswerestationederraticallyaroundthecampus,buttheirrouteswereunknown.Shegrabbedasmallcanof cajunspiceandsprinkleditoverher.Shesneezedandcoughed,hopingtherumorwastrue.Cajunspicewassupposedto hidescentbecauseitburnedtheover-sensitivenervesoftheirnoses.Itwouldleaveheraweakness,butshehadnochoice. Ifthatstranger was stillaround,she needed totalk tothem.And ifthey were gone,maybe she could leave a note or her emailaddress,andtheycouldcontacther.That’sassumingtheyknewEnglish.Forallsheknew,thiswolfwasasmuchof analienasactualaliensfromouterspace.
Doesitbreathelikeher?Doesittalklikeher?Doesitneedtoeatandsleep?
Her movements were quick now,jumping outthe window and landing in the grass with a crunch Her paws caught her, and as she darted for a darkened shadow, they returned to her biofeet Part transformations were challenging to master,butas future Alpha,her training had begun when she was a toddler There wasn’tanything thatshe couldn’tdo Despiteneverseeingalickofit,herbodywasmadeforbattle Sometimesshewantedafighttobreakout,simplytouseher talents at least once Maybe a thief in the night or a rampaging bear Something that she could take care of and not her fatherorhisarmyofgammas.Shewantedtotakecareofherselfforonce.Toprovethatshecould.Thenmaybeherfather wouldn’ttreatherlikeafragilepupneedingitsparent’sconstantsurveillance.
Gammaswerewalkingtheperimeter,butfromtheircasualdemeanor,toomanydaysofpeaceleftthemundisciplined. They’re supposed to be spread out, walking in a constant circle; instead, they gathered in a group smoking the tobacco Haddergrows.Thesmellisterribleevenoverthedistance.Shedidn’tknowhowtheycouldsmellanythingatall.
The momentshe hitthe treeline, she transformed into her wolf. The fabric wrapped ather shoulders and hind legs, constrictinghermovements.Herwolfbuckedandtriedtoshakeitoff,kickingherbacklegs,butsoon,shegotusedtothe familiarsuit.Itwasalongruntothespotshehadleftthestranger.Sheknewitwasnorth,butshedidn’tknowhowfar,and withouthersenseofsmell,shemightevenmissit.
Her heart was racing. The darkness was a formidable enemy; she had never been this deep in the woods without Masonoragamma.Sheshouldhaveleftanote.
Underneath the fear was an unfiltered thrill Kona imagined she was running in an open forest with no fence surroundingher Thepossibilitiesofadventurewereendless Whowouldshemeet?Whatwouldshesee?Cities?Oceans?
Humans?
She liked the thoughtof that. A world was opening up to her. Butfollowing her, with every step she took, the metal fencebuzzedwithitswarning,remindingherthatherfreedomswerelimited.
Voices stalled her, and she dived behind a bush.Flashlights rocked with each step, mainly directed to the fence and ground.Theyweresearchingforsomething.
Or someone,Konapanicked.
“Alright, send everyone home. We’ll pick up again in the morning.” Stepping down the path, Gamma Hammond dressedinhisownbiosuit.Itwasadisgustingsight.Biosuitswerelikeasecondskin.Theyoutlinethebadjustasmuchas they outline the good. Hammond’s massive belly, his pronounced man boobs, but worst of all, the unmistakable lump between the legs.Itwas worse than seeing him buttnaked,which she had the unfortunate experience a few times.Men werelessconcernedwithnudityandcouldhaveordinaryconversationsnaked.Shewouldchangethatwhenshebecame Alpha Nomorebarebutts
Beside him was Tally He looked exhausted,waving his lightaround him,absentmindedly dressed in running shorts andshirtless Shedartedhereyesdown,butnotforlong Hewasthin,withbuildingmuscle,andaroundtattooonhisright pectoral Itwastoodarktomakeanydetails,though,withthewayshewasstaring,sheshouldhavebeenabletomakeout everydentofhisabs
“Youseeanything,boy?”
Thevoicebrokeheroutofhertrans.Sheshookherhead,ashamedofherself.
“Nothing,”herepliedwithayawn.
“Thisisbullshit.Havingusouthereforadumbwolf.Let’sgo.I’moverthis.”
“ButAlphaLeo ”
“He’s a fool. Every year he is crazier than the one before. I’m getting real tired of his paranoia, thinking someone is comingafterhisdaughter.It’smadehimblind.”
“Towhat?”
Hammond glanced athimand stalled inhis speech.Hecleared his throat,“Getonhome.I’mgonnacheck onthewall security.”
Kona kept her body glued to the ground, too afraid they would hear her footsteps or catch her scent. She watched Hammond as they separated Herstomach churned with uncertainty Hammond was herfather’s lead gamma Hewas in chargeofsecurityandtraining Hewasinsuchahighposition,yethetalkedaboutAlphaLeowithattitude Didherfather knowabouthisdisloyalty?Howwasitpossibleforagammatohavesuchastrongopinion?Konathoughttheywerealllike Tally,disciplinedandcontrolled
As Hammond moved out of sight, Kona rose to her feet She would figure it out tomorrow Right now, there was somethingmorecriticaloverpoweringherthoughts
Twentyminuteslater,shefoundthemarkonthetreeontheothersideofthefence.Shekepthiddenbehindthetrees, searchingforthestranger,hopingitwashidinginthedark,waitingforher.
Kona sniffed around, her paw scratching at the ground. Her heart plunged when she found it full of cement. She whined,hernailsdigging,desperately,overwhelminglysaddenedbyheronlyexitbeingrippedfromherfingers.
Atwigsnapped,andherheadshotup.Shedashedtothedarkness,buryingherselfinthebushes,searching,panicking. Ontheothersideofthefence,thestrangewolfemerged.
Truth
Konacouldn’tmoveas shewatched thedark black wolfbehind thefence.Itwas thesamecreaturefromearlier,except now,itwasdressedinabiosuit,muchlikehers.
They were Lycan.
Hopeburstintoherheart,andshenearlyjumpedwithexcitement.
Thecreaturescratchedatthegroundlikeshehaddone,whimpering.Itsheadflickedbackandforth.Thesmellofher fathermadeitsneeze,anditshookitshead,backingaway.
Konadartedforward,desperatelyandperhapsfoolishlysteppingintothemoon’slight Uponseeingher,thewolfperkedup,itsearsalert Itsheadleanedtotheside,watchingher,analyzingeveryinchofher wolf
Itlookeddownatthehole,thenbackather,asilentquestionifshehaddoneit
Konashookherhead,tryingtomindlink,butitwasanemptyfield,indicatingnofamilynearby Sheturnedinacircle, amovementithaddoneearlier,tryingtoexplainwithoutwords;shehadn’tdonethis
Itlookedaround,searchingformoreofherpack.Shelaydownonthegroundwithasoftwhimper,explainingshewas alone.
Then,itbegantomutate.Thestretching fabricshrunk tillitfitoveraflattorso.Konawatched,amazed toseeanother creature with her similar abilities. How could it be possible? Maybe this was the last surviving Lycan, searching for a home,andherfathercloseditslastescapefromhunters.
Asitstraightenedintoitsbioform,Konarealizedquicklyitwasamale.
Tall,thin,withblackhairandskin,she’dneverseenanythinglikehim.Black-skinnedhumanswereonTV,butthere werenoneinherclan.Tallywastheonlyonewithdifferentskinbutnowherenearasdark.
Themansteppedtothefence,smiling,exposinghiswhiteteeth,“Hey.I’mDaxon.”
Itspokejustlikeher.Notalien,butthesame.Howcouldthatbe?Hewasn’tscaredofherorinaweofher.
Daxonpointedtoher,“Thisisusuallywhenyouchangeandtellmeyourname” Konafearedchanging Despiteanelectricfencebetweenthem,shewasafraidthatherworldwaschangingwithevery secondpast,andshesuddenlydidn’tknowifshewasreadyforit
Butlikejumpingoffacliff,Konadidn’tlookback
Shetransformed,straightening,flickingherlong,whitehairbehindherasshemethiswide,shockedgaze “You’re…You’reagirl”
Shetiltedherheadtotheside.
Hechokedonanervouslaugh.“Sorry,yourwolfisalittlebigforagirl.” How can he be like her?Everything.Down tothe fingers and tothe feet.He had the same body, the same…physical attributes.Shefeltherfaceflush,flickinghereyesbackuptohim.Hewassmirking,interestedinherexpressions. “Whyareyoulookingatmelikethat?AmIthefirstblackguyyou’veseen?” Itwasasarcasticquestionbutonesheboldlyanswered.“Yes.” Hissmilefell,“Oh,”
Herfingerslifted,wantingtoreachout,touchhim,andknowhewasreal. Daxonsteppedforward,“Idon’tbite.”
Kona’sfingersshook.Itwouldbethefirsttimeshetouchedastranger.Someonenotofherpack.Someoneforeignand different.Shewasscaredthathisskincouldcontainpoison,yetshedidn’tcare.Shecouldn’tmissoutonthisopportunity. Daxonheldhisfingersup,“Haveyoueverbeenoutsidethefence?” “No”
