Shane:
4 years ago
I hated hospitals. The beeping noises, the smell of medicine, the sound of high heels click-clacking on the floor. Mavy was pulling on my arm, “Hurry up Shane! You’re not even trying to walk fast.” “I’m coming I’m coming,” I grumbled. “It’s not like she’s going to be awake, we’ve been visiting all week.” She turned her head and glared at me. Pulling on my arm again.
There was an accident that left two rogues dead and their daughter in a coma. There was a pack meeting where our father saved this pup from being killed. Most packs would kill rogues when they stumble onto their territory but my father, Alpha Joshua, was kind and compassionate.
He saw Mavy when he looked at this girl and couldn’t give the order to kill her. Mavy’s made it her personal duty to visit her every day since. Mavy pushes the door open and gasps, I stick my head in and see her.
She’s not laying lifeless like she normally is. She’s sitting up looking around like a scared little mouse. Her brown hair is messy and her chocolate brown eyes are filled with fear. I sit in the corner and watch Mavy bounce over to her oozing excitement.
“What’s your name?” Mavy asks with a huge smile on her face. The girl drops her head and looks up at her shyly, “My name’s Adea,” she whispers in a quiet voice. “You’ll have to enroll at our school? How old are you? What grade are you in?”
“Slow down child, she only just woke up,” the Nurse laughs. Mavy blushes and looks back at Adea. “I’m 13 and I’m in the 8th grade.” She smiles, showing a dimple in both cheeks. “I’m Mavy and this is my twin brother, Shane.”
I look out the window as her head turns. I feel her eyes roam my face. She doesn’t stop so I turn and look at her. “Hi,” I smirk.
She blushes, turning back to Mavy. Hmm.. interesting. My wolf murmurs. ‘What is it Max?’ I ask him. “Something draws me to her,” he says. ‘What about her? Draws you how?’ I probe. “I’m not sure.” He says before retreating to the back of my mind.
We’re not supposed to get our wolves until we’re 18 but I’ve been able to hear mine for a year now. I haven’t told anyone about it because I know it’s not normal. I’m not sure how my parents would react. I haven’t told Mavy either.
I shuffle my feet. We tell each other everything but Maximus thinks I should keep it a secret for a few more years. It’s unheard of to hear your wolf early and I don’t want to have to explain what happened when I first heard him.
Maximus first spoke to me when I kissed a girl after school. We were sitting on the stairs to the cafeteria. She was pretty and wanted to talk to me after school. She leaned in and gave me a hug. She kissed my neck and I started feeling a wave of different feelings wash over me.
She looked up at me and I leaned down until our lips met. “She’s not our mate. You shouldn’t be doing this.” He growled. I was so shocked I pushed her away and she hit the wall.
She looked at me, got up, and ran away. “What the fuck.. who are you? Am I going crazy?” He had a low voice and laughed. I’m the other half of your soul. My name is Maximus.”
“You’ll be staying in our packhouse so you’ll have me and Shane!” Mavy said happily, breaking me from my daydream.
***
Adea has been living with us for two weeks. She’s clumsy and has started making the packhouse meals. Her food isn’t bad but I avoid her unless Mavy forces me to.
I’m sitting in my room throwing my basketball up in the air and catching it when Mom knocks on my door. She opens the door and peeks her head in. “Your father and I need to speak with you.”
Dad mind links me, “Come to my office, son.” “Yes, sir.” The link cuts and I get up. “Behave Shane,” Max says to me. I get up and make my way to the end of the hall and knock twice before entering.
My dad is sitting at his desk when I walk in. Mom is standing next to him with her hand on his shoulder. Dad gets up, grabs Mom’s hand, and comes around the table. “Have a seat,” he says gruffly.
My dad was strong, humble, and always did what he thought was right. He was a good Alpha and as a young pup, I looked up to him. “We received a call from the school today notifying us of you pushing Beka down.”
Mom sits down next to me, “Is this true?” she asks quietly. I feel panic rush through my body and I refuse to look at her. “What do you have to say for yourself, Shane?” My father asks. “Look at me, son.” He uses his Alpha force to make me meet his eye.
“She was kissing me when I-” “Don’t tell them about me,” Maximus says cutting me off. “It’s not what it looks like. I didn’t mean to use that much force. I wasn’t thinking. She got up and ran away.”
“We don’t hit girls Shane. Ever. Men shouldn’t ever use their strength against the weaker sex.” My dad says, I can see the restraint in his eyes. His wolf is also angry at me.
I cower under his gaze, “I wasn’t trying to hurt her-” “I thought I raised you better.” He looks down at the ground, “I’m disappointed in you.” My mom sobs.
“You are grounded for the next week. No practice, no games, no friends. You are to stay in this house and I’ll assign you chores to do.”
“But dad, I have a game-” “DON’T CUT ME OFF.” He yells, his eyes glowing, his wolf fighting for control.
“You’re dismissed.” He stands up and walks to his desk. I stand up and leave. As soon as I close the door behind me, the tears fall. I’ve never disappointed my parents before… I’ve never been the golden child but I’ve always tried my best to please them.
I walk down the hall and turn down the stairs. They didn’t even try to hear me out, “Father is right,” Maximus says. “I don’t want to hear it from you. This is all your fault!” I scream aloud.
I run down the stairs bumping into someone, looking down I see Adea sprawled on the ground. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean-” she says stopping when she looks up at me.
“Are you okay?” She asks. Standing up she reaches for me, “Yeah, I’m-” I say before she wraps her arms around my shoulders pulling me into a hug. There’s something familiar and warm about her, I can’t put my finger on it. As much as I want to get away from her, there’s something even stronger that pulls me close.
I try to move away but her arms tighten around me and I feel my wolf stir. I inhale and her scent pulls me in and I unconsciously wrap my arms around her. My heart skipped.
What the fuck.