(Sur)real

I flipped over the next card on the deck and grinned at Liam while still keeping an eye on Mom, who stared out the window. She was trying not to show it, but she was worried.

For the last two days, like the rest of our kind, we’d done as the Elders asked. We’d kept inside and not changed to our fur.

When the boys slept, we all watched the news and monitored what was happening around the country. Chaos continued to spread through the masses. Opposing factions heavily debated the existence of werewolves while seeking evidence to prove their views. Frequently, reports aired with images showing captured people in various stages of shifting due to varying forms of torture. It was hard to tell if those held were Urbat or werewolf, but Mom and Dad’s fear grew. As did the fear of the humans around the world.

Amidst reports of captured wolf-shifters, the news recounted the numerous mutilated human bodies being discovered in homes or dumped along roadsides. Agencies pleaded with the public to report suspected wolf-shifters rather than trying to identify them on their own. But, it didn’t help. The death toll for the humans rose as neighbor judged neighbor.

Because of the volatile state of the country, Dad had gone alone to the grocery store about three hours ago. Given that we had no car and were supposed to do things with human speed and strength, three hours didn’t seem unreasonable, though.

“Boys, let’s clean up and get ready for lunch,” Mom said suddenly.

“Is Uncle Gregory bringing back pizza?” Aden asked.

“No. We’re going somewhere.”

The scent of her half-lie tickled my nose. Paul and I shared a look as we helped the cubs pick up the cards.

“Where are we going?” Liam asked.

“I’m not sure, sweetie. I think Uncle Gregory is going to surprise us all. As soon as you’re ready, we’re going to meet him.”

I could tell we were doing more than meeting him, though. While we cleaned up, Mom repacked our hiking bags. They once again contained the only supplies we’d brought with us when coming here.

The moment the boys had the cards back in the box, Mom stood ready with their jackets by the door. Aden and Liam skipped toward her, unaware of the growing tension in the room. She helped the boys into their winter wear, and Paul and I quickly put our own jackets on before shrugging on the packs. Although snow covered the ground, our jackets weren’t for our benefit. We needed them to look more human.

“Paul, you lead the way,” she said, opening the door.

Mom picked up Liam, and I picked up Aden. At a brisk pace, we left the house and started down the sidewalk. The town Mom and Dad had selected wasn’t that big, and the house we’d rented was only a few blocks away from the outlying woods. We weren’t heading toward the woods, though. We were heading toward downtown.

When we turned the corner, we found Dad jogging toward us. A human speed jog, but we were warned not to run at all. Something was happening.

“Dad?” I asked.

He caught up to us, ruffled Aden’s hair with a smile then looked at me.

“I’d like the two of you to run ahead.” He nodded down the road to the west. “Your mom and I will be behind you. We just need to clean up.”

It’s what he always said when they hung back to cover our trail, a necessary precaution so the scattered Urbat didn’t stumble across our scents. This time, however, didn’t feel like a precaution. I met Dad’s eyes, and he gave a slow nod. They’d found us. I wasn’t sure that was any better than the humans suspecting us.

“All right,” Paul said, picking up Liam. “You’re with me, bud.”

I scooped up Aden and followed Paul at a human run. Grey’s message touched my mind before we reached the crosswalk.

Your dad was spotted by an Urbat several hours ago. He tried losing him and covering his scent trails, but it didn’t work. You need to leave the area. Three are coming from the south and west. Two from the north and east. Head northwest. Gabby is watching, and we’ll guide you.

Paul changed direction, turning at the next block, and I knew Grey was talking to him, too.

Tell Gabby thanks, and tell Michelle that we’ll keep her brothers safe, I sent back.

Keep yourselves safe, too.

We reached the forest, no problem, and ran like we were meant to run, weaving through the towering trees.

“We’re not getting pizza, are we?” I heard Liam say to Paul.

“Not tonight, bud. We need to play the quiet game again.”

Aden laid his head on my shoulder and wrapped his arms around my neck. I worried about the cubs. Humans were so fragile, something Paul and I had learned from Gabby long ago. She’d been our friend and source of human information for years. So much had changed since our first meeting. She’d Claimed Clay, other human potential mates had been found, another species of werewolves had been brought to our attention, and Paul and I finally got to leave the Compound. Not quite the way either of us had hoped, however.

I continued to follow my brother through the trees until Paul slowed in front of me. Neither of us spoke nor let the boys down. Hidden within the sparse lower branches of the spruces, we listened.

“I have to go potty,” Aden whispered into my ear.

Paul nodded at me, and I set Aden on his feet.

“You can go right here.” The little guy pulled his pants down to his ankles and relieved himself in an impressive arc into the snow. I chuckled, the first real humor I’d felt in days.

Keep moving, Grey’s message cut through my humor. Jim is on his way.

I shared a look with Paul then hurried to help Aden tug his pants up. If they were sending Jim, it couldn’t be too bad. Had they sent an Elder, I would have worried. Scooping Aden into my arms, I took off running again with Paul.

Mom and Dad caught up to us in minutes and took the cubs from us while still running. Without them in our arms, Paul and I could run faster. Together, we moved as a pack, staying close and leaving no trace of our passing. No trace but our scents.

We ran tirelessly for over an hour before Dad stopped. He and Mom set the boys to their feet without speaking. Liam and Aden, glad for a chance to stretch their little legs, walked to where Paul and I stood.

“Jim is close,” Dad said softly. “They are closer.”

“Why did we stop then?” I asked.

Dad pointed up. I tipped my head back and saw an old hunting stand in one of the tall pines near us.

“Keep the tree safe. Keep the cubs safe,” he said.

I understood his reasoning. It would be easier to defend a tree that couldn’t move than a child who might try to run in fear.

“I’m scared,” Aden whispered, looking up at Mom.

She squatted down in front of him as Paul and I discarded our packs at the base of the tree.

“Try not to be. Remember what I said about our noses? We smell everything. Push your fear aside, and you’ll be able to hide better.”

She hugged the little boy then kissed his cheek.

“I don’t want to hide in the tree,” he said.

“You won’t be alone. Paul and Henry will be with you.”

“Mom,” I said.

“Second line, Henry. Just in case. Take them now.” She stood and gave me a no-nonsense look.

I picked up Aden and, with only one free arm, scrambled up the trunk and onto the stand. Paul and Liam were right behind us. There wasn’t much room. Just enough for the four of us to fit if we didn’t move around much.

Paul sat against the trunk and had Liam and Aden sit on his lap. He wrapped his arms around them and began telling a story in a quiet voice that still carried through the trees. The sound didn’t matter. Our scent trails would lead the Urbat to our location.

While Paul spoke softly to the cubs, I watched the expanse of barren trees and pines to the south where Mom and Dad stared. In the distance, three wolves raced toward us, their dark shapes easily visible against the white. They were too big for normal wolves, and too focused on my parents. However, three to two wasn’t terrible odds. I’d seen my Dad help Thomas settle the disputes that usually occurred at Introductions. He was strong and fought crazy well. But this was different. The Urbat weren’t just ticked off because they couldn’t meet a female first. They wanted the boys at any cost, and my parents were outnumbered. If I went down to help…

“Stay there, boys,” Dad said as if reading my mind.

I glanced at Paul, but he remained focused on the cubs.

A faint howl echoed through the trees. Mom and Dad tensed, and I watched the wolves close the distance. The first two went straight for Dad. The third went for Mom. In all the time growing up at the Compound, I’d not once seen either of my parents move like they did now. Those disputes had been nothing to Dad.

As the two leapt toward him, he jumped up, twisting in mid-air to evade both attacks.

Mom met the one coming at her head-on with tooth and claws. Paul and I had gotten in plenty of trouble in our lives, enough to question if we’d live to see another day, but I’d never heard Mom growl like she did at that moment. Her face shifted as she opened her mouth and sunk her teeth deeply into the mutt’s scruff as the two attacking Dad landed and pivoted. Dad was already on his feet, too, waiting for them.

Mom shook her head savagely, and the scent of blood tickled my nose.

Dad met the second attack with arms extended as if he was welcoming them with a hug. However, his hands closed around their throats. Instead of stopping them, with a heave and twist of his wrists, he spun them away from him.

Paul continued to whisper to the boys, trying his best to drown out the sounds of the snarls and yips. Because of the action and the noise, I almost missed the two coming in from the east.

“Dad, two more,” I yelled.

He thrust his claws into the throat of one and spun to face the other. The one he’d wounded staggered backwards toward Mom, who hadn’t yet given up her hold on her opponent. Heavily bleeding, the mutt turned and saw Mom. Dad remained focused on his second challenger and the oncoming attackers, unaware that the one he’d injured wasn’t out of the fight.

“Mom, watch out,” I called.

The one she was fighting reached around and gripped her, not allowing her to turn.

The two newcomers were almost on my parents. I glanced at Paul. His gaze met mine, and he nodded. We needed to protect the boys, but we both knew we didn’t stand a chance without our parents.

I jumped from the platform and landed just behind the one reaching for Mom. Shifting, I launched myself at his back. My teeth sank deeply into his neck. He tried to shake me, but already wounded, his weak attempts only furthered his downfall. In seconds, he collapsed to his knees and took his last breath, gurgling from his damaged throat. Blood coated my tongue as I released him and looked around.

The other two had joined the fight, and Dad struggled to keep all three of them away from us. Mom finished off the one who’d held her, and when one of them dodged around Dad, I was ready. So was Mom. She growled low and stepped in front of me, meeting his claw-sweeping attack with a wicked one of her own.

I circled around them, having no problem attacking him from behind. It wasn’t cowardly; it was smart. I leapt onto his back and sunk my teeth deep like I had with the first one. This mutt, however, wasn’t already weakened. He shook violently, making my gums ache as I struggled to keep my hold.

Mom relentlessly advanced, each swipe of her claws driving him back further. He roared and dove at her. She grunted and tried to retreat. I focused on my hands, forcing them to become more human. Driving my wickedly long claws into the weaker flesh between his ribs, I did everything in my power to distract him from Mom. He reached for me, giving Mom the opening she needed. She snarled and whipped her hand forward, ripping open his throat.

He dropped to his knees, but I stayed on him until he fell face first. A heartbeat later, I spun to help Dad with the remaining two.

Silence consumed the woods when the last Urbat fell, dead. The air reeked of blood.

Dad turned and hugged me hard.

“You’re still my cub. Next time, stay in the tree.”

I hugged him back.

“Gregory,” Mom said softly behind me.

I felt Dad jerk in my arms a moment before he tore away from me.

“Mary…”

I turned in time to see Mom start to fall, her hands pressed against her stomach. Dad caught and held her as he sat on the ground.

“Where’d they get you, Mary?”

He pulled her arm away for only a second before setting it back down. The glimpse had been enough. How? When? I’d been with her.

“Mom?” I said.

They stared at each other, neither speaking for a moment, then she tore her sad eyes from Dad’s and looked at me. A smile lifted her lips.

“You were amazing. Did I ever tell you, you look so much like your Dad did when I first met him?” She focused on Dad once more. “Handsome. Stubborn and prone to not listening. Take care of them for me, Gregory. They are the best of both of us.”

Pain lanced through me at the finality of her words, and I fell to my knees. Paul made a sobbed sound from above.

“Henry, help me,” he said. I struggled to my feet and climbed the tree to retrieve Aden. The boy’s eyes were wide with fear. Hugging him close, I gave what comfort I could while my life blew apart.

Below us, Mom continued to speak quietly to Dad.

“Our world is changing. Don’t waste time with grief. Get these boys somewhere safe then join the fight. They’ll need you.”

“We need you,” Dad said with quiet tears choking his words.

At the base of the tree, I set Aden down and went to Mom. Her eyes watered when she looked at me again.

“I’m so sorry, Henry. I don’t want to leave you boys. I wanted to be there when you found your mates and to see your cubs. Be good to each other.” She reached out and gently caressed my cheek. I leaned down and kissed her forehead.

“I love you, Mom,” I said, almost choking on the anguish twisting my insides.

“Find a mate and be happy, Henry.”

I moved away so Paul could talk to her. Liam and Aden clung to my legs as I stood and watched my father’s pain.

“Paul. My sweet Paul. I remember holding you in my arms, so tiny and bald. You and your brother made my life whole and perfect. Take care of yourself and your father for me.” She touched his cheek, her hand pale.

Once Paul kissed her, she turned to Dad.

“Gregory, I knew you were meant for me the moment I saw you from the second story window. But my heart wasn’t fully yours until you brought back that bed.” Dad chuckled slightly, a sad sound. She reached up and smoothed her fingers through his dark hair.

“I regret nothing,” she whispered. “Every moment of my life with you has been the adventure I craved before I met you. I’ll still love you, even after I’m gone.”

Dad bent down and kissed her softly on the lips.

A hole opened in my chest as I watched them. I never wanted to love like that. The pain would be too great once it was gone.

JIM…

Trees whipped past me. I didn’t slow for roads or houses. There was no point hiding what I was. The humans already knew of our existence. If I was spotted and followed, all the better. The boys couldn’t fall into Urbat hands. The other Elders hadn’t yet seen what I had. Losing Ethan had almost broken Isabelle. Losing the boys would break Michelle. And she couldn’t be broken. None of them could. Bethi had been clear. A judgement needed to be made this cycle if werewolves had any hope of surviving. Save the boys; save our race.

Gregory’s anguish interrupted my thoughts. The sensation wrapped around my mind before his words did.

It’s Mary, he sent. She’s been hurt. Ripped open and bleeding badly.

How badly? I sent back.

Gutted.

The word caused my stride to stumble.

The Urbat? I sent.

Dead.

Are you close to a hospital?

More grief swelled over our link before he answered.

Even if it wasn’t past that, you know we couldn’t take her there. Not with these kinds of wounds and the world knowing what we are.

I focused on Mary’s link and could feel her pain. Mary wasn’t just another member in my Dad’s pack. She was my second mom. She’d watched over me just as closely as my own Mom. I pushed myself to go faster. My legs and lungs burned with the effort.

I’m almost there, I sent Mary. I raced across the fields, already knowing I wouldn’t make it in time.

I am so proud of you, Jim. You will do well as an Elder. Protect my boys. Remind them how much I love them. And tell your mom I love her, too. She was the best thing that happened to me. Without her, I wouldn’t have found Gregory. Tell her and Michelle, I regret nothing.

I could feel her link thinning.

Hang in there, Mary. I’m so close.

Save them all, Jim.

Her link vanished from my mind as if it had never existed. In the multitude of connections, the tiny void shouldn’t have felt so consumingly vast.

I howled my grief. An answering howl came not far away, joined by a second and third.

When I cleared the remaining trees, I found Gregory on the ground, holding Mary. He howled again, a loud, anguish-filled sound that echoed in the trees and pierced my heart. The loss of a Mate…his pain became my own.

I was too late, I sent Winifred, shifting and falling to my knees just beyond their grieving circle. Mary is gone.

The cubs turned and saw me. With tears in their eyes, they flew at me. I opened my arms and caught them in a hug, holding them closely as they cried. Mary’s sacrifice hadn’t been for nothing. She’d kept the boys safe. It didn’t ease my grief, though.

The children? Winifred sent.

Unharmed. As are Gregory, Paul, and Henry.

The three remained by Mary. Gregory held her while her sons touched her arm or leg. Aden wiped his wet nose on my shoulder and burrowed closer. Liam hugged close to my other arm, trembling and quiet, so like how he’d been the first time I’d met him.

“Uncle Jim,” Aden whimpered, clinging to my neck. “Is Aunt Mary dead?”

“She is.”

The little boy pulled away from me and nodded solemnly. His little chest expanded with a deep breath. Slipping from my hold, he stood and walked to Henry’s side. The young man looked up from Mary and gave Aden a weak smile.

Aden laid his tiny hand on the young man’s arm.

“Mimi says that mommy and daddy went someplace special where they’re waiting for us. Aunt Mary is there, too. You’ll see her again someday.”

Henry nodded, silent tears tracking down his cheeks, and hugged Aden.

There are more Urbat headed your way, Winifred sent.

Before I could relay the message to Gregory, he kissed Mary and gently laid her on the ground.

“I will love you after I’m gone, too,” he said softly. He rose and came to me, laying a hand on my shoulder while Liam still hugged me.

“She told me not to waste time grieving. I’m telling you the same.”

I stood with Liam, glanced at Henry, who held Aden, then back at Gregory.

“There are more coming. We need to travel fast,” I said.

“Skin or fur?”

“Skin for now.”

Gregory took Liam from me, and Paul went to their packs and threw me a pair of pants and a shirt to put on. Dead leaves crunched under my bare feet as I dressed. As soon as I finished, I took Aden, and Paul and Henry took the packs.

Hurry, Jim, Winifred sent. They are coming from the west and north-east.

“Stay close. Stay quiet,” I warned the group.