SWNOVELS Chapter Two Years Later
Adonis stood in his room at Alpha Cameron’s house; he was now twelve years old and had lived under Alpha Cameron’s roof for the last two years. His first act as Alpha was to steal land, his second act was creating an alliance with White Stone Pack. Though he had nothing to offer but the stolen land, Alpha Cameron negotiated with him anyway. He didn’t want his territory, just said that sometime in the future he might call on him for help and Adonis agreed. In exchange he received three square meals a day, a roof over his head that didn’t leak and snacks. That was Jackson’s input when they both sat in Alpha’s office for the negotiations. It was seconded by Tyler who was also present, it was the first time he signed Alpha Adonis Bradshaw. It was the first deal The Devil ever made. Even though he had two other sons Steve and Kennedy, Alpha Cameron treated him more like a son in those two years then his own father had ever treated him. Steve and Kennedy even treated him like their little brother, it wasn’t something he was used to. But over time he stopped ducking and flinching every time one of them raised their arm. His third act as an Alpha came when he claimed his bedroom in Alpha Caremon’s house as Black Shadow territory. Though Alpha Cameron understood it did lead to a conversation about randomly claiming things. He did let him keep it as long as he invited them onto his territory. Under Alpha Cameron’s tutelage he was learning to become an Alpha. He was training hard and growing stronger every day. He got to be present in every meeting Alpha Cameron held and some days there was a lot. Jackson and Tyler were also being trained for their positions.
Word had spread through the werewolf community about what his father had done to one of his sons and he soon lost all his alliances. In order to save face and his pack he stepped down as Alpha and handed the pack over to his son Eric. Eric had reached out a couple times to Alpha Cameron and had come to negotiate an alliance on a few occasions, those meetings Adonis chose not to be present for. Never attend a meeting angry, that’s what Alpha Cameron had told him. He was still very angry at his family and it was best if he wasn’t there. He hated them all, his mother had fallen ill a while back, though she was better now, he never went to see her, this apparently broke her heart. Alpha Cameron said in time he would become indifferent to them, but it would take time.
“I will never forgive them.” Adonis was eleven when he spoke those words.
“Do not forgive them to make them happy, forgive them to make yourself happy. Holding onto a grudge, is like drinking a poison and waiting for the other person to die.” Alpha Cameron replied.
His body was sore and tired from the training yesterday. It took every ounce of strength he had to pull himself from the bed. Adonis stood in the middle of his room trying to shake the sleep away that clouded his vision. He had an unsettled feeling deep inside of him. Something didn’t feel right when he woke up this morning. It felt off, weird. The more he moved the more the feeling intensified. His vision started to cloudover, maybe he pushed it too hard yesterday. ….grrRRRrrr…. His head started to spin, his balance becoming unstable he fell to the ground with a hard crash. ….grrRRRrrr…. The low growling could be heard all around him. ….grrRRRrrr…. His eyes grew heavy and all faded to black. ….grrRRRrrr…. Open your eyes Adonis, and look at us! Odin spoke to him for the first time in two years. After the incident with his father in the field, Odin had fallen silent. Though he could still feel him, he just didn’t speak to him. Where have you been? Adonis asked, no reply. Odin! Open your eyes Adonis! Where have you been? Why did you stop talking to me? Trust me, and I’ll trust you! Adonis thought about that for a moment. We will be stronger together, then we will be apart! Slowly he opened his eyes. He was standing in front of the mirror, but it wasn’t him. A pitch black wolf stared back with eyes the colour of burning flames.
We are magnificent, we will be feared! I shifted, how come it didn’t hurt? Because we are strong and powerful. Remember it is the strength of the Alpha that makes the pack not the size! Why didn’t you talk to me for two years? The day you threw your father, you fed off my rage for him, I had to regain it back. The training you are receiving here is making you stronger, which in turn is making me stronger. You are also safe here! Safe here? You trust Alpha Cameron? I trust you, and you trust Alpha Cameron, do you feel safe here? Yes! Then so do I! Adonis stared at his wolf longer in the mirror, he’s never seen a pitch black wolf, sure black ones yes but never pitch black. But he was small and kind of scrawny. We’ll get bigger, much bigger! Odin said. He started to shift back and he was expecting pain, but it never came. It felt natural and normal. Crouched on the floor, he stood up. He wasn’t sure what he was expecting when he stood up but it wasn’t the sight of his naked twelve year old body in the mirror. THUD! He stumbled back and hit the floor again with another hard thud.
His door burst open and he covered himself immediately and looked up at Alpha Cameron.
“I don’t know what happened!” He said as he looked around the room for the first time after he shifted back. Alpha Cameron took in the destruction, the claw marks scratched into the walls, the shredded bed and the broken furniture. Wolves don’t like to be confined behind walls, they like to run and be free, it’s why they shift outdoors. A smile crossed his face like a proud father. He took a quick smell trying to get a hint of his son’s scent, his brow furrowed slightly when he smelled nothing. Grabbing a pair of sweatpants he tossed them to Adonis.
“Put those on and meet me in my office,” he said, closing the door behind him carrying the same furrowed expression. Uh oh! He had quickly got dressed in sweatpants and a t-shirt, and was crossing a huge field towards the packhouse. He saw Jackson and Tyler heading in that direction as well and he ran to catch up to them.
“Hey Jackson, hey Tyler!” He said when he caught up to them. Jackson didn’t seem quite like himself this morning, normally he was yapping about something, but he was rather quiet.
“Hey Adonis!” Tyler said, Jackson just nodded in his direction.
“Everything ok Jackson?” Adonis asked him,
“Um….yeah everthin fine, it fine, it fine!” He sounded a little panicked.
They walked into the packhouse in silence, as they headed towards Alpha Cameron’s office.
“I ask you somein?” Jackson finally spoke,
“You ask me something everyday Jackson” Adonis replied, he started to feel a bit panicked the closer he got to the office. He was going to get in trouble, he trashed his room, he didn’t mean to though.
“Yeah, I know, I do that. I ask you somein anyway?” Jackson said, nodding his head.
“Yeah sure!” Adonis nodded his head,
“Anythin weird happen to you this mornin?” He asked,
“Weird? What do you mean weird?” Adonis asked, his eyes were wide and panic started to set in some more.
“Weird that get you call into Alpha Cameron’s office?” Jackson, too, was starting to panic.
“Maybe! Why did something weird happen to you?” Adonis replied,
“Maybe!” He answered vaguely. Adonis swallowed hard, Jackson was never vague, if anything he over shared, he was the king of the over share. They were stopped outside the office door, just looking at it, neither one really wanted to go inside.
“Come in boys!” Alpha Cameron called from the interior of the office. Adonis and Jackson just looked at each other, still hesitating at the door. Adonis didn’t really want to get into trouble, he didn’t want to be different from the other wolves. Being different came with problems, being different made others treat you differently. He didn’t know what he’d do if he went back to being treated the way he was treated by his old family. Maybe he should just run for it now, slowly he started backing away from the door, but before he could move any farther the office opened.
“Get in here you three” Steve was standing there with a big smile on his face. They nodded their heads and slowly entered the office. Alpha Cameron was sitting there, the smile on his face was warm and friendly, but Adonis couldn’t help the spike in his fear.
“Sit down boys” He said, offering them the chairs in front of his desk. They again shared a look, but did as they were told.
“We have a few things to discuss before you head off to school today.” Alpha Cameron said, they nodded their heads, still unsure of what was going on. Alpha Cameron stood up and handed Adonis an envelope. His name was scrawled across the front of it in fancy script.
“What’s this?” He asked looking at the envelope,
“It’s an invitation!” Steve replied, he was trying to hide the humour in his voice, but the expressions on the young boys faces were making it difficult.
“A invitation? Like to a birthday party?” Jackson asked,
“Why don’t you open it and find out?” Steve suggested. The boys looked at each other again. Adonis slowly opened the envelope, pulling out the card. When he opened it up his eyes shot open.
“This is for the Mate Ball!” Adonis cried out when he read it. “I can’t go to the Mate Ball. I’m a twelve year old boy.”
“You’re an Alpha!” Alpha Cameron corrected him,
“The Mate Ball! That wild, I overheard my older brother Jesse talkin to my other older brother Jordan bout it. Say wild stuff happen there. Good luck!” Jackson’s eyes went wide when he heard it was to the Mate Ball. Adonis looked at him, horror etched on his face at what his friend just said. Steve was trying to hide his laughter.
“Jackson, what’s the job of a Beta?” Alpha Cameron asked,
“That easy I got this, protect the Alpha!” Jackson answered with confidence. Alpha Cameron nodded.
“So if the Alpha were to say…. go somewhere” Alpha Cameron pushed,
“The Beta go to….” Jackson paused then looked at Adonis then back to Alpha Cameron
“Give me a minute, I get there….I goin to the Mate Ball too right?” Jackson asked, pointing at himself.
“Right! The Alpha doesn’t go anywhere without his 2nd or the very least 3rd in command.” Alpha Cameron’s smile got bigger when he saw the realization cross Jackson’s face.
“Yeah! That um….that um…. That bullshit, we twelve year old boys. What we gonna do at the Mate Ball? Why we even invite?” Jackson exclaimed
“Yeah, why were we even invited?” Adonis asked as he looked back over at Alpha Cameron.
“I wasn’t going to give you the invitation, but since you both shifted this morning, you both are technically eligible to find your mates” Alpha Cameron replied.
“You shifted?” They exclaimed looking at each other in unison.
“Yeah, I shifted in my bedroom. I didn’t mean to, it was an accident. Trashed the whole room, but it was an accident, I didn’t mean to” Adonis looked from Jackson back to Alpha Cameron.
“Was the door close?” Jackson asked,
“Yeah!” Adonis answered looking back at him
“Yeah, them big puppies don’t like bein confine.” Jackson replied,
“You’re telling me, he broke everything” Adonis said,
“I shift at the breakfas table, then ate all the breakfas” Jackson said, scratching the back of his head.
“It was the funniest thin ever. Jackass jump back from the table sayin somein wrong, don’t feel right, it feel weird. Then poof poof poofety poof, wolfie Jackass. He jump on the table an start eatin all the breakfas. Aunty freak out an start whackin him wit the paper yellin get off the table Jackass, Jackass get off the table. Then the table broke. He kinda listen, he got off….the table broke but he got off the table. Then he look at the back of a spoon an shift back an they a nakey Jackass sittin on the broken table, then he ask for a towel. Uncle start laughin an I din’t get no breakfas, it was wild, but it was funny. Hey, do I has to go to the Mate Ball?” Tyler interjected for the first time since they entered the office. Steve had to turn away from them to hide his amusement at how animatedly the little boy told the story of Jackson’s shift at the breakfast table.
“Thanks Tyler! At leas you shift in yur bedroom, I shift in front of everbody” Jackson said nodding.
“No Tyler, you’re too little to attend!” Alpha Cameron too was trying to contain his laughter.
“Good! I never thought I’d be happy to be too lil to attend anythin in my entire life. I heard Jeb tellin Joseph stuff happen there” Tyler replied,
“Stuff?” Adonis turned to look at Tyler wide eyed,
“Stuff stuff!” Tyler said
“Stuff stuff?” Jackson too looked at Tyler,
“Stuff stuff stuffety stuff!” Tyler replied, nodding his head for extra emphasis. Both Adonis and Jackson looked at each other.
“Stuff?” Adonis said, dawning on both of them what was being said their eyes shot wider.
“Stuff? That stuff! They do that stuff….like right there in front of everbody, like in front of two twelve year old boys? That stuff?” Jackson asked looking back at Alpha Cameron. Steve was about to lose control of himself, he had to get out of the office.
“Excuse me dad, I’m going to check on the tailor” he choked out.
“No, they don’t do that at the Mate Ball out in the open” Alpha Cameron replied, trying to hide the smile at the look of relief on the boys faces.
“What are we gonna do there? We won’t find our mates!” Adonis asked,
“Maybe they has video games we can play” Jackson offered, Adonis just nodded.
“No, they don’t have video games for you to play, and no you wont find your mates, but you’ll be able to make connections with the other Alphas. Whether you boys meant to or not, you made quite a splash in the community. A ten year old boy became an Alpha of a pack created by three children. A ten year old boy with no wolf took down two full grown Alpha males, neither of those events have happened in our entire history. Steve and Kennedy will be there to keep an eye on you both.” Alpha Cameron said,
“I guess that kinda make sense,” Jackson replied, thinking about it that way.
“Noone’s gonna talk to two twelve year old boys with two chaperones” Adonis argued,
“They’re not there to chaperone you, they’re there to find their mates” Alpha Cameron replied,
“What? We’re going alone?” Adonis asked, alarm bells ringing in his head.
“No, Brutus is going with you!” Pointing to the extremely tall man standing on the far side of the room. They don’t know when he got there but he seemed to take over that whole section of it. They have seen him around the pack grounds from time to time. He offered a reassuring smile towards them.
“What we need a chaperone for?” Jackson asked,
“We’re two twelve year old boys Jackson, we’re not allowed to go anywhere alone.” Adonis replied,
“Yeah, guess that makes sense. Boys get into stuff.” Jackson nodded his head.
“I don’t wanna go to the Mate Ball,” Adonis stated firmly.
“Ok, let me rephrase this. You either go or you’re grounded.” Their heads snapped towards Alpha Cameron,
“You can’t do that….he can’t do that….can he?….you can’t do that I’m an Alpha. You can’t ground an Alpha….can he?” Adonis jumped to his feet looking at Jackson who just shrugged, then back at Alpha Cameron.
“Oh you’re an Alpha now, five minutes ago you were a twelve year old boy.” Alpha Cameron replied,
“I am an Alpha, you can’t ground an Alpha.” Adonis asserted.
“I can and I will. You are going or you’re grounded. You will stay two hours tops and then you can come home. Now go finish getting ready for school.” Alpha Cameron went back to the paperwork in front of him. Trying to think of another argument he could use, Adonis slumped back into his seat with his mouth open, he had nothing.
“Damn it! Looks like we’re going to the Mate Ball Jackson” Adonis huffed, in defeat as he ran his hands through his hair.
“Yeah, that not right, that bullshit, we was railroaded. We should at leas get outta school ” Jackson huffed as well slumping in his chair.
“Boys! You’ll be attending school, the Mate Ball and you’ll be grounded if you keep it up” Alpha Cameron used a fatherly tone when he spoke to them, but never lifted his head from the work in front of him.
“Yes sir!” They spoke in unison as they rose to their feet.
“This day blows!” Jackson mumbled as they walked out of the office.
Alpha Cameron only lifted his head when he heard the door close. He couldn’t help the smile that crossed his face at the conversation he just had with them. Pride swelled within him, Adonis wasn’t his biological son, but any man would be proud to call him that.
“Keep close to them tonight Brutus. The ball is on his brother’s territory, they don’t go anywhere without you.” Alpha Cameron said to the man still standing in the room.
“Yes sir!” Brutus nodded. “May I ask something sir?”
“Go ahead!” Alpha Cameron looked over at him.
“Does he know how powerful he’s going to be?” Brutus asked,
“You could feel that as well?” Brutus’s only reply was a nod,
“Not yet, but he will. Ten years old and he became an Alpha and created a pack. Ten years old with no wolf, he took down two full grown Alphas, he’s only going to get stronger,” Cameron replied.
“Do we know the colour of his wolf?” Brutus asked, the colour determines the power of the beast.
“No, I was too late to see, he had turned back by the time I got there. But Beta Matthew said Jackson’s wolf is a colour he’s never seen before. The colour of a shadow, with liquid gold eyes. But he said it was his lack of scent that concerned him.” Alpha Cameron replied,
“Lack of scent sir?” Brutus furrowed his brow at this as well.
“Beta Matthew said Jackson’s wolf had no scent. Neither does Adonis’s.” Cameron replied. That was a puzzle. They got their wolves and they were supposed to have a scent that told others what they were. Jackson and Adonis’s lack of scent made him curious as to what was going on. While his boy was at the ball he would do research to see if he could find answers.
“You view him as a son!” Said more as a statement then a question,
“Any man would be proud to call him that.” Alpha Cameron replied,
“Clearly not sir!” Brutus commented, referring to Adonis’s real father.
“Fools make babies Brutus, real men raise children” Alpha Cameron went back to his paperwork. “Don’t kill anybody tonight!” He added as an afterthought.
“Way to wreck my night sir!” Alpha Cameron, could only laugh.
The drive to Primrose Pack was silent, Adonis had a million thoughts swirling through his head. He was about to step foot on his father’s territory, after not having contact for two years though guess it was his brother’s now. Alpha Cameron came to tell him where the ball was being held as he was getting ready. His heart bottomed out, he told Alpha Cameron to ground him, he wasn’t going. He wasn’t ready to face them, he didn’t want to face them. Alpha Cameron had engulfed him in a hug, told him it was time to release it all. ‘Close your eyes and let go, deep breath in, 1….release the hate. 2….release the fear. 3….release the anger.’ The low deep growl resonated around the room after the third breath, the power that flowed from Adonis was terrifying, but Alpha Cameron held him tighter. ‘Trust your wolf, and he’ll trust you. By shifting early you were given a gift. You will get to know your wolf on a greater level. You will be more intune with him than any other man to his beast. Open your eyes son.’ When Adonis opened his eyes, Alpha Cameron did not look upon him with fear when he saw the dancing flames, he did not shy away, he did not shun or cowar. He smiled proudly at his son looking upon like a father would. ‘Stand tall Adonis, hold your head high and walk with pride.’
“You ok?” Jackson asked from the backseat of the SUV beside Adonis.
“Nope!” Adonis replied,
“I got yur back” Jackson said,
“Thanks Jackson!” Adonis nodded. He clenched and unclenched his hands in his lap as he sat in the backseat beside his friend. He was not looking forward to this at all.
“I’d like to see yur brother try somein, I kick him,” Jackson added, trying to be encouraging. Adonis could only laugh, Jackson always seemed to know how to make him laugh.
“It ok Adonis he won’t touch you, Beta protect the Alpha” Jackson said, more seriously.
“Thanks Jackson!” Adonis again nodded. Brutus was listening in the front seat. The little boy was right, no one would touch them tonight, he would do a lot more than kick them if they did.
“Hey, maybe after this we can get pizza. I don’t think they gonna has anythin twelve year old boys gonna wanna eat. They prolly has like….foo foo food or somein” Jackson suggested,
“Foo foo food? What’s foo foo food?” Adonis asked,
“Cava….catai…..I don’t know! Weird fish eggs on a stick or somein” Jackson replied,
“Fish eggs on a stick….Ewww!” Adonis scrunched his face, who would eat that? Brutus couldn’t help the smile on his face, as he listened to them converse in the back seat.
Pulling up the driveway to the packhouse, Adonis closed his eyes and took a deep breath. 1….release the hate. 2….release the fear. 3….release the anger.
“Whatcha wanna do? You wanna leave, we leave I wit you” Jackson said looking at him.
“No, Jackson we’re going to the ball.” Adonis mustered as much courage as he could, and nodded his head when the truck came to a stop. Exiting the vehicle Brutus opened the passenger door in the back for them to exit. One more deep breath Adonis climbed out followed by Jackson.
“Stand tall Jackson!” Jackson straightened up,
“Head high!” They both raised their heads,
“Walk with pride!” Adonis repeated what Alpha Cameron had said to him.
“I am proud, I’ma twelve year old Beta at the Mate Ball, wearin a monkey suit an I look damn good. I don’t like the jacket though, so that might come off at some point” Jackson replied,
“You do look good, your ties a little crooked though” Adonis said looking at him,
“Adds to my charm, stupid thin won’t stay straight anyway, it prolly gonna end up comin off to” Jackson said pulling down on the tie.
“Ready?” Adonis asked,
“Hell yeah!” Jackson fixed a crooked grin to his face and they started up the stairs to the entrance.
“Private party! Move along pip squeak” The large man at the door spoke to them as they stopped in front of him.
“Who you callin pip squeak?” Jackson talked back,
“Private party!” He said again looking down at them,
“Yeah, we on the lis” Jackson shot back,
“I don’t think so, move along” the man put more force behind his words,
“You might wanna check that lis, Alpha Adonis Bradshaw an Beta Jackson Monroe, Black Shadow Pack” Jackson replied, completely unphased by the man’s anger.
“It’s invitation only, get lost” the man waved his hand at them, fighting to keep his control.
“Invitation only….ok” Jackson reached inside his coat “Pow! Invitation, how’s that for ya? Now open the door big man” Brutus tried to remain stoic, but he couldn’t help the slight grin when he saw the wolf’s face drop a little when Jackson produced the invitation.
“What was the name again?” He asked, looking at the clipboard in his hand.
“How you forget already? I jus told you not even two minutes ago, must be why you on the door? Big stupid!” Jackson said, shaking his head. The man didn’t move, he just stood there staring at Jackson disbelief crossing his face.
“We jus gonna spend two hours lookin at the door. Maybe he forgot how to open the door. Big stupid dummy, reach out open the door. Come on monkey man do yur job.” The more Jackson spoke, the angrier the man at the door became.
“You’re gonna get us killed tonight!” Adonis whispered as he looked over at Jackson,
“Yeah, me an my big mouth gonna do that,” Jackson said, nodding his head.
“Did you just call me a dummy?” The wolf asked, releasing a small growl.
“Oh sure that he gets, call him big stupid too, din’t seem to get that though.” Jackson remarked. The man went to grab Jackson, but Brutus caught his arm instead and started squeezing hard.
“If you want to keep your arm, keep it to yourself. Alpha Adonis Bradshaw, Beta Jackson Monroe, Black Shadow Pack. Now open the door!” He released his arm pushing him back a little. The wolf nodded his head and opened the door to the house.
“You boys just might bring a little fun my way tonight” Brutus said smiling as he ushered them into the house. Furrowing his brows Brutus looked down at the two boys. He breathed in deep one more time to make sure he caught it right the first time, but he did. The smell of smoke and fire clung to the two boys that were standing in front of him. This was interesting, how come he could smell it but others could not?
“Hey Brutus, I ask you somein?” Jackson asked, looking back at him, pulling the big man from his thoughts.
“You can ask, I might not answer” Brutus replied looking around the room,
“Yeah I get that, I gonna ask anyway though. You a yogi?” Adonis looked behind him at Brutus, that would explain his height. Brutus was well over seven feet tall. He just looked back at Jackson, a crooked smile crossing his face, but he said nothing in reply.
“Yeah, he a yogi, that why he that big,” Jackson said, nodding his head. “Now what we do?” Jackson asked, as they moved towards the ballroom.
“I don’t know, I’ve never been to a Mate Ball, but they’re all staring at us,” Adonis answered, shrugging.
“Of course they starin, we two twelve year old boys at the Mate Ball, wit a yogi for a chaperone” Jackson replied, looking back at Brutus. Not sure what to do they walked around the ballroom, eyes were on them everywhere they went.
“Hey Adonis, I ask you somein?” Jackson said after a bit,
“Yeah, sure” Adonis looked at Jackson,
“Where the rest of them girls dresses? Did they forget em at the store or somein? Forget to put ’em on?” Jackson looked around the ballroom, the dresses on some of the girls were very very short.
“I don’t know Jackson, just try not to look” Adonis answered,
“Try not to look Jackson, one of em bend over I’ma see everthing” Jackson said exasperated,
“Maybe just look at the wall,” Adonis suggested, trying not to look at some of the girls.
“Yeah, look at the wall. Stuff stuff gonna happen” Jackson said, averting his gaze to the wall.
“We haven’t even got to the stuffety stuff yet” Adonis agreed,
“Relax boys, one day you’ll be thankful for the little dress” Brutus said, trying to contain his laughter at their discomfort.
“Yeah, that day not today Brutus. Not today, I’d rather be home doin my math homework an I hate math” Jackson replied. He heard Brutus’s deep laugh beside him.
“Adonis!” The voice came from behind him. His body tensed immediately, he recognized it as his oldest brother Eric.
“Hey, that’s Alpha Adonis Bradshaw, respect the rank” Jackson stated, turning in the direction of the voice.
“Who’s the runt?” His brother’s Beta laughed at Jackson,
“Who you callin a runt? Say that again an I Beta kick yur ass” Jackson huffed,
“Ha! You’re a Beta? Little small don’t you think” the Beta said to him,
“You a Beta? Lil stupid don’t you think” Jackson shot back. The Beta’s hand shot out, only to be snatched out of the air.
“To yourself!” Brutus growled, pushing the Beta away from the boys.
“You brought a bodyguard?” Eric asked,
“He’s a chaperone! I may be an Alpha, but I’m still twelve. They don’t just let us run around unattended. But could you really blame me if I did bring a bodyguard. Last time you and I were face to face you tried to kill me.” Adonis responded. Stand tall, head high, they can feel our power, be proud! Eric looked around, making sure no one was listening to their conversation.
“That was two years ago, Adonis. Leave the past in the past” Eric said,
“So you’re still not mad that I became an Alpha first?” Adonis asked, he knew that had to piss his brother off. Eric hated getting bested, and he was bested by a ten year old boy.
“Water under the bridge,” Eric replied. He’s a liar! Yes he is Odin, I don’t trust him. Neither do I!
“We need to talk, Adonis, why don’t you come with me to my office? Where we can talk more privately” Eric said,
“Out in the open is good” Adonis replied,
“You don’t trust me? Your own brother?” Eric was slightly offended by that,
“You’ve given me no reason to” Adonis remarked,
“Alright our history is a little rough, I get that. But we’re family, we’re blood. Families fight, it’s no big deal” Eric tried again,
“No big deal! I fight wit my lil brother all the time, but I don’t beat the shit outta him, then leave him somewheres to die” Jackson fired back.
Eric narrowed his glare at Jackson after he took a quick look around to make sure again no one was listening.
“You have a big mouth little boy” Eric said to him,
“Yeah, I get that a lot. Anyone ever tell you, you gotta stupid one” Jackson shot back. ….grrrrrr…. Eric released a growl at him, to his surprise Jackson stood his ground not even flinching. When Eric moved toward him Brutus blocked his path.
“You can’t touch me I’m an Alpha” Eric hissed looking at him,
“You’re under the impression that I adhere to your rank system. Take a sniff toilet drinker, you should be able to tell what I am.” Eric’s eyes widened as he took a couple of steps back from him. His little brother didn’t just bring any bodyguard, he brought a bear.
“Alpha Adonis, I’ve been looking for you, have you seen Alpha Kennedy yet?” Steve called, getting their attention.
“Hey Alpha Steve, we just got here” Adonis replied, shaking his head,
“Oh ok! I have someone I’d like you to meet,” Steve said, walking towards him. He was holding hands with some girl.
“This is Clara my mate, Clara this is Alpha Adonis.” Steve introduced them,
“Hi Clara, it’s nice to meet you! This is my Beta Jackson” Adonis said, extending his hand. Jackson just waved hello. Pretty girls freaked him out.
“You’re Alpha Adonis? I don’t mean to offend you but you’re so little” Clara accepted his hand gushing a little at him.
“It’s ok Clara, he’s twelve, he’s gonna get bigger, much bigger. I’ve seen how much he eats” Steve cut in laughing,
“I’m a growing boy, besides I’ve seen how much you eat too” Adonis shot back,
“Oh Steve, your little brother’s adorable,” Clara gushed even more. Steve caught the look on Eric’s face when his mate referred to Adonis as his little brother. What made it worse was that no one corrected her.
“Alpha Eric, sorry didn’t see you there. Hope we weren’t interrupting anything important.” Steve held out his hand to Eric,
“No, we were just….talking” Eric replied, shaking Steve’s hand.
“If you don’t mind I’d like to borrow Alpha Adonis, there’s some people I’d like to introduce him to” Steve said,
“By all means. We’ll talk later Adonis” Eric walked away, muttering under his breath.
“Thought you could use the bail out” Steve whispered,
“Thanks Steve!” Adonis smiled,
“Come on, there actually are people I want you to meet though. They are very curious about the two twelve year olds at The Mate Ball.” Adonis nodded and they followed Steve.
For the next hour and a half they mingled with the other Alphas and Betas in the room.
“I was introduce to so many people I ain’t gonna member all they names” Jackson commented as they sat at a table. Adonis nodded trying to fight back a yawn. He was tired and hungry, none of the food that was being served looked appetizing to them.
“I’m starvin!” Jackson said,
“Me too!” Adonis agreed,
“I’m tempted to eat one of those roun thins I saw” Jackson confided,
“That’s escargot” Adonis told him,
“Es car go….es car….where the es car goin?” Jackson asked, looking at him.
“No Jackson, it’s snails!” Adonis said laughing.
“Snails! You eat that? Like put it in yur mouth? Is that like eatin a worm? I did that the other day, when Tyler bet me all his snacks. That was the most disgustin thin I ever done, so if it like that I ain’t doin that again.” Jackson shook his head.
“You ate a worm?” Adonis asked,
“Tyler bet me his snacks, I bit it firs, yeah, no don’t do that jus swallow the damn thin whole. I did let him have ice cream an his bedtime snack. Can’t go bed on a empty tummy, I still gotta look after him” Jackson replied,
“I thought your aunt and uncle were looking after him?” Adonis asked,
“They are, but he my lil brother, I still look after him too” Jackson replied. Adonis just nodded.
“Maybe we can ask Brutus if we can leave now, go get pizza or something” Adonis suggested, he was starving.
“Well, if it isn’t the twelve year old Alpha and Beta” an older boy stood in front of their table, maybe seventeen, he had a few others with him and they all snickered. The boy that spoke had slicked back dark brown hair and deep brown eyes. He sneered at them. Adonis could feel Odin stirring in his head, something didn’t feel right, one glance at Jackson, he could tell he was getting the same feeling he was. Even Brutus was on the defensive, moving closer to the boys. Lesson One: If something doesn’t feel right, it’s not. The atmosphere around the table had changed.
“Alpha Adonis and Beta Jackson Black Shadow Pack” Adonis introduced them.
“I’m well aware of who you are. You’re all anyone is talking about, and I thought I’d come over and see what all the fuss is about. Looking at you both though, I still don’t understand it. How did some little kid become an Alpha?” The boy sneered again at them. Before Jackson could open his mouth Adonis grabbed his arm and shook his head.
“Just ignore him Jackson, if someone attacks you without knowing you it means they’re afraid of you,” it was the second lesson he learned from Alpha Cameron. He was told that others would come at him, and to be prepared for it.
“Right, scare of us!” Jackson replied,
“I’m not scared of two little boys” he hissed,
“Come on Jackson, I think it’s time we leave” Brutus nodded, waiting for them to stand up from the table.
“Look who’s scared now” The other boy said,
“I don’t know who you are, or why I should be afraid of you” that was apparently the wrong thing to say.
“I’m Marcus, future Alpha of The Midnight Pack!” He snapped,
“Who? That name don’t mean nuttin to me. You?” Jackson looked at Adonis like the name was supposed to mean something. Adonis just shrugged and shook his head.
“You stupid little boys, you have no idea who you’re talking to” Marcus hissed at them.
“Not really, don’t care either, you? Yeah, he don’t care either. Hey Brutus, can we get pizza? I starvin, I hasn’t eaten all night” Jackson replied, getting up from the table.
“You little asshole!” Marcus went to grab Jackson only for Brutus to throw him back. Marcus sailed through the air crashing into a table top and hit the ground hard several feet away.
“What the hell I say?” Jackson asked, confused by what just happened.
“I think we insulted him when we said we didn’t know who he was,” Adonis answered. Before any more could be said Adonis was grabbed from behind and thrown to the ground, taking a swift kick to the right side of his face. Protecting his head and neck from further damage he stayed crouched to the ground as he received blow after blow.
“Adonis!” Jackson yelled. Brutus spun around only to get jumped by three wolves from behind. Jackson took a hit to the left side of his face that had him stumbling back.
“That’s for the dummy comment at the door” said the wolf that let them into the ball.
“Oh look at you big tough man. Hittin a twelve year old, feel better now” Jackson snapped back. “Let’s go monkey man, this Alberta boy gonna Beta kick yur ass”
“Look how tough you assholes are? Five of you to take down a twelve year old” The voice of Kennedy rang out as he jumped into the mix taking one of Adonis’s assailants by surprise. Steve threw off another one, while Brutus took care of the three that jumped him.
Lesson three: Never start anything, but if something is started, finish it. Odin stirred to life in his head. Let go and trust! Feeding off of Odin’s rage Adonis let go.
….grrrRRRrrrRrRRRrRrrrRRRrrrr….
The growl that ripped through the room had others whimpering already bowing in submission. The ones that jumped Adonis had begun to back up, but by then it was too late. One boy went flying in one direction crashing into some tables, another in the opposite taking down the buffet table. The one that had grabbed Adonis and threw him to the ground now stood face to face with him.
“Yo-you really are th-th-the d-d-devil!” The boy stuttered, staring directly into the burning flames of Adonis’s eyes, black blood smeared his face from the healed wounds he sustained. Feeding off the strength and anger of his Alpha, Jackson had become stronger as well. He soon had the door man pinned to the floor, laying blow after blow to him until Brutus pulled him off.
“I think you got him, Alberta boy.” Brutus said, pushing him away.
“Yeah, maybe next time you stay at the door” Jackson said to the man on the floor groaning in pain.
The boy that had gone after Adonis was backing up still with every step Adonis took forward until he ran into the wall of Brutus who pushed him forward. CRACK!! The sound echoed around the room from the one hit Adonis laid on him. The boy dropped and lay in a crumpled heap, blood gushed from his nose pouring over his hands and onto the ball room floor. The room gasped and whispers started flying when the others caught sight of the twelve year old with fire in his eyes and black blood on his face. Jackson was pushed into the middle close to Adonis when Steve, Kennedy and their Betas crowded around him blocking the view of the onlookers.
“Hey, that pretty cool!” Jackson nodded as he saw his friend’s eyes.
“He’s angry Jackson! Odin’s angry!” Adonis said,
“Ko none too happy either!” ….grrRRRrrr…. Adonis released a small growl, calling forth Jackson’s wolf. Glowing liquid gold eyes stared back at him,
“Hey, you can do that?” Jackson asked a little surprised
“I guess!” Adonis replied,
“That frickin cool! Let’s get outta here” Jackson said,
“Yeah! I’m starving, still want pizza?!” Adonis whispered, nodding his head,
“Yeah! Hey Brutus, can we still get pizza? We starvin” Jackson asked. Steve and Kennedy looked at each other, then looked back at the boys, grins spreading across their faces,
“That’s our little brother” Kennedy said,
“Yeah, he takes after you!” Steve shot back,
“Yes he does! Alright Brutus let’s move” Kennedy said, trying to hold back his laughter.
Eric had watched the whole thing unfold from a safe distance with his father.
“Did you see that?” Eric asked, when he saw the two boys go flying in either direction.
“He’s getting stronger” His father replied,
“What the hell is wrong with him?” Eric asked. He was bewildered that his little twelve year old brother had that much strength. He was a full grown Alpha and not even he had that strength.
“I don’t know, but we need him on our side. Anyone that goes up against him will fall. You need to do whatever it takes to make amends with your brother” Ethan replied. When they heard the crack, Eric swallowed hard.
“The Devil’s a monster!” He replied, eyes wide, horror etched on his face.
“A monster that could be of great benefit to us” Ethan fired back,
“Dad this is my pack now, and I say we don’t need him” Eric fired back,
“Don’t forget son, we have no alliances, we won’t need any with Adonis in our corner.” Ethan advised,
“I made plenty of connections today” Eric snapped,
“And yet your brother was the only one they could talk about. One growl and a room full of strong Alphas and Betas submitted to a twelve year old boy.” His dad replied.
“Who’s to blame for the fact that we don’t have any alliances?” Eric retaliated,
“I am well aware, but I didn’t isolate your brother alone. One day he might find himself wanting retribution” Ethan gave a hard cold stare towards Eric.
“I’ll see if I can set up a meeting with him,” Eric replied, bowing his head.
Back on White Stone territory, Jackson and Adonis separated ways. Adonis walked in the front door, to a smiling Alpha Cameron, only to see the smile fall when he took in the sight of him.
“I don’t want to talk about it, I just want to go to bed” Adonis looked away, he saw the disappointment cross Alpha Cameron’s face. He knew he failed, he let the man down, he’s acted like his father for the last two years and he failed him. He ran quickly up the stairs to his room, closing the door behind him. It’s not our fault! Did you see his face? What about it? My father looked like that every time he saw me, I was nothing but a disappointment. Fixed the room though! That’s because you broke it! I didn’t like being trapped! Adonis looked around the room, the claw marks had been patched over, the bed was replaced with a bigger one. The furniture was new, opening the closet he saw new clothes in bigger sizes. How big are we gonna be? Big! We gotta get outta here Odin! Where are we gonna go? I don’t know, but I can’t live through that again! Why don’t we just see what happens, you trust him! I trusted my father too! Maybe let’s see what he says and get cleaned up first! Looking down at his clothes he could see his blood stains on the shirt. Blood so dark it appears black, no one knew why his blood was that colour. He’s had it drawn by the pack doctor many times. He’s been tested for everything, and it’s come back fine. He was perfectly healthy.
“What happened?” Alpha Cameron asked, when he saw Steve and Kennedy walk into the house.
“Little man got jumped by five assholes” Kennedy exclaimed,
“What?” Alpha Cameron exasperated,
“It was messed up, he didn’t deserve that, he’s just a boy. Scared the hell outta everybody though” Kennedy replied,
“Where was Brutus?” Alpha Cameron asked, he was furious.
“Taking care of the three that jumped him from behind” Steve answered,
“Tell me what happened,” Alpha Cameron spoke, trying to reign his anger in. He couldn’t face his youngest like that. He didn’t want Adonis thinking it was him he was angry or disappointed with.
“They were sitting at a table, they met dozens of people, things were going fine. That idiot Marcus decided he needed to introduce himself. You know Marcus! He went after Jackson, Brutus threw him across the room, and when his back was turned five guys jumped Adonis, Brutus turned to help and he got jumped by another three. I’m not sure why Jackson got jumped by the door man though.” Steve explained,
“Knowing Jackson, that boy opened his mouth, kicked his ass though, Brutus had to pull him off” Kennedy answered,
“Kennedy and I managed to get two off of Adonis, but he got it pretty bad.” Steve added,
“I was really hoping they would give him a chance” Alpha Cameron shook his head, he knew Adonis was powerful. They all felt it, but instead of accepting him they tried to beat him down.
“There’s more. That boy made the whole damn room submit.” Kennedy said,
“What?” Alpha Cameron looked at his other two sons.
“He released this growl, before he took the other three out by himself. One went in one direction the other went the other way, I swear to Goddess he flattened some kids face when he cracked it. It echoed around the room.” Kennedy said, as he animatedly explained the series of events. Cameron could hear the pride in his son’s voice as he spoke about his little brother.
“Then what happened?” Alpha Cameron asked, Kennedy cracked a grin, while Steve tried to stifle his laughter,
“They were hungry, so we took them for pizza,” Steve answered. Alpha Cameron couldn’t help the grin that spread across his face.
“He really is your brother,” he muttered.
“I found my mate too” Steve added,
“And I can’t wait to meet her” Alpha Cameron replied,
“How about for a family breakfast?” Steve suggested,
“How about a family dinner and just you, me and your mate meet for breakfast?” Alpha Cameron offered,
“Sounds good!” Steve’s smile got bigger. Alpha Cameron was proud of his boys, they welcomed Adonis with open arms, never showing an ounce of jealousy towards him no matter how much time he spent with him. Alpha Cameron always tried to make time for all his sons, be it personal training, fixing cars, talking one on one. He didn’t want any of them to feel left out, or forgotten about and that included Adonis.
“Do you want me to talk to him dad?” Steve offered,
“No, thank you Steve. You boys go and enjoy the rest of your night, I got this” Alpha Cameron said goodnight to his other two boys and climbed the stairs heading towards Adonis’s room. He knocked but when he received no answer he opened the door> Breathing a slight sigh of relief, his boy hadn’t run off. Adonis sat on the side of his bed with his head hung down. He was bracing himself for what was about to happen. He would be rejected by another family for being different and causing nothing but problems.
“I’m sorry” he spoke softly when Alpha Cameron entered the room,
“What do you have to be sorry for son” Alpha Cameron asked as he crossed over to him.
“For being different!” Adonis replied,
“Now why would you be sorry for being who you are?” Alpha Cameron asked,
“Being different causes problems. I let you down, why can’t I be just like everybody else?” Adonis looked away when Alpha Cameron sat on the bed beside him.
“Being different doesn’t cause problems, Adonis. Being stupid does! You didn’t let me down, I let you down son. I thought you would be accepted, they would give you a chance. But in some aspects, wolves are worse than humans.” Alpha Cameron said,
“They called me The Devil” Adonis hadn’t heard that name in two years, but they were all whispering it when he walked out of the Mate Ball tonight. Alpha Cameron embraced Adonis in a hug, he couldn’t hold back the tears he was fighting and his little body shook.
“I’m sorry son!” Alpha Cameron held him tighter. “You’re not The Devil, you know that, I know that, Steve and Kennedy and your pack knows that. The ones that matter to you the most know who you are. You’re a good boy! And you will become a great man. But there might come a time when you have to become The Devil they all seem to think you are.”
“What?” Adonis sniffed as he looked up at Alpha Cameron,
“Everyone has a breaking point, Adonis. If they are going to treat you like The Devil, then they can’t blame you when you become one.” Alpha Cameron replied.