The Right Girl

EIGHT

JOHN

Three f*****g days with this kid! The cold water splashes over my face, leaving little droplets across my beard. I lean my hands on the sink and examine my hair, I am sure it already has new specks of grey scattering through it. The frown lines on my forehead seem deeper. In my life I have never met a more infuriating being. I am almost starting to think this was a mistake. With a heavy sigh, I close the bathroom door and head towards the kitchen, coffee first then revenge plotting. I smirk at the thought of Alpha Richard sweating, wondering where his precious little Audrey is. My snaky little thoughts are interrupted by the high pitched voice of a teenager. “HEYYY THERE JOHNNY BOY.” She screams across the kitchen table. I cringe at the violation of my ears. Without so much as a nod for acknowledgment, I head towards the coffee machine, my saving grace for the last three days.

“Talk to me. HEY, HEYYY, what are you doing.” The incessant babble drips from her annoying mouth. This b***h could talk with a mouth full of marbles under water. It is never ending!

I take my place at the end of the table, my eyes burning with fury, lock onto hers. Which are seemingly sparkling with contentment and joy. I am longing for the first day I met her, fear had stolen her voice, I should have kept up with that façade. I am not a cruel person though. I just want what is rightfully mine and this girl is the ticket to it.

“Good morning Audrey.” I huff.

Her eyes glisten as she leans forward then swing back on the chair. This infuriating child not only wants to send me grey she also wants to cause me a f*****g heart attack.

“ Don’t do that you moron.” I scold.

“ I am bored, what can we do today.” She sighs as she lands the chair back on all four legs.

I raise an eyebrow. “You realize how wolf napping works…. Right?” I question her.

Her smile turns downwards and her eyes lose their sparkle.

“It means we stay here until I realize what I am going to do with you.” I add, I actually don’t think she fully comprehends what it is I am trying to achieve here.

I see the anger build up inside. I am not entirely sure what part has pissed her off, she is drawing back her breath, so I am sure I am about to find out.

“ Well I am not a wolf, so does kidnapping work differently?” Her unexpectedly calm reply came.

My eyebrows knitted together and confusion crossing my face, I am floored. This is not the rebuttal I was expecting.

“What do you mean you aren’t a wolf?” The question falls from my lips, maybe I have put myself through this 3 day torture for the wrong girl!

“I don’t know what to tell you Johnny. Me no go for walkies and me do wee wee’s in a toilet.” Her sarcastic stab makes my wolf stir.

“Did you just compare me to a dog?” I explode, unable to keep my wolfs anger under control.

“If the collar fits.” She snaps back.

I am finding it hard to keep myself composed. Our other halves hate being likened to a dog.

“Are you even Audrey West?”  I question, puzzled that her wolf is allowing her to talk this way. She can’t shift or find a mate until her 18th birthday; her wolf is still in there though and would not be happy with the way this conversation is going down.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” She throws over her shoulder, marching towards the guest bedroom. A loud bang resonates through the cabin. A door slamming, I hope.

“YES I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW!” I scream back. Silence fills the room. I move to tip my coffee down the sink. The moment is ruined. I don’t even want the stupid drink anymore. After this spat, nothing is going to be able to calm me down.

A gentle clicking noise sounds from the living area, perfect, it’s decided to come back and continue the argument.

“ Came back for seconds did we, princess.” I shout out.

“What are you talking about John?” My mother’s poised voice returns.

My stomach drops, I had forgotten she would return soon and I was most certainly planning on being more prepared and having a proper plan in motion, so it all made sense.

“You’re back!” I exclaim throwing my arms around her. I know as a grown man, I shouldn’t be so excited over the return of my mum, but she has been the constant in my life. It has always just been the two of us.

“Come, sit, I will unload the truck in a minute.” I gesture for her to sit at the table. I rush to pull out the chair, and then gently push it in, taking a seat across from her.

Life had not been easy for my mum and it showed, her black hair, almost completely grey and the lines on her tanned skin were deep. Her frame was tiny and I was sure she was shrinking. She had always worked hard for what we needed and what I wanted. I offer endlessly to take the items into town for sale but she refuses.

 “John, you’re better off here, doing the hunting and collecting. I am not as young as I once was. Taking the gathering to town makes me feel useful; I also get to socialize a bit.” She always tells me. And I always roll my eyes.

“Now tell me, John, whom were you speaking to just now?” Her question sends a further wave of guilt through my body. Guess it’s time to face the music. She is my mum, she can’t not support me.

“I did a thing.” Her eyebrows knotted at my statement she sat forward.

“ Go on.” Her voice was intrigued and laced with a little worry.

Dillon

The raised voices continue to flow through the pack house. The commotion has the whole pack on edge, especially me. Imagine our shock when the Alpha’s only son arrived early this morning, bursting through the door and demanding the see the Alpha. No one has seen him for over 17 years and no one knew who he was. He was just a large man throwing his arm around, screaming for the Alpha. I stood at the top of the stairs, watching different warriors come racing from all directions. The wild man threw them off, without breaking a sweat. My concern for the Alpha rising, I sent him a mind link.

“ Sir, there is a large man here looking for you. The guards have been injured and I think you should go to the safe room.” Upholding the safety of the Alpha and his family is of the most importance.

“AHHH, he is here. No worries lad, send him up to my office.” He sounded calm and composed.

“Are you sure that is a good idea? He is mad!” I reply, my anxiety rising. I don’t want this loose cannon to harm our Alpha, especially when no plans for a successor have been carved in stone yet.

“ That’s an order Dillon.” His voice is firm this time. He has made up his mind.

I step forward and clear my voice, gaining the attention of the large man with strikingly similar features to Alpha Richard. I open my mouth to speak but he cuts me off.

“Oi, you!” He points at me; I point to my chest and tilt my head to the side as if to question him.

“Yea, you dumb, dumb. Where is my poor excuse for a father?” My mouth falls in shock. No one has seen Graham in years, let alone knew what he looked like. I turn to start walking, words escape me, so I gesture with my hand for him to follow me. His feet are heavy behind me, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand tall. The aura this man lets off is strong and intimidating as hell. I stop outside Alpha Richards office. I go to knock but Graham has other ideas. He shoves me to the side and bursts through the door. I see the Alpha sitting behind his large Mahogany desk smiling. “Son you made it.” He greets.

“ DON’T YOU SON ME!” Graham booms back.

Alpha Richard turns his gaze to me. “Thank you Dillon that will be all.” He dismisses me. I want to stay and hear what happens next. However, an order is an order. I close the door behind me, the voices rising as soon as it latch clicked.

I notice Margie ushering a timid woman with golden flowing locks up the stairs away from the tense situation. I can only assume this is Audrey’s mum. She doesn’t smell like a wolf though. Maybe this is the reason for the fallout? I wonder as I walk.

“Dillon, be a dear and grab Mary and Graham’s luggage.” Luna Margie’s sweet voice came. Always the lackey! I mutter as I collect the suitcases and heave them up the stairs. It will all be worth it one day, when I take over