Ember Rains

Broken

‘Follow her around till she passes out then carry her home. We can’t leave her out here to die, she’s hurt.’ Brooke growled 

‘I know.’ I responded as I watched her bite her lip thinking over her options.

“Mommy why is his hair blue?” The little boy asked suddenly, looking around his mother to gawk at me again.

I smiled as Myra's ears and cheeks turned bright red again. 

“It’s just the light buddy, my hair is so black that in some lighting it looks blue.” I smiled at his own tousled black curls as he stepped out a little further. He wore nothing but a pair of boxer shorts.

“Thats cool, does mine do that too?!” He asked walking farther out.

“A little yeah.” I answered squatting so I was at his level. “You want to come with me? I’m pretty sure there's pizza and ice cream at the house.”

Excitement flashed across his face before he crossed his arms and glared at me. “Are you going to hurt my mommy because she's tiny, and you’re bigger than her?”

I looked up just in time to see Myra literally face palm with a deep sigh. 

Anger flared in my chest, but I forced myself to smile at the little boy.

“No, I would never do that.” I said seriously.

“Okay.” He grinned widely at me, “Ice cream!”

This time I had to chuckle at Myra’s exasperated expression. She sighed rolling her pale brown eyes, before she smiled down at the boy. 

She grabbed his hand and started walking a couple feet to my right.

“Are you okay to walk?” I asked.

She nodded quickly and I wondered if she could possibly be feeling the same magnetic pull I was.

‘She can’t.’ Brooke answered my unspoken question. ‘Can’t you feel the walls all around her? She won’t feel anything until she trusts us enough to let down her guard.’ I could feel his sadness and pain on top of mine.

Luckily we weren’t left in silence long enough for it to get awkward.

“What’s your name? I’m Tyler but mom calls me Ty. Are you Alpha? Is that why I had to do what you said?” The questions rolled off the kids tongue without space for breathing in between. 

I noticed Myra stiffen slightly when he said Alpha.

“Richard, and no I’m just Beta. However because you are in my pack's territory I have some authority.” I shrugged passively.

“So why didn’t you just make Sye go away instead of fighting with him?” Tyler watched me wide eyed.

“Tyler.” Myra snapped, but she knew it was already too late. 

Tyler had given me a huge clue, they knew the wolf which meant he was most likely hunting them.

“It’s okay.” I smiled pretending not to notice the slip. “I couldn’t make him do anything because he wasn’t willing to stop and listen. He had his mind fixated on one thing and wasn’t going to stop and compromise. You and your mother were.”

“Mom always says there are hundreds of ways in and out of any given situation. It’s our job to keep our eyes and ears open so we don't miss one.” Tyler nodded proudly.

I smiled then looked over at Myra whose gaze was fixated straight ahead. I wondered what kind of situations she had needed to get out of.

“Very wise advice.” I returned my attention to Tyler.

He was quiet for a few seconds looking suddenly cautious, almost afraid. I hated it.

“You okay kid?” I asked, watching carefully.

He nodded thoughtfully, and continued glancing at me like I was the most interesting and dangerous monster in the world.

“Are you afraid of me Tyler?” I asked calmly.

Myra stiffened, stopping dead in her tracks. She watched me, one hand still wrapped around Tyler’s. 

I squatted in front of them, only a foot away, and met Tyler's eyes. Tyler glanced nervously at his mom before nodding to me slowly.

“I’m sorry. I never wanted to frighten you. Your mom is hurt and I just want you both to be safe.” I spoke softly, not breaking eye contact.

“Why?” I wasn’t surprised when it was Myra who responded.

“Because you’re my mate...” I trailed off, glancing up at her. The realization suddenly striking me of what a stupid risk I had just taken. “You don’t have to believe me and I don’t expect anything from you. I just want to help you get back on your feet.”

She stared at me dumbfounded for a minute before nodding. I sighed as relief washed over me.

“How did you become Beta? Who is the Alpha? Is he mean?” Tyler shot off another round of questions as I stood and we started walking again.

Myra sighed but didn’t say anything this time.

“Logan is the Alpha, his dad was the last Beta.” I started.

Myra shot me a confused look before looking back down at her feet. It was clear she was listening more intently now.

“The previous Alpha lost his mate, never remarried or had any children. However he did adopt me. I was offered the position of Alpha but I passed it on to Logan and assumed Beta instead. No he’s not mean at all. You’ll like him.” I smiled at Tyler.

“Why didn’t you take Alpha?” Myra asked so quietly that if I hadn’t had wolf hearing I wouldn’t have heard it at all.

“Not what I wanted.” I shrugged looking forward. “I’m different from most wolves and I had enough to do just learning how to control that.”

She nodded as if this made perfect sense. It started to rain again and I started focusing my energy on repelling the water from the three of us. I didn’t want them getting sick.

“All the power,” Tyler said in awe, “Dad would kill for that.”

Myra winced, dropping his hand and suddenly wrapping her arms tightly around herself. It almost looked like she was trying to hold herself together. 

Brooke growled angrily in the back of my head.

‘Dad?’ The thought hit me suddenly.

‘Duh, you think the storks dropped him off?’ Brooke mocked

‘That’s not what I meant, I just want to know who it is. Apparently he’s a power fiend.’ I thought sarcastically.

‘That narrows it down to two major packs and about a hundred small ones.’ Brooke groaned.

“A lot of people would, but I believe self control is more important than power. Most of those people don't even think about that.” I explained out loud.

“But…” Tyler started.

“Tyler, that's enough.” Myra's voice broke as she wrapped her arms tighter around herself. 

She glanced sideways at me, her expression while still slightly pained was also confused. 

I was grateful. While I wanted her to know and trust me, I wasn’t sure I wanted to talk anymore about my lack of interest in power with them. 

If she asked I would tell her, no secrets or lies. I got the feeling she would have more than enough of those for both of us, in the beginning at least. I hoped I would get the whole truth eventually.

“Wow!” Tyler said jumping up and down. “Mommy, it’s so pretty!”

He was right. We had just entered a large clearing surrounded by a lush dark green forest. 

A three story pale blue house with white trim stood in the center surrounded by flowers of all types. The gravel drive was to our left and ran straight to the front door. It was lined with rose bushes that were blooming with hundreds of different colored flowers.

I had thought it looked like a fairy tale when I had been brought here at about his age. Back when I had believed completely that I was cursed and had no future.

To this day I hated the word cursed, I had been convinced that’s all I was. Now I knew it wasn’t true and it was in my mind the worst insult ever.

As I thought this I looked up feeling grateful again that my dad had been willing to take me in before he even knew how different I really was. 

As the rain ran down my face I could feel my body repelling the water and I knew we would be completely dry as we entered the manor. I knew it would raise questions but I did not want that white t-shirt to get soaked and cling to her bare skin.

Brooke purred and I smirked as my heart raced at the thought. 

‘I would love that.’ Brooke growled hungrily.

‘You want everyone to see that?’ I asked.

His next growl was furious, ‘I’ll kill any male who looks!’

‘Exactly.’ I chuckled, earning a confused glance from Myra. 

She shifted once again trying to block Tyler  from me.

I wondered why she felt the need to do that. I hadn’t threatened them in any way and he was just a kid. Clearly not a threat.

I opened the door and smiled as I held it for her. She froze and I could hear her heart racing. After a second she walked in pulling Tyler behind her and absently sliding her hand against the door. 

‘Does she expect me to slam it on her or something?’ I wondered.

Brooke whimpered in response.

“What took you so long, Rich?” The dark cold voice echoed around the large entrance hall.

I automatically felt Myra's anxiety increase and knew that this time at least she had a good reason. Myra's wolf growled low and strong, a clear warning as she fought to hide Tyler from view.