WOLF BOY

He's just a little boy

Hopkins stood there, his heart aching, as tears streamed down Callahan's face. His emotions surged within him, threatening to overwhelm him. He couldn't stand seeing Smucker hurt the boy, and he couldn't keep his fingers from twitching with rage. With a sudden growl, he launched himself at Smucker, his claws slicing through the air and connecting with Smucker's skin. Smucker was stunned, unsure why Hopkins was attacking him.

Jayda's voice cut through the chaos as the rest of Smucker's pack pulled Hopkins off their BETA'S body.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Jayda raged, her eyes blazing. Hopkins was as taken aback as she was, and he struggled to explain his actions.

"I'm not sure. I simply lost control. "I felt like my alpha needed help, and I couldn't stop myself from assisting him," he muttered, his gaze darting curiously toward Callaghan.

Hopkins' gaze was followed by the rest of the pack, their eyes widening as they realized the truth. Callahan's eyes were a faint red, indicating that he was the one they were looking for.

"That's him."

That's the kid who murdered Grandalf.

"That's my alpha," Hopkins exclaimed, pointing a trembling finger at Callahan. The pack stood, mouths agape, the air around them crackling with tension as they realized the gravity of the situation.

Their hearts raced as they faced Callahan. They'd provoked the new red-eyed and should be ready to deal with the consequences. Smucker's throat tightened as he made nervous eye contact with the pack and shifted his gaze to the ground. It was a sign they were all too familiar with: they had to beg mercy or face certain death.

Just as they were about to fall to their knees, Callahan cried out in agony, clutching his head in his hands. His voice trembled as he begged for his life and mercy. The pack exchanged puzzled looks, unsure what to make of the new red-eyed's actions.

“Please spare me, do not kill me. Please.”

He begged, tears racing down his cheeks.

Smucker took a step forward, and Callahan scrambled back in terror. The fear in Callahan was palpable, and Smucker couldn't help but wonder if Callahan was the same boy who had murdered Grandalf.

But something about Callahan's behavior seemed off. Was he putting on a show to trick them into lowering their guard? Or was there more to him than met the eye? Unsure of what would happen next, Smucker felt uneasy as he tried to make sense of the situation.

He expressed his reservations as he and Hopkins stood over Callahan, the air thick with tension.

"Look at him, Hopkins. He's just a scared youngster. How could he have assassinated Grandalf?"

Hopkins, on the other hand, remained steadfast in his conviction.

"I'm not sure how, but all I know is that he was the one who killed Grandalf, and he might be acting."

Smucker laughed at the thought.

"That is absurd. Why would he put on a show when he is the most powerful wolf in all the clans?"

Hopkins failed to respond and Smucker returned his attention to Callahan. Smucker examined the trembling boy for a long moment, taking in his wide eyes and quivering frame.

"Please spare my life," Callahan's voice broke as he begged. Smucker was no longer convinced if Callahan was guilty of assassinating Grandalf.

As Smucker turned his gaze back to Hopkins, his eyes blazed with intensity.

"This kid isn't putting on a show. I recognize fear when I see it."

"I need to know the truth, Hopkins. Is this the new red-eyed Alpha?" he asked, his voice low and menacing.

"Yes," Hopkins replied, without hesitation. His tone was firm, and his gaze was unflinchingly fixed on Smucker's.

Smucker's jaw clenched, as he processed the information. He turned to the pack members and barked orders at them

"Secure him! We're taking him to Grendel." The pack members moved quickly, grabbing Callahan and restraining him with rough ropes. Before Callahan could make a sound, a punch to the face knocked him out, and his world went black.

~~~~

When Callahan awoke, he found himself on the ground, his body aching and battered. His eyes widened at the sight of a bonfire burning brightly, illuminating the faces of those gathered around him. As he tried to move, panic surged through his veins, only to find himself securely bound by the ropes that held him captive.

Except for the crackling of the fire and the muffled whispers of the pack members, the forest was deafeningly quiet. As he realized the gravity of his situation, Callahan's heart raced. He was at their mercy, and he knew not what would happen to him at the hands of these ruthless hunters.

Smucker took a step forward, his heart racing as he approached a throne's towering figure. He bowed his head in submission and went down on one knee with reverence.

"Sire, your command has been fulfilled," he said with pride in his voice.

“We have captured the red-eyed”

Grendel, the imposing Alpha, turned to face him.

"Captured?" he inquired, his voice low and foreboding.

"Yes, Alpha," Smucker replied, trying to maintain his cool.

"Whoever claimed to have killed the great Grandalf is nothing more than a simpleton, a coward afraid of his own shadow."

Grendel's eyes narrowed and his face darkened.

"Impossible," he declared.

"Bring him here."

Smucker gave the signal, and his men dragged Callahan forward and untied him. The Alpha descended from his throne and approached the raging bonfire.

Callahan's breath caught in his throat as the gigantic man got closer to him.

Grendel grabbed Callahan's chin, forcing him to raise his head to meet his gaze. Callahan's inner voice screamed in terror at that moment, but he tried to remain calm on the outside. He tried to hold the Alpha's piercing gaze, but his eyes flickered away, unable to withstand the intensity of Grendel's emerald-dark stare.

With a sudden movement, Callahan scampered away, his heart racing with fear. Grendel watched him shift from him, a faint smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

Grendel couldn't comprehend how such a small, insignificant creature like Callahan could be responsible for the death of Grandalf the Great and Terrible.

"Now tell me, little one," Grendel growled, his scowl deepening.

"Did you assassinate Grandalf and his men?"

Callahan didn't say anything, but Grendel could sense his fright.

Hopkins had said Callahan was no ordinary bantling. He had faced off against a powerful pack of werewolves and won. Grendel had heard the stories, but until now, he had never believed them.

He watched as Callahan sat trembling in the face of his wrath. Grendel couldn't help but be disappointed by the boy's fearfulness.

He had to know the truth.

Grendel's voice boomed with rage as he demanded answers. Callahan stammered, attempting to explain that he had not killed Grandalf and that he was not guilty. Grendel, on the other hand, would not listen. He was too preoccupied with his rage to hear anything Callaghan said.

“Nooh! I didn't. I swear to Gawd Mr. I didn't kill no freaking Grandalf. I can't even hurt a fly, let alone kill a fully grown man“