Abducted

~ Chapter13 ~

We stayed at the old clubhouse talking about the school year and about how odd it was that our group of friends was shifting when they were not supposed to. None of us had any answers, just questions. An ever-growing list of questions. We did not let the questions ruin our day. When it started to get dark outside, we packed up our stuff and walked back through the woods to drop it off before heading to the packhouse for the end of school year party.

The end of school year celebration will last all weekend. The schedule is the same every year. Friday night is the pack barbecue where all the graduates who will be heading to new schools the next year will receive gifts from Alpha Charles and Luna Cassia. Saturday is a huge all day pool party with games and activities that I look forward to every year, followed by a bonfire let by the current high school graduates. Sunday there would be a pack brunch at the training arena followed by the pack assignments and promotions, where all new graduates are given their new pack jobs and other pack members who will be moving rank officially find out. It’s a busy weekend every year, but it is one of my favourites as the pack is all together for the weekend just celebrating.

When we get to the packhouse we find the guys in the backyard and head over to them right away. We had not told the guys we would be gone all day. Xander has a worried look on his face when he sees us coming over, but it quickly fades when he sees Stefanie and Madison are both laughing together. Alexis and Alex find each other immediately, like them being apart for the day was painful. Xander tentatively walks up to Madison and Stefanie with his hands in his pockets.

“Hey babe!” Madison greets Xander with a big smile on her face. “How was your day?” She asks.

“It was ok. You were gone. Is everything ok?” Xander replied

“We’re ok. I’m just going to need some time.” Stefanie says before she walks away.

“She’s going to be ok. She knows about us. She’s not mad, just needs some space and would like us to not be too in her face with our bond.” Madison explains to Xander.

“Ok, as long as she isn’t mad. I guess we made it through that hurdle then.” Xander replies and give Madison a kiss on the cheek. “Let’s go sit.” He says.

As we settled into our spots around the bonfire pit, Beta David and Gamma Michael lit the fire. It was huge. It must have taken all afternoon for them to build. It was going to be a great night. I loved bonfires. Or at least I thought it would be, until the six showed up with other plans.

I was roasting my second marshmallow for a s’more when Kelsey came up beside me.

“Don’t think I’m going to forget about you getting me thrown into the cells you dirty rat. You’re going to pay for it one way or another.” Kelsey said in a low voice. The sound of the fire masking her words from all the werewolf super-hearing around us.

“I didn’t have to say anything to anyone. You’re the one who decided to assault me in front of a ton of witnesses around the pool. You even endangered the life of a pup when you pushed them into the pool. If you thought you would get away with it, that’s on you. Not me. So leave me the hell alone!” I spat back at her before pulling my marshmallow off the coals and turning around to go build my s’more.

“What was that about?” Ben asked when I got to my spot on the blanket.

“Just Kelsey being Kelsey. You know how she is.” I responded.

“I wish she would just leave us alone. I wish all of them would leave us alone.” Amanda says from the other side of Ben.

“Don’t we all!” Madison chimed in. “At least you don’t have to live with her too!” We all nodded in agreement with her as we could not argue with what she said.

We sat and joked around for a while as a group and were having a lot of fun. Some people on the other side of the fire were singing a song as someone else played a guitar. I did not know the song, but they were having fun singing it. Everyone was having a great time. Alpha Charles stood up and got everyone’s attention.

“Luna Cassia and I have decided to start a new tradition this year at the annual graduation bonfire. Everyone who has their wolf is going to go on a group run to let our wolves celebrate the occasion as well. We will be leaving soon, so all the older kids who haven’t shifted yet you will be watching the younger children while we are away. There will still be warriors around in case they are needed.” Alpha Charles announced. “We will be leaving for the run in ten minutes.”

Ben reached over and gripped my hand. I knew exactly what he was doing that for. No one knew yet that he did not get his wolf on his birthday, except for me. Now it was going to be public information in a very public way. My parents were coming over to where we were sitting with Maggie following behind them.

“There you two are!” Dad says as they approached us. “Alyssa, you’ll have to keep an eye on Maggie for us while we’re gone. You ready for your first pack run Ben?” Dad clapped Ben on the shoulder and asked.

“I’m not going.” Ben said while looking at the ground.

“Didn’t you hear the Alpha? Of course you’re going. Everyone who has their wolf is going, except for the on-duty warriors.”

“Well, have fun. I’m not going with you.” Ben re-stated quietly, obviously trying to not draw attention to himself. Dad did not get the memo on staying quiet. He was easily frustrated lately and began to raise his voice. People stared as they talked.

“You’re going! End of discussion!” Dad barked. This got Alpha Charles’ attention across the bonfire, and he made his way over to where we were.

“What’s going on here? This is supposed to be a celebration.” Alpha Charles asked my dad.

“Ben says he’s not going on the pack run.” Dad answered the Alpha.

“Of course he’s going with us. He got his wolf earlier this month.” Alpha Charles stated.

“I’m not going with you.” Ben remained firm in his stance of not going.

“Look son, I don’t want to have to command it, but I will if necessary.” Alpha Charles said quietly to Ben, trying to not others around hear.

“I’m not going. Even a command won’t compel me to go.” Ben looked Alpha Charles in the eyes as he told him this. People were now actively watching what was going on. The Six was moving closer, obviously figuring something was happening.

“What is the reason for this outright defiance Benjamin? You’re not usually like this.” The Alpha questioned.

“You’re right Alpha. This is not normal for him. However, since his 18th birthday, he has been like this. We haven’t been able to get any answers from him about his newfound attitude.” My mom told Alpha Charles quietly. “It’s been a strain on our household.” Mom said with tears in her eyes. Ben looked down and stared daggers at the ground, fists clenched at his sides.

“Alpha, do we need to have this conversation here in front of everyone? People are staring.” I asked.

“I don’t see why we should do it somewhere else. Ben started it here; we will finish it here.” Alpha Charles responded. “Give me one good reason you won’t be going on the pack run with us tonight, Benjamin.” He demanded. Ben looked up at Alpha Charles and pleaded with his eyes to not have to give a reason in front of everyone. “We are waiting Benjamin! Give me one good reason!” Alpha Charles prompted again.

“Because I don’t have my wolf yet.” Ben simply stated. The Alpha’s eyes went wide. Dad reached out to mom and held her as she began to sob. A shocked gasp could be heard from somewhere nearby and murmurs started to move through the gathered crowd at Ben’s statement.

“What did you just say?” Alpha Charles asked.

“You heard me. Everyone heard me. You made sure of that.” Ben responded angrily. I could tell he was on the verge of tears he was so angry right now. I reached out and touched his arm so he would know he had some support. I knew he would understand the gesture.

“We will deal with this later!” Alpha Charles said. “Alright everyone, let’s shift and get ready to run!” He announced loudly to everyone and began to move toward the tree line. People followed thankfully, Alexis, Xander, Madison and Alex included. Ben and I were left with Brett, Stef, Charles and Amanda where we were sitting at the bonfire. Maggie was also with us.

“Can I go back with my friends?” Maggie asked me as she tugged on my shirt sleeve.

“Yeah, you can go. Just make sure you stay here in the clearing.” I responded. She ran off to be with her friends again.

“So, what the hell was that?” Brett looked at Ben and asked.

“Yead dude, why didn’t you tell us?” Charles added.

“What was I supposed to say? ‘Hey guys, my wolf didn’t show up. He must be stuck in traffic?’” Ben replied sarcastically. “I have no idea what’s going on. Just questions. It’s hard to say anything when I don’t know anything.” Ben told them.

“Alyssa knew though. I could tell by how she didn’t react when you said it. So you trusted her with it, but not me man.” Brett said. I could tell he was hurt at being left in the dark.

“Sorry man just didn’t know how to tell people. It’s not exactly something I want people to know. That I’m some sort of freak.” Ben told Brett.

“You’re not a freak Ben!” I exclaimed. “You know as well as I do that there are a lot of things that don’t make sense right now. I mean, just look at our friends. All the ones that have turned have all been early with no explanation. And then you, who should have turned, haven’t. None of it makes any sense. And all of it is supposed to be kept a secret? No! There’s too much that doesn’t add up! We deserve answers.” I ranted. My friends were all looking at me. I could see the wheels turning in their heads as they processed what I had just said. The same questions now in their minds.

We sat quietly, no one really knowing what to say while the others were out for the run. They were gone for about forty-five minutes when we could hear the excited wolves making their way back through the forest. You could easily tell how happy they were to finally be included in the annual celebration. I was bracing for what was going to happen when they all got back. No one was going to let it go that Ben does not have his wolf.

The first wolves out of the forest were The Six. They shifted quickly, got dressed and made their way over to where we were sitting. Kelsey out front as usual.

“So, looks like I was right. Little Benny didn’t get his wolf!” She sneered. “You must have really pissed off the moon goddess or something to deserve that kind of punishment.”

“Why don’t you go be a b***h somewhere else Kelsey.” Stefanie said. “We don’t want you here.”

“I’ll go where I want to go. Right now, that’s here.” Kelsey retorted.

“I don’t care what you think Kelsey. So what if I didn’t get my wolf yet. You ever think that maybe I wasn’t supposed to?” Ben said angrily.

“Yeah, because that’s how it works. You guys are so dumb. When you want to know what’s going on and no one will tell you, don’t come crying to me. I won’t help.” Kelsey replied before turning on her heels and stalking away.

“What was all that about?” Madison asked as she walked up with Xander, Alexis and Alex.

“Just your sister being a b***h as usual. You know how she is.” Amanda answered.

“Yeah, unfortunately I do.” Madison said as she plopped down beside me on the blanket.