Hidden Among Humans

Chapter 12

“What is the report,” I asked as the door swung open. I looked up to find Jace strutting in like he owned the place. He was always in a rush to get somewhere just as much as he was to get nowhere. It had not taken him long before he found himself modestly slouching in a chair directly in front of me.

“Well, you see, whoever this is, they are good. We haven't been able to even find traces of anyone or anything in the woods.” Jace replied as he allowed himself to relax further into the chair before he continued. “ Except for the humans,” he said with disapproval in his voice. He paused before continuing, he always enjoyed taking a moment to hate on humans. “Trying to connect with nature,” he chuckled as he spoke before he buried himself further into the chair.

Just watching him melt into the chair caused my blood to boil. It was not that Jace was lazy, in fact, quite the opposite is true. He had just come off a 24-hour patrol shift with no breaks. But somehow he managed to play everything off as a joke.

“How is that possible?” I slammed my hand on the desk before I stood. I couldn’t relax while another wolf was threatening my home. I knew it was only a matter of time before the enemy or even enemies revealed themselves.

“Relax, our guards are on top of everything. No one will get through; now don’t you think we should get some training in your schedule?” Jace had always been a free spirit; going where the wind took him was his motto. So far the winds had not flown too far from his pack, at least that was what he would say. I hated and loved how he believed things would work themselves out. But he was no idi0t, he knew no one would give handouts, things would only work out as long as you put your grain of salt in the right direction.

“Training, yes.” We trained every day for years. Not just Jace and I, but the entire pack. Even the youngest would train in self-defense. Of course, the youngest of the pack were not expected or remotely capable of standing in a battle. The idea was that if the worst possible scenario presented itself, they at least would have the skill of protection, at least until help arrived.

“You can’t become the best warrior without a little training.” Jace was also a fan of the dramatics. I rolled my eyes as I watched him fully extend his arms to his side. All while he showed off his muscles to the room. I looked around my office to find that there was no one else. So I was not too sure who he was trying to impress.

“If you say so,” I chuckled as I continued to scan the room. I could not help but remember the days when dad was around. Everything in here reminds me of him. I kept every detail of this office the same, well at least, as much as I could remember. Dad had a deer head trophy hanging from the wall. It had been his first kill after turning. I had always hated it and I still do, but now it stares at me every day. Even though I didn’t like it, it did have a piece of my father's essence. It reminded me of being the best of the best. Yes, he was tough from time to time, but he doubled in affection towards me.

“Well, are we going or not?” Jace turned his muscles my way once again as if I was interested.

“Lead the way, all-mighty warrior,” I could only chuckle and shake my head as I began to follow him down to the training room. How I could even stand him most days was beyond me. The whole walk, all I heard was Jace baby-talking his muscles, mostly to annoy me.

“Hello ladies,” Jace bowed to the two she-wolfs as he walked by. They only giggled as they whispered among them. I had seen them around before but I could not recall their names. “One day, I will get my second chance,” Jace said as we entered the training room. About two years ago, he had felt the betrayal of his mate. She had been sharing her sheets with a human. After that, it was no surprise that he hated humans. I watched him make his way to one end of the mat before facing me.

“Prepare to die,” he smirked, but just then his facial expression changed. There was no doubt he meant business. His assault was quick, with a single leap he had gone from one end of the mat to the other. It was not long before he was already above me. To be honest, he almost caught me by surprise, but he was not quick enough. I took one step back, twisted my upper body with just enough force to throw him off course. I landed a kick on his side, causing him to go flying towards a rack of weights on the opposite side of the room.

“Nice try,” I laughed as I watched him struggle to get up.

“Damn, I thought I had you this time.” He wiped his lips before approaching the mat again. He had a devilish grin as he began to speak. “Maybe around two with my wolf, let's see if you laugh then.” He smirked as he began to take off his shirt.

“Let’s go then,” I challenged him. We have trained in this manner multiple times, in the attempt to be better prepared. But no matter how much I fought, he always took me down. My human form was no match for any wolf.

“Take this outside boy,” we turned to find mom standing by the doorway. “We are not about to destroy the training room again. Do you understand?” Her eyes sizzled with disapproval. “Clean up that mess and then come see me, son,” she pointed toward the fallen rack and weights. Jace immediately ran towards the weight; the last thing he needed was his parents hounding him for upsetting the Alpha’s mother.

“I'm tired anyway,” Jace grumbled as he lifted the rack. It was as if he had just remembered he had patrolled the town for 24 hours. I turned back to find mom gone and had already made her way outside.

When I made my way out, I had expected mom to be heading home but I was surprised to find her scent leading to the outskirts of town. The sun had just begun to hide behind the vastness of the trees. I had always enjoyed the sunset, I watched as the hues of orange intermingled with each other. As I made my way into the forest, the darkness overtook me. At first, I was not sure where she was heading, but as I made my way to a thicker part of the forest, I knew where she was going. She was heading to the place where dad died. Since that night, I have never set foot on those grounds. For the most part, no one traveled there. It had been an old guard post, no longer in use now. With years of abandonment, the forest had reclaimed its grounds. I hesitated for a moment but when the wind revitalized her scent, I pushed forward.

Chills began to crawl up my spine and I made my way closer to the area. It was a difficult stretch with all the vines engulfing the area. It was impossible to come out without a scrape or two. As I cleared the last stretch, I found my mom kneeling over where dad last rested. The clearing above showed that the sun had already departed.

“That night does not make sense to me,” she whimpered. I had never heard her speak of that night, she always avoided it as it brought back memories. She stood up quickly and made her way towards where the second wolf had been. “ It just doesn’t make sense,” she whispered. It was odd, she did not speak in anger as her hand felt the soil. She had been too focused on her thoughts to notice my presence. I tried to step back in an attempt to return but I snapped a twig with my right leg.

She looked up to find me just watching her. Immediately she made her way back towards me. “I would give anything to have your father back,” before I could say anything she disappeared into the shrubbery behind me.

“Mom, wait,” I called out, but she had already made her way back into town. I followed her scent home. Mom had been acting strangely since her return from the hospital. She had returned a few days back but immediately locked herself in her study for days. She only went out for food before she went back in, refusing to disclose any information. I was curious to find out what had her so flustered other the last few days.

“We are going to have a visitor. I need you on your best behavior,” she spoke as I opened the door. I made my way towards the living room where I found her gazing out the window. The moon had now made its entrance into the sky and it always called us when it was awake. Every wolf found comfort in its vibrant light.

“A visitor?” I asked, confused. Mom had never announced a visitor before. Yes, we are generally well guarded but still accessible to those who wish to visit. What was so special about this visitor, I wondered.

“This could be importa…” she trailed off without finishing her sentence.

“Mom?” I wanted to ask about what had happened moments ago. It was as if she had known what I wanted to ask but still, after many years, she was not ready. I was positive mom had never traveled back to that area since it had happened either, but why now?

“Alejandro, having a mate is important. You cannot fight it forever.” She began to tear up as she spoke. It was clear she had been thinking about dad. I had always hoped mom would have a second chance mate but those were extremely rare. Although, I did suspect that mom didn't want to love another wolf. I know I sound like a hypocrite right now. I want something for mom that I don’t want for myself. But life doesn’t make sense.

The next day, I found myself with Jace on the backside of the post office evaluating the new structural upgrades requested by the town. They were right, it needed more than a paint job. I read through the request notes, it highlighted an incident with a wolf crashing into the building after a late night.

“Well, let’s get this done,” I told Jace as we made our way back to the front of the building. These types of tasks were always a hassle, but someone had to approve the budget for repairs. Jace and I were discussing final details when a gentle judge hit my side. That’s when I noticed the scent. It was the same as that day in the hospital. I turned to find a girl, maybe about sixteen, on the ground. Her eyes were glued to the ground.

“Are you okay,” I extended my hand to help her up.

“Oh yes,” She replied with the voice of an angel. Her voice melted my heart as she spoke, it was as if she was bringing a dormant side of myself back to life. Just then her eyes caught mine, she was beautiful. More beautiful than Fiona herself. I wanted to take that girl and mark her on the spot in front of everyone. That is when I felt it, my wolf, it was back. This girl was my mate, but as I stared into the soul of her eyes they reminded me of the night my father was murdered.

They had the same eyes.