FRIDAY ROLLED AROUND, AND I MADE IT BACK HOME TO FIND PETE IN THE LIVING ROOM PLAYING HIS HANDHELD CONSOLE AS USUAL. HE WORE A FROWN ON HIS FACE.
“Hey kiddo, how’s it going?” I had to ask.
“Mh.” He grunted. “Fine.”
“You sure? You look a little pale.” I took stock of his appearance while I spoke, His brow furrowed, with sweat beaded at the edge.
“I don’t feel super great, but it’s fine. It’ll go away soon.” He dismissed again, after realizing I wouldn’t give up after one word answers.
“… alright, if you’re sure.” I conceded, but still offered a watchful eye over him after I returned from changing out of my work clothes.
Just like he said, about 15 minutes later he was back to his normal appearance, playing the game on his lap as if he didn’t just look ill a moment ago. I frowned, but trusted him to tell me if it came back, turning on the TV to let my brain shift from its work mode.
It didn’t seem to bother him again, not until dinner that is. I frowned as he paused his eating to wipe at the sweat gathered on his forehead.
“What are you feeling, tell me please?” I put my silverware down, waiting for his response.
“I dunno. My body aches, and it feels so hot.”
I frowned, it sounded suspicious, so I stood up and made my way around the table.
As soon as I got close I sensed it, the scent was strong enough that I was surprised I didn’t notice it before.
“C’mon, let's get you in bed.”
“But what about dinner?” He complained, but relented when I gently pushed him away from his chair.
“I’ll bring it to you, you’ll need the nutrients.”
“What's wrong with me?”
“It’s rut, honey. You’re presenting.”
“I’m an alpha?” He sounded so vulnerable, I had to be careful with my tone of voice.
“Looks like it. It’ll be okay Pete, we just need to get you in bed. I’ll stay home tomorrow and I’ll make sure you get your food and water but you can’t leave your room, unless its for the bathroom, okay?”
“What about my game? What about your date?” He complained.
“I’ll get it for you too, c’mon honey.”
“What do I do?”
“Whatever helps, I can’t answer that for you.” I frowned, this would be easier if he were an omega, I could help him that way. However, as an omega, there was only so much I could do to help him as a parent.
As soon as I got him into bed, I turned around to go get his food and drink from the table, which I set on his bedside before leaving. I frowned at him in the threshold, wishing there was more that I could do. I shut his door and left, going to the living room to pick up my phone.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“Hey, you.” The person on the other line greeted.
“Hey, Briar.” I breathed, I felt awful for what I had to do.
“What’s up?”
“I think I need to take a rain check on that date.” I told him. “Pete just went into his first rut and I need to be here for him.”
I thought I heard the sound of crackling or rumbling from the other side, before he answered.
“Hey, that’s okay. I understand.” His tone was light. “Do you need any help?”
“I don’t think so, I doubt he’ll break anything or lose himself. He’s mostly upset about it.”
“I can imagine.”
“I’m so sorry about needing to cancel.” I felt like I needed to apologize.
“Me too, it’s alright. You gotta take care of your boy.”
“Thank you for understanding. Can we reschedule?”
With that out of the way, we were able to move to lighter conversation topics. Soon enough, I had completely lost track of time.
“Shoot, it’s getting late. I have some things I have to get to.”
“Ah, me too. I’ve got to grade homework.”
“Have a nice night, Briar.”
“You too, Liam.”
I felt reluctant to hang up, but I really did have work to do around the house, not to mention checking on Pete from time to time through the door.
THE LINE CLICKED AS LIAM HUNG UP, AND I FELT THE NEED TO BITE BACK ANOTHER LOW GROWL.
It didn’t seem like Liam noticed the first time I did it, which was a good thing, but I chided myself for not having perfect control.
It wasn’t his fault, I really did feel for his situation. However the wolf within me had other things to say on the matter. Even insisting I go to his house just to check up on the pair. I shook off the subconscious need to be near him, and instead turned to leave through the back door of my house. I could do homework later, I decided. For now, I needed to run.
The snapping and cracking of my bones and joints as I shifted used to be painful, but after years of shifting and honing my abilities the change was reduced to a dull ache, that had even become satisfying in my age. Like how a deep massage might hurt for a little while, but the effect it had was freeing. I left my backyard, darting between the trees leading into the woods behind my house.
These woods weren’t as big and plentiful as the forest surrounding the manor belonging to my pack about an hour away, but it was deep enough that I could run free without concern that a neighbor would spot me. Plus, it was close enough to the school that I could make the drive every morning without issue.
I had been out no more than 20 minutes before I caught the hint of something in the woods with me. I wasn’t the best tracker, or fighter in the pack for that matter, but I knew that whatever it was didn’t belong there.
I put my snout to the ground, looking for that hint again. Finally catching it, about 50 feet away from where I initially caught it. A wolf, no doubt about it. I would put money that it wasn’t wild. I couldn’t frown, so a low rumble in my chest was the way I chose to show my displeasure. Everyone in the pack knew this was where I lived, why wouldn’t they announce themselves first, if they weren’t a rogue? I started running back home, fully intent on informing my alpha, Clarice, that there could be an intruder in our territory.
…
It turns out I was right. No one in the pack had visited my area, not to anyone’s knowledge at least. Unfortunately our hunters were away on business at the moment, so we didn’t have many people around who were willing or able to go check on it. Clarice promised to send someone over as soon as they were back, understanding my territorial discomfort at having a foreign body in my woods.
I could content myself for the week, I thought. No problem.
With that out of the way, I dragged myself over to the bathroom feeling sweaty and dirty from my traipsing through the woods a moment ago.
If werewolves were possible, how come we hadn’t figured out how to magically wash the mud off my paws-hands, I mean, once I’ve shifted back to my human form.
I didn’t look at my reflection in the mirror as I stepped into the shower, feeling a warm mist shroud my body before going into the spray and watching with satisfaction as evidence of my run through the woods began washing away down the drain. I allowed myself to relax, letting the many thoughts of the day subside before I eventually, reluctantly, left the shower.
Okay. Time for grading papers.