Chapter 5

Connor ran until his muscles ached and screamed for him to stop, then he ran further. He was already soaked to the bone, and his fur was doing little to staunch the biting cold that followed the rain. He wanted to stop and rest but knew that something was wrong.

The bear shifters weren’t known for attacking, especially when completely unprovoked. For the most part, they mind their own business. Connor had passed through their territory hundreds of times and received nothing more than a shrug from any that might have seen him.

Why would they attack Tess and Alex? He thought as he jumped over a fallen tree, paws splashing in the mud as he landed. He thought about how there was more tension between the two wolf packs than there ever were with the bears. Whatever had provoked them must have been serious. If it weren’t for the two wolf pack alpha’s being so stubborn then they may have reconciled their differences by now and, with increased territory protection, this situation could have been avoided. He thought.

He continued his sprint through the forest. He considered going out to the road but knew any humans passing by would find it odd to see a wolf, running with a bundle of clothes in his mouth. Even so, the forest wasn’t much better. If all the bears were just as aggressive as the two he’d fought off earlier in the day, then he would have to tread lightly.

Connor’s thoughts lingered on Tess. He hoped that she’d managed to find safety with her own pack. Why did the bears have to choose now to be so aggressive? All he wanted to do was relax with the woman that he loved. He could still feel her soft skin on his cheek, and imagine her perfect shape running beside him.

He breathed a sigh of relief when he spied his home peeking from between the trees. He would have slowed his pace and changed but something was amiss. Smoke billowed from the small city-like assembly of ramshackle houses.

His feet were sore from the run and caked in mud but he paid them no attention. He paced along the row of tiny houses and examined the damage. It was clear that a fire had roared its way through only to be finally brought under control.

Connor’s father wandered the scene as an old gray wolf would. An expression of anger and disgust emanated from his squinted eyes and clenched teeth. Connor walked up to stand beside his father.

They shared a moment of understanding as he was led back toward the largest house on the street. Upon arriving, the two of them shifted and dressed themselves.

“The bears?” Connor asked.

He took his father’s silence as a grim confirmation.

“They attacked me too,” Connor added, “destroyed my truck and nearly got me.”

He showed off his injury he’d proudly earned earlier in the day before tugging on his shirt. His father looked briefly only to have his gaze return to the battered houses.

“What are we going to do?” Connor asked.

His father again said nothing, but pulled on his shirt and entered the house. Connor let out a sigh and followed along.

A choir of voices rang out with rage and disgust, all gathered around the dining room table. The oldest of the pack were already arguing about what to do about the recent attack.

“I say we take the battle to them, destroy their homes and see what they do about it,” one shouted.

“But, what about the wounded? We don’t have the strength to mount a proper fight until they’re healed,” shouted another.

“We need to protect the young pups. We can’t just leave them to fend for themselves,” shouted a third.

Connor listened to the arguing, he had an idea but knew that it might be anathema to their opinions even if it still needed to be said. He stepped up to the crowd, ready to speak his idea when the creaking of the floorboards and the passing of Connor’s father gave everyone pause.

Connor’s father stood before them, towering over the other figures in the home. He looked at each of them in turn as they bowed their heads to listen to what he had to say. The pack leader was ready to make a decision.

“I would have never thought this day would come,” he started.

As he spoke, he planted his hands on the table.

“The bears are a new threat,” he continued, “and if they think we’ll let this stand, they’re going to be sorely mistaken. For the past thirty years they’ve minded their own territory and let us handle our own disputes.”

The old wolf stood tall.

“But, if it’s a fight they want, it’s a fight they’ll get. We will not hold back.” he snarled.

The collection of elders all nodded in agreement. They knew to stand with the alpha, even if they disagreed.

“Gather up every wolf able to fight and tell them to prepare for war,” he bellowed.

The elders again nodded and scampered out the door. Connor stood on the far side of the room, watching his father closely. When the front door was finally shut, and the house went silent, he opened his mouth to speak.

“What happened?” he asked.

His father returned to his chair with a grunt.

“While you were off, our pack was attacked by bears,” he said, “and some weren’t lucky enough to escape with their lives. We lost a few, and I’ll do everything in my power to make sure we don’t lose more.”

“So you’re going to protect them by sending them to die?” Connor asked, with frustration.

“The warriors and hunters of the pack exist to protect us from any threat. Each and every one of them would be proud to lay down their life for the good of us all,” he replied.

“We don’t have the numbers or the size, father,” Connor urged, “We need help.”

His father paused and leaned forward in his chair.

“Help?” he said, “who would you have us call for help?”

Connor knew what he had to say, and he knew his father was only waiting for him to say the words. Connor stood himself up straight and spoke confidently.

“The Night Howlers, Dad,” he said, “maybe they can help us.”

His father started laughing sarcastically.

“You think I would ask a bunch of whelps to fight with men? They’re too busy hunting field mice to know what it means to hunt real sport. We don’t need their help, and we never will.”

Connor could feel his rage building just beneath the surface. In a roundabout way his father was insulting Tess, and Connor wouldn’t take the insult lying down. He gritted his teeth as he spoke.

“We are all wolves, father,” Connor said, “Surely you see that.”

“I’m not asking those mongrels for help. I won’t hear any more of this. Go see a medic and have that wound checked. You’re one of the strongest I’ve got and I’m going to need you right there beside me when we fight.”

Connor knew he should have obeyed, but in his frustration and anger he had no interest. If his father wouldn’t see reason then there was nothing that could be done.

“No,” Connor said.

“Don’t start with me boy, now is not the time.”

“I thought for once you’d listen to me, especially with the situation we’re in,” Connor continued, “but I’m done taking orders from you. You might be the alpha for now, but when all the rest of the pack is dead who are you going to lead then?”

Connor shoved his way out the door, his father following close behind.

“Boy, you better get back here,” his father shouted from the doorway, “another step and I’m goin’ to get mad.”

Connor paused and swiveled on his heel.

“Then get mad,” he said.

Connor shifted, gathered his clothes, and trotted toward the forest line. Without saying another word, his father watched his son leave him behind. He wanted to scream, he wanted to break something, but he knew it wouldn’t change anything.

Meanwhile, Connor was already thinking of Tess. He needed to know that she was safe, and that was all that mattered to him.