Chapter 9
Josh
"Dad? You okay?" Jacob's hands were clasped together, worry on his face.
"Fine, honey," Josh said tiredly. "Why don't you go play outside for a bit?"
Still looking worried, Jacob cast him another anxious glance but did as he was told, the door shutting behind him.
Burying his head in his hands, Josh sighed in the dark living room. The house already felt empty and the silence was unsettling. Josh could no longer deny it; he missed having a pack. He missed having the support and companionship of other wolves. He missed the alphas that had filled his house. Most of all, he missed the alpha that had somehow filled an empty spot in his chest that he hadn't even been aware of.
"Thanks for the fuck, I guess."
Josh cringed at the bitter words. He would never, ever forgive himself for the look of hurt and confusion on Brighton's face. When Brighton had made the offer to stay, Josh wanted nothing more than to bare his neck and take the bite. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that Brighton meant every word and would spend the rest of his life on their small farm.
That was why Josh had turned him down. Brighton deserved better than him. He deserved an omega without his emotional baggage. He deserved a proper pack and children of his own. Sure, he would have loved Jacob, would have been an amazing parent to him, but he shouldn't be expected to take care of a child that wasn't his.
Josh stood up, stretching his stiff joints. Sitting in the dark sulking wasn't going to solve anything. What was done was done. There was work to do. He went outside to weed the garden. Tomorrow, he'd go hunting, then he'd try out the new smokehouse.
The thought of even looking at the structure sent a pang through his chest. It was just another reminder of what he'd given up.
Near the river, Jacob was shooting arrows from a bow that Gavi had made him. He was angry and confused. He didn't understand why Brighton had to leave. Josh could only hope that he would move on from it. Josh would take him to Foxhold soon and see if he could introduce Jacob to pups his own age.
There was a chill in the air. A cold snap would follow soon. Josh shivered as he dug through the soil. Almost everything was almost ripe. He'd spend the next week making preserves.
Everything would go back to normal. At least that's what he told himself.
From behind him, Jacob starting making frustrated noises. He couldn't quite hit the target anymore. Josh sighed. Maybe he should find a job for Jacob to do, but he didn't think his son would be quite so receptive to that idea right now.
The day passed slowly. Josh finished his work far too quickly, and spent a good chunk of the afternoon pottering around. He cleaned the house corner to corner, baked muffins, and chopped firewood, despite having plenty.
At dinner, Jacob was quiet as he picked at his fish. He managed a few bites before asking Josh if he could go to his room. Just this once, Josh let him go. He was already in bed when Josh went upstairs to check on him.
Sleep didn't come easily. The bed felt uncomfortable and the house was too empty. Josh stared at the ceiling, wide awake yet completely exhausted. The moon was too bright outside and there was a chill in the air.
Josh felt like crying and cursed himself, regret settling heavy in his stomach. Why couldn't he be selfish, just once? Why couldn't he have taken Brighton up on his offer? Maybe it would have worked. Maybe Brighton really could have been happy and fulfilled with them.
These thoughts circled around and around in Josh's head. His eyes started to fill. He buried his face in his pillow, wanting nothing more than to forget everything.
A familiar scent woke him up. The scent of an alpha. For one tiny moment, he thought that Brighton had come back. He scented the air again, then jackknifed out of bed. He knew that scent. It was the scent of an alpha that he'd hoped to never see again.
He rushed to the window, praying to be wrong, and his heart stopped at the sight of the shadowy figure standing in front of the house. The alpha looked up at him and waved -- fucking waved.
Josh grabbed the gun he kept hidden in his closet. It was a relic from the early years, when the house was merely a small cabin, and Josh saw danger in every shadow. The ammo had been used up a long time ago. Josh just prayed that Slade wouldn't call his bluff.
He hurried downstairs and approached the door. At small footsteps behind him, he turned to his son, standing at the top of the stairs. He raised a finger to his lips before Jacob could say a word. Jacob leaned against the banister, confused but silent. Josh turned back to the door and waited.
When Slade realized that Josh wasn't going to make the first mood, he spoke up. "It's been a long time, Josh. You're as beautiful as ever."
"What do you want?" Josh growled.
"Aren't you going to let me in?"
Josh gritted his teeth. Was this guy serious? "Wasn't planning on it. What do you want?"
Slade chuckled. "Can't we talk inside?"
"Nope. Either tell me what you want, or leave." Josh was proud of how steady he kept his voice, despite the panic threatening to overcome him.
"Listen." Slade spread his arms out. "I know we parted...not on the best terms last time-"
"No shit."
"-but the pack wants you back," Slade said. "I want you back. I know it's been a long time, but we want you to come home."
Staring at the alpha incredulously, Josh took a deep breath before answering. "I seriously doubt that, but no. I'm happy where I am, thanks."
Slade smiled again, but it didn't meet his eyes. "Well I doubt that. You have no pack. No friends. Wolves aren't meant to be on their own, you know."
"Well I'm faring just fine. So..."
The smile was gone. "And our son? You're raising him without the comfort and stability of a pack? You know that can't be good for him."
"Well, that's none of your business now, is it?" Josh was proud of how steady he kept his voice.
Slade's eyes flashed dangerously. "He's my son. I think that makes it my business."
Josh swallowed. "He's not yours. He could have been, but you didn't want him, remember?"
The alpha's face softened. "I...acted rashly. I made a mistake, okay? I want you back. I want you both to come with me. I want us to be a family."
There wasn't a trace of a lie in his voice. His face was a perfect mask of regret and longing. Maybe, once, Josh would have fallen for it. Now it just made his skin crawl.
"I think I'll pass."
The mask slipped and the anger returned.
"I hear him in there," Slade said. The humor was gone from his voice. "It'd be easier if you just opened the door. Either way, I'm coming in there."
"Why now?" Josh asked. "After all these years, why on earth are you here now?"
"None of your business," Slade replied evenly. "Now, let. Me. In."
Josh's eyes narrowed. He beckoned for Jacob to come down. He whispered, "When I open the door, I want you to climb out the back window. Run to the road and turn right toward Foxhold, alright?"
"Dad..." Jacob's voice was small and frightened.
"I love you," Josh said, wrecked. "Now, go."
As soon as Jacob had disappeared, he let the door swing open. Slade took a step forward, but froze when he saw the gun. He sighed. "Really?"
"Not a step further," Josh said.
Slade took another step forward and grinned. "It's not loaded, is it?"
There was a small grunt from behind the house as Jacob finally squeezed out the window. Slade's grin widened. Without warning, he shifted and tried to bolt around the side of the house. The gun fell to the floor. Josh lunged, shifting in mid air. They crashed to the ground. Josh snapped at the alpha's neck. Slade snarled and shook his neck in an attempt to throw Josh off.
There was a small, bitten off cry. Jacob stood there, face pale and terrified. Josh bit down harder in an attempt to drag Slade back, but he lost his grip and the larger wolf got free, flinging him away. There was a crack as Josh's head hit a rock.
He barked at Josh, urging him to go. Slade prowled toward him. Time seemed to slow down. Jacob backed away, eyes widening. Finally, he turned to run.
Josh saw red. He picked himself up and threw himself toward the alpha. He knew he wasn't going to make it in time. Slade was going to snatch Jacob up and that would be--
Just before Slade's jaws closed around Jacob's leg, Jacob let out a scream. Josh watched with wide eyes as fur burst from his son's skin. The scream turned into a growl and a small hind leg hit a stunned Slade directly in the eye. Slade hissed and recoiled, and the small, brown wolf disappeared into the trees before he had a chance to recover.
Relief filled Josh and he let out a bark that sounded like laughter. He darted in front of Slade, blocking his path. The alpha snarled, eyes locked on his, but Josh couldn't care less about the pain that was about to ensue.
Even though he knew he couldn't win this fight, he could still buy his son enough time to get away, and that was enough for him.
Dodging a mass of fur and teeth, Josh tried to think about how long it would take Jacob to get to Foxhold. When Slade bit down on his left haunch, he wondered if Jacob would find Brighton. If the alpha would take him in. Josh decided that he couldn't ask for anyone better to take care of his son for him.
Within minutes, Slade had him pinned. The large wolf hauled him up by the neck and flung him into the nearest tree. Josh saw stars and weakly tried to pull himself up. The world around him spun and he fell to the ground again.
"I'm going to fucking kill you," Slade hissed, human again and towering over him. "You fucking ruined everything."
Through sheer force of will, Josh shifted back. Lying on the cold ground, he glared up at the crazed shifter. "Fucking kill me then." He managed a grin. "You'll never catch him now."
Slade's snarl was the last thing Josh saw before the alpha's foot connected with his face.