Scars and Secrets

WAR HAD BEEN A part of their lives since the day they were born. They were trained from a young age to fight and defend their lycanthrope pack against any threats. Raised to be warriors. Caden understood the necessity of his upbringing, but a lot had changed… he had changed.

Loud voices talked over each other, creating chaos in the meeting hall of the Petronius packhouse. Their packhouse was on edge with the looming threat of battle hanging above them. The Alpha, his Beta, the entire council, and even the Alpha’s sons had been called for an emergency meeting. 

Caden kept glancing at the clock hidden between the paintings of the previous Alphas on the wall, watching over them. He had places to be. His stay was already extended more than he liked to.

Caden’s younger brother—Caleb—slammed his fists on the table. The voices lowered as their future Alpha rose to speak. “The rogues are testing us. It’s not enough to scare them away from our borders. We need to show these lawless wolves who are in charge before the situation spirals out of control.”

Father—the Alpha and first in command—stood up from his chair at the head of the table. Many generations of their pack leaders have taken their place in this hall, and now it was their time once again. Everyone’s attention shifted to him. He struck an imposing figure. A scar ran down his left cheek, and his dark green eyes scanned the room from beneath neatly combed dark brown hair. The authority wasn’t only visible in Father’s posture. It was felt.

The Alpha put his hand on Caleb’s shoulder. “I agree. We cannot play around with the safety of our pack. We need to strike them down.” 

Two men mumbled in agreement with Father.

Caden bit his tongue before raking his fingers through his own dark brown hair. “Fine, but I’m still leaving tomorrow.”

A few growls erupted throughout the room.

His brother threw his hands in the air, shaking his head in disbelief. “Now is the time to stick together. We can’t have the same incident as—”

“Don’t talk to me as if I’m unaware of the risks,” Caden said, his eyes spitting fire as he clenched his fists.

The rest watched them in silence. Some shifted awkwardly in their seats while others leaned forward in anticipation. Father folded his arms across his chest, standing back and letting his boys fight it out. 

Caleb walked around the table and stopped in front of him. “It seems to me like you no longer care about the consequences. Your decisions in the past years were careless.”

Caden peered down at his little brother as he straightened his spine. Both their bodies were well-trained, yet Caleb possessed a more slender build, making him seem small compared to Caden. Looking at Caleb was like looking in the mirror, but beneath the skin, they couldn’t be more different. His younger brother had taken his future Alpha role, but he lacked the authority and strength Caden had.

“Your incident hurt us all, and we can’t—” Before Caleb had the chance to finish his sentence, Caden’s fist connected with the younger one’s face. The strike threw Caleb back onto the antique wooden table.

Caleb touched the wound on his cheek, leaving a dark red smear on his fingertips. The cut healed as the bruise changed from blue, to purple, to a pale green and yellow until finally there was no evidence of him ever getting hurt. 

“Don’t you dare talk to me about that—you weren’t harmed,” Caden’s voice trembled with anger. “This is not the same situation, and I’m not the same person.”

“I am your future Alpha, and I demand—” Once again, his brother’s words were stolen by Caden’s fist smashing into his face. Caleb lost his footing, stumbling backwards. 

A loud growl escaped Caden’s throat. The sound rumbled through his shaking body, the former green of his iris gone as his eyes gleamed gold. 

People turned their faces away, some baring their necks as power rippled through the room. A council member shifted in his seat to steady his composure. 

Caden’s own composure was long gone. Rage filled his bloodstream as his heart pounded in his ears. The corner teeth sharpened, and his nails shifted into claws.

“As it appears Caden has found his fighting spirit, I suggest we deal with the rogues now. Our scouts know where they’re hiding. We can attack at full force and at a low cost.” The Alpha said, stepping between his sons before the fight could escalate any further. 

Nods of agreement passed around the room, and Caleb ground his teeth. Being handed the title of future Alpha wasn’t the same as earning it, and in this moment, his little brother was being reminded of just that. Father rested a hand on Caden’s shoulder. “We can talk about your future afterwards.”

A low growl rumbled in Caden’s chest. He shook off Father’s hand and punched the wall on his way out of the room. He hadn’t planned to go to battle today. Or any other day. He wasn’t that person anymore. Yet, at this moment, he was ready to fight and kill. 

His legs carried him outside, almost on autopilot, his mind blank. The full moon shone into the dark night sky. Caden ripped off his shirt. Next to go were his shoes, socks, and trousers. Beside him, Father, Caleb, and the Beta followed his example. The other council members retreated to their houses. 

They weren’t alone. Yellow eyes shone between the trees of the forest, and large, proud wolves stood on the grass field before the packhouse building. Their warriors were waiting.

Caden’s back arched, his bones re-shaped, and a layer of fur broke through his bare skin. A giant dark brown wolf stood in the place Caden had been a moment ago. They might resemble their animal counterparts, but they looked different. They were bigger, more robust, and their yellow eyes glowed. 

His warm breath condensed in the cold air. He leapt forward with a growl, running towards the right flank where his wolves waited. As he ran past them, they fell in line behind him. Their sleek bodies pushed through the thick fog. Their paws hit the moss-covered ground. More warriors joined them, spreading out through the forest. 

They were prepared for battle and even death—if needed. The forest was theirs, and they protected the land with their lives. 

The wolves’ howling shattered nature’s peace. They’d reached the rogues. Bodies clashed, fangs ripped, and claws slashed. Caden’s heartbeat didn’t beat rapidly with fear. It wasn’t thumping in his ears. Fighting had almost become normal.

Almost.

Pain shot through his hip as a pair of fangs sank deep into his hide. He wondered if these would heal, or if they’d join the other scars adorning his body.

Another wolf jumped onto his attacker. Familiar eyes locked with his. They trained together. Went to school together. They laughed together—once, a lifetime ago. And now he fought for his life. Caden attempted to help. 

More rogues joined the fray, keeping him from his fellow warrior. The wolf breathed his final breath, leaving his Mate—who was waiting for him at home—alone in this world. 

Did they underestimate their enemy? Father’s words rang in his ears, a low cost. How much was this warrior’s life worth?

The image of Madeline, his own love, flashed behind Caden’s eyes. What would happen to her if he stopped fighting? What would her reaction be if she knew what he was doing right now? He was taking another person’s life. One who might not have chosen to be here either. Yet, Caden slashed his opponent’s face open, ripped at the enemy’s throats, and Maddie disappeared from his mind. It didn’t matter where he needed to be later. What Father would say to him. Or what his pack may think. The future didn’t exist at this very moment. The adrenaline pumped through his veins—a rush that felt almost normal.

Maybe a wolf’s nature couldn’t be changed.