Reluctantly Lycan (5 page)

“Why hasn’t your mother taught you how to drive?” He asked.

Jak shrugged. “She works a lot and we don’t have a car. They don’t teach it at school either. Lack of funding or something.”

“I see.” He scratched at his chin. One night in the woods and another in
Marala’s bed had left him a bit scraggly. Being covered from head to toe with fur as a wolf was fine, but he sure hated a beard. “It’s been hard for you two, right?”

“Well, yeah. Mom works at least twelve hours every day, often times more. She tries to get me what I want and need, but doesn’t do much for
herself.” He sighed and glanced toward the forest. “Sometimes she drinks and smokes. That’s her only indulgence.” Suddenly, Jak clammed up.

Kaden
waited for him to continue, but he didn’t. “Is it during the full moon? That she behaves strangely, I mean.”

“Maybe, I think. I never paid that much attention.
Listen, don’t tell her I told you this. I feel guilty for talking about her behind her back. I don’t even know you.”

“No, you don’
t. That needs to change. See that road over to the right. Want to practice driving on it? It leads by where we’re going.” He pointed toward it.

His son hesitated, but then nodded. “Sure. Can’t be much different than playing Grand Theft Auto, right?”

“Only completely.” He laughed a little. “We’re not jacking vehicles or shooting bystanders.”

“You play?”

“Sure I have. Hanging out with the guys in the pack involves lots of video games. Other things, too. Pool, poker, battles. I have the scars to prove it about the fighting.” Kaden opened his door and jumped out. Heavy black boots hit the pavement as he walked around the Jeep to switch seats with his son.

Jak
didn’t bother getting out of the car, just climb across the interior and into the driver’s seat. “That sounds like fun. I still don’t believe all this wolf stuff.” He added, though not sounding as convinced as he had at the apartment building.

“It’s a good time. Occasionally it can get you in trouble.” He frowned, thinking back to what Mara had said she’d found him doing. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t remember cheating on her. He believed he’d done it. The
boys had gone into town and picked up a few girls they’d met at the bowling alley.

“Hey.
Earth to Kaden. Hello?” Jak said loudly.

“Sorry, son.
There’s a lot on my mind. Start the ignition and put the vehicle into drive. It’s not a straight shift, so this will be easy.”

Jak
did as he was told. He pressed the gas carefully, looking to his left before pulling onto the highway. “Are you thinking about Mom?” When he reached the dirt road Kaden had pointed out he turned right carefully. His foot was a little heavy on the break, but otherwise, his driving was fine.

Kaden
gave a small grumble in response, not wanting to discuss the matter.

“She doesn’t really date or anything. I thought it was because she was like me and didn’t really care to, but I think she’s been hung up on you all this time. You must have really pissed her off. She’s usually a pretty forgiving person.”

“Some males of our species are disinterested in the opposite sex before their transition. Sometimes it takes finding their mate to set off the spark.” He shrugged. “I wasn’t one of them. Then again, your mother was around my entire youth.”

They drove further. “You should have come for us sooner.”
Jak said softly.

“Yes. I should have, but my pride wouldn’t let me.”
Kaden rubbed his eyes with thumb on one and index finger on the other and gave a light squeeze. “Park here.”

Once again,
Jak hit the brake too hard and their bodies jolted forward at the sudden stop. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine. You did well. Just need practice.” He headed toward the forest, his son on his heels trying to keep up. The city boy appeared out of his element and
Kaden shook his head. Buildings and busy streets were no place for a young wolf.

“So what are we doing?”

“I want to prove to you what we are. I could have shifted elsewhere, but I wanted us secluded in case you scream or freak out.” He gestured upward and out with his hands. “This is our element. Hunting, running, nature.”

Jak
lifted an eyebrow, but didn’t argue. “If you say so.”

When they reached the same clearing
Kaden had run to after the first night at Mara’s, he stopped. “Okay. Now this is going to be shocking, but you need to know the truth and this is the only way I can think of to show you.”

“
Oookay.” Jak said slowly, in a drawn out, apprehensive manner.

“I need to take my clothing off so if you want to turn around, it might be less awkward.”
Kaden lifted his hand and scratched the back of his head nervously.

“Turning my back on a naked dude.
Sounds like a great plan.” He did, crossing his arms and tapping his foot on the underbrush of the forest. Each pat of his shoe caused the sticks to make a crackling sound.

Kaden
undressed quickly and piled his clothing on the ground. Then he inhaled a deep breath and shifted into his wolf form. He sat back on his haunches, trying not to appear threatening. This was difficult considering his bulky size and sharp teeth. To get Jak’s attention, he barked, as much like a normal pooch as he could manage and hung his tongue out of his mouth sideways. It was his idea of casual and friendly, though he felt stupid.

His son jumped when he heard the bark.
Kade could hear the boy’s heart racing like that of a scared bunny. He’d certainly chased his fair share for fun.

Jak
turned around, eyes as round as the moon herself when he laid them on the jet black wolf before him. Kaden swished his bushy tail back and forth in a friendly manner. Yep, he really did feel like a dog instead of the leader of a pack of vicious protectors.

“Y… you r… r… really are a… wolf.”
Jak stammered.

Kade
gave another bark and the boy jumped again. The shock of having what you knew about the world shattered had never happened to Kaden. His entire life had been spent around other wolves, both male and female. He couldn’t begin to imagine what his son was going through. Jak could deny the spoken truth, but now it had been revealed to his eyes. Kaden gave a snort through his nose, hating making a fool of himself, but feeling it necessary. He rolled over onto his back and wiggled around like a silly puppy.

Jak
backed up against a tree. His legs shook so severely he could barely stand. With hands over his eyes, he spoke quickly. “Change back please.”

Shifting and dressing was finished in
half a minute. Kaden placed his hand reassuringly on his son’s shoulder. For the third time, the poor kid nearly jumped out of his skin. He stared up at his father with a mixture of awe and terror.

“That’s going to happen to me?”

As gently as his serious face could manage, Kaden smiled. His son stared up at him with the same eyes as Mara. Despite the fear, they held a familiar sense of trust. One that Marala had once possessed. He understood why she had run away. He, her protector, had destroyed a sacred trust. Now, he had a son who looked to him for guidance.

“Yes.”
Kaden said simply.

“Does it hurt?”

Kade took a step back, giving the boy some breathing room. “It’s uncomfortable until you get used to it. But, our bodies are meant to shift. The bone structure and muscles know what to do. It doesn’t really hurt.”

“When?”

“On the night of the first full moon after your eighteenth birthday.” He answered.

Jak
put his hand over his mouth. Most teenagers looked forward to the transition, but Kaden could understand why his son would be apprehensive. This was all new and sudden.

“Thanks for showing me. I’d like to go home. I also owe Mom an apology for calling her a liar and crazy.” He started walking into the forest like a zombie, but in the wrong direction.

“I’m sure she understands.” Kaden placed his hands on his son’s shoulders and turned him around. “This way. I better drive.”

The diner had a few patrons. One man sat at the bar. He was reading a newspaper. In a booth in the far corner, an elderly couple chatted and smiled like teenagers in love. That’s the kind of relationship Taylor knew he’d never have. He fiddled with the napkin on his table, anxiously tearing off little bits until he had a small pile of paper in front of him. Any other day, Mara would have been out to take his order by now.

“Excuse me.” He called out to a waitress with a tray full of breakfast in her arms.

She gave him a look of impatience. “I’ll be with you in a moment, sir. We’re shorthanded.”

“Was it Mara? Is she okay?” He was on his feet before he realized it and the woman took several steps back.
What was I thinking leaving her alone with that giant wolf dog thing?

“Uh, yeah.
Said she had a sore throat or something. She never calls in sick, so I’m guessing it’s pretty bad.” The woman started walking away. “I’ll be back in a moment for your order.”

There was no need. Taylor wasn’t sticking around. He had to chec
k on Mara. He grabbed his camera off the table before heading out the door. A cab passed him by, then another. That’s how it went when he was in a hurry. Finally, one stopped and he gave directions to Marala’s apartment building. If anything had happened to her, he would never forgive himself.

After calling in sick for the first time in almost five years, Mara walked into her bedroom. She bit her thumbnail as she stared at the scene of the deed. When the sordid memory aroused her, she marched forward, jerking the sheets off the bed. The blankets were gathered up into her arms next and she headed downstairs to the laundry room. That male wolf scent had to go.

She left the washing machine running and headed out the door. Probably not the best idea since her laundry had been stolen before, but at the moment, she could care less. When she neared the top of the stairs, she heard a loud banging and someone calling her name.
Taylor.
She took the rest of the steps two at a time and called out to him when she reached her floor.

“Taylor! What are you doing here?”

He turned to her and she saw him visibly sigh as he rushed toward her. For a second, she thought he was going to hug her, but he must have noticed her recoil back from him. “I… was worried after last night with that animal and all.”

“I’m fine, really. Thank you.” She walked by him and unlocked her door.
The man was as handsome as could be and just as sweet, but she needed him gone before Kaden returned.

“I get it, you’re not into me. That’s fine.” He followed her inside while he talked. “Tell me why.
I’m used to getting what I want. Come on, I mean if the food wasn’t good or something, I apologize.”

Mara laughed a little. “It’s nothing like that. I told you, my son comes first.”

“So? Doesn’t mean you can’t have a life, too. You’re deprived of social interaction.
Intimacy
.” He grinned.

She frowned.
Marala liked this guy. The best part? He wasn’t a wolf. Hurting his feelings was not something she wanted to do, but he wasn’t the type to give up easily.

“I had meaningless sex with my ex last night after you left and he’s going to be back here soon with my son. I’m a terrible, pathetic person and you need to go back to your fancy photographer life. Find a girl without
baggage and take pretty pictures of her.” Blunt, but that’s what it would take.

The grin slowly faded, but Taylor was nodding. “So you’re getting back together with your son’s father.”

“God, no.”

“I’m confused. Why can’t we go out again if you’re not getting back together with him?”

“Are you insane? I told you. You want a woman of loose morals who can’t keep her legs shut?” She made a sound of disgust, hating herself.

Taylor smiled again.
“Normally, yes. But, I hardly think you’re like that. It’s not like we we’re a couple. We haven’t even had a real date. You hooked up with an ex. No biggie.” He sounded a little jealous despite his words.

“Listen. They’re going to be back soon and you need to go.
Kaden is
not
a man to be trifled with. I really am sorry. In a different time or world, maybe, but I can’t see you again.”

“A photo to remember you by?”
He lifted the camera that was hanging around his neck.

“If that will get you to go, fine.”

“Smile, beautiful.”
When she forced one, he clicked the button and the flash lit up the room. “Maybe when things settle down we can try again. What do you say?”

“Maybe.”

He winked and then left without another word.

Taylor didn’t go far. He knew something was up and he was determined to figure it out. Dinner had been great. He’d been charming and she interested. Then that dog
and
her baby’s daddy had shown up to ruin everything. Mara was different, too, and not only her exotic eye color. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it.