The Wolf's Prey

by Edugardo Gilbert X

  *********

  The Meeting

  I know just by looking at the man in front of me, that he's my father. My hair, my eyes, my skin tone, my square chin, my lips. It's me if I were a man. I chuckle as he comes closer; I'm stunned seeing my features on such a rough looking man. How can I look so dainty while he looks so manly? It's amusing. I see him crack a smile.

  "You're definitely my daughter." He says in awe.

  I nod and he holds his arms open. I spring forward, wrapping my arms around his waist hugging him tightly as my tears fall. I hear sobbing and another set of arms wrap around me. I turn to see a woman with light brown curly hair and green eyes.

  "I missed you so much, baby girl. I've never stopped loving and missing you."

  "Mom?" I ask.

  She closes her eyes and nods her head. I move my arms to hug her as well and she crushes me to her. I notice we are the same height but that's our only physical similarity.

  "I'm never letting you go." She says batting at a pair of hands I think are my father's. I laugh and she cries harder.

  "Jen, the others would like to say hello."

  She doesn't pull away and I can't help but laugh. My mom is very funny.

  "Jenna-"

  "Shut up, Travis! Give me a minute!" She snaps.

  I turn to see him trying to smother a smile. When she finally pulls back, she brings her hand up to my face looking over my features. "You're so beautiful. Even when you were first born, you were stunning."

  I blush. "Thanks."

  "Has Lennox been taking good care of you? Just tell me if he steps out of line and I'll have your father fix him." She smiles sending a wink over my shoulder to Lennox.

  I laugh in response and I hear a girl's voice yell. "Okay, introductions please! I have things to do today." Mom rolls her eyes and turns to the girl.

  "Jocelyn, this is Rachel, your half-sister." She doesn't move so I smile and wave at her. She has short dark blonde hair in a bob style and brown eyes, she's tall and beautiful.

  "Hey, sis." Two very tall, lanky boys say rushing forward hugging me.

  I smile. "You two must be Josh and Jason."

  The one with a mole by his left eye smiles. "Guilty, I'm Jason." I nod. "That's Josh." He points. Both have short curly brown hair and green eyes like our mom.

  "It's nice to meet you two." I reply.

  Next in line is the guy almost as big as my father, this must be my half-brother. He holds out his hand. "Travis junior, but you can call me T." He says. I smile and shake his hand. He resembles our father but the coloring is off. He has auburn hair and light grey eyes.

  "Jocelyn." I reply.

  "I'm Jessica." I feel arms wrap around me from the side and the girl starts jumping excitedly with me in her arms.

  "Hi, Jessica." I giggle.

  "We're the same size! We can share clothes and everything!" I nod hugging her back happily. We pull away and I see she looks exactly like our mother. "You look so much like dad!" She yells looking back at our father.

  I nod, agreeing with her and I feel Lennox's hands come around my waist and pull me to his chest.

  "Ugh, can we go now?" Rachel whines and dad snaps at her.

  "Enough, Rachel!"

  "Oh, it's okay. I'm ready." I say.

  Everyone starts making their way to the cars and the twins grab our bags. Lennox tugs me back and turns me around to face him. He looks me over making sure I'm okay.

  "I'm fine." I say reassuring him.

  "Let me know if it becomes too much."

  "I will." I say and we continue to the vehicles. My mom and dad are the only ones that waited for us. We get in the back seat and close the doors.

  My mom turns in her seat. "I can't believe you're actually home." She gushes happily. "I never thought this would happen." She whispers and starts crying loudly.

  I don't know what to say that will make her feel better. I look up at Lennox helplessly.

  "There's nothing you can do. She'll stop eventually." He replies smirking down at me.

  I'm really starting to love those smirks. I turn back to my mom who is now hiccupping and trying to control them.

  "Jen, stop. You're going to make yourself sick." Dad says smiling at her.

  She turns back to me. "Tell me everything about you."

  "Umm, well, I like to eat, my favorite color is red. I don't know. I'm pretty quiet and boring." I shrug.

  "The people that raised you, were they kind to you?"

  "Yes, they were typical parents. I'll still consider Marta my sister. She's my best friend."

  "Thank God for that. What hobbies do you have?"

  "I love art and building things. My-" I hesitate before I continue. "The man I considered my grandfather taught me carpentry. I would stay with him almost every weekend working on projects."

  "That's why you chose those electives." Lennox states, understanding dawning on him.

  "Yeah, I didn't get them though."

  "I didn't want you in those classes." He admits.

  Confused I ask, "Why not?"

  "I didn't want you to hurt yourself in woodshop and I don't like the man teaching art."

  "Alphas!" Mom snorts. "Don't worry, it will get better with time." She tells me reassuringly. "I remember when I was pregnant with you Travis wouldn't even let me walk up or down the stairs."

  "You're clumsy. It was a precaution." Dad responds defensively.

  "So that's where I get it then?" I ask laughing.

  "Don't worry, you and I aren't alone, Jess can barely walk a straight line without tripping." Mom jokes.

  I watch as we drive through a wide open wrought iron gate. It's a lot like our pack. Nice middle class houses and a park for kids, a few little stores and a couple of restaurants. I don't know why I keep expecting this to look familiar, I was only a day old when I was taken.

  "When's my birthday?" I ask quietly.

  "September twentieth." Mom answers.

  We pull into a long driveway surrounded by trees. I see a big brick house come into view.

  "Welcome home, Jocelyn." Dad smiles at me in the rear-view mirror.

  "Thanks. It's good to be back." He stops the car and we all get out.

  The twins come out scratching their heads. "Where do we put the bags? In her old room?" Josh asks and Jason adds, "She could probably still fit in her crib." He teases smiling at me.

  "Put them in the first guest room on the second floor." Mom replies laughing.

  They kept my old room? I'm touched that they would keep it.

  "We'll redo your old room however you want it." Mom says, reassuringly.

  I smile. This is really like a homecoming; they want me as a part of their family. Walking inside, I take a deep breath wanting to remember what home smells like. I smell chocolate chip cookies.

  "Brenda's baking again." Dad says smiling. Looking at me he explains, "Brenda is T’s mate. She's pregnant and is always craving sweets."

  "Our house always smells like a bakery." Mom chuckles. "Come meet her."

  "Lennox, why don't you come with me? Alpha Briggs will be here shortly." Dad says.

  Lennox kisses my head. "Come find me if you need me." I nod and follow my mom.

  Alpha Lennox Hall

  I watch her until she disappears into the kitchen.

  "You're lucky you mated her before I had a say in any of this. I want her to stay here for the next eighteen years. I feel cheated." He jokes.

  "That's not happening." I tell him walking behind him into his office.

  "How long do I get to keep her?" He inquires.

  "Depends. What's the plan regarding the Rhys?"

  "Contact Alpha Brett Rhys, tell him if he doesn't hand over his father he'll have us on his doorstep."

  "Brett challenged me for Jocelyn, he wants her back. He even killed his Beta for letting the family leave his territory."

  "He's no challenge for you. It doesn't change the fact I'll openly declare war on his pack, completely decimating it
if he doesn't comply." He replies seriously, rubbing his knuckles.

  "Jocelyn believes he'll give him up. That the two aren't close."

  "She's probably right. He won't want to lose his position over his father."

  There's a knock and the door opens to reveal Alpha Andrew Briggs. He's a year older than me and a few inches shorter, yet he's a force to be reckoned with. He's brutal in a fight and someone you always want on your side. I know Travis had hopes for him and Rachel, but I've heard him refuse the possibility of a courtship outright. Rachel is a high-maintenance bitch that no one wants a part of.

  "So, you've found the long lost Griffin daughter?" Andrew asks coming in.

  "Yeah, now we're planning a fight." I reply.

  He nods. "I'm in."

  Travis laughs. "I didn't doubt it." He states and Travis fills him in on the details.

  Just as he finishes, the door opens and shuts quickly, then locks. I look at a very flustered looking Jocelyn with pigtails, a black headband, wearing a blue and white school girl uniform, complete with white stockings that stop right where the skirt ends and black 'fuck me heels.' My mouth is watering.

  "I'm not going back out there. I love my little sister, but I'm not trying on another idea for a Halloween costume." She explains her eyes wide and traumatized.

  Travis throws back his head laughing. "What the hell are you supposed to be?" He asks clearly entertained.

  "A girl from a movie, Sucker Punch, I think she said." She walks closer but jumps when there's a knock on the door and runs to me, diving into my arms, hiding in front of my body. I instinctively wrap my arms around her.

  "Dad, is Jocelyn in there?" Jessica asks through the door.

  "No, honey. We're in a meeting." Travis yells back.

  "It's okay, babe. I won't let that mean little girl get you." I whisper in her ear.

  "You can't say no to her. If you do, she looks at you like you just kicked her puppy." She grumbles sitting next to me.

  "Jessica is notorious for that. Don't let it fool you, she's a master at manipulation." Travis chuckles.

  She groans. "Are you kidding me?! I went through seven wardrobe changes and five hair styles and you're telling me she was playing me the whole time?"

  "That's exactly what I'm telling you."

  "Wow, you should use her to torture criminals." She mutters.

  "Honey! Lunch is ready!" Jenna yells.

  **************

  I'm burning that poster

  “Okay, let's eat. Jenna hates waiting."

  We stand up and I notice another man in the room. Instinctively I know he's an Alpha so I don't address him and keep my eyes averted. Lennox pulls me to his side and we walk out of the room and see a very angry Jessica coming towards us.

  "I knew it! Dad, you lied!" She accuses stomping our way.

  He laughs. "Leave her alone, Jess. She's not your doll."

  "I know that. I'm trying to figure out our Halloween costumes." She huffs.

  "Halloween is still over two months away." Dad says exasperated.

  "I don't know how long she'll be here and we need to figure it out before she leaves. Right, Jocelyn?"

  "Um, yes?"

  "Just decide and tell her." Dad responds.

  "Fine." She mutters and we walk to the kitchen.

  We walk in and the twins and two other guys, around Lennox's age turn, and watch us. I hate being the center of attention and the way I'm dressed right now isn't exactly making me feel comfortable.

  "What are you wearing?" Jason asks chuckling.

  "Are you supposed to be the Sucker Punch girl?" Josh questions laughing.

  "Jokes on you, pervert. Don't you have that poster in your bedroom?" Jessica asks smirking.

  Josh gets a disgusted look on his face and Jason laughs. "Oh, sick! I'm burning that poster."

  "She does look a lot like that chick." One of the guys says. "Good job, Jess."

  "Thank you." She replies beaming.

  I still have no idea who the girl in the movie is so I don't add anything. I smell hamburgers and Italian sausages as the back door opens. Mom is carrying platters filled with the tasty meat. She looks at me and raises an eyebrow. "Shouldn't that kind of outfit be saved for the bedroom?" She teases knowing exactly what Jessica had planned for me earlier.

  I blush as everyone laughs and bury my head in my hands. Lennox leans down and whispers in my ear. "You're keeping that outfit."

  "Well, everyone, sit and dig in." Mom says putting the food on the table. Mom sits at the end of the table, I sit next to her and Lennox. I grab a hamburger, chips, and potato salad. Just as I start to eat, I notice my mom keeps glancing at me. "Josh, don't you have a poster in your room that looks-"

  "No, we're not talking about it." He snaps.

  "We're going to be the girls from Sucker Punch for Halloween." Jessica explains.

  "She's not wearing that anywhere." Lennox states shaking his head.

  "Oh, come on!" Jessica complains.

  "I'd rather my daughters wear clothing. I'm with Lennox on this, pick something less revealing." Dad says pointedly looking at a disgruntled Jessica. I, however, am very grateful. I mouth 'thank you' to him and go back to eating.

  "Jocelyn, have you met Alpha Andrew Briggs?" I shake my head looking down the table to the two guys from earlier. "No, sweetie, he's across from you."

  Embarrassed, I look over at him. "Sorry, nice to meet you."

  He doesn't reply, just looks at me curiously.

  Mom points to the two at the other end of the table. "That's Damon and Steven, two of our best enforcers." I smile and wave at them. I don't see T, Brenda or Rachael.

  "Where's T and Brenda?" I ask.

  "In their room. It's the hormones." Mom says smiling.

  "Lennox, I want to take you to see the property where Andrew and I are allowing our packs to run with each other. It's right along our border. You might want to think of doing something similar."

  Lennox agrees. He and dad leave after lunch, but not before Lennox orders me to our room to change. I put on black leggings and a loose black top. I just leave the room when I see Alpha Andrew Briggs. I lower my eyes and he stops in front of me.

  "Do you play Call of Duty?" He asks seriously.

  "I have played it." I answer.

  "Your brothers left with your dad. I need a partner, you in?"

  I hear Jessica call my name. "Yes." I answer panicking. He laughs and opens the door across from my room. I walk in and see the big screen TV with the Xbox hooked up and Call of Duty is waiting to be played.

  Twenty minutes into the game and I forgot about him being an Alpha. "What are you doing? You keep missing that guy!" I shout standing up for the fifth time yelling at the screen. I am very competitive, something no one usually sees in me.

  "Quit standing up every two minutes and I might be able to-" He yells, but is interrupted by a knock on the door. Jessica pokes her head in.

  "What are you two doing?"

  "Building a house. What does it look like, Jess?" Andrew remarks sarcastically. She sticks out her tongue and shuts the door.

  "Pay attention." I remind him and start the game again. We just finish another level when I hear Lennox ask someone where I am.

  "She's in Andrew's room. They’ve been going at it for hours." Jessica mutters.

  My jaw drops and Andrew laughs. Lennox throws open the door almost breaking it off its hinges.

  "I didn't mean it like that! I meant they've been playing that stupid game and arguing about it!" Jessica yells.

  "Hey." I say quietly. I can see he's not happy. I stand up.

  "Wait, we have like five more levels before we can stop." Andrew states.

  "Can I play?" I ask nervously.

  Finally he nods. "I'll be in Travis’s office. Keep the door open." He orders and leaves.

  I watch him go.

  "Ready?" Andrew asks.

  I turn back and we play for another hour. "Let's go for a run. I need to stretch befo
re dinner." He says, standing up and walking to the door.

  "I don't think-"

  "Come on. We'll take Jess with us." He replies knowingly.

  I shrug and follow him. He opens up Jess's door. "We're going for a run, come with us."

  "Yay! My first run with my sister!" She replies excitedly bouncing around me and pulling me to the stairs. We get to the backyard, Jessica and I walk off to strip and change. We meet up with Andrew's big grey wolf and start running. Andrew sets the pace. I keep up easily, even while taking in my surroundings.

  Half an hour later, I look back to Jessica but don't see her. I stop and whimper, looking around frantically. I start running back the way we came not bothering to see if Andrew is following, I can hear his paws hit the ground behind me.

  I quickly change and run into the house, finding Jessica in the kitchen helping with dinner. "Hey, sorry, you guys are too fast for me. I couldn't keep up."

  I sigh. "You scared me. I thought something happened to you." I state as Andrew calmly comes into the room.

  "No, I'm just slow."

  "I would have slowed down. You should have said something." I reply feeling guilty that I ran too fast our first run together.

  "It's okay, we'll go again tonight." She responds in a bubbly voice.

  I smile. "Can I help with dinner?" I ask.

  "I think we're pretty much done. Everything is baking, just sit and relax." Mom says, waving me to the island. I sit on one of the stools and a bottle of water is placed in front of me.

  "Thanks." I say to Andrew as he sits next to me. "You have beautiful land here. It's a lot like Lennox's territory." I remark looking at my mom who is watching Andrew curiously.

  "Yes, they're similar. I think Lennox has a few more miles than us, but his pack is bigger, too." She answers looking back at me.

  I nod and watch as Rachael comes in the room looking bored. "How was shopping?" Mom asks.

  "Good. When's dinner?" Rachel asks taking a diet coke from the refrigerator.

  "In another hour." Jessica answers as Rachel walks away.

  I bite my lip. What did I do to her? It's obvious she doesn't like me.

  "Someone is jealous." Andrew states amused.