I was only five when they found that hunter in the woods.
At the time, my sister was my babysitter.
She held me close while my father ranted and raved about humans and how weak they are.
“They think they can take over the earth!
But they’re weak.”
The disgust in his voice made me cower.
If I was in wolf form, I would’ve tucked my tail.
I could feel the anger and triumph in my father, and that was never a good sign.
I was a small child and often bore the brunt of my father’s hate.
And he was whipping up the pack, getting them ready for violence.
At one point, I whimpered.
I didn’t mean to make a sound, but once it was out, it was too late.
My father heard me.
“Bring him here,” he ordered my sister.
She shook her head.
Only twelve, and she was brave enough to stand up to him, even when he beat her for it.
She tried to protect me.
I didn’t want her to get hurt.
I pushed away and made myself go on shaking legs to stand before him.
“This is a human.
He thinks he’s strong but take away his gun and…” my father raised a hand, and the man shrieked behind his gag.
I didn’t need to hear what he was saying to know he was begging for his life.
My father and his cronies laughed.
“See?”
My father shouted.
“Weak.
Come here, boy.’
He gripped my shoulder, and his fingers dug into the muscle and bone.
It hurt.
I bit back a cry.
“You’re a wolf like me.
My son.
You don’t want to be weak.
Right?”
“N-no…”
He slapped me.
“Louder.”
“No, sir,” I shouted.
I could sense my sister’s distress behind me.
I had to be strong.
I could do this.
“Good boy.
So you’re going to stand here, and you’re going to watch.
One day, all of this will be yours.
And it’ll be your job to take care of any threats.”
I stared at the human.
He was shaking, and tears tracked down his cheeks, dampening his gag.
He didn’t look like a threat.
“We’re wolves,” I pointed out.
“We’re stronger.”
“That’s right.”
My dad slapped my back.
“He gets it.
And now… it’s time to hunt the human!”
They let the man go.
He ran, but he didn’t get far.
They turned into wolves and herded him back.
“Don’t look away, boy,” my father snarled before he turned into a wolf to go in for the kill.
And I didn’t.
I stood very still and kept my eyes open until the human’s blood sprayed in my face.
And now I’ve grown into everything my father wants me to be.
Cold, cunning, controlled.
Helping lead a powerful pack.
But I am not my father’s son.
I want him out of my city and my life, but mostly I want him far away from any humans he might hurt.
And it’s up to me to stop him.
Aubrey
I walk to the subway from La R?sistance after I finish my shift.
Saturday mornings are my favorite time of the week to be there.
The coffee shop is packed with regulars who have time to sit and visit with each other.
La R?sistance isn’t just espresso drinks and cafe food.
It’s music and poetry.
Community and love.
I grew up in a loving home with amazing parents, but even so, La R?sistance has been a home away from home since I got my first job there as a teen.
I call Madi on Saturday as I walk.
“I’m on my way to your place.
Please tell me you’re around this weekend?”
“Gah!
Why didn’t you tell me sooner?
We’re already in the Adirondacks.
Are you going to Billy’s?”
“Yes.
He insisted on going over my concept drawings before I start painting Monday.”
“Really?
That’s so weird.
He was here last night.
He must’ve helicoptered out this morning to meet with you.”
I stop walking, and someone bumps into me from behind.
Something makes me scan the street for an electric blue Porsche.
“It is a little weird, right?”
I don’t see anything unusual, so I start walking again.
“What is?”
“Him cutting his weekend short to meet with me?
About a mural he didn’t even want?”
Madi is silent, which throws me off.
I expected her to jump right in and validate me.
“What?”
I probe.
“Yeah, it’s strange.
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