Pack Secrets(13)

A wicked smile covered his face as he responded, “I’ll be here, Carter, I’m not going anywhere. You can call me Justin, drop the mister stuff, I’m glad your mama is teaching you good manners.”

“Okay Justin. Everyone is taking their clothes off, is it time?”

All around them were adults, teens and the few kids that the pack had kept, getting undressed. The moon was almost up and in a few short minutes Blake would call for the moon run to start. They would run all night. Some of the adults might stop off deep in the forest and mate, but the kids would be kept to the center of the clearing, chasing small creatures and nipping at each other. “It looks like it. Here, give me your clothes and I’ll put ‘em with mine.”

Fully undressed now, Justin stood tall and proud next to his mate’s son, wishing she was here, but understanding it would take time to get to know her. Collecting their clothes and putting them in a big pile on his truck bed he turned to find Carter looking off into the forest. His little back caught the moonlight and that’s when Justin saw the scars; long strips of raised flesh on Carter’s back. They were obviously old and healed some time ago. With very little thought he yelled, “Blake.”

Immediately at his side, Blake questioned, “What’s going on, bro?”

Following the line of his vision, Blake didn’t seem surprised, which enraged him further. “What happened?”

Heaving a deep sigh Blake responded. “I know you’re upset, and I’m not going to help any. It’s not my story to tell. Let’s carry on with the run and you can talk to Dee later if you need to.” Blake placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, “It was a long time ago. He wouldn’t remember, so don’t ask. Talk to her, but make sure Carter enjoys himself tonight.”

Justin took a few deep breaths, enjoying his brother’s calming powers. “Thanks, he’ll have a blast.”

Trotting over to Carter, Justin put an ear splitting grin on his face. “You ready to start? Blake said this was going to be the best moon run ever.”

Carter’s smile lit up his face as he responded, “Wow, Mister Justin, you have a big snake. One time when I was getting in the bathtub Gunner almost bit my snake and Mama wasn’t happy. Make sure Gunner doesn’t see yer snake or he’ll bite it for sure.”

Face now tinged red, Justin chuckled, “Thanks for the tip. I’ll make sure Gunner doesn’t get a chance to bite my snake.”

Blake’s voice boomed through the clearing. “Alright folks, it’s that time again. Let’s run safe and make sure the young are protected. A few of you may know that there was a poisoned bunny found recently so parents need to scent their children’s prey ahead of time. Have fun y’all. Let the run begin.”

In seconds Blake was a wolf, chasing Delilah through the clearing and into the woods. The pack was in various states of change as Justin waited for Carter to change. Carter was staring at the rest of the pack, fascinated.

“You gonna change, lil’ buddy?”

He nodded his head, still watching the pack. “I just wanna watch ‘em a while, it’s really cool, Mister Justin.” His eyes were bright and wet, “I likes being part of a pack, do you?”

Justin nodded his head. “I do.”

“Okay.”

In the blink of an eye Carter had changed into his wolf. He was fast. Justin and his whole family were alpha’s so he was used to a quick change, but the rest of the pack took a bit of time as the magic reformed and reshaped their bodies. Shocked didn’t come close to describing what this little boy had him feeling over the past few hours. He knelt down on his knee and rubbed his fingers through Carter’s soft grey fur enjoying how the boy’s little body rubbed up against him, scent marking him.

A moment later, Justin was in wolf form. He chased Carter, barking and panting dramatically as Carter ran away. Justin would catch up to him and nudge him in the direction he wanted, occasionally pouncing on him playfully. As Carter became more comfortable with his wolf and Justin’s he began to pounce him and other woodland creatures; a squirrel, a few birds. When Carter came across a rabbit he froze. Justin understood the hesitation so he chased the bunny, scenting that it wasn’t infused with poison, and grasping it in his jaw, bringing it closer to Carter. He dropped it in front of the child and watched the desire to chase cross Carter’s features. Justin nudged him and that’s all it took before his wolf’s instincts took over and he gave chase.

A few hours into the run Justin felt a presence following him, he’d known there was something out there, but now it felt as if they were being stalked. He chose to lead Carter back to where they all met and end the run; no way would Dee appreciate it if he got her son hurt.