George

I woke up in the middle of the night from a horrible nightmare.

I'm sweating buckets, heaving from the terrible scenario my mind conjured up. I get up from my bed and walk downstairs to the kitchen, poured me a glass of water, drank it and returned to the bedroom.

As I did, Charlie asked me if everything was alright to which I replied it is, I just had a bad dream.

Though our house has 3 bedrooms, dads had the great idea of putting me and my little brother in the same room as kids, leaving the third one free for guests.

The idea was once we reached puberty, Charlie would move into another room. Except by then, we're so used to rooming with each other, both of us refused to leave.

On the other hand, there's a free room to use if any of us need some time alone with a date, if you catch my drift.🤭

Though daddy doesn't let any of us alone in a room with closed doors. Alone with someone else, I mean. The only exceptions are Junior and Salvatore, Charlie's best friend.

It's fine. I'm used to it by now. Plus, I haven't met a teenager who doesn't know a workaround their parent's restrictions.

And I'm one to talk, since I have a secret relationship hidden from everyone except for Junior. Not that I'm ashamed of it in any way.

I don't give a flying fuck who sees me kissing anybody. But you know, it's not just about me.

"Good morning, George. Are you alright?" - Dad greeted me at the breakfast table, looking a bit worried.

"I'm fine, dad. I just had a bad dream. But I'm okay." - I replied, nonchalant.

"Did you dream you got mated to Stockwell?" - Charlie joked, laughing mischievously at me.

I glared so many daggers at him that a lesser boy would cower on his seat.

"That's not funny!" - I told him, angrily.

"You need to be the bigger person, son. You're the future Alpha. Who cares if he got the captaincy?" - Dad interjected in his serene tone.

"I care!" - I shouted, angrier than I anticipated. Daddy glares at me for yelling. Dad looks pitifully at me, which is even worse.

"OK, then. Charlie, when is your wrestling tournament? I wanna see you captain your team into a massacre." - Dad asked my brother, enthusiastically.

Every time I hear this word I wince. Fuck!

"It's not until next month, dad. But I'll text you the date once we're near it." - Charlie replied, sounding excited at the prospect.

My sour mood is barely containable at this moment, but I don't wanna take away from his achievement. I'm not that selfish!

"I'll go to yours too, son. Just so you know. Not just Charlie's." - Dad amended, noticing my sulking.

"I know, dad. Thanks." - I muttered under my breath.

Uncle Tony enters our house. He has his own key for some reason, but he rarely enters it unannounced.

"Good morning, uncle Tony." - Charlie and I greet him. He looks serious, but he wouldn't be here this early if it's good news.

"Good morning, boys. Morning, Alpha. Luna. There's a situation." - He announced, after bowing his head to my dad.

"Do you want to go to my room to talk?" - Dad offered, looking concerned. Daddy greeted him as well.

"No, it's fine. We can talk openly. Last night, I received a surprise visit from a woman of another pack. At first, I was taken aback by the late hour, but she claimed it was urgent. So, I received her at the pack house." - He started in a somber tone.

"Apparently, her son slept with a mated person and their mate exacted revenge on him, beating him up within an inch of his life. But the doctors don't know if he's gonna survive his injuries, which are life threatening." - He continued, sounding troubled.

"Oh my Goddess! Did he force himself on the mate?" - Dad asked, but all of us are thinking the exact same thing.

"Do you really think I'd be having this conversation if he did?" - Uncle Tony glared at dad.

Dad gasped at his disposition, but he's not technically wrong. Though it's morally dubious, there's no law against cheating. As long as it's consensual, of course. If not, then it's not cheating, it's something else entirely. Punishable by death, according to wolf law.

"No, apparently he was in a relationship with the mated person for the last 6 months. And he didn't even know they got mated until the boy caught them together. It happened literally on the day of the mate reveal." - Tony explained.

"So, he's innocent?" - Dad asked, somewhat relieved. As the rest of us, instinctively.

"Yes. Not that the mated boy cares about that. Supposedly, he's not gonna stop until her son is dead. If he isn't already." - Tony replied, sounding concerned.

"I see. And why isn't she talking about this to her own Beta instead of ours?" - Dad wondered. Good question, this seams like something to be handled internally within their pack.

"Because the mated boy is the Alpha's heir." - Uncle Tony informed. All of us gasped in shock.

"Well, let me see if I got this straight. Her son had a 6 months relationship with someone. And on the day that someone got mated, instead of breaking things off with their boyfriend, they decided to have a farewell fling."

"Unbeknownst to this, their boyfriend was simply having a good time with them when he got surprised by their mate, the son of the Alpha, who didn't like that he slept consensually with his mate and beaten him almost to death. Did I get it right?" - Dad concluded, looking at Tony.

"Yeah. Plus, if by some miracle he survives this, it's very likely the future Alpha will want to finish the job." - Uncle Tony reiterated, though that much is clear by now. What an unfortunate turn of events. My goodness.

"I'm guessing she wants sanctuary for her son, in case he survives." - Dad pondered with a stern look on his face.

"Exactly." - Tony confirmed with a heavy sigh. Though he still looks very distraught.

"Assuming all this information checks out, I trust you to make the best decision, Beta. Whatever you decide, I'll sign off." - Dad spoke in a confident tone.

My brother and I were about to get up from the table when we heard our uncle say:

"There's a catch." - His tone was heavy with dread, as if he's fearful to disclose whatever comes next.

My dads, Charlie and I gasped. Both of us sat back down. I'm not missing this. School be dammed!

"What's the catch?" - Dad asked, but all of us are at the edge of our seats dying to find out.

"Her son's name is William Jackson Forsythe. He's the last survivor of--"

"How did he survive?" - Dad cut him off, gobsmacked. He looked deeply distraught at this. Charlie and I kept looking at each other puzzled as to who is he and what did he survive? I mean, apart from the horrible beating.

"Apparently, on that fateful night, his mother went into labor and was rushed to the county hospital moments before the strike." - Tony replied in a disturbed tone. Daddy was silently concerned, but dad was beside himself.

"NO!" - Dad exclaimed, so nervous he's shaking. I've never seen him quite like this.

"It's not his fault what his uncle did. He wasn't even born yet." - Tony said in a somber tone. I could tell he's feeling for the poor kid.

"NO!" - Dad insisted, adamantly.

"He's gonna die at that pack, in case he makes it trough the day." - Uncle argued.

"Why did she come here in the first place? She knows what I'm gonna say! But why coming to the pack that killed her mate?" - Dad wondered, intrigued.

As we're hearing this conversation, suddenly my brother and I are starting to make sense of this. Though we weren't born yet, we know of the attack that killed my dad's family. And we also know my grandfather led an assault that decimated the pack responsible for it and killed all its members. Well, apparently not ALL.

Wow! This is tough. No wonder my dad is so pissed. And the memories it brings are not that pleasant either.

"Because she feels we owe him for killing his father. Also, because no one would ever think to find him here. And no pack would have the balls to come for us if he did." - Tony explained in a troubled tone.

Dad laughed at this.

"We owe him? She said we owe him? I've gotta hand it to her. She has some nerve!" - Dad commented, perplexed.

"She's a mom. Desperate and without anyone to turn to." - Uncle Tony said in an empathetic tone.

"Dismissed, Beta. Thank you for your service." - Dad stated, frowning. - "Boys, you're late for school. Hurry up!" - He urged us.

Charlie and I get up from the table, gearing up for school. Though I don't know him, I can't help but to feel bad for this boy. It's a terrible situation and he didn't do anything wrong.

"Yes, Alpha. Before I go, let me just show you something real quick." - Uncle Tony said, taking out his phone and pulling up some pictures for my dad to see. I can't help but take a peak too. So does Charlie and daddy.

I gasped. Images of the boy on a hospital bed, completely battered and covered in bruises and bandages from head to toe. It's horrible to look at. All four of us were gobsmacked.

"Fuck you, Tony!" - Dad barked, livid.

"He's  18 years old! He didn't even find a mate yet!" - Tony teared up. I've known uncle Tony for all my life and I can't honestly remember the last time I've seen him cry.

Even my brother and I are feeling for him.

"Leave me. NOW!" - Dad ordered, eyes glowing in anger. Tony bowed his head and left without another word.

"Dad, please..." - I pleaded with a remorseful look on my face.

"If you're not out of my house in 30 seconds, you'll live to regret it!" - He threatened me with a dead serious look. I gulped and left too with Charlie, who got spooked as well.

Now it's not the time to antagonize him. Trust me, he makes good on his threats. It's an Alpha thing, if you say you're gonna do something, you do it. People need to believe in your word, for good or bad.

Now, I'm not a sensitive person, per say. I'm not emotional either. But those images fucked me up. It's not gonna be easy to forget them or him. And I'll be sad to hear of his passing.

Yes, his family have sins. But no one should pay for someone else's sins. I think it's in the bible somewhere.

Junior was annoyed at me for showing up late to pick him up. Until I told him of the story. He's left gobsmacked too and he didn't even see the photos.

After I parked the car, I made one last attempt to at least ease my mind.

"Daddy, please try. Reason with him. You saw the pictures too."

I mind linked him and went on my way.

"It's complicated, son. But I will try." - Daddy replied.

I can't even imagine having my entire family being taken away from me. I love each one of them with all my heart.

But my dad's loss has been avenged. I'm not debating his right to grief. I'm concerned for an innocent boy who's not that much older than me.

I basically sleep walk through all my classes this morning. But unfortunately, I can't sleep through wrestling practice or I'd get pummeled.

Instead, I use this frustration and exact my 'revenge' on the mat, especially once I get Stockwell. I destroyed him today. Coach had to intervene before I took it too far.

"I'm tired of this bullshit between you two! If you don't get it together and start acting like team mates, I'm gonna kick you both off the team. I'm not joking! I'll call both of your parents if I have to!" - Coach reprimanded Jeff and I at the gym after practice had ended. He looks seriously annoyed at us.

Afterwards, we join the rest of the boys in the locker room for a much needed shower. Sometimes having an acute sense of smell is not an advantage. Especially with these many sweaty boys.

"Are you okay?" - Junior asked me, concerned.

"You should ask ME that. Your psycho friend almost killed me today!" - Jeff interjected, peeved and glaring at me.

Junior and the rest of the boys gasped at his outburst. But I'm not in the mood.

"Yet, you're still alive. It's a miracle! Now, get lost! You don't wanna piss me off today!" - I threatened him with a death stare.

"What happened today? Did you finally get your period?" - He joked. Though no one is laughing.

"I don't have time for this, Stockwell. Have fun with your stupid sexist jokes. I'd love to hear you say them to the principal." - I told him without raising my voice. Then left for the shower area.

Any other day, I'd trade insults with him till kingdom come. But there's literally a life on the line. And though there's nothing I can do to help him, that doesn't mean I can't worry about it.

"I'm fine, Jr. It's just a terrible situation." - I replied to him, once we started the shower.

As the hot water caressed my aching body, I looked troubled. I can't shake those images out of my head. Nor the life and death situation.

"I'm sorry your dad said no." - Junior spoke with an empathizing tone.

"I know. Thanks, man." - I replied with a weak smile.

While I eat during lunch break, I watch as Junior sucks face with his mate. Next to us are the rest of our friends talking and eating as well. I've informed them of what happened this morning, but there's literally nothing anyone can do. And they didn't see the photos.

Some time later, I brushed my teeth and went to an abandoned part of the school. It's one of the only places no one comes.

"Are you okay?"

"Not particularly, no." - I replied as they approached me.

"Can I kiss it better?"

"It's gonna take more than a kiss!" - I informed, trying to hide a mischievous grin.

"Does it require your pants to come off?"

I laughed at this. I couldn't help it.

"Yes, if you don't mind." - I replied, grinning wide at the prospect.

Calmly, they undo my zipper, lower my pants and underwear below my knees. I get serviced for a few minutes before the school bell rings.

Afterwards, I pulled my clothes back up.

"Thank you, I feel much better." - I said with a pleasing smile.

"Yeah, you better. Next one is on you."

"It's a date." - I agreed without much hesitation.

Distantly from each other, we go back to class. But not before I steal a kiss from them. I do need it and it's oh so good.

At least, my day wasn't so bad after all. But one way or another, they always put a smile on my face. Though I like this way much better.😅

A|N: English is not my first language and I had a horrible time getting a non binary person's pronoun right in the first two chapters. I'm talking about Emm, of course. But I do like the challenge and I'm here for it.

In this chapter, the character is NOT non binary. I just needed to keep its identity a mystery. LoL

Fun fact: I absolute love this song from Smallville theme as I was a huge fan of the show.

Love,

Léo.