Broken Pieces

Chapter Sixteen

By Roofles

Back at the wolf house, several hours earlier, Alan was getting ready for the day.

He’d awaken in the arms of a dark furred wolf and had instantly thought it was Reese. Snuggling in closer to his man, petting and rubbing over that thick muscular chest. Letting their legs entwine together as he pushed his groin against theirs. Their bodies molded perfectly to one another, and Alan was tucked safely in against their chest.

Alan was nosing at the scruff of their neck, breathing in the wolf’s musky scent as he rubbed his hands all over their semi-naked body. Feeling that lush, thick fur run through his fingers. Gripping it, tugging on the wolf’s thick hide before easing up just as quickly as it occurred.

Reese had always enjoyed that. A little rough foreplay and heavy petting that would lead to other things between the two. Alan was feeling it this morning and was already nipping at their neck. The fur was clean, if musky, and the flesh underneath was so inviting to just nibble on…

Then there was that heady scent again. Strong, masculine, with earthen tones and an animal musk to it. Familiar and yet… not.

It had been off, different but similar. Alan couldn’t place his finger on it so early in the morning before a growling voice spoke above him snapping him out of his sleep driven stupor. Preventing his morning horniness to lead him any further than dry humping the other wolf.

“Enjoying yourself?” Barrett had his arms around Alan and the human had nearly leapt into the air with his eyes bugging out. The wolf just chuckled, hushing him as Barrett nudged his muzzle towards the sleeping mounds of fur that was Salt and his brother Pepper curled up nearby, behind the two. “Don’t want to wake the boys…”

“B-Barrett, I thought you were Reese!” Alan hissed, trying to keep his voice down as the wolf, still holding him, just smirked knowingly.

“I got that. You kept moaning his name all morning… as you dry humped me.” Barrett’s flashed the tip of his fangs with an amused chuckle as Alan’s face lit up like a bonfire, turning bright red with embarrassment.

Alan tried to pull away, tried to push the two of them apart but Barrett didn’t yield. Barrett’s arms were strong, and he couldn’t easily break free without making a fuss and risking waking the other two sleeping wolves in the room. Alan buried his face against Barrett’s chest as he practically felt steam leaving his ears as he held back a scream.

“Oh? You going to start up again? I don’t mind.” Barrett was stilling grinning down at the human trying to hide himself against his furry chest.

“S-shut up!” Alan wanted to punch the wolf who only rubbed along his back with a hand as if encouraging Alan to keep going.

“What? Don’t I make a good substitute when he’s not around?” Barrett’s growl was low, and Alan barely understood the foreign language of the wolves. “I could do so much while he’s gone. Even when he’s here, I could provide for you with some much needed… support. Alpha is a very large wolf. You’ll need another set of hands just to… handle him.”

“What?” Alan asked in confusion as he pushed away from Barrett’s chest to look up at the wolf.

“Did you sleep well?” Barrett asked innocently as his eyes danced with delight at his teasing. It wasn’t often he got such a chance and Reese had given him permission to help with all of Alan’s needs… Every last one of them.

“Ah, well, yeah. I guess?” Alan rubbed one of his eyes, glancing behind him at the empty space Reese had been at. “He was here right…? I didn’t dream that…?”

“Yes. Alpha came down late last night.” Barrett nodded as he watched the human who reached out to feel the spot his Alpha had slept at. Barrett’s ears folded back watching the gentle display. How Alan caressed the spot lovingly and yet with a forlorn look to his eyes as if he’d never see Reese again.

The meek, helpless, lonely human pulled at Barrett’s heart strings, and he pulled Alan an inch closer, sharing his body heat with him.

“His spot is still warm… when did he leave?” Alan yawned as he turned around to lay on the spot. He could smell Reese on it and Barret’s ear flicked at the human retreating from him so casually. Alan had moved to Reese’s spot without even glancing back at the wolf that was still here with him.

Barrett scooting closer, behind the human, and draped an arm back over him. His muzzle brushed Alan’s face as his hot breath whispered in his ear.

“Alpha left about an hour ago. He wanted me to keep an eye on you…” Barrett pushed his chest against Alan’s back who had closed his eyes, resting on the wolf’s muscular bicep while lying in Reese’s spot. Barrett was supporting his Alpha-mate, even now. “I’ll be here with you while he’s gone.”

“What about you…?” Alan yawned again as he pet the spot Reese had been at. “Don’t you… have plans today? I don’t want you stuck watching boring old me again. I’m not that interesting, heh. I’m sure there are a dozen other things you rather be doing.”

Barrett placed a hand on Alan’s chest and felt the human ease into his touch, pushing back against Barrett’s front as the two laid together. Like they’d done most the night and all the morning after Reese had left.  

“No… no, I don’t mind at all…” Barrett said as he rested his head over Alan’s shoulder, watching the top of the stairs now. Like an overprotective dog keeping its master safe while they slept. The two enjoying another hour together slipping in and out of blissful sleep before Alan forced his tired limbs to get up and moving.

“We got a long day,” Alan started and practically dragged the two wolf brothers out of the bed by their tails as Barrett watched nearby.

It had been a slog to get Salt and Pepper off him that morning. Once they’d woken up, they latched onto Alan as tightly as ever and he struggled to get the two awake enough before shepherding them upstairs to get washed for the day. The two complained endlessly, or rather Salt did. Pepper was mute as ever, only adding the smallest of things in as Alan brushed their fur, forced toothbrushes into their hands and began making breakfast shortly after as they finished up.

Barrett had stayed around for the morning and was the ever-vigilant watch dog for the group. Staying off to the side as he kept an eye on everything. Every now and then he’d pull out his phone to send a text. That was until Alan pulled him back into the conversation, not about to have the wolf follow him around without including him in this mess.

No rest for the wicked.

“What do you want?” Alan had three skillets going and was already adding more sausage links to one of the pans. He never asked where they got the meat from. A fresh batch would show up every week or so and would be disrupted from The Den across the street; the wolf run bar and grill they had set up sometime during last year.

It was the primary hang out the wolves went to while Alan dealt with the younger members of The Pack.

“What?” Barrett’s ears perked up as he glanced over at the human. Then, with a drooling muzzle, down at the rich assortment of foods cooking before him. Eggs with bacon and sausages were sizzling loudly in the pans. Tasty aromas filling the living room he stood in.  

“Food. What kind of food do you want?” Alan said jabbing the spatula at him before turning towards the two other wolves in the room. Alan already knew what Salt and Pepper wanted and how they liked it, having been cooking for the two since they showed up.

Salt and Pepper had been tossed into The Pack like most the other wolves. Left to their own devices and Alan had found the two digging through the trash before he stepped in to help take care of them. Bathe them, wash and trim their fur and get them cleaned up and looking somewhat civilized before stuffing them full of food.

A fat, full wolf was an easy wolf to deal with.

The human was still getting used to all these wolves about. There were guards stationed at Reese’s place, as Alpha he needed the extra protection. A larger section of the wolves primarily stayed around their new homes and the borders of their territory. Led by a wolf by the name of Tate, they patrolled their borders. Keeping their home safe. These wolves were often seen coming in and out of the various houses along the border and around the fence they had erected around wolf street.

It still left plenty of strays roaming the streets or lurking around, positioned there by Reese, and left there until the Alpha told them otherwise. Like the two standing near the stairwell leading up to the second floor where Reese worked. Sadly, Reese had gone out this morning just leaving Alan with all these strange wolves he was still trying to figure out.

The two others jumped at being acknowledged, exchanging looks, before looking towards Barret who just growled at them.

“Don’t look at me. Alpha-mate asked you a question,” Barrett shooed them away. Not wanting to deal with that. No one knew how to deal with Alan outside those closest to Reese. “I’ll have bacon.” Barret rested back against the wall, trying to appear casual but was just as tense as everyone else was.

A harsh reminder to the human that they were always on edge around him. If they did or said something wrong, Reese would have to step in and put them in their place for disrespecting his mate. Like what happened with Pike last summer. It was a lot to deal with so early in the morning and Alan was putting a third pot of coffee on. There were a lot of mouths to feed these days and one coffee pot just wouldn’t cut it.

“Okay, so you’ll have bacon with your eggs… and you two? Uh, Brindle and Tawny, right?” Alan was struggling to learn all their names. Unable to use scent, it made it difficult differentiate the wolves from one another.

Several of the wolves were related. Unlike humans, it was common to be birthed in a litter of up to four to seven pups. Each with similar colorations to their fur or markings. Some females even looked male from a distance. It only made it more difficult and complicated to figure one out from the other without being able to tell using other senses than sight as humans did.

Let alone when certain wolves had similar fathers but not mothers…

Alan tried his damndest to get it right. Barrett was usually there, helping out with a comment or remark if he made a mistake or was confused. The fact he didn’t this time meant Alan had gotten it right. Even if he had mistaken one for the other.  

“Eggs.” Brindle, the larger of the two, grumbled without meeting his eyes. His ears were folded back, head down and tail tucked in as he spoke to Alan with hunched in shoulders looking so tense he might crap out a diamond.

“Everything.” Tawny was far more spirited than her brother was and perked her tail for a moment before lowering it back down under Barrett’s watchful eye. They all knew that Barrett was in direct contact with Reese and would be reporting everything to the Alpha.

Even if Tawny and her brother Brindle were placed there because Reese trusted them in the main house, they still were lower on the pack than Barrett or Alan was and needed to show respect. Like many of the wolves here, Reese had personally rescued Brindle and Tawny and the two owed him a life debt because of it.

“Sounds good!” Alan was already adding more food to the mix. “Ah, I haven’t cooked for this many people since I did that semester in culinary.” Alan brushed the scrambles eggs onto an ever-growing plate that was forming a mountain of steaming yellow eggs. Unsalted, with no pepper. They were blander than Alan would like but the wolves didn’t seem to mind.

Their taste buds being inferior to a humans.

No one said anything and the silence dragged on. With Salt and Pepper in the bathroom still getting ready, Alan was left alone with a wolf who rarely spoke and two who were terrified to do anything wrong.

“Oh, yeah. It was crazy!” Alan just went on as if they had asked. “Omnivores are usually put in charge of cooking during the bigger classes. Able to do the salad buffet for the herbivores and the meats for the carnivores.” Alan just went on as he used a pair of rubber tipped tongs to turn the sausages. “The room was divided, right? Normal stuff. We worked in the middle and would deliver the food to both sides. Good times… good times…”

No one spoke and Alan was feeling increasingly uncomfortable in the room as he turned the overhead fan on now as he added another carton of eggs to the mix.

“Why’d you quit?” The voice made a shiver run down Alan’s back and every ear perk and turn towards the source. Alan turned just as quickly to see PB walk in from the back sliding door, coming from the small side house in the backyard he and his pups were staying in.

As if on cue, the pups swarmed inside the room and began jumping on everything. Some even dropped down to sniff at the floor, looking far more feral and wild as they walked around on hands and feet. A common feature for children to have. It would take time, effort, and a lot of discipline to get their more animal tendencies under control and in check.

Society frowned on anyone who acted out, while giving children a reprieve due to their age.  

PB looked exhausted and didn’t try to wrangled the pups in as they began running all over. Brindle had to stop two of them from trying to go upstairs. A harsh growl sent them running for the hills. The wolf not backing down, even in front of pups.

Alan wanted to say something about that but didn’t know what to. He knew wolves tended to be more aggressive with each other, but these were PB’s pups, not part of the pack and yet…

They were PB’s pups. He felt protective over them, for his old friend’s sake. Brindle hadn’t done anything, yet, and Alan let it slide for now. Not wanting to cause a scene. Instead, focusing on their father who limped over to the counter.

PB ignored the two guards watching him closely and pretended Barrett wasn’t even there as he climbed up onto one of the stools to sit at the counter.

“Eh, I quit because the credit wasn’t really going towards what I was going in for.” Alan shrugged, trying not to appear nervous about answering the simple question. He had wanted to talk to someone. Anyone! He just wasn’t prepared to see PB in the morning. Or afternoon. Or evening. Alan was still trying to adjust to these wolves let alone his ex-lover just walking in like this… “What are you doing here…? Did you sleep well?”

His tired eyes looked up and Alan smiled as they met his. PB’s tail nub wagged, even though it hurt to wag.

“There isn’t food in the back house. Or at least, not anymore.” He motioned with his scarred muzzle at the pups that had been rounded up by Tawny and put in front of the TV. The TV had been turned onto a bright colorful cartoon show that quickly captured their attention.

Five super hero pups were flying around the city and saving everyone. It was harmless, cute show that neglected to show just how violent the real world was. Alan only noticed now, nearly thirty-seven, just how biased the show was. The five superheroes were different breeds of dogs and all the villains just happened to be predators.

“We supplied provisions when you got here…” Barrett stepped over, making Alan jump. He hadn’t even noticed the wolf coming over. Barrett must’ve moved the second PB had come in; he was glaring at the damaged wolf as if expecting PB to leap over the counter and attack Alan.

Just another thing Alan had to worry about in the future. Making sure Barrett, or one of these other wolves, didn’t attack PB or his pups. Foreign wolves on their territory was only being tolerated because of the strict orders of their Alpha.

Alan doubted his words would carry any kind of weight to them and was already trying to make sure PB didn’t have to interact with any of the other wolves not directly linked to the Alpha.  

“Not enough. Pups tore through that pitiful amount you tossed on the doorstep.” PB glared back, flashing his fake fangs at Barrett. The look on his face made Alan’s breath catch in his throat. One of his eyes had a milky white film over it, blind as it was. The other though was far more dangerous looking than Alan would’ve ever associated with PB.

PB had been so… soft and caring growing up. The life he’d been through after they separated must’ve been unbearably hard to have such hardened lines form along his muzzle that scrunched up, PB flashing the dentures he had to wear these days. The fangs were still menacing looking even as artificial as they were.

He didn’t have fangs anymore, but his bite would be just as vicious as before.

“If you have complaints. You can leave a memo for Alpha…” Barrett growled back. He had stepped next to Alan now and, if Alan didn’t know better, thought Barrett was rubbing his body against Alan’s side. Rubbing his scent on the human as if to remind this other wolf he wasn’t up for the taking.

It would’ve been less obvious if Barrett just opened his pants and pissed all around Alan than this.

Alan wanted to laugh at the action and if it had just been the two of them, he might’ve. With PB, the two guards, and his pups here… and with Salt and Pepper coming into the room; well, things got cramped real fast.

“There’s enough for everyone.” Alan said louder than he meant too, his voice squeaking at the end. He quickly cleared his throat at the look he got from several of the others. “There’s plenty of eggs and the next shipment should be coming in later today. Reese said it was okay to splurge a bit while PB and his pups are staying with us, Barrett.” Alan said to the wolf next to him. “Ease up,” he added under his breath.

Barrett’s ears flicked and he looked down at the human who’d reached out a single hand to touch his arm. Barrett’s eyes fell to the hand touching his arm as his body tensed up and he took a forced breath between clenched teeth. His tail had gone rigid, and it took great effort to relax, not wanting to worry his Alpha-mate.

“Yes, of course. As long as Alpha says…” Barrett hesitated. Looking as if he wanted to step away from Alan but, at the same time, wanting to step closer. Into that touch.

Alan had met and seen several kinds of touch starved people over the years, but these wolves were another story.

PB watched the display with a growing frown as his scruffy eyebrows lowered over his tired, dull eyes.

“Ahem,” PB cleared his throat and Barret jumped, taking a step back. He’d been staring at Alan and PB was beginning to feel increasingly awkward watching whatever was happening. “That sound wonderful, Alan. Thank you for helping my pups.”

“Of course. I’m glad to help.” Alan nodded. Noting how PB hadn’t said he’d been helping PB but, rather, his pups.

PB was swallowing what little pride he had left, not for himself, but for his pups. Wanting to make sure they were taken care of. Even after everything he’d been through, PB was trying to be a good father. No matter how exhausting raising eight pups must have been for the man.

“What do you do?” Alan suddenly asked, getting a look from PB. “Just chop a chickens head off and toss it between them,” he motioned with his chin towards the pups. The action was very wolf like, as if Alan was trying to motion with the muzzle he didn’t have towards the living room where the pups were at.

PB chuckled at that, the corner of his lips pulling up in a soft smile from the action.

“For them? A chicken wouldn’t do.” PB shrugged a tired shoulder. “I have to go wrangle up a cow, at least, before setting them loose on it.” PB teased back.

“Lasso one in and drag it back for your hellspawn to feast on?” Alan smiled and PB gave a weak laugh.

“Something like that, yeah…”

Talking as they used to, back in those days, in high school together. Simpler times. The two always playfully jesting with one another.

“I’d imagine you just open the back door and let them run off, fend for themselves, before coming back to clean up the mess they made.” Alan laughed and PB’s nub of a tail wagged again at the sound of it.

“They make a big mess, yeah… you should see the back house,” PB thumbed over one shoulder towards the entrance he’d come in from. “Reese will not be happy about that.”

“Alpha,” Barrett corrected PB but not Alan, something the human had noted. Maybe he had gotten closer to the wolf after, well, snuggling into his chest all morning after Reese had left earlier to do whatever it was he did these days.

Barrett’s tone was harsh, and he flashed fangs at the other wolf, a low rumbling growl filling his chest.

“He’s not my Alpha.” PB shot him another glare, offering a meager growl in return. Doing his best to confront this larger, healthier, stronger wolf…

Alan had to step in before things escalated.

“Barrett,” he warned, and the wolf’s ears splayed out at the tone Alan had used with him. Alan rarely had to put his foot down but there were some lines he wouldn’t let them cross around him. “He’s Reese’s guest. Don’t forget that…”

“Right. Yes, you are correct… Alpha-mate.” Barret said, nodding towards Alan with an apology before adding his title as he glanced over at this other wolf. As if wanting to rub the title into PB’s face to remind the wolf that Alan was not his any longer.

Barrett was already holding himself back. The fact this other wolf, this stranger, had walked into their territory, his territory! In front of his Alpha’s mate, in front of Alan that Barrett was in charge of protecting… it was a miracle that Barrett hadn’t lunged at PB the second he’d stepped inside, going straight for his throat.

Alan seemed to miss that. To miss how much Barrett, as well as the other two guards, were holding themselves back in front of these strangers. Brindle and Tawny had been assigned here to watch over the place, and Alan, and to have this stranger walk into the Alpha’s den was… unforgivable.

It was common place for wolves to fight in the pack. An outsider? An outsider entering their home, their residence. The place where Barrett had slept with Alan in the master bedroom below…?

Barrett gritted his teeth, curling a hand into a tight fist as he held back the urges egging him on to put PB, this wolf, in his place. The act would surely win him credit with his Alpha’s mate and Alpha. The wolf instinct inside was telling Barrett what to do, even if logically he knew it would have the opposite results than what it was telling him it would have.

If life was simpler, such violence would be rewarded. Barrett almost missed those days.

“My apologies,” and he bowed towards Alan before shooting PB another look when the human turned back to the food. “Here.” Barrett stepped closer and pressed his side against Alan’s. “Let me assist you…”

“Oh. OH! Thanks, that’s a big help.” Alan was clueless about what Barrett was doing. The wolf moving into the human’s space and rubbing his body against him, brushing their sides and arms against one another as he assisted him with finishing breakfast.

Every act, every move, ever “accidentally” bump left the human giggling and laughing, pushing, and playfully shoving the wolf away. The wolf who just smirked at PB. Who watched the entire show with a blank expression over his face.

“Salt. Pepper!” Alan called and the two came rushing into the already cramped kitchen. “Here. Take these out. No! Don’t eat them yet. Make sure everyone has food.” Alan said guiding them out, directing them as he kept the two in check as they made their way out, hands full with plates of food.

Alan had learned to utilize the two brothers in helping out with the overabundance of things he had to do around the place. An extra two sets of hands was a great help and Pepper was growing into his height, standing even taller than Alan was these days. Might as well use him for it.

The two got plenty of head pats and chin scratches for behaving as they did, and they wagged their tails as Alan thanked each of them after.

Barrett stayed behind, turning the oven off before glancing up at PB who was still watching Alan go. Watching as the human dished out the food, laughing and smiling about it the entire time. Even getting his pups under control with the offer and promise of food. Chiding them when necessary and rewarding them when they behaved.

Just as he did with Salt and Pepper. He was a natural and PB felt his muzzle dip down at the sight of it.

“He’s good, isn’t he?” Barrett voice was no more than a growling whisper and PB looked over at him.

“What?” PB glared seeing that smug expression on this wolf’s face. PB never had the displeasure of meeting Barrett back in the old days. The wolf being part of the second house.

“Alan, Alpha’s mate… he’s really good at this. Working with the younger members of the pack. Watching over them, making sure they’re fed… educating them. He would’ve made a perfect mate, don’t you agree?” Barrett’s words seemed friendly enough but the jab at the end was like a hot knife into PB’s guts. “A pity you missed out.”

PB growled low in warning.

“He’s so soft to sleep with…” Barrett added on, and he watched with great amusement as PB’s fur lifted up on the back of his neck and shoulders at his taunting remarks. “Snuggled up real close to me last night. You can smell it, can’t you? My musk on him… he got real nice and close to me. I kept him safe and warm all night after Alpha left this morning. He was practically whimpering my name.”

PB growl grew as he flashed his fake fangs at him.

“What? Why does that bother you…?” Barrett rested against the counter, leaning real close now and snorting his breath over PB’s face. Daring this other wolf to make the first move. Barrett couldn’t throw the first punch, but he could throw the second…

“It has nothing to do with me…” PB turned away, backing down and Barret was almost… disappointed, that he did. The wolf snorted in disgust at PB’s cowardice.

Even now. He was nothing more than a coward. A coward who wouldn’t even fight for a better future as Reese had.

“I heard from Alpha what you did…” Barrett pulled back as he began to clean up the mess. PB flinched at that, refusing to look at him now. “What you tried to do in front of the old pack Alpha… in front of father.” Barrett’s words were void of emotion as he spoke, still in a growl that only wolves or other canines could fully understand. “I knew you were queer. But that? That was downright foolish. Even for a faggot.”

“Everyone knows.” PB grumbled back. “This isn’t anything new…”

“Yes. I’d imagine plenty of wolves have reminded you of it over the years…” Barrett just looked down on PB, not for what he had done but for… “He was hurt, you know.” Barrett’s words were empty, and it was impossible to know who he was referring to. PB involuntarily shuddered at the tone. The threat. The anger behind the mask Barrett wore.

“What…?” PB turned slightly back towards him. Afraid to turn his back on this other wolf.

“Alan. Alan was devastated after you… left him.” Barrett took a deep breath, letting it out before continuing. His claws scratching the counter top as he looked down at them. Watching his nails trail over the surface. “Reese told me. All about it. Every ounce of pain Alan has gone through because of your foolish mistake…”

“His suffering?” PB almost got up, but a hand kept him from doing so. PB flinched as Brindle stepped behind him, keeping him in place now. Trapped between the two wolves who were warning him. The only kindness they would show PB during his stay here.

A warning not to step out of line. Not to ruin this for them. Not to try anything foolish, as he had done back then. A mistake that had nearly cost him his life. A mistake that would cost him so much more if he tried anything.

“He’s happy now... Alpha. Alpha is happy now… don’t try anything to ruin this.” Barrett adjusted his shirt and tie, tightening the loose fabrics he’d kept open to appear casual around Alan to put the human at ease. Just as how Reese used to do when Alan had reconnected with him. “Things are finally going right for us, coward. We have a good Alpha. We have a stronghold here. Things are finally recovering after the past Alphas mistakes… don’t… don’t you dare ruin this for me.” Barrett warned and Brindle’s hand tightened painfully on PB’s shoulder, gripping at his collar bone.

The first and last warning they’d give him. The last of their kindness they would show for a wolf who had abandoned his own and didn’t even stay with the mate he promised to run away with. There had been rumors and stories of the nutty brown furred wolf that had confronted their current Alpha’s father…

None of them had been good. Each turning into their own stories with warnings behind them. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you was the simplest of the morals taught because of it.

Barrett… Barrett, like so many other wolves, had dreamt of attempting something like PB had. The fact the wolf had nearly been killed? Was expected. The fact PB had abandoned the mate he had sworn himself to was unforgiveable.

“If you are going to die, at least die trying to accomplish something you love…” Barrett recalled the words of his departed sister Lilith. Who, even until the end, fought for a better future for them all…

“Barrett!” A voice spoke up and the wolf’s ears turned towards it. “We’re waiting for you! Hurry your ass up.” Alan called from the living room and Barrett smirked at PB.

“I’m being summoned.” Barrett was pleased to say before calling back to Alan. “I’ll be right there, Alpha-mate.” And the wolf collected the leftover remnants of food, the gristle and grease and burnt bits… placing them all on a plate before tossing it in front of PB. “Enjoy a cowards meal.”

Barrett took his own plate of food around to join Alan and his half brothers and PB’s pups in the living room to enjoy their meal together. Part of the whole, part of the pack. Welcomed and accepted together. Laughing and talking and teasing one another. Merriment and joy filled the living room as Tawny and Brindle stood nearby, enjoying the food while still on duty.

They even added a comment or a remark here or there. Alan would welcome them. Talk to them. Include them. And everyone was smiling by the end with full stomachs.

As PB remained at the counter, picking at the leftovers he’d been given. No one calling him over to join the others. No one laughed with him or smiled at him. Not any longer. PB was the odd one out, excluded from the group. The whole. The Pack and… and family.

Alan sat down on one of the sofas with Salt and Pepper scrunched up on his left, Barrett on his right. The pups swarmed the table where the food had been placed, only after Alan had gotten his plate. Everyone in the room waiting for him to take a bite before digging in.

He used a fork and was surprised to see Salt and Pepper trying to use one as well, giving up halfway into their meal before licking their plates clean. Alan chuckled at that, admiring the fact they at least tried. The fact so many wolves were chowing down their food in front of them had brought up their competitive spirit, unable to hold back.

Salt and Pepper didn’t want to be the last one picking at their plate. There was a common saying in any wolf pack. There was no such as seconds. The slow eaters never got so lucky for that. It was commonplace to load up ones plate to the point the mound of food might tip over; for at least then it would be yours and you wouldn’t have to go back groveling for seconds.

Everyone ate as if their life depended on it. Except for the human who at least tried to enjoy his breakfast.

Leaving only Alan left in the end.

The pups yipped and got on each other but weren’t allowed to get up just yet. Everyone waiting for Alan to finish before they were allowed to do so. The human, embarrassed at being put in the spotlight, gave the left overs to Salt and Pepper to finish off and claimed he was full when asked about it.

To share his food with the two had seemed to be the highlight of their year, as if it had been their birthday and Alan had just given them their presents.  

“I always give myself extra in case Reese or one of the boys are still hungry.” Alan said, knowing how lucky they all were for being able to have leftovers. With everything going on, most weren’t as fortunate as they were.

Alan never asked how that was. Not wanting to know the gory details about how the wolves managed to survive even during a “meat drought” as it was being known as. The shortage was affecting the entire Northwest and yet they were able to have plenty of extras.

“Alpha will take care of it.” Barrett had told Alan, not wanting him to worry about it.

“Right,” Alan was used to that by now. It was such a cop out. To just put that burden on Reese.

At the thought Alan who was still sitting on the sofa as everyone ran off to play or get back to work, was texting Reese. He tried to do it more these days. Knowing his wolf appreciated when he made the effort to reach out to him. Reese had a full schedule as it was, and he wasn’t the best at this. Every little bit helped ease the burden Reese was carrying for them all.

Texting like this, though, made Alan smile. Recalling when the two had first reunited with each other over four years ago in that office building Alan still worked at.

“Hey babe. I’m at home with the boys and Barrett. I’ll be helping PB out today with his pups. Try to give the poor guy a break. He looks like he’s about to drop dead any second! Miss you. Loved how you came down last night. I slept in your spot after you left… Let’s sex again.” Alan chuckled at the end as he sent a wolf emoji to Reese. One of two wolves kissing and another of the two wolves underneath a blanket together as hearts popped up over them.

There was movement to his right and Alan didn’t need to look over to see who it was.

“You don’t have to do that,” Alan didn’t even look at PB who was trying to help clean up after the mess his pups made. “I’ll get to it in a moment. You should take a seat. It’s far more comfortable over here than on one of those cheap ass stools we got. We need to buy new ones.” Alan glanced up at him, if only for a second before looking down at his phone.

Alan saying without saying that PB should’ve joined them sooner in the living room instead of pouting like a spoiled dog at the counter all by himself. Alan hadn’t excluded him. He just hadn’t dragged PB along as he had done the others.

Because… because PB wasn’t his to drag along. They weren’t that to each other anymore. Friends, if that, and little else. The weight of his words hung in the air, and it grew heavy as they each refused to back down on this. Stubborn until the end.

PB had taken a moment, looking down at the plates he’d been trying to collect. He didn’t have the grip he once had. It hurt to carry more than one plate. Even bending over like this was hurting his back. Sighing, he set the plates back down and limped over to take a seat on one of the side couches, giving Alan plenty of room.

Or, maybe, giving himself plenty of room from Alan.

“What? Don’t have to ask daddy Alpha for permission first?” PB tried to make a joke, but the venom still leaked out. He closed his mouth. “Sorry,” he added not wanting to be that guy. It was hard to ignore that part of himself now. Being here. In this new pack. It was so much like the old one, despite the differences Alan and Reese had been trying to make with it.

“Please,” Alan rolled his eyes ignoring the tone PB had used. “I can ask daddy Reese for anything, and he’d buy it for me.” Alan laughed, smiling now as he texted on his phone. “He’s my sugar daddy.”

“IS that why you’re with him?” PB lifted an eyebrow as if hoping it was just that simple. That Alan was some kind of gold digger and not because he actually could love a man like Reese.

“Yeah, can’t you tell.” Alan rolled his eyes, setting his cheap ass phone down and looking over at PB. “I’m just studded with diamond rings and gold chains, and I have two mustangs, a couple of bikes, a helicopter in the back yard and like fifty boats…” The human just laughed at the end. “Damn, I kind of wish I had a boat now. Could take the boys fishing.”

“You? Fishing?” PB snorted at the idea. “Never would’ve guessed.”

“Hey, we used to talk about getting jet skis back in the day!” Alan sat up at that, facing towards PB. He always did that. Full body, eye contact, addressing you whenever he talked and PB was the one to shrink back into his seat at that look.

That look Alan gave you like you were the only two people in the world and nothing else mattered.

“I don’t think you can fish on a jet ski,” Barrett butted in and PB shot him another look as Alan turned to face the wolf walking back in. “I’ll clean this up,” he added, glancing up at Alan. “If that is alright, Alpha-mate. That way you can continue talking with your friend.”

“Oh, okay. Thank you, Barrett.” Alan smiled at him, a rosy tint in his cheeks. “You’ve been, uh, extremely accommodating lately…” He tried to whisper to Barrett when he leaned down. Barrett just smiled with a single nod.

“Of course. My job is to make your life easier, Alpha-mate.” Barrett even wagged his tail once as he collected the mess and walked back to the kitchen with it all. “Please let me know if there is anything else I can do to assist you.”

The water turned on and the wolf began cleaning things up. PB knew he was still listening into their conversation. Most likely reporting it all to Reese when he got the chance. He was putting on a front for Alan and the naïve human was falling for it. Barrett could’ve smiled at Alan while wringing PB’s neck and he’d have been none the wiser for who Barrett really was.

“He’s not a bad guy,” Alan said catching the look on PB’s face. “A little… intense, sure. And strict. And needs to pull the stick out of his ass,” he laughed.

“I heard that.” Barrett growled from the kitchen.

“And nosy.” Alan continued to laugh. “Very nosy. Likes to put his snoot all up in your business! He’s a good guy though, I promise PB…” Alan reached out as if to touch the wolf but hesitated, withdrawing his hand. PB was almost sad to see it go. Instead, Alan just scooted a little closer to him as they talked. “I know things have been and were fucking insane back in the old pack… Reese is changing that. Things are different now. This isn’t the same pack as it had been.”

“Alan…” PB sighed, not wanting to get in on this.

“PB.” Alan cut him off, giving him a stern look like a father about to scold his child, despite PB being two years older than Alan. “I’m not trying to get you to stay or move in. I’m just telling you how it is. Barrett’s a cool guy, I promise. He won’t do anything unless he absolutely has to… like with Pike.”

“Pike?” PB frowned, unsure who that was.

“Pike was one of the newer wolves in the pack… he did not like me.” Alan grimaced, feeling the need to tell PB. “He tried to, uh, do things to me. Thought if he made a show of putting me in my place, he’d somehow win Reese over. And, oh boy, it did NOT turn out well for him…”

PB frowned at Alan. “It doesn’t seem that different then to how it used to be before.”

“Some things change, PB.” Alan smile softened and the crow’s feet around his eyes were more pronounced in that moment. Alan looking older than he was. Like a man who had lived two lives before. “Some things don’t. Thems the facts of life,” he chuckled. “There will always be bad people out there. Wolves? Humans? Others… it doesn’t matter. What does matter, is who you choose to surround yourself with at the end of the day.”

“I…” PB chewed on his lip, unsure what to say.

“Reese will figure out what happened to Gristle. Your ex can go fuck himself.” Alan gave a half shrug. “You have your pups and… you do have friends here,” and Alan reached over to place a hand on his knee. A glass broke in the kitchen making PB jump. “Ignore him,” Alan just said, not wanting to know what Barrett had dropped or smashed or thrown against the wall. “And PB? I’m not just talking about myself… Reese wouldn’t have let you stay here if he didn’t trust and like you. Trust me on that!” Alan pulled back.

“I never know what Reese is thinking…” PB admitted. “Showing up here was the last resort and…”

“I know.” Alan said because they had already talked about this so many times already. “When the shit hits the fan, PB? You need a strong network to fall back on. Those you can trust and will have your back. It doesn’t have to be family… hell, most of the time it isn’t. Reese… Reese has helped a lot of people over the years you’ve been out of contact with him. Way before he began helping you.”

“He has?” PB could hardly believe that.

“Heh, yeah. I know. It seems strange but… out of everyone here? Myself included. Reese is the one who has helped the most people out. Dogs, originally. Friends from his time in service… me.” Alan frowned, thinking about it. “Fuck, PB. I was a mess when you were gone.”

PB’s stumps for ears folded back at that. Alan quickly waved off the whine that escaped the wolf’s throat.

“No, no. Not just that. Not just… you. PB, do you remember my parents?” Alan asked and the wolf gave a weak nod. “Well… they’re dead, PB. They passed away years ago. Overdose. House burned down. It was a… a whole thing,” Alan shook his head, trying not to recall the gory details.

“Shit, Alan. I never knew… I mean, I knew your parents were…” PB stopped himself. Not wanting to continue. To admit he knew how hard Alan had it growing up and that he had promised to get Alan out of there.

He hadn’t.

PB hadn’t done that. He had gotten injured, fallen into a coma and woke up and… and the first thing he had done was to hide away from it all. Hide away from the pack that had taken everything from him. He hadn’t even tried to look for Alan.

“I was away at college.” Alan gave a weak half-shrug of a shoulder. “I read about it in the papers after someone from class mentioned it. Trailer park burned down,” Alan grimaced. “Illegal drug den exploded or something along those lines. My parents were overdosed in their home. Didn’t even wake up to the flames or smoke. They never even knew what took their lives… That place… that place was no place to raise a child and my parents did. It’s a miracle I’m as sane and healthy as I turned out to be.”

The faucet from the kitchen had long since been turned off as Alan recounted his past.

“I’m sorry, Alan.” PB apologized. “I’m sorry for… so many things…”

“Seeing you brings it back. Like an old scab wound I had forgotten about. Makes it itch again,” Alan shook his head. “I tried to keep on going but, PB? I wasn’t living. I was going day to day in my life and just… that was it.” Alan looked at him. “I know what you are doing, now. I can see it on your face. In your eyes. When we met four years ago…? I saw it in your eyes because they used to look like my eyes… You are alive but not living. And that… I’ve been there.”

PB didn’t say anything to that. True or not, he’d never admit it. For his pups sake. He would do this for them if nothing else. They deserved to have a happy life. Where he didn’t… where Alan didn’t. PB would make sure things were different for his pups. Even swallowing his pride, and fear, to come to a new pack.  

“Maybe I should go check on them,” PB moved as if to get up, but Alan placed a hand on his leg again. Stopping him.

“PB?” He asked and the tired wolf looked at him. “We’re here for you. As your friends. Not just when the real big shit happens. But the little things as well. I regret… I regret not trying to keep in touch with you these past couples of years. Yes. Yes we needed time apart, but you are still my dear, close friend as before. You are still Reese’s friend. And I… I was a coward. It hurt to see you like this. But that was my own selfishness getting in the way. PB. If you ever need help, again, please… please know you can talk to us. To me. I’ll always be there for you.”

PB looked into that caring face. Open, vulnerable, and exposed to him. Alan was bearing his heart and soul to the wolf and PB was afraid of what it would mean if he were to offer his back.

“Okay, Alan. I’ll try.” PB finally agreed.

“That’s all I ask. That’s all we can do. Is try, PB.” Alan smiled back, offering him a hand to help PB stand back up. “Let’s go make sure your hellspawn haven’t torn Salt and Pepper to shreds yet, okay?”

“And feasted on their bone marrow?” PB added in and the two laughed together, like old friends, as Alan helped the half-blind wolf, limping wolf out back to check on his pups.

Barrett watched from behind, following them out shortly after. After he’d sent a text message to their Alpha…