Werewulf part 15
#15 of Werewulf
So yeah, part 15 here lol last of my saved up copies, i need to get writing! haha
Chapter 15.
Duke stopped pretending to snore when he heard Kyle begin, his eyes flashing open in rage. He was gunna kill Anthony. With a predatory, deadly silence he slipped from the annex cubby and descended the ladder, his dad already dragging a protesting Anthony through the living room and outside.
"You all heard too?" Duke asked in a whisper.
"Humans could wake the dead; it was kinda funny though how hard he was trying to stay quiet." Brianna admitted.
The family left the camp lodge and stood on the lawn just outside the front door careful to close it.
"Care to explain what the hell that was?" Their dad asked Anthony, "You obviously wanted to make a scene, and you knew we could all hear you, so what are you trying to prove?" His voice was relatively calm if a bit annoyed. They could have all slept through Kyle's sneaking if they chose to ignore it, but Anthony speaking to Kyle was too interesting for them to ignore.
The boy in question brooded, "I'm just sick of Duke always making things difficult and you all know that. This is the eighth pity case in a year and I hate having to fix his problems and deal with obsessive children clamouring for him and treating him like a God!"
"So you risk all of ours secret to prove your own point?" His mother questioned disappointingly. "Anthony you know better; a pack stays together, all for one and one for all."
"I don't see Duke being part of the whole! He does his own thing and you all know it!" Anthony cried out in protest.
"It's still not your decision to make," his father boomed, "It's our pack, not yours alone."
"I wouldn't have to think this way if it wasn't for him in the first place!" Anthony cried, the five falling silent in shock, "If it wasn't for you!" he boomed, pointing at Duke, "For your obsession with that stupid man I wouldn't have to think like a wolf! I wouldn't have to worry about any of this shit, or having to feel like the majority of the earth is so beneath me I can't relate! I can't date a human! You can't date a human! So get over it!" He raged.
Duke growled under his breath and took a threatening step towards Anthony, "Don't talk about him like he was garbage," he warned, "Uncle was a good man."
"Uncle screwed us over. He was useless and did more harm than good." Anthony challenged, taking his own step forward, the pair growling at one another. There was enough aggression and dominance in the air to make a grown man cower from meters away, the people in the rest of the camp lodges had to be feeling a sense of uneasiness or dread from the residual scent.
"You know what? Forget Uncle," Anthony corrected, "This isn't about him, it's about Kyle and what's going on now."
"Why are you so against me trying to enjoy myself?" Duke demanded an answer.
"It's cruel what you do. You're the real monster you know that? Have you even seen the affects you have on your playthings?" In truth Duke didn't, but he kept up his fierce gaze, "You remember little red headed Alex in Seattle? He killed himself when you left him." Anthony said simply, not giving it time to even sink in, Duke's face one of shock, "Darrel from New York ran away from home and died of fatigue chasing after you to where you claimed we'd be, a city that doesn't even exist. Calvin, he got kicked out of his home and went to live with his aunt, he suffers severe depression and claims to have seen monsters so the doctors are watching him carefully. Tyler and Casey, the twins? They..."
"That's enough Anthony!" His father growled, the kids all retreating a bit from the intensity of the order.
"Why?! I think he should know that this is what will happen to everyone he up and leaves! Enough is enough dad, you have to see that."
"Kyle is different," Duke stated aloud, meaning it, "I feel something different with him."
Anthony rolled his eyes, "You feel a physical attraction and excited because you have another toy to run around with. You will play, maybe screw, and then leave him in that order and nothing else, like you always do."
"Kyle is different," he repeated.
"Prove it!" Anthony demanded, "If you can prove to me this is different, I'll leave it all be and apologize to anyone and everyone."
"How do I do that pray tell?" Duke asked, "You won't believe me anyway even though I know you saw the fight in him. You tried all you wanted and he didn't submit to you, I like that fight in him."
"Bite him," Anthony said simply, making everyone flinch wise eyed, Brianna even gasped, "Bite him, make him one of us and I'll believe you."
"Anthony Derek Grey!" His mother exclaimed.
"What mom? It won't matter if he loves a human anyway, they can't know about us without death being the punishment, or the transformation is made. That is the law, so why is it such a big deal he change someone he loves?" He rationalized. "If Duke loves Kyle, why doesn't he just change him now and get it over with?"
"Don't talk to your mother that way," Mr Grey stated almost casually, looking at Duke all the while, "And don't you do anything stupid over a brotherly fight. You know yourself the change is a life changer," he paused. "Duke I love you, but don't do anything rash, if you do turn him we will happily adopt, but please don't just do it because you _think _you love him, you have to love him for real."
Gay love was nothing new amongst beasts like them. Sex was a drive; passion didn't HAVE to be a factor, though amongst werewolves it often was. Duke stormed inside away from Anthony, a silent tornado of destruction as he climbed up the stairs to bed again. He didn't want to have to worry about it. He looked at Kyle as he slept, he inhaled the scent, and he remembered all he could about the boy...his boy.
It was love, that much was true, but he didn't want to force the change on him, he didn't want to hurt anyone else. Those stories of the other kids had cut deep, he didn't want to hurt anyone again, he didn't want to leave Kyle, but he didn't want to forcibly uproot him either. "Shit!" he breathed out and leapt under the covers, too frustrated to sleep a wink.
It was a very frustrated kind of fury he carried, a hate directed at Anthony being the outer most and shallow answer, but a deep anger directed at himself, being the core. In truth he was probably just angry at Anthony for being right about his other playthings...They were people too, it was just hard to see such mentally weak things as equal or worthy of pity, but he pitied all the same. That's why they didn't hold a candle to Kyle...that's what made him different. By now the others had been following him to caves, solving their own problems on mere suggestions from Duke. Kyle was resistant, strong and persistent.
Duke smiled a little, looking over at the other bed and granting himself night vision. His boy...such a strong boy...a fun boy...not a pity case he reaffirmed. "Good night Kyle."
~~~~
It took Kyle a second to realize where he was. The bed was too big, the blankets to warm and the pillow too fluffy and new to be his own. He groaned a bit, wiping the eye crusties from his eyes and squinting into the morning. The wooden walls of the cubby didn't sink in until he turned towards the beeping and the groaning to his left.
"Fuck every single moment in time before nine AM to the darkest epitome of Hell..." Duke grumbled. Kyle couldn't help but laugh a little at both the words said and the person saying them. Duke seemed like a morning person what with all the driving and coffee bringing he did, apparently that assumption couldn't be further from the truth.
"Not a morning person huh?" Kyle asked rhetorically, flopping his head back into the fluffy pillow, it was too comfortable to leave without a fight.
"How'd yah know?" He asked getting up and stretching, "I'll be fine in like five minutes, as for now I'm a miserable wreck."
It was nice to know that somehow Duke had a flaw, that he was human just like the rest of them. Up until that point he seemed almost fake, like he was so above everyone he didn't quite compare to anyone else. Hell even his weird jealousy thing with Alice was swiftly gotten over. Always fun, always truthful, always kind, and always...perfect. At least he wasn't a morning person.
The two eventually managed to leave the cubby, taking the ladder down to the first floor and going for the bathroom. Kyle got in first, relieving himself and washing up really quickly, leaving to give Duke his turn. Mrs Grey was still apologizing for the lack of sleepwear, offering Kyle breakfast that smelled so good Kyle might drown in his drool. Bacon, eggs, toast, French toast and syrup, oatmeal, orange juice and that heavenly coffee all seemed to envelope him as he entered the kitchen area.
"I'm sorry again for the lack of preparation you got," she went on, "Duke means well but he doesn't exactly think ahead."
"It's fine really," Kyle assured her hovering around the counter space, making Duke's mother grin.
"Take a seat; it'll be out in a moment I promise it's not going anywhere." She took a large knife in her hands and stabbed the bacon making Kyle freeze for a moment in fear at the professionalism of the stab, the power and ferocity behind in, but she returned to him with a grin, "See? Dead."
Kyle nodded and sat down at the table, Duke joining him a moment later, "Smells delish mom."
"Go wake your brother and sister Duke," she waved him off, offering her eldest son a kiss on the cheek, "They might not be in school but they sure as hell aren't going to get me to make them their own personal breakfasts."
Mister Grey entered the kitchen as Duke left it, his simple black pyjama pants and plain tee shirt made him look like he should be up and at 'em, but his unkempt hair, droopy eyes and lack of a smile made him seem even more like his son. "Morning Kyle, honey," he greeted the two, kissing the later on the cheek, "Is the coffee on?" he asked, slumping into the chair next to Kyle, "Sorry," he apologized, "I'm not a morning person."
Kyle smiled a bit, "Its fine, no need to apologize."
It was like a dream. Kyle just sat back and went through the motions that morning. Brianna entered the kitchen already done up for the day, Anthony opted to stay in bed and have other food later. They bickered, they apologized, they made plans, and they criticized and cracked inside jokes. There was no alcohol bottles to be picked up, no glass to be swept away from a fight, no fear, no nutrient tea, and no silence as to not wake Scott, or not loudness of Scott awake. Everything fit in place; it was functional in its disfunctionality. The imperfections were bearable and not fracture causing.
And Kyle was living it. He was in the middle of it all, occasionally an active member and not just an observer. That idea alone made him smile again, even if he did try and hide it from the family that took him in without a second thought.
~~~~
"What do you mean you don't have one?" Alice asked gently, legitimately confused not snobby or meaning 'What are you going to do to fix this problem?'
"I never got around to buying one of the school hoodies," Kyle explained, a bit embarrassed. It had been the first thing she asked of course, and it was the first thing he disappointed her with. One hundred percent of their interactions now were negative...
But she smiled anyway, "It's okay," she re-assured, rubbing his arm, "You don't have to wear one, I was just wondering."
"He'll have one," Quinn jumped in, giving the other girl a knowing look and they both shared a little laugh. Kyle always hated how some people seemed to just understand people by thought; at least he hated not being able to experience it.
"Okay, I'll meet you at the snack shack at six thirty okay?" Alice asked with a little grin that somehow managed to make her look more adorable...right?
Kyle had to do a double take, Alice was sitting there, staring into his eyes with her blue pools of perfection, her smile stunning, her top giving him just enough cleavage that it was a nice accent but he didn't stare, and he felt like...like, he was simply observing. But that couldn't be right, he definitely felt happy in both senses of the word. She was stunning, she was kind, she was his at least for the night, but it didn't feel like it was real.
And like that she left the two friends to their own devices for her own group; Kyle already missed her, confirming that it had to be a fluke before. Quinn hit him in the shoulder to snap him out of his little trance, "Ow! What the hell, that hurt!" He whined, more in shock than pain.
She gave him a look that begged him to admit he was stupid, "You're a senior in high school and you don't own a single goddam hoodie? Really?" She demanded, smile not there it was hard to tell if she was actually pissed.
"Sorry?" he offered, "I'm kind of broke all the time, I've kinda just gotten over my effeminate jean jacket remember?" He asked, shaking the coat he currently wore for effect, then he rubbed his head and pinched his forehead.
"You okay?" Quinn asked, "I didn't mean to make it so big a deal, no need to cry about it."
"My heads just been hurting on and off lately that's all," Kyle stated simply, "But really how am I going to get a hoodie if I'm broke?"
Quinn shrugged, "Whore yourself off at the corner?"
Kyle gave her a look before replying in a loud voice, "I need the money by tonight. I can't raise thirty dollars, buy the hoodie, AND make myself look good! All my customers prefer long passionate evenings." he explained, Quinn immediately bursting out into laughter.
~~~~
Duke couldn't look at Kyle the same anymore; Anthony had gone and fucked it up. He used to see his prize, his friend and now he only saw him as a mate. Anthony wanted proof that he cared, but the bite was too much, it would seal Kyle's fate forever. He couldn't do that to his friend, he couldn't do what Duke's own uncle had done to him.
Duke cringed a bit in a brief recollection of the 'Dark Nights.' How the beast had taken control and how he had to fight with all his might to suppress it. In the end he felt it was worth it, his entire family had been bitten after all so it wasn't like he was alone or leaving anyone really. Kyle would be leaving his mom, not that she was much to anyone else, but she was clearly the world to Kyle.
Duke sighed heavily, waiting impatiently for his next class with Kyle, his friend had not been looking good lately, the headaches common to actively rebelling Omegas were apparent and his own body seemed to be getting stronger. Duke being here was changing Kyle, his mental state had to be in chaos and his body seemed to understand a dominating threat and tried to ready itself for it. It was frustrating to watch time pass so fast, painful even.
Not only that, but Duke still had to deal with Scott...the fat piece of shit wasn't worth the effort but still he was a required chore to deal with now. Great...
He looked up at the clock and groaned again, watching a single second tick bye. Time around Kyle seemed to fly, but this room without him seemed to slug by...
~~~~
They sat across from one another, both very quiet and not quite sure where to start a conversation. Alice sat beside Kyle, chatting with him about whatever it was girls and guys chatted about over a first date. Duke absently ate his fries, careful not to glare at her or stare at Kyle. After the previous days fiasco with the mobs of girls thinking he was interested, there wasn't many more places for him to go without fear of being followed.
"So we'll watch the game and just talk," Alice concluded, already having told Kyle not to waste money on a school hoodie at least four times and not to worry about paying for food at least six. Equally so Kyle had assured her he would manage. Duke had to give a dark little angry grin, Kyle wouldn't have to worry about money at all with him, neither had a job so why go places where money was actually required or a major part?
What continued to irk Duke was Alice's repetition. Somehow every time she brought up one point she managed to re-state the last one as if no one had heard her, Duke almost tried to listen in an attempt to make it stop!
"So yeah don't worry about food, I've got it." (Emasculating)
"And don't worry about the hoodie it's not important. No hoodie or food okay?" (Annoying)
"Oh and if I go talk to some of my friends for a moment I apologize in advance, seriously no money though it's all okay." (Annoying to the tenth degree)
Duke pinched his temples in recollection. This girl simply could not be desirable. Her mouth never stopped, it just kept going and going as if a moments rest would end her existence!
"I'm sorry Duke!" she suddenly burst out, "You're going too right? Are you going to meet us there?"
Duke took a moment to suppress the urge to just punch her in the jaw to silent the shrill voice. It didn't actually require effort, he wasn't a total beast, but the thought did cross his mind.
"It's not really Duke's thing," Kyle noted, getting a shocked little look like what she found enjoyable not being everyone's favourite thing startled her.
"What? How come?" she asked, the table quiet for just a moment. Duke took it in and noted to himself never to take the nights silence for granted ever again. "Is it just because you're new?" She asked Duke. "Does he not like new people?" She then asked Kyle as if Duke himself wasn't there.
Kyle actually laughed which startled Duke, "He definitely isn't shy if that's what you're asking."
"Ehh, I might show up," Duke admitted, "If I see you guys I'll say hi but I'm not gunna intrude." Duke knew he was going, that wasn't a question; but lately with all of Kyle's questions and Anthony's meddling he needed to have solid stories around Kyle, and legitimately he didn't have a good reason for going.
"I could introduce you to my friend May, she's really sweet and I'm sure you two would get along well," Alice assured, obviously vouching for a crushing friend. Though truth be told, Duke did know who May was, she was a timid little thing who sat behind him in his English class, Duke could always feel her staring and could always smell her attraction.
"She's a little too quiet for my tastes," Duke said, only then realizing the irony in saying so while repressing his need to hit Alice in the mouth, "We wouldn't have much in common I don't think."
"You could always try," Alice pressed, a bit too pressingly for Duke's comfort, he wanted it to just roll by not stick around. It was noble of her to vouch for a friend but she didn't have to be so annoying and repetitive, "What do you have to lose?"
'My stomach'
Duke shrugged, "I guess nothing but I'll just go on my own," he reaffirmed.
"Duke isn't staying in town long," Kyle noted to neither of them in particular. That scent of submission and depression rising out of his pores. Its delicate aroma permeated Duke's being, rekindling his protective instincts. It physically and mentally hurt to see Kyle saddened.
"Oh that's too bad, what are you doing in town anyway if it's so temporary?" Alice asked in a bout of half curiosity, the kind of question you felt obligated asking but were incredibly disinterested in the actual answer.
"His dad's work," Kyle answered for him.
Duke looked at Kyle with a careful glance. It was apparent Kyle was depressed, but there was something else behind it, shyness maybe? It was hard to tell.
"Oh, what does he do?"
Duke offered a little grin, "A bit of everything," he responded vaguely and with enough subliminal energy to kill the question. He went back to looking at Kyle and trying to figure him out. He was in a mood, not the best one at that, and Duke needed to find proof it wasn't his fault, he just needed too. He didn't want to hurt any more of his playthi...No, it was true what he said before, Kyle wasn't a plaything anymore.
"So what are you doing this weekend after the game?" Alice continued with her motor mouth.
Duke was only half paying attention when Kyle replied. "I'm spending the weekend camping with Duke."
The larger boy snapped out of his observant stare and into a stupefied one. "Oh, that sounds fun." Alice spoke in a fog to Duke, hitting his shoulder a bit, "Don't steal him from me," she joked.
Duke was too happy to even comprehend the comedy. Kyle had invited himself over. Kyle wanted to be around him. His happiness slipped into a little frown when he saw the coat Kyle was wearing and remembered its implications. Anthony had tried to place seeds of doubt in Kyle and failed, but the seeds in Duke's head about his own self were already flourishing.