Free Reluctantly Lycan by Jez Strider

gestured to his truck on the other side of the log barrier. “Let’s gather up your things and I’ll give you a ride to the village. Afterward, I’ll return your rental car. It is a rental, right?”
    Mara nodded. “Yes.”
    She hefted a couple of trash bags out of the car, dodged Levi’s offer to carry them, and tossed them into the bed of the rusty bucket of a truck. Jak did the same. When the items had all been removed, Mara took a seat in the cab and Jak climbed into the back.
    “The wolves will give him a hard time since he’s a city boy.” Levi said when he slid onto the torn leather bench seat and shifted the truck into gear. It groaned in protest.
    “I know, but he’s from a respected line of wolves. He’ll be fine.”
    “You’re bloodline is not as... revered.”
    Mara had heard that before. A red headed, fair-skinned, and green-eyed woman among a bunch of wolves descended from Native Americans stood out. “Just because my ancestors were not native to America does not mean they were not a loyal and loved bloodline.”
    Levi nodded. “I didn’t intend to disrespect your lineage. Just reminding you of how some of the pack feels.”
    “I shouldn’t have to remind you that I was chosen.”
    “I remember. How did that work out?”
    She held her tongue, knowing the fatherly figure meant well. “It’s yet to be seen.” What she meant by that, she didn’t know. Her intention was not to play the “chosen” card, especially so early, but if it kept people off Jak’s back… so be it.
     
    Her scent nearly knocked Kaden out of form. The lusciously natural, sweet smell told him The Wanderer had been right long before his saw Marala. Kade burst forth from the forest and crossed his small town swiftly, charging straight for his front porch. The wolf, so stealthy in the dark, stood out like a large black shadow in the sunlight.
    Mara, Jak, and Levi had been sitting on Kaden’s front porch in wooden rockers while they waited. When Kade growled, Levi jumped out of his chair and moved it in front of him as it the chair would stop the wolf from attacking.
    Kaden sniffed at Mara. She smelled of fear and like Levi. Another threat vibrated in his throat and he took a step of warning toward his second in command.
    “I’ll leave you alone. Things, uh, to do….” The beta lowered his eyes, not turning his back on the pack alpha until he was far enough away that he would be able to shift and maybe make it to his house in time.
    Kade nudged Mara toward the door with his nose. She twisted the handle. It was unlocked. He was glad the stubborn woman knew better than to argue with him in his territory, his home turf.
    “Dad?” Jak’s voice came out barely more than a whisper. In his rage, Kaden hadn’t paid any attention to his son. The wolf’s eyes softened a little, shocked by the moniker. He may have been Jak’s father, but he’d yet to prove he was any sort of dad.
    “Everything looks the same.” Mara said softly when she walked inside.
    Kaden had no interest in redecorating his parents’ long time home. Even if it was his house now. There were no small critters preserved by a taxidermist. Only a rival of equal strength was worthy of preservation in the house. A massive, black wolf, strikingly similar to Kaden, had been stuffed and mounted. The imposing creature stood in the corner of the living room. It was a constant reminder of the brutal deeds performed to maintain stability within the pack.
    The rest of the house had normal cabin décor. Wooden furniture, deep maroons and greens rounded out the color scheme, and tons of photos. At the top of each doorway and window dreamcatchers hung. Not the kind from the flea market either. These were made by the female wolves of the pack with reverence and respect for the spirits.
    Kaden scoffed before shifting into human form and walking stark naked to his bedroom without a word. Mara and Jak exchanged glances.
    “Don’t worry. The wolf in us doesn’t always