Published: 31 Oct 2021

Fourteen, almost fifteen year old Stephan stared at the calendar showing on his laptop. It was the middle of September, only a month and a half until Stephan had to make up his mind about a very important decision that would impact his future. One choice could make his future better while the other would leave him in the shadows in their small town.

On the surface the choice seemed easy: take the path that would better his future and possibly bring new honor to his family. However, that led to his having to face an awkward and somewhat painful time as he would be in close contact with someone who he wished he could have even closer contact with.

Even though it was getting dark already Stephan saw he had time for a run before bed time. He had made the varsity cross country team as a sophomore because of his speed and the run would help clear his mind as well as keep his body sharp. After about fifteen minutes of running Stephan suddenly shifted and started racing through the course he had planned out in his head.

When he arrived back to his front yard Stephan shifted back and headed to the kitchen for a bottle of water. Thankfully he had learned to shift his clothes with him now. The first few times he shifted he turned back to find that his clothes were gone. The second time it happened he shifted back right in front of his parents stark naked. His mother turned away shaking her head but his dad just laughed and said to come see him after Stephan got dressed.

It was then that his dad started teaching him the spell that would shift his clothes with him. After a couple of more mishaps it finally became second nature for Stephan to adjust his clothes as he shifted. Another good thing about running after shifting was his human body didn’t get sweaty so he headed straight to bed after finishing off the bottle of water.

Sleep came pretty easy after his run and his problem pushed to the back of his mind. Stephan awoke refreshed and was ready for school in no time but the talk in the halls reminded him of the upcoming choice he had to make.

Between first and second periods Stephan passed through the hall preoccupied with his thoughts until he bumped into someone and dropped the book in his hand. Picking up the book he glanced up to see who he had collided with.

It was none other than Kallen Gunnolf, one of the most popular guys in school and a basketball jock. The shock caused Stephan to fumble his book before he got himself under control only to see Kallen’s hand offered to help him stand back up.

Stephan counted himself lucky to keep his trembling from showing as he accepted Kallen’s help to get to his feet. But then in his befuddlement Stepan forgot to let go of Kallen’s hand.

Kallen gave Stephan’s hand a gentle squeeze while grasping his arm with the other hand and asking, “Are you okay? You seem a little out of it.”

Stephan pulled his hand away and answered with a little stutter, “Um, uh, yeah. J-just preoccupied. Got a big decision to make soon. Th-thanks for your help.”

“Not a problem, dude. See ya ‘round,” Kallen said as he went on his way down the hall.

Stephan stared at the retreating figure before shaking himself and hurrying to his own second period class. Stephan wondered how he made it through the rest of his classes as he spent most of the day in a slight daze after his encounter with Kallen. It also made his decision that much harder.

It was several days later before Stephan interacted with Kallen again. It was during lunchtime at school.

“Hey, Stephan!” called Kallen as he crossed the cafeteria. “You aren’t usually here for C lunch.”

“Nope,” admitted Stephan. “Ms. Grant’s long term sub didn’t like splitting the class so we got changed from B to C.”

“Cool,” Kallen spoke, sitting down across from the suddenly nervous sophomore.

“We can sit together then.”

“S-sure.” agreed Stephan with a return of his stutter as he realized he would be in close proximity every day to the junior who was a major part of his dilemma. Maybe this would help him make up his mind.

He was greeted by a couple of other kids who followed Kallen over and was ignored by a few of them. One of the exceptions was Gloria Lopez who scowled at him as she claimed a spot right beside Kallen.

Arriving later than the others was a tall, wide guy with a mohawk dyed with the school colors of green and black. He sat on the other side of Kallen, grinned wolfishly and spoke with a gruff voice.

“Is the runt joining our pack too?”

“Stephan, meet Brutus,” introduced Kallen with a chuckle. “His real name is Barrett Wulfric but he’s been called Brutus ever since he shifted the first time. He’s an Enforcer.”

“Hi there,” spoke Stephan, screwing up his courage even giving a little wave.

Brutus’ grin got even bigger.

“I haven’t asked Stephan about the pack yet so I don’t know if he’s joining us or not,” said Kallen answering Brutus’ question.

“Well, I hope he does,” stated Brutus gruffly. “We could use a speedy little runt like him as the Messenger.”

That night Stephan could barely concentrate on his homework as the lunchtime conversation kept running through his head. His homework finally finished and put away Stephan shook his head then headed for the door earlier than usual. Tonight’s run would be much longer than usual as he tried to calm his thoughts as the decision weighed on his mind.

The next several days at school followed the same pattern during lunchtime. Kallen would sit across from Stephan with Gloria on one side and Brutus on the other side. The same two guys also sat on either side of Stephan. Justin, a six foot guard on the basketball team, sat on Stephan’s left side and Nate, a five foot eleven inch second baseman on the baseball team sat on his right side. There were others who sat at their table occasionally but those five always sat with Stephan.

Four of the five were juniors, the one exception was Gloria who was a sophomore like Stephan. She was also the only one of the group who had yet to even acknowledge Stephan’s existence. Even the ones who only sat there occasionally greeted him as they sat down.

Of the three that sat on the other side of the table Kallen was a six foot three inch small forward on the basketball team and Brutus was the center for the team at six foot six inches tall with bulging muscles. As for Gloria even though she wasn’t on a sports team she was still quite athletic being on the cheerleading squad.

All the time he spent interacting with Kallen was not helping Stephan in his decision making. If Kallen as the new alpha had been a jerk, been arrogant, or been full of himself it would have been easy for Stephan to choose to not join the new pack being formed.

This wasn’t the case though. So far Kallen was proving to be a genuinely nice guy. He definitely had the charisma and the leadership ability of a true alpha without the overbearing bossiness that some leaders had.

September soon gave way to October and Stephan was no closer to a decision than he was half a month ago. If it was a cut and dry case of whether or not he thought Kallen was an alpha worthy to be followed he wouldn’t be in such a quandary. But no, there was more to it than that. Something that Stephan had barely even admitted to himself much less even hinted at to anyone else.

He was attracted to Kallen. In fact, he was pretty sure his wolf wanted Kallen as a mate.

Unlike the majority of those in his small town Stephan did not have his first shift just after starting puberty. His first shift didn’t come until after the early summer night he unconsciously changed his running route. The change took him through the trail in the one park in town.

As he neared a well lit area Stephan heard the sounds of a basketball and players in the direction of the lights. He slowed down and approached cautiously to sneak a look at who was there. When he reached the edge of the stand of trees near the court the game had just broken up and the players were walking away.

It was then that he spotted a shirtless player that took his breath away and caused a tightness in his running shorts. Stephan also felt a weird sensation all through his torso. That player was none other than Kallen Gunnolf, a basketball jock and a year ahead in school. Stephan turned back to the trail and continued his run but five minutes later he went into his first shift and let loose a long howl then changed back.

Now Kallen was set to be the alpha for a newly forming pack and Stephan had to decide whether to join the new pack or stick with the older pack. He really would like to be in the younger pack but wasn’t sure he could stand being that close to Kallen all the time. He wasn’t sure which would be worse, having to watch Kallen with whomever he chose as a mate or giving away the fact he was attracted to boys in general and Kallen specifically.

The days went on as usual with schoolwork, lunches with Kallen and his crew, cross country practices and meets, homework and the nightly runs that were getting longer and longer. The more he hung around Kallen and the other jocks he ate lunch with the more Stephan longed to be in the pack with them. He still couldn’t get past worrying about his secret which is why his runs got longer as it became harder to relax his mind.

The lunchtime routine went on through the first couple of weeks of October and Stephan got more and more comfortable around Kallen and his friends except for Gloria. He enjoyed the conversations and joking that went on with the guys he considered jocks.

A couple more of the guys and one gal were becoming regulars at the table as time went on. There was Isaac, a running back on the football team who was five foot nine and a sophomore like Stephan. The other guy was a six foot pitcher and occasionally outfielder on the baseball team and a junior named Mason. The girl, Shayna, was also six foot tall and a sophomore volleyball player.

On Friday the fifteenth of October things took a new turn. Kallen and a couple of the others invited Stephan to join them at the park for a pick-up game of basketball.

“You guys sure you want me,” queried Stephan as he got his lunch tray ready to turn in. “I’m not a jock like you guys.”

Kallen, Brutus, Nate and Isaac all stopped what they were doing to stare at Stephan.

“Whadda ya mean you’re not a jock?” growled Brutus.

“Who just outran everybody at the last cross country meet?” questioned Issac.

“If we didn’t want you we wouldn’t have asked,” answered Kallen calmly.

“I’ve never played much basketball,” Stephan returned. “I probably won’t be any good.”

Chuckling, Nate added his two cents, “If it was about being good at basketball they wouldn’t still be letting me play with them.”

“Okay, okay. As long as mom and dad don’t have any family stuff planned I’ll be there,” assured Stephan holding his hands up in a placating motion.

Stephan did show up Saturday morning and surprisingly had a good time. As it happened he wasn’t terrible at basketball and definitely did better than Nate. But he still didn’t really think of himself as a jock.

Thankfully Stephan was so worried about and then caught up in playing basketball that he didn’t bone up. Even after Kallen took his shirt off.

The next Saturday found the gang (or pack) back at the park again for another round of basketball. Stephan played even better this time and the three basketball jocks started talking about having him try out for the team.

When the group gathered their abandoned shirts and water bottles they were interrupted by a long drawn out howl. Since all of them were wolves they all recognized the howl as that of a newly shifted wolf and they started walking that direction to see who had just joined their ranks.

In just a few minutes the howl was followed by high pitched yelps followed not long after by a deep, throaty, growly howl of victory. The whole pack shifted and took off running. It didn’t take but a few strides for Stephan to start outdistancing the others. The next closest was the running back, Isaac, with the rest clumped together just behind him.

Stephan arrived just in time to see a guy from school lying on the ground unconscious and a rough looking middle aged man laughing maniacally as he made his way into the thick woods at the edge of the park. Isaac then the others soon followed and only caught a brief glimpse of the retreating attacker.

“Is he dead?” asked Nate nervously with one eye on the spot where the man disappeared.

Kallen quickly bent down and checked for a pulse and breathing. “No, he’s still alive.”

“Does anyone know who he is?” inquired Justin looking around the group.

“Yeah,” answered Stephan softly. “He’s a freshman named Declan. I met him last year when we mentored the middle school track team.”

“We’ve got to get him help,” interjected Shayna. “Unconscious he can’t shift to get a wolf healing.”

“She’s right, Kallen,” agreed Mason. “And the Council needs to know. The bite looks like horns and there are six claw marks made in a row.”

“A message,” stated Brutus gruffly.

“Okay,” asserted Kallen, taking charge. “Here’s what we do. Brutus pick him up. We’ll have to do it human ‘cause there’s no way to make sure he stays on wolfback. Stephan run ahead to the Alpha and tell him what happened. We’ll take him to Doc Volkov. Let’s move!”

Stephan took off running toward town and within six strides he had shifted to his wolf and flew toward Alpha Hemming’s house.

By the time Monday rolled around the gang had learned that Brutus was right the attack had been a message. It was a message from the Demon Wolves, a loosely formed “pack” of loners who banded together every few years to raid and disrupt the wolf packs.

They refused to live by pack laws and would assault anyone they caught alone in their ‘territory.’ They spent most of their time in either wolf or war form and a few even lost their ability to shift back to human form.

When the group got together for lunch the attack and message was the hot topic at their table. All the regulars and a few of the sometimes who had been clued in to the weekend’s happenings talked of nothing else. Gloria scowled even more because she was in the dark up until now.

“I overheard my dad on the phone last night,” confided Nate. “The bite and claws were a message meaning that the Demons would come in six days.”

After a couple of seconds of silence at the table Isaac spoke, “That’s Friday counting from the day it happened.”

“That don’t give us much time to get ready,” complained Brutus. “What we gonna do, Kallen?”

“First, does anybody know how the kid is?” questioned the new alpha looking around the table. “Did he come to school today?

“My mom said he came to sometime between Saturday night and Sunday morning,” replied Shayna. “The Doc taught him how to use wolf healing.”

“Declan’s wounds are all healed but he stayed home today. He’s pretty shook up,” added Stephan.

“Then after school those who can will go visit him and then we start training,” declared Kallen as he stood to return his tray. “I’m sure I can get at least one of my brothers to teach us to fight since he plans to join our pack.”

Everyone left the table putting away their lunch stuff and headed to their afternoon classes with much to think about. Stephan most of all. He was very impressed with how Kallen had taken charge during the crisis and how he took care of those who might be part of his new pack.

Declan and his parents were surprised but pleased at the number of kids who dropped by Monday afternoon. They were not part of one of the old families and didn’t realize what a wolf pack was like. After visiting for about fifteen minutes the gang left with Declan promising to be part of the new pack.

Kallen’s brother, Kris, who was two years older started them with blocks and punches that afternoon. Many were surprised that they practiced as humans but Kris assured them that the skills would transfer over to their war forms by instinct.

That evening after finishing his homework Stephan went running as he normally did but this time it wasn’t to clear his mind after struggling with his decision. His mind was made up. He would join Kallen and his new friends in the fresh pack even if he did eventually let his secret slip.

Every day after school the group met either at Kallens’ house or at the park to train with Kallen’s brother Kris. They were basically learning martial arts that would roll over to their war forms for the coming battle.

Thursday after training ended Kallen gathered all of them in his basement even Gloria who had joined after the first day. She still hadn’t ever spoken to Stephan for some reason.

This was their last day of training since the attack was expected on Friday but no one really knew when it would start. The old timers spoke of the assaults they had endured in the past and each time it was different. They must be ready at any moment.

Kallen looked over each person before he began speaking, “Tomorrow we go into battle with the Demons. We need to trust each other and help each other. A couple of you have stated that you are joining the new pack with me as the Alpha on Samhain and I think most if not all of the rest of you will too. But before we join the fight I want to hear each of you say whether you’re joining.”

Brutus jumped to his feet and in a loud gruff voice proclaimed, “I’m with you all the way!”

Justin and Nate were the next ones to profess their willingness to join Kallen. Followed shortly by Shayna, Isaac and Mason in that order. It was now down to just Gloria and Stephan.

With a smirk at Stephan and in a sultry voice Gloria uttered, “You know I will follow you always, Kallen.”

All eyes turned toward Stephan as he was the only one still seated. They waited to see what his response would be for no one had a clue what his answer would be. He had steadfastly side-stepped the issue every time it was broached.

Most watched rathered impassively but the look in the eyes of Kallen and Brutus pleaded for a certain answer.

Stephan regarded the guys staring at him waiting for his reply for a moment then stood and smiled at each of them, even Gloria. His words were softly but firmly spoken, “I am with you.”

They smiled back at him except for Gloria who still scowled every time she saw Stephan. The difference was Kallen’s smile was one of relief as he had really hoped Stephan would join his pack and Brutus just had a huge grin and exclaimed, “All right, speedy runt!”

That broke up the meeting with a lighter note as the guys chuckled and Stephan turned a bit pink. Even Gloria had a slight smile this time as everyone filed out of Kallen’s house and headed to their own homes.

The next day at school none of the teens who were wolves and aware of the impending attack by the loner wolves known as Demons could concentrate very well on their schoolwork. For those expected to help defend the small town it was even worse.

For Stephan it was especially bad because he only had one class with one of the pack before lunch when they would all be together. He and Isaac discovered they had World History at the same time.

Kallen was also badly distracted while awaiting word of the attack. He not only had to worry about leading his own pack during the fighting but like Stephan he had been struggling with a major decision. A decision that was due in two days time at Samhain when he formally became the Alpha for a brand new pack.

Also like Stephan, Kallen had just had his first shift during the summer. In fact it had been on the very same night. He had just finished a pickup game at the park when he heard a slight noise and looked toward the woods in time to see a slim, tall figure in nothing but running shorts and shoes slip out of sight. He was the last one there when he heard the howl in the same direction the guy had gone.

Worried about the boy he had seen and suddenly realizing who he was, Kallen started into the woods then went into his own first shift and howled. However, unlike Stephan, Kallen knew what it meant to be late in having your first shift. Your wolf had waited to find its mate.

Finally lunchtime had arrived and they could all be together. There was almost a collective sigh of relief as the group sat around the table and started eating in near silence. The relief was short lived as the alarm sounded about halfway through their lunch.

Everyone of them took one more bite, washed it down with their drinks, picked up their trays and headed out.

Kallen’s group weren’t the only ones getting up to leave; there were several teens who belonged to other packs or were assigned to help their parents. Outside the school the gang even ran into Declan heading in the direction of the older pack’s battle base.

“I didn’t think you were going to fight,” Kallen half stated and half questioned as the gang fell into step with the freshman.

“I’m not. Mom won’t let me,” Declan responded. “Besides I’m not sure I’m ready to fight after getting jumped on Saturday.”

“What will you be doing then?” asked Stephan as he moved to the opposite side of the boy from Kallen.

“Well, basically I’m a gopher for those manning the base.”

“Every little bit helps,” Nate offered up.

After a little more small talk the group arrived at the base and Declan went inside while Kallen and his group gathered with the other groups to await their assignments. The wait wasn’t long and all the groups were given their areas to protect. Kallen’s gang had the eastern side of the park which is where the basketball court was and where they rescued Declan.

They shifted and loped at a good pace to their destination sticking together. Kallen took point and Brutus brought up the rear while the rest fanned out a little in between the two. Once they arrived Kallen split them into teams.

Brutus and Gloria were one team then there was Justin and Shayna, Nate and Mason and Kallen teamed up with Isaac. He also kept Stephan with him but told him he was to speed to whichever team needed a hand since he was the fastest.

When the teams spread out to cover all their territory they were barely out of sight of one another but could call out easily if needed. While they waited Stephan ran around to where each team was so he would know their general location.

While on his way back to where Kallen and Isaac waited Stephan chanced upon one of the Demons in war form.

“Oh ho,” growled the wolf as he approached Stephan who was in wolf form. “I get to maul another young one only I don’t have to stop to leave a message this time.”

Stephan switched to his war form realizing this was the same guy who had attacked Declan.

“I’m not on my first shift and you don’t have the advantage of surprise this time,” Stephan spat out with more bravado than he was really feeling.

“Don’t matter. You’re still easy pickin’s,” boasted the demon as he lunged suddenly.

He was shocked to find that he had totally missed. The young wolf was no longer standing there. He didn’t have to wonder long where his opponent was because the pain of claws raking across his left shoulder blade let him know.

The demon kicked backwards hoping to catch Stephan off guard but again all he caught was air. Then claws raking down his right shoulder all the way to his waist left him in more pain.

Stephan was grateful and pleased that his speediness wasn’t just in running but included his fighting reflexes yet he didn’t want to push his luck. He backed away and let loose a quick howl to alert his packmates. The demon used this as an opportunity to face Stephan and lashed out with his claws.

He expected the young wolf to dodge again and planned to follow to keep pressure on him. Instead he found his blow blocked and a new source of pain as sharp nails were dragged down his arm. By the time he recovered and planned his next move Stephan’s friends arrived from either side. The demon fled back the way he had come.

The teams went back to their spots watching with renewed vigilance. The next appearance of a demon was in the area guarded by Nate and Mason. He almost slipped by them but wasn’t quiet enough going between the trees. The two teens worked as a team and soon had the demon wolf running for his lair.

Another demon came through the edge of the zone patrolled by Justin and Shayna but he kept his distance as they shadowed him until he entered another group’s territory. They gave out a series of howls to alert the teams there.

Both Brutus and Gloria gave out howls a short time later that caused Stephan to take off at top speed. When he arrived in the clearing they were protecting, Stephan found Gloris going toe to toe with a light brown furred demon and having no problem holding her own.

Brutus was fully engaged with a brute of a demon that was almost as huge as he was. Spying Stephan in his peripheral vision Brutus grunted out, “There was a third one that took off toward town. I think it was the same guy that jumped Declan and he mumbled something about finishing the job.”

“Did he have cuts or scars on his shoulders?” asked Stephan fearing the answer.

“Yeah,” wheezed out Gloria as she continued to grapple with the demon.

Stephan shifted to his full wolf form and tore off faster than he had ever tried to go. He couldn’t let the guy get to Declan and hurt him again or worse. The more he thought about what the demon wolf might do the angrier he got and the angrier he got the faster Stephan ran until the trees were a blur and his feet hardly seemed to touch the ground.

Declan stepped out of the building being used as the base of operations for the defense of the town. He was finally getting a break after running papers here and there and getting cups of coffee for the elder wolves. He looked up to see a war form coming towards him at a lope.

Thinking it was a wolf bringing another report for him to write up and deliver Declan stepped forward. Then he recognized the demon wolf who had attacked him right after his first shift. For a moment he froze on the spot then started trying to shift into his own war form.

When the demon was only about five feet from Declan, a blur flew in from the woods and bowled the guy over. When it stopped there was a gray and tan wolf that turned and shifted into war form. The demon’s eyes grew larger as he recognized the new arrival.

“You!” he growled loudly. “Ha! Now I can finish two things I started.”

“I’m going to be the one doing the finishing,” Stephan barked out, still feeling the rush of adrenaline from his fury over the attack on his friends.

The demon feinted at Stephan and made a lunge for Declan who was closer and still unshifted. He had apparently forgotten the speed with which Stephan had moved in their first go round and the speed with which he had arrived. Before he got within arms reach Stephan caught him by the neck and slung him away from Declan and the others who were now watching.

Stephan quickly followed the body and swiped twice once with each claw opening deep wounds on chest and thigh. The demon wolf struggled to his feet and tried to fight back, but Stephan was moving too fast for him to keep up. Several more gashes appeared on the guy’s arms, legs and torso

The first time he tried to run Stephan was having none of it. He jumped in front of the guy and shoved hard enough to send him to the ground. After a couple more blows he tried to run again. This time Stephan caught him from behind, grabbed the fur on the top of his head and jerked back so hard and suddenly, that he snapped the demon’s neck.

Stephan’s victory howl was cut short by several howls of anguish that he identified as those of his packmates. He shifted to a full wolf and raced off to aid his friends. The first ones he came across were Brutus and Gloria facing off against another demon.

Brutus was partially leaning on a tree trying to catch his breath and his body was covered with various combat injuries from his first fight. Gloria was still fighting as gallantly as she had earlier but she was exhausted and therefore no match for this wolf.

Just as before Stephan simply ran through the guy’s legs knocking him off balance. This gave Gloria a perfect opening and she took it with a vengeance opening up two huge wounds. The demon had enough and retreated back into the deep woods.

The three went together towards the sounds of yowling, yips and fighting and caught up to Nate and Mason. The latter cradling what looked to be a broken arm. They were staring intently ahead and almost didn’t notice the trio approach.

When the three saw what their friends were staring at they were appalled. Isaac lay sprawled out unconscious and Kallen had his back to a tree letting it support some of his weight. Around him lay two demon wolves each in a pool of blood that was slowly seeping into the ground.

Facing Kallen was a large, almost totally black demon wolf with a fiendish grin. Seeing he had an audience the demon spoke louder, “So, you’re the new alpha. Expecting to get a new pack. I’m not gonna give you the chance. I’ll end it now. What’s your pack gonna do with no leader?” He laughed like he had told the best joke in the world.

When Kallen didn’t respond he went on, “I was supposed to be a new alpha too. But there were two of us and the others had to decide which pack to join. Guess what! No one joined with me. Guess I was too much for them. But I got even.”

“You may have killed that alpha but you’ll find I’m not so easy to take,” Kallen finally spoke up.

“Oh, I didn’t kill the other alpha,” the demon chuckled evilly. “I killed his mate. But this time I haven’t been able to determine the mate so I’ll just have to settle for the alpha. But at least I get to do it with his pack watching, too afraid to help.”

Kallen pushed himself away from the tree and issued a challenge. “Come on then if you think you can.”

The demon rushed forward but found that the teen was ready for him. After exchanging a couple of light blows the two began to circle each other looking for an opening. They scuffled again then went back to circling.

During this time Brutus got his wind back and managed to do some light healing on the worst of his injuries. He started edging forward stealthily. After another small exchange the demon looked over at Brutus and caught his eyes with his own. After a moment Brutus not only stopped moving forward but took a couple of steps backward.

“See what you can do when you’re a true alpha,” boasted the demon. Then he pointed at another wolf back in the tree line. “Take him!”

The demon wolf moved toward Brutus with deliberate steps and a wicked smirk while the large teen just stood there unmoving. Gloria, Nate and Mason arranged themselves around their friend to protect him. Stephan kept his attention on Kallen.

While Kallen was distracted by what was done to his best friend the demon alpha struck. He pounded Kallen’s upper body without using his claws, wanting the fight to last. Kallen reeled back winded from the punches. The demon casually followed the teen and raked his claws across Kallen’s right thigh.

Stephan’s worry was split between his alpha and love interest and his other packmates. Just then Shayna and Justin entered from the other side headed straight for the conflict between Kallen and the demon. They never noticed the two other demons waiting in the treeline who rushed out to intercept them.

Stephan saw them and growled out a warning but it was too late to help the two newcomers. The demons hit them from the side and sent them both to the ground. Then they jumped on the two teens.

At the same time the demon tasked with taking on Brutus had reached the group waiting there. Nate rushed at the approaching demon wolf who sidestepped the teen and half shoved half slammed him on the back. Nate flew into a tree and crumpled at the bottom of it.

Mason and Gloria glanced at each other, nodded then charged the demon each placing a shoulder in his midsection. He allowed them to drive him back laughing maniacally. When they finished he brought his fists down on their backs hard enough to drop them. Brutus still hadn’t moved a muscle.

With all his friends in trouble Stephan had seen enough and his rage was building. He started with the closest first; he had to get their enforcer involved in the fight. Moving around to face Brutus taking a risk by turning his back on their enemies, Stephan grabbed him by the head and forced him to look the messenger in the eyes.

“Fight it,” barked Stephan with authority. “Brutus! Your packmates need you to fight for them. For Kallen.”

He continued to stare intently into Brutus’ eyes even while he could hear the demon closing on him from behind. At the last second Stephan moved but it was not soon enough to dodge the entire blow as fire seemed to rip across his back. He picked himself up in time to see Kallen land a few swings on his foe and Gloria and Mason slowly get to their feet.

Then the demon recovered from Kallen’s attack and struck back hard. After two hard punches one to the jaw and one to the stomach he wrapped his claws around Kallen’s throat and squeezed. Kallen slapped, punched, clawed and even stomped down the demon wolf’s leg but nothing would make him let go. The guy was crazy, evil and had murder in his eyes.

His rage boiling over Stephan launched himself at the demon shifting in midair from war form to wolf hitting the guy at shoulder level. The weight of the wolf form hitting so high tore the demon away from Kallen knocking him to the ground with Stephan on top.

Stephan rolled off and immediately shifted back to war form and clawed the demon alpha four times before the guy knocked him away. He slashed and moved and spun and clawed trying to keep the jerk away from Kallen long enough to catch his breath.

It worked but he caught several more gashes and bruises for his efforts. Once Kallen was on his feet and ready to fight again Stephan checked on Justin and Shayna to find Gloria and Mason helping them. The latter two each held a demon while the first two wailed away on them.

Next was to check on Brutus. The large enforcer had finally snapped out of his stupor and was trading slams and cuts with the demon wolf sent after him. It was soon clear that Brutus was slowly but surely gaining the upper hand so Stephan turned back to help Kallen.

Kallen’s own inner alpha rage had awakened and he needed very little if any help from Stephan now. The young teen stayed close and kept an eye on all the combatants in case one of them needed his help. They didn’t.

Justin, Shayna, Mason and Gloria dropped the two demons and they collapsed in heaps without moving. With one final punch Brutus knocked his opponent out cold and the demon alpha was hightailing back to his hideaway with his tail between his legs.

The group went together to check on their fallen mates and found both were still alive. Brutus picked Isaac off the ground and cradled him like a baby while Mason and Justin helped a woozy Nate to his feet. They almost collapsed with relief when the all clear howl echoed through the trees. The fight was finally over.

The next day most of the town slept in, especially those who were part of the fighting. The ones with the worst of the injuries were being watched by Doc Volkov and his crew in the building where the base was during the fight. Isaac and Kallen had been forced to stay there but Nate was allowed to go home with explicit instructions to do nothing at all the next day.

The rest of the gang were able to mostly, if not completely, heal using wolf shifting. It was almost noon when Stephan and Brutus ran into each other on their way to visit Kallen and Isaac.

“Hey, speedy runt,” greeted Brutus smiling. “Although maybe I shouldn’t call you that after yesterday.”

“You can call me that if you want. I don’t mind it coming from you,” grinned Stephan as he shoulder bumped the large teen and bounced off.

“Cool,” Brutus smiled again before getting serious. “Have you talked to your parents about how you feel about Kallen?”

Stephan started to panic and stutter.

Brutus cut in before Stephan could get a word out. “It’s okay, Stephan. I’ve seen how you look at Kallen. And… I’ve seen how Kallen looks at you.”

The blood began to come back to Stephan’s face as the words and Brutus’ demeanor registered.

“You should talk to your parents today if you haven’t already and don’t be surprised at anything that happens at the pack ceremony,” Brutus stated while draping his arm across Stephan’s shoulders as they walked.

They had a nice visit with their friends particularly after Justin, Mason, Shayna and Gloria arrived. Nate joined them by phone since he wasn’t allowed out of the house. By the time the group split up they had chosen a pack name and settled who would be on the council and in what positions. They wouldn’t meet again until the ceremony that would officially make them a pack.

Finally it was October thirty first, Samhain. The end of the old year and beginning of a new one by the old calendars which the wolves held to for important ceremonies. At midnight the old pack gathered around those who would join the new pack.

The close knit group was pleased and surprised to see how many of their classmates were willing to become packmates. The Alpha of the old pack walked out onto a raised platform leading the rest of his council to start the ceremony.

Kallen was called to the platform and questioned about his willingness and fitness to become the Alpha of a new pack. His answers were accepted by the old council. He was now asked if he was ready to call his council. Which he was.

One by one they were called to the platform and formally asked to fill a position. Barrett ‘Brutus’ Wulferic as Enforcer. Stephan Hardulf as Messenger. Gloria Lopez as Breeder. Kris Gunnolf as Trainer. Isaac Olcan as Scribe. Declan Irwin as Beta.

Each was accepted and the pack council was set. The Enforcer to keep order, the Messenger to run messages, the Breeder would bear pups for the pack, the Trainer to teach new wolves the rules and how to fight, the Scribe to keep the pack’s records and the Beta to represent the members of the pack. Then they announced their pack name: The Woodland Guardians.

There was one last order of business. The old Alpha asked Kallen if he was ready to declare a mate.

“Yes, I am,” Kallen admitted nervously. “I just hope they say yes. I am going a little bit traditional in that my chosen mate is from one of the older established wolf families but I am also being a little nontraditional.”

Kallen paused before announcing, “I would like to ask Stephan of the Hardulf family to be my mate.”

Stephan glanced at Brutus thankful he had listened to the big brute. He had come out to his family on Saturday and after some discussion they finally accepted it. Now he knew why Brutus had said to not be surprised but he still was.

Brutus used his eyes to direct Stephan’s attention back to the platform where Kallen stood. Stephan blushed as he realized everyone was waiting on his answer. He smiled at Kallen as he joined him at the center of the platform.

“Yes, Kallen of the Gunnolf family. I will be your mate.”

The two hugged tightly then Kallen took Stephan’s face in his hands and kissed him soundly to catcalls and hoots from their pack.

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