The Devil's Backbone

13. Zombie

Blow the smoke right off the tube

Kiss my gentle burning bruise

I’m lost in time

And to all the people left behind

You are walking dead and blind

 

And two thousand years I’ve been awake

Waiting for the day to shake

 

Jason

            I have to say, having someone to confide in about this mate thing has really helped Harley out. She looks less confused all the time, and as much as I love seeing her adorable confused look, I’m glad she was finally figuring things out. Me, on the other hand not so much. I’ve never been confused about Harley being my mate; I mean she’s perfect. Why would I not want her to be my mate, but this whole pack thing was really getting to me. How was I supposed to join a pack and be everything that she needs when I needed to hide form my old pack and protect my family from a vindictive Alpha who wants revenge? It was all getting to be a little too much for me.

            Usually when that happened, I just moved. Collected our stuff up, told the kids we were leaving, and scouted out a new place. But I couldn’t do that here, first I couldn’t bear to leave Harley behind, and second the kids absolutely loved it here. They were joining after school clubs in town, claiming they were from another city of course, and I couldn’t tear them away from the life they’d come to know. I’d done that to them too much in the past years.

            I ran my hands over my face; I was currently lounging on the bed waiting for the kids to get back from whatever they had gone to do and I was regretting now not going with them. I was so bored. I didn’t have to work for another day, and Harley had stupid school to attend. I considered kidnapping her and taking a walk through the forest, but I wanted to watch her walk across that stage as well, which definitely didn’t involve skipping class with your rouge mate.

            I jumped off the bed, I needed to do something and it looked like the only thing left was to go for a run. I stripped, taking off all my clothes and then putting my shorts back on. Walking out of the house barefoot, I took off at a light jog towards the forest line. Once there, I took of my pants off and tucked them into a split in the trees and shifted, ruffling my fur out. I hadn’t changed in awhile and my wolf was relishing in the feel of the wind through my fur.

            I howled with delight as I raced through the trees and down the mountainside. Ten minuets later and I was winding my way to a river that I could hear in the distance. Approaching it warily, I searched the surrounding area for anything and everything. I might be living in the city now, but I was still looking out for enemies wherever I went. Lowering my head, I took a long drag of water, lapping it into my mouth. I stopped, hearing a crunch of leaves coming form behind me. I didn’t make any sudden moves, but instead turned slowly, keeping my footsteps light.