MUKE short stories

monster among men ⇼ 1

"I wanted to ask," Luke's mother was shifting in her seat, her nervousness clear through her voice. "He hasn't actually turned into a wolf yet, not even on a full moon."

Luke rolled his eyes, the doctor already told them what would happen and when but Liz was still living under the impression that her son was completely normal.

That nothing had changed when he got bit and left there to die.

Karen, the principal of the boarding school for werewolves, smiled.

"No, Luke is an omega, he also wasn't born with the gift. His first transition will happen after Luke finds an alpha when he'll find a place where he'll belong."

She was the first person Luke had met that called it that. A gift. The doctors, his family, friends all talked about him like he was sick.

"Is it possible," His father asked. "That it won't happen? Can he be without, well, a pack if he so chooses."

"Of course, he can, however, it is not recommended for wolves to be alone. We are social creatures that thrive around others."

Luke also liked that she said wolved instead of werewolves. Maybe he'll like it here despite... everything.

"But it is possible," This time she looked at Luke. "That you will choose to live alone, you're here so we can help you adjust to your new life."

"About that," Luke spoke up for the first time. "What it is you do here?"

Principal Clifford smiled.

"My husband probably explained it loosely. We work with children and teens who either don't have anyone to take care of them or their keepers don't know how to raise werewolves. Unfortunately, you are not the only one who was bitten without permission in this school but most kids live in unstable conditions. Most often parents recognize they're not offering their children the education and help they need so they bring them here. If they want to, they can spend weekends and holidays with their families or they can stay here."

There was an uncomfortable silence for a moment.

"I'm speaking for myself and my pack when I offer you my apologies for what had happened to you." He could sense the disgust in her voice. "If and when we find out who did this to you, we will make sure there will be consequences."

"It doesn't mean much because it wasn't you," he said. "Therefore, you have nothing to apologize for."

"I know," Luke continued. "I read a lot about it. You can only turn someone when they are of age and with their written permission."

Mrs. Clifford nodded. "We fought hard for that law to be accepted. We'll fight even harder to make sure it's followed."

"Will our Luke have any company here? I've seen some kids outside but they could not be older than twelve."

"Luckily we only have eight kids living with us currently. Unfortunately for Luke, the eldest is thirteen. However, my son lives with us and he's a year older. He works for me so he's not always home but if Luke would need anyone to talk to, Michael is a wonderful boy."

Luke looked over the room if there were any photos of Michael in the room.

"I don't think that would be a problem," His mother said. "Luke loves kids, he wants to be a preschool teacher."