Resisting Fate

Chapter 5

It was easier said than done to avoid Sebastian and Vincent.

Each morning, Carmelo woke up for school. It was normal for him to catch a ride with someone or ride his bike. He once tried to use his skateboard, but that didn't end well. As it turned out, he was far more prone to accidents and injuries on a long trip, compared to semi-successfully riding it around the driveway.

The morning after the almost-kiss, it was quiet. Everything was normal, and Carmelo caught a ride with another student. The next day, however, was quite different.

Vincent and Sebastian knocked at his door, about 20 minutes after his alarm sounded- about the time he ventured out of his room to scrounge for food. The thought of them paying attention to his schedule made him feel a certain way, but he pushed that down.

When he opened up his bedroom door, and they wanted to give him a ride to school, he tried to come up with an excuse quickly.

Next time, he'd figure out something better than "sorry, I have to water the neighbor's cat!"

They didn't even have neighbors.

After that, Carmelo started leaving his room earlier. He knew their heightened senses would reveal that he was no longer in the room, but hopefully, the number of people downstairs by that time would make it more difficult for them to find him.

He mingled with almost everyone, trying to spread his scent around without making it too obvious. Carmelo would even leave earlier to walk to school.

It was exhausting, and he knew that Sebastian and Vincent knew what he was doing. Still, he had successfully avoided interacting with them for about a week. The last few days, it seemed like they were giving him space, but he knew that wouldn't last for long.

Not only were they persistent, but it wasn't common for werewolves to find solace in being alone. They were used to being in a pack, and growing up in the Collin's pack meant that there was always someone there to comfort them. Oftentimes, bonding in wolf form was a way to make everyone feel better, but Carmelo couldn't relate to that. He didn't always want to talk to someone in an attempt to make himself feel better because he wasn't normal. He couldn't shift, he didn't have a wolf, and sometimes (read: all the time) he felt like an outsider.

Still, the fact that a pack member would avoid comfort in others was sure to alarm them, and Carmelo didn't know how to reassure them without actually discussing anything.

It all came to an abrupt halt when he was called into Alpha Jamie's office.

At first, Carmelo assumed he was going to be asked to watch his 18-month-old son, Jax. It wouldn't be the first time, and it was always a pleasure... except for changing diapers. Those times are the few moments he's grateful to not have a nose like a normal werewolf.

Alpha Jamie had something else in mind.

Tentatively, Carmelo knocked on the office door three times. His weight shifted from foot to foot as he stood there before hearing a happy "come in!"

The Alpha's office was large, but not flashy. He had an antique desk in the center, and a few bookcases lining a wall. Toys were scattered about the floor, and the attached bathroom door was wide open. Carmelo could see that water covered the tiles in there, and when he took a closer look at the Alpha, he could see that his shirt was rather soaked too. Still, a grin remained glued to his face as he looked down at his son who was sleeping in his arms.

"What happened in here, Alpha Jamie?" Carmelo asked. He didn't even try to fight the amused grin on his face as he sat in one of the chairs across from Alpha Jamie.