Reaching for the Stars

Chapter 52: Wolves of the Pack

Small note: Since the concept of "alphas" in wolf packs is outdated now, I won't be using that. In this universe, what we call a "pack" is just an informal way of saying "family" since in real life, a wolf pack usually consists of one family (parents and their children). This is also the reason for the tight familial bonds the wolves have in this universe. What we used to call "alphas" are just called parents or informally leaders, big brothers/sisters, or formally head of the family.

However, a wolf can become another's "alpha" without any blood relations. Since wolves have a tight familial bond, wolves living far from their families usually form impromptu packs with other wolves despite having no blood relations. This is how Tom and Kevin became close and thought of each other as brothers; they found that they had no one to hold onto and began looking out for each other, with Tom taking more responsibility at first and Kevin adjusted from there. How Kevin came to see Tom as a big brother is not strictly because Tom managed to beat him, but also because Tom has been taking care of him.

Also, this concept of tight familial bonds is not limited to wolves, but also to other species that form "packs" in real life, such as lions, coyotes, sheep, and hyenas, though the extent to which they exhibit this concept vary highly even within the same species.

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Kevin stared at the ceilings, his mind too hazy. The rays of the sun through the windows woke him up. He wanted to go back to sleep, but it was already late in the morning. The empty spot beside him smelled like Tom, and so did the room. He then sat up, gripping his head, then flinched a bit when he felt something on his back sting. Finally able to think clearly, he stared at his hands.

He was disappointed in himself for acting without thinking again.

Yesterday felt like a million things happened. He remembered attacking Tom, then crying on his shoulder. Afterwards, he remembered staring at the wall as he sat on the bed with Tom cleaning the scar on his back. Almost no words were spoken last night, yet he felt like two heavy burdens had been lifted from his shoulders. Then, in the night, he lay on the bed, hugging Tom close, trying his best not to cry on his shoulder again.

His bed was small, but last night was one of those rare times when he felt it wasn't empty. He felt warmth seep into his body, expelling the coldness away. His heart felt content. There was nothing that he was holding back.

The bathroom then opened and someone went out. Not long after, Tom came bringing a bowl of porridge and a cup of hot chocolate. He wasn't wearing any t-shirt, the bandage on his shoulder on display. That small, clipped part of his ear coupled with his red eyes made him look somewhat dangerous. Kevin realised that for someone his size, he had decent muscles, which could explain his strength.

Most glaring of all, though, were the many scars and fur gaps on his body. They weren't noticeable at first, but under the sunlight, he could see them clearly. Some looked big enough to make a bald spot, hidden by the fur gaps. Even on his back under the fluff, there was something that looked like long slash marks.

How did he get those? A runaway accident would very unlikely give him so many scars. Some of them even looked like they'd been there for a long time. What kind of upbringing did Tom go through to earn that many scars? Not even Kevin's own scars were this many.

"Breakfast." The smaller wolf put the tray on the nightstand. Tom then sighed but didn't look at him. Kevin only stared at that tray of breakfast, but his mind wasn't there.

What happened last night felt somewhat refreshing. For the first time in a while, he didn't feel the need to have everything under control. He could let his emotions out, the anger and helplessness that he had been building inside could finally come out. That was rather ironic since he thought of himself as someone who usually went with the flow. His wolven pride was hurt, but in his own pack, it didn't matter.