A Wolf's Honor

Chapter 1

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"Come on Legosi, it's only for one drink." Jack pesters through the phone.

Jack has been my best friend since I could remember. Ever since we were pups he has just been there. Of course, he wants to go out on a night I don't have the motivation for. It's been a long day moving. Jack knows I am a hired mover and how tired I am day after day because of it.

"Ok ok, I'll be there. Just give me a sec to get my stuff. I'll meet you at the normal spot." I say while shoving my work clothes into a small drawstring backpack. My phone wedged between my head and shoulder as he continues.

"Great! We'll see you in like 15 then!" His harsh electronic-distorted voice chimes before hanging up without room for my reply.

𝘚𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘑𝘢𝘤𝘬.

I shove the phone into my back pocket as I make my way out of work, not bothering to say my goodbyes. The panda doesn't seem to mind anyway when I leave.

The streets are starting to fill out as business hours come to a close and most of the working public get off of work. Cars are beginning traffic stalls and crowds filling the city sidewalks in all different shapes and sizes.

Since Yahya became Beastar there has been a steady growth in the trust among carnivores and herbivores. Gathered and intermingled, everyone moves as one herd now. At least, that is what they lead you to believe. The country has moved away from a carnivore vs herbivore mentality but more individualistic. Everyone watches out for their own hide first and then the closest kin. The prey is no longer only the herbivores and steady rates of herbivore packs attacking lone carnivores for revenge have been increasing.

I make my way down Lucky Tuesday's, a local dive bar specializing in cheap drinks and cheaper decor. Every Tuesday is a discounted happy hour, and wouldn't you know, Jack's favorite day to go. I see all five of them in a wrap-around booth. As usual, Durham is striking out with the server bringing what looks to be a second round of drinks for the table.

"Legosi! Over here!" Miguno calls over and waves his hand.

𝘋𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘯'𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨?

I instinctively put a hand up to acknowledge him before making a fast stride to the table. A server not looking close enough turns and almost hits into me. I sidestep and smile, muttering an sympathetic "sorry" and continue over to the group.

"Ohhh!~ Look at Cas-sa-no-va~" Durham winks at me, looking over at the petite Lynx server. The coy coyote turning back to the group and pushing over a mug of beer.

"Come on Durham, you really think Legosi is one to flirt so casually?" Miguno laughs and wraps an arm around my shoulders.

𝘐𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘧𝘭𝘪𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨? 𝘈𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘫𝘰𝘣?

I shake my head and let them continue. Voss is sitting quietly among Jack and Collot on his phone to be what looks like boredly scrolling. The only ones who seem to actually enjoy Tuesday nights are Durham, Miguno, and Jack. Though, they were always the rowdier and extroverted crowd among us when we still lived in the dorms together. It's hard not to be when you're a coyote and hyena. And Jack enjoys the company. A companion for life.

The beer is dark and with a sizable amount of foam at the top of the mug. If I stare at it for too long, I fear I won't have the ability to stomach it. It can be challenging to drink with the group some nights. Alcohol in general is harsh on the stomach. And harsher when dealing with a hangover. I need to avoid drinking too much. Becoming careless off of intoxication leads to primal instinct and I couldn't bear to see him free. Not again. Just keep it under control and don't drink.