A Howling in the Hills (Prev. Adjusting) (BoyxBoy)

Chapter 10 - Fun

Breakfast was slightly awkward. Brian was glaring at Jude and me, making me shrink back in my seat whenever our eyes connected. Jude was snarfing down his oatmeal and berries like they would disappear if he didn't get them in his mouth fast enough. Alex was avoiding my eyes, most likely feeling guilty for what happened last night. And Alpha was staring at all of us, his eyes switching between the four of us at regular intervals. 

The dining room was silent and filled with tension so strong you'd need a chainsaw to cut through it. It was Maria who cooked, and she sat on Alpha John's right-hand side, as regal and attention-demanding as her other half, yet also exuding warmth and kindness that made her obviously loved by the wolves in her pack. She seemed to be the only one in the room impervious to the unpleasant atmosphere, chattering on to her mate and sons about one thing or another. After a few minutes of this, Maria seemed to give up and change tactics. She abruptly stopped talking--I'm pretty sure her one-sided conversation had either been about the orphaned wolves in a neighboring pack or about her newest purchase: purple, leopard spotted socks--and faced Jude with a smiling face.

"So, Jude, right?" she asked with her smile beaming.

Jude quickly swallowed and nodded. "Yes ma'am."

"Oh, none of that," Maria said with a wave of her hand. "Call me Maria. Ma'am makes me feel old."

Jude blushed slightly and gave her a soft smile. "Yes, Maria."

"There, isn't that better?" the woman said as she tucked her hair behind her ear.

Before Jude could answer the rhetorical question, Maria continued. 

"What do you like to do in your spare time, Jude?"

The young teen pushed away his now-empty plate before dropping his hands into his lap and staring down at them. "I don't know. I was kind of left out at my other pack."

"Oh, dear," Maria said, her entire body radiating with sympathy and affection. 

She looked at Jude with sad eyes for a moment before straightening up with a small humph and casting her eyes on her sons and me. "You three bring Jude here out to play. I have to talk to John for a moment."

Despite the three of us all being grown men, we hastily jumped up and brought Jude with us into the backyard to 'play', not wanted to go against Mama Bear when one of her cubs was upset. 

There were still a few picnic tables outside from the barbeque, along with the wicker furniture set Brian, Maria, and Alpha John had been sitting in when I first arrived. Other than that, the yard was bare.

Brian immediately huffed his annoyance and went over to the outdoor furniture. He plopped down in one of the chairs, propped his feet up on the little coffee table, and seemed to fall asleep.

"Glad to know my dear brother is so excited to hang out with me," Alex said drily.

His eyes still closed, Brian flashed us the bird before going back to ignoring us. I stifled a laugh, but Jude wasn’t able to. He let out a small giggle and I smiled at him. Suddenly an idea came to me and I turned to Alex.

“Alex,” I said, my eyes probably lighting up with excitement, “let’s do some training with Jude. You teach us combat, and I’ll teach you guys stealth.” 

An (ironically) wolfish grin appeared on his face and he looked toward Jude. “Would you like that, pup?” he asked.

Jude blushed and nodded with a slight smile.

“Alright,” Alex said, clapping and then rubbing his hands together. “Combat first. Shift.”

I saw Jude shedding his clothes quickly and turned my head away from him before sprinting into the woods. With the cover of the trees, I took off my clothing, folded it up, and shifted. Once on all fours, I shook out my fur and stretched, happy to be using this form again. After being a rogue for so long, I was used to being in this form more than my human one. At times, this form felt more natural. I swiftly ran back into the clearing, my mood brightening and my tail pointed toward the sky.