The Pack House

Cowardice

A/N: only 1165 words. I tried to make it longer but I got stuck. But it's a start! Next chapter i will accomplish my 2000 word goal!
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"Don't touch me."

"Mason I understand why you're acting like this. I know I disappointed you."

We were back in the damp Town Hall. Someone had cleaned the corpse from the table and placed a water pitcher, more fruits, another loaf of bread, and some more gas lamps. The level of light was better than earlier but the layer of filth far for prominent.

Marc had instantly gone to his stage-seat before getting up and ushering me to the table. I reluctantly picked at food laid before me. Who knew when my next meal would be offered. "Charlie could be being murdered right now!" I retorted angrily. "You made the choice to walk away."

"Don't act like you were fearless back there either," he snapped. He was quiet for a moment and I glanced at him. He was rubbing his forehead tiredly. "I wish I could be better."

"Don't wish it, just do it."

"Like it's that easy? You heard Raven. He killed an Alpha and slaughtered half his Pack, walking away with only a single scar. What do you think a half-breed could do?"

"Half-breed?"

"My mother wasn't a purebred werewolf. She was turned."

"You're part human?" I don't know why I was shocked. In my Pack there were several wolves who had taken and turned human mates. "Really?"

"Really." Replied Marc shamefully. "Red... He was a pure blood. He had all the power here. Even Raven liked him, believe it or not."

"I'm not surprised. Red is also a monster."

"He's not." Marc said sharply. "All he knew was violence but he taught himself and me, kindness. He used to bring me in the woods and catch rabbits. I didn't know you could pet them--I thought they were only for killing! But Red found out. And he showed me."

"Oh."

"It probably sounds stupid to you," Marc poured himself water and popped a grape his mouth, chewing thoughtfully for a second. "But it was eye opening for me. I was able to look at things differently. Maybe that's why I'm so weak."

"Marc I didn't mean--"

"No it's fine. I got a little obsessed in finding the humanity here that I never got around to seeing things like they do. Like Omegas."

"What about them?" I asked nervously.

"Well you guys have always been used as... objects. And Red never really told me otherwise except not to waste my time with them."

"Oh? Are you wasting your time then?"

"Oh God no!" Marc cried looking shocked at the mere idea. "I just meant I'm not sure how to act around you so forgive me if I'm being weird."

"I can't say I've spent much time with someone like you either," I retorted flatly.

"So I guess there's a lot of firsts between us," he laughed nervously. "After you're done I can show you my place?"

Did I dare go into a strange wolf's dwelling? Did I have a choice? "We don't have to," he said quickly. "We can go outside if you'd like?"

"No, it's alright. Kind of cold out..." Gosh, had I been reduced to talk about he weather.

"Yeah. I heard it'll snow this weekend."

"So early?"

"I know! And once the first the snow fall comes you know Winter has hit."

"Yeah..."

"So how did you meet Red?"

"That's a long story," I muttered.

"Well I've got time," he replied with a small smile.

"Uh okay. As you can see I'm a pretty poor excuse for an Omega."

"Don't say that," he interrupted immediately. "You're...beautiful."

And there it was: the one thing I knew I wasn't. He sounded so confident in it. I almost believed him. "That's nice of you but I know it's not true. Anyway my parents sold me an old man as a houskeeper of sorts. I slept on a cot in the closet in the kitchen." I remembered it fondly. I had been safe there. Each day began the same. "I helped him around the house and with his shopping. I did all his cooking and cleaning. He was...kind. I was with him for three years before he got sick. Then I was willed to his son. He was struggling financially. His mate was pregnant with twins and...he did what he had to."

"Selling you?" Guessed Marc.

I nodded my head. "I wanted to go to a Trade School believe it or not." I told him a bit embarrassed.

"Trade School?" He echoed. "I'll pay for it."

"What?"

"Do you still want to go? I'm not rich but I'll find the money even if I have to raid ever Pack in the Region!"

"That's alright." While going to school had been a dream, it was simply that now. A dream. Nothing more. "Thanks though."

"Give me the word and I'll give you the world," he retorted with a ferocity that I didn't doubt.

It was almost...touching to have someone care so fiercely so suddenly. "You we're going to show me where you live?" I asked.

He smiled brightly and got to his feet, holding out a hand to help me up. I hesitantly accepted the gesture and he pulled me with ease to his side. He didn't let go however, and our fingers knotted together. I rolled my eyes as he led me to a door that blended in with the wall. He pushed it open, revealing stairs that seemed to descend into darkness. They were partially illuminated by gas lamps hung ever few feet on the walls. "Stay close," he commented as he started down the stairs.

At the bottom of the stairs there was massive floor area separated into 'rooms' by furniture. There was a fat TV in the corner across from a couch. A coffee table with a few lit candles cast some light in the space. Behind it was a bed. Messy with several pillows tossed on it. "It's not much. But it's ours." He commented.

The ours struck me. I guess when I fantasized about this moment it was always a house. And he was part of a real Pack. And had utilities.

Beggars can't be choosers.

"Of course it's temporary," he said quickly as if noticing my lack of response. "We'll get a much better...everything."

"It's perfect."

Who was I to judge? I should be happy someone--anyone--loved me. And material items were never a big deal to me. "You mean it?" He sounded surprised.

"Why wouldn't I? Does the TV work?"

"Used to. When we had power." He looked upset. "That's actually where Arrow is. He's 'negotiating' with the Alpha of a Pack to extend lines out here and cover the costs."

"Negotiating?"

"He brought half the Warriors," he explained briefly. "But it's his problem."

"How so? He's bullying other Packs." I frowned.

"That's how Crimson Canyon works." Replied Marc with a shrug. "We can go back up if you want--there's more light."

"Sure."

QOTC: Thoughts....?!