The King's Rogue

Ch 3 Invitation

I thought Michael was going to shit right there. I could smell the wolf on Brother, and was sure Michael could too. I hadn't told Michael the name of the guy from the park, so he didn't know this was the guy I had described as friendly.

"May I come in?"

I saw Michael's feet fidget. I wished I could get a look at his face.

"No? It's ok. I have no intention of invading your territory," Brother said.

Brother's whole tone was non-demanding. The humor I had noticed in him at the park seemed to be an intricate part of who he was. I started moving closer to them until I heard noise in the hall. I slid back to the far edge of the bed.

Michael's sister came running up, practically throwing herself at the man who grabbed her and swung her about, laughing again.

"Which one do you have, little sister? Oh, that one is one of my favorites. I need a pen..."

The girl ran off again, giggling, all excited. Michael held himself still as the man moved to lean against the door jamb.

"You actually already know me," the man said, "we just never met in person. I've had a name change recently. You know me as... ah, thank you little sister."

Michael's sister had returned, and was prancing around, unable to contain her excitement.

"Show your brother," the man instructed her.

She jumped up on the bed, making it bounce above me. The way it kept moving, she kept bouncing. I could hear pages of a book turning.

"This is you?" Michael said with a bit of hesitation.

"The whole series is about me," was the reply. "My mother wrote them. I miss her, much the way your family missed you when you went missing."

The bouncing stopped at the man's words. I could hear the rustle of clothing. I could picture the hug happening above me. I felt a stab of jealously for what Michael had, what I never had. His family had grieved for him. My mom had blown my disappearance off, hadn't reported it to anyone, except probably our pimp. Her pimp.

"Little sister, would you get me a glass of water, please?" Brother asked Michael's sister.

"Sure. You want anything Michael?"

"A coke maybe."

The girl ran off. Once Brother was sure she was out of hearing range, he spoke again. The smell of wolf in the room increased dramatically.

"Michael, I need you to know you aren't alone. Your sister isn't the only one who asked me to come. Lone Wolf thought maybe I could help you."

"How do you know Lone Wolf?"

"I work out at the gym his friend runs. I met Lone Wolf when he stopped by one night. It was exciting meeting another wolf for the first time. It was damn strange too..."

Brother's voice trailed off. Michael feet disappeared from my view as he moved completely onto the bed. I was nervous myself, finding out Brother had a connection to the King's bounty hunter.

"Here you go," said Michael's sister, climbing back on the bed to cuddle up to Michael again.

"Little sister, I know it's a lot to ask, considering this is the first time your brother has let you stay close to him, but would you mind giving us a moment? I have a proposition for Michael, and I want him to be able to think about what I'm saying. You are just too cute a distraction. Your brother's love for you is obvious."

It was strange, listening to the man who wanted to be called Brother. He commanded her in such a gentle way. I watched as her feet slowly slid across the floor, speaking of her reluctance to leave.