Brother Wolf

Ch 7 Michael and the Rogue

"May I come in?" I asked after Michael's mother had told him I was here.

Michael stood there, shoulders tense, nose flared, and eyes wide. The wolf within him was close to the surface. I didn't doubt he smelled the wolf musk I emitted.

"No? It's ok," I said, speaking gently from Michael's bedroom doorway. "I have no intention of invading your territory."

Michael's little sister came running up, practically throwing herself at me. I grabbed her and swung her about, laughing, hoping to set Michael at ease.

"Which one do you have, little sister? Oh, that is one of my favorites," I told her, taking the well-worn copy of Little Wolf and the Dancing Rabbit. "I need a pen..."

The girl ran off again, giggling, all excited. Who knew the children's books my mother had written about me would play such an integral part in helping these teens? Michael held himself unnaturally still as I leaned casually against the door jamb.

"You already know me," I told him. "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 with a pen. She pranced around, unable to contain her excitement while I opened the cover. Putting pen to paper, I began writing:

Little Sister, through all of the changes in life, love is the constant on which we depend. Even though your brother has gone through changes, do not doubt his love for you. Do not be afraid to love him in return. Love drives the heart of the wolf. With all my love to you, dear one, Brother Wolf, once known as Little Wolf.

"Show your brother," I instructed her.

She jumped up on the bed, making it bounce.

"This is you?" Michael asked after reading what I wrote.

"The whole series is about me," I replied. "My mother wrote and illustrated them. I miss her, much the way your family missed you when you went missing," I said, using my deceased mother once again, trying to connect with the teen. He was barely looking at me. I knew one way to get his attention, but I couldn't do it with his sister here.

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

"Sure! You want anything, Michael?"

"A coke, maybe," Michael answered distractedly.

The girl ran off. Once I was sure she was out of range, I turned back to Michael.

"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?" Michael asked suspiciously.

"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, so I understand what it's like."

I changed, feeling the fine hairs on my face thicken into fur as my snout formed. It was getting easier to turn into the appearance of some ancient Egyptian god. Michael backed away from me, crawling entirely onto the bed, beginning to panic.

King? Michael mouthed, his eyes wide, glancing out his door then back to me.

I nodded, crossing my arms and trying to look regal, before I grinned, canines flashing out of my maw before I focused on returning my face to its usual, Native American visage.

Michael bowed his head, exposing his neck to me. I could smell the wolf in him increasing. Michael wasn't the only wolf I could smell. The young wolf from the park was here in the room.