Hybrid

What is Reality

"About wolves, can we talk for a minute?" I asked, ready to push my boundary. I ignored my father's comment about wolves being monsters, hoping to appeal to his better nature.

My father led me to the table to sit down and I started my speech with no confidence, "Have you tried working towards peace?"

"You know there isn't any option for peace in this war," My father sighed.

"I used to be a wolf, I might be able to negotiate a treaty between the hunters and wolves if you're open to it."

"No. Wolves are animals, and animals don't abide by rules." My father tensed.

"Well, I'm thinking that the parties enter into a contract for one year. If one year of peace can work, a lifetime of peace can. No one murders anyone for a year," I said.

"How do we know the wolves won't murder anyone?" My father asked.

"If there was a murder, the contract would be void and you could continue hunting."

"We don't wait for murder to happen. We're trying to work so that we prevent murders." My father tapped his foot.

"I think the contract would prevent murders with the right wolves. My old pack, if you talk to their leader, he might even help you enforce the contract on other packs."

"How?"

"It's one of the largest packs in the country, there's a lot of pull. I'm sure you could arrange something," I said.

My father's eyes lost all friendly touch, "Wolves are abominations. They have gifts that they use for evil, and it's not fair to humans for them to be allowed to exist."

"What?"

"Wolves can't exist with humans. It's not possible. Humans can't properly defend themselves against them, and it's dangerous for them to even be alive."

"Are you saying that you kill wolves just because they're wolves, not even that they're murdering anyone?" I asked, holding my breath.

"Yes. I do."

I was sick to my stomach. I couldn't sit at that table and look that man in the eyes. When I stood up, I got a rush of nausea to my stomach and ran to the nearest garbage can. I emptied the contents of my stomach, heaving when there was nothing left.

I hadn't been sick in over two years. I hated the taste of acid in my throat and the discomfort of throwing up, and it was a joy to never have to experience it when I was a wolf. I clutched my stomach in my hands, standing up as slowly as possible to keep the nausea down.

"Maybe we should see the hunter's medic and get you checked up?" My father offered.

"The doctor said there could be remaining hormones, I don't need to see another doctor," I resisted.

"I know you may not want to, but it could be good for you," My father urged.

"No doctors. I just need some rest." I marched off at a painfully slow pace and threw myself on my bed.

My father entered the room a few minutes later with a bottle of water and an aspirin. I took them from him, feeling pathetic for needing human medicine. He watched as I swallowed the pill, and turned to leave.

"I know you don't want to, but I'm going to bring the alpha here and you're going to discuss a treaty," I said.

"If you bring a wolf into my house, I'll kill them."

"Well their alpha is the human boy, so I won't be breaking any rules," I retorted.

If he didn't let me bring Dylan over, he would be admitting to knowing Dylan was a wolf, which would mean he would have to admit to bugging my clothes. I had won this round, and I was going to be smug about it. I was the big bad wolf, and this was my game.