Brother Wolf

Ch 19 Understanding

"Lift your head," I murmured to Maximus as we approached the SUV filled with his pack. "Smile and maybe even wave to them."

Maximus did as I said and aimed a feeble smile toward the group of teens. He motioned to his two personal guards, who were hesitant about getting into the SUV. As we arrived at Cherokee's truck, Maximus looked back. I followed his gaze and watched Jax part with Michael. Michael headed toward the RV while Jax looked around for Ed. I sighed as Jax stiffened and bowed his head when he locked eyes with Maximus.

"The two of you seem to have a complicated relationship," I commented as I got in Cherokee's truck behind Maximus.

The teen didn't take his eyes off Jax, following Jax's progress down the street to Ed's little sports car. "He is no longer part of my pack," Maximus finally replied when Jax was out of view.

"I think he would disagree."

Maximus turned to me with furrowed brows. "He left. He chose to become a rogue and left."

"It isn't that simple, and you know it," I replied. "Jax thought he was helping you by leaving. He still wants to be with you and help your pack."

It was frustrating to watch Maximus's head drop again as Cherokee pulled into the street. I would have to balance being a friend and mentor with being a leader to these two teens. Jax, with his complicated past, knew more about the world than any child should know. He needed the firm hand of a mentor he could trust.

Maximus, with his minimal knowledge of the world, needed both my friendship and leadership, cumulating in the camaraderie of equals. He didn't know how to interpret or define relationships. I seriously doubted Maximus understood just how Jax wanted to be with him. The angsty teen had latched onto Maximus as if the young alpha was a life-preserver, and was as desperate as Carl had been for Maximus's acceptance.

I pulled the two journals from the glovebox as a distraction. "This," I said, handing Maximus the ancient, leather-bound journal tied with a length of rawhide, "is your pack's genealogy." I tugged the strip of leather loose. Keeping the book on Maximus's lap, I flipped it open to the first page. "Jax was right; it's hard to read that spidery cursive writing, but not impossible. Can you read any of it?"

Maximus struggled to make sense of the print in front of him. One finger trailed along the first few lines, stopping at an oversized W. "Wallingford. That says Wallingford, doesn't it?"

"Yes," I replied. "It records the establishment of your pack." I moved my finger to the first line, reading out loud. "On this twenty-seventh day, of the fifth month, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and twenty-seven. That's how people wrote out the date in formal documents back then. That was two years before the Great Depression. If you haven't studied that period yet, you need to.

"Yes, Lord."

"Maximus." I paused. The teen next to me was miserable. "Look at me."

Maximus forced his eyes up.

I smiled over at the teen. "We don't have to do this now. You've been through so much; I can't even begin to understand. But," I continued with mock severity, "I can't have you keep doing this submissive behavior." I moved my finger under his chin, pushing his head up.

"You are my alpha now," Maximus began, "and..."

"What was I before? Your alpha or merely your king?"

"You conquered..." Maximus's arm moved to encompass himself and his distance pack. As the boy dropped his head once more, I couldn't help but sigh.

"Conquered. It wasn't a real fight, you know," I said, unsure of how my words would resonate in Maximus. "He let himself be defeated." I hesitated, not willing to describe what happened. Part of me didn't want to diminish the man who raised Maximus, despite his previous alpha's warped mindset. "Maximus," I asked cautiously, "can you explain what it means to you, my conquering your pack?"