Why Me?

10 Aaron

6 years later

"Andy!" I yell as my not so little 15 year old son stops by. I have to reach up to hug him now.

"Hey, momma, how've you been?" He asks looking around for any signs of struggle.

"He hasn't been here in months, Andy. I'm fine and so is Aaron." I assure him.

"Good. He's ramped up training so I figured as much... Mason has helped." Andy says.

Alpha Mason runs the pack closest to us, Red Rivers. He has taken an interest in us. With his frequent visits my mate has been less volatile. Carson hardly ever comes home, opting to stay at the pack house, and I'm glad. Aaron doesn't know how bad his father is because the man ignores him. Not seeing his father is hard for a six year old to grasp but it's for the best. Aaron is mine and his brother's. My little protector has taken the role of father to his younger brother.

"Andy!" My youngest runs down the stairs launching his little body at his brother.

"Hey pip squeak!" Andy smiles throwing the boy in the air earning him countless giggles.

"You came!" Aaron squeals with joy.

"Of course I did! It's your first day of school." Andy responds.

"Why do I have to go? You don't have to!" The little one argues.

"Our father makes me do it here. I still have school. You actually have it better. You get to hang out and make friends. Trust me Aaron you'll have more fun than I will. Come, momma made French toast." He places his little brother at the table and I just watch them with a smile on my face. I love my boys.

After breakfast I wave to Aaron as he walks off with the other kids to go to school.

"What are you gonna do now?" Andy asks as he cleans up the plates.

"Go on with life. What else can I do?" I respond.

"Do you think Father will start bothering you again?" He asks.

"I think your father has no interest in me. He doesn't want to risk another child knowing you won't let him hurt it. You know what he thinks of mates. I've outlived my usefulness." I inform him.

"You know it's not true. Mates are more than for breeding and stress relief." Andy argues.

"Mates are a blessing for most people." I tell him. "So when you meet yours treat her right."

"Of course, momma. She will be my Queen. I'm nothing like my father." He growls.

"And I'm thankful for that." I smile and pull his head down to kiss his forehead.

"I'm sorry, momma, but I have to return to father. I don't want him hurting you if he finds me here. Love you." With a kiss on my head my boy runs off and I am alone.

Carson forced Andy to move into the pack house to keep him away from me. I miss my boy every day. The silver lining in all this is that Aaron doesn't know the evil that is his father.

Aaron POV

"Hey runt hurry up!" An older boy yells at me. I just nod and try to keep up.

I'm nervous for today. No one in the pack really knows me. I stay away from most people. They call me a mistake. Momma thinks I don't know about my dad. She thinks I don't know what he does to Andy. He hasn't hurt me tho. I have Andy to thank for that. I act like it doesn't matter, like it doesn't hurt. My father never wanted me. He doesn't love me. It was a mistake that I was even born but here I am 6 years old. I have momma and Andy so I guess that's enough.

"Aaron!" My buddy Clay yells nearly tackling me.

"Clayton knock it off!" I growl pushing him off me but end up laughing. This guy is my best friend.

"Chill wolf boy! I know you've shifted you don't have to rub it in. You gonna tell me how it happens yet?" He asks.

I most definitely won't. That's one thing momma told me. You can't tell other kids that losing a tooth triggers the change otherwise they'd be taking pliers to their mouths. Clay is a good example of that. This guy would do anything to shift!

"I get it you're jealous. Not everyone shifts as early as me." I tease him refusing to answer the question.

"I bet it's just because you're an Alpha." He says trying to figure it out. I hear a kid scoff in front of us.

"He's no Alpha." The boy says. "The Alpha doesn't even claim him. No one wants you, pup, so don't think you're better than us."

"Shut it Johnny! No one asked you!" Clay defends me.

"He's just a screw up, Clayton." Johnny tells him. "You're the next Beta. You might want to make better friends. I wouldn't be surprised if the Alpha kicks him out of the pack as soon as he's of age."

"Leave Aaron alone, Johnny. It's like you said I'm gonna be Beta so maybe you should watch how you speak to your superiors!" Clayton yells at him. He may not be a wolf yet but he is fiercely protective of those he cares for. I'm just glad to be in that category.

"What ever little Beta." He rolls his eyes but leaves us alone.

"Thanks Clay." I smile at my friend.

"No problem!... wanna come over to mine after school? Dad's gonna teach me to fight. Could come in handy with Johnny hanging around." Clay offers.

"Sure." I answer.

After school I go to Clay's but not everything goes to plan.

"Aaron, what are you doing here?" Beta James asks me when we arrive in the back yard.

"He wanted to train with us." Clay answers for me.

"Clayton, go change. I need to talk to Aaron." Beta James says. Clay nods then runs inside.

"Aaron..." he starts as soon as Clay is out of sight.

"You're not gonna train me are you?" I cut him off seeing his frowning face.

"I can't... right now you are a pup. Enjoy your time with your mother. As soon as you start training your father won't be able to ignore you. It's best if we prolong that as long as possible. Training isn't mandatory until you're 16. When the time comes I believe you will be a strong warrior, but until then go home boy. Take advantage of the gift your brother bought for you." He tells me.

"What gift?" I ask completely confused.

"He challenged your father before you were born. He fought for you before your first breath. I know they don't want you to know about your father but I'll tell you this... little Carson has been paying for you to have a good life free of your father. Don't squander his gift, Aaron... now go home, pup. Your mother is waiting." He tells me and my head spins.

Andy saved me from father before I was born? I know he has covered for me the couple of times I caught our father's eye but how long has he been protecting me? He doesn't want me to know about any of this. I guess I'll keep quiet. Man! I've got the best brother in the world!