Chapter 31 - 30. Human Pack - Part I: A Family Love

Sitting near the dining table, Laurent Everett waited for his wife's reaction. The WIA scientist had his hands crossed under his chin and the crease between his eyes betrayed his apprehension. They were both lit only by the overhead light in the kitchen. The woman was tapping the table with her fingers, deep in thought. Her light brown hair was tied back in a sloppy bun with chunky strands hanging out.

"How can he demand such a thing? Laurent, do you have any idea how dangerous it could be? We're talking about a werewolf! How can Alpha Carter demand that he go to class with humans?"

"He's never shifted, honey. Not even once. I've been with this little one since birth, I have his full medical records, and although he was born a werewolf, until now day he's as human as you and me."

"Yes, but nothing says it will last! Nobody knows when he will transform and how he will react."

"This is why we'll take all necessary precautions to ensure the protection of other children. There will be two agents undercover. For the children, they will be just simple animators, but they are trained in combat and they will be equipped with tranquilizer guns. "

"Did the leader of Red Creek agree with that? I mean, does he know that if it turns out badly, there are men ready to hurt his three-year-old son? "

Maria Everett's maternal instinct had taken hold for a moment and she wondered how a parent could approve of this kind of treatment of their own child.

"This is the condition imposed by the WIA. He didn't sound very concerned either. " The man sighed and leaned against the back of his chair. "This is also the reason why I want the boy to join the class. Because of his condition, apart from his mother he has no contact with anyone in the pack. Every time he comes to the lab, he looks so... sad and lonely."

Maria's husband stared at her with puppy eyes and she felt her heart flutter. She knew he was a scientist specialized in werewolf medicine and if he said there was no danger, she could trust him. The woman ran a hand on her face with a frustrated expression.

"Arg! You're a sucker for that kind of situation." She watched the man's face light up.

"You will love him."

"Mum? Dad?"

A little boy standing at the entrance to the dining room rubbed his eyes. The color of his hair was reminiscent of his mother's. His hairstyle, originally a comb-over that showed his round face and sparkling eyes, had transformed in bed into a shaggy quiff. He trotted over to the table where his parents were sitting, his hands still chasing the sleep that wouldn't leave. Before he even lifted his arms, the ash-blonde-haired man lifted him to sit him on his lap. The child wiggled to take a more comfortable position and leaned against the broad torso.

"Hey, Buddy! You remember when I told you there is a werewolf child who will come to class with you?"

"Hm."

"He will be here tomorrow."

"Really?"

Connor Everett's eyes widened. He looked at his father to confirm what he had just heard. Until now, he had always read about werewolves, but he had never seen them. Even though Red Creek was a town where the two races lived together, they lived apart most of the time. The little boy felt like a privileged person.

"What does he look like?"

"Well, you'll see him tomorrow. He is the same age as you, just a bit older as he was born in April, and you were born in August."

"So, he will be like my big brother?"

The slightly nasal voice made Laurent smile and he placed a kiss on his son's hair.

"Yeah, if you want, Buddy."

"So cool!"

The little boy snuggled against his father's chest and his eyes fluttered from fatigue.

"I hope you know what you're doing." The woman said.

Without answering, the scientist looked at his wife. He then lowered his eyes to the face of his little boy who had plunged back into Morpheus' arms.

Little Creek Kindergarten was a structure designed for WIA members. With more restrictive hours than normal jobs, WIA employees, whether they are researchers, agents, or administrators, struggle to reconcile their work and their family. After becoming a mom, Maria Everett pushed her idea of ​​a kindergarten with childcare to help employees. The school ended up opening its doors and after resigning from her post as an agent, Maria became the principal of the establishment. Last year, Red Creek Pack in support of the initiative made a generous donation that helped expand the structure and add three new classes. Soon after, her husband told her of the alpha's will.

Maria felt her stomach turn upside-down from her stress. The parents knew about the little werewolf and to show her full support, she even agreed to the boy being placed in her son's class. Her heart was pounding and her brain was reviewing everything that could go wrong when the door slid open after three short knocks.

Laurent appeared in the doorway and walked in before stepping aside. A raven-haired woman with mesmerizing green eyes stepped forward, a child in her arms. He had buried his head in her neck and his arms were tightly grasping his mother whom he obviously didn't want to be separated from. The woman's hand patted his back and the child shook his head, his face still hidden. The Luna smiled and gently pulled him away. The little boy let go and very quickly the female omega put him on the floor. Maria gasped and put a hand to her mouth.

Glen Red Creek tugged at the hem of his overalls, nervous. His hands were shaking slightly. He glanced around the classroom in front of him and panicked at the number of people. He grabbed the fabric of his mother's skirt and tried to hide behind it.

"I told you you would like him. He's adorable, isn't he? " Laurent said, leaning towards her.

The woman glared at her husband who answered with a smirk.

"I know you're a sucker for looks."

Unable to deny the statement, the principal rolled her eyes and turned her attention to the little boy still hidden behind his mother's skirt. She arranged her suit and was about to crouch down when a din rose from the children's tables.

"Why is he so cute? I thought werewolves were big and strong. He's just a shrimp! "

Maria and Lauren turned their heads to find an offended Connor pointing at the newcomer. The woman was frowning at her son's when a thin voice rose from behind the Luna's skirt.

"I'm not a shrimp! You're the shrimp. I'm sure I'm bigger than you and ... and ... "

A red face swollen with emotion appeared and medium ocean green eyes glared at Connor. Far from surrendering, the boy with brown hair left his place under the dumbfounded eyes of his parents and took up a position facing the Luna and her son, arms crossed.

"Prove it! If you're taller, prove it! "

Still glaring at the one who mocked him, Glen let go of his mother's skirt and walked over in front of Connor. The two little boys now faced each other and Connor's eyes widened when he saw that the newcomer was indeed slightly taller than him. Ears and cheeks flushed, he looked away to hide his embarrassment.

"I-I'm still growing so…"

A scoff rose from behind. Connor spun around and saw his father, his hand over his mouth. The man was trying to hide his giggles.

"Dad!"

The flush on his cheeks intensified and he chose to ignore his father and direct his attention to the new student. A shy smile appeared on Glen's face and the brown-haired boy sighed to show his defeat. He grabbed Glen's hand and dragged him to the tables.

"Come on, sit with me. My name is Connor. And you? "

"I'm Glen. Glen Red Creek. "

"OK. I'll call you Big brother, but if I get bigger then it's your turn to call me Big brother, okay?"

"O-ok."

The researcher watched the Luna as the children began to move around Glen, a curious expression on their faces.

"I guess it went well?"

From that day on, Glen started school with his new classmates. The class consisted of ten students. Many suspicious parents had not wanted their child to be in the same class as a werewolf, even with the WIA's reassurance that he was harmless. Classroom day-to-day flowed peacefully between lessons, children's games, silly things, and punishments. Connor was especially used to the last two since he had a new big brother. The little boy with brown hair, spoiled by the other one who passed all his whims, had become a terror to the dismay of his parents.

One Saturday as he was sitting drawing on the living room table, Connor turned to his mother who was making lunch, an expression on his face showing his boredom.

"Mum! Can Glen come and play with me? "

The sound of cooking utensils echoed in the kitchen and the woman appeared next to her son, a towel wrapped around her wet hands.

"You want him to come here to play with you?"

"Yes. Can he? "

She studied the sheepish expression on her son and a plan crossed her mind.

"I'll ask Dad, but ... You'll have to be extra nice! You're way too silly these days. "

Later that evening, Maria who was talking with her husband hit the kitchen table with her hand. Her face was red with anger and the man could see her shoulders shaking.

"Are you telling me that since he started school Glen hasn't come back to the pack at night or on weekends? Where is he sleeping? "

"He has a room that was set up for him in the lab. He has everything he needs to be comfortable there and on weekends, when Alpha Carter gives permission, the Luna sometimes comes to visit him. "

"Permission? Visit? He's her son, for crying out loud! Why should she ask for permission to be with her child? "

"They are werewolves, honey…"

"It has nothing to do with them being werewolves and you know that very well." Maria was silent for a moment. "Bring him here."

"What?"

"You heard me. I said bring him here! I don't care whom door you will have to kick open to make it happen, but I want you to bring him here."

"I don't think the WIA will give his approval honey, technically he's part of the pack."

The man sighed when he saw his wife glare at him, her arms crossed to show her determination.

"I'll see what I can do."

Six years later, still in a battle with the WIA and the Red Creek pack, Maria Everett consoled her son after reading the umpteenth letter telling them that until the pack officially announced that Glen wasn't one of its members, he couldn't come and live with them.

"You told me if I was good he could come."

"I know, but things are complicated. It doesn't depend on me… "

Connor wiped his tear-soaked face and pulled away from his mother's embrace.

"You know, he told me his mom doesn't even come to see him on weekends anymore. Except at school, he's always alone. Why don't they let him come here? " The boy cried out, upset.

"We'll keep trying, Buddy. I promise to bring him home. "

On the morning of his thirteenth birthday, a car pulled up in front of the building that housed the WIA lab to retrieve Glen. The boy nervously tugged at his clothes and waited for the door to open. His face softened when he saw Laurent and Maria get out of the car. With a smile, he ran to the vehicle and the woman greeted him in her arms. They drove silently to the center of town where the alpha mansion was located. As they walked through the entrance gates, Laurent looked in the rearview mirror. Glen was staring inside the car.

"Don't forget what I told you. No matter what, I promise you won't come back to the lab today. If Alpha Carter doesn't want you to stay in the pack, you will come with us to the house. OK ?"

"Is it because I'm not a real werewolf that he doesn't want me in the pack?"

"Hey, Buddy… We already talked about it. You are a real werewolf. Do you remember what the werewolves books you read with Connor say? "

"Yeah."

"You have your fangs and claws now and you have almost all of your pheromones. I'm sure when he heard about this, Alpha Carter will accept you into the pack. You just need more time because you are special. But being special doesn't make you a bad or a fake werewolf. "

"Okay, Laurent." Glen wasn't convinced, but he didn't want to spoil the goodwill of his protector.

The car stopped in front of the mansion and all three doors opened almost simultaneously. A man walked over to the couple and motioned them to follow him inside. The decor inside the mansion exuded opulence. Everything from floor to ceiling showed the wealth of the leader of the pack. Glen paused for a moment in front of a portrait of a man, a woman, and a girl who was only five or six years old. Glen remembered when Maria had told him that his mother, the Luna, could no longer come to see him because she was going to have a child. Hopefully, he would meet his little sister today.

He detailed the portrait looking for similarities to his physique. Their black hair was identical, but the child in the photograph had the same brown eyes as the man who rested an overbearing hand on her shoulder. Glen had inherited his mother's eyes.

The boy jumped when he heard the servant call and caught up the trio. They walked up to a gigantic wooden door which the man knocked on before lowering the handle. The man opened the door and stepped aside to let them in. Glen walked into the room, careful to remain in the protective presence of the couple.

"Let him move forward. I have no time to waste. "

The man behind his desk looked up at his son. Glen, who couldn't remember ever seeing the Alpha other than in pictures, instinctively took a step back at the threatening aura he gave off.

"I told you to move forward."

Glen looked up at Laurent then Maria in a silent question. They both answered with a nod. The boy then stepped forward and stood in front of the desk. A slight click caught their attention and a door to the side opened revealing the Luna who came to stand near the leader. She smiled tenderly at her son, whose face lit up with joy. When he saw his mate happily greet their child, the alpha couldn't help his annoyance and Glen suddenly saw his mother coldly bow her head.

The young werewolf who had never experienced the link didn't know that the omega had just been scolded by the leader and his joy vanished when he felt rejected.

"Then? After all this time, has his 'problem' been resolved? "

"I-I can transform to have my claws and my fangs."

"And? What am I supposed to do with this information? "

"I…"

Carter Red Creek sighed and rose from his chair. The alpha walked around his desk and approached Glen who bowed his head. His body began to shake as it reacted to the pheromones the man gave off. All his senses told him to flee, but his feet were pinned to the ground. Tears began to stream down his cheeks and the werewolf's feet appeared in his line of sight. Before anyone could react, the Dominant's hand closed around the child's neck and lifted him off the ground.

"What are you doing ?" Maria yelled and tried to rush over to Glen who was suffocating as the man squeezed his throat, preventing air from entering.

Her husband held her back firmly.

"We don't have the right to interfere, Maria. The alpha has all authority ... " He restrained the woman who struggled to rescue the choking child in front of his eyes.

"There was something I wanted to test. You told me that his body reacts like a normal werewolf and that there is nothing to explain that he doesn't transform completely. "

"Yes, that's right," Laurent replied between his teeth. His body was tense. One hand trailed near his belt as the other hugged his wife.

"I was wondering… how does he react to toxins?"

Right after he finished his sentence, the alpha dig his claws in the boy's stomach. Glen gasped for air and spat blood. Carter watched his horrified expression and dropped the body on the floor. The young werewolf howled as the toxin traveled through his veins to diffuse through his body.

"Fantastic… He really reacts."

The Luna, who had rushed to her son, wrapped her arms around his body.

"Alpha… Please, Alpha. Give him the antidote, he'll die!"

The man turned and glared at his mate knelt on the floor.

"Why should I bother? If he's not a real werewolf, he's useless. He better die and stop making me waste my money and my time."

"You signed the papers! You've agreed to let us take him in if you don't accept him into the pack, "Maria yelled.

Alpha Carter eyed the woman in front of him who was looking at him with a desperate expression and a contemptuous smile arched his face.

"Well, it's true that I…"

Another cry arose, this time like a growl. The alpha looked down at the child on the ground and his eyes widened. The Luna had pulled away from Glen's body, which was writhing in the pain of the transformation. His claws were already outstretched and the alpha saw his limbs twist one by one. The bones in his face twisted and the young werewolf's muzzle jerked out. His clothes were torn as the transformation deformed his body and the fur could be seen appearing. A coat, black on the back and white with golden highlights on the stomach and legs, covered the child's body in perfect proportion. Glen groaned again and his mother rushed over to try to calm him down.

Mind clouded with pain and the call of blood echoing in his head, the boy slashed his claws which reached the woman directly on the carotid artery. The impact sent the omega into a corner of the room where its body fell heavily to the floor. He was already turning to the alpha, with a threatening growl, when three bangs rang out. Three ammunition filled with tranquilizer dug into the skin through the young werewolf's coat. Glen wobbled before collapsing to the ground.

The alpha looked at the wolf on the ground, then the man who had just fired. He would never admit it, but when his son stared at him, a shiver went down his spine. The pheromones he had smelled were enough to completely cripple him. He looked up at the human duo again.

"Get rid of this monster. I don't want it in my pack."