Memories

Marcus

With a groan, Marcus stood behind his massive desk, stretching his shoulders as he decided it was time for a break. His day had started before dawn when the border patrols detected rogue activity on the northern border of the pack. Marcus and his Beta, Jackson, had investigated the border themselves before returning to the pack house to review security schedules. This resulted in hours of work with nothing to show for it. They saw no rouges and found no evidence of their purpose. That was sixteen hours ago. All Marcus wanted was dinner and fifteen minutes of peace. 

As the Alpha of the largest pack in the United States, Marcus led over 800 wolves and commanded a force of over 200 warriors. This was an ever-constant honor and responsibility made even more important by the fact that he is one of the youngest Alphas in the world. Taking over the pack in less-than-ideal circumstances, just days after his eighteenth birthday, he pulled the Blue Moon pack into the twenty-first century, despite the constant battles with the elders. Just five years later, the Blue Moon pack was wealthy and secure, with many pack members working for the pack's software development company, Luna. His entire life was dedicated to the stability and growth of the pack, leaving nothing left for himself. 

Deciding that he was not going to be able to think well enough to get any work done until he took a break, Marcus started to mind-link his Beta and Gamma. He figured that together they could get something to eat and relax some of the stress of the day away. Just as he started toward the kitchen, he heard the unmistakable sound of his private email alert on his phone. His chin fell to his chest as he turned back toward his desk, letting out a quiet growl of frustration at the interruption. 

Even in his exhausted state, Marcus would never consider ignoring the message, knowing that because very few people have access to this account, it was likely important. He moved quickly to check the message, hoping it was something that could wait until tomorrow, or at least until he had eaten. All thoughts of food and rest disappeared from his mind as soon as he saw the sender and subject line of the message. The sight stopped his heart. The sender was from a free email site used by thousands, but the sender’s name was listed as “Scooby”. The subject line of the email is simple with just the word “Scrappy”. These childish names brought back memories of good times and bad, most of which he had not thought of in many, many years. Knowing that this email could not exist, with trembling fingers, he opened the email. 

Scrappy doo, 

I am sorry. I know that you were told that I died, but if I had not gone along with the farce, I would have put the entire pack in danger. As far as he knew, his father killed me that day, having left me stabbed with silver and injected with wolfsbane. Unfortunately for him, I had a dose of antitoxin on me because I had been waiting for the day he attempted to take my life. His wolf did not allow him to stay and watch my death, and that let me get away.  

Father was insane; he and his men were ready to kill those who stood for me. He also would have killed you if he thought you were loyal to me and not him. You know that I could not allow that to happen; even in victory, the pack would have lost too many lives. If you are getting this email, then chances are the lie is now true, and I am gone. It is time I say what I should have said all those years ago. I am sorry. I did not protect you from the horrors of our father. I should have been there to help you grow. You should have had the chance to go to college like you always dreamed, and my leaving took that from you. These things were my failure, not yours. Remember, I love you, and I always have. 

I have been living in Loraine, North Dakota, at the Quiet Moon wolf sanctuary. After running away, I knew that there needed to be a safe place for people like me. I know I have no right to ask anything of you, but I must. Please go to my home and find Marcia. She needs your help and might just be the help our pack needs too. She is special, and her presence will change things for the better. I wish I could tell you more, but I fear that this email will be seen by eyes other than yours, so I must ask you to trust me. Remember, you will always possess puppy power, Scrappy Doo. Stay strong.

Your loving older brother,

Clint

Below the email, there was an address for the Quiet Moon wolf sanctuary, but no phone number or additional information. 

Tears began to blur his vision as his eyes began to change to gold, and his wolf let out a spine-tingling howl of despair. The power of his sorrow and pain flowed like a river to those closest to him, and the sound of his pain echoed down the halls of the large pack house. In the distance, others joined the mournful sound as they responded to their Alpha's pain.  

With no warning, the doors to the office were thrown open with great force as Jackson and the elite guards rushed into the room. They stopped in their tracks at the sight before them. Marcus, or more accurately, his wolf Dax, half changed with dark fur trying to sprout and long claws extending from animalistic hands, was tearing his office apart. There was broken furniture overturned, the desk had been flipped onto its side and had long cracks running through the wood, and the curtains were torn off the walls.  

Moving quickly and putting his body between the Alpha and the guards, Jackson knew he had to do something. He began to address the Alpha wolf directly, knowing he was in control. “Dax, I am here to help. What happened?” As he spoke, Jackson bent low, tilting his neck to the side, demonstrating submission to the powerful wolf that had taken control of his friend. 

The golden eyes turned and stared back at him, “The bastard lied, if he wasn’t dead I would kill him”. Jackson's heart dropped into his throat. There was only one person who could ever make Dax this angry, his late father, the former Alpha. If whatever had happened had to do with him, they were facing a near-impossible challenge in calming Dax down enough to allow Marcus to regain control. In this state of fury, he could do immense harm.  

Keeping his pose submissive, the large Beta stepped forward. “He is dead, Dax, because of you. You protected your people from him years ago. Please try to calm down and let me speak to Marcus. Let me help.” His words were spoken softly, but he met his friend's eye. Jackson watched as the golden eyes began to fade into the chocolate brown that showed Marcus was regaining control. His heart skipped a beat at the look of complete and utter resignation that came as the anger receded.

With Marcus back in full control, he looked at his beta, ignoring the tear that slid down his cheek silently. “We need to go to North Dakota, Jackson, today.” As the words left his mouth, his posture straightened, and it was clear to all those in the room that the Alpha now had a mission, and no one would get in his way. 

Not questioning the statement, Jackson walked over to his Alpha, placing a hand on his shoulder. He nodded. “I will go to the kitchens and prepare our meal. You must eat before we go.” Turning to the guards, he spoke, “Have two cars prepared with fresh drivers and guards, we leave in 2 hours.” Just before he left the room, Jackson turned to look at his Alpha one last time. “I can see that I will not succeed in asking you to delay this trip until morning. I only ask that you try to sleep on the way. We cannot do this without you, and whatever is going on has you distracted.”

As he saw his Alphas nod, he left the room to prepare what he could for this mystery journey.