“I miss you. Do you think after the new year you will be able to visit? I know my parents won’t like it, but I could manage to sneak away.” I sighed, rolling onto my stomach, my voice barely above a whisper.
I can’t be too sure that my parents or my obnoxious brother aren’t outside the door trying to listen in. While Oscar would have a harder time not having his wolf yet, my parents could easily hear me. Planning to meet up with River is the last thing I want them to know about.
They’ve been thrilled these previous two years since they moved away. I don’t even understand why they hated them. Well, let me rephrase I don’t see the logic, but I know why my parents hate River.
River isn’t part of the pack. They are human and nonbinary like me. My family and pack are the definitions of basic white bitches. They are total purists. If there were a way to do it, our pack would never associate with humans or other supernatural creatures. To the Silvermane pack, anyone not a pure werewolf is inferior.
It’s total bullshit. I’d happily never awaken my wolf if it meant I could be with River. But I am a full-blooded werewolf. So like it or not, now that I’m sixteen, I’ll go through my first shift on the next full moon. And I don’t know what my wolf will be like. I worry that they will be like the rest of this pack and tell me I’m a girl and should act like one. I’ve never really felt like a girl, and the way this pack treats females certainly doesn’t make me want to be one.
“I don’t know. I’m hoping I can. I’m old enough to go alone, but you know my mom.” River grumbled. “But maybe if I get daddy Hale on my side, she’ll come around to letting me travel solo. As it stands, she’d probably want to make it some family trip, and I don’t want to share my Leo time with them.”
“THEY WERE MY FRIEND FIRST! You wouldn’t even have a Leo if not for me.” I heard Sage taunt in the background. Our calls often go like this since they have to share a room. But it won’t be forever since River said their stepbrother and his girlfriend are moving out after their wedding in April.
I miss them both. Sage is always so much fun to hang out with. But even if they are identical twins, they are very different. So while Sage was total friend material, I knew they were different when I met River. I don’t get the belly flips and butterflies when I’m around Sage or anyone else. Just with River.
“Well, the most you can do is try. I’d say I would try to come there, but we both know until I can get out from under my parents’ legal control, that won’t happen.” I sighed.
I wish I could tell River the truth. I wish I could say that I won’t be out of their control until I find my mate, and then I would be considered my mate’s property. And human mates are super rare; they are like fairy tales. So the chances of River being mine are low. But you know what, I don’t care what my wolf says or feels about it; I’ll choose River.
“Yeah, they suck. I wanted to put you in my suitcase and bring you here when we moved. I still say you’d have fit.” River grumbled.
“Mom told you not only would that be kidnapping, but it would also be inhumane.” Sage dryly remarked. “Now tell Leo goodbye. We don’t want to be late, plus it’s getting late there. Leo’s three hours in the future. BYE, FUTURE PERSON!” Sage’s voice grew louder at the end, so I could only imagine them leaning over River to scream into the phone.
“Sage is right. It is getting late. I don’t want to get caught on my phone… again. I don’t think I could take another month with no way to communicate with you.” I frowned, glancing at the clock seeing it was almost ten here on the east coast.
“Alright, fine. I don’t wanna go, but I’ll call you tomorrow and text you.” River conceded. “Bye, Bunno.”
“Night, Wolfie.“ I smiled. River may not be a werewolf, but they will always be my Wolfie, and I’ll always be their Bunno. I sighed as I turned my phone off and put it in my hidden charging area. Yes, I hide my phone even when it’s charging. You haven’t met my parents, so you don’t get how controlling they are.
Speaking of the controlling shits, I’m surprised one of them hasn’t strolled into my bedroom without knocking, by the way, to tell me I needed to go to bed. I found this change in their routine odd and decided to find out what may be keeping my wardens from their usual curfew rounds.
I had to be cautious as I avoided every squeaky floorboard in the hallway, especially past Oscar’s room. If that brat hears me, he would totally shout to our parents that I’m out of my room. He’s a total nark. He gets a twisted pleasure in rubbing it in my face that no matter how I feel, the pack will always see me as a female, and females are only good for one thing, according to our pack… breeding.
I wrinkled my nose just thinking about that. It’s like living in The Handmaid’s Tale. It’s bullshit, and I can’t believe the she-wolves all go along. Though I guess there are probably those that tried to stand up, to fight back, and ended up beaten into submission or dead. But then there are females like my mom who think this is how things should be—brainwashed much?
My ears perked as I carefully started down the stairs. I could hear my parents’ voices, more so my father’s, since obviously a female should be seen, not heard.
EYE ROLL.
Honestly, if this is how all werewolf packs are run, I suddenly understand why there are rogues. Who in their right mind would want to be in a pack if this is how they treat you?
But it wasn’t my parents’ voices that got my attention. Hearing them in our house was to be expected. What had me confused and nervous was the voice of our Beta, Tucker Preston, aka Fucker Prickface. What is he doing at our house? And so late? Is the pack under attack or something? Maybe if we are, I could use the chaos as a distraction to get the fuck out of here.
“So then we agree. The full moon that Marybeth shifts, I will take her as my mate.” Fucker…. oops, I mean… Tucker stated, extending his hand to my father. ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME?! I’M BEING TRADED LIKE DAMN CATTLE, OR THIS IS THE 1800S!!!!????
“Agreed, Beta Tucker.” My dad nodded, shaking Fucker’s hand with a smile. “I do warn you that Marybeth has some behavior problems. She spent too much time around humans and is under the false impression she’s this human construct of nonbinary and is adamant she’s not a female.”
“Don’t worry, Theodore. She’ll fall into line when I’ve marked her. She and her wolf will be submissive like a female ought to be. And if she isn’t, she’ll learn the hard way that the male is the one in power. She’ll be an ideal mate like her mother once she’s carrying my pup.” Fucker flashed a smug smile.
LIKE FUCKING HELL! I am NOT letting that piece of shit be my mate. Hell, even if he were my fated mate, I’d kill myself first! Nope. Nope. And oh, did I mention NO-MUTHA-FUCKING-PE! It took every ounce of self-control not to rush in and start throwing shit at their faces.
I had so much I wanted to say, okay, so much I wanted to scream but knew it would only get me locked in my room or worse, the basement until the full moon. How dare they try to sell me off to Fucker Prickface!? Or to anyone, for that matter? The Goddess gives us mates for a reason! How can we be a purist pack if we don’t even obey our Goddess?
This settles it. I am getting the hell out of this place before I shift. But when? I only have twenty days until the next full moon. As I contemplated how to escape, I crept back to my room. I wanted to call River or at least text them. I had to stop myself because I didn’t want there to be a way for my parents or others in the pack to find out my plans.
I hope that River can understand why I’m keeping them in the dark and will forgive me for all the secrets I’ve been keeping from them. I settled into bed and feigned being asleep when my mother checked on me. In reality, I was on my phone checking bus schedules for New Year. It would be the best time to run away. The pack always has a big fireworks show so that people will be distracted. I need to get the necessary herbs between now and then to cover my scent to give myself a head start.
Portland or Bust.
So who's with me that the Silvermane pack sucks?
I don’t know what’s been going on with Leo recently. We’ve still been talking, but I can tell something is up. There’s something they aren’t saying. And I’m worried about them. I know what kind of wackos their parents are. Close-minded control freak fuck-nuggets. So I can only assume what they aren’t telling me is something about their parents. That, of course, only makes me worry more. I remember these pricks grounded Leo for a month because they cut their BANGS! Leo cut their bangs and acted like Leo wiped their ass with the original copy of the Declaration of Independence. So whatever Leo is keeping from me could be bad. Would they hurt Leo? I don’t want to believe Leo’s parents would stoop to physical abuse. It’s bad enough that they abuse them psychologically. “Whoa! River, turn down the light show! We’re not using powers. This is hand-to-hand combat.” David commanded as I suddenly realized I was being put into a full nelson to try and subdue me. My entire body was glowing like
River knows I’m hiding something. I feel terrible about it, but I can’t risk even texting them what is going on. First, how can I tell River that my parents are essentially trying to make me some creepy thirty-something’s child bride? Cause that’s how a human would see it. And I know River would freak. I don’t want them to freak out and act irrationally. I know them. So I understand that when River lets their emotions run the show, they do things that place themselves and others in danger. Like when they got into that fight with a neighbor kid and the kid’s mom before they moved. It landed them in trouble, and they had to stay in a psycho ward. I don’t want them to do anything dangerous. I don’t want River or their family to get hurt. Me running away is hazardous enough. If my parents and pack find out I’m running to them, it will get a lot worse. And that thought makes me apprehensive even now as I’m packing to escape when the fireworks start. Am I doing the right thing? Shifting al
I’m seriously freaking out. It’s been over twenty-four hours since I last talked to Leo. It may sound like something minor to you, but it’s not to me. Leo last texted me that they were being forced to attend the local fireworks display for New Year with their douchey family. That was it. Radio silence ever since. I tried to call and text them at midnight on the east coast to wish them a happy New Year. Leo didn’t answer my call, and my text was left unseen. I may be coming off as a total creep, but I’ve sent multiple texts, voice mails, and emails, not to mention DMs on various social media. None of them have gotten me an answer. Right now, my gut is telling me something is seriously wrong. Leo would never ignore me. At least not willingly. Their parents must have done something like maybe they took Leo’s phone and computer away. I wouldn’t put it past them. Leo’s parents suck donkey balls, but this doesn’t feel like that. Something is wrong. “Mom, please call them. Call Leo’s paren
In the far reaches of my mind, I could hear my parents and even my brother screaming at me in our family link. They realized I was gone. And the longer I ignored them, the angrier they got. Do I care? Not even a little. Fuck them! I’m free, and I’m staying that way. If I had my wolf, I’d have happily renounced the Silvermane pack. And when I shift on the full moon, I will do just that and truly be FREE! I managed to get some sleep after I wrote my postcard to River. I didn’t go into details, just in case. Mostly telling them, I’ll be seeing them soon and how I can’t wait to start this year together. I grumbled awake as the driver made a garbled announcement about arriving in Buffalo. I squinted, looking out the window. It’s not much to look at, but it’s not Silvermane, and that’s what matters. I ensured I had all my stuff as I exited the bus to stretch my legs, grab food, and mail my postcard. Even though I’m miles away from the pack, I can’t help but keep my eyes peeled. My family k
ROAD TRIP!! The last time I was on a road trip was when we moved here. And then it was a long ass trip with my mom and twin. It was so BORING and as excited as I was about moving, I was still broken hearted that I was leaving Leo behind. This time I’m in a jeep with David and dad, heading to find Leo. Miles seems to tick by in a blink as I’m equally eager and anxious about reaching my Bunno. I swear to whoever is listening that if something happens to Leo, like if they get hurt, I am ripping throats, starting with their parents. “Okay… I’m going to take control of my radio.” David sighed, turning the radio down as it blared Skrillex’s Squad Out from my playlist. “But you said I could DJ on our road trip.” I pouted. If I thought anyone would complain about my choice of music and the volume, it would be Dad. I’ve seen his records. Yes, I mean records. He has vinyl, which would be cool if he had better taste. I like his Nirvana records, but that’s about it. I thought David would be
That Amber Alert has me on edge. I keep reminding myself that I’m safe on the train. No one knows I got on the train. Well, the cab driver knew I had gone to the train station. But he wouldn’t know what train I took, plus I changed my hair and used the last of my scent-covering spray. So even if the pack found the cab driver and told them where he dropped me off, they wouldn’t know what train I got on. My scent might, at best, lead them to the store where and then the bathroom at the train station. Oh, fuck! If they followed my scent to the store, they might discover I had bought the dye. Crap! This isn’t good. Dad won’t give up quickly, and Fucker seems to be set on me for some stupid ass reason. Why can’t he leave me alone and find his actual mate and let me find mine? Though I’d feel bad for whomever his mate is. Why would the Goddess pair any soul with that scumbag? I felt like I was sweating so bad that the lady next to me could notice as my mind went through all these worst-cas
The Hybrid's Rouge Fans, I rarely do this. But for the moment, I will be taking a short break from updating the short story The Hybrid's Rogue. As you may already know, I have been balancing writing three stories simultaneously. I am nearing the end of my book The Hunted Hunter, which has basically taken over my brain. I cannot vibe with my other stories to write new chapters and can't force myself to write as it's honestly not my style. So until either I complete The Hunted Hunter or my brain can once again switch gears to other books, this story will be on hold. Thanks for understanding! River and Leo will return soon, and we will find out how they get to their inevitable HEA together. Author Bryant
It feels like time is moving too slowly. It didn’t help that we had to stop for gas, and David swapped with dad so he could get some sleep the rest of the drive. How the hell can he sleep? I haven’t slept a wink since I was told Leo was missing. And I won’t sleep until Leo is safe in my arms. I’ve taken over the radio again, just using David’s phone so we know instantly if he gets any texts or calls from his inside guy Ryan. Not taking any chances when it comes to Leo getting away from their parents and that Fucker Prescunt. I’ve started shaking with anger whenever I think about them and their plans for MY Bunno. More than once, dad told me to control my emotions and focus on the task at hand, ensuring Leo’s safety. “New text message from Ryan.” The computer voice spoke over the music. Despite that, he was snoring a second ago David popped up in the back seat. “We have a problem. Tucker received a call from a rogue that claimed to have Leo. He has offered their safe return for a