Broken Pieces

Chapter Seven

By Roofles

That night a luau was held for the wolves, the newcomers, and other denizens of the dubbed Wolf Street.

Alan still hated the name that had originally been a placeholder. The street didn’t just belong to the wolves. The dogs had been there first before, systematically, being pushed out. The wolves needing a new place to call home after losing their past two major dens.

The mansion up on the hill had long since been cleared out after being blown up and burned down several years ago during that dark night. Most the wolves had retreated to a runner up Alpha, Vicky, hoping to take shelter underneath her care. They hadn’t been aware she’d been playing her own cruel game and soon enough, a rival gang had come knocking at their doors.

Losing two homes in the past couple of years hadn’t been easy on the pack.

Several had moved up North joining up with the neighboring wolf pack in Canada, while the others had licked their wounds and came crawling, belly up, to Reese hoping to seek shelter under his care while they recovered.

The major issue was, they hadn’t left after recuperating.

This place, this street, had become their new home. Close enough to the city to run their illicit dealings, while being far enough not to draw too much attention from the locals or police. Reese seemed to have a deal with the police department and their members went unnoticed with their criminal activity. As if an invisible wall had divided this area from the rest of the city.

A sanctuary, or at least that’s what Alan had been told it was supposed to be. With fences, barb wire, patrols, and watch towers… it looked and felt more like a prison.

Reese had strict rules and not everyone could keep up with them.   

Several wolves had come and gone over the past year alone. Strangers and familiars, stragglers after everything had gone down. All alike and yet different had passed through these walls. Wanting to see if this was a place, they could settle down and plant their roots. Some had come seeking “fame and fortune” as Alan had been told; wolves from outside a pack moving into another in hopes of taking it over from within.

They had been quickly stomped out and “buried.” Reese showcasing his strength in front of the others in warning not to act out. It was a clear warning that Reese could toss any of them out if they didn’t follow these simple rules.

Those who couldn’t, wouldn’t be able to integrate into society anyway and would eventually end up dead in a ditch somewhere. If they were lucky.  

It was a common practice that wolf kind held close. Weeding out the weak and any insubordination. It was part of their very ancestral roots. When things were looking up, there was always someone else gunning for your position. Sometimes literally. It kept the pack strong. Made sure you didn’t become docile and weak. A weak pack would die off and a pack was only as strong as their Alpha and bond.

Still, things hadn’t been easy for the others outside this growing pack.

Within the first month, a fight had broken out in the backyard when someone had gotten on Alan for being there.

“This is our place now, human.” A new wolf had snarled and growled right up in Alan’s face, threatening him. “Alpha doesn’t need someone as weak and pathetic as you-,” and that was about as far as it went before he was taken out.

Barreth would stay out of wolf politics whenever he could. There was one exception to this rule. And that was if Alan was involved. Placed there by Reese himself as Alan’s guard, Barreth took the role far more seriously than anyone else would’ve.

Alan was a human, an outsider, and most within the pack understood where this foreign wolf had been coming from. A new wolf that had attacked this human. Seeing Alan here, there, in their new home had upset several of the others. Most had been egging the wolf named Pike on. Letting the new blood take the punishment for what they, themselves wanted to do to the human.

Pike hadn’t even managed to grab the human before Barreth had taken him down. Much to several others disappointment. They were wise enough to keep their mouths shut and heads down as they bitterly stewed over it, planning their next move in secret. Needing another patsy to use and throw away after they took out this human that had all the Alpha’s attention.

Blaming Alan for everything that had gone wrong, unaware how true those dark thoughts really were…

Dogs were bad enough, but a human here? It was an insult to their wolf pride. Only then to see him get such preferential treatment over the others. Others of Reese’s own kind. While everyone had to walk on eggshells, why could this human go and do as he pleased?

And why did their Alpha choose to mate with a human? Let alone a male?

Several females had thrown themselves at Reese’s feet. The Alpha had simply stepped over them to talk with Alan, ignoring everyone else whenever the human was around.

Such a simple thing had been festering since the beginning. Any who would bring it up or try and act on the dark impulses were quickly taken out. With Salt and Pepper attaching themselves to Alan, most had let the whole issue go, for the most part. Calling Alan, the “wolf nanny” that was taking care of Reese’s brothers, amongst other unflattering things.

Teasing him. Mocking him. Insulting the human in their midst as they stared at him with a mixture of envy and spite for all the things Alan had that they didn’t.

They would joke behind his back. Talking just loud enough for the human to hear at times. Alan had simply rolled his eyes and gone about his day, feeling like he was back in high school. And hating it. This was supposed to be his and Reese’s place with the dogs, their friends.

Things had changed ever since the wolves had shown up and Alan was feeling that alienation he did so long ago creeping back in.

The dogs were moving out. Wolves, strangers, moving in their place. Reese was so busy with pack dealings, the two of them had little time to be together and then there was Alan. A human, somehow, mixed into everything, wondering where he fit in this very strange picture.

“Was this the wolf politics PB was always talking about?” Alan just groaned at the thought, flipping a few of the chickens over on the grills out back that night, dwelling on all these unpleasant thoughts. It was hard to keep pretending that everything was okay. “Be best if I just left…”

An industrial sized rice cooker had been bought and brought out back for them to use for the feast. Each wolf would get a portion according to their rankings in the pack, with an extra scoop of sauce and rice depending. Peas and carrots would be mixed into the mash.

Whatever, to help with the outrageous food budget.

Alan had to admit, he had a strange kind of power, being the one dishing out the food. Those who served the food in the pack were regarded favorably. Portion control, some called it. The man behind the grill was in charge of dishing out portions and if they made a mistake, it’d be on their head and not the wolf who got the extra amount. It was a good incentive for Alan to pick things up quickly in the pack as he began scooping rice out for the first wolves lining up hungrily with fanged, drooly mouths.

First come, first serve wasn’t a thing in a wolf pack.

They waited their turn and took their place accordingly in the ever-growing line. Most of the time, a fight broke out when someone around the same ranking as another member wanted to cut in line or force their way ahead. Trying to increase their standing in the pack. These were commonplace and mostly ignored, only the winner mattered, and the rankings shifted daily making it hard to keep up with it all.

Barreth was there to help, in his own way.

He’d grunt if Alan did something wrong and the human would correct it before serving the food out. It was exhausting. Even after a full day of work, he’d come back to this.

Weeks, months of this were beginning to wear him down.

The first portion was the easiest. Reese’s. The Alpha got the most food and the privilege to eat first. Everyone in the pack waited for Reese to take a bite, though the wolf tended to let Alan go first before eating. No one cared about Alan eating, only Reese, though several held it against the human as if it’d been his fault.

At least during times like this, Reese was here. It was tradition for the Alpha to eat with the pack. One of the few times Alan got to see his man. The wolf, otherwise, preoccupied with pack business.

And the wolf was currently sitting in a nearby chair that had been brought for him, looking bored out his mind as, with glossy eyes, Reese stared blankly out over the yard. The chair was nicer than anyone else’s and looked as if it belonged to royalty at one time. Alan had teased Reese about this much to the canine’s amusement.

When another wolf had commented, Reese had nearly bitten their face off. It had left an unpleasant taste in his mouth, and everyone kept their distance from the Alpha after. Only Alan was allowed to tease the wolf. The fear of getting bitten created a large empty dome around the wolf nearby. This space, however, worked in Alan’s favor who could slip in and out of it freely. Able to get some space from the others.

The only exceptions were Salt and Pepper who’d tag along with Alan more times than not. The two brothers attached to him over any of the other wolves there.

Several of the tiki torches had been brought out, lit and placed around the back yard for the luau effect. A large gathering had come out tonight for the celebration, not exactly welcoming PB and his cubs into the pack but enjoying the food, nonetheless.

They were able to talk, catch up, bond with one another before going back to work the following day. Every person outside Alan and Charles were canines with a few extra added into the mix to spice things up. The dogs kept to themselves, and the two humans there stayed close to Clem and Togo when Reese wasn’t around. Charles with the husky and Alan hovering somewhere between Reese and the dogs.

Alan knew they were higher up on the list and ended up employing Salt and Pepper to help dish food out, making sure the two knew not to sneak any bites beforehand.

“And say hi for me.” Alan just said, sending them off. Salt and Pepper nipped at each other, the two trying to get their first as if it were a race. “Now then for PB and-,” Alan felt the shiver run down his spine even before the wolf spoke up. Alan planning on giving PB his food finally.

Barreth grunted. Alan looked over at him.

“What?” The human just asked, knowing the issue already. He was so tired of this shit.  

Barreth just gave him a look.

“I mean, PB, I guess, wouldn’t be up there on the list, sure... But he’s still…” Alan hesitated to go on. He wasn’t sure what PB was to him, let alone this pack. He just knew the wolf had pups and needed to eat to keep up with his poor health. “Would he eat last?” Alan ended up asking Reese in a low voice that most wouldn’t be able to hear.

Reese’s ear flicked as he looked over at Alan with deep blue sapphires hidden in the tangled mess of black jungle of fur of his face.

“He should eat alone.” Reese said in a commanding voice, though not directly to Alan. He seemed to be thinking over the issue himself and his words seemed to reflect that, as if having an internal struggle on the matter. Several others picked it up, nodding along in agreement.

It must be hard for Reese to be Alpha, needing to placate so many. Denying his own wants and needs for the greater good.

“He isn’t part of the pack.” Alan agreed, hesitating once more before scooping out the rice into a bowl. He topped it with meat and fixings before passing it to the wolf waiting in line who barely seemed to register him, instead, just drooling over the food.

Better the food than him.

“Thank you, Alpha.” The wolf lowered his head as he passed by in front of Reese. Thanking him for the meal as was proper. The Alpha protected, guided, and fed the pack. They stood above all others for they were responsible for everyone else.

A king’s weight, as it were, responsible for a nation. Most would crumble underneath such a heavy burden.

Reese, however, wasn’t the usual Alpha and his tone belayed his annoyance at such brown nosing.

“Why? I didn’t cook it.” Reese said in a bored tone but something about it made the wolf flinch, and they almost dropped their dish. They stood rooted to the spot, shaking to the point Alan worried they’d fall over. Something about Reese’s body language hinted at his displeasure and the wolf quickly tried to remedy it.

“Yes. Yes, thank you, Alpha-mate. Thank you.” The wolf nodded towards Alan several times, practically cowering in fear before retreating as if afraid his food would be taken away otherwise. A possible outcome. If he were lucky.

Things could’ve gotten bloody, fast, at such disrespect.

“Was that necessary?” Alan rolled his eyes. He rather they just ignored him than try and kiss ass like that to stay on Reese’s good side.

He was used to that. Being ignored. He hated being placed in the spotlight and found himself question things again. Why was he even here…?

“It is.” Barreth, needlessly, explained as Reese only grunted a reply nearby from his chair. “They need to know their place in the pack. That is why we hold these gatherings,” Barreth just went on as if Reese had told him too. “They also need to know where the food comes from. And whom to be thankful for…”

Alan just gave him a look as he went back to basting the chicken waiting to be cooked. They were running dangerously low on the protein and Alan was already trying to figure out what to substitute. Meat was getting increasingly difficult to come by.  

“It’s… different, for wolves.” Barreth tried to explain without just using his body language too. “Most carnivores starve.” That caught Alan’s attention.

“Excuse me?” Alan choked at the thought.

“Most carnivores can’t afford the highly expenses products, like meat. Let alone during a meat shortage, like there is going on.” Barreth left out why that was. Everyone there, other than Alan, seemed to know about the black market burning down and being washed away the previous year. “A lot of them join the service because they’ll be assured meat in return. A pack is only as strong as its members, Alpha-mate. And a well-fed pack, is a strong pack.”

“Actual meat. Not that fake stuff.” Reese agreed as he swirled his drink around in one hand. The beer didn’t need to be aerated as wine did, but he seemed to treat the drink as if it were far fancier than it was. Reese, even drinking a convenience store beer, had an air of dominance around him that everyone seemed happy with accepting, no matter what he did.

Alan knew how much that bothered the wolf. No one else seemed too. Reese had been forced into this position and it grated his nerves. Alan wasn’t the only one suffering in all this.

“And so… giving them meat, from our reserves, is a big deal.” Alan nodded slowly, beginning to put it together. While he began to understand it, he still didn’t understand it on an instinctual level. As a human, such things seemed rather silly.

Then again, he could eat almost anything he wanted unlike these wolves. Was that why omnivores and herbivores were, ironically, on top of the food chain in the world? They weren’t limited as a carnivore was.

“It’s a treat. A reward. Keeps them in line. Keeps them loyal. Make sure they know their place.” Reese grumbled the last part. Everyone seemed to think Reese enjoyed the role as Alpha. Alan knew better. It was clear to the human how much Reese despised all this. It was so apparent to him, Alan couldn’t figure out why everyone else thought Reese was enjoying this.

Like his brother did. Or his father…

“Actually. On that note.” Alan said, having such rare opportunities these days to talk to Reese. He served up the next couple of dishes before switching out with Barreth. “I wanted to talk to you about something important.”

Reese grunted that he was listening while he still surveyed the scene before him. Keeping a watchful eye out on everyone there. Several wolves were tussling, some watching and laughing, cheering them on as they fought in the back yard to the point blood was drawn but no one tried to stop them.

Alan was struggling to find the words as he watched the horrifying scene of a wolf chew on another ones neck as they… play wrestled? It was hard to tell what that was. One wrong move and he’d end up killing his friend.

Were they even… friends? Or just part of the same pack…

Alan swallowed the worrying thought away get horrible flashbacks from his childhood involving these wolves.

“The guys and I,” Alan began and finally got a look from Reese. “Clem, Togo, and Charles and I… were thinking of getting our own place. Closer to the city, and work. It would make the commute far easier. Seeing how we carpool half the time as it is... With Togo’s yard business an-and Charles helping him out! We’d save on gas and… be good. For everyone.”

“Okay?” Reese quirked an eyebrow, becoming suddenly very still. The air itself seemed to grow heavy and two nearby wolves, as if picking up on the danger, scurried away from their Alpha before getting caught in the brewing storm.

“And there was a few places in the city that we were going to look at this weekend together.” Alan tried to be casual, relaxed about it but felt how nervous he was as he fiddled with his suddenly clammy hands under the wolf’s scrutinizing gaze.

Reese didn’t respond, at first. He just stared, looking past Alan for a long minute that dragged on. Thoughts lurking behind those blue eyes. Dark thoughts that made the human want to take a step back, away from his… boyfriend?

Were they even that…? Could you call the relationship the two of them had that? Alan, at times, felt more like a possession that Reese owned than anything else. Such worrying thoughts only added onto everything else going on in their lives.

Thoughts, and issues, Alan was still trying to work out with the therapist he saw.

“And…?” Reese voice was very quiet, no more than a breath as he held his. Waiting. Waiting for Alan to finish his thought. To finish that sentence and tell Reese all the worries and concerns he had been trying to ignore.

Reese wasn’t an idiot. He knew how the others treated Alan. He was extra harsh on anyone who so much as stepped out of line about it. He wanted to crush any dissent before they could take hold. It had worked, for the most part. It never stopped them, though. Not fully.

Not those whispers.

Those looks.

The same ones people used to give Reese. Talking behind the wolf’s back. Treating him like an oddity, a monster and something, someone that needed to be locked away from society.

“And, Reese, I was… I am going to pack my things and move in with them the coming month,” and that was about the time the glass bottle shattered in Reese’s hand.

Alan flinched, pulling back as the wolf kept staring without a single word. Everyone around them froze and the stillness in the air only grew heavier as several wolves lowered their heads down sensing the danger. Some slinked away on their bellies, while others stayed around wanting to hear this. To see their Alpha and what he would do.

Every eye was on them, and Alan hated it.

The spotlight was on them again and Alan… Alan hated it more than anything.

“Who…” Reese growled the word so deep Alan didn’t understand as the wolf slowly stood to his feet. The human took a step back and Reese flinched at that as if physically struck.

Alan had never stepped away from him. Not like that. Not like this. Reese gritted his teeth to the point he could taste the coppery sweetness of blood in his mouth.

With his right hand, the seven-foot wolf pushed himself up. His left arm was tucked away, inside of the nice, extremely expensive jacket he wore. Reese didn’t wear the bright, friendly colors he used to. Not anymore. Choosing to wea far more expensive clothes now.

Fitting in as Alpha. Playing the part everyone wanted him to be.

Reese looked so much older than he was. Even pushing forty, the wolf seemed to have aged far more in the past year alone than he did in the past ten. The lush black almost obsidian fur was graying in parts, losing it’s luster. He was beginning to resemble his father and he hated it. How he hated it. Reese made up for it with the extra aggression he needed to show towards others, no one dare questioning his age or, ever, bring up his father in front of him.

Not after the last time someone had. An older wolf joking how he was the “apple of his father’s eye now” and how Reese had nearly ripped out his throat for the misguided compliment…

And now, all that built up pressure, rage and self-resentment was manifesting before them as Reese took a dangerous step towards Alan. He was shaking. Reese was shaking, trying to keep it contained as he tried to ask the simple question.

His mouth open and blood trickled from his lips making Alan gasp.

“W-who was it?” Reese voice was more growl than words and the fur on his neck was standing up as his lips quivered uncontrollably at this point. His claws dug painfully into his palm, but it only fueled the rising, boiling anger inside.

“Alpha.” Barreth tried to step in, but Reese ignored him. Barreth was no means a small wolf, but Reese pushed past him as if he wasn’t even there.

“Who was it? Who, dared, to mess with you? Have I not shown them enough? Was I too kind? Have I not threatened them enough? Maybe. Maybe I’ve been too soft on them…” Reese muzzle twitch, fur standing on his neck as his eyes searched the crowd around them. “Why would you… Who would think… I…”

There was only the sound of his heavy breathing in the backyard. Everything else had gone still, silent as Reese looked around them like a feral dog, bloody drool dripping from his lips. Then, as if waiting for the cue, there was a pair of footsteps approaching them from the side. 

Reese knocked the chair over as he turned around at the approaching steps, as if daring them to try and talk him down.  His teeth were bared, eyes wide and ears folding back as he let out a threatening growl.

The person didn’t even flinch, just lifting up their hands while wearing a gaudy oversized Hawaiian T-shirt.

“Boss,” a chill voice called out. Whereas everyone else shied away from the wolf, only one person dared to approach him. “I think you got it wrong.” The human tipped his sunglasses down, taking the things off with a laugh. “Alan just wanted to check the place out with Clem. Seeing as him and Domino were getting along so well these days. That’s all. Right, Alan?” The man asked.

Alan just shook his head with disappointment at the idiot.

“Logan…” Reese let out a shaking breath. Barreth handed him an embroidered handkerchief so their Alpha could wipe the blood from his lips. Reese snatched it out of his clutches and dapped his mouth as if he’d just eaten a particularly juicy steak. “You’re late...” Reese glared at the human who just smiled back.

“I came as soon as I got your message, boss man.” Logan said with a simple shrug of the shoulders and shake of his head, defusing the situation that could’ve brought everything crashing down.

When you build a dynasty on a house of cards, it was doomed to come crumbling down. 

Only those closest to their Alpha, who knew Alan and the original gang, could see it. The cracks forming and the pieces beginning to break and chip away as their Alpha, as Reese, stood there, breathing heavily with his head tipped down.

The air misted before his lips.  

Blood dripping from his panting muzzle.

The wolves unaware just how much they needed the human to keep this man, the monster that had been forced to become their Alpha in check. And how it would be so easy to break their Alpha, to destroy this pack.

His father Mauler. His brother Bale. His mother Vicky… and now Reese, following in their footsteps. How easy it was to deal with a pack. If only you knew how to. The right buttons to push and how to push them.

“Alan. Long time no see.” Logan said joining the group once more with open arms. “I’m back.”

Like some people did.