Young love!
~Punch’s Point of View~ “Talk you piece of shit,” I yell as I kick a worthless loser in the gut. We’d held a sting of sorts, Dozer didn’t like it exactly but he told me to “straighten shit out,” so I had a loose interpretation of that. I was gonna do what I wanted regardless, he probably figured as much. I found out one of the shy pups at my boxing club, a kid we called Pudge, was getting sexually abused by his mom’s boyfriend. He confided in me, and I knew it wasn’t easy for him. The poor kid thought it was his fault and I wasn’t having that. But what I uncovered in the course of trying to take out the trash, was something far worse. More men. Too many. Only I didn’t have names, I had shadows. Well, I hunt shadows and I never fucking lose. And NOT when this happens in my town. “I tell you anything, then I’m as good as dead,” the guy mumbles, then spits blood. I laugh right out loud as Missile shakes his head. He was a good man to have as a back-up, or maybe I had him tag along
~Hazel’s Point of View~ I blow out a hard breath as I kick some rocks in the driveway. He’s not coming. I already know it. “Honey? You're still here,” I hear, as my mom trots out the front door in her robe, looking mildly crazy with bedhair I don't want to even think about. “I can call Hector to come get me but he may already be at school. I can’t believe Punch is gonna make me late for my first day,” I whine, knowing fully well mom would go off. She’d taken the step of calling him last night to confirm, letting him know it wasn’t up for negotiation. We were BOTH going to school, together. So he was definitely doing this on purpose. Low, even for him I felt. Just as mom put her hand on my shoulder the rumble of a motorcycle came to life in the distance. On purpose. Late. Deliberate! Sure enough Punch pulls into the driveway a minute later. No backpack, no nothing. Just his leather Flying Death vest and a black hoodie underneath it. In January, in two degrees. No real coat, ho
~Punch’s Point of View~ I’d seen Hector and Hazel all over the fucking place today. Cozy. Holding hands. He even kissed her at lunch after they made eyes at each other literally the entire time. Mick was ready to rip me apart over it. I grabbed some random cheerleader for head but bailed at the last minute when she stuck her hand in my pants. Could’ve gotten it too. I’m such a bitch. Goddess help me! When shit gets heavy for me and things start to feel out of control, normally I face it head on. Grab some female and fuck it out. Get in the ring and really fucking punch somebody. I mean ... I'm Punch, it's what I do. I fix whatever it is. But every damn thing about the Hazel situation is different. What can I even do? So here I am, actually fucking participating in gym class. Running around the track for over an hour, trying to get out my frustrations. “Mitchell! What are you doing? Class is inside,” I hear, as I looked back to see the teacher, also the wrestling coach at the d
~Hazel’s Point of View~ “Hmmm,” I moan, as Hector explores up my back, even running his fingers under my bra. His hands are so big and warm. When he holds me and we’re lost in kisses, I feel so safe. This is about the furthest we’ve gone so far, and I’m not sure how much longer I can hold out on him. It’s more than obvious he wants more, I can see his damn hard on through his pants. He’s always hard when we mess around and when I leave him high and dry I know he has to be pissed. I mean I've jerked him off, but he hasn't gotten my mouth. I’m not even remotely blind to the way females look at him, even with my hand in his… They still gawk and yeah it makes me crazy. The pressure to compete with them is getting to me, even if it's only a war in my own head. I’m always wondering if he’s not getting sex from me, is he getting it somewhere else? When he tugs playfully at my shirt, trying to lift it off, I don’t push him away. I don’t tell him no. He pulls my blouse over my head then pu
~Punch’s Point of View~ “Stop! I don’t know anything else,” the male squeals, as I stand back and admire my handiwork. I’m a sick fuck, but something more than pride swells in me when I see the hourglass carved on this bastard’s back, over his pack tattoo. Out of time. I know exactly how deep you can cut someone and where, to get the most pain but always ensure they won’t bleed out. This bastard ain’t getting off that quick. It isn’t at all lost on me that there will most definitely be consequences for taking out a patched member of Viuda Negra. Though we’re pretty confident we can put the blame at the feet of Black Fog’s pack, maybe. “Tsk. Not what I hear Oscar. Word is you were one of the males who did the robbery,” Missile taunts, waving a butcher knife around. “Maybe we need to send a couple fingers to his little girlfriend? You still fucking that little 16 year old pup,” I say, licking my lips. Mick stirs in my mind, the smell of blood too thick in the air. The fear in o
~Punch’s Point of View~ “He’s not answering my texts, and when I called him it said his number isn't in service. Did… Did he block me,” she sobs, and my gut tightens. Mick practically does a backflip, maybe Hector is doing my job for me. “Hey, hey come on. Don’t cry into your tomato soup and grilled cheese,” I say, chomping on mine. I slipped the older lunch lady a $100 bill at the beginning of the school year and she always gives me two lunches when I actually show up. I’m a growing boy who needs his calories. Her hand visibly shakes when she tries to eat some soup and I grab a napkin to catch the spill. My body only wants to fuck up someone for making her upset, seeing her cry messes with me. It always has. But in this situation, it’s actually the best thing for her. “Hey Haze, what’s wrong,” a female says, sitting down next to her. “Ohh Kylie,” she sobs, wrapping her arms around the girl and bawling into her neck. “Female shit,” I say, trying to look macho and tough. I quickly
~Hazel’s Point of View~ I gape in horror as Mags calmly sews a new patch on Travis’ vest while everyone eats breakfast around her. Like it’s just any other day. “Reeve.” Tears instantly pool in my eyes as I cover my mouth and spin to run out of the dining hall. I make it to our room and the floodgates burst, My eyes move on their own to a picture on a shelf. I blink rapidly, trying to focus on it. Travis is standing behind me, it’s about three years ago and we’re at an amusement park. He was trying to convince me to get on a roller coaster but I was terrified. I went though, and he held my hand the entire time. I felt like I could do it, because I had him. My gut sinks thinking about all our sweet moments. All the times he was just what I needed him to be and nothing else. Not this larger than life killing machine. This beast who jumps however high my dad asks him to. I know it's for the good of the pack, of our territory. But that is only a small comfort. After Roddy’s “heart at
~Punch’s Point of View~ *We need to get home, something feels weird, I don’t know what it is, but everything telling me to get home,* Mick says, panting. It’s gonna be damn near sunrise in a couple hours, and we’ve been out here running til our legs burned. Doze is being a dick about letting me go too far from the packhouse, but I don’t want to be at the there because I can’t fuck my adopted sister who is in my bed and hurt because I didn’t get to her in time. I also can’t take my frustrations out about losing Roddy on the piece of shit in our basement who likely is helping to funnel drugs into my territory. So all around, going home does NOT sound appealing. So I’ve been running my wolf for hours, outside of Dozer and Mona’s house. Afraid to go to the place that’s been my haven and sanctuary now for years. Might even just crash here. I also got some news about my fight that I’m not sure how to handle, what to make of it. I don’t like fighting males that I don’t feel are in my lea
~Epilogue~ ~Travis’ Point of View~ ~Two More Years Later~ *Yes! That’s it, you made it,* Mick shouts, though I’m the only one who can hear him and he’s about to make my head explode. He nudges little Hatch with his nose, and we couldn’t be more proud than if he were our son. His wolf head pokes up from the ground and looks around for the first time with his new eyes in wonder. I sniffle and Mick teases me. Fuck it. Being a father has literally changed everything. My entire outlook, my reaction to things. Yeah, seeing a pup I’ve been working with and getting attached to for years have his first shift and become a man … it’s fucking emotional. Red runs by, along with his mate and mine. Then it's like a pack of damn … well … Flyers come out of nowhere. Hatch jumps to all fours and gets right in the mix. It’s a brilliant full moon and Mags has all of my pups tonight at her place so it’s gonna be a damn good one for me! Since watching a new shift had us in such good spirits, Mick
~Hazel’s Point of View~ ~One Year Later~ “Zachary! Your little sister doesn’t want a cupcake! She only drinks mommy’s milk,” I snap, just as I knock the treat out of his hand. He looks at me confused but runs away. I scoop my precious little Annabelle out of her baby swing and coo at her. She’s awake but irritated with all the noise around her. Zachary could literally sleep anywhere, anytime. But this girl is too spoiled. It has to be quiet, cozy and everything just right. “Mommy’s little princess, yeah,” I whisper, as I rub my finger over her cheek. “It’s still fucking weird that in the time it took me to have one kid you’ve had two,” Kylie says, falling on the seat next to me. I grin and sit down as well, bouncing my little three month old chubby baby lightly on my lap. “Well now Tessa and Annabelle are going to be the bestest of besties,” I say, a bit too chipper. Kylie shoots me the mom face I know too well that says she didn’t get a lot of sleep. She’s probably also hung
~Travis’ Point of View~ My heart sinks when the two females sit down. The jury is eating out of my palm right now and I don’t need this shit. *Miserable bitches,* Dozer says, turning to eye them both. *Stay calm,* Mick says, as the lawyers whisper at the judge’s bench. If my heart wasn’t racing in my chest I might be able to listen. Doze and Hazel both turn to look at each other and I know they must be mind-linking. *I know I’m not the best tracker but yesterday I sat behind the prosecutor and had to smell him all damn day. I swear this ex-Fly has his scent, like they touched at some point today, but how do we prove it,* Fingers says, over mind-link to all Flyers in range. I lick my lips and instantly know what he’s saying is true. There isn’t a doubt in my mind. She’s feeding the DA intel? Probably pissed she didn’t get Grouch’s cash. When I can’t think of anything else, I raise my hand. The lawyers both go back to their seats. “Yes Mr. Dennison,” the judge says. “May I hav
~Travis’ Point of View~ Much to my annoyance, Hazel comes in and sits down in the far back just as I take the stand. *Couldn’t stay away,* I say, over mind-link. *Bet your ass Dennison,* she chirps. Mick preens at the sight of her, hating that she can’t be in our lap where she belongs. There’s also far too many offensive smells in here blocking hers. “Could you please tell the court why you’re choosing to testify today? It’s rare for a defendant to testify on their own behalf,” Bruce asks, snapping me out of my thoughts. I clear my throat. “I’m fully aware of what humans think of the shifter community. I hope one day we can change that. It’s true we have some bad apples just like any other groups, but we also have incredible people working tirelessly to keep innocents safe. To keep families happy and prospering. While humans have police and other forms of law enforcement, packs handle things their own way. Though the Flying Death sounds scary, we sound evil, we’re far from i
~Hector’s Point of View~ *Maaan what were you thinkin’,* Benji fusses. He doesn’t like the spotlight on us, and neither do I. Unless it's for sports. But it all just didn’t feel right. I know Punch didn’t kill my father but … on the other hand he deserved to die. It was truly only a matter of time. It’s a relief it didn’t have to be me. I wait patiently while the lawyers go back and forth over whether or not I’ll be added to the witness list. My palms get sweaty and I have all kinds of second thoughts. My mind actually wanders to Missile and I have to wonder if I’ll ever have a true friend like that. A real brother that would do anything to protect and defend not only the pack but my female. He fought several males against all odds, only giving up when he fell unconscious. He’s a true brother of the pack and to Punch. My father never, ever inspired that kind of loyalty. Sure, I’ve thought about trying to start up a rival pack to the Flyers. There are several out there that aren’t
~Travis’ Point of View~ Sitting and waiting for court to start with all kinds of people staring at you, hell some are even drawing me for whatever reason … It's a new level of testing my sanity. *I’ve got a good feeling about today! Bruce is wearing his Mr. Arrogant Suit,* Mick chirps. I have several different lawyers and they’re each handling different parts of the trial though it makes no difference to me. I’m hoping like hell today is the last day and it’s all behind me. It better be. I’ve been meeting with them every couple of days for months pawing over every single detail of not only what the humans have and are going to say, but what we want the narrative to be. Everyone that set me up is now dead so really, the only option is to say it was self defense. I know I’m hardly a straight arrow but dear Goddess, please don’t strike me dead for what I’m about to say when I testify. When the judge and jury are seated, my attorney calls Mona as my character witness. I can tell she
~Travis’ Point of View~ ( I base the POV on how they see themselves, he’s no longer Punch in his own eyes) Literally anything to do with the humans makes me positively itchy in the worst way. They hate shifters and they’re unpredictable. I woke up with a damn stress rash on the inside of my arm and I’ve literally never had anything like that. This should be the best week, month, year of my life. I’m a father now and the feeling sits so heavy in my heart. This incredible little tiny pup is so perfect and yet so helpless. He literally can’t do anything for himself and when he looks at me with those innocent little eyes, I promise him he’s not going to have my violence. Mick and I agree, we’ll literally do anything in our power to ensure he’s not a killer. I nearly forfeited my Reeve title the first time I laid eyes on him. But now that most of our enemies are gone, I’m sure as hell praying for things to be calm. My day should pretty much consist of watching my son suck on a nice f
~Kylie’s Point of View~ My dad always said the best way to kill someone would be a snake bite. Literally no one would ever suspect it to be from a shifter, it would be a clean kill. No forensics, no autopsy. Just a poor bastard in the wrong place at the wrong time. A true shapeshifter is still basically a myth to most. That’s partly why I chose to show the pack because your own eyes can’t lie. Though I’d never killed anyone and sure as hell never imagined I would. But it’s beyond personal now. My dad’s terrified face has been in my head non stop and it keeps coming along with little shivers all through me. When I lunge at the first male he screams bloody murder and takes off running. I waste no time darting at the other, and when I slither up his foot and bite his leg, he goes down immediately. Snakes unfortunately have piss poor eyesight and not the best hearing, but I don’t need it thankfully. The vibrations from the pounding of feet are obvious and I now know there are two male
~Hazel’s Point of View~ “Let me go you fuck,” I shout, as I kick and do all I can against the big hands grabbing at me. There’s too many of them, it’s hopeless. Nobody can save us now. Simone pushes her claws through my hand and I swat at a male, drawing some blood but not much. I keep trying. It was as if an army just flooded into the packhouse all at once, they were everywhere. An ear piercing cry breaks out to my side, as Kylie wails. My eyes dart all over and I see Missile’s limp body being beaten. My heart breaks but there’s little time to process it because my body is lifted and whisked away. We’re both carried like brides down the stairs and when the outside air hits me, so does a fucking contraction. Kylie and I are thrown into a van as I search for Mags. It pisses me off to no end that I can’t mind-link her. Is she even alive? Once in a seat, I pull Kylie into my arms as she sobs loudly, and I use her weight to try and hold on. The van is driving erratically, but that’s