A Birthday To Forget

“So you knew Cornelius?”

Alpha Tiberius asked me after a few moments of silence. I focused my emerald eyes on him and nodded. A shooting pain in my left wrist caused me to look at it. There was a heavy white cast around it. Doc watched as I stared at it. I looked up at Doc to ask him my question.

“Is it broken?”

I asked him.

“Yes, it is. Your wrist was snapped in two places, but you should heal just fine. I would say a few weeks or months since you are a shifter.”

He said with a frown. I nodded as he spoke, but remained quiet. Brayden spoke up next causing me to look at him.

“Little One, Why did you not go home?”

He asked me.

“I just had a bad feeling and then I smelt blood.”

I shuddered at the memory then continued to speak.

“I heard whimpering and then I saw your brother and that wolf getting ready to attack him. I didn’t even register what was happening until I was already in front of your brother.”

I said as I remembered what I could of the events. Brayden and Alpha Tiberius exchanged a look before Brayden spoke again.

“We heard your howls, but didn’t know what they meant. We only came because Jax told us that a fox was the one calling out. My dad was protecting a pack member when Jax came running to us. He tried to fight through the rouges to get to you Valerian, but a rouge almost got ahold of Jax and caused my dad to get distracted. He was injured pretty badly and didn’t survive the surgery. I guess that rouge had some special poisonous bite. I thought you should know because my dad really cared about you, Little One.”

I listened as he explained what happened from his perspective. My heart felt like it constricted and beat oddly at the sorrow of losing Beta Cornelius. I was so thankful to have met him.

“Your dad was a good man. I’m sorry if I contributed to his death..”

I said as I let my eyes meet his. Brayden shook his head no.

“Little One, you did nothing wrong. He died knowing you saved Jax in that clearing. He would be proud of you.”

He said with a saddened smile. I gave him a sad smile myself and nodded. I was confused how I got to the hospital though.

“How did I get here?”

I asked after a few sorrow filled moments. Alpha Tiberius was the one to answer my question.

“I can answer that. I got a mind-link from Cornelius about you and went to help. I’m sorry I didn’t get there before that rogue tossed you into the tree. I admire how you still tried to stand up and fight back with how injured you were. I killed the rogue and then you passed out before I could say anything to you. I carried you in you fox form until we reached the hospital. You ended up shifting back to your human form right after I laid you in the hospital bed. You got examined by Doc and treated for your injuries. I was honestly surprised that there was a fox shifter so close to us. I would like to ask you a few questions if that it alright with you?”

He asked after explaining his point of view on what happened. I nodded and waited as he asked his first question.

“Are there any more fox shifters around?”

I looked at him and thought about it before answering truthfully.

“Not that I know of.”

He rubbed his chin and I watched as he asked Doc to take notes. He asked his next question as Doc began to write down what we spoke about,

“What about your parents?”

I felt my jaw clench slightly and my heart feel a pang of sorrow remembering that I had lost my real parents years ago. I could only imagine that a flash of sadness shined in my eyes. I looked down at the bed as I answered his question. My voice was laced with sadness when I spoke.

“My real parents were killed when I was five years old.”

I said honestly. I could feel a slight shift in how he was seated as he leaned closer to me.

“I am sorry to hear that Valerian.”

He said causing me to look up at him.

“Thank you. I had just been having a nightmare about them moments before I saw Beta Cornelius earlier today. I was still coming out of it when I got startled by him. He was there when I first shifted.”

I said as I tried to make myself focus through the emotional pain I felt. Alpha Tiberius gave me a sad smile.

“Cornelius was a great man. How come you were sleeping outside?”

He asked me. I lifted my right arm and rubbed the back of my head embarrassed before I answered him.

“I wasn’t planning on it. I was waiting for my adopted family to return from their shopping and just felt comfortable. I guess I was tired and fell asleep.”

He nodded then sat back in his chair. He placed a hand on his chin as he thought. After a few moments of silence he asked another question.

“Does your adoptive family know you are a shifter?”

I smiled at him as I nodded. Then I gave a verbal answer.

“Yes, they know. Beta Cornelius and Brayden were there when I first shifted two years ago. My brother Tommy and I were spending some time by the stream for my tenth birthday. I did what I thought would protect Tommy so I had him run back home. I shifted after he ran. Beta Cornelius and Brayden helped me shift back and then my family came and Beta told them about me. He said I was a rare arctic fox and that they needed to keep me safe.”

He looked at me as he listened. He went to ask something else before he paused and furrowed his eyebrows together.

“Did you say your birthday two years ago?”

He asked me. I nodded as I answered him.

“Yes, my tenth birthday was two years ago today.”

He leaned closer to me as if to get a closer look at me.

“Are you telling me today is your twelfth birthday?”

He asked as his eyes met mine.

“Yes, sir, One of the last things Beta Cornelius told me was Happy Birthday before he told me to get home.”

I answered honestly. Inwardly it registered that I was in the hospital on my birthday.

“What a way to spend a birthday, Little One.”

I heard Brayden say causing me to look at him.

“I would rather spend my birthday in the hospital after saving someone than to watch as the ones I love die the day after my birthday”

I voiced out loud as I once again thought of my real parents. The pajamas I had worn that night were the ones I had just been given the day before for my fifth birthday. I gulped as I realized I may have sounded rude when I answered that way.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to be rude.”

I said as I stared at the bed once more. Brayden let out a soft chuckle.

“Nothing to be sorry for, Little One. You were just speaking your truth.”

He said causing me to look at him with a look of thankfulness. Alpha Tiberius nodded in agreement with him.

“Happy Birthday, thank you for risking your life to save one of my pack members on this important day.”

He said causing me to smile.

“I would do it any time. My fox, Nakoa, told me his name means warrior. He decided to only shift when someone needs a protector.”

I said causing everyone in the room to look at me amazed.

“Your fox speaks with you?”

Alpha Tiberius asked in shock.

“He does at times. Our connection is still pretty weak since I haven’t reached the rightful age to shift. He told me our connection would be stronger once I hit 16 and that we would be able to talk all the time then. Normally I only hear from him on my birthday right now.”

I answered honestly. I missed when Nakoa and I were unable to talk, but I always felt him there in the back of my mind. Doc continued to write down some notes in his notebook he held.

“Did he speak with you today?”

Brayden was the one to ask. I looked at the bed and nodded my head.

“Early this morning he said happy birthday. Then when I shifted he told me how to howl/yip and how to growl. Then he went silent while I had my teeth around that guy’s leg.”

I said in all honesty. They all looked at me with contemplative looks. Alpha Tiberius spoke up again.

“We called your parents. They should be here soon. You should try to rest until then.”

He said as they stood to leave. I yawned just as they stood causing Brayden to chuckle softly.

“Happy birthday, Little One, I hope it gets better for you.”

Brayden said before leaning to give me a gentle hug and a pat on the head. I smiled and thanked him before another yawn left my lips. I could feel as the pain medicine started to make me even drowsier.

“Thank you Brayden. Stay Safe.”

I said earning me a smile from him before he turned and left the room. Doc smiled at me and nodded his head before checking my wounds. He left when he was done leaving Alpha Tiberius alone in the room with me.

“Valerian, You are brave young man. There will always be a place for you in my pack while I am alive. If you ever need anything you just go to that clearing and call for us. Someone will get me.”

He said as he placed a hand on my right shoulder. I looked up at him with a smile.

“Thank you Alpha. I appreciate that. I will try to remember that.”

I said just before another yawn escaped my lips. I laid my head back on the pillow and began to close my eyes giving into sleep.

“Happy Birthday Valerian.”

Alpha Tiberius said before he turned and left the room. I fell asleep with a smile on my face. I slept for about two hours before I heard a loud crashing noise. I opened my eyes wide as I heard the noise. I sat up with a wince from the pain and looked around. The sun hung low in the sky now causing my room to have an orange glow about it. I slowly slid my legs over the side of the hospital bed and stood up. I stood still for a moment as I wobbled slightly. Once I got my bearings I walked towards the door. A foul stench hit my nostrils causing me to gag. I covered my nose trying to block the smell of rotting, hot garbage from my sense of smell. It burn my throat to taste this. I opened my door and peaked my head out. I saw a man with shaggy blond hair backing away from a door a few doors down. I watched as he turned towards my way and pulled out a phone.

“Yeah Boss. I will find him.”

He said in a gravelly voice causing me to flinch away.

“That little fox has to be here somewhere. I will find him before the Alpha knows I am here.”

I heard him say before he hung up the phone. My breath felt caught in my throat as I realized he was talking about me. I began to panic slightly. I heard the door a few doors down open and a huff when he found it empty. I knew that Nakoa was hiding my scent so I took that moment to leave my room and walk the opposite way of him. I could feel my heart racing as I could smell him getting closer to me. I tried to remain calm looking, but gulped when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I felt my eyes widen and tried to hide my fear.

“Hey boy. You seen a fox?”

The gravely voiced asked as the guy turned me to face him. I tried to keep a blank face as he turned me around.

“A fox?”

I asked trying to play dumb. He glared at me as he took in my features.

“Yeah”

He said after a few seconds. I shook my head no before using my words to speak.

“Why would I see a fox? I am in a hospital”

I kept playing dumb hoping he would believe it. He scanned my face closely and a wicked smirk crossed his face.

“Nice try, kid. You look so much like your old man.”

He said causing me to furrow my brows in confusion.

“Your Pops? Daddy Dearest?”

He asked annoyed. My eyes went wide and I gulped as he mentioned my dad.

“M…my dad is a firefighter and human…I don’t know what you are talking about..”

I said trying to continue playing dumb. The man gave me a look that said he didn’t believe me.

“Kid. I don’t have time for games. You look like that fox shifter we killed a few years back, but if you are just a human we can just kill you anyways”

He said with a wicked sneer. I gasped softly and stared at his feet. I could feel Nakoa stir in my mind giving me as much strength as he could. Fight of flight kicked in and I decided to try both. I took my broken wrist and used the cast to hit the man in his groin. He let out a groan and placed both his hands over his groin. I took that moment to run as fast as I could.

“HELP!”

I shouted as I ran away from the man. I wasn’t sure if anyone would hear me since this hall seemed abandoned at the moment. I heard a growl and ran faster. I turned around a corner and kept running. I heard the man running behind me as his shoes tapped against the tile floors. I slipped and landed on my cast when I ran through a puddle of water that I didn’t see. I let out a hiss of pain before fear coursed over my body. The man stood a few feet away from me and smiled wickedly. I let out a whimper as I rolled to a sitting position. I scooted back until my back hit a wall. I let out a high pitched howling noise as Nakoa was trying to help me. He was too weak for us to shift and I hoped someone would hear the cry for help. The man stood in front of me and picked me up by the throat. He glared at me as his grip tightened,

“The boss didn’t say I had to bring you back alive.”

He said in a cold voice. I growled at him before letting out a whimper as his grip tightened further. I dug my nails into his hands trying to get him to loosen his hold. I started seeing black dots as he cut off my air supply. I looked up and saw Brayden running towards us.

“Drop him you filthy Rouge!”

Brayden hollered out as he stood a few feet away. The rouge smirked and dropped me to the ground. I gasped like a fish trying to catch my breath.

“Brayden..”

I whispered. He looked at me for a moment before his attention was back on the rouge. I put my hand on my chest as I gulped in the air. My eyes widened when the man pulled out a sharp silver blade. Brayden walked our way with a hard look on his face. The man let out a wicked laugh as he hid the knife against his arm.

“Brayden! LOOK OUT!”

I called out moments before the rouge plunged the sharp blade into Brayden’s lung.

“NOOO!”

I cried out and felt Nakoa pushing forward as he gained strength. I slowly started to stand as Brayden punched the man causing him to laugh again. The man took the blade and stabbed Brayden in the arm before pulling the blade back. I could feel tears starting to form in my eyes. Brayden growled at the man and grabbed his arm before he ripped it from the man. I was so focused on the arm laying on the ground that I barely registered another man walk up behind Brayden. I gasped as a large silver knife plunged through Brayden’s chest through his heart. Brayden’s eyes widened as he hit his knees.

“NOOOOOOO!”

I screamed out loudly before a growl left my lips. I felt and saw red hot anger at these men. I felt Nakoa force another shift as he grew in size slightly so that we resembled an adult male arctic fox shifter. I was smaller than the wolves, but bigger than an average dog at this point. I growled loud enough that the men looked around for a wolf. Nakoa completely took over ripping the throat out of the man that had first grabbed me. I could feel as Nakoa began to become feral towards these men. I watched as the second man pushed Brayden forward as he pulled the knife out. I growled at him and my fur rose as I prepared to attack him. He looked shocked as I jumped over Brayden and bit into his arm. I barely registered and Nakoa used our size and speed to skillfully rip out the man’s throat. I watched from in our mind as he also ripped the man’s arm off and shook it from side to side. Nakoa then dug his claws into the man’s face and dug them in deeply. A cough had Nakoa turn our head towards the sound. A sad low whine left our muzzle as we moved next to Brayden. He was gasping short ragged gasps as his eyes looked at us.

“N..Nakoa..”

He whispered out before coughing. Nakoa pressed out snout against Brayden’s cheek and whimpered. Brayden shakily lifted a hand and pet our head. Nakoa tilted our head back and howled out a pained noise that echoed the halls. Brayden put his head against our side and closed his eyes for a few moments. He pulled back and leaned against the wall. I felt Nakoa slip into the back of our mind as he became weak again. I shifted back not caring that I was naked. Brayden let out another shaky breath as I moved closer to him. I saw my discarded hospital gown and was surprised to see it hadn’t shredded. I slipped it back on before I sat down on the hall floor next to Brayden.

“Brayden..I’m sorry”

I said softly. He laid down and put his head in my lap. He let out another shaky breath before he panted out his words.

“It’s….ok…Little…One…”

I felt tears roll down my cheeks as I placed a hand over the hole in his chest trying to stop the bleeding. I looked down in to his eyes.

“You’re gonna live Brayden. You can’t die.”

I said as I tried it fight the tears leaving my eyes. He lifted his hand and placed it on mine that was on his chest. I could hear an alarm ringing in the background. Brayden let out another shaky and raspy breath.

“It…will….b…be…ok…L..Little…One..”

He shakily said out loud. I felt my tears become hot and heavy as I felt his breathing slowing down. He gave me a pained smile as blood trickled from his slightly parted lips. The silver was keeping him from healing and I wondered why no one else was coming. I broke down into sobs and I felt him take his last breath and his hand fell away from mine to the floor.

“Brayden…”

I whispered out as his eyes glassed over. I sobbed harder as sorrow filled my mind and heart.

“Brayden…no!”

I said between pain filled sobs. I placed my right hand on his cheek before placing it back over the still bleeding chest wound. My tears fell onto his face as I leaned over and put my forehead on his. I may not have known him for long, but it felt like my family was dying again. I sniffled as my tears continued to fall. The few minutes it took to hear footsteps running towards us felt like hours. Nakoa let out sorrow filled whines in my mind.

“I’m so sorry Brayden…”

I whispered through my tears. I knew it wasn’t me that killed him, but I felt like it was my fault. If I hadn’t called for help he would have lived. I felt my body shaking as more sobs tore through me. I didn’t register the presence of others until I felt a strong hand on my shoulder. I looked up as tears streaked down my face to see Alpha Tiberius kneeled down in front of me.

“I…I tried to save him..”

I said between sobs. Alpha Tiberius gently squeezed my shoulder.

“I know, Little One, I know.”

He said softly. I looked back down at Brayden’s lifeless body in my lap and guilt seeped into me.

“It’s my fault..”

I whispered as I stared at Brayden’s empty eyes. Alpha Tiberius gently placed a hand on my cheek causing me to look at him.

“It is not your fault. You did the right thing calling for help. The rouges did this.”

He said softly as I sniffled.

“B…but…they were after me…”

I said as I sniffled another sob back. A look of compassion crossed Alpha Tiberius’s face.

“This was not your fault, Little One, You did your best.”

He tried to console me, but the guilt and sorrow were quickly taking over everything else in my emotions and thoughts. Nakoa whined in our mind and I could feel his grief as well. Alpha Tiberius took his hand and gently closed Brayden’s eyes. I bit my lip as fresh tears fell from my eyes.

“Thank you for not letting him die alone.”

Alpha Tiberius said softly. I didn’t answer except for to let my tears fall heavily once more. I heard more footsteps, but didn’t look up.

“B..Brayden..”

I heard the voice belonging to Jax say in a whisper. I looked up with tear filled eyes upon hearing his voice.

“I..I’m sorry..I…I’m so sorry”

I said in a whisper through the tears. I watched as Jax hit the floor on his knees and began crying. Armand walked over and wrapped his arms around his best friend pulling him close as he sobbed. Doc let out a gasp as he came around the corner and took in the sight. His face fell into one of sorrow as he took in Brayden. I felt all the sorrow in the air like a thick cloud and began to shake as sobs once again left my body. Alpha Tiberius had a few men come and pick Brayden’s body up before carrying it away. I sat there on the ground covered in his blood, but couldn’t find the strength to move. Jax and Armand had followed behind the men carrying Brayden’s body.

“Valerian. We need to get you back to your room.”

I heard the voice belonging to Doc say. I shook my head no not wanting to leave this spot. I felt myself crumble inside as all the memories of what just happened hit me like a brick. I cried harder as I stared at the floor. I wiped my face with my right hand to wipe away the tears forgetting I had his blood on my hand. Memories of the night my parents died flooded into my mind at that moment causing me to continue crying. I felt fully responsible for Brayden’s death. If I had just been a good boy that night when I was five and not left the house then Brayden would still be alive.

“Little One, You are injured. We need to check out your wounds.”

I could hear Alpha Tiberius say as he returned to stand in front of me. I remained silent except for the sobs that racked my body. I felt frozen in place and didn’t think I could stand if I tried. I heard two pairs of foot steps coming closer. I didn’t look up until I felt a smaller hand on my shoulder. As I looked up my eyes met with Jax’s. I felt my face crumble when I saw his tears. I looked back down at the floor as more tears left my eyes.

“Future mate, I do not blame you. Please let Doc check up on you. I cannot lose you too.”

Jax said as he put his other hand under my chin forcing me to look up at him. I moved my head to look away from him but he gripped my chin harder. His eyes locked onto my own as he spoke.

“Brayden would be upset with you if you did not get checked.”

He stated firmly. I sniffled and wiped my hand across my face again smearing more blood across it. He let go of my chin then offered me his hand. I looked back down at the ground taking in a deep breath as dizziness caused my vision to go blurry. I blinked as I tried to see straight as I became dizzier.

“I…can’t..”

I whispered as dark circles danced before my eyes. I felt my eyes getting heavy as I heard him growl lowly in frustration. I wanted to tell him I couldn’t stand up, but I started feeling like my eyes were too heavy to keep open. I slowly lifted my head to try and look at him. I couldn’t make him out as anything other than a blurry figure in front of me.

“Jax. I don’t think he has the strength to stand.”

I heard Alpha Tiberius say just before my head fell back and my eyes fluttered closed sending me into darkness.