Chapter 1

Matt walked back home filled with joy in his mind. He threw his head backward to stretch his neck. That was how he always felt everytime he completed his morning roadwork. His strength was always on the rise as each day passed. He howled happily before gradually turning back into human.

Matt was a werewolf. His wolf looked more fierce and sturdier than it was expected for his age. He loved this about himself and wouldn’t crave anything more. He used to hear about some werewolves who used to change their whole body when shapeshifting. That would be intriguing but he wasn’t sure if that was a myth or real. He had never seen it.

Another thing struck his mind. His mate. This was what he came short of. He couldn’t get a mate. It was like he didn’t have. His father used to console him with stories of some werewolves who had to travel far and wide before they could find their mate. He felt bad whenever he thought of how strong he should have been if he had a mate.

He got back home that day and met every member of the pack waiting for him. He was more than shocked when his father started accusing him of something he knew nothing about.

“We promised to leave them alone, why did you attack them again?” Matt’s father asked with anger in his voice.

“Attack who?” Matt asked back. He definitely knew what his father meant. It was the Lopez pack. That was they promised not to attack. There was a feud between the two packs. Their alpha, Lopez killed some members of Matts packs. They attacked them and massacred them and the few left among them fled. Recently, the Lopez pack were in danger again and some of them had sought refuge nearby. Matt’s pack promised they wouldn’t attack them again. But with the way Matt's father was speaking now. Someone had attacked them. But why would he think it was him. He did not even know about any attack. 

“You are asking me who?” Matt’s father anger grew more. Should he be this angry even if they were attacked. Something was fishy. The attack could be by the new enemies they made. They were always causing trouble.

“I don’t know what you are talking about and I attacked nobody” Matt replied his father carelessly. He ignored his aggression and was walking out on him.

“You attacked no one?” Matt’s father pulled him back and gripped him hard. Matt was in pain due to the tightness of his grip. “When did that start?” He was surprised of his son audacity. “You shouldn’t you think I will be lenient just because you are my son” Matt's father was the alpha of the pack. A fearful one, dreaded by every member of the pack for his strict discipline.

“Dad,I’m sorry” Matt voice shook. He felt his rage. “ I don’t mean to annoy you, but you are already angered beyond listening to explanation” He tried to calm his father. A beating from him in a time like this would be unbearable.

“I will do my findings and if you are guilty of this, you will bear the punishment” He released his hold on him. Matt panted. “By guilty I mean if you really did attack them” he took a seat and breathed heavily.

Matt was downcast. He was stuck at the spot. He felt ashamed,embarrassed and was clueless. He had never expected a day like this. His father scolding him, not just that, but in the presence of everybody. He didn’t know what to do. His father did not use to be as angry as this unless someone overstepped his or her boundaries. And that someone now was him.

A hand held him and pulled him lightly. It was Steve. His mind was settled a bit at least for the moment. Steve was not his friend, but he was very reliable in a time like this. He was everyone’s friend. He was always there for anyone in any kind of problem. He would talk them through it, advised them and be with them through that period of their predicament.

“Follow me” Steve whispered lightly to him. Matt glanced at his father who was still overwhelmed with anger. He looked away immediately. He wouldn’t want him more angry. 

He went with Steve to his where he served him booze and some steaks. They were very nice. But nothing could be as nice as an amicable settlement with his father. 

“Everyone think it was you” Steve sat close to Matt. What everyone thought was not a problem to Matt. His problem was what his father thought and how he could believe such thoughts that was not even supposed to cross his minds.

 “ But I know a liar when I see one” Steve consoled him.

“You know a liar when you see one” Matt repeated. Steve nodded and took a sip from his drink. That means it was very obvious and he could know but his father couldn’t. 

“You know a liar when you see one” he muttered again. The words made him sadder. That was his father’s favorite word whenever he asked why he must took part in any investigation. Now he was the liar to be vetted. Hot tears rolled down his cheeks, he quickly wiped them with the back of his palm.

“It’s okay” Steve patted him on the back. “Everything will be normal once the culprit is found” Steve held him close. Matt was supposed to be among those making findings not the prime suspect which he was right now.

“What happened and what makes it that bad?” Matt inquired.

“Bad? It was gross. Nothing could justify such an act. Some members of  the Lopez pack were brutalized. Their throats were slit their guts were opened and whichever devil did that scattered their lungs all over the place” Steve narrated. Matt assumptions were correct. He knew it was about the Lopez pack. What he didn’t envisaged was the brutality with which they were killed. Who could be so wicked, the few of the pack that sought refuge there were not fighters. They were the weak amongst the pack.