Broken

By Cody Carpenter

It's been three months since Jake Walker and his werewolf friend, Max Kahler, defeated the vampire, Ivan, in Winchester, Alaska. Life for Jake has just started getting back to normal as Max and his best friend, Chris White, teach him about Werewolves and the world of the supernatural when Chris is suddenly accused of murder by a rival werewolf pack. Max and Jake find themselves on opposite sides as Jake begins to investigate the murder on his own.

Meanwhile, Detective Dominic Palmer investigates a murder and uncovers a far more sinister plan in the works. With time running short and the body count rising, the pack must make an impossible decision: abandon the town to an unspeakable evil or fight to save it at the risk of losing their very souls.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cody Carpenter
• Release date: Mar 25, 2013
• ISBN: 9781301325054

Cody Carpenter

Cody Carpenter is twenty-six years old. He lives in Southern Utah with his dog Sitka. He has three brothers and has lived all over the country as well as England. He enjoys writing, playing video games, camping, hiking, and shooting. He is currently studying for a Bachelor’s degree in computer science and technology.

Book preview

Prologue

Frank Roberts wandered slowly through the darkened woods of Yellowstone National Park. It was important for him to stay on his toes; the park was a major tourist attraction. With the crowds of people that came to see it every year, there were always trouble makers, others who were a threat to the civilians; who thought that the park was a hunting ground. Mostly supernatural creatures.

This was Frank’s job. Find the ones who didn’t belong and deal with them. If they resisted, then he had permission to kill. Even if he didn’t kill it was still important not to be seen, because Frank was a werewolf.

Technically, the national park was neutral ground, but only for werewolves, anything else, aside from humans, didn’t belong without permission. The territory was still owned by them, but they had an agreement with the surrounding packs. They would all work together in protecting the park; it had become too difficult for one pack to handle.

Tonight was the Salem Pack’s, Frank’s pack, turn to patrol the massive national park and now he wandered through the woods as a wolf, staying just beyond the tree line where he could see people, but they couldn’t see him.

He went close enough just to watch the tourists and see if any looked out of place, sometime he could pick up the scent of some other wolf or creature from a good distance, if the wind was right. Usually, they had one of their own mixed in with the humans, sniffing out anything that wasn’t human, but it was too difficult now. There were just too many people and it was difficult to track one particular scent in the middle of a hundred, or so, people. They had gone from one pack patrolling the park to four and sometimes as many as six or seven packs. Some of them would search the woods; the rest would blend in with the tourists. They switched off every week.

It was Frank’s turn to patrol the forests, but if he picked up a scent that didn’t belong, he would shift back to human and blend with the crowds until he found the source. It would be easier tonight. It was after ten at night and almost everyone was in their campsites; sleeping or partying.

Frank looked up at the silvery July moon and took a deep breath of the warm summer air. It smelled like campfires and pine trees. He could even pick out a whiff of roasted hot dogs and marshmallows, as well as sulfur from the hot springs, wafting all around the park. He loved being out here, even if it was technically work.

Frank began to run, listening to the wind rushing past his ears. He would go check some of the nearby campsites. It was late and most people would most likely be asleep now. Once things there had quieted enough that he was confident everyone was asleep, he would sniff out each campsite.

The first campsite was three or four miles away. It would only take him minutes to get there. As he ran, Frank couldn’t help but think about how much he wanted the summer season to be over and for winter to come. There were considerably less tourists, if any at all. He could leave the forests and wander the actual park and only had to watch out for the park rangers and other employees. Not to mention, they didn’t have to crack down so hard and were able to kick back and relax. Less people meant less potential threats.

Frank wanted to finish and get back to his home in Salem, Wyoming quickly. The town was just a few miles or so from Jackson Hole. He had missed his son’s last little league baseball game and felt guilty about it. He had tried to talk his way out of patrolling tonight, but it was the Fourth of July weekend and even though the holiday was past, there were still a lot of issues to be dealt with. They had already sniffed out two vampires a few days earlier; they had been given werewolf escorts around the park for the remainder of their trip. That had cut down on help by two wolves and so Frank had to cover for them to pick up the slack.

Frank had promised his nine-year-old son, Tommy, that he would make up for it. He figured Tommy was used to his father having to take off randomly, causing him to miss family things. Frank always made up for it, though. This week, he had promised to take his son on a camping trip up the Grand Teton Mountains. Tommy loved that kind of stuff.

"Frank, do you have anything to report?"

The voice speaking in his head belonged to Clay, the alpha of his pack. Frank could feel the magic from the wristband around his leg buzzing softly. It was a talisman of communication; everyone in the pack wore one. Most werewolves did. It allowed them to communicate to each other through thought, which was handy when they were too far apart to rely on howls alone. Frank remembered how strange it had felt the first time he heard it after he had first turned nearly eighty years ago. He had carried this old worn out wristband with him ever since, despite the teasing he received from his pack mates about it. They always made jokes about how it was older than he was. It probably was.

"No, it seems pretty slow tonight. I’m getting ready to check the campsites. I’ll keep you updated," Frank replied.

"Good, I’m sending Kip your way. I want you to show him the ropes. Give him some experience with that," Clay said.

Frank wanted to object, but knew it was pointless. The last thing he wanted to do was babysit the new pup, but the wolf in him was compelled to obey his alpha. Kip had his first change a little over a month ago and was still learning; this was his first night running patrol with the others.

The kid could barely walk or run on four legs, let alone be quiet. He couldn’t sneak worth a damn as a wolf. He kept tripping over his own legs when he ran, but the fourteen-year-old was eager to learn; he was always doing everything he could to try and impress the pack.

The last thing they needed was the kid tripping over his own feet and waking everyone up as they went through the campsite. If anyone saw two giant wolves in the campground there would undoubtedly be panic and, thanks to cell phones, cameras would probably catch a few blurry pictures.

Frank shook his head as he thought about it. Advances in human technology were making it more and more difficult for the werewolves to hide. He felt it was only a matter of time before they would all either have to go into hiding permanently or someone would get irrefutable proof of their existence and all hell would break loose. Frank worried that things would reach a point where the packs would abandon Yellowstone for good and what ever happened after that happened.

Frank slowed when his sensitive ears picked up the sound of a wolf approaching. Frank stopped and turned, waiting for the pup to show, but as sound of racing paws tearing at the earth drew closer, Frank realized something was wrong.

The footsteps sounded even and quick. Kip wasn’t that good of a runner yet; it couldn’t be him. Frank froze and waited. Whoever it was, they were headed straight for him.

Frank took a defensive stance. A moment later a large black wolf emerged from the darkness a hundred yards from him; digging its claws into the dirt and sliding to a stop when it saw Frank. The wolf was slightly larger than Frank and he could tell by its body language that it hadn’t expected to see him. He studied it for distinctive characteristics and noticed a small circular scar on its right front leg. The wolf seemed afraid or at least uneasy about Frank.

Frank had been right; it wasn’t Kip. The wolf stared at him in silence. Frank reared up and shifted, his body contorting and reforming as he took on his hybrid werewolf form. The black wolf took a step backwards. Frank recognized the body language as its ears flattened and its tail sunk between its legs. The wolf was frightened.

Identify yourself, Frank ordered. The wolf didn’t move. Tell me your name and pack. This territory is neutral. You won’t be punished for being here, but I need to know who you are and what your business here is.

He slowly began to approach the wolf. The black wolf suddenly turned and raced off into the woods and Frank took off after it, resuming the shape of a wolf. This wolf has to be a pup, Frank thought as he pursued the black wolf. The wolf was obviously still adjusting to running on four legs. He may have just had his first change and didn’t know how to respond, or how to even change forms.

"Guys, there’s a wolf who refused to identify himself! I’m going after him," Frank told his pack.

"We’re on our way. Don’t lose him!" Clay replied.

"I’m not far behind you," Kip said. I’ll be there soon.

Frank could hear the sound of car motors getting louder. The black wolf was heading directly for the road! Frank had to try to stop him. They didn’t need people seeing a giant wolf running across the road in front of them and if they hit it…

Frank didn’t want to think about what would happen then. He was catching up to the wolf and would, hopefully, be able to take him down in time. Frank called for help and had everyone from his pack as well as two other wolves from one of the Idaho packs respond. They were nearby and would be there in several minutes.

Frank leapt forward to try and catch the wolf. The wolf jerked to the right, clumsily, causing Frank to miss; caught off guard, he stumbled. He regained his balance quickly, but the stumble had been just enough for the other wolf to get some distance. The black wolf darted across the road a second after a tour bus passed.

Damn it, Frank thought to himself. He quickly glanced both ways. There were headlights approaching from the left, around the corner. He could make it. Frank pushed himself to run faster and rushed across the road and back into the tree line just as a truck rounded the corner.

That was too close, he thought. With the wolf still in sight, Frank let out a loud, commanding bark; one that meant stop. The wolf acted like it didn’t even hear him.

Frank ran faster, gaining on the wolf. Once he was close enough, Frank leapt forward again. The black wolf wasn’t quick enough to dodge him this time and Frank’s fangs sunk into the other wolf’s tail. Frank yanked his head to the side, trying to pull the black wolf back and make him stop. It spun quickly, intending to attack, but tripped up and tumbled to the ground with a loud yelp. Frank was unable to act fast enough and tripped over the fallen wolf, crashing to the ground as well and rolled through the dirt.

Frank quickly got to his feet again, feeling a little dazed; he had hit his head pretty hard when he landed. Frank quickly turned back towards the black wolf; he could smell the blood from when he had latched onto the wolf’s tail.

The black wolf was already up and rushing at him. It viciously sank its teeth into Frank’s throat and tore at it. Rearing up, hitting the wolf with his front paws, Frank pushed it away from him. He could feel his own blood spill out of the wound and run down through his fur. The black wolf backed away before pouncing forward again.

Frank hopped to the side, narrowly missing the wolf’s attack, then Frank leapt back and bit into the black wolf’s side. The wolf howled in pain and rage then spun, throwing Frank away from him. Frank rolled and got to his feet again, but this time the wolf plowed into him, knocking him to the ground. The black wolf tore at Frank’s throat again, partially tearing away his windpipe. Thrashing around, trying to get up again, Frank felt his own hot breath bubbling through the blood pouring out of his throat and knew the injury was bad. He could still heal and recover if he could keep the black wolf at bay long enough.

He tried to roll, but the black wolf stayed on him, pinning him to the ground and wrapped his powerful jaws around Frank’s head. Frank could feel the immense pressure as the wolf bit down, his teeth piercing the skin and muscle and cracking into his skull. Frank knew it was over when he could hear his skull cracking. It was a deafening and horrible sound.

His last thoughts were of his wife and his son, how he would never be able to see them again. Then the wolf crushed Frank’s skull and there was nothing. The black wolf, realizing that Frank was dead, turned, limping slightly as he ran off into the forest.

Kip found Frank’s body, which had reverted back to his human form, less than a minute later. Knowing he had to escape before the wolves found him, the black wolf ran on to the sounds of mourning; angry howls from the wolf pack miles behind him.

Two Days Later

The flight from Sacramento, California touched down on the runway at the Brighton Municipal Airport, the small regional jet’s wheels squealing briefly as they hit the runway’s asphalt. The heavy bump of the plane touching down roused Jacob Walker from his brief nap and he looked around, rubbing his eyes. He saw Max Kahler sitting next to him, tightly gripping the armrests of his first class seat. The werewolf’s eyes were squeezed shut and his expression suggested that he was waiting for a crash.

Jake nudged him; Max’s eyes stayed tightly shut. You okay?

I hate flying, Max replied.

You seemed fine earlier.

I’m okay taking off. It’s the landings that I hate.

The pilot knows what he’s doing, Jake said, looking out the window.

Yeah, but I don’t.

You’re freaking out because you don’t know what the pilot’s doing? Jake turned back to look at him, amused. Max nodded.

Max, open your eyes for God’s sake. We’re on the ground already.

But we haven’t stopped, Max replied.

You are such a pussy. Jake noticed his best friend, Chris White, sitting across the aisle watching them with an amused grin on his face.

I can’t believe I let you talk me into flying, Max muttered.

Me? It was your idea, Jake said defensively. Max shook his head frantically.

Yes it was. You even offered to buy the tickets, Chris added.

Okay, maybe I did. This was just faster. I thought I could handle it. Wolves weren’t meant to fly, Max said.

Neither were humans and look at us, Jake stated proudly and gestured to himself and the rest of the people around the plane. The plane slowed down and Max finally opened one eye and looked at Jake.

Well, I’ll be damned, he does have eyes, Jake teased.

With as tight as you were squeezing them shut, I half expected them to shoot out of your ass, Max, Chris said, laughing. His girlfriend, Kali Morgan, punched him roughly in the arm with a scowl on her face.

Chris! That was horrible. Be nice to him. He’s never flown before, Kali said.

Yeah, be nice, Chris, Jake said.

That goes for you too, Jake. I’ll tell Sarah, Kali threatened. She was trying to hide her smile, but wasn’t doing a very good job.

Jake laughed. Go ahead. I’m not afraid of her.

Sarah was Jake’s older sister and the only surviving member of their family. Their parents had died in a car crash several years earlier and neither of them had ever really gotten over it.

The plane slowly pulled into the gate and stopped. Max was finally able to relax and release his death grip on the armrests. He exhaled slowly and took off his seatbelt.

So, this is California, huh? Reis Morgan said, looking out the window. Reis was Kali’s older brother and was also a werewolf.

Yeah, what do you think? Kali asked.

It’s not bad, I suppose. It’s kind of early to have any official opinion though. At least the ocean is nearby, Reis replied.

The door to the plane opened and they were told to exit in an orderly manner. The five of them got out of their seats and filed out of the airplane and into the airport.

Is somebody picking us up or are we getting a cab? Jake asked as they entered the airport. Up ahead people were waiting for friends and family to get off the plane. Many of them held signs or papers with people’s names written across them in black marker.

I told my dad what flight we were on. He said he’d pick us up, Chris replied. He’s probably waiting up ahead.

What did he say about you leaving town without permission? Jake asked.

He didn’t say much until he found out we made it and were coming back. He’s been lecturing me almost nonstop since. Chris tapped his temple with his index finger. Thank God my mom can’t talk to me through my mind. I don’t think she would ever shut up.

I’m sorry, Jake said with a laugh.

Oh well. There’s not much I can do about it. I made a choice and went for it. I’m not going to apologize for it, Chris replied.

The people in front of them all broke away from each other heading to their waiting family and friends. Soon Jake and the others could see Chris’s father, Eric White, waiting for them.

He doesn’t look too happy, Jake commented.

Yeah, I’m definitely gonna get it. It was worth it, though, Chris said.

Eric walked up to meet them and his serious face broke into a smile when he reached them. I was relieved to hear that you guys made it through okay. It doesn’t look like you were beat up too badly.

He embraced Jake and Kali in a fatherly hug and shook Max’s hand. He hugged Chris last, like he hadn’t seen his son in years. That was a stupid stunt you pulled, but I’m glad you’re okay. Your mother has been going out of her mind since you left.

I know, Dad. I’m sorry, Chris replied.

And don’t think that just because we’re relieved you’re okay, you’re going to get out of your punishment. You’re doing the janitor work at the restaurant and all the house work for your mother for the next three years, Eric said. Jake laughed out loud as Chris groaned in disappointment. Eric turned to Reis next. I’m Eric, the pack alpha. He extended his hand to Reis. You must be Kali’s brother.

I am, Reis replied, shaking Eric’s hand. He kept his left hand in his pocket. It had been torn off during the fight with the vampires and would take a few days to heal. Reis Morgan.

It’s nice to meet you, Reis. Thank you for helping them get home safely. I’m glad they had you around, Eric said.

Well, actually it was Chris who saved us all. None of us would’ve made it if he hadn’t shown up when he did, Reis said.

Eric looked at Chris, gratefully. Well, I suppose I can let one of your punishments slide. Let’s head out to the car. The others have a bit of a welcome home party planned.

A little over an hour later, they had reached Magoo’s Bar and Grill. It was the restaurant owned by Eric White. Nearly all the werewolves in the pack worked there aside from two or three. Domenic Palmer was a detective, Ryan Mayfield was a doctor, and Jake didn’t know what Ashley Reyes did. They didn’t talk much.

The party was a small get together with the pack and their families. The restaurant had been closed just for the welcome home party. When they entered the restaurant, they were greeted by a dark haired nine-year-old boy who ran right up to Chris.

Chris! The boy practically screamed.

Hey G-man! Chris greeted him, enthusiastically and gave him a high-five.

Jake had never seen the boy before and looked at Max, who shrugged. The boy held up a small pocket knife, it looked brand new.

Look what my dad gave me! The boy said, excitedly and held out the knife.

Wow, that’s awesome!

I’m even trying to carve a statue, the boy told him.

Dr. Mayfield left the others at the party and joined them.

Grayson, how about you let them come inside? He put his arm around his son.

Dad, can I go get the statue out of the car? Grayson asked, looking up at his father.

I thought I told you to leave it at home, Ryan chided him.

I know but I wanted to show it to Chris, Grayson said. Can I? Please?

Ryan rolled his eyes and pulled his keys out of his pocket and handed them to his son, who took them eagerly. Make sure you lock the doors after.

Thanks, Dad! He yelled and rushed out of Magoo’s.

He’s your son? Jake asked.

Ryan nodded. Yep, that would be my boy. He’s a little bit of a handful.

I didn’t even know you had kids, Jake said.

I have a daughter, too. Ryan turned and called to a fourteen-year-old girl who briefly looked up from her cell phone and wandered over.

This is my daughter, Audrey, Ryan introduced the young girl. The girl looked up from her phone and waved at Jake and the others and then went back to texting her friends. As they joined the rest of the party, Grayson ran back in holding a little broken tree branch that had been whittled away at. He showed it to Chris proudly.

It’s not very good, but I just started it, Grayson said.

What is it going to be? Chris examined the branch.

I don’t know yet. I was thinking about a dragon but I think it’s too small, Grayson replied.

You could carve a snake, Chris replied and Grayson laughed.

Jake was introduced to the pack’s family members one by one. They were all pleased to meet him finally and were all very nice. Chris’s mom, Stacey White, came up and hugged all four of them, relieved that they were okay. Then she lectured Chris and Jake about running off and making her worry about them.

There were plenty of food and drinks set out for them all. Jake put a little food on his plate and sat down at the empty bar, listening to the music playing over the jukebox.

Max was busy telling everyone about their adventure in Alaska with Kali, Reis, and Chris adding in their own pieces to the story. Everyone listened attentively, especially Grayson. The boy was blown away by the story; he thought that they were the coolest people ever.

Max looked up at Jake and realized they had been here for a couple of hours already. He finished up his part of the story and let Chris take over. Max broke away from the group and joined Jake at the bar.

Did you want to tell them your side? I’m sure they’d find it interesting, so would I, Max asked.

Not right now, Jake said, taking a drink of the punch that Chris’s mother had made.

Are you alright? Max asked.

I’m just worn out. I want to go home and lie on the couch with the TV on and do absolutely nothing, simply because I can.

You can go home if you want. It’s been a long few weeks. I know I want to actually get some rest, too. Max knew Jake was tired, but he also sensed that there was something that was bothering him.

Max got up and went to talk to Eric. The party died down shortly after, as everyone realized how late it had gotten. Everybody quickly helped clean up and said their goodbyes. Grayson had asked to hear Jake’s side of the story and Jake promised he would tell him next time.

Eric gave Jake, Max, Reis, and Kali a ride back to Max and Kali’s home. Chris had tagged along with them. Eric pulled the SUV to a stop in front of the house and they all climbed out.

Jake, I have something I wanted you to see, Eric said.

Kali and Reis went inside as Eric led Jake, Max, and Chris down to Jake’s house. Jake lived a few houses down at the end of the street in his parent’s home. When they reached his house, Eric opened the door and led them inside, turning on the lights. Last time Jake had seen his house, the living room had been covered in black plastic sheeting. There had been two dead vampires, one near the front door and the other in the living room. The wood floor had been ripped up by claws, as well as the walls, and there had been vampire blood everywhere. Now, it looked as if nothing had ever happened.

Jake stared at the house in disbelief, not knowing quite how to react.

Eric smiled. After you left, we all got together and fixed up the house. You didn’t need to come home to that mess.

It’s like nothing happened, Jake said in awe.

We even took care of the hallway upstairs. Eric gestured towards the upstairs.

One of the vampires had been hiding in the attic nearly a week earlier. It had busted out through the ceiling, leaving a gaping hole and the hallway a mess.

Thanks, Jake said, breathlessly.

Eric patted him on the back. Anytime, Jake. Let’s get back up to Max’s, Chris.

Chris said goodnight to Jake and followed his father back to Max’s house. Max hung back for a few minutes and watched Jake slowly walk through the house. Jake looked like he was uneasy or was being cautious.

What’s wrong? Max asked.

It feels different, Jake replied. The house doesn’t feel the same as it used to.

Is it because of everything that happened here?

Jake nodded. I can still picture it all clearly. I can’t get the images of those dead bodies out of my head.

You can stay at our place if you want to. We have the extra room, Max offered.

No thanks. It’s okay. I’m going to have to deal with it sooner or later, Jake shook his head.

You’re sure?

Yeah, I’ll be fine. Besides, you’ll need the extra room for Reis, Jake reminded him.

I seriously doubt Reis will stay in the house. He’ll probably sleep out in the woods somewhere, Max said and went for the front door. Well, if you need anything, you know where I’ll be.

Thanks Max. I’ll see you tomorrow.

Alright, get some sleep. Max walked out the door, but as Jake closed the door, Max stopped and turned back. Hey Jake?

Yeah?

Thanks for everything you’ve done. It means a lot to me, Max admitted.

No problem; it’s what friends do. I’ll see you later, Jake said and closed the door. He went around the house and locked the doors and windows before going upstairs to his room to take a shower.

*

When Max got back to his house, they had already started without him. Eric was busy initiating Reis into the pack as Max walked in. Max sat on the couch next to Kali and watched silently.

Is he alright? Kali asked.

Jake? He’s fine. He’s just worn out, Max replied quietly. He turned back to pay attention to the initiation taking place.

Eric stood face-to-face with Reis in the middle of the living room. Chris stood to the side of his dad, watching them closely.

Reis Morgan, do you agree to uphold our laws and take on the duties that are appointed to you? Eric asked.

I do, Reis replied.

Do you accept me as your alpha and swear to obey the instructions I give to you? Eric asked.

I do, Reis said again.

Do you swear to protect this territory and its inhabitants from all threats with your life, if necessary? Eric asked.

Reis nodded. I do.

Eric spoke in a foreign language and placed his hand on Reis’s shoulder, as if he were saying a blessing or a spell. When he finished, he looked at Reis and smiled.

Welcome to the pack, Eric said.

Thank you, sir. I’m honored to be a part of it, Reis said, gratefully.

*

Jake got out of the shower, dried off and got dressed. He finished drying his hair and tossed the damp towel onto the bathroom floor. He would deal with it later, right now he was exhausted and just wanted to sleep.

Jake crawled into bed and pulled the blankets up over him and realized the lights were still on. He swore as he got out of bed again and turned off the lights. He still felt a little uneasy in his own house and felt tempted to call up Max and stay the night there. He decided against it and got back into bed.

Jake was nearly asleep when he heard it. There was a low creak that came from the hall. Jake didn’t think much of it; his mind was too groggy to really register it. A few moments passed and then there was a second creak, louder this time, and Jake sat up in the dark. He stared at the bedroom door and listened. The house creaked all the time, but the creak he heard was definitely caused by somebody in the hall. He had lived there long enough to decipher the sounds.

He didn’t hear anything else, but Jake sat there watching the door for a few more minutes. Finally, he decided that he was just being paranoid and lay back down. Jake was just beginning to fall asleep again when he heard another creak. This time it was much closer than before.

Jake sat up quickly and looked at his bedroom door, which was still closed. Jake searched his nightstand for his cell phone, before remembering it had broken a few days earlier.

Shit, Jake muttered quietly.

He turned on the lamp sitting on the nightstand and rolled back to look at the door. It was open! The door was slowly swinging open as Jake got up from his bed as quickly and quietly as he could, grabbing his pocket knife off the dresser. He tiptoed to the door and peeked out into the hall. He couldn’t see anything in the darkness.

Jake closed his bedroom door and locked it. He turned to head back to bed when suddenly a figure lunged at him. He was slammed back against the door, the force knocking the knife from his hand. A charred and crusting hand held firmly over his mouth. Jake tried to scream when he saw the charred and disfigured face of Ivan, the vampire ─ who had destroyed Max’s hometown of Winchester and had later tried to kill him ─ in front of him. Jake had believed Ivan was dead after he had shot him and left him in a burning cabin.

Ivan was missing a large chunk of his neck from where the shotgun blast had torn into his throat. His face was seriously burned and his hair was gone, but his red eyes glowed fiercely in the dimly lit room.

You have far too much confidence in yourself, Jacob, Ivan gurgled. Jake could see the exposed muscles in Ivan’s throat contracting as he spoke.

Jake tried to bite the charred hand that was pressed against his mouth, but Ivan squeezed Jake’s face harder until hit hurt. Jake stopped.

Did you really think you could kill me? Ivan roared and punched Jake in the stomach. Ivan could’ve punched his arm completely through him, but he held back. He wanted Jake to suffer and that would’ve ended it too quickly.

Jake doubled over in pain; his cry of pain was muffled by the hand covering his face. He fought to breathe, but found it difficult to do through just his nose. Ivan threw Jake to the ground and kicked him viciously.

You’ve been a thorn in my side for too long. You and those filthy mutts that you’re so attached to, Ivan said in a low and raspy voice.

He grabbed Jake by the hair and began to drag him into the adjoining bathroom. Jake cried in pain and kicked his legs ineffectively. Ivan dropped him next to the sink and crouched down beside him. He grabbed Jake by the throat and leaned in to bite him. Jake clenched his eyes shut and waited for his life to end, but it never came. Ivan had stopped and pulled back from him.

You aren’t even worth the trouble of draining. Besides, you wouldn’t feel much if I did and I want you to hurt. How about we say an eye for an eye? Ivan said and gestured to his own horribly burned body. He turned to leave and then stopped.

You could escape if I left you like this, Ivan mused. That would complicate things.

Ivan stomped on Jake’s left leg, snapping the tibia and fibula bones; Jake screamed in pain.

That’s better. Ivan smiled and calmly walked out of the bathroom.

Jake lay on the bathroom floor, curled in a ball. He was still struggling to breathe and the pain in his leg was unbearable. Jake felt completely helpless. Before, he had Max and the other werewolves to protect him, but now he had no one. They all thought it was over just like he had. He tried to scream for help, hoping that somehow they’d hear him, but not much sound came out, just a hoarse cry.

He hurt so badly, but he tried to crawl to the door despite the pain. He knew that this was going to be the end for him. He heard the footsteps coming back down the hall. With nothing to fight back with and no one to help him, he knew there was no way to make it out in time.

Ivan entered the bathroom and smiled; part of his burned skin cracked and fell to the tile floor in flakes. He carried a plastic milk bottle full of gas.

That made you stay put, Ivan stated proudly. Sorry it took so long. I ran out of gas in the can while getting the downstairs covered. I had to empty your dirt bike for this. He began pouring the gas out in Jake’s bedroom. He soaked the carpet, the bed and dresser with the gas and then dropped the empty jug on the floor.

You’re apologizing for that? Jake asked.

There’s no reason I can’t be polite. It is the final moment of your life after all. Ivan pulled a pack of matches out of his pocket and lit them all. He held the burning matchbook up for Jake to see and was pleased to see the fear in his eyes. Have any last words? I want something to tell your filthy half-breed friends when I come back for the rest of them.

Go to hell, Jake spat.

Maybe I’ll see you there someday, Ivan dropped the flaming matchbook and the bedroom burst into flames. Ivan was suddenly gone in the blink of an eye. Jake began to scream for help, but he knew that nobody would hear him.

Jake tried to grab the counter and pull himself up. Crying out in pain, he fell to the floor. Lightning bolts of pain shot through his leg. Jake could feel the immense heat and hear the roar of the flames ten feet away. The smoke was already burning his lungs.

Jake struggled to get up again; he had to do something. He couldn’t get to his feet or even his knees; it just hurt too much. Jake opened the cabinet under the sink and grabbed a hold of the water hoses leading to the faucet, ignoring the severe pain in his leg; he began to yank at them frantically. His luck had finally run out. He was going to die.

*

Max sat in the living room with Reis, Chris, and Eric. They were sitting around talking about everything that had happened lately and what they needed to do to prevent another similar situation. Kali had just gone off to her room to get some sleep and Chris and his father were getting ready to leave.

Reis was putting on the communication talisman that Eric had brought for him. It was a black rubber wristband, nothing fancy. It was a spare one for new members of the pack or someone who temporarily needed one. He touched the wristband to the talismans that Max, Kali, Chris, and Eric wore and said, Join me. The talismans connected to each other and were ready to be used.

Are you moving in here or would you like us to set you up with a place? Eric asked Reis.

Actually, I’ve grown accustomed to the forest. I actually prefer living out there now, Reis replied.

That does fine, too, just make sure to keep a balance. We don’t want you going feral on us, Eric said.

I’ll be careful, Reis replied.

Kali came back downstairs from her room and headed for the front door.

Eric, is your car unlocked? I think I left my phone in there, Kali said as she passed by.

Yes, it’s unlocked, Eric replied as Kali left the house.

I think we’ll get out of your fur now, Eric said. I’m sure you guys would like to get some…

Max! Kali’s panicked voice screamed from outside the house.

Max and the others immediately leapt to their feet and rushed out to her. Kali was standing in the driveway; her hand covering her mouth and her expression was one of shock and horror.

What is it? What’s wrong? Max asked before he realized he could smell smoke.

Max turned and looked in the same direction as Kali was looking and his blood froze. Jake’s house was a blazing inferno. The flames were so bright they lit up the entire street. Thick smoke poured out of the flames, rising into the night sky.

Oh shit! Chris exclaimed when he saw it too.

Jake! Max screamed and sprinted down the street towards the burning house.

Call 911! Eric ordered Kali. Eric and Chris hurried after Max to the burning house.

Max ran as fast as he could towards the house. He could see the neighbors coming out of their homes to see what was going on. They screamed and pointed at the inferno. Several ran back inside to call the fire department. Max was only halfway there and could already feel the heat from the fire. Max reached the front door seconds later and kicked it down with no hesitation. The back draft blasted out of the door; Max leapt to the side, the flames singeing his hair. Max rushed inside the house as soon as the flames died down enough.

Jake! Max yelled. Everything was burning around him. Max struggled to see through the thick smoke and worked his way slowly through towards the living room. Chris and Eric came inside, behind Max.

I’m gonna look upstairs! Max said, choking on the smoke.

Max ran upstairs as Eric moved to the kitchen. Chris went to follow Max when the stairway collapsed in front of him. Max fell as the staircase suddenly dropped out from under him. He hit the upper floor on his chest and stomach and began to slide back off, his legs dangling where the stairs had been only seconds before.

Max continued to slide back when he extended claws from his fingertips and dug them into the wood floor. He looked down below him and saw nothing but flames. The heat was unbearable. Max pulled himself up into the hallway and got back to his feet. He rushed to Jake’s room and kicked open the flaming door.

Jacob! Jake, where are you? Max yelled. He began to cough from smoke inhalation. Max looked around the burning room frantically, but couldn’t see Jake anywhere. The bed was pretty much gone; now nothing more than flames, ash, and the frame. Max prayed that Jake hadn’t been in it.

Then Max saw the bathroom door. The carpet immediately in front of the door hadn’t been burned and he quickly realized that the floor was wet. The water was coming from the bathroom. Max leapt through the flames between him and the bathroom door and twisted through the doorway, just as a flaming beam from the ceiling crashed down behind him. He lost his balance and tumbled to the tile floor. He rolled over, getting soaked with water, and then Max saw him. Jake was lying unconscious on the floor. He wasn’t breathing. The water hoses had been pulled from the faucet and were spraying water around the bathroom. They had helped keep the fire back but they wouldn’t stop it. The house was coming down and Max had to get the two of them out quickly. Max rushed to Jake, gently lifted him up over his shoulder, then Max turned back towards the doorway. The bathroom had no windows; he was going to have to go through Jake’s room again. He remembered that outside of Jake’s window there was a lower section of the roof that Jake always liked to climb out on. If he could get them out through there, he could make it to the backyard.

Max’s eyes were burning and watering from the smoke, blurring his vision. He pulled the front of his shirt up, covering his mouth and nose, and hoped it would help him breathe. If he passed out from lack of oxygen, they were both done for.

Max ran forward and leapt through the doorway, over the burning, fallen beam. He landed on the other side but his foot broke through the burning floor and Max fell, dropping Jake. Max could soon smell burning flesh and realized that Jake’s limp right arm had landed in the flames and was burning. Max grabbed Jake by his ankle and yanked him out of the fire. Max quickly hoisted his leg out of the broken floor, the wood catching and tearing the flesh down his calf and ankle wide open. He could feel the hot blood flowing out of the wounds and down his leg.

He ignored the pain and picked Jake up then hauled him across the room; Max was coughing uncontrollably now. He struggled to get Jake and himself to the bedroom window; the glass had shattered from the heat. Max punched out the jagged edges sticking out of the sides and lifted Jake through the window.

"Get out of the house!" Chris’s voice suddenly shouted in his head. He heard Chris’s voice in the house as well simultaneously.

Max pulled himself through the window and rolled out onto the roof. The entire house shook violently and there was the loud roar of an explosion. Max saw the bottom floor of the house explode outward. The gas lines had blown, sending wood, glass and burning debris out into the street and backyard.

Max could feel the house shifting under him; it was about to collapse. He frantically grabbed Jake and threw him over his shoulder. Flames began shooting up from holes in the roof like fiery geysers as it began to split apart. Max limped to the edge of the roof and leapt off. He dropped about twenty feet and landed in the grass below. His injured leg gave out with a sharp pain and a loud crack when he hit and Max slammed forward into the ground. Jake hit the grass with a hard thud and rolled.

Max ignored the pain in his fractured ankle and got to his knees. He rolled Jake onto his back and began giving him CPR. Max counted out loud as he pumped Jake’s chest, desperately trying to get him breathing. It was too difficult to give him air; Max could barely breathe from coughing so much.

Chris came running around the side of the burning house. His face and arms were covered in soot and he had several burns that were already beginning to heal.

Is he okay? Chris asked panicked.

He’s not breathing! Max coughed, holding his chest painfully. I… can’t help him. I can barely… breathe.

Chris dropped to the ground next to Jake and took over performing CPR on him. Max rolled onto his back and began hacking uncontrollably. His eyes and lungs burned and his leg hurt like hell. He could see the flesh already mending itself closed but the bone would take longer to heal.

They could hear sirens in the distance approaching rapidly. Chris kept performing CPR, but it didn’t seem to be doing any good. God knew how long Jake had been unconscious already. Chris gave Jake air, two breaths, just like he’d been taught, and began pumping his chest again, harder this time. His heart dropped when he heard Jake’s ribs crack.

Oh shit, Chris said dejectedly.

What? Max asked, realizing something was wrong.

Chris stared down at Jake, in shock and unsure of what to do, and said. I…I just broke his ribs.

Don’t stop! Max said.

Chris continued to push down on Jake’s sternum. He could feel the broken ribs and could hear them cracking and shifting under the skin. Max could see that Chris was having difficulty doing it. Chris fought back tears as he pushed down again and again. He was trying to save his best friend but knew he was adding to the pain and hurting him more… if it didn’t kill him.

Fucking shit! Goddamn it, Jake! Wake up! Chris swore and hit Jake’s chest again and again.

Suddenly, Jake sat up and began coughing and gasping for air. He rolled onto his side and coughed so hard he threw up, then clutched his sides and cried in pain. Max got up, wiping the sweat and soot from his face, and tried to keep Jake calm.

Breathe Jake. You’re okay. Calm down and breathe, Max said.

After a couple minutes, Jake was finally able to stop coughing and began taking long, steady breaths of air. Max could see tears running down Jake’s soot-covered face, making smeared lines that shined in the flickering light of the fire.

You guys came for me? Jake’s voice was raspy and difficult to hear. He was curled up in pain and clutching his chest; the broken ribs were hurting him as much as his leg was, maybe more.

Why wouldn’t we? Chris replied, wiping his eyes and helped Jake sit up.

What happened? Who did this? Max asked frantically.

I don’t know. My leg is broken. It hurts like shit. Jake wheezed and began coughing again and cried from the pain it caused.

The three of them watched as the roof collapsed with a loud crash, sending flames and embers high into the night sky. The rest of the house began to collapse, piece by piece.

Fuck my life, Jake muttered and lay back in the grass, looking up at the sky. The moon was barely visible through the smoke. Jake remembered seeing the paramedics rush around the corner, along with Eric and Reis, before he blacked out again from the pain. Jake and Max were both loaded onto stretchers and had oxygen masks strapped to their faces. The paramedics carried the two of them back around to the front of the destroyed house, where an ambulance waited.

Max saw the fire trucks parked out in the street; firefighters were spraying the fire out with the hoses. He looked over and saw Kali standing nearby in the crowd of curious neighbors. She was watching with tear filled eyes as they loaded both Max and Jake into the ambulance. Before they closed the ambulance doors, Max gave her a thumbs up.

"I’m alright," Max told her.

"What about Jake?" Kali asked.

"I don’t know," Max replied.

The ambulance moved slowly through the crowd of people before turning on their sirens and speeding off to the hospital. Chris joined Kali and held her tightly as they watched the ambulances disappear into the night.

I was trying to help, Chris said ashamed. I just hurt him more.

This was the first time she had seen Chris cry, aside from the night she left for Winchester, and she knew why. They weren’t sure if Jake would make it. Kali hugged him tightly and felt him embrace her back. Neither of them noticed the man in the crowd watching them. He looked like he was in his early fifties and his face had four long ragged scars running, at an angle, across his face and down his neck. He was dressed in worn jeans and a grey t-shirt. He watched them with interest, before he turned and looked back at the burning house. Then he turned, wandering off around the back of a neighboring house, and disappeared. Nobody noticed him.

Chapter One

Three Months Later

Jake sat in Dr. Ryan Mayfield’s office at the Wolfeboro General Hospital, waiting impatiently for him to show up. Jake had come in for another x-ray of his leg and today was the day that he would find out whether or not the cast was coming off. His sister Sarah sat next to him, texting one of her friends.

Jake scratched at the burn scars that now covered his right arm and hand, grim reminders of the fire that nearly killed him months before. He had never told Max or anyone else about how the fire got started. He hadn’t even explained how his leg had ended up broken.

The fire had been ruled an arson by the police, which hadn’t surprised Jake at all; it had been. So the pack hadn’t known who had started the fire, big deal. Jake didn’t want them to know about Ivan, not yet. He had his reasons for not telling them and it had nothing to do with being scared.

Jake, knock it off, Sarah said, not looking up from her phone.

What? Jake asked, defensively.

Picking at the scars isn’t going to help.

They itch. And you’re not the boss of me. Jake continued scratching at it.

Sarah rolled her eyes and made an exasperated sigh. Jake had been a pain in the ass ever since the fire. He seemed quick to anger lately and always wanted to argue with everyone who tried to help him. Jake had been hurt before, but it had never been like this, at least not since the car accident that had killed their parents. It worried her.

Last time Jake had gotten into a lot of trouble, especially with the law, he was younger then, still in high school. She hoped that he would handle things better now that he was older and more mature, but she was still worried. He never seemed to smile anymore and rarely laughed. He spent a lot of his time holed up in his bedroom at Max’s place. Maybe she would ask Kali how he was acting at home. Maybe his surprise birthday party would cheer him up a little.

The door to the office opened and Dr. Mayfield entered, carrying a large manila envelope.

Hello, Sarah, Ryan said with a smile. How are you feeling, Jacob?

Fine, Jake replied, unenthusiastically. Can I get this cast off yet?

I have your x-rays right here. Let’s have a look, Ryan said, pulling the x-rays out of the envelope. He clipped them up to the x-ray view box and turned it on, the lights making the image of the bones visible.

Ryan inspected the picture of the bone for a moment. It looks like it’s healed well. I think we can get you out of that cast today.

Thank God, Jake said. Let’s do it.

After we take the cast off, you’ll need to keep using your crutches and you’ll have to go to physical therapy for a few weeks, Ryan said.

Are you serious? Jake asked.

It was a serious break. Your bones are still weak. They’re not ready for you to put full pressure on them. The physical therapy will help strengthen the bones, the muscles, and the tendons. This isn’t an option, Jacob, Ryan said.

Jake, stop complaining, Sarah said.

Jake muttered something under his breath that she couldn’t hear, but Ryan’s sensitive ears picked it up clearly and he frowned.

"Don’t talk about your sister that way. She didn’t deserve that," Ryan said. His mouth didn’t move, but Jake heard him as clear as day in his mind. Chris had given Jake a communication talisman, which gave him the ability to hear and speak to the werewolves through telepathy.

Jake gave Ryan an apologetic look, but didn’t say anything. He simply pulled the talisman, a dragon’s talon holding a green crystal, off his neck and stuffed it in his pocket.

Let’s go get that cast off, Ryan said.

A half hour later, Ryan walked Jake and Sarah to the hospital entrance. Jake was glad to finally have the cast off and to be able to move his leg again. He hobbled along with his crutches; he had gotten pretty good at using them.

Remember, Jacob, you need to go to your physical therapy two days a week for the next eight weeks. I’ll set it up and give you the schedule later today. No excuses, Ryan instructed.

I will, Jake replied.

And don’t overdo yourself. No running or strenuous activity. You’ll risk another break if you put your leg through too much strain, Ryan said.

Okay. I won’t, Jake said in a patronizing tone.

Sarah gave Jake the keys and told him she would catch up. When Jake was out of earshot, Ryan turned to Sarah. What is it?

I’m worried about him, Sarah said. That fire really messed him up.

How do you mean? Ryan asked.

It’s just the way he’s been acting lately. It’s like he’s angry all the time now. He won’t let people help him out. I opened a door for him once and he about took my head off, Sarah said.

Well, he’s been through a traumatic experience. He’s probably trying to cope with it still. I remember he had difficulty dealing with things when… Ryan said and stopped, not wanting to bring up bad memories for her.

The fire was three months ago. He doesn’t seem like he’s getting better, only worse. I don’t know. Maybe he needs to talk to somebody about it, Sarah said.

Like a therapist? Ryan asked.

Maybe, it’s not like I want him committed or anything, but it might be good if he starts seeing a therapist. I’m just afraid that he might do something stupid, again. He was acting weird even before the fire happened, Sarah said.

Like what? Ryan asked.

He was just being secretive and acting really weird. Plus he took off for nearly a week and didn’t say anything to anyone. I still don’t know where he went. Now there is this fire and he won’t talk about what happened to anyone. Nobody knows how it got started because he refuses to say anything. I know he knows how it happened.

Ryan thought about it for a moment. Get Max or Chris to talk to him. Maybe he’ll talk to them.

I doubt he will. He hasn’t yet, Sarah said.

Try it. If he seems to get worse then call me. I could refer him to a psychiatrist. I know it didn’t go well last time he saw one, but it’s still worth a shot, Ryan said.

Okay. I’ll see what I can do, Sarah called out as she began walking to her car.

Drive safe, Ryan said and headed back into the hospital.

Sarah got into the car; Jake was sitting in the passenger seat, staring off into space.

What’re you thinking about? Sarah asked as she started the car and backed out of the parking space.

Nothing; just take me home.

Chapter Two

Sarah dropped Jake off at home. When he was released from the hospital, after the fire, Jake had moved in with Max and Kali. They gave him Michael’s old room and bought him new things. It had been a long day for Jake. Max and Kali had taken him around town and let him buy new clothes and furniture for his room like a bed and dresser and even a TV, along with various odds and ends.

The whole thing had made him uncomfortable; the money came out of the pack’s massive savings account. Jake didn’t know for sure how much money they had exactly, but Chris had told him it was in the millions. Jake had tried to object to it all, but they wouldn’t hear of it.

That was another thing that had been upsetting him lately. He felt like he was mooching off his friends by taking the money that they gave him. He didn’t have a job, but that was only because of his injuries. He had mostly been laid on his back at the house for the past three months. He had wanted to work at the restaurant for Eric, but Eric told him no. He said once Jake was well enough to work, then he would hire him and to take it easy until then.

Jake spent most of his time alone. Kali and Chris hung out with him from time to time, but between work, running patrols around town and their budding romance, they hadn’t been around much. Jake had hardly seen Max since the fire, either. He was almost always gone now. Jake didn’t know what he was up to, but neither did Kali or anyone else. Most of the time he didn’t even come back at night and when he did, Max would say hi and then go straight to bed or out on patrol.

Jake went into the house, using his crutches to walk. He hobbled into the kitchen and made himself a peanut butter sandwich. As he hobbled back to the living room, he glanced at the calendar. Today was October 13th; Jake’s birthday. Sarah hadn’t even said anything about it to him.

Jake sat on the couch and turned on the TV. He was just about to take a bite of his sandwich when his cell phone, also bought for him by the pack, rang. Jake groaned angrily and set the sandwich on the coffee table and answered the phone.

What? Jake said in an irate tone.

Hey! Are you still at your doctor appointment? Chris asked.

No. I just got back.

Did he take your cast off?

Yeah, it’s off now.

That’s great.

Yeah, I guess so, Jake replied, unenthusiastically. He flipped through the channels as he talked. He didn’t really feel invested in the conversation and wished that Chris would hang up soon and leave him alone.

Are you at home then? Chris asked.

Yeah, I’m here. He said it to be nice, but hinted in his tone that he wanted to be left alone.

Awesome. I’ll be there soon, Chris replied and hung up.

Jake