Reluctantly Lycan by Jez Strider Read Free Book Online Page B

sort of village center around a water well. Other homes, further out, were barely visible since they were nestled into the woods. Most were small, one or two bedroom homes. Two larger ones housed unmated wolves. One was for the males of age and the other for females.
    Dakota, the wolf haven named after Kaden’s ancestors when they returned to claim the area, could be completely self-reliant if need be. Solar panels distributed power, though it was finicky at best with the tree coverage and random weather. There were generators if power failed. A tributary flowed nearby and a natural spring just a short hike down the mountain.
    The pack members were free to come and go as they pleased. People went shopping, enjoyed events like minor league baseball games, and went to the Rod Runs to check out the hot cars. Children attended public schools, if their parents chose not to teach them at home. At the end of the day, though, most everyone returned to the safety of the wolf sanctuary.
    With the loss of wolves for numerous reasons ranging from old age to leaving for different packs, the town now housed about twenty lycan. There should have been more rituals held in honor of the moon, more encouragement to breed. Those responsibilities rested with the alpha female and there wasn’t one. The wolf gene was dying out.
    Kaden walked up to Levi’s house and knocked on the door. The beta answered and bowed his head respectively as he gestured for the pack leader to come inside. “Explain.”
    Levi went to his bedroom and shut the door softy, so as not to wake his mate, before returning. The man was older than Kaden, almost as big. His short shaggy hair was an ash brown and he had matching light eyes.
    He poured them both a shot of Tennessee whiskey. “ Last night he went to meditate in the forest. Common for a boy near transition. When he didn’t come home, his parents came to me.”
    “Nothing has been suspicious?”
    “The high pack scoured everywhere trying to find his scent. No trace whatsoever. Commoners came out to help, too. Nada.” His hand shook as he slung back his shot.
    This caused Kaden’s worry to deepen. Levi and the rest of his men could track anything or anyone. It didn’t make sense for the boy’s trail to be gone completely. “There’s no way he could manage to disappear without a trace with no help.”
    “If things keep going at this rat e, there will no longer be a pack.”
    Kade swirled his whiskey in his glass. Jack Daniels was an old friend. He drank the alcohol and then handed Levi the glass for a refill. “Our elders have all died out but Old Finn. A child hasn’t been born in years. Now a wolf nearing his first shift has disappeared without a trace.”
    Levi lowered his eyes and frowned. “Who do you think is behind this?”
    “I don’t know.” He swiped the refilled glass from Levi before kicking it back. “But, I intend to find out.”
     
    Mara picked up the money Kaden had left and glanced around the apartment. Was it that easy to go home? She certainly wouldn’t miss the apartment. She’d done her best to make it feel like home, but she was a wolf, not a magician. Or better yet, a demolitions expert.
    After hiding the money under a loose piece of floor tile and placing the trash can over it, she headed toward Jak’s room. Lightly, she gave the door a few knocks. He opened, smiling like she’d never seen before.
    “Come in.” He grabbed her hand and tugged her over to his cheap laptop. It had been his Christmas gift. An image search of wolves was on the screen. Jak mooched wi-fi off one of the neighbors. Mara didn’t like it, but she didn’t make him stop. Internet access was a must for the modern kid.
    “Wolves?” She asked.
    “Yeah, I was wondering if I’m going to look like Dad.” He pointed at the screen. “This one here is black with green eyes kind of like you and me.”
    Marala had never heard him so excited about anything before. Apparently the fear had worn off. She