Page 34 of Big Bad Bully
He slapped me. “Louder.”
“No, sir,” I shouted. I could sense my sister’s distress behind me. I had to be strong. I could do this.
“Good boy. So you’re going to stand here, and you’re going to watch. One day, all of this will be yours. And it’ll be your job to take care of any threats.”
I stared at the human. He was shaking, and tears tracked down his cheeks, dampening his gag. He didn’t look like a threat.
“We’re wolves,” I pointed out. “We’re stronger.”
“That’s right.” My dad slapped my back. “He gets it. And now… it’s time to hunt the human!”
They let the man go. He ran, but he didn’t get far. They turned into wolves and herded him back.
“Don’t look away, boy,” my father snarled before he turned into a wolf to go in for the kill. And I didn’t.
I stood very still and kept my eyes open until the human’s blood sprayed in my face.
And now I’ve grown into everything my father wants me to be. Cold, cunning, controlled. Helping lead a powerful pack.
But I am not my father’s son. I want him out of my city and my life, but mostly I want him far away from any humans he might hurt.
And it’s up to me to stop him.
Chapter Ten
Aubrey
I walk to the subway from La Résistance after I finish my shift. Saturday mornings are my favorite time of the week to be there. The coffee shop is packed with regulars who have time to sit and visit with each other. La Résistance isn’t just espresso drinks and cafe food. It’s music and poetry. Community and love. I grew up in a loving home with amazing parents, but even so, La Résistance has been a home away from home since I got my first job there as a teen.
I call Madi on Saturday as I walk. “I’m on my way to your place. Please tell me you’re around this weekend?”
“Gah! Why didn’t you tell me sooner? We’re already in the Adirondacks. Are you going to Billy’s?”
“Yes. He insisted on going over my concept drawings before I start painting Monday.”
“Really? That’s so weird. He was here last night. He must’ve helicoptered out this morning to meet with you.”
I stop walking, and someone bumps into me from behind.
Something makes me scan the street for an electric blue Porsche. “It is a little weird, right?” I don’t see anything unusual, so I start walking again.
“What is?”
“Him cutting his weekend short to meet with me? About a mural he didn’t even want?”
Madi is silent, which throws me off. I expected her to jump right in and validate me.
“What?” I probe.
“Yeah, it’s strange. I’m just trying to think what he might be up to.”
Goosebumps rise on my arms. “You suspect he’s up to something?”
“I don’t know. It’s hard to trust him after everything. And he doesn’t like…” She sucks in a breath.
“He doesn’t like what?”
She hesitates again. “Uh…well, I just have found him to be sort of… classist.”
