The Others- Chapter 2

Carver and Reti


In a sprawling forest called Redwood Gloom, tucked far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, lived a large and ancient pack of werewolves that were completely self-sufficient. The name of this forest came from the thick redwood trees that grew tall enough to gently brush the skyline, the thick foliage shading the werewolves from the hot sun and cool moon. Glass lanterns stained red and brown hung from the branches of the trees providing a warm source of light if the clouds helped to block out the sun. The pack had many different names in the past but it is now called The Cash pack after it's former and current pack leaders

For centuries this pack called the forest home and used whatever it had to offer to thrive. The forest provided plenty of meat and fruit, a lake with clean water, an ocean for fish and frolic and the trees inside and out is where they laid their heads. There were some werewolves who resided on the ground, either around the trees or inside of them, and the others built lavish tree houses close to the treeline. Right in the heart of Redwood Gloom, inside the base of the thickest redwood tree, lives the current leader of the Cash pack and his family.

Carver Cash stood in-front of his childhood home, gazing it at it one final time with his only working eye golden brown eye. The other eye was white as the snow that sometimes landed in the forest. His breath was slow and even and his face held no emotion as he looked upon his home, each nook and cranny of his home struck him with memory after painful memory. He was glad he was never going to see this place, the forest and it's people again. Leading this pack for most of his childhood and young adult life had worn this wolf out to the point where he decided he would leave the pack and become a lone wolf. Not a lone wolf in the country of Aconitum, a lone wolf in the human world. Today, Carver was leaving for Panorama Cove.

The second oldest Cash brother, Cirk, came out of the house and met eyes with his brother. While Cirk offered a little smile, Carver still had no emotion to spare. Instead, he looked at his brother was carrying in his hands, a small plate of homemade jerky. A small going away present for his brother, one of Carver's favorite things to chew on while he made sure his pack ran as smooth as possible. If jerky wasn't in his mouth, it was a lit cigarette. Cirk wanted Carver to kick the filthy habit so he would often offer it to him whenever Carver reached for a cigarette.

“Thanks.” Carver grunted out and took the plate from Cirk, eating the jerky slowly to savor the flavor. Cirk was a natural when it came to cooking, a skill he learned from their mother.

“Ah so he does have manners.” Cirk's eyes sparkled with mirth. Carver stopped himself from rolling his eye. “Today is the day. Not even gonna ask if you are gonna miss this place.”

“You finally learned to not ask stupid questions but then you ruin it by still mentioning the question anyway so I'd answer.” Carver finished the plate and tossed it to Cirk who caught it easily in his hands. “No. I won't miss this place. Why would I?”

“There are some good memories here...” Cirk turned towards the house as, his voice trailing.

“Every good memory became a shitty one in a day or two. How funny is it that the elders who usually spout doom and gloom, don't agree with me that this place is cursed.” Carver walked closer to his brother, standing shoulder to shoulder.

“They might now since you are leaving us. Not to sound sappy, but even the forest seems sad that you're leaving. Gloomier than ever. I can smell rain on the wind.” The mirth in his eyes long gone, Cirk looked over to his brother looking just as tired as he. “Ever planning to come back?”

“Not even to visit. Any of you assholes want to see me, you get a passport and come to the human world.” He folded his arms, meeting Cirk's eyes again.

“Gotcha. Bright side to that is I'll get to snuggle up to some sweet co-eds. Human co-eds. They will think I'm gods gift to earth when I get there.” Cirk nudged Carver's shoulder, lowering and raising his eyebrows.

“And this is why I left the pack to the elders instead of you. You might turn this place into one giant strip club.” There was a ghost of a smile on his face.

“Have you been snooping in my room? How did you know my plan? It's a great way to get more females in this pack! This pack is a damn sausage fest!” Cirk's laughed joined the loud gust of the wind that sent the birds scattering.

If there was one thing Carver would miss, aside from his mate, would be his brothers and sister. They gave him problems just as much as the rest of the pack did, but he found them less annoying than them. He guessed that it had to do with them being blood or perhaps because they looked like cutouts of him with only a few features differing. It was either that or because Carver wasn't alone in his suffering, they suffered right alongside him. If anyone else had his brothers personality, he'd probably maul them. No, not probably. He'd definitely maul them.

Cirk annoyed Carver frequently when he would bring his ladies of the week to the pack as Carver didn't really like random outsiders in his home. Cirk's smooth smile, flirty gaze, slightly scarred face and dark black hair that reached his shoulders had wolf women willing to make the long trip from the city to the forest. Cirk would use their beautiful home to impress the women further. They had never seen trees so large before and not too far from their home was an empty beach for them to frolic in. The only time Cirk wasn't able to bed the many women he brought home was when Carver would threaten to maim them unless they left.

“Reti ready?” Carver turned his back to the house, arms still crossed tightly. He closed his eyes and lightly sniffed the air, looking for a specific scent.

“Yep. I checked both your rooms and your stuff is gone. Oh, she mentioned the portal would appear in-front of the fountain by the by.” Cirk placed the dirty plate on the porch steps, he'd clean it later.

“Tch...great. Now everyone can gather around to watch us leave instead of minding their business.” Carver opened his eyes, finding the scent he was looking for. “She's in the graveyard. Of course, she is.”

“Probably saying her goodbyes to mom, like you should do.” Cirk sped up to catch up to his brother as he made his way to the graveyard.

“Cirk. Mom's dead and she isn't listening.” Carver turned his head slightly towards his brother behind him. “Don't tell me you believe in that shit.”

“The elders seem to think she's still around.” Cirk dropped his voice to a whisper but Carver still heard it.

“Since when do you listen to the elders?” Carver mockingly chuckled, Cirk scowled at the back of his head.
“It makes me feel better to think she's with Lord Zenith, looking down on us.” Cirk closed his eyes briefly, gently chewing at his lower lip. “Sometimes at night, I catch her scent...”

“You need to stop drinking that firewater late at night. It makes you forget that she used to live in the house we sleep in.” Carver said.

“You might not believe in god, but I do. I refuse to believe that she's just...that she's just...” Cirk exhaled and looked towards the treetops. Various wolfs looked back at him as he passed under them, with worried or scared looks in their eyes. They knew about Carver leaving. “Hey are you going to say anything to the pack? You might as well since they are all going to be at the square.”

“No. I don't have to and I don't want to.” Carver said simply. Cirk knew that was all he was going to get. He stopped walking, Carver stopping too when he didn't hear Cirk shuffling through the fallen leaves behind him.

“Well, I'll let 'cha go hunt for Reti. I'm gonna head to the square. I kinda wanna see the portal myself. See what's in there. See 'ya and if I don't get to say it when you leave, take care brother. I'm gonna miss the hell outta you. Call me okay!” Carver didn't speak but nodded in his brother's direction and continued his walk deeper into the forest towards Reti. Cirk dropped his shoulders when he could no longer see his brother's back. “I need a drink...”

Carver could see wolves starting to gather around the fountain, the portal had not shown up yet but they were getting in position to see it. The six elders were in front of the crowd, backs hunched and covered with pelts from rival packs of the past. The other wolves chattered around them while they said not a word and stood straight ahead at the bubbling fountain. Carver was slightly surprised to even see them there with their dried bloodied spears in their mitts, being used as walking canes. He would have thought they were too busy contacting their spirits and getting high off of ground up mushroom that grew around their homes. He would miss them the least, they were completely unhelpful to Carver while he ran the pack and only spoke in riddles when he asked for advice.

“Old fools. Get with the times...” Carver didn't whisper, he knew they heard him. They, however, did not look at him while the other wolves turned towards Carver's scent. They said not a word and he responded in kind. He continued towards Reti's scent.

No natural light touched the ground of the graveyard and if not lit by the many lanterns wrapped around the trees, the wolves would not be able to give respects to their loved ones without tripping over some exposed roots. There were no headstones in the graveyards and no decomposing wolves underground. Each wolf who passed, natural or not, were cremated by the caretaker and had their ashes spread on redwood seedlings in memory of the fallen wolf. The family of the deceased wolf, if able, help their family member's tree go tall and proud.

Reti Rashad, a wolf woman of Indian descent, knelt in prayer before a growing redwood that belonged to the former alpha female, Sasha Cash. Then she straightened out the various colored flowers placed around the base of the tree left by her sons and other pack members. Reti wasn't a Cash and she wasn't a descendant of past wolfs, she was a stray that had lost her family and the pack took her in. Sasha Cash became a second mother to Reti and she showed her how to be a strong wolf woman. If not for her guidance and love, Reti would have never become the alpha female. That was unheard of for an outsider.

This outsider was becoming an outsider yet again. When Carver announced that he was leaving for Panorama Cove, she announced that she was coming with him. Unlike Carver, Reti made her reason for leaving clear; to watch after Carver and keep him out of trouble. Reti owed Carver her life just as much as she owed Mrs. Cash. The pack was not shocked by Reti leaving with Carver, the pack would often whisper that he was closer to her than his own mate. Disgusting thought to the both of them as they regarded each other as siblings and annoying his actual mate.

“You're here...” Reti airy voice was barely above a whisper. She sat up straighter and pushed her hair back behind her ear, gray eyes looking around the base of the tree for any weeds. “Come say goodbye to her.”

“Reti, I'm not talking to a tree. She's dead, I came to get you. You are ready, right?” Carver's arms folded across the chest, tapping his foot in the dirt.

“I was ready a week ago, Carver. I don't pack last moment like you do.” Carver could sense the wolfish grin on her face, Reti could sense the vein in his forehead had appeared. “Come, come. You have time to say goodbye.” Reti held out her hand to Carver, her eyes still on the flowers. “I'm not leaving til you say goodbye to her.”

“I can leave you here, I won't lose any sleep. Either get up or stay here. People are already gathering.” Carver shifted his weight, the graveyard for was his most hated place in the forest.

“Portal won't open til we are both in front of it.” Reti's hand still hung in the air unwavering. “Sit and talk to her. Just do it. She'd want you to.”

“Fine you stupid little...” Carver muttered a few curses as he took Reti's hand and got onto his knees. He sighed while looking at the tree up and down. It was well taken care of, no broken branches or weeds to be found. He gazed at the many different flowers on the ground, many scents coming from the hands of different wolves still clung to the flowers. “...I'm leaving, mom.” He said looking back at the tree. “So...bye. There. I did it. Let's go.”

Reti curled her arm around his to keep him from standing up.“Mrs. Cash, Carver and I are going to live in the human world. We leave today I don't want to leave-”

“-So don't lea-”

“-but I have to. I have to watch over him and I hope you will watch over us. Continue to keep watching over the rest of the pack, please. I know it eases the minds of many. May your spirit be at rest.” Reti fully looked at Carver, a warm smile graced her lips. “That is all you had to say. Nothing too long winded. Do you always have to make mountains out of molehills?”

“Do you have to be pushy?” Carver got to his feet after she let him go.

Reti raised her left arm to check her watch. “We have a half-hour left, perfect amount of time for you to say goodbye to your siblings. I know you didn't.” Carver pressed his lips into a white slash. “Don't give me that look, you know you'll never hear the end of it if you leave without one word to them. You don't have to explain yourself, just say goodbye. It'll be easier on you if you do.”

“...I don't like it when you are right.” Carver grimaced, resuming the tapping of his foot. He knew he would get call after call if he left without a word.

“Hearing you say I'm right always makes my day.” Reti stood up and brushed the dirt off her bare knees, fixing her clothes. She pushed her long, dark hair behind her ear again. “See you in a half-hour. Don't be late.”

“Don't forget your meds.” Carver sniped back, inwardly smirking when Reti's furrowed her brow. “How could you pay attention in class if you're doodling his name in your notebook.”

“That's low and you know it. Asshole.” Reti flicked her eyes upward and left the graveyard. Carver waited until her scent was faint before leaving to search for his brothers.

The third oldest brother wasn't a hard man to find, Carver didn't need his scent to find him. Not that he'd want to anyway since Clark Cash was a sports lover and his scent was a medley of grass, sports equipment, and sweat. Clark could always be found in the clearing where his handmade goals and equipment brought from the city would always be strewn about.

It the pack, Clark was often referred to as a gentle giant. He was the biggest brother of the six and kind to a fault. The sports junkie rarely got mad but a day wouldn't go by without seeing him pout about something, be it no one wanting to play football with him or being teased about the magical burn on the right side of his face. A gift from a witch he accidentally scared on a trip to the city. Clark was alone, thankfully, kicking a soccer ball into the handmade goal at the edge of the clearing where Carver was standing. The former pack leader retrieved the ball for him and kicked it back to Clark.

“Thanks, wanna go one on one?” Clark picked up the ball with a big grin as his brother walked over to him. “I'll go easy on 'ya. Whoever loses has to wash the dishes tonight.”

“Do I look like I'm dressed to play soccer?” Carver gestured to his dark blue sweater and brown slacks.

“Just take your shirt off! Suns out, guns out!” Clark dropped the ball to flex his muscles. If there was something else he enjoyed other than sports, it would be exercising. The wolf had a lot of energy to burn. “What are you so dressed up for anyways? You finally drinking the moon water with your girl?”

“Did you forget I'm leaving today?” Clark did not answer Carver and he didn't need to. The surprised look on his face answered his question. “I don't know who has the worst memory. You or Colby.”

“Him by far but...today is the day? Where does the time even go?” Clark became quiet, pulling at his dreaded hair. Carver stayed quiet too, almost seeing the gears turn in his head with he “Well uh, heh, how's Kanti taking this?”

“Horribly. She nearly chewed my ear off when I told her.” Carver shook his head from side to side. “We had another fight early this morning about it.”

“She mad Reti is going instead of her?” Wanting to do something with his body, Clark gently kicked the ball towards his brother. Carver did not return the kick.

“It's her own fault for slacking. She could have come with us if she had her passport in order. Now she has to wait a month and hope Panorama will accept her late application.” Carver nudged the soccer ball to the side, out of his way. “This is goodbye Clark. Try not to get the other side of your face burned off.”

“Heh, I'll try. Goodbye Carver. Oh hey, tell me if they got a nice football field! Maybe I'll apply too! Knock some humans around easy, I'll be rich!” Clark flexed his muscles once again.

“You can't. Only smart people can go to Panorama Cove.” He smirked when Clark pouted at him. “Goodbye Clark.” Carver said when he walked by him.

“Goodbye...Carver.” Clark raised his hand and dropped it.

Carver headed to the beach that wasn't far from the clearing, the second youngest brother usually spent his time there. He took his shoes and socks off to enjoy the warm sand one final time. Carver would often find himself at the beach late at night to enjoy the cool wind on his skin or his fur, the briny sea air mixed with his cig was his favorite smell. His younger brother, Colby Cash, came to the beach for a different reason. Colby enjoyed extreme sports, if the sport wasn't putting his life at risk then he wasn't interested. In the early morning, the skinny wolf would spend his time at the beach surfing, wakeboarding or windsurfing with equipment he also made himself. In the afternoon he'd hike to Mount Nith and climb as high as he could go and then ride down on his dirt bike or mountain board. Colby never seemed to care about his health or body. He had broken every bone in his body at least once and had a permanent room in their clinic.

Colby sat on his surfboard as still as a statue staring straight ahead at the calm ocean waiting for waves that refused to come. At the water's edge stood Carver and he watched his brother be gently moved by the ocean for a few moments. His mind wandered briefly to the human world before he shook his thoughts out of his mind. He called Colby's name twice and got no response for him. The ocean's roar wasn't that loud enough for Colby not to hear him, the boy was lost in his thoughts it seemed. As far as Carver was concerned, his brother didn't have a brain. He was pretty sure that Colby's skull was full of brain paste so he was very curious to know what he was thinking about. On the ground next to Carver was a thick piece of driftwood, riddled with small barnacles. Carver picked up the rough board, took aim and flung it as hard as he could at his brother. It connected with a low thud on the back of Colby's head. He turned his head slowly, dull surprise on his face when he saw Carver. Colby paddled close enough to Carver so he could hear him and still stay in the ocean.

“Why'd you...why'd you do that?” Colby asked softly and slowly like he struggled with the words.

“Because you weren't paying attention when I called you.” Carver replied arms crossed as usual.

“Oh. That's a...that's a good reason to throw something at someone. Sorry.” If it was anyone else, Carver would take that as a sarcastic joke. His brother was too slow for that.

“Apology accepted, don't make me do it again or I'll beat you with the board next time. I'm leaving today, I've come to say goodbye. Don't rip off an arm or somethin'.” When Carver received no answer, he shrugged and turned on his heel to leave. Two steps away from the water was when Colby spoke again.

“Mkay. Did you wanna go surfing with me, Carv? Gonna have to wait. No waves since this morning.”

Carver stopped walking and rubbed his forehead. “Did you not hear what I said? I'm leaving today.”

“Are you leaving right now?” Colby asked, quicker this time.

“No, but I'm not taking off my clothes to play in the water. Have you been sitting out here just waiting for the waves to come? Go do something else before a shark mistakes you for food.” Carver turned back around, arms folded.

“Nah, I wanna surf. I'll wait. I made a new board and I wanna see if it's good. I'm going to the city tomorrow with Miss Jasmine. I get to skateboard allll day tomorrow.” When it had to deal with things he liked, Colby had more life in his voice but it was still monotone.

“Well good for you. Life has been great since your lobotomy.” Carver chuckled softly. “Anyway, good-”

“-you can come too if you want. I can teach you how to skate.” Colby looked down at the ripples in the ocean. “...though we gotta get you skates...I don't have money...could make 'em. No, that didn't work well. Maybe this time it will.” Colby raised his eyes to meet Carver again. Carver once found his hand on his forehead.

“Today is the day I leave. Remember?” Carver sighed and dropped both his hands to his side. The calmness of the beach did nothing to soothe him now, his mouth in a thin white line to keep him from yelling at his dense brother.

“Nope.” Colby furrowed his brow, trying to remember when Carver ever told him that.

“Of course you don't. I'm heading to Panorama Cove with Reti to go to school. She and I are gonna live up there with the humans.” Carver dragged his hand through his hair, accidentally undoing the half pony tail it was in.

“School? But we went to school already...why are you going back? I didn't know Miss Jasmine had a school in the human world.” Colby's brow furrowed again.

“I'm going to college, not Miss Jasmine's school. College, Colby. I'm going to college. Reti and I are leaving and never coming back so we can go to college. You get that?” Carver prayed to whatever god that Colby would understand.

“Oh right. Right. College. For adults. But...” Colby tapped his finger against his surfboard.

“Yeah?”

“If college is a school for adults...how come you are going?” Colby asked head cocked to the side. “You aren't an adult.”

“I'm almost twenty-goodbye Colby.” Carver threw up his hands and turned towards the forest.

“Goodbye Carver. See you tomorrow.” Colby waved although Carver could not see it.

“No, you won't. I'll be gone, remember?” Carver stuffed his hands into his pockets and left Colby bobbing in the ocean.

“Oh. See you tomorrow then.”

Floral wildflowers and decomposing leaves rid the smell of the ocean from Carver's nose. In the mix of that, he could also smell the scent of his youngest brother not too far from him. Carver correctly guessed that he was headed his way, so he leaned against a tree marked for logging while he waited for him to catch up. Carson Cash had a sheen of sweat, on his smooth face as he glared daggers at Carver who only quirked one brow upwards. They stared each other down for twenty slow seconds. Carson had been working out exactly what he wanted to say in his mind.

Carson was regarded as the runt of the litter, only slightly taller than their sister. For that, he was picked on a lot by other wolves, mainly his brothers and their father. The brother's jabs were out of love but it still heavily annoyed Carson since their father's teasing wasn't. Their father meant every cruel word he ever said about his youngest son. Carson hated his father but wanted nothing more than to impress him and would constantly get in fights to prove he was just as good as his brothers. The fights and battle scars never earned him the respected the lanky wolf desperately wanted.

Carver rubbed his forehead, trying to will away a growing headache. “Carson-”

“-You're a coward, Carver. A complete, selfish coward. I hoped...I really hoped that you'd cancel this stupid thing.” Carson paused and squeezed his eyes tightly shut. Carver could smell salt coming from his eyes. “You're such a bastard...”

“I'm not a coward but I am a selfish bastard. I think I deserve to be a selfish bastard after everything that happened.” Carver replied, just as monotone as Colby.

“You're our leader of our pack, Carver. Leaders just don't go abandoning their pack! A true leader would suck it up and put their needs last!” His voice cracked, tears freely flowing now.

“I guess I am not a 'true leader'. I'm fine with that. I do find it funny though that you have the nerve to be lecturing me about being a 'true leader' when you are too cowardly to be true to yourself, runt.”

Carson's cheek's turned red again. “Sh-Shut up! This isn't about me, it's about you! And don't call me a runt or I'll make you swallow your fangs!”

Carver leaned his head against the tree and laughed. “Don't make me stain my clean clothes with your blood, runt.”

“Stop calling me a runt!” Carson bellowed. Wolves walking on the bridges up above paused their going on to look down at them. They could taste the tension in the air.

Carver rolled up his sleeves and pushed himself off the tree. He held out his arms and grinned wide enough for his upper fangs to poke out. “Come at me, crybaby runt.”

Carson lunged towards Carver with teeth bared and claws extended, in his eyes his brother was gone and replaced with a hunk of meat and flesh he wanted to tear apart. Carver sidestepped him and stuck his foot out, tripping the angry wolf. Carson lost his footing and fell forward, not connecting with the ground because of Carver grabbing him by his long pony tail and hoisting him back up into Carver's arms. Carson was immediately put into a choke hold, his throat being squeezed tightly. Carson gasped for air and ripped up Carver's arms with his sharp claws. The wolves above made no move to help him, they knew better to get in-between a fight between one of the Cash brothers.

“You always bit more than you could chew, runt. You never learn your lesson.” Carver whispered in Carson's ear. “You never think, you just charge. That's a death sentence.”

“Let...me...go!” Carver pressed his arms even tighter against his throat. “I-I can't...I...I can't breathe!”

“I'll let you go once you say you give up. That better be the next sentence out of your mouth or I'll crush your throat and leave you here.” Carver's muscles tightened more.

“I....I....I give up! Let me go!” Carson wheezed out. True to his word, his throat was let go and he was pushed hard onto the ground. He dug his fingers into the dirt when he hit it, sucking in air to refill his lungs. “I. Hate. You.” He said and repeated until her coughed.

Carver knelt next to him, patting Carson's back. “You don't mean it. You never mean it. Start training unless you wanna be a runt forever. You might actually hit me if you work hard enough. Goodbye baby brother.”

“Don't touch me!”Carson hissed and smacked Carver's arm away. “Go there and stay there, bastard. We won't miss you.”

“That's why you're crying right? Because you won't miss me?” Carver stood back up and looked at his bloody arms, the claw marks already healing. “Least you didn't mess up my sweater.”

Carver could feel the heated stare from his brother on his back as he walked towards the town square. The boy's anger did not bother him and neither did the somber looks from his the other pack members. In their own way, they had tried to convince Carver to stay and lead the pack, Carver's mate spearheading the campaign. Not even she could get him to stay and she tried everything. She cooked for him, they sparred to determine if he would leave or stay, and deep in the forest, she let him give into his more primal urges on her. All of Carver's favorite things could not change his mind, tiring for his mate but all around a fun month and a half for Carver.

Back at the town square, Carver saw his mate, Kanti, and his little sister, Charlie, sitting on the wooden fountain having a pleasant chat. Charlie's eyes lit up at seeing her brother while Kanti folded her arms and crossed her legs and avoided his gaze. Carver gave up caring about her displeasure long ago. He rolled up his sleeves and dunked his arms in the fountain. His blood vanished into the rippling water.

“What happened, brother!” Charlie inhaled sharply and took her brother's arm, looking him over.

“Carson happened. I'm fine. He's sucking up all of our air.” Carver rolled down his sleeves after Charlie let him go.

“Are you okay, Carver?” Kanti asked, nose still in the air and not looking at him. Venom in her voice made Charlie wince.

“Lose the fucking attitude, Kanti. I'm not in the mood.” Carver's cupped some water in his hands and splashed his face. “You really want to argue with this crowd here? Don't make me embarrass you.” Kanti quickly got up and cut through the crowd, vanishing behind the trees.

“Did you have to be so mean, Carver? She's really upset you are leaving.” Charlie splashed water onto her brother's face.

“Cut it out, Charlie and keep out of it. She'll get over it.” Carver wiped the water away from his working eye. “Clint at the garage, yes?”

“Yeah, still working on that piece of crap.” Charlie raised and dropped her shoulders. She surprised Carver with a tight hug around his arms. “Don't fully forget about us, okay? You better call me or I'll come there and embarrass you in front of all your human friends.”

“I'll call when I can, Charlie.” Carver pulled away and stood up, the hug was long enough for him. “Try and get some of these assholes out of here. It's not a damn send off party.” Carver glared at the wolves milling around the town square. They avoided his eyes.

“Uh, I'll try.” Charlie shrugged again and stood up as well, going to the elders.

Instead of heading to Clint Cash's makeshift garage, he followed Kanti's scent to her home close to the outskirts of their property. She was waiting for him, posed as before on her swinging chair and glaring straight at him. Carver sat next to her on the chair and it tipped slightly from his weight. Carver broke their silence by sighing and sitting back into the chair and slung an arm around her stiff shoulders.

“Whatever you want to say, Carver, save it. Just like you, I'm not in the mood. You're leaving me behind, leaving the pack behind and you are taking, of all people, Reti with you. After everything that happened, you take her. I-I just don't even know who you are anymore.” Kanti shifted her body away from him, sniffling.

“Kanti stop with the dramatics. First, you could have come with us. You messed up your own paperwork knowing how seriously the Collectors take our kind living with humans. Second, Reti had nothing to do with what happened to you. I'm getting tired of you blaming her for something out of her control! Something that is actually my fault!”

“You would take her side. Is that why you and I haven't collected moon water?” Kanti asked, bitterness in her voice.

“Oh yes. That is the reason. Reti and I fucking every single day is what is keeping me from setting up the ceremony and, ya know, not running an entire fucking pack by myself! No, fucking my kin is what I've been doing.” Carver yanked his arm away. “Your logic doesn't even make sense. Why would she fuck me if all she can think about is him!?”

Kanti leaned forward and rested her head in her hands. “Carver...I...I just don't trust her. I'm worried she might hurt you. She was obsessed with him. What if she runs out of her pills?”

“She wasn't obsessed, she imprinted on him and it doesn't make her violent. She isn't a wild animal either. If she runs out of pills, she'll just mope and roam around pining for a dead man. That's what she did last time.” Carver put his hand on her leg and squeezed it gently. “How many times do I have to tell you she's kin before you believe me?”

“I would have believed you a long time ago if you got rid of her when you killed him.”

“I'm done Kanti. I'm not having this fucking argument moments before I leave.” Carver dropped his hand from her leg, standing from the chair. “When you get your shit fixed, let me know so we can get you into the human world. You can only come once you stop being a cunt.”

“Do what you are good at and run away, bastard.” Kanti stood up as well and went into her house, slamming her front door. Carver didn't care and left to find his last brother, Clint Cash.

The birds nesting in the trees scattered into the sky when the loud sound of an engine roared to life, followed by a gleeful laugh. Carver approached the workshop just as gray smoke billowed from the garage, Clint scrambling out of the garage for air. Clint coughed the smoke from his lungs, leaning forward onto his knees, cursing between coughs. The pack had a love/hate relationship with Clint. On one hand, he could be very entertaining and funny, bringing the sun to your gloomy day. On the other, his inability to stop talking, mostly about things you shouldn't in mixed company, got on many's wolves nerves. The sleepy-eyed wolf didn't care about what others thought of him, he changed for no one.

“YO! Carver! Wass up?” Clint paused to cough more smoke out of his lungs “Ah..shit. I know what it looks like, but it's good. No fire. No fire.“Clint turned his head to cough more. “Fuck that burns...burns pretty g-good. Can I get high from this?” Clint straightened up and breathed in the smoke coming from his motorcycle.

“Clint. That's how people kill themselves. Are you trying to kill yourself? You need to get in the garage and close the door. Here, I'll help.”

“Nah, nah. Sasha's air filter might be clogged. Easy fix, easy fix!” Clint wiped his hands clean on a dirty, oily rag. “So, big brother, coming to say goodbye? I was gonna find you.”

“Mmhm.Try not to drive Cirk crazy. If he calls me to complain about you, I will tear you up next time I see you.”

“I ain't gonna be around to bother that man-whore.” Clint's grin was lopsided, a fang peeking out. “I'm leaving too and you are the first person I told!” Clint put his hands on his hips, looking triumphant.

“You're leaving...the pack...” Carver said slowly, eyes widening. “To where? The human world? Please tell me no.”

“I'm not going to the human world, I'm moving to White Pearl with my friend Ruth. We are opening up a garage there!” Clint pumped his fist in the air. “I can't fucking wait to get started!”

“That weird hybrid chick that hangs around here sometimes? You guys are going into business together? You guys a thing?” Carver asked, scratching his chin. “ You sure you want to do that, I mean...you suck at fixing anything let alone cars.”

Clint flipped his brother off and stuck out his pierced tongue. “I ain't a thing with no one and screw you! I'm good and fixing cars and bikes when I got the right shit. Can't really fix up Sasha proper like with the stuff I got now.”

“How did you even get the money for all this? You are broke as shit.” Carver bent his neck forward. “Did you rob some city wolf?”

Clint laughed and slapped his knee. “I shoulda done that! I had been doing odd jobs in the city and saving up. Ruth went in halfway with me and took care of all the other details. She got the loan, the parts we might need, hired the workers, got the building fixed up, got the advertisements-”

“-so she did everything while you just fucked around in the city?” Carver shook his head, smiling slightly. “Poor girl doesn't know what she's getting into with you.”

“Hey! I helped 'ya know! My money got a good chunk of the loan down aaaaand I'm the one who knows how to fix stuff. Anyway! We are opening up in a few days, gotta get Sasha all pretty and purring for the grand opening. Think you can make it when I cut the ribbon. “Clint clasp his hands together under his chin, batting his eyes.

“Probably not. School might have me swamped. Also, I don't care enough to waste money on a portal.” Carver looked at his watch. “I have to go...good luck, Clint. I hope you do well so I can see less and less of you.”

“Aww, I love you too Carver. I hope you do well up there. The others might not get why 'ya leaving but I do.” Clint gazed around the forest and at the dissipating into the leaves.“This place is sullied. Can't stand being here no mo'. Can't remember the last time I had a good night's sleep.”

Carver nodded slowly. “Call the papers, I actually agree with you.”

“I can't see ya off in the portal. Gotta get Sasha working for the long trip ahead. I'll miss ya brother.” Clint opened up his arms. “Hug ya favorite brother!”

“You are nowhere close to being my favorite, dumb ass.” Carver waved once and headed back to the square one final time.

Back at the square, the portal door was opened and the wolves were staring at something inside of it. He saw what they were staring at once he got closer to the door and it was a young woman who had no idea a portal had opened up behind her. Her face was hidden by her hands and Carver could hear faint sniffling sounds. Even through the portal, the smell of blood invaded his nose. Reti was going to share a dorm with a vampire, one that seemed upset to even be there.

“Great, another crybaby I have to deal with. And she's a bloodsucker. Fantastic.” Carver said to Reti as the stood side by side in front of the portal.

“Be nice Carver. Are we sure she's a vampire? She looks...alive?” Reti asked in a hushed voice, stroking her chin.

“She has to hide her skin like we got to hide our wolf form.” Carver also talked in a hushed tone for reasons he wasn't sure of. “At least she seems to have a brain.”

“You say goodbye to everyone?” Reti asked, her gaze not lifting from the vampire's back.

“Yes oh dictator. I said goodbye to all of my siblings.”

“Me making you be kind to them makes me a dictator, hm?” Reti chuckled. “It's good you did, you know it is. I'll be nice and not force you to say anything to the crowd behind us.”

“Good because I wasn't.”

“Are you ready to go? Our new life is right over the threshold.” Reti broke her gaze and looked up at Carver. “Want me to hold your hand as we cross?” She failed at hiding her smirk behind her hand.

“Touch me and I'll smack you across the face.””

Carver went in first with Reti close behind him, the vampire still did not notice and kept sobbing into her hands. The door closed silently and vanished behind them, Reti let out the breath she had been holding. The vampire raised her head and turned around, coming face to face to the werewolves. Her eyes, with dark makeup dripping from them, widened as far as they would go.

“Golly gee...” The vampire finally spoke, fake eyes taking in the two in-front of her. “Real live werewolves...”

“'Golly gee'? Where the hell are you from?” Carver's upper lip raised slightly “You got crap all over your face.”

“Oh! Yeah, I know...”The vampire looked somber as she dug into her purse for a napkin and her makeup. “I ruined my makeup. I-I usually look much better than this.” Her smile reached her eyes.

“I doubt it.” Reti dug her elbow into Carver's side when Penny's smile quickly dropped.

“Forgive him, he isn't fully house broken yet.” She gestured to Carver. “This is Carver and I am Reti. What's your name?”

The vampire stopped digging in her purse, toothily grinning at the werewolves again. “My name is Penny. Penny Peverelli. Nice ta' meet cha'.”