THE ALPHA’S ADDICTION

“Who is Maru?” Curtis asked Derek suddenly, after they have walked for sometime in silence, still in the forest.

The only words that had floated between them, had been when the latter had suggested that they walk, instead of shifting into their wolf versions, since the pack wasn’t that far away. He had a feeling that the main reason had been because of him. His cousin was looking out for him, knowing that he was slightly sore from the first shift, and might not be ready for a second one within a short span of time. And for that, he was grateful.

“Maru is my wolf.” Derek replied, a slight frown appearing on his face.

Curtis was sure he was communicating with the Maru, the big black Wolf.

“He is very big.” Curtis mumbled, unconsciously voicing out his thoughts, which made Derek smile in pride.

“Yes, he is.” He concurred, startling Curtis a bit. The latter hadn’t known that he had given his thoughts a voice.

“Well, thank him for me too. It really did a good job on those two back there.” Curtis said with a small smile, referring to the his two assailants which had been trying to prey on him in his weak state the previous night.

“You should feel his head swelling in pride.” Derek muttered, causing Curtis to smile more widely, a toothy smile.

Derek glancing at him, thought that he looked so much like Maya, that they could pass out as twins.

“Of course, they are siblings, with just two years apart.” Maru opined, as if talking to a little boy who needed fatherly wisdom, an action which made Derek scoff. His wolf was still basking in the euphoria of being called big.

“Wait.” Curtis said suddenly, as if hit by a thunderbolt, his eyes widening as something dawned on him.

Derek thought that something else had happened. He looked around them warily, but sensed nothing.This is property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

“What is it?” He asked, his forehead scrunching lines visible as he watched his cousin stare at him like in a trance.

“You haven’t had your birthday yet, right?” Curtis asked, a note of slight accusation, then worry, and awe, all mixed, in his voice.

“Yes. But I will in a few days time.” He replied, not yet catching on, on whatever his cousin wanted to imply; not understanding at all where the Blonde was going with his sudden question.

“And you have shifted already??” Curtis asked, his eyes widening the more, incredulity flooding his voice, as he halt in his movement.

“Well…” Derek stammered, not knowing how to act under his cousin’s awestuck scrutiny.

“How did it happen? That shouldn’t be possible.” Curtis stated flatly as if mentioning a natural fact.

“Yeah. You’re right. It’s not possible. It was a premature shift.” He answered, remembering the incident that had triggered his shift some weeks back. His mate had been in danger, and in that hazy state of anger, he had allowed his wolf, had let it out, since they communicated already on a daily basis since he had turned sixteen.

In his angry and scared state, he hadn’t felt the pain that came with the shift. His interest had sorely been on his little witch who had fainted some minutes earlier. It had been later, when they had gotten to the pack, that he had allowed himself to yield to his body’s need for rest and sleep, and he had slept for almost two days, without waking up for once.

“Premature? How did that happen? What caused it?” Curtis asked, intrigued by this new piece of information, as he resumed walking again, since Derek had picked up his steps again.

Derek continued walking, not knowing whether he should answer the question or let it be. It was true that his cousin had refused his father, Alpha Arnold’s offer last night, but that didn’t automatically buy him his trust.

“I know you’re wondering whether you should tell me, since I seem so affiliated with my father, but I tell you, that it is not so. You shouldn’t be deceived by what you see.” Curtis stated openly, and Derek sighed, knowing that the latter was saying the truth.

“Was it because of Emma?” Curtis asked, relentlessly, wanting an answer to this uncommon phenomenon.

“How do you know Emma?” Derek asked, his voice taking a deeper quality, as he stopped walking, turning now to look at his cousin, his eyes piqued up in query.

“Calm down, Derek.” Curtis replied, reading off Derek’s stance. The latter was on the edge.

“Well, I don’t know… Maya….” He stuttered, not knowing whether he should give away his sister’s shameful act.

“I know about Maya. Then, she told you?” Derek asked, understanding now the turmoil Curtis seem to be in. Still looking at his cousin, he knew the exact time that relief flood the latter’s features, when he comprehended the meaning of his statement.

“Not really. I eavesdropped when she was giving my father the report.” Curtis answered tentatively, knowing that the subject was still a sore one, judging by harsh look on his cousin’s face.

“I see..” Derek muttered, resuming his walk again, as he tried to shake off the feeling of resentment against his cousin, Maya. He has forgiven her. But he guessed that it would take more time to get over the betrayal.

“So, was I right in my assumption?” Curtis asked, not giving up on knowing the full gist of the story.

“Yes, she had been in danger. I had to protect her.” Derek replied, not wanting to go into details.

Curtis nodded, not knowing whether he should go on with his query. After some thinking, he decided to let it go, not forever of course, but for now. They were just getting to know each other as family for the first time, and he didn’t want anything to shorten it. He would have to curb his curiosity for now.

And so, he asked a less trivial question, hoping it was a safe ground.

“How did you get through the pains?” He asked

But even before Derek had placed a finger on his own lips suddenly, an indication that he should hush up, he already perceived the strange scent.

The stench of blood.

Someone nearby, was listening, and was bleeding.