Read Online Reluctantly Lycan by Jez Strider - Free Book Online Page A

city.” Mara found the makeshift roadblock and tried to pull the heavy log out of the way. “Did they really need a log this big? No one even knows this overlook is up here anymore.”
    Jak ran over and pushed while she pulled. He was too skinny and lacking of muscle to do much. It wasn’t budging. He stopped shoving and panted from the exertion. “What do we do now?”
    “We would have to walk. Let’s wait in the car until morning. Someone will probably leave by then and move the barricade.” She dusted her hands off on her jeans and headed back to the car.
    “This sucks.” Jak mumbled, joining her in the midsized car.
    “It was your idea.”
    He shot her a frown, reached into a shopping bag from the convenience store, and grabbed a bag of chips. “What does Kaden do anyway? Like for a job?” He crunched loudly on the snack then sucked the cheese off his fingers.
    “I don’t know. Take care of the pack. His father owned a business in town. Some of the pack worked there. Made handcrafted, traditional knives and things. Tourists love that stuff.”
    “What about your parents?” He asked.
    Marala was anxious and irritable. She rubbed her eyes and leaned against the headrest. “Mom homeschooled the children whose parents wouldn’t let them go to public school. Dad was high pack. They’re protectors of the village. Make sure wild animals don’t hurt the weaker people or kids. Repair things… hunt if things gets rough.”
    “And a hunter shot them?” Jak rolled down the top of the chip bag, the way the conversation was going appeared to make him lose his appetite.
    “I was young. Eight. They were out for a run. Wolves do that. Helps with the stress. When they didn’t return, the pack went out and found the blood trail. The hunters were long gone with the bodies.” Mara hated recounting the memory, but the time for lies had passed.
    “Sorry that happened. Who took care of you?”
    “Everyone. I stayed with Levi and Elle. You’ll like them if they’re still around.” She turned her head to the side and studied Jak. “You okay?” She sure wasn’t. Thinking about her parents, the past, coming home. It was almost too much.
    He nodded. “Yeah. It’s so quiet. No cars or police sirens.”
    “Try to get some sleep.” She ruffled his hair and he swatted at her hand.
    “I’m almost a wolf, Mom. You can’t do that.”
    She kept the frown of f her face, but only barely. “Goodnight, Jak.”
    “’Night.” He slipped an ear bud in each ear and closed his eyes.
    So much for the quiet.
     
    Kaden let loose a slew of curses when a tree branch smacked across his face. He’d been tromping through the forest all day and night with no sign of The Wanderer. Kade hated all the mumbo jumbo about the moon, medicine men, and bonding. He believed in it, but despised being bound to it all. Maybe it was the lack of a stable counterpart to sate his lust. Or the ever present emptiness in his life. Half of him was gone. A normal wolf would have leapt off a cliff by now.
    “Where are you, Wanderer?” He yelled loudly, sending lesser critters scurrying.
    Nothing. Then a whisper all around him. “You know what to do. You’ve done it before.” The ghostly voice said.
    “I am no longer the pathetic pup that came to you. As pack leader, I command you to reveal yourself.” Kaden kept his voice steady, though whispers in the woods would make almost anyone want to turn tail and run.
    The Wanderer stepped through a cluster of maple trees. He wore a blindfold. His visions did not come from his eyes, but from within his mind. He was dressed in common clothing, offerings from the other wolves at his shrine. Kaden had never left any gifts.
    “Pack leader? In title or action? All I hear is discordant howls among the pack.”
    “I don’t have time for games.”
    The man lifted one finger to his mouth. “Shh. Listen.” He held one hand up to his ear. “They don’t believe in you.”
    Kaden growled lightly. “No, shit.