Wolf Heart

Chapter 3

    “What do you want?” Carson yelled at the supposedly unknown person standing outside his door. 

    “I’m coming in Carson.” Fagen’s voice emanated from the hallway. The door creaked open to reveal a very displeased alpha on the other side. Even though Carson played the role of the disobedient son, he still knew who his alpha was, and could feel the weight of his authority as he entered the room.

    Fagen took a seat on the chair by Carson’s desk that was littered with homeschooling subject books and notebooks from last year’s curriculum. Carson was lying on his bed pretended to stare at his phone, though the screen was black.  

    “So I heard from your teachers and Aria that you left without going to a single class today?” Fagen said in a much calmer tone than Carson was expecting. He glanced at the alpha from behind his phone like it was a shield. 

    “I couldn’t handle the smell. I went to the river to wash it off. What’s the big deal anyway, you knew I wouldn’t just go along with this stupid idea of yours.” Carson argued, but still not dropping his Samsung shield. 

    Fagen didn’t answer right away, he just looked around Carson’s room with a blank expression. There was no reading the emotions or thoughts of this man. Even though he was old for an alpha, that didn’t make him any less impressive than the ones Carson had learned about. 

    “I know you don’t care to take over my position correct, Carson?” Fagen finally spoke, though it seemed every time he opened his mouth today something surprising to Carson came out. 

    “I’ve never cared about taking alpha from Kenzo, I know that’s his future, not mine.” Carson replied, the same response he gives to everyone that asks this question. Technically as the alpha’s only son, Carson has a claim to the alpha position, but as an adopted son Carson never felt right about gaining that title without any qualifications he didn’t earn. Without a true son, the next in line for alpha was the eldest son of the Beta, which was Kenzo. 

    “Even if I told you I would rather my future alpha be you?” Carson looked at Fagen in complete disbelief. Was the old man ACTUALLY going crazy? 

    “Kenzo is a fine young man, but he is very arrogant. He grew up believing that being alpha was his birthright in the absence of Cory. That kind of mindset is not good for the future of my pack.” Fagen explained. He has never shared his thoughts on the younger pack members before. He always made it seem like he treasured them all equally, at least in Carson’s opinion.

    Despite the explanation, there was still a part missing. “Okay but then how am I any better than Kenzo? I’ve only been in the pack for six years. I can’t be the next alpha. I never wanted to be.” Carson explained his side, though he has said all this before. 

    “Carson, you have a good heart. You love your fellow packmates. But I’m not saying because I think you would be better you have to be alpha. In fact it’s completely up to you.”

     The more Fagen spoke the less today’s events made sense to Carson. This conversation was not giving him any answers, at least not the ones he was looking for. 

    “This is cool and all that you think that highly of me old man, but mind explaining the part where me being forced to go to your high school is all about?” Carson tried to steer the explanations in the direction he wanted. He needed to convince Fagen he didn’t need to do this. 

    “A good alpha knows what is best for their pack, but this includes both the packs wolf and human sides. You can’t keep shutting out the human world around you if you want to be a good leader Carson.” 

    “But I just said I don’t want to be alpha. So what is all this really for? Spit it out already.” 

    “Did you know you can completely embrace one of your forms?”

    Carson took a second to process what that meant. Completely embrace? “Like, I can be a wolf...and stay a wolf? No human side at all?” Carson thoughts turned into a question as he stared in amazement at his father. 

    Carson could be a full wolf, never have to deal with his disgusting human side again? Could the old man be pulling a prank? He wouldn't do that right? 

    Carson’s mind was racing with the possibilities, but Fagen grabbed his attention again. 

    “Yes, just as you said. I can teach you how, but I have one condition. You must attend Riversedge for the full year AND pass all your classes. Whether you become alpha, a full wolf, or stay as you are you must first truly experience what human life can give you before you decide anything. This is my offer. What do you say?”

    There were no words  to describe the emotions running through Carson’s body. The excitement from hearing that he could be full wolf, the surprise hearing that Fagen wanted him to be alpha, and the disgust of imagining being around so many humans for a full year. But it was clear to Fagen and Carson both that there was no way Carson would be turning down this offer. 

    “Do I have to have that little shrimp around all the time?” Carson asked, recalling the awkward creature from earlier. 

    Fagen chuckled. “Yes, I promised her something in return for her help as well. Go easy on her young wolf, she may seem timid but that one has a fighting spirit.” 

    “Do you have a crush on her or something? Geez old man, that’s gross.” Carson gave Fagen a hard time, but still sighed knowing he was going to have one rough year. 

    “Don’t go spreading rumors like that around my school. I’ll expel you and then you’ll never be a full wolf.” Fagen teasingly threatened, and then Carson realized how much weight this deal was going to have. Stupid old man, he will use this all year to make Carson follow every one of his rules. 

    But it didn’t matter. Carson was ecstatic. One hard year in exchange for the life he always wanted. His dreams will be filled with the feeling of wind through his fur and mud on his paws tonight.