NORTON
I stood in the middle of the room with my mother, Lucille, and my adopted sister, Ayla, when the door swung open. In walked Benjie, our cousin, with a swagger that made my skin crawl. His presence was unwelcome, especially after the rumors that he had allied himself with the rogue werewolves. I glared at him, my fists clenching at my sides.
“What are you doing here, Benjie?” I asked, “Alpha Jake has already cast you out before.”
Benjie laughed, a mocking sound that echoed off the walls. “Oh, come on, Norton. That fool alpha is dead now. I can come back whenever I want,” he replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
“Dead?” I felt a rush of emotions, anger and disbelief swirling within me. “You think this is a joke? Alpha Jake is dead, and you think you can just waltz back in like
