What We Are

Chapter 7: Half-Truths

Every werewolf in the Axel Pack knew and honored the story of how Oliver and Erin Axel, Head Alpha and Head Luna at the time, had bravely took on a group of seven vampires all so they could give their only son a chance to escape.

The police had reported it as an attack made by rogue vampires who most likely wanted to take credit for the deaths of the Axel Pack's leaders.

Except the vampires were killed as well.

Nobody knew the whole true story.

Dean tried not to think about that night too often now.

But today, on his twenty-sixth birthday—like every other birthday since he was thirteen—Dean's mind kept reeling back to the aching fact that his parents were not here.

He'd been standing in front of the full length mirror in his room for a while now, way longer than he normally would care to stare at his reflection. He got his father's looks, that's what everyone said to him. Thick, jet black hair, deep-set eyes, angular jaw, broad shoulders—he got all that from his alpha father, including the pure black fur of his werewolf form.

It was a shame he didn't get much of his mother's genetics. Dean would've liked inheriting her eye color—grey, with speckles of blue around them. Erin Axel had been one of the loveliest werewolves to ever live in Red Village. While Dean couldn't possibly check with every single occupant that's come and gone in their village in the past century, he understood why so many people believed that statement about his mother. All his memories of her beauty both inside and out, her intelligence, her silent yet undeniable strength—they were proof of that.

It's been thirteen years since their deaths. Dean still remembered their faces like they were with him just yesterday. The framed portraits in his living room certainly helped with that.

Three sharp knocks on his front door snapped him out of his sentiments. Dean squared his shoulders, ran one hand to smooth down his hair, and went to see who it was.

Iman was grinning when the door swung open. "You look nice." That's about as good a compliment as Dean was going to get from the alpha.

Dean's wearing Claude's present for him; a forest green, turtle neck top. The sleeves stopped a few inches past his elbows, the fabric thin enough for a summer night. It fit perfectly, hugging Dean's upper torso but not uncomfortably.

He and Claude have only ever given each other gifts that weren't obvious to other people—a nice shirt, sunglasses. On his twenty-fourth birthday, Claude got Dean a phone charger and wireless headsets. They didn't plan this tradition per say. The fact that it was easy to pretend they had bought it for themselves was just a bonus.

"Thanks." In turn, Dean scanned Iman's outfit. "I can see your n*****s through that shirt."

Iman Hussain, shameless as ever, arched his chest outwards to expose more of his skin through the mesh fabric of his top (which seemed more like a net that was sewn to resemble a shirt). He'd paired the incredibly revealing top with jeans that, if they were any tighter, could probably cut off his blood circulation. "It should already give you a clue about where tonight's celebration's going to be."

"You're my driver?"

Iman gave a theatrical bow and extended his hand out. "I'm here to escort you to your carriage, Your Majesty. "

Dean scoffed. "Let me grab a few things." He left the door open, grabbing his phone and his wallet on top of the coffee table he'd built himself. It was sturdy, though definitely not a piece people would buy for aesthetics.

"I heard that you got home late last night." Iman followed Dean inside, closing the door. That could only mean they were going to have a talk before leaving.

Dean tried not to look at this like he was being cornered. "I had to take care of something in the city."

Iman nodded slowly, crossing his arms as he pursed his lips in thought. He regarded Dean with an arched eyebrow.

Dean had made sure to wash Claude's gift before putting it on, that way even if Iman got close he wouldn't be able to get a whiff of Claude's scent—a vampire's scent.

"You went to the city just after the sun had set, then you came back after midnight, the day before your birthday."

Dean kept his stance casual, feigning he had no idea why Iman was being so suspicious. "Yes. And?"

"And," Iman said. "If I were anybody else, I wouldn't have suspected that you were lying. But I've known you since we were both just a couple of scrawny kids. I can tell when you're hiding something, Dean."

Dean shook his head, pocketing his phone and his wallet. "You're reading too much into this, Iman."

Iman unfolded his arms and gestured wildly at Dean. "See, that's the thing! At first I thought I was just imagining the amount of times you left the village in a month for some unknown reason, which is definitely unlike you. I brought it up with Pearl, and she also had no clue where you ran off to. Then, I brought it up with Finn that day I brought his parents a pie—"

"Did they like it?" Dean interjected smoothly, trying to distract Iman.

"Oh, they loved it. Finn glared at me for the first five minutes, but his parents were really welcoming. Overall, pretty successful." The satisfied smile immediately disappeared as Iman narrowed his gaze. "I know you're trying to change the topic. Finn didn't tell me anything other than to respect your privacy, which I am—"

"You are?"

"I am," The alpha emphasized. "Because I'm not going to force you to tell me where it is you go to or what it is you're doing. I'll let you do your thing, as long as it's not putting yourself or the Pack at risk."

"I'm not putting anything at risk." Dean hanging out at Claude's apartment was far from putting himself at risk... but not everyone will see it that way. Which was why Dean chose to withhold this information for the meantime. "I'm not doing anything illegal, Iman. I wouldn't do anything that could harm the Pack."

Iman only stared, thick brows knotting in the middle of his forehead. He didn't seem satisfied yet. "You wouldn't lie to us, I know that much. You're too righteous for that. It's why you keep telling us these half-truths. I can't figure out why exactly you don't want to tell us where you head off to."

Iman was correct about that. Not the part about Dean being too righteous—Dean didn't like lying to his closest friends. If he expected them to be honest about their opinions on his leadership skills and decisions as Head Alpha, then he had to be truthful to them too.

If Dean had said that he was visiting a friend, they'd want to know who it was. Then they'd ask Dean to invite his friend over to Red Village.

Lies got tangled up, and the consequences were always messy, so Dean tried his best not to lie.

He just simply didn't tell the whole truth.

"Shouldn't we be going now?" It was a feeble attempt to drop the subject, but it was nearly seven, and Pearl had strict instructions about Dean arriving to his party on time.

"Just tell me something." Iman looked desperate now. "A clue about where you went, so my mind's not convinced you were out picking bar fights with strangers or joining in those fighting pits where they bet between werewolves and vampires."

Dean tensed. The mere thought of a vampire and a werewolf brawling for other people's entertainment in those illegal fighting pits made his stomach churn. "Don't even joke about those underground fighting pits."

"Definitely not that then, or anything close to that," Iman concluded, something passing over his face. "You know what? Your reaction convinced me. We can go now."

-----

Iman drove into New Oasis City, glancing at Dean not-so-subtly numerous times, obviously fishing for a reaction or a clue that'll tell him where Dean went.

Dean didn't call out the other alpha for it since he certainly wasn't going to give away anything.

Funnily enough, wherever Iman was supposed to take him had them traveling past Claude's apartment (the lights on the front porch were on). Dean casually looked out of the passenger side window to the other side of the street.

Staring out of the passenger side meant that fifteen minutes later, Dean had a full view of Idyllic Innovations University, with its Georgian architecture consisting of white columns and symmetrical buildings looking like it didn't belong in such a crowded, urbanized district. The University's buildings alone were huge and covered a wide expanse, that's not even taking into account the amount of grass-covered mown lawns and metal fencing surrounding the campus.

Dean wondered how long it took Claude to memorize the layout of such a place.

As id Dean had summoned it, Iman suddenly brought up, "Did you know the next Gratia Clan Head Vampire goes to that school?"

There was an involuntary, unpleasant feeling in Dean's chest which he had to keep away from his face. He didn't like talking about Claude with anybody, much less with his friends who sensed whenever he was acting strange or suspicious. "Is that true?" He very calmly asked.

Iman had his eyes on the unmoving cars in front of them. Traffic was terrible. "You remember Jiden? He's a beta, lived in Red Village for a while, moved out with his parents before he turned eighteen. I bumped into him the other day when Pearl and I were finding the venue for your celebration. Jiden goes to I.I.U. He told me Zachariah and Alma Fernsby's only kid is going to become Head Vampire after he graduates."

Dean raised his eyebrows as he would if he were only finding out about this right now. "The current Gratia Clan Head Vampires are retiring soon?"

The traffic started moving. Iman stepped on the gas. "I highly doubt they'll just let the position fall into their child's hands and give up their own powers completely. The Fernsby kid—Claudius Fletcher?—yeah, Jiden told me nobody's got a good read on him. If Claudius got his parents' talents, apparently he's not showing much of it. Besides being a brainiac."

Dean's instinct made him want to defend Claude even though Iman hadn't said anything truly offending. He remained quiet; it was easy to do when he was with Iman. Iman had the uncanny ability to keep talking, his train of thoughts never-ending. "Maybe that's why his parents are making him take up the position so early, they're hoping it'll build the kid's character."

"You keep calling him kid." Dean forced his fingers to relax as they were threatening to grip the upholstery tightly. "Isn't Claudius about our age?"

"From what Jiden told me, Claudius just seems younger. I don't know, Dean. Have you ever heard of a future Fernsby Head Vampire who was a city boy? Because I haven't."

Now there was judgment in Iman's voice, and it bothered Dean a little too much. He turned his head towards Iman. "Why are we talking about this?"

"Because the more you know, the less you're taken by surprise." Iman didn't notice the unpleasant turn of Dean's lips, only focusing on getting them to their destination. "I doubt that Claudius Fernsby is going to go against his parents' example and start up trouble with our Pack, but in case it happens... at least you know what you're up against."

That was all sorts of wrong.

Dean knew the truth—he knew of Claude's true personality, of his wish for werewolves and vampires to co-exist harmony. Claude would never go up against any werewolf, Dean was positive of this. He just couldn't say any of this out loud.

Dean heaved out a sigh. "Why don't we just wait and see what becomes of Claudius Fernsby once he's actually Head Vampire." The words felt like paper in his mouth.

Iman nodded at Dean's suggestion, but only because the alpha was suddenly turning on his signal and taking a left turn. Whatever irritation Dean felt, he forcibly let it evaporate into nothing. He's used to doing that.

"I can't believe I didn't guess that you and Pearl chose this place."

Pay Per Bucket was a bar along the university district of New Oasis City. The bar was famous for its pay per bucket policy where you weren't allowed to order drinks unless you were ordering a bucket of them. This trend made the bar an ideal place for friends and uni kids to spend their nights at.

It was also the ideal place for Dean's birthday celebration considering the number of people he suspected were already waiting inside.

Iman parked at one of the last remaining empty spots and turned off his car engine, staring at Dean all serious-like. "Lina was actually the one who suggested we celebrate your birthday here."

"I think Lina's idea was great."

"Good. Now, make sure you have on your best smile," Iman said as he opened his door. "There's going to be tons of pictures and videos."

They must've rented out the whole place. All the vehicles in the parking lot were familiar. Dean had envisioned his Pack members jumping and yelling Surprise! when he came in.

He hadn't expected them to actually do it.

Some were holding silver and gold colored balloons, others jumped out from behind bar stools and tables for the full effect. The whole scene made Dean laugh in delight.

"Happy Birthday, Dean!" Lina's the first to approach him, Pearl not far behind.

Lina Kim was nearly a foot shorter than Dean, with a full figure and sharp facial features. Her copper-colored hair fell in a silky bob stopping just beneath her chin. The omega smiled widely at Dean, wrapping her thin arms around him.

"Thank you, Lina," Dean said, hugging the omega back just as tight. "I heard that you were the mastermind behind this."

"Were you surprised?" Pearl quirked her eyebrow at Dean. She was in overalls wearing only a sports bra underneath, the denim matching the blue of Lina's dress. They were the type of mated couple to wear matching outfits out.

Lina let go of Dean, narrowing her eyes. "Yeah, were you? Did Iman ruin the surprise? I swear, if he did—"

"Hey, hey." Iman stood beside Dean, feigning an affronted look. "Why would you think I couldn't keep this a secret?"

"Because you can't keep your mouth shut," Lina, Pearl, and Finn all answered in sync, making the whole room of about fifty people laugh.

Pearl swung her arm over Dean's shoulder, giving him a one-armed squeeze. "Happy Birthday, Head Alpha," She said to Dean, then she hollered to the awaiting guests. "Everyone, let's get this party started!"

Music began playing through the speakers immediately after she said that. Pearl most likely had the sound technician time with her words. She had a thing for dramatics.

Pearl also had a thing for drinking even before the festivities began. "How much have you had already?" Dean questioned, smelling the hard liquor from her breath.

The other alpha hummed in thought. "Not too many."

"We've been here for thirty minutes and she's already had three shots," Lina reported, shaking her head at her mate while trying not to smile.

"That means Pearl's just getting started," Finn grinned. The beta was in loose denim jeans, his muscle tee exposing his toned, freckled arms. Finn never usually wore outfits like this, but Dean thought his second-in-command pulled the look off nicely.

He wasn't the only one thinking so. "Finn Ledger." Iman came up right next to Finn, a glint in his eyes. "I think someone should call the police, 'cause it's a crime to look as good as you do."

Dean cringed at that. Physically cringed.

Finn didn't even seem fazed. "I think it's also a crime to wear fishnets as shirts."

Pearl snorted and Lina full-on laughed. Iman's smirk slid right off his face as he faced the rest of them. "What? I was trying to compliment him!"

"Come on, let's get some alcohol in your system." Pearl took Iman's wrist and pulled her fellow alpha closer to the bar. "Maybe then you'll come up with better pick-up lines. Honestly, that was just embarrassing."

Lina and Finn remained next to Dean. The omega met Dean's eyes, rubbing one hand over her other arm. "Dean, uhh.. well, it's.. I think Pearl mentioned it to you already? My friends—" Lina gestured to a corner of the bar where six familiar werewolves from Red Village were all seated at a booth, talking amongst themselves. "They said they're going to try and chat you up, or whatever it is they're planning to do. You don't owe me anything, so you don't have to pretend to be interested in any of them, just because they're my friends."

Thank goodness for Lina, truly. "Thanks for the heads-up."

Buckets filled with different bottled drinks kept being brought to tables as the night went on, along with nacho plates, sliders, and an assortment of fries. Dean made sure to approach everyone, thanking people who came while he was still fully sober. The second he took a seat by the bar, Iman pressed a cold beer bottle into his hand.

That was his first drink of many.

Dean's got a buzz going when a curvy, thin-lipped omega approached him, taking the bar seat next to his. "Happy Birthday, Dean. It's been a while since we last talked."

"Veronica," Dean recalled her name. "Thank you. I guess it has been a while, huh?"

Veronica had a bubbly personality, and she was great at starting conversations. Dean was alright talking with Veronica. He wasn't so okay with how forward she was with her advances, slowly scooting closer and closer to Dean until her knee was pressing to Dean's thigh.

Dean tried to not to notice it, but it was kind of hard to pretend that Veronica wasn't after a specific thing when she began to run her manicured fingernails up and down Dean's forearm. "It must get lonely, being Head Alpha and running the Pack all by yourself."

He was saved by Pearl, who whistled at Dean from where she was standing near the dart boards with two other werewolves. "Hey birthday boy, want to join us?"

Dean politely excused himself away from Veronica, bringing his unfinished bottle with him. Thankfully, she let him leave.

The booze continued to make the mood light and playful between everyone, which meant that even as he played darts with Pearl, Ned, and Eugene (both of whom were betas as well as Dean's acquaintances), omegas from the same group continued approaching him. This time, three of them came forward, one of them being Steph.

Steph simply greeted Dean before letting the two omegas with her take over. Unlike Steph and Veronica, Dean hadn't had much conversations with these girls. He knew their names—Janet was Owen Brown's grandchild (a Village Elder), and Vega Millison was still somewhat new to the Axel Pack; her family was welcomed to Red Village by Dean personally when he was twenty-two years-old.

Dean asked them both questions about their families, how life at Red Village has been treating them. They were kind to Dean, reassuring him that he was doing a remarkable job leading the Pack.

It was difficult not to wince whenever the two women would start talking over each other, cutting the other person off in hopes of grabbing Dean's attention again.

Before it got worse, Steph stepped in and suggested they all start making chit-chat with some of their other friends. Vega and Janet were reluctant to go, but Steph managed to persuade them with gentle tugs. Dean shot the omega a grateful look, and Steph winked back, telling Dean to slow down on the drinks with a quick squeeze on his arm.

Ned chuckled at the obvious way Dean's body slumped in relief once the trio had left. "You look too relieved for a guy who's got women throwing themselves at him."

"Not everyone is into that like you, Ned," Pearl chided, Lina's arms wrapped around her shoulders as her mate sat on a stool behind her.

Eugene finished throwing his last dart. It landed on the outer ring. Dean wasn't too tipsy yet to forget that Eugene's currently in the lead. "Why don't you just kiss someone, that way other people will stop trying to flirt with you?" The beta suggested jokingly.

"You offering there, Eugene?" Lina teased, her chin lowering to prop on top of Pearl's shoulder.

Eugene's laugh was a feathery sound which had him tilting his head back, exposing the long span of his neck. His blonde, curly hair moved with the action, blue eyes crinkling at the sides.

Dean thought that Eugene was quite an attractive man.

"I don't think I'm drunk enough for that," Eugene confessed, giving Dean a look.

"Have some more drinks, then you can try again later," Dean found himself saying, knowing full-well that Eugene was bisexual.

Eugene was shocked, but not as much as Lina or Pearl. Ned even paused from throwing his second dart, eyes widening in disbelief at what he just heard.

Surprisingly, Eugene was the fastest to recover.

He smirked at Dean. "Are you offering, Dean?"

Was he offering? Dean had no idea.

They were really only acquaintances at best, sharing conversation whenever they saw each other. Eugene and Ned were Pearl's friends first, and Iman was also close to the two betas. He's still trying to flirt with Finn, which explained why he's nowhere near them.

Eugene was all kinds of new and uncharted territory for Dean, but the beta's features and his actions were so damn familiar. The lilt in his voice, the way his blue eyes seemed brighter when he was teasing, almost challenging...

Eugene reminded Dean of—

That thought had Dean downing the last bit of his beer. Afterwards, he offered Eugene an apologetic smile. "Maybe some other time."

He didn't think it'd go so smoothly with the beta, but Eugene didn't seem too bummed out. If anything, his smile became wider. "Okay. Whatever you want."

Alright, Axel. Whatever you want.

Dean went to get more beer, mentally cursing his traitorous brain.

They're not even that similar, Dean found himself thinking. Claude's voice is much more pleasant to hear.

-----

Most of the Pack members got to the city by carpooling. It made sense that they all went home by convoy. Dean, Iman, and Finn all rode in Iman's car, with Dean driving because he was the least drunk out of the three of them.

"You had an eventful night," Dean said to Finn who was sat up front, Iman already fast asleep in the backseat.

Finn shuffled in his spot to get more comfortable. He tilted his lolling head, clearly drunk but not so much that he couldn't hold a conversation. The beta was a tired drunk who chose to fall asleep rather than continue drinking. "I could say the same about you," Finn said. "Eugene, huh?"

Dean cleared his throat. "Let's not."

"No judgment here," Finn grumbled, giving up in trying to maintain proper posture and slumping as far as his seatbelt allowed him. "S'not like none of us didn't know you preferred men over women."

"I don't prefer men over women," Dean admitted, whispering even though the car was utterly silent. "I... don't prefer women... at all."

There was a loaded pause.

"Is that why you kept asking what'll happen if you won't produce an heir?" Finn's voice became softer, approaching the topic cautiously. Dean could feel his second-in-command staring.

Dean flexed his fingers, unlocked his jaw. "Half of the reason."

Finn hummed. He shifted in his seat again and took a deep breath. Before Dean could believe that their conversation was over, Finn murmured loud enough for him to hear clearly, "Love whoever you want to, Dean. You owe it to yourself to be happy."