Page 1 of Pucking Feral: Part Two

Chapter 1

Wraith

Ten Years Old

"This one, Dad?"

I don't like calling James that.

And I wish Mom didn't want me to. But she says James might be happy if I do. I want him to like me. He doesn't now, but maybe someday.

"That's the one."

His voice is different today. Today it's almost... nice?

He's usually angry.

I grab the wrench. I'm clumsy and my hands are too big. My hockey coach says I might be seven feet tall when I'm done growing. I'm definitely going to be an alpha.

Mom always tears up when people say that.

Dad was a tall alpha, too. Really tall.

I wish he could see me play hockey.

Maybe if I do really good today, James will come to my game on Saturday. Mom says he might, if I ask nice enough, and if I'm good all week.

"Here!" I say loudly. I can't help it. I'm excited.

James sticks a cigarette in his mouth, takes the wrench, and moves a few cans over to the side of the car where we're working.

"Don't touch that one," he says, jerking his head toward it. I can't read the worn out label on the large dark brown bottle, but I know a skull and crossbones warning symbol when I see one. "I know you're fuckin' clumsy. That one right there? That'll melt your face off."

He says it like it's exciting.

I give it plenty of space.

"I won't," I promise him. "What do we need it for?"

He pauses, looking at me funny, his cigarette bobbing in his teeth.

"It's a surprise, kid," he drawls, turning.

"Okay!"

"You're getting big," he continues, busying himself with the tools and not looking at me. "Every day you look more like..."

He stops, but I know what he means.

More like Dad.

I don't remember him much. But Mom tells me stories about him all the time. How strong he was, how brave, how he could lift her up with one arm and spin her around until she laughed so hard she couldn't breathe.

He was a hero, she says. He died fighting bad guys.

"Can you slide under there and check the oil pan?" James points under the car. "You're skinny enough to fit. Go in legs first, on your back."

I don't know if I will. I'm already as big as James. But I'll do anything if it means he wants me around. Maybe if I do a good job, he'll teach me more stuff. Maybe we can work on cars together every weekend.