“What about this mission sounds safe to you, Jonah?” Royce’s assertive voice was diminished by the fear that riddled it. His brow was knit with concern, and his stance guarded. Similar in height the two brothers shifted around one another as they spoke. Royce was broader in the shoulders and more established than his younger brother, who was more oval-shaped in the face, and body. His physical state told me all I needed to know as I marked the signs of neglect in his training.

“The kid is not only the strongest fighter but also the best tracker in the pack; he can transform in an instant. And he has dealt with his anger quite well over the last four years, Royce. You can cut him some slack. It’s been six years since Riz. He’s not the same out-of-control boy...” The hardwood stairs betrayed me, creaking under my weight, and Jonah ceased talking. His wild black and red hair would easily fall past his eyes if he didn't style it. Small but thick earrings stretched both lobes, his right ear hosted metal from top to bottom.

Heavy tension groped the room as it always seemed to do when I was present.’ Real subtle guys’ I was a popular topic when it came to endangering the pack. One mishap before I gained control over my shift, and I’m a monster for life. At least, that’s how Royce sees it. I finished my descent with an irritated sigh and went to the electronics zone to utilize the television.

As soon as I picked up the remote, it was swiped from my fingers by Jonah. He bounced over the back of the sofa and settled next to me. As the only person in the pack with the gall to get close to me, he’s also one of the few people I can easily talk to. Though I haven’t figured out if I like him or not. He propped his feet on the table, and I booted at his ankle. I met him with a single brow raised when he looked at me, confused. He sucked his teeth a moment before removing his feet.

“Okay mama’s boy,” he teased.

I didn’t grace him with a response. I wasn’t in the mood after the bathroom incident. He wasn’t wrong though, my mother would have wrung his neck for dirtying her coffee table with nasty shoes.

When Jonah hoisted the tv remote to switch the television on, it was instantly seized from his weak grip. I tensed a bit as he jumped up to lay into the culprit but relaxed when he stopped short—his words dissolving before they could be expressed.

My father walked past with confidence befitting an Alpha. His vertical white hair draped down the sides of his face. Sideburns thinned into neat, thin lines wrapped around the whole of his jaw and reached past his lips to arch under his nose.

’Mom would have disapproved of that too.’

His first-class style, cold, calculating amethyst-hued irises, and impossibly straight posture made him look like a distinguished gentleman. Anyone who spent five minutes in a room with him was disillusioned from that fad. For others who cockily try him, despite his apathetic disposition, a few seconds in a fight with him was more than enough to teach them better.

“If I favored you sitting on your asses, I wouldn’t have assembled you here,” his quip was like a sinking iceberg. He tossed the remote on the couch and threw his head toward the kitchen. Jonah joined Merrick and the others without another word.

“There’s an important task that needs handling..” Merrick started, but Royce cut him off. He had returned to his barstool and had a jar of water in front of him. His hands flexed around the container a few times as he stared into it, choosing his words.

“You stated the mission was beyond Hawthorne territory. So, what the hell is Harou doing here? He’s antisocial, hasn’t been in a town, let alone a city in years, and isn’t accustomed to fighting in a squad. Did you ever think about what that would be like for him? Besides that, if the Camellia pack finds out that he’s abnormal, they will call it to the Council’s attention! That is not what Aurora would have wanted!” Royce roared.

Merrick was tense. He loathed being interrupted, nor was misusing time a hobby of his. And, he didn’t particularly care about how anyone felt, so the whole thing probably had him seething. Still, he waited. When Royce resumed-- instead of shutting up, Merrick did it for him. The blow was swift and direct, and the tack was audible for all ears present, but he restrained enough to not break Royce’s jaw.

“If you would let me finish!” He barked at him. The snarl that sounded from his chest lingered. Everyone else averted their eyes, showing their submission. I resumed my observation for two reasons; one, I could watch Royce take a beating all day, and two, I am not afraid of Merrick Brier.

Royce was still recovering from the hit when Merrick grabbed a fistful of his buttoned-up shirt and yanked him forward; holding him a hair away.

“That ‘abnormality’ is worth one hundred of you, but he can’t go alone..." “Awe.” I scoffed, feigning offense. Confused, everyone turned their attention to me. “Mom would have just called me special.” I shrugged, scrunching my nose up as I positioned myself on the closest wall. I crossed my arms over my abdomen with a playful smile on my face. Watching as my father’s jaw contracted. "I don't have time for your quips Harou, so shut it and listen," He ordered. I shrugged not really caring. "Now, Royce, if you’d prefer, I can send Rachel and Rory in your stead,” he rumbled deep and menacing as he effortlessly held Royce in front of him. Royce swallowed hard enough for me to hear from seven feet away. Gradually, he dropped his eyes and head, yielding to his dictator.

“Thought so,” Merrick breathed through bared teeth, relinquishing his hold on Royce’s collar. “As I was saying, there was a breach in the Blue Orchids and Pink Opium’s defenses. An unidentified number of unknowns slipped into the Inner Circle. Individuals, human and Feytale, have disappeared without so much as a footprint,” He paused to sigh, wipe his mouth and scratch the back of his head before continuing. “Including the recon team I sent out three months ago.”

His appearance and voice went grim. We hadn’t lost a pack member since he married my mom and became the male Alpha of the Red Hawthorne pack over thirty years ago. He may be an ass, but when a member is lost, the whole pack hurts.

“Joseph and his unit have not reported in three weeks. The six of you are going to Boughgard,” he looked around the room, meeting everyone’s eyes before continuing. “That is Black Camellia territory for those of you who didn’t know. They have been informed of your arrival, so there shouldn’t be a problem. Not that the tree huggers are a threat, but don’t drop your guard in town either; the creatures that broke through may have already integrated themselves with the people of Boughgard. Find Joseph. Find the fiends killing innocents and if possible dispose of them,” his voice never wavered, sharp and calculatedly cold as he wrapped up the briefing. “Harou acting Alpha, I expect you to keep your cool. Royce Omega, consider it your punishment for interrupting me earlier, Rizaria Omega, you three are taking the high school. Rizaria will get in with the kids there. Gossip spreads like wildfire in those places. Royce, we secured a staffing position for you, so there shouldn’t be a problem. I shouldn’t need to remind you, but keep an eye on any students who don’t quite fit in.”

“Like Harou,” he sniped. I snorted back at him. My father ignored him and continued.

“If anyone wants to blend in with the Camellia Pack, the school is the way to go. End of discussion.”

He turned to his left to address the three red heads attentively. “Jonah, you’ll act as Beta, Callum, and Arkadium Omegas. You all will scout the area for Joseph’s squad and any signs of abnormal activity in or outside of town. I expect weekly reports,” He dished out our assigned roles with unwavering athority “I want you on the road by nightfall.”

With that, he stalked farther into the house, retreating to his office. Having more than a few words to say, I followed.