21 Ah, Spring

The snow and ice began to melt away slowly to make way for spring to emerge. The grass was finally visible after being buried in snow for the past few months, the streams began to flow again, flowers bloomed, and the critters that gone into hibernation emerged from their burrows. School had also resumed, which slashed the students time in the woods by half. Them dropping out to face pack related issues wasn't an option, once they've graduated from high school, the option of them becoming a wolf full time would be available. They also got a new member, Brent, which happened to be Miranda's youngest son. He was on winter break and came to visit where his mom worked and came upon Ethan's fur which made him transform. He was frightened when he transformed for the first time but then calmed down because he knew that the job of being a werewolf had now been passed down to him too. His mom was happy that the tradition would continue as she was scared that none of her four kids would transform. When he told his siblings they weren't as excited as they were as their young brother would now become a forest dweller and follow his mom now but he consoled than as he won't be gone all the time. That sorta did the trick as they calmed down. He was initiated into the pack and was given the role of a hunter and tracker like William, he also joined his mom and Kent on patrol as the first trio in over three decades was formed. His coat colour was almost identical to his mother's but he had a darker shade of brown than hers. He had the back of his neck and back covered in a mix of black and grey while the sides of his body and legs were coloured in honey shade of brown. His underbelly was standard white, his ears were brown, top of his snout and the bottom of his eyes had his honey shade of brown, and the rest of his face had black and white.

Keisha and William were three months into their relationship now and things were looking good. The only thing was that Brian and Connor were nosy into their business. Will's parents gave him advice here and there whenever they could. They were happy that he had finally brought a girl home and were happier that she was a fellow werewolf and a family friend. This made the bond between the two families even stronger. Brian was also made a beta though the promotion was long over due. This put more pressure on Connor and Keisha to also get promoted.

"At long last, I'm a beta. Is this how you felt when you were made a beta?" Brian asked as he, William and Connor walked down the school hallway.

"Well I was never an omega so maybe what you're feeling is way different from what I felt. I was honestly expecting to be giving the rank of an omega so I was just mid blown that I was given beta right of the bat" Will explained as they walked to the cafeteria.

"Hmmmm, I guess so" Brian concluded.

"So that means, you're the one under dog here C" Brian said before stretching his right arm out and patting his brother on the head.

Connor didn't like what he was doing at all and pulled his head away from his reach.

"Yh, yh, yh, I'm in a lower rank than you guys so what? I mean I'm not the only one stuck there, where'd you keep Keisha" Connor stated before being hit in the back with a punch.

"I heard that" Keisha said.

"Remind me not to be saying shit around her" he lamented in pain.

The group collected the food the lunch lady served and went to eat. They sat down on the usual table they went to almost everyday. Most guys wouldn't go there due to Brian and Keisha's reputation as hot heads.

"So man, how does it feel to be a beta now?" Keisha inquired.

"Well it's pretty cool" Brian replied.

"Nice, don't get to cocky now, you know I'll soon get promoted to" She added.

"You mean WE would get promoted soon" Connor corrected before taking another spoon of food into his mouth.

"But what I'd like to ask was who brought the topic up?" Brian asked before all three turned their eyes to William who was deeply engrossed in eating his lunch.

He felt people staring at him and rose his head up and saw his friends looking at him.

"Well, don't look at me, I'm not the only one that has noticed your hard work" William explained as he put another spoon in his mouth and tried to avoid eye contact with them.

"Well if you weren't the one why are you avoiding eye contact with me young William" Keisha usually addressed him like that when he was in trouble or being interrogated.

"No, I'm not"

"Then if you aren't look at me in the eye and say it" she demanded.

He turned and looked at her but her intimidating stare read him inside and out.

"Aha, I knew you were the one" She exclaimed happily with Will putting his head down.

"You really did that for me bruv?" Brian asked shocked.

"Yh, it was about time you got promoted man. I just initiated the plan" William replied.

Brian couldn't control himself and hugged him.

"Thanks man"

"No problem bruv" William answered as he wiggled his way out of his arms.

After that they finished their lunch and walked back to their classes. William was daydreaming most of the time in class about only God knows what this time, thank God Keisha was in the same class as he was so that he could copy off her. Once school was over the four of them began the walk to the forest. Once they arrived, they dropped their bags all over before sitting down to eat.

"Today was hectic" Connor lamented.

"Tell me about it" Brian commented.

"Well, I don't know about you guys but today was pretty chill. Two free periods, finished my homework in school so I'm coming out early today" William added. He sat down on the dining table and uncovered the food Linda had prepared for them.

"Speak for yourselves, I had an average day today" Keisha said walking up the stairs.

They got down to eating their food hastily before getting to work on their assignments. Keisha also had something's to do around the house so she was grounded. Since William was free, he decided to go out and enjoy himself. He walked through the tall grass around the house before transforming and walking away from the house. He savoured the scent of fresh green grass, the moist moss that was growing on logs and trees, the chirping of birds and sounds of animals. He watched as a fox couple led their two fox cubs went on an exposition through the forest. William was intrigued and decided to tag along. He saw them as they navigated through logs and bushes as they searched for a new home. They came upon a rabbit hole and the fox couple wanted to show the kids how it's done. They raised the hole but the rabbit got away. William, who watched from the bushes, went after the rabbit and killed it. He then walked towards the foxes with the dead rabbit in his jaws and approached. The father and mother took on the defensive as their kids scrambled behind them. They growl aggressively as he got closer. Will meant them no harm and even if they chose to engage the behemoth of a wolf, they would be killed easily so he stood and dropped the food. As soon as he did that, he took a few steps back as the male fox came to investigate the kill. Once he signalled that it was okay, the rest of the family dug into the meal. Will was happy that he had done something good for someone today. He accompanied them on their journey as they searched for a new den, sorta like a bouncer. Nobody would dare to touch a family of foxes that was being guarded by a five foot ten and a half inch wolf that could kill anything in the forest. They were able to get a brand new den situated within some rocks and they moved right in. Will's job was done and he walked away disappearing into the bushes. He had now formed a bond a fox family and now he could risk his own safety to protect them.

All this escort stuff made Will hungry and he needed something to satisfy his stomach. He yawned and opening his mouth showcasing his canines before closing it and licking his lips.

"What's on the menu today? Red deer or roe deer, red deer or roe deer. I'm not that hungry so roe deer it is" Will respond with himself before reaching a decision.

He made his way through the lush green grass until he came upon a roe deer herd of about twenty strong. He eyed his target and locked on to it. He angled himself in a position where the wind won't blow his cover. He walked slowly and gently through the grass not to give away his position. He crept behind the herd as they never suspected that a humongus wolf was stalking them. Will blended in with the tall grass and waited for his target to be in the clear. Once his target was exposed, he launched his attack springing forward towards them startling the herd. They took off heading towards the forest but due to William's superior speed, he caught up with them and hopped on his target bringing it to the ground. He quickly positioned his deer, put muscling it and clamped down on its throat suffocating it to death. As soon as it died, he opened it up and devoured it. He picked up the sound of something coming closer to him. It didn't sound like a wolf but more subtle like a deer. He didn't lose guard though he was still tearing through the flesh of the deer taking large chunks out of it. His snout and parts of his cheeks and face were now covered with blood. When his head went into the deer carcass a wolf jumped at him and he was quick to pull out and engage the wolf who turned out to be Connor. They quickly ended their friendly spar with Will coming out on top as usual. He quickly moved back to his meal as he chased away the mouths of Keisha and Brian who tried to steal his kill away.

"C'mon Will, share with us" Brian teased.

"This is my hard work, I can't just let you take it away" Will defended.

"Yes we know but can't we just have a little of it?" Keisha pleaded.

"On one condition" William stated.

"And what might that be?" Connor asked.

"That I take the lion's share put of it" William said.

"Deal" Brian exclaimed before diving in.

The others followed and they kept to their word, allowing Will to eat up most of his kill.

After that quick dinner, they broke up into their patrol teams and headed out. After Keisha and Brian left, William carried the carcass in his jaws and pulled it away.

"Where are you carrying the scraps to?" Connor asked confused.

"You'll see" Will replied.

He pulled over to where the foxes lived. Not to close to their den to keep their young ones safe but within reach for them to eat. Will felt a sense of pride and accomplishment as he had provided two weeks worth of meat for them to eat.

"What's with you and foxes?" Connor curiously asked.

"Well, I befriended them while you guys were still busy at home and as my new friends, I've got to watch out for them" William explained.

"Hmm, interesting"

"I know right, now let's get a move on" Will commanded as Connor watched the family indulge in the carcass.

The two covered some distance as they patrolled the western side of the forest. Now that they had the full control over the forest William and Connor could now cover the whole western side. They moved through the rocks and trees as they searched every inch of the forest for signs of the boulder pack returning or a rogue wolf that came into their turf to hunt but they were getting nothing just their own scents and tracks. They moved through the trees, moss and logs all over the forest searching for anyone who would dare to step foot in their territory. They came to a stream to rest as they lapped water. While they coold off they took the time to scan through their surroundings for any new noise or scent. Will layed next to the stream of water while Connor lapped water. They took time to survey their surroundings admiring the beautiful view and nature in its prime. The wildlife around there had adapted to seeing massive wolves moving at high speeds through the forest. They came to respect and acknowledge their presence in the forest as their apex predator but if they were in their human form, they would run away so they have grown accustomed to it. While the two wolves relaxed, some a rabbit also came to take drink and they sat right next to Will knowing well that he was a bite away fro ending his life but it was a bold and daring move. Once it drank to its fill, it hopped away leaving the wolves alone.

"It's best we get a move on, the forest isn't going to patrol itself" Connor suggested.

"Yeah, it's about time we get going" William replied as he got up to his feet and the two departed the area and resumed patrolling the area.

Kent, Miranda and Brent on the other hand came across an unfamiliar sight, a deer leg that was as pale as ever. It had no blood at all and that raised some suspicion. They also got a foot print of some kind of boot and thought it was human. Miranda thought to alert Eric to ensure hay humans don't get into this part of the forest again but if they'd looked closer and gotten the scent of from those boots, they would figure out who the real culprit is.