Way of the Pack

Judge

River

The bar was busy, I served a couple of beers to some guys from out of town and dropped their cash into the till. A band were playing in the corner, loud rock music that silenced every one because there was no way that you could hear yourself talk let alone think.

I wish I could be that lucky. I couldn't stop thinking. Couldn't stop thinking about Joy being that close to me, touching the skin and muscles that covered the heart that already belonged to her. I wiped down the counter and tried to keep myself calm, I'd run later when it was dark.

Hank slid onto a stool opposite me, "Hey."

I didn't stop what I was doing but I nodded in his direction before grabbing an empty glass and tapping one of the beer pumps. When he nodded back, I filled it and placed it before him. Hank smiled before draining the beer in one go. I tapped the pump again and when he nodded, placed a filled glass in front of him. 

The band had stopped for a break and easy chatter and laughter filled up the bar. Even though I wasn't of age, Walker let me work behind the bar and let us drink. As long as we behaved, it wasn't until humans on a dare walked into the bar looking for a fight, that we would ever cause trouble in Walker's bar. I'd been working here for a couple of years and pretty much ran it since I'd finished school. Gray, the owner, was often found tucked into a corner drinking whiskey and yelling at people that pissed him off. He was a good boss. 

Hank leaned forward, "Do you get a break soon? I need to talk to you."

I frowned,"Sure. What's up?"

Hank jerked his head outside, "I'll be waiting."

I let one of the other guys know I was taking a quick break, grabbed a couple of beers and headed outside. There was a couple of guys smoking and I looked around for Hank, spotting him on one of the benches that Gray had installed for the warmer weather. I strode towards him, kicking the gravel up with my boots. He looked up as I handed him the bottle and I sat next to him.

Hank sighed and rested his elbows onto his legs. Ever since I'd known him, he'd been a tall guy but when he reached phase age, he grown an extra 6 inches. Now he towered over us all, a mass of tattoos, muscles and shaven head but when he spoke, he was thoughtful and considered. Goes to show that you don't judge a book by its cover. 

We sat in silence for a beat or two. I took a swig of beer and leaned back, staring up at the night sky and thinking of Joy. 

"I'm leaving."

My head jolted back, my gaze meeting his.

"You're what?"

Hank sighed again, smoothing his hand across his shaven head, "I'm leaving. The town. The pack. All of it."

"Shit. What's happening, Hank? I've never known you to even howl without Walker's say so. Are you in trouble?"

Hank leaned back and gulped his beer, draining the bottle in one go, "I can't do the Choosing, River. I just can't."

A cold unsettled feeling crawled up my neck. I know we shouldn't be talking about this, not here in the open. 

Hank must have had the same thought because he paused, taking big inhales of the cool air, "There's nobody listening."

I did the same and nodded.

"Why can't you do the Choosing?"

"I don't want to be with Joy," he said instantly and I felt relief pulse through me.

"Ok but we might be told to mate with one of the other.."I trailed off as I watched him raise an eyebrow at me.

"I don't want to be with a woman," Hank said, waiting for a reaction from me. When he didn't get one, he relaxed.

"There's a guy. I've known him for a couple of years. He lives in one of the human towns, we've been...I'm in love with him, River. I'm going to be with him."

He watched me warily. I smiled and yanking his shoulders towards me and pulled him into a hug.

"Fuck, I'm proud of you. Don't get me wrong, Hank. I'm scared as shit for you but I'm proud that you're doing what you have to do."

"Really?" Hank whispered and I patted his back before letting him go.

"Course. The elders and the Council will be pissed. Not because it's a guy that you're going to be with but with you leaving the pack for a human.You know the Laws. Have you talked to Walker?"

Hank laughed drily, "Fuck no. I can't risk them finding out about Luke. He's my mate, River. My wolf knows it too."

"Have you marked him?"

Hank looked surprised, it's not a question that you're really meant to ask but then he nodded. 

"Do you need me to help? I have my Dad's truck in the garage if you need it."

Hank patted my back, "Thanks man but I'm going to run. Luke is already at our new home so I'm going to take off, lose my scent if anyone is tracking me and then I'm going to be with him. I'm ready to start my life without people dictating Laws and pack rules at me. I want to be happy, so that's what I'm going to do."

He stood up and I followed, looking like a toddler next to him. He smiled down at me.

"Why did you come to me?" I asked. 

Hank rubbed his jaw, "I know how you feel for Joy."

My wolf woke up at her name, "What about Joy?"

Hank laughed, "River, please. The minute Walker introduced her to us, you looked at her like she was the whole world. I came to you because I want you to be happy too. You need to talk to her."

"I can't."

Hank held my shoulders and looked down at me, all traces of humour gone from his face, "Listen to me, River. We only have this one run at it. Life. She cares for you too, I can tell. Hell, most of the pack can. You need to tell her. Fuck the Laws, Riv. What good are they to you if your heart is broken?"

Hank released me before taking off his jacket and shirt, leaving them on the bench. He backed away to the outskirts of the woods and raised his hand before phasing and running to his new home. 

I watched him leave and then realisation dawned on me, now with Hank gone.

Joy could only be mated with Will. 

Or me.