ChangingPaths by Marilu Mann

Micah
wouldn’t give that command because he’d never disobeyed an Alpha in his life.
In his gut he knew that was one order he’d never keep. Relief swam through him
when Micah just nodded.
    “So that’s the way of it, Gareth? Good. Protect them.” Micah
reached out for Olivia’s hand. The simple joining twisted Gareth up more than
normal. Even when the world was crazy they had each other.
    He excused himself. He needed air. After he slipped out of
the jeans he’d just pulled on he slung them over the railing. Then he let
himself flow back into his preferred shape. The ghost-white wolf leaped off the
porch to melt into the forest. If another pair of eyes watched, he never felt
them.
     
    Stepping back farther into the trees, Tom cradled his rifle.
He knew better than to shoot at the shifter even if he did hate them all. All
of them who thought they were better than him just because they could get furry
and he couldn’t. He’d show them though. Take his wife and his daughter back. His
family didn’t belong here. They belonged with him. It was time to get that
across to that bitch he’d married. He turned back toward the road where he’d
left his SUV.
    He slipped the rifle onto the backseat. One thing he did
miss was the old truck he used to have with its gun rack across the back
window. It had made him feel equal to the furries who had rejected him. He’d
shot one of his own birth Pack members on his way out. Yeah. That had been a
good day. Bitch had deserved it for refusing him.
    The radio played some god-awful country but it was the only
station he could get out here besides the res station. Be damned if he would
listen to that crap. He’d had enough Pack brainwashing when he was young. Didn’t
need it now. He didn’t need any of the Pack now. They’d thrown him out.
    Not this Pack. No, his own people had shoved him out when
they found out he was Moon-Denied. Of course they’d blamed it on him. Said he
couldn’t control his anger. He laughed. It was a mean, brittle sound that made
the air seem warm in comparison. They’d all kicked up such a fucking fuss when
he’d beaten the shit out of that human in town. Said it wasn’t right to flaunt
his superior strength even if he couldn’t turn hairy and run with them. Bunch
of pussies.
    He spit out the window, thinking how he’d left, hadn’t he?
Let them think they’d driven him off. Tom laughed because he’d just moved on to
greener pastures. Well, snowy ones anyway. Always fucking hated snow , he
thought as he watched the trees flashing by on his way into town.
    He’d get Harmony and the kid then take them somewhere it
never snowed. Maybe Mexico. He’d heard there was a colony of Denieds there. Not
that he needed them either. He didn’t need anyone telling him what he could and
couldn’t do. Fuckers all of them.
    Tom didn’t bother wiping away the spittle that flew back
from the wind when he spit this time. It dried on his face as he turned his
mind inward to feed his rage. It was the only thing that kept him going. The
only fuel he needed as he hunted his own dear wife down. He’d show her who was
boss.
     
    Harmony leaned into the passenger side to reseat one of the
bags. She’d found some great sweaters along with warm slacks for her and Rain
at the thrift store. Plus she’d scored a great retro hat that Rain would adore.
Her daughter had the face to carry off hats where her mother’s rounder face
didn’t. She grinned then slammed the door shut. As she did a large, dark SUV
sped by. Her nose caught a scent that made her want to throw up.
    “Tom.” The name tore at her throat as if something was
trying to claw its way out. She put her hand to her mouth as she sagged against
the frame of the car. Her hand trembled so violently she had to grab it with
her other hand. Then she turned back to the street. She had to get to the
driver’s side so she could… Rain! The feeling hit her so hard she doubled
over. The SUV had been going toward the