Dust

Robin was so tired she feel asleep right when we were driving out of town. we didn't even say a word to each other, she just fell asleep. I didn't see any other wolves following us anymore and we drove in the road out of town. I could see Ignis on the front seat, resting his head on his hand and slowly falling asleep. the Beta noticed it too and as we got to the same diner we ate, he pulled the car over.

-"Ignis, you go sleep in the back. you drove all day. also I need to talk to Dust." Beta said.

Ignis looked at him and got out. I looked at Robin who was asleep. I didn't really want to let her go but I had questions that needed to be answered. so, I got out and went towards the front seat. I passed by Ignis and we shared nothing but a short look. I sat on the passenger seat and Ignis sat next to Robin. the Beta started driving again and it started snowing slowly. we drove silently for a while and Ignis fell asleep immediately. I looked at the Beta. he looked to be 50-55. his sliver beard and hair and blue eyes gave him a good look.

-"What did you want to talk to me about?" I finally asked.

-"Don't you want answers? I have those." he said while looking forward at the road.

-"How did you even know my name? who are you?" I asked.

-"I'm Edward." he said. "I'm Ignis and Alpha Liam's Beta... and before, I was your father's Beta."

-"I want to know everything." I said.

-"What did Liam tell you?" he asked.

-"Nothing much. he just said he knew about me and told me... Ignis' father is my father too."

-"That's just the basics. did he tell you how you were born?"

-"He just said my parents got drunk and then he walked out on her when he found out she had me."

-"That's true but that's only part of it." he said. "your father, Garth, was more of a friend than an Alpha to me. he was the best man I have ever seen in my life. you may not accept this now but he was. always put the needs of his pack ahead of himself."

-"Then why did he leave?" I asked. he sighed.

-"That's probably his only mistake in life. I never knew why. maybe he was too ashamed to go back or tell his family. he had a child after all. Ignis was two years old when you were born. maybe he thought he'd break his family if he told them. and he did sent me, didn't he?"

-"What did you do?" I asked.

-"When he realized she was pregnant, he was terrified. he got a call from your mom. she got his number from his friend in New York and called him and told him everything. I can never forget the expression on his face. scared and ashamed, even from me. that night he told me and Liam everything and asked me to go and explain everything to her. he said it was the least he could do, telling her what she should expect. so I went to New York and found her and talked to her. I told her what Garth and I was. I told her we were werewolves and the baby she's carrying will most likely be one too. she didn't believe me of course, until I transformed in front of her. then I told her about mates and how he Garth already has one and can't give her up. she didn't want to give you up either." he looked at me.

-"Then?"

-"Then we finally settled an agreement. she said she didn't need your father and she can take care of you. I told her she can't take care of a werewolf and should find a proper home for you but she didn't listen. so I gave her address of a trustworthy doctor and a number and told her to call me if she needed me. then a few months later, you came. the doctor said you were in your wolf form when you were born. then everything was fine and I didn't get any news from her until about a year and couple of months later. she said she needed to find a place for you to stay."

-"She was dying..." I whispered.

-"Yeah. I found her the Hilltop mansion. good family, good home, good town. she took you there and made them promise they'll take care of you well. you were just two years old. then she..." he trailed off and sighed. "your father was also relieved that you were with werewolves now..."

-"... What was she like?" I asked.

-"Your mom?" she was... attractive. the kind that you can imagine in a cheerleading uniform. blonde hair and fair and two dimples on her cheeks. you're father was an attractive man too. it wasn't just the drink that got them together. he actually liked her. Garth told me that himself."

-"He didn't like her enough then." I said.

-"...You do know you're an Alpha right?" he said after a couple of seconds

-"Huh?" I asked.

-"Garth was an Alpha and so are you and Ignis."

-"But I'm a Beta."

-"We decided to rank you as a Beta. it seemed fair cause you couldn't grow up knowing you're an Alpha with no pack to lead so we decided is the best. but you do have Alpha blood."

-"I... don't care right now. anyways, what happened to him?"

-"Garth? they had a car crash when Ignis was 15. he died right away. it broke his poor wife's heart. she died two years later. so after his uncle, I'm the closest person to Ignis. although he's much more comfortable with me than his uncle."

-"Our uncle..." I said slowly. he looked at me.

-"Yes." he said and returned his gaze on the road and kept on driving. "you look like him you know. your father."

-"I saw his portrait at your office. Ignis looks more like him."

-"Maybe facially but you have his eyes. Ignis got his mother's green eyes but yours are your father's emerald green ones. they were special."

-"I wish that was the only thing he gave me. but I have this too." I said, pointing at my hair. "and it's as obvious as the sun. everywhere I go in werewolf community I get this... looks. like I don't belong. like I'm not one of them. I'm different because my parent weren't mates and that's just before they know one of my parents is a human. I get constantly judged and rejected for being a half-breed cause he couldn't control his temptations!"

He stayed silent and kept on driving. his face gave no expression. I sighed.

-"What's gonna happen now?" I asked.

-"He's gonna attack." he said. "he was already planning to. maybe you noticed unknown wolves in your territory. I was hoping if the wedding is held then it would end well but now... " he trailed off.

-"Now he wants blood." I continued.

-"You should prepare. gather up every capable wolf in your town and send the others to a safe place. and try to keep the fight away from town. everyone knows Liam hates humans. if he gets to town, he will kill everyone then he'll go have breakfast."

I stayed silent and looked forward. he looked at me.

-"Take some rest. I'll wake you when we get there." he said. I looked at him and nodded. I thought with all this heavy thoughts circling in my head it would have been impossible to fall asleep but I was wrong. as soon I shut my eyes, I was in a deep, dreamless sleep.

***

-"Dust, Dust wake up." I heard a voice and felt a hand moving me. "we're almost there." I heard again and slowly opened my eyes. I looked around to see the snowy forest. it was twilight now. I rubbed my eyes and looked forward.

-"You and Ignis go to the mansion. I'll take Robin back to her place." I said.

-"Isn't it safer to keep her there?" he asked.

-"I don't know if she want to be there. last time we talked we were gonna give each other up."

-"Then why'd you go after her?" he asked. I stayed silent and looked forward. after a couple of minutes we were by the road that lead to mansion.

-"Stop here." I said and he did. "Tell Alpha Henry who you are and that you're with me. they'll believe you when they see Ignis."

-"Dust, wait." he said and got out of the car. and came to me. "I can't stay here. this is probably the last time you'll see me."

-"What? where are you gonna go? Liam'll kill you."

-"He has to find me first and I'm good at hiding. I'm sorry I can't help you in this but we're both Betas and we know hard decisions have to be made at the time. I'm fine cause you're a capable wolf and can handle yourself and your pack." he reached around his neck and brought out a necklace. it was a leather one with a fang hanging from it.

-"What's this?" I asked.

-"This is your father's gift to you. Ignis has one just like it. when you were born, the only thing he did was to make one of these and he gave it to me and told me if I see you someday when you're older, tell you the truth about him and give you this. it's a charm. hopefully it'll protect you. and it's the sign of Alphas in our pack." he placed it in my palm.

-"But, I'm not a..."

-"You are. don't have pick it but you are. it was my duty to give this to you." he said and shook my hand. "now go deal with your mate. I'll take Ignis to mansion and leave. I hope I see you someday again."

-"You too Edward." I said. he smiled a bit and without any other word he went back in the car. I looked at the necklace and with a bit of hesitation, I put it in my pocket. I opened the back door. Robin was curled up on the seat with her head on Ignis' shoulder. she was wearing the same tank top and shorts she was wearing yesterday morning except with a cream cardigan over it. she would freeze if she had to walk.

-"Robin? Robin?" I whispered and shook her a bit. she moved and opened her eyes a bit, looking at me. "come on, I'm taking you home." I said and stepped back, shifting into my wolf. she looked at for a second before getting out of the car and closing the door and hugging herself from the cold wind. my wolf was as tall as she was and maybe a just a little shorter so she could easily ride on me. I sat on the road and pointed her to get on me. she looked at me before slowly getting on my back. I got up. she was light and rather small so I could carry her but if it was someone bigger I might have had a problem. I pointed at Edward as he started driving towards the mansion and I walked towards the town on the road. the sun was just rising and sky was a light pink and purple, getting more orange as it got closer to the sun.

-"Thank you." she said. "for saving my life."

I looked at her and nodded and kept walking.

-"You can't talk when you're in your wolf form?" she asked.

I shook my head.

-"You know your wolf is really big. much bigger than regular wolves. heck, you're even taller then me but then again I'm only 5'3."

I didn't even nod. this was getting boring.

-"Honestly, I didn't think you would." my ears perked and I stopped, surprised. "I-I mean...with what happened and what we said, anyone else would have left me."

I huffed and started walking again.

-"At first I thought you had send those guys to get me. I don't know why I thought like that. I guess I was so mad and sad that I wasn't thinking straight. it was so hard for me to... well hear all those things you said."

I growled. this was getting ridiculous. I felt the rage gathering up in me again. I saved her from hell and all she could say was a simple thank you. then there was all the talk about my wolf and how making me look responsible for all that happened. that really got me.I growled louder angrily and stopped.

-"What happened?" she asked. I sat down and growled. "what are you saying?" I growled and pointed at her to get off. she looked at me surprised. one more snap was enough for her to get off and stand on the road. she could barely stand the freezing asphalt that was frozen on some parts. I got up and turned away and starts walking.

-"Where are you going?" she called. "you're just gonna leave me here like this?!" I just kept walking away.

-"What do you want me to do huh? I thought you... you have no idea how it is to wake up and find a wolf instead of a guy you thought you love in your bed! and then you rejected me and..." she started sobbing. I slowly decreased speed and stopped but didn't turn around.

-"You want me to say I'm sorry? you don't think I know it was my fault too just as much as it was yours? maybe even more! I know all that! so is this what you want to hear? I'm sorry! I-I..." she trailed off sobbing painfully. I slowly turned my head to see her sitting on the freezing road and crying in her palms. I looked at her and felt awful.

I slowly turned back and walked towards her and when I got to her, I slowly licked her hands. she took her hands off her face and looked at me with her wet blue eyed and stared in my green ones. I looked at her eyes and licked her cheek. she made a sound that I wasn't sure was laughter or or more sobbing. I kept licking her cheek and this time I was sure she was laughing. I pulled my muzzle back and looked at her as she dried her eyes and cheek.

-"Does this mean you're sorry too?" she asked. I nodded.

She looked at me and slowly reached for me and wrapped her arms around me neck, hugging me. I closed my eyes and let her while resting my head on her shoulder. I felt she gently gripped the fur on my neck. after a couple of seconds she let go and I pulled back but she kept her hands on my cheeks.

-"Does... this mean we're back?" she asked and looked at me. I looked at her and closed my eyes and gently pressed my forehead against hers. she closed her eyes too and slowly stroked my cheek and neck and with embarrassment I felt my tail wagging. only this time I didn't care. I just sat there with my forehead pressing against hers and let her hold me gently for as long as she wanted...

...Cause I needed it.