Flash Fic Friday

**Episode 1! If you’ve read Accepting Submission and Yule Be Naughty, then there are going to be some familiar faces in this serial. If you haven’t, though, don’t worry. While I think that, of course, you should read them, you don’t have to have that info in your noggin for this story to make sense. It’ll just give you a little extra context if you have. So without further ado, enjoy!**

 Wolf packs were insular by nature. It was just how we were, keeping to ourselves, remaining with our own. The human world had different laws and rules, and therefore didn’t always understand us. It was safer for us, on the whole, to remain close to our packs. But because of it, there were some wolves who rarely, if ever, ventured off pack lands.

But that also made it hard for wolves to meet potential mates or have different experiences. Some alpha some time ago had started an exchange program of sorts, especially for wolves in their twenties and early thirties. It was a safe way to see other places and meet other people. Even learn different skills as all wolves contributed to the pack, even if you were only there for a short time. It was common for wolves to go spend time, a year or sometimes two, with another pack, just to expand their horizons. Some wolves did it multiple times.

I’d never done it. Always politely declined when my alpha brought it up. I had zero desire to see the world. Was, in fact, very happy to remain in my tiny cabin, mending and rebinding books. I’d built a thriving online business and was able to contribute financially to the pack. I wasn’t social—which was strange for a wolf, but not unheard of—and pack gatherings and runs were enough to keep my wolf side happy. It was all I needed.

My alpha, on the other hand, disagreed.

I knew the moment my alpha showed up at my door, and saw the shuttered expression on his face, that I wasn’t going to like what he said. But I didn’t hesitate to step back and let him in, bowing my head and offering my neck. He swiped his wrist on my exposed skin, marking me, and then squeezed the back of my neck.

Jonathan was a good alpha. A little traditional, perhaps, but kind and fair. He didn’t understand why I couldn’t just be straight, why I couldn’t just choose to be with women, but he’d never hurt or shunned me, and protected me just like he did everyone else. It was better than I could hope for, since many wolves, and shifters on the whole, believed that heterosexual pairings and the continuation of our species, was the only answer.

“Devin, come sit,” Jonathan said, heading straight for my couch like he owned the place. Technically he did, but he usually respected our spaces. I knew it was serious then and followed along, taking a seat beside him.

Then I remembered my manners. “Can I get you anything to drink?”

I half rose but Jonathan waved me back down. He tried for a smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. I tried to calm my rabbiting heart as nerves coiled in my gut. Jonathan slid his hand to the back of my neck and just rested it there. I was able to take a breath.

“It’s time, Devin,” he said, carefully with a gentle squeeze. “You need to go to another pack.”

“Oh, alpha, I’m fine where—”

“No.” And with that word, I knew I didn’t have a choice. It was his right as my alpha, and it was a power I’d given to him by staying with the pack. I knew that. But still, my stomach twisted painfully.

“Alpha.” I turned pleading eyes on him, hoping against hope that he would change his mind. But I knew better.

“You’re mine. You know that.” Jonathan’s voice was gentle. “I don’t understand your sexuality, I don’t get why you chose that. But you’re mine, and I will not have you hurt. I will always do what’s best for you. You know that.”

“Yes, alpha,” I said, voice small. He’d proven it time and again. And even though he still thought it was a choice, when it wasn’t, he at least cared for me and about me, as was his duty.

“It’s time for you to see other things and meet other people. You need to get out and do other things. If I let you stagnate here, that’s not good either. So you’re going to another pack for at least a year.”

“Yes, alpha.” What else could I say? Technically, I could refuse. But then Jonathan would be within his rights to cast me out and then I’d be alone. Unprotected and vulnerable. That wasn’t a good option either.

Jonathan leaned closer, wrapping his arm around me. “I know it’s scary. And I wouldn’t send you just anywhere. It took a long while before I found a place that would be good for you.”

“Thank you.” I took a breath before I was able to ask the next question. “Um, where?”

He smiled then, and it was gentle. “I’m sending you to the Carver pack. Trey’ll take good care of you.”

I’d heard of Trey Carver. When he’d taken a man as a mate, it had caused the gossip mill to start churning. Even more so when it got out his mate was a bear and not a wolf. Despite how spread out wolf packs were, someone always knew someone, and information got around. It was rumored Alpha Carver had several same sex relationships within his pack.

I breathed easier then, knowing at least I didn’t have to worry about that. Not that I thought Jonathan would send me to a homophobic alpha, he was too good for that, but at least I knew my sexuality wouldn’t be a problem. There was something else I needed to be concerned about though.

“Alpha, sir, I have clients that—”

“I know,” Jonathan interrupted. “I’ve made Trey aware and he assures me he’ll have a space for you to work. He’s also provided you with a shipping address so you can temporarily update your site, and any packages you receive here while the transition is happening will be sent to you immediately. He hopes you’ll be willing to teach anyone in his pack who wants to learn.”

“I, oh.” I blinked. No one here had been interested in book restoration, and I couldn’t imagine anyone there would be either. But if they were, I’d happily share my knowledge. It was a dying art and even if no one wanted to make it a profession, I’d still teach anyone interested. “Yes, of course.”

“Good. Start packing and let me know what you need to move your equipment. And don’t dawdle, hm?” He gave me a little shake as he chuckled.

I had to smile because my alpha knew me, and if I accidentally drew out the packing process to delay the inevitable, then, well, who could blame me? But he’d given me an order, and I nodded immediately.

“Good.” He repeated. He leaned down to rub his nose on my neck, so it would be a stronger scenting. I sighed contentedly, because having my alpha do that settled my wolf like nothing else could. Jonathan stood then, and fixed me with another look. “If you want to come back, you will always have a place here. I swear it.”

If? Of course I was coming back. And he knew that. There was no way I’d leave my pack, the comfort that I’d always known. This was temporary, and it would be hard. But as long as I had my books, and Alpha Carver was as good as everyone said, then I’d make it through.

I saw Jonathan to the door and headed for my workroom, my mind already racing with lists of what I needed to do. If I thought of that, and only that, I wouldn’t break down in fear and worry.