Michael P.O.V

James and I got into a premature fight. I have several bites that will heal in time. James managed to get a few cheap shots at me, but I ended up causing the most damage. James now has a concussion and at least one broken rib.

Charlie could see the bite wounds James left on me. I could tell that it worried him. A rough tussle is common for wolves. We get angry at each other and shift on impulse. Everything after that is pure instinct; eat or be eaten.

My injuries are not all that serious. They're sore but fine. James should be the one worrying about his injuries. It's not good to have lingering wounds when you have to fight again. It'll affect his chances of winning.

Charlie is still asleep right now. He fell asleep while petting me. I wish I could be around him more, but I'm pushing the limits of being here now. If my father knew I was here he'd have my skin. Sneaking out is the reason James and I got in a fight. He tried to blackmail me into forfeiting the fight so he could become Pack Master. I obviously didn't take his offer.

James never was one for a clean fight. He's the type of person who's always looking for shortcuts. It's never easy with him.

By glancing out the door, I see that it's getting close to dusk. I need to get home before it's dark. The sooner I'm home, the better. I don't want to put Charlie in any more danger than I already have.

I stand on my hind legs and push the door open with my snout. I can't shift near Charlie anymore. It puts him at risk of finding out the truth. The pack would not be happy if he knew we existed.

I quietly walk out before pushing the door closed once again. Charlie is peacefully sleeping on the couch. I leave him and run back to my house in the clearing.

When I arrive, James is waiting in the living room. I roll my eyes and walk to my room before shifting and throwing on some clothes. I walk back downstairs and James is sitting on the couch, glaring at me.

We're both bruised black and blue. Our father isn't happy with either of us at the moment. The first thing he said was "Save it for the full moon!"

James is holding a bag of frozen vegetables to his abdomen and a cool cloth to his face. He's really hurting at the moment. I'm hurting as well, but I can't reveal that to him. Never reveal your weaknesses before a fight, your opponent will take advantage of them.

I sit on the opposite side of the couch. James gives me a side glance and rolls his eyes. I don't care for his attitude when he's the one who was begging for the fight.

"Dick," he mumbles.

"Bitch," I reply.

James snarls for a moment and then lets out a huffy breath. He moves the bag of frozen vegetables higher up and lets out a soft grunt. I can tell that he's in genuine pain.

"Just wait until the full moon," James growls.

I ignore his threat and shake my head. If he's as hurt as he's playing it to be, the fight will be no problem. There might be a slight twist if he was actually over-dramatizing his injuries, which I wouldn't put past him to do. James is low enough to play the victim.

"Oh, I'll be waiting. I'll be waiting for a real opponent."

James shoves me to the side before he gets up. My comment clearly managed to get its way under his skin. James never was good at ignoring cheap insults.

I absently flip through the television channels for a while before turning it off completely. Nothing interested me. I walk into the kitchen and grab an apple from the bar. I eat it on my way to my room.

I sit down on my bed while taking another bite of the apple. My phone sits on my bedside table, haunting me. It's a cruel reminder that I haven't talked to Charlie since I took him to the hospital. I've forced myself not to. I've gone to see him while I was shifted, but I haven't talked to him.

I pick up my phone and let out a soft sigh. I open the messaging app and look at Charlie's contact. I hate myself for ignoring him for this long. I haven't texted him since last month. I decide that it's been long enough. I have to text him.

Me, 6:49 P.M.
Hey. . . 

I get a reply almost instantly. I left Charlie asleep, but he must have woken up.

Charlie, 6:51 P.M.
Finally decided to talk to me?

Me, 6:52 P.M.
I'm sorry about that. . .

Charlie, 6:54 P.M.
It's been a long time. Why did you start ignoring me?

I wish I could tell Charlie the truth. He probably wouldn't believe me if I did, but it would be nice to be able to escape the lies.

Me, 6:59 P.M.
I was scared of losing you. . .

Charlie, 7:02 P.M.
So you decided to ignore me? That seems rather counter-productive.

Michael, 7:03 P.M.
Just seeing you in the hospital. . . I was worried about what would happen. . . I knew you could do better. . .

Charlie, 7:04 P.M.
I don't want better. I've wanted you since middle school for Christ's sake! It felt like the minute I had you that you just up and abandoned me when I actually needed you!

Me, 7:06 P.M.
I'm sorry. . .

Charlie, 7:07 P.M.
You could have at least responded to my texts, but you ignored those too.

Me, 7:08 P.M.
I'm sorry. Can I make it up to you?

Charlie, 7:15 P.M.
Perhaps. . . Come by around noon tomorrow.

Me, 7:16 P.M.
Okay.

I'm putting Charlie in danger once again. I don't want to hurt him any further, but I know this isn't a good idea.