"Days when we'd fight, we'd fight 'til I would give. Yeah, perfect disasters, we were reaching, reaching for the rafters."
~OneRepublic, 'Kids'

~~~

*Third Person POV*

| 4 years ago |

"Can! Get down here!"

Rolling his eyes, Can paused his video game and trotted downstairs where his dad, Type, was waiting in the kitchen.

"What is it now?" Can asked, earning a glare from his dad.

"Watch your tone," Type warned him. "I need you to take these bags of food over to Team and Champ's cottage."

"Do I have to?" Can groaned dramatically. "Why can't you do it?"

"Cantaloupe," Type snapped, causing Can to shut his mouth quickly. "Team was injured on the job, and seeing as he is our Beta, it's our responsibility to make sure his family is taken care of as he heals. Your father and I can't do it, because we have to meet with the elders. Now, take the food over to them."

Grumbling, Can snatched the bags of food and headed towards the door.

It wasn't that Can disliked Team and Champ. On the contrary, he was rather fond of the couple. The two were practically family. Can's true reservations were towards their son, Tin.

Aside from his cousin, Can's closest friend growing up was Tin. Granted, it was an awkward friendship forced upon them by their parents, but it was a friendship nonetheless.

The two would fight, make up, fight again; but in the end, they were still friends that had each other's back.

When they were younger, Can held a fascination for the magic that Tin possessed. Being half-wolf, half-witch, Tin was the only member of the pack with the ability to do magic.

As they grew older, they developed a connection over the fact that they were both adopted. Can, having gotten extremely lucky when he was adopted by the Alphas, grew to accept that he would never know more about his deceased biological parents.

Tin, on the other hand, was always much more curious about the people who gave him life. Were they alive? Were they dead, like Can's parents?

When Tin was two years old, his mother abandoned him at a human orphanage, leaving behind only his birth certificate with his parents' names scratched out. In distress over missing his mother, the toddler released large waves of power, alarming the humans in the area.

News of the powerful child reached the Golden Moon Pack, and they immediately set out to investigate. Upon arriving, they noticed the way the child's eyes flashed between gold and purple, a clear indication that he was both wolf and witch. The Alphas brought the child to their pack for his own safety. Team and Champ met their leaders at the pack house, and Champ was instantly drawn to the toddler.

Tharn was initially hesitant to allow a witch into their pack, but he couldn't find it in himself to leave the poor kid to suffer alone. Plus, since Tin was part wolf, he would need guidance that they could provide. The Alphas allowed Team and Champ to adopt the hybrid child and bring him to their pack.

Tin and Can were constantly around each other growing up. Even though they would bicker endlessly, a friendship still formed between the two children.

On any other day, Can wouldn't have minded visiting Tin. But they recently had gotten into a rather big fight, mainly consisting of cruel name-calling and throwing one or two punches.

Both being stubborn, Can knew Tin wouldn't be the first one to apologize. Even if he believed he was in the right, Can was usually the first to cave and apologize. For some odd reason, he couldn't stand the look of disappointment on Tin's face, and he could give in and apologize first.

Knowing that, Can begrudgingly made his way to Team and Champ's house, food in hand and ready to stand his ground against Tin. The latter had said some pretty hurtful things to the future Alpha, and Can firmly believed he deserved an apology.

Knocking on the door, Can rocked on his heels as he waited. Tin answered the door, his dark eyes glaring at Can.

"Hey," Can grumbled awkwardly. Tin said nothing and continued to stare at Can with cold eyes. Can shifted in his spot, feeling uncomfortable. "My dad packed some meals for your family. You know, with your dad injured, and all."

"I can take care of my own family," Tin snarled.

"I-I never said that you couldn't," Can stammered, taken aback by Tin's hostility. "My dad just thought—"

"We do not need your handouts," Tin shoved Can backwards, taking the young Alpha by surprise. "The last thing our family needs is a bunch of Alphas looking down on us."

"Tin," Can breathed out, completely flabbergasted. "Look, if this is about our fight from before, I'm s—"

"I'm not interested in hearing the apologies of a mutt," Tin spat hatefully. "Goddess, you're a joke. Walking around this pack as if you deserve to be Alpha. You're weak. You don't have the strength of a natural born Alpha to lead us, and you never will."

Can's face paled. Their arguments may have gotten heated from time to time, but that was a low blow. No matter how upset they were at each other, they never dared to throw their backgrounds into their faces.

"Why would you say that? You're supposed to be my friend," Can whispered, and for a split second, he thought he saw pain and regret flash in Tin's eyes.

The moment was gone in the blink of an eye when Tin waved his hand, using magic to send Can sprawling through the yard. Can yelped when he hit the hard ground, the food splattering on his skin and clothing.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?!" Can screamed at the witch.

Tin locked his dark eyes on Can, who was trying to wipe the remnants of food off his clothes.

"Filthy mutt," Tin hissed before turning around and slamming the door shut.

Can stared at the cottage in disbelief. This couldn't have been brought on from their fight, right? True, it was more intense than usual, but this... Tin's animosity towards Can was completely unexpected.

Dusting himself off, Can stood to his feet and glared at the spot where Tin stood moments ago.

"Whatever," he grumbled to himself. "When he's done being pissy, he owes me one hell of an apology."

Little did Can know, that day was only the beginning of a newfound growing hatred between the two former friends.

~~~

We're off to a fun start, aren't we??

Keep commenting as we go along! I'd love to hear your predictions!

(BTW - when looking at past events, it will be italicized and in past tense. Present events will be in present tense)

Become a patron for access to sneak peeks and more! Check out Gumbie's Journal for more info

I hope you guys like this one!
-Gumbie