Wolf’s Bane

“Ah yes… I still remember this one. Dad was planning to give it to me before but we completely forgot about it. It’s quite remarkable that you found it. Didn’t even think it was still around since Mom was the one who named it when they were still dating.”

“Oh wow, really? So that’s why we would give names to our stuff. I didn’t know that it was her idea.”

“Well, she believed that machines also are aware of their masters. If the owners would name them, that would strengthen the bonds between them and even energize the machine to perform better and live longer. Since Dad hadn’t named his motorcycle yet after Grandad bought it for him, Mom did it for him.”

“Bro, I suddenly have an idea…”

He went to his father’s office that day because of a discovery he made in one of the deepest parts of their basement garage. Since he was a teenager, he was totally excited with his find and he really intended to bring it back to life.

Especially when his older brother told him the story behind the forgotten and dying piece of metal and machine that was rotting in one of the neglected corners of the Packhouse’s massive basement.

It was a good thing, though, that his father sent all the staff out of the room before he let his youngest son speak what was on his mind. Upon hearing the request though, Henkjan fell silent.

He immediately went back to his massive executive chair that was behind his equally large mahogany desk and continued shifting through his papers.

“Dad, please, give me a chance at this…”

“No, absolutely not, Eron. That motorcycle is a piece of junk and I see no reason why you would waste precious time and money trying to take it back to its former glory. Your efforts are better off used in preparation for your coming-of-age rites. Up until now, you still show no signs that your wolf is already beginning to be aware, and that should be taking all your attention.”

“But Dad, I know I can fix it, I’m sure of it. Besides, I want to do it because you did say that you and Mom used to ride it when you just met her back then. You know, when you and she were still not Alpha and Luna, and I think…”

“No!”

“… that it’s pretty romantic…”

“I said NO!”

“And now that she’s not with us anymore, I just want to make things better by bringing you back the good memories you once had with her, then maybe…”

“ERON! I! SAID! NO!”

The silence that reigned in the room was long and heavy.

The man behind the desk eyed his son with narrowed eyes before he started to explain himself. The Alpha was obviously slightly irritated by this because he felt that he didn’t even need to explain to his youngest if the boy just knew what he and his mom were going through.

But that was something the proud patriarch was not willing to talk about with his sons.

“I realize that you’re doing this out of good intentions but I am telling you now that none of this matters here in the present. Whatever you’re trying to bring back from the past, it’s not as important as your future, and I say that is what you should prioritize. Now, I really have a lot of work to do and a great number of tasks to complete so I would appreciate it if you could just do as I requested. I hope that this talk has settled this Eron and I’ll be seeing you and your brother at dinnertime.”

The youngest Camden still wanted to put up a fight, since he was well-known for being quite stubborn and strong-willed. But he honestly didn’t want to add to his father’s burden right now.

Well, he could be bad but not that kind of bad…

“Ok, Dad. Sorry about that. Will see you later,” the repentant but discouraged son said before leaving his father’s office so he could go back to his brother who was waiting in the dark recesses of the garage, watching after their father’s forgotten and rusted motorbike while waiting for him to return.

As Eron approached, he knew Virgil could read what happened just by the expression on his face, which clearly had a crestfallen and dejected look. He even had to sigh long and deep just to release the heaviness in his chest.

The eldest was quick to respond the minute his brother was standing forlornly beside him. “I’m sorry Eron, I did tell you he would say no.”

“I don’t get it, bro! Why would he say no when he’s not even gonna be the one fixing the bike? And you know what, I just realized that I still don’t get why Mom left, or worse, why he doesn’t just go after her! I mean Mom is one of the most amazing and strongest women I know and it’s not because she’s our mother. If I had a mate just like her, I would move heaven and earth to keep her with me.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“I really have no clear idea on how it went this far, bro. At least not yet. I am hoping he would tell me someday but I don’t know…”

“Well, I was hoping that me asking him to put this bike together would be a way to trigger him into missing her so much he’d just go find her. From the way he reacted right now, I don’t think that will happen any time soon.”

At this point, Virgil was already bowed over the metal structure of the motorbike and was picking up a few pieces to study. Eron found himself following his big brother’s example while they continued to talk.

“It was a great idea, Eron. Too bad it didn’t work. At the very least, you would get to use a really awesome ride. From what I read about this model, they really are very powerful and beautiful beasts.”

“Yeah, I mean, it’s my time and effort that I’m ‘wasting’ here. I wasn’t asking for his help! I was just asking for permission!”

“Wait a minute, why are you asking for permission again?” V asked as he set aside a piece of the handlebars, which still looked salvageable.

“Because it was his before and he had a lot of good memories connected to it,” E answered as he was checking one of the wheels with the huge rusty shocks still attached to it.

“Yeah, but he did say it’s all nonsense now and he would not waste his time on putting his bike back together? So basically, he’s given up the right to be the bike’s owner, am I right?” V mysteriously said with a knowing grin.

“He did say that but I don’t see how… Wait a minute, I think you’re onto something there, Virgil!”

“Yes, why would you need to get permission from a former owner who had obviously already thrown his stuff away, and you just happened to find it? After all, one man’s garbage is another man’s treasure,” V smirked, as he looked at his smiling younger brother.

“He’s gonna be furious if he finds out that I still went ahead when he said no…”

“Well, it’s your time, your effort and that bike, in his own words, he had already abandoned. So, I say, finders’ keepers and losers weepers!”

Eron’s grin could have easily lit up the whole basement! “You’re absolutely right, bro. What the heck would I do without you?”

“You would not have a helper, that’s for sure…” Virgil’s wide decided smile mirrored his little brother’s.

Eron paused before speaking. “Excuse me, V. What do you mean helper?”

His older brother beamed widely before answering, “Helper, meaning assistant or backup. You still don’t get it, bro?”

“Oh, I get it, big bro. I just don’t get why you would want to help me with this since you’re really busy with your new responsibilities in the company and your training with Dad and…”

“And I still want to take time to be with my little brother, right? Might as well, do something productive together. Two birds with one stone, Eron. That’s what mom used to say!”

“Speaking of mom, what name did she give Dad’s… I mean MY motorcycle?” the youngest Camden asked, the wide smile back on his face.

“Scorpia…” the eldest son replied and his grin was even wider.