Duncan: Book Zero of Chronicles of the Forest Wolves

Duncan

~January 9th

I was already dressed by the time the sun fully broke over the tree line; pale light slipped through the curtains and stretched across the floor in long, quiet bands. The house was still at this hour, the kind of stillness that only came before the day truly began. I tugged my boots on and rolled my shoulders, working out the stiffness that had settled in overnight. Sleep hadn’t come easy, not with the weight of tomorrow sitting in the back of my mind. It wasn’t a bad feeling, just… heavy. Anticipation mixed with something I couldn’t quite name yet.

Pushing the thought aside, I stepped out into the hall and made my way downstairs. The scent of breakfast met me halfway—eggs, bacon, and fresh bread still warm enough to carry that soft, comforting sweetness. It wrapped around me like something familiar, something grounding, and for a moment, everything felt normal.

Former Luna Tessa, my mother, was already moving through the kitchen, shifting between the stove and the counter with practiced ease, her dark brown hair pulled back as she worked. Former Alpha Richard, my father, sat at the table with a mug in his hand and a folded paper in front of him that I knew he wasn’t really reading. My younger brother, Sean, looked like he’d barely made it to his chair, his hair sticking up in every direction, eyes half-lidded like he might fall asleep between bites. My sister, Jamie, on the other hand, looked entirely too awake, watching everything with quiet amusement like she always did.

“Morning,” I said as I stepped into the room, pulling out a chair.

Mom glanced over her shoulder, her expression softening just a little when she saw me. “Good. You’re up. Sit down before your brother eats everything.”

Sean barely lifted his head. “Not true.”

Jamie snorted under her breath. “It is absolutely true.”

I sat down and reached for a piece of bacon before Sean could make good on the accusation, the crisp edge breaking between my fingers. Dad lowered the paper just enough to look at me over the top of it, his gaze steady and knowing.

“You’re up early,” he said.

“Couldn’t sleep,” I answered, keeping my tone casual as I took a bite.

That wasn’t unusual. Not today.

Mom set a plate in front of me, but instead of moving right back to the stove, she lingered for a second, her eyes settling on me a little longer than necessary. There was something in that look—something weighing, measuring.

“Are you ready for tomorrow?” she asked.

I chewed slowly, letting the question sit there like I hadn’t been expecting it.

“What’s tomorrow?”

She didn’t answer right away. She just looked at me, unimpressed, the kind of look that said she knew exactly what I was doing and wasn’t buying into it for a second.

Jamie’s lips curved into a smirk, and Sean let out a quiet huff of laughter.

I grinned.

“Yeah,” I said, leaning back slightly in my chair. “I’m ready.”

And I was.

At least, I thought I was.

After breakfast, the house settled into the familiar chaos of getting everyone out the door. Sean disappeared upstairs after nearly forgetting his backpack for the second time this week, Jamie trailing behind him with a look that suggested she was already preparing to remind him. Mom moved through the kitchen cleaning up while Dad finished his coffee, occasionally tossing out reminders no one was really listening to.

It was normal. Comfortably, wonderfully normal.

By the time Sean, Jamie and I stepped outside, the morning chill had settled over the territory. Frost clung stubbornly to the grass and crunched beneath our shoes as we made our way toward the school. Our breath drifted in pale clouds ahead of us, disappearing into the cold air. The walk wasn’t long. Most of the pack lived close enough that their pups either walked or rode bikes when the weather cooperated.

Sean was talking a mile a minute about something that had happened in class the day before. Jamie carried a book tucked against her chest, only half paying attention while he rambled, occasionally turning a page as she walked.

I mostly listened. Moments like these were easy to take for granted.

The school came into view through the trees, the brick building already buzzing with activity as students poured through the front doors. Wolves from every age group moved through the parking lot and sidewalks, laughter and conversation carrying across the cold morning air.

Inside, the familiar scent of wolves, paper, cafeteria food, and floor cleaner hit me immediately. Lockers slammed somewhere down the hall, and voices echoed off the walls as students hurried toward their classrooms.

Sean split off first, heading toward the elementary wing. ”See you guys later."

Jamie waved. ”Try not to get sent to the principal’s office."

Sean looked horrified. ”I’ve only been there twice."

"Exactly."

I laughed as he hurried away.

A moment later, Jamie headed toward her own classes in the middle school hall, leaving me to make my way toward the high school side of the building.

The day passed much like every other. Teachers talked. Students pretended to listen. Assignments were handed out.

A few of us were already counting down the months until graduation. It couldn’t come fast enough.

Lunch remained the best class of the day. Mostly because it involved food.

I sat with a few friends, talked about absolutely nothing important, and enjoyed forty uninterrupted minutes where nobody expected anything from me beyond showing up.

By the time the final bell rang, I was more than ready to be done. Students flooded into the hallways, conversations bouncing off lockers and tile floors as everyone rushed toward whatever came next. I found Jamie and Sean near the front entrance where we’d agreed to meet.

"Training?" Jamie asked immediately.

I nodded. ”Training."

She wasn’t surprised. None of us were. The pack’s training field had become a second home years ago.

"Tell Mom I’ll be home soon," I said.

Jamie rolled her eyes. ”Like she doesn’t already know exactly where you are."

Fair point.

The two of them started toward home while I headed deeper into the territory, following the familiar path toward the training grounds. The sounds of the school faded behind me with every step, replaced by the rustle of bare branches and the distant calls of pack members finishing out their day.

The sounds reached me before the field came into view: shouts, impacts, and the occasional curse. The sharp scent of exertion lingered in the cold air, mixing with the earthy smell of disturbed dirt and frost-covered grass.

Freddie was already there when I arrived. My best friend stood near the fence line, stretching his shoulders, looking entirely too pleased with himself.

"You’re late."

I glanced at my watch. ”I’m early."

"Not by enough."

I shook my head and dropped my bag onto the bench. Some things never changed.

Across the field, Beta Lane was helping put away equipment while Luna Brea sat bundled in a thick jacket on a nearby bench, a knit hat pulled low over her ears. She lifted a hand in greeting when she noticed me, and I waved back.

Calvin stood near the center of the field. Even before becoming Alpha, he’d always carried himself like he owned every room he walked into. Every field. Every conversation. His shoulders were squared, chin slightly raised, his attention fixed on everything happening around him as though the entire pack existed for his approval.

Most of the time, people didn’t question it. He was strong and confident. The Alpha of Trinity Forest. He was supposed to act that way.

"About time you showed up," Calvin called.

I bit back my first response. Years of experience had taught me that arguing with Calvin wasn’t worth the effort.

"School got out ten minutes ago."

His eyes narrowed slightly, only for a second. It was gone so fast most people wouldn’t have noticed. I did.

"Excuses don’t matter in a real fight."

Freddie snorted beside me, and I hid my smile. Thankfully, Calvin chose to ignore both of us.

Freddie waited until Calvin turned away before nudging my shoulder.

"Tomorrow’s the big day."

I groaned. ”Don’t start."

His grin widened. ”Oh, I’m definitely starting. Eighteen is a big deal."

"It really isn’t."

"It is when you’re an old wolf."

I stared at him. ”You’re literally one year older than me."

"Exactly. I’m wise now."

I snorted. ”You’re an idiot."

"Maybe, but I’m an idiot with experience."

That earned him a shove.

Freddie laughed as he stumbled sideways before planting his feet again. We’d been friends long enough that moments like this came easy. Most people treated me differently because of who my family was. Freddie never had.

To him, I wasn’t the Alpha’s younger brother. I was just Duncan.

Honestly, I preferred it that way.

Before I could respond further, Calvin jerked his chin toward the open section of the field.

“Get over here.”

I sighed.

Freddie looked far too entertained. “Good luck.”

I ignored Freddie and stepped onto the training field.

Calvin had been doing this for years. Every so often, he’d decide someone needed extra attention and drag them into the center of the field. Whether it was because they were improving or because he’d decided they were screwing something up was always a mystery.

Today, apparently, it was my turn.

I stopped a few feet away from him.

“You’ve been training with Lane and Freddie for years,” Calvin said. “Let’s see if any of it actually stuck.”

I bit back my first response. Barely.

“Ready?”

I nodded.

The first few minutes weren’t exactly fun.

Calvin wasn’t the strongest wolf in the pack. That title probably belonged to my father still. What Calvin had was experience. Every movement was deliberate. Every opening was bait. Every mistake was punished before I even realized I’d made it.

Twice he put me on my back. Once he swept my legs out from under me. Another time he caught my wrist and used my own momentum against me, sending me stumbling across the field.

By the time I regained my footing, I was breathing harder than I wanted to admit.

Calvin circled once before stopping in front of me.

“Again.”

I rolled my shoulders and reset my stance.

The next exchange lasted longer. Not because I was winning. I was learning.

The third time he tried the same sweep, I saw it coming and managed to shift my weight before he could take my feet out from under me.

For the briefest moment, surprise flickered across his face. Then it vanished.

A second later he drove me backward anyway.

The session continued for several more minutes before Calvin finally stepped away.

“Your reactions are too slow.”

I wiped a forearm across my forehead.

“Thanks.”

“You also rely too much on strength.”

I stared at him.

“I’m not stronger than you.”

“Exactly.”

The irritation in his voice caught me off guard. As if the fact itself annoyed him.

Calvin crossed his arms.

“When you stop trying to overpower people and start thinking three moves ahead, you’ll actually become dangerous.”

For a second, I wasn’t sure if that was a criticism or a compliment.

Knowing Calvin, it was probably both.

“Get back to work.”

I nodded and headed toward Freddie.

The second I got close enough, his grin returned.

“How bad was it?”

“He only insulted me six times.”

Freddie laughed.

“That’s practically encouragement.”

“I was afraid you were going to say that.”

“Look on the bright side.”

“There isn’t one.”

“Sure there is. You’re still conscious.”

I snorted despite myself. “Let’s see how long that lasts.”

“Now you’re catching on.”

A second later, Freddie came at me, forcing me to abandon the conversation in favor of not getting knocked onto my ass.

Freddie and I paired off while Calvin worked with Lane. The next hour passed in a blur of movement and muscle memory. Boots dug into the cold ground. Fists connected with forearms and shoulders. The sharp burn of exertion settled into my muscles as sweat dampened the back of my shirt despite the winter air.

Sparring with Freddie was never easy. He wasn’t the biggest wolf in the pack, but he was smart. Every movement had purpose. Every mistake was punished.

More than once, I found myself flat on my back staring up at the pale winter sky while Freddie laughed at me.

"You’re dropping your left side again," Freddie said as he offered me a hand.

Freddie offered me a hand. I took it and let him pull me back to my feet.

I took it and let him pull me back to my feet.

"I am not."

"You are."

"I blocked that last hit."

"You blocked one hit."

I brushed dirt from my shirt. ”That’s still blocking."

Freddie shook his head. ”You’re impossible."

"Funny. I was about to say the same thing about you."

His grin returned immediately.

It always did.

A second later, he came at me again, forcing me to abandon the conversation in favor of not getting knocked onto my ass for the fifth time.

Across the field, Calvin and Lane trained harder than either of us. Or maybe rougher was the better word.

Lane hit the ground hard enough to send dirt flying. The impact echoed across the field. Calvin didn’t offer him a hand up. Didn’t check on him. Just stood there waiting. Watching.

Lane pushed himself back to his feet without complaint and immediately reset his stance.

Something about it rubbed me the wrong way. Not enough to start a fight. Not enough to say anything. Just enough to notice.

When I glanced toward the benches, I found Luna Brea watching too. Her expression tightened for the briefest moment before she smoothed it away and looked toward the tree line instead.

The feeling settled uneasily in my stomach.

By the time training ended, the sun was already sinking behind the trees, painting the sky in streaks of orange and gold. The temperature had started dropping again, bringing with it the sharp bite of evening.

Freddie headed toward the barracks while I grabbed my bag from the bench. Brea was still sitting there, though she had traded watching the training field for watching the sunset.

"You survived," she said as I approached.

"Barely."

"Freddie’s getting better."

I glanced over my shoulder to where he was walking away. ”Don’t tell him that."

Brea laughed softly. ”Don’t worry. His ego is already big enough."

I smiled and adjusted the strap of my bag.

"Your mom invited us over tomorrow night," Brea said. ”Birthday dinner."

"I know."

"Are you excited?"

The question caught me off guard.

"For dinner?"

"For turning eighteen."

I shrugged. ”I guess."

Brea studied me for a moment before shaking her head.

"You’re too serious."

"According to who?"

"Everyone."

I laughed. ”I’ll keep that in mind."

"You should. Eighteen only happens once."

"Good. Once sounds like enough."

Her smile widened.

"Tell your mother I said hi."

"I will."

"And Duncan?"

I looked back.

"Try smiling tomorrow. It’s your birthday, not a funeral."

A laugh escaped me despite myself.

"I’ll do my best."

"That’s all anyone can ask."

I lifted a hand in farewell and started toward home.

Tomorrow everything would change.

As I followed the familiar path through the territory, the last light of day filtering through the trees, I couldn’t shake the feeling that everyone was making a bigger deal out of turning eighteen than it needed to be. My family was waiting at home. My friends were close by. Life was good.

Standing there with another ordinary day behind me and my entire future stretched out ahead, I thought I was ready for whatever came next.

I had no idea how wrong I was.