Chapter 23 Face Yourself #2
“Naw, wives make us kings!” Tyler hit back.
“That’s true. In fact, Zana and I have been looking at schools for my girls in Seattle. I’m trying to arrange for them to move here, permanently,” Tico said.
“Good move, bro,” Tyler confirmed. “We’re expanding, and going to be making more money than ever. Good for the families to be all together.”
“OK, the next guy who mentions a girl’s name pays for the jet fuel,” Vinnie announced.
The crew was on their last night of wilderness camping, in the middle of a valley surrounded by mountains that they had to hike half a day to get to. They were completely surrounded by breathtaking wild nature. The crisp darkening blue sky above them was spectacular.
An American Eagle flew far above the valley and its call broke the silence. Not a tree moved in the distance. The quickly dropping temperature tightened the northern September air.
The seven men braved the raw wild with the three tents they had, a few cans of food, several bottles of water, fishing rods, bear spray, and the wild Alaskan landscape in front of them.
A return to true nature. Bonding with their male counterparts but missing the scent of a woman more than anything.
The fire cracked loudly and Tyler now held out his phone up to the group.
“Here, boys, a picture to commemorate our crew. Men in the wild who just won the war and more territory than they can handle.”
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure you just want to take a picture to send to Nicki, bro!” Jake teased.
“Yeah, that too,” Tyler admitted.
“I guess Jake’s paying the jet fuel bill!” Vinnie announced.
Tyler sent Nicki the picture of the crew with the incredible view behind them. The setting sun held onto the tops of the mountains for as long as it could and warmed the fading cool blue sky.
Tyler took the cigars out of his backpack and passed them around.
“Alright! Proper!” Tico shouted.
“Oh, I got something to go with that, bro!” Jake took out a top shelf bottle of reserved rum. “I don’t have glasses cause we’re in the wild, so we’ll just drink out of the bottle, I guess. But uh, Alpha. You get the first drink. Congratulations, brother!”
“Alpha!” the group repeated, getting comfortable around the fire, some putting on an extra layer.
The cigar smoke mixed with the woody essence. The fire lit up their happy faces, celebrating Tyler’s last week of bachelorhood and riding on the last bit of high that still remained from winning the war.
“I just want to say…” Tommy started.
The boys quieted.
“Congratulations, bro. You deserve it. You deserve an incredible woman, and to get your territory back.”
Tommy stumbled near the fire.
“Careful, man,” Tyler said.
He propped his brother up and took the bottle from him.
“I love you, man,” Tommy said and pulled his arm over Tyler for a hug.
Tyler hugged him tightly. “I love you brother.”
The crew clapped and tugged on their cigars.
“I love to see it, man, I love to see it!” Jake shouted.
“So, what the hell are we gonna do with all that Leeman territory, Alpha? That’s a lot of money out there, we need to get a bigger vault!” Jake shouted.
“Quiet down, guy!” Trevor finally piped up.
“Why? Look around, Trev, we’re the only ones out here! Woohooo!” Jake yelled to the sky. His voice echoed eerily and bounced off of the mountains.
“Yeah except for the bears!” Luca shouted, looking around, rubbing his arms.
“Luca, stop with the bears, bro! Chill!” Jake shouted.
“Well, I’d like to toast to the new Missus,” Vinnie offered. “To Nicki! For twisting your head upside down and making us the Kings of the Northwest!” He nearly choked on his own cigar smoke.
“Thanks, buddy,” Tyler said.
The boys continued drinking and laughing, with the cigar smoke infusing the crisp Alaskan air.
“I’m gonna get some more wood,” Tommy said.
He walked into the nearby wooded area where old, dry trees bent over themselves. Gray, dry branches offered proper firewood.
He walked further into the dark woods, picking up an armful of bigger sticks and logs.
The crew’s laughs were heard in the distance. Their faces glowed from the fire as it got darker.
Tommy walked further.
“Yo, don’t walk too far into the woods, bro!” Tyler shouted after Tommy.
Too far for him to hear.
“Why did he go so deep in there, man?” Vinnie asked.
“Probably taking a shit,” Trevor said.
“Naw, he’s probably doing some soul searching. Facing himself, or whatever,” Jake teased.
The crew laughed.
“Leave him alone,” Tyler said quietly, looking back at the thick trees. It seemed like the forest had swallowed Tommy whole.
Tommy’s arms were full of wooden logs as he started to head back toward the fiery glow in the far distance. The trees were thick. The dry twigs cracked beneath his feet on the unbeaten path. He continued in the dark, carefully placing each step.
It was the sound of a low growl that stopped him.
Pulse raised. Pupils dilated. Breath thin.
The growl got louder behind Tommy. His neck prickled.
He dropped the wood and turned around swiftly.
A wolf.
Dark brown, with orange fire eyes. Staring at Tommy. Fangs out.
Fuck.
They eyed each other, unmoved.
One whole minute of growling felt like an hour.
“It’s OK buddy, it’s OK,” Tommy whispered.
The wolf’s growl lessened and his fangs retreated. The snout closed. The stare continued.
“Shhhh, buddy, it’s me. I’m just like you. I’m a wolf too,” Tommy whispered, while his heart pounded.
“Tommy! Come back, bro!” Tyler yelled with an echo.
Tommy’s eyes remained frozen on his potential killer. Hearts beating.
Another minute went by of the staring contest and Tommy being as still as he could. A drop of sweat beaded down his back.
“Raaarrr!” Tommy suddenly growled at the wolf.
The wolf yelped and bolted back into the black woods.
An exhale left Tommy’s lungs like never before in his life.
He burst into an overwhelming cry, pulling his hands through his hair.
“I’m am a fucking wolf,” he said to himself.
Tommy wiped his eyes with his sleeves, collected the wood from his feet and headed back to the fire.
“No more wandering by yourself,” Tyler said upon his return.
“Got it,” Tommy replied, adding the logs to the fire.
“Yo, did you see anything in there, bro? Any bears?” Luca asked.
“Nope, just myself,” Tommy answered, staring into the fire.
Tommy’s smile emerged and remained all the way into his dimples for the rest of the boy’s trip.
The boys celebrated into the night; their Alpha getting married next weekend to his lioness queen.
Their empire was expanding as was their territory.
The dawn of a new era was upon them, with the next generation of Dorien brothers on the way.
As the darkness closed in, green northern lights danced in the sky, adding to their celebration.