Jeremiah

The Rollins Pack: Jeremiah

By: Alexis Donkin

Copyright 2013, Alexis Donkin

All rights reserved.

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Chapter 1: Hair of the Dog

Huh? I smacked my lips. Running my tongue along my teeth I frowned. Fuzz. Ugh! Blinking, my eyes came into focus. A face was much too close with breath that wreaked. I cringed.

Dude – you're late! he said. The words sank in. Suddenly everything sharpened and I jumped up, dodging my friend's face just barely. He winced, as he rubbed his dark hair.

Crap! I ran my hands down my shirt. Wrinkled. I didn't have time to get home and change. My parents were going to kill me. I could see my father's icy glare now. I bit my lip. Do you have any mouthwash? I croaked, looking around frantically. My friend blinked his light brown eyes at me stupidly. Danny, mouthwash! I yelled, wincing as the sound echoed through my skull. No more tequila for you!

Uh... he stammered, eyes wide. I growled and he whimpered as I pushed past him to the bathroom. I didn't worry about the limp bodies in various states of dishabille. I didn't care if I woke anyone up or stepped on an errant limb en route to the bathroom. I had thirty minutes to get to the charity brunch or my life was over. Well, not over – just much more difficult.

When I got to the bathroom, I rummaged through the cabinets until I procured a dusty bottle of yellow mouthwash. I scowled as I held the bottle away from me. Disgusting! There was no choice. The wretched stuff would mask the stale cigarette smoke and rancid liquor from the previous night – not much, but enough. Pouring a full cap of the horrid smelling stuff into my mouth, I swished vigorously for a minute. As I did, I inspected my hair and face in the mirror. Silently I thanked my father for his Y chromosome. Luckily, I didn't have to worry about putting on a face. A slight stubble wasn't unheard of, and the current trendy hair style was intentionally mussed. I fingered my hair a bit to make it look more intentional, and then spit out the disgusting foam.

Ugh! I grabbed a tissue and wiped my mouth. Throwing the tissue carelessly but still making the trashcan, I glanced down at my pants. Wrinkled. I sighed. At least that one girl hadn't thrown up on me. I felt bad for that pimply faced reject beside me who got the brunt. But it couldn't be helped. Some people are just unlucky. My eyes raised to my chest. I thanked my parents for my genes yet again. There were some things that couldn't be faked. As I stared at my chest, my face fell. I froze. Tie! Danny! Tie! What had I done last night? I couldn't remember why I would take off my tie. Still, my clothes were on, so thankfully nothing else had happened. I didn't want to deal with those repercussions.

Oh! came my friend's anxious reply from the living room. I ran out to find him holding a black strip of silk.

Perfect. I smiled winningly at him and he beamed back. Without a thought, he wrapped the fabric about my neck and tied a full Windsor with a perfect dimple. Finished, he patted it and nodded. I looked around the room. Jacket? Danny turned, eagerly handing me a black jacket that matched my pants. In one fluid motion I had it on and buttoned. Fortunately the jacket hadn't suffered the same wrinkled fate as the rest of my clothes. I patted my right pocket and heard the comforting jingle of car keys.

How fast do you think I can get to the museum? I asked quietly meeting Danny's wide eyes.

You're going to be fashionably late.

Ah, well. Better than hours late. I shrugged and turned to leave. As I reached the door, I stopped and called over my shoulder. Oh, by the way, make sure to get that one girl's number. I'd like her in my hot tub. I grinned wickedly and Danny laughed. See ya!

See ya Jer, he said, with a resigned grin.

The drive downtown took me about forty-five minutes. By taking less traveled roads and driving faster than the average person, I saved myself. It was less time than I expected, and thankfully I wasn't so late that my parents would publicly chastise me. Still, as I crossed the art museum lobby to where my parents stood, I scented my father's disapproval. His gray eyes caught my crumpled pants and shirt despite my tie and jacket. He knew I was wearing the same suit from yesterday – the one I wore to one of his pack meetings. His eyes stormed as I smiled at my oblivious mother.

Mom! I said extending my arms and grabbing her in a quick hug. She coughed as I released her and scanned her sequined gown to make sure the buttons of my jacket hadn't snagged anything. Catching her look, I sighed.

Jerry, where were you last night? she asked with a fixed smile. Her voice was that quiet socialite kind that masked everything from anyone further away than a foot. This was a feat considering at least half the attendees of any events my parents graced had werewolf hearing. I faltered, forcing a smile back at her.

Hanging out with the boys. You know! I wagged my brows at her, trying to be my most charming. She glared at me and then rolled hers. Bringing a mimosa to her lips, she paused.

I hope you didn't do anything that would cause lasting damage.

Irreparable?! Moi?! I laughed heartily and winked at her. I'm the model of discretion! I added in a whisper. My father barked a mirthless laugh. My eyes flicked to his disapproving face. I scented danger.

I hope the crowd wasn't just wolves. He peered at me and I gulped. Even though I had become as tall as my father, he was still incredibly frightening. He could have flung me against a wall without a second thought. I may have been just as big, but I was scrappy in comparison. He was honed and sharp. I was lucky if my pants were on and my shirt was tucked. My grin faltered.

It was just kids from school -

Ah, mayor! my father called, smiling as he walked away from us. I blinked, looking after him. Yet again I was a disappointment. It didn't matter that I was nowhere near as bad as I used to be. At the age of thirteen I had stumbled into charity events completely smashed. One time I'd been so inebriated I'd actually jumped onto the drink table and fallen onto the ice sculpture, sending shards of ice and sprays of punch at guests. In elementary school I had designed, made, and distributed – for a price - blow-dart guns to the other kids. So what was a wrinkled shirt in comparison? A party with friends? I frowned. Friends from school could have meant any combination of potential consequences for my father. Many of my classmates' parents were almost as high powered as mine.

For your sake Jeremiah, I hope that's true. My mother smiled as she left me to stand there, partially wilted. I shook my head back to the present. For a moment I watched my mother's sequined progress through the room. When she blended into the crowd, my attention widened.

The crowd was a smörgåsbord of Pittsburgh muckity-mucks. Of all the places to be someone, my father was here – in the city of three rivers. It wasn't as though I didn't like it – there were plenty of good things about the city. And Pittsburgh had its share of barons. In the long line of American aristocracy, our family was right up there. Frick and Carnegie were sideshows compared to the Rollins family. But even with its powerful history and good breeding, every family has its black sheep.

Of course, that was me. I was the screw up – and the first born to boot. I could tell when my parents looked at me they hoped my younger brothers would be more politically correct. They hoped for proper etiquette, sober introductions, and a clean arrest record. They hoped Andrew, James, Frederick, and Charles would smooth the lines of society and carry on the Rollins name. Meanwhile, they hoped I didn't overdose and get found half-naked in a gutter with a tranny stripper.

According to my mother, I was on the fast track to becoming a tabloid sensation. And I would have been, if my parents weren't so secretive about our family's business.

I sighed as I found my way to one of the tables filled with appetizers. There were more than enough waiters carrying trays of everything, but I didn't feel like finding one through the black suits. Suits in the morning! In summer!! What the hell were they thinking?! I popped a canape into my mouth and groaned as I relished the flavor.

You are so lucky, came a wry voice from my left. A sharp inhalation brought the smell of tart apples. My face fell as I turned. A foot shorter than me, boasting a brown glare and a mousy matching bob was the face I least wanted to see at that moment.

Laurie, I said stiffly as I nodded. She cocked her head to the side, raising one brow.

"Somehow you managed to show. Amazing!" she mocked.

And amazingly, you're still not the ugliest girl in the room! I sneered. The wave of rage blew towards me as I inhaled and rolled my eyes.

Jeremiah Rollins, it's a miracle I'd even look at, let alone speak to the likes of you! she spat, her voice growing louder. I glanced around, noticing a few nearby guests observing us.

Laurie, you better watch it. Someone might send a dog catcher. And then what would you do? Sit in a cage and wait for your salvation?

What did you just say?! she hissed, her jaw hitting the floor.

"You heard me – salvation! You know, when you're put down?" I added softly. With a smirk I strolled away, taking pleasure in her sputtering.

Unfortunately for me, Laurie was the daughter of my father's third in command. She was just as purebred as I was, and she never let me forget it. Being the firstborn of such a family had swollen her head and her pride. Unlike me, she had swallowed the family line and all the accompanying obligations and responsibilities. Even though we were in the summer before our junior year, she had already sent applications to all the colleges she wanted to attend. She had a list of goals. She got straight As. She was an officer for five different clubs. There was no question, she was being primed. Her father had her attend every pack meeting possible, while her mother made her suffer through the junior league. All that was a problem, but it was nothing when compared to the way her parents looked at me every time they saw me. There was a hunger – an eager sparkle in their eyes. To them, it was just a matter of time. After all, who else was purebred enough to partner with Jeremiah Rollins, the eldest child of Alpha Wulfric Rollins?

And honestly, there wasn't anyone, at least not in Pittsburgh.

Just thinking about it made me sag. I hurried out to the veranda before anyone could notice me. If I hid long enough, I'd be able to avoid everyone including Laurie's parents. Ugh! She was the only wolf-girl remotely close to my age in our territory with enough good breeding. Still, it was amazing her parents even wanted me for their precious Laurie. After all, even before I had turned I was the troublemaker.

In grade school, I was the child who climbed onto the roof to throw water balloons at teachers, and set off fireworks in the library. Because of my larger build, even at a young age, kids picked fights with me. I was constantly getting detention and in-school suspension for fighting. I even fell asleep in classes during junior high, earning me regular detentions. Granted, I still made the appropriate marks, much to my teachers' and parents' consternation. High school so far had been more of the same, except fewer fights and less trouble. At fifteen, just like all wolves, I went through the requisite transformation. My size, strength, and senses heightened. Now when I strolled down the hall, the boys let me be, and the girls... well, the girls were another story.

Leaning against the rail, I smiled as I looked out at the museum's manicured lawn. When it came to girls, high school had been a blessing. Laurie may have been annoying, with her pinched face and social climbing ambition, but other girls were a completely different story. Since I had placed on the varsity football team at the Academy, along with varsity hockey, and varsity baseball, I had any and every girl I wanted. They flocked around me. It was nice to leave a class only to clog a hallway with the prettiest girls in school vying for my attention, even if half of them were just human. I chuckled to myself.

What was that girl's name last night? The memory was fuzzy. I wasn't even sure what I had done with her – or her friend. Sighing with satisfaction, I pushed myself away from the railing. Another satisfied customer. Of that at least, I was sure.

Jeremiah! came a nasal male voice. My body stiffened. I could smell him as the breeze shifted. Ugh! This is not my morning!

Mr. Merritt! I smiled falsely as I turned to face my enemy. Of all the high ranking pack members, Laurie's father was the only one I felt obliged to call by mister. The stocky balding man smiled beadily back. He patted his barrel torso smugly and nodded. How are you? I extended my hand which he shook vigorously.

Excellent! Excellent! Getting ready for the new school year? he smiled, his beady eyes twinkling. I swallowed and nodded.

You know, practices are starting soon. Throwing a tight-lipped smile I turned back to the view.

Right! Of course. he said softly and nodded, I remember the Academy myself. What a bore! He tutted and then sighed loudly. But then it's nice to have a break – see the new wing of the museum and such! Merritt smiled again. How long before - Don't suppose you got a chance to see my girl did you? And there it was. I raised my brows and nodded once.

She's hard to miss. For me she really was, mostly because she sought me out any time I was within striking distance.

That she is. Especially in Cavalli, don't you think? The older man looked behind him towards his daughter. Out of the corner of my eye I could see the red slinky number she wore. I wondered what she thought would be accomplished by such an exposition. After all, this was brunch, not opera. I merely nodded respectfully. Something vibrated in my breast pocket. I feigned concern. I was going to have to buy Danny something nice.

Oh, excuse me, I said as I pulled out my phone. Scrolling down, I saw Danny's text about some incomprehensible emergency. He had a talent for invention, which I needed should anyone have asked to see the stupid message. Looks like I'm going to have to take off. There's a project for the football team. I have to meet with the captain and get everything together. I smiled and Merritt grinned. Suddenly his great palm was pounding my back, knocking me off balance.

That-a-boy! You're going to get into a great college! Such leadership training in sports – really good plan! Well, take off! See you soon, I'm sure! He nodded and gestured for me to be on my way. Smiling, I slipped out and down to the parking lot. Luckily I wasn't caught by another of my father's stuff-shirt stooges.

Once I was safely in my car and driving away, I breathed a huge sigh of relief. Of course, I didn't have anything I had to do. There was no project for the football team. The captain, my cousin, wouldn't have openly consulted me if there was. I grinned to myself and beat my hand against the steering wheel making a split second decision.

Even though Pittsburgh had many delicious places to eat, I had an addiction to pastrami sandwiches from Primanti Brothers. While parking in the Strip District in the middle of the day on a Saturday was a chore, it was worth it for the reward awaiting me. I would have circled block after block for a pastrami sandwich.

When I pushed my way into the restaurant, a couple happened to be leaving from a small table in the back. With a smooth motion through the crowded room, I sat down, ordered and took out my phone. Scrolling through my apps, I selected a game and started playing. Lost in the stupid thing, I forgot my surroundings. It wasn't until the table vibrated that I looked up. I sputtered.

Sorry, I need to sit here. The girl looked over her shoulder at the window before turning back to me. I blinked at her and she smiled. Her dirty blond hair was loose about her shoulders and her eyes were sea blue. From her tan bare arms, I could tell she was an active sort of person. I shook my head dumbfounded.

Um, I was here first! I blurted stupidly.

Yeah, sorry! she cringed. I just need to sit here for a bit. She turned back over her shoulder and the waitress came with my order. Grinning at the waitress she added, Can I get a fountain drink? Diet? The waitress nodded and left. I continued to stare at her.

In the U.S. we generally have to be invited to join a table, I said stiffly. She raised a brow.

You're by yourself. There's an empty chair. It's crowded. What's the big deal? She shrugged and smiled broadly. I scowled at her and took a huge bite out of my sandwich. This place is pretty famous, huh? She looked around idly as I peered at her. Gulping my bite I exhaled.

It has a reputation, I replied grudgingly. Glaring, I leaned into the table. She jumped under my gaze, her eyes widening slightly. Do you regularly interrupt people's lunches without introducing yourself? She blushed a pretty pink and I felt my nostrils flare for a second.

My name's Ash. She flashed her perfect smile again. It was too perfect. She was too tan. I leaned back.

I'm Jer. I took another large bite of my sandwich.

Nice to meet you! She nodded and the waitress brought her drink. I swallowed.

Who comes to Primanti's and doesn't buy a sandwich?

I'm not here to eat. I fixed her with a skeptical look. In my mind there could be no other reason to visit the place. This was especially clear as another wave of patrons pushed through the front door, raising the noise to a roar and the temperature by five degrees.

Then why?

If you must know, I'm avoiding my parents.

"You came to the Strip District and you're avoiding your parents. Did you come here with your parents?" She blushed and I smirked. Suddenly the girl glared at me.

We're not getting along.

When do kids ever get along with their parents? I scowled and munched on my sandwich. She