11: Twisting the Truth

"You smell," Roman told Seth as they drove through backroads to their next destination.

Dean was asleep in the back seat next to Bayley. Seth was driving while Roman shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Seth glanced over at him and asked, "Like what?"

"I don't know," Roman growled, "You just smell."

Seth shrugged it off. They had been driving for days, only stopping when necessary for bathroom breaks, gas and food. They were on a mission to reach their destination, and with Bayley's family coming for them, they didn't have time to spare.

Roman shifted uncomfortably, again. Seth found the behavior odd, but chalked it up to Roman getting bored with the long car ride. The guys had been stuck in close proximity together, before. The stench from not showering wasn't unfamiliar, but Roman was suddenly acting like it was really bothering him.

"I don't think I can stand it," Roman shifted once more.

Seth opened his mouth to tell Roman to deal with it, but Bayley spoke first, "Is it a sweet smell?"

"What?" Seth asked, confused, but Roman ignored him and replied to Bayley, "Yeah."

"Please pull over, Seth," Bayley informed him.

Seth didn't know what was going on, but he trusted Bayley enough to listen when she gave an order. He parked on the shoulder of the dirt road near a thicket of trees.

Bayley tugged on Dean's shirt to stir him awake. He snorted and rubbed his eyes. Roman opened the door and got out of the car. He slammed the door and walked into the trees.

"Is he taking a dump?" Dean asked dryly.

Bayley explained to Dean, "Wait here. You'll be needed, soon."

Dean shrugged and sat back in his seat. He closed his eyes as if to rest, but Bayley tugged on his shirt again and said, "Don't fall asleep."

Dean nodded but kept his eyes closed. Seth looked back at Bayley for answers, but she shook her head and said, "I'll talk to Roman."

She got out of the car. Seth started to get out as well, but Bayley shook her head again and said, "Stay here."

He nodded and sat back in the car, but Seth kept the door open to let in some air. When Bayley disappeared into the trees, Seth sniffed his shirt to make sure he didn't smell as bad as Roman claimed.

Bayley found Roman pacing a few hundred yards from the car. He seemed agitated and he roared when Bayley came closer, "I don't know what the hell is wrong with me!"

Bayley kept her distance and replied calmly, "You've been through the change, but your body is still adjusting. Being a wolf is a mental, emotional and physical journey. Your body is changing chemically, and everything you know is being amplified."

Roman seemed to find some ease from this explanation. He stopped pacing and hunched his shoulders as he replied thickly, "My memories of the past...of the war...I can see it and smell it and hear it and...all those dead bodies...all the screams and the blood and the ringing in my ears..."

Tears filled Roman's eyes as he ran his palm through his long hair. Bayley nodded and replied, "I understand. The harder memories are the worst, but they will get better with time."

Roman sniffed and replied, "There's something else."

Bayley nodded and said, "The instinct to breed."

"It's so strong," Roman confessed, taking a pause before he added, "I want to fuck Dean all the time."

"But Seth repels you," Bayley stated.

Roman nodded and grumbled, "It's like everything Seth does is making me crazy. He smells really bad and he says annoying things and I want to throw him out of the car."

"It's a pack mentality," Bayley explained, "Your testosterone is high right now. I'm a wolf, and Dean is your mate. Seth is the only one who doesn't fit in with your pack. He's not a wolf, or a potential mate."

"I want to kill him," Roman started sobbing.

Roman fell to his knees. Bayley took a step closer, but she did not reach out to touch him. She said after a few moments of silence, "I will ask Dean to come to you. Spend some time with him. It will help the aggression you have towards Seth."

Roman lifted his head and wiped his eyes. He asked Bayley somberly, "Could I hurt him? Dean, I mean?"

"You'll be stronger than before, yes, but wolves are experts at adapting. You will be able to tell when it's too much for him," Bayley said.

Roman made a long sigh before asking, "And I won't hurt Seth, right?"

"The aggression should fade away, but Seth will always be considered an outsider to you, unless he proves himself worthy to be a part of your pack."

"I thought your brothers and your father wanted me in their pack," Roman inquired.

Bayley nodded and said, "They do, because it would mean you could not make a pack of your own. You're already on the path to starting your own pack. It's happening more quickly because you're constantly surrounded by a female and a mate. You have a very strong bond with Dean. It's much stronger than I realized. Most males take months to develop a pack. You are already making decisions that most take a long time to make."

Roman nodded and lowered his head. Bayley turned away, telling him over her shoulder, "I will get Dean."

Seth had gotten out of the car to sit on the hood. He spread out over it so he could take in some sun and stretch out his legs. He closed his eyes and listened for any signs of trouble, but there was only bird song and a light breeze.

He heard Bayley's footsteps through the trees a while, later. Seth sat up and asked when he realized Roman was not with her, "Is he okay?"

Seth thought Dean had fallen back to sleep, but he was getting out of the car before Bayley could answer, "He is fine. He would like to spend some time with Dean."

Dean took off for the trees before Seth could get a word in. When Bayley came closer, Seth asked her curiously, "What's going on?"

"Roman is working things out. Being a wolf comes with many challenges and adjustments."

"So, is that why he's freaking out on me?" Seth asked.

Bayley nodded.

She tried to get up on the hood, but Seth sat back and replied, "I'm sorry if I stink."

"You don't," she said, "Not to me."