Been a while since I worked on this story. (Literally months.)

Super-Jacin-t: Part Five

Wolf yawns as he taps on the wheel, unsure of how long he's been stuck in morning rush-hour traffic. He guesses that it's been a while since he doesn't remember the last time he moved in the gridlock.

His phone vibrates in the cupholder and grabs his attention. He glances over and sees a text from Scarlet on his lock screen.

Alpha Scarlet: I got a text from a co-worker that you were at The Rampion earlier.

Traffic hasn't moved in five minutes so, maybe, texting her back isn't that big a deal.

Wolf: Just left. Went for a coffee and ran into Cress. Then The Blackburns and Kai showed up and we chatted.

Scarlet starts typing but Wolf looks at a new notification about the volcano in Capella Valley so he checks it out. Wolf glances up at the road as the webpage loads. Traffic hasn't moved at all so he looks down and continues reading.

Seismic effects. Governments arguing. Volcanic consequences. Relocation strategies. Families looking for resources. Asking for assistance from The Earthen Union, The American Republic, and The European Union.

He isn't sure when the cigarette from his pocket got into his hand but he puts down his phone. Wolf rolls down the window a bit before lighting it. His eyes flicker to the moving traffic - barely moving - so he inches his car forward a bit. He honestly didn't have to do that given how little he moved. He could put his car in park, for all he cares. A car in the next lane was "parked" for at least the past ten minutes.

He exhales, holding the freshly lit cigarette between his pointer and middle finger as he taps the steering wheel. This isn't helping as he thought it would be because he can't determine what about him revolving around all of this needs help.

His phone vibrates from the cupholder again. It's either Scarlet or the news again. Did Scarlet ever finish typing her message from before? It probably came when he was busy reading the news he didn't like.

The moment he turns to pick up his phone, he hears knocking at his window.

Wolf's heart stops. His fingers grip the cigarette as he drops his phone on the floor. Wolf slowly turns around and the first thing he sees is the dark uniform and police badge. His eyes travel up before rolling to the back of his head once he sees the snarky grin looking down at him. The cop snickers as he gestures for Wolf to pull over to the side.

And, of course, this is when traffics starts moving. Just his luck.

Wolf signals as the cop walks into the next lane to stop traffic so Wolf could cut over to the curb. Once he parks, he groans and rolls down his window as the cop walks over to his window again.

"Hey, Kesley," Officer Jael greets, leaning against his car, "long time no see."

Wolf and Jael go back in a sense. They didn't run in each other's circles but they were once in the same circle. If the Wolf Pack wanted "assistance" evading the law, someone to look the other way on some nights, or needed someone on the inside for tips and information, their man was Officer Jael.

"Not a hello?" Jael asks when Wolf glares without a single greeting. "Long time, no see, Kesley. Look, I don't need to see your licence and registration because I know who you are and that your ID and papers are legit. I was parked on the corner and saw you drive by before we hit traffic, so I decided to follow you and say hello if we were in neighbouring lanes in traffic. But then I saw you texting and driving which is a violation on any street."

Wolf scoffs. "What do you want? To read me my rights?"

Jael laughs, looking up for a moment and shaking his head. "I'm not gonna arrest you or ticket you yet but we just started chatting. You're a good kid clearly keeping tabs on things back home."

He nods towards Wolf's phone that's facing up in the cup holder. Wolf glances over and sees the breaking news article he was reading about Capella Valley. He remembers that Jael has some relatives there. It was one of their first conversations when they first met back in the Wolf Pack days.

"Your family get out?" Jael asks.

Wolf scoffs. "Nearly. They're staying with some other family in the next province over."

"Good, good. Follow me down to the station."

"What?"

"I'm calling it in."

Wolf's heart pounds for a second but he resists the urge to make a fist. Again, warm memories from the Wolf Pack days. He takes a deep and slow breath.

"Are you kidding me?" Wolf asks. "For what?"

Jael laughs a little as he leans in closer to the window. "We're visible minority boys arguing on the side of the road. The difference is that I'm in a respectable uniform. You're lucky I decided to knock on your window and tell you to put your phone away while driving. Now, you're coming down to the station because I said so."

"Fine," Wolf grumbles.

"But if you do go on your phone again, I'm writing it up."

Wolf rolls his eyes and just hands Jael his phone. He doesn't trust that he'd write him up anyways, regardless if he was on his phone or not, so surrendering it is his best bet. At least, he thinks.

"And finish that smoke before we get there."

Wolf rolls his eyes and the window back up. He groans as he holds the cigarette in his teeth. Jael heads back to his patrol car and smirks at Wolf before getting in, starting the engine, and flashing the lights.

-o-

In any other circumstance, it would've been nice to cruise through traffic because it all stopped and made way for him. Nobody could tell him he was overstepping the speed limit. The police escort wasn't ideal so he hopes nobody recognized his car.

When they turn into the police station, Jael turns to park with the other squad cars while Wolf heads into the visitor's parking lot. When Wolf gets out of his car, much to Jael's distaste, Wolf crushes his cigarette right in the parking lot with his shoe. Jael glares at him as they walk into the station.

"I thought you quit," Jael says regarding the smoking.

Wolf scoffs. "I did."

The precinct isn't a new sight for him: rows of desks and paperwork, cops and potential criminals sitting across from them. Negotiating for better deals, talks for or with lawyers, and cussing fill the room with the bitter scent of brewed coffee.

Wolf sits across from Jael at his desk and looks at the family photo, smiling a little at the two kids and their toothy grins at an amusement park. Jael sits down and hands Wolf his phone back.

"So what now?" Wolf asks. "You calling my mom?"

"I should've because you're a minor and your mom's a sweetheart," Jael starts, "but I'm not really writing you in."

Wolf pauses. "Thanks, Jael, but also what was the point of this?"

"Gotta save your aces from more trouble."

"We never really leave the Pack, do we?"

Jael sighs. "For this reason. Gotta look out for each other. But now I feel bad."

Wolf isn't surprised. He should've seen this coming from the moment he got pulled over. "What did you do?"

"I called your girlfriend."

"What?" Wolf yells, standing up from his chair.

Everyone stares and Wolf mumbles an apology as he sits back in his seat. Jael laughs a little, shaking his head.

"Keep your voice down," Jael says. "This is a police station."

"Why would you call her?" Wolf asks. "How?"

"You left your phone on when you gave it to me and she kept texting you so I called her from my work phone. Don't worry, I told her not to drive here since you have your car."

Before Wolf says anything else, he turns around and sees Scarlet walking in looking as gorgeous as she always does. Her red curls are twisted and pinned back with a chunky claw clip. Under her bomber jacket, she wears a black tank top and jeans with dirty brown boots.

Wolf wants nothing more than to watch her walk over to him but he doesn't want her to see him so he slouches in his seat. Still, seeing her walk over in that outfit would've made everything worth it.

He hears her sit next to him so he looks over to see her. To her shock, she looks remorseful instead of angry.

He didn't expect that to happen.

"I feel bad," Scarlet mutters. "You were texting me."

Wolf rubs her shoulder. "No, babe, it wasn't you."

Scarlet's brows furrow as she nudges his hand off her. "Who else were you texting?"

"He was reading the news on Capella," Jael tells her.

Scarlet nods. "Ah … well, are you writing him up?"

"There's a fine of-"

Scarlet stands this time. Wolf knew he picked the right girl for him. "I don't think it's-"

Jael laughs. "Relax, Red, I'm playing with him."

"We go back," Wolf adds.

Scarlet looks at Jael. "Get some hobbies."

Wolf stands and holds out a hand for Jael. "Thanks again."

Jael nods as Wolf takes Scarlet's hand and they head out of the station.

"Should I be concerned?" Scarlet asks.

"We're good," Wolf responds, although he isn't 100% sure.