by Unknown
Tuesday arrived faster than I thought, and it was the first night of the full moon. I had all sorts of emotions running through me but mostly I had to admit I was excited to start this new adventure. Ever since the changes began my desire for adventure and being more assertive (as Mike would say) with the things I’ve always wanted to say and do had been growing.
Dad and I sat at the cabin waiting for the moon to reach its apex. Apparently, the shift doesn’t occur at the sight of the moon but instead when it reaches the highest point relative to you. We were moments away and like prepared soldiers before the battle, there was nothing left to say or do. So my Dad tried to take my mind off it with talk of Amanda.
“Don’t think I’m one of those nosey Dad’s but given the situation I had to check her out to make sure she wasn’t…ummm”
“A rogue wanting to rip my jugular out?” I finished his sentence for him and he laughed.
“Something like that. Well she has the all clear just in case you were wondering.” He said stretching out his legs and taking such a casual stance like shifting wolves was an everyday occurrence. What was I saying? Of course, this was an everyday occurrence with him.
“Thanks for checking Dad, but I could have spared you the effort. I’ve known her since middle school and she is as genuine as Lisa.” I then went on to tell him about the first day we talked years ago up to my bold move at the Smoke Pit. I could tell he enjoyed the story and I began feeling a bit more at ease. I even stopped clutching my chain my mother left me that I always wore as a security blanket when something was really worrying me. It was a silver rope chain with an oval shaped medallion the size of a penny with old engraved markings. I never could find out what they meant as much as I Googled the heck out of it and my Dad was equally clueless. In a way not knowing gave me the freedom to make it mean whatever I wanted. I pretended it was a special message for me from her that was an expression of her love for me that was beyond mere words. So she had it engraved with symbols instead of words to symbolize that love. Each symbol was her way of describing a limitless love. It was cheesy but it made me feel close to her.
Suddenly it happened. The moon was at its apex and I was still me. We waited. We waited. And after an hour I was disappointed. If I was going to shift it would have happened. So I went to my room without a word and shut the door. I let the adrenaline crash wash over me. You know when a fighter is too hyped up on adrenaline before the fight that once he enters the ring all his energy is drained from the rush and he becomes a limp noodle? Well there I was laying down Raman Noodle style. I drifted off to sleep it seemed when I heard my Dad at the door. I stayed under the covers but I knew he could sense I was awake.
“Connor, we don’t know everything there is about a pure blood and so we can’t expect things to happen the way they do with other weres. I don’t want you taking this too hard. We prepared our very best. You did everything right so that when you do shift there is nothing we are going to regret, so don’t regret this.” He moved closer to me and I knew he was right. I even took comfort in his words and confidence. Then I felt his hand on my head and I fell into a deep sleep.
CHAPTER 4
I shrugged off Tuesday’s disappointment and started to look forward to this weekend. These last two weeks Amanda and I had been exchanging little conversations whenever we’d see each other in the hall at school. She seemed to be looking forward to Saturday and the dance. Whenever we run into each other it felt like a rush. We’d both start off a bit hesitantly but we would fall into a comfortable conversation that always seemed to be cut way too short. She had been reading the book I gave her and couldn’t seem to put it down. She even got in trouble in one of her classes when she tried to finish up a chapter that she said had her so hooked she had to read it to the end. Tonight was the homecoming football game and I was so ready to just put this werewolf thing behind me. If it took a couple more years to shift then that’s ok. I had a life before this happened and I was ready to continue it.
We were keeping the score pretty tight. Our rival team was good and I knew it was going to be a physical game. Two of our players were already out due to injuries and I was aching all over. It was the last seconds of the second half and I knew I had to push through without pushing too hard so people couldn’t notice my added strengths. It was just what I needed. I was letting out my aggression and having fun with it. One of the things I love about football is that it’s not only a test of physical strength but it’s a mental sport too. I have to survey the line up and make quick last minute calls if I have too. It was the perfect game of mental strategy and physical challenge making my inner wolf happier than a pup with a ball. It was the last play and we were up and I knew the other team was looking for a sack to fumble and recover the ball so that they could score. They had their best defensive player in and he looked like he started kindergarten when he was eight. The ball was snapped and he was charging right at me, and I prepared for the blow. We collided and I couldn’t resist putting some of my strength to the test and I knocked him clear over another player. The hit sat him on his butt with a puzzled look on his face. Somewhere in the distance I picked up on someone saying “It’s him.” But in an instant I was immediately surrounded by all my teammates asking me a bunch of questions while congratulating me. I lost the voice and I couldn’t focus on the direction it came from. Maybe it was a scout. Coach has been getting them to the games on a regular basis hoping to get me a full ride to my pick of schools. So far I had my two of my top three offering me a scholarship, maybe this was the scout from the University of Georgia.
I met up with Mike and Lisa outside the locker room and we group hugged in celebration.
“That was the most intense game and the season isn’t even over!!”Mike exclaimed while picking Lisa up and spinning her. Surprisingly, she let him without a fight; guess she figured he can have his moment. When he set her down he seemed to hang on to her a little longer than necessary.
“Let’s go to the Smoke Pit and celebrate.”Mike was beaming and on an obvious winner’s high.
“Well it’s only 9 so let’s do it. I can use some fun before tomorrow’s primping” said Lisa putting her arm around me in a subtle way to get out of the embrace with Mike without hurting his feelings.
“Who’s the lucky guy you’re going with?” I asked.
“You’re looking at him. “Said Mike smugly.
“Hey now, I agreed out of pity for you since you got double dumped by Twiddle Dee and Twiddle Dumb.” She said teasingly. “He asked them both and planned to make fools of them by taking them both at different times.”Lisa shot a look at Mike that could melt ice caps.
“Whoa ok, ok, no need to be so heated about it. Well, that’s not exactly how I planned it. I just didn’t want to deprive them of being on my arm so I thought I would go to dinner and half the dance with one then drop her off and pick up the other for the end of the dance and the after party.” He said defensively. “And Miss Snooty Tooty, I made it up to them with an apologetic bouquet. They ate it all up and I wouldn’t be surprised if they fight over who is going to ask me to Prom.” He answered back with a look of his own that made Lisa blush for a split second.
“Connor, don’t let him rub off on you please! This school can only handle one Mike Ackers “Lisa said while sneering at Mike.
“Ok, let’s go celebrate guys but I want to get home early too. I have to pick up Amanda’s flowers in the morning.”I said and off we went.
Rafe
“They found him. I heard a male rogue on the phone telling someone ‘He’s here and his is definitely changed’. From what I sensed I can tell they have been checking in on him. Neither Caitlin nor I have noticed anything so I’m not sure how close they could have really gotten.”
“Thanks Lark, I know you have been an excellent guardian. We have to be on alert for tomorrow. I will make sure to be around. Tell Lyall to be on alert.” Rafe said with concern. He didn’t go to the game since they had a new member of the pack
that needed special counseling. He didn’t anticipate anything happening since Connor didn’t shift. It was his fault that the guard was down. But he wasn’t going to let Connor pay the price. His son was all he lived for and he wasn’t going to lose him.
The whole team was at the Smoke Pit in high spirits and energized as if we hadn’t just exhausted our bodies in one of the toughest games of the season. Amanda was there with her friends and waved to me when I walked in arm in arm with Lisa. I was getting better at sensing her mood and I could tell there was a hint of tension in the air. I was hoping it had nothing to do with homecoming tomorrow night since I was really looking forward in spending a few hours with her. We found a small table and spent the next hour talking to everyone who stopped by to congratulate us. Everyone was talking about the last play and how I was able to channel my “Hulk” to help us seal the win. I guess I should have been more discreet but what can I say, it was the wolf in me. Amanda stopped by for a quick chat but with the commotion we were ushered into different conversations and quickly reconfirmed the time I was suppose to pick her up the next evening. As crowded as it was my attention never left Amanda. I would sneak glances her way and took advantage of the scent of her hair and skin that teased my nose. It was sweet torture. About a half hour later I could tell that Lisa was ready to leave so I offered to take her home and said my goodbyes, I could feel Amanda’s eyes on me and I thought about whether I should go over to say something to her but I realized that would seem too forward considering we weren’t even dating yet.
After I walked Lisa to her house and she was inside safely I jumped our little fence into my yard. When I landed I felt a shock wave through my body. All the adrenaline left me and I started to feel the after effects of the game. I made my way inside and was surprised to see my Dad at the kitchen counter having his evening tea. He says it’s his special brew that helps him drown out the wolf and his pack so he can settle down to bed. See as an Alpha he is linked to all the wolves in his pack. He can draw strength from them or control them when needed. As the Marrok he has the added benefit of being connected to other packs and their alphas. He says he tries not to use that power too often that way he can keep a balance among the wolves. Wolves are touchy about territory so he keeps a low profile when it comes to exhibiting his powers. He can dominate any alpha which is kind of strange to me since I know just how strong wolves can be. That makes my Dad incredibly stronger which is kind of freakish to a teenage son. I was still having a hard time seeing him as the ultimate alpha. To me he was just my dad.
“Hey kiddo, I hear the game was worthy of a highlight reel on Sports Center. I even hear you got a little extra tough with a defender.” He said looking over the rim of his cup.
Oops. “Yeah, sorry about that Dad, I guess the game just got so intense I let my guard down a little. But it wasn’t so obvious to make anyone suspect something odd was up. Remember I have been benching more lately and everyone thinks it’s a result of Coach’s great mentoring.” I said brightly hoping to ease his concern. I sense it didn’t work. “Dad, I am really sorry though, it won’t happen again.” I said more seriously. He nodded.
“Congrats Connor on a job well done. I’m glad you won, and I’m glad you got to be a regular high school kid for a change.”
“Thanks Dad. I wish you were there. How is the newbie coming along?” I asked hoping that was the source of his tension.
“She’s ok. She’ll take some more work but once she starts to shift I think the pack will be surprised at the punch she’ll pack. I like her spunk actually.” He said grinning.
“Well Dad, I’m really beat and I just want to hit the shower and climb into bed to sleep it off. I’ll give you the details of the game in the morning.” And I walked up to my room and after a quick shower fell on my bed.
Not even five minutes later I jolted up as I felt a shooting pain course right through me. I felt aches in my bones and soreness in my muscles. I called out in pain and realized it was in my mind because my mouth was parched and I couldn’t make a sound. My Dad walked in and I realized he heard me through the bond we have. He looked astonished and I couldn’t read his face or body language as I was fighting the urge to scratch my skin off at the burning I was feeling. I heard my dad on the phone.
“I need you here now. I can’t explain but it’s urgent. Bring your things.” And he hung up.
He came back to the room and started to talk to me but I could only make out a few words. “Shifting.... here soon... pain away ...you’re ready.”
I heard the front door slam and then there were footsteps coming up the stairs. At my doorway stood someone I recognized, it was Fridolf, I think. My mind was too crazed to think straight. My skin was burning, my bones were feeling like they were being pulled like taffy and my muscles felt like I strained each one. My head began to hurt and my face was starting to tingle. My teeth started to ache like the worst toothache I’d ever experienced. Then I heard the argument between the gentleman and my Dad.
“Rafe, what have you done! Have you lost your mind? Why have you turned your son? What could you have been thinking? The council is going to...”
“Stop or I will forget how much I respect you. I don’t need your questions; I need you to ease his pain for the change. I’ll answer your questions once this is done.” Dad said with a cool authority that I even felt like bowing my head to him.
Fridolf pulled out something from his coat and tossed it at me but my vision was failing me that I couldn’t really make it out. It felt like my body was being covered by a cool wind. It sounds strange but that’s what it felt like. It was like the coolness of winter, crisp and yet soothing. I felt no more of the ache or agonizing burning. My eyes closed and I felt a ripple through me like I had shed my skin only to reveal a new skin foreign to me.
“Rafe, are you watching his eyes? They’re ...they’re uh, they’re turning different shades. Yellow, green, red, black. Oh my!” He gasped. “His eyes are peeling away like skin. Now they’re blue.” Fridolf whispered.
I was anxious to see what I’d become. I turned my heavy head and all I saw in the mirror were crystal blue eyes surrounded by black fur. Suddenly, I stretched upwards, and I was towering above my Dad and Fridolf.
“Rafe, are you seeing this. He’s practically full grown. And he...is...on...two...feet, just like...” I heard Fridolf’s feet take a few steps back and away from me.
“Enough! My vision is clearer than yours Fridolf and my memory serves me just as well. Quiet now. I need to pull on my bond with him to calm the wolf.”I heard my Dad say. Then I felt it. The wolf and I were trapped in the same body, except the wolf was me. It was all the courage, confidence, and unrelenting determination I always felt I had but kept reserved. It was the training, cunningness, agility, strength and all those parts of me that were designed to be a warrior, maybe even a leader. I still had my own thoughts but it was like all my thoughts were centered on being that warrior. I had no thoughts of school, football, friends, or even Amanda. It was like I had become a weapon with a single trajectory, obey my Alpha. I knew it was my Dad coaxing and comforting me to listen to him and move as he directs me. But after a few moments I began to relax and accept my body. I looked at my mirror and all I could see was my midsection.
“You’ll need a bigger mirror if you want to see yourself this way. How about I let you see yourself as I see you?” My Dad said in my head.
In a moment I was looking at myself. Tall, tight, and defined muscles like a gigantic Pitt bull on steroids. My fur covered my back and it was a raven black color, smooth, and not overbearing like I thought. I expected to look shaggy like a thick coated dog, but it seemed like my fur was merely a thin layer that covered the bulky muscles beneath. My legs were not long but why was I on two legs? I got on all fours and noticed that I was quite larger than I expected. Fridolf said I was almost full grown and I hoped so because I was bigger than any wolf or dog I’ve ever seen. I was the size of a full grown bison, and I would know since hunti
ng is a rite of passage here in Utah. I’ve hunted with my Dad all along the Northwest and I’ve been pretty close to bison to say I could take them on without a worry in my current form.
I realized my Dad’s pull was gone. I was on my own and it felt only slightly different. I didn’t feel any negative feelings. No emotion to hurt or destroy but just a feeling of heightened alertness. I shook out my fur and it felt great. Like a rippling feeling all along my body and then I heard my father laugh.
“So I guess one of your talents has shown itself. Look again through me.”
I looked and froze. When I shook out my fur it changed to a slightly orange hue. It matched my room. My Dad painted my room for me when I got into soccer and wanted my room painted the team colors. I kept it that way because it seemed to brighten up my room and looked like a setting sun. I tilted my head toward my Dad and I saw my eyes had changed to a yellow. I guess my talent will be to camouflage? Ok, that’s cool. I could see that being a big help when hunting.
