by Unknown
The next week was a blur. There were no other incidents and Coach was getting better with each passing day. I called Amanda and apologized but she seemed guarded. I didn’t want to miss this opportunity with her. She was the only silver lining that gave me a sense of peace and joy among the chaos. We made plans to go to the movies with Lisa and Mike since she had already agreed to date number two.
At school the rumors were that Mrs. Stenner left school after her stalker ex husband showed up. Lisa was asking lots of questions about why Dad was outside and what happened to me. I told her Dad had just dropped off a business partner at the hotel when he got my text that I wasn’t feeling well. I told her something I ate earlier had me throwing up all night when I got home. She seemed to buy it.
“Li, be wary of any strangers ok? I mean who knows what kind of weirdoes are out there.”
“What do you know that you’re not telling me Connor Mason? I’ve known you forever, and I know when you’re keeping something from me. Lately, you’ve been really busy all the time and so short when we talk. I get that you and Dad are bonding before you go off to college. And I get you are all hung up on Amanda. But there’s something else. Please, don’t shut me out.” She pleaded. I so wanted to tell her and I was about to explain as best I could when my Dad walked into the room and I felt like I got caught with my hands in the cookie jar.
CHAPTER 6
I finally learned to shift with greater ease. At first, I was so anxious that I got stuck mid shift. Needless to say it was an awkward moment that had my Dad doubled over with laughter. I looked at the video after and I had to say it was pretty funny. He felt pretty bad though and made it up by having my truck detailed. Then after a few more tries I understood what my Dad meant about detaching myself. For him, it was seeing my mother’s image in his mind. He said it takes him to a safe place so his wolf can take over. For me, it was Amanda. Her face looking into mine as we danced at homecoming, giving me a sense that we were created for one another. We felt a pull, like the pull of the moon or of my wolf, or of my bond with my father. It was there and it overwhelmed us both. It drew us to each other. It was stronger than my senses because I knew when she was coming into the room before I could even pick up on her scent or hear her voice. Once I saw her in my mind I shifted with a fluidity that took seconds.
Then I met my father’s wolf. I thought I was bad-ass, pfft. My Dad was straight out of the days of giants and dragons. He was unbelievable. I knew now why we went so far into the woods to a large clearing. He seemed to fill the open meadow and for the first time in my life I knew what it was to be truly small. In his presence I felt like the Earth would feel in the grandeur of the Universe. He was almost as dark as me but he had a white emblem under his belly that made him distinct and some gray lines running down his back. But he was so tall I couldn’t see how the gray streak looked like from the top of his back. I walked easily under his stomach having to bend only slightly, and it was eerie. I felt what he meant about the natural urge to feel challenged when another wolf is around but I harnessed the desire to provoke and be provoked. Besides he was such a monstrosity that I really don’t think my wolf wanted to spar with him. Fortunately, my wolf was a well oiled machine. I was able to train it to be a warrior with a mission to save his pack and his loved ones.
“Dad, you are insanely intimidating!” I spoke to him knowing he was in complete control of his wolf.
I know. So now you know why I’m Alhpa.
“Yeah, and how you lasted all these centuries.” I said while I admired his muscles and strong legs. “Am I going to get this big you think?”
Perhaps, but if you don’t you’re still pretty impressive yourself. I think you will surprise us all.
That thought brought me back to the reality of what has happened recently. I felt the anger start to bubble up again. I was ready to meet the pack and help take down the rogues.
I met the council first. It was intimidating being around so many people who were older than the founding fathers. There was Ula, Ralph, Lyall, and B.J. Ralph and Lyall were so young looking but with Weres looks can be deceiving. Ralph was burly and serious looking. Lyall was about average height but muscular. She was quiet and observant and sort of average looking. She looked over to me and I gave her a crooked smile. She smiled back and her face suddenly appeared prettier. She gave me a good vibe, unlike Ralph. Dad signaled everyone to take their seats. Showtime.
So I did everything I was supposed to but I wasn’t expecting the council to shift in their wolf form. I made sure not to go on two feet since my Dad had asked me to keep that under wraps for now. I couldn’t help but get restless with all the powerful wolves in the room and as anyone could have predicted I was annoyed when Ralph came sniffing around me. I snapped at him and he snapped back. I circled him and pushed him on his left backside and he stumbled. Now that I had his attention he whipped around to come at me and I tossed him to one side. B.J. was next to pin me, but I leapt over him and turned back in time to charge him before he was able to fully turn around. He hit into Lyall, which had me regain my control. I didn’t want to hurt her. My Dad stepped up to me, and I was beginning to submit when Ula came up behind me. I instinctively pawed at her. I was about to take her on when I heard my Dad.
“Connor enough!” My Dad yelled in my head. I turned back to him, shrugged my fur to mimic his own, and sat down. Lyall cautiously approached me and sat next to me. It took awhile but we all shifted back and I was being escorted out to wait for my Dad outside. I could still hear them which seemed stupid to me that they had me leave.
“Rafe, I just don’t think he is ready to join the pack” said Ralph. What a shocker, he doesn’t like me. “He’s way to easily provoked and he seems to resist you even when you were showing him it was time to submit.”
“I like Connor. He’s a good kid, but I don’t think he’s got his wolf under control to be around an entire pack of wolves with their own ego problems.” I recognized B.J.’s voice and felt a pang of betrayal. I thought for sure he would be on my side.
Ula was loud and clear, perhaps a little louder than usual so that I could hear her. “You guys are too ego centric yourselves. He’s an unbelievably quick learner. Was I the only one who saw how quick he shifted? Did everyone just miss how he pulled it together after knocking B.J. into Lyall? I think you men just met your match and you’re not ready for him.”
Ok, I take back what I said about Ula. She’s my wing woman. Then I hear a new voice, soft and yet commanding attention. It was Lyall.
“I have to agree with Ula. He’s quite talented and he’ll learn. Besides if he gives too much trouble I’m sure we can handle it. We’ve had more difficult wolves to deal with.”
“Yeah but they weren’t as strong as him. He’s not even full grown and if he can’t get it together he’s going to be one hell of a monster to tame.” Said Ralph.
“My son is no more a monster than you. But I understand your concerns. I also have insight that you don’t and I know he is not going to hurt the pack. He’s motivated to become a wolf warrior that will protect and defend the pack. And I think he’s strong willed enough to stay focused on that motive.” I heard my Dad interject. He continued, “There may be some hiccups along the way but we need to see how he does. He’s come a long way in a short time and if we guide him instead of pushing him away the entire pack will benefit from it.”
“Ok, but just don’t let me train with him. I have a feeling I rub him the wrong way.”Ralph said and then he added with a smirk, “You heard that right, Connor?”
I chuckled, “Yes I did. But don’t forget to add you’re not so fond of me either, right?”
“I’m getting too old for these youngins.” Ralph said as he came out and smacked me on the back. “Good job in there.”
“Thank you, sorry.”
“Yeah, it...”he mumbled something I couldn’t understand and I had to rethink my position on Ralph. I could get along with him just fine.
The air sizzled
with the her power as Bryn made her way to Mother Nature’s private sanctuary. She always thought Mother Nature was a complete enigma. For all her beauty and wisdom she made decisions that could appear harsh, heartless, and cruel. But for the few who got a glimpse of her ability to foresee what will be if she didn’t make those hard choices, it was clear that no one knew how to maintain a balance between living things like her. Bryn was of course who every creature and being saw as the ultimate hand of cruelty. She knew her titles, executioner, enforcer, assassin, not to mention some which required the young ones to cover their ears. She was what they all used to scare children into behaving or threaten those who were older into falling into line. Bryn stood at the water’s edge to see her reflection, an ever changing thing really. She was always so deceiving to the victim’s of her distribution of justice with her angelic face and soft features. Her body was probably what most beings desired, full and smooth but with defined lines. She felt the chill of the breeze calling her that MN was beckoning her forward.
“What troubles you Bryn? You know I will unlock it so be forthcoming, I so like it when we talk”, said the ultimate force in all things alive. She had a motherly tone, of course that soothed and yet held authority. “Everyone else is so self-involved I never get to feel the humanity as I do with you. Perhaps it’s all the time you spend among them, but I do so enjoy our conversations.”She spoke with a voice that vibrated with her enthusiasm in having Bryn’s company. Bryn’s role has been one she served with loyalty for centuries, never remorseful and always trusting in Mother Nature’s plan.
“I feel we are nearing the chaos that we saw before with the dark ages. You need not tell me what my mission is. I’ve done your work long enough to know how this ends.” Bryn said with a heavy sigh that shook the leaves on the trees.
“But you also know to trust me as all balances itself.” Mother Nature replied simply with nothing but assurance and confidence in her tone.
“But I cannot forget the dark ages and how there was doubt even in your commands. You were unsure at times and together we made it through, less gracefully as we would have liked.” Bryn turned away knowing her comment would sting but unable to hide her true feelings.
“Those were treacherous times when deceit and witchery made it so we all doubted and questioned our decisions. That will not happen again.” The words must have stung as Bryn had thought. Mother Nature was harsh and direct which was unlike her when it came to Bryn.
“You know I’ve grown fond of him. He has his mother’s kindness and his father’s virtue. I do not see the evil that lies in his bloodline. I know it with the centuries of wisdom I have and the connection to all that moves that lies within me.” Bryn sighed with forlorn, her color changing to reflect the conflicted feelings inside her.
Mother Nature warmed her, attempting to comfort her. “I cannot let this pass. There are witches now involved and soon these worlds of beings will collide, and humans will die in the crossfire. Only Weres felt the singes from the fire that has started, but humans were close and with human blood spilling the rogues and witch may have gone on a massacre.” She whispered gently yet forcefully into Bryn.
“I know that. And I know what I am here to protect. I’ve done my job for you for centuries but I also know what I sense.” Bryn looked deeply into Mother Nature’s eyes which were kind and gentle and full of love. She knew the goodness was always what guided her and she had to trust that.
“I need to know more about him, I need you to take a drop of his blood so I can see what my see-er says. If his blood is clean of witchery he lives, if it is not he must die. He would be too much of a force to deal with if he takes after his grandfather. It must be this way, my dear daughter.”And with that Bryn felt the coolness of solitude and the chill of what she knew was the truth.
“You will shift and be encircled by the pack. They will be in human form so you will be able to keep your wolf sated.” My father said with the authority and certainty that makes him Alpha. “You will not go on two-feet, since I do not want that act of dominance to trigger anyone else’s instinct to shift. You’re ready to be my right hand. So let’s start making it known” He said with pride booming in his voice.
I entered the circle with the nerves of steel. I knew I needed to live up to all my Dad’s expectations and faith. I also knew this was my time to make a mark and show who I was. I shifted with greater ease and made my way to the center of the campground. When I arrived I could see the pack and council gathered in large circle. No one made the move to look at me in the eye and I trotted along following my father. I saw faces familiar and some that were hard to place. I made sure to pick up on the scents, the scents of my pack. I saw Ula next to Rollin and I nodded my head to them and proceeded. I could sense the vibrations emanating from the pack. Curiosity, shock, concern, and admiration. Now I just had to sort out who favored me and who would look to challenge me. I didn’t have much of a chance though, as chaos soon erupted.
Faelen, a new member of the pack began to smell like fear and I saw her wolf trying to emerge. At that moment Tate, a wolf I knew my father used for recon, called to her.
“Faelen easy. Guys don’t worry I got her.”
He immediately shifted and tried to hold her back. The speed of his movements and her resistance to him set everyone in a state of high alert. Some others shifted, while another group went to the farther edge of the meeting ground since they couldn’t shift without the moon. The energy level was intense as others were holding onto their control. I shook and changed my fur to a fire red. I sensed my Dad holding the wolves together. I scanned the group anxiously to see if anyone approached me or my Dad. There were no outright attacks but certainly some teeth were being bared and all were looking at me. I pulled back my lips and showed them my teeth which were exceptionally long for a new wolf. Some staggered back but Faelen began to run and the pack split up. A few went after her, and then I was encircled by some of those who remained. As I was preparing myself, a stocky gray wolf pushed through them coming towards me and I snapped.
No Connor! Control yourself! My Dad pierced my ears but it was too late.
I charged at the gray wolf digging my paws into the ground, feeling the adrenaline course through me and him. I felt my father guiding me and I lowered my front body and butted him with the top of my head and sent him flying ten feet away. I must have knocked the wind out of him because he was shaking his head and hacking. Then it hit me. Piercing shock ran right through me. It slammed me down and my bones and muscles felt like they were on fire. It wasn’t only me. The group that had me encircled was in the same shape and I knew this had to be the workings of my Dad. Sure enough he approached us and we began to shift back to our human form.
I must say, that was one of the most embarrassing moments in my life as I stood there naked among my pack having them stand there naked too. Awkward. I had trained to be a stealth warrior but I seemed to have neglected preparing myself for this aspect of being a Were. As I felt the cool breeze hit parts of me I haven’t even seen I noticed raised eyebrows from the females. I grinned back and felt more relaxed as they went about getting dressed and talking as if we weren’t all standing around like a nudist colony. I think I caught a couple of the males sizing me up, but since no one chuckled or cracked a smile I guess I was impressive in more ways than my wolf form.
“That wasn’t so bad, right?” my Dad said while draping a blanket around me and handing me my clothes.
“Nah, I guess it could have been worse, blood, guts, and gore. You know my usual Friday night.” I told him while pulling my shirt over my head and winced.
“What’s the matter Connor?” Dad asked in a low voice, making sure no one heard him yet still scanning me with his eyes filled with worry.
“Nothing, I just feel a bit sore is all. Quick shifting is still something I am getting used to.” I told him, keeping my voice low as well. “So who’s Faelen in the pack, and that gray wolf that wanted to attack me?”
�
�Faelen is the new wolf. She spooks easily but Tate is doing a great job training her. I think he may make her his mate if she accepts him. He shrugged like it wasn’t part of the pack duties he enjoyed. I couldn’t blame him for not being a romantic since he lost my mom.
“Hey, I was thinking of having you train with some of the council members to give you some experience with various fighting styles.” He said while we walked back to the truck.
“Oh boy, I bet Ralph can’t wait to get a piece of me.” I said rolling my eyes at the thought of him and me sparring.
“He’s not that bad. He’s a bit of a stickler for rules which is why I like to test his patience a bit. It’s too easy to get a rise out of him” He chuckled tossing me the keys. “By the way that gray wolf was Rollin, and he wasn’t attacking you, I sensed no harm from him. He told me he was trying to stand beside you to show the others solidarity. I think he felt kind of bad. Maybe you should call him up later and let him know there are no hard feelings?” He suggested while I was pulling us out of the campground and heading back home.
“Sure. I like Rollin and it may be nice to get some feedback from him since he’s closer to my age. No offense Dad, but it would be helpful to get his take on things. He’s probably the youngest of the mature wolves, right?” I asked realizing Rollin would probably be just as excited about having someone closer to his age to bond with.
“Yeah he is, I think he came back to do graduate school here so he can find a mate. Not all of us are lucky like Tate to find a female wolf.” We both grew silent at the invading thoughts of my mom. My Dad broke the silence finally.
“Some of us may find a human which we connect to in a lifelong sort of way. And that’s enough companionship. Others yearn for a mate so they have to offer up their venom in order to change their human mate into a Were. We wolves are loyal for life.”