The Pack Chapter 7 - - Inside and Out
They are afraid of me...
My thoughts floated with the water at my feet. Searching for privacy I came across a small pond with an assortment of large rocks. Perfect for perching or just letting your legs dangle in the cool water below; it became my hiding spot.
Justin said it would settle down and fade, but the distant storm in my mind bloomed at the edges. My mind and self were at war and I was losing. I had been spending less time as a human and more a dirty pond wolf.
Matt kept his distance when I had attacks and would bring food in my quiet times. I knew this was stressing him more and more each day, but it was the only way I could keep the rest safe from me. In my solitude I had fed on another human but thankfully I hadn't gone berserk.
A scent on the wind caught my attention as I shifted to wolf form. The panic in me rose immediately at this foreign smell. I knew it was a wolf right away so my defensive nature kicked in and my normally light sandy brown fur darkened to a burned brown with flecks of deep orange.
Suddenly I could sense Matt's sweet musk wrap around me in an attempt to sooth the Rage in me. It worked only until I saw him trotting through the trees followed by a skinny old man. The jealousy poured from me as did a low deep growl that vibrated everything near me.
Who was this wolf with my mate!
The old man slowed and let Matt approach me first. Placing his hand on my muzzle and sliding down my face to my neck he came to stand to the left of me, the submissive position. Finding comfort in his touch allowed me to achieve a small measure of calm.
"Peace young one" said the old man in a whisper only a wolf would hear. "I am Honiahaka. It means little wolf, but you may call me Graywalker." The deep primal side of me knew that his offering of a true name meant he submitted to my dominance.
I'm going to have to ask how I knew that...
His eyes never left mine as he spoke to Matt. "Your mate has a bit of you in him and some of him in you as well. Your bond will never break, not even in death." His calming voice sounded like the swaying of trees in a light breeze.
My Matthew blushed and sheepishly admitted our mated bond. The smell that leaked from him was intoxicating. If it wasn't for the stranger he would have not been able to control his need to mate. My control slipped a little and Graywalker noticed.
"So," he said clearing his throat a little, "Cody. Your Alpha asked me to come for a visit and check on his wonder pup. Here I find a magnificent and deadly wolf, pup indeed. May I come closer to get a better look at you?"
I changed to a sitting position as he approached. He stopped just in reach of me when I noticed he was looking up at me. Up... at... me... ? The world spun as I realized I was the size of a horse. My sudden panic slammed home and allowed my wolf side to slide beneath me as I shrank to normal size.
Well, Werewolf normal.
"Much better." He said rubbing his soft leathery hands over my forehead. His burnt orange eyes looked deep into mine as felt over my head.
"Hmmm and can't get a feel for the boy inside. Maybe you should change for me."
As if in a trance my body obeyed and the sandy haired boy I was stood before him. My amber eyes locked to his orange. The gentle breeze in the trees made me realize I was naked; a fact that thankfully didn't escape Matt as he reluctantly threw a blanket over me.
"How?" was all I could get out. My voice was rough with a squeaky edge to it from lack of use.
He chuckled and ruffled my hair saying, "I'm a Werewolf soother. I 'speak' to a wolf's inner nature and bring it peace and allow it to heal. You were lost in a sea of Rage little one. It's not common for one so newly crossed to touch and grasp what old ones have trouble with. So your mind did what it had to and let the wolf lead. It seems to have lead you to a dirty pond and away from your pack and mate."
"You are an Alpha by nature Cody. Which means that inner Rage will never go away, but I will give you the tools to keep it in check but ready for use." In him I saw a teacher. Oddly enough that seemed to amuse my inner wolf.
We should have felt it earlier. Heard a cry for help. Anything!
Searing pain flared through me as I shifted and tore through the woods. I felt Matt and Graywalker break into a running shift aswell. My paws tore through the dirt at blinding speeds as trees whipped by in a blur. A deep fear wrapped around me as my attention focused on the screaming links between me and the rest of the pack. Their pain became my rage as my body grew.
My explosion from the tree line sent a shudder through the earth clearing roots from soil. I heard howls and screams coming from inside, but as I moved to help I realized the fire wasn't normal.
Its flames were black.
As if he had been there all along, a tall wiry man in black stood between me and the house, clapping.
"Impressive for one so young." He said almost mockingly.
Matt and Gray arrived behind me both out of breath and crouched over. Both barely ready, but willing, for a fight. Some primal instinct told me this man could kill them if they tried for him. I gave a signal for Matt to help the others and put my full focus on the threat in front of me.
I let out a barking growl which sent chucks of grass flying to distract him. This man's black eyes were devoid of emotions and his boyish giggle disturbed me. Then it hit me, this man was here for me.
"Let them help the others, I want you first. You're the strongest, the most beautiful, and I hope the most tasty." A slight moan of pleasure escaped his mouth as he shifted. I was in awe.
Where I was bulky he was thin. Where I was scary he was disturbingly appealing. His thin, emaciated form translated over to his wolf. The wolf's black fur lengthened and hardened to spikes on his back and arms.
His eyes and claws became more than black. . . like the fire that burned behind him.
An ear shattering screech-like howl was the only warning I had as he slammed into me, claws and teeth first.
Been a while I know! I've been toying with ideas on what to do but this felt right and stood out amongst the others. So I hope you enjoyed it and I'll try and work faster on the rest... thanks!