Hearing his phone ringing, sandy groggily reach for it. Looking at the time on his phone, he realize he only slept for four hours again. He really hate his insomnia sometimes. Looking at the number he realize that it was unknown.
"Hello?" Who is this? How you get this number?" he quietly snarl as his hackles inside was raised.
"Easy relax. You know I got all the numbers of the nearby wolves in my city. This is a social call. Get your friends in the forest and join me in Silver Moon club at say seven? going to call again and leave my personal number. see you then sandy of the bitten." said Alex with a small chuckle as he hung up. Damn why does every werewolf have to call him that? Can't they just stop at his name? Whatever he thought as he saw his phone screen flashing with a different number. He look at it, saving it under the name asshole. Sighing deeply, knowing he won't be able to get back to sleep, he called zamas. He then hung up after seeing how early it was. Need to think before acting, he berate himself after seeing it was nine in the morning. She was at the bar with stripefur so she probably be sleeping late today. He grin after thinking on who he can text this early. He text steve, telling him about the plan tonight. Doctors are usually up this early right? Steve text back ok. Confused, he stare at the screen. Just ok? no questions or anything else? Guess steve knew this was coming after he told everyone about the pack in the city. He got ready to go out and went to the kitchen where he saw sharon eating breakfast.
"Thought you be sleeping late after last night. Again thank you. Leo isn't causing trouble so want to tell me why you snarled at him?"
"Watch your back around leo. During the fight, he was muttering under his breath many hateful things. Also about taking care of the old man too. So warn your leader. Got to go to the forest as business pop up so no sleeping in for me. No worries as I just got to deliver a message to my friends. See ya. Be safe." He pat her on the shoulder as he left. When he reach the forest, he look around to see if anyone was around. He put down his backpack, put his wallet in it before heading to his area. He then sighs as he begin to shift. This is going to be more painful since he is tired from shifting so much. He close his eyes as he felt his body changing to wolf. Growls deep in his throat as his shift seem to take forever. He pants hard as it finishes, with the fur being last to appear.
"You need shifting training. My pack felt shifting energy and told me. What is it that you need?" Luke walks to the boundary line as he stood up and shook out his fur.
"You can feel shifting? Sorry but guess there is more to being a werewolf than I thought. Most books and movies go with the horror part of everything. Anyway yea but not just you. Need to speak to ron too. It about the alpha in the city. He wants to meet at the nearby bar named Silver Moon. And well that is it. Do you know where stripefur is? or the others?"
"Yes. What time? Stripefur was talking to my boarder patrol about this werewolf club. The doctor came by and gave us clothes that he said was in the lost and found. We will pass on the news. May my omega help you finding a better den? There is a storm coming and you are going to be soak. Will send him and sam to you." With a small nod, he walk away, seemingly melting into the forest. His eyes widen at such a display of power, shook out his fur and wait for riley and sam to appear. If luke felt him shifting, then surely ron would if he was in the forest. He didn't have to wait long when he heard pawsteps coming closer to him. While luke seem to disappear without a sound, the others couldn't or maybe didn't want to. Alphas do have more powers than others he thought as both sam and riley appeared before him.
"I see what alpha means. This is your place? no cover and just a meadow with trees? No this won't do at all. I been traveling around and know a perfect place for you and anyone that joins you." Riley stammer as he sat down, looking over the area.
"Calm down. Let hear what sandy thinks before you move him." Sam said with a small growl as he brush fur with him as he sat besides him.
"I would like to see this place. I know this isn't good but it was the first area I claim. Please lead the way riley." He got up, ready to follow him. He saw sam look surprised at his acceptance of riley advice. Guess most won't follow an omega so fast which sounds dumb to him. Omegas do know what to look for to make a good den. They were the ones doing the most work too. Riley begin walking down to where he hunts. The south part of the forest is unclaimed so far, he thought as he follow closely. His eyes widened as he saw cliffs appear from across the river. He never been this far down when hunting as there been no need. There was huge trees on each side of the banks whose branches intersect so they could cross by jumping across those branches. His tail begin to wag as he saw there was a big log that also connects the two banks. It does seem to be a bit abandoned as well, he thought as they went towards the log.
"No worries about the meats. This is deep in the forest where most meats wouldn't dare travel. Especially during hunting season. There is water which is important too. And no hiking trail either. Found this while looking for plants for our healer. Anyway the cave is big and so is the surrounding area." Riley said with confidence as he walk towards the cliffs.
He begin to climb up the cliffs, heading into another part of the forest. Sandy follow him carefully, knowing that he wasn't as experience as they were. He growl a bit, envious at how easy the climb was for them. He saw a paw in front of his snout as he climb, looking up at sam smirking face, he growl loudly before reaching the top. Sam just twitch his ear as riley was scratching his side, waiting patiently for him. He closed his eyes and calm down so not to upset riley. Poor kid seem so anxious when they first met, and after seeing how he treated by his pack, he want riley to be more comfortable around him. He didn't want to be seen as a threat. He look at sam seeing how close he was to him and knew luke sent him as his bodyguard. Do omegas know how to fight? he wondered as riley shook out his fur and start heading to a huge hole that seem to be attached to the cliffside.
"Here the cave. No worries about mudslides. Or the cave having rocks fall in front and blocking you from leaving. We are on the very top. And there a small trail around the back of the cave leading down to the forest below. Climb may be hard but it good so enemies can't sneak up without a lot of noise. Hope you like it. I..I mean I can help with collecting stuff to make beds." Riley voice trails off as sandy walk into the cave. Inside it was a huge space that can fit at least ten wolves easily. Looking around, he saw there was small holes where he can put his wallet and glasses.
"I also made holes in the walls high above your head. Don't know if they work because I don't have stuff. So you can make it deeper if you need to." Sandy heard his voice as he sat down.
"Riley. This is perfect. Thank you for this. We need to go get enough stuff for two beds. Zamas is going to love it." He replied as he walk back out. He didn't know how to thank riley the wolf way and was sure sam would object so he just sat down and gave a nod.
"Well we need to go. Nice to help you out. Let go riley." Sam growl as he start to walk back.
"Get the leaves from the top of trees. And feathers if you can. See you later." Riley said as he quickly follow behind sam. They jump down the cliff with ease. He look down from the top, was surprise due to the height of the cliffs. He growl a bit as he saw sam look up with a smirk, before running into the forest. Sam seem to be an asshole but he did use riley's name instead of omega so he might be soft underneath. They do seem to be close but he can't tell if it just a pack thing or something more. Well it not any of his business and he needs to focus on finding ron anyway. He walk down the trail, happy that it was easier than climbing the front of the cliff. He start checking out the nearby area, his wolf inside demanding to put up border markers. After walking a few miles in each direction, he begin to mark the trees and bushes. He don't know how he knows, but he made sure there was enough prey within the borders without crossing the nearby river. After drinking his full, he went to grab his bag to bring it to the cave. Opening his phone, he saw a text from zamas saying she miss call due to sleeping. He text back that it was ok and put silver moon at seven. She reply with B there as he turn off his phone. He carry his bag back, carefully putting his phone and glasses in a hole. He had to dig a bit more but not much as riley is pretty good at what he does, he thought to himself as he went out to collect soft stuff for a bed.
"Seems you moved. Nice place. I already know about the meeting. No training today as you will need your strength for tonight. Come tomorrow for shift training. Bring zamas as well." Ron said as he jump down and landed next to sandy. He jump a bit letting out a small growl.
"Can't you ever just give a warning next time?" Sandy said as put his fur back down. He begin grabbing the leaves off the tree that ron was on. He gave ron a nod as he carry his haul to the cave. Ron nodded back as he jump back into the tree and disappear. Ron shows up, talks a bit before leaving. One day he wish he can get him to stay a bit. Maybe hang out without training or lessons. He does have questions. Like how long can werewolves live? How come sometimes his wolf form is normal size but can be giant like when he went with sharon that night. Or during his very first shift. He could ask steve but he likes the way ron explains things. He's blunt and so matter of fact that he understands completely without extra explanations. He finish both nests when his phone start to buzz. Looking at the time, he saw it was nearly meeting time. He didn't know that it took him so long to gather everything. Shifting back, he put on his clothes and raced to the bus stop. He slow down as he saw a large crowd of people there. Sniffing the air, he realize that he recognize them. They are the pack, stripefur, fred and even jason. They was all in human forms, wearing a mix of clothes, the women was wearing tank tops and shorts while the guys was wearing shorts and t-shirts.
"We just need to catch this bus. Don't worry, I got the money for us to get on. And get off on a street close to it. Zamas taught me that. Just find your seats while I pay." Stripefur was saying as he pull out a wallet.
"Just remember if you lead me astray loner, I will kill you and take pleasure in it. I'm only here cuz an alpha summoning is rare for us rogues. This will be interesting to say the least." Jason said in a snide tone.
"Just follow me if you guys need help. I'm on my way as well. You guys look good. Wasn't expecting everyone to be a bit taller than me though. Well everyone but sam is taller than me." Sandy said as he gave a smirk at the only teen in the group. He heard sam growling under his breath when the bus arrive. He watch as they got on and sat down in the back. He notice the other people looking nervous when fred and jason sat in the middle of the bus on opposite sides. Looking back, he saw luke glaring around at other people. Werewolves hate enclosed spaces so he hope there wasn't going to be a fight before they get to their stop. He kept his eyes on everyone til they got off. He saw the front of Silver Moon and notice that it was a bit quiet. Weird cuz it bar. Bars at night is usually busy. He sniff the air and was about to say something when he saw steve coming out from the front door.
"About time you guys show up. Alex kick all the meats out so we got this place to ourselves. Hurry up and get in. Zamas and guldo is already here." He yell out when he spotted them.
Everyone went inside as he took one last look around. Seems everyone but ron made it.
"Still forget to look up." ron gave a small chuckle as he jump down from the roof. Sandy eyes widen as he look ron over. He had on a blue t-shirt with black shorts. His hair was pure white like his fur in a spikey style. He has sky blue eyes that met his as he waited for him to say something. He just gave him a soft punch before walking inside. Ron just loves to keep him on his toes. Looking around, he saw the pack was in a booth that can see the other areas, with luke looking almost bored. Guldo and zamas was at the bar talking about everything zamas thinks on being a werewolf. Guldo seems happy, smiling and nodding while replying. He hopes to get to know her if she would let him. He went to sit near them, watching ron glaring at jason. He was standing by a corner with the wall at his back. Jason had yellow eyes, his wolf was barely contain. No wonder ron was keeping a close watch on him. Fred on the other hand was sitting peacefully in a booth far from the pack. He seem to be looking around like what he was doing. Steve was sitting next to him, keeping an eye on jason.
"Hey ladies. May I take your orders? We have beer, soda and wine." Stripefur ask with a wink as he pop up from behind the bar. He saw zamas give a small chuckle as he put out two small glasses. He noticed how close they seem to become. Guess it was that time again. Everyone leaves him behind once they get closer to others. It always happen. He grin when zamas look over at him. Of course zamas last longer than others but it something he got used to. Just a fact of his life. Might as well enjoy the little time he got left before he was forgotten.
"Thank you for coming. And would the one behind the bar stop messing around. Nils won't like you screwing around his things. I'm Alex. This is my beta Angelo and my healer Conner. So you are all the ones in the forest. Or representing your packs. I call you all here to talk about the hunters. They are C.I.A agents and they ask me some weird questions. So keep an eye out. This concerns all of us so it was important to give you a heads up."
"Why would they talk to you? Thought you was just into construction." Guldo asked with a worried expression.
"My dear, I got these paws into a lot of things. Construction is just my home base so to speak. They came to me because there was a wolf attack in the city. It was close to a new building my company is working on. I'm guessing it's the other rogue pack causing trouble. This time they gone too far. I will handle them but this meeting isn't just a heads up. I want to get to know my neighbors. Also I'm going to open up a fight club of sorts and it will be close to the forest. My pack been working on it for a long time. Took three years in fact. Please introduce yourself." He walk to the stage, holding a chair to sit in to face them all. Sandy saw that he wasn't the only one who hate how arrogant he is. He is truly getting on his nerves with that kind of attitude. He want to go up and punch him but knew he would just get beat and it would look bad to the others. Is this what being a werewolf all about? Just meeting and testing each other strengths? Or maybe this is so he can know just how many is in the forest. He sat closer to zamas, waiting for someone to go first. Alex smile as he stood up.
"Ok fine. Name is Alex Death. This city is under my pack's protection. Got around twenty five that works with me and many more that lives in the city. There is a pack living on the outskirts of the town lead by an Alpha named Dark. His pack knows I control the city so often throws my name out to scare others." He growl out that last sentence, showing exactly what he thought of dark.
Sandy just listen as the others went up and said things he already knew from their first meeting. Suddenly a finger poke him on his shoulder. Opening his eyes he saw zamas point to the stage. Was he really the last to go? Looking around he jump up as he saw others staring at him. Walking quickly he clear his throat when he reach the stage.
"Name is sandy bridges. Newly bitten werewolf. Work at stop and shop. Have a human older sister under my protection of course. Zamas is my best friend and I think of ron like a teacher. That about it I suppose." He sat back down quickly as zamas put a comforting hand on his shoulder. He hate public speaking or getting any attention at all. He like to be alone in the shadows, helping with no credit.
"Well it was nice to meet everyone but it is getting late. Time for me to go." Ron said as he begin to head for the door. The others nodded and all begin to leave.
"Hey zamas, tomorrow meet me in the forest in the morning. Ron wants us for training. Plus I want to show you our new den. You can come along too guldo. If you want." Sandy said as he gave a sideways hug to zamas and a fistbump to guldo.
"Sure. Would like that if you don't really mind." Guldo said with a small smile.
"It be great guldo. Besides it be nice to run with another friend. Just remember we aren't as used to our wolves as you are so we might be slower. It will be fun though." Zamas said as they walk towards the door.
"Hey zamas. Mind if I join you guys? I would like to hang out with you guys too." Stripefur interjected as he ran up to them. Sandy can feel his other self waking up growling. He didn't know he growl out loud til zamas elbow him in the side.
"Sorry don't know what came over me. You can come and maybe I can stop thinking of you as a threat. For some reason my wolf just don't like you. Maybe it cuz you be making moves on my friend. I'm very protective of her." Sandy said with a small smirk. Zamas chuckles a bit at stripefur dumbfounded look.
"What? It not like that at all!" He stammer out as sandy begin to laugh.
"I want to get to know you more too. Goodbye everyone." Sandy said as he went to catch a different bus than the others.
Walking down a street, he stop as he felt something was off. Looking around, he begin to notice how the trees was swaying yet he heard nothing. He quickly jump to the left as someone stomp down to where he was standing.
"For a new werewolf you listen well to your instincts. My boys told you to stop working with the meats but since you won't listen, have fun tuesday at work." the guy snarl as he lower the magic bubble that was around them. So this was dark, he thought to himself as he look him over. He had bright blonde hair in a buzz cut and a large muscular body that seem to tower above him. Despite this, he look him straight in his green eyes and snarl back. Dark gave a small chuckle as he walk away. Sandy knew that he couldn't win in a fight so he just watch til he got in a car and drove away. His phone rang and he answered it.
"Sandy! Was you also attacked by someone you never met?" Zamas ask before he can say hello.
"Yeah. Guess they been watching us. I think they probably attack the others as well. Just a test. Plus they know we return to work on tuesday. That is very creepy that they know that. Maybe they found out our name and went to check the schedule. Or one of them works there. Makes sense. Just be careful, and be on alert.Goodnight" He said as he hung up. Can this night get any more interesting? All he want is to get in his bed and sleep. Good thing he wasn't close to his house as he don't want any enemies knowing where he live. He has to protect his sis from everything. He can feel himself on the edge, his wolf wanting to emerge. He had to hold his sides as his wolf was clawing his insides trying to get out. Ron warn him about this but he wasn't prepare for it to be so painful. He manage to hold it off til he reach his house. Opening the door, he heard sharon and rob talking in the kitchen
"Werewolves? Ok if this was coming from anyone else, I would think that person is crazy. Werewolves are myths."
"Hawk. You know that giant wolf? Yea werewolves are that big. Hawk is sandy." Sharon voice had a touch of anger, like she been at this for a long time. Sandy saw that her expression was one of exasperation and his was one of confusion. There was only one thing he can say so he won't bring a bloodbath.
"Run!" He call out as he finally lost all control. The last thing he saw was sharon alarm expression as the wolf took over and force it way out. There was no saving clothes or friendliness as he lost his conscious. He only hope that rob would listen to sharon as he fell into darkness.
"Rob! Get behind me now!" Sharon stood up so quickly that the chair fell over. She look over at rob when he pull out his bo staff. Now he believes me, she thought as she watch sandy wolf burst from his human form. She gasp as bits of his skin landed on the walls and floor. She unwrap her whip as she watch the last bits of sandy face sliding down from the wolf's snout. Damn I just clean the kitchen today, she thought as the wolf let out a roar.
"Just don't get scratch or bitten. Something set his wolf off and now he is on the attack. This is how it was when he first shifted. It why I had to replace that door. He told me to not look in his eyes. You look in his eyes didn't you?" Sharon said as the wolf begin to charge at rob. He begin to run to keep the table between them as the wolf swipe at him with one paw.
"These are things you need to say before it attack! How could I not when sandy's face skin was on it?! His skin! It..fell off! It on the floor!" Rob yell as sharon begin to whip at the wolf.
"No! Bad wolf! No eating Rob!" She was saying as the wolf jump back to dodge the whip. It snarl as it caught the whip in his mouth, pulling her closer. Rob saw this and went to hit him over the head with his staff. The wolf smirk, let sharon go and dodge the attack. Rob hit the wolf between the legs and ran back to the other side of the table.
"Did you just hit a werewolf in the nuts?!" Sharon ask as she ran to the back door and open it.
"It's a good move." He answer defensively as the wolf kneel in pain on the floor, letting out a small whimper.
"Also as long as I stand with this marble table between us, I'm safe." He smirk as the wolf stood up and glare at him. he gave a loud roar as he stood up on his hind legs and break the table in half.
"Ok so werewolves are very strong." Rob manage to say as he slowly went towards sharon.
"No shit sherlock. Now let get out of here. You already pissed it off. Only chance is to get outside!"
The wolf roar again as it charge at them, swiping it claws, leaving marks in the table and walls. Rob and sharon ran to the door and shut it before the wolf reach it. They each ran to their bike but before they can get on, they heard glass shatter. The wolf let out a monstrous howl before they heard it running away. They breathe a huge sigh of relief as they look at each other.
"Sandy going to have a long walk tomorrow morning. Hope he don't do anything major like eating people." Sharon murmur to herself as she check on the damages. The kitchen window was broken and it was going to take a lot to repair the walls and mirrors that was hanging on the walls. Plus to clean up the skin flesh that was still there as well. Also to buy another marble table. They never think to show the aftermath of werewolves attacks in movies. The movie usually ends when the monster is gone or captured.
"Rob you are buying me another table. It your fault for the table being broken." Sharon said as rob join her.
"That is fair. To think that werewolves are really real. Hey if werewolves exist...what about the others?"
"Ask sandy. I'm trying to not get myself killed by getting involved. Werewolves are bad enough as it is. Now grab some rubber gloves and start cleaning." Sharon said as she went to the closet and pulling out cleaning supplies.
Ron was startle awake as he felt the rage coming towards his resting place. Looking down he watch sandy's wolf running past with a cat tail in it's mouth. Hope sandy don't mind vomiting in the morning, he thought as he begin to follow. He knew sandy was on the edge so he followed him from the bar. He shifted to wolf, and waited close by on a tree branch. Now he see him on a rampage, waking up the humans and nearly causing car crashes. He got to find a way to calm him down. He used his speed to attract his attention, then ran into the nearby forest. He climb a wire fence as he couldn't slow down or else he would lose some fur. Is he far enough now? He look and saw nothing but deep forest, as he jump and landed on a tree branch. He heard the fence crash as sandy shove himself through. He let out a loud roar as he saw sandy charging towards the forest. He watch him as he claw the trees and even knock some down. Ok his plan was working. He going to get tired and then he can use his alpha powers to make him submit. He watch as sandy finally got tired enough to lay down. He was lying on his side, panting hard. He uses his magic to cover both him and sandy from the cops looking around in the forest. He made it just in time as he watch the cops stop close to them. Their fear scent begin to spread around as they suddenly turn around and went back. Uh oh he forgot how that looks to their kind. He jump on top of sandy to hold him down as he begin to growl. He wait til the fear scent disappear before he let him up. Sandy sat up and look towards where the cops went.
"I will stop you. You already know you are no match for me. Anyway talk to me. What do you think of your human side?" Ron growl softly.
"Human is strong. Got loyalty and is very willing to learn. Only issue is he don't let emotions out. He fears it. Don't trust me either. Thinks of us as nothing more than beasts. Foolish meats. If he dies, I die. You teach him to connect to me. Must sleep. Also here." Sandy begin to spit out a cat that was still alive.
"Cat nearly got ran over. Save it before it did. Tell human that I will only protect. Never harm. And that boy with stick better watch out next time. Won't be lucky next time." the wolf lay down with his head on his paws as the cat walk away from them both. Ron nodded as he sat down in front of him, keeping watch. He heard the wolf sleeping deeply and decided to curl up next to him. The shield will stay up as long as he is around. Sandy is more dominant than he thought. His rampage was just a way to get far away from people. His control on his rage is something he hadn't seen in centuries. He may have to see his rage for himself. He never seen anyone that try to hide their anger like sandy does. But all that can wait. For now they can rest here and be safe.
"Agent Rhody. We got reports coming in that there was a massive wolf attack at midnight. But this time it wasn't near the construction site like the first one. What should we do?" ask a black agent with a worried expression.
"Relax agent owen. We need to focus on the construction site. Agent Tony ordered us to keep watch as he thinks something is weird about the owner. Just note the area and we will look it up later after this mission." He said as he sent the drone hovering about the site. They been studying werewolves for years. Yet no sign of werewolf movement in the city til now. No wonder their boss want them to keep an eye on this. Alex seem like a normal person with nothing interesting about him at all. He works, sleep and order his workers about. They are just construction workers making a new building. Maybe it really was just a coincidence that the victim was there. He hate working with a bunch of maybes. Rhody rubbed his forehead after calling back the drone. Machines are easier to work with instead of people. They need to investigate Brighton farther. But that has to wait til tomorrow. They been up for three days and they need to sleep. Damn he might as well send a message to nick since he is often with tony these days. Nothing to do now til owen is done writing the reports. This past week been nothing but stress. He lay on his sleeping bag as he saw owen typing on his laptop.
"Owen get to bed. We both been up for three days and nights so I'm ordering you to rest now!"
"Yes sir. Saving everything we learnt now. Goodnight sir." Owen said sarcastically as he turn off his laptop. He knows rhody can't sleep til there is complete darkness. Which seem stupid since the sun was now raising but whatever. He went to the only bed and collapse on it. They really need to take better care on long missions like this. He thought as he fell asleep.
Sandy slowly woke up, looking around as flashes of memory hit him. He was fighting rob, he broke the table and ate a cat? He quickly sat up as he heard ron coming towards him holding a sparrow.
"Finally up I see. You didn't kill anything during your rampage. You save a cat from getting run over and let it go. So now you see what happens when you hold it in." Ron said as he sat next to him.
"I get it but got such a headache. And sorry for any trouble I did for our kind." He said with a small twitch of his ear. He took a bite of the sparrow, using one paw to hold it down.
"That headache is just cuz your wolf took over and you fought him a bit. Btw the heat will come two weeks after today. Prepare yourself." Ron said as he stood up. They begin to walk back, keeping out of sight from people. As soon as he arrived home, ron nodded before taking off.
Guess ron care about him more than he thought. He got to warn zamas but first to get to his room and put on clothes. He wince as he took in the damages from last night. The floors was clean though. Too clean he thought to himself as he saw the mop and bucket in the corner of the kitchen. He head to his room and pack a bag of his clothes. Looking around he saw that sharon must have gather his phone and ipod. Hope he didn't break them. He love listening to his music while training. Shifting back he got dressed and went to see his sister.
"Your phone is charging and I'm guessing you off to the forest again." Sandy jump when he heard sharon voice outside the door.
"Yea. And sorry about everything. That meeting was something else. Apparently C.I.A agents are investigating a werewolf attack. Something is happening to the underworld and I might get caught up in it. Be careful sharon. Got to go train and get stronger. Today learning about shifting. Learning more about shifting."
"Be careful san. Will do my own investigating. And rob did say sorry about his attack." She said as she went to grab his phone. She handed it to him as he left.
"Tell rob it a good move but don't do it again. My wolf wants a rematch though. Love ya." He said as he close the door. It was still early so he knew it was rude to wake zamas but this was urgent. He hope she can forgive him for this. He thought as he dial her number.
"Hey Z. Got bad news. Heat is coming in two weeks. Also heading to the meadow right now. Remember ron want us there early for training? Plus want to show you our new place. Call me back when you get this message. Or text." he said with a worried expression. He wonder if she also lost it like he did. He reach the meadow and look around for her. He shifted and sniff around. Traces of her scent was still here but it was faint. His ear twitch as he heard a sound of a twig snapping. His wolf wasn't on edge so he knew who it was sneaking up on him. He quickly duck as zamas launch herself at him. No wonder she didn't answer her phone.
"Crap. Knew you heard that twig so try for speed instead." She said as she got up, shaking out her fur.
"Been here this whole time? Practicing sneaking and other moves? Guess you really want to train, Oh follow me! Let me show you the new place." He said with a wag of his tail.
Zamas nodded as he begin to walk towards the river. It was a nice sunny day and he begin to realize that he recovers faster from shifting too. Looking at zamas, he can see that she had some dirt in her fur. Must be due to hiding her scent when she snuck up on him. Zamas is smarter than him so that should be no surprise. Zamas bump his shoulder which took him out of his thoughts.
"Ok we at the river. Where to now?" She ask as she look around. He look around for the log and point at it. She bump him again before running to it. He gave a small bark before chasing her. He watch as she jump nimbly onto the log and ran fast on it, using her claws to stay on it. He follow carefully, when he felt his wolf do a huff. Yea I know wolf, trust you and we will be like that, he thought to himself. Jumping off he chased zamas, and ran faster to pass her to the cliffs.
"It up there. Riley showed this to me. Wonder where ron is. After all we are supposed to have shifting training." He look around as zamas begin to climb the cliff.
"You worry too much sandy. But that what I like about you. You think of everything. Relax you know how ron is. He probably up top." She said while breathing heavily.
He sighs as he climb up as well. At the top he saw zamas lying on her side and ron sitting in front of the cave.
"Ready for training?" Ron ask with a cheeky grin. He let out a small growl as he lay down to rest after such a hard climb. Ron just have endless energy apparently, he thought as he scent some prey. Ron was there with him when he woke up, there last night and he disappear too. So he ran from his home to brighton very fast. Guess it a watcher secret or maybe just normal werewolf speed. Two squirrels drop next to him as he sat up. After eating his fill, he put his stuff in the cave holes. He chuckle to himself as he watch zamas look around.
"This place looks amazing. You say riley found this? Omegas know more than they let on. Here I thought he needs to be protected but he knows this forest better than us. And we live near here." She said as she check out the bed.
"Let start training now. You both need to be in human form for this one. So shift and join me out here. Don't worry zamas, I'm wearing shorts." Ron said with a small chuckle.
They both shifted and kept their backs toward each other. He put on blue shorts and was the first to walk outside.
"Btw zamas, heat is in two weeks. You both might have feelings right now but I need you both to focus." Ron said as zamas join them. She gave a nod with a small grin. Sandy gave a small nod as he begin to explain what they was doing.
"You both understand shifting on a basic level. Let call it level one. We are going to level 2. Partial shifting. Going to be hard because we aren't shifting all the way. Like so." Ron's wolf ears and tail came out as well as some fur covering his skin. He grin, showing that he also had wolf fangs. He quickly shift back.
"Now focus on a body part, and only that body part. Picture it in your mind and shift.Going to take a few tries but I believe you both can do this. After all you can both shift fully and it took you, sandy five minutes and zamas, it took you twenty minutes. Been both practicing I see." Ron shift fully back to human as he look at them both.
Sandy begin to focus. Ok shift only one body part. Ignore everything else. He can feel the shifting energy forming and he direct it towards his head. He felt the mohawk of his wolf form and grin to himself. Opening his eyes he look at his arm and frown as fur begin growing. He stop shifting and reverse everything. Breathing heavily he now see what ron meant by a few tries. Plus it takes energy too. He saw zamas panting hard as well, seeing fur going back in her arm. Ron let out a yawn as the hours passed, laying down with one eye on them.
"Yes I did it!" Sandy exclaim as he shift one hand to wolf paw and back. He look at zamas and she grin as she also shift a hand to wolf and back. They lay down, finally relaxing after the hard training.
"Practice makes perfect so work on it so you don't burn up so much energy when doing it. After all what the point if you can't move after? I am going to be away for a long time. Watchers call a meeting. It just to discuss the hunters. Can't kill them because they are government agents. Can't bite them cuz they would reveal us. I would be back in a month or two. And before you ask I will explain about watchers." He sat up and scratch his head as he waited for them to face him.
"Watchers is a group of very old werewolves. I myself have been around since ancient greece and roman times. The things I seen and humans are one confused species. Anyway watchers are made up of every werewolf type. We don't get involve with humans but will erase any and all evidence of us. We do eat werewolves dead bodies. Bury the bones while making it look natural. Nasty work but it for our people. We manage to live so long is because of how careful we are. Rouges are nasty and want things to go back in the past. Back when werewolves cause fear in humans and we weren't regarded as legends and myths. Bob is one rouge that I been tracking. Only reason why I'm in the US is because he is here. I do like training both of you though. But now with humans becoming more tech advanced, it is getting harder. We also have a system to chose who get bit and what type of werewolf. We got tech as well so we aren't stuck in the old ages. Anyway I have to go. Here a hint for the heat. Distance helps." Ron grin at them as he shift to wolf form and jump off the cliff. Sandy watch as he disappear, leaving his shorts on the cliff.
"Leave no evidence huh?" Sandy said with a smirk as he held up the shorts.
"Well humans been known to leave clothes around." Zamas said as she watch him put it in an hole in the cave above an empty bed.
"Are we going to talk about this? The heat. Feel very uncomfortable with us and our wolves. You feel it too right?" Zamas ask as she sat on the edge of the cliff.
"I do. I'm not good with this and my wolf emotions is causing me to clamp down on my emotions harder. You are my best friend and I don't want to risk that. I'm afraid to even touch you. Now I know it the heat and not my own feelings so I'm ok with that part. Feel like I'm going crazy a bit." He replied in a soft voice as he join her.
"Ron did say distance helps so when the heat comes, we both take a vacation from work and stay apart. Going to be hard when our den is here. Though didn't ron also mention that there is a truce among packs and huge party for the heat? Maybe one of us can join them and the other stay here." Zamas said, looking at sandy with a small grin.
"For some reason I want to growl at that idea. I believe my wolf claims you. It would explain my reaction to stripefur. I'm going to ask my sis to drive me to blue hills reservation. It far enough from both of our homes that no one would be impact from my heat emotions." Sandy pull her into a tight hug, knowing he surprise her with his physical affection.
" Sorry I couldn't resist no more." He let her go and got up to get his bag from inside the cave.
"Im heading home. Need more sleep so see ya at work tomorrow Z." He pat her shoulder as he start to climb down.
"See ya sandy. Keep practicing and we will hold a contest on who can do it faster." She call out as he walk away. He gave a small wave before walking from her sight. She need more info about the heat so she went to grab her cell phone and ask guldo to meet her in the forest. She then fully shift and went to hunt while she wait. This place was huge, she thought as she smelt the boundary markings sandy placed. Her ear twitch as she heard a small howl by the river boundary. That was quick, she thought as she saw guldo in her wolf form. She was surprised by the green markings on her nose and inside her ears. She lead the way to the cave, going by the back so they wouldn't have to climb the cliff.
"So what is it you want to know?" Guldo ask as she watch zamas dropping a bird in front of her.
Sighing she took a bite out of her own bird before speaking. "The heat. It's coming and I need to know more. Sandy is doing his avoid and isolate thing that he do. But me? The heat is something that is going to happen and I need to know how to deal with it. It in two weeks and I told sandy that ron said that the packs have a truce so we can hang out with them til it over. But nope. Sandy going to go so far that he going to be alone. In order to protect me."
"It an orgy. It is why there is truce. Hate to say it but sandy doing the right thing. Dominants are very physical when it comes to the heat. He does scare me without doing anything. It his face. His eyes. We werewolves do have a feral side and the fact sandy try to hide it is scary. He is like a killer who is waiting for his victim to let down their guard. Fact that you consider him a friend is unique I guess." Guldo said while finishing her bird.
Zamas let out a small growl. Why is everyone so afraid of sandy when they just met him? Of course she thought the same when she first met him in middle school. Back then rumors was going on about how violent he is and how he sent a older kid to the hospital. Which look weird because he was just reading on the playground. He kept to himself too which didn't make things better. She overheard some teachers saying how nice and polite he was in class yet kids avoid him. Guess he still has that effect on people. Despite being in his twenties. Guess he was right when he told her he was like a background creepy character in horror movies.
"The heat is when we let loose. Can say it like the primal of wolves come out and play. There is no thinking during the heat. You like guy. You want guy. You get guy and have fun. You will beat up your rivals to prove you deserve the guy more than anyone else. By beat up I mean close to death, clawing them. Submissive doesn't mean that we can't fight. It just means that dominants feel protective of us. I'm a fighter which means I'm not exactly one or the other. Everything else you already know. We get more flirty while guys get more aggressive. We also get aggressive when trying to get a guy. I'm sorry but that the way the heat always been. There no running from it. No matter how much you want to. I often indulge myself but I work at a bar for werewolves so finding others is easy. Sorry if that not what you want to hear." Guldo look concern as zamas got up.
"It ok. Glad that you was honest. Hey would you like to spend time with us? After the heat I mean. That way you can see sandy is not as scary or creepy. He is shy though. So you pick up girls at your bar? Isn't it awkward after the heat end or do they also understand?"
"We all understand. And been alive long enough that the awkwardness is no longer there. We live for a long time as well. I like to travel so working in bars work to my advantage. It is nice to find a werewolf bar. Bet there wouldn't be one if it wasn't for alex. Anyway I need to go. Call me when you need any help. Thank you for showing me your den." Guldo got up and was walking back down the trail. Zamas walk with her, making sure she avoid the pack boundaries. She gave a nod as she saw sally and sam watching them with prey in their mouths. They nodded back as they walk to their den. She stop as soon as they came close to the bus stop.
"Thanks for everything guldo. Stay safe." Zamas gave her a nod as guldo shift back behind a bush where she left her clothes. She gave zamas a wave as she ran to get on the bus. Sighing zamas look up and saw that the sun was getting lower in the sky. She did need to get to work in the morning so she went back and gather her things. She kept her mind on her attacker as she shifted. Her attacker was female with dye blue hair. Something tells her she going to meet her again at work tomorrow. Her scent was woodsy but with a hint of perfume under it. Which means she spent time in a forest but not their forest. Also spent time in human form too. She was wearing sunglasses at night which mean she only got scent to go on since she can dye her hair other colors. Walking in the door she grin as she saw her cat.
"Still smell like dog." Her cat meow at her. Zamas shook her head, blinking rapidly as he walk away. Did her cat just talk? Forget it. Too much right now so going to have put talking cat on the backseat. Maybe she been working too hard and just need some rest. Yeah that was it. Shifting does take a ton of energy so of course she is tired and imagining her cat talking. She thought as she went to bed.
Rushing to work was not how sandy thought his morning was going to go. At least he made it with an hour to spare. He was finally at work. Most people find working at grocery store to be boring but not him. He can zone out as he work. Looking around he saw ariel, julie and dallas. He wave at them all as he went to put on his uniform.
"I see you got here early as well." Zamas whisper as she look around carefully.
"Well yea. Thinking of calling alex but after their attack on us, I want to handle this personally." A small snarl lift his lips as he took a long sniff. No werewolves yet but he had his senses on alert. He decided to play his switch til it was time for his shift. During his shift, he notice julie kept giving him a weird look, but she look away every time he looks back at her. He finally begin to relax and was thinking nothing was going to happen. Looking at the time he saw that three hours has passed. Maybe this dark guy lost interest. That was when he heard a lot of running coming towards the store. Or maybe he was getting his pack together. Looking towards both doors, he saw that werewolves were coming from both directions. The customers start screaming as they begin to attack. Sandy saw ariel heading to the customer service desk, and dallas was collecting carts outside. He hoped they would be ok while he ran to julie who was trying to hide by ducking beneath the belt. The werewolves was killing everyone around them, spilling blood which made others slip. He watch as they ran down and up aisle, attacking everything.
"Head upstairs Sandy! Zamas and Julie! I will cover you!" Ariel jump out from behind the service desk, holding a chair. He begin screaming to attract attention from the werewolves that was eating people. They begin to chase him towards the meat section, leaving the stairs clear.
"You heard him. Come on sandy and julie." Zamas yell out as she lead the way. They ran towards the bathroom and close the door.
"I'm going to see if others are coming. Now stay here." Zamas said as she open the door and went out. Sandy eyes widen at zamas' commanding tone. He wasn't expecting it to be this bad. And he left his phone in his locker so couldn't call alex if he wanted to.
"What I don't understand is why dogs are attacking stop and shop?! Guess they really hate our store." He said to julie in a jokingly manner.
They can hear the growling and barking of the wolves. He clench his jaw tight as he heard the screams and pain cries of the people. He heard footsteps rushing towards them but relax at the scent. Good she manage to hold it together. He open the door as zamas came back.
"It is so bad out there. They are tearing everything apart. I barely made it back here. You ok Julie?" Zamas closed the door and lock it.
Julie look at them both, her mouth turn up with disgust. Her eyes were narrow to slits as she look at them both.
"Even now you both act like you are powerless. Do you take me for an idiot?! We all know those aren't dogs! They are wolves! We know that this attack probably has to do with both of you. People are getting killed because of you! I saw you both that night. Or should I say that full moon night! Yeah. I was there. You both was acting weird so I was worried. Thought you guys were in trouble. Til I overhear genius here say werewolves." She pointed at sandy as she move til she was by the wall, keeping as much distance as she can in the small room.
"Don't even try to deny it. I know what I saw! I hid behind a tree when I saw sandy shift. Then I look and saw you zamas. Course you didn't see me. You both was too busy. The other wolf didn't see me either. I wait to see if you guys was ever going to let me in. Even cover for you with the bosses. Yea i pretend I didn't see what they did. Made them think they are too stressed. Now please stop acting like you don't know anything and save them! We can talk more later!"
"Julie I...no you are right. I'm sorry but there are rules. Mind facing the wall? You know how werewolves are. Keep our clothes safe please. Go to the forest after this so we can get our clothes back. Zamas you take the front end and go through the aisles. I got the meat and frozen section. Do your best and stay safe." He begin to undress, keeping his back to zamas as he start to shift.
"Guess those shifting lessons came in handy. You too sandy. And julie, we are truly sorry." She gave julie her glasses, catching sandy's and giving them to her as well. Sandy waited til zamas was ready and opened the door. It was hard due to the space but he managed it. Running out to the balcony, he jump and landed, bearing his fangs to scatter the people in the way. He noticed zamas landing beside him, gave him a nod before jumping on a nearby wolf that was gnawing on a corpse. He saw that these wolves wasn't fighters and ran to the meat section. He also saw how the werewolves was different species of wolves. He let out a snarl as he saw a red wolf type bite ariel on his arm. Oh this wasn't good, sandy thought as he ran fast to him. He bit the wolf in the side, making the wolf let ariel go. He saw ariel run away as the wolf face him.
"Dark sends his regards." He growl as he claw at sandy. Sandy dodge it and slash at his side. He landed his hits as the wolf was barely fighting back. He found that weird but didn't think about it as he snap at him. The wolf grin as he ran away. He chase after them when he saw that all the werewolves was leaving the store. Zamas join him at the front of the store, looking confused as well. Hearing police sirens, they start to run outside when police cars surrounded them. He charge straight at them, jumping over them with zamas by his side, running towards the forest. This was his plan all along, he thought to himself. Now the cops be looking for our wolf forms which means even the forest isn't safe. No wonder they barely fought back. The plan was to stall til the cops came. Reaching the den, he collapse in the cave. He can only hope that this mess get fix somehow. He felt zamas curl up besides him and for once he didn't move away. Knowing she needs as much comfort as he does right now.