Lucifer's Keys

Autumn leaves crunched under his feet as he walked, unhurried, down the wooded path in the Southern Quad of Seacrest University.  He had finally finished his last class of the day and was headed back to his apartment just outside of campus.  Mason Cole was in his Sophmore year, at 20 years old.  He had finished high school at 18, had left his family as planned to attend college, and had gotten a job to cover his expenses.  He wasn't rich, but he wasn't dirt poor. He was a member of the Grey Stone Pack which was, for the most part, very neutral.  They didn't seek prominence, wealth, or power and though they seemed a bit dull, their members were content.   Mason Cole was a remarkably average werewolf, and he was at peace with his wolf, himself, and his place in the world.  He had not found his mate and didn't really care to.  He dated rarely if ever and focused on the things that made him happy.  His school, his future, and his work.  He had a few close friends and was an only child.  All in all, his life was good.   He continued to crunch down the path, he was halfway through the fall semester and was looking forward to the Harvest break.  Just two more weeks, two more papers, and three midterms.  He breathed in the crisp air, letting it invigorate him.  He always felt stronger and more controlled when the air was brisk, he never understood why it just was.  The path ended and he turned left onto an adjoining sidewalk and took the last five minutes of his walk making his way to his apartment.  He fished his keys from his pocket, unlocked the door, and walked in.   He shared the place with two roommates.  Typical of a college living space, it had 4 rooms each with a bathroom and a combined kitchen, living room, and laundry which was shared by all who lived there.  When he walked in, his roommates John and Kevin were sitting on the couch in the living room, both heavily engrossed in the football game they were watching and screaming at the home team receiver who had failed to receive.   "YOU WERE RIGHT THERE!" John shouted incredulously.  John was about six feet tall, he would have been all muscle if he liked the gym as much as he liked beer and food.  He had a flawless dark complexion, neatly cut hair, and strange hazel eyes.  Mason was surprised that John wasn't a lady killer.  Though he could have been, John was saving himself for his mate.  He believed wholeheartedly that she, whoever she was, would make all of the desperate girls who chased him around shamelessly, seem even more inadequate than he already believed they were.   "I COULD HAVE CAUGHT THAT!!" Kevin complained.  Kevin was as close to the opposite of John as he could be, in Mason's opinion.  He was about 5'8 with a shaggy frat boy hair cut and pale skin.  His grey eyes squinted at the television.  Kevin, though it seemed unlikely, was a lady killer.  He was thin and didn't have much musculature but he was full of charisma.  He spent his time trying to talk women out of their clothing and into his room. He figured that he needed practice for his mate and that she would understand him regardless because their meeting would render all others before her obsolete. "Bull-s**t," Mason said with a smirk as he closed the door behind him.   "You couldn't catch a pass like that if your life depended on it, let alone get there in time to even get under it." Kevin shot Mason a death glare.  He was slow in either form and he was sensitive about it.   "You didn't even see it, you just got here!" He retorted. Mason's smirk remained "If it had to do with you and any type of coordination or athletic ability, I didn't need to see it." John let out a barking laugh, his eyes still glued to the television.  "Anyway..." Kevin began, embarrassed "Since you don't have work tomorrow, I wanted to go to club six tonight. Live music, dancing, women, food, you know, socialization.  You remember that concept right, Mason?" Mason rolled his eyes at his friend.  It had been a while since he had gone anywhere social. Partly because he was afraid he may find the mate he didn't want and partly because something in his gut tugged at him constantly.  He wasn't sure what but for the past few months he had felt...a compulsion that he couldn't explain.  This time was no different, he felt that he couldn't say no, even if he had wanted to. "Alright, I'll go, but nothing crazy, keep your s**t together man." Kevin nodded and held up two fingers in mock sincerity "Scout's honor." Mason and Kevin looked at John who was still glued to the television but who had apparently heard everything. "Yea, I'm in.  Somebody has to make sure you two don't do anything stupid. What time do we leave?" It was already 5:15 but Kevin had said that the fun didn't begin until at least 10 pm. "We'll leave at 9," Kevin said. After making further plans Mason went to nap and shower.  He dropped his backpack in his room and stared into the mirror for a moment.  His brown eyes reflecting back at him.  He was about 5'10 and weighed 175 pounds give or take on the weekends.  He tried to exercise about 3 times per week so he was tone but not jacked and his wolf metabolism helped.  He had no interesting scars or tattoos and his medium brown hair was not buzzed, it was short but not shaggy. He just felt...ordinary and unimpressive.  He sighed and walked away from the mirror to lay down for a nap before the night began.