Casey's Wolf

Chapter 7

                Doc was there within 5 minutes to check on Shane.

                “Don’t werewolves heal super-fast?" Casey asked Lexi as they waited in the living room.

                “We do but we have to get checked when we get hurt like that to make sure that it heals properly and that there is no complications with the wound site. We can still get infections if the wound is not clean when it heals,” Lexi explained.

                “But he was hurt pretty bad. Could something be seriously wrong? You know, since he was still bleeding?” Casey asked, concerned.

                “That’s why I called Doc so quickly. But Doc has given a thorough check up and he is perfectly fine. The blood that was on your hand was from the already healed wound. He is already feeling better. He will be down in a few minutes I believe. I am sorry that that happened, Casey,” Isaiah said as he entered the room.

                “It’s okay. It wasn’t your fault. Sebastian is the one who needs to be apologizing instead of acting the way he did. Are all the other Alphas like him?” Casey asked.

                “No, he is just one of the bad ones. There are others like him, but they are few and far between. They are the ones that make werewolves appear to be bad,” Isaiah answered, taking a seat next to her on the couch. “Shane told me that you tried protecting him after Christian hit him. That you were doing a pretty good job until you were thrown. Are you hurt anywhere? Would you like Doc to have a look at you?” he asked concernedly.

                “I feel fine, but thank you. Mom and Dad had me take karate classes when I was younger. In fact I took lessons up until last year. It was proving too difficult for me to focus on school work and do karate so I decided to take a break till after I graduate,” Casey said. “I honestly didn’t know if the moves would work on them because they are a lot stronger than any of my old sparing partners.”

                “Well, I thank you for protecting my son. I am glad that your parents had you take those classes. If you start to hurt anywhere or if something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to let Doc know. His room is just off the foyer. The door on the right,” Isaiah said as he took her hand in his. He gently kissed the back of her hand. “Thank you again for protecting Shane in his time of need. I am in debt to you.”

                “He got hurt protecting me so it was only right that I protect him as well,” Casey said, casting her gaze to the floor. “He has become my best friend over the last few days. I couldn’t stand to see him hurt.”

                “Your best friend uh? When did I move up to that status? I thought we were just friends, you never said best before,” Shane said, amused, from where he was leaning against the wall leading into the living room. Casey jumped up and rushed to him, wrapping him in a bear hug.

                “Shane! You are okay!”

                “Of course I am. Didn’t dad tell you that?”

                “Yeah, but my mind wouldn’t believe it until I saw you with my own eyes I guess,” Casey said into his chest. Then she released him and said, “I am sorry that happened to you.”

                “Chill, it wasn’t your fault that those guys were buttholes. They always have been. They just showed their true colors this time,” Shane said, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. “I am fine now, I promise.”

                “You better be. You scared the crap out of me,” Casey said.

                “You still want to try to study for that math test? Or are you too worked up to focus on math?” Shane asked, as there was a ring from the front doorbell.

                “Way too worked up. I wouldn’t be able to focus on it. Maybe later,” Casey said as Lexi went to answer the door.

                “Casey, your parents are here,” Lexi called back down the little hallway that separated the front door from the living room.

                Casey turned as they walked into the living room, her mom carrying a garment bag. “Hey, mom. Hey, dad. What do you have mom?” Casey asked as she rushed over to them to give them hugs.

                “It is just an outfit that I made specially for you for tonight. Want to go try it on?” Alyza asked.

                “Of course, mom. Let’s go up to my room,” Casey said, turning to head towards the stairs.

                “Isaiah, where are the others that will be joining us for the ceremony? Weren’t Sebastian and his new wolves coming in this morning?” Darren asked. Casey froze as she wanted to hear how Isaiah would answer.

                “He will not be joining us tonight or any other shift moon ceremony in the future, for that matter,” Isaiah answered.

                “What? Why not?” asked Darren, shock in his voice.

                “You know how he always targets at least one person in our pack to bully every time he is here, right?” Isaiah asked.

                “Yes, sir,” answered Darren.

                “Well, this year he chose two. Shane and Casey. It ended with Sebastian’s Beta Christian, attacking and hurting Shane. So, I banished him. I was so tired of the drama that followed him and the drama that he caused with every visit. Now the shift moon ceremony can be truly peaceful like it is supposed to be,” Isaiah said.

                “But, sir, don’t we have a peace treaty with his pack?” Darren asked concernedly.

                “Yes, but it was null and void when he hurt Shane. Bullying was one thing but physically hurting a member of this pack ended that treaty and that was a choice that I feel both he and his Beta made before they ever reached our pack house this morning,” Isaiah said.

                “This true,” Darren turned to face Shane. “I am glad that you are okay, Shane.”

                “Thank you, sir. But in all honesty, I wouldn’t be if it wasn’t for Casey. She protected me after I was hit over the head by Christian. He hit me hard enough that it almost knocked me out. She wouldn’t let them get even close to me. That is until she got thrown herself. You have raised quite the warrior, Darren.”

                “You were thrown?” asked Alyza, her voice thick with worry.

                “Yes, mom, but I promise I am okay,” Casey said. “Let’s go try on my new outfit.”

                “Okay, let’s go,” Alyza agreed. Then she turned to Shane. “I too am glad that you are okay, Shane.”

                With that, Casey and her mom headed upstairs. When they reached her door, her mom saw the blood that was on the floor. It was only a few drops that hadn’t been cleaned up yet. Then she saw the broken table.

                “Casey, were the other wolves in your room?” she asked, concernedly.

                “Yes, ma’am. But I wasn’t. Shane, Lexi and myself were down at the lake swimming. Shane and I had come back up to the house after the Alphas had reached the lake because Shane was going to help me study for my math test tomorrow. I was going into my room to change into drier clothes when I found them. Shane was on his way upstairs as well to do the same when I called out to him. Then the other wolves started attacking him after he shifted. He injured a couple of them but then Christian hit him over the head with one of my textbooks. That’s when I stepped in. I just couldn’t stand to see Shane hurt like that. And deep down I knew the others weren’t going to stop.”

                “Who stopped it?” Alyza asked.

                “Mr. Isaiah. I texted him from Shane’s phone just before Christian hit Shane. When they threw me, I saw Isaiah and the others outside through the window that I had been thrown under. I ran and told them what was happening. It just all happened really fast but at the same time it seemed like forever,” Casey said as she opened her door. She hadn’t had time to clean up from Christian and the other new wolves going through her things. Her mom was shocked to see the state of her room.

                “Did they do all of this?” she asked.

                “Yes, ma’am,” Casey replied. “But I really don’t want to think on it anymore today. I want to focus on the shift moon ceremony. What does my outfit look like?”

                Her mother walked over and laid the garment bag on Casey’s bed. Then she unzipped it and pulled the most beautiful silver dress that Casey had ever seen.

                “You made this?” Casey asked, in complete awe by the beauty of the dress.

                “Of course. I wanted you to look extra special for such a monumental occasion as your first shift moon. I have actually been working on it since your birthday. I had a feeling that you were one of us that day after the incident with the candles, but I couldn’t be sure. But my feeling was right and I couldn’t be more happier.” Alyza said, obviously fighting back tears. “Now let’s get it on you so that I know if I need to make any alterations. I feel like I left it way too long.”

                Casey quickly changed into the dress. The material was very silky and shimmery. It flowed over her skin as she slid it over her head. She couldn’t help but admire her reflection as her mother started marking the bottom of the dress to hem it to the correct length.

                “I love it, mom. It’s so beautiful,” Casey said, still in awe.

                “Good, I am glad you like it. Do you want me to put a slit in the skirt or just leave it like it is? Try walking around in it to make sure that you can move around comfortably,” Alyza said as she stood up from where she had been kneeling in front Casey, measuring the hem.

                Casey walked around the room. “It feels okay to me but could slit it up to at least the knee? I feel like if didn’t it might be kind of hard to sit without pulling the skirt up super high,” Casey said.

                Alyza stepped over to the bed and pulled a pair of fabric scissors from her purse. “I thought you would want it slitted but I wasn’t sure,” she giggled.

                There was a knock on the door, “It’s me,” Shane called through the door.

                “Come in,” Alyza said while getting more pins out of a pin cushion that she also had in her purse.

                Shane opened the door looking down at a book in his hand, “Hey, Casey I found your journal…” He stopped dead in his tracks as he looked up, seeing Casey in her dress. “Wow.”

                “Do you like it?” Alyza asked as Casey blushed at the look on Shane’s face.

                “Huh? Oh, yes. Very beautiful,” Shane said, blushing as he turned around to face Alyza.

                “Casey, I will put your journal in your night stand drawer, okay?” he asked.

                “Yes, that’s fine. Thank you, Shane. Where was it?” Casey asked.

                “I found it laying on top of the bushes next to the porch. I guess in all the chaos one of the new wolves tried to take it. They must have dropped it when dad was ushering them out the door, because judging by the dent in the spine of it, it bounced,” Shane answered as he turned for the door.

                He walked back out into the hallway. As he closed the door, he took a deep breath. His wolf growled softly, startling him. You know she is our mate, was all his wolf said before quieting down again.

                “I know, but she doesn’t yet,” Shane said to the empty hallway.