White Fur

Chapter 26

Skyler’s POV

The past few days have been a little crazy. Kanto has been busy with work for most of the day, so I’ve been learning from Luna Maribelle on my future duties as well as more about the supernatural world. My movie knowledge has be of little to no use when learning about werewolves. We’ve been mostly talking about the process of getting a wolf and mates since I was already a little familiar with that from Kanto. But I barely scratched the surface on the complexities both getting a wolf and mates had. I did enjoy learning about it. Also I knew that if I wanted to stay by Kanto’s side I’d need to step up to the role of Luna and for that I’d need to learn.

Today we have been focusing more on the topic of when a werewolf shifts for the first time. I always had a lot of questions for Luna Maribelle, I was always appreciative that she didn’t lose her patience with me. “Why does there have to be a full moon in order to shift?”

“We believe that the Moon Goddess was the one to bless us with our wolves.” Luna Maribelle began to explain. “Even though our wolves manifest at 13 and by 16 we have a strong bond with them, the extra strength the moon provides leads to a more successful transformation.”

“Is it possible to shift for the first time without a full moon?” I asked.

“It is possible, but it’s very unusual. There is a biological urge for us to shift on the first full moon after our 16th birthday. Shifting early requires an incredibly strong individual and bond, it’s very rare since it’s so risky, even Alphas who are the strongest tend to die when shifting early. Shifting late is usually the result of not being in the condition to shift in the first place, if they resist the urge they risk never being able to shift but if they shift when their bodies can’t handle it then they won’t survive the shift. Our pack cares for all of its individuals so we make sure every member is properly taken care of so they can avoid these circumstances.”

I nodded along as Luna Maribelle continued to explain. I was a little happy that all I had to deal with when I was a teenager was regular puberty, I couldn’t imagine having to deal with this too. But it was fascinating to learn about. Luna Maribelle explained how they have mini parties for those shifting for the first time and how they try to have a pack run once a month for the newly shifted wolves.

I continued learning about shifting for the first time by reading books and asking lots of questions. I was so focused I didn’t notice my own facial expressions.

“Dear, I think you need a break.” Luna Maribelle said with a slight giggle. “Besides my son just mind-linked me that he’s looking for you. He wants to meet you at the training grounds soon. Why don’t you take a break then meet him there. Do you know how to get there?”

“Unfortunately I don’t think so but I bet I could find it.” Luna Maribelle started to get up as if she were going to show me the way. “No no no, I will be able to find it, you don’t have to show me, you are far too busy and with me already bothering you all day it can’t be easy to get work done. But if you could give me directions that would be great.”

“You are not a bother dear, but if you insist. You are going to go down to the first floor, then head down the main corridor until you get to the game lounge on the right, take that back door that leads outside. If you keep walking straight you’ll be there in no time.” I mentally took note of her directions and was happy it wasn’t too complicated.

“Thank you so much for today Luna Maribelle. See you tomorrow?”

“Yes dear, and remember I told you to call me Mary.” She scolded me slightly before I head out the door.

I went upstairs to Kanto’s room before going downstairs. I changed into a pair of black capri leggings and a dark blue tank top. I switched out my shoes for running shoes before throwing my hair up in a high ponytail. I left the room and went down all five flights of stairs. Once on the first floor I turned to the giant main corridor and was instantly faced with my worst fear. All the doors were closed. I’ve seen the game lounge a couple times but not enough to know exactly what door it was and I don’t want to be rude and barge into a room with a door close for a reason. I tried walking down the hall to see if my memory for the tour with Kanto will kick in if my body moves at the same pace, but it was no use. It was also a weird time of the day so there wasn’t anyone around to help me at the moment.

I paced up and down the hall before letting out a sigh. “Uhhhhh where is the game lounge?”

“I’ll show you.” It was as if someone magically appeared to help me, I was a little startled at the sudden appearance but grateful that they were here. The person was already walking down the hallway so i didn’t get a good look at their face.

“Thank you so much!” I said to my new guide. She was tall and fit figure, her blonde hair swayed back and forth as I tried to keep up. “I’ve only been here a couple days so I still don’t know my way around. So thank you again for your help.”

She didn’t respond, she just kept going. So I tried again to start a conversation with her. “My name is Skyler, it’s nice to meet you.”

“You don’t need to have a conversation with me. You’ll soon learn that everyone has their place and it’s better that they realize their place sooner rather than later.”

I was about to respond to her when she approached a door. She waited until I got close enough to the door to open. She swung the door open to a pitch black room with stairs leading down. I couldn’t get a closer look because next thing I knew, her hand was on my back. “And your place Skyler is at the bottom of a ditch.”

With all her force she shoved me into the room, causing me to start tumbling down the stairs. She used so much force that I couldn’t stop myself. I was falling down the stairs for a second or two before I broke through something. I suspect it was the railing because I was suddenly free falling but not for long. I soon felt the cold hard ground hit my body. I heard a slight chuckle and a door click as I lied there struggling to keep consciousness. I could see the smallest glimpse of light coming from behind me, but I succumbed to the darkness as my eyelids could no longer stay open.

-

I took a deep breath and slowly opened my eyes again. They were heavy but I managed to open them enough to squint and look at the almost complete darkness surrounding me. I took it slowly and cautiously began to start moving my body. A sharp pain radiates from my left wrist as I put more pressure on it. It just finished fully healing from the last time I was injured, just my luck.

I managed to sit up fully now and I started to run my hands over my body to check from more injuries. When I got to my right leg, I feel something sticking out, it was like a giant splinter. I felt it until it reached my leg, I was now aware of a piece of wood sticking out of my leg. I carefully removed my tank top, thankful that’s I wore a decent sports bra that day, ripped up my shirt to create a makeshift bandage and wrapped it around my leg with the wooden piece still lodged. I remember reading somewhere that you aren’t supposed to remove an object because you may bleed out, so I made sure it was securely fastened where it was.

I continued to feel my body for more injuries but couldn’t feel any. My sides hurt as well at my arms and leg, but I suspect that will just lead to bruising. I took a deep breath and let it out, I ran my right hand through my hair, that’s when I felt a sting and something wet. I lightly touched where the stinging pain was coming from, I had a cut of some sort on my forehead and the wet that I felt was probably my blood. I needed to get a better look at myself. That’s when I remembered that this place wasn’t completely dark, I remembered the small glimpse of light before I passed out. I slowly raised myself to my feet and made sure I was stable before trudging towards the light.

“Damn.” A raspy voice came from the direction the light was in. “I was hoping you were dead.”

“Who are you?” I asked the mysterious voice while slowly moving towards that light. The voice may have been raspy and a bit weak but it sounded familiar somehow.

“If only I dealt with a b***h like you faster, then we both wouldn’t be down here.” I finally came into view of where the light was coming from. My eyes went wide and my heart started to race at the sight in front of me. It was a jail cell and in the cell was a man. He looked weakened and extremely pale, his mustache and beard were longer than when I first saw him. His gaged earrings weren’t there anymore but his silver teeth that replaced his missing teeth were. Memories started to flood my mind and made my stance become unbalanced. “So you do recognize me, even after all those things those monsters have done.”

A part of me wanted to run away but a more persistent side had some things to say. “You were the one who attacked me in that alley and you dare to call other people monsters?”

The man I labeled as 2 just a couple of weeks ago shifted his sitting position to reveal his arms. “That monster of yours was the one who did this.” I noticed that one of his hands were missing. He was insinuating that Kanto was the one who removed it.

“Maybe you shouldn’t have touched things that weren’t yours.” I snapped back filled with rage. 2 didn’t have anything to say in response so I continued. “Why are you here instead of rotting in a public jail cell?”

A small grin crossed his face and made my skin crawl. He got up and walked to bars of his cell. “They want to know why we attacked you. I’ve been holding out on that information in the thought that you were dead and it was my victory to torture them back. Then I saw you fall down the stairs, and was pissed when you got back up. I should have killed you sooner.”

“Why did you attack me?” I said sternly. He didn’t answer, he just looked away. I walked up to the jail cell, grabbed him by his shirt and yelled in his face. “Why did you attack me?”

He just chuckled. “I’m not the only one who wants you dead.”

I felt my grip loosen a little but I didn’t let my anger go. “What do you mean?”

“Someone paid us to attack you and leave you to rot and die in that alley. We didn’t see them but we did get the money. And one day they will be the ones to let me out of this cell so I can get another chance to dispose of you.”

I let go of his shirt and took two steps back. My face was expressionless as I stared at the state of the man who attacked me a couple weeks ago. “That’s only if you don’t rot in here or get disposed of first. Besides, how kind do you think they’ll be to someone who failed to do their job?” His grin disappeared. I turned on my heel towards the staircase I paused before I was too far away. “I’m going to walk away towards freedom now, still alive and well. Have fun in your cell.”

I walked away from the profanities he was now slinging at me towards the stairs. It got darker in the room but I was able to find the bottom of the stairs. I limped my way up, careful of the part of the railing that I broke when I was shoved. My mind was running like crazy, who would hate me enough to kill me. My first thought was the girl who shoved me down the stairs, I was now much angrier at the fact I didn’t see her face. But it could be was someone else.

I kept thinking about his words when I reached the door. I turned the handle and pushed the door open. The intense amount of light made it hard for my eyes to adjust at first but when they did I noticed how many people were in the hall. I didn’t have a reason, but I was embarrassed at how I looked at that moment probably dirty, blood on me and only wearing my sports bra. A man made his way through the people staring at me.

“Luna Skyler?” He asked.

“Just Skyler.” I said with a nod.

“Let me take you to Dr. Garcia, do you mind if I pick you up?” I nodded again and he carefully picked me up being mindful of the, now that I see it, large piece of wood in my leg. Lots of people were staring at me in the hall, there were way more people in the hall compared to the last couple days.

“Why are there so many people in the hall?” I blurted the question.

“Luna you’ve been missing for hours. Alpha Kanto ordered everyone who was near the pack house to come and find you.” Hours? I was gone for hours? I must have been unconscious for longer than I thought.

“I’m sorry.” I let out a sigh. “I didn’t mean to be such a bother.”

The man let out a small chuckle of relief. “No Luna, you don’t need to apologize. We are just happy you’re ok. Kanto just found you and it would be terrible if he lost you.”

“Not many people call Kanto by his name without the Alpha title in front of it. So that means I should probably learn who you are.” I had a guess at who he was but I didn’t want to assume.

“You’re smart. I think you’re going to run circles around the Alpha.” He laughed. “I’m Beta Brett, it’s a pleasure to meet you and be at your service.”

Knew it! Not many people can reference Kanto by his name that confidently. “It’s nice to meet you Brett, I’m Skyler but you already knew that. Sorry we couldn’t have met in better circumstances.”

“Again it’s not your fault Luna Skyler. We are just happy you’re safe.”

“I assume you mind-linked Kanto?” Knowing that he is the ‘we’ he was talking about.

“He’ll be here in probably 5 seconds.” Here being two big doors at the end of the pack house. Brett turned his body and used it to push the doors open. “Hey Doc. Got someone for you.”

I heard someone groan at the sound of Brett’s voice, I could help but giggle a bit. A man came around the corner rubbing his face and adjusting his glasses. “Brett what the hell did you do this time?” It was the same doctor who helped me last time I was injured. He was a bit shocked to see me. He gave me a slight bow. “Oh Luna! Im sorry for being so improper. Brett bring her back this way.”

Brett gently placed me on one of the examination beds while Dr. Garcia called for some nurses. Dr. Garcia started to work on my leg when I heard the double doors fly open. Kanto almost flew by my bed because he was moving so fast. He came up to where my head was and grabbed me into his arms. He didn’t talk at first he just stood the holding me tightly, Dr. Garcia used the distraction as an opportunity to feel around the piece of wood which caused me to wince. At my small movement Kanto released me and began to scan my body.

“Skyler, what happened?” His voice was filled with worry but also sweetness.

“I’m fine Kanto, I’m alright.” I tried to sooth him.

“Not you aren’t! You have a gash on your head and a huge piece of wood sticking out of your leg. You are not f*****g fine.” Kanto started to get loud. I felt anger rising inside me, but it didn’t feel like it was mine.

I took a deep breath. “Kanto, I’m ok now. And once Dr. Garcia finishes with his examine and fixing me up I’ll tell you everything. But right now I need to calm down, and you getting angry doesn’t make me feel relaxed. And if I read correctly, having a fast heart rate isn’t good for preventing blood loss.”

“She’s right.” Dr. Garcia chimed in.

“I appreciate your concern and I’m happy to be safe with you. I will tell you everything but for now, let me focus on getting better.” I said as sweetly as possible. I wanted to reach out to him but there was too much grossness covering me.

Kanto stood there frozen for a moment, contemplating what I said. He turned around and then turned back to me. He used his newly obtained cloth to clean my face a bit before giving me a gentle kiss. I instantly felt my whole body relax. “I’ll be back as soon as you’re done.” Kanto whispered into my ear. He gave me another gentle peck before walking away.

I heard chuckling from my other side, I glanced over at Dr. Garcia. “Sorry Luna, I’m not use to seeing the Alpha be so obedient.”

“Well you better work fast, because my excuse will only keep him away for so long.”