Breaking Free

Nightmare

I’m in the woods and it’s dark. Im running as fast as I can on all fours. My claws are throwing up dirt, the wind whipping through my fur. Adrenaline is coursing through my veins as I look behind me. At first I don’t see the imminent danger. Upon closer inspection I see 5 sets of glowing eyes in the distance. I kick it up a notch and burst through a clearing. To my left is a rushing river to my right I see more trees. I run in a straight line seeming to be unable to turn off course. The path ahead ends in a cliff, the river becomes a waterfall. I look behind me again and I no longer see 5 sets of eyes. It’s my father smirking at me as he runs faster than any werewolf can run. He’s closing the distance fast. I have a choice between going over the falls or letting him catch me. I run faster closing the distance between myself and the falls. I tumble over the edge as my father grabs at my tail. I slip through his grip and tumble over. I see hatred in his eyes as I go down. It’s the last thing I see as I make contact with the black water.

I shoot up with a start, my heart beating erratically in my chest. I’m in the dark and for a second I panic until I remember where I am. I look around while my heart slows and I see a faint glow from the cave entrance. The sun must just be rising. My heart is calming down but I definitely won’t be able to go back to sleep. I’m not usually one for nightmares but I guess a lot has happened recently. My father is most certainly searching for me now. I don’t know just how far he’ll go to find me, resources are quite limited as it is. But knowing what I know makes me a huge liability to him. Add that to my nonconformity and you get a very sticky situation. He must be absolutely furious. I could be a danger to the wolves here. They are well hidden, but no one has ever been looking for them before either. I will have to find a way to tell them the truth if I stay long term. They’ll need to know what they are truly up against.

I stand up, stretch and decide to venture out for the day. The sun is a little higher is the sky the I initially thought but it’s still very early morning. I step up to the cave entrance and look around. There’s a few other people up and about but it seems most are still asleep. I scan for my guards. I recognize Zane and Vivian in their wolf forms just few feet away looking at me warily. I nod over to them as they approach.

“I don’t mean to be more of an inconvenience.” I say with my hands raised. “I just woke up and thought I might find some clothing. Maybe some breakfast?”

Vivian looked at Zane and some unspoken communication seemed to take place. It takes some time and I’m curious if they even heard me. Just as I am about to repeat myself they turn to me.

“Conan should be headed this way now. He’s adamant that he needs to be the one to keep an eye on you today.” Zane says with squinted eyes. “As if he isn’t busy enough as it is.”

“Don’t do anything stupid. We are all watching you closely. These are uncertain circumstances for all of us. You seem sincere enough, but I know something about this whole situation is off.” Vivian says with clipped words. She squares her shoulders and faces me fully. “I personally won’t be leaving you unattended until I figure out exactly what it is.”

A deep voice pulls my attention to the side. “Guys we all know this is a different situation. Let’s step back a bit. It’s not as if we don’t ever accept in strangers. Albeit they never showed up at our doorstep.” Conan says as we walks up to us. He’s in his human form which is a bold choice all things considered. He has tanned skin, rich brown hair, and the same amber eyes as his beast form. Undoubtedly good looking with a sharp jaw and burly build.

“I am dying to know how a werewolf can know so little about our culture, but seem to know so much about handling themselves.” He finished with a pointed look.

His scent hits me and I breathe it in. Now that the adrenaline is gone from past encounters I realize just how good he smells. I could breathe it in all day long and never get sick of it. He must trust me somewhat to be walking around as human. We can retain our strength and speed in our human bodies but it is much more limited then as a beast. He stands about as tall as me as a beast. No wonder he makes such a large wolf.

“I truly am sorry for the inconvenience. I greatly appreciate what you are offering me here. I will tell you whatever I can to ease your concerns.” I say earnestly. Looking at his face makes me feel secure. I’m comfortable all things considered. His attitude makes me think I can trust him.

He looks to the others and says “You two are free to move about your day. We will catch back up with you for training soon. I will link you if I need anything.” The words have a finality to them, it leaves no room for question. Although the look in Vivian’s eye tells me she doesn’t want to leave us alone.

They both nod and slightly bow their heads. The exchange is so unlike anything I’ve seen. I’m left mulling over my thoughts as they walk away. I’ve not seen this level of respect among anyone, even my father’s guard. Vivan clearly had more to say but she must really trust Conan’s judgement to just walk away. And the terminology, what on earth is a link?

I must have dazed for a second. Conan’s next words shake me from the haze.

“You seem to be thinking pretty hard there. This seems to be rather strange for you?” He says, the last part a question.

“Very much so. I have never been around so many others like me at one time. Hiding among humans is a very different lifestyle.” I say with wonder as we start to walk.

Sure they are roughing it in the wilderness. As half beasts this is nothing too difficult. I’m sure they would live more advanced if the situation allowed it. If being of the supernatural were not a death sentence.

“You seem to be rather comfortable in your beast form.” He says, a passing remark.

My fur raises on my neck at that. I pick up what he’s insinuating. If I had truly hid among humans I wouldn’t have shifted often. I probably would have phased back as soon as I felt safe. I think he’s just trying to feel me out. I am not comfortable shifting back with so much unknown.

“I find it more comfortable than nudity.” I say lightheartedly, latching onto the only true out I have. He laughs at my joke before I continue.

“Besides… I’m still not too sure about everything here yet. It feels safer in this form. Natural.” I finish.

He nods at that as we come to a stop at a set of large cases along a building. He gestures to it with his hand so I open the lid. Clothes are lined inside in organized stacks. Mainly shirts and pants in various levels of wear. The stacks are organized by size.

“There are different shoes in that one” he says nodding to the one to my right. “We tend to wear sandals when we can. We shift back and forth so often, they tend to be the only shoes that survive. There are hiking boots and other types should you prefer those.” He says while I dig out some clothes.

I grab two pairs that should fit over my wolf form. With a glance at him I grab another two sets that should fit me as human. There are a handful of linen bags to the side. I grab one and put the clothes in it. Moving to the other case I see many different shoes. This one is less organized than the clothing, the amount of shoes seems a little overbearing. I grab two pairs of sandals in my size and some boots. I don’t plan to be wearing them anytime soon, but with Conan already hinting at my shifting I should be prepared.

We start the walk back to my new home. I mull over my options. There’s really no good way to reveal my truth to them. Any way I do it revolves around a lie. But my father poses a problem. The longer I leave them in the dark, the more unprepared they will be. I just have to get them to trust me. The information I have about my father is priceless. Really I can’t imagine anyone being too shocked after my reveal. But my father played his part well. Only the humans will likely be truly surprised. Even then, at least one of my parents had to be a wolf. The math should solve itself. The confirmation of his DNA will dethrone him. Not without another war I’m sure, he holds money, and with that comes power. I can’t help but wonder how many will stay by him when the hammer drops?

Before I know it, we’re back at my cave. I fell bad, I’ve not been good company so far. Too lost in my own thoughts.

“Why don’t you get your new things settled in, I’ll wait out here.” Conan says. “And you can absolutely do what makes you most comfortable, but most of us do wear clothes even when shifted. Allows us to pase back and forth easily. Might help you blend in better.”

I nod and walk down my steps. I’ll have to get a door setup eventually, but that is a small concern as of now. I set the shoes neatly along the wall. There are some hollows dug out in the wall that make shelves. I stack my clothes neatly by size, and grab one of the larger sets to wear. I pull on the grey tank top, and grab the shorts. They’re worn athletic shorts, I see they have a button to close over the top of my tail. That can be a problem with most pants. I was prepared to have to rip a hole with my claws. I look down at myself, they fit nicely, being used clothes and all. They hug my curves nicely, my toned body even more muscular in beast form. I’m grateful for the bath I had yesterday, I feel more put together than I have since I was imprisoned.

The sky is blue outside, no longer painted with colors of the sunrise. I’ve finished what I came down here to do, but my pawed feet feel rooted to the earth. The stirring in my stomach tells me I’m nervous. I can’t fathom how that emotion is even important given the circumstances, but here it is. I take some calming breaths and try to prepare myself to start the day. I steel myself and walk up the steps.