Dreaming of Fate

Chapter 4

I woke up yet again to a dark room. This time, instead of a hospital bed, I was lying on a plush mattress. I breathed in and could smell the soap that was used to wash it. It was unscented, but there was still a smell there. My mind shifted to the fading dream and I could feel tears welling in my eyes. What was I feeling? Where am I? I groaned as the dream faded to the back of my subconscious and I thought back to the conversation that was held above my head before I had fallen asleep, a werewolf, huh? I blushed as I remembered Linda's smile at my compliments. I covered my face with my hands and groaned with embarrassment, I'll just chalk it up to what Emily said, fever induced delirium.

Effortlessly, I sat up, and looked around the room. The curtains were drawn and a small amount of daylight peeked around the edges. They must be blackout curtains, just like in the dorm. Three doors were present along the walls, two of which were opened, one led into a bathroom, the other a closet.

I rushed to the bathroom, I don't know what I expected when I turned the light on and looked in the mirror, certainly not the sound of the fluorescent bulbs that startled me away from my reflection. I sneered at the lights in annoyance before looking back in the mirror. My hair was a mess, not tangled but wavier than usual, as if someone had brushed it, actually it looked clean too. My gaze began to travel down my body at the clean nightgown I was wearing, my skin felt and smelled clean. Someone must have bathed me while I was asleep.

I looked back up at my face, my eyes seemed a brighter blue than usual as they glanced around where my scars from the attack should have been, flawless skin, probably even clearer than it was before the attack.

I sighed in resignation then, and allowed myself to use the restroom before I dragged myself to the closed door. For some reason, I decided to knock on it, but seconds later I heard footsteps in what I could only assume was a hallway, heading straight for my door.

It opened and before me stood the beautiful Latina from before, this time with less sweat, and her hair was down. I scolded myself internally. This was no time to get a crush, especially on someone who supposedly out ranks you, if the conversations from before were to be believed, which honestly, I didn't see a reason to disbelieve them anymore. The smell of laundry soap and the buzzing of the lights kind of made their points for them. Plus, being a werewolf can’t be worse than cramming for a test three nights straight while writing a 20-page paper.

"You're awake, and moving even" she looked genuinely surprised and the feeling of being indirectly praised sent a shiver down my spine that I mentally quashed the second I noticed.

"Yeah, so, werewolves..." I trailed off in an attempt to let her explain some things.

"Ah, you need to meet Ethan" she said definitively before turning on her heel and walking down the hall, "come on."

I followed her out of the room, down the hall and up a staircase. We ended up in the middle of some kind of foyer. There were stairs going up to either side of me and to my left was a door that led to an outside area. I could smell the grass from where we stood.

Linda paused, and her eyes seemed to unfocus for a moment before she nodded and walked out onto the balcony. "Riley, this is alpha Ethan"

The man was physically imposing, with long blonde hair tied back at the nape of his neck and muscles for days. I resisted the urge to lick my lips that were suddenly dry. Are all werewolves this attractive?

"Welcome to the other side of the change Riley," he said warmly, extending his hand to me for a handshake. I shook it, and he smiled at me "Linda told you about the situation, right?"

"I heard some things, but no, not yet" I said, hoping I hadn't offended Linda.

"Okay, well, let's start from the beginning then" Ethan said, "you've been turned by a rogue wolf. A rogue wolf is a wolf that has left, or been cast out of their pack, usually because they committed some kind of heinous crime."

I nodded, "okay" I said, "should who attacked me, affect me in any way?"

"Well," he said, turning to me, "the only pack in a hundred miles that would take in a changeling is mine. But because you were attacked by a rogue and not a pack member, I have the right to refuse you"

"I understand," I said, not understanding at all.

He raised an eyebrow knowingly. "So if you want to be part of my pack, then you'll need to pass my orientation."

I blinked "orientation?" I asked.

"You need to learn how to be a werewolf, how to control your shifts and how to survive in this new world" he said.

"Okay, um... how long does this orientation last?" I asked, remembering college orientations and trying to imagine how much time I'd have to take off of school.

"Well, I've got a pretty good handle on it, you're only my third changeling, so I'm thinking maybe a week" he said, "if you pass, of course."

"And if I don't?" I asked, feeling nervous.

"If you don't, then I'm afraid I'll have to put you down," Ethan said.

I blinked in shock. "Just like that?" I said.

"Your only other option would be to go rogue yourself, and the likelihood that you'll survive, either other rogues or neighboring packs is very slim. It would be more humane to do it myself"

"I- I understand?" I said hesitantly. Maybe I would rather write that paper after all.

"Okay, well, let's get started then" Ethan said, turning to face me "The first rule of being a werewolf is you never show humans your wolf form. So, unless you want to get caught and turned in to the authorities, keep your ass inside the territory until you can control your shifts"

"OK" I said, "easy enough," I added, smiling slightly.

"You also cannot fight anyone in public, you’re strong and dangerous now. I’ve also heard that human jail won't just let you out for a run when you need it, so you’re better off staying out of trouble," Ethan said.

"OK" I agreed, "so, like... where am I supposed to go? What am I supposed to do?"

"Oh, that's up next" Ethan said, turning to face the other woman in the room. "This is Linda Ramirez. She'll be your handler for the next week."

"Oh... nice to meet you, again" I said, awkwardly.

Linda gave me a smiling nod "likewise. So, while I take care of you, you'll be living on my property with me."

I nodded, wondering if that meant I was going to have to give up my dorm, then realizing I wouldn't even be back on campus till at least this is done and over with. I didn’t even realize that Ethan was already talking again, and I almost missed it. "Rule number three: you're not allowed to fight humans unless it's life or death, and you have to have approval from a pack member with alpha status"

"So I'm not allowed to protect myself unless a pack alpha says I can?" I asked.

"Well, you're allowed to protect yourself, but if you kill a human and didn't have permission from an alpha, you'll be executed by said alpha," Ethan explained, "and don't think you'll be the exception because you're a changeling. If anything, we'll be harder on you because we need to prove that we can teach you, and you can be trusted."

"OK, I got it" I said, feeling a healthy shot of fear run through me. "Anything else?"

"Yeah, there is one more thing," Ethan said. "You'll be seeing the doctor every day for a checkup."

"I'm fine, I don't need to see a doctor" I protested.

"You need to see Dr. Jhonson every day for a checkup." Ethan said, his voice firm and unyielding.

I nodded, feeling my annoyance simmer down. "Anything else?"

"Nope, that's all for now. Head over to Linda’s and get comfortable for a bit before she decides to put you through the next test," Ethan said.

"Thanks" I said.

"No problem," Ethan said. "We'll be seeing you around."

"Can I ask one last question?" I asked.

Ethan nodded "go ahead"

"What happens if I break one of the rules?" I asked, curious.

"Well, that depends on how severe the rule break is and which pack alpha is in charge of you. They're the ones who decide your punishment"

"OK" I said, thinking about that. "I have another question."

"Shoot"

"What if I'm attacked by a human?" I asked, "Do I have to let them kill me?"

"If they're trying to kill you, you're allowed to protect yourself," Ethan said, "but if they're just being annoying, you have to turn the other cheek, so to say," he said.

"OK, thanks for explaining it all to me."

"No problem," Ethan said. "I know this is all a lot to take in, but if you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to ask. We're a family here, don’t forget that" he said.

I nodded, a family? Even though I had my doubts I would make it through this ‘orientation’, I’d do my best to survive. "Thanks again, Ethan"

"No problem. Go get settled and we'll see you around"

I left Ethan's office, feeling more at ease. I hope I could do this, I thought.

I walked back into the hallway with Linda. She smiled at me, "all good?" she asked.

"Yeah" I said, smiling, "all good."

"Let's go home and get to training then."