The Lonely Wolf

8

Roderick

The guys working out in the gym said she gave my beta quite a beating and was now locked in on the bags. They were afraid she was going to hurt herself or them if they tried to intervene. It made me laugh to think of those big burly warriors afraid of that little she-wolf. I didn't think they could be serious at first.

When Veronica accidentally mind-linked me, I knew she was spiraling. She would not reach out on her own, so her wolf probably forced her to reach out. I’m just not sure how she was able to do so without being in my pack or related to me.

She was very close to a wolf panic attack when I walked in. My sister Rebecca has the same issue, so I immediately began trying everything that worked for her on Veronica.

Swaddling wasn’t working. She literally flipped out of my arms. I told Bass to stop her from running out the door. I thought she was about to throw him through the door if he didn't move out of her way.

I finally convinced her to let her wolf out. She was very hesitant at first, but her wolf looked like she was excited to be able to go for a run. I'm sure she was probably as anxious for the first day of school as Veronica and not used to getting out. Maybe letting her out will help calm her anxiety attack. It took a lot, but Bass finally got her to agree. I led her out to the area my pack reserved for the wolves to roam.

“You see the brown bags tied to the trees? That is robes you can change into until you make it to the huts where it’s okay to dress and undress. This one is my private hut. Bass and I are going to let our wolves out for a run. You can feel free to join us. Or you can just take a moment to breathe and relax. Take your time and talk to your wolf. I'm sure she would love to go for a run,” I say, and walk into the hut to change.

“Good job, although you keep calling her sissy’s name,” Silas, my wolf says.

“I know, but tell me she doesn’t remind you of her,” I say, as I strip off my clothes.

“She does, and when you hugged her it felt like her. But different. And her wolf feels connected like my sister. Let's see if I can draw her out," he said, as he began the shift.

Silas was more than happy to let out his golden blond coat. Leaping out of the hut, he shakes his fur out and takes a nice stretch. He is very curious about the connection and looks over to where Veronica is standing taking in her scent. She looks at him in shock. He wants to meet her so he slowly walks over towards her.

She takes a few steps back, so he stops. Lowering his head, he waited for her to come to him. She takes a deep breath and slowly walks towards him hand out like she is trying to pet a dog.

“I have never seen another werewolf in person. Your fur does look like Sasha’s hers is more shimmery." She finally pulled enough courage together to touch his head. She runs her hand through his fur and I can feel him smiling back at her.

He leaned into her palm and that seemed to make her smile. When Raider, Sebastian’s grizzled wolf, comes barreling out, she jumps back, startled. He began nuzzling her towards the hut I had just come out of.

“He wants you to put your clothes in the hut with my clothes and come for a run with us,” I said in mind-link, causing her eyes to widen. From the glow in her eyes, I can tell her wolf really wants to.

“How are you mind-linking me? You can do it as a wolf too?” she asked from over her shoulder as Raider continued to nudge her. Silas nods telling her to go ahead.

Veronica

I look up and see my room is facing the opposite side of the building. I saw this on the school map but didn't understand what it was for. I’ve been to schools with other wolves but never seen anyone shift or another wolf in person. I wonder if there were areas like this there. I've always gone to a secluded area of a park to shift. Always looking over my shoulder when going for a run alone.

I don’t know how I allowed them to talk me into doing this. It feels a lot like pack activities. I was so shocked when I first saw Rodrick’s wolf. He looks so much like Sasha. The big difference is the gold shimmer in her coat. And the fact that these guy's wolves are massive. They stand almost as tall as me. If it wasn’t for Sasha getting excited for her to go for a run with her “twin”, or so, she thinks I would have run away.

Sebastian’s wolf keeps pushing me, so I go into the hut. I strip down and shift into my wolf. I am getting faster and faster the more I shift. I’m not as fast as Roderick or Sebastian, but at least it doesn’t hurt anymore.

I remember the first time I shifted. I was terrified. As cliché as it sounds, I have always felt like I was being called by the full moon. On my 16th birthday I heard Sasha's voice in my head. I thought I was going crazy for a while. Especially when I felt the pull into the woods the next full moon. Sasha's voice kept telling me I was going to be alright. I made my way out to the woods in the middle of the night. I took off my night robe and my body contorted in every way. The way the bones sounded when they cracked was horrific. It felt like hours before I was fully shifted. I was weak and allowed Sasha to take full control. The way she ripped through the wood. That was the happiest I have ever felt.

Finally, fully shifted, Sasha slowly stepped out of the hut. Silas came up to meet her. He only stands a few inches taller than Sasha. They stand looking at each other until Sebastian’s wolf comes over.

"Raider is challenging you to keep up with him. Are you good for a run or do you want to just bask in the sun?" Rodrick talks through mind-link.

“I still don’t know how you are talking to me, but Sasha would love to go for a run.”

Sasha is beyond thrilled when I agree. She begins leaping on to Silas and nipping at his tail. He seems to be amused and soon Raider joins in. Eventually, they go running through the woods and end up in a clearing.

“Do not pass that clearing without one of us. That’s pack territory, and they are instructed to detain any outsiders. You see the markers on the ground over there? Each pack has their own set of markers. That’s how you can tell whose territory you are in,” Rodrick explains.

Sasha takes a close look at the green and black flag with the writing Cloverleaf on it. I hadn’t noticed it before, but a red light flashed where there are security cameras on the trees and the markers have sensors.

“Come on, we’re going to go back and get something to eat,” Rodrick instructs.

“Okay,” I say, and follow along, making a mental note of everything that I pass, so I won't get lost if I decide to go on a run alone.

They allow me to change first. I change and wait for the guys to come out. I thank the guys for the opportunity to let my wolf out.

“We have a meal specially made for us. You’re welcome to join us if you like,” Roddy offers.

“No, thanks. I’m just going to grab something to take to my room. I have to do some reading for my classes tomorrow,” I say.

I walk with them into the now empty cafeteria and fill a container with what little is left over. Their meals were brought out, and it did smell delicious, but I think I've had enough socializing for the day. I went to my room and ate my cold chicken, green beans and mashed potatoes while reading over the assigned reading for my classes.