Discovering Me

Homeward Bound

That week in the training facility was a lot better than expected. I really enjoyed getting to know Josh, who turned out to be a perfect gentleman, and the rest of the trainers were fun to hang out with as well. Since I was only a few hours from home, my dad drove down to pick me up.

“Daddy!” I excitedly yelled and ran to jump into his arms as soon as I saw him open up the car door. Although I’ve spoken to them regularly, it’s been a few months since I’ve last seen my family.

“Hey, sweetpea! Look at you!” He said, squeezing me. “I’m not sure I’m going to be able to let you go back this time. I’ve missed you too much.”

“Oh dad. You know I have to go back. You’ll be really proud when you hear about my studies. I’ve been refining my witchcraft. I’m still not able to do as much as you can but you got to see this book Grandma’s cousin Walt gave me.” I gushed out.

“Okay, I can’t wait to see it. How do you feel about ramen for lunch? There’s a place I saw on the way here that’s near my buddy Herb’s coven. I gave him a call and told him you were nearby and he was going to meet us there.”

“Ramen sounds delicious.” I said, as we loaded my bags into the trunk of his sedan.

Herb is extremely eccentric. His outfit would put you in the mindset of the mad hatter from Alice in Wonderland. It was so fun watching the interaction between the two because he is the complete opposite of my extra-conservative dad.

The food was delicious but another bonus was when we found out the Ramen restaurant was not near the coven but was inside of it. Unlike werewolf packs, many witch covens blend in with the historical cities. It was convenient because we were able to pick up some more crystals and other supplies I needed to continue with my skill development.

An hour and a half later, we were home sweet home. Too excited to grab my things, as soon as the car was in park I took off into the house. My mom was in the kitchen and I think I startled her when I came in yelling, “Momma, I’m home!”

EJ came running out of his room while I was wrapping her up in a hug. He will be turning 16 but is already almost as tall as my dad and towering over both me and my mother.

“Hey sis.” he says before hugging me.

“No. This is not fair! How are you this much taller than me? And you’re going to grow more next week after your shift.” I said, causing him to laugh.

“I’m so excited. There will be 6 of us shifting at this full moon. We’re actually about to meet up at the pack house. Do you want to come with me?” He asked.

“Sure, unless mom and dad want me to stay here.” I said, looking at my parents.

“That’s fine honey. I’m happy to see you two actually want to hang out with each other.” Mom says, kissing my cheek again.

“So are you nervous about shifting?” I asked as we walked up the road towards the packhouse.

“Nervous" is an understatement. I’m terrorfied. What if something is wrong with my wolf? What will happen if I don’t do it right?” He says, and I can see the worry on his face.

“Come on” I say, pulling him into the woods. “Hold my clothes” I say as I start to strip off my clothes.

“Lexi, you’re my sister. I don’t want to see you naked”. He says, embarrassed that I’m stripping in front of him.

“Boy please. First off, we’re wolves. Secondly, you’re my brother. We used to bathe together when we were little. You still don’t like wearing clothes.” I said, taking off my last piece of clothes. “When you shift you just reach out to your wolf and let them take control. You don’t fight them. It may feel uncomfortable at first, but once you get the swing of things, watch how quickly it happens.” I said as I allowed Sierra out. She walks up to him and I can feel his hand run down her back.

“That was fast but Sierra is a cute, normal looking wolf. You can only tell she’s a hybrid because of the color of her eyes and the coloring in her coat. What if my wolf looks like a mutant?” He asks

Sierra jumps up and licks him on the cheek. “Well it’s a good thing you have a sister that’s friends with professor X from the XMan squad. I might be able to get you in there.” I said to him through mindlink, “But seriously, the chances of having a deformed wolf as a hybrid isn’t that high. You’re displaying wolf characteristics, so that’s going to be your most dominant form. I can pull up some information for you when we get to the packhouse if you like. I’ve been giving a lecture on this stuff for the last month.”

“OK, I would like that,” he said.

“Ok. Watch this. I think Jeff is coming in from patrol. Looks like his clothes are in the box there. I’m going to mess with him.” I say as I took off, circling around out of range for his senses to pick up on me. I wait until he’s in the eyesight of EJ so he can see me startle this big bad warrior. I slowly sneak behind him so as not to rattle any leaves or snap any twigs. Before he sees EJ standing by his box, I pounce, tackling him to the ground. He lets out a growl in attack mode, snapping his head towards me. I dodge a swing of his claw before he notices it’s me and chases me around in the woods. I allowed him to catch up before flipping him over and pinning him back down.

“Lexi! It’s nice seeing you back home but you are so annoying.” He says to me through mindlink as I let him back up and we walk over to where EJ is to change. “Hey, I was just patrolling since some of the neighboring packs have been attacked by a group of rogues during the last full moon shifts. Everything looks good but I almost took your head off until I caught your scent.”

“Sorry it was too good of an opportunity to miss. I was just giving my brother some pointers about shifting. I’m here and available to stand patrol for the shifting if needed. Should I go talk to Alpha?” I inquired.

“Wouldn’t hurt. I know how protective you two can be over each other and don’t tell anyone, but you took me by surprise when I saw how fast and strong your little wolf is.”

“Oh, you didn’t see her full strength. She’s very strong and able to do many maneuvers that larger wolves can’t. You’d be surprised. I’ll go talk to Alpha now” I said, walking back towards the packhouse now that we’re dressed.

“Sound’s good. I’ll be in the kitchen with my pregnant mate. We don’t have much more time left before I get to meet my little pup.” he says, beaming with pride.

“Awe. Congratulations. I’ll come say hi to her before I leave.” I said, patting him on the shoulder. “Hey EJ. I’ll be right in with you and your friends after I go talk to Alpha. Can you see if they can meet me in the library? I should be able to pull up some stuff on the computers in there for them.”

“Sure sis. I’ll go get them now.” EJ says, and we split off.

I hope Alpha Donnie knows I’m going to be protecting my brother regardless if he wants me to or not. I also hope these are not the same type of rogues that have been attacking Keenan’s pack. Whatever is going on there has been sedating their wolves, slowing down their healing. I knocked on the door and was about to walk away when I heard Alpha Donnie say “Come in.”

“Hello Alpha. I am back home and reporting for pack protection duty. I heard there have been some rogue attacks on neighboring packs and wanted to let you know I am here and willing to work in whatever capacity I can to protect my pack and my family.” I firmly announced.

“Hello Alexandria. It’s nice to see you back home. I think we are okay with protection. You can just enjoy your visit while you’re here.” He says with a warm smile.

“Alpha, may I ask about the packs attacked? Have they been having problems with their wolves healing afterwards? I’m only asking because I’ve had to concoct a potion to aid some wolves while visiting another pack after a rogue attack.” I inquired.

“That’s concerning. I haven’t asked about healing but I’m making a note now to follow up and ask about that. As you know, we do have a good relationship with the neighboring coven, so I will ask them to make sure there is a good supply of antidotes and potions that will aid in the healing. Thank you for bringing that concern up. So you’re interning now, it seems. Do you like the academy? How are things there?”

“Yes, I’m really enjoying it there. My mentor and Gamma of the Black Forest Pack will be coming to town for my brother’s first shift. He’s really taught me a lot. I’ve been shadowing him for the conventions and just successfully instructed one group by myself last week.” I excitedly told him.

“That’s impressive. I’m glad something good came out of that situation. I was really worried about you after that incident, but it looks like you’re thriving. You said Black Forest Pack? So he’s the former Alpha’s younger son. Stop by and let Beth know to get a suite ready for him. That’s a very prominent pack, being that they are blood relatives of the Alpha King. It will be an honor to host him. You know how to assure his accommodations, just let me know if you need anything.” He says, and I notice he’s dismissing me.

“Thank you Alpha. Oh, and please don’t be offended if I stand in as my brother’s private security. I’ll be going now to talk to him and the others about what to expect for their first shift and I really just want to be there for him if anything goes wrong.” I explained.

“Knowing you two, I wouldn’t expect anything less. Your mom had to stop him from running to you for your first shift.” He said, laughing.

****

I texted Mrs. Beth, on the way to the pack library, asking her to accommodate Keenan in a guest suite as instructed by Alpha Donnie. She quickly agreed.

Walking over to the area where the computers are, I was surprised to see a nice sized crowd waiting for me. Not just the ones that are shifting next week, but also there are a few that are close to the same age that may be shifting soon as well.

“Hello everyone.” I said, walking up to the area and was warmly greeted by everyone around.

“So, Lexi, these are some of my classmates that will be shifting soon. They were very excited when I told them you were back from teaching at the district conventions and wanted to hear what to expect about our first shifts.” My brother explained.

“Ok. Well, I’m not used to teaching about first shifts but I can tell you all that I have learned. I’ve noticed a little of all ranks in this group and I’m sorry to say you all will not have the same experience. Those of you that are of a higher rank will have an easier time than those that are lower. Hybrids like EJ and I will have an experience somewhere in the middle. EJ you may experience some enhanced abilities and some that aren’t as strong as most wolves. Take, for instance, me. My wolf is on the smaller side, but she can move at the speed of most vampires and almost as fast as lycans and has other enhanced abilities. Oh, enhanced abilities aren’t just for us hybrids. There are also some abilities associated with the color of the wolves. We have enough computers here. Let's pull up some of them. Why don’t you guys look up the colors of your parents' wolves and we’ll start discussing some of the things you can expect….”

The conversation went on for an hour and a half with so many questions from the young wolves. It would have lasted longer if it wasn’t for them being summoned for dinner.

“Thank you, Lexi. I’ve learned so much. I feel much better now.” EJ says, putting his arm around me.

“It’s no problem. I’m glad I could help.” I said, hugging him back.

“You’re really good at instructing. Is that what you’re going to school for?” he asked.

“Well, I’m sure I’m being trained to take over Keenan’s position once he goes back to take care of his pack responsibilities. I think I may try to work doing the training here once I’m done with that assignment.”

“ I can see you doing that. You will be good at it.” He says, beaming at me.