In the Luna's shadow

Chapter 3

Theo

We arrived in the Red Shadow Pack territory at 5:00am. I was exhausted from trying to sleep on a bus full of other football players with very little space between bus seats.

“We have arrived at the oval.” Coach Louis said as he stood at the front of the bus. “The Alpha has given us permission to set up our stuff in the change room early to rest.” He continued.

“Does that mean we get to sleep?” One of the boys in the front of the bus called out.

“Hopefully! He said they delivered a few mattresses etc last night.” Coach Louis answered. I sighed in relief.

I laid on the mattress on the floor staring at the ceiling. There was something about this pack that had me on edge. Something different. Something off. I tried to shake it off as nerves but it wasn’t working.

Maybe try and clear your head. Then you might get some sleep. Axel, my wolf, stated to me.

Want to go for a run? I suggested. Keen to get out of this change room. Axel didn’t even need to reply. I knew his answer instantly.

I quietly got up from my makeshift bed and walked towards the entrance.

“Where are you going, Theo?” Coach Louis asked as I walked past him. I thought he was asleep.

“Just going to let my wolf run.” I answered in a whisper, “do you know where I can go?” I asked, glancing around at the sleeping boys covering the change room floor.

“At the back of the oval there is a vast reserve that is purely for wolves to run.” Coach Louis nodded before laying his head back down and closing his eyes. “Don’t make any trouble.” He added without opening his eyes.

“Yes coach.” I nodded and quickly walked out of the building.

The cold morning air hit me as I opened the main door.

I followed coach Louis’s instructions and walked across the football oval towards the bushland behind it.

Once I was there, I stripped my clothes off and hung them over the fence that surrounds the oval. I allowed Axel to take control and begin the transition into wolf form. My bones cracked and snapped loudly as I phased. A few seconds later, I was looking at the world through Axel’s eyes. His brown fur blowing in the morning breeze. He took a deep breath before sprinting into the bush. He continued running. Not knowing where he was going, but just running.

Suddenly, I caught a scent in the air. It was surrounding me in the wind. Axel’s attention was purely on the source of the scent. He followed it for a while until I saw her.

This elegant blue wolf, standing at the edge of a lake. I had never seen a blue wolf before. I had heard about them but never seen one in person. My dad had always told me they were the sign of a truly powerful wolf. I was in awe.

The wolf turned rigid as I stepped on a branch and snapped it. The snapping sound alerted her to my presence. She turned around quickly. She was small, especially for a wolf, but something in her bright blue eyes told me not to underestimate her. She looked deep into my eyes. I felt like she was staring into my soul, finding out my deepest, darkest secrets. I felt vulnerable. I couldn’t take my eyes away from her. She straightened and stood tall. A sign that she was not afraid.

I’m glad she isn’t afraid. Axel commented.

Why should we care? We don’t even know who she is… I muttered, brushing him off.

We don’t want her to be afraid of us. Axel stated as if it was all we needed to know.

I couldn’t bring myself to look away from her. I was entranced. She didn’t remove her gaze either. It wasn’t until I received a link from coach Louis that I finally lowered my gaze.

Theo, we will be having breakfast in a minute. Don’t be too long or you’ll miss out! Coach stated. I knew I had to go. I nodded my head respectfully before forcing myself to run back in the direction of the football oval.

I found myself wondering whether she would be at the game this afternoon before shaking my head at myself.

Don’t get attached. I reminded myself. Axel remained silent.

I walked into the change rooms to see a woman holding a tray of muffins, pancakes and croissants out for the boys. I stood beside Tom while I waited.

“Where were you?” Tom asked under his breath.

“Took Axel for a run.” I shrugged my shoulders.

“You look like you’ve got half a tree in your hair…” Tom shook his head and laughed. I brushed my hand through my sandy blonde hair and flicked the leaves and twigs that had gotten stuck.

“Would you boys like some…” the woman froze in front of me. She looked up at me and stopped breathing. I smiled nervously. I had no idea who this woman was. She looked to be about forty years old. You could tell that she was part of the Alpha family from the confident way she held herself. Her long dark hair hung down her back and her bright green eyes pierced into me. She was not tall, though, which was surprising, especially for a Red Shadow Pack member. They had a reputation for being extremely tall. This woman was definitely not tall. I was pretty tall back in my pack. I was a head taller than my father. This woman wouldn’t have been much taller than my sternum.

“Thank you very much.” I said politely as I took a croissant and a blueberry muffin off of the tray.

“I am sorry…” she shook her head as if clearing her thoughts, “you just look a lot like someone I used to know.” She muttered.

“No worries.” I replied awkwardly.

“Good choices!” She smiled at the food in my hands. “Those are my daughters' favourites too.” She added.

“She must have good taste!” I nodded before biting into the muffin as Tom took some of the pancakes off of the tray and the woman moved further down the line.

She didn’t hang around for long. About five minutes later, she handed the tray to someone else and disappeared from the room.

“Alright lads!” Coach Louis called out, getting everyone’s attention. “We have about an hour and a half until we warm up. Get your stuff ready, shower and meet on the oval at 10:00am.” He instructed. There were a few groans from the boys but the coach just nodded and walked into a separate room down the hall.