Gunner.
I lifted Zelena's feet off the ground and began to run for the exit, once we were through the doors and outside, I used my speed and got her away from those parasites. I stopped on the edge of the car park by the forest. I put her back down and stood in front of her. I looked at her arms, her face, her neck, everywhere, but I couldn't see any blood.
"Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
I could still smell the fresh blood on her, but I couldn't see where it was coming from. I put my hands on her cheeks, she was burning hot. She was about to change. I could feel her pain and I could hear the bones cracking inside her. Cole and Smith ran up behind me and I waved to them to get back.
*Stay back, she's changing*
"Zeleeeeena" I said slowly backing away from her.
On the birth of a Weres wolf, the change can make them very unpredictable and lash out at whoever is closest to them. Which is why the pups in the pack are always closely monitored around changing age. Then when the symptoms start showing more regularly, they're taken out of the village to ease into the transition, without a pack full of bystanders in the crossfire. We're shit out of luck here though, I definitely didn't get her far enough away from the school.
Zelena threw herself on the ground tossing and floundering around. I would give anything to ease her pain, but there is nothing I can do now, she's too far into the change. She was up on her hands, her back end already in the form of a wolf. The deep obsidian fur was slowly crawling its way over her neck. Arching her back and twisting her neck out to the side, she lifted her head and screamed. As the last of her change took over, her face morphed and elongated into the shape of a wolfs muzzle. Her scream melted into a howl and the change was done. She was magnificent. A smaller than average werewolf, with a shining coat, so deep dark black that it had a purple hue to it. She is the most beautiful wolf I have ever come across. She jumped around and stared at me. Her eyes were glowing a bright yellow, she was truly breathtaking. I had my hands up to show her that I meant her no harm. I was taking very small slow steps back from her. I held her gaze hoping she would still recognize me. She quickly turned on her back legs and took off into the forest, faster than I've ever seen a new wolf run.
"Okay, I believe you now" breathed Cole.
I turned and grinned at them with a sense of pride washing over me.
"Wasn't she spectacular?" I gushed,
"Did you see that coat, it was beautiful".
"I've never seen a wolf that dark a color before" said Smith scratching his head.
"I know, me neither" I smiled,
"Come on, let's go after her" I said as I started to turn to the forest.
"No Gunner, we're meant to let them run, you know that" Cole said firmly.
"I know, but this is different she's my Mate"
"Mate or not, let her be".
I didn't like it, but I knew he was right. We took off into the forest and headed for home, probably best not to go back to school again after all that. We got to the village not long after lunch. Dad and Spartan were sitting with two other pack members by the smoking hut. He spotted us as we ran in.
"Gunner, get over here" he bellowed from across the clearing.
We shuffled over to them slowly, preparing ourselves for the tongue lashing we were about to get. My dad was a very strict man. That's how grandpa raised him. And that's how he's kept the pack safe for so many years. He was a tall man with big broad shoulders and bulging muscles. His hair was a dark sandy blonde, like mine and my sister's. I don't remember the last time I saw my dad without a big bushy beard. Smith's worried voice filled my head as we neared them,
*Oh shit we are in so much trouble*
*Yep*
*Are you going to tell him about Demi?*
*No, just follow my lead*
"Hey Dad, what's up?" I asked trying to play it cool,
"Why aren't you at school, boy?"
"Free period this afternoon, so we came home to study"
"Really, all three of you?"
He didn't look up from the deer he was skinning. I gulped, I was nervous. I had to fight so hard for him to let me go to an actual school, if he found out what just happened in the hallway, he won't let us go back.
"Yep, all three of us" I said with a cheerful tone.
He was quiet for a minute, still not looking up from his deer.
"Go on inside the house, your mother has chores for you to do" he grumbled and I sighed with relief.
"Yes sir" I said as we turned and walked away, walking a lot faster this time.
*Phew that was close*
I turned and gave them both a crooked grin as we walked into the main house.
When it came time for dinner, I was relieved. I hadn't stopped thinking about Zee all afternoon. I was worried for her, I didn't even know if she had a pack. As far as I know, we are the only pack in this region. The closest pack wasn't even on the island, it was nearly three hours away. I couldn't let it go and kept telling myself over and over again, I should have followed her, I should have gone to check on her. The worry was stewing in my mind.
I was helping Nat set the table for dinner when I suddenly felt this weird headache come on. It was probably from being in the sun all afternoon. I shook my head and went to get some water. I went to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of cold water. As I was drinking, I felt as though someone had just kicked me in the ribs. I spat the water out across the kitchen floor and curled over clutching my stomach. Mum walked in and dropped the cutlery on the counter. She rushed over to me putting her arms around me.
"What's wrong, Gunner?" she questioned. I couldn't talk though, the hit to my ribs had knocked the wind out of me.
"Baby, what's going on?" Mum demanded.
I coughed and spluttered trying to catch my breath.
"I don't know" I croaked,
"It felt like I got kicked in the ribs"
"Come on, come and sit down".
Mum ushered me over to the breakfast nook. I sat leaning over trying to breathe again.
"Lupus" She called out to my dad.
"Lupus, get down here now!".
I started to catch my breath when Dad walked in the room.
"What's the screaming for?" he groaned,
"Something's wrong with Gunner" she hissed,
"What's the matter boy?" he asked,
"I'm not sure" I croaked,
"Come on son spit it out" he demanded,
"I got a sudden headache, so I came in here to get a drink, as I was drinking my water, I felt a kick to my ribs. That's it" I rushed out taking a big breath.
He knelt in front of me and grabbed my chin turning my head from side to side.
"He looks okay now" he said, standing up again.
At that moment a series of jolts shot through my body.