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  “She told me willingly that you have two fantastic factors at work in you; that makes you very unique, and if used wrong, it would make you very dangerous,” Kaitlyn said without batting an eyelid. I couldn't be sure if she was trying to comfort or scare the crap out of me.

  “You, Ursine, are the human-vessel for something long believed to be extinct. It is called a Therianthrope, and I don't know much about them other than what I have heard in stories.”

  At first I didn’t have a clue what to say, other than to point and laugh, or run and hide. I was lost for any idea so I simply said the first thing that came to my head.

  “What the hell is an Arthurianrope?” I grimaced, this was like digesting diamonds. It was made all the worse and more surreal because of what I had seen tonight with the Schwarzenegger fan club of wolves... Who was I to question? What really sucked was that every answer was leading to more questions; one big tedious circle.

  “It’s like a parasite living with and off of you. When it matures enough to go into its metamorphosis, it can enable the host to change at will... The pureblood Therianthrope can change to whatever the host imprints with animal wise.”

  Although Kaitlyn did seem pleased that I was taking all of this rather well, truth was, I wasn’t. Of course, that didn’t help my stupid responses or reasoning.

  “What... So I am so “special” that I can change into a goat at will?” I said sarcastically. I was tempted to argue with Kaitlyn about her statement. I could have easily had four teachers who would call her an idiot for calling me special.

  “Well from what I know... Well, yes. If the shifter wanted to change into a goat and imprinted on one, then…”

  I was too amused with the idea slowly gathering in my head to let her finish. “Wait, hold on, so you’re telling me... if I was let’s say... having sex, and I was really focussing on doing it doggy style; I could turn into a dog?” I laughed. Damon, who was having a sip of soda at the time, sprayed the table, looking at me then to Kaitlyn in disbelief. She ground her teeth. Apparently she didn’t find the idea as funny as I did... Or she didn’t find me funny, which was much worse.

  “In theory... I suppose. Look, Ursine, I don't know exactly how it works. What I do know is that the pure Therianthropes are not around anymore. And now their incestuous grandchildren are all that remains, and that is Lycanthropes. And they are incredibly powerful, incredibly wild and dangerous creatures. As I am sure you know as you met some earlier tonight. Now please let me finish and I will answer what questions I can when I am done.”

  I stopped snickering, although at time, I was a bit dense. I knew from experience when I was leading toward a slap on the face or a foot to the balls. Damon encouraged me to stop laughing by booting me in the shin.

  “Look, Ursine. You’re part of a blood line that long ago practiced Arctolatry; which means your family before you, centuries back, worshipped a bear called Arktos. And the deity, Arktos, gifted some devout worshippers. By themselves these traits are powerful. Having some of the characteristics of a bear is bound to be a helpful addition, but adding this with the Therianthrope you have in you, means you will probably link yourself to a bear. You are a true rarity.” Kaitlyn paused for a moment, satisfying her thirst and allowing me a second to look sane... Well, try to.

  “Most werewolves, when they first change, are in the beginning stages of puberty. And you of course, have passed that without incident. Maybe it is because of your infused blood—”

  “It’s like you are a late bloomer.” Damon finally engaged with the conversation... I think he took too much joy out of saying I was slow; he emphasized my point with a hearty snort. My pride was taking a knock now.

  First I was special, and now I'm slow? Even my D.N.A was confused.

  “Ursine, are you following me? There has not been another like you before; Not one with the essence of a bear welded into their DNA, are you sure you’re listening? I know it’s a lot to take in. I don't have all the answers just yet, but I know together we can get them.”

  There was a gleam of expectation in her eyes that put me slightly on edge... Okay more on edge.

  “U-Uh, um yeah, I'm listening, but I don't know what you want me to say... It doesn't make sense; like, why did my grandma find you? Why couldn't she just come to me? If I am so special...” I turned from the table, side stepping around a waitress, and headed outside to get some air.

  She has to be crazy... I need to speak to my parents; maybe my mom or dad will know something about our family history...What was that name? Argos, Artichoke, Angus, Arctic... Arktos? My thoughts were still set on a single track; call home. Taking out Damon's phone from my pocket, I tried to call my house to let them know I was okay. You know, aside from losing my marbles. And who knows, maybe they knew something that could make sense of all this. Unfortunately there was no answer after minutes of ringing, which just added to my frustration. And for some reason, I could feel a low rumbling in my chest that set me on edge over the whole situation. The same sort of feeling that told me to run when I was in the woods...

  Maybe they're out or asleep. I released a deep sigh and tried to put all my thoughts in order.

  The haze from the night was gradually lifting... It was like a great burden dissolving. I was beginning to be able to think and use my brain-cells, as opposed to lining them up and using them one at a time. I am talking figuratively of course.

  I wonder what Mike would think of all this supernatural crap. He loves his Vampires and mummy stuff. Huh. I wonder if having a Therian thing in me. Means I can be a vampire? If what Kaitlyn said is true, I should just be able to imprint on a bat or something... Or would I end up looking like that pig with wings in the Neverending Story? Amusing myself with the thought, I realised something else that should have been pretty freaking obvious.

  What the heck happened to Mike?

  ***

  Kaitlyn huffed, breaking a bread stick in two, dropping them both back onto her plate and glared intently at Damon.

  “Damon, I know it’s hard to understand, but Ursine is important. Until he can accept what he is, and he can control himself, he is of no use to us. To be honest, the snivelling idiot is aggravating me a lot.” Kaitlyn’s words were ice cold; she was frustrated with failing to charm me.

  “Yeah, I know, babe, I just-” Damon interjected.

  “Do not call me babe!” The table shook, Damon's ice-cold Jack and Coke started to boil. The ice instantly dissolved in the glass.

  “Aw come on, Kaitlyn. It’s just a pet name...” A moment went by while Damon thought of his next words carefully; Kaitlyn’s rage eased off.

  “If... um Si really is in for this... Then why does he not know anything about it?” Kaitlyn smiled at Damon; a nervous bead of sweat trickled down his face.

  “His parents kept it from him; the dad just assumed it was a family legend with no real depth to it. And as for the change itself, it’s amazing that it didn't happen in his early adolescent stages. With all the chemicals and hormones going berserk, that's when the rest of the packs and nomads change. It’s like a rite of passage with them; I guess with that idiot it has to be triggered...” Kaitlyn said, a wicked smile spreading across her face as she thought of something.

  “It is quite interesting, I mean, to look at him, even his aura appears to be normal; there is no beastly fluctuations in his eyes like there is with the mutts. And yet he is immune to my charm.” Kaitlyn was considering what she had just said, picking up Damon's drink, the glass her gaze intensifying on it for a moment, dewy condensation began to gather on the exterior like the glass had begun to sweat before it knitted together in weaves of frost. Taking a sip she sighed and replaced the glass, licking her lips.

  “He still thinks his parents are alive. As soon as he learns of their fate, that should be enough to get him in the mental state to force him to change. If not then we will have to try a new tactic.”

  “Damon, the packs are still going to be looking for him. I think their barrelli
ng after him worked to my advantage; they made him run right to me. Keep an eye on Ursine just in case they come over.” Damon nodded, standing up he headed out to find me.

  Growing increasingly concerned, I left a message on my parent’s cell saying I was okay and would be back as soon as I could. I didn't manage to get through to Mike either, so I fired off a few texts to him, in the hope he was just too busy to answer. I closed the phone and looked up at the sky. Looking for answers in unobvious places helped pass the time and mellow out my mood.

  Where was everyone? It was another question to add to my unanswered list.

  As I stood in the lot, I lowered my gaze. The wind whipped around me, bringing with it an alluring scent. I tried to follow it. It seemed to be coming from behind. I turned, walking around to see a figure standing in the far corner of the car park. She was standing by herself underneath a street lamp. As I approached I noticed how stunning she was... My heart beat began to pick up, a pain struck me across the stomach; I flinched, but continued toward her. She was in stonewashed jeans and a white blouse. Her long, black hair was flowing by her shoulders, and she was staring at me, squinting slightly. Her eyes, when I was finally close enough to see, were a light, hazel colour with insane flecks of amber in them. She had to be wearing contacts, they were incredible. She lifted her hand, bemused by my expression she waved at me. I was a hairs breadth of panting and howling. She looked away; rolling her eyes, probably looking for somewhere to run, thanks to the approaching, slobbering idiot who was now within spitting distance. Nervously I bit my lip; it turns out, following my nose almost had me standing on her... God I must have looked like a real creepy-idiot.

  What the hell are you playing at, Si? Get a grip; she's just a girl; a girl with amazing eyes, and a glowing, olive skin, and hair that looked so soft and touchable that if I lose my cool, I will probably get carted off to jail with a kick to the balls. Get a grip damn-it! Although I had the time to mentally scold myself, I hadn’t responded to her friendly gesture. So like a gimp I raised my hand and waved with just about the cheesiest grin that I have ever pulled.

  You’re a real genius, Ursine; now at the very least, she is going to think you’re emotionally disturbed. Nice one, IDIOT! My reactions were getting worse; I should have really stopped scolding myself. Looking side to side to see if she was missing something, she nervously smiled, not saying a word like how obviously uncomfortable she was with a slobbering eejit being near her breathing space.

  C'mon say something…, something smart or cool. For the love of God, Ursine, say something! I was still wrestling away with my thoughts.

  “S-sorry I have had a bit to drink; I don't normally act like such a fluffing idiot,” I cringed. Please, please shoot me. Shoot me now! I did not just say fluffing! Not out loud... She looked amused at my stupidity at least... talk about throwing a dog a bone.

  “It’s fine... The trick is, knowing your limitations.” The girl winked at me playfully; my heart almost stopped.

  “So what are you doing waiting outside with a special case such as I?” I said, teasingly.

  “Oh nothing really; I’m just waiting for the rest of my friends to get here. She looked at me and began to frown faintly, the lines appearing on her brow.

  “So, are you going to tell me your name? Or am I going to have to guess?' She said. Her momentary frown shifted into a spine tingling smile. It felt like I had just been doused in gasoline and was about to spontaneously combust into flames.

  “It’s Si, lol.” I froze in place and closed my eyes. Slowly I drew my hand to my mouth, and bit my finger till I nearly drew blood.

  I can't believe I just said “lol”... With all my might, I stifled a scream and turned back to face her. She looked entertained with my moronic display. Maybe she didn't hear me? I tried to convince myself.

  “Um, Si... did you just say lol? ...Out loud?” An awkward silence followed her silence before she snickered. “How much have you had to drink, Si?” She asked; a wicked grin now on her perfect face and her eyes lightened with humour. There was a glint of her teeth; they stood out from her olive skin tone.

  “Me? I have had about... one seven or eight beers... I'm not sure; I lost count after I switched to the hard stuff... sodas.” I smiled at her reassuringly. I think she could tell I was lying, but in all honesty, she no longer looked interested or playful. She was staring intently over my shoulder. I followed her gaze to find Damon staring at her; it looked like he was almost trembling. It was pretty creepy like one of those Chihuahuas only with a lot more make-up.

  “Damon, what’s up? Hey um...” I quickly turned back to face the girl.

  “Actually, I don’t know your name… Well this is Damon; he is my hero. If it wasn't for him I'd be wolf food out in the Hiawatha Park.” I stated, walking up to Damon, slapping him playfully on the back.

  “Wolf food?” She asked, adorably tilting her head which came across in a seductive manner. Then again, the way my hormones were acting she could have been blowing her nose, and it would have been enticing to me.

  “Yeah, what made you think that the wolves were going to eat you? Maybe they weren't into junk food.” A figure emerged from the shadows behind where the girl was standing, flicking a cigarette onto the curb, he brushed his hand through his long combed hair. He had the same olive skin that the girl had, and his eyes were nearly identical, too, apart from his features looked a lot less warming. His long crop of hair was jet black and shimmered like ebony under the streetlight.

  It was kind of an awkward situation. So I found myself looking in the air; there was nothing to see thanks to the blanket of clouds hiding everything. Yeah… it felt kind of standoffish even though I had no idea what the guy wanted.

  “What were you doing in the Hiawatha Park anyway, Si?” The figure asked, stepping in front of the girl; she “tutted” and turned to start walking away.

  “I guess I will see you later, Si. You guys play nice,” she glared at the male, flicked her head around and walked away.

  “I guess I should introduce myself; my name is Lycaon. Lycaon Winters and that girl you were just talking to was my sister. You’d be wise to stay away from her.” The words that he spoke were uttered with a clear threat being made. Lycaon glared at me then shifted toward Damon.

  I tried not to laugh. Honestly, I have never dealt with any kind of threats very well. I always ended up laughing and getting punched in the face for it. I couldn’t help but reminisce of the first time it happened. I'm pretty sure it was over a Power Ranger doll, with a little pimple of a boy, Kevin Lewis. We were fighting over who got to play with the white ranger... I won; he threatened me, and as I ignored him, I got punched in the face.

  The whole time I was reminiscing, Lycaon was talking. Well to be honest, it sounded more like bitching, but I wasn't sure as I hadn’t been paying him any attention. Damon was still standing by me. He trembled standing there. His face was drawn and stressed as he looked like he was fighting with himself over something. I stifled a yawn, and scratched my neck softly; I was feeling sluggish with everything that had happened, and I would be more than happy to just speak to my parents and go to sleep.

  “Sorry, man, I missed that last part I was... elsewhere.” I smiled, wryly rubbing my head with an empathetic grin on my face. Damon sucked in a deep breath beside me.

  “Are you serious, Si? He just said that he was one of the wolves who were trying to eat us, and you are seriously standing there, telling me that you weren't listening the entire time?” Damon was sounding exceedingly annoyed with me; it wasn’t my fault I was so freaking tired.

  “Yeah of course he did,” I said in mock horror to Damon, shaking my head arrogantly in disbelief. “What did you actually say, La-keen? Forgive me if you think I am being rude, but it’s been a long day.” I strained saying the words, stifling a yawn the whole time will do that to you. An alarmed expression took hold of Lycaon’s face; he squinted at me as if to see if I was joking.

  “Listen, Si, isn’t it? W
hat I said was that we have been trying to get your attention this evening, but you were not up for listening earlier, so we thought you may be more accommodating now.” Slowly Lycaon lifted his left hand as he ran it briskly through his hair. The hairs on the back of my neck began to prickle up and stand on end; with a perplexed stare I turned to Damon.

  “Of course... Like tonight hasn't been manic enough. Damon, you’re taking it kind of well. If he is one of the wolves, I'd of thought you'd be trying to neuter him for what he did to Promethia!” I looked at Lycaon from head to toe; he was wearing some shredded jeans and a white coloured flannel shirt with pale, brown moccasins. Something cold touched my arm, and I flinched. As the sky had begun to open up, more droplets hit the ground with every moment. It seemed to bounce off of Lycaon, like he was a solid granite statue.

  “I know it’s hard to accept, Si, but you have to come with me.” Lycaon said the words with his head tilted slightly forward so he was almost looking through his eyebrows to see me. He glanced to his left, listening out with his right ear, before awkwardly shifting his stance.

  “Let’s be honest, okay? Like... Whatever your name is. Why the hell would I go with you? If you are what you say you are then it’s not exactly like you have given me an opportunity to trust you, have you?”

  “Ursine, I know this is hard to accept, but your safest option here is to come with me, willingly.” Lycaon really did have a way with words. My defences were already spiking upward, and I was contemplating on turning and running so I shuffled back a step. The rain was pelting me. Damon began to whimper beside me, and I looked at him and the thick mascara he had clumped around his eyes had begun to run, turning his eyes bright red. He irritably cracked his knuckles and smeared the copious amount of make-up across his cheeks. The term panda eyes would definitely be accurate to say here.

  “Si is not going anywhere. You can't do anything; this place is too crowded. You can go find a fire hydrant and fuck yourself!” Damon’s tone had changed; it was like the rain itself had washed away his apparent fear. The downpour was becoming ever heavier, bouncing off of his wreck of a car which was now being filled up as much as a bath-tub. It probably had something to do with Damon’s change of spirit.