Xadrian's POV:
I think I'm starting to get whiplash; when I went into the kitchen earlier I couldn't tell who it was. Just when I think I know who I'm talking to Ant becomes Alec and Alec becomes Ant, but the way he was slumped over the island it made me think it was Alec.

I didn't like the way those people were yelling at Ant earlier and I tired my best to keep myself calm as Alec introduced me to his friends. They seemed nice enough but I don't feel as comfortable around them as I do with the guy; Kayson who is now sat across from me. I don't know what it is but the way I feel around Ant and Alec is the same way I feel around Kayson.

I quietly listened in as he and Alec had a conversation in that language I didn't understand; maybe Ant or Alec will teach me.

Alec sounded so calm as he spoke and Kayson seemed to say as little as possible until they both fell quiet for a small moment until Kayson seemed angry. They were speaking so quickly until Alec said something and that seemed to settle Kayson and the silence resumed but it was less tense then before.

Whilst we all sat and ate out pizza in silence I took the time to take in Kayson's appearance.

I would say he's about the same height as Alec, his hair is lighter and his eyes; his eyes are bright like the sun but they still have that dark, cold look like Ant's. He had those markings, the ones that Ant told me were called tattoos, they went up along his arms from what I could see. He had scars too, way more then Alec and possibly about the same amount as me. He had one distinct scar going across his left eye that made him look menacing and even through I feel this sense of calmness around him there is something about him. Something that seems familiar, it..it reminds me of the Masters.

"Pup are you okay? You seem a little jumpy. I know we said about the library but how about we do something else?"

I looked up at him as we stopped in the hallway. I don't even remember leave the kitchen all I really remember was watching Kayson walk away.

"What else we..can we do?"

Alec smiled taking my hand back into his before he started to pull me along the hallway. We walked past the library further along the hallway until we reached the end. He pushed opened the door with ease and lead me out, the sun hit my face and I blinked to clear my vision.

"Well Little Wolf it's been awhile since you last shifted which it probably why your a bit antsy. You need to shift so you and Winter can get stronger, you are stronger together."

I bit my bottom lip and looked around. I could feel the grass as it tickled my feet, I could hear the trees swaying in the wind and I could smell the mix of pine and oak. I never really got a chance to appreciate the beauty outside. Everything is so bright, so colourful and beautiful out here I like this almost as much as I like the library.

"I al..am allowed to shift?"

I never told Ant or Alec that I shifted before, it was an accident I didn't mean shift. I really didn't mean to I was just so scared.

*****
I wiped my eyes with my sleeve and finally allowed the pendant to fall against my chest before I covered my ears in an attempt to block out the noise.

I couldn't listen to it anymore.

I whimpered and felt my body shake before my hands dropped from my ears. I looked down to see paws in place of my hands making me shiver in fear. No I'm not meant to shift I didn't ask, no I wasn't give permission. Wind was rushing through my ears as I started to panic, I'm going to get punished I'm not meant to shift.

I clawed at my ears until the cold metal fell flat against my fur. My body relaxed of its own accord and as I looked down my paws were hands once more. I quickly scrambled to pull my clothes back on before the sounds of the fighting outside had me covering my eyes once more. I just want this to be over, please Ant come back.
*****

"Piccolo? Piccolo look at me. Piccolo!"

My eyes snapped open, and I was meant with a pair of dark blue eyes. I looked around to find that Ant and I were on the floor, I was wrapped up in Ant's arms as he cradled my body to his.

"It's okay Piccolo, your okay. Will you tell me what's wrong?"

I snuggled into Ant's warmth, I don't know when Alec changed to Ant once again I felt whiplash but I pushed it to the back of my mind. He asked me a question and I need to try and answer.

"I..I shifted before without your permission I'm sorry. I'm sorry I didn't mean to, I didn't mean to Ant I swear."

I buried my face into his chest as I felt tears roll down my face.

"It's okay Piccolo, it's okay I'm not mad. I should have told you before that you could shift whenever you want. It natural for you to shift Piccolo especially if your in an emotional situation. Untill you learn to control it I want you to shift whenever you want, you can tell me when you want to shift if that will make you feel more comfortable but I want you to try and just shift when you feel like it okay. How about we shift now together hummm, the garden is enclosed but still big enough so your wolf can explore freely."

Antonio brought my face out of his chest as he wiped my tears. I placed a gentle kiss to my forehead before he stood up bring me up with him.

"Okay Piccolo, I know you've never shifted by yourself before so I'm going to help you okay. Now close your eyes, take a deep breath and picture yourself in wolf form. Remember to breathe as you picture your fur covering your body, your hands and feet as paws, your ears growing, your mouth and nose morphing into your snout and jaws. Your tail wagging and when your ready open your eyes."

I did as he instructed remembering to breathe as I went through each step. I felt something cold nudge the top of my head and when I opened my eyes I was met with a huge wolf with dark midnight black fur and bright orange eyes.

I stood on my back legs trying to reach up enough to place my paws on the wolf's head. Ant's wolf nudge my body making me fall backwards. His paw came up to tickle my tummy before he licked my head and started running. I tried to let out a growl but it just came out as a squeak as I got up and ran after him, the pendant bouncing against my fur. I chased after him trying to catch him only to stumble. I shook off fur and ran after him again and again. It just felt so natural running and chasing I like this just as much as reading.

I finally managed to jump on top of Ant's wolf and we both fell to the floor. I playfully pulled at his ear letting out more playful squeaks. Ant's wolf moved his head and I fell in between his paws. I relaxed into his paws feeling exhausted after are game. Ant's wolf licked the fur over my head and behind my ears before he rested his head against mine.

I could stay like this forever.

I felt my body being lift up into the air but I was too tired to open my eyes. I was safe, Ant well his wolf was here with me I'm always safe with them.

"Piccolo? Piccolo it's time to wake up. Come on Little Wolf."

I slowly opened my eyes letting out a huff only to get a chuckle in return. Alec's eyes met mine as he gave me a smile I could have sworn I heard Ant a minute ago. As I sat up I noticed I was in Alec's shirt and not my clothes from earlier. I looked up at Alec in confusion what happened to my clothes from earlier?

"When we shift we shred are clothes Little Wolf. Ant clearly forget to mention that. Did you have fun Pup?"

I nodded pulled back the collar of Alec's shirt to grab the pendant.

"Yeah it was fun, I like the running and the chasing. What you..is your wolf called? How come I not..didn't lose the pendant?"

And why are you and Ant changing so much. I don't like this whiplash feeling I keep getting. One minute your Alec and then your Ant again why?

"I'm glad you had fun Little Wolf. Well mine and Ant's wolf is called Caden. As for the pendant I believe it was infused with witchcraft. Whatever it's purpose; it must be able to adjust when the wearer shifts so it can't fall off or get damaged when you shift."

I wonder if this is why he and Ant keep changing so much? I don't remember them changing so much before Ant gave me the pendant. Maybe I should give it back...

"Right let's go get cleaned up and changed then we can go down to the library until dinner how does that sound?"

I nodded and he helped me to my feet as he stood. He interlocked our hands like before as he lead us out of the garden back towards the house.

As we walked in the house didn't feel so empty as it had before. I could sense all those different people. I could hear the walking around the hallways and chatting to each other, I could smell all their different scents and one in particular caught my attention.

I wonder if he came to look for us in the library? Did I want him to come? Yes I did, I don't know why but he was so interesting and Alec did say we were mates like I was Alec and Ant's mate.

"What's on your mind Little Wolf?"

I bit my bottom lip as Alec pushed open the bedroom door. He let go of my hand and walked straight to the wardrobe giving me time to answer his question.

"Will..will Kayson be there at dinner?"

I fiddled with the pendant between my fingers. I don't know how I feel about him; not really I know I feel comfortable around him but I don't know if I can true him or can I?

"I'm sure he will be, we can go find him if you want to ask him."

Alec turned to face me with a soft smile on his face as he placed some clothes on the bed for me. I slowly made my way toward them processing what he had said.

"No, no it's okay. Thank you."

Alec chuckle as he walked into the wardrobe leaving me to get changed. Once I was done I knocked on the door and Alec came out dressed in new clothes.

"Okay well let's go do you remember what page we were on?"

I nodded and we walked downstairs in a peaceful silence hand in hand. I wonder if I should talk to Ant about the pendant. I pushed the pendant and Kayson to to back of my mind right now all I want to do is sit with Alec and read our book.