Alex pov~

I rolled over in bed, instincts trying to force me outside into the moon. I tugged my pillow over my head, twitching as the full moon called to me.

No no no.

I'd resist.

I had to resist.

It started to hurt. My skin itched and burned, and all my bones aches as they tried to get me into a wolf's body. But I couldn't go out. Not tonight. Not on the full moon.

It hurt so much.

It tingles every night. A slight discomfort. On full moons though, I can't bear the pain. I heard a loud howl and sighed. Lafayette has given in. That wasn't good. We'd have to deal with that tomorrow morning.

I stretched and reached for my phone. There was no point trying to sleep, it hurt to much.

John❤️: Hey Alex, I saw it was a full moon, you ok?

Me: It hurts, but I'll be fine

John❤️: I'm sorry

John❤️: I'd come over if I could

Me: I know, I get it, I'm fine

John❤️: But you're in pain

Me: I have a bit of damah left from last full moon

John❤️: Alex, no

Me: Yeah I know

Me: But it's an option

John❤️: Alex, damah really messes up werewolves, we learnt that last time

Me: I remember, I won't

Me: Laf gave in

John❤️: Is he ok?

Me: Hopefully

John❤️: I really wish I could come over

Me: Let's be honest, the Washingtons wouldn't really want you here either

John❤️: I'd offer that you could come over but...

Me: That would be pretty counterintuitive

John❤️: It really would

Me: I'll see you later, I need to go check on Laf, I think Martha's gone too

John❤️: Hope everyone's ok

Me: See you at school

I set my phone aside and stood up shakily, pulling on a sweater and shivering with the uncomfortableness of my skin.

I opened my door softly and creeped down the halls, following the sound of the howls that echoed through the house.

Halfway down that hall I found George, who was walking in the same direction as me.

"Is Martha ok?" I asked once he noticed me.

"I think so, she slipped out really fast."

"She should be with Laf; pack instincts." I said, hearing another mournful howl.

"That's probable."

"How much moonlight?"

"Not much."

I nodded, praying Laf hasn't been exposed to much either. The more moonlight a werewolf was exposed to, the harder the transition back was. I found a door that was ajar and the noises seemed to come from behind it. George pushes open the door and was met with two wolves, both looked very antsy and upset.

I recognized everyone's wolves, I'd seen them enough. Martha was a thick-furred Gray she-wolf who looked really soft and silky. Lafayette was a smaller white wolf with bristly fur.

Neither of them looked friendly when upset.

Both of them were upset.

"George." I said in a warning tone, taking a slow step back. "Should we wait it out?"

"That might be..." George shot his wife and adoptive son's wolf forms a worried look. "Beneficial."

He closed the door, locking it and propping a chair against it.

"Let's hope they're ok by tomorrow, you have school." George sighed and we went to the kitchen. "Does it hurt?"

"Of course it hurts." I shot back, trembling. "But I'm fine."

"I have damah if that helps?"

"We both know werewolves are highly sensitive to that stuff." I raised an eyebrow, remembering my conversation with John.

"Yeah... Alex?"

"Yess?" I replied, turning my head to face my adoptive father.

"About your... boyfriend." He said the word like it was poison.

"What about him?" I asked, immediately getting defensive.

"He's well... he's a human."

"I've established that."

"So..."

"So?"

"It's just... not ok?"

"Are you trying to convince me to break up with a John?" I would have felt offended if he wasn't trying so hard. (If anyone gets where that's from I want to be your best friend)

"Yes."

"I'm not planning on it."

"Then do I have to do it for you?"

"How do you expect to do that?" I chuckled.

"I have my ways."

I sat up violently, leaning close and snarling. "Do your worst."

I stormed out of the kitchen and into my room, worry and pain filling my system.

What did he mean 'I have my ways'?

I stared at the bottle of damah that was resting on my desk, then at the spot above my bed where I'd torn down the dream catcher. I grabbed the glass bottle and uncorked it.

I'm going to regret this.

It's so tempting.

I drank the pink liquid and felt the damah rush through me.

All the pain was gone.

Pain. Hurt. Worry.

Pain.

Bliss.