~Burdon~

'Have a nice nap?' asked the Wolf inside of me, as soon as I woke up.
'What do you want?'
'Wow! I thought I was the grumpily one. Anyway a girl named Ava wanted to talk to you, but she never gave me the message.'
I rolled my eyes, knowing what really happened: he probably didn't let her deliver before he smashed her out. Poor Ava, I feel sorry-and a bit guilty-that she had to go through that.
'Don't you dare roll our eyes at me!'
'Good bye, Wolf.'
'By the way she wants to know if you really love her.'
That surprised me. I thought it was obviously that I love her. 'Bye!' I said, more forcefully.
'Fine,' said Wolf, sighing.
I walked out of my tent, looking around for Ava.
'Are you looking for Ava?' inquired Licá.
'Yes,' replied both Wolf and I.
'Hello, Wolf,' greeted Licá, who already knew of Wolf.
'Hello, Licá.'
Annoyed at having two people-dragon and wolf-speaking with each other, having a conversation in my mind, I questioned, 'Why do you not go and do whatever you usually do, Wolf?'
'Fine.' Wolf became silence.
Ah, it is so nice not having two people having a conversation in my mind.
'Don't want two people in here?' teased Licá.
'Can I talk to Ava, alone, please?'
'Okay,' said Licá, and she broke our connection.
I walked to her tent first. I knocked. Ava came out of her tent. "Oh, Aeri I was about to go and see if you were awake."
I pulled my fingers through my hair, slightly nervous. "Yeah, I'm awake now. Listen-"
Ava put her finger to my lip, silencing me, she did the shushing sound. "First, I want to know how it feels to have another person in your head. Second, I want to know if you actually love me," said Ava, lowering her finger from my lip as soon as she finished.
"Actually I have two people in my head if you include Licá and I-" I was cut off when a explosion suddenly happened. We both dropped to the ground, I covering her with my body. Pain flared across every part of my body. I grimaced against the pain. From what I could I tell, everything was falling down.
The worst pain was in my head. It was like a explosion was going off in my head or boulders rolling around in my head. Images flashed against my vision. Everything from since I started remembering things, which is like four to up to a few days ago.
When I opened my eyes, I saw that we were covered in debris. I coughed and sneezed.
Ava started coughing. "What happened?"
"A explosion happened and we're now covered."
"Why?"
"I don't know, but let's figure out how to get out of here."
Ava nodded.
We used our swords to poke around the debris. I poked one particular part of the debris and it moved when I poked it.
"Ava! I found a way out!" I yelled. Ava crawled over to me-we were in a tight spot that we couldn't even stand up or crouch-and crawled out the hole. As soon as she was out I crawled after her. We both made it out before the debris collapsed. We looked around the camp. The explosion, for some reason, only hit places where it presumably meant to hit and left the other places alone.
Interesting. I wonder why it did that. It's extremely rare for a explosion to not to damage everything in its path. It is extremely rare for it to pick where it wanted to destroy.
"What do you think cause this?" asked Ava. I shrugged.

∞

As soon as we cleaned up the rubble from the explosion, we ate something and everyone walked to our tents to sleep-besides the guards who were on the lookout. I laid down to sleep when I remember something that Trouble/Dilver said:

"Don't forget us," said the Vinstockar.

I didn't forget about you. That was my last thought before I fell asleep.
I woke up. What I saw I couldn't make sense of. It was a cave(?). I was lying on my back in a cave. Does this make sense to anyone? Because it doesn't make sense to me. I got up onto my knees. I looked down and saw that my fingers were no longer fingers, but claws. What happened? When I looked around I saw that everyone-that's a 'Pak' Islander-was there. What on earth is happening? I found my Father and shook his shoulder. "Father! Wake up!" I yelled.
My Father groaned, a sign that he's waking up. "Aeri? What happened? Why are you partially shifted?!" demanded my Father.
"I don't know, that's why I woke you up, I thought you might know."
My Father got up on his hands and knees. So far we can't stand fully up yet, considering we still are a little bit in wolf shape. Soon everybody woke up and gather up around.
"I have some sad news," said my Father talking to everybody. Everyone immediately quieted down. "I'm think I know why we're all here. I'm afraid that the Luna de Lobo is coming soon." Everyone started murmuring. "Quiet! Everyone quiet!" Everyone quieted down. There are some perks to being the Alpha male. "Either we make sure that the Varden wins before January next month or we can hide on our island until the Luna de Lobo is over."
A lot of people said 'Help the Varden', but few said, 'Hide on our island.' The majority vote was to help the Varden. We would help the Varden then, before the Luna de Lobo even starts, we will go to our Island and hide there until the Luna de Lobo is over-my Father did that to make everyone happy, plus we were going to do that anyways.
We went hunting-to have it as a coverup to why we left. As soon as we were normal-not having any wolf appearances-we returned back to the Varden. My Father explained to Nasha that we noticed that the Varden was running low on food so we went hunting for some food, we didn't mean to take so long and that we didn't mean to worry anyone. Eucer asked why was every Pak Islanders had gone. My Father said to collect more food for everyone in the Varden faster. Eucer glared at us suspiciously. We said it's true. The Varden made sure it was us and we passed. We all went back to our tents.
"That was close," I commented, as soon as we got to our tent.
"Yes, too close," agreed my Father. We are speaking in our native language.
"How many years until the Luna de Lubo?"
"Three years, it happens on January first every century," explained my Father.
I nodded, acknowledging that I heard my Father. "Malhaw was two days old when he had his first Luna de Lubo."
My Father nodded.
"That must of been fun," I said, sarcastically.
My Father couldn't help but chuckled. "That is true, but you really should not joke about it."
"Okay," I said. We all went to sleep. I fell asleep as soon as I touched my pillow.

***

~Karlag~
Or so they all thought. I wasn't asleep. I made sure everyone was asleep I got up out of bed. I walked to where Burdon was sleeping. I bent down and kissed my son on his forehead. "Sleep well... I know you'll one day make a powerful Alpha." I left the tent. I creeped, silently-in order not to attract attention, of course-to a particular tent and knocked.
"Come in," said a voice. I walked into the tent. A man was sitting on a rug on the floor. I sat before the man even had to tell him to. "I assume that this is about your son or about the Luna de Lubo?"
I nodded.
"How's your son?"
"He's good," I replied.
"Worried about the Luna de Lubo?" asked the man.
I nodded.
"Your son will be a powerful Alpha, I'm sure he'll be fine during the Luna de Lubo as for the rest of your children."
"I know, but that's not really why I came here for."
"Why did you come here then?"
I knew that he was mocking me, he knew exactly why I was there.
"I wanted to know why my son's wolf is so strong and powerful."
"Hmm, that's a tricky one to answer. You do know that which crystal wants the werewolf that it wants, or it feels a pull towards a werewolf that crystal usually goes with that werewolf?"
"That's why I want to know why such a strong one is with my son."
"That's a difficult question... maybe it's because they both have strong will. Strong werewolf and strong crystal, makes sense. Other than that I have no other ideas why."
I thanked the man and creeped back to my tent. I walked to where Burdon was sleeping and placed my hand onto my son's head and closed I eyes.
Walls slammed closed.
'I just want to talk,' I said.
'Fine, talk,' responded Wolf.
'I want to know why you are so powerful.'
'Doesn't everyone want to know that?! Why would you want to know that? You're already Alpha. Is it because you feel threatened?'
I shook my head. 'I'm just concerned about my son's safety.' I heard the wolf make a 'humph' sound. 'You know I won't hurt him.'
'I am so powerful because a future Alpha of this pack needs to be powerful to control the pack.'
'Fine. If you're not going to tell me then good bye,' I said, retreating from his mind.
'Wait! I will do it on one condition.'
'And what is this one 'condition' that you ask of?' I asked, suspiciously.
'To be free.'
'You know I can't give you that.'
'Then I won't tell you,' said Wolf, drawing back from the contact.
I walked back to bed and I fell asleep.

***

~Burdon~

My back was sore as if I was lying on a hard surface all night. I opened my eyes and saw that I was in that same cave again. I could barely remember how I got there. I got up and stretched. I was in a semi-wolf form so I couldn't stand up all the way.
After some time the wolf form went away and I was back to my normal self again. I ran back all the way to the Varden before they knew I was missing. As soon as I made it back to the Varden I started shifting. People were staring at me with fear, great fear in their eyes, even the guards. The guards charge at me and I ran away, not wanting to harm anyone.
After hours of running away I was hungry and thirsty. I was at a lake and was drinking when I saw someone and I charged at them and-

I bolted upright in my bed. I-instinctually-checked everything to made sure everything was alright. I laid back down. Just a dream, it was just a dream. My heart is pounding like crazy. After a few minutes my heartbeat return to normal. Everything is okay, it was just a dream. It wasn't real, it's not real. I reminded myself.
Eventually I calmed down enough that I fell back asleep.

I was on my stomach, low to the ground. I was in my wolf form. Eyes on my prey, watching carefully, waiting for the moment to strike. I saw some humans traveling this way a while back when I was drinking from the lake. I saw multiple animals in the midst of the humans. My stomach growled, wanting food.
I saw the humans settle down for the night. They were cooking some meat. The scent reached me. I licked my lips. Without thinking I charged into the camp and-

I yelled, bolting upright. I heard people grumbling. My heart was pounding loudly, so loud that I was afraid that it might burst. The only person who managed to sleep through my screaming was my Father.
Since my Father was still asleep, Malhaw came to check on me. "What's the matter? Had another nightmare?" He sounded tired and little bit annoyed at being awoken at by my screaming.
I nodded.
"You can," he yawned, "walk it off or go back to sleep." He yawned again, while stretching. "Do you need," he yawned, "anything?"
I shook my head.
Malhaw just shrugged and strolled over, back to bed, falling asleep almost instantly.
I got out of bed, deciding to go for a walk instead of going back to sleep, because I will probably just wake up screaming again. I hiked around for a bit. I was about to return when I felt like I was being watched. I pretended not to notice. I ran to the training area. I started punching the punching bags. A few minutes after I started punching the punching bags, I felt hands around my waist.
"Couldn't sleep?" inquired Ava.
"Nightmare."
"What was it about?"
I turned around to face Ava. "Nothing."
"Aeri, it helps to talk about it."
"Nothing, it was just a nightmare."
"It was not nothing, you nearly woke up all the Varden with your screaming. All I want to know is what happened in your nightmare." My eyes pleaded with her to stop.
I turned around, my back towards Ava. "I can't tell you," I muttered. I felt her hands around my waist again.
"Can't or won't?"
"Can't."
She rest her head on my shoulder-which is a surprising because I'm at least a head taller than her. "You can't even tell me?" asked Ava, innocently and sweetly.
"Ava-"
"Please for me," begged Ava.
"Well, since you put it that way, no."
"Aeri, I thought since we're courting you won't keep secrets from me," Ava trying guilt tripping me.
"Ava, please don't."
"Don't what?" I could feel her eyelashes against my skin, she must be batting her eyelashes.
"Don't try to guilt trip me Ava, it won't work."
Ava sighed. "You're so lucky you're handsome," teased Ava, and she kissed me on the cheek.
I turned around to face her. "You think I'm handsome?"
"Don't think too much of it," said Ava, messing up my hair.
"Ava, I-" Suddenly a huge, loud growl came out of nowhere-cutting of what I was saying.
"What was that?!" demanded Ava, sounding surprised and scared.
Some sort of animal was out tonight, presumably hunting. I saw the animal's shadow coming towards us.
"Ava, get behind me," I ordered. She was basically already behind me, so she got behind me even more.
"What is it?" asked Ava, clinging to my arm while a hand on her sword.
The entire time she was, I was like, 'Yes! She is looking for my protection! Now I can prove I can protect her!' Which I am pleased about.
"I don't know, I can't tell yet," I said, glad to have her clinging to me; seeking my protection. I held her close, wanting to keep her safe.
Whatever it is, it is huge, even from the shadow I can tell its huge. The animal continued to come towards us. I heard the animal growl. It stayed in the shadows and we stood as still as could be, I was surprised that we were still breathing. The animal growled some more. The animal stepped out of the shadows. It was a... werewolf?!
Why is he here?! No one is allowed to shift on the main land, it's forbidden, unless absolutely necessary!
The werewolf saw me and growled like it was angry or annoyed at me for something that I have no what.
"What are you doing there protecting that wimpy female?" questioned the werewolf, in our native tongue.
I tightened my grip on Ava, then loosed it, not wanting to hurt her.
"Are you deaf or did you not hear me?! I said what are you doing there protecting that little female?"
I still didn't respond. "Come on, I know you can speak, I heard you speaking with that weak female."
"Be careful who you call wimpy, it might just bite you back in the butt!" I snapped in our native tongue.
The Werewolf tilted his head as if confused. "I wasn't talking about you, I was talking about the female."
"The female is with me."
"Are you a Alpha?"
I shook my head. "I'm a future Alpha."
"Oh, sire, I didn't realize it was you. Please don't turn me in!" begged the Werewolf.
"Did you mean to shift? Did you attack anyone? Why did you shift? Why are you still shifted in your werewolf form?"
"I didn't mean to shift, I just woke up and I was completely shifted! I swear I didn't attack anyone! You and the female are the only ones who saw me!"
"Fine, I won't turn you in this time. But if I see you again and you're not in human form, I will turn you in," I warned.
The Werewolf bowed. When the Werewolf came up from bowing, he had a smirk on his face. "I knew you couldn't do it." The werewolf snarled. A challenge.
"I accept your challenge, but now is not the appropriate time or the appropriate place."
"Ha! Those are a coward's words!" yelled the Werewolf.
"Coward?! There's nothing cowardly about wanting to protecting the innocent!" I growled, angry that he will call me such.
"There's nothing innocent about them! They killed millions of our kind and other kinds of species including theirs!"
"Not all of them do that! It's basically just Eucer who does that and he rarely does it because we hide!"
"Exactly! We hide like cowards!"
"We hide in order to protect the innocent and our own people!"
"You won't fight me?"
I shook my head.
"Ae-" I heard Ava scream. I whirled around. Ava was being held by another werewolf who had his hand over her mouth. I lunged at the werewolf who was holding Ava, but the werewolf, behind me, grabbed my arms, holding me back.
"How about now?" asked the Werewolf.
I stepped the werewolf's foot, hard as I could, and the werewolf let go of me, holding his foot. I lunged at the werewolf holding Ava and I punched him in the face. The werewolf let go of her.
'Run! Run, now!'
'What about you?'
'I'll be fine, just go!'
'No, I-'
'Just go!'
She ran, tears streaming down her face.
Both of werewolves were now up. And they were smirking. They charged at me, running towards me. We clashed together.

-

Question(s) of the chapter:
Werewolf versus werewolf. What will happen next? If you think you know, tell me, I'll love to hear from you.

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