1 1. Taming the monster

They said he was no longer human, that he had given himself to his wolf. An animal they called him, a monster. No longer able to distinguish between friend or foe. I smiled internally as I sat perched in a tree, my falcon form a favourite of mine perfect for hunting. The monster in question stalked the trees below his nose knew I was here.

His green eyes stared up at me a growl escaping his throat. Just by observing him these past few days I knew I had a lot of work ahead of me to get him back to at least talking stage that would be enough. All I had to do was tame him. It would be easier if I could call him by his name but no one knew who he was. Not that it would change anything I didn't need him for who he was but what he was. He may be wild now but he is still a wolf all I had to do was establish dominance then I would be the alpha and he would be forced to do my bidding.

I watched him as his growl went quiet and he started to move away his interest in me forgotten. Clearly he didn't think me worthy of his attention. That was his first mistake. I soared down shifting mid air into a wolf my paws hitting the ground. The sound making him turn his growl renewed as I attacked.

All wild fury he attacked with no thought using only his brute strength. That was the thing with werewolves who give into their wolf side they lose the ability to think like a human. They fight with a berserkers fury, strong as hell with an animals instinct but useless against one such as me.

He attacked head on using my speed I slid to the side aiming for his neck. I needed to end this quickly if he got ahold of me I would have to use my powers and that would disqualify me from being his alpha. Surprising me however he anticipated this and side stepped turning his head so my jaws just missed their target. Dam he was good, despite being a monster he was still smart.

Lining me up he attacked again. You wanna play you monster then let's play. Racing in I shifted last minute into my falcon form swooping passed him then shifted back to wolf positioning me at his side where I quickly took hold of his neck. He thrashed and clawed trying to free himself but I was smaller making it to hard for him to reach me.

'Lay down beast you can not win this fight.'

I had no idea if he could here me but judging by the fact that he started to fight harder, I assumed he did and Id just pissed him off more.

'GIVE UP! I am your alpha and you will do my bidding!'

After what seemed like hours but I knew it had only been minutes his thrashes lessened. His breath coming ragged as he started to loss steam. That's the thing with beserker types they flame out fast. So in other words as long as you out last them you'll win the fight every time. Of course not many had the added bonus of a witches power either.

It wasn't long til he stopped moving his body going still. He was still growling but there was no bite behind it.

'That's it beasty I am your alpha now.'

He let out one last huff then stopped growling. Slowly still apprehensive I released him. Padding back I watched as his eyes followed my every move. Satisfied he would not attack I shifted back to human form smiling.

"Quite the stubborn one aren't you beast? So now that we have an agreement your going to help me with something."

He shook his head letting out another huff completing the gesture with a small growl.

"This would be so much easier if you could talk."

I bent to his eye level.

"But that ability has been long lost to you hasn't it beast."

He growled again as he seemed to grumble in a wolfy way.

"No matter at least you can still understand me and that's all that matters."

Settling myself against a tree I eyed the beast before me.

"First I suppose I should introduce myself the names Tiona. Now I would keep calling you beast but that doesn't seem to suit so how about we just call you..."

I took a moment to think I once knew someone that was good with names she used to go on and on about them. I didnt like thinking about the people of my past, I was no longer that person and never would be again. Let's just say that, that life was beaten out of me long ago. Not that I missed them any more, my mind focused purely on the task at hand. Saying that the perfect name appeared in my mind. A name that fittingly meant stranger one who has a wondering spirit and is in exile.

"Doran. What do you think perfect isn't it?"

I stepped closer to him looking down on him I chuckled.

"So Doran what do you say? Are you going to play nice? I would rather not have to force orders on you but I will. I should also mention that if I do have to order you as your alpha you'll also be punished for the inconvenience."

I winked.

"Not that I wouldn't enjoy punishing you but I'm sure you would just rather avoid it."

His eyes seemed to be judging whether I meant what I said. Before he could even try make a move I grabbed him by the throat. He yelped in pain as I burned my mark into his neck.

"Just in case you had any ideas."

He jumped back growling a black raven now embedded into the scruff of his neck.

"Ah ah ah Doran I'll have none of that. You see that mark I just put on your neck unlike normal pack brands it has a few added extras. Should you wonder more then a mile from me at any time you will be overcome with the most excruciating pain you've ever felt in your life."

Standing back up I rise my arm inviting him to leave.

"If you think I'm lying then by all means leave."

His eyes went from my hand to the trees around him then back again. He only needed a second to think before he was off. I chuckled to myself as I waited for the inevitable. Sure enough less than fifteen minutes later I felt his essence stop. Shifting into a falcon I flew to his location.

He lay shuddering on the ground the pain from my brand still taking effect. The sound of his yowling echoing in the silent forest. Shifting before him I knelt down chuckling.

"They always try to run."

I put my hand on the raven at his neck and his body relaxed no longer in pain.

"I'm sure you've noticed I'm not your normal shapeshifter. Let's just say Ive had a few improvements done so believe me when I say there is no escape."

I stood back up as I watched him slowly get to his paws. His eyes now looking at me with defiance instead of arrogance.

"Now that we understand each other come on, I'm in need of your protection and you Doran are going to help me whether you want to or not."

I shift back into a wolf form and start padding away not even looking back to see if he was following. Sure enough I started hearing him a few paces behind me as we made our way through the trees. That's a good boy. I smiled widely. I'm going to enjoy my new pet.

I could have easily turned back into a falcon and flew out of this dense forest but with the trees as thick as they are Doran would never be able to follow me. Not to mention he would never be able to run as fast as I could fly. Plus there was the fact that I wasn't convinced that he would comply to following me after his ordeal. I mean how could I blame him here comes a stranger who beats him in less then five minutes when all others have failed who forces a brand on him then threatens to do worse if he doesn't do as I say. Hell I would be defiant too.

It was only a matter of time til he tries something and I'd rather deal with it before we left these woods than after. Considering how deep into them I had to come to find him we had plenty of time to sort out our differences in opinion. My opinion being that he now belonged to me though I'm sure his was vehemently opposed.

I growled as I padded through the trees the woods in West Virginia were not what I'd call home. Plus it was far from where we needed to be. Doran heard my growl as I struggled through the woods his large form slipping easily between the trees and foliage. He had obviously been here a long time. Who knows how long he's been roaming these trees not like he could tell me. What a waste, though it did give me the opportunity I needed to get more power.

I did wonder how he came to be like this though. Was he really an exile as his name suggests or did he give himself over to his wolf purposely. Not that I really cared as long as he helped me do what I needed but still I'm not going to lie I was curious.

I kept my eye on him as he followed often going til he was out of sight only to come back seconds later growling under his breath. I chuckled to myself, yes I believe my new pet will make this interesting.

Before long the sun was starting to set meaning we would have to settle in for the night. In wolf form just getting out of these stupid woods would take at least a week. So I had a whole week to strengthen my hold on Doran. The biggest test would be tonight. No doubt he will try something while I slept. Little did he know that I rarely slept more then an hour at a time and even then the slightest sound or touch had me awake in seconds.

'We rest here tonight but don't get too comfortable we leave at dawn we only have two weeks to make it back to Jacksonville.'

I settled down next to a tree and pretended to fall asleep and as predicted when he thought I was asleep he started to creep towards me. I remained still waiting for the right moment. Just as he was about to sink his teeth into my neck I shifted into human form my hand going to his throat. Calling on my power I sent electricity to my hand zapping him. He yelped in pain as his legs crumpled under him.

Kneeling before him I smiled as he lay shuddering from the paralysing effect of my bolts. Reaching out my hand I gave him another zap just for good measure.

"You are so predictable Doran. Honestly did you really think I would let my guard down so fast? I mean I know your all animal now but you did used to be at least half human did you not? Or was your human side just as dumb?"

He growled at my insult.

"Hit a nerve did I? Guess it must be true then. Oh well I don't want you for your brain."

He huffed my way, in my mind he was mumbling under his breath. I let Doran go, watching as he growled jumping backwards. He huffed in my direction as he settled down his head buried in his fur and closed his eyes. That's right little pet I am the one in control and you will learn that failure to do my every bidding is not an option.

Slowly I lay back down and closed my eyes satisfied that he would not try attack again tonight. Tomorrow would be other story I knew that this would not be the last time he tried to test me. If I knew beasts at all they do not tame easily, of all people I should know. I wasn't worried though I still had a few more tricks up my sleeve. The hardest part would come when we reach Jacksonville. My plans will come to fruition but first I had to tame the monster. Once that was accomplished the rest would fall into place. The red eye pack won't even see it coming.