Chapter 4

"Special? In what way? I don't seem to find anything special in me."

"The signs tell us." Marcus added. "When I found you, your hair was still black but the moment you closed your eyes, it becomes blond. And that moment, I knew, you were special. And last night, your iris was blue. Blue-eyed werewolves possess gifts." My father said.

"But why don't I remember anything except my name?"

"That's what we're asking ourselves: what happened before you reached the territory. And another thing also is the fact that you are already eighteen years old but you haven't shifted to your wolf form." Mr. Hayes added.

"Wolf form?" And all I could do was to repeat his words.

"Mostly, in this pack, the first shift happens at the age of twelve, the latest is the thirteenth year."

"Maybe I'm not really a werewolf. Maybe-wait, you are saying that you are werewolves?" I asked as the idea just sunk in.

Both of them nodded-my father, well step father, had a proud smile on his face.

"So I have been living with a werewolf for six years?" I exclaimed.

He chuckled. "My, Allen. And I haven't bitten you, have I?"

I smiled at his attempt of a joke.

"Tomorrow night, at the height of the full moon, you will witness the rite of passage of the young werewolves. It is the ritual on the first transformation of the young ones." Mr. Hayes said.

"Should I be excited?" I asked, not really sure what to say. I mean, I really don't have any straight thought right now due to these sudden revelations that are seemingly impossible to believe in.

"Allen, the ritual is one of the most beautiful things we werewolves have. There is no word that could describe the wonderful scene as children emerge from the water as wolves. They always look adorable. Especially when they wisked the water out of their fur." My father chuckled.

Mr. Hayes nodded, with a smile on his face.

...

Mr. Hayes, my father and I went to the open cottage where we stopped by earlier. I still have plenty of questions, but they said, it will be answered in time. What's important, according to them, is that I know what I am-a werewolf.

I really rolled my eyes at this. Although it's hard to believe in but I cannot also think that they're just playing prank with me. With my father and Mr. Hayes, pranks are very unlikely. Besides, what would they get if they do that?

"The food will spoil if you'll just stare it like that."

I was taken from my silent predicament when I heard someone spoke.

I looked up from my plate and saw Loraine sat opposite me with a sandwich in her hand.

"Hi." She giggled.

I stared at her for a moment before it registered inside my head. "Oh my god. Loraine? How?"

And her laughter echoed which caused us to be the center of attention for a moment. But my father and Mr. Hayes were on the other table who seemed too engrossed with what they are discussing.

"Finally. I thought you wouldn't recognize me." She playfully slapped my pathetic, skinny shoulder.

"Ouch. But wait, why are you here?" I asked.

She rolled her eyes. "It's because this is where I live."

"So you mean you are a-"

"Yes." She giggled.

"What? No way." I exclaimed.

She stood. "Come with me and I'll show you."

And so I followed her towards the woods.

"Are you sure, it's safe?" I asked as I looked back, making sure if I can still run fast back to the cottage if I had to.

She stopped and faced me. "Ahm, I didn't bring extra clothes, so you'll walk home with me after." She said.

I wasn't able to clarify what she said because she ran fast and then jumped and in midair, I saw her clothes rip apart and in a fraction of second, a brown large wolf landed on the ground.

I felt flabbergasted. "L-lorraine?"

The wolf went closer to me then nuzzled it's head to my side. And the warmth that I felt when Loraine touches me was the same warmth that I feel when the wolf's head touched my arm.

"Oh my god." I blurted out.

The wolf, I mean Loraine, growled. She then walked past me. I stared at her in awe.

Goodness, this is all real!

She turned her head to me as if to tell me to follow her-and so I did.

We arrived at a standard-sized wooden house with large windows. She went in while I waited outside. I now understand what she meant with the clothes thingy.

I was never sure how I handled everything that has happened for the day and the day wasn't even halfway through yet!

"So, I thought you're going to pass out?" Loraine teased me as she went out the door. "You should have seen your face." She laughed.

"Well, that's the best thing I could do upon knowing that my father was a werewolf and just being informed that I myself, am a werewolf! And there was my best friend since eighth grade, who just brought me into the woods and shifted in front of me! God, how do you think should I react?"

She laughed harder. "Easy, Allen. Well, at least now you know."

I rolled my eyes. "Wait," I silenced her.

"What?" She asked.

"I wonder if you keep clothes with you if you shift and rip your clothes apart?"

"Haha. You'll just learn the technique. As for me, I ripped my clothes for the effect."

I rolled my eyes again.

We strolled back towards the cottage.

Loraine told me that Ravenwoods is a community of werewolves. Like every other clans, it is headed by an alpha in the person of Michael Hayes. So that explains his authoritative aura.

And to my surprise, I learned that my father was the beta. I somehow felt great that the beta of a large community of werewolves has chosen to leave his home just to take care of me.

"I wonder why Marcus has no wife." I muttered.

"Oh, you don't know?" Loraine asked.

"Know what?"

"Ugh." She slapped her forehead. "So you really know nothing?"

I shrugged.

"He found his mate at a young age and they promised to marry at the right time. However, his mate died for a reason I don't know. And because of the strong mating bond they had, Marcus can't have another mate."

I was about to say something about this mating thing when a grayish wolf-werewolf I should say, trudged near us which made me grasped on Loraine's arm.

She chuckled. "You have to get used to scenes like this. You are going to encounter them every single day of your life."

"Yeah. But give me time okay." I muttered.

The wolf stared at us then at Loraine.

"I guess I'll have to leave you for now. Duty calls." Loraine said. "We're having patrol rounds today."

"So you're leaving me alone?" I pouted my lips.

"Don't be a baby." She said and pinched my nose. "Make friends okay, after all you're going to live here for the rest of your life."

Ugh. Have she forgotten how socially impaired I am?

I forgot to mention that my father just decided that we'll move here in Ravenwoods especially that my signs are showing and it will be dangerous if we live near the "humans."

I nodded at Loraine. "See you later then."

She giggled. "Sooner." She walked away with the wolf then after a few steps, she turned. "I recommend to try swimming in the lake, west from here. The water is the best." She said then went through the woods.

I sighed. So this is really is it. It's official, I'm a werewolf but I have no idea how to shift. I guess my wolf is shy.

I laughed at myself.

I stared at the cottage and figured that if I stay there, I will still have no one to talk to. Might as well try what Loraine suggested.

I started walking along the path where Loraine pointed. I tried to make sure that I familiarize the path that I take to make sure I won't get lost.

After a few minutes I reached the place. It was so calm, the water is so clear that you could see the bottom. There was a large tree situated at a tiny islet just beside the shore. The birds were all around, singing their melodies.

It was a perfect place to be with nature.

Seconds later, I was swimming in the clear water. It was so cool, relaxing.

I dove under and I could see the fishes and other creatures. It was beautiful. But what took my attention was the disturbance of the water just few yards away from me. Then a moment after, I saw somebody's head surfaced and poof, we were staring eye to eye.

His face was blank first but later, he scowled. But the moment I saw his face, I recognized him immediately. He is Raven Hayes!

But how come if he died thousands of years ago?

"Raven?" I muttered.

His scowl was even more palpable then he swam out of the water. And whoah, that gorgeous body.

"Hey!" I yelled. But he continued on swimming towards the shore.

I followed and when I was near the edge, I realized I'm naked. Dang!

But he didn't turn around so I seized the opportunity to put on my clothes quickly. I'm not even sure if my shirt is upside down or not. Well, who cares?

I ran after him calling "Mr. Raven, wait."

Watching him walk with nothing but a wet cargo shorts almost made me drool. His shoulder is broad with the right muscles in its perfect place. His shoulders were broad but his body narrows as it goes on his hips. Every step he takes, his muscles in his calf contract and relax. Damn, he's even hotter than in the portrait.

But that portrait was a long time ago. How come?

That's what I'm gonna ask him. "Mr. Raven Hayes!" I called out again, resisting the urge to think of unhealthy thoughts over his gorgeous tan body.

"Mr. Raven Hayes wait!" I yelled.

Then to my surprise, he turned around swiftly that stopped me on my tracks. "I'm not Raven Hayes." He said it in low voice filled with anger added with an intense gaze.

Then he turned around again to continue walking.

I swallowed. "B-but wait," I followed him again. "You exactly look like Raven."

He stopped and turned to face me. With heavy footsteps, he crossed the distance that separates us and grabbed me by my shoulder.

I gasped in surprise and in fear.

He brought his head closer to mine. With fiery eyes he muttered. "Call me Raven again and you're dead." He then pushed me away with disgust drawn on his face. Then he walked away leaving me speechless.

Gee, what's wrong with him. If doesn't like that, then he should have just told me his name.

I rolled my eyes. People here are weird.

"What happened with that guy?" I heard someone spoke so I looked up to see Drake and thank god, he's now wearing a black shirt on top of his cargo shorts.

"Oh, he got angry because I called him Raven." I said and shrugged my shoulders.

He burst out laughing.

"What's funny?" I asked.

"You know what, you got a nerve to call him that. Nobody dares to call Kendrick, Raven." He chuckled again.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because he despise the fact that the ancestor whom he got his exact resemblance, is gay."

"Oh." I muttered. "So that's why. But he really looks like him." I said. "And what's wrong if Raven is gay? I don't even know that which means I'm not insinuating that he,too, is gay."

"It's beause, Kendrick is a homophobe." He said.

"Okay." I said and suddenly felt down upon hearing it. I wanted to get close to him but I'm gay.

Ugh. Life.

"Well, you still have a lot to learn about Ravenwoods."

"Yeah." I agreed.

"I could teach you a few." He said.

I looked up at him. "Really?"

He smiled. Dang.

"But I'm gay."

With this he chuckled. "Doesn't matter to me. And I knew it the time when I saw you at your house dancing." He said.

I raised my brows. "Saw me dancing?"

He grinned even more. "Well, fact number one. The beta, your father, had instructed the pack that I belong to to guard you at all cost when you are still living in the eastern border. So basically, we have to keep an eye on you and well, I saw you dancing rather loquaciously that proved my theory."

I stared at him in awe. "Oh god. What else did you see?" I asked.

"Nothing private." He said.

I breathe out a sigh of relief.

"So would you still want to get educated with the way of living here?" He asked.

"No. I want to know facts about your pack guarding me. It's disturbing." I muttered.

He chuckled.