Changing

“This can't be happening.” Hero bumped his head at his computer. He was looking at all of the information on Project Z's he could find.

“Hero.” Bose nodded as he came over to his computer. “What did you want to see me about?”

“Bose, you've known me since I was a wolf cub. You are the closest man I can trust.” Hero gestured to the computer. “I've been looking into these past confidential documents. Anything related to project Z and the doctor. It doesn't sound good.”

“I doubt it would. He was changing people,” Bose agreed. “Hearing it in a report can't be easy.”

“This isn't a report, these are documents of the doctors. I stole them when I was smaller. I'm sorry, but you humans don't need that information. I couldn't risk someone becoming another doctor.”

“Understandable. We do have some sickos out here.”

“I was too small to read when I found them. I just kept the files for myself. I didn't take all of them, at five years old, I was lucky to sneak this off. I haven't wanted to look, but Roxie's situation tempted me.” Hero tossed him a folder. “He speaks of wolves, without the words project in the beginning. They are matching Roxie's description better than project Z.”

“I don't understand, what is the difference?” Bose looked through the folder. “Similar.”

“Similar but not. When I rescued her from a den of wolves, she suddenly seemed less docile not more. She looked like she could and would fight. Project Z does not work like that.” Hero gestured to the computer. “They succumb quickly so there is no rejection. Dropping them in a den is most efficient.”

“She's a little slower on the uptake?” Bose said.

“No, according to the folder, the wolf the mad doctor wrote about was only in heat during maturation. He writes about wolves that aren't wolves yet.” He tapped the folder. “Wolves that can't change until maturity. Her scent too, it's too powerful. If she is this original wolf the doctor keeps addressing, then she is bound for trouble. More than a den. It will last a week, but it will be hell unless she sticks with her mate.”

“You're right, they sound similar, but they are different.” Bose nodded. “Why does he keep using the term original and not project?”

“I don't know, but I need to tell you something I've never told anyone.” Hero gestured around him. “This is the first time I have ever let you near my den. You are near it.”

“Of course.” Bose seemed offended. “Forget the fact I've taken care of you since you were five, or that you were almost killed if I didn't step in. I've never been worthy of being in your den. Only the outskirts.” He shook his head. “I know, I know. Wolf thing.”

“I don't let anyone near my den. Anyone.” Hero took a deep breath. “I found a boy one time deep inside it. He was confused as I was about him being there. He told me that I would meet a strange woman that would take me to another dimension. Then he faded away like a ghost. He seemed to think he was a ghost until I touched him. I wanted to rip him into shreds, no one intrudes on my den.” Hero couldn't help a small growl. “I never saw him again but there is no way anyone comes near my den. Even if someone saw it, they would walk right by. It's camouflaged and only I can open it. There's only one way he got in. Have you heard of the fairytale, Apocalypse Sun?”

“Yeah, the messenger that warns people about the end of the world,” Bose said. “Cute story. I've got it at home, read it to my niece just last night.”

“Truth is stranger than fiction.”

“You really believe that could be him?”

“I don't know, but Roxie Malone is a strange woman.” Hero looked toward the screen. “I never would have followed that scent enough to become affected if it wasn't for his words. She was a strange woman. She makes no sense.” Hero sighed and continued to stare at the screen. “These original wolves. They aren't around anymore. Her parents don't exactly know where Roxie comes from.”

“From another dimension? Is there really such a thing?”

“I can't be sure of anything.” Hero stood up and grabbed his jacket from the back of his chair. “I am almost certain this is the case though. I'll find out soon.” He zipped up his jacket.

“How?” Bose questioned him. “Hero?”

“The original wolf scent got stronger to strange wolves, but soon after would lose its strength around the same wolves already exposed to it. If she is one, then I can get closer without losing myself.” Before Bose could argue, Hero was out the door.

***

“Roxie!” She heard her mother scream from downstairs. Roxie tried to go toward the door but she heard scratching at it. Not just one pair of claws, tons of scratching. She went toward her window and looked out. There were ten wolves on the roof and more were trying to jump up. There was even one up on the chimney.

This wasn't going to take a simple beat on the window that made them go away. Roxie heard her mother scream again but the door burst open. There were at least ten wolves in the hallway, all of them were eyeing her.

“Now, we can do this the easy way or the hard way,” the first wolf said as he entered her room, “and don't bother thinking Hero will show up this time. We've got him entertained with some heavy projects right now. Nothing like the amount here, but enough that it distracted him first.” He growled as he approached me. “He won't interfere this time between us, Roxie.”

“Why don't you fight it out? Where are the alpha's?” Roxie knew that had been a problem once, and she was hoping it would buy some time.

That wolf just smiled. “You forgot? That's okay, it's natural. We'll get that fixed. The alpha would be me, Kane, and that's settled.”

Settled? “It's not settled!” Roxie felt herself start to seethe. She felt something different inside of her. Kane was attractive, but he just made her feel dumb. “I'm not dumb, I'm not settling for you.”

“You aren't settling, Roxie,” he encouraged her. “You will be second to lead.”

“A stupid docile Z cannot lead,” a female project said near him. “She isn't any better than me or the other women here.”

“Jealousy doesn't suit you, Kitana,” Kane teased her. “Only the best will lead the pack with me.”

“I will not lead a pack!” Roxie insisted. “You can't lead a pack either. Choosing a defenseless woman who cannot even fight. Terrible leading, what a joke.”

“You see? She is getting there,” Kane said to Kitana. “A little less docile, but she will come to me once again.”

“No, she won't!”

Roxie watched as Hero came right through the vent. Right beside the bed growling at Kane had been Hero.

Hero bared his teeth and snapped as the wolves fled. Others that stayed growled and barked back, but it didn't deter him. He ran to Roxie's window and broke it, then came back over to the bed. “Come on, there isn't much time. They are gathering fast.”

She understood him. Her adrenaline pumped as she came out of the window. Several wolves tried to grab her, but Hero shot out of the window.

“Climb on.”

Could a wolf hold her? The wolves had surrounded her house and even more were coming from the block. There was more than just Kane's pack. She had no choice. She climbed onto Hero's back and held onto his fur.

They rode like the wind. Hero jumped toward the chimney and to the next house. Some of the higher wolves followed but Hero had been faster. They stayed on the rooftops until they ran out.

By the time they hit the street, there were hardly any wolves on their tail. After another block, it was over. Hero continued to run until he hit the police station doors.

Roxie's head was dizzy from the ride, and even though she held on for dear life, her body was about ready to fall off. Her whole body actually felt different. She felt so funky. No, it was dizziness. It was something. . .