Rebel Child

Gavrill and I walked until we reached the well on the outskirts of the south end of the village before I turned and looked at him.

"What," I questioned.

"Why were you looking for me," he asked, leaning against the stone structure.

Kicking a piece of loose stone, I shrugged. 

"Like I said, running into you is a plus and when I do run into you, you tell me more about the creatures you have around here," I said, flashing him a dorky smile.

"Usually when we run into one another it's because you're running from a creature you've managed to piss off because you don't listen," Gavrill said, sounding a little annoyed.

"Listening has never really been my strong suit," I shrugged again.

Flicking my forehead, he sighed.

"You're going to get me in trouble then I'll have to kick your ass."

"You would have to catch me first," I laughed.

As Gavrill shook his head, that chuckle returned, louder than it had ever been.

"Shut up," River growled into the darkness as a pair of cobalt eyes glared back at her.

What the hell is that?

"I have a fun idea," I shouted, jumping forward.

"That's a dangerous thing for you to have."

"Lets go for a run," I piped excitedly, smiling.

Gavrill's face lit up for a brief second before his head jerked towards the village fence line.

Alistair.

River purred.

"Oh shit," I spoke. "I didn't expect him to find me so fast."

"You don't really go anywhere else except here, what did you expect," Gavrill groaned.

Just then, my idea popped back into my head.

Looking up at Gavrill, a devious grin crept across my face.

"No," Gavrill automatically said, returning my smile.

"Oh yes."

With that, I immediately shifted and barked. Getting a running start, River barked again as she jumped on top of a wagon and over the fence, bolting into the forest.

"Noir!" I heard Alistair shout then a loud growl which caused River to run even faster.

River eventually slowed her pace though as she got closer to the entrance of the glade before stopping then looked up when a branch creaked above her.

Eskil.

"You are going to get me killed," Gavrill said as Eskil hopped down from the tree and landed beside River.

"You didn't have to follow though," I retorted, River rolling her eyes.

"You about ready," a voice broke through, causing River to growl.

"For what," I blindly asked.

"You will see very soon," was all she said before a snarl caught our attention.

Whipping around to look in the direction we just came from was Hael and he was pissed.

Oh shit.

Hael charged us as Eskil threw River to the side. Before River could even hit the ground, Hael crashed into Eskil, both lycans once again engaged in a fight of sorts.

"What do we do," I asked.

"I have an idea," River chuckled.

"Me too," the other voice chimed in. "Run towards the opening of the forest."

I could feel River thinking about this idea before shrugging and bolted towards the opening.

The moment her paws hit the opening and away from all the trees, River yelped and stumbled, crashing onto the ground with such force, the earth itself shook.

"What's was that," I heard Gavrill ask through the mindlink.

"I don't know," Alistair growled.

"Where's Noir?"

River thrashed in the grass as she howled in pain, bones breaking as her body contorted.

"What the fuck is happening," Gavrill shouted.

Gods, what the fuck IS happening?!

"She's... shifting?"

"That's impossible. First lycan shifts, like wolves, happen under the full moon."

"Well, it's fucking happening. Will you shut the hell up," was all I heard as their bickering voices faded out.

I silently cried out as River kept breaking and reforming before there was nothing.

I try to focus on where I am and the scenery, gray and blue hues pulsate around me. When my eyes landed on Eskil and Hael, they are staring at me.

What?

I try focusing on them but all I can hear is their heartbeat.

Backing away, I just stare at the duo before the thudding in my ears ceases.

"Noir," Alistair questions.

What?

"Noir," Gavrill speaks.

"What," I winced, stretching.

"It won't be painful like that again," said a voice.

"What? And who are you?"

"My name is Faelen," the voice responded.

Shaking my head, I focused back on the lycans in front of me as they looked at one another quizzingly before crouching, pointed ears perked at attention.

Hael, however, was the one to approach me.

I could see my reflection in his eyes. Yes, those molten eyes mirror my own and even behind their tinct hue, I can now see mine; more blue than the sky above.

Before I could say anything, Hael jumped back, a look of pure excitement on his face before tilting his head back and howled.

Eskil looked between Hael and I, his head dropping to the side in confusion for a moment before he followed suit with his brother.

When they finished, both Eskil and Hael approached me. Eskil circled me like I was some kind of foreign creature while Hael rubbed his massive head against the side of my face and side.

"You remind me of a cat," I piped, mentally rolling my eyes.

"Don't add insult to injury, poppet," Alistair snorted causing Hael to shake his head and take a step back.

"Did she just call you a cat," Gavrill questioned playfully as he backed up to stand alongside his brother, both staring at me.

"I did. What of it? He's acting like ca—," before I could finish, Hael lunged at me.

I turned to run but my balance was off and I fell, causing Hael to fly over me and tumble across the landscape.

Eskil was next.

I tried standing again but I fell once more as Eskil collided with Hael, both lycans falling to my side.

"This is pathetic," Faelen chuckled. "Let me have full control. I'll help you."

"I would let her," River spoke up.

"Fine."

With that, the next thing I know, we were running as both lycans followed pursuit, yipping and barking playfully.

"They're a lively bunch, yeah?"

Faelen caught me off guard as I leaned back against River.

"They're normally not this energetic. They're usually like a sack of potatoes. Angry potatoes. Easily irritated potatoes," I replied.

"That's because you don't listen for shit," River deadpanned, unimpressed with my comment.

"And you like to test their patience," Faelen shot.

What the hell. River was mouthy enough and now I have this?

All of a sudden we came to a halt at a creek.

"Would you like to see what we look like," Faelen questioned after a moment, excitement in her voice.

"Of course," I shouted.

"Then you can walk to the water."

And with that, I was whisked back in control, stumbling before dropping down to all fours.

Now this I can manage.

Without effort I pawed my way over to the water's edge and looked down at the panting reflection staring back at me.

Faelen was beautiful.

Her pelt was similar to Eskil's but reversed. She was solid white with touches of gray. Around her eyes and on the sides of her snout were blueish gray while half of her ears and the top of her snout were black.

Looking down, I examined her paws.

Do you even call them paws when they can hold onto things?

They were black and faded into white along with her tail.

"You are—." I didn't get to finish as a body slammed into mine causing me to fall into the creek. Faelen vanished and I morphed back into human form before my head breached the water's surface.

Standing at the creek's edge was Eskil, snorts of amusement escaping him which turned to pure laughter as he transformed.

Without warning, Gavrill took a step back and jump in beside me causing me to shield my face.

When he surfaced, I glared at him.

"What the hell was that for," I growled, splashing him.

"Pay back for earlier," Gavrill shrugged and splashed me back.

A growl broke me from my somewhat playful stupor as I looked to see Alistair standing on the creek bank.

"Get out of the water," he snapped.

"No."

"Noir... I'm not going to keep repeating myself."

"And I'm not getting out of the water," I shot, sticking my tongue out.

After a moment, Alistair's demeanor changed. He stood with his arms behind his head and shot me a devilish lopsided grin.

"Well, I guess it can't be helped. I'll see you back at the house," was all he said, a hint of amusement in his voice as he turned, waving a backhanded goodbye.

I just stared in the direction Alistair disappeared and pointed.

"What was that?"

Gavrill didn't say anything as he looked equally confused.

"I've got a bad feeling abo—," I didn't get to finish as Rune came bursting through the thicket and leapt.

He transformed mid-jump before crashing down into the water beside me nearly drowning me.

"What do you think you're doing," I coughed, poking him in the chest.

"Well," Alistair began, "if you're not going to get out, I'm just going to have to get in."