Birthday Run

A tingling sensation started from the tip of Roman's toes and the tips of his fingers, quickly spreading throughout his entire body. Black hair spread throughout the expanse of his body. On the other hand, Roman also watched as his grandfather, Bryce's body grew long, white hair covering the expanse of his body. 

Bryce's face contorted as his nose vanished and a snout replaced it. The moonlight shone on the two giant wolves, one black and one white, their sharp fangs glistening under the light of the largest star.

Glancing down, Roman saw that his hands were replaced with paws and he could see and feel the earth under his feet. Every feeling, the minutest smell, and every sensation was magnified a hundred times, in his wolf form.

"Awooooooo." Bryce howled out, facing the full moon and Roman followed suit. It wasn't every day they got to transform into their wolf form and run around a wide area. Also, it was a special day for Roman, it was his birthday and it was a full moon. To add to the mystery, Roman was also born on a full moon. Unsurprisingly, instead of the full moons being the nightmare of many wolves, Roman feels stronger on this special day. 

They had traveled for long distances, in order to get away from the human population, just to transform in peace.

Now, Roman felt good, he felt free. He didn't wait for Bryce, he started to run, following the trail of the full moon. 

"Pup, how does it feel like to take a run after such a long time?" Bryce asked through mind-link, also trying to distract Roman by calling him a pup. 

"What? I'm no pup, gramps. Now to your question, it's been a year since I got to run like this, so you know I'm excited and pumped up." Roman replied. But then he didn't for once turn to look at Bryce.

"You say, you get to decide what your birthday gift will be if you get to the end of the forest before me. Deal?" Bryce put out a deal even though he knew the possibility of Roman winning him in a race was very high. 

"You bet I will, gramps." Roman declared and he cut off the mind link immediately. His paws tightened with force as his speed increased. He shot out away from his grandfather, under the moonlight.

A few minutes later, Roman's wolf was seen running, only a few meters from the end of the forest. Bryce was just a few miles behind him, running at a steady pace.

Bryce was the only older family member Roman had, with his little sister. But then he didn't even know what happened to his other family members. He heard his father had gone rogue and his mother was maybe dead. 

As Roman ran across the end of the forest, he let out a loud howl under the skies. The muscles on his wolf body rippled and his furs glistened in the moonlight. 

Bryce slowed down his pace and started to circle him, showing how proud he was. Soon, he transformed into his human form, leaving him bare before Roman. Not long after, Roman also transformed into his human form.

Not ashamed of their bare bodies, they walked toward their car which was parked just a few meters away. They had clothes ready in the car, so they didn't need to worry about driving naked. 

"Let's go home, pup. I have something for you." Bryce patted his grandson's shoulder, along with a wink making Roman snicker playfully. 

"Sure, I'll drive," Roman replied, after his playful snicker. "I bet you would have received so many calls and notifications from the members." Roman chipped in, knowing his grandfather had not been away from the base for such a long period. 

And it was just a few hours away, but then Bryce was held in a high position, and so was he. 

"Nah, I guess you will have more messages than me. It's your birthday. Though the gang members are mostly scared of you, they know when to draw the line and treat you either as a boss or a friend. And now they will treat you as a friend." Bryce countered. 

"Jamie is going to be really mad that we left her behind. She hasn't shifted into her wolf form in years, even on her birthdays, unlike me. All because you didn't let her." Roman said, with his index finger placed on the side of his thin lips.

By now, they were already in the car and Roman had started the engine, ready to drive away. Bryce on the other hand squeezed his feigned wrinkled face, which he kept as a disguise. 

He then answered, dejection laced in his tone, "I'm sure she will understand. She can't control herself in her wolf form, so it's better she doesn't shift."

"It's so because you didn't let her practice. I know I didn't have to practice but then I have a grip on myself more than she does." Roman tried to put in a few good words for his sister.

He knew the freedom he felt whenever he shifted and he knew his sister longed for that but then their grandfather didn't share the same thoughts with them.

"What good is it in practicing? She doesn't have to go back to the pack anyway. She could use her heightened abilities as a wolf, even in her human form. So there is no need for her to practice." Bryce said in a stern voice. 

His tone of voice indicated that it was the end of the conversation. Though they are amicable and loving with each other, they both had their stubborn moments. 

"Yes, grandfather," Roman answered in a low voice, reverting to his cold self. The car turned silent and uncomfortable for them both. With Roman in his thoughts, and Bryce reminiscing about his days in the pack since he had mentioned it. 

Roman couldn't help wondering why his grandfather insists on keeping Jamie sheltered, up till now. 

What could he be hiding?