chapter 3

THEODORE POV

"slow down... Jason". I shouted. I ran behind him.

"catch me". he replied as he changed into his wolf in mid-air, he raced faster into the woods leaving dust, rotten leaves and twigs in his wake.

I groaned as I watch him disappear into the woods ahead. I hated that I couldn't shift into a wolf yet. A late bloomer, my dad always told me. It's been two years past the normal time for a young pup to shift at thirteen, while others can wait till around fifteen. I'm seventeen years now and six months but haven't done anything other than shift my eyes to my wolf's.

“That's cheating”. I chased after his trail of dust, sweating profusely under the mid-day sun.

Jason, calous is my best bud. We've been together since we were pups. He morphed quite earlier than usual, at twelve years ten months. It was surprising even to alpha derrick. His grey fur wolf was kind of big for his age – too big – which was funny as he was scranwy then. Now, he is medium built and tall at six feet compared to my five feet length. He is one of the few that still communicate with me after I hadn't shifted at due time. He accompanies me everywhere as he is technically my right hand man. If I was an alpha, Jason would be my beta for sure.

I dropped to my knees holding my sides, drawing a deep breaths to soothe my aching lungs. Jason strode until he stood beside me. I could see a grin on his wolf's face.

I dove quickly to the side when he drew closer with his tongue out.

“Gross…” I scrowled knowing he wanted to lick my face. “When you find your mate, do that to him” I said.

He whined. In few minutes, he shifted back to his human form. “I don't mind doing that to you till my mate comes running by”. He replied with a big smile, tickling my sides.

“Stop!” I screamed giggling hard. My side hurts more than ever as my body was still recovering from the run.

“Marcus!” I shouted. “I'm going to puke!” Then he stopped and rolled on the floor next to me. I lay down on the ground, totally exhausted, panting heavily.

Jason could be a pain in the ass sometimes. We're both of same age but he behaves at times like a pup. He is real fun being with.

I glanced at him sprawling nonchalantly on the ground. His flawless face shone with much brilliance with his jet black hair. I had always wondered why his wolf ended up grey when he had such black mane. I guess no one can question what the moon goddess does.

“A kiss for your thought?” Jason asked.

I chuckled. “Only if that was the proper saying”. I turned to face him.

His brown eyes stare deeply into mine. “You are quite beautiful… you know that ?” He said. I would woo you if I haven't known you for ages”. 

“This is the tenth time you mentioned that in three hours”. I laughed.

“ You really look like a she wolf sometimes”. He grinned. “With your green eyes and shoulder long that shines like the moonlight, your mesmerizing smiles…” he continued. 

I felt heat rise to my cheeks as he ranted on. I knew moment like this. Jason had confessed some month ago, about his feelings for me. He was in love. I, on the other hand, loved him like a brother. We had both agreed on how we felt for each other but Jason does get lost in the moment, just like he's doing now.

“You're so sweet”. I whispered. “But you know….”

“Yeah…I know”. He interrupted. “I don't want to hurt you”. He mimicked my voice as best as he could. I rolled my eyes.

“I will never hurt you, Theo”. He said much seriously.

“same here, Jason, I will never hurt you too”. I grinned. He grinned as well.

The wind blew softly around us carrying the soft chirps of birds. The tall trees swirled gently. The smell of dried leaves and dust filled the air.

I peeked at Jason to find him still staring at me. He wore a look. He was deep in his thought, lost in his own little world. His face wrinkled as he continued to ponder deeply. I cleared my throat loudly which seems to snap him out of his daydream.

“Is everything ok? You had a worried look on your face”. I asked.

He sighed as he sat upright dusting his hair off. He turned away. I knew instantly that something was bothering him. Jason is never quiet when we're alone. He would always find something interesting to talk about.

I moved closer. “What is it Jason?” I held his gaze. “You can tell me, you know”. I teased him. He opened his mouth for a second and closed it again. “I won't get madi added quickly. “I promise”. 

He chuckled. “I know”. 

“Then, what is it?” I asked nervously.

“I was thinking about you,Theo”. 

“What about me?”

“You seem so happy on the outside but I know you”. He held my hands. “theo, you're hurting”. He said.

I held my breath for a seconds. I could feel my eyes tear up. He knows. I thought I had it all covered up well. With my usual jumpy self and my signature smile as cover, no one would really know how miserable and sad I really felt. I breathe slowly as I peered into his worried eyes. So, he could see behind the happy face I managed to pull in front of everyone.

“How did you know?” I smiled weakly.

He stared at me for a while. “Do you think you can really hide it from me?” He blurted out. “We've been together since we were pups. I'd know you all my life, Theo. You shouldn't have bottled it in all these time”.

“And come running to you?” I snapped.

He growled. “That's why I am your friend, your companion”. 

“Oh…please”. I rolled my eyes, standing up. “Like you know how it feels”.

“You could have talked about it…” he insisted. “... with me at least”.

I paced. I felt his eyes on me as I ran my hands through my hair. “It's not that easy”. I muttered.

“What is not easy?” He grabbed me. “Not telling me you are hurting? Or that Ryan hits you every time he catches you alone? Or the fact that our pack members are calling you an Omega just because you are weak and unable to shift?” He shook me as every word left his lips.

I was dumpfounded . Jason knew everything I have tried to bind all along. He was watching in silence until now. I hated myself more.

“If you'd known all along, why didn't you do something about it?” I shouted back. I flinched as he gasped at my sudden outburst. I tried to rein my emotions but I wass way off my limit already. “Don't even think you know how it feels or how I am feeling. Yes, I'm hurting”. I cried out, tears falling freely. “I hurt everyday, everything single moment I see others shift into their wolves and go running into the woods to have fun, to enjoy the feel of nature and the joy of hunting. You can't imagine how badly I want the same”. I stared at him

 “I am almost eighteen Jason”. My voice cracked. I felt my wolf wimper. She could feel the pain and frustration. “I'm way behind shifting age”. 

“But…he tried to say.

“Maybe am just the weak omega they called me”. I breathe heavily.

“You can't…”

“I am a disgrace to the Lockwood pack. I can't even bear it when my parents baby me every time”.

“You…he tried again before I cut in.

“I still rely on my sister for little things”, my eyes cloud with unshed tears, “I can't even go out alone without you tagging along to fight for me when the time arises”. 

“You know…

I held my palm out. I could see he was trying to get something out with the way he bit down his lips. I just wouldn't give him that chance just yet. He asked going to give him .

“Do you know how much I want to be swallowed up when I look into our alpha's eyes?” I watched his face soften. “I guess he can't put up with me any longer”.

“That is not true”. He said quickly. He moved swiftly, standing in front of me .

“You don't know anything”. I growled, moving farther away from him, “not even the slightest”. He flinched. I knew I had hurt him. I wanted desperately to pull myself together but I was far from finish. Yes, I had bottled it in; I guess it about time I let everything out. Why would he pop open the cork and expect a trickle instead of a gush.

“I am nothing”. I seethed. “I am just a weakling”.

“Stop it”. Jason boomed. I felt the authority in his voice you are not nothing, Jason. “He growled. My wolf whimpered as he held my gaze. “I had always thought you were just so smart and all but now I can see you are just so lost in yourself that you refuse to see how special you are”.

“Special?” I chuckled.

“Yes,theo. You are special”. He argued.

“What is so special about me? My weakness? Or my inability to shift? Or how miserable I feel? Or how weak I make the pack look?”

Jason rolled his eyes. “Just shut it already. Don't call yourself what you are not”.

“Then what am I?” I screamed. I have had enough of him already. I wanted so badly to smack him and punch him till he faints. Only if I could do that. My fists clenched in anger.

“You are a Luna, theo”, Jason shouted in anger. “A true Luna,the first in the last hundred years or so”.

My heart skipped a beat . The world paused as his words rang in my ears, sinking deep into my very being. A Luna, did I hear him correctly? A true Luna. Is he drunk? A Luna hasn't existed in a hundred year now while a true Luna in a millennium, if history books are correct.

I laughed. Jason stared at me in a funny way. I laughed harder. He got me. I guess his trick worked well, too well as it brightened up my mood quicker than I had expected. A true Luna? What was he thinking?

“Nice try Jason. You sure got me this time”. I gave him a thumb up when I finally relaxed. “Whoa! You got me alright”. I giggled loudly.

“What?” Jason asked. He kept his serious face. He tensed when he realized I thought it was a joke. “You think am joking?” He scowled.

“A true Luna? Nice try Jason.” I repeated.

“Haven't you noticed anything strange about you yet?” He kept his face which started to worry me. Jason was really not joking. He should have lost that serious face by either bursting out in laughter or come hugging me, jumping about and shouting, I got you. 

“You are not serious, are you? I tensed.

A true Luna. Who wants to be a Luna? It is crazy. Everyone knows they are harbingers of trouble and chaos . The world is never at peace with their very existence. Now, Jason claims I might be a true Luna, one which is a thousand times worse than a Luna.

“Hush…” he replied glancing around.

“Oh no… don't pull that on me now”. I bitched. “You can't drop something like that on me then wiggle your way out without a full explanation”. I watched him turn on the spot sniffing the air. What in the world is wrong with him today? He started out romantic and all, and now he is behaving like a wolf that caught a bad scent . I sniffed the air too. I tensed as Jason moved swiftly to my side. He held me protectively taking a stance I know too well.

Something is wrong.

The woods felt chilly as the sun dimmed slightly. An uncomfortable silence filled the once lively wood. No bird chirped. No soft wind. No gentle dance of leaves and branches. Everything was still and serene.

I stared at Jason as his eyes darted to and fro, tightening his arms around me. I couldn't smell rouges but something wasn't right. My wolf snarled as a chill ran down my spine.

A twig snapped. Jason tightened his arm around me almost squeezing the life out of me. I held my breath. I watched them come out into the clearing, more like out of the trees . They were huge men with bulging muscles bathed in sweat that glittered in the sun. I gulped. They wore menacing look.

This isn't good. I thought.

My wolf growled almost as Jason did when they stepped closer. All twelve of them.

Twelve against two. I gasped in realization.

“I had almost given up”. A voice said in a boring tone. “All thanks to you, young wolf. Now I can go back to have a well deserved rest in the position I deserve.” He came out of nowhere.

He was tall and handsome, too handsome to be a man. But his long hair and subtle beards gave him out. His piercing black eyes stared deeply right into my soul. I flinched and stared at the ground. I heard Jason growl deeply digging his heels into the ground.

“You would be wise to let him go while you run back to your alpha”. He said lazily. His attention on his well- manicured claws he had for fingers. “I'd give it to him through. He hid you well all these years.” He glanced at me. “How he did However I don't know but I am intrigued”.

“Leave… Jason growled.

The mysterious man chuckled loudly. He turned to his guards. “He's got balls don't you think?” 

“Give him to ne and I will let you leave unharmed.” The man sneered. “And don't even think of mind linking your alpha.  

 I am sure you know by now that it won't work.”

I saw a smile creep on some of their faces. But just as quickly, they wore back the death look. I shivered as their eyes shifted to Jason for a moment.

“Not when I still breathe”. Jason snarled. He shielded me with his body . I knew we had no chance. Twelve hefty men and propably a witch against two teen wolves of which one is a weakling? Only with sheer luck will we leave here unharmed.

The mystery man sighed. “I hope you won't be too stubborn and would run home like a gentle obedient little pup will do”. 

Jason growled deeply. “I am not a pup. “He held his gaze with the man for miuntes. I knew what

that meant. Test of superiority. He held on but finally looked away.

The man turned. “Then have it your way”. He said to no one in particular.