Dannick was in the back of the group who was watching the next match stretching and massaging his slightly sore muscles. He's won two matches so far, one with a blue belt to warm up and the other a brown belt, they were great matches but they didn't last long. Dannick wanted a challenge, it was not like him to be so arrogant during matches, he was usually humble but that day he just wanted to crush anyone who was in his way.
Dannick couldn't understand why he felt so on edge, he even growled during one of the matches doing a shoulder crunch before flipping his opponent over into a leg lock and almost broke his ankle. The energy he felt was intoxicating, he wanted to challenge everyone there and that thought alone was pure insanity. What was happening to him, was this part of becoming an adult? It was his twenty-first birthday and all he wanted to do was let go of all control and dive head on into the fight.
He tried doing some breathing exercises to calm his mind and relax his tense body but the calmer he became the more alert his senses were. His hearing seemed to have gotten sharper, his eye flickered from blurred vision to being able to see the smallest detail on the wall across the gymnasium. He could hear clear conversations between member in the upper bleachers and the sound of chewing gum from one of the coaches near the farthest exit. Suddenly his whole body felt hot and started to ache, his muscles and tendons felt like they were on fire and being ripped apart. He became more afraid and wanted to know what was happening to him?
"Hey Dannick, are you ok dude, you're looking kind of tense?"
Tyler, one of his teammates approached him cautiously followed by two others, Greg and Samuel, who looked on with concern.
"Yeah man, you look pissed off like you're ready to rip someone's head off." Greg said half jokingly.
Dannick leaned forward resting his hands on his bent knees and took slow deep breaths, he couldn't let them know he was feeling out of control and risked being disqualified, he was too close to getting his black belt after all those years of training. He stood up and let out a sharp breath then jumped a few times showing how pumped he was for the next match.
"Really guys, I'm fine. I just want to get on with this match, I'm ready to win this championship!"
The trio regarded him with suspicion but shrugged it off then they all high fived each other.
Samuel gave Dannick a hard pat on his shoulder. "Man, I'd hate to go against you right now and I can't wait to see you in action again. You were a beast during that last match, but I heard this next guy is tough to beat, he's been undefeated so far."
"Yeah man I heard that too, he's from some small town in Georgia." Said Greg.
"Give him a tight Floridian hug and a few fractured ribs Danny boy! Good luck!" Tyler gave a devious wink then laughed as he left with the others.
Once they were gone, Dannick relaxed his shoulders and tried to keep his mind clear. He wanted to get through the day in one piece then go home to tell his aunt what he felt, perhaps it was his body's way of telling him he was exhausted and needed rest.
Dannick heard his name called to meet on the mat then took an exciting deep breath lunging forward to get what he's been waiting for all day, a worthy opponent.
It was almost ten o'clock that night when Dannick finally walked through the door dragging his bandaged feet, exhausted to the bone. He tried to imagine having half the excitement and energy he had that morning when he was leaving to face the day compared to how he felt then, what a difference. The last jiu jitsu match lasted over twenty minutes, the guys were right, that opponent was tough to beat but he was exactly the type of challenge Dannick was looking for. Their moves were in sync and their strength seemed to increase as the match went on, but he finally won with the gogoplata. Dannick recently mastered the difficult technique almost dislocating his hip but he won the match sporting a sprained ankle. After the match he happily shook the challenger's hand impressed with his skills, he would have loved to have him around as a sparring partner.
After the tournament, the team went for a celebratory meal where they surprised Dannick with a birthday cake and non-alcoholic beer then sang the birthday song obnoxiously on top of their lungs. Over half of the restaurant join in the song topping it off with hooting and whistles while Dannick did his best to hide his awkwardness.
The final event of his day was his boxing tournament which didn't last as long jiu jitsu. He felt the same intoxicating energy from before taking over him during the second round and the growling got worse. He wasn't sure if his speed and strength was scaring his opponents or his growling, by the third round he was hitting so hard and fast, his opponent was backing away at every chance and even let out a deep relieving sigh when the match was over. Dannick's coach and teammates were so impressed that they suggested he consider becoming a pro boxer. Dannick, however, was not impressed with how he felt in fact he was losing his mind. He is body was on fire and was aching all over, his throat felt extremely dry and hoarse. He did not stay for the festivities that followed the tournament, he just wanted to get home to Tabia and figure out what was happening.
"You're finally home sweetheart and looking so exhausted, are you feeling alright? Come here and sit down, let me look at your ankle then I'll make you some tea."
Tabia looked into Dannick's Dark eyes and saw the red ring glowing around his dilated pupils then rested her palm on his burning forehead, her breath caught in her throat. This time she couldn't stop what was happening, they were all surprised he held on for so long.
With a deep, hoarse and commanding tone that stopped Tabia mid step, Dannick responded. "No more tea aunt Tabia, tell me what is happening to me right now. I can see it in your eyes, that you know."
Tabia stood with her back rigid then bowing her head in respect spoke in a small voice. "I'm sorry my Alpha, it is not my place to say but everything will be revealed to you very soon, please try to stay calm or it will get worse."
Confusion formed lines in Dannick's overheating forehead. "Alpha, aunt Tabia what are you talking about? What's going to get worse, what is happening! I've been feeling weird all day, my skin feels like its melting off my bones and every muscle and tendon in body hurts. I can hear and see things from distances that is not supposed to be possible, my head have been throbbing most of the afternoon and I swear I keep hearing a dog barking and whimpering. Please, make it all stop!"
Before Tabia could respond, Dannick fell to his knees holding his head between his hands screaming as the throbbing pain traveled down his spine to his legs. He fell onto the cold marble tile rolling on his back writhing in excruciating pain as his screams became inhuman. Dannick couldn't form a single thought or articulate words, his only reality was the hot pain shooting throughout his body and the feeling of a thousand needles jabbing his skin. He felt his bones cracking increasing his pain to levels his mind couldn't understand. He wanted it all to stop, even if it means death.
Just as quickly as his pain began, it all came to an abrupt stop. Dannick suddenly felt the most comfortable peace he's ever felt in his existence, it was euphoric and best of all, painless. He opened his eyes and was taken aback by what he saw, he was completely naked in a forest with the most lush foliage he'd ever seen. He stood under the beauty of a star-filled night sky with a large red full moon shining and pulsating with the beat of his drumming heart. Trees around him were taller than his eyes could see and the cool feel and smell of the fresh luxuriant moss beneath his bare feet felt soothing. After a few exploring steps, Dannick realized how quiet it was. There was not a sound in the sky or in the forest, not even cricket singing a tone. As if to calm his nerves, a warm breeze whispered past his ear and played with the coils of his hair then ran across his cool skin. He's never been to the Amazon forest but from what he's read, this vision came close to what was described in the national geographic.
Dannick felt a presence in his new found place of peace and felt himself looking around to find them. He didn't feel scared, just excitement and curiosity.
"Hey there Nick, it's great to finally meet you. Or should I say, it's great you're finally meeting me."
Dannick turned in every direction searching for the deep almost teasing voice that spoke to him by name but no one was there. Was he going crazy in this perfect paradise he found or was crazy his new paradise?
"If you want to see me, you have to call me forth, by name. For your protection we had to be shielded from each other but when the time was right, you would be able to call me and I would come. The time has come Nick, call for me if you wish and I will be by your side like I should have been all these years."
Dannick got more confused as each word was spoken. Was he in danger, why would he need protection? "Protection from what, who are you? Show yourself right now!"
Dannick walked at a faster pace through the forest, peering through bushes and tree branches hoping to find the face to the strangely familiar voice. He came to a stop at a rocky creek with water as dark as tar rushing pass the stones. His eyes searched across the stream into the trees but he didn't see anyone, not even a rabbit. Dannick turned to walk back to where he first heard the voice to search again. The sound of movement behind him suddenly caught his ear and he pivoted to see what it was. Glowing deep red eyes and sharp white teeth stared back at him from the biggest wolf he'd only seen in horror movies and in his reoccurring nightmare.
The beast took a few steps closer into the glowing light of the moon which only made him look more menacing especially with the blood red line of fur that trailed from his forehead down to the tip of his tail. The wolf stood unmoving with piercing eyes and perked ears and a commanding aura that would make the mightiest man or beast cower in fear. With a low growl he took another step closer while slowly wagging his tail waiting for Dannick's response. Dannick did not feel any fear but he was hesitant to approach the beast especially after dreaming of them massacring his parents.
"Are you the one who's been speaking to me? Are you here to protect me or kill me?"
The wolf lowered his head then crouched to the ground, his tail still wagging slowly behind him.
"I cannot kill you any more than I can kill myself, in turn, your death would also be mine. I am a part of you as you are to me. I am Nikolai your wolf, I've been waiting for you?"
Dannick mouth fell. There were so many questions swirling his mind that he became dizzy. What did it all mean? He had a wolf? Was he a wolf? Did he die and went to a bazaar parallel universe?
"Call me by name Nick and I will come. It will all make sense once our minds connect.
Dannick took a moment to take it all in debating if he should take the risk and call on the nightmarish creature. Its massive jaw and long sharp teeth could snap his neck clean off his shoulders if he wanted and his giant paws were bigger than his head. However, he couldn't deny the calm he felt and the euphoric tingling throughout his body each time he looked into the wolf's blood red eyes. His wolf.
Dannick wanted to know everything, there were too many questions and he needed answers. If the wolf was the key, then it left him no choice but to take the wild chance and see what happened
"Come to me Nikolai!"
Nikolai stood tall on muscular legs baring strong sharp teeth with his long furry tail twitching with excitement. He raised his snout towards the moon and let out a long loud howl that reverberated throughout the quiet forest shaking some leaves off their branches. He looked to where Dannick stood waiting and took two giant leaps crossing the creek to finally unite with his human half, completing their life bond.