Chapter 49. Surprising Familial Connections.
Principal Shepard felt warmth spread through his chest at the term grandpa. He never thought he would hear his own grandchild call him that after he lost Drogo and Luna. It was the most precious gift he could have received right then and there.
"When we are alone, please, if you feel comfortable, use that term. But when others are nearby, I must regretfully recommend you call me Principal Shepard," Principal Shepard said softly. He did not want to ask this of him, but he did not want to draw undue attention to either of their positions.
"May I ask why sir?" Gavin asked softly as his brows furrowed. Why would he have to avoid calling Principal Shepard grandpa around others?
Principal Shepard smiled softly, "Because the ones that attacked the clan way back when are probably still alive. I doubt that I killed all those responsible when I went on my rampage. In order to keep us both safe here at the academy, it would be best not to explain a sudden relationship," he said to Gavin.
Gavin frowned, "But won't the fact I already shifted into a were-wolf in full view of the students at the dormitory get out already?" Gavin asked.
Principal Shepard nodded, "Yes, unfortunately, as a result of your various fights with Mr. Bradley, you gave in and fully shifted in front of plenty of witnesses. There is no denying that. However, we could potentially explain that it is a rare form of a were-dog shift," Principal Shepard said out loud in thoughts as he considered how to remedy the situation.
"What about the magical tests, tournaments and such going forward, sir?" Gavin asked. Will I constantly be at a handicap to avoid going all out?
"I would normally say to avoid going all out and to hold back your full shift. That you should only shift when your life may be in utter peril. But you are my grandson, and I wish to be a selfish grandfather. So long as you can maintain control over your wolf form, then feel free to shift when you feel it's needed. Just know that every time you do, you run the risk of drawing the wrong attention to you from people we don't want to find out about it yet," Principal Shepard advised, and a look of pride lit up his old man's eyes. He flashed Gavin with a wide joyful smile.
Gavin considered the man's words for a long moment before he finally made up his own mind about something. "Sir, do you believe in the gods?" Gavin asked him suddenly.
Principal Shepard was taken aback by the sudden question. He thought about it for a moment and shrugged nonchalantly. "I believe, as great as humanity has become in power and strength, that there has to be beings out in the cosmos that have far greater power than we could ever hope to understand," Principal Shepard finally answered.
Gavin nodded as he accepted that answer. "Then I have another part of my story to tell you." His quiet, reserved voice meant that Shepard had to lean closer to hear. He backtracked his story and informed him of meeting the being that claimed to be Koray. He explained how the divine being pulled his consciousness out from his body that first night he shifted at the ambush at the studio.
He explained the room he appeared in and the being with golden hair and a light golden hue to his skin that sat upon a white throne-like chair. "He said his name was Koray, and that he was one of the old gods of the world," Gavin said softly as he rubbed his arms in discomfort. "Believe it or not, Koray is a royal prick."
"He informed me about the alpha clan shifters. He told me some of their history; how they were created, the actions that caused them to be hunted down, and the events that led up to the present day," Gavin said his voice barely above a whisper as he locked eyes with his grandfather.
"Koray then gave me two major tasks as he sat upon his throne," Gavin continued in the same hushed tone. He reached for his glass of water.
"He asked me to find the surviving members of the alpha clans, to bring them together. Protect and shelter them. Then right the wrongs of the past and bring about justice for the lives lost," Gavin informed his grandfather as he sat the glass back down on the coffee table.
Principal Shepard was utterly shocked into silence. The gods were real. They mingled and talked with humans. They used humans as pawns and messengers to do their bidding, and this one God wanted to use his grandson for some holy quest to bring together the alpha clans and right the wrongs of the past. That was a cruel mission to give anyone, let alone an eighteen-year-old child. Principal Shepard let out the breath he held. It wouldn't do any good to lash out in anger now. "So, the gods are truly real," Principal Shepard said in a hushed, shocked whisper.
Gavin nodded. "Yes, sir. There is one more thing," Gavin said as he took a deep breath, worried about revealing this little piece of information. Was he wrong to tell his grandfather about Veronica?
I believe it will be alright. I do not feel any hostilities from the old shifter, Veronica's cool voice and mental presence washed over Gavin's mind.
Always the voice of reason, huh partner?
Someone has to be, we both know you are still too damn reckless. Perhaps you need to go train with Astrid again?
That's not funny.
Principal Shepard noticed the discomfort and hesitation in his grandson. If he was hesitating now, after what he'd already revealed then what more could there be? He inclined his head for him to continue. "Koray also bonded an artificial intelligence system to my consciousness called Veronica," Gavin said as he explained the purpose of Veronica. How she was able to monitor his health, physical status, level, and help control his skills.
Principal Shepard's jaw dropped open in surprise. "That sounds like the ultimate cheat code," he said before he could stop himself. Shepard's inner child was almost giddy with excitement over thinking about having access to that.
Gavin finally let out a throaty chuckle. It felt like hours since he last laughed, but seeing his grandfather react that way to his explanation of Veronica, he couldn't help but laugh. It was like a kid getting excited about a cheat code for a video game. "I'll admit, she has been pretty helpful in understanding my shifting abilities and learning everything," Gavin said as he wiped the tears from his eyes from laughing so hard.
"Well, we need to discuss the original reason for my summoning you here," Principal Shepard said with a sigh as he stopped laughing finally. "You need to learn control over your wolf form, regardless of what the trigger or instigation is," Principal Shepard said firmly as he looked at his grandson on the couch.
Gavin let out a frustrated short breath as he looked at Principal Shepard. "I was fine at trying to ignore him. Until he insulted Erza." He explained as he remembered something else. "Actually, it was when the one guy jerked her arm behind her back and she cried out in pain. Then it was like the chains on my wolf were broken instantly and all I could think of was planting my foot up his ass and ripping his throat out," Gavin admitted, a tinge of fear crept into his voice as he recalled the feelings that filled his mind during that last fight.
"So, he insulted your mate, then caused her pain and the wolf inside you lashed out?" Principal Shepard understood better the events that transpired.
"Yeah. As soon as I heard her cry out, I saw red and next thing I knew Bradley was against the wall and I was about to rip his throat out. Just like what happened in the ambush in the studio when I killed those two men. My wolf wanted Bradley's blood in the worst sort of way," Gavin admitted quietly, he regretted the fact that he had almost killed Bradley.
"You need to ride herd on your emotions. It won't be easy and will take time. But you cannot afford to shift and attack in a rage. That kind of action is why the alpha clans were purged from history all those centuries ago," Principal Shepard admonished Gavin softly. He may be rebuking Gavin for his actions, but he was undeniably impressed with the strength he's displayed so far.
Gavin hung his head down as he understood the principal's words. "Yes sir, I promise I will work on control," Gavin said reluctantly.
Principal Shepard nodded. "Good. Now I will handle dealing with Bradley and his family when they inquire about this situation and any punishments they try to demand. But for the tests tomorrow, as your grandfather, I want you to go all out and show me everything you can do," Principal Shepard said with a grin that stretched across his face. "I want to see exactly everything you have learned on your own. Show me the strength of my grandchild."
Gavin laughed as he noticed the glee in his grandfather's tone as he gave his instructions. "Yes sir," Gavin replied with a smile on his face. "I won't let you down. I think you will be pleasantly surprised," Gavin said as he considered exactly what he would be revealing to the entire school tomorrow.
"Good, now go back to your dorm. I will reach out to you in the days to come as I figure out what is best to help you and how to do so," Principal Shepard ordered as he stood up slowly from the couch. Gavin stood up in response as the principal led him towards the door.
Principal Shepard opened the door and Professor Okeeba was still standing on the other side with his hands clasped behind his back. "Gavin is free to go back to the dorms," was all the principal said to Professor Okeeba as he stepped aside to allow Gavin to walk past.
Professor Okeeba nodded as he led Gavin down the hallway towards the black and gold elevators. After a few minutes, they left the main administrative building and Professor Okeeba turned to Gavin. "I do not know what you discussed with Principal Shepard, but you should know that we will be watching you. Any more outbursts and the next conversation will not be as peaceful," Professor Okeeba warned Gavin in his deeply gravelly voice.
Gavin swallowed the retort that was on the tip of his tongue and just simply nodded. "Yes sir, I understand," Gavin responded with proper respect, even though it irritated him.
Professor Okeeba simply nodded and turned to walk back into the building as Gavin turned and headed down the path back to his dorm building.
A poke on his shoulder drew Gavin's attention. Erza stood behind him; her locket reflecting the sun's rays in the shadows of the administration building.
"Well?" Her tone was quiet as her brows furrowed.
Gavin let out a long sigh. He reached out and pulled her into his arms. The sudden action caused Erza to raise both eyebrows. She wrapped her arms around him loosely. "What happened, what's wrong?"
"You won't believe what I just learned. You know the principal?"
She nodded, frown still in place. "Yeah, the one that broke up the fight and gave that speech, right?"
Gavin nodded against her chest. "Yeah, that's the one. Apparently, He's my biological grandfather." He let out a shaky breath. He pulled back to look at her.
She stood there with eyes wide and jaw dropped. "You're shitting me?"
Gavin shook his head. "Nope, apparently he was my fathers' dad. He was there, the day after I was born." Gavin continued as he stepped back from her.
Gavin inhaled deeply, reverently as he revealed something else. "I learned my birth name too."
Erza's eyes couldn't get any larger if she tried. "Well, don't leave me in suspense."
"Fenrir. Fenrir Cerberus Lykos." Gavin kept his eyes locked on hers. It was the first time he spoke his given name out loud to anyone, himself included. Somehow… it felt right to say it out loud.
Erza took a deep breath and placed her hand over his heart. "Nah, you don't look like a Fenrir, or even a Fen for short. I like Gavin better. It's grown on me." She smiled and hugged him tight, ruffling his hair. "So what now?"
Gavin slightly leaned into her touch as he smiled. "Well, for starters I can only call him grandpa when it's just us. He makes no sense though." His whispered words caught Erza off guard.
"How so?"
"One moment he says I need to be careful, not to reveal my abilities because of the ones that have been attacking shifters. He thinks they are the same ones that ambushed my clan eighteen years ago. Then the next breathe he says he says he wants to be selfish and see me go all out. He wants to see just how far I've come with my shifting and elemental control." He chuckles softly.
Erza laughed then. "It sounds like he wants to be your protector, but also a proud grandpa and show you off to the world."
Gavin preened a little under her worlds. "You really think so?" I've never known that experience from a grandfather. Maybe it would be kind of nice, to impress the old wolf.
Erza smiled warmly as she took his hand in hers and pulled him along. "Yes I do. So screw our plan. Go all out tomorrow. Show your grandpa just how powerful you've become." She interlocked their fingers and gave his a comforting squeeze.
"Alright, if you think I should. Now let's go get Jackson and get some dinner."