Before long, you joined the school where you were allowed to choose a primary area of study. These studies defined your early experiences in the pack and helped you become the wolf you are today.
Your mind grasps through the bubbling murky waters, desperately close to consciousness now. Which discipline did you spend most of your youth studying?
Historic werewolf packleaders and their techniques.
Law and the role of human government, as well as human technology and history.
Self-defense.
Werewolf health and anatomy.
Speech and debate.
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Not simply content to live out your life without understanding the forces at work around you, you devoted a large portion of your studies to the ins and outs of human law and the methods by which the local government operates. Many of your classmates scoffed at your choice of focus, but you would rather have a sharp mind than be forced to rely on the sharpness of your claws alone.
Awake At Last
Your vision swims into bleary focus, and you're greeted by a look of grave concern on a lupine muzzle. Brown shaggy fur, yellow eyes…
It's Dena! She must have been the first to find you after you fell. Dena was always a sensitive pup, and she took to a quiet life of study with the elders early on, the rough-and-tumble life of her packmates less interesting than learning about the world outside Haven's walls.
Dena has always been there when you needed her, and you've tried to do the same for her. Over the years, her affection for you has grown less and less subtle, but it remains an unspoken line she is unwilling to cross, valuing your friendship over potential rejection.
You're confident that whatever happens between the two of you, there won't be any ill feelings, even if you eventually drift apart and see less of each other.
I'm not sure how I feel about Dena at this point. I'd need to get to know her better.
I care for Dena, but only as a friend.
I've slowly been letting my affection for Dena show, hoping that I haven't misread her cues.
Her obsession with me is an irritation. I put up with it. For now.
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While you wouldn't say that you're head over heels in love, you feel a certain romantic connection with Dena, and you get the impression that she feels the same. One of these days you'll need to find the courage to tell her, provided she doesn't work up the nerve first.
Dena looks away for a moment and waves a hand, beckoning the rest of your friends. "Guys, he's over here!"
She looks back to you, her brow knit with worry. "That was an awful fall. The elders would be furious if they knew you were taking risks like that, Edward diaz. I'm sure they have a good reason for wanting to keep us out of the Snarl." She shakes her head. "How did I let you guys talk me into this?"
"Maybe we shouldn't have come here after all. The buildings aren't as stable as I thought. The elders might have been right."
"Learn to live a little, Dena! We can't live our entire lives afraid to explore our own front yard!"
Why is she lecturing me as I lie on the ground bleeding? I barely hold back the urge to snap at her, issuing a low grumble in the back of my throat instead.
Typical Dena, always worried about what the adults will think. I let her criticisms flow off me, silently concentrating on rising to my feet.
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Dena pulls back from you, sensing your displeasure and not wanting to risk getting bitten. Even she knows that it's best not to poke a wolf when he's hurt.
Pieces of loose concrete scatter in a dusty cloud as Lapu and Tiva round the corner of the old office building. The two wolves nudge each other, and Lapu opens his muzzle in a wide, toothy grin.
"Looks like the Snarl's claimed another victim!" Lapu jokes, tongue lolling from his mouth as he breathes hard. "What did a bookworm like you expect would happen? Leaping up that old building like it wasn't about to collapse under your feet." He smirks. "Best leave Edward diaz in the dust, Dena. I bet he'll just slow us down when we cross the bridge."
Dena wheels and snaps at Lapu, sending the gangly male skittering backward, tripping over a piece of rubble and landing on his rump with a puff of concrete dust. The youth's unusual blond coat now peppered with gray, he wobbles to his feet as Dena continues examining your injuries. Tiva snickers at the boy, smacking his side and giggling as his fur lets off big puffs of dust.
Dena finishes up going over your wounds. "In case you care, Lapu, his injuries are healing up just fine, so it looks like we'll still be able to make it to the bridge on time."
Tiva sneezes and wipes a smudge of dust from her nose.
You groan and get back to your feet, wincing as the knitting bones in your right knee click uncomfortably. Not for the first time you thank whatever gods reside above that you were born with a werewolf's regenerative ability.
The wolves of Haven can change their forms at will, but while your lupine body provides you with greater dexterity and healing, the form is difficult to maintain for more than half a day at a time due to the massive increase in metabolism that fuels your abilities.
Lapu snarls and spits on the ground. "We should leave without him. The injury will only slow him down."
I assert my inner alpha and put Lapu in his place, by force if necessary. I can't let my peers see me as weak.
I stand and run a lap around the plaza to prove that my superior healing has already done its work.
I ignore the boy's taunting. Lapu's just mad that I've always outperformed him in my lessons. His insults are meaningless.
Lapu's only acting out because his nerves are getting to him. I do my best to verbally smooth the situation and keep the group on track.
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