Chapter Two- Remus

Atticus continued to feel restless even with Alexis suggesting ways to expel that energy. Both knew there was one sure-fire way to get rid of that energy: Atticus had to transform.

"I'll need to be alone," he said. "I believe that dangerous part alludes to me able to curse someone during the full moon."

Alexis nodded. "I understand and I'll leave you alone tonight."

Atticus smiled. "You're curious about what I'll look like. I can tell from your body language and facial expression."

"All right, I am. Can I see tomorrow? It won't be a full moon then."

"Sure." Atticus was sure he'd be able to see some of tonight's change before his werewolf mind took over. He'd see his fur color and part of his body before his mind changed. He looked forward to tomorrow night when he'd be in control, remember everything, and be able to talk.

Atticus quickly ate a meat-only meal before leaving and heading for the forest, snatching up a duffel bag as he did so. He wasn't sure if his clothes would meld with his body and decided to put them in the bag. I'll test that tomorrow as I plan to be in my room before heading out to see Alexis.

Atticus found a deep clearing, stripped, and put them in the bag before standing there, waiting for the full moon. He saw the sky darken and looked up to see the moon rising. Its light spilled into the area and onto Atticus. He felt an urge rise in him and chose to heed it. He threw back his head and let out a wolf's howl.

He whined as a burning, itching sensation spread all over his body. He looked down to see his body covered in dark brown fur. He felt something brush against his legs and looked back to see a wolf's tail swishing behind him. He whined again as his feet conformed into paws with extended claws and his legs bent into wolf legs.

He held up his hands to see his palms were hairless but developing pads. His fingernails lengthened, hardened, and hooked into sharp claws. He growled as his nose and jaws merged into a muzzle and his ears turned pointed and went to the top of his head. His eyes turned red and glowing before he howled again and the mindset of a vicious monster took over him. He sniffed the air for prey, found a scent, and bounded toward it on his powerful legs that had large muscles like the rest of his body.

The scent of his chosen prey grew stronger and it excited him, making him drop to all fours to run faster. He growled as he burst through bush and sprang at a monkey, seizing it in his hands before biting its neck, killing it instantly. He laid on his stomach and began to feast on his kill. He devoured the majority of the monkey before bounding off on two legs. He now desired water and a good run through the woods. Atticus didn't remember his name or being human. He was a wolf who walked on two or four legs.

Atticus' eyes twitched open and blinked against the filtered sunlight. It's morning. The full moon is over and now I'll be a wolf who talks and is in control of his body every night until the next full moon. He sat up and looked around, not recognizing his surroundings. His heart sank. He didn't know where to go to return to his bag. Great. I'm naked and lost in the woods.

A thump behind him made him looked over his shoulder. His bag was behind him and so was a man. He was well-built with rippling muscles. He had long gray hair, goldish-green eyes, and a loincloth. "You have a lot to learn, young one," the man said in a familiar voice.

"It's you!" Atticus gasped as he pulled the bag around and began to dress. "The one who cursed me."

"Yes. My name's Remus. What's yours?"

"Atticus." He turned once dressed and faced the older werewolf. "How did you find me?"

"Your scent. I followed it but stayed back as, in your state of mind, you would have attacked me."

"Wait. If I was wild and don't remember, why do you?"

"As I said, I've been a werewolf for decades. I gained a power ten years ago to become wild on only one night of the full moon. I can choose when and I usually pick the first night."

"Oh, so that's why you were a normal wolf that night and last night."

"It is. As I said, you have much to learn about being a werewolf. You need to hone your sharper senses so that you can smell, hear, and see your way back home with ease."

Atticus perked up. "Could you teach me, Remus? Please?"

"I can only tell you how; you'll have to apply it to practical use."

"Oh. I thought you could teach me tonight as the moon is over."

"I'm more of a solitary creature at night. My social impulses only surface during the day since I'm human. So your senses are nothing more than filtering out what you pick up except for sight. That will simply be clearer."

"I noticed that all my meals yesterday were meat only."

Remus grinned. "That is only during the full moon; part of your vicious side of being a werewolf during the full moon."

"I also noticed that I was restless and edgy. I was pacing a lot."

"That is part of being newly-bitten. You'll get a lot of unusual signs during the time of the moon. Speaking of signs, you will develop a few physical signs of your condition."

"Such as?"

"Pointed ears and nails, for starters. I noticed your wolf eyes were red due to the full moon, but whatever color you get tonight will gradually seep into your own eye color and become that color on non-full moon nights. I had green eyes before being bitten and now I have gold mixed with the green."

"Did you always have gray fur?"

"No. It started out black but as I aged, it changed color. It'll probably turn white as I get older. That's a perk actually, Atticus. I'm older than I look. Werewolves age gracefully and slowly. If you're careful, you could live a century or two."

"A century or two?" Atticus repeated. "How do you know all this?"

"Experience and from the one who bit me. That is what one must do if they bite someone who survives the encounter and they must do it quickly as bites occur on the full moon only."

"Kind of difficult if you don't recall anything you did."

"True, but hopefully by then the senses will have developed enough to detect the scent of wolf on the person as the bite mark will have vanished."

"I noticed that too. Remus, will I be stronger and faster now?"

"Absolutely. I do apologize for cursing you. I was selfish for wanting to talk at night."

"I understand wanting to talk and I'm kind of glad you did. I mean, full moon aside, being a werewolf is kind of cool."

"It certainly is and keep it a secret. Most humans fear us and will shun you if they know the truth."

"Uh, I already told one: My sister."

"Sister? She's okay with you being cursed?"

Atticus nodded. "She wants to see me after I change tonight. Speaking of that, will I need to undress?"

"Yes. That was good planning yesterday. I can help escort you to the forest's edge if you like."

"I'd like that." He followed Remus through the forest, the latter relating memorable or informative nights to Atticus. He enjoyed listening to these tales and that made his curse sound more bearable. They reached the edge and Atticus said, "Thanks for the help and answering my questions."

"I could do no less, Atticus. Take care of yourself and maybe I'll see you around once in a while."

"Maybe," Atticus agreed as he watched Remus disappear into the shadows of the trees before heading for Obelisk campus.