Chapter Four- Jealousy

Alexis watched as Atticus padded into the woods on yet another night and felt jealous. He made being a werewolf seem so cool. It had been almost a month since Atticus had been cursed and he was showing signs of his condition in human form. His nails had grown out a bit and developed points as had his ears. His brown eyes had gold seeping into them giving him golden brown eyes. His senses, speed, and strength had also improved and he enjoyed the advantage they gave him. He didn't brag about them or draw undue attention to himself. He acted like the same Atticus he had always been.

But, he's not, she thought. He's a werewolf. I mean, has he even thought of how this will affect his career, his life or is he just living in the moment?

"Remus, I had plans to be a pro duelist. Is that not possible now?"

"Not at all. You can still be a pro, just no nighttime ones, especially on the full moon."

"I suppose being a tag team with Lexi isn't an option, is it?"

"It could be an option. Being a werewolf doesn't change any plans, save for night plans."

Atticus' tail wagged. I can still be a pro duelist, even a team with Lex. My plans can go forward.

"Atticus, what would you say to a game?"

"What kind of game?"

"I'll hide in the forest and you use your senses to find me. I want to see how developed your senses have become."

Atticus stood as did Remus. "Sounds good. I'm in."

"Good. Close your eyes and count to twenty."

Atticus did so. "One, two, three…"

"Lexi, have you thought about the pro tag team idea?"

"Kind of. Can you be a pro with your curse?"

"Absolutely. I just can't do night duels."

"I see. I don't know, Atti. I think we would be better off being single pros."

Atticus raised an eyebrow as he thought he heard Alexis speak with a jumble of emotions: Bitterness, coldness, and…jealousy? "Lexi," he said slowly. "Are you…jealous of me?"

Alexis was tempted to lie, but instead she said, "Yes. Yes, I am. You make being a werewolf easy and cool."

"I had a month to learn what I know and can do. It takes time to learn this stuff; only then does it become easy."

Alexis looked sulky. "I'd like to be bitten," she muttered.

"Lexi! Are you serious?" he asked, shocked.

"I'm serious. You could do it, Atti. It's the full moon tonight."

"First of three," he agreed. "But, Lexi, think. This is a curse despite the fact that I enjoy it. The next three night I will be vicious and dangerous. The full moon is what makes this a curse. I don't want to put you through that."

"I don't care," she shot back. "I want to be a werewolf."

"Wifewolf," Atticus corrected softly. "Remus said females are called wifewolves."

"Fine. Wifewolf, then."

"Lexi, I won't bite you. I love you too much to curse you."

Alexis' face softened at hearing Atticus say he loved her. "All right. I'll forget about it."

Atticus gave her a brief hug. "Good."

That sunset Atticus slipped into the forest the same way as last month with his duffel bag but he was full of confidence. Now that his senses were better developed, he'd be able to sniff his way back to his bag. He reached a spot that was deep in the woods, stripped, and stored his clothes in the bag. He thought of the conversation he had had with Alexis and shook his head slightly. I still can't believe that she would want to be bitten. She had been so adamant but I made her see reason. The sky darkened and the moon rose before Atticus howled and morphed into his vicious two-legged werewolf form.

Remus sniffed the air and glanced over to see Atticus walk by. He smiled slightly. He had felt bad at cursing the boy; it was a selfish thing to do and did all he could to distance himself from Atticus for he thought the boy would hate him. It turned out that he wasn't upset but rather was eager to learn and he had only mentioned the basics, claiming he was a solitary creature. It was upon reflection later that day that he concluded that he should mentor the boy as his mentor had done. He had found Atticus an engaging person to talk to and answered every question.

My solitude is because there were no good werewolves aside from me. There is another werewolf on the island besides Atticus, but he is evil and I'd rather keep my distance. Remus howled as he took his vicious form for this night only until next month.

Atticus sniffed the air the next morning. His scent was clear as he tracked it. He, of course, had no memory of last night and knew he would have two more nights like that. I clearly tired myself out as I awaken every morning.

A rustle and an unusual scent reached him and his head whipped around in that direction. The scent faded as the owner moved away. He considered following it, but decided not to; he was still naked and heading into the underbrush without fur or clothes was foolish. He returned to sniffing out his scent but thought of the other scent. It was so unusual. It didn't smell like his, Alexis', or Remus'. It was like…death and rotting meat.

Atticus found his bag and had just finished dressing when he breathed in the smells of pine and wolf. He looked in that direction to see Remus emerge from a bush, already in his loincloth. He was sniffing vigorously before stopping looking disappointed. "Remus, good morning!"

"Morning, Atticus," he replied in a voice that matched his expression.

"What's wrong?"

"I caught the scent of another werewolf and wanted to catch up with him."

"I think I smelled him earlier, but it was…"

"Unpleasant? Like death and rotting meat?"

"Yes. How did you know?"

"I've known him my whole life. His name is Romulus and he's my younger brother."

"Your…brother?"

Remus nodded. "When I received the choker and the bite, I kept my condition a secret from everyone. Romulus grew suspicious of my behavior and followed me on a non-full moon. He accepted my condition and then eventually grew jealous. My guess is he came into contact with someone who was an evil werewolf and agreed to turn him."

"Wait. You mentioned knowing an evil werewolf. Would that be Romulus?"

"Yes. I came out here out of a sense of failure and exile but he followed me, claiming he wants us to be evil werewolves together not understanding that good cannot turn evil. I occasionally pursue him in order to either bite him or talk him into being good."

"I wish I could help you turn him good, but I'm a monster during the time when a bite will work."

"Not so, young one. Since he is already a werewolf, a bite at night, any night will work."

"So…I could help you?"

"Yes, but Romulus is quick, cunning, and merciless. It will take speed, planning, and teamwork for us to succeed."

"You do that planning Remus and share what you came up with once the full moon is over."

"Of course." Remus smiled. "To think, after decades, we can be together again without hurting or physically fighting each other. Naturally, you understand how much that means to me as you have a sister, a younger one as you said." Atticus nodded in agreement. He absolutely knew what it meant to Remus. He would do the same for Alexis.