Chapter Three- The Unit

Yusei awoke the next morning and immediately went to a vanity mirror. He critically checked his face and hands. Human. He looked completely human. He shook his head. I shouldn't have thought I would show signs of my condition as I've probably passed werewolves in human form and not realized it. He ran his hands over his hair to smooth it before leaving the room and heading downstairs. He smelled cooked food and followed it to the dining room where a man with gray hair sat at a table along with two aqua-haired kids. The man smiled. "Good morning, Yusei. We have much to talk about. We barely scratched the surface last night."

The boy's mouth fell open. "I've seen you before," he said. "Anytime Luna and I went to see Dexter. You were fighting a guy and beat him good. You were quite strong."

Yusei inclined his head in thanks as he sat and filled his plate. He ate as he listened to Goodwin. "Yes, you were strong before, but now you are even stronger and faster and your senses have sharpened and will be so even when in human form."

"I heard your howl but didn't understand it. Why?"

"Because your body was still adjusting to your change. That is over now. You will understand from now on." He checked a clock. "Hmm, Akiza will be here soon."

"Who?"

"She will be a member of your unit as will the twins."

"My unit?"

"Yes. You are the beta. In our pack there is the alpha, some betas, and the others are omegas. Units consist of one beta and up to five omegas. You are responsible for them, insuring they follow the laws I have set down and that they follow your decisions. A unit is also like a family. I'm sure they will help you with your transition. I know I said you would be with me for a day or two but with the full moon so close, I must see that our precautions are still holding strong."

"What happens on the full moon?"

"First, we stay in our territory as we will all have wolf ears during the day. When night falls and we change, we become ordinary wolves. We think and act as wolves but we would attack or bite humans. However, we have an enclosed area called The Park to contain us and protect us. There is plenty of prey, water, and space. I am still recognized as the alpha and all units instinctively knows its members; another reason why your unit should be formed today."

The doorbell rang and Goodwin left to answer it. Yusei ate some bacon while absorbing what he was just told. So, I'm a leader but I follow Goodwin. That explains the reactions of the guards and the twins: They're omegas. When the full moon comes, I will have wolf ears during the day and will think and act like a real wolf at night. Makes sense to stay home during that time; I never saw werewolves on the days and nights of the full moon.

"Beta," Luna said softly. "Were you scared from being bitten?"

It took Yusei several seconds to realize that she had addressed him and felt annoyed at the question. Truthfully, he had been scared as he had no idea what it was like to be a werewolf, but he wasn't going to admit it. "No, of course not," he said brusquely. He saw her lower her gaze. "Sorry, beta," she apologized.

"And please don't call me that," he snapped. "It's Yusei."

"But we were taught that betas and alphas are to be treated with respect and to use those titles," Leo protested.

"Leo is right," Goodwin spoke up from the doorway. "Akiza has arrived. Come meet her and I will show you all to your unit home."

Yusei stood and followed Goodwin, the twins behind him. He felt a little bad at being upset with Luna, but his anger and resentment buried that feeling. He entered The Den to see a red-haired young woman there. She rose as Goodwin said, "Akiza, this is your new beta, Yusei Fudo. Yusei, Akiza. She too was born a wifewolf, like Luna."

Akiza bowed. "Welcome, beta. I am honored to be part of your unit and will answer any questions you have as well as follow your decisions."

"Sure," he said tightly, wondering if Goodwin had planned to give him purebloods to force him to be happy as a werewolf. I will not be forced. I'll decide when I've adjusted. He soon followed Goodwin out of the house with his unit and down the street. He noticed the lack of cars and reasoned that with their speed, werewolves had no need for cars. He saw businesses like clothing stores, a grocery store, restaurants, an appliance store, and bars. This place could operate independently from the human side. I imagine we use the same money system.

"There's The Park where we will spend our full moon nights very soon," Goodwin said, pointing to an enclosure of solid concrete. He thought it seemed sturdy enough to withstand a pack of werewolves.

"And here is your home. It is already furnished like all houses are and with the same rooms," Goodwin said, stopping at a handsome townhouse. "I will leave you to get settled in and acquainted."

"Thank you…alpha," Yusei said, the last word said with reluctance.

"Alpha," the others chorused as Goodwin left and then followed Yusei into the house.

"Let's talk in our Den," Akiza suggested. She let Yusei led the way. She sniffed subtly and picked up anger and resentment coming off the teen werewolf. Clearly, he did not want to be a werewolf. I believe the full moon will fix that. I've seen angry ones before and the full moon always calmed them down. She and the twins sat on the floor while Yusei took a chair. He raised an eyebrow at them. "Why are you on the floor? There's plenty of seats."

"In a unit, omegas sit lower than the beta unless mated," Akiza said.

Yusei sighed. "I would rather be a family than a unit. I mean, I think I'm still somewhat human."

"You are," Akiza said. "But the rest of us are purebloods."

"Fine," he said grudgingly. "Stay on the floor. Akiza, tell me about yourself."

"Yes, beta. I was born to two loving parents. They didn't have any other pups. Then when I turned thirteen they left to start a new territory in another city and I was shuffled from unit to unit until hopefully today."

"Why were you shuffled around?" he asked, hoping she wasn't a problem wolf.

"The Mating Moon. The time of the year when we don't become ordinary wolves and instead try to find our destined mates and form a unit of our own as well as produce pups."

"Oh. Is that coming up?"

"No, beta. This year's has passed."

Yusei felt relieved. He wasn't sure he would want to mate and be a father; he was only fifteen. "Leo, Luna. I know your parents were killed but why were you with the alpha instead of a unit?"

"The Mating Moon," Leo said. "We had the unfortunate luck of betas mating with another beta and breaking from the unit. I hope that doesn't happen in this unit."

"I have no intention of being anyone's mate," Yusei growled. He had to admit, he kind of liked the wolf-like growl he could emit. It summed up his anger nicely.

"What about you, beta? Tell us about you," Leo asked.

"I'm fifteen and I was bitten."

"And?" Akiza prompted. "How did you end up over the line?"

He scowled. "I don't want to talk about it."

"Why not?" Leo asked.

"I just don't!" Yusei practically snarled. "I don't want any of you to ask again!"

All three purebloods cringed away from him. "Yes, beta," they answered. Yusei exhaled, rose, and said in a tight voice, "I need to be alone." He climbed the stairs to the top floor and found a room with a large bed, an armchair, a wardrobe, and a desk with a chair with the former supporting a vanity mirror. He shut the door, flopped on the bed, and drifted off to sleep.

Luna whimpered. "He is so scary and alpha believes he's scared from becoming a werewolf."

Akiza tapped her lips. "Perhaps he is and covers it with anger."

"Alpha said he probably puts on a tough guy act to cover his scared feelings in order to survive on the streets."

"He was homeless?" Akiza gasped. "That's awful."

"Yeah, but he claims he was happy," Luna said.

"He must have some loose ends," Akiza mused. "We'll wait until he comes down and suggest taking a trip to the human side so he can take care of those ends.' Leo and Luna nodded and the trio set about making themselves at home.