Chapter Five- Shared Past

His friends rejected him?"

"Yes, alpha. He is quite angry about it. I fear he may do something drastic. Please talk with him, alpha."

"I certainly will. He is part of my pack and their well-being is my concern." He stood and left the house with Akiza behind him. Yusei's negative attitude needed to be resolved, lest he'd be an aggressive wolf tomorrow night and the two nights succeeding it. I know it hurts when your friends fear and hate you and ultimately cut themselves off from you. I know that from experience and perhaps that is what Yusei needs to hear.

Yusei laid on his front, his arms folded on his pillow, and his head laying on his arms. His eyes were unfocused as he contemplated how to get his hands on the fatal metal needed to end his life. I'll lie about taking a walk in the territory. I'll sneak over to the human side, acquire some silver, slip into an alley, and die. He sniffed as a different scent from his unit reached him before a knock sounded. He shifted around so he was cross-legged. "Enter, alpha."

Goodwin entered, closed the door, and stood there, arms folded. "I was told about last night. Believe me, I can sympathize with your situation. I experienced the same thing when I was newly bitten."

"You…have?"

"Yes. Granted when I learned I was to be the future alpha, I was happy I got bitten. Pack rules were a little looser than they are now, so I was allowed to roam alone. I rushed to meet my friends. I was no older than the twins at the time. I told them I had been bitten and would eventually be the alpha of the pack."

"I take it that it didn't go well."

"Correct. They became afraid of me and ran from me. I ran after them, asking why they were scared. I didn't see why my being a werewolf would be a bad thing. I caught up with them quickly and after I asked, they hurled hurtful things at me as children often do. Freak, weirdo, and monster are the ones I recall. I became confused, sad, and angry. It was then that night came and I changed. I, in a fit of rage, attacked. I didn't bite any of them, but I did end up sending them to the hospital. I felt ashamed and asked the alpha to kill me. Obviously, he did not, but he trained me strictly to control my emotions and of course, time taught me control as well. I tried to apologize to my friends a little time after the incident, but they ran from me, truly scared of me and of course, considering what I had done, I didn't blame them."

Yusei bowed his head. "Alpha, I no longer wish to live. The pack would be better off without me. I'm a temperamental one; not suited to be a werewolf, much less a leader."

"Not from what I was told before you were bitten. You were the leader among you and your friends. I was told of how protective of them you were. Tell me: Would you still protect them despite their reactions?"

"Yes," he answered immediately.

Goodwin smiled. "You answered without hesitation. That proves the depth of your loyalty. The desire to protect and be loyal are traits that are part of being a werewolf, even more so for a beta."

"Would the unit still want to follow me after how I acted?"

"I believe so. The twins view you as a brother in addition to a leader. Akiza was concerned you would do something drastic and it turns out her concerns had merit. They care about you, like a family. You did say you occasionally wished to have a home and a family. You now have both with the price having to be a werewolf."

"Yes. I see your point, alpha. But I'm afraid I still resent being bitten."

"That may go away once the full moon is over. Oh, I forgot to mention that you will recall the night on the morning after. It helps us fix any problems that occurred. The Park's wall had needed upgrades during my time as alpha, but it seems the current one works as it has for the last fifteen years."

"I have to agree. It looks very sturdy to me."

"And it still is. Now, I believe last night's dinner is still good over there." He nodded at the meat.

"Yes, alpha. I will eat and apologize to my unit. I still need my clothes from the storage unit.'

"Get them today as tomorrow morning, we'll all have wolf ears."

"Yes, alpha and thank you for talking to me." Goodwin left and Yusei crouched by the meat and began to eat. He found that, despite it being raw, he liked it. Akiza was right: I can handle it as well as the purebloods. He licked his lips and hands before exiting and heading for the bathroom to wash up and look presentable. He headed downstairs, sniffing for his unit's location. He picked up their scents and it led him to The Den. He entered to find them seated on the couch; upon seeing him enter, they slid to the floor while he took the chair he took last time. Perhaps this will be my seat. He took in his unit, his family.

"I'm sorry for my words and actions last night. I should not have lost my temper. I apologize especially to you, Akiza. I feel a little better about being a beta, but I still resent being bitten."

"Apology accepted," Akiza said. "We care about you and want to help you be comfortable with being one of us. One way will be a celebration after the full moon."

"A celebration?"

"It's something we have whenever pups are born or someone is bitten. It welcomes the new ones to the pack and gives everyone a chance to see and, if possible, talk to the new ones."

"Sounds like fun."

"Oh, it is. You'll see."

"Of course. Now, I still have stuff to get from storage." He stood and his unit followed suite and they were willing to accompany Yusei into town. The young beta felt a bit better about being a werewolf. Yes, he still resented the bite, but what he gained as a result of it was not so bad. His senses, speed, and strength had gotten better, he healed quickly, his lifespan could be longer, and if he had to guess his immune system was stronger and kept him healthy. All of these perks certainly outweigh the negative parts: Silver, hunters, and vampires. He ignored the stares of the humans as he chatted with Akiza about the advantages, confirming that disease had no hold over him and that truthfully there was no difference between purebloods and bitten wolves. They were all one pack, a big family. This knowledge gave him a warm feeling. He had a home and a race that was friendly and didn't care that he had been human.

I will try to be a good beta, he vowed as they entered the storage place. I will ask about the alpha's laws and uphold them to the best of my ability.

It would have taken Yusei a few trips to retrieve his stuff even with his enhanced strength, but with help from the others, it only took one trip. As he put his clothes and items away, he said, "Akiza, do you know all of the alpha's laws?"

"I do."

"Please, tell me about them."

"I'd be glad to, Yusei."

"So, you got Yusei," a pale man with gray-blond hair said on the screen.

"Indeed, brother. I regret to say that he is having a rough time with the transition. I had to talk him out of suicide."

"That is to be expected. I've had times where I had to imprison vampires who were suicidal. I usually succeed in talking them out of it."

"It's not as easy when the suicidal one is a beta. They are usually headstrong and prideful, which is what I want in a beta."

"I can't say I'm not jealous. I think he'll make a fine werewolf. I take it the celebration will be after the full moon."

"It will. Good evening to you, Roman." Goodwin pushed a paw on a button and the screen went blank.