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Wolf
Wolf stumbled into his room, thanking Merlin for the Regolith black decor. Light colours always hurt his eyes after a full moon.
He tugged off his ripped clothes and tossed them aside, vaguely promising himself he'd throw them out later, randomly picked out some new ones from his wardrobe and pulled them on. He wasn't worried about style, and besides, all of his clothes looked pretty much the same anyway.
Wolf blinked blearily out of his window at the still-rising sun casting its growing light on the trees of the Black Woods. A wave of nausea washed over him and he looked away. Apparently, his body was still getting used to human form.
His stomach growled and Wolf walked to his door, already thinking about the huge breakfast that would already be waiting in the Great Hall. But just as his fingers brushed the door handle, he froze. Memories of last night rushed through his mind like a muddy river, dark and distorted. Struggling against thick bindings that stunk of magic, and a vague outline of a human the same colour as the black trees and dry soil of the forest. There was no way he could have known who they were just from their appearance, not when they looked like nature itself, but their smell… that wasn't disguised. He'd scented it before, on a night where he actually had control over his own body. Jacin.
Jacin knew what Wolf was. Merlin's beard, he saw him transform! Wolf clearly remembered the disgust and hatred that bled from his voice when he talked about the werewolf that attacked the school. And could hardly blame him. Jacin was right to think the way he did, werewolves were monsters, Wolf was a monster. He deserved the hatred Jacin undoubtedly harboured for him now. But that didn't mean he was ready to face it.
Wolf's stomach growled again, but he ignored it. It was dawn, unlikely that Jacin would be down for breakfast. But Wolf hadn't expected him to follow him into the Black Woods last night either. He wasn't taking any chances.
Grabbing the keys sitting on his desk, Wolf quickly locked the door before sitting heavily down on his bed and picking up a book resting on his bedside table.
And it's not like anything he'd eat would actually stay down. Wolf knew that from experience. Four years of experience.
He could still remember the way the werewolf's eyes gleamed when it sunk its teeth into his arm. The hunger, the bloodlust, the triumph. And he remembered throwing up immediately afterward. He still didn't know if that was just a side effect, or terror of the werewolf, or revulsion at what he now was. Wolf usually leant toward the third option since it still made his stomach turn.
Several hours and about five chapters of his book later, Wolf's peace was disrupted.
There was a polite knocking on his door, followed by Kai's voice. "Wolf? Are you in there?"
Wolf didn't reply.
He could hear some hushed arguing on the other side of the door, followed by a much less polite, much more aggressive round of knocking. "Open up Wolf, Kai wants to talk to you."
Wolf bit back a groan. Great, Jacin was there too. He probably told Kai what he saw last night.
More hushed arguing. Wolf didn't catch what they were saying, but after a moment of silence he heard one word clearly: "Alohomora."
A light shone through the keyhole and, with a sharp click, the door unlocked.
Jacin stepped through first, his eyes narrowing to chips of ice when he saw Wolf. Kai's eyes narrowed too, though he seemed more annoyed than anything. "Why didn't you answer the door?"
Wolf turned the page of his book. "Get out."
Jacin snorted. "Someone's friendly today."
"I don't like it when people break into my room."
"And I don't like it when people ignore me."
"I thought I made it clear that I want to be alone."
"After Kai talks to you. Come on, it will only take a few minutes!"
"Somehow, I doubt I'll enjoy the conversation."
Wolf glared at Jacin darkly. I know what you saw. I know what you want to talk about. And I don't want to hear it. Get. Out.
Jacin scowled, but Kai seemed oblivious to Wolf's hostility. "You don't know that. Like Jacin said, it won't take long. I just have some questions to ask you."
But Wolf was done waiting for them to get the message.
He reached over to his bedside table and snatched up his wand. He pointed it at the other Regoliths and snarled, "Depulso!"
Jacin and Kai went flying, slamming into the wall with painful thuds. They slid to the floor, blinking at Wolf in shock.
"Now for the last time," he growled, "Get. Out!"
Eying Wolf warily, the pushed themselves to their feet and went out the door, shutting it behind them. He picked up his keys. He was going to have to lock it again after that charm Jacin cast.
Wolf heard the footsteps of Regoliths passing by his door throughout the course of the day, but not one of them stopped to bother him. Which was good. Wolf wasn't sure he'd be able to restrain himself from blowing them to bits.
Lunchtime came and went, and his stomach started complaining louder and more frequently. But he couldn't go down and eat. He didn't want to have to deal with Kai and Jacin and whoever else knew about his condition. Wolf could survive a day without food. It would just be very uncomfortable.
By the time dinner rolled around, Wolf had almost finished his book and almost convinced himself that he wouldn't receive any more trouble that day. Turns out, he was wrong. Very wrong.
The next visitor didn't bother knocking. Maybe Kai and Jacin had already told them that it was completely useless. Instead, they blew up the door. Wolf was honestly surprised one of the flying splinters of wood didn't end up in his eye.
"Just how long do you plan on hiding in your room?"
Wolf's shoulder's slumped. Of all the people who could have come in and destroyed his door… "How did you even get in Regolith tower?"
"I wore a set of Kai's robes to confuse the barrier." Scarlet replied. "But don't change the subject! You've been sulking in your room all day and blasting anyone who dares to interrupt you. That's just a stupid overreaction!"
"I did tell them to leave me alone. Several times."
"It's still a stupid overreaction! I know I haven't known you for all that long, but I thought you were better than that!"
Wolf flinched. Okay, that actually stung.
Scarlet didn't seem to notice. She opened her mouth, ready to start on another tirade, but whatever she was about to say was interrupted by Wolf's stomach growling.
Feeling his ears burning with embarrassment. Wolf turned back to his book.
"Have you even eaten anything all day?" Scarlet asked incredulously.
"I didn't want to be around anyone."
"So you decided to starve yourself?"
Wolf shrugged.
Scarlet huffed in frustration and walked over so that she was directly in front of him. Wolf kept his gaze fixed firmly to the pages of his book, though he wasn't taking in any of the words. That strategy proved to be totally useless though when the book was suddenly snatched out of his hands.
Scarlet glared at him fiercely. "Stop pretending to read while I'm talking to you!"
"Scarlet, give me my book back."
She ignored him and glanced at the cover. "What even is this book anywa-" She broke off, staring at the title in disbelief. "Tell me you don't actually read this."
Wolf shifted his weight uncomfortably, unable to think of an answer.
Scarlet shook her head and tugged her wand out of her waistband. "Incendio."
She let go of the book just as it burst into flames. Wolf jumped up, reaching for his own wand to put out the fire, but it was too late. Ash and smouldering blackened husks of leather were all that was left of his copy of Lupin Lawlessness: Why Lycanthropes Don't Deserve to Live.
He groaned. "Can you please stop destroying my stuff?"
"That book needed destroying. I read a copy once doing research for DADA, and I know for a fact that it won't do your self-esteem any favours."
Wolf stiffened. No. Not her. Of all the people in the school, why her? "Who else knows?"
"Who else knows what?"
"I'm not dumb Scarlet, I know Jacin was there last night, and I know what he and Kai broke into my room to talk about this morning. Who else knows?"
For the first time since Scarlet came to talk to Wolf, she looked uncomfortable. "Not a lot of people…"
"Who else?"
She sighed. "Cinder, Iko, Cress, Thorne and Winter. But that's it, I swear! And none of us are going to be telling anyone else!"
But Wolf was no longer listening. Eight people knew he was a monster. Eight people would be throwing him looks of fear and hatred in the hallways. Eight people!
Legs suddenly weak, he sat back down on his bed and rubbed his face with his hands. Why couldn't Jacin have just kept it to himself? Why did he have to tell Scarlet? Of all the people who knew, it's her hatred he just can't stand. Just the thought of her face contorted with acrimony felt like a punch to the gut. Actually seeing it in real life? That would be a knife in his heart.
The mattress shifted underneath him, and a hand rested on his shoulder. "Hey, it's not that bad. We don't think any differently of you."
Wolf stared at the pile of ash on the floor. Somehow he doubted that.
"I know it seems like the world hates you, especially after reading that." Scarlet's voice dripped with disgust as she referred to the book.
""That" isn't the only example of werewolf hatred."
"Well it doesn't surround you like you think."
"Yes, it does. Just talk to Jacin about werewolves and you'll see what I mean."
"Remind me to jinx him next time I see him."
Despite himself, Wolf let out a small chuckle.
Scarlet grinned. "You can still smile! Thank Merlin, I was starting to worry!"
He blinked at her. "Why?"
"You have a nice smile." She said simply.
Wolf's face flushed, and he prayed to Merlin that Scarlet couldn't hear his racing heart.
A/N: YAY, WOLFLET!
Wolf isn't taking Jacin discovery of his secret well, and he's taking the fact that he told other people about it even less well. Thank Merlin Scarlet doesn't buy into all that prejudice stuff! Also, I know how hypocritical she was when she was scolding Wolf, but hey! It at least sort-of worked!
Will the others leave Wolf alone like he wants them too? How will they treat him now they know what he is? What kind of jinx will Scarlet use on Jacin?
Please review!
