Chapter 8:Full Moon Troubles.

For the next week, Khloe and the other teenage metamorphs hung around each other for the next week. They-with the exception of Sorcha, who didn't hang with the gang as much- could be seen regurally at the mall, making mischief, or taunting some high school girls. Of course, that part was mainly the boys; the girls on the other hand, went shopping. Slowly, Khloe began to like them for who they were. She even once forgot that they were werewolves- until Tuesday night.

They were at Ranskill Park, lounging around, occasionally pranking some passerby, when Khloe sighed and snuggled against Riker.

"So, what are you guys doing tonight?" She asked them. The others got a defensive look on their faces. That night was

"Well," Riker said slowly. "Um..."

"I take it that means everyone's free?" Khloe asked hopefully. She actually enjoyed being around the pack kids.

"Do you guys wanna go see a movie? I heard this really good scary movie came out at the dollar theater." She sounded hopeful, and ventured further when no one answered. "PLEASE?"

Khloe's eyes widened and she watched all the others with a puppy dog expression.

"Sorry, 'Loe," Lark said sincerly. "My parents have strictly forbiddean Riker and I from going out tonight. We, erm, did something pretty stupid to get us grounded."

"Same for me and Kall," Den added. Khloe's eyes fell.

"Oh," Was all she said. Riker was worried when she was silent for the rest of the day, until he dropped her off at home.

"Are you sure that you're busy?" She pleaded one last time. Riker gave an apologetic smile.

"Yeah. Maybe we can do something later?"

Khloe sighed loudly, just to tease him. "Alright," She yeilded. "But you owe me." Riker chuckled, and leaned closer to her, and gave her a quick kiss. "Okay, deal."

When she got inside, Khloe saw Aiden gearing up very heavily. She paused at the foot of the stairs.

"Where are you going?" She asked her father. Aidan gave her a scalding look. "Tonight's full moon; I'm heading out to hunt."

So that's why Riker and the others couldn't go with me! She suddenly realized.

"Oh. Well, good hunting." Khloe said casually. Aidan stopped her with another evil look. "Why, Khloe, I'm surprised. You know that Jem's gone, and I need another pair of hands. So, you're coming with me."

Khloe swallowed with a lump in her throat. "Dad, do I have to come?"

Aidan glared at his daughter. "Yes, you do. Khloe, you better not be getting close to that lycan kid; otherwise I'll have to take you away from him."

Khloe growled. "You can't tell me who to date," She snapped. Aidan's eyes widened. "Khloe, you cannot be falling for a werewolf! And I am your father; it gives me the full right."

"You're coming tonight and that's that."

Later,Riker sighed and stretched his arms to the sky as the sun began to sink below the horizon, and he could see the faint outline of the full moon in the heavens. His skin prickled roughly and his eyes could see the faintest hair on a leaf. He wished that the sun would disappear forever and leave only the Goddess to rule the night.

I hate waiting for full moon, He thought, as he ran downstairs. He was going running with the pack in the forest behind the house, then later, he would head off with Kall, Den, Sorcha and Lark to Lym's Meadow, a five minute run from the edge of the woods. The meadow was a favorite place of the teenage loups-garoux to hang out; it was unmarked, and was the best place for hunting rabbits. Usually it was deserted as well.

The others were waiting for Riker when he walked into the kitchen. Lark tousled her thick, tawny hair with hands that tapered into long claws; Kall and Den bantered each other, grinning. Sorcha watched the others with eyes that were more golden then anything.

"I wish the sun would set already," Lark whined. Sorcha snorted. "Doesn't everyone?" She muttered.

Riker glanced out the window anxiously, and was relieved to see that the sky was growing darker, the light of the moon brighter. Vivian, Gabriel and the Four, as the old Five were now called, entered the room, worried expressions on their face.

"Riker, Lark," Vivian said, her voice tight. "Are you two planning to go to Lym's Meadow?"

They nodded, wondering why their mother was so tense. The Queen exchanged glances with the other grown males, then turned back to her children.

"You can't go to the meadow," She said.

Riker growled. "And why not?" He snapped. He hated being told what to do by his mom. Gabriel's eyes flashed, and his jaw twitched. "Because your mother told you so, that's why."

Den and Kall snickered, and Sorcha snorted. Gregory's attention turned to his daughter. "That goes for you too, Sora."

"And you guys as well, Den, Kall." Ulf, their father, said.

The kids groaned.

"Why are you banning us for going to the meadow?" Riker questioned again. "We've always been able to go there before!"

Gabriel snarled, and resisted the urge to swat his son. Vivian placed her hand on her mate's shoulder, trying to calm him. "Your father has received news from another pack that lives nearby that one of their own was shot two days ago when he was out running alone. Silver bullets killed him. The pack's leader says that someone saw who shot the poor wolf, and the gunman was a male. He was armed from head to toe in guns and other weapons.."

Vivian trailed off, but she didn't need to finish. The kids knew that Vivian and Gabriel believed that the hunter would come to their lands.

"So, Gabe and Vivie having everyone in the pack stay as close as possible to the house," Finn explained. "so in case of something happening, we can get back here as fast as possible. And since it's full moon, the creep is gonna be out there, just watching for us."

"Luckily, Gabe hasn't locked us in the house," Willem muttered.Gaberiel shot him a crooked grin.

"If you prefer, Willem, I'll keep you in here." He said.

Willem's eyes widened, but he smiled, revealing sharp, pointed teeth. "You wouldn't be able to lay a paw on me, you old dog." He teased.

Lark rolled her eyes at the two, and her eyes strayed to the moon. "Can we please go now?" She asked. "I really don't feel like listening to you two argue about who can beat who."

Vivian nodded, and told the teenagers to go ahead of them, and that they'd be out there in a moment.

Outside, Riker wanted to howl with joy. He felt the familiar creaking and crunching of bones reforming as he tossed off his shirt, and a shaggy mane soon replaced his flesh. Quickly, before he fully changed, he threw his pants down. Riker fell forward to all fours, and he grimaced as his teeth sharpened and his face bulged.

He tipped his head back and let loose a howl. He heard Lark's light, soprano raise to match his; the twins' voices stayed in lower keys, but were rich and throbbing with life. Sorcha, as if competing with Lark, rose higher and higher.

Other members of the pack emerged from the shadows of the house, and joined the song the Pack Prince had begun. Riker growled softly when Gaberiel, his fur form sleek in the moonlight, stared his son down, telling him it wasn't his right to start a hunting song; it was the leader's, his or his mate's. Not the prince's.

Vivian appeared, and nudged Gabe with her muzzle. It's fine, She seemed to tell him with her soft eyes. Gabriel shifted, and didn't say anything. Riker grinned. Finally, he was getting a little respect. He wanted to test how far it would go though.

He bounded off toward the wood, tail held high, paws pounding on the turf. He heard the sound of the rest of the pack following, and his heart pumped faster. Leading a pack wouldn't be so bad, He thought to himself as he raced to the treeline. The freedom to start a hunt, to lead a run; it felt so free.

Then Riker heard Gabriel come behind him, and he lost that sense of freedom. The pack alpha silently showed his canine long teeth to his son, and rushed ahead of him. Holding back a snarl, Riker slowed down and dropped back with his friends, who were lagging behind on purpose.

Riker suddenly felt rebellious -he wanted to defy his father so badly. Giving the others signifigant glances, he stopped and veered away from the rest of the pack- and toward Lym's Meadow.

Khloe's breath was ragged as she watched the trees. They were at Lym's Meadow, waiting for some prey to come. Aidan watched the trees, gun in hand, eager for the hunt. Khloe kept glancing over at her father, hoping that Riker and his friends would stay far away from this place tonight.

Dear God, please keep him safe, Khloe prayed silently. Just then, movement caught Khloe's eye- as well as Aidan's.

He cocked his gun, his eyes narrow and crazed.

"Get ready," He hissed. Khloe obeyed him slavishly. She aimed.

There from the trees came five abnormally large wolves; two were lanky and had mangy fur.Almost instantly she could tell they were male. There was another guy as well; he was muscled and had midnight black fur. The other two were females- Khloe would never figure out how she knew that- but one was a light red, the other pure white. Aidan set his sight on the big black male, whispering, "A trophy, to be sure. Get ready."

Khloe's hands shook as she aimed.

Aidan grinned wickedly, and said "Vengence."

Then he fired.

But the white she-wolf had seen what was coming and threw herself in front of him. The black wolf, Riker, howled painfully and bitterly as with a whimper, the white wolf, Lark, fell. Lark moaned and closed her eyes. The pain was electrafying; it was racing through her blood, for in the bullet was liquid silver.

Aidan's eyes were narrow and vicious as he reloaded, but then the black male turned his eyes on Aidan with a snarl, eyes flashing. He'd scented them; and he was coming to get them.

Aidan gripped Khloe's hands and yanked her up. "RUN!" He yelled. She started trembling, but she didn't run.

Riker stepped forward, froth on his lips. He was ready to attack, ready to take revenge for his sister. But then he saw who was standing there, and he fell into shock.

Khloe, with a gun in her hand.

My god, He thought, she's the one that's been killing us; the hunter. He howled, full of rage and pain that his love was the killer. Without thinking, he raced up and bit her.

A/N:

-Gasp- I even surprised myself with this chapter. What will happen? Will Riker go crazy? DUN DUN DUN!