Chapter Six- Full Moon

Yusei fingered the black ears that sat atop his head. It looked odd to see his human form with wolf ears, but accepted that this would happen every full moon. I'll get used to it; in time, I won't think anything about it at all. He headed downstairs and helped his unit with breakfast. He noticed Leo and Luna shifting restlessly in their seats as they ate. "Are you two okay?"

"Yes," Luna said. "We're always restless during the moon."

"You and I will feel the same way later in the day," Akiza said. "Only the adults don't feel it."

Akiza's words came true when mid-afternoon rolled around. Yusei found he couldn't stay still and paced around the house. He saw Akiza doing the same while the twins chased each other to expend their energy. He nearly jumped when he heard Goodwin's amplified voice call at dusk, "It is time, my pack. Let us retire to The Park." Yusei led his unit outside and let Akiza show him how to get inside.

"Oh, so a latch opens it," he said as they entered a large, lush forest-like environment.

"Yes; only our pack knows where they are so we don't have to worry about hunters or vampires attacking us while we're wild. They're also too high and hidden for a wild wolf, not that anyone's tried. There's enough food, water, and smells to keep us occupied."

"That's good to know," he said as Akiza flipped the latch down to close the wall they had entered.

"Well, Yusei, as our unit's new, it's your job to choose our territory and mark it."

"Mark it how?"

Akiza rolled her eyes. "You're a wolf, Yusei. Think about it."

A look of disgust crossed his face as he realized what she meant. "Ugh. No way."

"You won't be able to resist it, Yusei. Remember, you'll be a simple wolf; we all will."

Yusei nodded reluctantly before swiftly looking for a spot to claim. He found a wonderful spot near a waterfall and it included a cave with a flat top. He was amazed that no one else had already claimed it as it was just perfect. The group stood outside by the riverbank as the sky darkened and the moon rose. He howled at it as did everyone else and as he shifted to wolf form, his mind shifted into the mind of an aggressive, angry wolf. His resentment had turned aggressive and he acted on it.

He growled angrily at Akiza and the twins before barking a warning. He viewed this area as only his and they needed to leave and find their own area. The pups cowered behind the female who felt submissive to the male. She slunk off with the pups into the safety of the trees. The male growled in a satisfied manner before going to the cave entrance, lifting a leg, and marking the territory. Once he had finished, he stalked off to find some dinner.

Yusei opened his eyes and squinted at the sunlight as he sat up. He moaned softly as he looked around. He was at the mouth of his unit's cave and the smell of a beta's marking scent was around him: His scent. He also saw he was alone. Where's my unit? he wondered. What happened last night? He closed his eyes to recall the events. His eyes flew open, shock and shame in their depths. Oh, God. I was angry, aggressive, and territorial. I…chased them away.

He stood and inhaled to find their scents. His ears turned in every direction to hear for anyone's approach. "Akiza!" he called. "Leo! Luna!" The crash of underbrush and a stronger scent of the trio reached him and they emerged from the trees.

"Yusei, good morning," Akiza said once they were closer.

Yusei's ears drooped. "I am so sorry about last night. I had no idea my resentment would manifest like that."

"Well, wolves don't feel resentment so it had to surface as something else," Akiza said. "We understand, Yusei."

"Beta," he corrected gently. "You can call me beta during the day as well as my name. I should conform to pack practices."

Akiza hugged him. "I know that wasn't easy for you to admit."

"You're right. So, could you and the twins stay close to our territory tonight and tomorrow?" he asked as they left The Park.

"We will. You may act like you did last night, but we will stay close enough that it doesn't make you aggressive toward us."

"I feel bad about that. I mean, you're my family."

"And like a family, we forgive."

Yusei growled as his mind turned wolf. He marked a couple more spots, drank some water, and killed a prey for food. It was as he licked his chops and paws that he desired other wolves. He went to the top of the cave and howled for his unit. He heard a howl reply and a red wolf appeared with two aqua-colored pups in tow. His tail swished upon seeing them and he howled happily which prompted the others to join in. He was the beta and the ones below him were his members and omegas. He led his unit in a few rounds of wolf songs that existed in their DNA. He was joyful and was content when he and his unit curled up in their cave later on and fell asleep.

"You may have seen him around for a few days but tonight I will do it properly. Please welcome our new beta, Yusei Fudo." The black wolf emerged from the house and was greeted with a chorus of howls. He gave them a howl of his own. His blue eyes gazed at the pack calmly. The full moon had driven his anger and resentment out of him and left him as a content, confident, and calm werewolf.

He went down the steps and mingled with those who wanted to know more about him. He was open and honest with his answers save for the circumstances that led to the bite. He had sworn to never tell anyone the truth and he would hold to that. He claimed he hadn't realized that he trespassed and had tried to make it back across the border. He admitted that he was glad he didn't make it.

"It sounds as if you are at peace with your new life," Goodwin commented as the wolves dispersed and sat beside Yusei.

"I am, alpha. It has been a hard and trying transition but the moon has driven away the anger and resentment within me. I happily embrace all that being a werewolf holds for me."

"That's good as there will be a special event coming up within several months."

"The Mating Moon?"

"That's right. I trust your unit told you about it."

"The basics, I believe. They said it is the only full moon where we aren't actual wolves and find our destined mate. Units end up breaking up and pups are produced."

"Those are the basics, yes. Allow me to fill in the gaps. Most units do break up but some do stay together but not as a full unit. Those that stay together in part do so because of pup members."

"I'll do that with Leo and Luna. They will not be shuffled around anymore."

"They'll be happy to hear that. When they turn thirteen, they will feel the effects of the Mating Moon as well. Their destined mate will exude a scent only detectable to them. They too will give off a scent only they will smell."

"And I will too."

"Correct."

Yusei's eyes swept the pack. His destined mate could be among them right now and if he or she wasn't, he would be willing to wait and while he did so, he would lead his unit and uphold the alpha's laws. Yes. I will wait for my mate to come.

The End