Chapter Two- Learning

Chazz returned to his private room shortly after dawn, stripped, and took a shower. He had felt dirty and the sight of dry blood on his hands didn't help matters. He stood under the warm water, thinking that he would be changing tonight and tomorrow night. I wonder if I'll feel angry again and if I do, will I be able to control it eventually? It's cool becoming a wolf, but it I'm angry every time, I'll learn to dread the full moon. Well, I'll find out tonight.

Chazz went to breakfast, feeling better than last night, but still annoyed with the low standards that other Slifers considered normal. I can control my sleeping arrangements, but when it comes to food, I either eat it or starve. Well, as I'll be changing tonight, I'll eat it. He dug into his food and finished it- barely. He recalled his catch last night and guessed that he had eaten enough to fuel his change to human and then some. Heh, interesting. I'll be learning a lot about being a werewolf over the next two days and nights.

Jaden and Syrus noticed that Chazz seemed less irritable than he had yesterday. He had a preoccupied expression on his face and clearly had something on his mind. He didn't complain about the lunch like he did since he came to Slifer. Okay, something's up. I mean, I thought Chazz liked to complain. "Earth to Chazz. Hello?" he called, waving a hand in front of the boy's face.

Chazz blinked and glared at Jaden. "Do you mind? I was thinking," he snapped.

"There's the Chazz I know!"

"Are you always this perky?"

"Yup!"

Chazz grimaced. Swell, I'm in a dorm with a perky guy and a short boy who's got low self-esteem and no spine. In fact, Slifer seems to be full of freaks. Oh, wait. I'm a freak too because I'm a werewolf.

He returned to class and focused on the lectures. At last, classes ended and as he stood from his seat and faced the back of the class, he saw the Obelisks, sans Alexis, sneering at him as they left. He scowled at their actions and gave a low wolf-like growl that he cut short when he heard it. His scowl melted into a stunned expression and his fingers strayed to his throat. Whoa, I can wolf sounds when in human form. Weird.

Chazz thought about his impromptu growl as he headed to dinner. It was definitely an angry growl as opposed to a threatening or loving one though how he knew that, he wasn't sure. Maybe it's the part of my mind that's wolf when I change. If not, I'll learn tonight how I knew. He sat down to dinner and surprised himself and everyone else when he ate two helpings of everything. He ignored them as he knew he needed the food to fuel his change tonight and focus on his abilities and thoughts. Once done, he left the cafeteria, turning in the direction of his room before sneaking around the back of the dorm and into the forest.

He skirted the edge, watching the sky until the sun was just a sliver on the horizon. He ducked back and started searching for a clearing where the moon could shine on him. He wasn't sure if it was the moonlight that changed him or if it was just the rising of the moon. I think I'll test that tomorrow. He found a clearing and stood there, waiting for the moon. His wait wasn't long; as the moonlight started creeping into the area, Chazz crouched on the ground, his hands planted in front of him. He was soon bathed in moonlight and that was when the burning and primal anger resurfaced. He growled angrily as he shifted into werewolf form, letting out an angry howl as it completed itself. He blinked and shook himself, the anger fading but still near the surface. I'm not as angry as I was last night, but I still feel it. It is feral and primal; very deep and intense. I wonder if I'll always feel angry when I change. I could be as my anger had to be clear in order for the ritual to work. Well, as long as I'm not already angry when I change, I'll be fine.

He lifted his head and inhaled deeply; now that he was satisfied with his emotions, he was ready to play with his senses. He closed his eyes to concentrate on his nose. Incredible! I always knew that canines have a better sense of smell than humans, but I had no idea it was this good! I can smell just about everything in the forest that's nearby. A light breeze sprang up, ruffling his fur and his ears turned toward the breeze and picked up lots of different sounds, some he wouldn't have heard in human form. Amazing. I remember thinking that being a werewolf is cool and I was right. I love this! Chazz howled happily at the moon and felt an urge to dance about; he decided to indulge and pranced around for a bit before breaking into a run and plunging into the woods, leaping over logs and bushes that were in his way. His ears picked up the sound of water and ran toward it. He arrived at a river with a waterfall at one end.

He lapped up some water and as he licked his muzzle, he happened to look down and blinked in surprise: His eyes weren't red and glowing; they were normal gold wolf eyes! Maybe my eyes are red when angry, faced with humans, or perhaps both. I don't notice any difference; I see everything with their proper colors. I probably look scary with red eyes and intimidating with gold eyes. His mind's eye showed him a black wolf with glowing red eyes. He shook his head to dispel the image. Yeah, definitely scary. I prefer the gold eyes. Chazz then yawned and curled up beside the river fast asleep; exploring his senses and his long run not to mention being awake all day tired him out.

Chazz repeated yesterday morning's procedure the following morning and felt a whole lot better today, not even his meager breakfast could dampen his good mood. The other Slifers exchanged bewildered looks; Chazz never was this happy about anything!

"Hey, Chazz. You seem happy today," Jaden commented as they headed to class.

"Well, it is Friday," Chazz said. "And I found a new hobby and it makes me feel good."

"Really? What is it?"

"Running. It's something I can do alone and it gives me time to really think."

"Running, huh? Yeah, I've heard exercise is a good mood-booster."

"It certainly is." Chazz couldn't deny that his running and exploring his senses had left him with a good feeling that, if he still had it tonight, was going to be released in a joyous howl. And since it'll be the weekend, I can stay awake as long as I like and sleep as long as I want. Oh, tonight is going to be great!

Jaden watched Chazz walk ahead of him. Chazz's mood had changed dramatically over the last two days. First, he had been grouchy and angry, yesterday he had been irritable and preoccupied, and today he's actually happy. Could Chazz's new hobby really be the cause of his happy mood? He said he likes running and agreed when I said exercise is a mood-booster. Hey, if running produces a new and improved Chazz, I'm certainly not going to knock it.

Chazz's good mood persisted all day. Not even the sneers of first year Obelisk boys could ruin it. He looked forward to changing again. He had tested his nose and ears last night; tonight his wanted to pay attention to his eyes and the strength of his body. He consumed tow helpings of dinner and casually headed for the forest. He took his time as he walked. He wanted to see if he changed without standing in the moonlight. He watched the forest grow darker and the lighter, but not because of the moon. I have night vision; just like a wolf! Does that mean-?

Chazz fell to his hands and knees as the familiar burning and anger flooded through him. He growled angrily and delivered his angry howl skyward before the anger faded. Well, it seems I don't need moonlight to change. That's great! Chazz threw back his head and let out a joyous, happy howl to communicate his happy mood. Hmm, can I still talk or can I only make wolf sounds?

"Heh, if only my former dorm mates could see me now, they'd either be scared or impressed." He grinned a wolf's grin. "Well, I can still talk. Now, let's work on my eyes and strength."

He ventured into the heart of the forest as he did the first night, only this was to find out how well he could see instead of hunting. His surroundings grew darker as he walked, but he could see perfectly…until it grew too dark for even his night vision. He paused to see if his eyes would adjust; they didn't. He turned around and headed back the way he came. I guess as a werewolf, I have limitations to my sight. He felt his large muscles rippling as he moved, delighting in the feeling and the feel of the ground under his paws. He sensed great power throughout his body and that same sense of power flowed to his head. I'm strong and powerful in this form, but maybe I'll be strong and powerful in my human form while I wait for the next full moon. It just makes sense that my human form will improve in between moons. The scent of a rabbit floated up to him and he decided to indulge in hunting and eating that rabbit. It'll also give me an opportunity to test my strength, he thought as he tracked his prey.