Christian's P.O.V.-

I felt weird since that interaction. I couldn't put my finger on it. Something was definitely going on inside of me, but I couldn't figure out what. Whatever it was, it made me a better football player. Coach actually complimented me for a change, saying that he hasn't seen me play that aggressively before and to quote "keep up the good work". It's strange; I wasn't trying to play any harder or different than usual. I guess there was a sort of lack of awareness going on between my brain and body. "Man, I would love to play like you! If only someone would make that damn instinct kick in with me," one buffalo sighed longingly next to me. Instinct? What is he talking about? As usual, I didn't feel fit to ask; I'm sure it's an herbivore thing.

I did observe, however, that whatever this feeling was, it got stronger whenever I saw flowers. Any variety of flowers. I found myself pausing on my feet's own accord when I once spotted a bush of roses out one of the windows. There I stood staring at the blossoms, enveloped in this new, weird sensation. How odd…. Always when I look at fauna, it unconsciously and unintentionally surges up inside me. I have no clue what this response is or what it means, but it's there. And it doesn't look like there's anything I can do about it.

For a while, I considered telling or asking someone about it; perhaps Jason or Paul. It could be a carnivore instinct I'm growing into, but I don't know which instinct this could be. And if that is the case, Paul wouldn't be able to help me. In the end, I decided to keep my mouth shut and retain it to myself. I had no idea how to bring it up anyway; I literately couldn't describe it to myself, so how could I to others? No, this is something I've gotta figure out on my own, in time I guess. All in good time.

Answers came shockingly soon. We had a big game coming up; our team versus our school's reveals, the Chargers. Coach drilled us extra hard and everyone was pretty tired of it. Even Paul swore under his breath after finishing the many laps we were made to run. But practice couldn't go late today. The team was in the changing room when the intercom came on. "Attention all students! A reminder that today is Environmental Day! All students who have not yet finished their environmental time must head to the Unity Centre immediately!" A collective groan filled the room.

That's right, I forgot it's Environmental Day. Once a week, all students are required to spend two hours in tailored environments. It was supposed to be healthy for us and help our natural, diverse instincts develop organically. The Unity Centre is a gigantic building near the centre of campus. Each floor has several rooms; this is one area where segregation is strictly enforced. Each floor alternates between herbivore and carnivore habitats; there's even separate entrances and elevators. Nocturnal species had the bottom two floors which were located in the basement; one for herbivores and one for carnivores.

I went into the wolf habitat- a room solely devoted to a wolf's natural environment. Since we're nocturnal, it was dark inside, with a false full moon suspended high above us. Inside were a ton of male wolves and a few females. I didn't really know any of them- surprisingly enough- so we just sat in relative quiet for the majority of the time. I never liked these sections. Phones weren't permitted, and we weren't supposed to do homework or anything. This was time meant to mingle with your own kind, grow bonds, and so on. If you ask me, this was the boringest part of my week every week. Just sitting on astroturf in the dark with a bunch of strangers for two gruelling hours. How this was good for me, I'll never know.

The only good side about being forced to sit there was it gave me ample time to think. Think about lots of things but mainly what the hell was going on with me lately. Perhaps this is simply a wolf thing and I'm still growing into my primal instincts. But….. would that mean that everyone else in here knows what I'm feeling? We're all around the same age and same species. What could it be, if it is a wolf thing? Let's see…. Wolves are strong, pack hunters, perceptive, have a very good sense of smell, can see in the dark, mate for life, have considerable lifespans… Wait.

Mate for life? My eyes widened a bit. It's true, we do… To be honest, I'd never thought about mating. I just assumed it would happen someday; I would meet someone and imprint on her eventually. It wasn't something I had to force or look for…. I figured I'd find the right wolf sooner or later. The act of imprinting… I have no clue what that would be like. How would I know when and if I've imprinted on someone? And what about the protective instinct? Would that kick in as well? That instinct is a pretty big deal in the herbivore world, but what about for us meat-eaters? We didn't learn about any of this at school, and it's not like I had parents to tell me.

I would know, wouldn't I? I did something I never usually do; I glanced around at all the girls in the room. I felt nothing for them, despite us being the same species. Funny, I've never looked at girls as "girls" before. I've been so preoccupied with keeping my carnivorous side under control that I've neglected any of… that. I guess what I mean is that I've always seen myself as a wolf before a male…

Hey, that's right- I am a male. An alpha male. In the old days, wolves like me would mate and go on to lead the pack. Nowadays, alphas are treated the same as everyone else. It doesn't matter if and who I mate and have children with. That's certainly something I've never considered before- it just seemed so far away. Besides, who has time to think about that when you're too busy trying to stifle your beast-mode? My eyes began to lower gently. Still…

I gazed up at the bright light shining off the fake moon. Without my trying, the lamb's face appeared in my mind out of nowhere. Wait, why am I thinking about her now of all times? Here, surrounded by other wolves… female wolves, and here I am, thinking of her. My lips parted a sliver. You know… this may sound utterly bizarre… but this is the first time I've thought of myself as a male- a proper alpha male. Since I was born, I've been a wolf before anything else; that's how I believed it had to be to keep my killer instincts under control. But… just like her and how she's so much more than just a lamb… I think I'm beginning to understand for the first time, that I'm so much more than just a wolf.

It must be true. I'm not just some monster lurking around in the darkness, pathetically waiting for prey to come by. No, I'm more than that. I'm a mammal, a carnivore, a canine, an alpha, and…. I'm also a male. At this enlightenment, I got up. I know it hadn't been two hours yet and I might get into trouble, but I didn't care. I didn't want to stay in this dark, silent, uncomfortable room anymore. I wanted to be in what was left of the day's sunlight. I wanted to be where I could see flowers.

Up the empty staircase I unhurriedly climbed. I finally found what I was searching for; a window overlooking the school's garden. I came up to it, placing both my palms on the stone windowsill. My eyes gently shut as I soaked in the sun's golden rays. Yes, I'm definitely feeling something; something new, something light and warm. It's almost like I can see myself….. like I've found somewhere bright where I want to stay. Like I can finally step forward for the first time in my life.

My eyes reopened so to stare outside at the sea of colourful flowers down below. I think….. I think I'm starting to get it now. I'm feeling happy- a happiness growing inside of me. My arms folded so they could rest on the sill, and I rested on chin on them. Then, I suppose I should come to terms with this other, accompanying feeling too… A gentle, small smile blossomed across my lips. Yes, I understand now. I am a male wolf…..

and this male wolf wants to see her again.