Chapter Three- Testing

Keith crept out of the castle and headed for the forest, a basket of food hanging from one arm. He had raided the pantry for food and gathered meat, bread, cheese, fruit, and water. He had met no one on the way and temporarily disable security to insure his silent departure. He secreted himself a good way into the woods before sitting and eating his food. The meat was uncooked and Keith elected to wait until he had changed before consuming it. I'll burn calories during the change and need to replace them. Besides, wolf stomachs can handle raw meat better than people can. He finished his food and he stood to await his change, his sensitive eyes having already adjusted to the lower light.

Darkness fell and Keith felt an urge to howl and didn't fight it. He threw back his head and a real wolf's howl emerged and then a low growl as he felt his body enlarging and elongating as he shifted into wolf form. He shook himself out and then flared his nose to sniff the air and the meat he had put aside wafted up to him. His stomach growled and he turned to the meat, laid down, and began to chew and eat. His teeth cut effortlessly into the meat and its taste appealed to the carnivore he had become. He licked his chops as he consumed his last bit and used a paw to clean his face.

"Now, let's see how fast I can go," he said softly to himself. He got up, stretched his legs and body out, crouched low, and then took off. His legs moved smoothly as his paws pounded along the ground. He leaped over fallen logs and low bushes and saw the ground blur below him as he sped through the forest. He laughed and howled in joy. It was hard to worry about keeping this secret when he was moving so fast and the feel of the air ruffling his fur. He felt so alive and connected to nature in this form.

This is what it's really like to be a werewolf, he thought as he paused at a stream to drink. To be part of nature and have the abilities of an animal. I have speed, strength, and enhanced senses as a wolf as well as natural grace. Yes, I will be vicious and think purely as a wolf but that's only three nights a month. My pendent can't override that; it only works on non-full moon nights.

Speaking of working, silver isn't the only thing that'll work on me as far as weakening me. Even though it was part of the formula, Wolfsbane would weaken me and make me feverish. Iron would burn me like silver. Arrows would keep me from healing quickly not to mention being painful. Finally, moonstone would block the moon's effect on me and could disrupt my transformation cycle especially on the full moon. Disrupting my transformation cycle is not pleasant and could risk revealing my secret as I may transform in daylight instead of nighttime.

Keith paused in his drinking and admired his face. The strong jaws, the whiskers on his muzzle, his black fur, the long pointed ears, the long delicate muzzle, and the bright intense gold eyes. He panted, exposing his white sharp teeth, and his tail wagged. He was very good-looking and loved it. Too bad no one else will see this, but they wouldn't understand why I chose to let the wolf within out. His ears turned when he heard a sound nearby. His head whipped around and he saw a rabbit hop into view. As he looked at it, he was visited by the desire to chase and kill it. Well, I am a wolf. I should indulge in my instincts and desires.

He turned to it and growled. The rabbit froze at the sound before it sprinted off. Keith didn't hesitate in following. His claws came out and gave him additional traction as he chased the rabbit. He panted in excitement as he ran, the scent of the rabbit filling his nose and his mind filing it away for future reference. He increased his speed and he leaped forward. His jaws opened wide and latched onto the rabbit's neck. He bit down and the rabbit stiffened as it died.

Keith slid to a halt released his catch, and howled. That was…thrilling! I never realized how exciting it is to hunt, to chase your food down, and kill it yourself. I absolutely love being a werewolf! He ripped the rabbit apart and then laid down to eat; after running and chasing the rabbit, he had used up a lot of energy and needed to replenish it. He ate hungrily and, when done, he started back to where he had left the basket, paying attention to his senses and movement.

His nose smelled scents that were stronger than when he was a normal human in addition to smells he would never have smelled before. His ears heard every little sound so that quiet had a new definition for him. His eyes easily saw through the night and suspected that only pitch-dark could stop him now.

His muscles rippled as he walked and his limbs moved quickly and easily. His claws were sharp and kneaded the ground beneath him, making him silent in his movements. My body is an efficient killing machine and since wolves are predators, it makes sense.

There's just one thing: I would like to have company. Someone who would not see me as a monster and understand why I chose to take the formula. Someone to who I could share my findings of my senses and body's movements instead of keeping it to myself. I also would like someone to play with; to run, to wrestle, maybe even be sexual. He panted even harder at the thought of having sex as a wolf. He shook his head to rid himself of the thought. There was no one to share this with so no point in dreaming about it. He was a lone wolf and really, it wasn't so bad. He returned to his starting point, curled up, and yawned before he dropped off to sleep.

Lotor scowled. Clearly, someone was on duty but he couldn't see who it was. I obviously didn't think this part of the plan through. However, I can lure someone out if I allow their sensors to see me. I can simply stand on the bridge to attract attention and react according to whoever appears. Naturally, I hope it's Keith. I would lure him here and talk to him before I tell him that I love him.

Lotor interlaced his fingers and placed them against his chin, his yellow eyes fixed on the castle as he imagined his meeting with Keith. No doubt he would come armed and face him man-to-man instead of heading to his lion. Keith was an honorable man and didn't consider it right to use a ship to attack someone who wasn't in a ship. He would run back to the woods to talk and confess.

He will likely reject my affections and I will ask for him to meet me the next day when I will present him with a pendent as proof that I love him.

There is a chance that he loves me too; if so then we will get to know each other better and when the time is right, which won't be long, I will give him the pendent as a token of affection. Lotor put a hand into a pouch on his belt to feel the cool metal of the pendent. It was special to him and had decided that he would give it to his beloved one day. He had thought he would give it to Allura, but now he knew that it would go to Keith. I'm sure he would be touched when I tell him it's precious to me and should go to someone precious to me.

He continued to gaze at the castle, but he saw Keith's face instead of the smooth castle exterior. He sighed softly. He was deeply in love with Keith. The fact that he couldn't stop thinking of him was proof of that. He barely heard the soft sounds of the forest and yet they served to lull him to sleep. His eyes started to close.

The howl of a wolf sounded loud and clear and made Lotor open his eyes and snap his head to the right. His cat-like eyes stared off into the dark and he made out the shape of a wolf as it ran by. He wasn't afraid for a couple of reasons: One reason was the wolf couldn't get to him and two, he didn't fear wolves. He actually revered them. They were strong and fast as well as perfect killing machines.

A wolf would be the perfect pet for me; a symbol of power. Once I am king, I will acquire a wolf who will be trained to obey me. Lotor smiled as he fell asleep.