Chapter Two- The Mastermind
A growling stomach woke Shiro the next morning. He wasn't sure what time it was, but knew it had to be a new day. The sound of footsteps was heard and he looked up to see two men he hadn't seen before. One was big, black, and burly while the other was average-sized with a professorial air about him. He bore a tray of food and drink and gave Shiro a warm smile as the door was unlocked.
"Good morning…Shiro, isn't it? I am Doctor Collin. I look after the werewolves using the knowledge I gained from studying and talking to them." He tilted his head at his companion. "This is Steppin. He's here to make sure you cooperate throughout the day though I don't see why you wouldn't." Collin put the tray down and lifted the lid to reveal a bottle of water and a platter of raw hamburger. He gathered the plate and a spoon before standing and spooning up some meat. "I know you probably find this repulsive, but…" Collin broke off when Shiro opened his mouth to accept the food.
"Ah, excellent," Collin said as Shiro chewed. "The werewolf virus is already in you and a craving for raw meat occurs during the full moon cycle."
"I'm also hungry," Shiro admitted.
"Yes, of course and you'll be more so when you change tonight and in the mornings as you'll burn a lot of calories during your changes."
Shiro digested this information as he ate and drank. It made sense that he would eat more as his changes would require fuel in order to transform. He would go from a compact human to a large furry animal and, according to Paul, he would have no human thought. He would be a vicious wolf who would desire to turn others.
"Shiro?" Collin asked curiously, seeing a look of revulsion on the werewolf's face.
Shiro focused on him, the look changing to one of resignation. "I did not deserve this curse. I don't like the idea of being a vicious animal who would want to turn others three times a month."
"Oh, now don't go thinking that way," Collin said quickly. "Yes, the full moon is an inconvenience but the other times will be a journey of discovery from what I am told. It'll be a journey at first, but after that it will simply be a pleasant experience."
"Other times?" Shiro repeated, confused.
"Yes," Steppin rumbled. "You will be able to change at will and be in complete control of your actions. You will learn to control you senses while transformed. You will discover your sharper senses tomorrow morning, however."
"Are you a werewolf?" Shiro asked.
"I am. I may not look it, but I have been a werewolf for fifty years."
"Fifty!? But you don't look much older than me."
"That is one of the perks of being a werewolf. And that is what we'll discuss later. The perks and weaknesses."
"Yes. I think we've given you enough to think about for now and you'll likely have questions when we return." Collin gave Shiro the rest of the water before taking the try and both men left the cell.
Shiro pulled at his cuffs, reasoning that since werewolves were stronger, then surely he was too. He pulled for at least an hour before concluding that he hadn't unlocked his super strength yet. In fact, raw meat craving aside, he didn't feel any different. I probably won't feel different until tomorrow morning.
Both of them said that I will be able to change when I want after the full moon. I will be self-aware during these times and I will learn control of my senses in that form, but my senses will sharpen tomorrow morning. Speaking of my form, will it hurt to change and, if so, how much? Will I need to undress or not? What can I expect tonight? I know that I will want to turn others, but how will that go, much less work?
Paul spoke of a business and selling werewolf slaves. Who's the mastermind behind this business and how come no one's stopped it? Well, once I'm released, I will head over to the police station and give them the location of this business. I won't say it is run by werewolves, but I will say that it's a slave trafficking organization. It won't cure me, but it'll save others from being kidnapped, bitten, and sold.
Questions raced through Shiro's mind as he stood cuffed to the wall. He had learned last night why he was there and that he had been bitten into a werewolf. He felt horrified at what he will become and how he will act, though diminished and tame due to his weaknesses, whatever those were.
The sound of footsteps drew him out of his thoughts and he looked at the door to see a face that made him scowl. "Iverson," he said in a low, angry voice.
Iverson, dressed in a dapper business suit and gold jewelry, smirked at his captive. Shiro and Iverson had had a fierce competition since high school over who would be more successful in life before Shiro lost interest in the race but Iverson continued to keep the enmity going occasionally mocking Shiro for choosing to be a mere instructor while he was a successful businessman.
"I must say, Shiro, I was surprised when Paul told me of who he bit last night. Well, this will make you more successful as you will work for me for the next two nights and maybe in the future."
"You'll only get two nights out of me and nothing more," Shiro shot back. "You're not a businessman, Iverson. You're a crime lord."
"Call it what you will, but it pays well. It's amazing how many people want a werewolf for a slave. I entered into a deal with Paul who is the leader of a small pack of werewolves. Together, we abducted people, had them bitten into werewolves, and sold them into slavery for a lot of money. Word of our business spread through the black market and our operation grew to include doctors, guards, and people successful in kidnapping. I have a way to tame wild werewolves in order to have others turned."
"If you have werewolves, why have me bitten?"
"We have just gotten lots of orders for slaves and they want them very soon, as in tonight or tomorrow. It takes a day for the virus to turn someone if bitten by an old werewolf or a month if bitten on the last full moon by an old werewolf. A newly-bitten could turn our slaves quickly so we can deliver them to their owners. A shame you don't want to be a part of my organization, Shiro. I feel you would be one of the best werewolves I have."
"What you're doing is wrong. Kidnapping people, changing their lives forever, and selling them into slavery. I want no part of it after tomorrow night."
Iverson shrugged. "Have it your way. You will continue to be educated about your condition by Collin and Steppin who enjoyed talking to you this morning. You will be brought up before moonrise and to where you will be restrained. We will bring the slaves to you and you will turn them as your werewolf nature will desire to do so."
"So, werewolves don't eat humans?"
"No. They may kill in an attempt to turn them as they are vicious in their full moon mindset."
"Wait. Paul bit me last night but he seemed in control of himself. How is that possible?"
"I asked the same question a while ago and he said that once a werewolf reaches fifty years since the bite, they will retain self-awareness on the full moon but will be forced to change. Paul has been a werewolf for a hundred years and retains his youth though his hair hasn't." Iverson chuckled as he walked away and Shiro sagged in his cuffs.
Great, just great. My longtime rival is the boss of this crime ring and I will be forced to participate in it as the one who will change innocent people into werewolf slaves.