Chapter Five- Freedom

Shiro was treated to the same large portions for lunch and dinner and he ate all of it. He had thought he would be sick of eating raw meat but such was not the case. It was the Wolfsbane that made him sick. He felt feverish and his pulse raced from its proximity as it hung from hooks on either side of his cell. He did derive a calming effect from it as well. His vicious and mean feelings were diminished and he thought clearly.

"All right. Time for you to do your duty one last time," Collin said as he put the manacle around Shiro's neck again and chains around it as well. Once more, Shiro was led upstairs and he didn't fight just like last night. The effect of the Wolfsbane around his cell mellowed him so much that he didn't feel angry or mean but he did still desired to turn others. This urge couldn't be diminishment no matter what, save for the passage of time. He passed the imprisoned humans and they hurled insults at him, calling a monster and evil.

"I can't control it," he snapped. "I regret what I did and what I'm about to do and if I could resist it, I would." He was tugged away before any more words could be exchanged.

He was brought to the Ritual Room again and chained down. He watched as the roof was retracted so that the moon would shine on Shiro. He waited calmly and when the moon's light fell on him, he let out a howl and shifted instantly to his white-furred form. He gave a low angry growl at his restraints and pulled a little at them until the first slave was brought to him. Once again the air was filled with the sounds of screaming, howling, growling, and cells slamming shut. Shiro had no rational thought like last time, only a desire to create more werewolves.

Shiro blinked his eyes open and was surprised to find himself still chained in the Ritual Room. The cells held people who were either asleep or awake, the latter he couldn't bear to look at. He got to an all fours position and focused on his hands even as he heard footsteps approaching him.

"Well done, Shiro," came Iverson's voice. "A hundred and thirty people turned in two nights. Paul was right to turn you. You make a good werewolf."

"A hundred and thirty?" Shiro choked. "I condemned them all to slavery. That's terrible."

"They were homeless or troubled. They now have a place to live and an owner to serve. Most will be passed down to the owner's children and their descendants. Others will serve as laborers due to their new strength and then will likely be sold to provide labor for another or be a pet or even someone to turn others." Iverson crouched down and unlocked the manacles and collar. "You are free to go. If you wish to return next month to confine yourself…"

"I will secure myself in my basement once I've renovated it," Shiro cut in. "I do not intend to return here." He rose to his feet, left the room, and was soon out of a grand mansion. He walked briskly toward his home. He needed food and a shower. Once those had been attended to, he would study his basement and determine the best way to convert part of it to a cell to contain him during the next cycle and allow him to leave each morning.

He was soon at his dining room table eating toast and cereal. The absence of meat seemed strange but it also felt right. I will refrain from meat for a few days after all the meat I had eaten the last two days. He finished breakfast and went up to wash off the sweat and dirt he had gained during his imprisonment. The warm water, shampoo, and soap felt great and made him feel human again.

But, I'm not human anymore, he thought as he dried off and put on fresh clothes. I'm a werewolf. Half human and half wolf. I'm a monster three nights a month and must lock myself up those three night. He put his clothes in the hamper before heading down to the basement. He looked around the room, feeling the walls and floor. Everything was sturdy and he began to clear a space in a deep, far corner of the room behind the stairs. He the swept the floor and washed the wall. He stepped back to eye the space and nodded. He would need to build two additional brick walls and install a solid steel cell door. Or rather hire contractors to build the walls, install the door, and install anchors and cuffs. I'll shop around and get prices. I plan to have the building begin in a few days and finished before the end of the week. He left the basement to sweep and dust the house as he had been gone for two days. He put his laundry in the washer which included his instructor uniform, the bag found behind a bush beside his front door. When that was done, he paused at a hall mirror and examined his reflection critically.

He certainly didn't look any different. He turned to the side and found he was till as lean as he had been before but he seemed to have gained a little extra muscle. This is clearly a side effect of my condition. And speaking of effects, perhaps I should explore them. First, my quick healing ability. Iverson made sure I was kept healthy and unharmed but I must know how quick the healing process is.

He headed to the kitchen, took a sharp knife, and swiftly drew it across his palm. He hissed in pain as blood welled up before he ran his tongue over it. He tasted blood but he saw the cut heal instantly. It was just as he had seen Paul do that night. Okay. Now for my supernatural healing ability. He made a cut on his forearm and then placed a bandage on it before cleaning the knife and putting it away. A cut like that takes a week or so to completely heal, so I will check on it every day until it is healed. That will give me an idea of how fast I heal now.

He went online to browse the websites of local contractors to choose which one could build his cell. He also browsed the local brickyard and hardware stores for equipment. He planned to visit all three places tomorrow before class.

He had a salad for dinner before venturing to the backyard. He stood on the grass, closed his eyes, and breathed deeply. The scent of the grass and trees tickled his nose but it was pleasant nonetheless. His ears picked up tiny sounds he would never have heard two days ago. His eyes opened and the coming darkness did not seem as dark as it did before.

Incredible. My senses are sharper without the presence of Wolfsbane to make me ill and dull my senses. I can smell, hear, and see better than before. A shame it came at a heavy price. I don't think giving up half of my humanity is worth it. But Collin told me not think of my condition that way. I was told that I could change at will and be in complete control on non-full moon nights.

I could try that out right now and run around my yard and tired myself out as I am feeling restless at this point. He crouched down and closed his eyes, willing himself to change. He felt a tingle as well as a bit warmer and he opened his eyes to look down and see white paws instead of hands. He stood onto all fours and turned slowly to coordinate his limbs as he hadn't been able to move around before, and to see himself.

He found that his limbs were long and muscular, the latter a trait that covered his entire body. His muscles caused his body to grow larger, much larger than a normal wolf. He saw a full, long tail as he turned and he crossed his eyes to see the long, strong muzzle in front of him. His tongue brushed his sharp teeth as he said, "Not bad. I look very impressive and I will likely look this way for a very long time."

Shiro flexed his claws before he walked around the yard to get a feel for his movement. He increased his pace to power walking, then trotting, and then full-out running. Shiro laughed in joy as his yard turned into a green and silver blur. This is incredible! I'm running so fast, faster than I have before. Collin and Steppin were right: My non-full moon nights will be a journey of discovery as I'm fully aware of my actions.