Chapter Six- Third Full Moon

Sunlight fell on Zane's face and he squinted as he opened his eyes and blinked. He was curled up again but this time there was no dead wolf and he felt a warmth beside him. He glanced over and back to see Syrus asleep up against a tree. He knew he was alive as he could see the chest rise and fall and he didn't smell death from the boy, either.

But how did we end up like this? Again, I don't remember. But, Sy would know and he had been recording. His eyes landed on the PDA lying next to Syrus.

He put a hand on Syrus' shoulder and gently shook it. "Syrus. Syrus."

Syrus stirred and blinked open his eyes before they focused on Zane. He fully sat up and grabbed his PDA. "Morning, Zane."

"Sy, how did we end up sleeping together?"

"I'm not sure. I'd like to think that you somehow knew me."

Zane closed his eyes and tried to recall something. He probed his feelings and found a possible answer. He opened his eyes. "I think I felt a kinship toward you that I didn't understand. I didn't see you as a human, only an unknown creature. So, what did I do last night?"

"Oh! Right." Syrus powered his device on. "I just want to say that you did move on two legs and then moved in a crouch." Syrus brought up the video menu and hit 'play' on last night's recording.

Zane stared transfixed as the video played. He got a close-up of himself trotting, hunting, and eating a rabbit. There was then a sequence of shots from a sideways arm's length distance of him sniffing Syrus and recoiling a little. The video ended when Zane fell asleep.

"So, that's what happened," he said. "When not facing a real wolf, I seem rather…tame for a wild wolf. Although, I do find it weird that I was sniffing you."

"Zane, you thought you were a wolf," Syrus pointed out. "And don't wolves use their noses to understanding everything around them? I mean, dogs do it so it follows…"

"That wolves do it too," Zane cut in. "Yes, you have a point. I find it curious that I was moving at a crouch. It may be that I'll be on all fours tonight."

"Would you like me to record you tonight to see?" Syrus asked as they left the woods."

"Do you want to?"

"I think so. I know what to expect now and you'll remember my scent so you might feel relaxed."

"I'd like to be relaxed so I'll meet you tonight."

Syrus nodded and the brothers split up to change clothes and get ready for the day. Syrus entered his room and Jaden said, "Sy, there you are! Where were you all night and why are your clothes dirty?"

"I was with Zane last night. He wanted a video of his behavior and I offered to do it. I fell when Zane smelled me and was approaching me."

"Did he hurt you?"

Syrus shook his head. "He sniffed me and something told him I was kin. He actually curled up next to me and fell asleep. I ended up falling asleep too." Syrus plugged in his PDA to charge it. "I'm going to do it again tonight. Zane and I think my presence may relax him now that he's smelled my scent."

"You think and act like a wolf on the full moon?" Atticus whispered as they walked to school.

"Yes. I was an aggressive one on the first night, but I was a bit calmer last night. I don't really remember what happens, but Syrus recorded my activities last night."

"He did? And you didn't notice?"

"Oh, I noticed. My senses are sharp, remember? I sniffed him out but I didn't attack. I drew a feeling of comfort and security from him and we slept the rest of the night."

"You plan on doing that again tonight? The recording and all?"

"Sy will be recording but I can't control how I'll act. We can only go forward with the plan. I do know that I won't attack him as I'll know his scent."

Atticus shook his head slightly as they sat in class. The full moon had turned the curse back into a true curse. Zane did not remember the night unless someone recorded it and that could be dangerous for the one recording. Syrus, being his brother, escaped attack but that didn't apply to everyone.

"Zane, maybe I should come too. If you tell your manager the truth, he may insist on accompanying you. After all, you would be his client," Atticus said as school ended.

"You have a point and I'm thinking that everyone here has figured out how I am during the full moon. I do need to know how I'll act around someone who isn't family."

Syrus had no problem with Atticus joining him for Zane's last full moon of the month. Both carried their PDA's and took positions on opposite sides of a clearing. They hit 'record' and Zane closed his eyes to prepare for his wolf mind.

Atticus nearly jumped when Zane howled. He watched the screen as Zane sniffed the air and then crouched to sniff the ground. He looked to his right and locked eyes with Syrus who was not hiding himself like Atticus was. There was silence as the two stared at each other before Zane's head whipped around and his nose flared in Atticus' direction. A low growl sounded as Zane approached on two legs, his face twisted in a snarl.

Atticus felt his heart thumping as he saw Zane approach with an expression that looked very animal-like. There was no recognition in his eyes as he approached Atticus' position. Okay. He seems to feel threatened by those who are not family. Atticus' impulse was to run but he fought that by telling himself that Zane likely had the speed of a wolf and be able to take him down in no time. Maybe if I don't move, he won't attack me, he thought hopefully.

Zane parted the bush and stared at Atticus who didn't move. Zane stepped through the bush and up to Atticus' face, sniffing it and his hair. He then stepped back and gave the equivalent of a wolf's grin before crouching down and nosing the brunette's hand. Atticus reached up and scratched behind one of Zane's ears. He heard the soft whine from the last time he scratched the ears and smiled at the wagging tail.

A plop sound caught both of their attentions and they looked to see a large raw steak on the ground. Zane's nose twitched as the scent reached him and he went to it, crouched down, seized it in his hands, and tore into it as a wolf would. Atticus could hardly believe his eyes as he filmed it. This is kind of disturbing. I know he's in wolf mode, but still this is my friend and he's eating in an uncivilized manner.

Syrus watched as Zane devoured the raw steak and began washing his hands and face. He had felt his brother deserved something else besides wild animals to hunt, at least in the early evening. So, he had asked Atticus to steal the steak and pass it to him as Zane would be likely to accept it from him. He had taken it out with the intention of distracting Zane from Atticus with it, but he paused when he saw Atticus scratch Zane's ear and seeing Zane's tail wag.

He trusts Atticus. Maybe some part of his humanity is still awake and knows he is part of that race, despite his current state of mind. Syrus threw the steak then, catching the attentions of both before Zane smelled it and went over to eat, holding it in his hands. And that's another point to my humanity theory. He's using his hands as hands. It seems Zane was wrong in thinking he would walk on all fours. Syrus watched as Zane headed into the woods and he followed as did Atticus, both still recording.