Chapter Eight- At Peace

Zane sat in a far corner of the cafeteria, idly picking at his food and occasionally taking a bite. He was by himself and felt lonelier than he had in his whole life. The looks of his dorm mates gave him were full of fear and a little hate. No doubt the morning's events had spread and it served to confirm their suspicions that Zane's curse had caused an inward change in him.

But not completely, he thought. I do make sounds and be more protective of my friends and family, but it is the full moon when I act like a wolf. If my dorm continues this attitude, then I can't wait to graduate.

"Hi, Zane," came a voice and Zane looked up to see Alexis and Atticus. Alexis put her tray down. "Do you mind if we join you?"

"Not at all. I was feeling lonely."

Both siblings sat and Zane continued, "I assume you heard about this morning? I fear that if Sy hadn't stopped me, I would have hurt them or worse, killed them."

"You wouldn't have killed them," Atticus said confidently.

"I'm not so sure. I was very angry at their treatment of Syrus. I was on the verge of attacking when Sy intervened." He rubbed the sides of his nose carefully, eyes closed. "I'm starting to think that I have no place on the pro circuit. What manager would have me with my full moon cycles and possible angry tendencies?"

"Oh, I wouldn't say that," Atticus said just before Zane's PDA dinged. "You might want to check that," he added.

Curious, Zane pulled it out and saw a message from a Taylor Clawood and the envelope icon bore an official pro circuit seal! Heart pounding, he opened it.

Mr. Truesdale,

I am Taylor Clawood and I am a pro manager who is a werewolf. Your friend, Mr. Rhodes, found me online and reached out to me on your behalf. Mr. Rhodes contacted me because of the large section of woods on my property. He told me of your curse and I told him of my own curse. I believe you and I would be a perfect match. Both of us can live at my place and have our cycles together. If you wish to speak with me, I would be delighted. A number followed the message.

Zane looked up at the siblings. "A werewolf manager," he said softly. "Atticus, I can't thank you enough for this."

"Well, I figured if there was a witch duelist, perhaps there was a supernatural manager or two. The fact that he has woods on his property is what caught my attention."

"That's what he wrote. I also agree with him that we would be a good match as we both need the full moon off. I think I'll call him so we can talk." Zane finished his lunch and hurried to his room and to the video screen where he entered the number. The screen flared to life as he sat on the couch and the image of a man appeared. Zane blinked. The man had a pair of brown wolf ears that matched the hair. His eyes were gold wolf eyes that nonetheless held sincerity and compassion. "Mr. Clawood?" he asked.

"Yes. I'm Taylor Clawood. You are exactly like the picture Mr. Rhodes sent me. Your ears and tail don't match your hair which indicates that you're half-wolf and not a werewolf."

"Yes. Forgive me, Mr. Clawood but the full moon is over, so how…?" He touched his own ear.

Clawood smiled. "I look completely human in the daylight hours of the cycle. Outside of it, I can partially shift. When I saw your number on my caller ID, I chose to shift to prove I am a werewolf."

"I should have thought of concealing my additions but I didn't and now it's pointless as the entire school has seen them."

"We'll be able to make your features look fake. The fact that they don't match your hair will work in our favor."

Zane smiled. "I'm glad Atticus contacted you. I would love to have you as my manager."

"Doesn't the school select your manager?"

"Mostly, but that's not ironclad and considering my situation, I am sure I will be given some freedom in who manages me."

"Nonetheless, I will contact your chancellor and express my interest in you but not specifically why."

"Of course. Thank you, Mr. Clawood."

"My pleasure…Zane." The screen turned off.

Zane leaned back in his couch and his tail wagged. Clawood was the perfect manager. He was a werewolf who also needed the full moon open as he would be a simple wolf in body and mind while Zane would be one in mind. He was sure that Sheppard would approve of Clawood.

Now if I could get back the respect of the school, he thought, his tail stilling and his ears folding back. He then sat up straight and his ears stood erect. I will not hide or look down; honestly that's what Sy would do. I will hold my head up and go about my business. I was right to protect my brother, though I am not proud of the way I went about it. Now, most duelists gather in the arena on Saturday afternoons for some casual duels and I will join them. Zane put on his duel disk, gathered his deck, and headed out.

There were several duels in progress when Zane arrived and he stood off to one side of the entrance, watching them. Everyone here were good duelists and would go on to make Duel Academy proud. I certainly plan do, Gradually, the sounds of duels faded as each one wrapped up and the sounds of whispers and mutters were heard as practically everyone turned to look at him.

His eyes roved over the crowd and he spotted the bullies. Wait. That's it; a way to make amends, he thought as he made his way toward them, exuding a calm unthreatening air while fellow school mates parted before him. He kept his arms at his sides and his eyes softened as he looked at them. "I apologize for my behavior this morning," he said in a clear voice that carried. "There is no excuse for how I acted."

"That's not true," Syrus called out. "You were protecting me."

"I could have handled it differently," Zane countered, his eyes still on his almost victims. "I am aware that there are those who think of me as a freak now. If that is how you wish to think of me from now on, then you are welcome to do so." He turned and walked away from the bullies. He had gone a couple of yards when Bastion approached and asked for a duel. He accepted and activated his duel disk.

Syrus shook his head a little. "Zane doesn't care that some people think he's a freak? I thought he was hurt over that."

"Maybe he was," Jaden said. "But now he's back to calm, cool Zane. He started out normal as the curse began and ended and now he just came out of rough period with the full moon and the protective attitude of a wolf."

"Yeah," Syrus said as everyone watched Zane defeat Bastion in his usual style. "And he's not letting the curse stop him from being a pro."

"That's right." Zane said as they stood in his favorite spot that night. "In fact, Atti found a manager who will sponsor me. He has a section of woods on his property and is willing to let me live in his home. He also has some ideas of how to make my wolf features look fake."

"That's great, Zane. I'm glad you got someone who's willing to work with you on your curse."

"I am too, Sy." Zane closed his eyes as a breeze ruffled his tail and tickled his ears. The night was peaceful and Zane was also at peace with being half-wolf. All aspects of it.

The End