Chapter Four- Shunned

"Yes, a werewolf." Jaden's tail swished in irritation. "Mind letting me in or am I going to have to sleep out here all night?" There was silence before the door opened and Jaden walked in.

Both of his roommates were eyeing him with fear with Syrus in his bed already and Hassleberry climbing into his own. "Oh, come on," he said, shutting the door with a back paw. "I'm not going to bite."

"But that's usually how one becomes a werewolf," Syrus said. "Being bitten by a werewolf on a full moon."

"True, but trust me, I won't bite." Jaden crossed to the small mirror mounted on the wall and reared up, planting his paws on the wall. A brown wolf with gold eyes and a long muzzle was reflected there. However his eyes, while having the intensity of a wolf, had human awareness and intelligence in their depths. I can see why they would be afraid, but I'm still me.

"I'm kind of cute," he said as he went back to all fours.

"You said a chamber and the full moon changed you?" Hassleberry asked.

"Yeah. There were also words carved into the stone walls of the chamber. It told me all about being a werewolf. I'll be forced to change on the full moon or if I became angry or scared. I can changed when I want otherwise. I'll have the enhanced senses, speed, and strength whether human or wolf. I'll also have pointed ears while human. Obviously, I am aware and in control of myself." He faced his friends and still saw fear and apprehension in their eyes. He sighed. "Look, I know this is a bit much so let's get some sleep and talk in the morning." He climbed into bed and curled up before falling asleep.

Syrus and Hassleberry woke early and quietly dressed before regarding the sleeping wolf. He had shifted positions in the night and was now on his side, his face toward them. Neither one said anything as the sun rose and Jaden changed to human, fully clothed and still asleep. Syrus could make out the pointed tip of an ear through Jaden's hair before the two Ra students left the room.

"Jaden seems to like being a werewolf," Syrus said. "I mean, he didn't seem upset or anything."

"You're right. Personally, I would see it as a curse. Forced the change three times a month? No thanks."

Jaden entered the cafeteria at his usual time to find his friends eating at a different table. He wasn't too concerned as he got his food, albeit, with some extra fish. Wolves are carnivores so since I'm part wolf it makes sense that I would crave meat. Jaden had checked his ears when he woke up and liked how they looked: Kind of like Dark Panther's ears but a little longer. I wonder if Sy and Hassleberry noticed earlier. I'll ask on the way to school.

Jaden never got the chance to ask as his friends left the cafeteria without him and headed to school, leaving him to walk alone. He was feeling a little confused and abandoned. Did they really think he would bite them into werewolves? I wouldn't do that. I'm a sweet wolf, a nice one.

He saw Alexis as he reached the school and called, "Hi, Alexis!" Alexis glanced back and then hurried away. Jaden blinked. Did she already know? If so, it wasn't hard to figure out how. Sy and Hassleberry aren't wasting any time, telling people about me. If Alexis' reaction is any indication, the school's likely to be afraid of me and turn on me.

His suspicions were confirmed as he got to his first class. The Slifers had all bunched up together so Jaden sat with no one next to him, below him, or above him either. The same scenario played out in his other morning classes. When lunch rolled around, Jaden sat on the roof, not hungry and depressed over how he was now viewed.

Atticus had kept an eye on his boyfriend throughout the morning. The news that Jaden was a werewolf now spread like fire via the PDA's and the brunette Slifer found himself shunned. Atticus heard some students say that Jaden was now a freak and a monster and they feared what their top duelist was capable of now. Their words angered Atticus and it was clear that Jaden hadn't heard any of this but he did seem depressed. Atticus' heart went out to his boyfriend. He needed some comfort and Atticus was just the person for the job.

He suspected Jaden was on the roof and headed up there with a large box lunch they could share. He popped his head out of the stairs and saw Jaden sitting near the edge and seemed unaware he had company. Atticus didn't see any spirits around as he headed over to Jaden. "Hey, Ja," he said lightly as he sat.

Jaden looked over. "Atti," he said flatly as he edged away.

Atticus slid over too. "Ja, don't shy away from me. We're boyfriends after all."

"Haven't you heard? I'm a werewolf."

"Yeah, I've heard. But I don't care."

"You're…not afraid of me?"

"Why would I be? It's clear to me that this hasn't changed you."

"A few things have changed, though. I crave meat and I have pointed ears." Jaden brushed some hair back to expose one briefly.

"Point made, but I'm guessing your personality hasn't changed."

"Pretty much, but no one else sees that. They're afraid of me as if I'll change and bite them." Jaden huffed a little. "If I did want to, I would have to wait until the full moon."

"So, you can change whenever you want?"

"I can and also whenever I feel scared or angry. I also have sharper senses, faster speed, and I'm stronger as a wolf and a human."

"Any chance I could see your wolf form now?"

"Of course. I should warn you, it'll be instant."

Atticus braced himself as the brown eyes he had been looking at became gold wolf eyes. Atticus then stood and looked Jaden over from different angles. "'Very nice," he said as he sat again. "Syrus and Hassleberry saw this, right?"

"Yeah, but it scared them. Everyone else is afraid of me and they won't listen to me if I try to say that I'm harmless." Jaden bowed his head and gave a whine.

"Maybe if we talk to Sheppard, you'll be able to tell the school that you're harmless."

"You think so?"

"We can try." Atticus laughed as Jaden licked his hand. "All right, Ja. So you hungry? I brought a box lunch."

"Starving." Jaden changed back to human as Atticus opened the box. He had just grabbed a set of chopsticks when he froze, his nose flaring. "We're about to have company," he said.

Atticus craned his neck, ready to defend Jaden from anyone who would mock him. A shock of blue hair appeared and he relaxed a bit: It was Jesse. The foreign student came fully into view with his usual grin in place.

"Hey, Ja. Hear you're a werewolf."

"Just since last night."

Jesse gave a shrug. "Doesn't bother me. I think it's cool."

Jaden grinned at this as Jesse joined them and Atticus offered him some chopsticks so he could share in their lunch. And after class, Atti and I will see Sheppard.