Chapter Six- The Assembly
Well, maybe one, he thought the next day as he told Atticus about it before the assembly.
"Anger is a common emotion for predators, especially wolves. Fear is not associated with wolves. Usually prey animals and humans experience fear. I do agree with Hassleberry. You should change more often. Don't be afraid to be the werewolf you are."
"Perhaps, I'll do that tonight."
"Sounds good. Ja? Perhaps we should tell the school about us. I mean, if someone is harassing you for being a werewolf and I defend you, some people may wonder why. Also is we're spotted holding hands or being too friendly…"
"Atti, why do I get the feeling that you've been thinking hard about this?"
"Because I have, especially last night after the messages were sent out."
"Oh. Well, okay. We'll tell the school about us too." The pair went into the door leading to the auditorium stage. They mounted the steps where Sheppard, Crowler, and Bonaparte stood. Jaden saw looks of unease on the latter two's faces but a curious one on Sheppard. It took Jaden no time to realize that Sheppard was looking at Atticus. He'll find out why Atti is up here instead with the others soon enough.
The rest of the school gathered, most looking at Jaden until Sheppard started the assembly. "I'm sure most of you wondered about today's assembly. The purpose is to dispel any rumors or misconceptions concerning Jaden." He nodded at Jaden and gestured for him to talk.
Jaden accepted the mic and faced the crowd. "First things first: The story that I'm a werewolf. That is true. I fell into an underground chamber during the last full moon night recently and that combination is what transformed me. I have heard what most of you said about me and I assure you that I'm not a monster or a freak."
"Oh, yeah?" Chazz called out. "What about last night?"
Jaden fired a stern gaze on Chazz; an unusual look to see on the usually easygoing Slifer. "That is a drawback of the type of werewolf I am. If I feel too much anger or fear, I end up changing and can't change back until those feelings have passed. I was frustrated and upset by everyone turning on me and your taunting pushed me too far. I should point out that I didn't attack you. I was just angry."
"That's right," Atticus spoke up. "You were all afraid of him for no real reason. He's not going to turn or hurt anyone. I found him depressed on the roof at lunch yesterday. I told him that I wasn't afraid. I do want to say that I will defend Jaden if anyone harasses him for being a werewolf. He did not ask for this to happen. I say I'll defend him because…he's my boyfriend."
There were scattered gasps and shocked looks were exchanged between the students. Atticus continued, "I had feelings for him during most of last year and told him the day before the rally. He admitted feeling the same way toward me after I confessed."
Students murmured to one another over this news as Sheppard was handed the mic. The news that Atticus and Jaden were a couple was a bit of a surprise and yet, in hindsight, it explained why Atticus had been with Jaden at their meeting yesterday aside from not fearing Jaden's condition. "All right. Settle down. Now, there will be no harassing of Jaden or Atticus. Jaden has stated that he is not a monster or freak. He will not attack or bite anyone as Atticus has said. I too believe Jaden is harmless. I ask that you treat Jaden and Atticus like you did before all this happened. Everyone, please head to class." The assembly broke up and Jaden and Atticus joined the throng of students heading to class.
"That wasn't so bad," Atticus commented.
"We'll see," Jaden said. "Most people will listen to Sheppard and not bother us, but there will be some who will."
"Like Chazz?"
"Yeah." Jaden then smiled. "I don't think that will be a problem anyone. I was upset because everyone was excluding me and being afraid of me."
"Yeah. Anger and fear aren't really you. You're warm, friendly, and easygoing. Three traits that I love about you."
"Your easygoing personality and acceptance of the unusual are what I love about you." Jaden grinned at the smile on Atticus' face and he felt warm at being the reason for that smile.
Alexis caught sight of Jaden and Atticus talking and smiling with one another and she smiled at this. She, like everyone else, had been afraid of Jaden when told he was a werewolf and was a bit appalled when Atticus later admitted to having lunch with him. Atticus had scolded her for turning on a friend just because he gained a new condition. He pointed out that being a werewolf hadn't changed Jaden beyond a craving for meat and having pointed ears. This morning's assembly had convinced her that Atticus had been right.
Jaden smiled as he left the cafeteria with his best friends. Dinner had been better than usual. The dorm had been presented with steaks instead of fish. Syrus admitted to requesting the steaks from Ra and felt Jaden deserved a better meat choice than fish after everything he had gone through.
Jaden had laughed at this. "Sy, fish is fine. Wolves eat fish mostly if they can't find something else."
"Yeah, but you don't need to hunt," he had countered.
Jaden couldn't argue with that and didn't as he passed the stairs which caught the others' attention. "Ja?" Syrus asked.
"I'm going for a walk, guys, maybe a run."
"As a wolf?" Hassleberry asked.
"Yeah. It's like you said: I should change more often and Atti said I shouldn't be afraid to be the werewolf that I am."
"Okay, Sarge. Have fun and tell us about it later."
"Will do." Jaden then changed and sprinted off into the woods. He slowed as he entered the darkness until his eyes had adjusted. He sniffed the air, his nose flaring to take in the scents and identify them. Sy says I don't need to hunt, but it couldn't hurt to sniff out prey in case I need to. He breathed deeply and his instincts helped him to identify deer, rabbits, and squirrels; animals that appealed to him. Satisfied, he began walking.
He found his claws unconsciously kneading the ground as he moved and surmised it was hunting instinct but wasn't sure why. I should read up on wolves. That way I'll understand why I do what I do.
Jaden increased his pace and soon he was running flat-out. He couldn't help panting from the feel of the ground and the wind. This is great! Jaden thought as he ran, the forest a blur to him. He came upon the lake and lapped up some water before laying down to play with his hearing.
His ears stood erect as he closed his eyes. He clearly heard the waterfall as it thundered into the lake and the sound of the water from the falls joining with the lake water. He turned his ears one way and then the other, picking up sounds he wouldn't have heard before his change. He was impressed with the clarity and distance of his ears both human and wolf.
I love being a werewolf despite the full moon change, he thought as he headed home. I still won't bite even if someone asks. I can tell others what I discover and I'll start with Sy and Hassleberry. Tomorrow, I'll tell Atticus. I know he'll want to know. Jaden barked as he played with wolf sounds all the way home.