Chapter Two- Potential
Lita closed the magazine with a contented sigh and stared up at her ceiling. It was a Friday night and the weekend was off to a good start, in her opinion. She had completed her homework, she had a fan meeting tomorrow, and then on Sunday, she planned to work out at the gym.
Lita lived alone in her own apartment as her parents had died a year ago and no one was willing to take in a fourteen year old girl who had a reputation for fighting school mates and had to transfer to another school as a result. So far, she hadn't fought anyone in her current school, at least not physically but that was the part she had to avoid. The local gym was helpful in curbing her fighting desire. She spent time at the gym either pummeling a punching bag or attending a martial arts class. Few classmates understood her enjoyment in working out and being strong, but none knew of her other passion: Werewolves.
She found werewolves fascinating and read everything she could about them. The knowledge she gained made her want to either be a werewolf or a werewolf hunter. The 'fan' meeting was actually a werewolf anonymous meeting where she had some friends. A few of them hung out after meetings or a regular gathering to role-play at being werewolves and hunters. She was often told that she would be good in either role…if werewolves and hunters were real. It was accepted that neither were real but the members held out hope to actually meet a real werewolf or hunter.
Funny thing is that there's no way to tell a werewolf from a human, she thought as she prepared for bed and slid under the covers. Too bad. I have a few questions only a werewolf can answer. She sighed softly as she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Nephlite sat near the back of the community center's basement room of the werewolf anonymous meeting and watched others enter the room. He was not a regular member but guests were warmly received as long as they showed genuine interest. He certainly displayed that and for a good reason. He encouraged any kind of misinformation the humans shared about his kind. If one of them became a vampire, it would be very bad as he or she would tell other vampires what did kill a werewolf, provided the truth was told at meetings such as these. And if that happened, all the young vampires would be sent out to dispose of any werewolves they found as long as it wasn't the full moon.
He also attended such meetings to sniff out potential new wolves. He felt werewolf enthusiasts would happily accept the chance to be bitten. He had been bitten to save his life. He had been pursued by a vampire who had fled when a werewolf got between him and Nephlite. When told of the existence of vampires and werewolves and that Nephlite had the scent to be a wolf, Nephlite accepted the offer to be turned. It had led to 250 years of life, love, joy, sorrow, and death.
He took a deep breath and a familiar scent hit him. The scent of pine trees and clean water that a potential wolf carried. Only werewolves could smell this scent which was good as vampires would drain those potentials before getting the chance to be bitten. He casually turned his head in the direction of the smell and saw that a pretty teenaged brunette girl had sat beside him. She also looked over and smiled at him. "Hi," she said, extending a hand. "I'm Lita."
"I'm Nephlite." He took her hand and was astounded by her grip. He said as much and her smile grew.
"I work out at the gym nearby. I don't remember seeing you at meetings before." She nodded at the other people.
"No. I'm just a guest. I do have an interest in werewolves like everyone else here."
"Of course. I try to learn everything I can about them and apply them to a role-playing game I and others sometimes do."
"You role-play as werewolves?"
"Or hunters. I like playing both roles."
At that moment, a gavel sounded and everyone took a seat and fell silent as the meeting started. Nephlite listened to the humans and either encouraged the misconceptions or altered facts that were true such as physical signs. He wore his hair loose all the time as they neatly concealed his ears.
"Yes," the president said to Nephlite's contention to no physical signs. "That is pretty much accepted by everyone here. If it was that easy, obviously we would have questions for him or her."
"Of course." Nephlite relaxed as other topics of werewolves were discussed, his nose tickling from the unique scent coming off Lita. It was most pleasant and it stirred a feeling in him that he thought he'd never feel again: Love. I need to befriend her and get to know her. The first thing I'll do is check out the nearby gym and see if I can spot her or smell her. I can take my time in courting her as I can turn her at any time, if she wants it. I'm fine if she doesn't; we can just be friends.
Lita smiled dreamily as she left the meetings. It had been a good solid discussion of werewolves and was swaying her more toward wanting to be one instead of a hunter. The best part of the meeting was when she met Nephlite. She had never met a man like him. For one thing, he wore his hair long which is unusual for a guy but it looked good on him. His smile was warm and genuine. He wasn't put off by the fact that she was strong and worked out regularly. He was also interested in werewolves which was a big plus in her book.
He could be the guy for me. Yes, he's older but he seemed to really like me. I hope we run into each other again real soon. I'd like to know more about him and be his friend. Once we've established that, I could tell him how I feel about him. I know it's kind of sudden but I tend to fall fast and hard when it comes to matters of love.
Nephlite pulled the dumbbell up and then down before pulling up the other one in his other hand. He had sought out the closest gym to the community center and, once he had, decided to go in and work on his biceps. Yes, he was stronger as a werewolf, but felt that his back legs were stronger than the forelegs so he decided to lift some weights.
He worked on all the upper body equipment available before grabbing a shower and leaving the building. He was a bit surprised to find that night had fallen. Heh, time flies when you're working out, he thought. And it should really fly when I meet Lita here, whenever that is.
He had started down the sidewalk and then heard the sound of rapid footsteps behind him before a blond man sped past, snagged Nephlite by the arm, and yanked him down the sidewalk and into a deserted and isolated alley. He swung Nephlite around and the werewolf hit the wall hard enough to leave him winded. "What the hell?" he gasped out.
The blond pushed him up against the wall. "Listen," he said urgently. "I need your help. My name's Jedite, I'm a vampire hunter, I'm out of ammo, and a vampire is pursuing me."
"And you grab me for what…" Nephlite paused, his nose flaring as he caught that unique scent again. "That scent," he said softly.
Jedite nodded. "I met a werewolf in another town a year ago and he told me I carried a scent only werewolves could smell and that I could become a werewolf. I caught sight of your ears for a split second earlier today so I know you're a werewolf. I beg of you to bite me."
Nephlite saw the desperation in Jedite's eyes and in his voice as well. "Of course I will. I won't let those vampires drain a potential wolf."
Jedite smiled as he stepped back and Nephlite changed to his wolf form before delivering the bite. Jedite gasped and then growled softly as he shifted into a blond wolf with gold-green eyes. He thanked Nephlite before leaving to be a wolf for the night.