Chapter Nine- Comfortable

Aladdin licked his muzzle and whiskers of water droplets before looking into the fountain. A strong black wolf with gold eyes was reflected there. Just like Razoul and Jasmine, only Razoul seems bigger and more muscular.

Jasmine looked over at Aladdin and inwardly smiled. I had looked into the water last night to see my reflection. I hadn't seen Father or Razoul's eye colors but both told me earlier today. We all have gold eyes. "I was curious about how I looked last night," she said and Aladdin brought himself down to four legs.

"Yeah, we look good, huh?" he asked.

"I think so and I imagine a lot better on the full moon."

"A lot better. You're kind of scary on the full moon."

"You'll be that way next month. I can't say how you and Razoul will act toward each other."

"Are you saying we might fight?"

"Maybe. Father, being older, was shown respect and of course both respected me. If Razoul tries to fight you or if you try, I will use my status to get you two to back off."

"So, going on the idea that the four of us are a pack, who's at what position?"

"Well, my place is obvious. I would say that Razoul is at the bottom, Father above him and you above Father."

"Why above your father?"

"Because you are my mate. A beta, if you will. Father would be like an advisor due to his age though he was more intent on guarding me than advising since we thought only as wolves." She paused for a moment. "Aladdin, I'm concerned about you. You haven't been yourself today."

"I know. I looked inside and found it's because of my uncertainty of being a werewolf and your alpha role."

"I thought my role was playing a part of it. That can't be helped. As for the other part…well, you're a wolf now. Some, if not all, of your uncertainty should have vanished."

Aladdin flexed his paws and felt his tail move. He did feel a bit better in his wolf form. He sniffed the air and listened to all around him. Both senses were not as overwhelming or painful as they were before. Animals tend to have sharper senses than people. Now that I'm a wolf, my senses are comfortable. "I do feel better," he said. "My senses don't feel painful now."

"They were painful?" Jasmine asked in surprise. "I know Razoul found his to be distracting but I experienced neither of those feelings with my senses and Father didn't, either."

"Maybe the senses response is different for everyone," Aladdin said.

"I agree. So, you're more comfortable now."

"Yes and I feel more like myself."

"Good." She bared a grin. "How about we play again? It'll give you a real feel for your body and I have no fear of biting you as I've already done it."

"Sounds good to me." Aladdin then leaped at Jasmine with no warning. She was caught off guard as he collided with her and the two went down.

Jasmine, on her back, thrusted out with her back legs and sent Aladdin sliding across the ground. She popped to her feet and so did he. The two circled one another before they both charged. They met and tumbled over each other, claws flashing and teeth snapping. Aladdin lashed out with his claws and left three scratch marks on Jasmine's cheek; for a moment, he felt awful but then he saw the scratches heal. It seems we heal faster. That's neat, he thought and then yelped as his left forepaw was bitten, though not very hard. He gently nipped Jasmine's ear and she yelped in response. The pair wrestled and rolled across the ground, both laughing and barking happily.

Soon, they were both on their sides, panting hard. "That was…fun," Aladdin gasped. "I have…a sense of how…my body moves."

Jasmine took a few deep breaths before saying, "That was the idea. Aladdin, can I ask a favor?"

"Sure. What is it?"

"I want you to keep me in line whenever there are humans around. Make sure I don't bite anymore."

Aladdin rose and sank into a bow. "My pleasure, alpha. I'll keep you from biting others."

Jasmine was momentarily thrown by Aladdin using her title, but then reminded herself that he had already used it before his change. She got up and liked his cheek once he had risen from his bow. "Thank you. I'd like to walk around the city at night and not worry about biting someone."

"I'm sure Razoul would do the same if I lose track of you," Aladdin said.

"I'm sure he would." Jasmine then sniffed the air and picked up a scent her instincts identified as a bird. She saw Aladdin also sniff the air before he looked up. She did the same and saw Carpet and Genie heading toward them with Abu and Iago on Carpet. They did come back tonight.

"Hey, guys," Aladdin said as they landed.

"Al? Are you…okay?" Genie asked, a bit cautiously.

"I'm feeling a lot better," he said as Abu climbed onto his back.

"You sound like yourself," Iago said from the air.

"He was uncertain about being a werewolf and reacting to my role as alpha," Jasmine said. "That's why he wasn't himself. It did scare me when I went to him and brought him here."

"You're an alpha?" Iago said. "I thought that was a male thing."

"A female alpha is rare but it does occur. Father and Razoul confirmed it and Aladdin's reaction to me really drove it home." She took in her friends and then added, "I guess you're angry that I bit Aladdin, right?"

"Oh, Jas, no," Genie said. "It was a shock to see Al injured but we all know this was a possibility. Al pointed out that both of you knew it would happen."

"Considering I can turn others every night, it would have happened eventually."

"And I'll do my best to make sure no one else gets bitten," Aladdin said. "Jasmine asked me to keep her from doing that if she decides to go out for a nighttime walk."

"What if you lose her?" asked Genie.

"I could sniff her out or have Razoul on patrol during those walks."

"Good luck with that," Iago said sarcastically. "Razoul hates you."

"Not as much now," came Razoul's voice which made everyone turn to face him. "I am still not as fond of him as Jasmine and the Sultan are, but he is the mate of the alpha, giving him some authority over me. If he requests my aid, I will give it." He gave the same bow to Aladdin that was the same as the one he had given the Sultan and added, "Beta."

"Thank you," he said before yawning. Jasmine giggled before saying, "Let's get some sleep." Her friends and mate nodded before the latter curled up on the ground and was instantly asleep. Jasmine joined him, certain that her curse was now under control. With Aladdin and Razoul to keep me from biting on nighttime walks, my curse will be controlled.

The End