The Lycanwolf

Arrival

For several hours they rode on the high speed rails going from Chicago straight to the Pack Territory in Northwest Washington. They talked the whole way both asking and answering each other's questions.

It was nearing midnight when they all finally went to their cabins to sleep, as the train ride would last for many more hours.

Jane sat on her bed, and grabbed the book off of her desk. She lay down and read through the rest of what her vision had showed her, and as she turned the page she delved into another vision.

She finally found an opening on Atlas as their battle raged on, and kicked him square in the chest with as much force as he could muster. She sent him flying dozens of yards towards the Maw of Tartarus, where more and more of the Titans were being forced in.

"You shall eventually join them all as we will not rest until you do." Tantalus told Aries.

"You shall try you welp, but I will never go there willingly. You shall never force me to those depths to suffer with the rest of them." Atlas said as he stood and renewed his attack.

She met him halfway and the sparks that flew from the renewed attacks were sparking fires that made the battle that much more intense. They battled for hours more as the Human and Wolves along with the Olympians had forced all but a few of the Titans into the Maw of Tartarus, when Atlas' was finally kicked by Tantalus again and flew into a column that had been created during the fighting and spell casting. A few feet to the side would have had him straight into the Maw, and she lunged at him pressing the attack.

Atlas managed to dodge to the side, and Tantalus followed close behind, their battle happening right on front of the Maw of Tartarus, and they both dodged as Zeus hurled Kronus into the Maw of Tartarus and joined the attack if Atlas. She flew in, and Atlas was barely managing to meet the attack that was coming at him from both of them.

Zeus managed to batter the shield from Atlas' arm, and Tantalus knew the danger was about to really begin. Shaking off the blow, Atlas threw his sword at Zeus, and drew his spear at the same time, just in time to deflect the blow that Tantalus had almost landed straight to his heart.

"Let the battle begin youngling." Atlas taunted as Poseidon and Hades finally joined the battle as the other warriors battled the remaining Titans.

The 4 of them battled Atlas, and his spear was a blur as he deflected the hundreds of blows the Olympians were sending his way.

Tantalus finally found his mark, and slid his sword into his shoulder, leaving the sword there knowing it would affect him much more.

She sat upright, and knew she had had another vision, and was growing more and more concerned about what was happening. She looked out the window and saw the sun rising. The battle she had seen was fierce, and she knew it had lasted for days. She looked at the title of the book, and knew that it was about the origins. They had always suspected that the origins of Man and Wolf were more closely related than any of the experts believed, but she was suspecting that their Origins were the same, and she had a feeling it was for this war.

The experts knew of the link to the Olympians, and that both races were around at the time of the gods. It wasn't common knowledge, as the Treatise made it difficult to research the ancient past. Not impossible, but more difficult and it could only be among the learned experts and not released to the general public.

She splashed cold water on her face, and resolved herself to asking her father to ask the Elders. She had to know what was going on, and where the hell these visions were coming from.

She walked into the dining area of the car, and was surprised to see the twins sitting there with coffee. She poured her own cup, and sat with them in silence for awhile as they rattled towards Washington.

"What's going to happen once we get there?" Quinn asked.

"For who?" she asked coyly. For there would be very different aspects of how they would be greeted.

"Us, knowing you grew up there we are sure our receptions will be vastly different." Jason said joining the conversation.

"When we arrive, the Ranked Members of the Pack will be there to greet all of us. You will be asked many questions by the ranked members, as they get to know you. They will have the records from your orphanage, but they will want to know things that aren't in the record. After they ask all their questions you will be invited to join the pack in preparation for your Acceptance and Changing Ceremony." she told them.

"Will they also be able to reject us as well?" they asked together.

"Yes, if your answers dictate you will not be a good fit, they will have the option of rejecting one or both of you. However in my pack that has not occured in several hundred years." she assured them. "We believe that all Wolves should belong to a Pack, and that we have the ability to provide that family to those that live without it."

Both of them looked at each other, and Jane heard the tell tale signs of the bugle heralding the arrival of the train. She knew the first was at 50 miles, and they would begin slowing soon. She looked at the clock and knew they would arrive within 20 minutes and arrive at 930.

"We will be arriving soon won't we?" they asked together.

"Roughly 20 minutes, fortunately for you, you don't have ceremonial robes to wear for your return." she said as she stood up and went into her compartment.

15 minutes later she walked out, wearing the exact robes she had worn when she left 3 years prior. She hadn't set foot here since, as she didn't want to go through these ceremonies every time as was required by pack law. It was with some trepidation that she felt the train lurch and begin slowing rapidly. She heard the main bugle sound, as the train rounded the corner to the Pack platform.

"You two will be first, and I hope that it won't take long." she let them know as the train came to a stop.

As soon as it did, the doors to the Pack territory opened, and the Ranked Members stepped through, up to the center of the platform, between the doors and the train. Alpha Jon waved his hand, and the train doors opened. Jason and Quinn looked out through the door before stepping onto the Platform and walking to the center.

"Jason and Quinn Night, welcome to the Dragonian Pack Territory of Washington. I hope the journey was not intolerable?" Alpha Jon asked.

"No sir, we actually enjoyed ourselves on the train ride here." Jason said as Quinn fought to stay quiet while he spoke.

"Very good, we know as Orphans you are not used to the ways of the Pack, and therefore will not hold you to our traditions, yet." Beta Brian Rumford said in a welcoming tone.

"However there are some questions that we hope you can answer." Alpha Jon said to them.

"Of course, we would be happy to answer any questions you have." Quinn stated quickly to a chuckle of the ranked members.

"First, do you know what happened to your parents?" Gamma Paul asked.

"We were told that are parents and grandparents were all killed in a train crash. We were found in the wreckage, protected from most of the debris by their bodies and where we were located." they replied in unison, lending each other strength as they said it.

The ranked members shivered at the oddity, but said nothing. "What are some of your hobbies?" Brian asked them.

"I enjoy reading, writing, computer programming and art." Quinn said.

"While I enjoy Basketball, football, math, science and robotics." Jason said.

"Well, that is definitely a surprise. We were under the impression you were identical twins?" Luna Daisy asked them.

"Yes ma'am, that is what they tell us. However we have found many differences over the years." Jason said as he was more comfortable talking alone.

"Well boys, I believe we have all asked what we wished to. Gentleman, what is your verdict?" Jon asked as any of the ranked members could reject them.

"Aye." Gamma Paul Vartellini said for him and his wife.

"Aye." Brian said after his Mate nodded.

Jon looked at Daisy who nodded and he smiled. "Jason and Quinn Knight, it is my honor to welcome you into our pack. We do not know when you changing will be, but I can tell you this moon is not it. If you will step over there, it is time for us to welcome back a member." Jon said indicating a spot behind the Gammas, but outside the doors.

Without prompting Jane walked from the train in her robes, and strode proudly to stand in front of her father. She stood there for several seconds when she got to the center, giving her dad a serious look until he smiled at her.

"I, Jane Anna Esvolt, present myself to the Ranked members of the Dragonian Pack, and ask that I be allowed to return to the home of my forefathers so that I may complete my Change, and join the pack of my ancestors." she declared in the official ceremony for a returning member who has not changed.

Any changed wolf could come and go as they pleased after their 3 year isolation. Most were allowed out of the secure perimeter once they could control themselves after the change. And most completed it within a year, it was the weak ones that ever took longer, and it was almost unheard of for it to take the full 3.

"I hear that you have completed your bachelor's degree?" Gamma Paul asked her.

"Nay, I have not Gamma Vartellini. I managed to graduate with My Masters degree in the short time I have been away." Jane replied smiling. Most of the ranked members were shocked, except Daisy.

"Very well done indeed." Alpha Jon said as he nodded. "I, Alpha Jon Esvolt, hereby grant your request. May you enter our halls and join the pack of your ancestors. And may your contribution to the pack bring honor." he said in the formal manner.

"Well done my daughter." Daisy said walking up and hugging her along with her father who had tears.

After they separated each of the ranked members hugged her, knowing that Alpha Jon had something major planned for her in a few days time.

After everyone had hugged her, Alpha Jon looked at her seriously and smiled knowing he was about to shock her.

"So my dear, have you thought much about your Luna Ceremony?" Jon asked her.

As soon as the words left his mouth she was shocked, never had she imagined he would spring this on her now. "What?" she asked him as he laughed.

"Come my dear, you must have seen this coming?" her mother asked as she just shook her head.

Never before had a Pack been transferred to the Heir during their Changing time. However her parents had known she was special from the day they conceived her. She had been their miracle, and they knew she was destined for great things.

"Please tell me this is a joke?" she asked them pleading.

"Afraid not." Brian said as they began walking through the gates.

"Dad, we need to talk." she said as he looked at her and she arched her eyebrows.

"Let us go to my study, we will be able to talk there." Alpha Jon said. "Brian, will you take the boys to where they will be staying until their ceremony?"

"Yes Alpha, this way Jason and Quinn." Brian said leading the way with his wife Betty.