Luna's Howl (boyxboy)

Chapter 3: Breaking Forth

Jason POV

"Slow down...Marcus." I shouted. I ran behind him.

"Catch me." He replied as he changed into his wolf in midair. He raced faster into the woods leaving dust, rotten leaves and twigs in his wake.

I groaned as I watch him disappear into the woods ahead. I hated that I couldn't shift into my wolf yet. A late bloomer, my dad always told me. It’s been two years past the normal time for a young pup to shift his first. The earliest shift at thirteen, while others can wait till around fifteen. I'm seventeen years and six months now but I haven't done anything other than shift my eyes to my wolf's.

"That's cheating..." I chased after his trail of dust, sweating profusely under the mid-day sun.

Marcus Mason Jackson is my best bud. We've been together since we were pups. He morphed quite earlier than usual, at twelve years ten months. It was surprising even to Alpha Derrick. His grey fur wolf was kind of big for his age – too big – which was funny as he was scrawny then. Now, he is medium built and tall at six feet compared to my five feet ten. He is one of my few friends that still commune with me after I hadn't shifted at due time. He accompany me everywhere as he is technically my right-hand man. If I was an Alpha, Mason would be my beta for sure.

I dropped on myknees holding my sides, drawing in deep breaths to soothe my aching lungs. Mason strode until he stood beside me. I could see a grin on his wolf's face.

I dove quickly to the side when he drew closer with his tongue out.

"Gross..." I scowled knowing he wanted to lick my face. "When you find your mate, do that to him" I said.

He whined. In few seconds, he shifted back into his human form. "I don't mind doing that to you till my mate comes running by." He replied with a big smile, tickling my sides.

"Stop!" Iscreamed, giggling hard. My side hurt more than ever as my body was still recovering from the run. "Marcus!" I shouted. "I'm going to puke!" Then he stopped and rolled on the floor next to me. I lay down on the ground, totally exhausted, panting heavily. Marcus could be a pain in the ass sometimes. We're both of same age both he behaves at times like a pup. He is real fun being with.

I glanced at him sprawling nonchalantly on the ground. His flawless face shone with much brilliance with his jet-black hair. I had always wondered why his wolf ended up grey when he had such black mane. I guess no one can question what the moon goddess does.

"A kiss for your thought?" Marcus asked.

I chuckled."Only if that was the proper saying." I turned to face him.

His brown eyes stared deeply into mine. "You're quite beautiful...you know that?" He said. "I would woo you if I haven't known you for ages."

"This is the tenth time you mentioned that in three hours." I laughed.

"You really look like a she-wolf sometimes." He grinned. "With your green eyes and shoulder long hair that shines like the moonlight, your mesmerizing smiles...."He continued.

I felt heat rise to my cheeks as he ranted on. I knew moment like this. Marcus had confessed some month ago, about his feelings for me. He was in love. I, on the other hand, loved him like a brother. We had both agreed on how we felt for each other but Marcus does get lost in the moment, just like he's doing now.

"You're so sweet." I whispered. "But you know......"

"Yeah....I know." He interrupted. "I don't want to hurt you." He mimicked my voice as best as he could. I rolled my eyes.

“I will never hurtyou, Jason.” He said much seriously.

“Same here, Marcus Mason Jackson, I will never hurt you too.” I grinned. He grinned as well.

The wind blew softly around us carrying the soft chirps of birds. The tall trees swirled gently. The woods beamed with life. The smell of dried leaves and dust filled the air.

I peeked at Marcus to find him still staring at me. He wore a look. He was deep in his thought, lost in his own little world. His face wrinkled as he continued to ponder deeply. I cleared my throat loudly which seem to snap him out of his thoughts.

"Is everything alright? You had a worried look on your face." I asked.

He sighed as he sat upright dusting his hair off. He turned away. I knew instantly that something was bothering him. Marcus is really never quiet when we're alone. He would always find something interesting to talk about.

I moved closer. "What is it Marcus?" I held his gaze. "You can tell me, you know." I teased him. He opened his mouth for a second and closed it again. "I won't get mad." I added quickly. “I promise.”

He chuckled. "I know."

"Then, what is it?" I asked nervously.

"I was thinking about you, Jason."

"What about me?"

"You seem so happy on the outside but I know you." He held my hands. "Jason, you're hurting." He said.

I held my breath for a second. I could feel my eyes tear up. He knows. I thought I had it all covered up well. With my usual jumpy self and my signature smile as cover, no one would really know how miserable and sad I really feel. I breathed slowly as I peered into his worried face. So, he could see behind the happy face I managed to pull in front of everyone.

"How did you know?" I smiled weakly.

He stared at me for a while. "Do you think you can easily hide from me?" He blurted out. "We've been together since we were pups. I'd known you all my life, Jason. You should not have bottled it in all these time."

"And come running to you?" I snapped.

He growled."That's why I am your friend, your companion."

"Oh....please." I rolled my eyes, standing up. "Like you know how it feels."

"You could have talked about it..." He insisted. “...with me at least."

I paced. I felt his eyes on me as I ran my hands through my hair. "It is not that easy." I muttered.

"What is not easy?" He grabbed me. "Not telling me you are hurting? Or that Ryan hits you every time he catches you alone? Or the fact that our pack members calling you an omega just because you are weak and unable to shift?" He shook me as every word left his lips.

I was dumbfounded. Marcus knew everything I have tried to hide all along. He was watching in silence until now. I hated myself more.

"If you'd known all along, why didn't you do something about it?" I shouted back. I flinched as he gasped at my sudden outburst. I tried to rein my emotions but I was way off my limit already. "Don't even think you know how it feels or how I am feeling. Yes, I'm hurting." I cried out, tears falling freely. "I hurt every day, every single moment I see others shift into their wolves and go running into the woods to have fun, to enjoy the feel of nature and the bliss of hunting. You can't imagine how badly I want the same." I stared at him. "I am almost eighteen, Marcus." My voice croaked. I felt my wolf whimper. She could feel the pain and frustration. "I'm way behind shifting age."

"But...."He tried to say.

"Maybe am just the weak omega they call me to be." I breathed heavily.

"You can't...."

"I am a disgrace to the Lockwood pack. I can't even bear it when my parents baby me every time."

"You...."He tried again before I cut in.

"I still rely on my sister for little things." My eyes cloud with unshed tears. "I can't even go out alone without you tagging along to fight for me when the time arises."

"You know...."

I held my palm out. I could see he was trying to get something out with the way he bit down his lips. I just wouldn't give him that chance just yet. He asked for it anyways and I was going to give it to him.

"Do you know how much I want to be swallowed up when I look into our Alpha's eyes?" I watched his face soften. "I guess he can't put up with me any longer."

"That is not true." He said quickly. He moved swiftly, standing in front of me.

"You don't know anything." I growled, moving farther away from him. "Not even the slightest." He flinched. I knew I had hurt him. I wanted desperately to pull myself together but I was far from finish. Yes, I had bottled it in; I guess it about time I let everything out. Why would he pop open the cork and expect a trickle instead of a gush.

"I am nothing." I seethed. "I am just a weakling."

"Stop it." Marcus boomed. I felt the authority in his voice. "You are not nothing, Jason." He growled. My wolf whimpered as he held my gaze."I'd always thought you were so smart and all but I can see you're just so lost in yourself that you refuse to see how special you are."

"Special?"I chuckled.

"Yes, Jason.You're special." He argued.

"What is so special about me? My weakness? Or my inability to shift? Or how miserable I feel? Or how weak I make the pack look?"

Marcus rolled his eyes. "Just shut it already. Don't call yourself what you're not."

"Then what am I?" I screamed. I have had enough of him already. I wanted so badly to smack him and punch him till he faints. Onlyif I could do that. My fists clenched in anger.

"You're a Luna, Jason." Marcus shouted in anger. "A true Luna, the first in the last hundred years or so."

My heart skipped a beat. The world paused as his words rang in my head, sinking deep into my being. A Luna. Did I hear him correctly? A true Luna. Is he drunk? A Luna hasn't existed in a hundred year while a true Luna in almost a millennium, if history books are correct.

I laughed. Marcus stared at me in a funny way. I laughed harder. He got me. I guess his trick worked well, too well as it brightened up my mood quicker than I had expected. A true Luna? What was he thinking?

“Nice try Marcus. You sure get me this time.” I gave him a thumb up when I finally relaxed. "Whoa! You got me alright" I giggled loudly.

"What?" Marcus asked. He kept his serious face. He tensed when he realized I thought it as a joke. "You think am joking?" He scowled.

"A true Luna? Nice try Marcus." I repeated.

"Haven't you noticed anything strange about you yet?" He kept his face which started to worry me. Marcus was really not joking. He should have lost that face by either bursting out in laughter or come hugging me, jumping about shouting 'I gotyou'.

"You're not serious. Are you?" I tensed.

A True Luna. Who wants to be a Luna? It is crazy. Everyone knows they are harbingers of trouble and chaos. The world is never at peace with their very existence. Now Marcus claims I might be a true Luna, one which is a thousand times worse than a Luna.

"Hush...." He replied glancing around.

"Oh no...Don't pull that on me now." I bitched. "You can't drop something likethat on me then wiggle your way out without a full explanation." I watched him turn on the spot sniffing the air. What in the world is wrong with him today? He started out romantic and all, and now he is behaving like a wolf that caught a bad scent. I paused. A bad scent. I sniff the air too. I tensed as Marcus moved swiftly to my side. He held me protectively taking a stance I know too well.

Something was wrong.

The wood felt chilly as the sun dimmed slightly. An uncomfortable silence filled the once lively wood. No bird chirped. No soft wind. No gentle dance of leaves and branches. Everything was still and serene.

I stared at Marcus as his eyes darted to and fro, tightening his arms around me. I couldn't smell rouges but something wasn't right. My wolf snarled as a chill ran down my spine.

A twig snapped. Marcus tightened his arm almost squeezing the life out of me. I held my breath. I watched them come out into the clearing, more like out of the trees. They were huge men with bulging muscles bathed in sweat that glistered in the sun. I gulped. They wore menacing look. Death look.

This isn't good I thought.

My wolf growled almost as Marcus did when they stepped closer. All twelve of them. Twelve against two. I gasped in realisation.

"I had almost giving up." A voice said in a bored tone. "All thanks to you, young wolf. Now I can go back and have a well-deserved rest in the position I very well deserve." He came out of nowhere.

He was tall and handsome; too handsome to be a man. But his long black hair and subtle beards gave him out. His piercing black eyes stared deeply right into my soul. I flinched and stared at the ground. I heard Marcus growl deeply digging his heels into the ground.

"You'd be wise to let him go while you run back to your Alpha." He said lazily. His attention on his well-manicured claws he had for fingers. "I'd give it to him though. He hid you well all these years." He glanced at me. "How he did however I don't know but I am intrigued."

"Leave..."Marcus growled.

The mysterious man chuckled loudly. He turned to his guards. "He's got balls. Don't you think?"

"Give him to me and I will let you leave unharmed." The man sneered. “and don’t even think of mind-linking your Alpha. I am sure you know by now that it won’t work.”

I saw a smile creep on some of their faces. But just as quickly, they wore back the death look. I shivered as their eyes shifted to Marcus for a moment.

"Not when I still breathe." Marcus snarled. He shielded me with his body. I knew we had no chance. Twelve hefty men and probably a witch against two teen wolves of which one is a weakling? Only with sheer luck will we leave here unharmed.

The mystery man sighed. "I hoped you won’t be too stubborn and would run home like a gentle obedient little pup will do."

Marcus growled deeply. "I am not a pup." He held his gaze with the man for minutes. I knew what that meant. Test of superiority. He held on but finally looked away.

The man turned. "Then have it your way." He said to no one in particular.

I took few steps backwards as the men stepped forward steadily. Marcus snarled. His arms dropped till he held one of my hands in a death grip. I had hoped it wouldn't come to this. The nearest patrol point was miles from where we were. We had ventured deeper into the woods today. Not even a scream can catch a patrol wolf’s attention this far. Though we were still within packs boundaries, both of us area long way from home. I stared at Marcus. He turned to look at me. We shared a knowing look. If we were to survive and perhaps get home in one piece, there's only one thing we've got to do.

Run.

I ran alongside Marcus. We snaked our way around trees, jumping fallen trunks. I could hear the growls of wolves behind. My lung burned as I drew in air as fast as I could. My face dripped with sweat as my hand threatened to slip from Marcus. I glanced briefly to see him return my stare. He was worried. So was I.

We burst out into a path that leads directly to the pack. A little longer then we'll get to the nearest patrol point but still we were far from where we could draw attention. I skidded to a stop as a sharp pain pierced my ankle. Marcus stopped. He turned to see the road behind void of our chasers.

He knew instantly what was wrong. Guess he was taught well as a war wolf in training. He bent over checking my ankle out. He held my gaze for a moment then twisted it suddenly, snapping the bones back in place.

I screamed as my knees gave out in pains. Marcus held me. I panted heavily as the throbbing pain began to fade. Just then our wolves came into view. They were jet black as they ran snarling and growling, baring their huge fangs.

Marcus pushed me forward. "Run." He commanded. "I will stall them for as long as I can."

"No, Mason that is suicide." I tugged his arms pulling him into a jog. "We run together." I pulled him.

"You are much faster than I am in this form. Go get help." He pulled back.

"No..." Icried.

Marcus turned to look at our pursuers. They gain distance by the seconds. "I will slap the reality into you Jason if you don't go this instant." He growled then he shifted. His wolf snarled at me.

I hesitated. I knew he would get hurt badly if he faced those wolves alone. He was brave and stupid at the same time. He has zero chance against twelve wolves not even our Alpha can fight them without been fatally scarred. I had to protect him in the way I can. Get reinforcement. It is the only way.

Then, I ran.

I heard a heartpiercing howl as I drew closer to the patrol point. I knew instantly it was Marcus. He is hurt. I blinked the threatening tears back running faster.

I blinked as a wolf ran towards me from ahead. I almost felt relieved but instantly frowned as I saw the black wolf running with same snarl and death look pasted on his wolf face baring its fangs. I skidded to a stop.

Great! I thought. Now I am trapped in between. I did a quick survey. I found I was at the edge of Ridge Forest. I double checked my chances. When I ran out of options, I did the forbidden. I ran straight into the Ridge.

If they want me then I won't make it easy for them.