𝑷𝑨𝑷𝑬𝑹 𝑹𝑰𝑵𝑮𝑺 • 𝐫𝐡𝐲𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧. 𝐦 (wolfblood)

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐫

.・。.・゜✭・.

.・。.・゜✭・.

AFTER FINISHING our drinks, it was starting to get dark so we decided that we should all probably head home. We gathered our things and made our way outside. We said our goodbyes to Rhydian and the four of us headed in the opposite direction towards our houses.

I looked back at Rhydian. I still wasn't completely certain that he was going to stay. I wasn't going to force him to, but I couldn't help but worry about what might happen to him if he didn't. I turned to Maddy, "I'll catch you up, yeah?"

She nodded in understanding and I called after Rhydian. He turned around and smiled softly. I walked beside him, "I'll walk home with you."

"I never said I was staying." He said simply. I looked at him impressed, "You know, I have never seen anyone so determined to run off and get eaten."

He smiled at my sarcasm and I continued, "Besides, it's a shame really. You'd be disappointing your fan club." I nodded towards the three K's who were sitting outside Bernie's. We both listened to what they were saying, though it wasn't hard to guess, "He's just scrummy," "He likes me," "No he doesn't."

We both had heard enough and let out a short laugh, "If that doesn't scare you off, nothing will." A grin appeared on his face and we walked the long way to Rhydian's foster home through the forest.

After a while of walking in silence, I settled on a question that I didn't realise I had wanted to ask, "So, if you're not from Wales, how did you get named Rhydian?"

"My mum was Welsh. I think." He replied. I could tell that he didn't want to continue talking about that topic, so I dropped it.

My thoughts drifted to last night. Me, mom and dad being locked in the cellar, Maddy on her own upstairs looking out for us. I realised how lucky I was, being protected by a family that I wouldn't change for the world. They all understood me so well.

Sadness washed over me as I thought about how Rhydian had never experienced what it's like to be in a pack. The thought led me to question him, "Wait, if no one knows what you are, then what did you do for the full moon last night?" I asked him confused.

"I couldn't stay in my bedroom, could I? I climbed out of my window." He told me. I nodded in understanding, "Was it your first change?"

"Second." He replied, kicking the ground with his shoe, "The first got me chucked out of my last foster home."

I looked at him sympathetically. I couldn't imagine what it must've been like for him, "What happened? I-if you don't mind me asking."

He shook his head gently, "Don't know. I went to bed and woke up in a ditch. Turns out I trashed my bedroom... so they kicked me out."

I shook my head. I felt so bad for him. Going through a transformation into a different creature on your own and then being punished for it? I couldn't imagine how difficult it must've been, "I'm sorry that happened to you."

"I learned to look after myself. And the secret isn't out so, no harm done, right?" He replied, but the sad undertone in his voice was unmissable. He cleared his throat and changed the topic, "Anyway, what about you? Full moons must be epic out here."

I bit my lip, "Actually, we don't transform out here. It's too dangerous for us. Besides, Maddy hasn't started transforming yet, and we don't want to leave her on her own. But you're right, it would be epic." I replied, looking at the picturesque forest that surrounded us.

He asked me a question that I was expecting, "How long have you been transforming for, then?"

"Since I was five-ish." I said, hopping effortlessly over the stream that bled into a river downhill. He stopped in his tracks, "Since you were five?"

I let out a small laugh, "Yeah, I was a bit of an early bird." He smiled and looked around the forest, "Just a bit, yeah."

"Anyway," I started as he followed me over the stream, "We need to talk about your little episode earlier."

He sighed, knowing that I was referring to the situation with Jimi, "I didn't know that could happen. I thought werewolves only went hairy on a full moon."

"We feel the urge to change when we feel threatened or angry too. Learn to control it, and you can transform whenever you want." I informed him as I sat on a mossy log beside the river. He sat down next to me, "You're clearly the expert around here."

I smiled, "Also, it's wolfblood not werewolf. We're not monsters."

He furrowed his eyebrows, "The strange thing is that... I don't even remember being bitten." 

"You clearly know your folklore," I commented, "But, you don't get bitten, although, that would be a cool thing to write in your diary. But basically, you're either born a wolfblood, or born a human. Just depends on your genes."

He nodded in understanding. Then I remembered the books that we keep in the den and told him enthusiastically, "We have some ancient history books on the 'Evolution of Wolfbloods' if you want to borrow them?"

He scoffed and gave me a look, "No, thanks." I smiled, "Alright. But you really do have a lot to learn." He raised a challenging eyebrow, "Teach me then, smelly girl."

I smiled and stood up, "You were born this way. You're normal," I grabbed his hand and pulled him up off the log, "Look around. Everything you thought made you a freak. Sight, hearing, speed, sense of smell. They're all completely normal for a wolfblood."

I let go of his hand when I realised I was still holding it and hid my red cheeks by looking to the ground. I thought I saw him smirk out of the corner of my eye, but he spoke up, "So, say if I did stick around. Just for a while, no promises..."

I smiled and looked up at him, "You'd have a pack at last. People to teach you..."

He shook his head rapidly at my words, "Oh, no. No rules, no lectures. You can keep your group hugs and your big furry family. I do things my way."

I let a smile grow on my face, "A lone wolf, huh?" He walked towards me as I spoke to him, "So, the next time you lose control of your wolf self in front of half the school, what happens then?"

He smirked as he walked past me, "That'll be an interesting day, won't it?"

I couldn't help but smile. Rhydian had come to Stoneybridge and with him he brought a fresh start for himself. I couldn't help but wonder what these next few months might bring, for better, or for worse.

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