Dark Twin Moon - The Awakening

Charter 24:

Kayleb took a moment to take his friend's vitals. The fact that he opened his eyes was a better first sign than he could've hoped for, although it would have been better if he'd talked a bit. Instead of actually speaking or doing anything, his gaze met that of the little wolf in the room. Something about it confused Kayleb. He had seen a sad expression crossed his face while trying to catch his friend's dark eyes. But James still wasn't looking at him.

This continued until the lycan pulled his hand away from James, only to hear a disapproving whimper from the big, tough wolf still lying on the bed, soaked in his own sweat under a cooling blanket.

Immediately after it came out of his throat, they could see the older werewolf's cheeks glowing bright red. It was so bad that even his ears were glowing brightish red. Even as Luke started laughing, Kayleb didn't take his eyes off James. Neither had seen such a happy expression on the lycan's face before.

"Don't worry, it won't be the most embarrassing thing you'll do to get my attention," Kayleb casually remarked. But when he saw the wolf's reaction, he couldn't hold back his laughter anymore and burst into chuckles. But when he glanced over at Luke - for his little comment wasn't just aimed at James - and saw the same embarrassed expression on his boyish face, he burst out in full-on laughter.

They both turned exceedingly red, which at least meant their blood circulation was still working as it should.

Kayleb already knew the changes wouldn't come all at once or this early.

"But before I answer any questions that might be on either of your minds," Kayleb said, switching between James and Luke. A long pause strained the atmosphere, but soon Kayleb's gaze wandered back to James, where his eyes met his dark orbs. "I need you to answer a few of my questions first, James."

Kayleb's stern smile was back. Despite the loving look in his eyes.

James already began to feel odd: he could sense, smell, and taste much more intensely than before, not to mention how strange his body felt like it was going through puberty once again. If once hasn't been bad enough already.

"First of all, how are you feeling, James?"

James could hear the concern in the other boy's voice, almost as if he thought the ritual had made him delicate.

"I'm fine, a little sticky, mostly from sweat when I smell it properly."

Kayleb nodded, glad his friend hadn't lost his voice during the procedure. Considering how James got to this point, it wouldn't have been surprising if severe damage had occurred to or in his body.

"Okay, that is good. You're a lot better off with that than Luke. Please don't smell him. I promise you it won't go well." He tried to joke, but his serious voice ruined the moment.

Unfortunately, James did it despite his warning. He freed himself as much as possible from the heavy blanket, quickly leaned forward, pulled Luke closer, and sniffed his neck. Almost immediately, his senses attempted to self-extinguish.

For a moment, the little wolf became visibly unsure of himself.

"Don't worry, little one. After a nice long shower, everything will be fine again. At least you two will smell like a mix of you and me from now on, so it will only get better for you both." A cheeky smile followed his words before turning back to James.

"My final question is the most important: What's the last thing you can remember? Take your time and be as detailed as possible."

James' gaze flicked briefly from Kayleb to Luke. His face filled with concern as he reached to touch the younger boy.