My secret (English version)

21.

We land and Nic looks around. I jump onto the oak tree at the edge of the clearing and get a large blanket and spread it out on the ground. Nic takes a good look at everything and doesn't say a word. He turns to me and I see a twinkle in his eye. I lie down on the blanket and gesture for him to do the same. At first we don't talk, we just look up at the clear night sky.

At some point, I speak up: "It's beautiful, isn't it?"

I notice how he nods and then turns his head towards me. I turn my head too and we look at each other. I continue: "What did you mean earlier when you said that you sometimes feel strange?"

His gaze darkens and it takes him a few moments to answer. But eventually he says: "It's as if I'm not complete. As if a part of myself is missing. I don't really know, it's strange and the feeling is more or less there. Do you understand what I mean?"

I think about it for a moment: "I think I understand what you mean, it's just that my siblings have always been a part of me and since then I'm no longer complete."

He looks at me: "No, I don't mean it like that, it's as if one part of me isn't like the rest, as if it's something else that I have to find first."

That sounds familiar, could it be? " How long have you had this feeling? Does Finny know about it, does she feel it too?"

Nic frowns: "No, I've never told Finny about it and I don't think she feels like that either. She always communicates when she's feeling weird. Why?"

I think for a moment:" Mh, I don't want to scare you now, but that's how Jo felt just before her werewolf side broke through."

Nic's eyes grow wide. "But that's not possible, is it? Neither of my parents are werewolves, they'd never hide that from us."

I realise that this is upsetting him, "you know, it's also possible that your parents don't have the gene at all and they're just genetic carriers. Maybe your grandparents wolves?"

He just looks at me with wide eyes: "Ok, let's assume that's true. Just in theory, what would happen next and why is it only happening now?" he asks slowly and a little suspiciously.

"Well, it doesn't start at the same time for everyone, it's partly to do with puberty and the person's development. In my sister's case, for example, it was comparatively early because at eleven she was already much more developed in the head than others her age. Another point is whether you know it from the start or not. What happens next can also vary. But I can tell you what will happen for sure,' I say. Nic listens attentively and nods for me to continue.

"Your emotions will get stronger and your anger in particular can become uncontrollable. If you ever have an outburst of anger, you'll probably transform. It usually happens quite abruptly and you'll need time to learn to control it," I explain, seeing the panic in his eyes.

"How does this transformation happen? What do you mean by abrupt?" (Nic)

He won't like this part:" When I say abruptly, I mean very quickly. It's like your human body is torn apart and then the wolf is there. But it happens without pain."

Nic looks shocked, he's scared, but continues to ask anyway. "How big are wolves anyway?"

"Er, it varies, but werewolves aren't as big as normal wolves," he looks at me questioningly," werewolves can grow up to two metres tall and long..."

His eyes get even bigger:" Are you serious?"

I nod. "But that's just theoretical, it doesn't mean you're a wolf."

Nic looks up at the sky again. We are silent for a long time and I start to worry. Just as I'm about to say something, he keeps talking.

"Is there any way to find out? What about Finny, is she one too?"

"I'm afraid I can't say. There are different ways to find out if you're a wolf. You can check your family tree, or we can get in touch with a pack who would perform a ritual. I've never really trusted such rituals, though."

He nods and remains silent. After a while, he asks:" I'll think about it again. I'll form an opinion about it. What time is it anyway? Don't we have to go back soon?"

I look up at the sky and say, "According to my sense of time, it's probably three quarters of two. We really should get back."

We get up at the same time and I quickly stow away the blanket. I give Nic a quick sprinkle of fairy dust. But before we fly off, I ask:" Are you sure you can handle this? "

He just looks at me and then says:" It's a lot, I have to think about it first, but I think if your assumption is right, I'll be able to cope with it. Eventually."

"I'll talk to Killian about it, okay? Maybe he'll have another idea." (Me)

He just nods and then we both take off and fly back to the room. Nic immediately lies down on the mattress and I notice how quickly he falls asleep. I go down to Killian in the kitchen and explain the situation to him.

"Phew, that's a lot. Can he cope with it?" (Killian)

"I think so. He said he needs to think about it again, but if I'm right, he'll get to grips with it and learn to control it. Do you have any idea how we can find out?" I ask, a little worried.

"That will be difficult. You can check the family tree, have the ritual performed by another pack, but I don't know if that will work. I think I've just thought of something else. Do you know the potions Jo mixed? Wasn't there one that could detect the magic in you?" (Killian)

"Really? I remember that she was interested in potions and also mixed some, but not exactly like that. Don't we still have her book with all the recipes in her box in the attic?" (Me)

Killian thinks for a moment and then nods. We look at each other and both walk at vampire speed to the hatch that leads into the attic.

________________________________________________________________________________So, it remains exciting. Hope you like it and please share the story on.

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