Sunrise

Chapter 21

"I don't know about that, kid," Sean told his nephew after the latter told him everything that had happened to him since he awoke from his coma. "I just know you're turning, and I'm very sure about what I'm saying."

"How can you be so sure, Uncle?" AJ asked, unconvinced by his uncle's words.

"Max!" Sean called out for his Beta, ignoring his nephew. In two short minutes, Max hurried from the front door and immediately took his Alpha's side.

"Everything's clear, Alpha," he quickly reported. "No signs of the enemy."

"Tell AJ what happened to you after I bit you," Sean said, not bothered by his underling's security report.

Max stiffened. What was his Alpha on about?

"Um-" he began as he fumbled his words as he tried to piece his ideas together. "I've gone through many changes. My senses became wonky, and my appetite changed too. I couldn't eat normal food without throwing up. I craved meat instead... raw meat. I think I've also had black veins appear. I had occasional spasms, too. And they've become more frequent the closer it got to the full moon. Yes, I think that's what I went through."

AJ went cold. Then, whatever his uncle said was true. He was going through the same thing, too.

"My goodness," he said. "I'm really turning. But how? I've never been bitten before, and even if I were, my body has already developed immunity against the venom, so there's no use. Frankie told me that."

Sean rolled his eyes.

"Frankie said this, Frankie said that," he said as he got up, leaving blood stains on the sofa.

Here we go, Max thought as he braced himself for the incoming lecture he was all too used to getting.

"What do you know about this guy, Frankie, huh?" Sean began. "He's just some random guy that made a big mess at the family house! What makes you so sure that he is telling the truth? Are you seriously listening to the words of a complete stranger instead of your uncle? I held you in my arms when you were a baby, for crying out loud! Don't be so naive, kid. It's gonna get you killed someday!"

AJ was a statue in his seat. He wanted to open his mouth an defend his position, but his lips were glued together. He didn't know how to explain that he essentially 'felt' like Frankie was telling the truth. He knew it wasn't a convincing defense. Also, he was taken aback by how personal his uncle went. He believed it was unnecessary.

"You're turning, and that's what matters," Sean said with a sigh as he sat back in his place. "Now, we need to focus on finding your grandfather, and we need to do this before the full moon, which is in four days. Things could get ugly if we aren't prepared for your shift."

"I know where Grandpa went," AJ said. "I can lead you there."

"No need for that. I've already sent some of my people on it. We'll be receiving updates at any moment."

As if on cue, the phone rang. Sean pointed to the telephone on the coffee table and Max brought it over to him.

"Yes," he said authoritatively, but his face soon softened when he heard the feminine voice from the other end of the line.

"Mama," he said, with his tone completely changing into a much gentler one. "How are you?"

AJ waited anxiously as his uncle spoke with his grandmother. He assured her that he was safe and sound, then he updated her on James' whereabouts and assured her that he had people looking for him as they spoke. Then, he dropped her the latest revelation at the end.

"Mama, AJ's turning," he said.

An ominous silence filled the living room. Max shifted his weight to his right leg, while AJ swallowed the lump in his throat. Sean was silent for a while as his mother spoke.