Eyes of Gold

Chapter 11

Isaac's POV:

I don't tell Jared about me and Theo's talk. He knows something is wrong, but I don't want him to worry about it. This isn't his mess. The rest of the day just sludges on. Swimming practice is just like how it usually is. Snide remarks from Jason and me swimming mediocrely. By the time school gets out, I am just tired and want to be alone. Jared tries to find me after practice, but I duck out so quickly I don't even see him. Without thinking, I head to the woods. It feels like I'm being drawn to it like a magnet. The light is nicely filtering through the trees. It would be beautiful if it wasn't where my life came to a standstill. I wander aimlessly, almost in a daze. Soon enough, I find the clearing I ended up in that one night, and just sit, taking in the warm sun.

"Found you."

I whip my head around as I hear an unfamiliar voice. I try and convince myself that it was me imagining it. I would've picked up if someone was here. It must have been the wind.

"So alone, young beta." The voice says again. I quickly get up.

That was too clear to be imagined. I start intently listening around, trying to sense if someone is here, but nothing can be picked up.

"Hello? Is someone there?" I ask, still keeping my eyes on the tree line.

"I'm surprised your senses haven't told you who I am. I mean you were drawn here, weren't you?" The voice says. The statement makes my blood run cold.

"I hear your heart rate has picked up. Know who I am?"

"You're the Alpha," I say quietly.

"I'm YOUR alpha." I quickly shake my head.

"No, I am nobody's." I hear the alpha chuckle.

"That's where you're wrong. You are mine, I created you."

"I didn't ask for this."

"The bite is a gift."

"What do you want?" I ask impatiently.

"I want you to join me. I want to make my pack and you are my first beta."

"Why me? Why bite me? I am not werewolf pack material."

"You were there." The voice simply states.

"Show yourself if you really are my alpha." I challenge.

"In due time, but not yet. But I assure you that you will join me, and I will create the strongest pack this miserable place has ever seen."

"And if I don't? You'll just have to find someone else." The voice chuckles again, this time it's much more sinister.

"I have ways of convincing you."

"What do you mean by that?"

"You'll see...Isaac."

My breath gets caught in my throat at the sound of that beast saying my name. He knows me. He knows who I am. He might know who Jared is, his parents, and other friends that I definitely have. I start running back to campus, not wanting to stick around. As I reach the campus grounds, I allow myself to slow down, especially because I don't want to be seen running faster than humanly possible. I turn back to the woods, taking long deep breaths. He's out there. And he's coming for me, and I don't want to know what he'll do to get what he wants. My thoughts linger to Jared. I need to go find him. I need to know nothing's happened to him. I run to the dorms, suddenly not caring about how fast I'm going. Luckily by this time, most students are in their dorms or one of the common spaces since it is getting chilly outside. Before I know it, I'm pounding on his door, getting more and more panicked every second he doesn't answer. Without warning the door swings open and he's there. He's alive.

"Hey, are you okay dude? You've been very off all-" I cut him off with a bear hug, taking him off guard.

"Woah, I mean I love you but what's this about?" Jared says laughing awkwardly and patting my back.

"I'm just so glad you're safe."

"Of course, I am. Why don't you come inside, and you can tell me what's going on with you today, yeah?" Jared says leading me into his dorm.

I reluctantly walk in and sit down on his bed. Jared stands in front of me crossing his arms, a questioning look on his face. I can almost feel his concern emanating from him.

"So, what's up Isaac? What's got you so riled up?"

"The Alpha talked to me," I say quietly, looking down at my hands which are fidgeting wildly.

"WHAT!?" Jared exclaims, startling me. "When did this happen?!"

"This afternoon. I was in the woods to clear my head and he just started talking to me. I couldn't see him or even sense him. But he was there. He knew my name, Jared." I try and explain, shaking as I do so. Jared walks over to me and hits me on the back of the head.

"Ow! Why'd you do that?" I say, rubbing my head.

"Because remember the last time you went into the woods alone? When will you learn how to use the buddy system?"

"I know, it was stupid. I was just in my head about training this morning and the talk me and Theo had, and I just needed to be alone."

"I get that. I just wish you had talked to me before running off." Jared says sadly, sitting on the bed next to me.

"Well, once again you're right."

"Did he say anything else to you?"

"He said he wanted me to join his pack and that he has ways of convincing me."

"What does that mean."

"I don't know. But he knows my name Jared which means he's at school or has been watching me since I've turned which means he might know you and he could do something to you to make me join." I say frantically. "I don't want you to get hurt because of what I am."

"Listen, I told you the night of the full moon. I am with you through the good, the bad, and the hairy." He says gently. "This is all scary but whatever happens, I'm not letting you face this alone. You are like my brother, and I will be here till the end."

"You're getting sappy on me," I say tearing up a little. "I just wish I could get a hang of controlling myself so I can start learning how to defend myself and you."

"Well, maybe you've been going about it all wrong." I perk up a little bit at this. "Theo is teaching you like you've always had these abilities, have always been fine-tuned to your body. He's been teaching you to think logically, like focusing on your heart rate and such."

"Do you have a better way to look at it?"

"You're emotional."

"Hey, I am not!" I say defensively.

"Okay, you have more emotional vulnerability than Theo." He rephrases.

"So how does that help me?"

"When I'm having a panic attack, my therapist suggests that I focus on something to ground me. A sight, a sound, a smell, or a taste. Sometimes it can be a person who calms me, and makes me feel safe. Find yourself an anchor that can bring you back from what you're feeling." He explains.

"That actually makes a lot of sense. Do you think that will really work?"

"There's only one way to find out."