The Wolfsbane

Chapter 5 - A Change Of Heart

I stood staring at The Wolfsbane. My face screwed up in confusion. I could feel the cogs turning in my brain, I'm certain Aurion and The Wolfsbane could see the smoke pouring out of my ears. I didn't understand any of it.
Why was I here? And why was this wolf different to all the others? I shook my head lightly and looked over at Aurion. What a surprise, he avoided looking at me. The Wolfsbane gestured to Aurion and then the door. Wordlessly Aurion complied, shutting the door with a bang on his way out.

"First things first, you can call me Bane." He smiled a human like grin, wolf fangs jutting out the corners of his mouth. He put his hand out and I took it gingerly. His hand was more human than wolf, the only difference was instead of finger nails he had claws. Thick grey hair snaked its way up to his forearm. His human skin still showed over his entire body. He had a full head of hair, it was grey, shaggy and wild. He wore a red and black checkered fleece shirt filled with numerous holes. He was an older man, I'd say around 40 years.

He let my hand drop, and I looked, once again, slyly around the room. He must have noticed because he let out a slow sigh.

"I know, I like to think of this shack as a dilapidated, derelict tumbledown. Using a hammer with claws isn't as easy as it seems" he chuckled softly. His features softened as he smiled slightly. His cheeks flushed with colour and his eyes sparkled. But it soon vanished, replaced with an utter seriousness. The look on his face sent shivers down my spine. Something wasn't right here and I needed to know what.

He gestured with his hand to a nearby chair. I sat, perched alertly on the end. My ears pricked forward and my feet tapping on the ground. Bane sat forward, looking at my feet intently. He rubbed his hairy grey chin with his left hand, and hummed deeply.

"Your feet. That's very human like behavior. Tell me Arora, how many times prior to tonight have you transformed?" His formal tone unnerved me, although I couldn't pin point why.

"Twice before tonight. Although I don't remember much, both times I woke up somewhere in the forest" my mind wandered to the first time. The surreal feeling once I woke. Imagine my surprise waking up half naked in the middle of a forest, with a pounding head and what I thought to be a dream. I looked back at Bane to see him staring at me with a harrowing attentiveness.

"Interesting. It takes around a dozen transformations for a werewolf to gain concious awareness. And then of course their is the matter of your eyes. Hmmm very interesting." He stood slowly, hand still placed delicately upon his chin. He paced back and forth his voice humming in his throat. My ears wiggled around nervously, i could feel my coat bristling. I watched him out of the corner of my eye as I stared at the wooden floor.

He suddenly stopped. His hand falling to his side, he rounded on me with a swift quickness. He knelt in front of me making me jump in surprise. I lifted my lips exposing my teeth. He gently placed a smooth hand upon my leg and shot me and apologetic look.

"So very sorry. But Arora who are your parents?" His eyes gleamed as the bored into mine. I searched his eyes, anger slightly flaring. I snorted and pushed back, I stood and pushed past Bane heading toward an open window behind him. I rested my elbows on the rotting window pane and stared out, over the canopy of trees.

"I-I don't know." I choked, my voice laced with hurt. "I've been in foster care my entire life. Bounced back and forth as if I was merely a ball. Nobody wanted me long, they said I was strange.." I sighed, turning back to Bane. He was still crouched in front of the rickety chair. An arm lazily hanging over his right leg.

"I see." He hummed in thought once again.

"Bane what is going on here? I don't understand anything. And what does this have to do with my parents or my eyes for that matter?" I tried not to yell, frustration laced my voice. It was Banes turn to sigh. He stood and turned facing me.

"Arora, there is much you still need to learn. All of which I cannot reveal right now. But I know you're destiny. Arora you will you will become the next Wolfsbane, but first you must take your spot as alpha. No, do not argue" Bane said raising his hand. I stood shocked. He must be joking. I still do not even know what a Wolfsbane is. As if sensing my question he answered.

"A Wolfsbane is a pure conciouness, chosen by the wolf god Alfair. He or she who is born with this purity is destined to lead and guide the entire race of  werewolf. But first you must prove yourself, a purity has not been born for thousands of years. You must become alpha, show compassion and empathy and justice were it be needed." He stood with his face furrowed in concentration.

I felt my jaw drop. My heart pounded so hard it felt as if a cages lion was trying to break through my rib cage. The air smelt damp, my hands went clammy. I struggled to breathe, it felt as if daggers clawed at my throat. I looked at Bane with utter disbelief. I knew nothing of this werewolf world in which he and the rest lived in. I didn't understand it. I can't do it. He must be mistaken.

"No. You can't just do that!" I yelled. Bane stood patiently, and didn't flinch as I yelled

"No?" Asked Bane. Fake hurt laddled heavily on his deep voice.

"No" I said finally. I strode across the room, my feet padding along the cold wooden floor. Banes and my shoulders brushed together lightly as I walked past him. A warm feeling filled me, spreading throughout my entire body. I approached the door my hand hovering over the doorknob. I moved my head slightly toward my right shoulder.

"Bane, how old are you?" I asked slowly. I could already sense the grin.

"Why let's just say that I witnessed the great Roman battle of Ipsus" he laughed. I could feel a smile tug at the corners of my mouth.

"Having a change of opinion?" He asked.

"No. More like a change of heart..."