The Alpha Shifter

Chapter 8 - Leo

Walking around the clothing store I couldn't concentrate. All the clothing items seemed to blur before me, only the blue's and green's being clear among the blurs. Acting almost robotically I reached for a plain icy blue jumper, clutching it tightly in my hands. Acting on impulse I strode over to the counter and purchased the blue jumper, that I would probably never wear.

As I left the store, my wolf started to show signs of changing. My back began to tighten and prickle, my chest felt heavy, and my eyes started to water as my vision sharpened. Breathing deeply I willed myself to at least get to the tree line before I went full fur. While walking away I got the feeling that someone was watching me, but as I turned to look I only saw the back of the same girl as before, pushing her trolly away from me. For some unknown reason that angered my wolf further. He wanted to run over there and talk to her. Trying to shake of the weird feeling I was getting I sped walked towards the forest, arms shaking as the urge to turn built and built.

As quickly as I could, I tore off my clothing and put it back into the hole in the tree for the next time I would need to wear them after I shifted. Now naked, I allowed the turn to take over me, careful to still keep control over my wolf, knowing that he wouldn't care if people saw him; as long as he could run over to the blue eyed girl. It was hard to force my wolf away from the town. I felt on edge the entire run home, I needed to find out what was wrong with me. Why have I been acting out so much lately, and now this girl has me more out of control.

It wasn't long until I could see the pack house up ahead, slowing down, I spotted a hunched figure sitting on the back steps. Alexander. Silently I changed and pulled on a pair of shorts that was hanging on the banister and sat next to him. We both sat in silence for a few minutes, both trying to think of the right words to say. I knew that I lost my temper too easy, and he had valid points, I just cant seem to keep it in check lately. I also felt ashamed. How could I loose my control, over something my best friend was saying, I knew that he was right I just felt so deflated, and like a bad leader that I let my anger control me.

"Alex" I started. Taking a deep breath, I let all my worries pour away. Alex has been my best friend for twenty years, why was I not listening to what he had to say? When I have no one to talk to, he has always been beside me, my second. "I am so sorry. I don't know whats been up with me lately, and I know thats no excuse, I just don't know how I'm meant to be feeling or acting anymore." Looking up, I tried to gauge his reaction, but he was just staring at the dirt. Looking away I felt awkward, I hate opening up to people because it made me feel weak.

"I've been waiting for you to talk to me man. Thats what I'm here for, as your best friend and second. Theres nothing wrong with having feelings. Honestly, I should be the one apologising. I said all those things to push you so you would finally show some emotion. I'm worried about you Leo."

Looking towards Alex, I saw the sincerity in his eyes. "I'll try and talk to you more, I just—" Alexander laughed, "I know you will, its just the way you were brought up, you aren't like your parents Leo."

"You boys having a sob fest without me? I feel so unloved."

Laughter filled the air as we both looked up to see Tessa walking towards us, bags of what looked like food in her hands. "That's because you are unloved." Alex replied cheekily, standing up to help her with the bags. "Whats with all the bags T?" I asked standing to open the door for the two. "I thought we could have a bon fire, you know, with everything thats been going on we should have a good night. The pups and elderly are coming home today too. Seeing as there has been no sign of attacks."

Nodding my approval, even though she didn't need it, we all started unpacking what seemed like hundreds of bags all filled until they were about to bust. "Go fetch the other boys will you?" Tessa yelled from inside of the fridge. "T, you have a mind link, why don't you ever use it?" I questioned. Huffing Tessa mumbled something under her breath when I heard her voice in my mind,