PHANA'S POV
On Wednesday, Yo texted me when they arrived, but I had to tell him I was swamped with school and wouldn't be able to see him until Friday. My med school classes started last week, and my schedule is already crazy. I could tell the pressure was going to be high this semester.
The Medical School at our college is one of the best in the country, and one of the hardest. Our first round of exams is scheduled for a month from now, and I've already started review sessions with my Faculty nongs and my friends.
I felt bad I wasn't there to help him settle in. It had been a long time since we'd seen each other. Think back, the last time was right before my year 12 classes started. I was so busy after that I didn't have time for anything except studying. But now that we're at the same college and we're living in the same dorm building, I'm sure that we'll get to hang out together.
Wayo's and Ming's scents lingered in the lobby and stairwell, and I could faintly detect them when I got back to the dorm that night. If it wasn't so late, I'd knock on Yo's door now. My stomach is doing a strange little flip-flop at the thought of seeing him again soon.
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MING'S POV
The last 2 days have been busy, but Yo and I were all settled into our rooms. It was after 8pm now and we were finishing preparing for the get-together I scheduled for tonight.
This meeting is all about letting Yo catch up with his friends from our aligned packs. We're hosting it at one of the little restaurants not far from our building, and since there will be about 30 of us, they agreed to it being a private event if we came after 9pm.
Leaving my room, I knock on Yo's door, saying "It's time to go, Ai'Yo."
His door opens and there stands Forth, smiling. "He's finishing up now. He'll be ready in a few minutes."
Giving Forth a quick wai, I look him over, asking "How long have you been here P'Forth?"
"Just a few minutes." He replies with a smirk.
Yo comes out of the bathroom saying, "P'Forth came down to help me pick out what to wear for the event tonight. How do I look?"
Glancing at Yo, I ruffle my fingers through his hair saying, "Cute, as always."
"Miiinng," Yo groans out and stomps his foot, "I don't want to look cute. I want to look grown up."
Smiling and shaking my head at him I delare, "Not going to happen anytime soon, pup."
"Ming!" he yells, and I quickly turn away, rushing out the door before he can catch me. He hates being called 'pup'.
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The event is going smoothly, Yo is bouncing around talking to everyone as they arrive, and there is a haze of happiness leaking out of him onto all of us. There are still a few people missing, but they will be here soon.
Pha just sent a text that he's here and I walk towards the door to meet him.
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PHANA'S POV
Heading into the restaurant, I see Ming walking my way from out of the crowd. He gives me a brief wai when he reaches me and says, "It's been a long time P'Pha. I'm glad you could come tonight. Yo and I are looking forward to catching up with you."
"Me too." I respond, but I feel a little distracted. Something smells amazing. Leaning forward a little, I give Ming a sniff. Nope, not him. So, I raise my head and take a deep breath in through my nose trying to figure out where that smell is coming from.
"P'Pha? P'Pha, are you ok?" Ming is asking me, but he sounds far away.
"Uhm, can you smell that?" I ask while searching the room. The scent is getting stronger and I'm starting to feel a little dizzy and to sweat. My stomach feels like it's decided to become a gymnast with all it's flopping around. "Something smells really good. Like really good."
Ming looks at me, looks around the room, then back to me. But I don't have time for him, I've decided I need to move farther in the room to figure out where that smell is coming from.
However, right then the crowd shifts around, and I catch a glimpse of Yo. He's standing with a group of boys talking. Forth is standing next to him with his arm casually slung across his shoulders and a rush of anger rolls over me at the sight.
A growl escapes me along with the words, "Mine. My Mate. He's touching MY Mate." The need to shift is overpowering me. So is the need to attack the one thinking he can touch what's mine. I want to fight and defend what is mine.
Suddenly, Ming's face is right in front of mine, halting my forward progress. He's grabbing my arms and is pushing me out the front doors of the building. We're struggling together, but when 3 more pack members heading to the event walk up, they help Ming to restrain me.
Ming is in front of me again, "P'Pha! P'Pha look at me!"
I can hear him yelling, but I can't seem to focus. I'm still growling the same words over and over, "Mine, my mate!"
Ming is looking at me and he says angrily, "I can't believe this is happening right now!"
CRACK! My head is flung to the side from the force of his slap. The anger and panic are starting to subside under the shock and pain and I can feel reality starting to slide back into place.
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MING'S POV
"Ming!" one of the boys holding Pha yells at me.
"Shut up!" I yell at him, "you don't know what's going on!"
"Ai'Pha has obviously found his mate. Why are we holding him back? Let him claim them."
"His mate is Wayo! He's only 17! He can't even recognize P'Pha as his mate yet. Do you really want to risk Wayo getting hurt?" The guys look at each other and shake their heads. "No, I didn't think so, so shut up and let me think."
Turning to Pha, I ask, "Can you focus? Do you understand what's happening?"
Pha nods his head and whimpers, "Yo... c-can't recognize me."
"Good you're back to your senses enough to understand what I'm saying at least."
"Ming, p-please, I need to get out of here or I-I'm going to lose it. His scent is killing m-me. Please take me away from here." Pha is almost begging. I know he doesn't want to hurt Wayo.
"Yes, I think, that's best or now." Pha releases a loud whine and I pause to observe him for a second.
"Ok, look, please take P'Pha back to his dorm for tonight. I have to think about what to tell Yo, since he was expecting to see you tonight. Can a couple of you guys stay with him for now? At least until I can work some things out. I would appreciate it. I'll come to his room after I finish things up here. Call me if there are any problems?"
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A/N:
And so it begins... :-P
I know a couple of you had been waiting for this chapter. Hope you like it.
09.10.2018
Edited: 02.08.2018 8:27 pm US CST
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Howling at the Moons
WerewolfYo is a young werewolf who wants nothing more than to experience life. To live, laugh, and love beyond the restrictions he has always known. Will college be his chance to do that? In a world where werewolves exist but are still 'in the closet' so...
