The Otherkin Chronicles ¦ Book 1: Lycan

VI: Secrets Revealed and Stories Told, Part 1

Dedicated to eeblackwood and JennieJeanne. Thank you for pointers on improving my writing and plot!

Lucan opened his eyes as the moon rose on the horizon, barely visible from underneath the porch. What am I doing here? he thought to himself. And what was that weird dream I had? I know Thranthrope's dead, but who is this successor of his, this 'Hooklaw' of whom he spoke that I must find? Furthermore, why did he speak to me as if I were an old friend, when until a few hours ago, I was his worst enemy? Never in my life's 45 years did I think something like this would happen to me.

His thoughts were interrupted by the loup-garou formerly known as Private John Brown, though he knew not the name newly bestowed upon his son and subordinate, who was calling for him, howling as quietly as possible, from inside the smithy, "Corporal Brown, sir! Come here, quickly!"

Being careful to make as little noise as possible, Lucan made his way inside, where he reminded his son that he was no longer a corporal nor Lucas Brown, but Lucan. "Sir, my name is no longer John Brown, nor am I a private; I am simply Johnadier and this," he explained, gesturing to the body behind him, "was the loup-garou that bit us, known as Petraeus."

Was? Lucan thought, wondering why his son abruptly used the past tense. "Is...is he alive?"

"I'm not sure, Lucan. I took out the ball before licking the wound clean, but I don't know if he's going to make it."

"I hope he does, Johnadier, because he's the only one who can lead us to Hooklaw, of whom I heard in a...a vision," Lucan sighed. Just as he finished speaking, however, the body's eyes snapped open.

"How-how am I not dead?!" gasped Petraeus, feeling as though he had simply awakened from a coma instead of being shot with a silver bullet from a blunderbuss at point-blank range, effectively killing him. Two indistinct shapes hovered in front of him, resolving themselves into the forms of two loup-garous as the bright haze of near-death lifted from his eyes. "Who are you two, and what have you done to me?" he growled with a whine coming out in the end.

"Seriously? That's the thanks I get for saving your life?!" snapped the younger one, his blonde fur standing on end as he growled something under his breath about "...bloody Dwarvenkin don't know how to be grateful for their wealth from the mountains..."

Wait... "How did you know I'm part Dwarvenkin?" Petraeus howled softly in surprise.

"I believe we should answer your other two questions first," said the other one in a low growl-like moan. "I am Lucan, and this is my son, Johnadier. As for what he's done to you, I shall let him answer for himself."

"Well?" Petraeus growled.

"I saved your life by removing the bullet and licking the wound clean." Seeing Petraeus' shocked expression, Johnadier asked, "Did I say something wrong?"

"No, no, you spoke well...but you said you brought me back by licking the wound without a bite? You must be powerful, indeed..."

"I think not. Perhaps the curse can be transmitted through the body's humours, such as saliva? In any case, I am not powerful; I am submissive to the point that I assumed the rank of Omega in Hooklaw's pack, at least for now.

"As for how I knew you were part Dwarvenkin, your wolf form is fully grown despite its small size, which would mean you're either a runt or part dwarf. I was tempted to consider you a runt, but then I recalled that the family that used to run this smithy had red hair, yet your fur is even redder than even the reddest of human hair, a trait I've heard is common among Dwarvenkin, whose hair is rumored to be as red as the fires of their forges -"