Luna

• 11 •

I would never be scared of you

Paul and I were now sitting in his car-both silent, neither of us knowing how to begin. 

However, as soon as I started to muster up courage, Paul shattered the silence, his voice broken, "You were scared of me." 

His face had such a down-casted sorrow on it that I felt such guilt and pain at causing that. I hurt him. 

"God, your face-" He continued, rubbing his hands across eyes, "you were so scared. You tried to get away from me." 

While I knew Paul wasn't saying this to push guilt on me, more so to voice his own self doubt- I couldn't help but feel like a complete and utter ass. 

"Paul," I interrupted his self-torturing words, "I'm so sorry-"

He went to interrupt, but I shushed him, "I'm so sorry that I made you think that, but Paul....I would never be scared of you." I let out a breath as I tried to form my sentences carefully, "It wasn't you I was scared of...but when you were -" I felt silly actually uttering the word, "-a wolf, I didn't know how conscious you were. All I know is that I saw the guy that I like turn into this wild animal I mean...for all I know you animal conscious could've taken over and you were thinking purely on instinct, but-"

This time Paul succeeded in interrupting me, "That's really what scared you-?"

"Well yeah!" I rushed, "If I had a run in with a wild bear or coyote in this woods, my reaction would be the same, if not worse. I didn't know how much of you was in there." 

As soon as I finished my sentences I was disoriented. Paul pulled me across the bench seat and had me in a tight hug, a wide smile stretched on his face. 

"Paul!" I let out in a laugh, complaining lightly at his sudden actions. 

"God, you don't know how happy that makes me." He finally let go but kept his arm around me, keeping me at his side, "You're really okay with this." 

"I'm okay with you being an oversized dog, now that I know that you're conscious." I joked. 

"Okay, okay." He was smiling now, "So you know how my family is part of the Quillette tribe?"

I nodded, amused at his childlike joy that bled into his storytelling. 

"Well my genetics from that side of me, that's the reason I'm able to shift into a wolf."

I frowned, my mind now thinking of countless theories. 

He noticed my frown and paused. "What?" 

"You're a wolf," I nodded, "...so Sam and Jared-?"

Paul nodded. 

"Kim and Emily?" I pressed. 

He shook his head, "No so far it's only males who have shifted." He paused for a moment, "The easiest way I can do this is to go back to the beginning, our legends and history." 

I nodded, easily entrapped in my curiosity. 

"It started with Taha Aki. He was the current spirit chief at the time, but this one man Utlapa believed the tribe should use their magic to take control of neighboring tribes, the Hohs and the Makahs. Utlapa just wanted to have endless power over others but Taha Aki was known for his peace and when the spirit warriors left their bodies they could hear each others thoughts-this is how Taha Aki found out Utlapa thoughts and why he banned him from the tribe-"