Element

Element XVII

Three hours later, I had a numb butt and a serious headache.

It was always hard for me to transition from acting as a wolf to human in a matter of hours. All the running I have been doing as a wolf can really take its toll on me as a human and vice versa.

Stepping off the bus and stretching, I walked my way over to the rest stop and located a map. 

I remember the Burning Sun pack was right on the edge of town. It was far enough away from civilization but close enough that it was accessible. Locating the "You Are Here" star on the map, all I needed to do was head east and I would be within pack territory in no time. 

Hitching a ride with a horse wrangler headed that way, I rode with him until it was time to get off. Stripping down into my birthday suit, I shifted and completed the rest of the journey on foot.

Only ten minutes into my run and I was already exhausted. It had to be well into the 100's temperature wise and remembering that I didn't eat anything last night or this morning, I was quickly starting to regret this whole plan.

Knowing I couldn't over heat myself, I slowed my run to a steady jog and decided that pushing myself to the limit honestly wasn't a smart idea.

After about 30 minutes of running, I lifted my eyes to the horizon and saw three figures running out to greet me. It was either warriors from the Burning Sun pack or heat exhaustion set in and I was loosing my mind. 

Just as the figures were within ten feet of me, they came to a stop and so did I. I could hear the low growls emanating from them to warn me that I was trespassing. I figured the only reason they didn't attack was because of my fur.

I have to admit; being a white wolf really came in handy sometimes.

Choosing to over look the embarrassment I was about to endure, I shifted and let them know the reason I was here.

"Hello. I am Zayne Young, soon to be alpha of the Whenhachatu pack and Earth Elemental wolf to the true knight and our goddess. I am here to see your alpha." As I stood there in all my glory for the world to see, the wolves continued to growl as they communicated back and forth with their beta.

Seconds passed until finally the wolves dropped their guard. The wolf in the middle approached me and slowly I held my hand out to it. With a simple nudge of the nose, I knew that I was granted permission to enter the territory and speak with the alpha. As the wolves turned around to head back to the pack house, I shifted and quickly followed.

When it comes to pack politics, it is customary to send warriors out to intercept intruders and it is the beta's job whether or not to concern the alpha with the news. Of course, if the pack were under attack than everyone, including the alpha would be out to defend against any rouges. However, the alpha of the pack stays busy almost all the time so you can expect him to delegate some things to his beta.

After running for what felt like only minutes, the pack compound finally came into view. From what I could tell, most of the homes had a Spanish villa feel to them. I could see what looked like many individual homes and one large house that was obviously the pack house. 

Stepping onto the back patio of the pack house, I shifted and threw on my jeans. Just as I was pulling on my shirt, I was suddenly grabbed around the neck. With my shirt not fully pulled over my head, I didn't know what was going on and adrenaline immediately rushed through me.

"Noogie!!!"  The stranger yelled into my ear.

Immediately a chuckle escaped my lips and I couldn't help but to grin. As the stranger took his knuckles off my head and released my neck, I pulled my shirt completely down and greeted the man before me.