William shook his head. “I’m not sure what you mean? That place where Aceso saved my life, right?”
Jacob nodded, “The reason you were drawn into that place was that they had been attracted to you simply by the number of shapes shifters that was in Tasha’s forest. The more of us that congregate in an area, the more likely it is to attract them to us.”
“Then why haven’t I had similar dreams here. There are dozens of werewolves here in this city why I haven’t I been lured back there and why haven’t they been attracted to us here?”
Jacob smiled at the outburst from William. “First of all, there are not dozens of werewolves here there are dozens of shape shifters here. You are the only werewolf in this city right now. Second of all we have certain barriers that have been set up and are maintained that keep those shadows from being attracted to us and from attacking anyone who resides in this city. The formation of our packs into groupings of six shape shifters each helps protect them when they leave the city for whatever reason.”
William shook his head as he tried to make sense of what he had just been told. “Wait a minute, what do you mean I’m the only werewolf. Are you telling me that Ares is not a werewolf? What do you call him? Because at least to me, he obviously is a werewolf or am I missing something? Or am I the only one that just so happened to notice that he stands eight feet tall, is covered in brown fur, and has a crown of two pointed wolf ears on top of his head?”
Jacob shook his head. “William, no one has missed anything. Ares is a shape shifter.” It was clear from William’s questioning glare that he didn’t understand. “I will explain as best I can. Look, you are a werewolf because you have not yet learned to change when you want to. You are still chained to the will of the Lunar Mother. When she becomes full in the night sky that is the only time you can change into your werewolf form, correct?” William nodded. “And yet Ares walks around in werewolf form more often that he does in his native wolf form. Why do you think that is?”
William felt like he was being talked down to. “Because he’s a shape shifter and he can change whenever he wants.”
Jacob smiled at the tone of the pup that was standing in front of him. “You see, you can be taught. William, until you learn how to control your transformations you will be a werewolf, plain and simple. The only difference is that we shape shifters can change at will.”
Jacob appeared to melt into a globulous shadow. For an instant he looked just like one of those shadows that had attacked him in the White Plain. Then the shadow melted away and standing in front of him was a seven-foot-tall tan werewolf. William was proud of himself for not being shocked.
The werewolf looked disappointed. In the gruff language of the werewolves Jacob said, “Don’t tell me you’re already jaded toward seeing one of us transform already, are you?”
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William smiled up at the monster. “No, I’m not jaded; I’m just not a child that is frightened by the sight of monsters anymore.”
Jacob stepped closer to William. William could smell the musky scent of animal fur wafting off Jacob. It was amazing. Did every werewolf smell like this? It was something he would have to figure out for himself some time.
Jacob looked down at the human standing in front of him. “You should be. Fear, sometimes, is the only thing that keeps us alive. You would do well to be a little more afraid, especially when you don’t understand what you’re looking at.”
Jacob melted back into his human form. His clothes were restored to their original condition.
William could not hide his shocked expression this time. “How did you do that?”
Jacob looked down at himself in mock surprise. “Do what?”
“That. How did you just change into a werewolf and back with your clothes not being ripped to shreds?”
Jacob smiled and turned away from William toward the open entryway. “That’s a trade secret, William. Maybe one day when you’re older you’ll understand.” Jacob disappeared out the door leaving William alone to contemplate what had just happened.
William walked back over to his bed and sat down on the black furs. He was trying to wrap his head around the fact the he was a werewolf but had the ability to be a shape shifter. All I have to do is learn how to transform when I want to. Sounded easy enough but somehow, he knew that that was just impossible. He couldn’t change without the moon. He had never tried, but he knew that it would be useless.
William was just about to lay back down on the bed when Jacob walked back into the room.
“William, until you believe that you can change without the help of the Lunar Mother, you never will be, and you will be almost completely useless to us.” William nodded at the revelation.
Jacob reached into his pocket again and pulled out a small cylinder object. He tossed it to William, who caught the object and looked at it. It was a toothbrush. William became very self-conscious all of a sudden and he was pretty embarrassed by his inattention to his own hygiene. How many days has it been since I brushed my teeth? He covered his mouth.
Jacob walked over to the dresser and placed a small yellow box there. William could plainly see the familiar logo of a disembodied arm holding a sledgehammer plastered prominently on the box of baking soda. Jacob turned toward William, “A little housewarming gift. I’m sure others will be visiting you from time-to-time.” Jacob nodded toward the yellow box. “At least you can take care of yourself properly.” Jacob raised his hand above his head in a sort of wave/ salute. “Be seeing you, William. Good luck.” Jacob walked towards the entryway but stopped short. He looked at William. “You’re going to need it.” With that Jacob left.
William lay back on to the soft black furs of his bed. I can’t go see Aceso but nobody said anything about not being able to go to the bathroom. With that thought William pushed himself up and threw his legs over the side of the bed. Still holding his unopened toothbrush, he walked over to his dresser and grabbed the baking soda and walked out of the room.
This underground city was beautiful. The strange central light that had illuminated this place when he had first entered the city had dimmed and the lights from inside the various rooms were shining. The warm feeling he got from seeing those lights reminded him of Christmas or some other family holiday. Where families were gathered around fireplaces and eating large meals that made people happy and comfortably sleepy. The lights seemed to reach out with the promise of warmth and love and companionship. For the first time in a long time, he missed home.