Juka Holkeri's Story

Jukka laid below the bows of an apple tree, assuming that there are apple trees in Central Park. He rolled onto his back and lifted his hands in the air, then snatched an apple from the low hanging branches and munched on it happily. It may have been a crab apple, but the taste was still a pleasant one, if not a little sour. To the homeless young man there was nothing better than the sweet taste of Mother Nature's fruit. It was natural and clean, unspoiled, unlike so much else in the world these days. One... two... Two bites and the apple was gone. He smiled to himself and rolled onto his belly.

Thats when it hit him.

A strange scent filled the air. Strange but familiar. Jukka sat up and poofed back into his human form. He ran a bony hand through his brown hair and studied his surroundings once more. For some odd reason or another he had the sudden urge to visit Time's Square, which was a very unusual thing for him to feel. The young man often avoided that part of the city. It was always too crowded and there was always far more traffic than he preferred.

Jukka stood and started walking in that direction, but the pulling sensation only got stronger. He then began to jog towards Time's Square. it was a sad attempt at jogging. He had a horrible limp and it caused him to move very slowly. Just moment's later his heart pounded and his breath became shortened and raggedy. He stopped and placed his hands on his legs, gasping for air. Sweat droplets raced down the side of his face.

Jukka gave in and waved down a taxi. He hopped inside and leaned his head against the window as the driver headed towards the destination. "Are you alright, kid?" The man asked as he looked in his rear-view mirror to study Jukka's pale face.

"Im fine, just a small asthma attack is all..."

Upon reaching Time's Square he paid the driver and stood on the sidewalk. Jukka lifted a hand to shade his eyes, trying to figure out where he needed to be. That is when he spotted Sophia. he didn't know why but he felt as though he needed to speak with her. She was already talking to another person, so he very quietly approached them and gave them both a slight bow of the head, in acknowledgment.

Sophia peered up as a boy approached her, she had yet to speak to the male next to her or the female walking towards them. She sniffed the air, detecting the wolf scent on the boy she returned the nod. Taking a closer look Sophia noticed the boys limp and ragged appearance. He was a mess.

"Greetings." Sophia smiled gently, feeling that this boy needed a friend, "My name is Sophia, Come sit with me." She scooted herself over closer to the silver haired male male, "Don't worry, I don't bite." She added observing the boy's hesitance. I wish I had more money, I would get him something to eat, he's so sickly, Sophia frowned at her thoughts, but quickly recovered her smile, "What's your name anyways?"

Jukka slowly approached her and sat down. He was very relieved that she had offered him a seat. His hip ached and his chest was still thumping from the minor asthma attack that he had just experienced. "My name is Jukka Holkeria, it's a pleasure to meet you," he stated with a small smile coming to his face. it soon vanished as he studied the other figures around him. They appeared human but he knew what they really were, and he felt a bit threatened. Not because they were werewolves like himself but because they were a lot stronger than he was, and could easily over power him.

"I live in Central Park," he told Sophia. he had no idea why but he felt as though he had to tell her. There was some sense deep down in his guts that urged him to tell her everything, but why? He knew she was stronger than himself, but he was unsure of her rank. However, he decided that following his gut and revealing his entire life's story was not exactly the best idea right now. Jukka would wait until he was asked before saying anything more.

He did not wish to speak out of place.

"It's a pleasure to meet you too Jukka. Do you eat enough?" Sophia didn't like how skinny Jukka was, it wasn't right. She could sense nervousness and fear from him and despite the fact she didn't know him her alpha blood told her she needed to take care of this boy. What of the others though? Sophia didn't feel the need to take care of them like she did Jukka, perhaps that was because Jukka was so sickly and the others were fine and strong.

"I don't mean to be rude, but how'd you end up here and like this? No one, human or," Sophia cautiously lowered her voice, "werewolf should be in such need of help, and not have it."

Sophia was waiting for Jukka to answer when the bench was approached by yet another one of her kind. "I'm Sophia, it's nice to meet you Jessie." Sophia looked Jessie over guessing she wasn't any older then 18 and probably a run away, but there was something else about her, she seemed more confident then the others, as if she chose to live as she did.

Sophia squirmed uneasily, Jessie was looking at her and the others like the wolves she her parents had lead, guessing, trying gauge her strength, and rank, "Is there something you want to ask me?" Sophia stared right into Jessie's eyes, this girl had a darkness in her, a past. If she attacked Sophia would have to meet her, and if Jessie decided to attack, it would be to kill. Something had happened to this girl.

Sophia saw the man And guessed immediately by Jessie's reaction that it was one of the wolves she had spoken of. Sophia's alpha blood started to boil, "No one should do stuff like that. Doesn't matter if they're not human, it's not right." She stood up next to Jessie her blood making her stronger, "They want to harm innocent people, they get to pay the price. I'm tough too." Sophia remembered all the combat training she had received along with her normal alpha training.

As i stood up from the bench after finishing the burger i went to the nearby trashcan and threw away the wrapper and just when i was about to take leave i forgot that i had to work at a more earlier due to the fact that someone was fired so i had to work from early morning to when the sun rises again, as i look around i see a small group of people and walked up to them with a polite "excuse me do any of you know the exact time i forgot my watch back at my place and wanted to know if you people have the time on you"

"I eat plenty," Jukka replied to Sophia as he stared down at his hands and fiddled his thumbs. It wasn't the complete truth, honestly. Jukka mostly wandered around looking for food and often dugs things out of trash cans to eat. It wasn't that he didn't have enough money for a hot dog or anything, he just preferred to by smokes with it. Besides, he could buy smokes and find food on the street. But it was a lot more difficult to buy food and find smokes on the street. Sure, some people didn't mind pick-pocketing but it just wasn't Jukka's preferred method of obtaining objects. Even if he was desperate he would not steal.

As for the other question, Jukka was unsure as to ho he should go about answering it, so he simply said, "I am an orphan. I have lived on the streets for almost my entire life." He wasn't lying, but he also wasn't giving any details, nor did he plan on it. But if she asked then he would answer. He wasn't that rude.

He then watched as Jessie approached. The young man studied her closely from under His wispy hair. he didn't wan't her to know that he was staring, because it was obvious that she was much stronger than himself. Jukka listened closely as Jessie and Sophia spoke with each other. When the man across the street was mentioned Jukka finally lifted his head and studied the other man. He stared at him with his tired green eyes. To keep a more casual look about himself, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a cigarette. He then lit it and took a drag before resting his hand on his leg.

"I wish not to go near that man... but if you wan't someone to go over and simply speak with him, then I am your guy..." he told the group quietly. Jukka wasn't one to speak when not spoken to first, but he thought he should get that out there. "It is always a better idea to approach peacefully at first and see if things can be settled or not. If not, then that is when the fighting comes in. Fight now and you may be risking the chance of never making peace with his group. I know they are a gang, but it makes some sense... doesn't it?"

Sophia locked eyes with the man who had asked for the time, "You. Do you have any business with the violent gang of our kind?" She could tell by the look on his face he didn't know what she meant. Jukka piped up from where he was sitting and he had a point, "I think Jessie already started that bargain, and I don't think they'll take to kindly to being asked to stop, wolves like them have a superiority complex. As for how you ended up here, I'm sorry to hear that, and I won't press."

Let's go with Jessie to discuss this further. Sophia caught up with Jessie quickly. Since she had gotten all fired up Sophia's alpha blood put her on edge and she knew once they were behind closed doors it was wolf away. That was the problem with being an alpha, you got mad at someone of your own kind all you want to do is dominate them, it was like a need, a pressure that built up in your body. Changing into her wolf form, but not attacking would help relieve the pressure and time would whisk it away.

As Sophia followed Jessie she looked up at the roof of one of the surrounding buildings, on it was perched a hunched over figure looking down at the crowd, no, staring directly at the wolves. Sophia knew he was to far away to smell, but her instincts told her too anyways. She caught a wiff of something human, but not, and she knew it was him.

As the group started to move on Jukka stood and followed them. He remained several feet behind, due to both status and his limp. As he walked he couldn't help but feel like they were all being watched. Following Sophia's gaze to the roof he noticed the man crouched on top. A shiver wen't up Jukka's spine and he seemed to shrink in stature as he quickened his pace to become closer to the others. There was no way in heck that he was going to be left by himself to come across such a frightening fellow. His attention then turned to the sky.

The sky was growing darker, the clouds were getting a stormy look to them. He squinted and shivered again, hating the idea of rainfall. Hopefully it wouldn't rain at all. But from the look of the clouds it was going to... and Jukka hated rain... especially storms.

Felan snapped out of her music induced trance once she smelled the rain along with a few other scents. She looked up frowning silently cursing the chance of the wet stuff. She sniffed again curious about the other thing she smelled; the thought of rain pushed out of her mind now. She finally noticed the small group of people who smell a lot like her and followed behind much more curious now than ever but stayed a little closer to the young male staring at him blankly. She sniffed again and tilted her head to the side, " Apples... " she says almost inaudibly and continues to walk close behind him but also to the right so as to not bump into him on accident.

Sophia kept an eye on the figure perched up on the roof as the group made their way across the city. She was pleased to find the girl that had been listening to music now following behind Jukka who was keeping up surprisingly well. Jessie walked silently at the lead of the wolves. It felt strange to be with her own kind again. Since leaving her family Sophia had avoided other wolves. But these ones seemed alright.

For some strange reason a strong sense of happiness swelled inside her when she saw the dark haired girl notice and seem pleased with her following. Felan tilted her head to the left and sniffed the air around her and nods as if confirming a thought. " Strong... Leader... " was said softly then as she looked around at the others, she smiles, thinking that she would like to make her first stay in the city a long one. She looks back at the small male and slides her back pack off her shoulders and begins rummaging through it watching his feet the best she can so she doesn't fall.

Connor was perched on a roof, crouching in a very comfortable position, allowing him to rest both notebooks in each knee. He was drawing a map of the city in one notebook, and writing descriptions and physical traits of people who stood out on another. "I wonder if that group is the wolves I'm looking for. Their traits match, I think." He spoke to himself, staring down at the group.

Once he had finished the map, he ripped the page out of the book and pulled his sleeve back. Showing three metal bracelets with a couple notes clipped onto them. He was in a new city, so he discarded all of the information he had from outside the city, like resetting his memory. He clipped the map onto the second bracelet, just under a note stating his name, age, birthday and how to introduce himself.
Then the skies grew dark, he stared at the sky for a few moments. Drawn to the sight. Once he looked back down to the streets, he noticed the group had already begun to walk off. "Shit" He had to catch up.

Connor stood, he winced in pain as he stretched his body as far as it will let him. He stayed leaning forward with his legs bent. It was stupid to try to stand straight, but he just keeps forgetting. Connor then took another glance down at the group to see where they were going, he wrote a quick note; 'keep following the group of strange people. Speak to them when spoken to'. It was a memo, in case he forgot while following them.

With the note clipped onto his bracelet, he took off in a run across the buildings. Jumping like a frog over the gaps and using his arms to assist him to running, like he was using four legs. The pain was unbearable, at least once he catches up, he will just have to crawl across the building with no pain.

As the group entered the apartment building gate, another wolf walked down the stairs that Jessie had told them to go up. He was dressed in mostly black and most of his body was covered by his black overcoat. Though by his scent and by a certain look in his eye it was obvious what he was: Werewolf.

Alexander looked at the group of werewolves and blinked. 'Scent before sight.' he reminded himself silently, taking a whiff. He smelled each member of the group, and could easily distinguish who was who in terms of rank. He did not care about most of the group, his dark green eyes focused directly on Sophia.

Alpha blood. There was no mistaking it. He gritted his teeth as he looked on with a certain...uneasy feeling in his gut. He then let out a low growl as he began to walk forward, no longer growling as he took his second or third step. However his growl was loud in the quiet corridor. It wasn't a growl of challenge; he knew better than to challenge an alpha, especially since he didn't know her level of strength.

He would have to stop before he and the group of wolves met, and let them pass by him since it was a bit of a narrow corridor. He would respond if spoken to, though at the moment even he wasn't sure how he'd react.

Sophia looked about the room cautiously wondering why Jessie would live here of all places. It was dusty, and smelt of old garbage and homeless people. The wallpaper was brown and peeling and the varnish on the wood floor had been worn completely off.

Jessie rejoined the group shortly and shut the door. Sophia sighed relieved as she could now let the built up pressure beneath her skin out, "I need a minute." Sophia told the others. She walked across the room to assure she wouldn't knock any of them over in her shift. Shifting herself onto all fours Sophia let herself shift. She could feel as her bones tingled and reshaped, grew and contracted, and as thick white fur covered her form. Upon full transformation she shook herself. Flashes of the recent crime spree she had slightly heard about filled her head and she had to bite back a howl of pure rage. Just as quick as it had come the wave of rage passed and she sighed in relief as the pressure began to fade away. She lifted her head and realized how small her wolf form made the room feel, werewolves were all naturally large, but alpha's were always some of the largest.

Sophia felt comfortable enough then to return the her human form, and once she straightened up she smiled at the others, "The price of my blood. When I get aggressive I need to shift forms before the feeling goes away." She scratched her head glad, for the millionth time in her life, that Hollywood got it wrong and clothes transformed with you, even if they were at a loss as to how.

Felan had stayed behind Jukka the whole while continuing to rummage through her bag finally finding what she was looking for when they finally make it inside the apartment room. It was a nice green apple she had found recently. She held it out to the skinny male just as Sophia changed and the look of shock crossed his face. "... Apple.. " She says to Jukka and holds it closer to him looking at Sopia a second after doing so then smiles seeing Mistress Sophia Shift for the first time.

As Connor watched the group walking along, he suddenly stopped. "What was I doing again?" He asked himself as he rolled up his sleeve to show his notes. He read the note clipped on top of the others which read 'Follow the group of strange people'. "Ah yeah, that's what I was doing." He looked back down to the group to notice that they were all entering a building.

"Damn, I would search the building. But that will be a waste of time, who knows where they went. I guess I'll just wait for them outside." With that, he updated his top note to: 'Wait for the group of strange people outside the building. Be sure to engage in conversation if met with them'. He then jumped down from the building, landing perfectly on his feet. It didn't hurt, he was used to crazy movements and actions, allowing his bones to grow stronger than usual.

He walked towards the building and stood at the door which the group walked through, he stopped at a conveniently placed bench located opposite of the door. Instead of sitting, he jumped up onto the bench and squatted down, still on his feet but in a comfortable squat position. He stared at the door, waiting. But soon he began to question himself, "What was I doing again?" He asked while looking at his notes, "Ah, yeah..." He pushed his sleeve down and pulled a notebook out of his pocket. He began drawing his surroundings in a panoramic view, outlining every single detail he saw.

"Dang, if online someone was around to order me around. Life would have more meaning if I was told what to do. I know!" He sighed to himself, but as he came up with an idea he rolled his sleeve up and added to his main note; 'Be sure to ask to join the group, ask the leader. See notebook 1 page 57'. Of course, page 57 was the page containing observed information of the person who seemed to be the leader.

As he waited, Connor kept asking himself every now and then the same question: "What was I doing again?" Only to remind himself after looking at his notes on his arm.

Sophia stared at Jessie, 'You're my pack?" Sophia thought back to watching her parent's with they're pack. They had dominated others by force, strays that wandered into their City and were caught were quickly added to the numbers. That was one of the reason't Sophia was so hesitant, one of the reason's she left. Her parent's pack had never been kind to her, for most of them had never wanted the pack life. Sophia raised her hands and smiled nervously, "I never had any intention of creating a pack Jessie, I just figured as we're all good people we could work together to get rid of the bad people." Sophia looked at the others, questioning eyes looked right back heightening her nervous embarrassment, "I mean if a group asked me to be their alpha I would do it, I was trained since I was just a pup, but I'm not going to force anyone, that's bad for a pack, sooo yaaa....it's not for me to say if we're a pack...." Sophia laughed a little bit. If these wolves wanted to be her pack she would gladly take on that responsibility, but she was nervous, the male on the staircase had obviously been angered by the presence of authority, "I figured wolves in this part would prefer the loner life, I don't mean to force anyone, I will only have a pack of those who choose to be with me." She looked at the floor to scared to meet the eyes of the others, what if they were judging her like the pack of her past.

Jukka blinked and watched as Felan offered him an apple. He wasn't sure if he should actually take it or not. The female seemed shy and had stated one word. According to Jukka, when people used few words it mean't that they were either uncomfortable or something else was going on in their mind. However, Felan didn't seem to be all that threatening, and so, Jukka slowly took the apple from her and gave her a small smile. Lifting it to his mouth he bit into the hard fruit, biting it in half. After chewing the first piece he finished the second. Two bites and he was done. Of course, crab apples were small anyway.

"Thank you," he replied quietly.

Jukka's attention then turned to Sophia and Jessie. It seemed as though they were not being forced to become a pack, and he appreciated that. He had only been in a pack once before and it hadn't ended well. The young man's attention turned to the window as the rain began to pour down. A shiver wen't up Jukka's spine as he watched it. After a moment he leaned back against the wall, his hair slipping away from his left ear.

Even in human form, half of his ear was missing. The scarred edges were a dark red and gruesome in appearance. I an attempt to calm himself, he closed his eyes. However, he kept his other senses up, just in case anyway moved towards him in a threatening manner.