Alistair DeGari's Story

The morning came just as any other morning, only this time he’d be moving into his new house and starting his new life. His secrets would remain as such and he would enjoy every moment of it. He finally had to make a decision as to what house he’d be moving into. Time had been very challenging for him. After escaping hunters finally, he decided to simply move away and go to a place within the forest where he could roam freely and not worry about hunters or being seen by the public. Carmel was 27 years old, and yet he looked so youthful. In his previous pack he was considered second in command, or Beta. His alpha was an understanding wolf, a very dominate man with interesting gifts. Carmel had enough age to know how to hunt alone and how to evade. He didn’t know of any special gifts he possessed, but he was sure he had some. Unlike some younger wolves, Carmel could transform at will. He no longer needed the full moon to induce his change and even in his human form he had incredible otherworldly strength and stamina. He could run extremely quick and could life the back of a car without assistance. Things like these are what kept him alive. He was trained to be a killer and his skills in the arts of doing so were going on thirteen years.

Most noticed him by his height. He was indeed six feet tall and very toned in the muscle department, but also very lean. He wasn’t overly buff and he wasn’t a muscle head, but every muscle in his body was strong. If truth be told his old alpha was actually his lover. The two were indeed inseparable. Carmel remembered him well. His name was Adrian, Adrian Domonio, an Italian werewolf. The two had met when Carmel was twenty years of age and had hit it off on a date. Carmel had no clue what a pack were being a lone wolf and all, but Adrian introduced him to the world of a werewolf and trained his instincts and power. Carmel missed the stubborn wolf. He was the first to die from the pack, and Carmel did everything in his power to save him but the wounds were too deep. Adrian died in Carmel’s arms, his last words being “I love you.”

Thinking about that as he walked through the apartment, Carmel sighed as a tear fell from his eyes. He was up and ready to go for the day. Dressed in his normal wear which was a pair of sweat pants and a black tee, Carmel made his way out to his car. He had to meet with Century21 to discuss the final paperwork and obtain the keys to the house in the forest. It was a secluded place, but thankfully they had electricity and the amenities like internet and cable tv. Carmel sped off in the Lamborghini driving rather fast, his thrill seeking nature taking over as he sped through the streets. It was odd that he didn’t attract any police officers, but he knew they couldn’t have caught him if they tried. Everything had been packed away in a UHAUL truck that he had scheduled to deliver once he called after the papers were signed. He was excited for the new things to come. As he pulled into the driveway of the house, he exited the car and smiled.

“Home sweet home,” he said looking at the house and then the forest. There was enough forest for him to enjoy. He noticed the car of the Real Estate Agent and made his way into the house. The Forest Home was absolutely breathtaking and worth every penny he spent on it. It looked as if he held dangerous secrets and he liked it.

Time passed and the paperwork was signed. The Real Estate Agent was happy to have done business with Carmel and he was excited to start a new chapter. After the agent left, Carmel called the UHAUL Company and instructed them to bring his items. He gave them the address and informed them to let him know when they had arrived. He began to explore the house, noticing the fine detail work that went into every corner of the house. The living room had been trimmed in oak wood, each element as beautiful as the last. The kitchen in stainless still with marble countertops was breathtaking. Moving on into the laundry room nearly everything was made of wood aside from the washing mashing and dryer. The bedrooms were large, and there were three, with two bathrooms in the entire house. One bathroom was in the master suite which Carmel would be taking, and the other bathroom was in the hall between the two other smaller rooms, but larger than a normal room. Each bathroom consisted of a standup shower with all the amenities, a tub, a toilet and a sink with marble countertops to match the kitchen. The overhead showerhead in the master bathroom would come in useful.

The master bedroom was twice the size of the other two bedrooms. The kind size bed left nothing to be desired, and the matching oak wood furniture was breathtaking. The 60 inch flat screen high end television spoke wonders about the designer of the house. Clearly Carmel had chosen a fabulous house. The other two rooms had smaller 42 inch televisions with beautiful queen sized bedding and matching furniture. All in all it looked like a place only the rich and famous would stay. His investments had paid off. Surrounding the house were woods a plenty, trees so tall that the canopy would be a chore to reach. He loved it, it reminded him of home. Carmel was overwhelmed with the sheer beauty the house presented, and to top it off there was a pool on the side of the house as well as a pool deck. As Carmel continued to explore the house, he came to the door that would lead to the basement. This was the only place in the house he had not explored. He opened the door slowly, allowing the draft to be free. It was eerie as he walked down the stairs, turning on the light that illuminated the dark damp place. Down here was an additional room built on, as well as another door. This door was metal, and looked to open only by passcode. Carmel didn’t know the passcode and wondered why there was such a door in such a beautiful place.

He walked around, touching and feeling and getting a feel for the place and eventually curiosity got the better of him. He approached the door and looked at the keypad. He was no hacker, but he could tell by the indention of the keys which numbers were pressed; however, he didn’t know in which secession the buttons were pressed.

“It will take me a day to figure this out. Probably a week,” he said as he started punching in the numbers in random order. As if the gods themselves wanted him to see what was inside, he pressed the keys 7548 and the door opened slowly. It was dark, and he could see no further than a foot in front of him, but he could feel life in the room now. Lights flickered on and there presented before him was a man chained up, a tray of vicious tools lying on a table beside him. “Hunters,” Carmel said softly, “either they died off, or lost interest.” He quickly walked up to the man and checked his pulse. “Still alive?” Carmel said in surprise looking at the binds that held the man in place. With a quick and powerful tug the chains snapped in twine and Carmel helped the unresponsive man to the ground. He was bruised and battered, but he would heal and from the smell of it, this man was clearly a werewolf.

“Hey,” Carmel said slapping the man softly, “hey hey, wake up, HEY!!”

The sun had not long set and the evening meal was just finishing. Alistair's father Grayson entered, a tall and well built man, had not long returned from fetching wood for the wood burner. The family home did have electricity, but it tended to give their position away to the hunter. At the moment the family home was the only place of true protection from a world of indifference.

Grayson moved to the sitting area of the home were the rest of his family sat, his wife Evalyn, his oldest son Tristan, who was 18 soon to be turning 19, his oldest daughter Daniella, who was 15 and at the age where nothing was fair and his youngest son Alistair who was 7. Kissing Evalyn tenderly on the forehead " All is silent my dear, it seems the woods have held off the hunters for this night." Sitting down next to his wife he put his arm around her holding her close, causing Evalyn to fumble her knitting, but she smiled softly and fell into his warm embrace.

The couples adoration for each other was clear but it was short lived as Tristan came storming down the stairs panic in his voice. "Dad! Hunters are coming I see the torches coming" He went to the window and pointed out to the beams of light merging in the tree line. A burst of glass smashing caught the family by surprise with a bullet tearing through Tristan's shoulder causing him to fall the ground, Grayson acted immediately dragging his eldest son to him checking the wound. Thankfully the bullet had gone through the body entirely and missed the bone by inches. Tristan pulled himself up looking to his father for any kind of advice, Grayson opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by the scream of Daniella who was upstairs. He bolted upstairs to find his daughter fighting with a man wielding a silver knife, Grayson growled deeply and the hunter turned his head to look and that was all he had to do. Daniella took his head twisting it sharply so his neck broke killing him instantly.

" That's my girl c'mon we have to go" Grayson said taking his daughters hand and rushing downstairs to find Evalyn tying Tristan's arm up to hold it until it healed. Ali was huddled in the corner holding his kness tightly, trembling with nervousness, he had never come across hunters this determined before. Tristan pushed a table up to the smashed window, turning around he ran over to Tristan picking him up and returning to the family. Ali huddled up to his mother who held him tightly in her arms.

" Come out you beasts and fight! Why cower away like the dogs you are?" One of the hunters shouted as they banged against the door. " It is not a fair fight and only beast I can see here are you!" Tristan roared loudly back putting himself in front of Daniella. The door began to give way to a barrage of axes and boots, Grayson looked to Evalyn and nodded. Crouching down to Ali she spoke tears brimming her eyes " Ali you need to hide okay? You can hide under the house until the hunters go away Allright?" Ali nodded " But what about everyone else? You can fit too" he spoke pulling on his mothers sleeves. Evalyn smiled softly " no we can't sweetheart, they would know we hid there and then you'd be hurt too" Evalyn said opening a small hatch underneath where the family was standing and popped Ali inside, she smiled softly kissing him on the head and added " Remember what we told you about the wolf and when he comes? Even though your changing on the outside, you are still you on the inside, never forget who you are. Understand Sweetheart?" She pushed Ali down locking the hatch.

The family stood as one as the door broke down, they all changed into their wolf forms and fought as well as they could even with axes and bullets tearing flesh apart from bone. As body by body dropped to the last growl, blood seeped through the floorboards dripping onto Ali coating him with the blood of his family. He was grabbed soon after injected with a mystery serum and thrown into a cage. The hunters left after a while, he had no idea how long they had stayed celebrating the kills of the century, taking fur, blood, teeth and anything that resembled werewolf culture.

------

Every so often this nightmare would plagued Ali's dreams, he had no idea how long he had been locked up here for, it must have been years now. Although he was beaten and tortured he would always welcome the sweet bliss of unconciousness, that gap between sleeping and being awake. It was the only time he had to himself without the friegtening nightmares and flashbacks of the past.

The heavy chains he wore dug into his skin and reopened old wounds, but he pushed the pain back even though he was weakened by lack of food and sleep he was still strong. He wasn't allowed to speak and knew nothing about the outside world, the world he had been denied. The hunters had left him before only for a week usually to either see how he would cope or to got hunting for his kind again. This time was different there had been no noises for a long while that was all he remembered before passing out.

He felt his body being lifted to the ground the chains around his arms and feet broken and removed. A soft tapping on his face cause his eyes to open wearily, allthough they wanted to close again he looked at the man in front of him. A complete stranger, growling deeply he lunged out taking the man by the throat, sniffing quickly he picked up the scent that was familiar but forgotten. Snorting out a breath Ali released the stranger and looked around the room supporting himself on his arms.Sniffing he could smell no trace of the hunters he looked back at the man " Who are you?" He mumbled his voice raspy.

Werewolf. There was no other smell that was more prominent to another werewolf, and with a single sniff Carmel knew this man was young in his adolescence as a creature of the night. Carmel was concerned. Never had he seen a werewolf strapped and hung up like this man. Perhaps the hunters found him too valuable to kill, but Carmel could only wonder what stories this man held, this young man who seemed out of it. How long had he been in this place? How long had he wished for freedom and yet had been granted it by Carmel? He was worried that the man wouldn’t wake up, but that all changed when the guy grabbed him by the neck and forced him against the wall. Even in his state, he still had the strength the youth of their kind was known for. Carmel knew that if he resisted, it could end in a bad fight.

His head hit the wall of the room, but he simply looked at the man as he sniffed him, trying to identify him as either friend or foe. When he reached his decision, he released Carmel who rubbed his neck and inhaled oxygen which had been cut off by the man’s hand. He kept his eyes on this individual, this young man and sighed. He needed a shower, he needed clothes and he needed to get out of this room. Carmel held up his hands to show he meant no harm and began to speak.

“My name is Carmel, this is my house,” Carmel stated slowly so that the man could understand him, “exactly what are you doing here? How long have you been here? Do you remember your name?”

Alistair's head tilted to the side as the stranger introduced himself. Carmel. Interesting name. He explIned that this was his house nd then asked him questions. What he was doing here, how long he had been down here and if he remembered his name.

His name was all he had now, the DeGari name had died with his family. A once proud and respected family now he had no inheritance, no one to turn too in time of need or in time of fear. He was alone completely and utterly alone. He scratched his head and thought about where to begin, his name he knew his name that was a good enough start.

" Alistair...DeGari" he spoke his voice still uneven. Now for the other questions how long he had been here, he didn't know he really didn't know he was seven when he was taken away from his family in 2000 he had no idea what the year was now. He knew he was older but didn't know exactly how old he was.

" They killed my family, everyone and took me away with them" his eyes flickered over to the tools and instruments on the table, he whined softly and scooted away from the sight of them. " Been down here all that time" he explained bringing his knees to his chest.

Carmel listened attentively to the man speak. He seemed so out of it that Carmel only wanted the man’s safety from here on out. He was a werewolf, and he would have to take care of him until he left or found his own way. Carmel wasn’t your typical werewolf, always fighting for pride and land, instead he would help this younger wolf in hopes that he recovers. Kicking him out was definitely out of the question. He knelt down to get eye level with the man and to better hear him because he was speaking so low that it was hard to hear. He caught his name, a name that Carmel knew. Coincidentally, the DeGari were well known and Carmel had met Grayson on countless occasions to talk business. He had wondered what happened to the DeGaris and here one was right in front of him. News traveled far and wide when they were killed. Panic had spread, for the werewolves feared that if the hunters found the DeGaris who were in hiding, they were sure to find the others, but Carmel remained elusive. It actually wasn’t too long after the DeGari’s death that Carmel’s pack was killed by hunters.

Such widespread fear was something Carmel didn’t like. They were the apex predators, but their weaknesses kept them from being masters over the humans. Silver was despised by wolves, and the inexperienced wolves relied on the moon to transform, thus leading to their deaths because there wasn’t much one could do in their human form. This was one of the reasons Carmel had taken up different fighting arts, to be able to effectively kill any hunter that came near. He himself became the hunter of the Hunters. He felt sorry for Alistair. The guy was all alone and had no one to call his own. This only meant that he had to help the guy. There was no other alternative. He didn’t have the heart or the conscious to throw him out in such a manner and condition.

“Alistair DeGari, I knew your father. He was a brilliant man and I’m sorry for your loss,” Carmel stated as he inched closer to the man but watched as the male scooted away after noticing the tools on the table and telling Carmel that he had been taken when he was seven. Carmel moved closer and looked intot he man’s eyes. “Look, you’ve been isolated for 15 years down here, it’s now 2015.”

Carmel didn’t say anything else, letting the news sink into Alistair’s mind as he watched the guy with worried eyes. “Look, let’s get you cleaned up and then we can talk some more. I have some extra clothes you can wear and we’ll see about getting you fixed up okay?”

15 years...

15 years chained to a wall, beaten and broken and beaten again. Why did they keep him down here all these years? Was he a plaything? A punching bag? A test subjects or some hunters sick game. Growling to himself he ran his hands through his hair, his fingers getting caught in the mess of tangles and knots. " 2015?..." He mumbled mainly for his own reassurance. By didn't know wether to cry, scream or lash back out at the older man.

Swallowing down a lump in his throat Ali nodded in response to Carmel's question and offer of getting clean and fixed up. He pushed his back against the wall supporting himself as he struggled to get up, after a few minutes of stumbling against the wall Alistair stood. His body was sore and complained for rest and food, but after god knows how long chained and unconscious he wanted to at least stand on his own two feet.

Sighing to himself he rubbed his eyes " 2015.." He still couldn't believe it, the hunters told him nothing about the outside world. For all he knew everyone had robot servants and drove around in flying cars. Or even everyone had gone back to primal instincts and it was kill or be killed. He was worried about what this new world would bring.

There was nothing more he could do. The guy had been locked away since 2000, and it was now 2015, that was 15 long and agonizing years to be locked away from the outside world. Carmel was sure the last thing the guy remembered was his family getting killed. Sighing, he watched as Ali tried to stand to his feet. He stumbled a bit but eventually got it. Carmel approached him more affirmatively now, knowing that there wasn’t much threat there, at least not at the moment. He would have to reevaluate this idea later when he introduced Ali to the things of the new world.

“Here, let me help you,” Carmel said as he took this chance to show Ali that he was safe now. Carmel helped Ali up the stairs of the basement. They entered into the brightly lit room upstairs and Carmel shielded Ali. “Your eyes will need to adjust having been locked away for so long. Take your time, but first let’s get you a shower and some clothes.”

At that moment, Carmel noticed the UHAUL truck drive up into the yard. Just what he needed, nosey workers. He needed to get Ali in the bathroom quickly. He could play off a clean well kempt man as his boyfriend or brother, but in Ali’s present state they were sure to ask billions of questions and bring attention he really didn’t need.

“Come on, we’re almost there,” Carmel stated as they made their way to Carmel’s room where the master bathroom awaited. Carmel helped Ali to the bathroom and hoped that the male had somewhat adjusted to the brightness in the house. “Okay, I have to go downstairs and monitor the humans that are bringing my furniture and other stuff. The shower is there, and the bath tub is there,” Carmel stated pointing to each one after saying it. He looked at Ali and smiled, “take as much time as you need to get cleaned up, and if you need me just yell okay?”

Carmel closed the door behind him and made his way downstairs to monitor the workers as they moved his remaining stuff into the house.

Ali held onto Carmel for support as the pair climbed the stairs, his legs felt weigted and with each step it was like a chunk of stone falling away from its foundations. Carmel shielded him from the light but Ali closed his eyes anyway, opening them slightly as they emerged into Carmel bedroom.

Ali opened his eyes a little more to see the bathroom that he was lead into, the light was no so bright in here, he looked at the shower and the bathtub as it was pointed out. He couldn't stand up for much longer his back and legs were pulling painfully, although he was sure that would go away after a nice bath.

Running the warm water halfway up the bath he stripped of his dirty clothes and sat down in the water. Whimpering as the water stung old and new wounds, grabbing some soap he began to scrub away at the years of dirt and muck. The water quickly became black with grime and grease, Ali stepped out of the bath slowly he drained the water and turned on the shower washing his hair sorting out the mess of tangles as well as scrubbing his face clean. He had no idea how to shave perhaps Carmel would teach him how. He would have to learn a lot of new things, he had missed his education everything important in his life.

Huffing out a breath he walked into Carmel's room sniffing out some clothes and underwear for himself. Pulling out a light blue shirt and a pair of jeans he got dressed. Shielding his eyes slightly he sniffed again trying to find Carmel, walking around the house his face full of confusion, the house was so big did no one keep things simple anymore?

Finding Carmel he cleared his throat. " Could you help me with my hair and beard? I don't...know what I'm doing" his voice was still quiet. He noticed the humans and back away slightly, hiding behind Carmel his slightly taller frame shielding him.

The last of his belongings were loaded into the house and Carmel gave the men a nice tip for assisting in getting everything right. He smiled knowing that this place would be a suitable home. He was tidying up in the living room and was about to start dinner when he heard footsteps approaching. For a moment he had forgotten Ali, and when the male came around the corner, Carmel let out a sigh of relief.

“Oh, it’s you,” Carmel said with a smile looking the male over. He cleaned up nicely. “You look good, but I’m sure a quick shave and a haircut will bring out your inner man,” Carmel added with a smirk as he scurried into his room, Ali following behind. He grabbed a chair and instructed Ali to sit down. Grabbing some clippers and a razor he had to explain to Ali that these were tools necessary to keep one looking kempt and debonair. He also explained that he could do this every day or every other week depending on how fast his hair grew. Carmel had to shave every other week. He wasn’t as hairy as other werewolf men.

Carmel got to work shaving Ali. After the shave, he began cutting his hair, trimming it and giving him a look that closely resembled Ryan Seacrest. Carmel took a step back and looked Ali over once more before nodding.

“Suave, and sexy,” Carmel said as he finished tidying up and let Ali look at himself in the mirror. “So are you hungry?” It was a dumb question really, how would he not be hungry? He had been trapped for fifteen years. “Dumb question, come on I have plenty of food.”

Ali was momentarily confused at the instrument Carmel was going to use, but reassured him that this was how he could cut his hair and shave his face. Shaving was certainly a strange experience with the foamy strange smelling lather on his face and Carmel slowly getting rid of his unwanted facial hair, his hand went to his chin it was so smooth now with no trace of hair anywhere. The hair clippers unnerved him but he soon relaxed and let Carmel finish.

Looking at the mirror he came to a realisation, he looked like his dad when he was younger. At the mention of food Ali's stomach grumbled as if on command, nodding he followed Carmel into the kitchen looking at everything intently. Picking up random items and sniffing them. His eyes continued to look around the kitchen even when he sat down at the kitchen counter his hands resting on the countertop watching Carmel.

Ever since he found Ali in the basement, he couldn’t help but wonder how hard it would be to introduce this lonely werewolf back into society after he had been stripped of it for fifteen years. It saddened Carmel to think that Ali had to learn all over again. Society was a weird place. Basically anyone could get married now a day, there were all shapes and sizes in this world and everyone was said to be supposedly equal even though Carmel knew that to be an absolute lie. He supported whoever the humans voted into presidency and he kept to himself mostly. It then dawned on him. What was Ali going to do about a job? Surely the male would need to get a job, and he would also need to assimilate back into the norms of society, though Carmel already knew the norms of society were lost when it came to werewolves. Most didn’t think they existed. The movies and stories that were told about their race were hyped up as fairy tale and impossible, but only the secret society of hunters knew the truth, them and other creatures of the night.

Carmel couldn’t take his eyes off of Ali after the fixing up that he had provided. The male was absolutely stunning, and his eyes were so very captivating. He knew the male was hungry, and so as he led the way to the kitchen, he couldn’t help but chuckle every time Ali picked up something and sniffed it. He would explain to him what each item was after he sniffed it.

“I have a feeling you’ll fit right in, but it’s gonna be a lot of work,” Carmel stated as he reached into his fridge and pulled out a few steaks. “Did you want anything particular?” He asked Ali watching the male and laughing softly the entire time. At some point he would need to have a discussion with Ali to see what exactly happened and why he had been captured and brought here. He’d also need to know how in control he was. A werewolf who hadn’t learned to control his wolf was like a smoldering ember in a field of dry grass waiting to ignite.

Ali's mind buzzed at all the new information he was given by Carmel, he wished he wasn't so lost in the world without knowledge of the world around him, the world that had changed so much.

He looked to Carmel as he asked what he wanted to eat that was the ultimate question he was hungry for anything and everything he could manage. He thought for a moment before deciding " Could I have some meat please?" He asked tilting his head to the side.

He thought back to all he had missed, he had missed growing up going to school, going to college. Perhaps he could have met somebody and had a relationship. He had no friends, no family he was nothing and those hunters took it away from him. His fists clenched tightly and he growled deeply to himself his eyes glowing and his nails elongating into claws. The memories of torture and build up of anger fresh in his mind.Waiting for release.

Carmel was busy cooking the steaks and preparing the sides when he felt a shift in the air. His nose could smell the change coming and he noticed out of the corner of his eyes Ali having trouble controlling his wolf. It wasn’t a sense of controlling the wolf, the male must’ve never been taught how to be one with the wolf. Carmel turned around and softly grabbed Ali’s hands which had started to elongate into claws. He looked into Ali’s eyes, his own shimmering showing that the wolf was there, showing that to be at one with the beast was the key, not to fight it or separate oneself from it.

“How long has it been since you changed?” Carmel asked, “The beast is a part of you Ali, you can’t starve it, you can’t separate yourself from it or it will get worse.” Carmel paused for a moment and smiled as he started to shift his hand into that of the beast. It elongated into claws and he held it in front of Ali’s face for a moment before he willed it to shift back into his normal hand. When he did this, he looked at Ali. “The choices are always yours Ali, but never forget it is a part of you, embrace it and love it.”

Ali was surprised when Carmel took his hands, holding them so softly that Ali could barely feel it. He caught the glimmer in Carmel's eyes that must have been the wolf inside him. He spoke to him asking when he last changed, he couldn't even remember, he didn't even know if he had shifted at all. His memories were hazy and faded that he could barely remember anything.

Carmel then explained about the beast inside, that it should be embraced and never separated from the individual. Watching as Carmel shifting his hand into that of the beast it scared him a. Little. Here Ali was 15 years isolated from the world and now dealing with the beast inside. His nails returned to their human form, but he didn't release Carmel's hand He looked away from Carmel closing his eyes thinking about what Carmel said. Looking back up at him his face was worried giving a soft smile he spoke " My mother said the same thing to me that night...I don't remember changing, so I don't know if they made me change. I don't remember much when I was down there. They took a lot of blood though. "

He sniffed quickly smelling the food, his stomach growled as well as himself growling his mouth watering.

It was a bad thing for a werewolf not to change. Not allowing the beast freedom resulted in violent outburst, some of which could cause loss of control completely. Ali was at risk and needed to let the beast out and let it roam until it was satisfied. Carmel was willing to frolic with him as long as they stayed in the woods. He watched Ali’s eyes look at his shifting hand in amazement. With training the male could learn to control every aspect of his being. The beast would become one with him and there would be no more incidents of lost control. Carmel listened to Ali as he explained that his mother had told him the same thing before she died.

“Your mother was a wise woman, I met her a few times, she and my Alpha at the time were good friends,” Carmel replied, “I was but a pup then though, around 5 or so years old, if not younger, still learning the ropes and all.” Carmel smiled as he returned to the food at hand and began to plate everything. He didn’t know how Ali liked his steak, but he was sure the beast inside wanted it as close to raw as possible, so he only slightly warmed it through. After divvying up the food, he passed Ali a plate along with a glass of water.

“There ya go, bon appetite,” Carmel stated, “after you eat we can let your beast out and let him roam the woods a little bit, you think you can handle that? Then we can see about taking a trip into town and finding you something to do, but I must admit it is strange that they locked you away like that, perhaps I should do a little research myself.”

It was indeed strange, and Carmel would take a trip back into the room he found Ali in to see if there were any items left that would explain why they kept him locked away.

Ali listened to Carmel as he spoke, talking about his mother being a wise woman. Indeed she was, she always had advice to give and a kind word and ear to anyone who needed it. Carmel continued by explaining that after eating, they would go outside and let the wolf out of Ali. Outside. Actual outside. He had missed it so much the smell of the trees, the taste of the wind, the feeling of soil beneath your toes.

Then there was a mention of them going into the town and finding him something to do. He hadn't been out in public for years, he had only just been released from a life of isolation by a complete stranger. Now he was expecting him to go out into the town with lots of people around. Gulping down a lump in his throat Ali nodded quickly. Even though he thought about what he would do in the town, he had forgotten everything how to write how to read he would have to learn everything again, along with learning how to be a wolf.

Ali acted as soon as the food was put in front of him, ignoring the sides next to the steak he grabbed the steak with his hands and tore into it with his teeth. Growling in satisfaction he chewed noisily and hungrily, savouring the taste in his mouth as the blood ran down his throat. It was his first full meal in years and he was determined to make the most of it. He finished the steak within five minutes and downed the glass of water afterwards.

Sighing softly he spoke " I'm okay with going in the woods, but I'm not sure about the town....what if something bad happens? How am I meant to work in the town with people that I could hurt and kill? I can't read or write. I'm out of practice with everything. 15 years alone. 15 years...trapped..confined..with the killers of my family!" He began to get angry a sudden surge of energy pushed up through his feet and out to his chest.

Standing up quickly he pushed the plate of the table, his fists clenched tightly and he began to pace back and forth the energy in him causing his chest the burn and his head to split in half. Growling deeply he rubbed his head " 15 Years!...no memory of nothing...only the feeling of pain...knowing that they are all dead and I am alone" he kicked the chair he was sitting on to the floor. He stumbled slightly and leant against the wall panting heavily. " my head...hurts" he mumbled suddenly feeling drained of the energy he had previously shown.

Carmel could only smile as Ali munched on the food with intense smacking and crunching. He was indeed hungry and after he had finished, Carmel watched him down the entire glass of water. Fixing another plate, Carmel once again felt a change in the air around them. If one was in tune with the senses of a werewolf, they would know that whenever a werewolf changed from his human skin into the beast, the air around him sparked with energy, and heated up to a near suffocating level for anything near aside from another werebeast. Carmel turned around, Ali’s second plate in his hand as he watched the male stand up suddenly. Setting the plate down, he wondered what could have caused such a jolt this time. Perhaps it was the idea of meeting new people, or leaving the woods after fifteen long years. The thought itself probably escalated Ali to this point. Carmel indeed felt sorry for the guy; they had to start from square one. Ali had to learn all over again, starting from the beginning and working his way up.

Carmel watched as his fine china shattered right before his eyes. His eyes traveled back to Ali in milliseconds as he looked upon the male with sorrow. He listened as the male spoke about the death of his family and the fact that he was alone. Then Carmel got an idea.

“Ali, calm down, I will help you. I am here for you, you’re not alone anymore,” Carmel said as he slowly approached Ali, knowing it foolish to rush an angry werewolf, lest he wanted to fight and he wasn’t really wanting to shift today, but would if he needed to. “Just calm down, breathe and after you eat and regain your strength we will go for a walk in the woods.”

Carmel was hoping that by putting Ali in surroundings that the beast loved, it would calm him down and allow the shift to happen more naturally instead of forcefully.

Ali looked to Carmel as he walked up to him, saying that he was here to help him and that he wasn't alone anymore. It wasn't that Ali didn't trust Carmel, it was the fact he didn't trust him, he hadn't been given a lot of options to trust anyone in his life chained in darkness. Perhaps he was just wary of Carmel still even though he was the same species as him and he had provided him with food and clothing. It would just take time, a lot of time by the looks of it.

Ali perked up at the sound of eating again and taking a walking in the woods, he walked to the table taking a seat he ate hungrily again still using his hands, this time he tried the sides, he enjoyed the potatoes but wasnt sure about the salad type of thing.

" Im sorry Carmel...it's not you. It's not that i can't trust you, things have happened to me that i cant forget and i suppose its made me very scared about everything. I know that we are the same and everything but in my head i'm thinking that you'll kill me or turn me over to them."

Ali explained reaching up and playing with his hair looking down at the floor.

Something wasn’t adding up at all here. Why had Ali been captured and brought back to this place? Furthermore why had he been the only one to be captured and studied in such a manner? Something was up. The hunters had to have been trying to do something with Ali but what? Carmel would have to do some studying and investigating of his own, but right now he had to go out into the forest. Ali was displaying symptoms resembling that of a werewolf who hadn’t changed in a long time. Looking at Ali, Carmel sighed.

“It’s worse than I feared. You have to change, or these fits will continue to happen. Luckily we are in the woods so you’re fine, and you have me to watch ya,” Carmel stated as he walked over to the back door which was adjacent the kitchen and laundry room.

Looking back at Ali, he peered out to make sure no one was outside and to make sure the movers had left. When the coast was clear, he walked back over to Ali.

“Fifteen years is a long time to be trapped in there, but let’s see what a little freedom will do. Come on.”

With that Carmel led the way to the back door and opened it. Stepping out into the freshness of the forest, Carmel looked up into the sky and began to shift. His change was quick, record breaking fast and when he head finished shifting he stood there in his beautiful splendor. He wasn’t a walk on all fours werewolf, he was bipedal. His fur was beautiful beige in color, the tips of which were a hazel brown. He was an endangered species in terms of werewolf breed. Carmel was literally a caramel colored werewolf, of which there were literally none left in the world. His claws were ivory and as strong as steel and his teeth looked like living metal. His eyes were beautiful pools of white, and he simply looked at Ali before jumping into the furthest tree to have some fun.

Ali followed Carmel slowly a little cautious about venturing out into the outside, his heart began to beat fast the blood rushing around his ears like snow under heavy boots. He watched Carmel as he transformed into his wolf form, a beautiful beige caramel colour. Something truly magnificent and amazing.

It wasn't that long until Ali's own change started, his hands started to shake as they elongated into claws. His muscles in his arms rippling and expanding, his chest began to burn bringing him to his knees. A deep red fur climbed up his body and up to his head his jaw elongated slowly his human head disappearing into a small wolf one. His form was small and thin, but after a few good meals and some exercise he would bulk up.

Sniffing deeply the rush of intense scents in the woods invited him deeper into the forest. He built up into a run sniffing everything he could, rolling in the soil his tail wagging with happiness of freedom. Running up to the tree that Carmel was up he sniffed for his scent whining slightly he rolled over, looking up at Carmel his head tilting to the side.