~Chapter 13~

Surprisingly, the ride on Finn's back was comfortable. Not like the black wolf's wasn't, but, I guess, I trusted Finnian a little more... Maybe it's because I know more about him then the wolf.

I know, he's supposed to be my Guardian until the wolf's old enough to do the same... But, I don't think that's the only reason the wolf isn't being my "protector", right now.

I think it's a matter of if I would like the real him or not. But, then again, I don't know anything about these people. These other worldly beings...

Once Lawrynce was comfortable enough, he almost started to drift to sleep, forgetting in himself, he is also an other worldly being.

The cold air brushed my skin, the grip I had on Finnian's neck was tight, but not too tight. It wasn't too bumpy, it was actually quite soothing. The sun shining through the tree's to illuminate my face and the red and black fur coat Finn had.

A deep sigh came from Lawrynce, while he started to think back over everything that Finn said to him.

About how his real parents risked their lives for him.

About how his adoptive parents died because of him. Even if that wasn't the words directly used, that's what Lawrynce heard.

And how everyone was protecting him. Finnian, the wolf, the pack. But why? Because he's different?.. Because he can pass through worlds with ease? What did they want to come from Lawrynce?

While his eyes laid shut, his body rested peacefully on the back of his friend and Guardian.

Everything I've been doing and thinking up until now, was I just stalling for this moment?..

The grip Lawrynce had on Finnian's neck tightened. It had been a while since Lawrynce had let his hurt emotions show.

And he didn't want to show them.

Everyone there was strong, and if he started to crack and crumble, what use would he be unstable?

So, Lawrynce took a deep breath, and let it out. The slight tension in the boy on the fox's back, gave Finnian a positive thought of how Lawrynce was feeling. Obviously, he was going to know based on Lawrynce's actions. He knows Lawrynce better than Lawrynce does. But, does Lawrynce know that?... No.

The sound of snow beneath Finn's paws sounded the loudest out of the wind in the tree's and the random bird tweets.

I'm Lawrynce. A child who was supposed to show peace. A child who had everything he really wanted. A child who couldn't ask for more.

Now,.....I'm Calvin. A boy who will face his battles with all he can give. A boy who will protect the protectors of himself. A boy who gives more instead of asks.

I will be my own new being.

I will control what I have.

And I will be as much use as they want me to be.

I'm Calvin Lawrynce Valente, and I'm going to protect, overcome, and finish whatever I started, unknowingly, years ago.

I'm going to be who I was born and destined to be. This worlds truly unknown being.

And that morning, Lawrynce set a goal in his life, for he will defeat the reason he wasn't able to live normally. That he will overpower everyone who dared to hurt him or anyone he cared about.

The thought soothed Lawrynce. He couldn't feel the power running through his veins, but he knew it was there, and he vowed to use it as he pleased.

Even if Lawrynce couldn't see or feel the aura he gave off, Finnian could. And it was powerful. Seeping through the boys pours like a strong liquor.

To Finnian, Lawrynce wasn't a kid anymore. He was their hope. Finnian had goals he couldn't reach without Lawrynce due to the lesser amount of power he had.

Finnian wanted to ask if Lawrynce could possibly help him get all the other test subjects from the building he had to leave so many years ago.... But he hasn't been there in years..

So, who knows what's come of the place. He just didn't want to go back alone.

Finnian arrived at a cave. Outside of it was some of the female wolves and their pups, scattered out and running around. Finn smiled softly, then sighed. He shook his back, awaking Lawrynce from his slumber.

"Hm?.." Lawrynce said, peeking his head up from his friends long fur, "Where.... Finn, where are we?" Lawrynce asked, sitting up fully.

As I got a look around at the outside of this huge cave entrance on the side of this tall mountain covered in snow, I saw the wolf pups and female wolves outside the doors, maybe some male too.

Finn started to walk, going inside the dirt covered cave. It actually wasn't as dirty as I would have thought it would be, it was mainly rock with water dripping down it from the snow. On some parts there were holes in the ceiling for light, and puddles of snow under them. I rubbed my palms together, looking at the other wolves sitting along the walls of the far in cave, but what surprised me the most, was how comfortable they were with each other. Some even seemed to cuddle up with the others. Wolves...

What is even going on?... Maybe it's normal? I've never had a dog before, so, I wouldn't know how they act...

Finn sat down, making me slide off his back. My bare feet touched the stone ground and tensed, it was cold...

Finn shifted back, the sound of popping bones echoed throughout the cave. The sound made Lawrynce queasy and uncomfortable. It sounded painful..

"Welcome back, Finnian." A voice echoed from a room up ahead in the cave, the door of the room was a animal fur. Now that I looked deeper into it, the sides of the walls on the floor was animal skins and fur's laid out to lay upon. Definitely a wolf pack den..

I saw the fur move slightly, but I didn't see anyone come from behind it but the usual grey and white wolf. Does that mean they could always speak?... Why don't they then?..

"Hello, again, Elliott." Finnian chuckled at the end, "Maybe make yourself more presentable for our guest?.." Finn asked, talking to the wolf ahead of me.

Is his name Elliott?

"C'mon, Finnian, lighten up!" It looked as if I was supposed to see barking. A dog is talking right now......

I've got a lot to get used to..

"He can't even see me, he's not in our world." Elliott said, and Finn started walking to the dog, but I hesitantly stayed behind, "See! He doesn't even know what is going on.." Elliott said in a soft tone, "You mean, you still haven't taught him to see in our world? Out of that five hour ride, nothing?" Lawrynce stared at the tall wolf in amazement, now that he really listened, the voice sounded familiar...

"Calvin fell asleep, I wasn't going to wake him so he could meet a naked other humanly being. You could have at least made yourself decent.. It's very disrespectful to your alpha and brother." Lawrynce started to catch on at the slightest of what Finnian was saying.

So, Elliott's brother is the red and black wolf? Is that what they are saying? And the alpha?.....I thought Mr. wolf was the alpha..

Isn't the alpha the biggest in the pack? There's a bigger wolf than the black one!?

Elliott scoffed, and groaned much like a child would, "He's your alpha too!"

Finn nodded, "My adoptive one."

Lawrynce gave a random nervous laugh. He didn't know what to do or say in the situation, and the heads of every dog in that cave was turned to him. An arm crossed around his abdomen and his hand squeezed at his side. His other hand went to the back of his neck and scratched nervously.

Finnian snapped his head back to the nervous teen staring at his feet, "Oi, calm down. This isn't prison." He chuckled and sighed, looking back to the grey wolf, "Go get clothes on. It won't take him but five minutes to catch onto this small trick." Finn said and patted the wolf's cheek, clearly to annoy Elliott but it seemed to be a failed attempt.

"When we get back, he's gonna need to meet some of the other pack too, but inform Alpha he's here." Finn said, and Elliotts animal form nodded.

"Alright, hurry it up you two." Elliott said, and was on his way down the hall.

I just now noticed how high the ceilings were... That's almost two stories...

Finnian started walking back my way, grabbing my elbow in the process while he dragged me and himself out of the cave once again. "Okay, I have explaining to do." He said, while I watched my feet on the ground. It was a lot colder than it looked, I'm gonna get a cold...

"So, the reason you can see me and not Elliot. Because, I'm your Guardian, that's a easy spell done. But for you to see them in their human form, they have to pass over to your world, or you have to pass over to their world. In their world, they can be a normal human like me or a gigantic dog like you've seen. You can see their wolf forms because you're already other worldly.. it's already in your blood to see them. You can't help that much.." Finnian explained, Lawrynce looking up at his side profile. "Also, obviously it's not good for you to be staying out here like this. So, you're gonna live in the pack house with a couple of our wolves...two or so. I only know one who will be staying, though." The fox boy explained. "I will be in the pack den. In my room. I will have to show you that later. There is a lot you are going to have to see, Calvin." Lawrynce nodded.

Finnian stopped walking when they got to a small ledge. Finnian hummed, "This is the best way I know to teach you." He said, looking over the mountains they were higher than.

"You aren't going to push me off are you?.." Lawrence asked, only half jokingly.

"Gods, no." Finnian laughed, "I'm just going to put you in a peaceful state of mind quicker. I know how stressed you are." Finnian let go of my elbow, and turned to me.

"Trust me." He said with a sheepish grin.

Lawrynce nodded, putting his hands in his jeans pockets to keep them warm. Although, it didn't do much good.

"Okay, close your eyes.." Spoke Finn, and Lawrynce obeyed, shutting his eyes, "Listen to your surroundings.." Finn said, and Lawrynce listened. An owl in the distance could be heard, and the whistle of wind through tree's was an overpowering sound that cancelled most out.

"Think of crossing a bridge from this mountain to the next..." Finn said softly, in a hushed tone.

Once Lawrynce imagined that bridge, he imagined himself walking across it, and once he was in the middle it felt as if a barrier had broken.

Lawrynce's breath caught for a split moment, a sudden warmth running over his body and disappearing almost instantly. Lawrynce gulped, and breathed in, then out. When his eyes opened a flash of light overwhelmed his sight, making his eyes blow wide for a split moment, he stumbled back into Finn's grasp, until the light quickly subsided. Finn was basically hugging Lawrynce from behind, making sure he didn't trip, until it was over.

It didn't hurt. I thought it would have hurt somehow, but honestly, I think the worst thing in it was the butterflies in my stomach..

I don't know why I smiled all of a sudden, but I did. And then I started laughing. I didn't know what or why, I just knew I was happy.

But maybe it was because....I was home.

I had just crossed over into another world with just using my mind! Or maybe magic! I don't know how Finnian explained it...

But, I'm where my parents were. I wonder if they walked on this same ground...

My laughing wore off, and Finn chuckled, "It felt good, didn't it? Coming home." Finn looked down to me, reminding me to stand upright once again.

"Mm, yeah.." Lawrynce muttered in reply.

"C'mon. I'm sure you will be pleased to meet everyone now that you can see them." Finnian said, a wide grin on his face.

"Wait, Finn!" I followed behind the fox boy, "I have a question." I said and Finn gave me curt nod.

"Okay." He said, slowing down in his steps back to the cave.

"Could I hear them because of the same reason I could see them?" Lawrynce asked.

Finnian came to a halt and hummed, "Not quite.. You can sometimes hear things from the other world if you are focused or attracted to it enough. Sort of how you just crossed over to our world. Nothing changed with me, I go with you wherever. It's a spell. The most you can see of them in your world is barking and their wolf appearance. No one else can see them, especially if they are wearing the necklace. Only you, Lawrynce." Lawrynce nodded and fidgeted with his fingers. Finn realized this, and scruffed Lawrynce hair, "Calm down, they aren't that scary... I mean, Elliott is an ass sometimes but he's got a good heart. Felix is more of a.....Well, you will just have to meet him. He's kinda....Arrogant?" Finnian laughed, but sighed, "Just wait. I'm not going to spoil this person for you, it's a surprise, but.....You will love him." Finn grinned, "You have no choice." Lawrynce's stared dumbfounded after that, then stuttered.

"Wait, why?" He tried to ask, then Finn changed the subject.

"Oh! You get to meet Elliott's mate tomorrow!She's...well,...it should explain enough if I say that she puts up with Elliott." Finn babbled.

"Mate?..." My words trailed off. I had no clue what was being said.

"Mhm, I'll need to explain the ranking system too, it seems....Nothing you should be ashamed about, Calvin." Finnian reassured me, grabbing my shoulder before he shoved me ahead.

Now, I was leading the way back to the cave.

Or should I say pack cave?

And once I got there, my breathing basically came to a halt.

The wolves....they're people...every single one of them. Even the women outside. The wolf pups weren't, though. Maybe they didn't know how to shift yet?

"For once: everyone is clothed. Usually. Everyone is butt naked. It's just their normal everyday life since birth.." Finn whispered to Lawrynce, earning an understanding slow nod.

"And the pups are too young to shift, they usually shift at around six to twelve months. They were born two months ago. Kinda weird how energetic and lively they are for two months old, huh?" Lawrynce nodded, then Finn lead the way into the cave.

"Let's go meet, Alpha Leo." Finn said, me following quickly behind with a small toned reply. The people sitting along the walls, huddling together to most likely keep warm, watched as I and Finnian walked down the halls.

I and Finn, both, ended up in a room, surrounded by wolves, some human too. Some red, some a dark navy blue, some a light black, some grey and white. The most common was brown and blond. The one in the middle was on a tall slab, his red eyes peered at me almost devouringly. And I don't mean the fun way.. I mean the deadly, "I'm gonna eat you," way. Finnian looked back with a grin on his face before he went behind me. The slab wasn't but seven yards away from me, and it's height was a little taller than I was. It was basically a flat bolder. Lawrynce started to chew his lip in anticipation, his heart racing to the point it flooded his ears.

The grey and black wolf on the slab stood up, then shifted.

It must have been another spell because he was also clothed when after a shift you aren't supposed to be.

After the large wolf was done shifting, there was a tall man, with grey hair, a strong jawline, and still these red peering eyes.

Not long after the man, I'm guessing: that is the Alpha, shifted, a woman beside him did too.

Just, she was ground level and her eyes were kind.

"Sorry, Hunny.. Leopold likes the intimidating look he gives everyone. I honestly think it makes him look like a child." The woman spoke, her voice strong. She had red, bright, hair, much like her former wolf form. Her eyes were searing grey, almost white. Her smile made my worry go away instantly. And her aura was strong, powerful even. I might be still feeling the Alpha's gaze too, though.

"Dad, you're scaring the princess." Elliott spoke from the corner, hopefully not talking about me, but it doesn't seem that way from the look he was giving me. But that didn't concern me. Actually, I was more focused on Elliott being Callumn from school. Elliott's human form, was Callumn....

My eyes fixated on the boy I had known for a little before I came here. I was only partially shocked then... But once I heard another voice boom over the others, "Oi, calm down, squirt." A boy came from behind me. I noticed the voice immediately..

"Adam?" I asked, then turned around to see, yet again, a former classmate.

"No, actually. It's Felix. And please, do call me by my real name here only. There's a girl in school I was-" Adam....Or shall I say, Felix? Spoke, but was soon cut off by Finnian, "Go sit down, no one wants to know your love life." Finnian said, Felix pouted then mouthed in my direction, "Later!"

Once Felix was seated, it seemed that Leopold's gaze had softened. Well, they are pack members.. I guess, it would make sense for them to be needed right now.

In whatever today and right now was supposed to be..

I had a lot of questions and zero to no answers....it was gonna be a long day..