Moonlit Fur Chronicles: Torn Fur

Finally after six and a half long tedious and dull months, our home was finally complete. I had designed it specifically so everyone can have their own space and bathroom yet still come together as a pack, as a family for meals. The ‘apartments’ as we called them were built along the exterior walls of the home. The center of the building was open and had high ceilings, this was the kitchen and living area. The kitchen was fantastic, it was built on a commercial scale with a walk-in freezer, two huge refrigerators, and a massive oven. Each person had complete control over decorations in their private spaces. The rooms were as unique and diverse as the people who inhabited them.

It was Moving Day, the special day we officially moved from the temporary living space. Quinn and I made sure we left her family’s summer home as clean and neat as we found it. Jules, Phoenix, Ellis, Kai, Quinn and I all piled into a new rental van Quinn had acquired for us. She drove us to the airport for the last time. The air was thick with anticipation and excitement. We could barely sit still long enough. The hours of travel seemed like days. Quinn and I cuddled and chatted with the twins, Jules and Phoenix. They had seen pictures of our home but had yet to see it in person. They had selected their room decor on the internet and sent the info to Quinn who in turn bought it. Max and Ash built the furniture and tables and everything else. The house was completely move-in ready before the twins, Jules, and Phoenix even got there. Quinn decorated our room because our tastes were so similar. She placed our wolf rug right in the middle of the room.

The plane finally touched the ground and we crammed ourselves into Casey’s truck. It was a long drive, but well worth the wait. As we tumbled out of the truck, sore and stiff, jaws dropped and eyes widened. It made my day to see the looks on their faces. “What are you waiting for? Come on in!” I exclaimed. Max, Ash, and River waited for us in the huge living room. “Welcome home,” they shouted. Tears of joy streamed down Phoenix and Kai’s faces. It had been so incredibly long since they had a home. The old pack they used to belong to was always on the move. It had been literally years since they had a physical home to live in. Quinn showed everyone to their ‘apartments’, she had made cute little name signs for each door. She was quite creative.

In the living room we had several couches and recliners. There was a giant tv that was almost as big as the entire wall. We had a basement as well, the boys set up a home gym in one corner and a video game center in another, we had a pool table down there too. The outside of the house was just as gorgeous as the inside. We had a large cultivated section for a garden, there was a large barn for Casey to keep their RV and truck safe and sound.There was even an in-ground swimming pool complete with a jacuzzi, umbrellas, deck lounger chairs, and an outdoor grill. I had always wanted a pool as a kid. It was a dream come true.

Eventually we all sleepily sauntered off to our apartments and fell into our beds. Sleep came quickly for us all. I got up early the next morning and decided to let my wolf out for a run. I quietly opened the sliding glass door which led to the backyard and beyond. My bare feet made no sound as I slowly glided past the pool and the jacuzzi. The sun began to peek over the trees as I slipped from my nightshirt. A gentle breeze caressed my body. I knelt down on the soft dirt and willed my skin to shred and my bones to break. My hands twisted and grew to oversized paws, my nose elongated. Pain wracked my entire body.

My wolf emerged curious and adventurous. Thankfully I was in control, my wolf was eager to explore. I strolled around sniffing various things, the pool, the barn, the woods outlining the rear of the backyard. I ventured into the trees. I didn’t look for anything in particular, just explored. My wolf felt at home as it hid among the trees. I caught the faintest whiff of something in the air, something weird yet familiar. I lifted my snout in the air and tried to isolate the scent. The smell was slightly stronger to the north. I increased my pace and headed north. I jogged for maybe twenty minutes tracking the semi familiar scent. I knew I was close to my quarry. I saw something orange up ahead, the sound of a long zipper echoed softly through the darkness.

It was a campsite. Someone was out here. I wondered if they knew they were on private property. The familiar scent was, without a doubt, from this campsite. I saw something long and dark on a table in the middle of the camp. It smelled vaguely familiar. I crept forward low to the ground, I heard someone snore. I sniffed the long dark object. The smell was putrid. It took me back to a few months ago, the night my wolf broke free and went on a rampage. Recognition flashed through my mind. The long dark object was a rifle, very similar to the one I was shot with all those months ago. The smell was gunpowder. I had to get out of there, I was in danger. Silently I crept slowly toward the edge, “Dylan get up! We got one!” A voice hissed. Immediately I launched myself through the camp and into the trees. The voice cursed colorfully.

Dylan. I knew that name, but I couldn’t remember how I knew it. Someone from my distant past. I tried to remember. I didn’t want to remember my past, only pain and misery were there. I quickly retreated back home, my mind raced and puzzled over the name. I was so deep in thought, I didn’t watch where I put my paw. With a yelp of surprise, I fell head long into the pool. My body thrashed as I tried to tread water. There was only one solution to this predicament. I phased back to human as quickly as possible. I growled in frustration and pulled myself up out of the water. I made my way to the back door, water dripped off me and made a trail. I pulled a towel from a storage closet beside the back door. I dried myself off and padded straight to my bathroom shower. I didn’t want all this chlorine to ruin my hair dye.

I could see Quinn still snuggled in bed. Part of me wished I hadn’t gotten up early, I’d still be in her arms. I ambled into the bathroom and turned on the shower. The water turned hot rather quickly, I lowered my head, stepped under the cascade and let the water warm my cold skin. I carefully washed my hair and lathered my body with soap. The hot water relaxed my body. My mind drifted here and there, not really focused on anything. I felt sleepy. I rinsed my body and hair, dried off and climbed back into bed. I closed my eyes and was immediately tormented by dreams. I was back in high-school, before I was a wolf. I could see someone, their face was blurred, I could sense they were special to me somehow.

“Reese! Wake up baby, you’re having a bad dream.” I jolted awake. Quinn was calling me, “Wake up Reese, it’s just a bad dream.” I groaned and opened my eyes, “Did I hurt you again?” I muttered quietly. “No,” she answered. “You were moaning and whimpering, begging for something to stop.” “At least I didn’t gut you again,” I retorted wryly. She smirked. I told her about my early morning run and how I found the campers with guns, and how familiar one of their names was. She listened to my tale. The delectable scent of eggs, bacon, and waffles floated under the door. My stomach growled hungrily, Quinn giggled. “Let’s go see who is making what,” she took my hand and pulled me to my feet, we quickly dressed in baggy t-shirts and shorts.

We opened the door and peered into the sun lit living room, the smell of breakfast was much stronger and more delicious. We approached the kitchen island. “Good morning,” River greeted us in a chipper fashion. “Hi there,” I responded. “Are you hungry?” She asked. “Ravenous,” Quinn answered. River passed us plates, “It’s all on the stove, serve up.” Slowly but surely the rest of the pack woke up and gathered in the kitchen. We spoke about how we wanted to spend the day. The school year ended a few months ago so Quinn and my schedules were free. Ellis wanted to speak with River about remote jobs. Phoenix and Kai were enthusiastic about a veggie and herb garden, and Quinn offered to help. Jules wanted to break in the home gym equipment in the basement. Max and Ash were going to use chainsaws to create sculptures, this sounded dangerous to me. I wanted to watch.

We all went our separate ways. Each enjoyed their activities. Chainsaws sang and chewed wood in Ash’s expert hands. I could see the proud wolf he carved. Poor Max, he tried so hard. I think it was his first time with a chainsaw. He seemed unnerved by the powerful machine as it raged in his hands. Ash saw Max’s struggle. He set his chainsaw down, wrapped his arms around Max and gripped the chainsaw. It was kind of romantic, I watched Ash guide Max through the loud wood project. I missed Quinn, it had only been an hour or two, but still. She meant everything to me, she was my world. I had no idea what I’d do without her.

I decided to go visit her, see what she was up to. I missed her smile. I wandered around the property and checked in with my pack. At some point I wanted to hike out to that campsite and poke around. I needed to figure out who this Dylan character was. My heart skipped a beat, I found her. Quinn laughed with Phoenix and Kai. Their arms were covered in mud up to their elbows. They played in the mud. It was so adorable, I studied them as they made mud pies and chucked the muddy messes at each other. It was my turn. I snuck up behind them with the garden hose in my hand. I squeezed the grip of the nozzle and a jet of water sprayed all over the three girls. They shrieked in surprise, they soon had their revenge. They joined forces and threw handfuls of mud at me. I dodged the first few, but there were too many. I was pelted with mud balls and soon I looked like a mud monster, covered head to toe.

I dropped the water hose and sprang at them and playfully begged for a hug. They dashed away, giggled and yelled in surprise. It was great fun. Max and Ash finished their wood project and came to investigate the commotion. They made a big mistake, I tackled Max and smeared mud all over him. Ash tried to grab me to pull me off Max. I was slippery with mud so he couldn’t latch on. I pounced on him and wiped his face and chest with dark mud. Quinn, Kai, and Phoenix were on the ground howling with laughter. Max chuckled, Ash joined in. We laughed until our sides hurt. Quinn was the first to catch her breath. She picked up the water hose and beckoned us all to get cleaned off.