Chapter 3 - Change

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I could feel people touching me but my mind didn't seem to work right as I glanced around in confusion. My arm hurt like hell, something was invading my chest, my heart thumped while a bright light made it near impossible to see anything at all.

"Vilkas," A voice said.

"Huh?" I groaned as the strange sensations from within and outside kept bombarding my senses.

"You're doing fine Vilkas, I'm just carrying you to the car."

I recognized the voice as father's but the words seemed blurred to my mind.

"Huh?" I moaned in confusion.

"The car, we're going home, you just got your symbiont," Father said.

I gripped hold of something and buried my head against it, I felt fur brush against my face.

"Dad?" I moaned as my insides twisted and turned.

"It's me Vilkas," Father answered.

"It hurts," I whispered as the pain continued to squeeze and twist every nerve it touched.

"I know pup, you'll feel better soon," Father said.

I glanced down at my arm and forced my vision to focus. Something green had dug itself into my arm and had sent bulging tendrils up into my arm and chest.

"Uh..." I gasped in surprise and could hardly breath as I saw the green monstrosity pulsate.

"What?" Father asked.

"It's eating me..." I whispered in confusion.

"It's not eating you pup, in a few hours you won't be able to even see it."

The alien presence inside my chest intensified and I made a pained groan and squirmed as its roots kept digging deeper and deeper.

"It hurts!" I wheezed.

"I know... I know Vilkas," Father whispered.

510 A.R. June 28, Volkov Household, Evening

My insides turned and I retched until it ended with nothing more than pained but empty hurl.

A wet towel dabbed against my forehead as father spoke up, "Done?"

I gasped for breath and made a weak nod as strings of drool escaped my mouth, "Yeah."

Father pulled me back from the toilet and eased me against the wall. Sweat dripped from me and I found it difficult to fight the exhaustion that demanded sleep.

"It's okay to sleep now Vilkas," Father whispered.

"What?" I asked in confusion.

"Take a look at your arm," Father said with a slight smile.

I glanced down and saw a pale patch of skin on my arm, nothing green, no pulsating tendrils.

"Where did it go?" I asked.

"The symbiont is part of you now, it has accepted you as its host."

"Where did it go?" I asked once more.

"It's right there, it mimics your flesh and it'll keep spreading through your body but it won't cause any more pain."

"Oh," I said.

"How are you feeling?" Father asked.

I touched my face and felt the sweat pearling on my skin, "Like hell... but the pain isn't as bad any longer."

The wet towel dabbed at my face and chest once more and spread a cool but welcome sensation of relief.

"Thirsty?" Mother asked.

I glanced to my side and jumped in surprise as I realized she was right next to me, "Oh... you're here."

Mother made a nervous smile, "I've been here all along Vilkas."

I forced myself to make a slight smile, "Thanks... I'm tired now... can I go to sleep?"

Father nodded, "Yes Vilkas, rest now."

I leaned back against the wall and shut my eyes, the world faded moments later.

510 A.R. June 29, Volkov Household, Morning

Wet... cold... grass...

The sensations sent by my body didn't make sense as I struggled to wake from what felt like a bad dream.

Darkness... the night sky... a bright moon bathing the earth in a gray glow...

I could feel something pull at me from within, an alien world reaching into the depths of my mind.

A grand forest swaying in accordance with the wind... a huge beast with black fur...

Fear gripped my confused state of mind as I tried to flee from what felt like a miasma of tar.

The beast snarled and a pain like lightning arced though my arm.

"ACKH!" I yelled out in panic as I awoke and sat up straight in bed as if shot from a cannon.

It took me a few moments of unbridled panic to realize that I was back at home inside my bed.

"What is it?" Father asked in fright.

I jumped with a gasp of surprise and looked to my side, father was looming over me with his ears folded back. An ache in my arm grabbed my attention and forced me to look down.

My hand looked different, the skin seemed stretched and it looked swollen while the tendons had become more defined. Pale skin covered the entirety of my hand and reached up my arm.

"I'm changing," I whispered as I looked at the bestial hand.

Father leaned a little closer and started to pant in excitement, "Yes, you are."

I glanced back and gulped, "The pain is gone."

Father nodded, "The change will come in waves, it'll be uncomfortable but there shouldn't be any more pain like yesterday."

I made a slight but nervous smile and nodded as I felt my hand with an excited sensation tickling my gut.

"You hungry?" Father asked.

I drew a deep breath and focused on my senses as I pondered it, I did feel a bit hungry.

A slight clink made me glance up just as mother stepped inside the room carrying a large serving tray.

"Want some breakfast?" Mother said with a light voice and a bright smile.

I made a sheepish smile in return and nodded, "Yeah."

Mother walked over and set the tray in my lap before pointing at the various items.

"Tea with honey, roasted bread, marmalade and porridge-"

Father pointed at the last plate with a feral grin, "And loads of bacon."

I couldn't stop smiling to myself while mother noticed my hand and reached out.

She grabbed my hand and felt along the altered structure that made it look like a mix between a paw and human hand.

"Oh, look at this," Mother whispered.

"Yeah," I whispered in excitement.

Mother turned my hand and felt along my palm, it felt odd and I realized that there was something akin to outlines where something had begun to form.

Father held out his own hand and showed his palm, the outlines corresponded with the large black pads that one could only find on a canine.

"Eat up pup," Father said with a smirk as he nudged my cheek with his nose,

510 A.R. June 29, Volkov Household, Evening

"You okay dear?" Mother asked.

I looked up from my daze and glanced at mother, "I feel strange."

Mother made a knowing nod and joined me in the sofa, "It's okay dear, no need to get upset."

Something was starting to well up inside me, my body flushed red with warmth, my heart thumped and picked up pace as my nerves began to tingle. I gasped for breath and felt an encroaching sense of panic.

"What's... happening to me..." I whispered as the sensation kept intensifying.

Mother touched my shoulder, "Calm down, deep breaths, don't resist it."

I cringed and clutched my sides as the warmth spread like fire throughout my body.

"Ah!" I groaned as something stretched and twitched deep inside my body.

My breath grew ragged and every gasp gave me the odd sensation that I was somehow growing.

I curled over from the discomfort and stared at the floor as drool began to drip from my mouth.

It focused on my face, it pulled, it ached, and my mouth was forced open and locked in place as the taste of blood filled my mouth. My ribs ached and I squirmed with a groan as I watched droplets of blood drip onto the floor.

"There... deep breaths... Vilkas," Mother cooed as her hand stroked my back.

Something cracked and shifted in my face with enough force to make me cringe and close my eyes.

Moments later the discomfort began to fade and my body relaxed once more.

"Did I miss it?" Father asked out loud as he rushed into the living room.

"Yes, you did," I whispered as more drool and blood dribbled from my mouth.

Father rushed to my side and crouched beside me, "Sorry pup, didn't mean to sound excited. I know how uncomfortable it is."

I let go of my sides and looked at my hands, both were now covered in pale stretched skin that made it look bony and bestial like stretched paws that lacked padding.

"Make sure not to swallow any teeth, you'll be losing the lot of them in the next few days," Father said.

I glanced up at father, "That's nasty."

Mother got up, "I'm going to fetch something to clean up the floor, will you handle this?"

Father glanced up at mother, "Of course."

I reached up and felt around my face, it felt odd, something had changed.

"How do I look? What happened?" I asked.

Father put his hands underneath my arms and eased me up, "I'll show you, can you walk?"

I leaned onto father and staggered along as he led me towards the bathroom. I glanced up once we entered and found myself staring at the reflection of a distorted and pale face with drool and blood.

"Tired?" Father asked.

"Yeah... sleepy," I whispered as I began to realize that my jaw was jutting out in the shape of a very short muzzle.

"Let me see your mouth," Father whispered as he brought clawed fingers to my mouth.

"Dad," I whispered.

"Teeth are sharp and you can choke on them, open up," Father insisted.

I closed my eyes and opened my mouth as I felt his clawed fingers dig around, his fingers caught on one of the canines and began to tug.

"AGH!" I choked.

The tooth popped free with a blip of pain that made me squirm, the sensation was soon followed by another as he held me tight and started to pull more teeth.

I groaned, squirmed and near choked for a few moments and heard the sound of teeth clatter against the sink as father discarded them.

"There," Father said as he pulled one last loose tooth.

Blood dripped onto the porcelain sink and I near collapsed in his arms.

"Relax Vilkas, it's over for now," Father said.

My mind wandered and my vision began to blur as I mumbled in protest.

510 A.R. June 30, Volkov Household, Morning

I found myself twisting in bed with just enough awareness to realize that some part of me was dreaming. It felt like a flurry of imagery, sensations, and strange instincts that were in the process of either embracing or infesting me.

I felt the sensation of grass on my paws, the wind rustling my fur, my nose hovered just above the ground as I tracked prey to find nourishment. It felt good in a primal way but my mind recoiled as the strange scenario played itself out.

The dream began to distort and weaken, something cracked and for a brief moment I was back in bed.

A moment later I was back in the dream once more and was sprinting along the ground on all four with the wind in my face as I panted for air. The dream faltered a second time but part of my mind didn't catch up as my legs tried to sprint. A jolt of pain hit my foot as I slammed it straight into the wall.

"OW!" I uttered with a pained grunt as I squirmed in pain.

I opened my eyes and felt relief to be back in my own bed, the relief was short lived as I felt something strange in my body. It enveloped me, grew in strength, and started to pull and twist as my chest locked up in the throes of another change.

"Ugh..." I groaned as I curled up in bed while the warmth returned and flooded my body.

My legs began to ache and they stretched on their own as the big muscle groups began to spasm and twitch. My lungs demanded oxygen and I gasped for breath only to hear my ribcage creak as it expanded.

An intense itch in my hands made me scratch at the bed, it felt good so I kept doing it until I felt something give way. I glanced down at the bed and to my surprise saw streaks of blood on the cover drawn by my now bleeding fingers.

Several nails had loosened from my fingertips and something black were emerging in its place.

The discomfort hit my head and I was forced to stretch my neck as a pulling sensation hit my jaw.

A rumble emerged in my chest as I panted, something clicked and shifted in my throat as the sound became the feral growl of an animal. It made me stop in an instant as I held my breath in shock.

Moments later relief washed over my body as the discomforting aches abated. My body went slack and I sank into as I resumed panting.

There was a sudden knock on the door followed by father's voice, "Vilkas?"

I pulled the blanket up to cover my lower body, "Yeah?"

The door creaked as father opened the door and glanced inside, "How are you doing pup?"

I glanced up and lifted my hand to show off the new claws, "Claws... bloodied the bed though."

Father stepped inside and made a slight smile, "Don't worry about it."

My stomach growled and a sudden voracious hunger hit me like a sledgehammer, "I'm hungry."

510 A.R. June 30, Volkov Household, Midday

"How are you feeling?" Father asked.

I stirred from my daze and glanced up from the sofa, "Tired... Sleepy... hungry again."

A mischievous smile spread on father's muzzle as he loomed over me, "You're growing pup."

I let my tongue run along the inside of my mouth and felt nubs where new teeth were beginning to emerge. My mouth opened per automatic moments later as I began to pant from the heat.

"Is it hot in here?" I asked.

"Nope, we turned off the heat last night. Nineteen degrees Celsius last I checked, it's very pleasant not having to be cooked any longer."

"What do you mean?" I asked as I glanced up.

Father leaned a little closer and sniffed the air, "The only reason we've kept the temperature this high is because of you Vilkas, the rest of us have our fur to keep us warm."

I leaned back in the sofa and kept panting, "I'm starting to realize I'm rather naïve about a lot of things."

"It was worth it, besides, you have a whole lifetime to learn."

I made a slight smile, "Five times longer huh?"

"If not longer, the SI is always hard at work to find new ways to keep the symbionts from deteriorating."

"Uh huh," I answered while feathering my shirt.

Father reached out with his hand and latched one claw along a button in the shirt, "Lose the shirt pup, it'll help with the heat."

"... Are you serious?" I asked.

Father cocked his head and smiled, "I wanna see if your fur has started to grow yet, like on your hands."

My eyes widened as I glanced down at my hands, to my surprise there was a slight shadow of dark fur starting to emerge from every pore in my hands.

"Oh... Fur..." I whispered with a conflicting sensation of excitement and anxiety.

Father pulled at the button with his claw and made it loosen with a pop, "Can I take it?"

I hesitated with a sensation of shame, clothes were important, it was a sign of sophistication.

"Your mother won't mind Vilkas, and it'll give me an excuse to lose mine as well. Fur needs to breathe you know?" Father said with a feral smile.

I smirked at the comment, "You sure?"

"A few days from now you'll wonder how you could ever stand clothes," Father mused.

I sat up straight and then began to unbutton the shirt, father was quick to pull it off from above as it loosened. I glanced down at myself and saw that the pale skin had stretched to cover most of my chest.

My heart began to thump as I noticed more fur growing like a short but dense shadow reaching outwards from my armpits. Father made a bemused smirk and then leaned over as he looked behind me.

"Someone is growing a tail," Father whispered.

I reached back to my buttocks and felt a slight nub surrounded by a dense but short patch of what felt like more fur. A wild grin spread on my face as I flushed red and chuckled with the realization.

My mind flared with as it truly dawned on me, I was changing, I was becoming a wolf, big, brave and strong.

"You said you were hungry?" Father asked as he leaned back.

I nodded and met father's eyes as I glanced up, "Yeah."

Father folded the shirt and put it aside, "I'll cook something for you, how about... meat?"

"Meat sounds fine dad," I said with a bemused nod.

Father made a proud grin and walked away with his tail wagging while I exhaled in relief as the cool air of the room brushed over my now bare upper body.

My mind stumbled across something important moments later, Jason. I fetched the phone from my pocket and leaned back in the sofa as I started to text him.

'Hi!'

I waited but received no answer.

'You there Jason?' I tried once more.

Nothing.

'Hello? Jason?' I tried.

'Answer? Please?'

I waited a few minutes and figured he needed a tad of encouragement.

'I'm going to make a poster, write down what we did years ago in big red letters, and place it in the window where your parents can see.'

Mere moments passed until I received an answer. 'What do you want Vilkas?'

'I'm changing. I'm still the same person though, and I'm still your friend Jason. Even if I had to force your hand.'

'Have you started lifting weights and marking your territory yet?' Jason wrote.

'No. Are you curious how I'm doing?'

'Not really. How are you doing?'

'It hurt like hell, loosing my teeth was disgusting, I'm starting to grow claws and new teeth. There's a few patches of fur. I have a budding tail... feels funny.'

'Congratulations on acquiring traits the hominids discarded millions of years ago.' Jason wrote.

'I was thinking we could head to that retro gaming fair in a few weeks. Want to go?'

'Using a keyboard won't be easy with paws.'

'You're a real dick Jason. Want to go or not?'

'Yes, now stop messaging me.' Jason wrote.

I didn't win the war but I considered it a slight victory as I pocketed the phone once more.

With Jason out-of-the-way my focus turned to something else, in a near instant my nose caught a scent.

Meat... blood...

I glanced toward the kitchen and sniffed the air as I licked my lips in hunger. My reaction seemed to be just in time as father walked into the room with a plate in his hands.

Father saw my look and made a pleased smile as he handed me the plate, "Smells good. Doesn't it?"

I looked down at the plate and saw a fried slab of meat with a simple seasoning of salt and pepper.

"Yes, it does," I whispered as I set the plate on the table and grabbed the utensils.

"Careful, the meat can be a bit tough," Father said.

I was reminded of my missing teeth and nodded as I began to cut the meat, "I understand... thanks dad."

I put a piece in my mouth and gave it a light chew with my molars. It hurt a bit and I wasn't in the mood to loosen any more teeth so I just tipped my head back and swallowed the piece whole.

Father noticed and mused to himself, "Hmm."

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing pup, eat."

I cut another piece, popped it in, tilted back and swallowed as I enjoyed the tingling taste of pepper and red meat.

"Dad?" I asked.

"Yes?" Father said.

"A strange question... but do wolves mark their territory?" I asked.

Father's eyes went wide for a moment while his ears perked, moments later he began to smirk and chuckle as he stood tall.

"That's a no?" I asked in confusion.

Father just snickered and walked back to the kitchen.

510 A.R. June 30, Volkov Household, Night

I woke to the sensation of nausea and unease permeating my body. Something was wrong and it was growing worse by the second as my mind tried to make sense of it all.

Water...

The mere thought of water sent some instinct shooting to the roof as my mouth started to feel like a dry desert.

My hands searched for my clothes in confusion while I struggled to get out of bed. I snatched up my shorts, pulled them on and then stumbled out of bed.

"Water," I whispered to myself as I snagged up my dress shirt and pushed the door open.

My mind didn't seem to be working right as I staggered down the corridor while struggling to wriggle into my shirt.

"Vilkas?" A voice called out.

I ignored the voice and bumped into to the bathroom door with a loud thump.

"Ow," I groaned as my hand fumbled for the door handle.

I managed to pull the door open and staggered into the dark bathroom, my hands reached out, and found the sink. Moments later I got the water running and stuck my face underneath the rushing water as I began to gulp it down.

"Vilkas?" I heard father call out from the corridor.

The water was cool, fresh, and it eased that desperate need that occupied my mind. Step by step I found my mind growing content but hazy as I kept gulping mouthfuls.

"Don't drink too much," Father whispered from behind me.

I didn't understand why he'd say such a thing and just kept drinking.

"Vilkas!" Father said with a sharp tone before I felt him grab me by my shirt as he pulled me back.

I snapped in irritation and heard a snarl escape from my throat, "I'm thirsty!"

"Shh, calm down," Father said as he grabbed my shoulders in a firm grip.

"I..." My voice faded to a whisper as my heart make a sudden thump strong enough to make it feel as if it was trying to escape from my ribcage.

My heart kept thumping and I felt a flow move through my body that seemed to focus on my gut.

"Whats... happening..." I whispered as my energy drained.

"Much of our bodies consist of water, you're in a growth spurt and you just drank a lot of it."

"Ugh," I groaned in discomfort as my legs gave out.

Father eased me onto the floor as I began to gasp for breath. Each pull of my lungs and each thump of my heart made my body throb making my shirt feel tighter and tighter.

The shorts began to dig into my waist and I let out a pained groan as I reached down with my trembling hands and tried to unbutton the shorts.

"Calm down," Father whispered as his clawed fingers unbuttoned the shorts with a pop.

An immediate sense of relief hit my waist but I was unable to express it as I continued to gasp for air while the shirt kept tightening around me.

"Shirt!" I managed to wheeze between breaths.

I felt father's fingers on the now tight shirt, "Can't, it's too tight."

The tightness grew to the point where I couldn't breathe, moments later the pressure eased up as a loud ripping noise filled the bathroom. The shirt had split along my back and it only took moments for the fabric to rip further as the arms split along the seams.

Drool dripped from my slight muzzle as I felt the change move to my extremities. My fingers ached and turned red as the black claws pushed out further.

My eyes began to itch and my whole face began to ache. I closed my eyes as my face contorted in a pained grimace.

CRACK! POP!

My back popped and my neck flexed causing several more cracks as something resettled along my spine. The taste of blood filled my mouth and I could feel the last of my teeth being forced out of their sockets. They rolled of my tongue and clattered as they hit the floor.

An itch hit my nose followed by an intense burn that made me sneeze.

Warmth flooded to my groin and made me open my eyes in horror as I felt an unwanted erection form.

Something was happening inside my boxers as my erection swelled and pushed upwards, a wet sensation filled my crotch followed by an uncomfortable hardness that made me squirm.

The pressure kept building and hit a peak, a sudden but intense ejaculation made me shudder as I gripped the sink.

It was humiliating and I found myself making a silent wish that father wouldn't notice.

The change stopped moments later and my body relaxed as I slumped to the floor and covered my crotch in shame.

"There, it's over for now Vilkas," Father whispered.

The painful erection within my boxers began to abate as I stared at the wall in silence.

"You okay Vilkas?" Father asked.

I tried to answer but something in my chest had changed as I tried to speak, there was a rumble and my voice sounded hoarse. I made a light cough and cleared my throat.

"Yeah... My voice?" I whispered with a voice that carried a light rumble and a dark tone.

"Just a bit darker, you still sound like yourself pup," Father said.

I glanced around and noticed the mess I had made, teeth, blood and drool covered the floor and there were streaks of red covering the sink.

"I've made a mess," I whispered with my new voice.

"I'll take care of it," Father said.

"I'd like to take a shower... I want some private time," I whispered.

Father seemed to hesitate, "... You sure?"

"... Yeah. I'll be all right."

"Could you let me see your eyes?" Father asked as he touched my short muzzle and turned my head.

I didn't resist as I opened my eyes and looked into father's eyes.

Father made a warm rather proud smile, "You should look yourself in the mirror."

I didn't have time to protest as father reached underneath my arms and lifted me up past the sink. I looked ahead and found myself staring into the mirror with father's wolfish face beside me.

My face had pushed out further and had formed an undeniable muzzle, while my ears had migrated higher. My old face seemed to have been wiped out as the overall structure had changed and reformed into a more canine one.

A dense shadow of fur covered my chest, spread up my throat and covered parts of my face like a beard. The outline of my neck had faded somewhat as the musculature had bulged while creating a slight hunchbacked look. My nose had flattened, grown wider, and had darkened considerably.

Most striking of all were the stark yellow eyes that had the exact same hue as those of my father's.

"See?" Father whispered with a feral grin.

A smile spread on my muzzle and revealed pearly white canine teeth as a strange but pleasant sensation filled my heart.

510 A.R. July 1, Volkov Household, Morning

Imagining it was one thing, seeing it in a web article was one thing, having it, touching it, feeling it was something entirely different. I was in the bathroom staring down in wonder and confusion at genitals that had fused with my abdomen and now hung like a sheath.

I knew it had changed yesterday but realized that it must have kept changing during the night.

The sheath had a slight black fuzz to it and the skin seemed to be darkening as it took on a black hue. It was also rather stretched and a pink human glans stuck out of the thickening top that looked like a ring muscle.

The sight of it filled me with a strange fascination mixed with a skeptical wonder of how practical this thing was compared to the old stuff.

Nature demanded my attention though and I walked over to the big urinal at the corner of the bathroom. My nose caught an interesting scent and I drew a deep instinctual breath. It smelled like urine but it had a tone to it that was both familiar yet foreign in some way.

Something in the back of my mind was spurred to life and whispered as I kept sniffing the air.

Wolf, familiar, male, virile, dominant, alpha...

A strange instinct made me wary of treading on the territory of a wolf that smelled so powerful.

Family, territory, protect...

It was only a moment later that I realized that I was sniffing the mark of my own father.

Another instinct rose to the surface and it offered a line of reasoning that I grasped in a heartbeat. The two of us belonged to the same family and hierarchy thus making it not only okay for me to spread my own scent, but it would also help inform others of our presence.

I shook my head as I realized that the line of reasoning was not only strange but rather inhuman. Still, I couldn't help but follow it as I pushed down on my sheath and forced the shaft out.

I aimed the sensitive shaft downwards and let my bladder go. It took a while but I sighed in relief as my bladder emptied. I eased the shaft up and then watched in fascination as the sheath slid back into place.

The smell in the room had changed once more and had taken on an almost pleasing undertone as my own mark was in place now. I pulled my underwear on, the shorts, and then thoroughly washed my furred hands as I heard a shout from downstairs.

"Vilkas! You hungry?" Father shouted.

"Yes!" I yelled back as I toweled off and rushed over to the door.

I stepped outside, moved over to the stairs and then set my foot down on the first step as something went wrong. My foot faltered somehow and near sent me tumbling down the stairs as I latched onto the railing in panic.

My balance returned and I glanced down in wonder at my feet. Nothing seemed wrong though so I tried once more. I aimed my foot for the next step, stretched out, and then touched ground with the forefoot.

I then eased my heel down only to be met with twitch in my nerves as my foot started to shiver.

"Oh," I whispered to myself as I stopped trying and took on a digitigrade pose.

The strength in my foot returned in an instant and the twitching stopped.

The implications had just begun to sink in as my nose caught the scent of raw meat, my hunger spiked and I felt my mouth water as I took another careful step in digitigrade form. It felt nice, natural even, and it spurred me on as I marched downstairs with my new gait.

I glanced into the kitchen and saw father standing beside the stove as he opened a package of meat.

My nose flared as I inhaled and caught the scent of blood and raw meat that tickled my hunger.

Father glanced over at me and made a slight smile before glancing down at my feet in surprise.

A grin spread on his face, "Hmm."

I glanced down and eased down into a plantigrade stance with a sensation of unease.

"I'm caught somewhere in between," I said.

Father looked up and met my eyes as he motioned upwards with his hand.

"Well come on then, stand tall on your paws pup," Father said.

I rose once more and made a sheepish smile.

"There we go, your clothes look mighty uncomfortable though," Father said.

I squirmed a little as the dress shirt did indeed feel a bit tight while the shorts cut into my waist.

"It was the biggest I could find," I answered.

Father nodded and turned on the stove, "We'll have to go shopping later."

I stepped a bit closer and glanced at the slabs of meat while some urge made me lick my lips.

Father must have noticed and made a mischievous smile as he reached into the meat, plucked a small piece and tore it off before holding it up.

"Want a taste?" Father asked as he offered it to me.

"It's raw," I whispered.

Father snapped it up in his muzzle, chewed once and then swallowed, "So what?"

I inched a little closer as the hunger drove me on, "Is that safe?"

Father tore another small piece of meat and offered it, "You're a hybrid Vilkas, there are no known parasites or diseases on this whole planet that can infect us."

I glanced back to make sure we were alone before I leaned in and sniffed at the piece of meat, the odor was strong and rich with a somewhat metallic tint to it.

Father stretched out his hand and held the piece right in front of my snout, something inside me took over as I opened my muzzle and snagged hold of the piece. Father let go as I snapped it up. The meat was cold as it landed on my tongue but quickly warmed and spread the taste of blood in my mouth.

I brought the piece back to my molars and chewed once, the rich taste of the juices made my mind and mouth tingle as I raised my head and swallowed.

Father looked proud while my hunger peaked.

"Can I have some more?" I asked.

Father grinned and his tail began to wag as he took a whole slab in his hand and held it out.

I grabbed it in my hands like a precious gift and stared at it for a moment before giving into the urge as I dug in with my new teeth. The meat was though but I was stronger as I took a solid grip and pulled back.

The meat tore and I snapped it up, chewed, swallowed and then kept going over and over again.

There was just a third of the original slab left when the stairs creaked. Father reached out in an instant, snapped the meat from my hands and swallowed it in one big gulp.

He then grabbed hold of my shoulder and nudged me on my way as he shooed me out of the kitchen.

I got the point and marched out the other end as I heard mother's voice.

"What are you doing?" Mother asked as she stepped into the kitchen.

"Breakfast," Father answered with an innocent voice.

"Slabs of meat? For breakfast?" Mother asked.

I smirked to myself and headed towards the first floor bathroom in silence.

"He needs his protein," Father said.

"You could at least make a salad or some fruit," Mother said.

"That's why you're here dear," Father said with a teasing voice.

"Har har," Mother said with a sarcastic voice.

I pushed the bathroom door open with my shoulder while I licked my fingers and caught the sweet taste lingering on them.

I then got the water running and began to wash my hands while considering that the mere sight of raw meat would have made me queasy just a few days ago.

Thirst made me lean down as I cupped my hands and began to lap at the water. I stopped a split second later with my tongue hanging in the air as I realized what I was doing.

A sensation of dread filled me as I thought back, eating raw meat, lapping water like a dog, marking territory. The things Jason had teased me about were coming true.

I stood up and looked myself in the mirror. Yellow eyes, a growing muzzle, pointed ears, black fur encroaching on my face...

I like meat... I have a muzzle and I've adapted to use it... what's the big deal?

Something odd by my ears made me lean closer, moments later I realized that red fur had started to emerge in an outline along the ears.

Something moved in the mirror and I looked back to see mother standing by the bathroom entrance.

Mother smiled and stepped inside, "Well, well, look at you..."

I froze and made a sheepish smile as mother walked up and cupped my muzzle with a gentle touch.

"How does it feel?" Mother said as she stroked the fur by my cheeks.

"Great, I had a big change during the night, haven't had one today yet."

Mother sniffed something and wrinkled her whiskers as she inched closer to my muzzle.

"My sense of smell isn't that bad you know, and I'm not stupid either," Mother said with a raised brow.

I felt my ears twitch as I cowered a little, "Sorry."

Mother eased back and then placed her hands on my chest.

"Listen... I've learned the hard way that this habit isn't something you guys are eager to give up. But there are a few ground rules."

"... OK?" I whispered.

"Herbivores frown on any kind of meat but there are also a lot of carnivores out there who dislike it as well, including many canines."

"Oh," I said.

"One, keep it private and don't boast about it because it won't do you any good. Second, never, ever, eat raw meat if you're in close contact with children or adult humans. Raw meat has pathogens that can be fatal for humans in the worst case."

I nodded, "I won't."

"Good, still hungry?" Mother said.

I nodded once more with a slight smile, "Yeah."

510 A.R. July 1, Volkov Household, Evening

I had sought some privacy in my room but the sound of my door locking seemed like a recipe to awaken the overzealous protective instinct inside my parents.

"Vilkas, open up," Mother said with as she knocked on the door.

I panted and eased myself onto the floor next to the door as another change washed over me.

"Why?" I managed to sputter out as I panted.

The far harsher voice of my father boomed through the door, "Because I will break down this door in five seconds if you don't, and it'll be coming out of your earnings."

"Wait..." I managed to wheeze as I tried to reach up.

My arm twitched and threatened to seize up as I fumbled with the lock. Moments later I got a good grip and turned the lock with a click.

I lay down on the floor and curled up as the door opened. Father squirmed inside as I focused on the change that was once more working my body like putty. My feet hurt, my hips hurt, my spine stretched and I could feel the short tail twitch.

Something was also happening to my hearing as high pitched noises kept fading in and out.

"I told you not to lock your door," Father said as he crouched beside me.

"I..." My voice cut out as a need for oxygen forced me to pant.

I felt mother's hand touching my hair moments later, "We're here dear."

I found it strange that they were so averse to understanding why I didn't appreciate them seeing me near butt naked. Especially as I felt the change hit my groin once more.

My desperation made me pull my legs up to hide myself as I felt another painful erection form between my legs. The wave of change wasn't satisfied with that though as it slammed into my face and started pulling on my snout.

The taste of blood filled my mouth and my jaws creaked as the already ferocious teeth pushed out further. My desperate gasps for air darkened and became like the ragged breaths of a beast as I felt my body swell once more with every beat of my heart.

It suffused my body and my skin felt stretched while my insides shifted, my tail twitched and my hips ached while the discomfort in my groin made me squirm. Finally the wave seemed to abate and allowed me to slump to the floor in sheer exhaustion.

Father spoke up, "Fetch something to clean this up"

"Mm," Mother whispered as she got up and left.

Father reached under my arms and began to lift me up, "I know it's embarrassing Vilkas, but this is better than to risk something going wrong," Father whispered.

510 A.R.July2,Volkov Household,Midday

My skin itched and crawled in a way scratching wouldn't help, my heart thumped but found little work to be done, my legs tingled with energy and forced me to pace back and forth while I wanted to scream out in sheer frustration.

"You're pacing," Father said from the edge of the kitchen.

I didn't stop as I glanced over at father, "There's something wrong."

"What do you mean?" Father asked.

"I feel like I'm burning up, I can't sit still, I feel so damn frustrated! It's like I'm on the verge of another change but it won't come!" I snapped.

Father made a bemused smirk in silence and the sight of it made anger flash to life inside me.

"It's not funny!" I exclaimed with a light rumble in my chest.

Father stepped closer and raised his hands in a calming gesture, "That's because you're not on the verge of another change pup."

I stopped and rubbed my temple, "Then what is it? What's happening to me?"

"Vilkas, you've spent the last four days either sleeping or eating while your body has been working on a crazed metabolism. You're almost done and now you've got enough energy to run leaps around the city."

I started to pant and fluttered my shirt, "So what do I do?"

Father's smile returned as he walked past me and spoke, "Get yourself out of that shirt and follow me outside."

I stared as father walked toward the garden while I wondered what he was planning.

Moments later I made up my mind and almost tore the shirt off in desperation before following him out onto the porch. Father unbuttoned and discarded his own shirt while kicking his sandals aside as he stepped onto the grass and looked back.

"Come on then pup," Father ordered as he stretched his massive frame.

I stepped closer, reached down, pulled my socks off and stood by the edge, "What are we doing?"

Father walked over to the pear tree in the garden, grabbed a fresh branch, and broke it off with a single twist of his hand, "Play time, exercise, a valuable lesson. Take your pick pup."

I stepped onto the grass and frowned a little, "Why do you keep calling me pup?"

Father stepped closer and began to sway the stick in the air, "You don't like it?"

I tried to relax but found myself conflicted, "It's not that... it just sounds like you're teasing me."

Father made a feral grin, "Aren't you a smart one, pup."

"... So you are teasing me?"

Father sighed, "You will always be my beloved pup Vilkas, right now I'm taunting you though, so just play along. All right?"

My eyes began to follow the stick as he moved it through the air, "... Do you want me to take the stick from you or something?"

"Think you can do it?" Father teased.

I felt my ears twitch while my short tail shifted and entered a slight wagging motion.

Father stepped closer and swung the stick in front of me, once, twice, thrice. I lashed out and tried to catch it but caught only air as father pulled it back and chuckled.

Something primal awoke inside me as I followed and kept snapping at the air with my hands as I tried to catch the moving stick. Father sidestepped and quickened his pace while I did the same. It didn't take long before I was almost clambering onto him while swiping at the air to catch the darn thing.

A sudden and rather harsh shove on my shoulder made me stumble back.

"Come on pup, try harder," Father teased.

A slight grin spread on my lips as I rushed in, grabbed hold of father arm and pulled as I tried to leap up and catch the stick.

A second shove made me lose my grip, a third made me almost fall over, but I kept attacking over and over. Minutes later I was panting and jumping like a mad man as I pulled and clambered on father.

"That's it," Father mused as our play intensified.

Moments later I felt something trip my legs, I fell and landed on the grass with a loud thud while father stepped back with a rather evil chuckle. Excitement turned to frustration as I glared up at father.

"You're not giving me a chance," I said while panting for breath.

"I guess you'll have to try harder pup."

I stood up and felt my ears shift while my lips pulled back in anger, a slight growl rumbled in my chest as fury began to well up inside me. Moments later my mind clicked as I figured out a way to give father exactly what he wanted.

The anger inside me turned into a mischievous smirk as I tensed my body and sprinted forward. Father smirked and held out the stick as a target. I aimed at the stick but changed course at the last moment.

Father's eyes widened in surprise as I changed course and rammed him with everything I had. His hefty body shifted, toppled, and then fell back as I clung to his chest like a parasitic projectile.

We slammed into the ground with a loud thud, I placed my hands on his shoulders and looked down into his eyes with a shit eating grin while my tail wagged in pride.

Father blinked in confusion as he looked up and met my eyes.

My tail grew slack in an instant and my ears folded back as reason kicked in and told me that I might have gone over the line. Fear gripped me and I was ready to beg forgiveness as father made a big smile.

"Well done Vilkas," Father whispered as he presented the stick to my muzzle.

My ears perked once more and I snapped hold of the stick with my jaws and held it in my mouth. A warm sensation of pride and joy filled me and made my insides buzz.

"Feeling better?" Father asked.

I tightened my jaws and felt the taste of wood while I glanced down.

"Mm!" I murmured with an excited nod.

Father lay back and spread his arms as he took a deep breath, "Want to go on an adventure?"

I removed the stick from my mouth, "What kind?"

"The timing is rather perfect, three of my pack have sons that recently made the same choice you did Vilkas."

"Uh huh?" I said with a smile.

"John, he's a year older than you but completed his change just a few weeks ago. Allen is two years older and but he's just a few days further along than you. Peter was an eager one, he got his age restrictions lifted just like you and completed his change a few months ago."

"All males?" I asked.

"The women like to make their own packs most of the time, it makes things easier."

A sudden fear dawned on me, "Please tell me we don't fight over females like animals?"

Father smirked and chuckled, "Well not like animals... but their scent does get a bit sweeter at the peak of their hormone cycles."

I glanced away and felt the worry intensify as it turned into a knot inside my gut.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Father asked.

"..." I kept my silence.

"Vilkas, just ask your questions, it's better to ask me rather than keep mulling these things by yourself."

"How much sweeter?" I asked.

Father made a light smile, "Relax Vilkas, you won't go crazy for a sweet scent just like you wouldn't go crazy for a sweet perfume."

"Ah, I see," I whispered.

"Is there something else troubling you?"

"... No."

"You sure?" Father asked.

I gulped and licked my lips in silence.

"Your mother and I know, you know," Father said.

My heart began to race, "What are you talking about."

Father tapped at his nose, "The scent glands you're developing are quite strong, people will know if you have sex with someone. Scents aren't as strong with humans but we've known for a long time what you and Jason have been up to occasionally."

I stared down at the grass and felt myself blush red while my ears folded back.

"Oh," I whispered in embarrassment.

Father rested his head on the grass, "Vilkas, we're fine with it, and so are everyone else."

I glanced up and dared meet my father's eye, "Really?"

Father nodded, "Our extended family is large Vilkas, even clan mother herself has given her blessing to several mated male couples."

"Clan mother?" I asked.

"You'll be coming to our next gathering and then you'll be able to see everything, what a clan is like, three hundred strong, all kindred in spirit."

I felt relief as another piece of uncertainty and worry dispersed like smoke in the air.

"Thank you... It's a relief to hear all of this dad."

Father nodded in what seemed like a rather serene moment of joy.

510 A.R.July2,Volkov Household,Evening

"Going somewhere?" Father asked as he glimpsed into the bathroom.

I wiped my muzzle using a towel and then glanced back, "Maybe."

Father blocked the bathroom entrance and gave me a sharp eye, "You know the rules Vilkas, we don't want you going anywhere while you're still changing."

"I don't think I'll be changing again for a while, I was thinking of giving Jason a visit."

Father cocked his head, "His parents aren't going to let you anywhere near him."

I made a slight smile, "The balcony works wonders when you want to get around that."

Father made a slight frown and inched closer, "Are you and Jason... are you?"

"What?" I asked in confusion.

"Are you... you know... do you like each other?" Father asked.

I blinked in surprise and found the thought both silly and outrageous, then again I did find it a bit weird that the thought had never crossed my mind despite our past exploits.

"Well?" Father asked.

I shook my head, "No, never, definitely not. Jason is my friend... a friend who's at the edge of crumbling into a heap. He needs someone to show him that his parents are wrong."

Father observed me in silence for a few moments before raising a clawed finger as he pointed at me, "You've got one hour before I expect you back in the house, and don't go near his crazy parents."

"Two hours, I'd like to play some games with him," I said.

"This late in the night?" Father asked.

"We play without sound," I answered.

Father sighed, "One hour and a half, last bid."

I nodded in agreement, "I'll be back in an hour and a half dad, promise."

Dad turned and then stopped as he glanced back at me, "Do you need to borrow some clothes?"

I glanced down at the shorts I was wearing before looking up, "Nah, I'm fine."

Father tapped his watch, "Well then, clock is ticking."

I ran out of the bathroom, headed down the stairs, and rushed into the garden. The sweet cool touch of grass touched my paws and it made my senses tingle as I headed to the wooden fence.

I stopped upon reaching the fence as I realized that the night seemed surprisingly bright for some reason. The moon stood high, the air was cool, it felt late, but my eyes told me it was early evening.

A sly grin spread on my lips as I racked it up as another benefit of becoming a hybrid. I made a slight jump, grabbed hold of the fence, pulled myself up, and then dropped to the other side with a light thud.

I crouched a little and sneaked over to the wall below Jason's room. A drainage pipe and vines clinging to the wall provided a way up as I grabbed hold and started to climb. It was easier than usual and the claws made it easy to grip every crevice. I grabbed hold of the balcony, pulled myself up, and then eased myself down onto the balcony structure.

I paused for a moment and drew slow deep breaths and felt my chest shift as the cool wind caressed the fur covering my body.

Damn it felt good...

I then hugged the wall and felt my ears perk as I listened to the noises coming from within Jason's room. There was a high pitched shriek of electronics, and the music of a video game.

I lifted my hand, put one clawed finger by the sliding door and then tapped against the window. The music from the video game dimmed followed the sound of someone approaching the door.

Moments later the door clicked and then slid open a few millimeters.

"Who is it?" Jason whispered.

"The big bad wolf," I whispered.

"I can't even recognize your voice," Jason whispered.

"It's me, Vilkas. Will you let me in Jason?"

"How about no?" Jason answered.

"Please?" I asked.

"Why?" Jason asked.

"I've been locked up for days straight, I want someone to talk to, and I wouldn't mind a few rounds with you," I answered.

Jason was silent for a few moments followed by a weak voice, "Okay."

The door eased open and I glanced through the opening. Jason's room was dark apart from the light given off by the main screen. Jason stared at me but he didn't seem able to fully see me as I stood cloaked in the darkness.

"Scared?" I asked.

Jason frowned, "Of what? A stupid mutt like you?"

A toothy grin spread on my muzzle as I inched closer while Jason backed off and stumbled as his leg hit the sofa. I extended my paw so that it entered the light cast by the main screen. Jason looked down in an instant and stared at the black fully formed paw with claws long enough to click against the floor.

"You really... changed," Jason whispered with both fright and disappointment in his voice.

I stepped into the room and pulled the door shut, Jason sidestepped the sofa and moved backwards as he stared at me. It was strange but I felt excited, my heart pounded, and I couldn't help but smile as I stepped forward into the light cast by the screen. Jason's eyes grew wide as he saw my face.

"What do you think?" I asked.

Jason seemed to grow pale, "Are you serious?"

"What?" I asked as I leaned closer.

"You look... for fucks sake Vilkas..." Jason said with a trembling voice.

"What?" I asked once more.

"You didn't just make yourself a wolf... you made yourself into a monster..."

I glanced down at myself, "Because of the black fur?"

"Black fur? You look hunchbacked... yellow eyes... you look like you could bite my head off if you wanted."

I touched my large muzzle and felt the big canines jutting out of my jaws, "It was necessary."

"What the hell for?" Jason asked.

I paused as I realized just how insane the answer sounded, so that I can kill prey, quick and efficient.

"I'm still me Jason," I answered instead.

"Like hell you are!" Jason snapped.

"Try me, ask me something, anything. My body may have changed, I have big teeth, black fur, wagging tail, and I'll admit, I have instincts and my senses have grown. But that doesn't change who I am."

Jason looked me over, "You say that but there's little to show for it, let me guess, you're not a fan of clothes any longer?"

I shrugged, "I outgrew my old, mom and I are going shopping in a few days when I'm finished changing."

Jason's mouth opened in surprise, "You're not done yet?"

I turned to my side and showed off my tail, "The tail still needs more time, my fur won't be done for weeks, and I won't be fully grown for years."

"... You're going to get bigger?" Jason asked.

I cocked my head and noticed that I was almost a head taller than Jason now.

"Yeah..." I answered.

"Let me guess... you're going to get as big and monstrous as your dad?"

"Only if I start exercising and keep a healthy diet," I answered.

"... Do you want to?" Jason asked.

I shrugged once more, "Maybe, maybe not. I've been thinking more about what kind of university education I want next year."

Jason made a displeased frown.

"What?" I asked.

"You say you're still you, so why the hell did you make yourself look like... that?"

I frowned and stared, "I happen to like how I look Jason."

"You like looking like a werewolf from one of those old world movies?"

I took another step closer and watched Jason back up in fear, "I don't look a thing like them."

"I wouldn't know about that," Jason said.

I bared my teeth, "You act tough but you look like you're about to shit yourself."

Jason hit the wall and stopped, "Can you blame me?"

"You're an idiot Jason, we both decided many years ago that we'd never lift a finger at each other ever again, that hasn't changed."

Jason blinked and bit his lip, "You remember that?"

My ears folded back, "Of course I do, why wouldn't I?"

Jason seemed to relax a little and then rolled his eyes, "Oh, I wouldn't know."

I stepped closer and held out my now padded hand, "Touch me."

Jason glanced down at my hand, "Why?"

"You're scared, I'm trying to make it better, besides, I think you're a bit curious."

Jason hesitated but then pushed away from the wall as he stepped closer. He then looked at my hand and reached out with his own. I grabbed his hand and enclosed it in my own.

"See? Not that dangerous," I said.

Jason gulped and then looked up at my eyes, "Is that really you Vilkas?"

I made a light smile and sighed, "Yes Jason, they didn't brainwash me nor did they replace my brain."

"You did admit that you have instincts," Jason said.

I nodded, "Yeah, I've changed a lot and I guess it has started to change how I see the world, how I interact with it, and it'll continue to do so. But that's life, life is change."

Jason drew a deep breath and seemed to think it over, "... Fine, I'll believe you... on one condition,"

I raised my brow, "Why does this sound so one sided Jason?"

"What do you mean?"

"I sneak over here, you insult me over and over, and you'll believe me on a condition of your own. How about you stop being a bigoted ass for a moment and treat me like an actual person?"

Jason looked hurt and stepped back, he tried to let go of my hand but I kept my grip.

"... We always hurl insults at each other," Jason said.

"I picked this body Jason, it's mine, it's what felt right, this is me. I don't appreciate being told I'm ugly or that I look like a monster."

Jason glanced away for a few moments, "... You're not a monster."

"And?" I asked.

Jason looked back at me, "Vilkas... please understand... I mean... I'd cross the street if I saw you coming... you don't look friendly like a field mouse exactly."

I let go of Jason and whispered, "I know."

"You're not ugly... I just... need some time to get used to this... to set aside my-"

"Prejudice?" I asked.

Jason frowned for a moment but then nodded, "Yeah."

"So what's that condition of yours that will make you believe me?"

"I want you to tell me the truth... all those things that everyone else used to say we couldn't understand."

"All of it?" I asked with a slight sense of worry.

"Yes, all of it! And don't you dare do the same thing as everyone else have done to us."

"How about this... I'll promise to tell you almost everything."

Jason frowned, "And what are those parts you won't talk about?"

"Private stuff that I wouldn't even tell my parents," I answered.

"Hmm. Fine, I can live with that," Jason answered.

"Great, but right now I'd like to just sit down and play some games with you."

Jason made a slight smile, "I guess you really are in there Vilkas."

"Yeah," I said with a nod.

510 A.R.July2,Volkov Household,Night

I dropped into the garden once more and rose, to my surprise father was standing in the garden and was looking at me.

"Can you see me?" Father asked.

"Of course," I answered as I stepped up to him.

"So what do you think?" Father asked with a glinting smile.

I glanced around and made a bemused smile, "This is rather incredible... it's mostly black and white but I could run through the forest like this without a problem."

"Exactly," Father said as he leaned in and sniffed me.

"What?" I asked in wonder as his nose hovered near my neck.

"How's your sense of smell?" Father asked.

"The scents have gotten stronger lately... and there are some..."

"What?" Father asked as he stood tall once more.

"I smell things and it's like... some scents have... what should I call it... layers? Information? Concepts?"

Father made a knowing smile and a nod, "Like what?"

I raised my nose and sniffed the air, there was something weird on the wind, a scent marker, urine. It awoke instincts in me as I recognized this place as father's territory, even stranger was the rather uneasy sensation of wonder why my own scent was missing.

"... Like the sensation I'm having right now," I said.

"Describe it, I promise I won't laugh," Father said.

"Like... you're the boss around here, this is your territory, but I feel like I should be part of this as well."

"Go on," Father said.

"But I don't want to intrude... it feels really strange," I whispered.

Father leaned a little closer and looked me in the eyes, "You're part of this family, right?"

"Yes," I answered.

"Would you protect it? Me? Your mother?"

"Yes," I answered with a nod.

"Then you're not intruding are you? The longer you live here the more your scent will rub off on it, so feel free to place your mark... avoid the flower beds though, your mother wouldn't approve if it wilted."

"Thanks... This is definitely one of the stranger conversations I've had in my life."

Father stood tall and smirked, "Aye, but necessary. It's good that we're talking about this."

"What about the other types of hybrids? Do they have this kind of thing as well?" I asked.

"Some do, it won't trigger the same instincts though. We're primed to recognize the markings of other wolves and canines," Father answered.

"I see."

Father made a toothy grin, "If you ever want to piss off a grass muncher, that's how you do it."

I chuckled and looked up at father, "Is there some kind of story related to that?"

Father nodded, "I had a lousy boss once, a buck with some kind of personal vendetta against me. I sneaked into his garden and marked one of his fruit trees, it unnerved him to the point he cut it down a week later."

"He couldn't figure out it was you?" I asked.

"Sure he did, instant he smelled it. Point is that he couldn't take it public, he'd become the local laughingstock in an instant."

I made a light chuckle and nodded, "I'll remember that."

"Your sense of smell will continue to improve for years to come, it takes a while for the mind to adapt."

"Uh huh," I said.

"Your sense of hearing will improve a lot quicker, and so will your strength, you should keep that in mind as you can quite easily hurt a child."

"I'll make sure to be careful."

"So how is Jason doing?" Father asked.

"He's doing okay, it'll take some time but I think he'll get used to me like this."

"I see. Say, I talked to my pack, want to leave for your adventure tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow?" I asked in surprise.

"Yeah, and don't worry about packing, you won't need it."

"... What is this adventure exactly?"

"Bonding, relaxing, getting to know yourself and others, making a pack. It'll be fun, I promise."

"... I guess you've already made the plans?"

Father nodded, "The others will be leaving tomorrow, they've been waiting for you."

I nodded, "Sounds like fun."