FSE

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So here it is, the dfinal Chapter of the first book of Werewulf. i have no idea where this is going to go or how much longer! the second book might very well be half the length! but i do promise more, who knows it could be double!

As i asked for in my last completed story (Hope and Dreams) i would ask every reader to provide me with more then just as 'Awesome!' or 'I liked it' hehe i do like feedback and while i get it from some i dont get it from all :P i dont care how long you have been a fan any assistance or notes on my style or anything (time between posts excluded :P) would be much appreciated. I love you guys and these characters and i have enjoyed ever minute of writing for you! this project started almost 10 months ago and its finally closing! thank you all for everything and enjoy!

(yes this is a very long chapter and could have been split in two...but whatever, enjoy :P)

Chap 26

Changing from man to beast was not like in the movies. Sure the body changed from a small human to large wolf, but to experience it first-hand gave Kyle a new appreciation. It was like passing the torch to another. His mind became a bit fuzzy at first, drifting and numbing, then another presence was made known and it wanted out. It was both terrifying and calming. The presence was monstrous at first, clawing at the back of his mind and being; almost slipping into his body and expanding it appropriately to fit its form.

Kyle's body was like clothing many sizes too small.

The boy was still screaming in pain as it all happened; he managed a wild swing at Duke just to stop the pain in his arm even that though was more of a reflex and not a planned action. Kyle was just generally losing control and couldn't have focused enough to plan an attack at all. The blow connected to no avail and then Kyle could not control his body. It started at his head, but he felt the change spread down him.

At first it was a simple tingle as every pore on his face changed and warped, growing fur in gradually increasing amounts. The tingling spread down his spine and arms then encompassed his chest. His legs remained detached from his perceptions.

Then the pain began internally. It was a small pain, a sore really, but it still existed and was gradually intensifying. Kyle felt his bones shift and bend like Play-doh and not solid calcium, expanding and pressing against the yet to be changed outer skin. He feared he had torn through it in places. The boy then panicked as his eye sockets deepened and widened in fear of losing his eyeballs within the new space, but his eyes inflated to accompany the growth; the world went black at first, and then returned with sharper focus than ever before.

He writhed on the ground, Duke still holding onto his arm. Thankfully the biting had stopped, unfortunately it was just a trade of poisons. The new and the old mind, the inner beast and Kyle, were both in a panic now. Somewhere in the mess that was Kyle's conjoined mind he was aware that he was malnourished, but then he was made aware his ears were migrating atop his head. He actually thanked God that growing cartilage hurt less than bone, at least he had that to be thankful for.

'WHY?!' Kyle thought, hoping the beast would hear him, would respond and comfort him even if it was only the simple and twisted comfort of knowing he was not the only one in pain. It however was no longer a mental projection that could be spoken too so directly, but hopefully it could respond just as clearly. He squeezed his new eyes shut and listened to his strengthening vocal cords let out their first whimper. He sounded like a dog and it made him moan in worry.

'Food!'

Kyle was not exactly sure what was going on, but he was thinking about food. Why on earth would he want to eat at a time like this! Could food really be on his mind while in so much pain? His jaw would most definitely not be eating any time soon; it stretched forward and took his nose with it. Kyle tried to imagine what a wolf would look like and saw the snout and the fangs and the flat wet nose...how did his body plan on doing that?!

He got his answer as his mouth gained more girth and his twenty eight adult teeth separated in the middle and migrated at the back. He felt skin being added and something that must have been calcium flowing to the front of his small human mouth and then added to it. His extended gums birthed the sharp canines of a monster and his nose seemed to stretch down the new muzzle, the toughening cartilage starting just between his eyes and pressed down the length of his face to his nose. On a newly forming instinct a long wet tongue flicked over his nose as if trying to alleviate the pain.

Then there was the clichés, hands flattening and extending, nails extending and hardening, clothes ripped off his new barrel chest and his feet exploded from his shoes and grew as well. It was a weird feeling on each part, but Kyle was more concerned of the whole and not the individual alterations.

But as abruptly as it started the changing ended, in reality not even a minute had passed but internally he'd suffered for millennia. Somehow Kyle was acutely aware of Duke's overall presence, as well as the pain all over and in his body, and his surroundings. He finally dared to squint his eyes open at the bi-pedal brown wolf just inches away from him. The doctor had left, though Kyle could somehow...feel, that he was off in the woods.

He was a werewolf...

Duke, it was Duke. Absolutely one hundred percent, beyond a doubt this creature was Duke. Kyle felt his head spinning with emotions and thoughts, but even with a million ideas none broke the surface and Kyle found himself lazily, dazed, looking at where Duke had bit him. There was blood in the fur and on the ground, but no cut. A whimper broke from the other wolf's throat as Duke resumed licking the once gushing wound.

'Food!'

Something was off...Kyle couldn't place it all. He was receiving too much information at once, and most of it from unknown sources. There were ideas, whispers, feelings, presences, scents, sights, emotions and many more, some Kyle didn't even have a word for, but I might have been because his mind was a bit flustered.

'Food....smell...meat...'

Kyle's mind instantly snapped into a hyper focus. His entire being was after one thing. It was immediately behind Duke and only a few hundred yards away. He could do it...he could get it...he needed to get it. Kyle himself wasn't even sure what it was, but the beast that had him did, and it was apparently glorious.

It was much harder to fight the beast then to surrender and Kyle was mentally drained. He slipped back into the darkness of his mind and slept. The other assumed control and went out to find its prize.

'Kyle?' A voice, Dukes voice, asked in his head. But Kyle wasn't listening. In a flash and with a mighty swing he launched Duke out of the way and took off in a clumsy, adrenaline fed sprint into the woods.

~~~~

Duke had dropped his guard. Somewhere deep down he didn't want to believe Kyle was capable of what he himself was. His human was no longer his weak human self, but instead a fully capable equal...A wolf brother and a potential Mate. Duke hated thinking that, but the head to tree collision caused by Kyle's first real strike cut the thought short anyway.

In a way the feeling was sad. Although Duke knew the costs of Kyle staying frail he almost felt less needed to his Mate. He was not to be a form of protection or a shoulder to lean on, Kyle was fully capable on his own now and it terrified Duke deep down that Kyle would find out and depart from him. Beta's sought the protection of a superior, but Kyle was already pretty strong while underfed.

He took a moment to re-orientate himself and looked just in time to see Kyle hobbling swiftly towards the woods. It was an awkward two legged walk but the sight changed everything. In that moment quite a few things clicked.

First, and certainly the most profound was Kyle's recovery. Duke felt his jaw open just a bit, tears welling in his large yellow eyes and a relieved moan escaping his maw. Kyle was walking! He was fucking walking! On two legs to, the ones that mattered in human form. The ones that would make him normal again and hopefully curb his depression. His feet were active even if a bit out of practice and it was the most phenomenal sight to ever cross the werewolf's path.

Second, and one he hated feeling at all, was a renewed reason to be worried about Kyle leaving. He knew he had to have faith that the boy liked him back but it was hard when instincts said otherwise. Alphas and Alphas were not a usual pairing and it lowered the scientific odds of their relationship even blooming anymore.

Duke had to hit himself mentally. One, the gait wasn't a lack of practice of course but a re-adjusting to a new body. He himself recalled the stumbles trips and falls that came with one's re-birth. It was a terrifying experience that left the person paranoid and panicked. Without accepting his 'Inner Wolf,' Kyle would feel a sense of separation and fear from remaining a wolf, it would turn into rage and the wolf would feed on that, channel it, and rage on like a true monster.

And Two, he did need to trust Kyle completely and entirely, it would just be hard for a while.

Duke took off after the newly changed wolf and discovered his target quite quickly. Duke broke into a clearing where his uncle was sitting, bloody mawed and staring at Kyle's first feeding. No doubt the man had thought of everything for this moment. A First Change's hunger was always the worst and most necessary; though where the men of old once saw craving and blood thirst Duke now saw scientific necessity.

Kyle was lanky, six foot at the most and underfed from both depression and his legs new lack of movement. If Duke had to guess, Kyle didn't have even a hundred and forty pounds to his name just a few minutes ago. Now, with a larger frame and build he was comprised of no more than that very same one hundred and forty pounds of stuff.

Duke watched in a bit of awe as Kyle visibly put on the weight he consumed. Each bite was accompanied by a noticeable (at least to a werewolf's senses) addition to form. Duke watched Kyle's bones push less and less against skin, fur patches filled in, shakes caused by lack of energy to burn subsided, if only a little.

It was a bloody feast to be sure, his uncle was still bringing more deer and Kyle at one point even waited patiently for another at a break in the food. Kyle was calming down, at least enough to sit still. Regardless Duke could not get a word from him or read his thoughts. Kyle's mind was a vortex of ideas that just gave Duke a headache when he attempted to read it. All he knew was that Kyle was scared and wanted answers, but when Duke had tried once to approach him Kyle had growled so he kept a safe distance.

The moment was incredibly surreal, Kyle ate, Tom returned with food and then went back to find more. Duke sat and occasionally tried to press his mind into the gradually calming vortex. Still, it was unreadable. It was only then that Duke noticed the scent in the air. Kyle had always been a confusing and alluring smelling person and his wolf form was no different.

He reeked of fear and submission, a Beta to be sure, a healthy one at that. He was lost and confused and wanted to hold on to an Alpha, even if he wouldn't have ever worded it as such before now. Then there was the scent of a leader, a fellow Alpha and a fighter. He was not giving up, and the growl he gave to Duke's approach was confirmation. Still there was more, something distinct and new that Duke couldn't place. Kyle had his ever changing position scent, his lingering human scent of Axe and pine, and then there was...more.

Whatever it was Duke had never before smelled or sensed it before and it mesmerized him. He only wanted it all the more, wanted Kyle ever closer. A healthy attraction added on too Kyle's fantastic and magnetic personality. Despite his lack of friends, Kyle and Duke just connected fast once Duke gave it the chance to happen, and Duke was already well aware of the inner softy. Kyle was a nice guy deep down, just anxious all the time and shy; some would say a bit defensive and hostile and rightly so.

Now he was a big softy on the outside too; A big, dangerous, fluffy, softy.

Still, the Alpha scent did nothing to calm Duke's abandonment anxieties. He stared longingly at his Mate to be, watched the blood fest and saw only the scared child. Duke wanted to help Kyle with all the changes like his own Uncle never did. Kyle deserved it...

Minutes ticked on and Duke just observed the continuous weight gain of Kyle's first feeding. It still astounded him to observe it, even if he had lived through it himself. He recalled the panic and worry, the fear and anger. Duke's own inner wolf was a vicious one that wanted out, a freedom seeker. He'd learned only later it was his inner desire concentrated into a being, but it was always healthy to separate man from beast.

They were one in the same but still two entities, schizophrenia was not an accurate analysis of Duke as he now controlled the beast, it was more of a co-existence. The beast played a part in human and wolf form just as the human side did, but both were still Duke so he had control.

Kyle might be Kyle now, or he could be the beastly Kyle, all of his desires, emotions and ambitions. Duke shuddered to think of all the things Kyle would have suppressed in his household; Kyle might have a VERY difficult time of controlling them all. Duke bit his claws in habit and just continued staring at the bloody feast just thinking about their next steps.

Out in the rest of human inhabited Sweeton time still passed with expectations and plans for the next moment. Quinn would wonder where Kyle was. Scott would be returning home soon with Kyle's mother, the boys Danny took from the school would be missed. All the little details Duke and his Uncle needed to plan for. Quinn would be at Kyle's home as soon as she possibly could and that would be soon; an hour, two tops. She would wonder where Kyle was, how he had gotten home with his wheelchair abandoned at school. If Kyle could indeed walk thanks to the lupine half, she would wonder how that occurred to.

Kyle himself would be shaken if he could even change back by then. Duke recalled his first few DAYS as a wolf, but that was without proper feeding. Maybe Kyle could change back sooner with a full belly and equilibrium with the wolf met.

Not only that, but Kyle would not remain a string bean either. He might not be as built as Duke, but he would surely pack on a bit of muscle. Scott would demand an answer in his obnoxious way if he was home, Kyle might just snap at that; hell, Kyle might just snap Scott's neck, he didn't know his own strength yet and anger was a hard thing to control as a werewolf; first day and beyond. Duke still had his snaps and moods years later... it was a long lasting battle.

'Don't worry about too much Duke' his uncle pressed, 'Your head might burst and your worried vibes will do nothing to calm Kyle down. Newborns are ultrasensitive to others emotions as they have not yet learned to shut off the new senses.'

'I know that!' Duke snapped and took a deep breath, opting to lay back and stare at the sky then sit up and worry. His uncle was right, he needed to empty his mind and calm down.

'Of course I'm right.' Came a playfully snide remark.

Duke couldn't help but grin even under stress, 'Can it old man and stay out of my head.'

~~~~

'Can it old man and stay out of my head.'

That was Duke's voice, definitely Duke's. But Duke was a wolf. But Kyle was a wolf. He was. And this deer...It was raw. This deer was dead. He had not killed it. He had not killed anything...but it was dead. And it was yummy. His belly wanted it. Eating was easier the more Kyle ate. Everything was working again. Muscles didn't hurt. Kyle was happy. His head was cluttered and it bothered him. His thoughts wouldn't go away. Or the grass' or the birds or the wolves or Duke or the Doctor or the boys or the deer Kyle heard cry before the doctor brought them. The world was so loud all of a sudden...It hurt his brain.

But the world was getting softer again, and more fragile. It was quieter than it was before, that awful roaring that didn't stop before was finally gone. The blind desire was gone and Kyle finally felt himself peek out from inside again. He wasn't as sleepy and fighting that little bit wasn't so hard. The other voice was gone for now too. No more did 'Food' ring out like a call to arms in his mind. The deer might be nice, but they were not a necessity now. But they were still nice.

Kyle felt himself slip back into the body, granted this time it was bigger. Still, large barrel wolf chest or skinny human one, he was there and in control. He sat up and wound up leaping into the air higher than he had ever jumped before and landing behind himself on his rump. Not only that but it hurt like crazy! He looked back and noticed a tail at the top of his bum was bent to the side funny from how he landed.

'TAIL!' No...he had to calm down...when he shouted in his head it echoed for a long time and hurt. Tail...he had a tail...and...and...Kyle froze and looked down, eyes wide.

Legs....he had...he had legs...

The tears were forming.

Feeling...he had FEELING!

Working legs and feeling in them and they were right there on his body to use!

'Kyle?' Duke's voice returned but was shoved aside.

'I can walk!' Kyle shouted, but only heard a roar 'I! CAN! WALK!' he cried and stood quickly, almost falling over again. He felt his eyes drown in tears as his visions blurred. He could walk and feel the grass and be useful.

Like a puppy he whooped and leapt and rolled all around, testing his legs and laughing all the while. He rolled in the grass and caught scents; he rubbed his face in the ground and curled his large new toes in the dirt, claws ripping some up. It was amazing! He had more feeling then he ever remembered having, a new sensitivity that didn't necessarily mean everything hurt or tickled. He just...felt more.

He wouldn't be a burden to Quinn or his mother, Scott couldn't do anything and...

'Scott...'

The voice rang out again in his head. Nothing else mattered again. He felt the fight get harder and despite trying a bit stronger, Kyle once more fell into a bit of sleep, even if he kept his eyes open to see what was going on. The beast had his body now and all he could do was watch and shout at it. It used his legs to walk, but he no longer cared that they worked; only that he could get to that bastard.

~~~~

'Kyle no!' Duke thought, tackling the shambling wolf to the ground and pinning his arms. 'Kyle fight it, you have to wake up!'

This was not good, Kyle might have already made leaps and bounds through the stages of changing, but it didn't matter much when the first few steps were all violent and irrational anyway.

Duke's entire body bucked under Kyle's efforts to free himself. It was still eye opening to Duke to have to try. Not only did this fight seem like a wrestling match with Anthony, it was also reminiscent of Duke's own time as a New Born cub.

The rage and raw emotions that the inner beasts fed off spewed from the pinned down werewolf like a fire hose. It made something in Duke stir and wish to have that same release. Although Duke still had control over his fearsome other half he felt it want to break free for a bit, like on a night with a full moon.

'Kyle will you listen to me? Please I'm begging you to just listen!'

A flash of film passed from Kyle into Duke, a scene from Kill Bill; Gogo informing the yet to be named 'Bride' of her disappointment. 'You call that begging?' her little voice rang with venom. Then a hundred other examples of poor victims begging raced by his brain.

'Kyle, God damn it will you just stop!' Duke hesitated, but roughly slammed what he could of Kyle into the dirt for effect. It made sense that a beast would listen to instinctual and natural dominance in a situation right? Maybe he had to show he was superior in order for the wolf to calm enough for Kyle to wake up.

That's all it was like to be controlled by the beast, being asleep. You never remembered much and you instantly have control upon being awake.

The results of intimidation were immediate and Kyle stopped fighting. His mind slowed down once more and he just slumped, letting out a small whine. 'But...but I want to kill him...he should die for what he has done...' Kyle spoke with a mix of the beast's and his own voice.

'You don't believe that. You despise him but you don't believe that.' Duke said, in a way trying to remind Kyle of his old mind-set. Duke's Kyle would never want anyone dead...he was too sweet. He'd want Scott long gone, unhappy and away from his mother; but not dead.

'You don't know that...you don't know what I want...' The two pouted though Kyle's was definitely more in control now.

'I'm trying to remind you what you really want. Kyle its ok just stay like this.' The leaps and bounds were continuing! Kyle was already talking in...well, almost complete sentences. Duke was still in the woods wondering what smelled so good at this time in his new life!

'Okay Kyle, I'm going to help you change back okay?' Duke asked hesitantly, not wanting to press his own mind in uninvited and start another freak out. Kyle might seem okay now, but for all Duke knew he was a moment away from a snap. Duke vaguely heard his uncle mention he was staying away as Duke thought this, so it must be for that reason he was not returning with more deer.

The question made the form below him let out a soft whine.

'You okay Kyle, I'm just trying to help.'

'I'm a monster aren't I?...this isn't a dream this is real...' The rage was calming but not into smoulders and eventually out... it became a snow storm. 'I can't ever be with my mother again can I? Or my friends...Quinn...what will I tell her? I can't keep secrets from her and I can't just up and leave her... Duke I could up and EAT her couldn't I? I'm a monster in sheep's clothing...I could be...I could KILL any of them couldn't I?' Kyle's mind raced but directed all talk to Duke who was still holding him down.

'Kyle...first thing's first okay? Do you trust me?' Duke tried to interrupt the flow of depressing thoughts.

'How could I? You did this to me didn't you? I can feel it....we are close Duke and somehow I also feel...weaker than before. Despite the muscle I'm weaker. I can do less to you now because I can't hurt a...better, more superior wolf...' the words hovered and gathered frost in the air, cutting painfully into Duke. 'Do I even have a choice anymore Duke?'

'Yes!' Duke shouted, 'You do, I can't speak for all other wolves but you are special Kyle, an Alpha and a Beta in one, a mix, an obedient hound and a fearless leader! You have it all! You aren't a quitter now...just...' Duke pressed his mind delicately into Kyle's, who instinctually tensed up and blocked all access. 'See?' Duke smiled, relived more than anything else, 'You do still have some fight in you!'

'I didn't do it on purpose...it just reacted...' Kyle slumped '...Duke...Why did all of this happen?' Kyle asked, probably not even expecting an answer.

Duke whined and released his grip a bit to allow Kyle a bit of wiggle room. 'You're not going to run are you?' The wolf below him shook his head and when released he sat up and stared blankly at Duke.

This was so hard; easily the hardest thing Duke had ever done. Seeing Kyle like this was breaking his heart but he knew deep down he just needed to tell the trut in order to keep the story straight. Honesty was the best policy and he needed to follow that from here on out, at least with the story. Any lies now would not go over well later.

'Kyle...you're like this...because I'm a spoiled brat okay?' Duke chocked out, 'I-It's all my fault any of this happened and I'm sorry.' He was crying now, admitting he had hurt someone he loved was painful enough without his thoughts of rejection swirling around in his thoughts. 'I wanted you...Well, I wanted your body Kyle. I wanted someone broken I could fix up real quick and just bed but now...I want you for much more than that.'

Duke was choking up even in his head, 'I'm a sick twisted bastard but I love you Kyle and I can't have you think I'm a saint if I'm the one who did...this to you. Danny might have bitten you but that's because I attracted him here and made you a target. And I'm sorry Kyle, I'm so so sorry!' he managed to get out.

This was it, he defining moment of his relationship. Rejection and hatred or...no, there wasn't really another option if he was truly thinking. Who was he kidding? How could Kyle not be mad?

'You did this?' Kyle asked, the pain in his mind only stung worse.

The treachery Kyle was thinking of was just stabbing Duke repeatedly. Duke had taught Kyle to trust and then made himself untrustworthy. He had used pheromones to make Kyle give him a chance and then stabbed him in the back. Duke had royally fucked up.

'Yes Kyle I did...and to be honest I did it because I like you so much. I made it so we could be together in the end after you were already at risk. It was selfish and I know you hate me but...please just let me help you...' he said dejected, 'It's the least I can do...'

Duke pressed into Kyle's now more accepting mind and felt around until he got to the 'switch.' It was an internal muscle Duke assisted Kyle into flexing and experiencing. Kyle would have had a hard time finding it on his own.

Now Kyle reverted. It wasn't as painful as the first time but changing still hurt and Kyle was forced to live through it again. The fur mostly broke down and evaporated into the air to hide something as obvious as a pile of fur in the woods. His form stared shrinking and he felt the strange stabbing feeling of teeth pushing back into his gums.

Duke knew the science behind most of it. A revert lost some but not all of the necessary components of being a comfy wolf. Werewolves were some extra bone and a lot of muscle, but muscle was hidden internally a lot easier than calcium. Wolves were big but they weren't tanks or anything like that, they still had limits and were strong but still only a foot or two taller than a full grown human male.

Duke started his own revert in order to make Kyle feel comfortable and not over shadowed. He was grateful that nothing felt as bad as a first change, after that there was some kind of pain reliever sent through his bloodstream when he changed, an extra little organ apparently that dispersed it.

Only moments later a naked Duke was holding a naked Kyle in his arms, the later panting heavily with the pain. The change was immediate, Kyle's mind cleared up. Duke could read it with ease and it was all Kyle.

"Hey there..." Duke whispered, just in case he was still sensitive to sounds, "You okay? I'm here for you." He held the other human close. Duke wasn't a fool, he knew this was not going to be a Disney ending. He took the time to acknowledge the feeling of Kyle's newly muscled body, how the extra strength did little to change the fact that Duke was larger and Kyle was his little human to hold.

"D...Duke?" Kyle managed to speak. He must have finally realized he was naked but cause he let out a little scream and jumped away from the other boy. "Holy shit man! What the fuck!?" He kicked at the air and turned away, trying to compose himself "Where are my clot..." he stopped, "Oh yeah...how the? What the fuck?!!" he yelled again, turning away so as to not see Duke and Duke not see him.

Kyle had to admit though, he liked the new him. Whatever this scary monster deal was it made him...buff; bigger in...well, every way. He blushed, feeling weird about looking over his own body with admiration. It was like it didn't belong to him it was so new, reminiscent of ogling a stranger. He had more body hair but not too much, bigger muscles but nothing like Duke, hell he could see the faint outlines of abs! Hesitantly though Kyle ran a hand down his right thigh. Both legs were muscled and good as new, all the feeding must have stayed with him, a Werewolf's ability to instantly assimilate what it consumed was amazing...

But he was still...yes. As much as Kyle tried to pretend it wasn't there he could feel the monster inside. It wasn't an annoying presence, just a note in the back of his mind, something extra he wasn't yet used to. Kyle tried to think calmly. The first thought was that it would eventually become like white noise, Kyle could easily live on with it.

Then his thoughts got more and more irrational and panicked; slowly but surely. He would have to leave. He would have to be with other people; fellow monsters that he did not know. He had a hard time making friends he was around and could have related too for years, uprooting himself would be tragic, even if there would be little difference. All of the good things he had ever known were in Sweeton...hell; his dad's body was in Sweeton. He would be like Duke and his family, never settling ever again. He would have to eat. He would want to eat people. He would be a killer, and he would like it...deep down, that little note in the back of his head would like it.

Duke stifled a laugh as it was not the time to joke about Kyle's new self-love. "Kyle its okay, we'll think of something." Yeah that was good...a cover all for all worries. 'We'll think of a plan' that was good.

"Duke, what will you think of!?" Kyle burst without meaning too, "Sorry...but I can't go back...what if I hurt someone?" He didn't give Duke time to answer, "I have to stay with you now...and I don't know what to think about it or...well, us anymore," he admitted. "Duke I like you a lot and I don't even know where those feelings honestly came up from but...you make me feel like it's all okay and I like that. We are good friends but I don't know what to think of us now that...I can't judge you as a monster cause I'm worse now...but it is your fault but at the same time it isn't and I don't know what to..."

Duke couldn't help himself, he walked over to his incredibly panicked friend, the one that meant more to him than anything or anyone else before and gave him a big solid hug, stark naked, in the woods. "We will sort this out." He repeated in a hushed but solid voice. He wanted Kyle to feel safe more than anything and Duke needed to reassure him he was. Pulling away for a moment to see Kyle's face flushing a deeper shade of red then Duke thought possible. "I'm here for you through it all no matter how much you want me gone. I'm not leaving you now Kyle and I never will."

The boy shoved away and honestly that hurt Duke a little. "Duke stop...It's not alright, okay? Stop saying it's all going to be okay!"

This was it. Duke surrendered, he knew Kyle was lost to him and it was all over for 'them'. He sighed and relished the feeling of Kyle's body, the feeling of flesh, the scent, the way his hair moved as it approached him...the way his lips looked...puckered up? Duke's eyes went wide as he now relished the taste of Kyle's mouth on his...The feeling of a tongue hesitantly pressing into his. The feeling of a hand running up his front to his chest.

These were nice things to remember and relish.

Kyle pulled away, a look of shock at his own action probably mirroring Duke's own. In a flash Kyle punched the larger boy straight in the chest, his new strength actually making Duke recoil a bit. "You asshole..." Kyle breathed and kissed Duke again. "I love you but I can't stand you right now." He punched him again, this time while kissing he broke into tears.

Duke pulled back this time. As much as he loved Kyle's kisses he knew better than to exploit him when he was hurt. "Please don't cry," Duke breathed and held his human...his Mate, close.

Kyle sniffled and weakly tried to fight the hug, probably more for his inner self than his actual feelings. "I don't know what else to do..."

"Hey there boys!" Duke's uncle called from across the clearing, fully human and naked himself. Kyle retreated and hid behind Duke to block his body from view, his tears quickly wiped from his face. Duke huffed and glared at his uncle's obnoxious entrance. "Seems Kyle's all good now right?"

"You know damn well he is!" Duke shouted in frustration, but he saw the sets of clothes he was carrying and the duffle bag over his shoulder. Kyle needed to get dressed and the three of them needed to hit the road, being a wolf the entire time would not have helped Kyle stay in control. "You got a car?"

"Yup, I even know where your parents are." He beamed, walking over and tossing the pile of clothes at them. "The council will have tracked them and moved them to the nearest base, a town called Luna a few days drive from here." He winked at Kyle who blushed some more, "They'll wanna see you two and there will be plenty of time for you two to get more... acquainted once we are there, but seriously don't be doing anything funny in my car you hear?"

Kyle actually closed his eyes and simply nodded he was so embarrassed. "Yes sir..."

"Whatever," Duke pouted and kissed Kyle's nose again, taking his time to unwrap his arm from around his Mate's shoulder. It was going to be a long drive and they had a lot to do. Though with all his pent up hormones it would be a miracle if his balls didn't burst by the time they arrived. Three days of Kyle's scent would kill him slowly.

Though again, in retrospect, it was fantastic they could even get Kyle into a car so early. How Kyle could still be so accepting was beyond him and Duke wasn't going to push his luck. Kyle might seem to be in a bad state, but it could have been infinitely worse. Hell, Duke had actually prepared for a long chase in order to stop some sort of rampage in Sweeton.

Duke grinned and knew he could wait for Kyle if Kyle didn't want to do anything by his uncle. He had his Mate and it was more than could have ever asked for. The three got dressed quickly and headed back to town through the woods.

Kyle wasn't sure where he was going, but if it could help him in any way he was willing. He wanted control of this thing and he wanted Duke. He would come back to see his family one day when he could, but first thing was first he had to be sure he wouldn't slaughter them. Secondly he would have to really think about this sudden love for Duke. For the longest time Kyle liked Duke as a friend, how it had somehow helped him some out was something Kyle wanted to work out in his head. It seemed like forever ago, but he had been kissing 'the' Alice Stone not even a month ago and now he wanted Duke?

As always though, there was another matter to attend to that topped the list. Despite all the treachery and the rejection Kyle still loved his mother. She was still his charge and responsibility since his dad had died. Kyle managed yet another tear recalling his Dad's last words in the hospital.

"You're the man of the house now Kyle. I know for a fact you're already a great man and will protect my treasures. You watch out for your mother okay? She's strong but she can only take so much...tell her I'm sorry. Tell her it'll be okay...and make sure you keep yourself safe too Kyle. Don't take shit from nobody you here? You're too good for that."

Kyle had been silent and tearless the entire time. After that he couldn't be weak again.

"Doctor...I can't leave my mother here with that man," Kyle managed, a bit more confident under his new clothes.

Dr. Silas stopped and thought hard in the middle of the woods. "We have to go, you can't stay here but I can leave her protection. One of the wolves at the hospital working under me could move in next door. I don't actually anticipate a departure lasting longer than a few weeks so it would be a temporary fix anyway. Would that help?"

Kyle made a confused face, "What is it?" Duke asked.

"I'm about to agree to ask a werewolf to move in as a neighbour to protect my mom..." Kyle stated plainly, mind still getting used to the utter insanity of it all.

The other two laughed a bit, "Yeah but it'll be okay. You can come back and make it more personal later and plan out something long term."

"I have to see Quinn before I go too."

"Out of the question, you still aren't in full control." Tom stated simply but with force.

Kyle whimpered, or at least did the human equivalent, "I have to talk to her somehow."

~~~~~

Quinn lay in her bed, eyes red with past tears and mind racing. It had been one hell of a day. Police had been everywhere and there was so much yelling and questioning. Half of the Sweeton athletes had been found unconscious or staggering panicked from the woods. Drugs were originally to blame, but no one's blood came back positive with anything even remotely trippy. Steroids aside in three cases they were all clean. Most raved of a monster or a darkness that talked to them, one claimed he saw Kyle, but he was walking upright.

Reports then showed that a boy from halfway across the country was found in the woods where the delusional athletes were found; his head completely smashed in, but no rock or weapon was reported on site.

Kyle was nowhere to be found and Quinn had sat through at least three hours at the police station, the entire force a mess. Two cars had also been stolen. After the questioning with Quinn, Kyle's mom and stepdad, Finn, and Alice they were released. One Doctor from Kyle's hospital was not answering his summons and was also nowhere to be seen. Disturbingly neither was Duke.

Quinn had tried to take a house call to the weirdo but the police were already on that. Duke was on the list of those called for questioning on Kyle's disappearance as well. The house the Greys were supposed to have been still living at was completely abandoned, empty and without clues.

The next stop was Kyle's home for one last look, Quinn was met with Scott raging about Kyle stealing things and leaving; how he was a no good son of a bitch. Kyle's mom was in pieces as usual and Quinn had tried to console her before Scott kicked her out. His own friends were to be over soon and his wife had not yet made any food for them.

Quinn squished her eyes shut and tried to make sense of it all. Frustrated she buried her face in her pillow and tried to sleep. Under her soft pillow her hand met unusual roughness, a piece that really was not meant to be there. As anyone would she lifted her pillow to inspect and found a single sheet of paper, her name written in large sloppy handwriting that could only be Kyle's.

She quickly opened the note and read as fast as she could.

'Dear Quinn,

It's me Kyle, I'm writing this too you as a heads up. Don't worry I'm not dead, but I wanted you to have something more than a text to have to remember this is real. I have run away with Duke. I do not know exactly when I will return but if I can I will make it soon and I will write to you. You do not have to feel responsible for me or my mom, you can live freely, I already have someone on the case about Scott. I have not gone crazy but I have...well, I don't really know how to tell you why I left. In addition to that reason would be that...well, I'm gay apparently. I really like Duke and I can't wrap my head around it all. If I can I will share more later as I'm sure you will LOVE that. Please don't worry about me. I plan to return to you on two legs so prepare for that also...it's a long story involving a doctor who cares a lot. I'll make this sound better later I swear I am just in a rush as I am writing this. I'll see you soon Quinn. Thank you for everything up until this point and later when we meet again, I'm sure I'll owe you then too. As always,

Peace out,

Kyle.'

Quinn had to re-read the incredibly informal letter again. After the third read she found herself sitting at her window gazing out at the blackening sky of the late fall, breath taken. She felt a great weight lifted from her shoulders, happiness and relief for a friend, and a bit of pride. "What do yah know?" she spoke out loud, "The lucky SOB got outta here first." She raised an invisible glass to her friend, "Cheers and good luck, you ballsy nut." She had so much to ask him, but no way to ask. Quinn knew better than to worry about the unchangeable.

She walked across her room to her desk and set her hand on the bottom drawer. She always got chill around it. She carefully opened the fairly large drawer and was met with a small case hardly filling it. The black case dully shimmered up at her, almost mockingly. Quinn gulped and plucked it out, replacing it with the letter. She had to be done with this...She had to be strong for Kyle and herself...

Quickly she made a quick walk to the back yard. As a kid she recalled never being able to play in it as it dropped quite a ways down into the woods on this side. She had long since been warned of such, but she knew no one climbed down. She knew secrets could be buried there to die. She tried to breathe calmly as she brought her arm back and chucked the case down the mini mount. Quinn closed her eyes and listened to the sound of fine steel razors clanging against the stones...