My Life is Super Issue 2: Lance-a-lot

Okay, so this is the first time I've done this but... here goes.

My name is Lance Hale.

I'm a super.

That is to say, that in the thirty-first century Earth, I have a full complement of superpowers. Enhanced regeneration, unnatural speed, supernatural strength, immense endurance and currently, one unique superpower. That superpower, as it stands, is the ability to transform into a ten foot wolf with four arms, 500 pounds of pure muscle and grow an extra cock.

Sorry, sorry... that's probably a bit of TMI for the first minute of my little story.

But it's true and I better get everything out of the way now. You know, before things get weird. Well... weird­-er.

So here goes.

I'm a super and I only discovered this recently. Normally, supers come to their powers during puberty mostly because the high-stress of the situation and rapid hormone growth causes the change. But people can come to their powers any time in their life. Me? It was when I was twenty-one and getting fucked by my little brother.

It's okay though! He's not my biological brother. Caleb was adopted into our family under his own bizarre circumstances. I guess you could say the Hales aren't very normal. Especially since my dad is actually a well-known super himself and the founder of the local superhero group, the Elemental Alliance.

Needless to say there were a lot of questions being thrown around when my twin brother, Leon, and older sister, Abigail, found me naked, covered in cum and mutated into what my dad called a 'super-wolf'. Oh and I was in Caleb's room and he was naked too.

I didn't get much time to explain that situation because I was too busy adapting to my new environment. Awakening as a super is like... like having every sense in your body multiplied by a thousand. Everything looked so much sharper to the point that it almost burned my retinas. I could make out every strand of fur on my dad's proud features. The scents in the air were much clearer and being a wolf, that's saying something. My skin prickled constantly, I could hear everyone's breathing and their heartbeats even from where I sat and you know that feeling of when you smell something and sort of taste it in your mouth? Yeah, I had that bad.

My dad practically dragged me out of the house and straight into the family van, telling the rest of the family that he'll call as soon as he could. I winced when he had to pull down the rear seats just so I could have room to fit into the van.

When he started driving, he began training me immediately.

"Lance, I know what it's like. You can see things, hear things and even _feel_things that you couldn't normally see, hear or feel. Hell, when I awoke, I heard my parents arguing about how they already thought I was a super and my own father screamed at my mother because he would not have a 'filthy supernatural' under his roof."

I knew that my dad had run away from home when he was in high school. Went down to Australia of all places but what happened there, I wasn't sure. When he came back, he was pretty successful as a 'journalist' and never spoke to Grandma and Grandpa every again. Even on my dad's wedding day and when the kids were born, he didn't speak to them. I never knew them, not really. The only grandparents I really knew were on my mom's side. I guess he ran away from home because he was awakening.

"It's a shock, I know," David Hale - my dad - continued. "But you've got to learn to reel it in. It will take time. But the Alliance will train you."

"The Alliance?" I echoed. "You're taking me there?"

He flashed me a toothy grin. "Of course, son! You're a superhero now!"

I had been to the Elemental Tower many times before on dozens of occasions normally for school field trips or when my dad was feeling particularly proud of the Alliance and would take us there. This time, though, it was different. I was taken to the special 'supers only' entrance and ushered into some big, white room where dozens of other individuals came rushing at me with probes, brushes and pointy objects.

I was tested and cleaned up that night. I was put in some bizarre machine that scanned my superpowers and somehow they identified that I could change my shape and that my fur became like metal filaments, effectively giving me a flexible suit of armour. My super strength was also greater than the average super. My dad seemed really impressed when I pumped two tonnes with little difficulty on the bench press.

I was given a white spandex suit customised for my build and when morning came, I was ushered into the mess hall. I didn't even get to sleep but then again, I was pumped with energy like I could run ten miles and just come out sweating.

At the mess hall... Well, I guess you could call it like a school. I remembered reading about some sort of historical series of children's books where a downtrodden kid realised he was a wizard of all things and joined a magical school with four houses, general hijinks and some sort of dark lord. I don't really remember the content. I just spent most of the time changing every instance of the word 'wand' to 'wang' and giggling. It got funnier when 'silver stuff' came out of a 'wang'.

Anyway, the Alliance mess hall was pretty much like that school. Four long tables were set for the four 'houses', each one under the guidance of four of the six founding members. Air Raider ruled over the swift Gale House which was yellow. Quake looked over the stoic Geo House which proudly bore green. Blizzard watched over the chilly and blue Artic House while Hocus presided over the fiery Pyre House, naturally red.

Now before you say anything, there is nothing about 'house competitions', no stupid points systems and definitely no sort of 'house identity' where everyone who goes into a particular house are destined to be a certain type of person. This was just how people were sorted so that classes, schedules and sleeping arrangements could be allocated properly. I was assigned to the Artic House because they had room.

My dad sat me down on one of the tables. Everyone was silent and watched us.

"Eat up, son," my dad said, patting my shoulder proudly. "You've got a big day ahead of you!"

Then he was gone and I was thrown to the figurative wolves. I would soon learn quickly that the thing about training supers is that it's all about 'freedom within boundaries'. You learn at your own pace with minimal guidance and you were allowed to do whatever you wanted as long as it was within certain levels of morality. Of course, within those boundaries are those wolves. And these wolves instantly pounced the moment Feral Steel had left. Suddenly, everyone was crowding around me, asking me questions and feeling me up unashamedly.

I was overwhelmed by it all and with my super-sensitive hearing, I could barely take it. I would've smashed them all away with an arm if it weren't for Bosch Bertrend.

"Hey, leave the guy alone," shouted the tall, powerfully built reptile.

He was of draconic descent but true dragons - AKA wings, fire breath and what not - were extinct, wiped out as they were too stubborn to leave their home dimension when the furs came to Earth. Bosch, like other modern dragons, had the scales, clawed feet and hands and tail but didn't have the wings. He had horns and the general facial features of a dragon but I heard that draconics had a sheath and balls instead of the slit like true dragons. Something to do with the adaptability of the eggs and the dimensional resonance when they crossed over to this world.

Bosch grinned broadly. "Can't you tell he's freshly awoken? Look at him. He's freaked out. I bet everything is a thousand times louder, ain't it...?"

"Lance..." I rumbled back, grateful for the silence but even Bosch's words were too loud for me.

"Lance." Bosch held out his clawed hand. "Name's Bosch. Bosch Bertrend."

I smiled, grateful for the gesture but I really should've known better to trust a guy who was flanked by muscular possies. I was one of those guys in high school and back at home. I took his hand without thinking and then he gave me a hard yank. I tumbled off the bench and slammed hard into the ground. The ringing in my ears was like someone had slammed a gong in my skull. The laughter was the hot pokers that followed afterwards.

"First rule of the Alliance, newbie," laughed Bosch, "heritage don't mean squat! You're Feral Steel's son but that doesn't make you as strong as him! Get used to licking my feet 'cuz that's where you're going to stay."

For emphasis, he shoved his bare foot into my muzzle, cutting my lip with his claws. I gasped and he just laughed, turning away. The rest of the school laughed with him.

So began my life at the bottom rung. It was... humbling, I guess.

As I sat back down and touched my lip, I was surprised that it had already healed and all that was left were the few traces of blood that the cut had left behind. I also had a new appreciation of my little brother. Caleb was the runt of the litter, adopted and small to start off with. Recently, he really grew into a strong, handsome young man. Me... Well, no matter what happened, I always had Leon by my side. Cale had to go through life, puberty and the Hale family alone.

Now I had a renewed appreciation of just how much of a fighter he really is.

My attention was taken away from my own musing when a strange scent came upon me. It was... weird. Exotic. Sort of... sandy with a hint of pepper and just that perfect mix of musk that told me this was a male.

When I turned, my eyebrows shot up.

"Eh, don't mind Bosch, mate," Cory said.

Oh yeah, the roo's name is Cory. Shit, I didn't mention he's a kangaroo right from Australia, did I? Crap! I'm no good at this first person thing... Okay... Ahem...

Well, what I said next was no less... elegant.

"Holy shit! You're Australian!?"

Cory grinned broadly and hiked a thumb at his chiselled chest. "Born an' true, mate!" He held out his paw. "Name's Cory Packard! Pleased ta meetcha!"

I was wary to shake his paw after what I had experienced with Bosch but, as I would quickly learn, Cory doesn't have a very good concept of personal space. As I lifted up my paw and he helped me up he quickly brushed me off, disregarding the fact that we had only just met and he was now essentially feeling me up. From that day on, I knew Cory would be my best friend both in and out of the Alliance.

"So," Cory said, standing back and admiring me for a few seconds. "I'm guessing four-armed muscle man is your power?"

"I guess so," I answered, absently shovelling some of the breakfast onto a new plate. "Apparently, my fur is like armour too." I flicked my ears at him curiously. "What's yours?"

Right before my eyes, Cory's left paw turned into a swirl of sand that easily picked up a bagel and deposited it back onto his plate. "Sand control. Real useful in th' outback but up 'ere... Eh. Still, ah 'eard th' Alliance is th' best place for people with elemental powers so 'ere ah am!"

I nodded numbly. Some of the other superhero groups did indeed have their specialisations while others just took in who they could. I know the supers down at Washington came together to become the Brigade and were all ex-military individuals who had undergone some sort of experimentation and became supers. That was their thing. Up in New York, the Arm was all about supers who gained their power from equipment like magic rings, enchanted swords or whatever else. Here in the Alliance, it was all about controlling some force of nature naturally... well, you know.

I wasn't sure how I'd fit in here except for the fact that I'm one of the founder's son.

"Well, welcome ta th' Alliance, mate! Ya'll 'ave a great taime!"

Needless to say he was being optimistic.

It was like high school all over again but this time, with superpowers. Being Feral Steel's son meant that I had a big target planted on my back and _everyone_was eager to prove to me that heritage did _not_mean everything.

Just like that book.

What was it...?

Barry Trotter?

Kerry Hopper?

...

Cherry Popper? Nah...

When I walked the pristine, white halls of the Alliance from class to class, other students would unleash their powers on me. I learned to keep away from the lockers because those with telekinetic powers would suddenly open them at me and slam them against me. Water fountains were also a no-go because those with water control would splash me. Worse was if they were coupled with ice-controlling people and they'd freeze me. Those with fire powers weren't helpful either and didn't stop when I screamed 'stop, your burning my fur!'

All through it though, Cory was a big help. He was a jovial kind of guy, always grinning and eager to help. I was surprised that his sand control had sort of... shamanistic origins and he could use it to actually heal people. I think he said it had something to do with the Aboriginal Dreamtime or something.

Classes were also different. Instead of focusing on things like math, science and English, we were taught superhero history, dimensional physics and morality. The Alliance wanted to train its supers to be right and upstanding citizens because though it looked like there were a lot of us in the one place, when compared to the vast universe and the equally vast multiverse, we were a minority. Plus there was no guarantee we'd all turn out good.

I learned this more than ever at PE. I used to love Physical Education. It was where Leon and I excelled. We were big, buff wolves that were in three varsity teams. We were popular, had all the girls swooning over us and got a lot of tail. But in Alliance school... well... Let's just say anything goes.

First up we were all asked to demonstrate our powers, a sort of daily gauge of our powers and what we had learned the previous day. I quickly learned that Bosch's ability was wind-based. He whipped up a storm in front of him and I saw Cory look visibly irked. I imagined that his level of sand control couldn't hold up against Bosch's abilities. Since I was freshly awakened, I didn't have to demonstrate anything... yet.

After that, we were paired up to do some basic power-on-power sparring, being encouraged to fight different people every time we came to class.

Still being somewhat new, I decided to face off against Cory. It was about halfway through when a blade of wind came shooting out from somewhere and collided with me. I never knew wind could be so sharp but I definitely felt the deep gash against my chest.

"Dick move, Bosch!" Cory shouted, kneeling in front of me and letting his powers accelerate my healing.

"If he can't take the heat, stay out of the fire!" laughed the dragon and he went back to sparring with his own partner.

"What is his problem!?" I growled, rising to my feet, all too eager to smash the dragon's head in.

"No one knows," Cory responded, squarely putting himself between me and Bosch. "But ev'ry school 'as its bully, mate. Jus' don't let him get ta ya."

Of course, that didn't end Bosch's torment. Fifteen minutes later, I felt another blade of wind cut through my back. I didn't fall this time and just growled back at him. Cory healed me again.

It was the third time that something interesting happened.

Cory's eyes widened and he shouted, "Look out!"

I spun in time to see the wind blade rushing towards me. I was halfway to crossing my arms when a black figure appeared in front of me. This black wolf swiped his paw through the air and the blade of wind just dissipated. Like the other students, he was wearing the generic white of an Alliance trainee but it stood stark against his jet-black fur.

"Bosch," growled the wolf, "how about you spar with me?"

Bosch's eyes gleamed. "Oh, the mighty Arcturus decides to grace us with his presence?" The dragon gave a mocking bow to the wolf. "I'll be glad to throw his highness on his ass."

"Fantasising of my rear already, Bosch?" countered the wolf. "That explains _so_much."

Like a powder keg, Bosch suddenly exploded and rushed at the wolf with a deafening roar. A massive gale erupted from the dragon and he rushed straight at this 'Arcturus', catching the attention of everyone and the instructors. Before anyone could interfere, Arcturus was suddenly in front of Bosch and slammed his paw against the dragon's throat. Bosch was lifted off the ground by an entire foot, the gale around him vanished instantly.

"Learn your place, maggot," growled the black wolf and then he threw Bosch to the ground. With a huff, the black wolf turned, gave me a brief glance before heading to the edge of the gym. There, he leaned casually against the wall, arms folded.

I was in awe. "Who is that guy?" I asked.

"Arcturus Bellmont," Cory responded. "Royalty apparently. High enough that he is excused from stuff like this." Cory waved a paw around us, indicating class of supers throwing their powers at one another. "He has enhanced everythingand his powers nullify others' powers. Basically, against other supers, he's the perfect weapon."

Colour me impressed. If Arcturus could maintain his superpowers around other supers, then he would make one hell of a villain. Hell, just the way he held himself screamed villain. I made a note to be careful around him.

My last surprise of the day came when I was finally assigned my room. Well, not so much as assigned as... well...

Let's just say that bunks in the Alliance were not assigned. You just slept wherever and with whoever you wanted. I don't mean that sexually. You get to pick your roommates. Never before was it made more evident that there are so few supers around than when I strode through the dormitories and noted just how many empty rooms there were.

Later on, I would learn that the Tower once housed a great number of supers and would-be supers but as is the case with a rapidly expanding world, those supers moved on, founded their own leagues or just drifted off to god knows were. It is a vast multiverse, after all, and we fill such a small part of it.

It left me really scared. I felt so insignificant and puny like if I stepped out of the Tower, I would get lost. I guess that's one of the reasons that I stuck to Cory all the way to his place. I was a little surprised that he had the room all to himself. I would learn later that it was his liberal interpretation of the term 'personal space'.

"Ya gunna bunk with me, mate?" the roo asked.

I shrugged and with no better place to be, I agreed. The rooms were fairly bland. Regulation PCs and beds made the room look very Spartan and boring. Cory had decorated the space around his room with pictures of Australia and his family which consisted of just himself, his mother and his father.

"Do you miss your parents?" I asked, already missing my family. I was disappointed that my dad hadn't come to see me. I wanted him to explain what was going on and how he could possibly be Feral Steel. I wanted to ask how Caleb and the rest of my family was.

"Ev'ry day, mate," Cory said. "But I've just been here for a few months and I get to see them every weekend thanks to th' portal tech. I'm never far from them."

My first instincts was to instantly take one of those and go back home. I was actually halfway out the door when my dad caught sight of me from the hallway and called out my name. His strong arm wrapped around my shoulders and pulled me back into the room, grinning broadly.

"So, how was your first day, son?" he asked.

I didn't know how to answer that. It was definitely a new experience and one I had never really given much thought to being a super. I mean, it had only been a few days ago that I had been exposed to Caleb's secret as an Outsider and less than twenty four hours ago, I learned that my dad was Feral Steel! Direction was never really my strong suit. I usually just followed Leon but now that I was on a different path to him... well...

I found myself lost and slowly drifting back to my comfort zone which was my family. I missed them all. Especially Caleb.

"I miss everyone," I admitted. "Any chance we can...?"

My dad shook his head sadly. "Sorry son. As much as I miss them, you're not stable enough."

"Stable enough!?" I protested.

"You're a super now," he said in even tones. "You're stronger than the average fur or human. Hell, you're even stronger than the average super! If you so much as hug your mother the wrong way, you'll crush her spine. That's why I wanted to get you out of there as fast as possible. Freshly awakened supers are prone to 'accidents' and it just one accident that could turn a super from a hero to a villain."

God, this sounded like that fucked up vampire romance story where the bloodsuckers sparkled and newly made vampires were stronger than established ones. That's just bullshit. Everyone knows vampires grow stronger as they get older. I mean, in that world, Dracula would be piss weak and everyone _knows_he's one of the most powerful supers in eastern Europe.

"You get to go back once you learn to control yourself," he said.

"But... won't that take months?" I was thinking about Cory and how he had been here for months training his powers.

"For locals, no. I've already made the arrangements." He shook my shoulder affectionately, simply beaming with pride. "You'll be like a few other supers under the Alliance. Living a normal life and training in the Alliance as an extracurricular activity. Oh and you'll be coming on patrol with me too! Sort of like work experience. Isn't that great!?"

I wasn't sure what to say. I was glad my dad was looking out for me but I just realised I was effectively juggling my normal life with my knowledge of Caleb as an Outsider and my superhero life.

Crap.

I just managed a shaky grin and gave a confirming sound that must've sounded like a frog dying. My dad patted my shoulder, told me to get some sleep and had a small chat with Cory. When he left, I slumped onto my bed. The bed groaned beneath my incredible weight. Ordinarily, I would be freaked out but Cory reassured me that these beds were very sturdy. He made a joke about how teenage supers had their 'fun' in these dorms and the Alliance learned quickly to make these rooms as durable as possible. Comforted somewhat, I lay back but my back-arms were a little uncomfortable to sleep on. I had to shift to my belly to sleep.

Not that I got that much sleep.

I was stressed and worried about the future. I mean, really, I was just a freshman in college doing a personal training course. Really, I never thought much of my future beyond the next week but suddenly, I had this thrust onto me.

What did the future hold?

And where will I be?

*****

I guess this is the time I would go about my life day but day but after the first few days, it becomes somewhat routine. Every morning, there was breakfast with the occasional torment from Bosch and his cronies. This was followed by classes which revolved around superhero ethics, superhero physics and superhero-something-or-another. Lunch came after which was followed by our sparring sessions and then an hour or two at the gym. Lastly, at night, there was free time for students to do with whatever they pleased. Dad had me using this time to work with him personally to control my strength and powers.

Apparently, I'm not the only one that's eager to get back home quickly.

We go through typical morality and superhero stuff in most classes. Although once, one of our teachers actually took us back in time to observe what life was in the past. She showed us Emergence Day, when the furs entered this dimension. Emergence Day came before the creation of supers and people theorise that it was this event that brought the supers. Furs had supers in their own dimension after all and a variety of factors such as exposure and a little bit of interbreeding caused the transition of superpowers to humans.

Anyway, I'm rambling.

I guess I should mention that my dad was fairly proud of me and he admitted to bragging about me to all his superhero buddies. I got the shake the hands and paws of famous Alliance superheroes like Hocus and Shockstorm and Siren. Some were warm to me, others were stand-offish. My dad told me that they would make the official announcement of my joining the Alliance in a few weeks but until then, I couldn't leave the Elemental Tower. After all, I was a four-armed mutant freak.

That disheartened me as I couldn't see my brother anymore. That is, of course, until I logged onto the computer in my dorm and found a messenger service. I managed to get a hold of Caleb after I insisted my dad tell him about my handle back home. We could not video chat unfortunately, something about secret identities. Though I couldn't hear his voice, seeing his words on screen still uplifted my spirits... and reminded me of what I could no longer have.

Not that everything would've been simple.

Of course, after a few days, I got some piece of good news.

Hocus - the resident scientist super - told me that I could actually shift_my forms and I wasn't stuck having four arms and two cocks and trust me, having two dicks isn't as good as it sounds. Going to the bathroom is a _nightmare and it just looks weird standing there with two paws on your junk trying to aim. So began my work to change back into a normal-ish wolf.

My dad helped me and, much to his pride, I actually did change back on my first night after hearing this news. It was just a matter of visualising my lupine self and - Aw fuck it. That's what my biography says and what the media knows but here's the truth: I cheated.

I was desperate to shift back into my normal self and it took three nights of this frustration before I finally decided I had enough of this and I wanted to go back home. Bosch was a pain in my ass, I didn't know anyone, all the established supers were looking at me like they expected me to be the 'next big thing' and every student wanted to try and beat me somehow. Only Cory was really friendly.

So... I cheated.

I approached Arcturus and asked him point blank...

"Can you change me back into a normal wolf?"

He gave me a puzzled stare. "I'm sorry?"

This was right after our sparring class and I had remained behind to talk with Arcturus. He always lingered for some reason. Sometimes, I saw him talking with this other wolf. Black with golden-blonde hair. Actually kind of short. Just about six and a half feet. But he had this strange armour and cape. I think he's a super but I don't know.

"Look," I said, "I need to go back to just being a normal wolf to see my family again. But I haven't figured out how to do that. You can cancel out other super's powers, right? Can you cancel mine?"

He lifted an eyebrow at me, flicking his ears. "Shouldn't you be trying to achieve that on your own? Impatience is rarely rewarded."

I growled at him, trying to keep my 'impatience' subdued. "Look, do you have family?"

"No."

"Well I do. And I miss them like hell. I want to see them. Can you please do something?"

"What's in it for me?"

Of course there was a price. "My dad is Feral Steel and -"

Arcturus held up his paw. "I am not interested in Feral Steel."

I winced. I knew where this was going. This guy wanted to get in with the sexy, four-armed megawolf. It felt like betraying Caleb but... this was all to see him again. I had to do it. "Okay... Here? Now?"

Normally, that would be the time that the misunderstanding would be met by a panicked cry from Arcturus, we'd laugh and then we'd be the best of friends. But Arcturus wasn't that kind of guy. He stared at me with his blue eyes and said, point blank, "Not that."

"Oh... Um... Then what?"

"Let me sleep in your room."

"What? I thought -"

"Don't misunderstand," he answered sharply. "I have no interest in you. Suffice to say that I am trying to avoid detection and my rising prominence is working against my plans. Slumbering in your quarters away from prying eyes and in the company of Feral Steel's son will work to my benefit."

I didn't know what to say to that but I was desperate to go back home. I eagerly accepted and we shook paws on the issue.

Then Arcturus' ability activated.

For me, it felt like being compressed into a really tight box. It was uncomfortable especially since every instinct in my body screamed for me to break out. My extra pair of arms shrank back into my spine and I lost three feet in height. All the muscle that had built up over my body felt like some invisible force was pushing it straight back into my organs and I found it extremely hard to breathe. I guess the worst part was when my extra cock started to vanish. The countering sensation was to get hard and push that particular organ back. I whimpered like a little pup until the transformation was complete.

My spandex suit hung loosely on me until it automatically readjusted itself, always hugging my figure.

"Oh my god!" I cried. "Thank you!"

I didn't even think when I pulled Arcturus into a tight hug.

"Be warned," the wolf said. "My continued presence is what maintains your form. Spend too long away from me, and you will revert."

"No problem! I just need to show my dad that I'm back!"

I thanked him one last time before rushing back down the hallways of the Tower. Every room had a special call button that allowed you to communicate to any other super in the Tower. Calling the established supers was sort of taboo since they were generally very busy but when I reached my room, I had no qualms with calling my dad. Cory was there and was babbling about my change.

It only took a minute for my dad to rush down, seize my shoulders and grin at me broadly.

"This is brilliant!" he exclaimed. "Come on! Let me show you off to the others!"

What would come next was probably_the most_ humiliating moment in my life.

My dad hurried me through the Tower and we took an elevator up to the top where the established supers usually had their meetings. Apparently, I interrupted a meeting they were having about the Gene Stealers. All the way up, I could barely hear my dad spouting his praise for me because I was already starting to feel Arcturus' abilities stare to wane. My stomach was in knots and I could feel every muscle in my body overloading my brain to stretch out the beast that was inside of me. It's like waking up with stiff muscles. You want to stretch and yawn. But I couldn't do that because I knew what it would mean.

I was pushed into a big hallway just as the supers began filing out. Apparently, the meeting had already adjourned.

"Hey guys!" my dad said, pushing me forward proudly. "Guess who just learned to control his form! That's fifty, Jerry!"

I was surprised when Hocus rolled his eyes and reached into the pocket of his uniform.

"He certainly is developing very fast," grunted Siren.

"Yup! Right off his old man!"

When my dad slapped my back... well, that was the trigger. I groaned loudly and fell to my knees. The cries of shock were dulled as my own shout of ecstasy drowned them all out. The unbelievable rush of release, freedom and _growth_was indescribable. My arms bulged and my pecs exploded, tearing right through the spandex. My missing three feet of height came shooting back suddenly and my suit fell to the floor around me, leaving me exposed and naked.

I couldn't stop the change, I didn't want to. I moaned, shamelessly twisting my own nipples as my second pair of arms came shooting out of my back. They instinctively curled towards my crotch where my two cocks rose up to attention. I howled and...

... well...

... I won't beat around the bush.

I jizzed all over the Elemental Alliance.

******

I was surprised that my dad wasn't at all mad at me. I was even more surprised when most of the Alliance didn't mind either. Siren and Shockstorm looked annoyed but they were always like that apparently. One of them told me that those with physical transformations like me tended to either veer towards the extremes of pleasure or pain. For some, it was agony to change but luckily for me, it was pleasurable... well, sort of.

It was crippling pleasure and if I changed out in the battlefield like that, I'd be left exposed, especially since I was in an addled, near catatonic state for the rest of the night and this explanation came twelve hours later.

That was when I realised there were no shortcuts.

Arcturus still bunked with us, a deal is a deal, but I asked him if he could still help me with one aspect of my training. I would find my own way to change back but changing to my super form... well, I had to learn to control that.

From that point on, every night during our free time, Arcturus would change me back and I'd fight the urge to go 'mega wolf' for as long as possible. When I eventually changed back - and I always did - I would try to remain conscious. Arcturus was pretty harsh, though. The first night, I filled the back wall with my cum because Arcturus wouldn't let me experience the blissful, warming slumber of afterglow until I held my form for a good, long thirty minutes.

All the while, Cory watched.

That'll be important later on, trust me.

In class itself, I demonstrated my powers in front of the class by improving my overall strength and control. Sometimes, coach would fire bullets at me and it would bounce off my armour-like fur and only feel like an itch. I had to constantly fight the tendency not to flinch away from the bullets but being a super is all about fighting instinct.

Well into my first week, I was able to hold my 'casual' form for a good long hour before I became restless and had to change and cum badly. Changing back was still an issue and I had to have Arcturus beside me constantly to keep up appearances. Though having Arcturus and Cory beside me all the time did push back the bullying quite a bit. Even Bosch had reeled back the torment.

Of course in gym, that didn't stop him from 'slipping' and sending a blade of wind my way.

On the Thursday of my first week, I finally had enough.

I just felt another wind blade slash my back. This time, there was no bleeding. Increased training apparently increased my resistances and I think Hocus mentioned that my body would continue to grow stronger as time went on. The guy was really nice even if his owl eyes were a little creepy. And that thing he did with his head where he turned it all the way around... Yikes!

Anyway, I had enough of Bosch.

I spun around and called him out.

"Hey! Bretrend! Why don't you come over here and fight me one on one like a real man instead of 'slipping' all the time!?"

My jock nature started to kick in and with that, the homosexual slurs... which is kind of ironic seeing as I am gay.

Bosch grinned at me, peeling away from his sparring partner and striding towards me, cracking his knuckles ominously. "Oooh! So you think you can take me, kid? I'll blow you away!"

"The only blowing you'll be doing is on my cocks, asshole," I growled back. I thrust my pelvis at him and he reeled back, a scowl on his muzzle.

As we approached, Bosch dropped his voice to a low growl and said, "I've been waiting for this since day one, Steel."

It occurred to me at that point that superhero identities were probably a key aspect of this school. Bosch was probably not even his name. Cory had never given his last name either and I had only ever given mine. Even if I said I was 'Lance Hale', people probably wouldn't believe me.

"Going down on me?" I snarled back. "Faggot."

I'm a hypocrite, I know.

One thing about Bosch, he was fast. He was a dragon that could control wind. Of course that meant he was fast. That meant he was faster than the average super. But I was stronger and tougher and I was willing to wager he couldn't take a hit. He darted to my left, his form a blur. A blade of wind slammed into my chest but I barely felt it. All it did was - excuse the pun - knock the wind out of me. He circled me, just a blur while his sharp whips of wind kept striking me from every direction. These weren't his usual snaps either. They were weaker. I would later learn that he needed focus to actually make those flesh-rending gales.

It was all a distraction, though, a tactic to keep me down while his momentum started kicking up a whirlwind around us with me at its centre. I'm not the bookish type, never was, but if I had done my research back then I'd have known this was Bosch's common tactic when dealing with a single super. He'd keep them down, constantly moving to avoid getting hit. At the same time, he'd start generating this tornado that would soon be impenetrable. Once done, he'd just leap back and let the storm rip his victim to shreds.

But he didn't count on my being a ten foot, buff walking tank. I stepped forward and threw an arm into the spinning winds. I felt them tear at my flesh but Bosch was moving too fast to take notice.

WHAM!

Just like that, he collided with my arm and the storm around me stopped. His momentum took him shooting beyond my arm and crashing into a nearby wall. Normally, you'd think people would be concerned or watching in anticipation. I know in high school if a fight broke out, I'd have a crowd around me by now. But with us, some other supers just told us to 'watch it' and went back to their own sparring.

I turned towards Bosch. He was getting up, eyes like daggers. He wiped the blood off his muzzle, typical hero 'I'm gonna get you' gesture.

But then...

... he just straightened and stormed out of the gym...

I... I was stunned. I had expected a prolonged fight. Maybe he really was just a bully at heart. A coward who was all flashy but when faced with a clearly superior opponent, he just turned tail and ran.

Maybe he was like me...

I won't deny it, I'm no saint. I bullied my little brother, the very same little brother I love and had enter me multiple times. All through middle and high school, I was the big, buff jock who always had a gang around him and we picked on smaller, weaker guys because we could or because we were bored. No one ever stood up to us. Authority figures berated me occasionally but that only spurred my rebellious nature more, it was a thrill to defy my dad or teachers.

Wolf Christ, that's the making of a supervillain, isn't it?

Maybe I shouldn't be admitting this...

Anyway, I realised all of this and I guess I sort of felt a bit of empathy towards Bosch. I followed him to the locker rooms and stood by as he hurriedly changed out of his bloodied spandex. I felt nothing as his scaly, ripped form was revealed. He had a lean, athletic form; perfect for a fast super.

"Keep staring, fag," he growled at me.

"What was that?" I demanded. "One blow and suddenly you chicken out? Come on. With all the bullshit you've been giving me, you've got to give me more than that piss weak blowjob."

"Fuck off!"

I slammed a fist into a nearby locker. The entire locker cell bent against my strength. At this point, I didn't even notice because the moment I pulled my fist away, the lockers began bending back to normalcy. "Hey! You and I aren't gonna pull punches here! You started this! Let's finish it!"

"It is finished!" he snapped back.

"What the fuck are you talking about? Was that all you got!?"

"Yes!"

I was about to spit out another insult when my tongue leapt back down my throat, stopping my words dead in their tracks. I pulled back, giving Bosch's back a hard look. His tail was dragging on the ground, highly uncomfortable especially for most furs even scalies like Bosch. His head was ducked and his large, triangular ears were folded downwards, sullenly.

"That's all you've got..." I repeated.

"Do you want me to say it again?" Bosch growled. "I've been here for a whole fucking year and all I can come up with is that fucking_combo! I mean, what the _hell am I supposed to do with wind? I can't call storms. I can't muster up winds to rip chunks of rock from the ground! There's nothing I can do with it!"

He spun and punched the same locker I had. He didn't cause the entire cell to collapse like I did but he still made a very large dent.

"They say supers get stronger with time," he muttered glumly. "Everyone around me is growing stronger and most of my original class has already moved on to other places. Me? I'm stuck here. Still the same after a year."

Remember that slight empathy I mentioned before? Well... it grew now.

I felt the same way. All throughout my life, I was always Leon's sidekick and I never thought I wanted more than that... until I realised that girls never really got me off and that I was fantasising about guys most of the time. I was so scared about what that would mean despite our progressive world that I kept it hidden. Then Caleb shot up and I started having fantasies about him.

I was stuck in the same rut for years... until someone helped me along.

"No one has ever tried to help you?"

"I don't need anyone's help."

"It sounds like you do," I responded calmly.

"Who asked you!?"

"No one but we're superheroes, right? We've got to help those in need."

Bosch whirled around, stormed up to me and jabbed my chest. He actually had to reach up to do it because I was much taller than he was. "Listen to me, fucker, I am not going to beg for help!"

And therein came my solution.

"Okay. But if... say, you were in the same room as Cory, Arcturus and I when we just so happen to be discussing your powers..."

Bosch's lips twisted. "And what makes you the expert on my powers?"

And I was stumped...

Thankfully Cory and Arcturus had followed me.

"Well, ya kud always use 'em with mine, mate," Cory said. "Carry mah sand 'round and we'd make one 'ell of storm, right?"

"Have you ever considered trying to propel yourself with your powers of wind?" asked Arcturus, ever calm. "Coincidentally, have you ever tried sucking the _air_out of someone's lungs and suffocating them?" We all gave Arcturus a horrified stare. The wolf shrugged at us. "A friend of mine had an experience with such a villain. Nasty business."

Bosch snarled at us. "I don't need your charity."

My tail was wagging. "Fine." I turned towards the others, a big grin on my face. "Hey, did you know that Bosch has only got that weak combo up his sleeve? What a putz! I mean if he can make wind blades, why can't he make like, I dunno, a drill of wind? Wouldn't that be more devastating?"

"Hey!" Bosch shouted. "Don't just ignore me."

"Ah hear ya, mate!" laughed Cory, trying really hard not to look at Bosch. "Ah betcha he hasn't even considered usin' thaut speed o' his ta deliver some killer punches!"

"You're pissing me off!"

"His movements are also far too uniform," Arcturus replied. "Far too predictable. If he were to emulate the winds and their unpredictability, he would be far more formidable."

"Shut the fuck up!" Bosch shouted, leaping in between us, eyes flashing.

"Oh," Cory said with a grin. "Hey Bosch."

He snapped his fangs at us... but then lowered his arms, slowly. "Don't you think I haven't heard this from people before? I just... can't do it... I'm not strong enough."

"Thauts why ya got us, bud!" exclaimed Cory, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.

"What makes you any different from those idiots that always go around with me."

"Cuz we ain't scared of ya!"

And from that point on, Bosch would be one of my closest friends.

******

By midway into my second week, we were all making excellent progress. Arcturus was slowly weaning me away from his powers and I could hold my casual form for an entire night before orgasming in the morning much to the annoyance of my three roomies. Bosch always called me a faggot for it but it was all in good fun and Cory used his sand to absorb all the cum and get rid of it. Where, I never could quite tell.

It was also then that I felt my conversations with Caleb online were starting to get a little... ritualistic. I guess you could call that time when you just ran out of things to say. I'd tell him about my day and it'd be pretty amazing and he'd tell me about his. Sadly, we couldn't say anything specific. He was_an Outsider and I _was a super so we weren't technically allowed to tell each other what happened.

He's say something like, "There was a Spider Queen attack today."

And as tempted as I was, I could only say, "That's cool. I'm glad you're safe." And he's just grunt in reply.

I'd tell him, "I learned about the origins on Nightingale." I wanted to tell him that the great, shadowy founder was part of some cult that protected the balance of the world but I couldn't.

Caleb would just tell me how he wished he knew and then we'd fall into awkward silence. It got so bad that we'd have our chat windows open and our headphones in, just listening to each other breathe as we did our own things.

I guess... I guess it was around then that I started realising that we weren't really meant for one another. The thought pained me, a lot, because though I'd eventually go back to his arms... I was afraid of what would happen if we were parted for longer than a few weeks. What if he went to another country to study or got a job in some other state? We were less than twenty kilometres away from each other and it felt like we had already moved on from one another!

Was sex the only thing keeping us together; the forbidden nature of our relationship the spice that kept us so attracted to one another?

I needed to clear my head. I grew more used to my natural abilities and I wandered out into the broad gardens located at the rear of the tower. It was an enormous memorial park dedicated to all those supers that had died. Don't let anyone fool you. Just because supers exist it doesn't mean that they don't age or that they can't die. They're strong but they're mortal just like everyone else. In fact, they're more likely to die than anyone else.

I began to wonder... was this the life for me?

It was a decision between making my dad proud... or being with Caleb. There was no compromise in this. Not only because I couldn't risk Caleb's life... but because Caleb was an Outsider. The more I thought about it, the more I came to the conclusion that if I wanted to be with Caleb, I had to stop being a super... and if I wanted to be a super, I couldn't be with Caleb.

So I began weighing the pros and cons of both sides.

Be with Caleb. Pros: I'm with someone I love. Cons: disappointing my father and potentially having to watch him throw himself at risk against the Gene Stealers over and over again.

Be a super. Pros: make dad proud and protect my family. Cons: don't be with Caleb.

I'm sure I could've thought of many more things with what I know now but at that point, I was quickly coming to the conclusion that... well... I wasn't destined to be with Caleb.

"I know that look."

My keen sense picked up my dad's scent and I turned to find him striding towards me, dressed as Feral Steel but with a fatherly smile on his muzzle. He stopped by my side as we both gazed out of the venerable forest and into the city itself. No one could see us. A cloaking field kept us well hidden. Didn't want spy satellites or other supers to know where the untrained supers had their lunches.

"You're wondering whether or not you want to be a super, eh?" my dad asked.

I was starting to think my dad had some degree of omniscience. Considering the adventures he's been on, I wouldn't be surprised. "Yeah..."

"I want you to know something, Lance," he told me, gripping my paw tightly. I was shocked at the contact. He shook my paw. "I'll be proud of you no matter what. Whether you choose to fight the evils of the world by my side or pretend this never happened, that's entirely up to you. I'm just proud that you've grown into the strong, responsible young man that you are now."

I was speechless. "You won't be disappointed?"

My dad shook his head. "Never."

"But you rushed me out of the house so fast..."

"That's because you could've hurt your family if I didn't get you out of there." He smiled at me. "You're not crushing my paw. I think you're almost ready to go back home. I bet you miss Caleb."

"I do..." I said, my ears folding flat. "And I think he's the only reason I want to go back to just being normal... But that's the problem. He's the only reason."

My dad regarded with a curious look for a moment and then he smiled and said, "I went through the same thing when I met your mother. I wanted to give her the entire world. I love her, Lance. With most of my heart."

"Most?"

He nudged me. "I need room for you kids too, you know." Shaking his head, my dad looked out into the distance. "I fight to protect the world. If your reason to fight is to protect Caleb, then no one will argue. If your reason _not_to fight is to be with Caleb, no one will say a word." His eyes obtained a strange glisten. "The world has enough heroes as it is..."

My dad sighed and let go of my paw. He sniffed and I could've sworn there was a tear on the corner of his eye.

"Whatever your decision, Lance, I'll support you."

And that clinched it for me.

"Dad... I want to be a super. I want to fight by your side."

"What?" He seemed genuinely surprised. "Why?"

"Because..." I began softly. "... Because of Caleb."

"You'll find for your brother?"

I shook my head. "No... I'll fight because of him. I need to protect him... but you're also right. I had to leave that place or I'd hurt him..." I took a deep breath... and let it out slowly. "I think I need to break it off with him."

My dad gripped my shoulders, looking worried. "Lance, please don't do this because of what I said..."

"That's not it dad." I wanted to tell him that Caleb was Weapons Master and that he needed all the backup he needed. If I just played the house wolf while he fought the Gene Stealers, I could never live with myself. I needed to be out there, fighting alongside both my dad and Caleb. But I couldn't be his lover at the same time. Not when I'd effectively be odds at him... no matter how hot that'd be.

"Then what is it?" he asked.

"Because I don't want to hurt him."

And I left it at that. I think my dad understood and he dropped the topic. We stood on the edge of the garden, watching West California Island slowly fall into a blissful slumber.

I couldn't help but wonder what Caleb was doing...

******

I had to promise Caleb that I'd be back in a week and then I broke off contact with him. Not intentionally. I'm too much of a coward to tell him that I was breaking up with him. Besides, it wasn't right to do it online. Though I guess radio silence wasn't much better.

I felt rotten but as the days passed, I came to no longer rely on Arcturus' abilities to keep me normal. It was still a little hard to maintain my shape when I was aroused but I knew I could manage. Changing back was tiring. It was like cramming myself into a really small, tight box. But, after the first time I managed to change back, the guys and I went off and had a few beers in the garden.

Where the beers came from, Arcturus would not say.

The thing about being a super is that alcohol tends to be absorbed rather quickly. That meant we got sloshed really quickly but we'd come out of it almost as quickly. There was a slew of beer cans around us by the time I realised that Arcturus wasn't drinking.

"Aren't you gonna drink?" I asked.

The wolf shook his head. "No."

Bosch snorted. "What's wrong? Is his highness used to finer wines?"

"Has it ever occurred to you that you've never seen me eat?" countered the strange wolf. "Or drink?"

Our faces fell. We had never seen him eat. Hell, we all usually slept first and Arcturus usually had a small lamplight next to his bed that he'd use to read.

"You know... Ah've nevah seen ya do anyth'n normal," Cory said, regarding Arcturus suspiciously. "What are you?"

"He's a vampire!" Bosch screamed, extremely drunk at this stage. "He's feasting on our blood while we're asleep!"

"Don't be stupid," I growled. "Wolves can't be vampires!" I'm pretty sure I was wasted at that point because I can't remember where this conversation went but I know it ended with me saying, "Banana Cream Waffles!" and the rest of us bursting into laughter. Arcturus even joined in though it sounded contrived.

We were coming out of our third drunken stupor at that point so it was time for some more semi-sober philosophising. Our first round involved kangaroo genitalia and why Cory had his balls hanging underneath his sheath while feral roos had it the other way around. He took off his pants to give us a demonstration on how much more practical it was to have his big sack hanging beneath him instead of resting on his flaccid cock. Arcturus ended the discussion by simply stating that feral kangaroos had their balls on top of their sheath to protect their junk better. Furs didn't need that. Still, Cory kept his pants off by the time we got to our second round when Bosch wondered aloud what the ancient dragons were like. Arcturus had some insight on again that, describing them as proud, noble and strong but extremely stubborn. They were rulers by nature but not conceited or hoarders like the human fairy tales would have us believe. They were good, strong people... and were wiped off the face of the world as they covered the furs' escape from their dying world.

And now... it was time for round three...

"Where do you think we'll go after we die?" I asked. "I mean we're not exactly normal, right? Do we just go to furry heaven or something? Or as supers do we go somewhere else special?"

Again, Arcturus had the answer. "All furs are subject to the judgement of the God of Life, Shi-Lazar. This God has two loyal servants, the Hounds of Death and Destruction. One destroys and the other collects souls wrought from the destruction and brings them to the God for judgment. Those souls deemed to be honourable and good are allowed to pass into paradise. Unworthy souls are cast into a pool for resurrection. Those so vile that they cannot be allowed to be reincarnated are fed to the Hound of Death."

We stared at him for a long time.

"Or so I've heard," Arcturus added. "Of course, there's always Jesus, Buddha and the other human deities. If they want to lay claim to a soul, they can do so. How the gods decide where the soul goes is up to debate. I'm thinking jacks. Or tick tack toe."

"What if more than one god wants a soul?"

Arcturus shrugged. "A tournament. Or maybe they play poker."

I laughed and dipped my head back, pouring more beer down my muzzle. "You're so full of shit."

"There's also them."

"Who?" Bosch asked.

Arcturus smirked. "Let's just call them consultants. I hear that if a god has no idea what to do with a soul or if they're stuck in a stalemate, they can be called on to help decide."

"You sound like you've met them."

The mysterious wolf shrugged and stretched. "Well... I'm tired. I shall see you on the morrow. Good night." He turned and left.

The moment he was out of earshot range, we all laughed.

"I'll see you on the morrow," mocked Bosch. "Who the fuck talks like that?"

I nudged him lightly. "Come on. Be nice. He brought us beer."

"Yeah, yeah." Bosch looked sullenly at the can in his hands. "Hey, you're leaving in a few days, right?"

"Yeah. Heading back home. Back to college, back to my boring old life but spending all my extra time back here, training and seeing you guys."

The dragon nodded. "One day, I'm going to leave too. Someday, I'll grow strong enough to be my own hero and when that day comes, I'm gonna count on you two to be my wingmen."

"We gunna make our own alliance?" Cory asked, a big grin on his muzzle.

"Hey, why not, right? We'll open our doors to everyone. Not just supers either. Outsiders too. Fuck, you know what would be fucking awesome? If we actually trained normal people. Half the shit we know here could really benefit the public! I mean, if we armed people, gave them the tools to defend themselves, less people would die because of supervillain attacks!"

I smiled at Bosch's idealism. "There's a reason why the supers keep that tech to themselves, you know. If people got the same powers as supers, then that would just give them bigger guns to hurt each other with. We need the strength to keep them from hurting themselves."

"Are ya gunna take yer dad's side on th' whole Outsider thing too?" Cory asked.

Good question.

But I already knew my answer.

"No. The Outsiders just want to help. We should let them."

"Tell that to your dad," Bosch said, taking another swing of his beer. He realised he was empty and tossed the can aside. "Okay, how about this? We open an alliance that accepts both Outsiders and supers. Do a whole buddy program! One Outsider per super!"

I remember grinning at that. It wasn't actually a bad idea and its one I still carry to this day. "You're drunk," I accused.

"It makes fucking sense!" Bosch exclaimed. "We should be fighting side by side not competing against one another over which villain we get to cream!" He stood up, drunkenly swaying. "Promise me, guys. We're gonna open make an alliance where we accept everyone that's gifted. No exceptions. Promise me!"

Whether it was because I was drunk or not... Well, I just had to stand up and hold my paw out, palm down.

"We'll accept everyone," I said.

Cory's paw rested on top of mine. "And kick some ass!"

Bosch slammed his hand on top of ours. "And be the best goddamn alliance in the goddamn world!"

******

It was just a few hours before I headed back home to my family... to Caleb. I was both apprehensive and glad at the same time. However, as I began packing my meagre belongings, I realised just how much of a second home this dormitory had become in the three weeks I had been here.

I would miss it.

I shook Arcturus' paw one last time, confident I wouldn't be needing his powers anymore to keep me a normal looking wolf.

I hugged Bosch who made me promise to come back or he'd hunt me down.

And Cory...

Well...

"Guys, can ya give us a sec alone."

Bosch shrugged and blissfully headed away while Arcturus, he nodded at Cory. I didn't miss that exchange and when the wolf left, I gave Cory a suspicious look.

"What was that about?" I asked.

Cory never looked more nervous than at that moment. He was fidgeting. "Well... ya see... Arc sort of... an' he gave me sum advice on... erm..."

"Advice on what?"

"Ah, to hell with it!"

Suddenly Cory seized my shoulders and pulled me into a deep kiss. His tongue shot into my muzzle, brushing against my tongue with such passion and affection that... Well, I've heard the expression 'swept off your feet' but didn't believe it until that moment. My tongue was just about to meet his when he pulled away and took a step back, his eyes cast down.

"Sorry mate... jus'... I had ta do thaut before ya headed off..."

I guess I was still in shock because my next words were, "Is that how all Australians say goodbye?"

Cory laughed softly. "Yea an' we say 'welcum back' by fuckin' each other silleh." The roo shook his head. "Naw, mate. Ah like ya. Yer cute, funneh an' really hawt. Ah mean, fuck mate! Yer a stud!"

"I hope that's not the only thing you like about me," I said. I realised what I had just said at that moment but it was too late to take it back.

Cory's eyes shone as he said. "Well, yer brave... really smart too... Smarter than me... An' yer by buddy, mate. Th' past three weeks hav' been th' best in th' months ai've been 'ere. Maybe it's jus me missin' mah family but a toldja how ah'd visit 'em ev'ry weekend, roight?"

"Yeah..."

"Well..."

I realised that Cory had been by my side the past two weekends and my jaw dropped. "You've been staying here... because... because of me...?"

Cory's ears folded and he nodded softly. "Ah'm sorry, mate. It's a lot ta toss on ya on th' laust second and ai'd understand if ya -"

I never let him finish. I don't know what it was... Maybe it was because Cory was after me for me and had blown off his family for me but... Well, suddenly this felt real. This was real. My lips parted as I caught him in a big kiss, pulling his body against mine. Our eyes shut which was probably a good thing. Cory's powers went wild, summoning golden sand all around us, swirling around our bodies in a venerable storm. My feet were lifted off the ground by the might of the storm but it didn't arm my body or clothes. It felt warm, actually... and I could feel Cory's heartbeat against mine.

"Lance?"

We both dropped to the ground and quickly parted. My dad came in, dressed in casual clothing and smiling at me.

"Ready, son?"

"Yeah dad, almost there." I held up my paw. "Five minutes."

"Hurry up. Van's here."

He left and I turned to Cory, a smile on my muzzle. "I'll come back," I said, gripping his paw. "I promise."

We parted on a light kiss and I bolted out of the room. When I shut the door, I heard a very loud, very joyful 'Yahoo!' and that just make me grin.

Bosch and Arcturus met me at the gates of the Elemental Tower and I bid them one last goodbye, promising to return as soon as I can - which would be in just a few days. I hurried to the family van where my mom was waiting eagerly. She held me tight and I gave her the same hug, being careful not to crush her but still showing her how much I loved her and how I missed her.

We both jumped into the van where my dad was waiting.

On the drive home, I got to thinking...

"Hey mom, would you mind plugging your ears for a second. Guy talk."

"Of course dear," was her reply and she even added a soft 'la-la-la-la' to block out our conversation.

"Hey dad," I said. "Am I slut if I think I already have a boyfriend?"

David Hale grinned at me. "No son. You're technically a cheater."

"What!?"

"You haven't broken up with Caleb yet so, technically, you've cheated on him."

"I didn't do anything! I swear! I just... Well, it was a kiss!"

My dad laughed softly. "Lance, as I've told Caleb many times. I'll be proud of him no matter what. The same goes for you. Whatever your choice, I'll support you."

That filled my heart... and gave me the courage to do what needed to be done. "Actually, dad, can you drop me off here? There's someone I have to meet."

He gave me a puzzled look but when I smiled at him and held up my phone... I think he got it. It wouldn't be good to break up with Caleb in the house anyway. It was a private moment between us. He pulled over, gave my mom a quick excuse and I hopped out.

It's odd that though I had been to the Facility only a few times before, I knew the way there perfectly.

I knew where the secret entrance was in the parking lot far from the FBI headquarters. I knew where to push to open the secret, booby trapped tunnel that would lead to the Facility. I knew where every trap and sensory laser was.

I guess I just hoped that they would still let me in.

They did.

I stepped into the Facility and took a deep breath... I didn't expect Caleb to be there but... well, this was a good as place as any to talk to him. It was his element, somewhere he can find comfort and where he was strongest.

Bren, the semi-immortal tiger FBI agent met me, looking rather surprised as he emerged from Elliot's chamber.

"Lance, I'm surprised you came. How have you been?"

"Better than ever," I answered, shaking his paw. "Is Caleb around?"

"No. Did you want me to call him?"

"Would you mind?"

"Sure. Oh, you haven't met our guest, have you?"

Guest? Who else was in the Facility apart from Bren and Elliot?

"Arcturus, come meet Lance."

My heart dropped to the floor as I watched a tall, jet-black wolf with startling blue eyes step out of the shadows, a knowing smirk on his muzzle. He was dressed in a long, black coat and jutting from his back were two, blazing wings of pure energy.

"Lance Hale, meet Arcturus the Hound of Death. Arcturus, Lance, Caleb's older brother."

Arcturus held out his paw, smiling at me. "A pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Um... yeah..." I responded numbly. I quickly pulled him towards me as Bren turned to call Caleb. "What the hell are you doing here!? And you're the Hound of Death?"

"Who did you think I was?" countered Arcturus with a smirk. "A vampire?"

He pulled away, arms folded behind his back

I would later tell Caleb that I hardly knew Arcturus and despite having spent three weeks with him, that would remain true.

I remember Caleb once told me that his 'life was super'.

Well mine... Mine is just fucked up.