Demonic Regime

Chapter 40: The Wait

I couldn't delay it any longer. I either needed to ask my parents if Case could spend the night or tell them what I did. Either way, tomorrow was going to be intense. Taking a deep breath, I stood and left my bedroom. My dad was on his computer while my mom read a book on her tablet. I stood at the edge of the room, debating my options. They would be mad, but I was also terrified of what would happen in just a few hours. I didn't want to go through that alone.

"Dad?"

"Hmm..." He glanced at me.

"I need to tell you something."

My mother lowered her tablet as my father turned in his seat.

"I—I, at Wolfsbane," I swallowed hard, "I took it."

"Took what?" said my mom.

My dad seemed confused, but his expression soon changed. "Rudy? You didn't?" He faced his computer. His muzzle fell open.

"Fallon?" said my mom. "What is going on?"

"No, no." He ran his hands down his face. "Rudy, you didn't?" He stood. "The canister was full. I picked it up. I checked."

I bowed my head. "Jet switched it out with a new one before he left. I wanted to know. I just wanted to know what it would be like to be a werewolf. I'm sorry."

"What is going on?" said my mother.

My dad marched across the room and grabbed my wrist. "We're going to the mansion."

"Fallon," she snapped. "What happened?"

He dragged me toward the garage. "Jet offered him a shifting inducer. Rudy, I guess, took it and didn't bother to tell us until now."

She clutched her chest. "The full moon?"

"It's tonight." He threw open the door. "Get in the car." He went back to get his phone. "I can't believe this. That damn bastard—"

I did as I was told and buckled my seatbelt. My hands were shaking. I'd be okay. I was a werewolf. I wouldn't have the same reaction as a human.

My father slid behind the steering wheel and slammed the door. "Why? Were you not listening? Do you even understand how dangerous that drug is? Are we even sure that they didn't put something else in it?"

"I'm sorry." I wiped my eyes. "I wanted to know. Everyone else gets to shift. I wanted to see what I actually look like. I'm tired of being stuck as a human. I thought it was my only chance."

He breathed out through his nose and leaned across the car. Hugging me, he rubbed my back. "I know. Jet knew what he was doing. I'd be tempted as well." My dad clasped my cheek. "We'll get through this, and then, I'm going to let that old werewolf know what I think of him."

"I'm sorry, Dad. I—I know I shouldn't—"

"Breathe, okay?" He lifted my chin. "Deep breaths. Let's get you to the mansion. Hopefully, Andreas will know how to handle this."

***

The alpha was waiting in the entryway when we arrived.

Andreas shook his head. "That drug is outlawed for a reason."

I stared at the floor.

"You not even for sure what you injected yourself with." The alpha's tone was not helping me stay calm.

I sank into my shoulders.

My dad put his arm around me. "Do we know how it will affect him? Midfield did invent it."

"Yes, but Wolfsbane took it and could have altered it. We have no idea. It was a drug we made for and tested on humans, not werewolves. This way." He motioned for us to follow and headed up the stairs. "I have a medical team coming, and my father should be here soon."

"Should we go to the hospital?" asked my father.

"There's not much they can do for Rudy. His body will be forced to shift. Nothing can stop that, so we'll have to wait it out and hope for the best."

He opened the door to one of the spare rooms. "Take your clothes off and lay down. The doctor will be here soon." The alpha motioned to my father, and the two stepped into the hallway.

Their raised voices filtered through the wall. I went to sit on the bed and wrapped my arms around my stomach. I was going to be fine. I was highly ranked. I could handle this.

"Shit," I breathed, pressing my palms to my eyes.

My hands were shaking so bad. I took off my shirt and tossed it by the wall. After kicking off my shoes, I removed my socks and pants and added them to the pile. I laid down in the middle of the bed and began the wait. How long would it take? Would it just hit me out of nowhere, or did it happen at a specific time?

"You encouraged him!" yelled my dad.

"I did not!" replied a new voice.

The argument was getting louder with my grandpa's addition. I let out a shaky breath. I'd get to see my werewolf form. For the first time in my life, I'd get to be like everyone else. Sitting up, I glanced out the window. The sun was nearly set. The moon was formed but still rising.

I had left my phone at the house. I should have texted Case and let him know that I told my parents so he wouldn't worry. The door cracked open.

"Rue?" My mom slipped inside. She held one of my blankets in her arm. "Rudy." She hurried over. "How are you feeling?"

I shrugged.

She unfolded the blanket and put it over me. The soft fur felt good against my skin. I settled in and stared straight forward. She smoothed my hair away from my face.

"Are you scared?"

I shrugged.

"I'm scared," whispered my mom. "But I'm also excited for you." She glanced at the door.

Sitting up, I turned to her.

"Don't tell your father. He's a little worked up, but let's get through tonight"—she tried to smile—"and then we can celebrate you shifting. Okay?"

I hugged her. "I'm going to be fine. If a human can do it, then so can I."

She clasped my cheek. "Exactly." She kissed my forehead. "Rest, I'll go and try to get them to calm down. I did send them further away. You don't need to listen to them fight when they all agree that Jet is the one to blame."

"He didn't inject me with it. I did it."

"I'm sure he wasn't an innocent bystander. That man always has some alternative motives."

Nodding, I lowered my head. "He told me how to use it."

"Hmm..." She bristled a bit. "You rest up, yell if you need anything. Transformations usually don't happen until the full moon has fully risen." My mom stood and left.

Jet was in real trouble now. My mother would never forgive him, and I could sense a fight would happen if my parents ever saw the old alpha again. It had been my decision, though. I pushed the button.

Dragging a pillow under my head, I closed my eyes tightly. Maybe I could sleep through it. I'd wake up tomorrow morning and be covered in fur. I moved the blanket under my chin. From what I read online, that wasn't going to be the case. Humans had died from the stress, but humans were fragile. I had healing enzymes. I'd be fine. It would be more like when a human was mated. I picked at my lips as I recalled what we had been taught about human shiftings in science class. It hurt. Sometimes, they couldn't walk for days because their ankles were so messed up. I reached down and touched my legs. The jaw and face would also go through a major transformation. I rubbed my neck. I was going to look so different, but I was ready for it. 

____________________

Feel free to Link, Comment, and Share! Full Story is complete on Patreon (link on my profile); more is available on Radish Fiction.