Rudy
Two Years Ago
Leaning against the railing, my eyes were closed tight as I tried to focus on the salty sea air and the wind blowing my medium-length black hair. My knuckles ached from the grip I had on the beam, trying to fight the battle within. It was a fight I usually lost. Now would be the worst possible time to lose it.
Thankfully, it was the off-season, too cold for most tourists, and the ferry wasn’t as full as it normally would be. Most of the people were inside, trying to stay warm as we traversed the Pacific Ocean, save for a family with young kids that wanted to see the view from up top. I breathed slowly and tried to keep calm. I was half tempted to let the change sweep over me and throw myself into the sea. I could swim in that form, but it wouldn’t be pretty. Or fast. I was too dense, too heavy, and not clear-minded enough not to climb back onto the ferry and terrorize the passengers.
If I managed to stay away from the boat, there would be no guarantee someone else wouldn’t find me, anddrowning dogwasn’t the look I wanted when or if I made headlines. I was surprised I hadn’t already, though there had definitely been reports of sightings back home. This had to work. Ineededthis to work.
Adding to the stress of being trapped on a boat with people in the middle of the ocean was the fact that I would be meeting everyone face-to-face for the first time. I was excited, more so than I could express, but it was still more than a little nerve-wracking. It wasn’t that they were strangers. They’d become my closest friends over the last several years, despite having only talked online. They knew more about me than anyone in real life, but would they still like me when I was more than a name in a chat box or a face on a video call?
Stop it!I yelled at myself and tightened my grip around the railing, wincing when I felt it dent beneath my hand. I swung my head around to see if anyone noticed, but the parents were busy holding their kids and pointing in the distance. I felt a wave of relief at the sight of land.
Catalina Island. It wouldn’t be much longer now; I could make it. Catalina wasn’t the final destination, but it was the closest I could get without hiring a private boat, which I was starting to regret not doing. Though with as much money as we were putting into this, a private boat seemed like anexpense I didn’t need.
I watched with rapt attention as Avalon grew closer. The harbor was one of the popular tourist areas on the island, with plenty of marine activities like boating, snorkeling, and kayaking. They even had semi-submersibles that people could ride in to see the local marine life up close. The idea of being inside one of those made me shudder. Trapped in a box underwater? There were about a million ways that could go wrong.No thanks.
Maxime had us study the island to see all that it had to offer, which was a lot. It was intimidating to think we could do something that would draw even a percentage of what this island did. Although, we weren’t going for big numbers and becoming a hot spot.
When the ferry pulled into port and docked, I couldn’t get off the boat fast enough. Despite it being winter, the town was still bustling, making me clench my fists, my elongating claws piercing into my palms. I bit down, using the pain to try to keep my mind clear until I could get away from the crowds.
With no other option, I found a cab and asked the driver to take me to the southernmost point of the island. The driver took a glance at my casual tee shirt, baggy jeans, and the single duffel bag I was carrying, and arched a brow. I clearly wasn’t dressed for the kinds of trips most people planned in the outskirts of Catalina. With the shift blooming beneath my skin,the driver must have seen a look on my face that told him not to ask any questions.
Beyond the touristy harbor, there were areas of the island that allowed for more adventurous travelers, with bison tours, hiking paths, camping, andJeeptours. Where I wanted to go offered none of that. It was a gateway more than anything, and I couldn’t get there fast enough.
The taxi ride took longer than I would have liked to reach the East Peak, which sat at the southern end of the island. Long enough for my anxiety and dread to build as my beast pushed from within. Mists swirled around, and the cool air had a bite to it. The driver took me as far as he could, and I practically launched myself out of the door as soon as he slowed down. I tipped him heavily to apologize for my weirdness, wishing I could havenotbeen weird, but there was no way around that.
It was such a relief to get out of the cab and away from the civilized areas. With the driver out of sight, I placed my hands on my knees and breathed in, feeling my claws retreat and the tension leave my body. It had been close. Too close, and I wouldn’t have been able to stop it if it happened.
The hair on the back of my neck stood up, and I felt my fangs break through my gums when I sensed someone approaching.So much for gaining control.
“Down, boy. It’s just me,” a light, airy voice sounded, and a figure walked out ofthe mist.
When I saw him, my instincts relaxed, and I felt a grin stretch across my face. “Zee!”
The man had shocking white hair that swept around his face with the breeze, not hair, but thin feathers that flowed and moved like hair. His sharp nose and high cheekbones gave a glimpse of the being I knew he was. He stood with his arms folded against his chest and wore a playful smirk. “Hey ya, Wolfie.”
I dropped the duffel bag and ran to him. Maybe I should have asked first, but I was so relieved and thrilled to see him in person, I couldn’t stop myself. I threw my arms around him and lifted him off his feet. The man was nearly as tall as I was with a broad chest and a solid build, but he felt lighter than he looked.
Zephyr let out a shrill laugh that had an avian quality to it. He returned the hug before chuckling and tapping me on the back. “Okay, okay, you can put me down now.”
I set him down and looked over his face, then ran a hand through my hair. “Shit. Sorry. I’m just so… I can’t believe you’re actually here.”
“It’s good to see you, too, Wolfie. I was starting to wonder if you were going to make it.” His eyes glowed with delight.
“Barely,” I mumbled. “It was a long trip.”
Zee clapped a hand on my shoulder and gave me a sympathetic look. “I know. Just one final leg of the journey, but it’ll be quick, I promise. Maxime and Kieranare already there, we’re just waiting for you and a few others.”
“Yeah. Yeah, okay. What do I need to do?”
The man I’d only seen online before gave me a full up-down assessment, making my skin warm. “You’re going to stay cool, right?”
I quirked my lips to the side and shrugged. “I hope so. Are you sure you can manage it?” I looked down at myself and wondered how he could carry a man his own size.
He gave me an incredulous look, insulted by the insinuation. “I can manage, as long as you don’t wolf out.”
Well, that would… suck. “I’ll try not to, but there’s no guarantee.”
