Noah had hoped he would make it before closing because crowds made him feel uncomfortable. However, the streets were full by the time he was locking up the store. The block party started two hours ago and there was no way he was going to be able to go through with his bike. He had no choice but to take the long route home which was going around the downtown area through the park. Though, looking up at the full moon above did make the idea of doing a lap around the lake much more fathomable.

After running to his bike at the back, he started his way home. Noah figured he’d walk for awhile and enjoy bathing the bright moonlight. It made his chest soar high with a good feeling. Full moons are the best, he thought to himself.

The park was rather peaceful save for the noisy background from the streets. The lake was calm and there isn’t anybody around. He liked it this way since he wouldn’t have to be hyper aware of any eyes. Despite how most of the pack are sociable wolves, Noah kept to himself mostly.

Across the lake was the chained fence of the junkyard that’s always open. Loose by the countless times the kids would trespass and loiter inside. The air here felt much more colder so this might be the best time to start riding the bike.

Before he could get on, Noah receives a text.

Ryan // 10:31 p.m.

They’ve already left. Where are you? Get back soon.

It was typical of Ryan to worry. The guy acted like an overbearing parent despite only being a few months older. But Noah let him, as his best friend and brother. They grew up together since childhood and there wasn’t a day he could remember where the guy wasn’t overprotective of him. Sometimes it can feel suffocating but then he’s gotten used to it.

Based on the text, he’s expecting to get some nagging for being late. The store had closed half an hour ago and he knew his shift schedule. Noah laughed at that thought while riding his bike.

All of a sudden out of nowhere he was tackled very roughly to the side. It took some time for it to register what just happened. He groaned from the headache and noticed that he was now on the ground, close to a pile of tires. Turning his head around in search of his bike, he was only met with a pair of golden eyes.

Golden eyes and thick fur sprouting to a shifted wolf snout. It was angry and growling. Despite the ridiculous look it has with a human torso, the aura around it was not. And a wary Noah could feel his hair prickling with alarm.

Cowardly as it may be, instinctively Noah tried to run away. Never mind the bike, the wolf would catch up to him anyway. And indeed, it continued to go after him. Even with his efforts to try to shake it away a pair of clawed hands still managed to grab the collar of his shirt and yanked him against a tree. The impact was enough to worsen his headache.

It now had a hold on his throat, not chocking him but tight enough that it felt uncomfortable especially with its claws. Noah flailed and tried to pry it’s arm away to no avail. Times like these I wish I could shift on-commandthen at least I could get away from this situation.

He’s unaware of what’s going on but as someone who grew up with werewolves he’d learned to be aware of their emotions which were as open as a book. And this one didn’t feel like it wanted to make some friends. Fights weren’t common in the pack but he’ll be damned if he got into one, knowing how easily he could get pushed to the ground. Still, it didn’t make sense this one jumped out of the blue. Then dread dipped down his stomach at the thought that it could possibly be a Rogue.

As he was about to beg for his life, he could feel its wet snout sniffing his neck.

Well that’s strange. Male wolves like their personal space and sniffing so closely usually warranted a bark to back off. But since this ones got a good grip on his neck, Noah only froze. It kept getting closer at an uncomfortable distance or lack thereof, continuously sniffing him as if in search of something.

I wish I could sniff you too buddy coz I don’t know who you are, but he’s not exactly that intact with his canine side. It was starting to feel really weird and confusing when he noticed that its actions slowly turned less aggressive and now quite unguarded. He calmed down from his adrenaline and breathed slowly.

Curiously, a sweet scent entered his nose. Are you sure it’s a scent? Or is it a feeling? Noah didn’t really understand it but he knew it was coming from the wolf. It was the only thing near him so it can only be from them. The soaring high feeling like when he saw the full moon returned. In the dim space he stared at it’s fur and noticed its reddish brown color which can only be from a certain person in their pack.

“Lucas.” He whispered softly.

At the sound of his name, the wolf whipped to look at him properly. Ears facing forward and eyes expectant, a little excited. It surprised him a little.

Testing the waters, Noah reached out to caress the side of the wolf’s head and as he did so, the hand on his throat was gone and it was now on top of his. It leaned into his touch and that made him feel unexpectedly glad. He smiled softly and had both his hands petting its head and feeling the softness of his fur.

He doesn’t know if he’s been forgiven yet. Lucas doesn’t look like he was in control of himself at the moment and Noah sensed deep inside that instead it was the wolf trying to reach out to him.

“You’re...my mate” he said, surprised.

It finally registered for the both of them. It took a few seconds before the wolf suddenly pushed him away again and walked backwards farther away.

What was once a wolf’s head is now replaced by its human form. And the expression on Lucas’s face was a mix of surprise and horror.

It was hard to deny that that look hurt Noah. The emotions of the much older guy was apparent and clear, the complete opposite of what they felt from earlier. Lucas still looked shocked about what he had done and he was deep in thought. There were no words exchanged but Noah could tell that what he’ll say next is going to be devastating, so he spoke first maybe in hopes of deterring him.

“I’m sorry.” He said. “Please don’t...”

Well, he can’t really say anything at that moment that can persuade him, except for something selfish. Lucas only looked at him with a sad expression and at that moment, Noah just accepted where this was going. Don’t look at me like that, if you’re going to say it then say it already. What was the point of hesitating if he’s going to do it anyway.

“No. I can’t. Not with you.” Lucas spoke with certainty and as if he wasn’t an asshole enough, suddenly turns around and leaves.

That left Noah anxious at the thought of what this meant for him. He stood there for a few minutes, one thought jumping to another. It’s like someone just dumped their entire trash onto him and he’s forced to deal with it. If Lucas didn’t give in to his wolf, this wouldn’t have happened. If a Rogue arrived instead, this wouldn’t have happened. If he just went home sooner, this wouldn’t have happened. If...they were still friends, this wouldn’t happen.

Quietly, he walked back to his bike.

—

At the porch, before he opened the door, Noah furiously rubs at his face to wipe the tears away. With one last deep breathe, he went in.

As soon as the door could be heard, Ryan called for him from the living room. Tonight was their planned horror movie marathon with Theo, they hoped to catch one while his parents were out on a date night since they don’t really want the boy to watch these things. They’ve been looking forward to this all week but all Noah wanted now was to go straight to bed. He was even willing to skip dinner since he doesn’t really have an appetite.

“I’m not feeling so good so I’m just gonna go to bed first.” He tells them from the living room entrance before hurriedly going up the stairs. Halfway, Ryan calls out to him.

“What’s wrong? You’re eyes are so puffy.”

Noah brushes it off, saying it was because of the cold outside and continues going up. From the bottom floor he could hear a confused “good night” before he went into his room and locks his door shut. He didn’t bother taking off his coat and just wrapped himself in the sheets. Hoping to sleep the night away.