It was when I turned 11 that the pain started one foggy autumn afternoon. Grandfather left to catch dinner that would last us the next few days. Hours had already passed and I had finished my chores.

I stumbled, cramps starting in my belly before rippling out to my arms and legs. My eyes burned and pulsed within my skull. The first break that happened shocked me so much that I couldn't remember how to breathe. I screamed at the next break, a symphony of snaps building to a crescendo as I cried for Grandfather. I heard a howl through the trees, feeling a pull in my heart at the sound. When it was over, I dared not to move. The twittering of birds started up again, slowly at first. My body felt strange and everything felt louder than before. Scents stronger than before. I could see every detail of nature that I had never noticed. The shades of gray in Grandfather's wolf coat were more obvious, Grandfather just looking at me. His movements were cautious as they approached me and I did not understand why.

Grandfather shifted into his person again, leaning over me as his fingers brushed against my shoulder.

"This is impossible," Grandfather said. All I could let out was a whimper, suddenly terrified I would never be able to use words again. My mouth did not feel right.

"It is alright child. Your wolf has come through. It is just a show of the power within you. Werewolves normally shift when the moon is at its highest and within their 16th birth year. The strength of your wolf is exceedingly high if you shifted years early," Grandfather said.

"Now that you have shifted, I believe it is time we go over every aspect there is to being a werewolf. I must train you. You need to become as strong as you can, as fast as you can now. If the Elders find out about your shift, they may deem to attack you out of their own fear. I could hope to fight off one, but all of them together..." Grandfather shook his head, petting my head gently.

For the next six years, I trained. Everything my Grandfather told me to do, every scent he told me to memorize, every track I needed to recognize. It was hard, grueling work, but I grew stronger. Grandfather was a tracker when he used to be apart of the pack, so he knew most basic training regimes. Every basic regime gradually became more difficult, but I would accept the challenge. Not to save myself from the Elders, but for Grandfather. I did not like the Elder that had attacked him before. I would not let it happen again.

"Today little one, we are doing something very dangerous, but very important," Grandfather said. I stood an inch taller than Grandfather now, his pants fitting me and his shirt tight. His own clothes starting to hang looser upon his shoulders. I would try to catch extra rabbits, or raccoons, or fish in the stream from the house. I felt the need to feed Grandfather more.

"We are going to the outskirts of the pack you were born in. You must study and learn who is an alpha, beta, and omega. Memorize their scents, how interactions work. I will lead us there but we must cover our scents and our tracks, so the Elders do not discover what we have done. When I say we leave, we leave," Grandfather's voice very stern. He did not wait for a reply, shifting into his wolf. I copied him and we both headed towards the pack.

Once we passed a certain point, the scent of two different kinds of wolves went through my snout. Carefully slinking between trees and around underbrush, a small opening revealed a large packhouse. One I vaguely remembered, feeling my hackles start to raise. Many people were out and about. Children were running around, screaming in glee. She-wolves were chatting in groups while larger men were walking around; their voices boisterous and loud.

Grandfather pointed his snout at the women. I breathed in the array of scents deeply. I tapped my paw on the ground. All the women were betas. A neutral scent, not particularly strong. He pointed to a group of men who were lightly dressed, along with a few women who were similar in stature to them. Also betas, before I bared my teeth three times. Three of them alphas. Alphas had a strong scent, one that made my wolf aggressive and protective. He pointed to a small thin boy and two girls next to him of the same build. I breathed in deeply, pulling my ears back. Omegas. Their scents were sweet and calming.

During my first two years of training with Grandfather, lots of changes happened to my body. That's when he told me about mating. My cheeks were red for hours after he told me everything and the things happening with my body. That it was dangerous for me to be around alphas in ruts and even more so when omegas were in heat. The scent of an omega in heat was like nothing you were prepared for. Your body fought your mind and you lose control.

We both watched the pack as I studied what they were doing. Some of the men would holler at the women, the women astutely ignoring them. Some of the men play fought like Grandfather and I did sometimes. Many teenagers were off and about, many of their scents coming in still. Three of the younger teenagers had strong alpha scents already. The children played and squealed in joy. My heart squeezed in my chest at the sight. Once the sun started to set, Grandfather stood and nudged his head back in the direction we had come. I stood up and stretched my legs, freezing when I heard a tinkling laugh.

"Hello my love," one of the alphas said, wrapping his arms around one of the women I saw. He pressed his lips against hers, making me blink quickly. My wolf ears perked forward, easily hearing them from so far. I think Grandfather said that was called a kiss. It is done with your mate, but lots of people did it to people who were not their mate. The woman laughed again, kissing him back on the lips, holding him against her. I breathed in deeply, scenting that both their own natural scents were combined together. An alpha and omega.

"Our son has missed you since this morning. My mate should not have to leave so early or disappear from our bed," The woman grumbled, but her lips were curved in a smile.

"Then I should make it up to you in our bed later tonight," the man said, whispering something in the woman's ear causing her cheeks to color, laughing happily. His hand curved up her back, kissing her neck warmly.

"Papa! Mama!" A little boy cried, running at a fast toddle with his arms open wide.

"There's my little one!" The woman smiled, leaning down to catch her son. My brows furrowed in confusion.

"Stephan! You are absolutely covered in filth!" The woman said to the boy, her mate next to her, laughing. The family went their way inside. Grandfather growled at me quietly, making me snap my attention to him. We hurried away but my mind was confused. I knew the man and woman were likely going off to mate, the woman's scent changing to a sweeter, cloying scent; her mate's a deeper muskier scent. Grandfather said mating didn't always mean to create a child. It could just be a way to connect deeply with the other person.

I stirred my stew at the small dining room table, so very lost. Electricity, Grandfather had called it, in the house was to the small refrigerator and equally small stove. Grandfather tried to explain what it was, but I didn't really understand. Two squat candles were at the dining room table and two upon the small kitchen counter by the sink. The roaring fire gave enough light into the dining room and the edges of the bedroom. I dunked a chunk of carrot back within the broth.

"Little one? What is wrong? You feed me as much as you can, yet you haven't eaten yourself," Grandfather asked. I set my spoon down, nervously scratching at the hair growing back again on my jaw. Grandfather taught me how to shave carefully with a knife and how to resharpen it. Grandfather knew I did not like to speak. He asked me why one day, and all I could say was that I was not smart enough to speak. That was the only time Grandfather got angry with me.

"T-Today," my voice a strange thing to my own ears. Grandfather even told me my voice has power, "that woman, called boy little one. Like you call me."

Grandfather cocked his head at me, "He was their child. They were mates. True mates. I'm sure you could tell how their scents were combined."

"She called boy Stephan, why?"

"That is the name she gave him when he was born. How else is the boy to come to her or his father if they don't call for his name?" Grandfather asked, brows furrowed. I stood away from the table, walking into the living room. I stared into the crackling orange flames of the fire, crossing my arms tightly against my chest. I heard Grandfather's soft steps follow me.

"Do I have name?" I asked in a whisper. Grandfather was quiet for a long time.

"Names have different meanings. When a child is born, their mother or father bestow them with a name they feel in their hearts describes their child. Some children get named after flowers, some for the meaning of a word alone. Like Hope or Joy. Others are named after people who have Passed so they are never forgotten in their family.

"I killed mother when born. I am bad, have no name," my breath hitching. Grandfather hugged me then, petting my hair. I hunched my head down so I could rest it on Grandfather's shoulder.

"Small babes, not even strong enough to feed from their mother's breast, are incapable of such evil things," Grandfather said. I opened my mouth to argue, but he flicked my ear softly to stop me.

"Sometimes mothers want to be strong enough to protect their child from anything. All parents and family do. Some succeed, some fail, and some only care for themselves. Your mother died loving you and I believe that with all my heart. You could never be a monster, do you hear me?" Grandfather moved so he was pressing his frail hands against my cheeks, tears rolling down them.

"You became my child long ago. A blessing I will forever believe came from my mate. I have loved you as my own and I will love you after I have gone. So as one who loves you, I will gift you with a name. A name that stands for who you are," Grandfather brushing my unending tears away, "Callan."

"Cal-lan," my voice trembled, my heart growing in my chest.

"You have survived by battling all your life. You are a protector. You are more than what those Elders say you are. You are strong, but kind. Fierce, loyal and brave. You are even more than what you think you are."

"Grandfather," my voice shaking, hugging the thin man in my arms.

"You will still always be my little one, but you are also Callan. Do you understand?"

I nodded my head, smiling against Grandfather's shoulder.

"Grandfather," I sniffled, voice becoming lighter, "tell me of mates. You have told me of mating. I am old enough now?"

Grandfather laughed a merry laugh, patting my shoulders with his hands.

"In the morning, child. Eat your stew and off to bed!"

☆

Grandfather collapsed in the woods. I saw nothing and no one attack him, and yet he fell among the leaves and twigs. I lifted him swiftly and brought him back to the house. For days on end I fed him soup and water. Dabbing at his forehead with a damp cloth. I tried reading from one of the many books by the fireplace, the one I had picked up the very first time I found out Grandfather was blind. My voice shook and stuttered, the words hard to say or pronounce, but I prayed it would help Grandfather feel better.

The fourth morning, Grandfather's eyes opened, his hand reaching for me.

"Sweet child, you did not have to care for me."

I merely shook my head, holding his hand in mine.

"Grandfather is family. Love Grandfather. Why did you fall?" I asked, breathing in a sigh of relief at feeling the warmth in his hands; though they had grown cooler in the passing days. I kept the fire roaring morning, noon, and night. It was almost the end of winter now and I was in my 20th birth year, Grandfather thinks. An Elder had come while I had been hunting a few years back, Grandfather warning them to never come again. To never threaten me. Grandfather's left eye had swollen and bruised closed. I roared angrily, wanting to fight the Elders. Wanting to rip them away so they could never have a chance of harming Grandfather again. Grandfather only chuckled, saying that indeed I was strong enough to kill any Elder that came back. Though none should return again.

"I'm afraid that I may not see morning, little one," Grandfather smiling, his wrinkles prominent and frail like paper. My breath hitched, holding his hand even tighter within my own. His hand was so small between mine. The calluses of my hand rough against his smooth ones.

"No Grandfather, please. I need you. I can't, have no one. So alone," My eyes watering, tears clinging to my lashes.

"Hush now sweet boy. Grandfather may be Passing, but he will still always be here, remember?" Grandfather said, pointing his finger at my chest. I bowed my head, shaking it no.

"I have lived longer than I could have ever dreamed and it's all thanks to you. I was blessed the day you came into my life. Though I will be gone, I have a feeling deep in my gut that your mate will appear soon. So you will not be alone for long. I know you will love and protect them. They are your other half, Callan. Whatever you lack in, they make up for, and they will love you unconditionally."

Grandfather spent many days telling me of mates and of his own. Every new thing I learned of them, the more and more my heart yearned to have one. I would not care if they were a man or woman. Alpha, beta, omega, or human. I would be blessed to have any mate love me and not see a monster. To not fear me.

Then, Grandfather told me what rejection was. He was very quiet when he spoke of rejection. I grew more shocked, my heart falling into my stomach. I asked him if I would be rejected. Rejected for being a demon, shunned by my own pack. My Grandfather grew angry, saying that he would curse whoever rejected me from beyond the grave. He did not believe that the Goddess would intend for me to have such a mate, my life already so difficult from the moment I was born. Still, my hopes quickly dwindled in my heart. I did not wish to tell Grandfather that perhaps he was the only person who could love me.

"Grandfather, Grandfather tell me something I do not know," I begged, wanting more wisdom from the man. I wanted his wisdom forever, but I was about to lose it. Grandfather rubbed the knuckles of my hand.

"My name, little one, is Samuel Marsh; if you remember when I had told you that so long ago. My beloved mate was Ava Crescent. Her sister's name was Charlotte Crescent, your Grandmother. Her daughter's name, your mother, was Isabella. I know you don't know much of your family tree, but it would be cruel of me to keep it to myself. Your mother was a kind, gentle woman. Your father, Griffith, still runs the Mountain Ridge Pack; the one we were at before. I had heard in passing, many years ago when you were still a wee thing, that he was blessed with a second chance mate," Grandfather said.

"Grandfather's mate is Grandmother," I said stubbornly, making Grandfather chuckle, "I never saw father in pack," I whispered, my head thumping with all the names and new information.

"He was off fighting a war to keep the pack, and the other packs he befriended, safe. He was a very young Alpha when he earned his title and he had much to prove. Had to gain the trust of many surrounding packs. The war ended some time in your 5th birth year, several moons after the Elders gave you to me."

Grandfather coughed wetly. I hurriedly grabbed him a glass of water, helping him sip from it.

"Get food for Grandfather."

"You just sit right there little one, I have no hunger. Just a tiredness deep in my bones."

"Do nothing? Can not bear for you to Pass," my voice hitching.

"My dearest little one, when I Pass, my mate will be waiting for me. She has been waiting for me for a very long time. Death is just another moment. We all will greet it someday, and we will have those of us that love us, waiting for us there," Grandfather smiling again, his hand cupping my cheek.

"I have waited just as long to see her again, but I have spent the rest of my life without her, loving you. I do not regret even a moment. But now it is time that I go to see her. I have taught you almost everything that I know. The things that will keep you safe. The world is vast and there are many things for you to still learn. I have no doubt your mate will help you continue to learn and yes, they will love you. Trust Grandfather, hm?"

I cradled Grandfather's hand against my cheek, feeling the coolness in his fingers kiss my skin.

"Promise Grandfather you will bury him next to Grandmother? You remember where I took you? To the Overlook where I buried her?"

"Buried in spring grasses and flowers, so if you can not bring flowers, will always be ones."

"Such a good boy you are. Always remembered everything Grandfather taught you," Grandfather chuckled, "I love you Callan, my little one."

I held Grandfather's hand against my cheek, my head bowed as my elbows rested on the bedspread. The moon had lifted high into the night, evident through the frosted window within the bedroom. The fire had dwindled in the living room, the sporadic popping of charred wood barely heard. My ears were trained on the beating of Grandfather's heart.

For just a moment it had sped up, stuttered, and then stopped. One last slow breath fell from Grandfather's lips. His hand cold against my cheek.

"Thank you, Grandfather. For loving me."

Grandfather passed, and I cried.

☆

At dawn, when the first light kissed the horizon, I gently wrapped Grandfather in the blanket his mate had given to him. He kept it at the bottom of the wardrobe for it made his heart ache and long for the one he loved.

The walk was long, the Overlook very far from the house. Grandfather wanted to introduce me to Grandmother, though I did not understand when I had been younger. Scattered patches of powdery snow lay upon the ground, the sunlight not having reached it through the shadows of the trees. Though Grandfather only showed me once, I remembered the trek. The sun was lifted high in the sky, the breeze cool against my skin. A small mound came into view, a grave with beautiful wildflowers over it. The wildflowers only seemed to grow over Grandmother, Grandfather saying it was because of how loving his mate was in life.

I gently laid Grandfather by the wildflowers, shifting into my wolf. I began to dig as the sun beat upon my fur. Before long, I had finished, shifting back into my person so I could lift Grandfather into my arms. I kissed his forehead, nuzzling my nose against his neck; his scent fading. I tried to force my mind to remember it.

"Love you, Grandfather. Grandmother waiting."

I placed Grandfather into the grave, covering him with the loose soil with my bare hands until none was left. I looked around the clearing of the Overlook. It was an open field surrounded by towering pine trees. Just beyond it was a valley that was cascaded by streams of sunlight upon vast mountainous hills of frosted pine trees. I noticed a lone stone closer to the edge of the Overlook. It was deep within the ground.