Can I Call This Home?

Huey had his hood up, holding his skateboard under one of his arms as he walked about looking for the place. He was searching for the pack that resided in NYC, Eternal Darkness. He found it odd for a pack to be named that but he didn't think much more of it as he sniffed lightly, trying to pick up the scent of the borders.

"You're close, I can smell 'em," Bard's voice said within Huey's head and the boy nodded in response.

"Y-you think they'll accept me Bard? I mean I've got nothing to offer them. What would they want with a kid like me?" Huey asked his best friend, his worry showing through the wavering of his voice.

Bard grumbled and rolled his eyes at the boy's comment. The kid needed to toughen up and stop being so afraid. But he couldn't blame him, he was still young and new to the whole werewolf thing.

"Kid I've told you already, stop being so afraid. If you toughen up and show then that you're confident then they can't ask for more. You're still a pup, you're still learning. You've got a good head on your shoulders and you can be trained to be stronger. So show them that they'll want you," Bard told him with a stern voice.

Huey felt encouraged by Bard's words and nodded his head, clenching one of his fists by his side, the other one was holding his board.

"Yeah, yeah you're right. I'll show them I'm not useless," Huey said as he turned into a brightly lit alleyway. It was pretty wide and the scent of the border was quite strong here and so Huey walked deeper into the alleyway, looking at the graffiti on the walls before he came to a stop and looked around.

He looked about and saw that he was alone in the alleyway, no humans walked by and he made sure no one would catch him howling.

"Shift with me quickly," Bard said and Huey agreed. Soon the normal blue hues of Huey's eyes turned golden hazel as Bard took over.

Placing the skateboard on the ground Bard cupped his hands around his mouth and let out a howl equivalent to that of a wolf's but through human vocals. He called out to signal any patrollers that there was someone at the borders.

He let the howl die out and then Huey was back, his eyes back to blue. The boy nervously fidgeted with his hands and feet, his fingers tapping on his jeans and he chewed his cheek, nervous and anxious.

"It's going to be okay. Everything's gonna be fine. Just don't be afraid, be strong," Huey told himself as he waited for someone to respond to his howl. He started pacing after a moment and then playing around with his board, kicking it up and letting it down and repeating these nervous tendencies.

Bard was watching the boy's movements and snapped at him when he had enough.

"That's it kid. Stop pacing and take a damn seat on your board," Bard bellowed at him and Huey immediately did as he was told, taking a seat on his board and listening obediently.

"Kid, I'm telling you. You keep acting like this, like a scared whelp, they're gonna kill ya. Have I told you that in the wild the weak don't survive? The same rules apply here kiddo. Now close your eyes and get a hold of your courage. Your nervousness shows through your little habits Huey; fix them or they will be your last," Bard instructed and Huey closed his eyes, meditating for a moment and tried to squash his fears down.

He calmed himself, gathered his courage as he was told and soothed his nerves. His fingers stopped twitching, his leg stopped shaking and he took deep breathes, honing his senses.

"That's it kid, just like that. And when someone does approach you, you hold your ground, give them respect, and show then that you aren't a pup with his tail between his legs."

Huey remained seated on his board, allowing his senses to sharpen and trying to pick up any signs of someone approaching. This was it...this was his chance. If he blew this opportunity who's to say he won't be killed. He had to make an impression, a good one at that.

"What's your name, kid?" Bard's voice sounded in his head.

"My name is Hughes Thaddeus Greyson," Huey responded in his head and Bard grumbled his approval.

"That's right. You are Hughes Thaddeus Greyson and you are a pure blood were. I don't know why your parents left you behind, but you will make a mark in this world, I'll make sure of it. And why do you want to join this pack?" Bard prepped him through some questions.

Huey inhaled deeply. That's right, he was a pure blooded were, he needed to be more confident.

"I want to join this pack to become stronger. I'll prove I wasn't meant to be an abandoned pup," Huey told himself and smiled slightly when he felt better.

"Good, now don't go disappointing me," Bard told him one last time before going silent, letting Huey handle this acceptance on his own. The wolf would only come out again if he saw he was needed. But this was Huey's test now, the boy had to pass this without his help.

A large shaggy figure walked along the alleys, drenched int he overthrow of the shadows and the chimes of night. The humans moved on their way, unaware the silent hunter within their lands. Damian moved slowly, making his rounds as the Alphess had requested. The Beta had been off doing his work and he could only assume the Guardian was as well. He needed time to think, to clear his mind and working border was the best way to do so. He recalled his time when he was a loner wolf, asking for acceptance from the Alphess herself. Though he had discovered her in neutral lands and later she convinced him to join her pack. She seemed fairly pleasant, though did not like the humans which surrounded them like sardines. He remembered the night almost perfectly, meeting the old Beta female, a loner at the time, just like he and the most beautiful girl he had ever met. She was an angel, but their time together had been cut short. He went on to do great things in the pack and she disappeared. The elite moved through the shadows until a scent caught his nose. His body was alert and ready for anything. As he came around a sharp corner, he saw a boy and a skateboard. His wolf released a quiet chuckle as the shadows covered him from being seen. He quickly shifted from his wolf form to the handsome and sophisticated male dressed in his Sunday best. "Greetings loner, who are you and why do you seek attention at the borders of Eternal Darkness?"

Huey sat on his board, eyes closed, ears alert, mind calm as he mediated for a moment. He had long learned that meditation helped to keep him relaxed and reduce anxiety. Slow breathing, deep inhales and exhales; his body sat still on the board, his legs crossed at the ankles—anyone walking by wouldn’t have noticed him without having to do a double-take due to how still he was keeping. The alleyway in which he sat was quiet, not a soul passing by but he could hear the bustling noises happening in the city that was at the end of the alley. Bard had gone silent, a cue to Huey that he was alone in this part of his journey; no help was coming from his wolf unless Bard felt it was absolutely necessary to step in. But Huey understood Bard’s reason for stepping back; the wolf was right it was time to man up. He had to get through this himself and prove that he wasn’t dependent on his wolf for everything. In the back of his mind he wondered if someone had heard his call.

And as if on cue he caught a scent in the air and with one sniff realized it was getting closer. He looked up and caught sight of a large wolf in the shadows before it was quickly replaced by a man, coming towards him dressed as if he were going to a professional meeting, suit and everything. Huey stood up from his board, rubbing his hands down his pant legs, one to dust them off and two to wipe the sweat from his palms. The man spoke and Huey calmed himself as he thought of how to respond to the older wolf. He started by greeting the man first, ducking his head slightly in a bow and giving a friendly smile. ”Hello, my names is Hughes Greyson and I’m looking to be a part of this pack. Uh, I’m kinda new to this so what do I have to do for you to get in?” In the back of Huey’s mind Bard was smiling because the kid did well; his voice didn’t quiver and he gave off confidence as he asked for acceptance. The kid had a lot of growing up to do, but he was taking baby steps.


((sorry for late post))

As they were close to one another, Damian could fully see the kid now, he knew he was young. Such an interesting thing to be young. He thought of what his life would have been like had he decided to stay in a pack or even join a new one at this age. He could feel for the kid in this way, a light smile traced the corners of his lips. "Well Hughes, welcome. I am Elite Damian of Eternal Darkness. If shelter and a home is what you seek then I must ask you a couple questions." Taking a pause to gauge the boy's feelings on the situation, he quickly got back to his questions. "What skills do you have? Are you good at fight? Are you good at healing? Have you ever been in an actual fight? Or do you wish to learn more about fighting?" Damian looked over the boy once more, eying the skateboard. It had been ages since Damian actually rode on one of those, or any wheeled thing like it. Since joining the Eternals, he had been busy with training, mingling with the pack, and bettering his own skills to achieve the rank he now held. A hand swept through his hair as he pondered more on being a kid again. But the wolf within him would not allow such activities. Why even bother if the answer deep down would only be no? It was then that Damian remembered the last portion of his questions. "One last thing, in order to join the pack, you will have to swear you will protect the pack with you life, that you will serve under Alphess Noctavia until you take your last breath. We do not take well to deserters or the weak. If you answer all these questions to me now, and swear your life to Eternal, then I can allow you access into the pack. If you cannot, I will have to ask you to leave." The wolf rested quietly, listening to the human form speak, nodding in agreement. The canine would be more than pleased to do such a thing.

Huey was feeling okay about himself. This guy was pleasant and that helped with Huey’s nerves. If he had been quick to judge, condescending, or rude Huey didn’t know how he would have responded then. But it didn’t matter. He wanted to join to get stronger, so he had to face any adversity that appeared before him. Shelter and home were some of the few things he was looking for in this pack; along with guidance, development, and perhaps some others. Looking up he saw a light smile grace the man’s features and in response Huey smiled as well before answering the man’s questions. ”You can just call me Huey, sir. And actually—I want to join this pack to get stronger. I have been in fights with humans, if that’s what you’re asking. Haven’t really encountered too many weres. I’m not that strong, but I’ve got a pair of fast legs. But I’m good at learning more than fighting. I wanted to go to college for medical studies but unfortunately I couldn’t pay for it,” Huey told him with one leg stepping idly on his board, subconsciously moving it back and forth ever so slightly.

He took a moment before talking again. ”My wolf is strong though, a lot stronger than me. He’s the reason why I’ve been able to get out of a lot of trouble in my past. But I don’t want to keep depending on him while being weak and useless. I actually would like to learn more about fighting so I can defend myself and the pack if they need me,” he confessed to Damian and noticed the other man’s gaze linger on his board for a second. The man was silent for a moment before asking him more questions and Huey stood up straighter, held his head slightly higher as he replied with confidence. ”I swear to protect the pack to the best of my abilities, with my life if needed. I promise I’ll get stronger and smarter and more dependable to the pack so that I won’t be called a weakling anymore,” Huey finished off and then waited quietly for the man’s ultimatum. Involuntarily the boy’s hands flexed and then he stuffed his hands in his pockets to hide his little nervous habit.

Damian's smile spread out to give a heart-warming laugh. "Please, do not call me sir. You make me sound like my father. I may be older than you, but not by as much as you would think." Damian laughed once more, shaking his head. It was weird to be called a name like that. Normally he heard Damian or even Elite, never sir. Looking to Huey, he gave him a smile. "You may call me Damian or Elite, but please, no sir." The brute looked over him once more, hearing his words. He had never been in a true fight, which was acceptable for a boy his age. But he wished to deal more in healing than fighting. Strange as it was, Damian could understand that. He could only speculate to how the Guardian would take such news to this. He was rather older, set in ways of how things should be done within a pack. Healing was a female's job in Travis' eyes. Fighting and providing for the pack should always come first, and it was for this reason Damian was happy to have found the male before the others. "As it turns out, Huey, we have two Doctors in the pack, but a third couldn't hurt much. Our first Doctor is Vitani, she is the younger sister to Alphess Noctavia, and Evie. Evie is fairly new to the back, but both know a wealth of knowledge in medicine. If I were you, I would make it a point to speak with one of them upon entering the lands. So, as long as what you say is true and will lay down your life for another in the pack, then I now pronounce you Apprentice, with plans to learn from our best Doctors. In time I have a feeling you will no longer bear the 'Apprentice' title. That is, if you keep up with your studies and do as the ladies tell you. for some reason, I don't see you having an issue with that. Welcome home Huey."