Chapter 7: Call to the Wild

The den was breathtaking, and I couldn't stop my jaw from dropping in awe. Addison was having a similar reaction, and I could hear Wynter's smirk in her voice.

"It's okay to be impressed." I rolled my eyes. Wyatt led the small group towards the center.

"Our language. Awoo, Addison! That means welcome." Addison tried to imitate his howl, and I had to hide my laughter.

"Ostrich boots?" Wynter's head tilted to the side.

"No, I think Addison meant, 'Awoo!'" Wyatt corrected. Addison tried again, bringing more laughter from the pack. "Polka dot unicorn?"

"Coat wear!" Wynter chimed in. Addison groaned.

"No, no sorry. Um. Uh. Ow!" The pack flinched, but I just kept my amusement inside. Potty mouth on that one. Next thing coming up would be something about the SwearWolf Jar.

"Whoa, whoa! Language! There are werepups around." Wyatt scolded with a grin.

"She needs to put a pebble in the SwearWolf Jar." Thank you for proving me right, Wynter. I flinched at the sudden volume as the entire pack howled a welcome to the white-haired girl. Addison's eyes widened in surprise, a look of horror on her face.

"I am so sorry."

"Enough. This is not why we brought her here." Willa snapped at her brother, silencing the pack. I stepped further into a nearby corner, trying to make myself less noticeable.

"Why am I here?"

Wyatt didn't answer, instead picking up a large blue crystal and shining it at the wall. Everyone turned to look at it, and a shadowy image appeared. A feminine figure was dancing and howling in the vision, but what caught my attention was the woman's white hair. 

Now I understood why they wanted Addison.

"I believe you will lead us to the moonstone. I believe you're the Great Alpha. I believe you're a werewolf." Excitement filled Wyatt's voice as he stared at Addison from her side. 

I had to resist the urge to rip his throat out.

"What?!"

Wyatt smirked, setting the crystal down and leading Addison up the stairs.

Turn up, explain our history

Pull back the veil of mystery

What's written on the cave is prophesy

The Great Alpha is our destiny

Show us the power of chemistry

Lead us to the source of our energy

No one knows her identity

But she looks like you, identically

I had to avoid the entire pack, but Waylynn was standing by me instead of joining the dancing in the center of the den. Wyatt left Addison at the top of the stairs, joining the other werewolves.

This is how we're livin' our lives

Livin' our lives, livin' our lives, yeah

Can you feel the call to the wild?

Call to the wild, the call to the wild

We are the call, we are the call

We are the call to the wild

I understand how much respect the pack has for Wyatt. As their Beta, he has to work for it, and it seems like he's done it. Addison slowly walked down the stairs, coming back down with the pack.

I see a real community

Unique, but you have unity

You know who you're supposed to be

Release to the rhythm totally

Wyatt and a little werewolf were not far from Waylynn and I as Addison gave her little spiel, and I watched as Wyatt's gaze suddenly turned to me.

I feel the vibe when you're close to me

And you can feel it too, or hopefully

Now look up, and tell me what you really see

A bunch of stray wolves or a family?

I blushed, turning away from him and seeing several wolves gathering around four wooden poles in the middle. Waylynn's eyes lit up as one wolf spun on his back in the center square.

"Come on, Zen! This is the best part!"

"What?! No!" She didn't give me any choice, grabbing my wrist and making me join her and two other werewolves. It looked like a complicated jumping game.

This is how we're livin' our lives (hey)

Livin' our lives (hey), livin' our lives, yeah

Can you feel the call to the wild? (Hey)

Call to the wild (hey), the call to the wild

Waylynn and the other two left, but I stayed to do the same thing again with Addison. I found myself singing along with a real smile on my face. My beanie was slightly messed up, but I didn't care.

We are the call, we are the call

We are the call to the wild

We are the call, we are the call

Addison slid under the poles, and Wyatt helped her up. I felt my mood darken slightly until he beckoned for me to do the same thing. I did it without hesitation as he continued singing, grabbing his hand.

We are the call to the wild

The look in his eyes had my entire body be put on hold, a small gasp escaping my lips as I was suddenly very aware of just how close our faces were and the warmth of his hand holding mine. I couldn't breathe for a moment, and I wasn't sure whether to curse or thank Willa for her interruption.

Hold up, before you do, let me interrupt

She's a cheerleader, not an Alpha

You're in the den, but you'll need to earn my trust

Now show me what you got if you're one of us

The Alpha werewolf challenged my friend, the pack split to prove Addison's worth. I stood at Addison's side, not joining the challenge because it wasn't my place. 

Willa let out a powerful howl, which Addison copied with slightly less force. But her words were clear. I could have sworn I heard footsteps outside the den, but as the two girls howled again, I pushed the thought away. Willa smiled at Addison, accepting her into their ranks.

"Come with me, Zen." Wyatt pulled me aside to join him and Willa so Addison could lead them into the next part.

This is how we're livin' our lives (it's how you're living)

Livin' our lives, livin' our lives, yeah

Can you feel the call to the wild? (Can you feel? Hey)

Call to the wild (hey), the call to the wild (I can feel)

We are the call, we are the call

We are the call to the wild

We are the call, we are the call

We are the call to the wild

The entire pack howled once she had transformed to look like them, and I watched as my older brother barged in. Great. Now what?

He had his hand on his Z-band, threatening to take it off if the werewolves came anywhere near Addison. Ah. He hadn't seen where I was, but I think Wyatt was purposely standing in front of me to keep me hidden. 

I watched as Wyatt's shoulders stiffened defensively, and then Zed threw his Z-band away.

"Wolves!" Willa called, and the pack surrounded him. Addison ran for the small device, turning just in time to see her boyfriend throw one of the werewolves violently. Her eyes widened, and I was quick to grab the Z-band from her and put it back in its place before Zed could do anymore damage.

"Zed, we came here willingly."

"What?!"

"But you texted Help!" Bree. Of course. Addison rolled her eyes at the mistake.

"Yeah, we needed help on the chemistry homework. Didn't you see the beaker emoji?" The cheerleader looked at her phone, mouth open as she realized her error in judgement.

"I do now. By the way, I love this new look. New hairstylist?"

"Werewolves. They know hair." Addison said with a shrug.

"And manicures." Wynter stuck her claws out proudly as the pack hummed in agreement.

"They think I may be a werewolf." Addison faced Zed.

"What? How?"

"I don't know, maybe a grandparent. My hair means something! This could be my pack!"

Willa took a small box from one of her friends, opening it to showcase a beautiful necklace.

    "For centuries, this has been set aside for the Great Alpha."

"A fully-charged moonstone is priceless to us, Addison." Wyatt and I shared a look after he said that. It's like he was chewing me out for dropping my necklace silently.

"Once you put this on, you'll be transformed into a werewolf. Part of our pack. Forever." Addison's eyes lit up in excitement, then dulled as Zed opened his big mouth.

"What? No!"

"Can I think about it?" The white-haired girl asked. Willa turned to her brother, earning a small nod from him.

"For a day."

"Once you're one of us, you can lead us to the hidden moonstone." Wyatt explained. Wait. Hidden? They don't know where it is?

"But she doesn't know where it is." Wynter pointed out.

The ground chose that moment to shake, startling us all. Wyatt ran up the staircase, staring out in the distance as the power plant's windows lit up orange. I stood by him, eyes wide.

"They must be testing charges for the demolition tomorrow." Zed commented.

"Seabrook Power is the birthplace of zombies." Eliza said proudly.

"A little lime soda mixed with some mysterious energy, and then BAMM!" He scared Wynter with his outburst. "Zombies."

She hissed at him, making him jump back in fear.

"Nice story, but that doesn't concern us." Willa said hotly. Addison looked at me, and we seemed to share the same revelation.

"But it does concern you, Willa. Seabrook Power was fueled by a mysterious energy source. That could be your moonstone, right?"

"What else would be considered mysterious to a bunch of superstitious and trigger happy settlers?" I said with a raised eyebrow.

"They found the moonstone. They're amazing." Wyatt looked at Willa, earning a bored look. Zed gave Addison a hurt look from behind her, and I finally felt somewhat sorry for him.

"We'll see you at school tomorrow, Addison." Willa dismissed us.

"Okay. Tomorrow. Big day." Addison and my friends left. I only stayed because Wyatt grabbed my arm before I could go.

"I'll see you later, okay?" That same look was in his eyes again.

"Yeah." I replied, joining my friends as we headed home.