“Makenna, look at his eyes!” Caleb says in amazement. They are liquid silver, the same exact shade as Frisbee.
“It can’t be Frisbee, Caleb!” she says shocked!
The moment he hears her voice, he lifts his head to sniff the air. It is her! His girl! He stops growling and stares at her.
“Archer,” he replies in deep voice. “I am Archer.” Chills break out on his body and he wraps his arms around his legs to cover his nakedness.
Caleb backs away and grabs a blanket, “Turn around, Makenna.” He snaps out the order and tosses the blanket towards Archer, being sure not to get to close.
“Thank you,” he says dragging the blanket over his shoulders he stands to his full height. He is shorter than Caleb but looks to be the same age.
“What are you? Who are you?” Caleb asks making sure to keep Makenna behind him. She pokes him in the back and side steps him.
“I am Archer,” he repeats.
“Are you a werewolf?” Caleb snaps holding the knife up towards him. The moon glints off the blade and flashes around the room.
“I am… I was a wolf.” Archer says glancing at Makenna.
Their eyes meet and she smiles at him and he steps towards her. “No! You will not touch her!” Caleb snaps out stepping between them.
“He wouldn’t hurt me, Caleb. He’s my friend.” Makenna says.
“Your Naked Friend!” Caleb snaps in frustration. “We don’t know what it… he, is!” he reminds her. “He already bit me once and you won’t be next.”
Archer hangs his head and looks ashamed. “I am sorry, Caleb. I was afraid you were going to hurt me, like the hunter who traps the wolves. I would never hurt Makenna.” She smiles in triumph and then gasps.
“Sam is trapping them! I knew it!” Archer takes a step towards her again but his legs threaten to give out.
Caleb looks at the two of them like they are crazy. “We are standing here talking to a werewolf! Let’s go Makenna! If he isn’t a threat to us, like he says, then he can stay here tonight and we will figure out what to do about him.”
Archer stays where he is trembling in exhaustion. Weak and tired from the transformation, he sinks to the ground and drags another blanket to the corner.
“I must rest now,” he whispers unable to stay awake any longer. Caleb and Makenna fall quiet and stare at the wolf boy in the corner.
“We have to help him, Caleb.” She whispers.
“I know. Let him rest. We can grab some clothes for him and see if your dad’s books say anything about a wolf turning into a boy!”
Archer sleeps a deep and healing sleep. The moon calls to him softly.
“Archer. You need to wake now, he comes for you!
“Mother Moon?” He answers.
“Yes, my child. The hunter comes drawn to the gift that flows through your veins. You are the last of the Arctic Wolves. If he gets your blood, he will become a monster unlike anything the world has ever seen!”
“Why do I have this gift? Is that why the other wolves hate me?” He asks trying to understand.
“They are afraid of what they do not understand. You must lead the pack to safety and stop this hunter. Your girl is in trouble, Archer. He will try to hurt you, by hurting Makenna.”
Archer answers with a growl deep in his throat. “He will not hurt her. She is the only one to ever show me kindness. I will protect her!”
“There is more for you to know…” Mother Moon starts to say, but a loud noise outside wakens him.
Archer leaps to his feet, heart pounding and readies to fight. He crouches on all fours and creeps along the corner of the room in darkness waiting for the threat to show itself.
The cellar door creaks open and footsteps descend, one then another, slowly as if trying not to be heard. Archer leaps at the enemy and pulls him down to the floor.
“AHHHHH!!!” Caleb screams and the clothes in his hand scatter. Pinned to the floor by the naked wolf-boy, Caleb glares up into silver eyes.
“No threat, huh! Get off me!” Caleb rolls to the right and throws the boy across the room. He stands with his mouth hanging open and watches Archer land on all fours, as if he were still a wolf. Then lightning fast Archer shoots past Caleb and up the stone steps to freedom.
Caleb glares at the white bare butt of the wolf-boy shooting up the steps, out the doorway and sighs. He jumps up grabbing the clothes off the floor and grumbles, “This is not going the way I planned!” He runs out after him. He has to get him dressed before anyone sees him. How the heck will he explain a naked boy running around like a wolf!
“Archer!” he yells after him. He sees the boy staring up at the woods and skids to a stop and can’t help but laugh, when he lifts his leg to take a whiz on a tree! “No!!!” Caleb tries to yell but he can’t stop laughing.
“Dude, Puts some clothes on!” he yells and drags him back to the cellar. They are probably going to be too big, but it will have to do for now. Quickly he shows him how to put the underwear on first. Next the pants and sighing with relief the shirt, socks, and shoes follow.
Archer stands looking at Caleb and for the first time he looks almost human. He looks like a normal teen, long shaggy black hair, pale skin but his eyes will be a problem.
“Put these on like this.” Caleb says and shows him how to put on the sunglasses. “They will protect your eyes. Perfect.”
Archer sniffs the air, Caleb sighs, “Almost perfect. Come with me.” Caleb leads him up the cellar steps and outside once more.
Makenna comes out carrying a plate with food on it. “I thought you might be
