Who You Are {Tag Amanda}

[Cole Loup Garou]

Amanda had been with the pack for a little over a week, and so far Syren had spent the most time with her aside from Lita. I needed to amend that on my part. Amanda was supposed to be my daughter as much as she was to be Syren's. As compassionate as I can sometimes be, I was still furious that we had been denied the chance to have and raise Amanda as our own, to our laws, in our clan. Perhaps that was reason enough as to why I'd distanced myself from her. But that was to change, today. I was grateful to Lita for introducing Amanda to the ways of the clan, and helping her through her first couple changes. If not for Lita saving her life, Syren and I might never have had the chance to know the woman who was to be our daughter. I cursed Zane's unnatural lifespan, and his very being for tampering with the ways of the world. For interferring in our clan's way of life.

I'd asked Amanda to meet me at King's Pointe the morning after her initiation. She was truly a Loup Garou now, and as both her father and the Alpha of the clan, it was high time we'd run together, at the very least. I stood atop King's Pointe in an old pair of jeans and a flannel shirt. My hair blew back from my face in the cool afternoon breeze, my shirt open and untucked also swept back by the wind. My bare feet stood solidly on the stone as I gazed out over the river and beyond the perimeter of the Luna. The sun shone above me, it's rays glinting off the river far below. The sounds of birds, awakened with spring soothed my anxious spirit.

I'd left Mick in charge after breakfast, letting him know I may not be back until well after nightfall. Amanda and I were going to run and hunt this day, bonding as wolves and as family. I wanted to take her past Arwen's cabin, the abandoned factory, and lastly, Tempest Hollow. She could see the good we'd done in transforming the place, and perhaps that would spark something in her aside from her darker nature. I admired her strength and persistance, and I did not seek to change her, simply to balance the good in her with the bad. She was not a bad seed, she'd led a rough life, and made some wrong choices, but we were all prone to fail at times. Though we are wolves, and Loup Garou, we are also human. And to be human is to err. I felt her coming long before she reached the top of King's Pointe, and without turning I greeted her with a smile on my face. "Thanks for meeting with me, Amanda."

[Amanda Loup Garou]

It had been a wild ride. First of all, we went back to my old home and my 'parents' were now dead, Syren had helped me deal with some past issues and truly, I was much better off than I had been previously. Lita was interested in the story, so after telling her, life resumed on as normal as it could be in a giant wolf clan. It had been over a week, which seemed forever in my eyes because I wasn't used to things here in the pack, yet being with my real mother and Lita made me less anxious to be around others, yes I was volatile sometimes, though I hadn't tried ripping someones head off so I was making progress. Oh, and I was initiated, now a full Loup Garou too. Synge and Midian were pretty happy with that, but they tended to stay back from me, which maybe they didn't know how I'd react to some stuff. Good on their part, but still, they were supposed to be my brothers if things had been different.

Cole, the Alpha and my supposed father, asked me to meet him at some place called King's Pointe. After wolfing down some breakfast, the others bade me goodbye as I prepared myself mentally for the meeting, having not been alone with my real father yet, and how did I know what was going to happen or what he would say? Our lives were meant to be together, as father and daughter, yet we were denied that. A low growl tickled the back of my throat as I pulled on jeans and a tee-shirt, colored red like my old favorite one that I was nearly dead in, leaving shoes off because they just irritated me, before bounding off, following scent trails left by Cole, which was easier to follow since his was the strongest and more powerful in my senses than the others apart from Syren's, and then more fainter, Mick's. There were other scents that I tried to ignore, since getting lost would be easy for me and really, I didn't want that. Dirt, stones, fallen leaves stuck to my bare feet as I ran with ease, hoping to be a wolf again soon. I felt more at home as the wolf.

Reaching the place, I marveled, before beginning to climb, soon seeing Cole's form up top and brushing the dirt from my jeans, although some was stuck in good, tearing my eyes from my now dirty jeans as his words struck in my head. "It's not a problem Alpha." I replied curtly, nerves were starting to settle into my stomach, causing me to twitch anxiously. The one reason I called him Alpha was simple. I had no idea what reaction he would have if I called him father. Syren, when I called her mother, came running and protected me like a real mother, but she was more, I don't know the right word, maybe accepting of me? Even that sounds a little off. "Not to sound rude, but what are we doing here?" Folding my arms across my chest, a small defensive gesture which would always stick with me, I stared around, trying to get a feel for the place, to get a feel on the air around us. "Though its peaceful here. Really peaceful." Apart from the birds singing, it was. Just us and nature, soothing to the soul.

[Cole Loup Garou]

I turned to face her, still grinning. "You don't have to call me Alpha, you know. Cole works just fine." I didn't think she'd be ready to call me dad, though Syren had earned the title of mother from her. Syren's motherly instincts were easy for her to show, and she'd been elated that Amanda finally gifted her with that title. I could bide my time until Amanda was ready to call me father, though it didn't rankle my fur as it had Syren's. "Hmm, yes it is. I come here sometimes just to think, because it's so quiet, and I can see the entire camp. I asked you to come so that we could spend some time together. Unless you had other plans." I could force her to stay, using my will as Alpha to over power hers, but that would go against my personal beliefs. I could order others in the clan, but exercising my right as Alpha was something I didn't care to do unless absolutely nessecary.

"I thought we'd run, outside of the perimeter, hunt when we felt the urge, tussle if you like. And there are a few places I'd like to show you. Would you do me the honor of running with me today?" I held my hand out to her, leaving the options to her of whether to stay or go. I knew she felt apprehensive about being here with me, treating me more as an Alpha than her father. She was also much more comfortable as the wolf. She'd taken to the change easily, and truly accepted it. I'd never known one so strong to turn away from the wolf, and she'd embraced it immediately. I wasn't sure if the idea of being a wolf for the remainder of the day, or running with me put the light in her eyes, but I was assuming it was being a wolf more than running with the Alpha. I smiled as she agreed with vigor.

"Good." I dropped my flannel and began the change even as I stepped from my jeans. I stood before her on four legs, the same breeze that wound through my hair, now traveling the length of my furred body. I shook myself to settle my coat, and once Amanda had shifted I paced around her, shoving my nose into her fur and breathing her scent in deep. Since her initiation she smelled like kin, not just Loup Garou, but my own child, mine and Syren's. I bit her ruff, gently, then nudged her cheek with my nose before trotting down the narrow path that lead up to the top of King's Pointe. As she followed I increased my speed, and soon we were both careening down the steep incline toward level ground. We flew across the meadow, startling butterflies and moths that nested in the plantlife. They flew up around us as we barrelled over the land and into the forest.

It was cooler here than on King's Pointe, the trees shading the lower growth well. Ferns had begun to unfurl themselves, lining the paths we ran down as we moved deeper in the forest. I slowed after we'd crossed the perimeter, catching a new scent. It was wolf, but not Loup Garou. He smelled of human blood, and I knew we had a rogue nearby. "There's been a wolf near, watching us. He's gone rogue." I growled, body tensed as I scanned the area. The scent trail was barely a day old, he'd been by in the night. "Keep alert, we may have a fight on our hands if we find him." Killing humans was against our laws, unless they perpetrated harm to us first. I was of a mind to hunt the rogue down, but refused to give up this time with Amanda. Though, what I knew of her, she wouldn't back down from a fight. Perhaps this would be good for her, a way to burn off excess emotions while keeping the clan safe. This rogue was a killer, and if he'd go after humans, he'd have no problems attacking a clan member.

[Amanda Loup Garou]

He was so different than what you would first think. Most, being a leader, would prefer the leader title, either master, Alpha or whatever, but Cole was different. "Yes Al- I mean, Cole." This would take a bit of time to get used to, but I had plenty of time now. No more worries about what was happening in L.A, the police weren't after me anymore and my serial kidnapper/putting people in trap days were over. At least I had hoped anyway. People needed to value their lives more, but being with the clan, has shaped my views differently. There were better ways of showing people that then to kidnap them and put them in games where failing meant death. "I'm not surprised. A good place for the Alpha. Seeing the camp too is a plus, enables you to keep an eye out." His words shocked me, forcing my body to become rigid while paranoid started to creep into my brain. I had to force myself to remember that he wasn't going to do anything, he wasn't like everyone else.

"I have no other plans." That was true. I didn't usually plan my days anyway, it was just not as much fun as taking each hour, each day, as they came. The idea of a run made my smile, ears perked up at the simple thought of running, it was truly freedom when I ran. "Of course!" The initial apprehension was gone, replaced by a complete and utter joy at the idea of running as a wolf, hunting, even tussling! Although I hadn't tussled much, it would be a good idea to start. "I will do you the honor." I took his hand in my own, a powerful, primal emotion rose up within me at the simple contact. Even being born to someone different, my own being recognized this touch, this contact. My entire being knew I was with my father, a sense of kinship and family ties emerging forth, making my head spin. I guess this was normal to happen since I hadn't actually hugged or touched Cole before, not willingly anyway. Yet the bond had been cast, and nothing would destroy it now.

Unbuckling my jeans and shedding my shirt, I began the shift immediately, fur lined my body, covering all the skin, which I was glad since being naked around my own father was kinda creepy, though it shouldn't, my history with my fake father caused me to shift even faster. Cole wouldn't do anything though, I knew that, but still. Hands turned into paws as I soon stood as a wolf, smaller than Cole, even smaller than my mother Syren, but still fairly large for a wolf. Sheer power rippled underneath skin, muscles bunched and banded, ready to spring and take off. Feeling as if my body had electricity running through it, I felt so alive! The world was open to me, colors sparkled with vigorous life and sounds sharper, more clearer. I could hear, see, smell better than the normal human, but being a wolf, those senses increased. And easily, I followed Cole, slow at first, resisting the urge to nip him back, before we sped up, a joyous bark erupted from my jaw and escaped into the sky.

We ran together, Cole and I, and it was amazing. Father and daughter, for I felt it more than ever, running over the lands, hitting the forest edge when Cole spoke. Sniffing the air, I could smell the scent of something so familiar, it wasn't long until I knew what it was. Human blood. And a wolf that was somewhere around, if he found the clan, no, I didn't want to think. That wolf wasn't going to get anywhere near my home! "I smell it too. Wolf, and human blood." Cole knew my past of course, so it wouldn't surprise him that I knew human blood like that. "A rogue, we have to find him and stop him. Attacking a human, he could easily attack one of us. I should know." I had hurt humans, then when coming to the clan I nearly attacked Mick, something I wasn't proud of. "With your permission, I would like us to go find him and stop him." Being with Lita and taught me some pretty good things, like asking sometimes before doing stuff. See, I did learn and I did listen.

[Cole Loup Garou]

I growled. Low and rumbling deep in my chest. "Exactly my thoughts." I put my nose to the ground, finding his trail, before looking up to Amanda again. "you don't need my permission, finding and stopping him is exactly what we're going to do." Alpha senses led me to believe this were was a killer, letting the wolf take over his human mind, driving him to mindless violence. He hadn't come near the clan to ingratiate himself and become one of us. He'd been spying. "This way." I padded silently, following the scent trail he'd left, Amand with me.

We followed the scent for approximately two and a quarter miles when the smell of old blood, sharp and stringent hit my nose. The scent was mixed with his, equally as powerful. I didn't like the feeling I was getting as we neared the source of the odor. I halted when I saw his makeshift camp, now abandoned. He'd left plenty of evidence behind, a severed leg shoved beneath dirty rags and discarded clothing. Another growl ebbed forth as I moved to investigate the small campsite. The coals in the fire pit were cold, dirt dumped over them to keep them from reigniting. At least he didn't burn the forest down. I looked over to Amanda, checking to see how she was handling this. She was holding up well, though the desire to find and stop this murdered burned strongly in us both.

He'd left his camp early this morning, and I estimated that he was ahead of us by no more than 3 hours. Together, Amanda and I set out on the trail once more, moving faster. It soon became clear where he was headed. The abandoned factory that lay between Arwen's cabin and Tempest Hollow. It was a perfect hiding place for someone like him, though it was still to close to our territories for my comfort. The best way for us to corner him would be to take him by surprise. We could cover our scents, with the magick of the Loup Garou, but it was seldom practiced. For this instance, it would be beneficial. "We need to cover our scents, or he'll pick us up as soon as we hit the factory. We'll go in opposite each other, one through the front and one the back. Will you allow me to work the spell to cover us?" With her consent I tapped the Munin and invoked the concealing magick that would cover not only our scents, but our very presences, save to each other. He'd have no idea we were planning an ambush. "I'm glad you're with me on this, Amanda." I gave her a wolfish grin before heading for the back of the factory now that we'd come to it. "You take point. I trust you." With that, I ran for the rear of the building. He was inside, somewhere, I could smell it.

[Amanda Loup Garou]

"Good." I nodded my wolfish head, light colored fur danced with light pieces because of the sun. "I'm just kinda used to it. Made sense in my mind anyway." Shrugging, which felt odd and strange in my wolf body, I carried on, sniffing the ground and following slightly behind Cole, knowing he would be better at leading, not to mention I was content just being slightly behind, if that made any sense. The scent got slightly stronger every few moments, before we soon hit his makeshift camp, my eyes burned with fury and anger and excitement. I was a killer, it was always going to be within me, so seeing blood and gore, it sparked my mind back to my old self. Thing was, back then I didn't have control, just followed blindly. Now though, control was within reach and I tapped into that, silently thanking Lita and Syren for that help. I would always be a killer, but now, I had control, so I wouldn't be some mindless killer like the wolf that had camped here.

"We know he was here, I don't wish to stay longer than we have to." I danced upon my paws, trying to block out old memories that surfaced. Soon though, my wish was answered as we were back on the move. Heading towards an old place by the smell, that smell was mainly rust and decay, although scents of the Loup Garou were here, though that didn't mean bad things. "The plan is good. And yes, go ahead." I didn't want the wolf to know we were coming, so hiding out scents seemed like a good idea. "Thank you. I'm glad too." Stunned into silence when he said he trusted me, I powered forwards, paws splintered sticks that happened to get under my foot, body pushed forwards and head slightly dipped, I reached the front while Cole took to the rear. The front was slightly open, death clearly in the air that made my recoil, stomach tightened while I swallowed a cold and fierce growl. No, I had more control than that, I know I did.

Nose pushed the door a little further, getting rust shavings onto my fur which was annoying, yet I crouched low, entering the dark building before allowing my eyes to adjust, when they did I could see more than before. The entrance was huge and spacious, a door was in pieces that lead into a hallway made of concrete. I was suddenly reminded of the building John used and that I nearly died in. Taking a deep breathe, I moved onwards, checking out the scents and sniffing the air for this wolf, which he wasn't here, the smell was too faint. Making my way into the hallway, dust inched nearly every inch of the place except for the human and wolf tracks made on the ground. Even without the scent I could follow the prints, which happened to lead into an office. A door was open and hanging by a few bits of splintered wood, another door opposite which was an entry from the back. Good, that meant Cole would be able to come from that side. "I think I found him and I'm going in." Call me reckless, but I felt confident enough to do this.

Heading inside, I found the wolf, his yellow eyes blazed towards me, snarling at my presence while a yelp of surprise escaped his jaw. "Not very manly jerk!" I snarled, my own voice stronger than his as we leaped towards each other, his claws raking my front legs, missing his chance at a bite hold, while my own head dipped downwards, striking like a snake I grabbed the underside of his neck, where it was more likely to do damage. Taking a good hold, I pulled him to the floor, his struggles stopped as he hoped he could at least do something to stop death from coming to him. Good thing I didn't get a hold on the top of his neck otherwise he wouldn't have submitted so easily and so quickly.