(Mason's POV)

When I woke up this morning, Blake was sitting right near the window sill... again. It had been a week since this whole “vampire” thing happened, but he still won’t leave me alone. “ Hey.” Blake said. “What?” I answered in a sleepy tone. “Today we are going to learn your spirit animal. Also, what’s your name…?

‘Spirit animal…?’ “What’re you talking about?” I asked, still half asleep. “Oh and by the way, I’m Mason.” I said. “All vampires have a spirit animal they can shift into. Wanna see?” I only nodded my head and opened my eyes. There was a blue flash and just like that there was an owl in the room.

I was now wide awake. “H-How did you…. My sentence trailed off as I stood there in shock. He turned back right before my very eyes, so I could confirm it was not a trick.

“Since it’s a Saturday, I’ll teach you. Blake says, excitedly

“Just concentrate, and the animal inside you will awaken.” He explained. I shut my eyes and concentrated on animal instinct.

Suddenly, My smell heightened and my hearing, too. When I opened my eyes, things seemed different. They were different. Upon looking in the mirror, I realized I had become a...Black Panther...?!

“You Did It!” I heard someone screech. I looked over to see Blake standing above me. He was way taller now that I was a 2’3 black panther. Instinct took over and I bolted for the open window. “Wait!” Blake called, alarmed. But I was already running through the woods behind my neighborhood.

~~~

It was nearly two hours later. It was getting close to lunch and I was starving. As I padded through the forest, I heard something nearby. Then, I saw it. It was a bunny, and to panther me, it looked delicious. I got ready to pounce. Right at the right moment, I did. I caught the bunny easily and dug in.

‘I wonder where Blake is’ I vaguely wonder, as I finish. Just then, something falls from the trees above me and presses on a spot on my neck. I go human again, clothes and all. “Whoa…” Is all I can say, as Blake drags me home in a daze.

~~~

“What Were You Thinking!?” Blake yells as soon as we get back to my house. To me, that was all instinct. Everything just felt...I dunno...right. Despite all the questions running through my head, I just shrug my shoulders in response to his question and said “Can I have some chocolate?”. He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “This was partly my fault as well, I suppose.” ...Huh?” I say. ‘Guess that’s a no on the chocolate…?’ “Guess I should’ve closed the window when I got here.” He says. All of a sudden, that reminds me of something.

“Hey, where do you go after I’m asleep?” I ask him. He shrugs “Home, I guess.” What do you mean I Guess?” I ask him. “While my brother is supportive, my parents are pretty strict, so you could say they’re pretty disappointed in me for not following in their footsteps and helping my brother take hold of the family name.” I nod, not really knowing what to say to that.

“It’s getting fairly late, don’tcha think?” Blake suddenly said. I look at him and just say “Oh, I guess you’re right.”

I’m all of the sudden really tired. I can feel it in my muscles how much running as a panther I did today. I walk over to the bed and basically just collapse into it.

“Oi, at least change into something comfortable first.” And eat. Blake says, but I’m just too tired.

I hear him sigh before I hear a ‘lift your arms.’ I’m so tired, I don’t even try to fight when he helps me change. In an over-sized hoodie and my boxers, I fall asleep peacefully.

~~~

When I wake up, I’m drenched in a cold sweat. Looking over at my alarm clock, it reads 2:47 am. Phew, it was just a dream. In my dream, I had gone panther and attacked the person I care most about, Peyton. I shuddered at the thought, and attempted to go back to sleep.

Obviously, that didn’t work. I got up to get a glass of water, when a thought hit me. ‘Blake isn’t here.’ He’s around 24/7. The only time I don’t see him is school, and that’s because he would be arrested.

A kinda...lonely feeling set in. ‘Is this what he meant about partner?’ I wondered back to the first day we met. ‘I’ll definitely ask him about it tomorrow.’ I decided and went back to bed.

All night, I wondered where dead-tired me went, as I thought about the situation

Despite the choice I made, It still bugged me. I probably drifted off around 4:00-ish. Damn. I’m gonna be one hell of a tired grouch today. I thought as I finally drifted off.

I got up around 2:00. Sure enough, Blake was right there on the windowsill. Ugh!