Quinn didn't sleep at all that night. He sat on the sofa, looking down the hall waiting for Brandon to wake up. Part of him was mad that Crash didn't stay or let him go with him when he left.

"You look like shit." Commented Brandon in the morning, stretching as he walked out.

He looked normal to Quinn. If anything, he looked better than he had all month. Crash had been right. He didn't remember a thing from the night before. As if everything that happened was someone else doing it. He asked why the place smelt like bleach and Quinn lied, saying he didn't smell anything, which Brandon dropped a bit too quickly afterward.

The two of them had been on eggshells since Quinn came here. At first, Quinn thought it was just the whole situation between them, but last night told him the true reason. Brandon was changing; he was becoming a beast of the night and was hiding it from him. Crash thus far, has been the only one somewhat honest with him since he showed up.

"I'm going to be out most of the night." Said Brandon as he grabbed his keys. "Work then a club thing, so don't worry." He smiled, excitement on his face.  

Hell, his whole body was vibrating with excitement as he walked out.

* * * * *

It was a big night for the chapter, even a bigger night for Brandon. He had proven himself once, but tonight was the night that would mean everything. The vibration of excitement he had during the day slowly started to turn into nervousness as the night grew closer.

Brandon had felt his wolf clawing at him all day. He wanted out. Brandon had been battling him all month long. The two of them needed to learn to co-mingle, something Crash warned him would take time to balance. It wasn't something that just happened overnight.  

Their chapter was on the smaller side when it came to members with the gift. They had their top two circles, but as for the third, Brandon would make member number four. So twelve total for their chapter. It wasn't a bad number, but it could be bigger.

"How are you feeling?" Asked Crash, flicking the bud of his smoke to the ground outside of the clubhouse as he stepped out of his Bronco.

Brandon was standing by the front door, looking up at the moon. "No bike?"

"Long fucking story." Laughed Crash, rubbing his hand through his short dirty blonde hair.

"Same for the lip?" Asked Brandon.

"Even longer story."

"Knowing you, I bet." Brandon looked back up to the sky, "I'm feeling pretty good." He smiled, "Quinn was acting weird this morning, though. Like he was scared of me or something."  

Crash shrugged. "Y'all are still getting to know each other, and this month hasn't been easy for you. Kind of bad timing if you ask me."

Crash had said that before when Brandon voiced concern about Quinn sleeping on his sofa. He was stuck with a feeling of guilt once again, thinking he should have paid more attention to Brandon than he had. If he did, maybe last night wouldn't have happened, but everything ended okay. No one was badly hurt.

"But maybe it wouldn't be bad to tell him." Crash stated, "I don't see him blabbing to anyone." He was trying to be subtle.

Brandon shook his head, "We don't know him. He's still an outsider."

"He's your brother. You're the only family he's got."

"What's got you on his side all of a sudden?" Brandon asked, stepping to him. " Last I checked, he was some kid with a mouth that only causes trouble, right?"

Crash dropped it. Not saying anything else as he headed inside. Tonka clapped him on the back as they pooled to the middle of the room. All the members were here. Everyone showed up for a full moon. Even if all of them couldn't participate, the members who weren't gifted came from a family that had members who did or hoped to have the gift. Altogether they had thirty members.  

* * * *

The twelve of them moved out to the woods that enclosed their home base, what they would call their land. Each chapter had land in which they ran on and looked after. Most home bases for wolves were off the grid of sorts. Away from the city life and man. They needed their space so they could go on in peace. Thus far, their chapter hasn't had any major issues with keeping things quiet.

"It's not going to be that bad." Stated Tonka as he passed by Brandon.

"Don't lie to him." Added Crash, "The first change hurts like a bitch, but god does it feel good after."

"Either way, it's worth it," Brandon spoke firmly, not wanting to look weak in front of any of them.

Crash was being honest. His first change felt like it was tearing him in half. Then again, he wasn't sure what the hell was happening to him. He was all on his own that entire month after he was bitten. Left with no maker or guidance for any of it.

Even now, years later, shifting still had pain, but it was easier. Tonka thumbed his chest with his fist as he looked up, letting out a howl. Shifting for him was easy.  He was born to change. Others had to work at it.

"I'll hang back with you." Stated Crash as he pulled his shirt off. "Don't rush it. It will happen."

The moon was high, and all of them could feel it. It was time. Crash leaned forward as his bones started to bend and mold to his other form, howling out as he shifted, shaking his body loose as he stood on all fours. His large form took up more space than he did as a man. He motioned with his head for Brandon to let go. He had to let go. Give himself over to the night and let the wolf free.

It was much easier said than done. It was hard to let go of all that you knew, even if you were someone like Brandon who wanted it to happen. Brandon leaned forward mimicking Crash, yelling out in pain as his bones tore against his flesh; the sound of them bending to the point of breaking as they morphed into his new shape could be heard by them all. The yells of pain slowly died as his features started to change.

His senses had already been running on high, but now he felt like all of them were in overdrive. He could smell the creek that ran along the edge of what was considered their land. Brandon could hear prey moving off to the east of them. He could see every branch move as the cool breeze blew. It was all exhilarating.

This was the moment he had been waiting for for years. He wanted this so much, and now he had it, stepping forward on his front paws, letting out a loud howl, calling out to the others around him. All of them joined in. They now had a new member of the night.