Initiation

Chapter One

Lucian had recently returned to Hungary after six months abroad. He'd brought with him not only gold and silver, but also a new fledgling. He had chosen to call the newly turned lycan Singe, for his burning desire to unlock new doors in the field of science. The alpha had found the man in Austria, befriended him, and made the choice to turn him to save him from a fatal disease - blood cancer. Lucian told himself and his pack that he'd turned Singe because the new fledgling was a brilliant scientist, but what he had not told his brethren was another reason. Ever since he met the thin, bookish Austrian, he had developed a soft spot for the unconventional nature and intelligent grace that lie within.

The den was loud, with the multitude of mostly male lycanthropes gathered, laughing, drinking, and eating (that which from a distance looked like a human and a horse). They all turned when Lucian entered, Singe by his side, in heavy winter clothes.

Singe looked around anxiously, trying to hide behind his Sire. Though he appreciated being of the importance in society to be invited to lavish parties and gatherings, he had never liked loud, drunken men, even as a human, and that notion had not changed in his revival as a lycan. Preferably he wanted to curl up in a warm bed with a good book.

"Singe, come now, do not be frightened..." Lucian said gently, placing an arm around the other's shoulders. "This is your new home now, my friend..."

The younger lycan smiled at the reassuring hand on his shoulder and proceeded to follow his sire and new master through the crowds, trying his best to socialize, something else he did not have a knack for.

That night, Lucian showed him to his sleeping quarters, strangely close to the leader's own.

"I fear I must leave again tomorrow," Lucian stated. "I have business with someone who may supply us with weaponry and information."

"Oh..." The Austrian responded with a small smile, looking down at the floor. Singe fought to keep his disappointment from showing. He did not dare ask Lucian if he could come with him; he would probably just be a liability, anyway.

"Don't worry. My brethren will look after you until I return." Lucian smiled, and let his fingertips touch the other's cheek for a split second. He felt protective of the younger man, though physically Singe looked older than the alpha. With the exception of his fledgling, the entire pack was composed of soldiers, and a mere scientist among them might cause feelings of singling him out.

"Try to rest now. You need it after our long trip. If anything should happen, ask for Raze.”

“Yes, of course,” Singe replied. During the day’s festivities and introductions, he could recall Lucian’s second in command quite well, especially his huge size and equally big voice.

“Until I come back,” Lucian concluded with that strange, sad smile of his, “rest well and enjoy your new home.”

Blush still lingered on his cheeks from the brief contact moments ago, and hopefully his sire would not be able to see it in the dimly lit tunnel. Singe could still remember the night he was turned by the man not even a week ago. He was bitten the night of the full moon and had quite the exhausting evening as a newborn lycan particularly so when his body was healing at the same time from the debilitating leukemia. Eventually he awoke in human form once more, wrapped in a blanket and gathered up in Lucian's arms, stowed away in a train destined for Hungary. He would never forget his sire's kindness, nor the second chance he had at this new life.

"Yes, Lucian."

Singe stayed for a moment to gaze after Lucian as the leader walked off, but then he entered his new chamber and closed the door. It was a very humble room with just a bed and a table with two chairs. An oil lamp stood on the table, and Singe suspected that he would need it, as the room had no windows. Quietly, he undressed and crawled into his new bed.

Oh, if only he had something to read...
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To be continued...