Max's Pov
David left the bathroom and was left to think over everything. I looked over at the scar from the bite and sighed softly. I wanted to think David's probably just doing this because he was technically the one who bit me, but in reality, he actually really cared and wanted to help me through this. Admittedly, I needed the help too. This whole thing was terrifying and I don't know how to handle it. But why the fuck does he care so much? My parents sure as hell wouldn't.

Oh god, my parents...I sank into the cold water a little at the thought of them. What would happen if they ever found out about this? Would they think I'm a monster and throw me out of the house for good this time? I shook my head, not wanting to think about it. In fact, I really didn't want to go home at all. Not after parent's day and seeing how happy and loving everyone's families were compared to mine. I looked over the cuts and bruises from home. Sure they were old, and definitely even more so with my apparent healing powers, but they carried a different kind of sting with them. Maybe if I was lucky, my parents would leave me here and never come back so I don't have to face more of them. At least I kinda hope they do...

I gently shook my head, clearing my thoughts. Right now I just had to worry about werewolf stuff. Speaking of which, I was starting to feel worse. I groaned softly and got out of the cold bath. I gently wrapped a towel around me and then walked out of the bathroom. David was sitting at the desk doing some, no doubt boring, paperwork. He looked up at me as I walked out and gave a small smile.

"How you feeling kiddo?" He asked. I gently rubbed my eyes.

"I feel like absolute shit," I answered tiredly. David nodded.

"Unfortunately that's normal but it'll come and go."

"Great."

"Well, while you were in the bathroom, I did go get you a spare set of clothes."

David motioned to a neatly folded stack of my clothes, even including one of my spare hoodies. I smiled a little.

"Thanks," I said.

"It's no problem, Max," David responded. He then went back to the paperwork and I grabbed my clothes. I went back to the bathroom and quickly changed before coming out again and sitting on David's bed. My body started to ache more so I groaned and curled up, laying down on my side.

"Max? What's wrong?"

David had gotten up from the desk and walked over. He sat down beside me, looking at me with concern.

"The aching," I said, "It just got way worse..."

"Ok, where does it hurt the most?"

"My ears, my jaw, and the bottom of my back...What's happening to me..?"

David nodded and started to gently rub small circles on my back. For a split second, I wanted to flinch and move away from the touch on instinct, but it actually felt nice, comforting even. Plus it actually helped soothe a lot of the burning ache.

"Everything is ok. It's just your body adjusting and preparing itself so you'll be able to transform," David explained. I nodded and tried to relax. If this was just stuff happening first thing in the morning, I don't think I'll be able to last all day. Let alone tonight when I have to face the full moon.

"Why do those areas hurt so bad then?" I asked.

"It relates to major changes you'll have in a transformation. Like right now the pain in your jaw is for your teeth, your ears are for, well, your ears, and the lower back pain is coming from your tailbone. Which is where your tail will form."

I groaned softly.

"This sucks..."

David nodded and continued to rub my back.

"I know it does right now, but I promise you it'll get better...It's not all bad when you get used to it."

I nodded and finally relaxed as the pain slowly faded away back into a small ache through my whole body. Today was definitely going to be a long one.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The rest of the day passed by as slowly and as unpleasantly as I had expected. I felt terrible all day like I was sick or something, and then it was only worse whenever the adjustments would kick in. David was there for me everything single time though, comforting and helping me through all of the pain. Maybe David wasn't as bad as I had originally thought. I had already changed my view on David a little after parent's day and the situation with Daniel posing as him, but this changed a lot of things. I had a lot to think about when this was over. There was only a few days left camp now anyway.

Now it was getting very close to sundown and David, Gwen, and I were setting up for the full moon. David had made sure that I ate plenty of food through the day so I wouldn't have to go hunt. Gwen made David do the exact same thing, since he often forgot that himself. I really didn't want to kill some poor small forest animal anyhow so it seemed worth it. I noticed through the day some of the actual, physical changes David had warned me about. My canine teeth had gotten slightly pointier, and my energy was slowly drained throughout the afternoon.

David and I were sitting on his bed. He was explaining to me what was going to happen once the moon shows up and what we're going to do to prepare for it. For starters, there was the transformation itself. A lot of things were going to happen so we were going to make it as easy as possible. David had told me to change into loose clothes so they would be easier to slip out of in my wolf form, which made sense. I imagine it would probably be pretty uncomfortable being stuck in human clothes when you're basically a dog.

David also told me to bring spare clothes to change into after sunrise. He explained that clothes didn't magically appear back on like in movies and tv so it'd be pretty uncomfortable and awkward after changing back during sunrise. So, to avoid all of the trouble, I just did as I was told for once without question. As far as this situation went, I was going to listen to everything Gwen and David told me to do and their advice. They knew a lot more about this than I did so it's better to trust their word on it.

Gwen struck a match and began to light the candles that were placed all around the room. They started to give off a light but calming strawberry smell.

"Once the sun goes down completely," David explained, "Your senses will get a lot stronger. The candles Gwen is lighting will help so that we're not overwhelmed by a ton of scents at once."

I nodded, gently gripping the bedding in my fists. I was pretty nervous for this to happen. Especially since it was supposed to be so painful. I suddenly felt a gentle hand on my shoulder. I looked up to see it was David, of course. I guess he saw how nervous I was as he gave a small smile.

"It'll be alright Max. The first one's the worst but it'll be over before you know it." David reassured me. I hate to admit it, but that did help a lot. I nodded my head.

"I know," I said. "I guess I'm just nervous about it happening..."

David nodded.

"That's understandable and I'll be here if you need me, Max."

I smiled slightly.

"Thanks, David..."

"Anytime."

David took his hand off of my shoulder and glanced out the window. The sun had started to set and was already almost below the horizon. David sighed softly and took off his vest. I understood what he was doing so I slipped off my hoodie, leaving me in a loose yellow t-shirt. The sky slowly darkened outside while we all waited. Gwen was now sitting on her bed on the opposite side of the room with her arms crossed over her chest and the cabin was completely quite from anticipation.

I anxiously looked out the window behind David and me to see the moon peeking out from behind the hill. I turned back around and looked to David nervously. All of a sudden, things began to blast in my ears. Almost every single sound seemed to be blaring in my ears from the breeze in the trees outside to the flickering of the candles. My eyes snapped shut and I quickly covered my ears to try to block out the noise, whining softly with the pain.

"So...loud..."

David's voice suddenly cut through it all as I felt a pair of arms around me. They moved me to a warm surface where I didn't hesitate to lean into slightly.

"It's alright, Max. The sounds will get quiet soon once you get used to the sensitivity..." He said gently. I nodded in response. After a few moments, everything started to get quieter so I slowly took my hands off of my ears and relaxed. I opened my eyes again to see I was now in David's lap with my head against his chest while he hugged me tightly. I surprisingly didn't mind it, instead, I actually kinda like it. It felt...nice to be held and comforted. To be cared for...I hesitated for a few seconds, then slowly wrapped my arms around David and hugged him back.