The beautiful and amazing Janis Danner as Altan ^^ top

Altan POV

*4 years later*

"Morning kiddo, are you excited about tonight?" Mama asked as I walked into the kitchen. 

"I'm a little nervous, papa said his shift was pretty painful." I said. 

"I don't want to scare you… but it just might. A tiger has over four hundred bones compared to our two hundred something." Mama said sipping their coffee. 

"Great… that's going to be fun." I huffed. 

"We'll be there with you kiddo, it'll be ok I promise." Mama said, smiling and I nodded. 

"I guess I better get going to the training grounds, hopefully, Skylar and papa go easy on me. Skylar had me lift two cars stacked on each other to test my basic strength." I said. 

"Wow, you're stronger than your papa already." Mama winked. 

"I thought papa started his training pretty late?" I asked. 

"I was trying to get you pumped up for training. For the past few weeks, you've been coming home practically crawling in than when you leave. It worries me you're working so hard. I wasn't there when your dad first started his training but if it's anything like what you're going through, I'm honestly glad I missed it or I may have broken down seeing him half dead." Mama said.

Well it only half worked because now I'm nervous as hell and dreading tonight.

"I'll have papa heal me after training. He usually does but I still end up feeling like I got hit by a train." I said and mama cringed.

"Well good luck kiddo." Mama said and I nodded. I wonder where everyone else is. I didn't see mommy Vince or dad Seth, Eric, or Nathan. 

Soon enough my questions were answered when all five of them were at the training grounds with Skylar. 

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked. 

"The kids are playing with the other pack kids so we came to watch your training." Dad Nathan said. Sometimes I forget the babies aren't exactly babies anymore, they're four years old now.  

I smiled and hugged them. "Thanks, guys." 

"Go stretch, it looks like Skylar and your papa are just about set up." Dad Eric said and I nodded. 

After I finished stretching I walked towards papa and Skylar.

"We don't exactly have an arena like New Moon does but we have a powerful wolf prince who can put a barrier around us so no one gets hurt." Papa said. 

"Why doesn't that make me feel any better?" I said and he just chuckled. I could be a danger to the pack and he's laughing. 

"Because you're a good person and care about people's safety." Papa said and I just sighed and we got started. 

We first practiced my endurance. I was able to pick up most vehicles so for today's test I had to pick up a military tank. How we got a tank is beyond me but I have a feeling that grandpa Sebastian called in a favor. 

"Fifty more overhead presses kiddo." Papa said and I could only imagine I was sweating like I just came out of a sauna and breathing heavier than I ever had before in my life. 

"Ok that was five hundred, well done kiddo." Papa said smiling at me. 

"Thanks, papa." I said and drank some water and Dr. Balwin checked me out. 

"Take a five, you can't continue in this condition, you'll overheat and burn out." He said and we all nodded. 

My entire body was screaming and I was in so much pain but I had to keep going. I fought against all the warriors and some of the organization members in hand to hand combat. I did ten laps around the pack, I did a few intense workouts at the actual pack gym, grandpa Sebastian trained me in military combat and just trained me in general putting me through military boot camp… which I might add, regret it. 

Next is the real test. Me against papa and Skylar, two of the strongest people I know. I pray I'll be able to do it, they're my family… I can't fight my family. Although what they said made sense and I have no choice. They said even family can turn on you and you'll have no choice but to take them out so they want me to come at them full force. I just hope Amar doesn't go overboard and attack to kill. 

"Altan…" I blinked a few times. Did I zone out?

"Huh?" I looked to see an amused face on papa's face. 

"I was asking if you were ready? I healed you and gave you an extra ten minutes of rest so come on." He said helping me up. 

"Are you guys going to warn me when you're going to attack or just come straight at me? Because I really don't feel…" I was rambling to myself and didn't realize we were starting until Skylar was already on top of me baring his teeth. 

"You should know this by now kiddo, your enemies won't give you time to prepare." Papa said and I huffed using my legs and launched Skylar into a tree and physically cringed when he landed on the ground with a loud thud. 

I let my guard down a little sighing in relief when papa grabbed me by my shirt and flung me in the opposite direction. 

So that's how they're going to play… ok then. 

I ran back and was soon surrounded by my papa, mommy, dads, and Skylar. How the hell did I get outnumbered six to one? It was already complicated fighting two now I have to fight six. 

"Stop overthinking Altan, keep your head focused. You won't kill us so easily being at minimum power." Papa Raja’s strong voice said. 

I huffed and charged in and tackled them one by one and used my fists. I know I could use some of my powers without Amar but it doesn't always work without a trigger. 

I was starting to overheat the later it got, I'm not supposed to shift until next week so what the hell is going on?

By the end of training, I probably looked like a carcass just ready to be eaten by scavengers. Luckily the pack kids don't come this far out or I'd probably scar them until the end of time. 

"You did great today baby boy and Amar only took over once." Papa said and I couldn't bear to look at his chest or abdomen as the claw marks were still healing. 

"Baby boy I'm fine, they're not as deep as they look." Papa said and I looked at him. 

"The point is I wasn't strong enough to pull him back… I hurt you papa and he enjoyed it as he saw you as an enemy." I said, sighing. 

"He's an angry tiger spirit who's been placed behind a gate for centuries, just give him some time. Let him calm down and talk to him, he may not respond as you don't exactly have that connection with him yet but just let him know that it was training and not real. When you shift Raja and he will connect and you will see a difference in Amar almost right away with being connected to Raja, right now he’s a lost cub. It will all work out, trust me." Papa said and ruffled my hair. 

"Let's get you healed and get you home to rest and we can do something later." He said and I nodded as he began healing me. 

After papa healed me, he collapsed. 

"Papa!" I said picking him up and looked around. 

"Guys!" I yelled to dads and Skylar and they turned back to me to see me struggling to hold papa's dead weight. I was still pretty exhausted and carrying him to see Dr. Balwin by myself was not going to happen so Skylar came and picked him up and we all went to the pack hospital. 

"I was expecting you guys." Dr. Balwin said. 

"He just collapsed after healing me." I said referring to papa. 

"He just needs to sleep for a few hours and have some fluids through IV. It was extremely hot and you all trained pretty hard." He said and I sighed looking at papa in the bed. 

He's so stubborn, I knew he exceeded his limits and was just functioning on pure adrenaline. 

A few hours of resting and papa along the rest of us went back home. 

"I was just about to send a search party for you guys." Mama said chuckling. 

"Papa fainted from exhaustion and just needed a few hours to rest and have an IV drip but he's good now." I said. 

"Where are the kids?" Dad Eric said. 

"In their rooms getting dressed, they all just took a bath… as you all should. I love you all but you all stink. Go take a shower and we'll all eat dinner and relax, it's already seven forty-eight." Mama said and we all went to shower. 

Being the first one out of the shower, I got dressed and went downstairs. 

"Mama, when does Holt come home?" I asked. 

"He'll be home next week for your first shift then he's going back to campus." They said. 

"I still can't believe he's in college, I mean I can but it's so quiet without him. I miss him." I said. 

"It has but he'll be back." Mama said and I hugged them as they sobbed. 

When dads, mommy, and papa came down with all the kids, we ate dinner and watched tv as a family. 

*A week later*

Today is my birthday and the day I shift. I can feel Amar itching to get out and my powers are awakening more to the point that I almost burned the trees around the pack. So here I am in an ice bath because my body temperature has been through the roof. 

I'm so glad after today I'll be done with training for a while until or if a new power presents itself. 

"Altan, time to get out, there's someone here who'd like to see you." Mama said on the opposite side of the door and I heard them walking away. 

Hope it's who I think it is. Holt being away at college has affected us all to the point that mama refuses to touch anything in his room and keeps the door locked.

Once I was out of the bath and dressed, I walked downstairs and tackled my brother. 

"Whoa, where's the fire bro?" Holt asked. 

"Well excuse me for missing you jeez." I huffed and got up. 

"Are you getting too old to cuddle with your brother now? At one point you liked my hugs and cuddles." He chuckled and pulled me back into his waiting arms.

"Maybe, maybe not." I chuckled and regretted messing with him. 

"Oh, you're so going to regret that." He said and he started tickling me making me kick and flail. 

"I surrender." I said trying to catch my breath through my laughs as he looked at me fondly.

"You have grown so much Altan, I am so proud of you." He said and I felt my heart fill with love. 

"Thank you. It is really good to have you home." 

"It's good to be home. I'm watching your training today." Holt said as we were all eating. 

"You don't have to bro, I'm only training all day up to when I shift and do whatever else." I said. I don't want anyone to get hurt if I can't control my fire or any physical power for that matter. 

"We're all going to be there for you, kiddo. Minus the kids of course." Mama said and the kids whined. 

"But mama we wanna be there for Altan too." Odin said. 

We all smiled. They're all so adorable.

"Not today baby boy." Papa said and he huffed. 

After breakfast, the kids went to grandpas and the rest of us went to the training grounds. 

"Are you ready for this Altan? We're going to start with a simple fireball and then go from there. You already have light, dark, energy, earth, and water manipulation down but fire." Skylar said and I just nodded feeling my hands getting sweaty. 

"Just hold your hand out and envision a sphere of light taking shape in your hand and add some heat and movement to it like dancing flames." Skylar instructed. 

I took a deep breath and did as told. 

"That's it, control your breathing or it may grow too big." He said and I nodded. I was actually doing it so me being a bit too cocky decided to make it grow bigger.

"That's enough Altan." Papa said and it poofed into a cloud of smoke. 

"Next we'll try terra surfing." Skylar said. 

"That requires two elements being controlled." I said getting freaked out again.

"It does, but you did it yesterday so just do as you did." He said and I gulped. 

Just use the wind to cut a chunk of the earth and lift it. Just use the wind to help you surf on the rock. That's all you gotta do Altan. I said to myself. 

After a few more exercises I was able to control all four elements and darkness, light, and energy. Now it was time for spirit magic. 

"I want you to create a golem out of any element of your choosing." Skylar said and I nodded. 

I took the safest route and grabbed some rocks and took a deep breath as I let my energy flow through the rocks and opened my eyes and smiled as they took humanoid shape and came to life. 

"Good job Altan." Papa praised and I saw everyone smiling at me. 

"You did better than your old man, I think you're done. You can create shadow warriors, light clones, create golems, control the elements, your visions don't need work. You can read emotions, influence emotions.You can heal the injured, help the possessed or tainted, see and read people's memories, alter them. I can't think of anything there is to teach you. I mean you know what caleb and I both know and soon enough you won't need to concentrate so hard and with one glance you can whip out an entire city." Skylar said amazed. 

"There's one thing we can teach him… just in case of emergencies." Papa said and they looked at each other. 

"You don't mean…" Skylar began. 

"I'm afraid so." Papa said. 

"Can someone tell me what's going on?" I asked, a little confused and terrified. 

"It's a spell for emergencies to appear human or to lessen the effects of emotional pain caused by someone or something, like if you're rejected. The spell will temporarily calm Amar down… kinda like masking the pain but for a longer period of time until the people or person who hurt you fixes it." Papa said.

"But what will happen to me and Amar? Will I lose him?" I asked. 

"No kiddo. It'll just be like a band-aid of sorts so you don't feel the heartache anymore, if things get hard in the future." Skylar said. 

"I created the spell to avoid future heartaches if anyone ever lost their mate or were rejected." Skylar added and I nodded. 

"Oh, Great Mother Earth, heal my heart and Take my pain and wash it away like a gentle rain. Nurture and protect us now.I separate the love that I still feel and
Let us use the strengths
I know we have. Put my anger into flight, let it go- stay out of sight.
Mother of all things,
All that is great is mine,
Help me now to be the person I can be
and let me overcome my difficulty. Anger be gone, so will my pain. Let my spirit be free and feel no pain." Skylar said and I said it to myself so I can't forget it. 

"Ok got it." I said. 

"Ok great, then you are officially done with training and with a few hours to spare before you shift. You guys go celebrate, do something together. I have my mates to get back to." Skylar said.

"Tell them we said hi and once again, thank you for helping me Skylar." I said and hugged him. 

When Skylar left, we all went home and I ran straight to the bathroom and took a shower because I really stink.

"Kiddo, come on, we're going out for lunch to celebrate." Papa said. 

"I'm coming." I said and got dressed. 

"So where are we going?" I asked. 

"Possibly somewhere the kids can tire themselves out playing, maybe Chuck E. Cheese or Peter Piper Pizza." Mama said.

"Ok let's go." I said, still feeling energetic from training. 

Everyone was just smirking or smiling at me on the way to Peter Piper Pizza. It was really making me feel a slight bit uncomfortable with everyone's eyes on me. Minus the kids because they're in their own world and just excited to eat and play. 

"Altan are you going to play any games?" Mama asked. 

"Probably." I said unsure. 

"What pizza topping does everyone want? I'm sure I already know but let's hear it." Dad Nathan asked. 

"One large veggie pizza and one large meat lovers pizza cheese sticks and honey BBQ wings with lot'sof ranch and sprite for drinks." Mommy Vince said and dad Nathan nodded. 

"I found a table for us all." Dad Seth said. 

"I got the cards for everyone." Mama said coming back with papa and they handed out the game yards. 

"Thanks mama, thanks papa." I said and we all scattered around the place to play games as we waited for the pizza. 

"New high score." Holt cheered as he looked at the screen.

"You cheated, you actually have a motorcycle." I huffed. 

"Who does that… it's a game, the point is to win the race. I don't even know how I could have cheated." He said chuckling and I just walked away and sat at our table. 

"Where's dad Nathan and Eric?" I asked mommy and mama.

"They're helping your papa round up the kids and Seth is in the bathroom." Mommy said. 

I wish them luck, this place is a kids' wonderland and the games are oddly addictive. 

"Did everyone have fun?" Papa asked as we drove back to the pack. 

"It was fun, until Holt cheated in that motorcycle simulation game." I huffed. 

"I didn't know it was possible to cheat on those games." Mommy said. 

"It's not." Holt said. 

By the time we got back to the pack, it was around eight-thirty. Traffic was brutal. 

"Where is everyone?" I asked. 

"Probably in their houses or sleeping." Papa said. He's lying but I won't call him on it. 

Getting out of the car, I could sense there were a lot of people in the back of the packhouse. Of course, this was their plan. Get me out of the house to set up a party, but me being me let it play out and act surprised when everyone jumped out and yelled 'surprise'. 

"You knew didn't you?" I slowly turned and there was my best friend in the world. 

"Kody!" I smiled hugging him. Dammit, still too early to tell if he's my mate. I need Amar. 

"Hey bro I missed you." He said smiling. 

"You travel around the world with Christina and her family… that's exciting stuff." I said smiling. 

"I still missed you, studying abroad isn't as glamorous as people make it out to be. Especially because I didn't have you there." He said and a light blush coated his cheeks. Kody has always been my crush and I hope he is my mate.

"You're such a sweet talker, no wonder you have girls and guys falling for you." I chuckle. 

"Too bad I'm waiting for my mate." He said. 

"You act like the biggest player but you're the sweetest and most caring person I know. How you keep up the flirtatious act is beyond me. If I didn't know you as well as I did I'm pretty sure I would assume you slept with the entire student body." I said and he groaned. 

"It's harder than you think, I'm the biggest art nerd but act like a stuck up jock who only cares about getting in people's pants." He sighed dramatically. 

"And this is why you and I should stick to visual arts and photography, we can't act for anything." I chuckled. 

"Have you drawn anything lately?" He asked. 

"No, I've been training off and on for the past four years and haven't had the time." I said. 

 "Bro that sucks." We both sighed. 

After talking with his mom and dad, I made my way around to other people and friends. I can't believe everyone was here just for me. I mean I know we go above and beyond to celebrate people's lives but this was crazy. 

"Kiddo it's almost time, go change into your robe." Papa said tossing me the white robe and I got changed inside. 

As I made my way outside I felt the overwhelming sensation my body was being set on fire and my throat was dry and it was getting harder to breathe as I gasped for air. 

Mama wasn't kidding when they said the shift wasn't going to be easy. 

I don't know how long I was panting or struggling for air until I heard everyone gasp and I opened my eyes that I had no idea were closed. 

"Finally, we're complete my human." I smiled to myself hearing Amar. 

"Ready to go for a run, my friend?" He asked. 

"Try not to outrun our family alright?" I chuckled. 

"First I must apologize to our father." He said.

"You've been apologizing for attacking him. Everything is ok." I assured him.

"Doesn't make me feel any less crappy." He huffed closing our link. 

"Stubborn tiger." I said to myself and he growled lightly.

I never knew how freeing this feeling could be, running with Amar and our family like this. I love it. 

“Give me some time with Amar.” Raja said in the family link and everyone nodded and ran off leaving us two alone.

“Let’s go cub, I want to run and bond with you.” Raja said and Amar pushed forward and I let him take over so he could bond with Raja and connect like Raja has been wanting to since we first met. Raja licked us from our head to our neck and swatted at us and placed his massive paw on our head and pulled us to his neck and he bit our neck and I guess Amar knew what to do because he bit Raja’s neck and they scented one another and brushed up against one another and played like pups, bonding and connecting for hours.

The family and Kody joined just as the sun was fully set and the sky was full of stars with the beautiful full moon and the rest of the night until dawn we ran as a pack, as one.