"It's fake." It was all I could say. There was absolutely no way that what I just witness actually happened.

"No one I know is any good with graphics like this."

"It looks like a movie." The quality of the video was too good.

"We put HD cameras in there. I hate that blurry video where you can't see anything." She sighed. "Why does this seem so outlandish to you?"

"You're trying to tell me that I…transformed into some wolf, thing, and I'm just supposed to take you for your word."

"You can fast forward. We copied until you changed back."

I shook my head, "It's all fake. A Hollywood graphic."

"That's real. I can prove it." She looked up at a camera.

A man who wasn't so intimidating came into the room not 3 seconds later. "Change for her." Casey said to the man.

He sighed and nodded. "No wonder they sent me in." He grumbled as he took off his shirt.

"You're due for a change anyway."

"Yea yea." He complained as he walked further into the room, away from us. By the time I looked back at him, he was tossing his shorts to the side. I quickly looked away, a blush heating my face. He had been commando. Maybe they all just didn’t like underwear.

Casey smiled. "You need to watch. To make sure we're not trying to trick you with illusions."

I slowly looked over. Everything was normal, he started to sweat a bit, then his skin started crawling. What came next was absolutely horrifying. The sounds of his change alone would haunt my dreams for months. He groaned and whined as his bones popped and his muscles moved under his skin.

Watching it live was worse…way worse. He twisted like a contortionist. His bones shortened or elongated, depending on its new function. Fur sprouted out of his skin like fast motion grass. His skull elongated gruesomely. His teeth made sounds like he was crunching on gravel.

I felt sick. Casey had a trashcan waiting for me when I turned to face her.

"The first time's always a bit jarring, but you needed to see it." She said sympathetically. "That's what you go through when you pass out. You're not going unconscious; your wolf is taking over your body and forcing a change." She handed me a napkin. "This is why we stress the importance of gaining control over your wolf. You are still responsible for what you do as a wolf, even if you don't remember it."

"So I'm a monster?"

She shook her head. "No. You're not a monster. You're just…more susceptible to violent tendencies."

"Sounds like a monster to me." I managed to contain the sick feeling that threatened to overtake me.

"You're only a monster if you choose to be." She paused looking over at the man before looking back at me. "Grayson told me that you're a cop, or you were a cop, before this all happened." I nodded. "That should help you. The training that you receive could have helped you survive the attack and the resulting change."

"So that dog that attacked me was actually a werewolf."

She nodded and looked behind me again. "He's finished, if you want to look at the end result."

I looked back to see a wolf staring at me expectantly. My initial reaction was to put my hand out to it, like I would a dog. I hesitated as the wolf walked closer to me. When I didn’t pet him, he nudged me with his muzzle. I slowly reached and ran my fingers through the fur.

"This is crazy."

Casey shrugged, "It's all about perspective. There are a lot of perks to being a werewolf, but there are a lot of downsides."

I looked into the wolf's eyes and saw consciousness, like there was someone intelligent actually in there.

See, you're not going crazy. The voice in my head said triumphantly.

I didn’t know how to respond if I even wanted to.

"I need a break." I admitted. This was all too much.

Casey nodded and held the door open for me. "Holler and someone will come for you when you're ready to get settled in."

"Settled in?"

She nodded, "You're staying here, in the compound."

"With those crazy guys I had to get past to get here?" I shook my head. I couldn't stay here, not with all those guys. Who knows the last time they got laid.

"You're going in a different floor, all to yourself."

"I don't want to stay here with those guys."

"When you gain control, we'll make room for you at the house until you can get your own place. But not until you gain control." She said firmly. "There are children living there and we're not risking their safety."

I nodded, "Okay."

I understood why, I just didn’t like it.

Well at least you'll talk to me now. The voice said happily.

What do I call this voice?

Well I came from you. I groaned. This was going to take some getting used to.

I stayed in the room with my head resting on the table until someone came in.

"You ready yet?"

Mmm. The wolf let out a happy growl.

It was Mr. Green-Eyes, Casey named him as Mason.

"Never." I muttered unhappily.

"Well I want to go home. It's getting late and I'm starving."

My stomach grumbled at the mention of food.

He sighed. "Get up, I'll take you to the cafeteria and we'll eat together."

When I looked up, I wasn't thrilled with the idea of having a meal with this jerk.

"It's either: eat with me, or get goaded by the guys."

So obviously I chose to eat with Mason. The devil you know is better than the one you don't.

I didn't know what time it was until I walked into the cafeteria (which looked like it could hold up to 50 people). It was 11:35 PM. It was dark when Chris brought me here, so that made it obvious. The cafeteria wasn't full like I expected it to be. There were only a couple guys sitting around, eating huge burgers that made my mouth water.

The smell of the place was wonderful. It didn't stink like I expected it to. There wasn't a counter full of repulsive food. It was more like a restaurant than anything else.

Mason sat us down at a small table. I felt the eyes of the 7 guys who were in here on my back.

"Relax." Mason said as he waved someone over. He looked sort of normal at the prospect of eating. "Can you bring us two of what I normally get?"

The guy nodded, "Who's this?"

"Oh." Mason looked at me. "A new girl."

The guy smiled. "Is she staying with us?"

Mason's eyes hardened on the guy, "Not that it concerns you."

The guy nodded and looked me over once. "Right." He walked away.

"You're going to have to get used to the staring." He looked back at the other guys, who immediately turned away. "They're just not used to seeing tail walking around."

I rolled my eyes. "Really? You can't say anything without making it rude?"

He smiled, "It's a gift."

"You should return it." I muttered as I looked around. This place was actually a little pleasant, well except for present company.

When I glanced at Mason, he was staring at me.

"What are you looking at?"

"You." He didn’t even bother to look away.

"Why?"

He shrugged, "Because I'd rather look at you then the guys."

"Is that some twisted compliment?"

He leaned back into his chair. "Half a compliment."

"Why half?"

"You don't want me to answer that."

"You've been a huge jerk all day; I don’t see why you should change your mind now."

"Because my retort would hurt your feelings."

I rolled my eyes. "Who would've thought that under all that bravado there was a man capable of considering my feelings."

He didn't speak to me again. After we ate, he dropped me off in a room and shut the door behind me.

The room wasn't big. It felt like a pod that I was forced to be in. it made me feel claustrophobic.  But I had no choice. This was home sweet home for now. I'd just have to suck it up until I could escape from here.

Laying in this new, large, but uncomfortable bed I couldn't help but wonder what my life has become. Was this real?

Could I really be what they say I am? Or did I just fall for their trick?

I groaned and closed my eyes. I would speak to that voice if I heard it again.

I settled for closing my eyes and trying to sleep.