I JUST SPENT ALL OF LAST NIGHT PLANNING THIS ARC I'M SO EXCITED! This chapter is where the arc really starts to pick up, especially with the introduction of a certain rival *wink wink*

Remember everyone if you are enjoying the story to vote ☆ or comment 💬 if you're feeling frisky

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When he blinked, he was in the woods again. Only, this time, it was daylight. His eyes darted around his surroundings, searching for a certain red wolf, yet, he was alone.

Was he awake? Was this real? What the hell happened? No, there certainly was something... different. He felt lighter, more alert. He looked up at the trees and was taken away by how lively they looked. The trees looked as if they were breathing. He could hear... everything. The water rushing from a nearby waterfall, and the flapping of wings from a bird miles overhead. He felt a prickling sensation on his cheek, and caressed it. The small wound he received from that pepple Etna had thrown at him earlier, it was gone. It had healed up entirely.

"Impossible..."

"You've unlocked your true powers as a wolf, Ethan. I am proud." Etna emerges from the trees, smiling.

Cyrus blinks up at her. He had gotten used to her sneaking, "What does that mean?"

"You may not be able to shift, but you will still have all of the abilities us fellow wolves have. Heightened senses, impeccable healing abilities, and of course, the mate bond."

"Mate bond?"

"Yes, I'm sure you must of already felt it, only in its most mild form. The mate bond is the driving force for all wolves. You will act in ways entirely different to your true self, and will find it very hard to control certain... urges. Do not be alarmed."

Cyrus frowns. He already knew he was mates with Lance, and he knew this body... Cyrus... felt something for him. But now, it was supposed to be even more powerful? Was a mate bond stronger than love? He was scared by that fact, or what he might do to Lance. Lance. His name sent shivers down his spine. Shivers of longing, warmth... and hunger. Woah, this mate bond was no joke. It really was true. He was no longer human, at least not in this world.

"Now, with a mate bond, the ability to communicate telepathically instantly becomes available to you. This only works, however, if one has already met their mate and has formed a bond with them."

"A bond? How do I know if I've done that?"

"Well, forming a bond is the equivalent to sex."

Cyrus coughs, his face flushing bright red. He could feel his inner wolf begin to stir and become restless just at the mention of a bond. Simmer down, boy! Cyrus hisses at his wolf. His wolf whimpers in response.

"There is still a lot to know, Ethan. But I trust you will learn everything in due time. I will leave you now."

She begins to step back into the woods and Cyrus rushes after her, "What? Just like that? What am I supposed to do?"

"Go back to your mate, continue to build trust with your wolf, and prepare. Do not reveal your wolf to your enemy, it will cost you our extinction. That is all, goodbye, Ethan."

"But-"

Etna hurriedly races off into the trees, disappearing. Cyrus sighs, rubbing at his temples. It was pointless running after her. I guess I should head back to the camp now. I know my wolf is certainly very eager too. His wolf grows excited, running laps inside his head.

Cyrus takes a deep breath, closing his eyes. He focuses on all of the scents around him, searching for one in particular. It doesn’t prove that difficult to pinpoint that certain particular scent of evergreen and smoke. It was intoxicating... and also burning. Without a moments hesitation his body began to move on its own, towards that intoxicating scent; towards his mate.

Cyrus could sense all of his logic being sucked down the drain, knowing his wolf was most likely going to be making most of his decisions for him from this point on. In his last world, he would stop to think about the consequences of his actions/words, but it seemed his wolf simply acted on impulse and impulse alone. Ethan wasn't very keen to see how his future would unfold with his newfound impulses. If it wasn't the system that would fuck everything up, than it would be him. Then again, at least his decisions wouldn't turn the world upside down. Ethan did not trust the System in the slightest, so he was only going to follow his own plan. No asking for help from the system, or purchasing anything from the store. The only part of the System he would accept was Sai, who reminded Ethan of his origin... and his humanity. After all, Sai was the only one who knew his true identity. Ethan didn't want to lose that, so he didn't want to lose Sai either.

As Cyrus came closer to the camp, and the scent became more intoxicating - Cyrus was reminded of the night before. Had he always been so helpless? Running away from a big bad wolf only to hide and cry? Cry because he couldn't care for another, for Lance, without the perpetual fear of heartbreak? He was disappointed in himself. Had he always been so dramatic? These feelings weren't his feelings. He only felt so strongly about Lance because of the mate bond that Cyrus had with Lance. Not Ethan, Cyrus. Ethan just so happened to be inhabiting Cyrus's body. If anything, he should think of these emotions as something that will help him play his role as Cyrus.

Pretending... he thought. This time, I have to pretend everything. No more slip-ups, no more getting attached. Just focus on the mission so you can move on to the next world without leaving behind any baggage. He desperately prayed he could complete his plan smoothly, with no hiccups. He prayed to whatever god this world prayed to. Fenrir? Sure.

He soon came across the large stretch of grass amongst the bed of trees. Now, his wolf grew restless and his mate's scent unbearable. Cyrus easily spotted Lance with his back to him, talking to a group. Ethan prepared himself to play his role as Cyrus, coming up with lines fitting to say as the Alpha's mate. Clearing up the last time they were together was the priority. Cyrus would explain how he had to gather his thoughts, and that he apologized for running away. That he accepted Lance as his 'fated mate.' Ugh, barf.

Cyrus plastered a smile onto his face as he approached the clearing. He nodded towards the several pack members ogling him as he walked past. His ears perked up as a pair began to whisper. What was a whisper was loud and clear in his ears, thanks to his new supersonic hearing, "He picked a terrible time to come back. Should we warn him?" Cyrus picked up on several conversations, all basically saying the same thing; now was a terrible time, he should turn around and leave, he needed to be warned before it was too late.

Cyrus quickly became aware of the tense atmosphere that enveloped the camp. He centered his attention back on Lance and the small group standing in front of him. Cyrus frowned when Sai's voice boomed in his head,

[You are approaching a rival, Host.]

He began to tense up at the mention of a rival as he approached the group. Lance perked up and turned on his heel, his features lighting up at the sight of Cyrus. His golden brown eyes shined with relief,  but it only lasts a second or two before he rushes to Cyrus's side, standing protectively in front of him. Lance's expression settles into a glare as he turns back to face the group once more, with Cyrus stood behind him.

"Leave." Lance warns, a slight growl emitting from his chest.

Cyrus notices how Carolyn, Rudy, and a few other pack members begin to surround him and Lance, dawning the same glare directed towards the group standing five feet away.

"So your mate finally arrives," a voice speaks up, "I was beginning to think he didn't exist." Laughter followed this statement, sharp and taunting.

Lance tensed up, his fists clenching at his sides, "I won't say it again."

"Oh, relax would you? I just wanted to see if the rumors were true. That you really have found your mate."

Cyrus manages to peek around Lance's shoulder, curious to see who had gotten Lance and the rest of the pack so riled up. There was a small group of about three or four. Standing in front of the group was a man. He stood with his hands in his pockets, and amongst his sharp features was a taunting smile.

'Who is that?' Cyrus asked.

[Drake Bloodmoon. Alpha of the Bloodmoon pack. One of Host's rivals.]

As soon as Sai spoke, Drake's eyes snapped over to Cyrus's. That startled Cyrus to the point he flinched. Dark, and empty eyes that held a raw intensity met his own. They were as black as the midnight sky, void of any stars. They pierced Cyrus's soul, leaving him frozen in shock. It was strange - for a moment Cyrus mistook them for different color... but that was impossible... they were very clearly black, not blue.

Drake began to tilt his head, his smile twisting into something more sinister, "Why hello there."

As soon as Drake acknowledged Cyrus's presence, Lance moved to shield Cyrus once more, growling in response. Drake moved his piercing gaze back to Lance, and for a split second, Lance cowered in fear. There was something in Drake's eyes - something powerful - that demanded submission. It was enough to get Lance's wolf to bow its head in submission. Cyrus found this incredibly strange.

Drake smiled again, "Well, I can see I'm not wanted here. I'll take my leave." He nods towards his fellow Bloodmoon members and they turn to walk back towards the woods. Drake studies Cyrus, his smile slowly falling into a straight line. Then, he simply turns and leaves, whistling a hauntingly familiar tune.

The tense atmosphere remains even after Drake and his pack have left, leaving many on guard. Rudy is first to break the silence, "What the hell just happened? It's been years since Drake himself came to our territory. Thinking of which - who the hell let them slip past?!" Rudy searches the faces of all of the pack members.

"Everyone inside!" Lance orders. Lance guides Cyrus inside, keeping him close to his side. He stops in the living room, taking a seat on the couch. Cyrus awkwardly sits beside him. Lance folds his hands under his chin, seemingly deep in thought. Everyone follows in pursuit, gathering in the living room.

"Who was on guard for the north woods today?" Lance asks, rubbing at his temples.

A pack member with black curls speaks up, "That would be me, Alpha. But I swear I didn't see or hear anything!"

"Are you sure you weren't slacking off on your phone?" Carolyn insinuates.

"W-What?" their face flushes, "Of course not!"

"Enough," Lance sighs, "It doesn't matter. Rudy, do a sweep and make sure no Bloodmoons are still sticking around. We won't let this happen again."

"But why were they here in the first place?" Rudy asks.

Lance glances towards Cyrus, who listens intently to the conversation at hand. He shakes his head, "Doesn’t matter. What matters is we let our guard down. Now, everyone back to work. We only have two months left, people."

Everyone obeys and leaves, and soon it is just Cyrus and Lance. Lance rubs at his temples. Cyrus fiddles with his thumbs, awkwardly. Everyone listened to him, Cyrus was almost inclined to get up and leave as well, if he didn't have something to say. He still had to explain his whereabouts, and play his part as the perfect little mate.

Cyrus clears his throat, "I'm sorry for suddenly running off the other night. I just wasn't ready for... you know... that."

Lance's eyes widen, and he seems to know exactly what Cyrus is referring to, how he almost kissed him the other night. His face flushes as he stumbles over his words, "Oh, right, that. You're right, I shouldn’t have done that. It was careless of me. My wolf got the best of me. I..." he strains to get the word out, "...apologize."

"It's alright. There was something I had to do, anyway."

"I know. Etna informed me."

Cyrus's brows pull together, "You know Etna?"

"She was outcasted a long time ago, but our pack still trades with her every once and a while. So, yes, I know her."

Outcasted? "I see... so you know that I'm a - "

"Yes, I know everything Cyrus. I promise me and the entire pack will keep you safe. But no more talking about this, okay? It's not safe with Drake and his pack mucking about. For some reason, he has a special interest in you. I don't like it."

Yes, Cyrus noticed how intently this Drake character was staring at him earlier. It was almost as if he knew something about Cyrus that no-one else did; that he was a red wolf? No, that couldn't be it, because according to Etna if Drake found out it would catastrophic. Maybe Cyrus had some kind of affiliation with Drake before Ethan inhabited his body? Until Ethan somehow unlocked all of Cyrus's memories, he had absolutely no idea.

"And no more running off into the woods alone, please?" Lance interrupts, his eyes shining with worry. Cyrus takes notice of the bags under his eyes, clearly from the lack of sleep. Had he been that worried over Cyrus's whereabouts that he couldn't sleep? Suddenly Cyrus felt guilty.

"Yeah, okay, I promise."

Lance smiles, relieved. His expression then settles into something more serious, "Thanks for coming back and not... disappearing again."

"Disappearing?" Cyrus frowns.

"Yeah, the last time I saw you was over twenty years ago, when we were kids. I guess I was just scared when you ran away you wouldn't come back."

"Oh... I see."

"Do you remember anything from when we were kids?"

"No, nothing."

"Maybe I can help you recover your memories, then. I can take you to the place we used to meet all the time as a kid. Actually, you've been there once before; do you remember the pond?"

Pond? Cyrus searches his memories... oh, right, that pond where I saw Lance for the first time. "I remember."

"How about we go there tomorrow, and I tell you all about how we met when we were kids? Maybe that will help you regain your memories?"

Cyrus had hoped he would regain his memories when his wolf awakened, but that clearly wasn't the case, "That sounds like a good idea... thank you, for wanting to help."

"Of course," Lance smiles warmly, "I'm going to get some sleep, goodnight Cyrus."

"Goodnight." Cyrus watches Lance as he heads up the stairs, yawning tiredly. Knowing Cyrus was safe and finally at home was enough for Lance to sleep peacefully.

Cyrus pulls his knees to his chest, 'Sai, have I met all of my rivals?'

[Host has met 3/3 rivals.]

'What? Already?' Cyrus tenses, 'How come you've only introduced one of them - Drake?'

[The System was not active when Host met 2/3 rivals.]

'Well, can you at least tell me who they are?'

[...]

Cyrus sighs at Sai's silence. He could assume Lance was one of his rivals, considering he was the one he had to become more powerful than. The other, was Drake Bloodmoon, Alpha of the Bloodmoon pack. Two of his rivals were Alphas, but the other... he had no idea. He must have met them sometime between when he woke up in this world to that moment on the cliff where he got the information transfer. That narrowed down the possibilities, but only to some extent. It had to have been someone in this pack... or pehaps Etna? But why would Etna be one of his rivals? She was the one who helped him awaken his wolf - that didn't make sense. Who could it be? Cyrus had to be aware that there was someone other than Lance and Drake who would get in his way, whether intentionally or not. And the fact that they were one of the good guys, a Greywolf, gave Cyrus a bad feeling.

He shook his head. If he learned anything from his past world, it was that just because the System said they were a rival, doesn't mean they would necessarily become one. Charlie and Ben compared to Miles... they were angels. Perhaps that translated to only one of his rivals would become dangerous, depending on his decisions? As long as he didn't get on their bad side... then they could potentially become allies? The only one that posed as a threat at the moment was Drake Bloodmoon, so Cyrus decided he was the one he was going to keep his guard up around.

The floorboards creaked behind Cyrus and he turned his head, narrowing his brows. There was no-one there, yet Cyrus still felt as if he was being watched. He decides to get up and head upstairs, locking himself in his new room.

Of course, there was still the possibility that one of his rivals already had it out for him.