A cruel smile filled his face as the boys struggle frantically below. A dark predatory instinct deep inside longed to feel them compress under his sensitive pawpads. He wanted to feel their bodies crack and pop before grinding them into puddles of goo. He wanted to hear their cries for mercy transformed into screams of agony.
So he slowly began to apply weight to the boys under his footpaw. They began to cry out as their little bodies started to collapse. With a cruel grin he then�
�AAAAAAAAH!!!!!!�
�What is it baby?� Theodore�s mother asked as she rushed into the room from the hall, �Another nightmare?�
�Yes Mom but I�m... OK.� The wolf replied as he pulled the soaked sheets off his body and climbed out of bed.
�Do you want to talk about it sweetie?�
�No� I�d rather not��
�Alright then�� The kind women replied and stroked the fur on his head, �But you�ve been having these nightmares for a week now and� Well if you change your mind you know where to find me.�
�Thanks Mom.� Theodore replied and gave her a hug.
As his mother left Theodore thought of how understanding the folks have always been. She knew something was bothering him and wanted to help. But how could he tell her about dreams of murder!
No� She couldn�t help. He had to go back to the place were the whole thing started, the forest. Somehow the wolf knew the answers were there.
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The forest seemed so peaceful, yet natural, to a young confused fur. Theodore didn�t know why, but he had to go back to spot were everything changed. Perhaps there was magic in the air or�
�The tree�� Theodore announced out loud as he approached a giant footprint.
The size of the print seemed larger than he remembered and was still very deep. But he did stomp down pretty hard. It was amazing how smashing a huge Redwood like that felt like stepping on a twig. What a powerful�
�Well I was wondering when you would show up?� A voice whispered softly from behind.
Theodore quickly turned and�. WHACK!!!
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�Ohhh�� Theodore moaned and he rubbed a lump on his forehead.
As the young wolf fought his way back to consciousness a feeling of warm flesh engulfed him. Forcing his eyes open, he found himself being cradled in a colossal hand. Its owner looked concerned as she began to speak.
�Are you alright?�
Theodore did not answer. He was still disoriented but strangely not afraid. The lack of fear was perplexing since the palm�s owner was a macrowolf. However the same instincts that led him back to this place were telling him that she wasn�t going to hurt him. But he had to ask�
�Why did you hit me?�
The megawolf laughed softy and replied, �I didn�t hit you dumbass, the tree that you walked into did.�
With that the giant pointed down and sure enough there was a large Redwood directly behind the spot he was previously standing. How could he have missed�
�Besides Theodore,� The megawolf continued, �I would never harm you.�
�Who are you? How do you know my name?�
�My name is Melanie. I�ve been chosen as your mentor.� The wolf replied in an authoritative but gentle tone.
�Chosen? By who? Why? Are there more of��
�Shhh�� The wolf replied and began to lightly stroke his back with a finger, �I know you have many questions and they will be answered. But let me tell you about our race first.�
Theodore calmed down and decided to hear her out, Melanie did seem very sincere. Besides she could have simply crushed him like an insect at any time. In an odd sort of way that was reassuring.
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Over the next few hours Theodore learned about the Macro race. Melanie explained how the only difference between a fur and macro was a single dormant gene. Apparently all furs regardless of species have the gene but only 1 in 1,000,000 ever develop macro capabilities.
The young wolf also learned that Macros are expected to live by a code of conduct. This code was developed after a great war with non-macros, that they call �littles�, many centuries ago. Apparently the war almost killed off the macro race and now serves as an unofficial peace treaty.
Although Theodore found the history of his people and the code interesting he still had many questions. So the young titan asked, �Why don�t macros just conquer the littles?�
�Ah, well that is what started the war.� Melanie replied, �You see although our size grants us great power, the littles still can be very clever. Plus they have much greater numbers than us. For example, a little can attack when we are their size for feeding.�
�So the code is suppose to prevent another war?� Theodore asked inquisitively.
�The code helps us coexist with the littles. One of our most important laws is that a macro may not harm littles without good reason.�
�To prevent rampages.�
�Correct.� Melanie announced with a smile, �You�re a bright fellow.�
�Thanks.� Theodore replied blushing a little. Everything Melanie had told he so far made perfect sense. After all the existence of macros was no real secret. The code explained a lot about macro behavior yet�
�Melanie HOW did you find me?�
�Do you remember the blood test they ran when you were adopted?�
�Yes, I hate needles!� He replied with a frown.
Melanie just smiled warmly down at him. There was a certain maternal way she treated him. It was almost like being adopted again.
�Well one of the tests was for the macro gene. Normally the test is given to children prior to start of preschool. However orphans usually only get tested prior to adoption because of the costs�
�So if I had the gene why did you wait to tell me?�
�Because sweetie, not everyone that has the gene develops the abilities. We simply watch those who have the gene to see what happens. If they develop the ability, we contact them. If they don�t, it�s a lot easier just to allow them to live out a normal life without the burden of knowing what they could have become.�
The young wolf scratched his head in confusion, �So how long do you watch them?�
�Usually only until adulthood. However 95% of macros develop their abilities during puberty. The radical changes our bodies go through kind of jump-start the gene. Though once a fur reaches adulthood it�s nearly impossible to activate the gene.�
�But that still doesn�t explain how you found out about what happened here.� Theodore replied confounded.
�Well once we find a fur with the gene that fur is watched VERY closely. For instinctive reasons, most of us develop our abilities in forests. Sometimes it�s triggered by a threat and other times spontaneously. But we knew where to watch and what to watch for. A lot of our abilities are driven by instinct.�
Her answer made perfect sense but brought on another alarming question, �Would these instincts cause� um� urges� well I mean� dreams of��
�Don�t worry Theodore,� She replied reassuringly, �The dreams are quite normal. They really have more to do with the fact that we are predators than macros.�
�So non-predatory macros don�t have urges to squish people?�
�Well all macros are tempted to step on or eat littles from time to time for various reasons. Size grants us power and that power can be alluring.� The wolf replied with a look of experience, �Yet macros from predatory species feel the temptation even more. To us, the littles can seem like a convenient form of prey.�
�These urges� They well� Scare me.� Theodore replied feeling ashamed of his heritage.
�Oh Theodore, you have nothing to be scared or ashamed of.� She replied confidently, �I�ll teach you how to handle those persuasions. And there are times when being a macro predator can be very useful.�
Theodore looked up at her somewhat confused. Melanie didn�t seem willing to elaborate on that point but probably had her reasons.
It was at that awkward moment the young wolf noticed Melanie was still clothed. The loose fitting T-shirt, and kakis shorts were far more than he had after growth.
�Can you teach me to keep my cloths while growing?�
Melanie chuckled and replied, �I wish that were possible. The clothing I�m wearing was made macro sized��
�Macro sized???�
�Oh� Well.. You really do have a lot to learn.�
Theodore let out a soft laugh of his own, �You can say that again.�