Chapter 74: Max and Zeus

I was glad that I had decided to let Max out more. I didn’t feel so off. Nathan was right. Letting Max out helped a lot. But then the nightmares started again. And I began flashing back to the night I ate Kenzu’s heart, the night I killed the St. Tremaine boys of Pale Moon, and the night we killed everyone in Frost Moon. The guilt was getting to me again. I started having flashbacks every time I let Max out. Max was anxious all the time now, too. He started to manifest his own magic. He called it spirit magic. It scared us both. Our powers were out of control. Though Max was better at controlling his than I was.

I continued going to therapy to work on my emotional state. But it wasn’t working anymore. Between the nightmares and the flashbacks, nothing seemed to help. Then Max decided to help us. I let him out one day and he wouldn’t allow me to shift back. He said until I could control my emotions, it was just safer this way. I didn’t agree.

*****Max’s perspective*****

The longer I stayed out, the stronger I got. I listened during EJ’s therapy sessions and figured something out for myself. If our emotional state triggers our powers or shows us new ones, then I will focus on keeping a state of calm and content. I was able to do this easier the more I was let out. I got stronger as well. I tried to warn EJ but he didn’t listen so now he was locked away. I took control. I won’t give it back until he can be calm and content. Shawn and Strix were not happy about this. In fact no one was. They were all afraid of me and what I might do. But I had my powers under control which is more than I can say for EJ. Lucas and Ethan still hung out with me. They were the only ones not afraid. They thought I was cool. I locked Zeus away, too. Maybe he could help EJ. I did everything EJ normally did, he is king and has responsibilities. It was a lot easier than EJ made it out to be. Except for cooking, I was too big for the kitchen. I even continued going to therapy for EJ. The Barnettes liked me. I had fun over there. Nathan though, thought I should let EJ come out for therapy. But I couldn’t risk it.

I learned a lot and explored more. I went places EJ wouldn’t let me go, like the mountains. I found the cells where they kept all the prisoners from Pale Moon and Dark Moon. I wanted to go in, but the door was too small for me. I would wait. I would have some men come make a bigger door for me. I did not want to destroy this prison. Exploring was fun and I did it every day. I hunted deer and bear and all sorts of other creatures, some big and some small. With my huge hands, it was hard to pick up the smaller creatures like rabbits and birds. I slept most nights in the woods, it was very comfortable. I didn’t much like EJ’s bed, it was too small. I preferred being outside anyway.

It had been two weeks since I took over. I thought I should let Zeus out for a run. I’m sure he needs it. Since our first shift, he had gone on a lot of runs. I felt bad keeping him locked away with EJ. EJ was probably driving Zeus crazy. I found a nice spot that I liked to run in the mountains. I discovered it last week. It was an amazing run. I thought Zeus might like it as well. So I let him out for a run.

*****Zeus’s perspective*****

“Finally, you oversized chihuahua. Don’t ever lock me away again. That boy has gone crazy. I can’t believe you took over like that. Did you know he can use his powers in there? Well he can. And boy some of the things he created trying to get us out. I think you should let him out. At least to see and hear what’s going on. How long did you lock us up for anyway?” I asked.

“Whoa, slow down. I guess I should have let you guys see and hear and talk to me. You sound like you need to talk. And I did know he could use his powers in there, that’s why I locked him away. When he stops using them, I will let him out. And you guys have been away for about two weeks now.” Max replied.

“So why did you let me out?”

“I thought you might want to go for a run. I found a nice area for running. EJ never would have let us out here.”

“Yes, I definitely want to run.”

“Alright, let’s shift. I will give you an hour to run and explore this place.”

“Yes, sir, chihuahua, sir.”

“And stop calling me a chihuahua, I am much bigger.”

“Got it,” I said as we shifted into me.

I love running. Oh, this is a nice area. I saw a bunny and gave chase. I caught it and ate it. I’m glad Ej is still locked away. He hates it when I eat bunnies. But I love them. They are fun to chase and catch. And delicious to eat. I laughed at myself. I could hear Max laughing, too.

After my run, I laid on the ground for a bit staring at the birds flying over head. When my time was up, we shifted back into Max. This time he let me stay present with him. I was glad for it. As we headed back to the territory, we talked a lot. He caught me up on everything pack related and council related. I was surprised at how well he was doing. Also, surprised someone didn’t have Taylor force him to let EJ out. It was nice being able to talk without being screamed at. EJ did a lot of screaming, he is not happy about being locked in his head.