A/N - Hi wolfblood fans. This is a story about Maddy and Shannon's friendship with plenty of Maddian included too. I wanted to explore how things might have gone differently if Mads had changed her mind earlier in the story and decided to be completely honest with her best mate Shan - set just after the end of episode 'Wolfsbane' in season 1.

Secret Revealed

Ch. 1

Tom and Rhydian had left Shan's around midnight, so it was just me and Shan. The moonlight filtered through the clouds just so, like a friend winking at me, giving me the courage to say what gnawed at me heart. Shan's parents wouldn't be back 'til tomorrow so we had the whole place to ourselves.

The taste of thistles was mostly gone from me mouth, which was good because they tasted horrible. We sat on the downstairs sofa looking at some of our old friendship bracelets.

"Ugh. You had to make me this pink one," I said, sticking my tongue out at her.

Shan smiled. "That's rose quartz in the center. You should learn to appreciate geology Mads. It's interesting to find out how all kinds of gemstones form. I could tell ya, if you've a mind to listen."

I sighed, brushing a lock of hair behind me ear. "I'll take your word for it. It's waaaay too late to talk geology. Riveting though, I'm sure." I smirked as she huffed at me, and then we both laughed.

This was the old Shan I had been missing. I hadn't seen her until recently, after Rhydian and I spent that harrowing day at the hospital on No Moon Day. Finally she was seeing me as her best mate from childhood instead of the 'werewolf.'

Somehow that didn't make this any easier for me. I was tired of lying to those closest to me. Shan and I had been mates since we were little kids. I sighed, looking away as I tried to gather up the courage to tell her.

"Mads, something wrong?" Shan's keen eyes didn't miss much. She knew something was bothering me, and now that the cat was out and about, it was no use pretending otherwise.

I shifted uneasily. My leg bumped hers, and I put my hand on her knee. "Shan, you know that your me best friend, right?"

Shan slowly nodded, no idea where I was going with this.

"And I never want to risk that. I never want to lose you," I added quickly. Me hands were starting to sweat. Suddenly it felt hot all around, and the shirt I was wearing stifled. Sweat seemed to be pooling magically in every conceivable spot. I bit my lip, trying not to panic.

"Mads, you're scaring me." Shan put her hand on mine. "Whatever could be the matter? You know you can tell me anything, I'll not judge ya."

I closed my eyes. Yeah Shan, easier said than done when your best mate's a wolfblood. Could she handle it? I mean I knew Shan, I loved Shan like a sister. But was Rhydian right? His words echoed in my head.

"What if they can't handle it? It's not just your secret to keep, Maddy!" And yet…he didn't know Shan like I did. I…I couldn't keep her in the dark, not when she was starting to believe the lie that she was crazy, not when her parents might send her to some shrink.

I felt like I was standing between two walls and both were caving in. Did I tell Shan and feel like I was betraying Rhydian, risking everything, or did I keep the secret and feel like I was betraying her and maybe, just a little bit, betraying myself. After all, these were my instincts telling me she could be trusted. This was my Shan we were talking about.

I'd taken too long to answer, and now Shan looked truly alarmed. "It can't be that bad. Is it something you did? What did you do? Please Mads, tell me!"

I blinked back tears, but rubbish, Shan had already seen the glistening in me eyes. She was too perceptive for her own good.

"I don't want to lose you," was all I could say again, choking back a sob. Come on, Mads. Get it over with, just put it out there! My wolf tried to yank me back, but I wouldn't be stopped.

"Whatever it is, I promise you won't lose me," Shan said so innocently I almost wanted to laugh and cry at the same time.

"But I might," I said miserably. I burrowed my face against her shoulder and just put it out there, victory or death.

"Your parents were wrong. You weren't exactly right about werewolves, but you weren't far off either." Shan had grown really still and she didn't move as I kept going. "I'm a wolfblood, Shan. I can…I can change into a wolf."

The living room got very quiet. Only the crackle of the fire and a hooting owl let me know time was still passing.

I risked a glance up to see Shan looking at me in shock. Her eyes were huge, I'd never seen them any bigger. She stood up and backed away from me. My heart sank.

"You…but that can't be!" Shan whispered. "The test results. In the hospital. They were negative. The blood workup would have showed something."

I shook my head. "No, Shan. That was a No Moon Day. On those days wolfbloods are very weak. We don't, it doesn't show up in the blood right then. It was pure luck that we weren't found out, Shan."

"We?"

Uhoh. Oh no! I'd meant to only reveal my secret, and now I'd inadvertently revealed Rhydian's too. I nearly died inside. Idiot!

"Rhydian's a wolfblood too. That's one reason we sometimes go off into the forest together, just to run wild and let our wolves be free." I looked at Shan desperately, and she looked back at me as if I'd turned into a snake.

"If this is some kind of joke, it isn't funny. I think you should leave, Maddy."

I stood up, fists clenched. "It isn't a joke!" I swiped at an errant tear. Bloody hell. "I'm trying to be honest with me best friend, is what this is!" I cried. I sat back on the sofa, covering my face with my hands. Rhydian had been right. This was a total disaster.

What was I going to do? How could I make her understand?

...

That's all for now, more coming. Please comment or throw up some suggestions if you want to see an update. Rhydian is NOT going to be happy about Maddy revealing everything to Shan either. Sparks will fly. I'll be doing shorter chapters than my usual and updating more often :)