by S Bolanos
“Yes, he too is awesome,” he responded. I looked up in time to catch his signature wolfish grin. “What happened to your desk?” he asked.
My gaze snapped down to the claw marks scarring the desk, that I’d incidentally revealed when I’d made room for the new reports. “Nothing.” I deliberately placed his stack over the marks, my face burning.
“Okay... All joking aside, yes, he’s like us. If anyone can help us out, David can.”
“Is that who you called this morning?” I asked.
His face seemed to pale and darken at the same time and an unusual sour scent that brought to mind feelings of anxiety with an almost intangible undercurrent of fear tinged the air. I frowned at the results of the subconscious dissemination.
That can’t be right. Michael isn’t afraid of the mutt. So, what has him looking like he’s been given a terminal diagnosis?
Michael cleared his throat to play off his delay in responding. “Anyway, David is a great guy. I trust him. He won’t let anything happen to you.”
I leaned against my desk, nearly toppling over the recent additions and crossed my arms. The sense that he was hiding something reared up stronger than ever. Rather than pursue what might end up being a very loud conversation, I chose a different track. “How long have you two known each other?”
Michael shrugged, his lips lifting in a half smile and some color returned to his face. “We grew up together. We...uh…haven’t spoken a lot recently, but I’d still count him as one of my best friends, more like a brother really.”
This was an interesting ripple. Someone from Michael’s past. Perhaps this David would be able to shed a little more light on the mystery that surrounded Michael.
“Oh good, you’re already here,” Michael said as he ran the last few steps to the elevator and pressed the already lit call button.
“I was beginning to think I needed to send out a search party. What took you so long?”
“Max.” The way he said it did not invite additional questions. I held my peace as he pressed the button again and tapped out a mindless rhythm on his thigh while staring transfixed at the red floor number.
“Is everything alright?” I asked.
The elevator binged and the doors slid open. They hadn’t even fully receded into the wall when Michael grabbed my wrist and tugged me inside, his other hand already mashing the down button.
“I told David to meet us at my place after work.”
“Kind of figured that,” I quipped.
He let out a huff of frustration. “David’s generally pretty prompt. I was hoping to get to the house earlier so I could…clean.”
I frowned. “He’s your friend, I’m sure he’ll understand if we’re a little late. Besides, your place is pretty freaking spotless.”
“Yeah…” he replied unconvincingly.
The elevator arrived with a thud at our destination and Michael launched out the doors. Rather than risk another rebuke, I made sure to stay hot on his heels. There was zero pretense of small talk as he shifted the car in gear and we raced to his house, only narrowly obeying traffic laws.
The Jeep whipped into the empty drive then lurched to a screeching halt. I glanced around to see if maybe our anticipated guest had parked somewhere along the street, but there were no out of place cars there either.
“Where is he?” I asked.
Michael rolled his shoulders and stalked towards the front door. “Maybe he got lost,” he mumbled as he double checked his phone.
“Are you sure he knew where to come?” I asked, in an attempt to be helpful.
“He has the address.”
“There’s no need to be snippy,” I said as I closed the door behind me. “Seriously, what’s going on? You said you two were friends. Why are you acting so wound up?”
“I haven’t seen David in a long time,” Michael said, staring at the device in his hand like at any second it was going to impart very bad news.
I narrowed my eyes. “How long?”
Michael glanced up at me briefly. “Twelve years, give or take.”
“Twelve years!”
A knock rattled the front door. Before the sound could dissipate, three more came in rapid succession. My throat tightened and I took a nervous step back.
“Who-who is it?” I whispered. My gaze darted between him and the only barrier that stood between us and whatever was on the other side. Michael squared his shoulders and reached for the knob. Everything seemed to slow down as the door swung inward. I held my breath as I took in the behemoth of a guy dominating the threshold.
“I thought you’d never get home,” the behemoth’s voice rumbled.
The words themselves weren’t inherently threatening, but the gravel tone had me frozen in place with only the tiniest inner voice chanting at me to run.
“Where the hell—”
The backlit shadow moved forward, grabbing Michael and cutting off his question. “I’ve got you!” the voice growled in triumph. Michael’s own menacing growl rolled out as he pushed against the stranger. Despite the force Michael was exerting, the intruder advanced deeper into the house.
I quickly scrambled out of the way as Michael continued to grapple with an opponent larger than himself. The struggle brought them to the ground with a loud thunk that shook the furniture. Their growls intensified as each wrestled for the upper hand.
Panic raced icy cold in my veins. My middle clenched in time with their collective thud into the coffee table.
The dying sun shone unhindered through the open door, fierce and unforgiving, the red light like blood on the wooden floors. My breath came in short, strangled gasps as my heart pounded sickeningly. Furniture screamed against wood. A cup fell to the floor with a loud crack and caught the light as it rolled across the room.
My mind raced back to the fateful night on my front porch. I staggered back, unable to see, and ran into a wall. My trembling legs gave out and I sank hard to the floor. The sharp contact jolted my senses. The haze of red cleared to reveal Michael’s trashed living room and two bodies locked in violence.
Run.
Fight.
Every hair on my body stood on end at the demand. My spine cracked in a way it was never meant to and my head slammed against the wall. “No, no, no,” I moaned. “Not now.” Through the haze of building agony, I could make out two concerned faces. Confusion briefly eclipsed the pain.
My mind struggled to chase down the thought, but it slipped away.
I can’t stay here.
I couldn’t remember why, but I did remember that there was a bathroom around the corner. I pushed through the pain and crawled in the desired direction. Shapes moved in my peripheral as a fresh wave of agony washed over me, giving my blinded senses the last push they needed.
I lurched forward and careened around the corner. My shoulder smashed into the wall. Blinding white stars exploded in my vision as I pushed the last few steps to the bathroom. I slammed the door shut in time to cover my scream as I collapsed.
The static of white noise filled the silence until it separated into two distinct voices.
“Mother of the moon!”
“I’m sorry Michael, I shouldn’t have come at you like that.”
“No, it’s my fault. I didn’t think. That’s something we’ve done since we were kids at the House.” Michael didn’t sound alarmed at all. That meant the other voice probably belonged to David. The David we were expecting.
Fury whipped through me. Fury at changing in a cramped space; for Michael not warning me; for my ruined clothes; and most of all, at myself.
A tentative knock was followed by a concerned voice. “Sara?”
I spun to face the door. Something rumbled inside me, starting deep down and turning to thunder. Michael’s surprise permeated the barrier. I felt powerful. I wasn’t afraid, I could fulfill my threat.
I’m no one’s victim.
The growl faded as I distinguished the sound of retreating steps.
“How is s
he?” David asked, his tone teasing.
“I think she wants some space.”
“No shit. I thought you were going to need backup.”
“Shut up, David.”
“Seriously, the look on your face. I haven’t seen that since Alpha…”
“Just help me straighten this mess and get dinner ready.”
The sound of movement suggested that they were doing exactly that, but I could still make out David’s quiet laughter. A muted thump punctuated the otherwise quiet and I could all but see the pillow fly across the room to smack David. I waited until I heard sounds in the kitchen before I began the arduous process of trying to change back.
I will change back. This is my body and I’m in control.
Without me interfering, my body anticipated what it needed to happen. The process was excruciating, but bearable.
Sweat slid down my freshly turned body as I stood. Though the force of my shaking threatened to send me tumbling back to the ground. I gripped the counter with slick hands and waited for the tremor to subside. I briefly contemplated grabbing a towel, but dismissed it given the sensitivity of my new skin. The exertion of two changes made me feel weak. I doubted I’d be able to make it across the hall, let alone indulge in modesty.
I stumbled into the door. It vibrated in its frame and I looked up to the ceiling. It took me two tries to turn the knob before I got the door open. I took a tentative step into the hall and stopped as black spots swam across it. A glance to the side showed that my noisy exit had attracted Michael’s and David’s notice. I dared either to make a comment with a look. They stayed quiet as I crossed the hall to the guest room.
“Are you sure she was bitten?” The question drifted in as the door closed behind me.
I slumped to the bed.
“—don’t want to hear it David,” Michael said.
My ears perked up at the tone.
Why does he sound upset?
“I’m just saying—” David started.
“I know what you’re saying,” Michael cut him off.
“I know things are different now. I can’t keep quiet. Your scents—”
“David, please. I’m begging you. One problem at a time.”
I frowned at how defeated Michael sounded.
What are they talking about?
“What would you have done if I hadn’t been alone? What if Alexander had come instead?” David’s last question sounded almost like a threat.
“Mother of the Moon. Is he here?” The fear in Michael’s voice pushed me to dress faster. Why was Michael afraid of this Alexander? I nearly fell as I caught my foot in my pant leg and almost missed David’s response.
“No. And I hope you realize the position you’ve put me in.”
“I know.” Michael’s words were said so softly that I almost didn’t hear them.
“Maybe it’s time to come back. Let go of the past.”
“I can’t do that. What I am…” I strained to hear the rest of the statement, but all I got was a resigned sigh.
“It doesn’t have to be this way.” David’s voice bordered on pleading.
My hand hesitated on the handle as I paused in my rush to join them. What am I thinking? I can’t barge in and demand to know what they’re talking about. I clenched my fingers and chewed on my lip as I faced the reality of eavesdropping on what was possibly a very private conversation.
Fuck. I’m going to have to pretend like I didn’t hear any of it.
My heart sank. I was a terrible liar.
I threw off the doubt, determined to fake my nonchalant attitude and opened the door.
Michael and David looked up at me from the dining table. I joined them and launched into my abbreviated, albeit blunt, introduction.
“Let’s try this again. Hi, I’m Sara Sheppard. I was attacked by a serial killer who turned me into a werewolf. You must be David,” I finished and held out a hand. Now that I wasn’t freaking out or blinded by sunlight, it was clear to see that David bore no resemblance to the mutt. He had a carefree air about him, that combined with his physique and sandy hair reminded me of a surfer.
David laughed then leaned over to snatch me in a bear hug that squished the air out of my lungs. “I like her, she’s feisty,” he said as he released me.
I wasn’t sure what to make of the appraising look that Michael gave me and couldn’t help but wonder if it had something to do with the overheard conversation. Before I could pursue it, David spoke up.
“I hear you're an undervalued genius in the PR department where big fluffy works.” He gestured at Michael with his thumb. ‘Big Fluffy’ gave a snort, but didn’t take the bait. I chuckled, more eager to talk with David and see what else I could learn about Michael.
“I don’t know about genius. I’m mostly a glorified personal assistant and all around go-to girl for the department head. Officially, I’m a Junior PR Consultant,” I quipped. “What about you? Michael says you’re in town for some work. What do you do?”
Michael averted his gaze at the question and excused himself from the table.
“I’m the Senior Foreman for Wolfsbane Construction. Thankfully, I don’t have one of those boring desk jobs like someone we know.” David gave me a wink. “I like to travel, move around, and follow the action.”
My smile at his silliness dissolved into a frown. “How do you know Michael has a desk job? I thought you two hadn’t seen each other in a while.” David’s happy expression slipped at the same time the dish Michael was carrying clattered to the table.
“Don’t let David fool you. He’s a homebody through and through. When he’s not on a job, he spends most of his time at the House, and only occasionally deigns to enter the real world.”
David shrugged, not disputing the correction.
“What project are you working on anyway?” Michael asked, spearing a chicken onto his plate.
“Mm, you know that high-rise on Pine and May? I’m overseeing renovations. It’ll keep its historic looks outside, but the interior will be a gallery and office space,” he supplied around a mouthful of food.
“You always did like fixing things,” Michael commented. David gave him a knowing look and Michael focused on his plate.
“What was it before?” I asked before things could get any more awkward. Another large bite of the delicious chicken made its way into my mouth. I had to consciously avoid swallowing my piece whole.
David launched into an explanation while Michael stacked three more not-so-small pieces on my plate.
I interrupted David to stop Michael from adding more. “Don’t you think that’s a bit much?”
“We’re typically pretty hungry after a change. It takes a lot out of us, especially if there isn’t much time to recuperate between,” Michael explained.
“Oh.” Heat crept up my neck as the embarrassment I’d been ignoring pushed to the surface. I dropped my head to study the heap of chicken while I poked at it with my fork.
I can’t wait for the day I’ll finally be out of Wolf 101.
“Right,” David said, clearing his throat and downing his second glass of water. “Think it’s time we got to the bottom of this.” I looked up in time to catch Michael give David a barely perceptible shake of his head. “I have to know, man,” David said quietly. Michael’s hand fisted around his fork, but he didn’t respond.
“Have to know what?” I asked, my voice rising slightly.
David turned to face me with what at least appeared to be a genuine smile. “Maybe you’ll be more inclined to fill me in on what’s going on and what you’re doing here.”
I looked at Michael for guidance and found none. “I-I thought Michael told you… The were who attacked me keeps trying to finish what he started. It’s safer—or it was—to be here.”
David’s sudden laughter startled me and set my nerves on edge. “Not about the mutt.” Michael rolled his eyes which only encouraged David to laugh again. “No, I meant what’s going on between you two.” He leaned forw
ard to rest on his elbows and looked me square in the eye.
My flush from earlier returned with a vengeance at his downright menacing smile.
David left me to my floundering and rounded on Michael. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you're becoming a believer. Though I can’t help but hope to the stars that you’re not.”
I looked at Michael curious what David meant, but only found Michael glaring daggers at David.
“Or is it too late?” David asked softly.
My gaze darted between the two of them. “Is there something I should know?”
Neither of them said a word. The staring match continued and the tension in the room doubled. At any moment, one of them was going to launch across the table and we’d be right back where this evening started. Not sure if I was quite ready to test my new resolve for control, I scarfed the last piece of chicken and stood, rocking my chair hard enough that I had to catch it to prevent it crashing to the floor.
“How about a drink?” I asked and made a grand show of gathering the dishes.
Without a word, Michael got up to prepare the drinks. By the time everyone had one, it seemed that we were done with the death glares and suspicious prods for the evening. We caught David up with Michael doing most of the talking and mercifully leaving out anything too personal.
“So let me get this straight. Michael stumbles across this guy’s scent by chance somewhere around where you two work. While he’s trying to figure that out, you’re attacked at your house. A month later, he comes back to finish what he started. Then y’all are attacked at the next moon in the woods and he follows you here?” David asked in summary.
We both nodded.
“Something isn’t adding up,” David said with a scowl. For a hot second, I was afraid he was going to dig deeper into some of the obvious omissions.
“What do you mean?” I blurted.
“Why did he wait?”
I let out a silent sigh of relief. “Maybe he couldn’t find me. I mean I was moving around a lot. First, my extended stay at the hospital, then getting lost in suburbia, and ultimately ending up here.”
“He’s right,” Michael said, though he didn’t look pleased about it. “Even if it did take him a while to realize that you were alive, it wouldn’t have taken him that long to track you. And what about before your first change?” Michael added.
