Her mind raced. Alex was helping her, but in his wolf form, he would have even less control of his actions. As she slipped past the trees, she glanced over her shoulder and saw Aristae slash Alex across the face and start toward her on all fours.
“She’s coming.” Ellie pressed herself against a tree, and her mother did the same. Aristae’s monstrous form drew near and stood upright to sniff the air while searching for them. Ellie clamped a hand over her mouth to prevent her from crying out and shot a glance at her mother, who looked equally terrified.
“I love you, Ellie.” Samantha flung herself into the open and broke into a run. Aristae spun around and took off in pursuit.
Ellie aimed her gun at Aristae’s head. I’ll only get one shot. She pulled the trigger. The kick threw her off balance, and she slipped and slid downhill. At the bottom, she pushed herself up. It was quiet. Aristae and her mother had vanished.
Her mother’s voice broke the silence. “Ellie!”
Ellie froze. She came back for me.
Just as Samantha drew within sight, Aristae emerged from hiding. Ellie tried to fire, but her gun clicked empty. The ground shook as Alex came charging toward them and pounced on Aristae. The two grappled with each other, and Aristae raked her claws across his chest and bit into his neck.
She’s trying to tear out his heart. Ellie checked her backpack. She was out of weapons, but she still had her pocketknife. She unfolded the knife and charged Aristae, who flung Alex aside and struck her head-on before Ellie could land the blow. Ellie felt her bones rattle as she skidded across the dirt. Excruciating pain ripped through her torso. She’d broken a rib—maybe a couple. Each breath became harder and more painful than the last.
“Ellie!” Samantha ran to her and cradled her in her arms.
Aristae’s shadow fell over her, and she opened her jaws to devour them.
The silver dagger erupted from her chest. Alex, back in human form, held the dagger’s hilt.
Aristae shrank in size as she stumbled forward and became human once more. She looked down at the dagger in her heart and regarded Alex with a mixture of confusion and sorrow. “But we were in…” She collapsed, unable to stand, and Alex stroked her face and closed her eyes.
Samantha put her head to Ellie’s chest. “She’s barely breathing.”
“It hurts.” Ellie could hardly speak. When her mother inspected her broken rib, she cried out in pain.
“I think her lung’s been punctured.” Samantha looked to Alex for help. “We have to do something.”
“I can turn her.” Fangs sprouted in his mouth.
Ellie, at his mercy, shook her head violently. She would rather die than live cursed as something monstrous.
“No,” she mouthed, searching for understanding in his eyes.
Alex knelt beside her and nodded. He held her hand and smiled the way he had when they’d first met. Then he lifted her in his arms and carried her into the night.
Chapter Twenty-One
It was morning when Ellie woke. She watched the sunlight streaming through her window with relief.
A chest tube ran from underneath a white bandage on the side of her chest to a machine at her bedside. Ellie groaned and sat up. She was in the hospital, again. Suddenly panicked, she checked herself for bite marks.
“You’re fine.” Her mother, in a chair opposite her bed, shot her a weak smile. She looked tired. Ellie guessed she’d slept there overnight. “Hey there, kiddo.”
“Hi, Mom.”
Her mother crossed the room to her bedside. “You punctured a lung. The doctors say it’ll probably take two weeks or so to recover. Your ribs will take longer to heal.”
There goes the rest of my summer. “I’m glad you’re all right.”
“You too.” Her mother squeezed her hand. “How much do you remember?”
“Not much. Everything’s a blur.” She let out a sigh. “How did I get here?”
“It was Alex. If he hadn’t carried you away…” Her mother trailed off, unable to finish the thought.
“Do you know where he went?”
Her mother shook her head. “No one’s seen him since.”
“I have a feeling he doesn’t want to be found. He’s…complicated. I guess you know him better than I do.”
“That was a long time ago, Ellie. He’s not the same person he was then. Still, when it came down to it, there was enough of him left to do the right thing.”
“Mom, he almost got us killed.”
“I’m guessing that’s why he doesn’t want to be found.” Her mother looked sad. “I loved him once.”
“He loved you too, Mom.” For a while, neither spoke. “Do you think we’ll see him again?”
“I think there’s more left unsaid.”
Ellie sat straight up, remembering Sarah and Winston. “What about the others? Are they OK?”
“Matt—Deputy Simmons—is fine. He’s straightening things out with the Sheriff’s Department, or trying to, anyway. As for Sarah and Winston…” Her mother grinned. “See for yourself. They’re waiting outside.”
Ellie raised an eyebrow and glanced out the hallway window. Sarah and Winston were locked in a passionate embrace. “I think I hit my head harder than I thought.”
Her mother laughed. “I’ll tell Sarah you’re awake.” She squeezed Ellie’s hand again. “I’ll be right back. There’s someone you should see.” She left, and a minute later Sarah entered Ellie’s room.
“Hey, you. How are you feeling?”
“I could ask you the same thing.”
“I’m fine, for now. Better than fine, really. It’s like all my senses are turned all the way up. Plus, I guess I’m immortal now. So that’s cool.”
Ellie’s brows knitted together. “You’re taking this awfully well. Aren’t you worried what will happen when the next full moon comes?” Even without Aristae’s influence, Sarah was a werewolf now. That made her dangerous.
Sarah’s smile faltered. “We’ll never be free of the curse.” She lifted her hand and showed Ellie a familiar black ring with two entwined serpents. “It belonged to Aristae. Alex gave it to me. He gave his to Winston. He said he would help us—take us far away from here, where we won’t be able to hurt anyone.”
It was clear the thought of leaving everything behind had Sarah on edge. Ellie could tell she didn’t want to talk about it. Instead, she leaned closer and changed the subject. “Speaking of Winston, did I see you two making out a minute ago?”
Sarah reddened, and they looked back at the hallway window, where Winston waved to them. “You know, he’s not really that bad-looking.”
“Sarah, you shot him.”
Sarah shrugged. “I guess it’s a werewolf thing. Now, if I can just get him to stop wearing sweater-vests…”
Ellie winced from the pain in her side. “Stop it—you’re making me laugh.”
Sarah hugged her, careful to avoid hurting Ellie’s broken ribs.
“I told you there was someone you should see.” Ellie’s mother lingered in the doorway and helped support her father, who was leaning on an IV pole to steady himself.
Ellie felt herself tearing up. “Dad, you’re OK!”
He smiled at her. “Thanks to you.” Even with the wound from Aristae’s claws partially concealed by his hospital gown, it was clear he’d bear the scars for the rest of his life.
Ellie’s mother helped him to her bed, and the three shared a tender, if gentle, embrace.
Two weeks later, she waited outside the station for Matt. When he saw her, he jogged over and wrapped her in a hug.
“Easy.” Ellie pulled away. “The doctors say it’ll take four more weeks for my ribs to finish healing.”
“Sorry about that.” Matt knelt down and petted Boomer, who wagged his tail and licked him. “How’re you feeling, Ellie?”
“Better. At least I don’t have a tube in my chest anymore. I like to look on the bright side. What about you?”
“Me?” He glanced back at the station.
“I’m about to take a long vacation. Lord knows I need it. Normally I’d spend the next few weeks hunting and fishing at my cabin, but between you and me, I’ve done enough hunting in the last few weeks to last a lifetime. How about you? Spending time with Sarah?”
Ellie rolled her eyes. “I’ve hardly seen her. She’s busy spending time with her new boyfriend.”
Matt chuckled. “They’re an unlikely couple, aren’t they?”
“You’re telling me. I’m enjoying what little I have left of summer. How did everything go with the sheriff?”
He sighed. “I tried my best, but there’s no way to explain this thing that makes sense. To tell you the truth, I’ve been thinking about quitting. I always wanted to go to college, but it never worked out. After everything that’s happened, I’m ready to try something new.”
“Really?”
He nodded. “We’ll see. I’ll be taking some courses at UK in the fall.”
Ellie grinned. “That’s great. Maybe I’ll see you there.”
“Maybe you will.” He held out his hand. “Thanks for everything, Ellie. The world would be a better place if there were more people like you in it.”
“Thank you—for everything.” Ellie shook his hand. “I mean it. We couldn’t have done with without you.”
“What about him?” Matt asked. “Alex.”
“No. I was almost sure he would come looking for me, but I haven’t seen him.”
“I can’t believe he’s getting away with everything he’s done.”
Ellie held his gaze. “I don’t think he did. Alex filled his heart with revenge—and when he got it, it wasn’t what he really wanted. Now he has to live with that.”
“I think a silver bullet’s the only punishment fit for him, but I guess it’s out of my hands now.” Matt shook his head. “Werewolves. Who would have thought?”
Ellie returned to her vehicle, opened the door for Boomer, and started on the road home. Her van was still at the repair shop, and her parents had let her borrow the car. She felt herself relaxing as she drove down the familiar gravel road. It was good to be home.
Her parents were busy at the clinic, so she parked the car outside her house and made her way up the porch steps.
“You came closer to death than you know.” It was Alex. As usual, he had seemingly appeared from nowhere to stand behind her. “My way would have been easier.”
Ellie tensed. “I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life as a monster.”
“I understand that better than most.” He held up his hands in a show of surrender and kept his distance. “I’m not going to hurt you. I just want to talk.”
“Why?”
“To say goodbye.”
“Is it over?” Ellie watched him carefully.
“Aristae is gone. I buried her body. I owed her that, at least.”
“What about Sarah and Winston?”
“I’m taking them away—someplace far from here. Even with the rings, it’ll take years for them to learn control. They don’t need to be around people during the full moon.”
Ellie frowned. “And they agreed?”
“It took some convincing. They don’t trust me, and with good reason. They wouldn’t be in this situation if not for me. They’re my responsibility.”
“Tell me why.” Ellie put her hands on her hips. “I liked you, Alex. Really liked you. You hurt my mother. You hurt me.”
“I know.” Alex lowered his gaze. “I wanted to bind you to me, to make a new family to replace the one I lost. I thought I had control of the monster, but it turns out the monster had control of me. All the bitterness, all the anger…they just left me empty and alone. For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”
“What now?”
“Maybe I can finally put the past behind me. Having Sarah and Winston to look after could help keep me from slipping up. I’ve never had a pack before. It was always just me and Aristae. Ellie, I want to thank you—for reminding me of whatever’s left of my humanity. You’re kind and good-hearted, just like your mother. I mean that.” He turned to go.
“Wait.”
Alex stopped and looked back at her.
“I forgive you. You helped us, and you saved my life. You’re not a monster, Alex—at least not fully—and you don’t have to be. You can still choose a better way.”
A faint smile graced his face. “Thank you.”
Ellie gave him one last look and went inside. She could never have guessed what would happen when she first bumped into him in the arcade. Ellie believed there was good in him. She had seen it. She hoped he would find it for himself.
Alex watched Ellie disappear into the house for the last time. She said he’d saved her, but in truth, it was the other way around. She’d saved him. Aristae had started him down the path of blood, but he chose to seek vengeance, knowing what it would cost. He’d come close to losing himself forever. In the end, it was Ellie who pulled him back from the edge.
He wondered if Aristae had gone through the same struggle. Had she always been heartless and cold, or was there a time when she, too, retained more of her humanity? He would live for a long time, and the beast would always be there. Could the animal inside him ever be truly suppressed, or would it eventually consume him?
Now he had a second chance. He couldn’t change the things he’d done, but he could try his best to be a better man. He could start by helping Sarah and Winston. Although they would never be free of the curse, he would teach them how to control it. In a strange way, he had a new family after all.
The door to the clinic opened. Samantha emerged, and their eyes met.
“I knew you would come.”
“I came to say goodbye to Ellie—and to you. Samantha, I…” He wanted to try to explain himself, but as he looked at her, he couldn’t find the words.
“I know.” Samantha drew closer. “It wasn’t the way you wanted, but I never stopped loving you.” Alex’s face burned with shame. He looked away, and she turned his face toward her, causing him to tremble at her touch. “You were always with me, Alex.”
“Samantha, what I did…I thought I was doing it out of love, but I was wrong.” He took a step back. “I do love you—enough to let you go.”
“Goodbye, Alex.”
His eyes burned, and he turned away. “Goodbye, Samantha.” As he left, he thought of a boy and a girl long ago, broken hearts, and lost dreams.
Epilogue
Jeremy Doyle showed the photographs to the bartender. “Recognize anyone?”
The bartender spared the photos a cursory glance before his attention moved to a group of rowdy patrons. “We get a lot of folks in here.” Jeremy reached into his pocket and slid a twenty-dollar bill across the bar, and the bartender took a closer look. “These two don’t look familiar, but this one comes in here from time to time.”
“His name is Alex Hawthorne. He also goes by Alexander Thorne.” Jeremy laid a second twenty beside the first. “You know where I can find him?”
“Afraid not. He’s a quiet sort. Mostly keeps to himself.” He scratched his beard.
“Thanks. You’ve been very helpful.”
The bartender raised an eyebrow. “How old are you anyway, kid?”
Jeremy didn’t answer. He left the bar and made his way through the dark to his truck. After thawing the windshield, he pulled out of the parking lot and turned onto the road. His breath was still visible even with the warm air blowing through the vents. Jeremy slid on his beanie and grabbed his gloves. Alaska was even colder than he thought it would be. He was a long way from Kentucky.
“I’m coming for them, Patrick.” He’d been hunting them for months, and he was finally close.
From the moment he saw his brother’s body at the morgue, Jeremy knew no ordinary predator could have done that to a person. He was sure there was something Matt Simmons wasn’t telling him, so he’d followed Matt and the others to the Johnston Farm. Jeremy had watched Alex and the others transform under the full moon. He’d seen what they
’d become. From there, it wasn’t hard to put the rest together.
Jeremy glanced at the shotgun in his backseat. It had belonged to his brother. The shotgun wasn’t his only weapon. He’d brought enough guns and ammunition to take on anything that came his way, and he’d made sure the bullets were silver. Jeremy wasn’t worried. He would find Alex Hawthorne and the others and put them down like the animals they were.
There was plenty of time until the next full moon.
Acknowledgments
This was a challenging book to write. For starters, I started writing what would eventually become Seeking to Devour way back in 2011, the year between graduating from college and beginning medical school.
That was almost ten years ago. It was a different time in my life. Friends from high school were getting married, having kids, and starting careers. Meanwhile, I had four years of medical school to look forward to. I felt as if I had stagnated while everyone else was moving forward with their lives. This story was born from those feelings; Alex is quite literally unable to age while Samantha goes on with her life.
I had already completed several horror novels when I began Seeking to Devour. I tried to stay away from the most popular genre monsters in my first works. The Keeper of the Crows, which went on to become my first published novel, featured a supernatural scarecrow. With Seeking to Devour, I felt I was finally ready to tackle werewolves. I attempted to give them a unique spin by using the loup garou, a variation of the werewolf closely associated with magic.
Many contemporary stories featuring vampires and werewolves heavily incorporate themes of love and romance. While love features prominently in Seeking to Devour, it is a twisted, obsessive love. I wanted my monsters to be just that—monsters, unlike tame and cuddly versions depicted elsewhere.
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