by Jade White
Boris, Night and Chastity all headed for the Administrative Building across the compound. The car Julian was traveling in entered and headed for the building even before they were able to arrive, so they simply joined him as he stepped out of the back.
Night said, “Harris, good to see you again. Would you take the car over to the cabins and ask Em to help you check Julian and yourself into your rooms? I’m sure the boss man will want to take the grand tour with us. You can have Rick show you around once you’ve got everything settled in.”
“No problem, Night,” said the driver as he tilted his hat. He drove away with a lighthearted smile still gracing his lips.
“Well, at least he doesn’t seem to be worried about anything,” Chastity grumbled.
“What’s this?” Julian asked curiously.
“Chastity has been having nightmares,” Boris explained. “She’s very worried that the humans will discover what we’ve been doing out here.”
“I can understand that,” said Julian as he patted her back. “The more something means to us, the more we fear that we’ll lose it. That’s just in the nature of sentient creatures. But Chastity, you must try to remember that worrying about things all the time isn’t good for you. Sometimes you just need to trust in fate. Whatever is meant to happen, you must accept it. For all you know, you may be right, the humans may very well discover this place. But it doesn’t follow that they’ll harm it once they do.”
“I know it, sir,” she said softly. “But I’m so happy. It scares me how happy I am. Happiness can be a dangerous thing, can it not?”
“May I tell you something, my dear?” asked Julian with a smile.
“Of course,” she said.
“More than one person already knows you are here,” he said. “Does that surprise you?”
“You mean humans?” she clarified.
“Of course,” he said. “And I’m not talking about everyday humans, I’m talking about ones who would matter. People who, if your situation came to light, would step up to defend you, and who are in positions to be able to do so. Lawyers. Businessmen. Politicians. The government has been aware of your treehouses for the past three years. They want you to thrive out here. They want werewolves and humans to finally become friends.”
“But if they know we’re here, and they haven’t told anyone, they must want us to remain a secret,” she pointed out. “Doesn’t that mean they fear that we would be attacked as well?”
“An average human on the streets often is lacking in intelligence, and someone like that could be troublesome on his own, or maybe cause even more trouble by gathering others with just as much ignorance to his side. For the last fifty years, the people I’m speaking of have been attempting to make that average guy less afraid of the idea of werewolves so that if and when they discover we’re real, they will be pleased rather than frightened.”
“That’s a brilliant idea,” said Night appreciatively. “So that’s what’s behind the sudden increase of paranormal stories in the media? And I suppose that’s also why they’ve been teaching the children to be tolerant of all the differences and that things like race and gender and who loves who and all that don’t really matter?”
“Yes, precisely,” Julian said.
“Well, that makes me feel so much better,” Chastity admitted. “That’s amazing, really. And I have read some of those books you’re talking about, too. I’ve even seen movies where the werewolves were the good guys. Night’s right, it’s a brilliant idea.”
“So, wasn’t I just offered a tour of this place?” Julian asked then. “Come on, let’s see the lake first so we can spend the rest of the evening out by the pool. “It really looks fantastic.”
“Yeah, it is,” Night agreed. “I dive in the thing almost every day.”
Boris came along with them as they took Julian out onto the path. He seemed very interested in the whole experience, and he was especially pleased when they came upon the little hothouse near the other end. He had a look inside, and then they continued on to the lake itself.
“So, Rick says he’s thinking of building some sort of electrical generator out in these caves?” Julian clarified. “Just how far inside is he hoping to go?”
“Actually, he doesn’t intend to go deep in the direction you’re thinking,” said Night. “About two miles into the cave, there’s a fissure, and beyond that, the caves dip downward drastically. An underground current lives at the bottom of that fissure, and he wants to put a turbine there. Even if humans stumbled into the area, they wouldn’t realize what it was they were looking at because of the depth where it would be placed. If we could tunnel inside and block the water from getting in, the facility itself could operate a lot like a dam.”
“Sounds like an ambitious undertaking,” Julian replied. “Perhaps the dam could be put into place first, so the water would never have a chance to enter the cavern to begin with. The real issue is how could something like that be done without anyone noticing? For one thing, we’d be moving a hell of a lot of dirt.”
“As to that, we don’t even have to remove it from the caves,” Night said. “There are plenty of places we could move it to.”
“Except that we’re not meant to ruin the landscape, inside or out,” Julian reminded him. “No, a project this big needs to be approved, there’s no getting around that. Or, at least they need to believe that they’ve approved it. Bringing a small electric plant into this area legitimately would make sense to them, since the resort would benefit and so would the small mining town nearby. It may take time but I’ve already begun to make inquiries.”
“If we run an electric plant out here, we could create an excuse for a bit more of a city on the forest floor,” Night pointed out.
“Yes, but obviously we’re going to have to allow humans to live in it, and also to work in the plant, if we’re going to claim the place,” said Julian speculatively. “It would all be so much easier if people knew you were here.”
“You’re right about that,” said Night with a nod. “If they already knew, Chastity wouldn’t even need to worry about that anymore.”
“You’re not seriously considering leaking the truth?” Chastity gasped.
“No, dear, I believe that the best way to reveal this isn’t a leak, it’s a tidal wave,” Julian said then. “The only thing is, we need to decide when to open the floodgate.”
*
Fiske and Julian stood at the front of the gathering of about fifty people in one of the conference rooms of the main building. He was grinning about the fact that they’d strapped him to a table in case he tried to thrash around once the deed was done. The plan was to wheel him away shortly after the bite and lead the others out to the buffet they had arranged in the courtyard.
As a general rule, only werewolves were ever present on the night of the full moon. Some of these werewolves were not residents, but guests who were scheduled for their visits well in advance. On this particular moon, the rooms were booked to capacity, in other words eighty rooms, but not all of the guests were invited to the ceremonial biting in here, nor even informed that it was going to occur. Everyone within the room now was expected not to mention anything about it beyond these doors.
“So, how did we want to do this, Night?” asked Julian with a smile. “Do we say something about it, or do I just bite, or what?”
Fiske laughed. “What, no foreplay?”
“Ugh, I’d rather not,” said Julian as he pulled a face. “You’re not exactly my type.”
“The feeling is mutual, I assure you,” he replied. “Now come on, just bite me already, will you? I’m starting to get nervous now.”
“Not chickening out are you?” Night chuckled.
“Don’t even think about it,” he replied. “We made a deal. I’ve really been looking forward to this.”
“Julian, bite the man,” said Night then.
Julian leaned down, grabbed Fiske by the arm, and chomped down hard enough to break the skin and make the man
bleed.
“Ow!” he said, looking at his arm. Julian strapped it down a few seconds later.
“Okay, Fiske?”
Instead of answering with words, he howled instead. He made so much noise that they had to wheel him out even sooner than they’d expected, but it was obvious that he was one happy man as he did so. Everyone was laughing and cheering, and he waved good-bye with his hand as he grinned at them.
“That was really weird,” said Chastity with a laugh. “I’ve never seen anything quite like it.”
“Me neither,” Night agreed. “Let’s go eat, shall we?”
“Yes, let’s,” she agreed. They linked arms and led the way outside.
***
Mr Dane was among the people who had attended the changing with Katie seated by his side. She seemed to be in much better spirits these days as far as they could tell.
When Night and Chastity made it to their destination, Dane and Katie joined them there. Katie said, "That isn't something you see every day. I don’t believe I’ve ever witnessed anyone being turned."
"No, I quite agree," said Julian with a chuckle. “Even for me, that turning was a bit different than the usual way it happens.” He was standing right behind them.
"Night, I really must apologize for the way I've acted in the past," Katie said then. "I have no real excuse for many of the things I've done. I hope you can forgive me someday, even though I know it will take some time."
"Well, Katie, if you have learned something from all this, I probably could forgive you. It may take some time for me to trust you, but at least now we can begin to build that trust."
"I admit that this was the last thing I expected when I told Fiske about the colony," she added with a little laugh. "Who would have thought a human would ask for this?"
"It was rather surprising, wasn't it?"
"Well, enough of this talk," said Julian. "We’re supposed to be having fun out here, not discussing unpleasant things."
"Yes, Julian is quite right," said Night. "Come, let us begin the feast."
Night stepped up in front of the banquet table and called out for everyone’s attention. “I know we’re running a little behind today, so I’ll just say a few quick words and then we can all eat. This is our fifth Harvest Moon since opening Wolfhaven and we’re very proud of everything we’ve accomplished here during that time. Just to let you all know, the pool will be closed tonight to prevent getting another hair clog, since even werewolves can tend to shed in our alternative form. All of you should be well aware of the rules so I won’t bother to preach them to you now. Also, I see that many of you are already taking on your wolf forms. I’d like to remind everyone that we still expect you to use the facilities for defecation and urination. Let’s all try to keep this place clean, shall we? Okay then, that being said, I hope everyone has a wonderful evening. Dig in!”
A general cheer arose from the people in attendance, and a line formed by the food tables in short order. Night smirked over at Julian and rolled his eyes in that direction, and he, Julian and Chastity all stepped to the table as well. Of course, since they were Alphas, they were herded to the front rather than being made to stand in the line as well, so they were soon able to head for the table that had been reserved for them and settle down.
“This place really is amazing, Night,” Julian said as he looked around. “I knew that you’d be able to make something of it, but I never expected this.”
“You haven’t seen anything yet, Julian,” Chastity said with a smile. “You should see the treehouses before you get too excited. This down here, it’s just the tip of the iceberg.”
“I’m amazed you can’t even get a glimpse of something up there from down here, even if you’re looking really hard,” he commented. “How do you keep them hidden?”
“Rick covered the bottom of everything with paintings that look just like the greenery they are hidden in,” said Night smugly. “You literally are unable to spot any part of them unless you are looking for the glass house on purpose, and even then it’s pretty damn tough. I think he really outdid himself.”
“Where is Rick, anyway?”
“He and Reina should be down shortly,” Chastity supplied. “We’ve all been taking turns babysitting today. It’s going to be my turn in another two hours, but I doubt I’ll return once I am done. I was feeling a bit under the weather earlier, and it’s not completely gone as yet.”
“Not even knowing what you now do?” Julian asked.
“I must need to process, sir,” she excused herself. “Maybe I will feel better after I catch up on some sleep. I should be doing fine by tomorrow, at any rate.”
“Yes, of course you will,” Julian agreed. “And I suppose that we should simply enjoy the time we have until you go. Would you care to dance, Mrs. Nightsky?”
“Indeed I would,” she said with a little bow, and they went to join the noisy crowd who had gathered to do just that.
*
Julian decided to come up into the trees with Night at the same time Chastity went up to watch the children. In fact, he and Night came along to the glass house where all fifteen of them were gathered because he wanted to meet them all.
“And here is Hope,” said Chastity proudly as her older daughter caught sight of her and ran their way.
“She’s so big,” said Julian in surprise. “My dear, you look nearly twice the size I’d been visualizing. I’m going to have to seriously rethink your birthday list.”
“Who are you, sir?” she asked curiously.
“Oh, I’m your Uncle Julian, my dear.”
“The Alpha that Julie’s named for?” asked Hope curiously. “Mother says that I was to receive your name, but that you changed it sometime before my birth. I wish you hadn’t, since my sister’s name is much prettier.”
“Oh no, my dear, never say so,” he chuckled. “For you see, you’re named for this place, and that name is much more important than mine. This place is meant to last much longer than just you or I. It’s meant to house werewolves for many, many of our lifetimes. To become something greater than any of us can possibly imagine. And that is why you are Hope.”
“Well, when you put it that way, I guess I must be pretty important,” she smirked as Julie came to join them. “Even more important than my silly little sister.”
“Both of you are very important,” Julian corrected her. “You two, and the others, you’re all part of our future, and it’s going to be up to all of you to build and maintain it even when the elders are finally gone. Remember that.”
Little John stepped up behind Julie and pulled one of her pigtails.
“Hey, cut it out!” she protested. “You’re always so mean, Johnny.”
“Ah, so this is the boy I’ve heard so much about?” Julian smirked.
“You’ve heard of me?” asked John with a surprised expression that made the adults chuckle. “I’ve heard of a boy who is strong and true, who can’t sit still till the day is through. A half-made, half-true wolf, are you not, young John?”
“Yeah,” he answered with a scowl. He hated to be reminded that he wasn’t fully werewolf, and Julian could tell this right away.
“There’s nothing wrong with having a parent who once was human, my boy,” he said. “You must think of the future, as I have said. Humans and wolves, we’re meant to get along together, aren’t we? So, to have a heritage that mixes both types, that’s a very special thing. You should be proud of both your parents.”
“I am proud of them both,” he said. “Just not of what my mother used to be. I do try to be, but I just can’t seem to bring myself to do so.”
“I see,” said Julian. “Then perhaps you still need to grow just a bit more.”
“What do you mean, sir?”
“I don’t wish to bring along a wolf who isn’t proud of who and what he is,” said Julian.
“Bring along?” John repeated. “Bring along where?”
“I thought perhaps you’d benefit from a few years i
n the city,” he explained. “Maybe about five, so that when you return you’ll be much more refined and know a great many more things.”
“I know quite a lot already,” John informed him.
“I don’t mean just book learning, son,” he scoffed. “I want somebody to come along with me to experience those things he’s read about. Maybe turn him into another Rick, or perhaps a genius in some other capacity. But, I don’t wish to choose somebody who is faint of heart. I want someone with a backbone, someone who knows how very important he’s going to be to us one day. Am I talking to the right wolf?”
“Have you spoken to my parents, then?” he inquired.
“They approve, and so does your Alpha,” he said. “I understand he has big plans for you as well.”
John blushed slightly at this. “Yes, I suppose he does,” he agreed, doing his best not to look over at the small blonde urchin who was currently playing with her wolf doll.
“We’ll say no more about that, if you like?”
“Perhaps later?” he asked hopefully.
“Of course,” said Julian. “Now, why don’t you come along with Night and I for a men’s only evening? We could certainly use the company.”
“Yes, sir!” he agreed. He hugged his mother quickly on the way out the door. “I’ll see you later, Mom.” Tess grinned and messed up his hair affectionately, making him grimace as he straightened it again. “Women,” he grumbled as they stepped outside.
The two men grinned knowingly. Night said, “Oh, John, women do have their uses. They never fail to let us men know that we are loved as long as we love them in return, do they, Julian?”
“No, indeed,” he agreed. “Ah, young John, it looks like your father’s come up as well. Shall we invite him along?”
“Of course,” he said, waving his sire over. “We’re on our way to Night’s house for a men’s evening, Father. We’d love to have you come along.”
