Werewolves

Disclaimer: I don’t own Voltron: Legendary Defender. The foster family is mine, though.

Chapter One- Katie and Keith

A fourteen-year-old girl with light brown hair accepted her change from the clerk and then grabbed her grocery bags. “Thank you,” she said and the clerk responded in like. The girl headed down the sidewalk to a small car, put the bags inside, and got into the driver’s seat, her appearance flickering into an eighteen-year-old.

The girl, Katie, would seem unusual to most people if they knew the truth about her. Her own kind would not view her as unusual as Katie was not human. She was a born wifewolf. Her kind had the ability to change their appearances. This ability kicks in when one turns eighteen, the age one stays at forever. Her kind were immortal and virtually unable to be killed. The only way to kill one was to put any kind of silver through the brain. It was a method that the werewolves kept a secret, though some avid werewolf hunters learned of it somehow. Katie made sure those hunters didn’t live to have descendants to become hunters in their turn. She had a reason to take revenge as a family of four hunters had killed her family over a hundred years ago. She had killed the hunters quickly and without mercy. After that, she had run off into the nearby woods and lived the next year as a wolf.

She learned to forge a variety of papers to enable her to rent a place to live, lease a car, attend school, and have the career of her choice. She preferred taking the look of her fourteen-year-old self as people treated her with kindness and sympathy when learning she was an orphan but capable of taking care of herself. But for things like driving, clubbing, or drinking, she had to look older.

Katie pulled into her apartment building’s parking lot, took her favorite look, grabbed the bags, locked the car, and went inside. She reflected on her past. She had been born to a family of werewolves with a mother, a father, and an older brother. She shifted to a pup every full moon and grew up alongside her family. She was taught about her heritage as she got older and eagerly looked forward to when she would be able to change her appearance.

She happily embraced every aspect of her wolf heritage. She loved transforming every full moon. She would seek out an isolated section of the local park and run around. She was aware of herself and able to speak wolf and human, the latter less so as she had no one to talk to. Of course, she could change to a wolf whenever she wanted.

She was careful to age with the population around her until she had to move on. The first few times weren’t hard as her parents dealt with all the details. She paid attention as she was sure that one day she would want to strike out on her own. She just hadn’t expected to do so twenty years after her eighteenth birthday.

Moving on is not really hard these days, she thought as she put away her groceries. I don’t get any subscriptions through the mail, so changing my address isn’t much of a concern until I want to place an online order then I have to change the billing and shipping address and, of course, change the address on my credit card accounts.

Packing is easy as I don’t own much. I sleep on a foldable futon so I can sit boxes on top of it. I take care to not damage the place so I can get my security deposit back which I use on my next apartment. I tend to live as a wolf until I find the perfect place to rent; although I do dream of buying a house to live in just like my family did. I would also like to have some company. A nice young man who wouldn’t fear me just because I’m a wifewolf.

&&&&

Keith closed his suitcase with satisfaction. I’ll be out in the morning and on my own. I’m eighteen now and out of the foster care system; good thing as this current family is weird.

Keith had been in foster care since he was seven and for no reason he could think of, he had been shuffled around from family to family. He had been a good kid, albeit, a shy one so why hadn’t he been properly adopted? This current family treated him like a son, just not a beloved one. That’s fine, though. I prefer to be alone for the time being and I have a house thanks to my father’s will and the inheritance money that I now have access to.

“Keith?” said his adopted father as he appeared in the doorway. “Could you come with me, son?”

“Okay, Dad.” Keith followed the man down the hall and down two flights of stairs, the latter leading to the basement. The rest of the family was already there: The mother and her two grown sons. All three wore the outfits they had when going out werewolf hunting. It was this activity that made them weird to Keith; to his knowledge, werewolves didn’t exist.

A large silver pentagram had been drawn on the floor and on each point was a floor-length brazier. The three adults stood behind the braziers in a formation that looked like an open rectangle.

The father put his hands on Keith’s shoulders and guided the young man to the center where he chained him in an all-fours position. “Hey! What is this?” he demanded as the father took up a position to close the rectangle and removed his coat to reveal his hunter outfit.

“We discovered an ancient ritual a year ago and spent the year collecting the necessary ingredients. We got the last one three months ago and we had to wait for you to turn eighteen as the ritual can only be done on one who is eighteen or older. This ritual, Keith, will turn you into a werewolf.”

“What!?” he exclaimed. Then, werewolves are real?

The oldest son chortled. “Yes and once you have transformed, we will then kill you. I hope you put up a fight.”

“How can I fight when I’m chained?”

“Your head and mouth are not restrained,” he pointed out as the father lit the braziers and the air filled with the smell of burning fur, liquid silver, melting teeth, bubbling blood, and powdered wolf claw. Smoke wafted from the braziers and around Keith who coughed from the smoke. He heard the hunters chanting in a way that sounded like prayers.

Keith felt a burning along his skin and in his stomach. He breathed fast and hard before he threw back his head and howled a real wolf’s howl. He gasped and moaned as his clothes faded away and black fur grew all over his body. His moans turned to screams as the muscles of his body grew larger than a normal wolf’s muscles.

His ears itched and stretched as they moved to the top as wolf ears. He squeezed his eyes shut as his mouth and nose stretched out to become a muzzle of sharp teeth. He could feel his fingers and toes shrinking away to become part of the paws he was gaining. He gave an actual yelp as a tail grew out. He felt strength flow through him and wolf instincts awakened within him as well as a pleasant warm feeling washing over him. He gave another howl that sounded joyous and he opened gold eyes to see the parents looking at him with savage pleasure.

“Oh, yes,” the man said. “You are a fine example of werewolf.”

Keith looked down at the black forepaws and spread them to see sharp claws. He craned his neck to see a lean but muscular body and strong legs with firm muscles. A long full tail waved through the air. His tongue ran over sharp teeth that could transmit his new condition to other people. He crossed his eyes to see the long, pointed snout in front of him. He sensed his ears moving on the top of his head to take in the sounds around him, and his nose took in every smell in the room.

I am impressive looking, he thought. But I’ll soon be dead as I was turned so I could be killed.

Chapter Two- Escape

The man, for he ceased to be a father to Keith when he helped turn him, pulled out a razor-sharp sword and swung it toward Keith. Self-preservation kicked in as Keith seized the blade in his teeth and bit down, actually breaking it in half. He gave a human laugh but cut it short upon hearing it. “I can still talk?” he asked, surprised.

He then yelped as the younger son leaped onto his back. He gave a cry of triumph as he pulled out a dagger and slammed it toward the werewolf’s skull. He gave a gasp as the dagger’s blade snapped off the handle. Keith had felt the tip touch him before hearing it snap. What’s going on? How was I able to break the sword and the dagger?

A bang rang out and Keith felt something hit him and then the sound of metal hitting the floor. He heard the woman growl in annoyance before he felt the gun’s muzzle against the top of his head. He heard the bang again and then a curse before she said, “The gun’s jammed! The bullet actually went back into the gun, jamming it.”

“Why?” the man snarled. “Why can’t we kill him?”

“We’ll need to research werewolves more closely,” the oldest son said. “We can leave him here and tomorrow we’ll look it up and then kill him.” The others nodded and left the basement.

Keith moaned and whined before lying there for about an hour before thinking, I need to get out of here before they learn what will kill me. He yanked and tugged at the chains and they broke easily. He blinked at the easy give. I guess I’m stronger than I look. He crept up the stairs and finding the door partially ajar. He pawed it open and quietly went up the stairs and to his room where he seized his suitcase, went down the stairs, and out an open window, being grateful for the pads on his paws and the family being heavy sleepers. He then ran off into the night in the direction of his new house which had handles instead of knobs. He pushed open the front door, went inside, closed and locked it, and curled up on the floor, secure in knowing the hunters did not know where he lived.

I’ll try to change in the morning. Most ritual magic holds until the next morning. After that, I’ll withdraw some money, get the utilities turned on, and buy some food. Keith yawned and his gold eyes slid shut.

The sunlight woke Keith the next day. He sat up, stretched, and then focused on being human again. He felt a tingle and opened his eyes to see his human body. He fished his wallet out of his suitcase as well as a comb. He used the reflective metal of his fridge as a mirror; as he combed he frowned at his reflection. Maybe I should change my hair and get colored contacts. I bet I would look good with close-cropped red hair and deep blue eyes. Keith blinked and then stepped back with shock as his hair and eyes changed to what he had just imagined.

How did I do that? I’ve imagined different looks before, but none of them just appeared. Could this be…a werewolf thing? If so, then there could be other werewolves around. Keith kept his new look as he changed clothes and left with his wallet and house key with him; with his altered appearance, the hunters wouldn’t recognize him.

It was a pleasant spring day and Keith enjoyed the sun on his face and the wind across his skin. He heard people talking to each other and was astounded by how well he could hear them. Murmurs and whispers were louder to his ears.

He sniffed as the smell of coffee wafted up to him as he passed a coffee shop and couldn’t believe how sharp and clear it was to him. A flood of smells entered his nose and he almost choked at it. It seems I have the sharper senses of a wolf in human form. I hope I find another werewolf soon as I need advice. He kept heading for the bank, not noticing a teen girl he had passed turn around and gape after him before following him. He did pause in an alley near the bank to resume his real look which was on his ID card. He then emerged and went in the bank.

Katie stared after the red-haired guy that had passed her. She had chosen to go out for a walk as it was a nice day. She took in the sun, sounds, and smells around her and then her nose flared as she smelled wolf coming her way. The smell grew stronger when the boy appeared and walked past her.

He’s a werewolf and a good-looking one at that. I was hoping to find a nice young man who wouldn’t fear me and instead, I find a werewolf! She trailed after him, watched him go into an alley and emerge with a different look before going into the bank.

Oh my gosh! He’s really good-looking with that appearance. I wonder which is his true appearance. I’m guessing it’s the second one seeing as he’s in the bank. She hung around outside the bank to wait for the werewolf to come out so she could introduce herself.

Keith tucked the bank envelope inside his inner jacket pocket before stepping outside. He had also had his address changed so the paper statements would come to him. He had no cell phone or laptop so he couldn’t get paperless statements. Okay, I need to visit the utilities to turn them on. I need water, electricity, sewage, and internet for starters. Later on I can add cable when I buy a TV. He stepped outside and breathed deeply to get adjusted to a sharper nose. He took a big inhale and then sniffed again. He smelled…a wolf? Yes, a wolf, he thought. His eyes raked over the people but saw no wolf. He sniffed as he walked a couple of feet. The scent was stronger. He looked to his left and saw a girl who seemed a little younger than him and the wolf scent seemed to come from her! Is she a…wifewolf? I believe that’s what female werewolves are called. I’m not sure how I know that, though it could be my wolf instincts. He approached her and gave her a shy smile. “Uh, hi. I’m Keith.” He held out a hand.

The girl seemed a bit surprised at a stranger approaching her and introducing himself before she smiled back and took his hand. “I’m Katie. I saw you earlier and wanted to meet you.” Her cheeks burned red.

“Katie. That’s a pretty name. I…haven’t seen you before. Did you just move here?”

“Oh no,” Katie laughed. “I’ve lived here for years.”

“Really? I’ve lived here all my life but I never saw you.” He shifted on his feet. He wanted to ask Katie about werewolves and decided to ask her to accompany him on his errands. “I’ve got a few places to go. Would you like to keep me company?”

“I’d love to, Keith.”

“Great.” He continued to speak as they walked. “I turned eighteen recently and have a house of my own. I’m going to have some utilities turned on and then go grocery shopping.”

“Your own house? Wow, I’m renting an apartment.” So, he just turned eighteen. He’s now immortal and can change his appearance.

“Well, I’ve been in foster care since I was seven and my dad left me money for a house and an inheritance account I couldn’t touch until now.”

Katie nodded; as an immortal, she had learned to invest and hoard her money and assets. She had held on to some objects for a time and then sold them and be paid handsomely for them. I have quite a fortune but I scrimp and save as a fourteen-year-old living on her own should.

She accompanied Keith as he did his errands. She recommended companies her landlord uses for water, sewage, and power services which were quite good. Then she recommended her favorite grocery store where the prices were reasonable. She noticed that Keith had bought a good deal of meat but said nothing. Meat is the preferred food for a werewolf as the full moon is approaching.

Keith didn’t ask Katie any questions about herself or anything about werewolves. He was hoping to have her stay for dinner or ask to meet her family so his questions could be asked in private. Katie has to be a born wifewolf. I can’t imagine anyone biting such a charming girl. He subtly sniffed to smell wolf and peanut butter coming from her. Very interesting to smell peanut butter from her and wondered why.

“Katie,” he said as the clerk rang up his order. “Could you help me carry this home and perhaps stay for dinner?”

“Of course, I’ll help and I’d love to stay for dinner,” she answered as she smiled at him.

Chapter Three- Sharing

Katie sizzled the steaks with ease while Keith put two foil-wrapped potatoes in the already pre-heated oven. Katie had been awed by the size of Keith’s house and felt it was a shame that he lived alone.

Keith was glad that Katie agreed to stay and he could tell that she had learned to cook. The steaks smelled delicious and he could hardly wait to taste his piece. “Uh, Katie?” he asked, about an hour later as they sat down to eat. “Shouldn’t you call your parents and let them know where you are?”

“I can’t. They’re dead,” she said sadly.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. But how can you rent an apartment?”

Katie smiled in amusement. “Keith, I think you know the answer to that. I smell wolf on you and you smell it on me. I’ll admit I was waiting for you to come out of the bank so I could meet you.”

“So…you were born a wifewolf?”

“I was. I was born over a hundred years ago. The appearance you see is my favorite but I use my true age of eighteen and then a twenty-one look to drive, go clubbing, and drink.”

“You’re over a hundred?” Keith repeated faintly. He could hardly believe that the teen girl in front of him was actually an elderly woman.

“Yes.” She tilted her head. “Keith, why is this a surprise?”

“Because I wasn’t born one. My last foster family are amateur werewolf hunters and used an ancient ritual on me last night.”

“Oh,” she breathed. “Now I understand why I didn’t smell you before.”

“When I smelled you, I had hoped you could tell me about being a werewolf.”

“Of course, I can. Well, first off, when one turns eighteen, their age freezes and they become immortal.”

Keith blinked. “I’m immortal and will be eighteen forever?”

“Yes and they gain the ability to change their appearance. Keith, is this your real look?”

“It is. I was surprised this when it changed. I simply thought of what I’d look like as a redhead with blue eyes and it happened. I was thinking of using it to avoid the hunters. Oh, they don’t know where I live,” he said, hastily adding the last statement at Katie’s concerned face. “I’m safe here.”

“Wait. These hunters turned you into a werewolf?”

“Yeah. They had planned to kill me. Practice is my guess for when they actually find a werewolf. But nothing they used worked.”

Katie chuckled. “Of course not. The only way we can die is for any silver to strike the brain. Four hunters attacked my family twenty years after I turned eighteen. They used silver bullets on my parents and older brother. I got even by killing them when they ran out of bullets. I should point out that getting the bullets and the gun that can hold the bullets is hard and expensive. I’ve looked.”

“Then, anything else would break or jam?”

“Or bounce off, yes. If two of our kind fight, the injuries heal instantly so the first one to run out of energy loses.”

“Then, what happens?”

“The loser either apologizes or is banished. It depends on the severity of the argument that led to the fight. Banishment is rare as our kind tend to stick together for protection.”

Keith ate a bite of potato. “Tell me about the full moon.”

“It is actually a joyful time, at least it is to me. We stay in wolf form all night but we are self-aware and can talk human and wolf. I use the latter as I have no one to talk to.”

“You do now. I have no one else. Both of my parents are dead and I have no real siblings. You…could move in with me, if you want to that is.”

“I’d like that. I had times where I wished I could live in a house like I did with my family.”

“Then, let’s make that dream come true. When does your lease expire?”

“About ten days. I was going to pay my rent but I have enough time to pack, clean, and drive over here. My place isn’t big and I don’t own much.”

“Seeing as we’re immortal, I imagine you move quite often.”

“I do. I occasionally buy something, hold on to it for a time, and then sell it for a lot of money. I am quite rich but I scrimp and save so my money can last as long as I do.”

“I’d like to learn to do that.”

“That’ll take time, but I’d be happy to teach you that. The best thing to do right now is getting a job.”

“I’m guessing there’s lots of jobs I can do that doesn’t require a degree.”

“Of course there are. I eventually learned to forge convincing papers to do things like leasing a new car, attend college classes, and work the career of my choice, though there is something to be said for the actual learning process.”

“I would say so. I’d like to go to college. I mean, I did graduate high school almost a year ago.”

“You’ll need to fill out applications to the colleges you’d like to attend and send copies of your transcripts.”

“I should apply for financial aid and I did earn a scholarship in engineering.”

“Engineering?”

Keith shrugged. “I took electives in auto shop and any technology or engine-related courses.”

“I’d be willing to help you pay for books and tuition.”

“You…don’t have to. I was thinking of applying to the local community college and later transfer to a college that has courses at the community college.”

Katie nodded. “Okay. I will pay for your books. It’s the least I can do as you’re offering to let me live with you.”

“I accept. Could you drive me so I can get my transcripts and fill out my application for college?”

“Sure but after I’ve moved in.”

“Okay. I can wait. So…the full moon is in three days.”

“It is and I noticed that you have a large backyard and the house is far enough away that none will hear us as we bark, howl, and talk.”

“Yes,” Keith said eagerly. “I would love to have company during the full moon and I’d be happy to help you pack and clean in the daylight hours between the moons.”

“That would be nice.” Katie smiled and Keith almost melted at it. He had become a werewolf just last night and happened to meet a born wifewolf who was friendly and open about herself. She accepted his offer to live with him and his help in packing and cleaning her apartment. She, in turn, wanted to help him attend college and said she would buy his books. I am so lucky to have met her.

Katie smiled to herself as she left and headed to the bus stop as she had left her car at her place in favor of a walk. Keith is so sweet. He was turned with a ritual and needed to know about what he had become. I know that most born wolves would not have been as willing to help. Born wolves, for most part, band together in a pack and seek out other lone born wolves to join them. They are arrogant, so I am told, about their born status and tend to be mistrustful of those who weren’t born wolves. The reasoning for that is that the bitten could betray our kind to hunters. Hunters are rare these days and bitten wolves don’t normally betray us. So, looking down on those who weren’t born is ridiculous as we are all wolves no matter how it happened. I intend to move in with Keith and maybe he’ll eventually be my mate.

Chapter Four- Mated

Keith watched warily as a white four-door car pulled into his driveway three days later. The car stopped, turned off, and the driver’s door opened to reveal a teenage girl his age and height and light brown hair. There was a slight flicker and she became a younger girl that he recognized as Katie. I should have known, he thought as he turned from the window and headed for the door. So, that’s her real appearance, or her true age as she calls it. I like the one I’m familiar with

He opened the door and took Katie in a hug that surprised her. “Your real look is nice but I prefer the one you’re using now,” he said as he broke the hug.

“I do too. I find people tend to be nicer to me when I admit to being an orphan.”

Keith led Katie to the back. “I’ve set out cooked steaks for us to eat before dark and raw ones for later. I’ve also set out water.”

“Sounds perfect. I’ve been eating beef and deli meat all day.”

“Me too,” Keith admitted.

Katie admired the backyard. She could tell the grass had been recently cut due to the scents. Late afternoon light shone through the leaves on the trees and she saw dinner sitting on a small patio table with four chairs grouped around it, but there were only two place settings.

“I know it’s not pretty,” Keith said. “I am thinking of growing a garden. I mean, save some money on fruits and vegetables in the long-term.”

“That’s a great idea,” Katie said. “I can’t do that as I’m renting apartments. My family did have flower beds full of lilies, tulips, violets, and of course roses. Speaking of flowers,” she said as they sat at the table. “I failed to mention one that our kind is allergic to.”

“We have an allergy?”

“Yeah, just one. Having allergies like humans do would mess with our sense of smell and besides, wolves don’t have allergies.”

“So what flower are we allergic to and how does it affect us?”

“It’s called Wolfsbane. It is a rare flower and not easy to grow. The flower weakens us, taking our supernatural strength away and we fall ill in the form of a fever and we can hardly move. It takes a day or two to recover once we’re away from it.” Katie dug into her food as did Keith, the latter taking in the side effects of Wolfsbane and glad it was rare and hard to grow. His eyes surveyed the yard to determine a good spot for a garden and what he would want to grow.

Katie also took in the yard as she ate. Yes, it didn’t seem pretty but it didn’t detract from the fact that it belonged to Keith. It was his to do as he wished and she envied him for it. I dreamed of owning a home and living in it as my family did and with Keith’s offer to have me move in with him, my dream will come true. We could live here for a very long time.

Keith stood in the yard as the sun showed only a sliver on the horizon with Katie nearby. He was aware that this would be his second time as a wolf. He had stayed in human form the entire time but knew he wouldn’t come across as a newbie to walking on four legs; the ritual seemed to have given him wolf instincts that helped him to walk and run, thereby effecting his escape.

The sun vanished and two howls sounded as Keith and Katie took their wolf forms. Keith turned to Katie to see an adult wolf with light brown fur and gold eyes. He noticed that she too was larger than a normal female wolf but he found her just lovely.

Katie gazed at the large black wolf Keith had become. His body was lean and muscular, his legs were strong and had firm muscles. She resisted the urge to pant at how attractive he was to her. She then noticed that Keith seemed to be staring at her. “Keith?” she prompted.

Keith blinked and shook his head. “Sorry. It’s just that I’ve never seen your wolf form before and I…I find you…lovely.” Keith dipped his head as a blush spread over his cheeks.

Katie also blushed at his compliment. “Keith,” she said in flattered tone. “I had…no idea. I…find you attractive in your wolf form too.” Her tail swished when Keith looked at her. “I may have lived over 100 years, but my physical body is just like yours. Our kind’s age freezes at eighteen though we can look younger or older, the former I’ve already demonstrated. What I’m trying to say is that I…I…” She looked down and shuffled a paw.

Keith’s own tail swished and a wolf’s grin appeared. “Are you …suggesting that we could be…mates?”

Katie looked up. “I am. I have not seen another wolf in years. You have invited me to live with you. We are interested in each other. It just makes sense for us to be mates as we would want to do so eventually. I know this all seems sudden-,”

“To me, it does but I’ve already admitted attraction to you. I don’t want you to leave this city and I don’t want to be alone. The chance of finding another of our kind is small as you’ve just said and the chances of finding a woman who would accept me for what I am also seems small. I would be honored for us to be mates.”

“The honor is mine,” Katie said as she headed over to him and slid her head under his chin, giving a loving growl. Keith returned the growl and when Katie pulled back, he licked her cheek and she licked his cheek too. Katie then pushed Keith onto his side and then his back. She panted as she gazed into his eyes and wrapped her tail around his tail. She then threw back her head and gave a howl that rose and fell in pitch. Keith found the sound infectious and instinct prompted him to howl as well, the pitch rising and falling too.

Keith put his paws around Katie’s neck and pulled her close, licking and nuzzling her muzzle and cheeks with a hungry need he couldn’t explain. He chalked it up to some kind of mating instinct, especially when Katie nuzzled and licked him with the same fervor.

“Keith,” she said as she finished her licking and nuzzling. “Mom and Dad told my brother and me that when we find someone to be our mate, we were to initiate the mating ritual which we have just done. One of us is to put the other on his or her back, intertwine tails, howl as we just did, and nuzzle and lick each other. When we become human in the morning, both of us will bear a small red mark in the shape of a wolf’s head on the back of our left shoulder.”

“So, it’ll tell other wolves that we’re mated?”

“In addition to having three scents instead of two. Right now, you still smell of wolf and cinnamon.”

“Cinnamon, huh? I smell peanut butter on you.”

“I know and I happen to love peanut butter cookies though I hate peanuts.”

Keith laughed and Katie grinned. “Katie, how about a race? Unless there’s more to the mating ritual?”

“No more. Let’s race. Then we can wrestle and play.” Katie took up a racing pose and Keith took one beside her. “Ready, set,…go!” Katie said before both took off around the yard, Katie slightly in the lead. They ran until they got hungry and thirsty. They ate and drank before wrestling and playing before lying in the grass and snuggling each other as they fell asleep.

Chapter Five- The Invitation

Keith stacked two boxes on the small kitchen counter, grabbed a broom, and started to sweep the kitchen floor. He saw Katie in the bathroom wiping the tub with intense concentration. “How often do you clean your places?” he called.

“At least once a week,” she answered. “Though I do tend to clean the bathroom and kitchen at the end of every day. You know, wipe counters, mirrors, and picking up towels.”

He nodded as he carefully swept the floor. He then mopped the floor afterwards and liked the fact that Katie used the more modern mopping methods instead of the traditional mop and bucket.

Katie swiped the tub one more time and nodded in approval. Nice. I don’t plan to use it again as I’ll shower at Keith’s place which will be my place once my name’s added to the deed and the lease on my apartment breaks.

“Katie, should I put these boxes by the door?” Keith pointed to the stacked boxes.

“Yeah. Those are my plates and utensils. We can put them away when we get to your house.” Katie pulled an already assembled box to the bathroom and began to put the items in the cabinets into it. Keith opened another box and began to put the few possessions Katie had in the living room. “Katie, how did you get everything from one place to the other?”

“A moving truck with a trailer hitch for my car. It’s not necessary this time as I have somewhere to stay that’s not far. We can take some of these boxes to the car and drive to your home before moonrise.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Keith pitched in with packing up the bathroom and carrying one box to the front door. “Are we stronger than humans?” he asked.

“Yes. We’re faster and stronger in both forms. It’s great being a werewolf or wifewolf.” She opened the door and saw white out of the corner of her eye. She looked down to see an envelope that bore her name. She picked it up and ran it under her nose. She blinked as she smelled wolf on the envelope and the scent of cherry blossoms as well.

“Katie?” Keith asked.

“A werewolf was here. He left this.” She held up the mail as she closed the door. Keith’s nose flared to take in the scents. “Wolf and cherry blossom.”

“Yes. Clearly, he’s unmated.” She opened the envelope and pulled out a piece of paper. She opened it and began to read, Keith reading over her shoulder. The writer introduced himself as Shiro, a werewolf who was 150 and had two others living with him as a small pack. “I faintly caught your scent some weeks ago,” he wrote. “And spent time to find your home. I extend to you an invitation to join my pack and be my mate or a mate to one of the others. I hope to receive your reply after the full moon is over.”

Katie lowered the paper. “Well, this Shiro will be disappointed. I don’t intend to join his pack and I am already mated.”

Keith put a hand on his shoulder. When he had been changing clothes that morning, he had turned and craned his neck to see the mark exactly as Kaite had said. “So, one can only have one mate?”

“Only one at a time. If one mate dies, the mark fades, and the scents go back to two. One can have several mates, but not at the same time.” She perused the note again. “He doesn’t say, but he and his pack could be born werewolves.”

“Is that bad?” Keith asked, noting Katie’s tone.

“Maybe. Some born wolves are arrogant about being born and look down on those who were bitten or turned into a werewolf in some way.”

“That seems…”

“Ridiculous?”

“Yes. I mean, it seems this pack hasn’t found another wifewolf; at least that’s what it sounds like from the letter.”

“It sounds that way to me too. Anyway, he won’t approach me until the full moon’s over and he clearly does not know that I’m moving or where I’m going. Let’s…pack a little more and then take some out to the car.”

&&&&

Shiro swiped the key to the hotel room his pack and he were staying at and entered it. He found his pack members Lance and Hunk at the table near the window. Both bowed their heads in respect as Shiro joined them at the table.

“I delivered the invitation,” he said. “I hope she accepts it as we could use a wifewolf so we can grow our pack. I plan to be her mate but I will settle for pack members first.”

Hunk and Lance merely nodded. Both were seventeen and very junior compared to Shiro. His age did freeze at eighteen but he tended to look twenty-five, a look he used for at least 132 years. His seniority entitled him to being the leader and having first choice in a lot of things. Shiro was not a tyrant; he did care about his pack, but like other born wolves, he was proud of his born status. He did not believe that those other wolves could possibly fully appreciate the gift they had been given, even if he told them about it. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t take bitten wolves; he just preferred born ones.

He had faintly caught Katie’s scent weeks ago and did some digging during his visit at that time. He had gotten the answers he was seeking and brought his pack with him two days ago where they booked a room and Shiro wrote the invitation before delivering it.

“So, if she accepts, what do we do?” Lance asked.

“Easy. We help her move to our home. We will have children of our own and be able to live in our home forever.”

“What if she refuses?” Hunk asked. “You know, because she might.”

Shiro frowned. “Yes. That’s a possibility, but my research says she lives alone. I also managed to track her movements in the past and it has led me to conclude the she’s over a hundred.” Shiro grinned as the gasping mouths. “Yes. She seems to prefer the look of a fourteen-year-old girl, but I can tell she is older just by how she acts in public. Obviously, she takes on older appearances for when it is necessary.”

“She could still refuse,” said Hunk. “What then?”

“If she refuses.” Shiro stared out the window. “Well, that could depend on why she’s refusing. If the reason is because she doesn’t know us, that can be remedied with a get-together. Speak of our pasts, how we became a pack, and how we operate; by speaking of ourselves, we may end up convincing her to join us. She may refuse due to her being self-sufficient. We could leave her that way, but leave our offer open if she changes her mind.”

“What if she’s mated?” Lance asked quietly.

“Impossible. I would have smelled it on her as well as her mate. She’s unattached.”

Lance took Shiro at his word but his instincts told him that having Katie join their pack would not be as easy as Shiro believed. I hope my instincts are wrong.

Chapter Six- Lance

Katie, in her true age look, signed her name, passed it to Keith who signed it, and gave it to the real estate agent. The agent made two copies, one for himself and the other for Keith along with the original paper. “The deed is now in both of your names.”

“Thank you,” Keith said and Katie echoed it as they stood and left the office, the deed and the copy tucked in a protective document folder. They stepped outside to another pleasant day and into Katie’s car before heading back to her apartment to do some more packing. Katie still had four or five days left to her lease but there was still some packing left to do as well as cleaning up the place and the walkthrough at the end.

“Keith, how about we shop for your garden instead of packing?”

“Uh, sure. Okay. So, we’ll need a fence to keep other animals out of it.”

“Yes…we could also use some natural deterrents.”

“Like?”

Katie grinned. “Wolf urine.”

“What?”

“The animals a garden would attract are mostly prey for wolves. The scent of wolf or coyote urine deters them.”

Keith then grinned. “Well, we could use that. I’d like to pick up some manure but I’ll settle for a fence and seeds today.”

“What kind of seeds?”

“Well, tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, watermelons, and carrots for a start.”

“Crop rotation would be a good idea. We could do corn, pumpkins, green beans…”

“Peanuts?” Keith asked innocently.

“Very funny.”

“I would like to raise some herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, and cilantro.”

“Herb raising can be done indoors which means pots and potting soil.”

“Yeah, like I said before, let’s just get at least a little of the fencing materials and seeds.”

“Fair enough.” Katie had been driving since Keith agreed to shopping and was now parking in front of a home improvement store.

Lance was in that very same store looking at flower and vegetable seeds. He was an excellent gardener and Hunk used the fruits and vegetables from the garden and made them into delicious dishes. They even sold some of them whenever a farmer’s market was being held.

Hmm…Hunk said he’s low on tomatoes, corn, and potatoes. I’d like to have lilies and lilacs in our flower beds. He examined the different brands of lily and lilac seed packets before selecting two of each before moving on to the larger vegetable seed section. His nose picked up the scents around him. Most were the usual scents of a home improvement store as well as those of humans but three scents stood out: Cinnamon, peanut butter, and…wolf! No, two wolves!

His head snapped around to see two people around his age pushing a cart with the package of a ready-made fence in it and heading in his direction. Whoa. What are the odds that I would encounter two more of my kind? I could introduce myself and invite them to meet the others. Shiro usually handles the pack invitations but Hunk and I are allowed to invite any we find to meet the others.

The pair drew closer, but then stopped and locked eyes with Lance. It was clear that they caught his wolf scent and his unique scent of sea salt. They slowly moved toward him and Lance flashed his friendly, winning smile. “Hi, my name’s Lance.” He stretched out a hand.

The guy took his hand with his own smile. “I’m Keith and this is Katie.”

“Katie?” Lance repeated. “Really?”

Katie smiled in amusement. “I’m guessing you’re part of Shiro’s pack.”

“Sure am. Wow, I didn’t think I’d meet a second wolf.”

“Let’s discuss this somewhere more private,” Katie suggested.

“Yeah. We can do that. I just want to pick up some more seeds.”

“We want some seeds too and pay for them and the fence.”

The trio lapsed into silence as they looked over their options. Lance was done faster as he knew what to pick up and went to the checkout while Katie and Keith discussed their choices. Lance waited at the exit for them and he pointed out the rental he was driving and Katie pointed out her car. Lance followed her car as they left the parking lot and pulled into the park’s parking lot. The trio found an isolated spot and once seated, Lance said, “Look, I don’t want to be pushy, but will both of you join?”

“I’m afraid not,” Katie said. “Keith has a house and invited me to move in a few days ago.”

“So…are you mates?”

“Yes. Since the first night of the previous full moon.”

“That’s recent.”

“We didn’t meet until the full moon was three days away.”

“I feel like I’m missing something,” Lance said.

“Yeah, you are,” Keith said. “So, I’ll tell you. I’m not a born werewolf.”

“You’re…not?”

“No. I had been with a foster family until the night before I met Katie. The family thought themselves as werewolf hunters and discovered an ancient ritual to turn one into a werewolf and waited until I was eighteen before using it on me. They were amateurs as they don’t know what kills us and I didn’t know until Katie told me.”

“You are a born one, right?” Lance asked Katie. “Shiro said you are.”

“I am. I’m guessing your pack has a problem with Keith not being a born one.”

“Shiro would. Hunk might. I don’t. I was born, but I had a large family and some were bitten.”

“Had?” Keith asked.

“A group of hunters came after us. None of the hunters survived and I alone lived. I was fifteen at the time and I met Shiro a few weeks after the attack. He took me in and I’ve been with him for two years now.”

“Oh,” Keith said softly.

“The same thing happened to me,” Kaite said. “Four hunters killed my parents and older brother. I killed them once they ran out of bullets.”

“You’ve lived alone for a long time, huh?”

“Yeah. That awful night happened twenty years after I turned eighteen.”

“I understand you turning down the invitation. I wish the best for both of you and congratulations.” He shook their hands, stood, and headed to the rental car. He figured it wouldn’t be easy to get Katie to join and he had been right. Katie’s mated to one who wasn’t born a werewolf. He seems like a nice guy, but unfortunately that won’t matter to Shiro.

Chapter Seven- Mate Found

“She’s…mated?” Shiro growled. “To a non-born?”

“Yeah. Keith seems like a nice guy to me. The two of them have a house of their own and will live there.”

“So, she’s moving and since they’re living together, they won’t join the pack.”

“I asked if they would and Katie declined.”

Shiro stalked around the room. “Why would she mate with a non-born instead of a born one?”

“She hadn’t found another wolf for a long time and Keith needed to know how to be a wolf. Clearly, they talked and got along.” Lance didn’t see why Shiro was so worked up over Katie and Keith being mates. He understood that Shiro was disappointed that their pack was still three, but surely, they would survive.: Shiro was 150 and Hunk and he would turn eighteen and truly be immortal as well as being able to change their appearance.

“Shiro, is there something going on that has less to do with who Katie is mated to?” Lance asked.

Shiro ceased his stalking and sank onto a bed. He looked at the teens with a sort of dead-eyed look. “I received a letter from Emperor Zarkon. He is insisting that all wolves over 150 have a mate or had been mated or that pack will be absorbed into his own. I will be 151 in a few short months. I am comfortable living on my own and with you two. I am desperate to find a mate and keep us together. If I cannot, you can ask Katie and Keith if you could form a pack with them so only I will join the king’s pack.”

“No,” Hunk said in shock.

“Shiro, you can’t give up,” Lance said.

“I don’t see that I have much of a choice. I wasted away the time when I could have had a mate. I thought I had plenty of time but now I am running out of time.” Shiro shifted to wolf form and curled up on the bed, his back to them. Lance and Hunk knew this as the signal that Shiro was done talking. The teens set about doing other things to occupy themselves until they decided to sleep, Lance deciding to seek out Katie and Keith for help. Surely, Katie knows some wolves even though she’s been alone for a long time.

Katie peered through the peephole after the doorbell rang to see Lance there. She unlocked the door and opened it with a smile. “Lance, hi. Come in.”

He entered the mostly bare apartment and saw Keith by an open box that was being packed. “I can come back later.”

“No, no, it’s fine,” Katie said.

Lance sank to the floor and Katie and Keith joined him. “I just learned why Shiro was adamant of having you join, Katie. You’ve heard of Emperor Zarkon, ruler of all the wolves?”

“Yes. Mom and Dad mentioned him while growing up.”

“Well, he sent Shiro a letter, declaring that all wolves over 150 must have a mate or had been mated or he or she will be absorbed into the emperor’s pack which is quite large. Shiro will be 151 in a few months and convinced that he’ll never find a mate. He has already planned to have Hunk and me join you two as a pack so that only he will be absorbed. Of course, we’ll also lose our home.”

“He still has time. He shouldn’t give up now,” Keith said.

“That’s what I said, but he doesn’t want to hear it. I was hoping you knew some wolves even though you’ve lived alone.”

Katie smiled. “I may have lived alone, but I’m not friendless. I made contact with some wolves. It started with letters that told one another when we were moving and where. Eventually, cell phones were invented and made available. We wrote to each other with our numbers and now I have easy access to them. I can call or text them with Shiro’s problem.” She pulled out a phone, looked through her contacts, selected one, and was soon texting. “I just texted King Alfor. He rules over a modest pack that he expands by conquering neighboring lands. His own land is just a few hours to a day away by plane or car. I just asked if his daughter, Allura, is still looking for a mate. She’s approaching her 150th birthday.” A ping sounded and Katie looked down to see she had a reply. She read the message, texted a reply, and sent it. She grinned at Lance. “Allura’s available and she’d be thrilled to be Shiro’s mate. They don’t like the idea of the pack splitting up and they’re not fans of the emperor though they do follow his commands.”

“Will they be coming here?” Lance asked.

“Right here, in this apartment. Alfor’s booking a flight as we speak and Allura’s packing some luggage. She doesn’t know Shiro but she is just as desperate to be mated. Sounds like a perfect match to me.

“Lance, they’ll text me when they land. If you could give me your number or Shiro’s number, I’ll be able to text the message and give you time to get here.”

“Yeah, okay.” Lance pulled out his phone and he and Katie exchanged numbers and Lance gave her Shiro’s number.

“Katie, how does the emperor know whether one is mated or not?” Keith asked once Lance had left.

“His sorceress Hagger put a spell on his werewolf registry. It informs him when one is born or created, where they live, how long they’ve lived, and if they’re mated or been mated. Very convenient if you ask me; after all there are a lot of us even if we don’t interact with another wolf for a long time.”

“Shiro, I’ve got great news!” Lance exclaimed once in the hotel room.

Shiro, human now, and looking blankly at a wall, turned to Lance with a sad look. “What?” he asked, sounding bored.

“Katie found you a mate!”

That got his attention. “She…what?”

“Found you a mate and a princess to boot.”

“How…?”

“She’s kept in touch with other wolves she’s met and put their cell numbers in her phone. She texted the king of a modest pack and he told her his daughter is looking for a mate as she is almost 150. She would be thrilled to be your mate. The father is booking a flight and the daughter, Allura, is packing as we speak. I gave Katie your number and mine and she’ll text us when she gets the message that they’ve landed so we can drive to Katie’s as that’s where they’ll be headed.”

Shiro’s mouth opened and closed as he struggled to put his words and feelings in order and voice them. Finally, he managed to say, “Really?”

Lance grinned. “Really. We won’t have to split up and we’ll have a wifewolf after all.”

Shiro beamed as he finally grasped the situation. “Lance, great job! I’ll be sure to thank Katie for her help and assure Keith that I’m not prejudiced, I was just desperate for a mate.”

Shiro was relieved and excited to meet Allura. He didn’t care if they had to live in Alfor’s domain due to his mating of Allura; as long as his pack stayed together, that was all that mattered. I wonder if Allura will want to do the mating ritual when she gets here.

Chapter Eight- Meeting

Allura gazed at the picture Alfor sent to her phone hours before takeoff. He’s very good-looking, she thought as she took in his gray eyes, black and white hair, and muscular build. She followed her father as they moved through the airport, heading for the baggage claim. “Father, he’s handsome.”

“Indeed, daughter,” Alfor said. “I managed to copy Zarkon’s registry, including Hagger’s spell. “I learned that Shiro and his pack own their own house and grow their own garden. They are quite self-sufficient.”

“They just need a woman’s touch,” she said and Alfor laughed.

“It’s much more than that,” he said as they collected Allura’s luggage. “Shiro needs a mate before his next birthday if he wishes to keep his pack out of the emperor’s claws. You also need a mate simply because of your age.”

“Katie already found a mate before Shiro wrote to her,” said Allura, holding up her phone to indicate the text that held that information.

“Yes. A created one named Keith. He recently turned eighteen before he became a werewolf. He also owns a house and the latest update says that Katie will soon live with him. Speaking of Katie…” He pulled out his phone and sent her a text to say they’ve landed before leading Allura to the car rental.

“They’ve landed,” Katie said as she and Keith carried the last of her things to the car. She slid her foldable futon into the backseat, took out her phone and sent a text to Lance and Shiro. She soon got a reply from Shiro saying the two of them were on their way.

“I expect we have to bow to them,” Keith said.

“Yes. They are royalty after all.” The two headed back inside to await their guests. The place was bare and nicely cleaned. Katie was certain she’d get her deposit back as she had put in her notice on time and kept the place clean.

“So, the walkthrough’s tomorrow,” Keith ventured.

“Yes. Just the landlord and me. He had seen you helping me and I assured him that you have your own place and invited me to live with you.”

“I could have slept over. I would have taken wolf form and slept on the floor.”

“Yes, and I would have joined you.”

The bell rang fifteen minutes later and Katie checked her peephole to see Lance and Shiro. She let them in and Shiro hugged her. “Thank you so much for your help.” His nose flared to smell the addition of cinnamon to her scent. Very pleasant.

“I didn’t want to see your pack split up,” she replied as the hug broke.

Shiro went to Keith and held out a hand. “I want to apologize for my attitude toward you. I was so desperate for a mate that I acted prejudiced. I’m proud to be a born one even though there is no difference between born and created wolves.”

Keith took the hand and smiled a little. “Apology accepted. I’d like to meet other wolves.”

“And you soon will. I, myself look forward to meeting King Alfor and Princess Allura.”

“I think just Allura will do,” Katie said. “After all, she will be your mate.”

“Yes, but I will address them and bow as is expected.”

Another fifteen minutes passed before the bell rang again. Katie checked and gestured for everyone to stand before she opened the door, moved aside, and bowed with the others bowing also. “Welcome, your majesties,” she said.

Both royals smiled before Alfor said, “Katie, we’ve been friends for fifty years now. The royal address from you is not necessary.”

“As you wish.” Katie closed the door behind them.

Allura’s eyes landed on Shiro and subtly sniffed to pick out his scent. Hmm…cherry blossom. Very appropriate as Father’s book says he was born in Japan. She approached and said, “Shiro.” He looked up and she smiled before pulling him up. “I was thrilled when Katie told us about you. I do not need to worry about joining Zarkon’s pack as I am a princess; however, I do need a mate before I turn 151.”

“It would be an honor to be your mate,” Shiro said.

Allura nodded. “I was told you own a house and I plan to move into it.”

“You do?”

“Yes. You’ve likely had your home for some time and it doesn’t seem right to force the pack to leave it.”

“I’ve had it for almost eighty years,” he admitted. “And remodeled it to keep up with the area’s building codes.”

Alfor turned his attention to the two teens who were still kneeling and had their heads bowed. He approached the dark-haired one, smelling three scents from him and knew this had to be Keith. “All right, you two. You can stand.” Once they had, he addressed Keith. “I want to congratulate you on being mated. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who got a mate soon after becoming a werewolf. You are a special person.”

“Thank you, sire.”

Alfor turned to Lance. “My own registry tells me that you are seventeen right now.”

“Yes, sire but I’ll be eighteen next year.”

“And so will your pack brother, Hunk.”

“And Shiro plans to celebrate both.”

“Of course,” Shiro said. “Eighteen is a milestone for wolves and should be celebrated.”

“I could cook some traditional dishes for both birthdays,” Allura suggested.

“Hunk would love to learn them. He’s an excellent cook.”

“And you, Lance?”

“I tend the flowers and our vegetable garden.”

Allura turned to Alfor. “Father, I would like to mate with Shiro tonight.”

Alfor smiled in amusement. “I had thought you would.”

“There’s a section of the nearby park I use for the full moon,” Katie offered. “It’s isolated with plenty of room.”

“Good. I want everyone here and Hunk to witness our mating and in wolf form as well.”

“I’ll go get Hunk,” Lance offered. Shiro tossed him the keys and Lance left.

Alfor looked around at the empty apartment. “Kate, have you completely moved out?”

“The final walkthrough is tomorrow. After that, I’ll live with Keith full-time. My name’s been added to the deed.”

Alfor was impressed with how mature and responsible Katie was. She had to be; her family was slaughtered when she was thirty-eight; rather young by werewolf standards. She had learned to forge papers to live among humans. I would offer her a place of her own in my pack, but she has already made plans to live with her mate. Perhaps, in time, I will expand my territory and absorb this city so they will not have to hide who they really are.

Lance and Hunk arrived and Katie led everyone to the park where the mating ritual between Shiro and Allura would commence.

Chapter Nine- Another Mating

Shiro looked around at the area Katie had led them to and saw that there was plenty of room. And to think she had this all to herself and no one to share it with.

Allura roamed around the area, checking it to make sure it was isolated. The trip over had been devoid of people so no one was likely to hear her or Shiro once they began to howl. Her check brought her to the others and she nodded in approval. “Very nice, Katie. It’s perfect.”

Katie inclined her head. “Thank you, princess.”

Hunk and Lance carried a cooler into the area, opened it, and set out the meat and water that was in it. The smell of the meat made everyone’s mouths water but they swallowed it; they would eat once the mating had been concluded. The group watched the sky fade from colors to black and then they all shifted to wolf form.

Shiro admired the snow-white wolf Allura had become and felt very lucky to be her mate. Allura slid her head under his chin once she had gotten closer. She gave a loving growl and Shiro did the same and licked her cheek once she had pulled back. She licked his cheek and then pushed Shiro onto his back.

Allura panted as she gazed into Shiro’s gold eyes and saw genuine affection in them. She wrapped her tail around Shiro’s own before throwing back her head and howling which rose and fell in pitch. Shiro grinned at Allura’s howl before he followed her lead.

Once he finished, he put his paws around her neck pulled her close and, licking and nuzzling her muzzle and cheeks with enthusiasm which Allura returned with equal enthusiasm.

Alfor gave two barks and a howl. Katie echoed it as did the werewolves. “It is official,” he declared. “Allura and Shiro are now mates.”

Shiro sniffed as Allura was still on him. “Lotus,” he said. “You smell of lotuses.”

“Fitting, isn’t it?” she asked softly. “We both have a flower scent.”

“Yours is so sweet,” he said as he sniffed her again.

“So is yours and in the morning both scents will belong to both of us.” Allura got off Shiro and the black wolf rolled onto his paws. He followed her to the food and water and joined her in eating which prompted the others to eat too.

“Sire, do you have other children?” Katie asked.

“Allura is my only one.”

“Then, you’ll be alone.”

“I can always take another mate. Plus, the families of my servants live in the palace. So, I’m never alone except for bed.”

“I was hoping you weren’t alone,” Katie said.

“I know you will not leave the house you now live in, however I can work to expand my territory in this direction and add this city to it. You won’t be the only wolves then and won’t have to hide it.”

“We won’t?” Katie said, confused.

“When I take in a new area, I have a squad of werewolf guards that accompany me and bring to some humans to me at a hotel room where I will inform them that I am a king and chose them to be turned into wolves so that there will be wolves and humans. I will tell them that the full moon is the only time when one can be turned, though they can change at any time.”

“What would you do if the area has werewolf hunters?” Keith asked.

Alfor fully looked at Keith. “Are there hunters?”

“My last foster family are amateur werewolf hunters. They used an ancient ritual to turn me into a werewolf and then they tried to kill me. When they couldn’t, they left me chained in the basement, saying they would research how to kill me the next day and then do so.”

Alfor growled. “That is despicable. There is an ancient law that states that hunters should be turned and not told of what kills us. They are then either placed in the dungeon or are servants who cannot leave the palace without an escort.”

“Harsh, but it makes sense,” Keith said.

“It’ll take time to add this city to my kingdom but it will happen.”

“What happens if a person older than eighteen is bitten?” asked Keith even though he felt it was a stupid question.

“They regress to eighteen. Our age freezing at eighteen is part of our heritage as wolves and our ability to change our appearance protects us from hunters whom I should point out are rare these days but they do exist. The lucky thing is that our death by silver is known only to our kind.”

“Yeah. That is lucky.”

Allura seized a piece of meat and went over to sit with Lance and Hunk who both dipped their heads in respect. “Please, that’s not necessary. I’m a part of the pack now.”

“Sorry,” Hunk said. “Habit.”

“Of course. I was told that you cook.”

“Uh, yeah. I love to cook.”

“I know some traditional dishes and I have favorite recipes. I could share them with you.”

Hunk’s eyes lit up as he grinned and his tail swished. “I’d like that,” he said.

She grinned back, ate a little, and then asked, “Tell me about the house.”

“It’s an old house,” Lance said. “Probably 100 years older than Shiro.”

“Very funny,” Shiro called.

“Okay, maybe fifty. Shiro does remodel it from time to time. We all have our own room, a cool kitchen, two full bathrooms, one half-bath, a decent dining room, a comfy living room, and a patio out back with a large yard that has our garden. We’ve got flower beds on either side of the front door.”

“Sounds like a very nice place. I can’t wait to see it.”

“We can head there tomorrow,” Shiro suggested as he came over. “We’ll just check out of the hotel, say goodbye to everyone, and drive home.”

“Perfect,” she said before standing and pouncing on her mate, sending the two of them tumbling over each other, barking and laughing.

Katie snuggled up to Keith as they watched the new mates play. She felt safe and happy, despite the fact that there were hunters in the city. Alfor is right though. Only our kind knows what kills us and none of us will tell any humans. Keith and I will live together for a long, long time and eventually be part of Alfor’s territory. She closed her eyes and fell asleep against her mate, dreaming of her secure future.