Altheia was confused. She tilted her head back and looked at Michael. “I don't understand what's going on. Did I miss something?"
Michael looked at Alex. Alex gave him a slight nod. “He's a werewolf."
Altheia jerked around and stared. “Like you?” she asked softly.
"No. Like my father,” he answered.
Alex looked at him sharply. “Your father infected you?” he asked in surprise.
"Not exactly,” Michael sighed. “Look, do you think we could discuss this indoors? I don't want ‘Theia to get a chill. She hasn't been well lately."
"Sure,” he said as he stood up. “What about him?” he asked with a nod toward the body.
Michael glanced around for a second. “He isn't going anywhere."
Michael led Altheia gently into the cabin and pushed her toward the bathroom. Grabbing a spare pair of sweats he had not packed, he handed them to her. “Why don't you clean up? I have to see to Koani."
Grabbing the comforter from the foot of the bed, he went back outside. Alex watched as he gently wrapped the wolf in the comforter and laid her body on the porch.
"Was she like you?” he asked.
"No. Just a friend."
Altheia was waiting when they came back inside. She looked like a waif in his oversized sweats, rolled up at the arms and legs. He went to her. “Do we have any coffee? Could you make some?” he asked when she nodded. Turning to Alex, he asked, “Do you mind if I take a shower before we talk?” Michael's naked body was streaked with blood.
"Go ahead. I'll just have a seat,” he answered as he sat in the chair by the hearth.
Altheia busied herself in the kitchen till he returned. She found the cookies she'd bought the day she'd gone to the doctor and set them out on the table. She glanced surreptitiously at Alex, but all he did was sit and watch her.
When Michael returned, he took her in his arms and held her. “Are you all right ‘Theia?’ His hand brushed across her stomach. “Why don't you lie down and rest?” he suggested.
"No!” Her arms wound around him. “I want to stay with you.” She needed his support right now and she needed to know what was going on.
"Okay,” he agreed gently. He set her on his lap like a child, with her head on his shoulder. He could sense her need to touch him. He understood. He really didn't want her out of his arms either.
They drank the coffee in silence for a few minutes. “How long have you been like this?” Michael asked finally.
Alex looked at him for a long moment before he answered.
"Almost three years. My car broke down and I was walking when I was attacked. It left me for dead. I almost did die. But a car came along and they got me to a hospital in time for a blood transfusion and I lived.” He gave a mirthless laugh. “If you can call this life."
"How did you find out that you had changed?"
"The next full moon, I was alone with one of the guys in a warehouse on the waterfront. The next morning I woke up naked, covered in blood. The guy with me was dead. Since then, I lock myself up in a place of mine out of town. But I don't know how much longer I can take it. How do you do it, man?"
"You've never killed since your first moon?” Michael asked, surprised.
"No."
"You didn't realize any kill would do, even an animal?"
Alex looked up in shock. “An animal? But I thought werewolves only attacked humans."
"Pure myth. Silver bullets too."
"Then we can't be killed?"
"Sure. Just like humans. We're just a little harder because we can recuperate quicker. But any bullet in the right place would do the job. And any kill will satisfy the bloodlust. Even a rabbit."
Alex sat quietly for a few minutes and thought about this. “Then I can live an almost normal life if I plan for the moon?” Michael nodded. After a few minutes he looked back up at Michael.
"You're not like me,” he stated as fact.
"No,” Michael said, “not quite."
Alex looked at him expectantly.
Michael took a deep breath. For some reason, he trusted this man. “I was born like this. My father was a werewolf, but my mother wasn't."
Alex blinked. It was hard to believe. “Are there others like you?"
"I don't know."
"You just changed because you wanted to, but you didn't kill and then you changed back while she held you."
"I think you could call me a shape shifter. And the bloodlust only comes with the full moon. However, I would have killed him, had she not done it first,” he said quietly as his hand brushed against her cheek. Altheia lay silent but alert in his arms.
"You killed Jack, or did the wolf?"
"Yes. He threatened my mate."
He looked at him intensely for a few seconds. This man ... this creature in front of him, was unique. And definitely powerful. He was suddenly sure he wanted him as an ally, not an enemy.
"Look, I've already made arrangements to dispose of Jack, why don't I do you a favor and take care of our friend out there. I don't think you want the police involved in this."
"What's in it for you?"
"A friend? You've given me a way to live with what I've become. And maybe,” he glanced at Altheia, “you could tell me how you found someone like her."
Michael thought for a moment and then smiled. Reaching his free hand across the table, he held it palm up. “Deal."
* * * *
It was daybreak when Michael stood with Alex in the yard that held no trace of what had passed the night before, except for the covered body resting on the porch.
"So where do you go from here?” Alex asked.
"Well, I think it's time to face my grandfather and introduce him to my wife. What are you going to tell your father?"
"Just that Eric was lying and crazy and that he was taken care of. The old man's getting along in years and thinking of retiring. When he's gone, I plan on turning legit.” He smiled. “And if I need an army of werewolves, I can handle it myself. Maybe we can get together sometime."
"I'd like that."
They shook hands again and Alex turned to go. He stopped and looked back. “Take care of your mate,” he said. “She's a very special lady."
"I'm a very lucky man."
Alex got into his car and drove away.
Later that morning, Michael and Altheia returned to the meadow where they had buried Jasmine.
It was mid afternoon when they returned and finished packing the van.
They sat for a minute looking back at the cabin. “Are you all right,” he asked.
She turned to him and smiled. “Why wouldn't I be all right? I'm newly married, my husband loves me and I'm going to have a baby. Our baby. I came here to start a new life and did I ever. I love you, Michael. That and the baby are all that matters."
He smiled back at her. “I love you too, ‘Theia,” he said softly. “We have our whole future ahead of us and maybe a whole new breed of humans to raise. But whether human or not, I thank you for coming into my life and giving me something to live for."
EPILOGUE
August
Michael and Altheia stayed in Canada through the next full moon. They planned to drive slowly to Louisiana and didn't want to deal with it. His mother was ecstatic when she learned of the pregnancy and she promised Altheia she would come south when the baby was due.
They took two and a half weeks to travel south and it was like a honeymoon. Michael never knew he could be so happy. There was nothing he wouldn't do for Altheia and he spoiled her endlessly.
They arrived in New Orleans a week before the full moon. Grandmere was thrilled with Altheia and the impending birth. Grandfather was gruff as usual but accepted Altheia graciously and was pleased with the baby. He'd always wanted the bloodline to continue.
After the next full moon had passed, Michael insisted that they move into a remote cottage on the estate. His grandfather resisted, but Michael made it plain if not there, he would leave the estate altogether, and grandfather relented.
Preliminary tests showed they were expecting twins. The future looked bright and they looked forward with enthusiasm to the beginning of a new life.
Finis
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