The Wolf's Lair

Michael

I returned home and shook off the snow that stuck to my black fur coat before returning to my human form. Snow crunched under my bare feet as I entered through the side door. Naked and warm, melting any lingering snow, I started for my room and paused halfway when I remembered I had Andrew put the girl in there.

I quickly shifted gears and went to my spare room on the bottom floor, the one I kept in case I was too worn out to make it up the stairs. Some nights of patrolling were so long that even two flights of stairs were too much. This room was nothing special, a bed on a low platform, two good-sized dressers, and a mini bathroom with a shower.

I would need a shower tonight but now all I needed was spare clothes, as I was still naked. My nudity didn't bother me or those who come and go from my house, but clothes help me feel more normal, more human. I grabbed a pair of joggers and a tank top hanging from a chair, I gave it a sniff before pulling it on. Because I could change at will, I had a habit of undressing at random places, sometimes even right after dressing. Thankfully, I had the means to replace any clothes that weren't fortunate enough to be removed before shifting. I ran my fingers through my hair, attempting to resemble the man who managed to afford such a luxurious house. Dressed and lazily groomed, I exited my room.

I started off toward the kitchen when I stopped at the staircase. Just up two flights, one landing and two doors down on the right slept the girl. I wasn't some schoolboy. I had seen beautiful women before, but this was beyond physical beauty, beyond animalistic need even.

There was a strong urge to protect her, as strong as my need to understand her. I saw the bodies at the site; they seemed the same age as her, but she didn't seem the outdoorsy type. I had felt her body against mine, she was lean, toned, and clean. Her hands I couldn't help but notice had a few calluses on them, which didn't seem to fit with her, but it intrigued me. I felt leaning toward the stairs when a movement drew my attention.

"She didn't move an inch. What happened?" Andrew said. He crunched down on an apple as he waited for my reply.

I sighed. "Not sure yet. Francis is keeping an eye out for the werewolf, but I doubt she'll come back tonight. It was a massacre." I answered.

He nodded toward the stairs. "She the only survivor?" he asked me.

I nodded and Andrew let the topic drop, not daring to ask why she was here instead of heading to the hospital. "I'll double-check our security here, just in case," he said before heading off. I agreed and headed to the kitchen.

As I poured myself a glass I dialed the police department. It picked up on the second ring. "Bamberg police station," the dispatcher said.

"It's Michael," I said; they knew me well enough.

"Hey, we have units out your way now," he said.

"I know. One of the victims is here. She's not hurt, but I don't think you'll be able to get here with your vehicles. When she wakes up, I'll call back with a name so you can let her family know she's alive," I said.

Though he wasn't a wolf, he knew not to question me. That department seemed to have new employees all the time, but they all know that when I would call, my orders were carried out without question. He said he would leave a note for the captain and I hung up.

I finished my drink and my thoughts turned to the girl. I growled, feeling unable to fight what both myself and my wolf wanted. I stalked through my house, taking the stairs two at a time until I was standing in front of the door.

It was my room, and yet I hesitated to enter. I paced in front of the door, a war between choices. "Would she be awake?"

I only saw those eyes briefly, but it was enough to ignite thoughts I long discarded. I stopped pacing and huffed then turn the handle to the room. "I'm an Alpha," I reminded myself.

With the grace of my kind, I entered the room, only my scent disturbing the room, my footsteps silent as I walked a wide berth from the bed. My room was styled perfectly for me-- tall ceilings, curved glass panels letting in maximum lighting during the day, and picturesque views of the moon phased at night. The room was split in half by a floor-to-ceiling wall, the bed facing the glass while the other half had the walk-in bathroom and sitting area.

I wasn't much of a TV watcher, but there was something I liked about the antique style of those seventies TVs, so I kept it, adding an antenna for visual effect rather than functionality.

Still, though designed for me, this woman fitted right in. She was laying on her back, both arms raised above her head, one under the pillow, and the other over it. Her head was tilted away from me, her hair was dry now, spread out over my pillows and there was more color in her cheeks.

I held my breath as I rounded the room to fully see her face. She hadn't seen me yet, those green eyes with a hint of amber looked right through me, but little did she know how much it affected me.

Though hidden under my oversized shirt, I could see the chain of her necklace. Aconite, also known as wolfsbane, was cradled between her chest, a symbol of protection draping so close to her heart that it nearly drew another growl from me.

What would be the reason she'd need that? And why wasn't it repelling me as it should? I felt more drawn to her than when we were in the woods. Maybe it was seeing her in my clothes, in my bed, but I knew I had to protect her. From what? It didn't matter, whatever she needed, I would give it.

Finding out where and why she had the necklace wouldn't be a bad idea either, but that really was the least of my worries.

"Hey, Michael." It was Robert, through our link. "The police are going to be here a while," he said.

I could hear the edge in his tone. He was still uneasy around humans, and I understood but he needed to learn control, which was why I kept sending him on simple human runs.

"Good. When you get a chance, slip away and join up with Francis and watch the scene till everyone is gone. I don't think she'll be back tonight, but we can't be too sure and we don't need dead police on the news along with these young people. Are there any more survivors?" I asked looking back at the woman. It would be great to have something encouraging to tell her when she would wake up. I didn't want to see those eyes saddened.

"Most didn't make it. I'd say maybe four or five will make it to the hospital alive. Then it's up to the doctors," he said. The connection ended and I knew Robert would make his grand escape from the humans as fast as he could.

I crossed to the far end of the room and looked across the forest toward where the attack happened. I could faintly see the lights of the police cars in the distance. It wasn't close, but close enough. Damien had never been so bold as to cause such a scene, and definitely not this close to my residence. The talk I'd have with him wasn't going to be pleasant. When I made a deal the terms were met; breaking it would result in unpleasant consequences.

Turning back to the room I knew I should leave, but my eyes landed on her. Perhaps with distance, I could keep these distances, yet familiar feelings went down. I had lived plenty well without them and if there was trouble, now wouldn't be the time to dwell on them either.

"Yes, distance is the key," I told myself as I continued to stand by the window watching this beautiful mystery sleep.