Father Son Secret

Malachi jogged up the stairs to the front door and went in. It was quiet in the house but he could hear a faint sound coming from somewhere upstairs. He sighed and hurried up the next flight to the second floor where he heard Jeremiah grumbling complaints to Darcy.

"Don't see why he has to be so foul. It's not like we don't know nor have we dealt with such things before." Malachi walked toward them as Darcy spoke.

"Because we are difficult. Hasn't changed back yet then?" Malachi asked.

"No, still in there growling away." Jeremiah said angrily. Clearly thinking that Malachi's father was being an obstinate child. Malachi did feel a bit of humor, however when injured your animal liked to come forward to protect you.

"Sometimes it's hard to control yourself and the urges. He's just worried about attacking you, and that he was caught unawares." Malachi informed them. They just needed to let his father calm down. He should be healed enough. Malachi would check him though.

"Well you see him then. Let him know that everything is packed and ready to go so we can move back out to Herth." Darcy said with a smile. Malachi just gave a nod. He moved toward his father's room and heard the low warning growl. They were supposed to move back to their house in the city already. They attack clearly had put them behind.

"Hush up old man." Malachi said opening the door and going in. The room was a large and across the way a large grey wolf pacing the room. This after all was their greatest secret. Why their family left so long go to come here and work the land to make it what it was. If they couldn't be accepted in their home world, then they went where others didn't know. That way they could live in secret. Better that way, still sometimes for those like Malachi and his father, you couldn't always control the shift with high emotions.

They were oddities, and people had begun to notice things about them. They were high profile, rich and much sought after. People liked to follow them with cameras. So certain behaviors were sometimes seen, but never a shift. Some back in their home world thought them werewolves. Did they exist? Well Malachi figured that they had to if he existed. They weren't werewolves, they didn't change people with a bite. They didn't change with the moon, though urges were strong then. They weren't immortal either, just physically and psychically gifted. They had made a home here and used their abilities to their advantage to keep their home. That was all, not attack and hurt people.

"Jeremiah and Darcy have everything packed and ready to go. I spoke to Cameron, he says that all is well with his family. No attacks and they will be doing a thorough investigation into what happened here." Cameron was Malachi's closest friend. Also a changeling like they were. His father was head of security and Cameron would take that over one day. The wolf gave a grunt. When they were severely injured this part of them took over, until they were healed. Don't ask why they didn't know, it just did.

"Good, I want to be out of here tonight." His father said shifting finally. He grabbed a robe that was in the room. Malachi's words and intel calmed him enough. So he pushed his wolf down and tried to calm it. He was still really bruised and it hated that his son had also been harmed.

"I figured you were good enough to shift back. Why so testy with Jeremiah?" Vento gave a shrug.

"I wanted to be left alone, and they were being persistent. Only time I have an excuse to ignore people. Have them stop asking things of me." Malachi looked at his father, he was getting older now. Grey hair was starting to over take the brown. But he was still as strong as ever. Malachi raised an eyebrow at him.

"You better not cut out early on me. I'm not looking forward to the responsibility that will be dumped on my shoulders." Vento gave a sigh.

"I know, but sooner or later. You are already dealing with a lot of aspects. I appreciate that you have been handling the shipping logs and inventories. With all the problems in the colonies and villages, plus the outbreak of fighting and threat of war, it's been hard." Vento felt bad, his son was only twenty one but shouldering a lot of responsibility. He was missing out on being a young man and the freedom of it. All his time had been in schooling and learning the business. Malachi had always been an older soul in a young body. Still looking at him Vento wished it was easier for him. That he could be a bit more free.

"I'm fine with what I'm doing. So stop looking guilty. I'd like a bit of sympathy instead with that young woman you've decided to stick me with." He grumbled. "As if hiding our oddity wasn't hard enough with the rest."

"Just until Ricardo is taken care of you know that." Malachi clenched his jaw. Yeah and how long was that going to be? They were starting the dating thing now. Obviously they wanted to make sure that shareholders and possible supporters for both Standish and the Ventos didn't get spooked thinking some take over was happening. So they were trying to make this look as natural as possible. "She has to of gotten better." Vento said with a slight smile moving over to a tin that had some medical salve in it. He used that to rub into the almost healed wounds on his arms. Bruises still, marring his skin.

"Yeah, sooo much better. I saw her today with someone else." Malachi's tone didn't really say he cared. More irritated.

"Was she now?" Vento said not looking happy about that. He had an even stronger view on that than his son. Though his wife, he'd chosen. They had been faithful to each other. He still hadn't taken another lover since her death so many years ago. His wolf simply could not swallow another mate, he lost the one meant for him. That was his animals take and Vento was okay with that.

"Yes, but I don't care so long as it isn't after we are married. Her sister was there as well, still as meek as ever." Malachi seemed unhappy for a moment.

"I would keep my eye on that girl. I think that she has a lot more potential than most realize. One day they will regret what they've done to her. I like her, she's nice enough." Vento supplied. Helpful too that young woman.

"Nice enough yes. Also sharp and smart. I took her home so that her sister wouldn't punish her. It was clear that she thought Ariel was telling me lies about her being with others. As if my eyes don't work." Vento looked at his son who had a severe look about him. "I don't understand why they treat her the way that they do, it isn't right."

"No it's not. However there isn't much we can do about it. I'm glad that you took her home. Also I think that it would be best if you made time to be with Natasha and get to know her. She will be coming to stay with us for short periods of time. You two should work it out as well." Malachi thought he was being way to optimistic. How did you get someone to work on it when they already thought they were perfect?

"I'll get right on that." Malachi said and turned. "You're starting to grey around the muzzle by the way."

"Yes, I thought it was distinguishing."

"Whatever you say." Malachi opened the door to leave, but had a slight smile. Vento on the other hand felt his smile fade.

"Malachi, be careful. It's dark times and the fight for power here has only just started. They'll know you are in line to gain this land and the stocks that come with it. You will become a higher target than me."

"I know, I will." He told his father who gave him a nod. Malachi moved off down the hall. Darcy was coming toward him with some food for his father.

"He's up and decent now right?"

"Yes." He told her.

"You should smile a bit more Malachi. You always look to glum as of late. You're handsome when you smile." He flashed her a bright smile.

"Better?" She rolled her eyes.

"Sarcastic attitude as always. Have you been to see your betrothed as of late?" She jested, and he rolled his eyes this time.

"Saw her today. Asked if I wanted to shop with her and a few friends." His look said he'd rather be dead than spend the afternoon shopping. Darcy laughed.

"It might be fun, and Ariel did you see her. How is that sweet child doing?"

"I love how everyone sees her as kind and sweet. The girl has no backbone and gets eaten alive by everyone. It's annoying to see how she is with others. Doesn't stand up for herself." He said angrily. He hated seeing it. Darcy gave him a harsh look.

"Do you even know what it's like to live her life? Unlike you she wasn't given anything she wanted. She's never had a parent's love. Yet she is a good person, and if all she is introverted and shy, then she got off lucky. Don't you be little her Malachi. She might just surprise you one day."

"I don't think less of her for what she was put through. Just that now at her age she still allows it."

"Do you know for a fact she allows it? Perhaps she gives in when she knows it would just be worse for her not to." Darcy said with a humph. "Maybe you should take a bit of time to know her, just as her sister. Though I think Ariel is the better catch anyways." She gave him a wink. Malachi gave a slight sly smile.

"I must admit she kind of is. Even with her meek ways." He said giving Darcy a bit of a boyish look. She eyed him with a half smile herself.

"Is that so? Remember who you're intended for. Besides Ariel's too good for you." Malachi smiled again.

"Ouch." He said smiling. "I know, I just find dark looks more appealing I guess. However Ariel is far to introverted for my tastes and shy. Her sister's more my style in that regard." Darcy gave a shrug.

"Whatever you say. Player." She moved off down the hall. Malachi gave a hearty laugh watching her. Leave it to Darcy to comment like that.

"You're the one who brought it up. Player, that's a new one." Darcy laughed and knocked on his father's door. Malachi just moved on to make sure that he had everything when he left.