Animal Heart(28)

“I must admit I haven't thought about that. I've had severe body issues to contend with.”

“You'll have to stay here. With us. You need secrecy, security, and the protection Aden provides.”

“But why? If it's easily controllable.”

“It's not that easy at all Maddy. You haven't embraced it fully yet. We all feel different about life. We're animals at heart and you ought to know that at full moon we all go completely, fucking crazy. And for a day or two beforehand the changes almost force themselves upon us.”

“What do you mean? In what way do you go crazy?”

“We want to kill everything. Anything we love or hate and everything in between. Probably each other given the chance. We don't know a thing about doing it. Aden locks us all up in a place just outside town. We have a yard there, with a container for each of us, and timed locks. We go in at sunset in the evening, and come out at dawn the next morning, whatever times they are, I don't know, Aden manages it all for us. You'll never remember what you've done while you're in there. Although it won't be much, because there's nothing to do except to try to escape and that's not possible, thank God!”

“No... I don't believe it, really? Rip 'em to shreds killer werewolves, like in the movies?” she whispered with unbelieving, widening eyes.

“Afraid so honey... But apart from that minor inconvenience, life is okay. It's only once a month, for three nights, anyhow. You'll get used to it. But don't worry about that for now. For the next couple of days you've got some thinking to do, while you're still technically on vacation... You should think what you are going to tell your family and friends. There's no need to cut yourself off from them entirely, you can still visit, but you need to base yourself here.”

“Oh my God... This can't be happening to me. Damn, shit, and fuck!” She hung her head in desperate realisation.

“Well it is. So pick up the challenge and get on with it. And you have to admit, it's better than dying, which was the only other alternative you had, hmmm? That, or at best being paralysed for life. Aden doesn't turn people for the sake of it. There needs to be a really good reason, Maddy.” She smiled a big white smile and touched her arm comfortingly. “Come on… Let's get Shane to brew us a hot cappuccino with that Gaggia monster of his. It frightens me to be honest, all that hissing steam blasting everywhere. And d'you know what? I fancy a shot of brandy in it today. How does that sound, eh?”

“It sounds great... and I'm starving as well. Is food allowed between meals here, or is it like the dog pound?” Maddy had finally recovered enough to regain her sense of humor.

“Ha ha, yeah it's the werewolf jail... Of course you can eat between meals, you daft thing. We have some divine chocolate cookies and tons of other stuff you can munch. Let's go and raid the fridge trainee wolf-girl. And like I said, don't worry. 'Lil old Sammy'll show you the ropes in no time at all.”



Maddy followed Samantha into the kitchen, thinking deeply and absorbing the facts about her new changed state of being.

She sat for a little while with the two of them, drinking coffee and eating a few leftovers from the fridge as they explained a little more about themselves and the pack. It was all falling into place now. The strange looking wolves she had seen running across the paddock early that first morning were in fact werewolves. They hunted wild animals for food, because they were a pack of wolves and loved to hunt. And the women here were all she-wolves, three of whom were openly for vying for Aden's attention, because he was the alpha. To be an alpha's mate was a privilege, obviously. A privilege worth fighting for. And women could be complete bitches fighting over men. Why he hadn't committed himself to one of them, after all this time, was a mystery to her. The women seemed determined to continue the fight in any case, judging by how her presence, and his interest in her, had riled the three of them up. She was quite worried about this. She'd need to watch her back at all times.

It was clear to her that Aden wanted her, as she wanted him. But in what way? As another bed warmer or was it going to be more than that? She knew he was commitment shy so why should she be any different? And competing with the other women, constantly trying to get his attention didn't appeal at all.

She stopped trying to second guess his motives. She'd test him out for a while, until she knew him better and found out more information about his intentions.

She didn't even know her own feelings yet. But in truth, he intrigued her. She was already more than interested and impressed by him, despite his shortcomings. He was, in fact, her hero and she was realising this fact quite clearly now. If it wasn't for him she'd be dead. And life was so precious. Even life as a werewolf.