The Howling

As Lena removed her helmet she spotted Kyle leaning up against the wall of the restaurant. She shot him a quick waive hello, put her helmet on the seat, and jogged over. Barry dropped the keys into his pocket and smiled as he watched the two of them chatter away for a moment. The three of them made their way inside and picked a cozy table near the window looking out over the bay.

Kyle looked as if he wanted to be violently ill as he looked over the menu and realized they didn’t serve alcohol. Lena chuckled and just ordered her meal. Barry didn’t bother looking at the menu either and settled for the house special as Kyle reluctantly agreed to the same. They sat sipping cherry coke, ice tea, and a coffee while Lena continued the discussion she began outside.

Over the meal much was pondered, passed on, and chatted about. Most of which was Lena’s thoughts about the new project inspired by the wolf. As Kyle listened, Barry watched totally amazed by her perception on the matter. A few short years ago he had been terrified of anyone finding out his secret. But to hear her explain it, romanticize it, as if she already knew, he found himself comforted.

When the waiter cleared the dishes and brought out the deserts, Barry became certain that he could tell her everything. With the final phase of the moon hanging over them, there really was no better time. He could take Lena home, show her the den, show her his true form, and at last be at peace with the whole thing! His train of thought was interrupted by a tap on his shoulder. He turned around to see Keith standing there with his arms folded across his chest.

“Hey, Keith, I’ve been wanting to talk to you.” Lena perked up.

“Not a good time,” Keith mumbled. “Can I talk to you for a minute Barry?”

“Yeah, if you two will excuse me for a minute,” Barry replied standing up quickly.

Keith ushered Barry away as Kyle looked on confused. Lena shrugged and continued eating.

“Who was that?” Kyle asked curiously.

“That’s Keith, one of Barry’s friends.” She replied casually.

“Oh, the one from the notes about the breaking and entering?” he asked.

“That’s the one.” She answered, as Barry returned.

“This has been a lot of fun guys, but I really have work to get done.” She said quickly.

“Fantastic! You know that’s what I like to hear.” Kyle laughed.

“Would you care for a ride home?” Barry asked politely.

“Of course.” She smiled and grabbed her sweater.

“Good night Kyle.” She said as she pranced away.

Barry climbed onto the Harley and fired it up as Lena put on her helmet. She slid on behind him and held on tight as he drove her home. He wasn’t ready to let her go. He wanted, so badly, to tell her everything. But, she had her mind dead set on ending the night and beginning her work. So, he sadly watched her go inside without him, and then went home himself.

Always in the shadows I have been, second sight prevails. I am overlooked by her, as if I didn’t exist in her world. I watch them as they come and go. Never will they see her in this light that I do. Though try as they might. She is mine, she is within my heart and my wolf’s soul cries out to have her as my life mate…

The light shifted revealing him for only an instant; his shimmering black fur, his elongated legs quivering with tension, the fangs as they protruded past his lips to shine as the moon at midnight on the ocean of a pelt. There was only one other like him in the entire world. Soon, he promised himself, his brothers would bow to his inevitable will. Then would he would rise up with his chosen mate and be noticed as the unquestionable leader of the pack.

When his radar like ears confirmed that all was silent and still, he picked up his gift for his chosen one and skittered across the road. He laid it down on her porch, took his own reward for the kill, and vanished into the silent night.

Lena was up half the night working on the outline and character definitions for her new novel. About three am, she heard a light thump on her front porch. She ignored the paper boy’s lack of aim, packed up her laptop, and set it up to charge. She took a few hours to nap on the couch and around eight that morning she turned on the coffee pot and went to fetch the paper.

Lena opened the front door, looked down, and began to scream. No sound came from her lips. Her face contorted in a mask of horror. She backed away slowly up the stairs as the image burned into her mind.

Brown hair, matted with dry blood, ghost white skin, and empty, grey, lifeless eyes, glazed over in death. The severed head rested face up on the porch in a puddle of blood. Its masculine mouth tore open in a silent howl protesting death, and the canine teeth missing.

Lena reached for the phone, her hands shaking. She dialed Paul’s direct line, unsure if her voice would even work. She dropped the phone as it connected, trembling so hard, she couldn’t control herself.

Paul answered, “Lena, are you alright? Come on hunnie, talk to me.”

She picked the phone back up and held onto it tightly. “There’s a head on my porch.”

“What? You’re not making any sense.”

She took a deep breath. “I said there’s a severed head on my front porch. Get your black ass over here and make it go away!” She yelled.

“On my way.”

Click…

A few minutes later Lena heard the sirens. She sat on the inside steps staring out the open front door at the head that stared back at her. Paul was the first to arrive, his Lieutenant Bryan nipping at his heels. Keith and Barry were right behind them in the next vehicle. Last to arrive was the crime scene techs in their fancy van.

Barry jumped over the porch and scooped Lena up in a hug. Paul stood mortified at the sight. Keith and Bryan let loose a whole string of curses.

“My darling Lena, are you alright?” Barry asked concerned.

“I’m fine.” She replied still trembling.

“God damn it. That’s Donny.” Paul said in horror.

“Whoever did this, pulled out his fangs, damn that’s sick.” Bryan replied as the nausea struck him.

“Move away guys. Let the CSI boys in here to do their job. We’ll deal with our end later.” Barry barked.

“You good here?” Keith asked.

“Yeah, I’m staying.” Barry replied.

“Alright, I’m off then.” Keith returned to the car and disappeared down the block.

“Go get yourself cleaned up Lena. I’ll take care of this.” He soothingly suggested.

“Alright, thank you.” She replied still too dazed to think straight.

Lena disappeared down the hall. When Barry heard the shower turn on he pulled Paul and Bryan over to the side.

“This is the work of the stray.” He stated.

“I agree, but why?” Paul scratched his bald head and replaced his police cap.

“It was an offering and a warning.” Bryan said as he began to fit the pieces together.

“He’s infatuated with this woman. From what I gather, Donny was a threat to that, or her. Watch your backs guys. This could have been any one of us.” Bryan stated.

“Keep your eyes out for the missing teeth. That had to be his trophy.” Paul added with disgust.

“Alright I’ll leave you to the official business.” Barry smiled.

“You take care of yourself.” Bryan said as he patted him on the shoulder.

Barry nodded and closed the door between them. He went into the kitchen and poured them some coffee. Lena emerged from the shower looking a bit less shaken. She gratefully took the coffee and sat beside him on the couch.

“About three this morning, I heard something outside.” She said after sipping on her coffee awhile.

“I thought it was the morning paper.”

“You were up working that late?” He asked.

“Yeah, usually, but sometimes I don’t sleep at all.” She smiled.

“What I don’t understand is why it was left on my porch of all the places?”

“It was a gift from the wolf.” Barry replied soberly.

“Oh,” She paused. “Wait, that makes sense. I recognize that face now. He threatened me when I followed Keith to that girl’s house.”

“So, it seems he fixed that for you. I can see the logic behind it. If this stray is infatuated with you, he’s going to want to take everyone out of the way.” Barry agreed.

“Oh my god, Kyle,” She raced for the phone and dialed his number.

“Hello?” Kyle mumbled still half asleep.

“Get up you bastard. You’re in danger.”

“From what?” He rambled. She could hear the rustling of the sheets as he sat up.

“There was a severed head on my door step this morning. Barry says the wolf did it. You need to pack up now and get on a flight back to Los Angelis. It’s not safe here anymore.” She rambled on and on.

“You’re drunk again aren’t you Lena?” He muttered.

Barry snagged the phone after hearing Kyle’s irrationality.

“Hey man it’s me. She’s not drunk. I’m not insane, and you need to leave, like now. Price isn’t an issue. I’ll call in a personal favor to Baltimore. Just move your ass.”

“I’m moving.” Kyle replied as it all finally registered.

Barry hung up the phone. True to his word he placed the call to Baltimore.

“Yes, this is Barron Brice Coleridge. Prepare my jet and make sure Kyle Dagwood is returned to Los Angelis as promptly as he turns up.”

“Yes sir.” The operator barked and then hung up.

“Um, wow?” She stammered.

“What?” He asked.

“Nice title.” She said wide eyed.

“Yeah, I like Barry better.” He laughed.

“Explain yourself.” She demanded.

“Again?” He sighed.

“It’s your own fault for leaving shit out the first time.” She snapped.

“Touché.” He rolled his eyes.

“Barron of where?” She asked.

“Small plot of land in northern Ireland.”

“Why no accent?”

“I’m American, father’s Irish.”

“Oh.” She replied.

“Anything else?” He asked.

“What else aren’t you telling me?”

“A lot.” He laughed.

“Why?”

“You wouldn’t believe me even if I did.”

“Try me.” She spoke.

“Tempting, but another time maybe.” He winked.

She punched him. He kissed her in return. She pulled away and threw her coffee cup at him. It crashed to the floor leaving him wet and shocked.

“Look I don’t know what signals you think you’ve gotten from me. But, I just woke up to a severed head on my porch. Now you’ve told me there’s a wolf out there that’s in love with me.”

“Lena, you’re rambling again.” He cooed.

“Well what do you expect?”

“That you quit worrying about what’s outside. Just for a moment, let yourself go.” He shook his head as she began to pace.

“Lena,” He took her in his arms. “Do you trust me?”

“I guess so.” She replied as she looked into his eyes for the right answer.

“Give in, for just a moment and let your feelings take over.”

Barry kissed her again. This time Lena still wanted to protest but gave up quickly and returned the kiss with favorable pleasure. He picked her up in his arms, carried her off to the bedroom, and then threw her onto the bed. In the same fluid movement he was on top of her, kissing, caressing, and soothing whispers into her ear.

“Now don’t you feel better?” He asked.

“I’m trembling.”

“For a reason other than fear though?” He smiled as he kissed her again.

“Yes.” She replied honestly.

“Should I stop?”

“No,” She answered as she pulled him into another kiss.

“Thank the gods.” He replied. She laughed.

They spent the afternoon in guiltless pleasure. Connected together by waves of intensity, they struggled against the sheets. Lena could hardly contain herself as Barry pushed her past the limits of pleasure. The world melted away as they completed the ravishing ritual and lay there together breathless and satisfied in each other’s arms.

“Feel better?” He whispered into her hair.

“Much better.” She replied softly.

“Me too.” He kissed her head.

“I’d stay here all day if I could. But there’s something I’ve got to take care of.”

“I’m not ready for you to go.” She pouted.

“Oh, I do not want to go.” He chuckled. “But, I must. So stop making it harder than it has to be.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. You’re absolutely wonderful Lena. Don’t change a thing.”

Barry dressed, kissed Lena on the fore head, and then made his way down the hall. She didn’t follow, knowing he could find his own way out. Instead, she went and took a long hot shower, content to waste the rest of the day.

As Barry stepped out into the late afternoon sun, he pulled his phone out of his pocket. The warm southern wind blew his hair around as he sent out the mass text message to the pack.

Mandatory meeting nine pm in the den…

Conformation text messages started coming back to Barry as he began the long walk back to his house. He thought back proudly on his romp with Lena and at how easily she had given into the suggestion as he entered his house. He put his thoughts aside and prepared himself for the meeting that would start as soon as everyone had gathered.

Ten minutes to nine the pack started appearing. One after another they joined their leader as he paced the far wall. Barry’s pocket started vibrating. Paul sent a text message saying that he would be late due to work issues. Keith walked up beside him as the murmurs continued to emerge from the crowd.

“Everyone knows Donny is dead.” Keith whispered.

“I figured.” Barry sighed.

“They also know how much you’ve been running to that woman’s side. Their worried whispers are beginning to concern me.”

“Get to the point.” Barry growled.

“You had better stop these foolish tirades. They’re being viewed as weakness in the eyes of the pack.” Keith explained harshly.

“Watch your tongue!” He snapped.

Paul showed up just in time to keep the two of them from fighting. As he stepped up in-between Keith and Barry, the murmurs gave way to silence.

“It is true what you have heard. Donny is dead. By the laws of our kind we will seek out the murderer and dispose of him humanely.” Barry projected to the crowd.

“Any and all assistance in apprehending this beast would be greatly appreciated. You all have both Bryan and my cell numbers. Do not hesitate to call with valuable information.” Paul stated.

“As for the woman, anyone caught near her without permission will be treated as a threat to the investigation.” Keith tried hard not to smirk as he spoke.

“As by law, permission only comes from those of us that stand before you. No more and no less is acceptable, understood?” Barry barked. Nods of reply washed through the crowd.

“If all are in agreement, this meeting is adjourned. See you all for the feast of the first moon.” Barry dismissed them and made his way upstairs alone.