The Howling

The scene played over and over in Lena’s mind. The wolf that was a man had lost his soul, poisoned by someone to cover up yet another lie. In between her tears she watched as Keith shed a tear of his own then pierced the heart of his brother.

Then the head rolled off and the wolf dissolved into a man again. Lena wanted to scream, or run, or even vomit. But, none of these things came to her. She was frozen in the nightmare unable to get away. She stared at the lifeless body and wept without anyone there to console her. She was alone in this strange new world and it frightened her to the core.

“Lena, come on wake up. I need you.” She opened her eyes.

“Keith,” She coughed. “How did you get in?” She sat up on the couch and made room for him to sit.

“The door was unlocked.”

“Oh, what time is it?” She yawned.

“It’s midnight. I really didn’t want to bother you but I need your help.” He pleaded.

“It’s about Eric, isn’t it?” She asked. “I haven’t been able to get him out of my mind.”

“Someone set him up to cover up the truth behind the killings. I want to know who. I don’t have your keen perception or attention to detail.”

“Was that a compliment?” She smiled.

“Yeah, I guess so.” He laughed.

“I’ll help you find the truth. Just tell me what you want me to do.”

“This has to stay between us Lena. I don’t think there’s anyone else we can trust until it is over.” He explained.

“Ok, so where do we start?”

“I’ve been thinking back over the last several months trying to put the pieces together. What do you remember about the night the girl went missing?”

“Barry was here the morning after. He was ranting about the homes being broken into and the woman who went missing. Later on was when I saw you Donny and Eric headed for the lady’s house and I followed.” She recalled aloud.

“The following day over lunch he said that the woman was changed and had broken out of her own home.” She concluded.

“What do all those events have in common?” He asked deep in thought.

“Barry turned up out of nowhere each time for starters. Same thing happened the morning I woke up to the head on my porch. I had supper with Barry, he dropped me off at home to work and then he was the first to return.”

“Are you suggesting what I’m assuming you are?” He looked at her strangely.

“Oh, God, I think I am. He was everywhere when everything happened. It had to be a coincidence though. He is the leader, maybe he had another reason.”

“Perhaps,” He agreed.

“Did you ever find the girl?” She asked.

“Yeah,” He replied sadly.

“She is dead now too. Just like Eric.”

“No her death was worse. There was no compassion. The pack devoured her.”

“That’s horrid. Did you know her before?”

“I don’t think so.” He fell silent.

“Why are the rules so harsh?” She asked.

“It’s the call of the wild. You can be civil or you can be dead. If it was any other way we’d never be able to live around humans.” He replied.

“How did you become a wolf?” She wondered aloud.

“I was born like this. As was Paul and Barry. But there are other ways to become a lycan. A bite, prolonged sexual contact, any form of fluid transfer into a human’s blood stream can infect them and turn them into a hybrid.” He explained.

“Prolonged sexual contact?” She replied more horrified than she had intended.

“You had sex with him again didn’t you?” He shouted.

“I couldn’t help it. It just happened.”

“Son of a bitch, he’s been charming you.” He growled.

“Am I going to turn into a furry monster too?” She whelped.

“Gee, thanks.” He rubbed his temples. “It takes at least three times of mating with the actual wolf. When he’s in human form it can only be transmitted to an embryo.”

“Thank the gods.” She sighed with relief.

“What if he does the charm thing and I forget again?”

“Don’t let him change.”

“God your rules suck.”

“We’re getting nowhere. I should go.” He stood.

“I’ll look for answers Keith. I promise I’ll help you find the truth.” She spoke.

“Thank you Lena. Be careful, they’re still out there and whoever he is has his eye on you.” Keith excused himself.

Lena didn’t want to go back to sleep. She was afraid that Eric would return to her in her dreams. With everything Keith had told her she could hardly sit still anyways. She compromised with a pot of coffee and her work until sunrise.

The ocean was crystal clear as the sunlight reflected off the water early that morning. Lena wanted to tell herself that it was just a bad dream but she knew better. There were answers to be had and she wouldn’t get them without asking. She picked up the cell phone and dialed Paul’s direct line. He picked up on the third ring.

“Hello Lena hunnie. I knew you were going to call.” He chuckled.

“I have a lot of questions Paul.” She replied.

“I’ve already cleared my morning. Would breakfast be alright?” He asked.

“Sure that’s fine. I’ll meet you at the restaurant in thirty minutes.”

“Good girl. See you soon.” He hung up.

Lena arrived early and snagged the back booth. The thought of needing privacy seemed silly now as she recognized everyone in the room. They all had been present at the execution. She shivered in remembrance.

When Paul walked in he wasn’t alone. Barry walked on one side of him, Lieutenant Bryan on the other. They all squeezed into the booth with her and waited for their food as they began to talk casually.

“So, Lena, we’re here to answer all you wish to know. All you have to do is ask.” Paul smiled.

“Ok, how was it determined that Eric was the stray?” She asked.

“Ouch, straight to the point.” Bryan laughed.

“Well, evidence was left behind at both scenes. The woman’s home and on your porch.” Paul explained.

“What evidence? Can I see it?”

“Patches of fur matching Eric’s pelt were found. I can show you later if you’d like.” He replied.

“That would be fine. What about Donny’s missing fangs?” She prompted.

“Those were never recovered.”

“So, there’s a chance that the evidence was planted and that Eric wasn’t the stray.” She countered.

“Not hardly. We have the best forensic scientists in the state that work on this stuff.” Barry replied.

“How old do you have to be to not have to wait for the moon?”

“Is this for your book?” Barry asked.

“Well duh. What else would it be for?” She laughed.

“Nice to see you coming around.” Barry smiled.

“I went through the change when I passed two hundred years.” Paul stated proudly.

“I’m not noticing the changes associated with the coming of age. I’m barely one hundred eighty four though.” Bryan smiled.

“It’s different for everyone Lena. But it ranges from one hundred seventy five to around two hundred and fifty.” Barry said.

“How old are you?” She asked causing them all to laugh.

“I’m four hundred and two come next moon.” He smirked.

“So, you’re the oldest and strongest. That makes for a wise leader.” She replied easily.

“True,” He smiled.

“How do you always know when to turn up? It happened when the lady disappeared, when I followed the guys to her house, and when the head appeared on my porch.” She recalled.

“Text messaging.” He waved his phone around.

“We’re all on an instant alert status within the pack. If something happens, we’re the first to know.” Bryan responded.

“Well that’s convenient.” She smiled.

“What else is bugging you?” Barry asked.

“Why did they have to die?”

“They betrayed the code that has protected our kind for hundreds of years. I was not happy to do it. But when a lycan loses his humanity he is nothing more than a monster. They had to be put down.” Barry sighed.

“I don’t like it.” She pouted.

“That’s what makes you lovely. You still care, even for those without hope.” Barry replied as he kissed her softly.

“Well, it’s been fun but we have to get back to official business. You ok to take yourself home boss?” Bryan asked.

“Yep, I’m good. See you guys later.” Barry replied.

Paul and Bryan paid their bill on the way out. Lena was left alone with Barry. He squeezed in closer to her and hugged her tight.

“I’m so glad you’re comfortable enough with all of this to talk so openly.” He smiled.

“Stranger things have happened.” She laughed.

“Yes they have.” He chuckled. “So, how about you give me a lift home and I’ll show you more of the den when it’s not so crowded.”

“Sounds like a plan.” She smiled forgetting all about her worries.

Barry paid the bill and escorted Lena out to the car. He held the door open for her and then raced back around to get into the passenger side. Ten minutes later they were at his house. When she pulled up to the garage, he got out to open the door.

Barry walked into the garage and pushed his motorcycles out of the way as Lena pulled the car in. The door closed behind her. She hung her keys up next to his and followed him into the living room.

The fire place roared to life with the flip of a switch. Lena took a seat on the couch as Barry fetched them a glass of red wine. She sipped it silently pondering over all she had learned. Before she realized it, the whole glass was empty. He refilled their glasses with a light chuckle.

“So are you ready to see the den?” He asked.

She laughed as she replied, “I think I had a little too much to drink.”

“Ah, so all you want to see is the bedroom?” He winked.

“You’re insufferable.” She smiled.

“Insatiable even,” He winked.

“Hard to please,” She countered.

“Not with you.” He kissed her tenderly.

“Barry, what’s happening with us?” She sighed as she pulled away.

“I’m falling for you Lena.” He admitted.

“I thought we weren’t going to get serious.” She pouted.

“Dear God Lena, I tried not to. But in all my years, I’ve never met anyone like you.”

“It’s just all so unreal.”

“It really is. I won’t force you into anything you’re not ready for.” He kissed her again.

“Just so you know,” He said, “When a wolf mates it’s for life.”

“I understand,” She smiled. “That’s why I don’t want to lead you on. There’s so much I’ve yet to learn, so much that I just don’t know. I want to know but, right now, my heads foggy and I’m not thinking clearly.” She laughed.

“I bet I can help with that.” He grinned sheepishly.

“Oh yeah?” She smirked.

Barry lifted Lena off the couch with a squeal. He swung her around and easily carried her off to the bedroom. As he lay her down she softly whispered to him.

“This one’s mine.”

He gave into her wishes. Lena sank down on him and he suppressed a howl as his hands wrapped around her waist. The passion flowed through them as they connected together in the heat of the moment. When the moment passed, so went with it the light of day, and together they rested until the morning.

In the bedroom, Lena slept peacefully. Meanwhile, in the kitchen Barry floated through the motions of making breakfast. The bacon sizzled, the toast popped up from the toaster, and the eggs fried. As he finished the meal, he smiled contently. She was here, with him now, and all was well.

Barry poured the coffee and placed breakfast on the tray. With the smile still on his face he made his way back to the bedroom. Lena stirred as she smelled food and looked up as he entered.

“Good morning beautiful.” He spoke as she sat up.

“Good morning.” She yawned. “That smells wonderful.”

“Only the best for you,” He winked as he crawled back in bed beside her.

Lena sipped the coffee and ate like it was her first meal in weeks. Barry ate his a bit slower but still chuckled when it looked as if she would lick the plate clean.

“How are you feeling today?” He asked.

“Content,” She replied after taking the moment to pause in thought.

“Are you ready to see the world below us?”

“Very much so. I want to know everything.” She smiled.

“Get dressed.” He winked.

“Oh yeah that would help.” She laughed.

Lena pulled on her jeans, dragged her sweater over her head and slipped into her shoes. When Barry gave her an odd look she replied with a laugh.

“I’m just going to get dirty again. I’ll shower later. Let’s go.”

“You’re the boss.” He chuckled.

Barry returned the dirty dishes to the kitchen. From there he led Lena down into the basement. She watched in excited silence as he pushed a button next to a book shelf. It slid silently to the side revealing another set of carved stone stairs.

“This feels like a movie.” She laughed.

“Where you think I got the idea from?” He winked and took her by the hand.

“Come on, let’s go.” He said with a grin.

Lena laughed and pranced down the stairs beside Barry. As they turned the corner on the stairs the ceiling opened up and a vast room spread out before them. Along the walls were torches set into the stones. When he lit the one closest to them the rest sprang to life.

One after another lit showing just how large the room really was. The torches ended at the far end of the room where another set of stairs continued downward. Lena went to investigate. Barry smiled as he watched her walk around in amazement.

“Welcome to the den.” He said proudly.

“This is just awesome.” She replied as she took a deep breath.

In that moment of silence Lena could hear the trickle of water down the stone wall. She looked at Barry and smiled before dashing past the stairs they entered the room from. There she found the source of the noise. A large pool had formed in the abnormalities of the rocks.

Lena kneeled before it and ran her fingers through the cool water of the natural spring. Barry kneeled beside her and rested his back along the wall. She noticed that here the stones were stained red. Instantly she recoiled in remembrance.

“Don’t fret Lena. It’s all as it should be.” He cooed.

“I just don’t understand it.”

“It’s the call of the wild, survival of the fittest, kill or die trying.” He shrugged.

“I don’t belong here.” She shivered.

“Come on, you know that’s not true. I know how to get your mind off things.”

Barry took Lena by the hand and led here across the room. From there, she followed him down the stairs. They emerged just below where another set of stairs wound up the cliff face back to his patio. She gasped as the ocean spread out before them.

“See,” He grinned. “Now, you know. Let’s go back up to the house. It’s about lunch time and I’d like to dazzle you again with my culinary skills.”

“Alright,” She smiled suddenly feeling better in the sunshine. They climbed the cliff together in contempt silence.

The next morning Lena struggled to recall what she had been so frightened for. Barry was waiting for her in the garage as she picked up her purse. The morning sun was bright as the garage door opened and let in the light.

They went down to the police station where Paul was ready to escort them into the basement. Lena had wanted to see the evidence they had against Eric and they were waiting with it. Another officer pulled out the envelope, showed her the fur patches that matched Eric’s. True to their word, there were no fangs there. Since they were already being overly cooperative, she gave up the questioning with a sigh and returned home with Barry.

Lena waited on the couch, staring at the fire as Barry cooked them another wonderful meal. She wondered where he learned to cook and how he still had the energy to do so after their long day in town. Before he brought her to the dining room for the meal he handed her a glass of red wine and then held out his hand. She took it and let him hold out her chair for her as she sat down.

Barry laid the meal out before her. On both of their plates was an enticing steak that was cooked near rare, a handful of green beans and a stack of steak fries. Lena watched as he took his seat and poured himself a glass of wine before speaking.

“I hope it is all to your liking.” Barry smiled.

“It looks fantastic.” She replied.

“How about a toast then?” He asked. “Here’s to the opportunity to continue the good company for quite a long time.”

“Cheers,” She replied as their glasses clinked together.

Lena took a sip and put her glass down. As she looked at the food on her plate she found herself nearly drooling. It was increasingly difficult to control her manners as she lost herself fully in the meal. Barry didn’t seem to mind at all. By the time she looked up from her plate his was empty as well.

As Barry cleared the dishes, Lena finished her wine. The rest of the evening seemed to blur together as he led her back to the bedroom. She remembered seeing colors and shapes and an overwhelming feeling of pleasure before sleep came for her.

At first, Lena thought she was dreaming. Soft voices floated to her ears as harsh whispers. She knew the words were not meant for her but she couldn’t help but feel that they were about her. She was so unsure of everything; time itself had seemed to cease to exist. In this dream state she pushed herself up from the bed and stumbled across the bedroom.

Lena hit the dresser hard enough to knock something loose. She could hear it hit the floor as she struggled to regain her footing. Her hands stung from catching them on the dresser to stop her fall. Her knee throbbed from hitting one of the knobs. As she reached down to rub the sore knee she found a tiny box that had hit the floor. To her eyes, it appeared to be a ring box. Excitement flooded her system only fueling the dazed hysteria. She stood up, flipped open the box, and then stared inside.

Down the hallway Barry and Paul argued. Although they had tried to keep the debate quiet as to not wake Lena it soon became too heated to control. Their voices got louder and louder until they could be heard across the whole ridge.

“You need to speed this transition up. Rumors are flying and the pack grows curious if she is the true one or just another one of your flings.” Paul shouted.

“I’ve been working on it. The past few weeks I’ve given her a little bit of blood in each glass of wine. We’ve been mating as well. If I try to do this any faster we could lose her humanity like we did rushing the last one.” Barry argued loudly back.

They heard the scream all the way across the house. Lena had awakened and somehow was coherent enough to be upset about it. Barry and Paul rushed down the hall and pushed open the master bedroom door. There she stood, holding the box in her hand. She was still screaming as she stared at the blood covered fangs. She turned and saw Barry standing in the doorway a look of horror written all over her face.

“It was you, this whole time. You were the stray. You were the threat.” She said shaking Donny’s fangs at them.

“The time for subtlety is over my brother.” Paul hissed as he raced across the room and restrained Lena. “Finish her now, or lose her forever.”

Barry cursed and tore open his wrist as he stormed across the room. Lena struggled against Paul but couldn’t break free. Barry pried her mouth open and shoved his wrist into it. His blood poured down her throat. She choked, tried to spit it out, and bit down on him as hard as she could in attempt to get him to release her. But it was all in vain. She grew weak and went limp in Paul’s arms. Barry put her back on the bed, shaking his head in disappointment.

Barry had hoped it wouldn’t come to this. Now, all he could do was wait and see if it would work. Paul shot him a dirty look before storming out of the house without saying another word. He didn’t have time to care about Paul’s feelings on the matter. The moon was almost upon them again and he had things that he had to prepare in order to keep the pack complacent. He double checked that Lena was out cold from the transfusion and texted Paul to watch over her as he went to conduct pack business. Once Paul replied, he made his way outside and disappeared into the dark night.

Three weeks had passed. Keith stood outside of Lena’s home on yet another night. She still hadn’t returned. She promised she would help him solve the mystery behind his brothers’ violent demise. Had she been discovered? Had she been charmed again and forgotten? He hadn’t thought to check Barry’s home for her.

In two days the moon would begin its full phase again. There would be a grand meeting with the whole pack present in the den. If she was there, then she was in danger. Keith took off in a sprint across town. He stumbled on the rocks and across the loose sand as he raced up the beach. He cursed at himself knowing it would be faster and easier if he could just shift into his wolf form. He couldn’t risk being seen though. As he reached the cave entrance he took the stairs two at a time as he climbed through the darkness into the den.

The hair on the back of his neck stood up. Keith sniffed the air as he realized he wasn’t alone. The sulfur from the torches blocked his nostrils from picking up a scent as they flared up slicing through the darkness. He flinched as his eyes readjusted to the change.

“What’s the hurry my brother?” Paul asked as he exited the shadows.

“She’s here isn’t she?” Keith asked.

“Yes.” Paul snickered.

“Where’s Barry?” He barked.

“He went out to prepare for the ceremonies.”

“What are you doing here then?” Keith snapped.

“I’m on guard duty. Barry had a feeling there was a weak spot in the pack. I never imagined it was you though.” Paul sighed.

Keith gasped, “You are the one aren’t you? You’re the reason Eric is dead. You poisoned him!”

“I was just doing my job!” Paul growled as he lunged forward. He grabbed Keith by the shoulders and they both went tumbling to the cold stone floor.

“Who are you protecting?” Keith howled as he kicked Paul loose and stumbled back to avoid another blow.

“Barry is looking for the proper mate. Everyone else has failed. So far she has lasted the longest.” Paul laughed.

“This is wrong and you know it.”

“It’s for the good of the pack.”

“You can’t just let him force himself on someone to have a mate. You’ve got time to stop this Paul.” Keith cried out.

“You’re right, but it’s already too late. He has done what he has done. It must be finished.” He replied as he drew his gun.

“It shouldn’t have come to this.” Keith sighed.

“But you knew it would. We have lived so long it was only a matter of time.” Paul stated.

“It makes me wonder if anyone should be allowed to live longer than one life. I’m sorry my brother.”

Keith reached out with a swiftness that caught Paul off guard. In the fraction of a second the gun was wretched free of his hand and pointed back at his head. When Paul laughed, it echoed off the walls.

“This is for Eric.” Keith pulled the trigger.

Lena was jolted awake. The ground beneath her seemed to tremble with noise. She reached for Barry. Her head felt foggy. He wasn’t there. She panicked certain that something was wrong.

“Barry,” She cried out.

“He’s not here Lena.” Keith replied as he flipped on the light.

“Keith,” She hissed as she shielded her eyes from the blinding light. “What’s going on?”

“You need to get up.”

“Shut the light off. It hurts.” She whined.

“Damn it, will you listen to me?” He cursed and shut it off.

“You’ve been missing for almost the whole month.”

“Nonsense, I just had lunch with everyone three days ago.”

“That was three weeks ago!” He exclaimed as he flipped on the light again and threw her cell phone at her.

Lena looked at the phone, saw the date, the full mail box and then looked back up at Keith. There was blood on his shirt and he looked like he had spent the last three weeks in hell.

“Keith, you’re hurt.” She stumbled out of bed and fought off a dizzy spell.

“It’s not mine. Forget about it. We need to get out of here before he comes back.”

“I don’t understand.” She took a step back.

“Barry is the stray. He ordered Eric framed for it. He took Donny’s head as a gift for you. Now, he’s driven you right where he wanted you, drugged up in his bed. He’s trying to make you into one of us.” He rambled.

“You’re lying!” She shouted.

“Damn it Lena, we don’t have time for this!” He shouted back.

Keith rushed at Lena and grabbed her by the arms. As he shook her she screamed, kicked, and tried to claw at him to get free.

“You’ll thank me for this later.” He drew back and punched her in the face.

“I’m sorry.” He said as she went limp in his arms.

With Lena thrown over his shoulder, Keith ran out into the garage. He put her in her car and barked an order at the door. He then sped away with her into the night.

Barry and two others corralled the pigs up the winding stairs toward the den. That alone was an exhausting event. He was the first of the three to reach the large room. He could smell the blood. It made his own blood boil as he lit the first torch and light flooded the room.

“Son of a bitch.”

The floor was washed in red. At the center of it all, laying face down, was Paul. He was ghastly pale. Barry knew he was long dead.

“You two finish up here.” He barked out as he raced for the other set of stairs.

The garage door was wide open. Lena was gone. She didn’t get up and walk out all by herself. He had made certain she wouldn’t be able to. Someone had come in, killed Paul, taken Lena and took off in her car. Barry called Bryan in a fit of rage.

“Paul is dead and Lena is missing. Find her car, find out who did this!” He howled.

“I’m on it.” Bryan replied quickly hanging up.

Keith ditched the car and carried the still drugged, unconscious Lena into his car. He had left it out in the middle of the parking lot of the strip mall in hopes that he was wrong about the pack. He didn’t look back, knowing now that he was right. The pack was corrupt and there was nothing he could do to stop it. All he could do now was try to save Lena. So he just fired up the engine and sped out of town as fast as the car would go.

It was almost sunrise. Keith rubbed his tired eyes and looked over at Lena. Her face was contorted in pain, sweat poured down her face. He could see the torment her body was enduring even though she still slept. If he didn’t act fast the withdrawals could kill her. He pushed the accelerator to the floor and reached for her hand.

“Hang in there Lena. We’ll be there soon.” He spoke unsure if she could even hear him.

The sun came up over the hill just as Keith turned onto the main road toward the lake. He passed under the train bridge and followed the winding road until he left the pavement for an old dirt road. It slowly wound up until he pulled up in front of an old rustic cabin set on the cliff above the lake.

Lena was shaking by that time. She had been in and out of consciousness for the last hour of the drive. Keith unbuckled the seat belt and lifted her from the car. The door to the cabin had been left unlocked there was no need for it up in the hills. He pushed the door open, carried her to the couch, and laid her down. She whimpered a bit but didn’t wake up.

Keith went back out to the car. He grabbed two duffel bags Lena’s laptop, and the first aid kit, and then went back inside. The bags hit the floor kicking up dust. He opened the first aid kit grabbed the syringe and filled it to the top.

“This is going to hurt worse than anything you can imagine.” He whispered.

“If there was another way to save you, I’d do it.” He shoved the needle into her skin and emptied it.