Passions of the Moon

Today would change my life forever. I followed my father to a pack fight, despite being instructed to stay behind. My curiosity took control of my ability to follow directions. He was the first to arrive at the location of the fight, which was within walking distance of our house. It was still quite a walk for my young legs, and I was tired by the time we reached the clearing. I leaned against a tree for a couple of minutes to rest. When I peeked around the tree, he had phased into his substantial werewolf form. I stepped carefully to avoid drawing attention to myself. A twig snapped, and I hurdled myself behind the nearest tree. My breath was heavy, my eyes clamped shut with the panic of being caught. 

The few minutes of panic seemed like hours. I bent low to the ground and peered through the trees. My father walked into the clearing to face the opposing weres. I scurried to a closer hiding place. Two of the wolves descended upon him from the forest line. The rest of our pack wasn’t as close as he had assumed. He kicked one and sank his teeth into the other. He dodged one attack and fought off another. He wrestled with these two weres, holding up his end better than I expected. Squeals and growls swirled around the clearing.

Another of our pack members, Rick McGreggor, arrived in a dead run to come to his aid. As he reached out to my father to back him up, he was too late. Blood painted the clearing. I wanted to scream and run to my dad. Tears streamed down my face as I exercised restraint. One of the two attackers had ripped his throat out. I was horrified. My dad was my only parent. My mother had gone missing only weeks before. I couldn’t bear to lose him.

I turned my back to the tree and leaned my head back, trying to wrap my head around this situation. I slowly slid to the ground. I realized I could no longer be Daddy’s little girl. He would never hold me in his arms again or hug me tight. Who would tell me stories of my childhood? Who would keep me safe? I held my position behind my tree to ensure my safety, but not without difficulty. The fight continued to echo behind me. At twelve years old, I hadn’t reached the age of awakening, the age at which you become a werewolf. I knew I would become a casualty if I couldn’t keep it together.

I sat up screaming. Tears were pouring out of my eyes. A text on my phone had pulled me out of my nightmare. A fight had broken out, and I was being summoned. I threw on clothes while trying to regain my composure. I wondered how long these nightmares would last. It had been 12 years since that day, and it was still fresh in my mind.

I sped to the woods and phased a few feet out of view. I was having a hard time controlling my emotions. I was headed to the same clearing where my father’s life had ended. My heart raced faster the closer I came to the fight. I had participated in only a handful of fights. Most of which I remained on the sidelines. My small stature makes me more of a target than an intimidator.

“Hold on, Azlynn! I’m coming!” hurled through my mind as I approached the brawl. It was a fight with a pack of unorganized werewolves that had been causing trouble in this area. It’s our pack’s job to protect this zone. Each pack is in control of a particular territory divided up by the head of the state. We don’t usually see a lot of action in our territory, but they had violated enough of the code of conduct to earn our attention.

I was the last one to arrive. My paws beat hard against the ground with my speed. A husky male had her cornered. When I reached him, I pounced with all my strength. He threw me backwards before I could sink my teeth in. I scrambled to get to my feet. I bit into his hind leg and jerked hard. He yelped and kicked my face. I shook off the blow. He had Azlynn by the neck. I clawed, bit, and fought him anyway I could to free her. Nothing seemed to work. I started to panic. She’s all I have in this world. I was reaching out to anyone who could help through our mental connection.

A fellow pack member, Jaxon, broke free from his fight and ran toward Azlynn. Once the werewolf Jaxon, who was fighting, realized what had happened, he charged toward him. I ran at the unknown were to throw him off balance. He stumbled and turned on me. I tried to buy time for Jaxon to help Azlynn in any way I could. I’m not a big enough wolf to do damage to the large ones, but I can still piss them off and hold their interest.

The werewolf charged me, but I dove out of the way at the last minute. I turned around quickly and butted his side with my head. He let out a roar and snapped at me. I jumped to bite his ear. He was quicker than I anticipated and latched onto my leg. He shook me from side to side. I shrieked before he released me, and I rolled a few feet from him.

Jaxon crunched into the neck of the were that was attacking Azlynn. A snap that rang gloriously in my ears as Jaxon tossed him to the side. Azlynn fell and lay motionless on the ground. Her fur was matted with blood around her neck. The memory of my father’s death was still lingering from the dream.

I was distraught, but couldn’t go to her until Jaxon was able to get his original fight under control. It was the least I could do for him. I taunted the large wolf while Jaxon attacked from behind. We fought together until he was in control again. I ripped his ear off before I relinquished control to Jaxon.

I ran to Azlynn and licked her face. I called her. Her eyes opened slowly. “Thank God!” I nuzzled her and whined. I didn’t want to leave my werewolf form because the fight wasn’t over. I may need to defend her again. I stood guarding her until everyone was finished fighting. Another were, Kolbie, ran to his truck and phased back. He threw on some shorts and came to her aid. He put her in his truck and took her to our house. I ran as fast as my wolf legs would carry me. I met Kolbie at the door, and we placed Azlynn on the couch.

“Azlynn,” I put my hand on her cheek. I prayed she would open her eyes. “Can you hear me? Are you okay?” Her green eyes popped open. “Irelynn,” she whispered. “Yes, I’m here,” I said softly. Tears filled my eyes as I clasped her hand. “Can you tell me what hurts?”

“Everything,” she answered. I cracked a smile. Kolbie and I assessed the visible injuries and treated them accordingly. A couple of hours later, she was back to normal. Jaxon and Slayter came to check on Azlynn as soon as they were free of their fights. They told us the remaining of our pack members stayed behind to take care of the bodies of those who perished.

Nothing in my life has been constant except for my sister. I can’t say that I’ve had a bad life, but I’ve taken several hits throughout the years. We’ve always been there for each other, and for that I am grateful. Growing up as a werewolf hasn’t been easy for either of us. Unstable emotions and teenage hormones don’t mix. Since we had lost both our parents when we were young, we had to figure things out on our own. What little we did know came from our dad. When we came of age, our fellow pack members helped to fill in the gaps. They became our family.

My sister Azlynn didn’t come home the next night. She is my younger sister by three years and has a wild streak a mile wide. No one had called to say something had gone wrong, but I had some quarterly tax statements to bring to her for the club. I felt like getting out of the house for a little bit, so I decided to take the reports to the club and check on her.

Our dad had owned a club for several years before his death. Azlynn and I inherited it after he passed. We decided she would run it so I could pursue my accounting career. I know it’s not a glamorous profession, but it’s what I enjoy doing. We split the income from the club. I mostly handle the business end, while Azlynn manages the operational side.

Since our mom went missing after Azlynn was born, Dad never remarried. When he died, we had to stay with my mom’s sister. Aunt Cecilia (or CeCe as we call her) is tolerant of the werewolf situation. I can’t say that she really understands, but she’s always been supportive. She took on raising two confused girls, plus a business. It was tough at first, but what situation like that isn’t?

When I turned 18, I moved back into my dad’s house. Aunt CeCe didn’t want to leave her place after my dad died, and she thought it would be easier on us to live somewhere else for a while. Azlynn moved in with me when she turned 18, seeking more freedom to come and go as she pleased. With 3 stories, it’s easy to lose track of each other. It’s more like living alone.

I was getting hungry, and it was time for the club to open. I hurried to finish the reports. I consumed a sandwich and jumped in the shower. I turned on the TV and listened to the news while I finished getting ready. I heard the newsman say, “Several women have come forward to say they have been raped. All descriptions seem to point to the same man. The man is described as balding with long hair that is kept in a braid. He has a pointed goatee and a flat nose. Here is an artist's depiction of what he most likely looks like. If you see someone fitting this description, please notify authorities.” Wow! A rapist in this area? He must be desperate, I giggled to myself.

I slipped on a black camisole and layered a black-tinted see-through shirt over it. I pulled on some tight blue jeans and high-heeled boots. I hopped in my car, turned the radio up, and headed toward town. I was starting to get a couple of butterflies in my stomach. Slayter, my long-time boyfriend, bounces at our club. Even though we have been together for almost two years, I still get excited to see him.

Our nearest neighbor, Daxen Beck, was standing outside when I passed by. He lives about an eighth of a mile down the road on the way toward town. Cyclone, Missouri, is not very populated, so it’s nice to have someone that close to rely on. I’m not quite sure how much land Daxen has, but I know he farms most of it.

He’s outside most of the time, not that I’ve been watching. The boy is built like a brick house. He’s 6’3” of tan, and he could make a nun blush. He has golden brown hair and steely blue eyes. He’s smart too, which is weird to me, because you don’t see that combination very often. He has a little bit of a southern accent that could charm your pants off.

Slayter was leaning outside the door, smoking a cigarette, when I pulled up. His cute little faux hawk was gelled solid as usual. I can mentally see him rolling his eyes at my use of “cute”. Before I could grab my purse and the reports, he was at my door. “Hey there, Beautiful!” he said smoothly. He took my hand to help me out of my car. I glanced upward into his chocolate eyes.

“Hi, Babe! Is Azlynn here?”

“Yeah, she’s behind the bar already. Why?” His nose crinkled a little.

“She didn’t come home last night, so I was just checking on her.” He kissed me, short but sweet, put one arm around my waist, and walked me to the door.

The club had only been open an hour and wasn’t quite crowded yet. The older, gray building stood alone on the lot. The neon sign between the entrance and exit blinked ‘Howler’s’ slowly in pink and blue lights. My dad had a lame sense of humor, but we couldn’t bear to change it.

It’s the only club/bar in this area. There are lots of surrounding towns that people come from to grab a drink. A restaurant, ‘Dave’s’, opened across the street a couple of years after we opened. It catches the drunks before and after they come to Howler’s.

“Azlynn!” I hollered.

“Sis!”

“I brought the quarterly tax statements.”

“Okay. Let’s go to the office. I‘ll be right behind you.”

Slayter patted my behind and wandered back over to his post at the front door. I walked to the office and sat on the couch. A bouquet of roses sat in the corner of the room. I darted over to check the card. It was signed Kolbie. Nothing else was written on the small card. A huge smile crossed my face. I hurried back to the couch.

A few minutes later, Azlynn came busting through the door. She acts like she’s in a big hurry everywhere she goes. “How’s it going tonight?” I asked.

“I’m hoping it picks up. It was slow last night, so I went over to Kolbie’s and played video games. Slept on his couch.” She winced, expecting to be tormented. She added that last part because she knows I suspect there is something more between them.

“Sure ya did,” I taunted. Azlynn rolled her eyes. “Who are the flowers from?” I giggled.

“Irelynn, damn it!” She looked ready to slap me.

“Anything you need me to do for you?” I smiled smugly.

“Nah, I will let you know if I do,” she replied, standing up. I followed her out of the office. She jumped back behind the bar, and I moseyed over to my man, who was standing between the bar and the door now.

“What are you doing tonight?” I asked Slayter.

“Well, I’m here ‘til 3 a.m., so I will stop by on my way home.”

The bouncers rotate shifts, and if it’s slow, one bouncer will leave early or come in late. We have five bouncers total. Two of them are pack members. We have enough backup for when we have to attend to our business or a full moon. Our next in charge is Teyla Burton. She’s abreast of the supernatural world, but she is human. We rely on her a lot, and she goes the extra mile. I’m glad she stuck around after my dad passed.

As I was on my way out of the club, someone grabbed my arm. I swung around, and he tried to grab my breast. “Come here, baby! I want to feel one of those big ol’ titties.” I blocked his hand with my arm and kicked him hard in the shin.

My eyes caught Slayter’s. Werewolves have advanced hearing, so I knew he heard him. Slayter’s nostrils were flaring. It reminded me of a bull about to charge. He was by my side in nothing flat. He lifted the guy off the floor with one hand. “Sir, I think you’ve had enough. If you ever touch my girlfriend again, I will rip you to shreds. Get the fuck out of here!” His voice was rough but calm.

The guy’s eyes were as wide as silver dollars. “I didn’t know she was your girlfriend,” he stuttered.

“Doesn’t matter! You need to learn to respect women!” Slayter carried the guy to the door and shoved him out.

Azlynn came running and put her arms around me. “I didn’t see what happened. Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I could have handled him,” I winked at her. Slayter shot me a look. “I’m glad I didn’t have to, though.”

“Let’s give that guy time to get out of the parking lot, and I’ll walk you out,” Slayter insisted.

Azlynn gave me a shot, and I sat on the barstool until I received the okay to leave. We avoid fights whenever possible, so no one gets hurt or causes more damage than a human should. Slayter was already bordering on superhuman with his display.

Slayter walked me out to my car. He pressed me up against my door and kissed me. He supported himself with one arm when he pulled away. His other hand dropped to my waist. “Are you going straight home?” he asked.

“Yes, nothing else is open.”

“You never know with you,” he teased to hide his embarrassment.

“What do you want to do when you stop by?”

He leaned in and kissed me again. His hand started up my shirt. “You,” he said softly.

I snorted.

“What?” Slayter asked sharply.

“Nothing. I should have seen that answer coming,” I laughed. His hand dropped to his side. He seemed displeased with my giggling. He kissed me one last time and walked back to the club door.

I made it home and did some cleaning. I decided to try to go to sleep for a bit before Slayter arrived. I set my alarm for 2 a.m. to give myself a little time to wake up before he arrived. My head hit the pillow, and I was out. I woke up to the annoying alarm noise. I slapped it off and went to the kitchen for some hot chocolate. I watched my mini marshmallows melt and flipped through the channels on the small TV in the kitchen. There was a knock at the door, and I had to refrain from running to open it.

“In your pjs, I see,” Slayter said in a cool voice.

“I took a nap,” I grinned.

“Glad to see you could sleep after your showdown earlier.” He grabbed me up and gave me a long, passionate kiss. We went downstairs to the theater room. It has stadium seating recliners, but there’s a couch against the wall for playing video games or whatever.

Slayter picked up the couch and centered it in front of the TV. We played a couple of games on the Wii and talked about our day. He told me about a concert he was thinking of attending with his best friend, Jaxon. I didn’t have much to bring to the conversation because not much happens when you work from home, and I was starting to get tired again.

“Can we watch a movie?”

“Sure, Sweet Thang. Whatever you want,” he answered.

He picked out an old comedy that I love. I was surprised because he’s into action, blood, and guts. I walked to the downstairs bedroom and grabbed a blanket. I hurried to join Slayter on the couch.

“Come here.” He pulled me onto his lap.

“What?”

“You never thanked me for saving you tonight,” he said cunningly.

“Oh yeah?” I played into his game.

I pressed my lips to his so he couldn’t answer. He pulled me closer and removed my nightshirt. He caressed me as we kissed.

“Condom?” I whispered.

“Of course.”

I removed my underwear while he rolled the condom on. I straddled him as he entered me. He made all the right moves. I arched my back as I came. He finished shortly after.

“I think this is the only reason you come over here,” I teased.

He snorted.

We curled up on the couch, and he held me close. I felt him kiss the top of my head. I hated that we had to work different schedules. I had a hard time staying up with him. About thirty minutes into the movie, I fell asleep. I woke up in my bed the next morning. I was shocked to see that he had taken me upstairs without waking me. I walked to the bathroom to relieve myself and brush my teeth.

I had just stepped out of the bathroom when the doorbell rang. “Who is here this early?” I muttered to myself. I was glad Azlynn was at Kolbie’s, because she’d be pissed if it woke her up. I scurried to the door. It was Daxen with a cappuccino.

“Good morning! I had to go to town already this morning, and I thought I would bring you something hot to get you started. I hope I didn’t wake you,” he said, a little too chipper for me this morning.

“No, I have been up for a little bit. Thank you for thinking of me. Would you like to sit on the porch for a bit?” I asked. He agreed, and we sat out there for about 30 minutes just chatting about nothing in particular.

I watched his mouth as he talked. He must have had braces as a kid, given how straight his teeth were. I had finished my cappuccino a few minutes before, and all the things waiting for me on my desk were circling my brain.

“I have to get to work, and I’m sure you have things to do too. Thank you so much for thinking of me.”

“Yeah, I have a tractor to work on before it gets too hot outside. You are very welcome,” he smiled back. We hugged and went our separate ways.