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Big Bad, Little Red, and the Hunters. (Fates.Gamble and Gunner)

Catty panted softly and giggled as Aeric peppered her face and neck with light little kisses. Her limbs trembled around him as he held her against the wall still. As his lips found hers again her nails released his flesh and her arms gripped around his shoulder once more. A shuddering, squeaking moan reverberated in their kiss as Aeric rolled his hips into her again. Her body sensitive to the point of near shocking pain sent electric pulses through her as he began again. Catty gasped as he broke from the kiss, leaving them both to breathe freely in his pounding, reckless rhythm. Her toes curled up as his assault continued, driving deep within her tendered body. Though his own peak was close to follow and she couldn't hold down a grin as the sweet, heavy sigh as he found his own release within her. Catty shivered as she felt him pulse inside of her, throbbing as the waves of pleasure consumed and ebbed.

Finally both could relax, a shame both still had to stand. Catty shuddered as his girth slid out of her and he lowered her to the floor. Quietly she thanked the wall for support as she leaned heavily on it to regain her footing. Her eyebrows quirked at him followed by a snort, her mouth opening for a retort but quickly silenced at the last, soft kiss. Instead she gave a content sighing moan to his lips, the sigh still escaping as he pulled away and stepped back into the water spray. She looked at him with a soft, dewy sort of smile, still reeling from it all. His smirking comment only added a touch of amusement to the smile as she leaned against the cool tile. Catty was quiet a moment, her eyes closing as she took a long, slow, contended breath. "I'm inclined to say no...but I think further research is necessary..." she said with a sly smirk as she opened her eyes again to look at him.

As Aeric let the water roll over him Catty pushed herself up, finding her legs capable of supporting her. A quiet part of her mind tried to chastise her for doing that so quick after such an explosive fight but was quickly quashed. Despite all she could hardly deny her attraction to Aeric and not just physically. Though she definitely couldn't deny that one either. Catty couldn't help but look up and down at Aeric as he stood there under the water. Sudden as a whip she realized she had never really had a chance to appreciate his physique. Sure she had seen him naked plenty of times given the whole wolf change naked thing but this was different. Catty couldn't stop herself. She reached out and laid a hand on his hip, almost studying him from head to toe. Her face went through a strange, wild range of expressions: certain interest and fascination, amusement, a sad smile, even a little frown. She blinked and shook her head a little before looking up to meet his gaze. "Sorry," she said with a rueful grin. "I was just...thinking. Kind of the first time I've..." She hesitated a moment she blushed some. "...I've really been able to check you out and...was thinking back to the club and how I was all 'ohhhh man GQ centerfold guy built like a brick shithouse' and how it's funny you've been naked like...a lot. I mean a lot, a lot but it's always when you're telling me about this crazy secret world or while we're yelling at each-other."

Catty moved forward and slipped her arms around his waist, resting her head on his chest and heaved a little sigh against him. "And, well, it kinda sucks things couldn't be simpler than this, ya know? But...I also wonder, if things were different, just how different would they be? I dunno, there's a lot of crazy thoughts and pretty stupid ones. Selfish ones too. I guess....I'm just kind of glad we met al all." She grinned and gave his waist a squeeze and his chest a little nuzzle. "And not just for the sex," she added with a laugh. "But it's a bonus." Still giggling a bit from her own joke she stepped back and grabbed a wash cloth, playfully flinging it at him. "So if you're gonna wash hurry up with it so I can finish washing my hair. Unlike some fancy wolf folk who always have luxuriously soft and silky hair some of us poor, regular souls need to condition properly."
 
Aeric grinned back at her sly smirk and suggestive comment about further research. “Yeah I think you’re right,” he said, still wearing his wolfish grin, “It’s good to be thorough.” Though, admittedly, they’d been plenty thorough already if his weary legs were anything to go by. His body quivered with an aftermath equal parts delight and complaint. Eager as he was to be off his feet after such a vigorous affair, it felt good soaking up the warm water. His eyes drifted closed as he relished in it, leaving him unaware as Catty’s drank him in with much appreciation. His attention was snagged once her hand brushed across his hip, bringing that emerald gaze back upon her while she continued to study him. The favorable look in her eye had him smirking at first, though Aeric wasn’t entirely sure what to make of it once her range of expressions ended in a small frown.

Catty snapped herself out of it quick enough, her sad smile shifting to a contrite grin. Aeric watched her with an amused look as she apologized and stumbled over her words. Her blush was hard to pick out against her skin, which was already florid given the steam and exertion. Her expression and hesitation told him plenty enough though. To think she could still be shy about it after how intimately they’d gotten to know one another. Catty’s description of their first meeting brought him to laughter, which then faded to a sheepish smile when pointed out just how many times he’d been naked in front of her. It was a bit unfortunate that nearly all of those occasions had been in such complicated circumstances, but Aeric had grown so used to the shedding of his clothing that he usually thought little of it in he presence of others.

“Yeah… We wolves aren’t really known for our modesty,” he admitted with a slight chuckle. “I hope it hasn’t been too awkward for you…” If so, she seemed to set the oddities of their relationship aside easily enough. Aeric echoed her sigh of content, hugging her back as they stood their beneath the stream of water. Catty’s words, however, disturbed him from the peace of her embrace, leaving him to ponder at the same questions. It was hard to imagine what things would be like without all the chaos, but then without all the conflict driving them together, they might not have met at all. “Simpler would be nice,” he had to admit, even if it was hard to picture. The sad truth was things could never be simple between them. They came from two completely different worlds. Even if there wasn’t a murderous agency of hunters chasing them down complications would still be abound. There was no telling how this would all play out, but despite that, he too was grateful to have met her.

“It’s definitely a nice bonus,” he agreed, brushing off the doubt while she hugged him tighter and nuzzled closer. It was short lived however, before Catty stepped away and flung the wash cloth at him. He caught it with a grin before stepping back into full force of the shower. Leaning back slightly, he soaked his head, dousing his hair. “Sounds like you’re jealous,” he teased her back, going so far as to shake his head like a dog, flinging droplets of water all around. He abided by her request after, quickly quickly washing his hair before moving on to the rest of his body. He took the time for a little admiration of his own in the process, his eyes none too shy about drinking in her body in return. Of course he had a fair few chances to spy her physique over the course of staying with her. Given the circumstance and her ignorance to the fact he was even there, his conscience left him too distracted to really appreciate what he’d seen. Now, however, he was able to enjoy the sight of her marvelous body to the fullest.

After returning his focus to the task at hand, Aeric hastily wrapped up his shower, trying to conserve whatever hot water was left after all the time they’d taken up. Once he was clean and rinsed, he took Catty by the hips and pulled her in for one last, lingering kiss. He broke it with a soft, teasing nip at her lower lip before pulling away completely. He left her with full reign of the shower after that, stepping back out to dry off and let her finish up uninhibited. He leased another little sigh as cool air caressed across his damp, sensitive skin, granting him a mild chill. Aeric found himself reeling over what just transpired as he ran one of the hanging towels across his head, ruffling through his pitch black hair. It felt unreal to think of how they went from an explosive argument to such a passionate encounter. The venom in their words rang loudly in his mind even now, but perhaps it was exactly what they needed. So many pent up emotions had come out; maybe they’d be able to think more clearly now. Perhaps they could even figure out a solution to this great big mess they were in. He wasn’t holding his breath for that, though, and after such a good time with Catty he didn’t even want to contemplate it.

Instead he passed a glance back at the shower door, a smile lighting his face as he spied the silhouette of Catty moving abaft the frosted glass. Reluctantly he turned away from the scene, set the towel aside and lugged his clothing back on. What with Freja staying with them he didn’t want things to seem too awkward by the two of them leaving the shower together, so he made his way out of the bathroom when he was done, granting Catty a measure of privacy; not that there was much of that left to offer now. Even as he left, images of her pinned against that wall with her legs wrapped around him were flooding through his head. It left him entirely unaware of Freja’s presence as he wandered back into the foyer, goofy grin spread across his face.

“You sure take a lot of showers,” she announced herself as he sauntered by, drawing his attention to the couch where he sat spread out, book in hand. Freja looked up from the pages with a knowing smirk that made her brother feel a little small. He fumbled for words but she merely rolled her eyes and turned back to her reading. “No wonder you scratch all the time,” she continued to goad him, “Your skin must be dry as hell.” Aeric brushed her off as he decided to head to the kitchen for something to snack on instead. In all the fluster he'd managed to completely ignored the rumble of his stomach.
 
“Very jealous,” she quipped back dissolving into a laugh as he shook his head, flinging water droplets everywhere. Despite already being damp in the shower Catty raised an arm as if to protect from the spray of droplets he flung like a damp dog. She stood back in the shower to let him get on with washing, leaning her shoulder against the cool tile. Catty couldn’t help but catch the scalding looks focused her way from time to time as Aeric finished up washing. She grinned at him from the back of the shower no less pleased by her own view. Even still a whirlwind of thoughts flew through her mind centered around their odd circumstances and always thrown back to just the last hour. What an hour it had been. Maybe it had been good for them, to get everything out in a mass explosion.

Lost in her thoughts Catty snapped back to the present as Aeric pulled her forward for another kiss. A little, happy sigh escaped her nose as she returned the sweet, lingering kiss. If it could be like this between bouts of fighting and fleeing she could get used to it. Somewhat used to it. The playful nip left a wide grin on her face as he left the shower followed by another content sigh. Yeah if things could just stay the way they were that would be awesome. Entirely not possible but awesome. With the shower to herself Catty went about washing up, listening as Aeric dried and dressed before leaving the bathroom. Fully alone Catty heaved a heavy, baffled sigh and leaned on the tile. Her body still sweetly ached from the encounter. As insane as it was wonderful. “This is so crazy,” she said quietly to herself, rubbing her face as if to try and wipe the goofy grin off her face. Despite the life threatening insanity she had to admit she wasn’t ready or willing to try and go off on her own and escape the crazy. Maybe she need her head examined.

Catty took her sweet time in the shower. While she didn’t have all the products to keep her wild, curling hair tamed there was enough. Public showers at the gym weren’t the nicest thing to wash in but at least she had most of her needed items in her gym bag. The only thing that survived from her “previous life.” Washed, masked, washed again, conditioned she really did envy the ease of Aeric’s hair. Squeaky clean from head to toe Catty finally left the shower just as she was having to crank the heat all the way up. Drying off she did what she could with her hair, squeezing as much water out with a towel as possible, and decided to let it air dry, just see what happened. She could rock a wild Meridah look for a little before getting agitated and braiding it if need be. Catty pulled on a simple tee and sweatpants before leaving the bathroom a solid thirty minutes after Aeric.

Just like Aeric a rumbled in her stomach told her lunch was overdue so she headed in for something to eat. Finally relaxed and calm after everything that had happened that morning she just made a sandwich and sat down to eat. No excessive cleaning or avoiding the siblings. She found the swanky cabin to be more comfortable all of a sudden. Rather than the hard, almost industrial lines she thought she recalled she picked up more on the cozy, rustic aspect of it. Modernly rustic of course. With the air of relaxed ease Catty took a leaf from Freja’s book and found something of interest in the house to curl up and read. While she would have preferred to go outside and read she decided it wouldn’t be worth another potential argument, even if they were in the middle of nowhere.

As dinner approached Catty went ahead and prepared a simple enough roast; it would make for good leftovers for lunch the next day. With her stress baking there was more than enough in the way of dessert for after dinner. The day wound down, easy and comfortably. For just a little it felt ever so slightly like just three people on vacation. Poor Freja being a third wheel. When Catty finally decided she was tired enough for bed she got up with a languid stretch and a yawn. While she hadn’t entirely planned or plotted anything she looked over at Aeric. He had mentioned, briefly and vaguely, about his hesitation at joining her in bed. “I’m going to head to bed,” she said with a sheepish grin. “If you…ah…” she hesitated and glanced Freja’s way. So awkward. Why did it have to feel so awkward? “Uh…yeah…company and such…uh goodnight.” Pained grin and awkward shrug included. Catty walked away as calm as possible despite a fierce heat in her face. So awkward.

Teeth brushed, face washed, hair braided Catty pulled on a thin tank top and shorts in place of PJs before crawling into bed. Distantly the light of a full moon hid behind the trees.
 
Aeric was still lingering in the kitchen by the time Catty finally made her way there. He was snacking on one of her past concoctions when she came looking for a little sustenance herself. He looked up at her with a smile, unable to stop the memories of their time together from flooding his mind at the sight of her. It was still a little surreal to think that all just happened. After the last few days he never expected things to turn out that way. But, precarious as it was, he was happy they did. There seemed an inescapable rift between them from the moment he arrived to pull Carl off of her. For the longest time he felt like it would be impossible to mend it; especially judging by their foul tempers of late. The change was a breath of fresh air, leaving him in true, good tiding for the first time since he’d seen that crossbow bolt sink into his father’s chest.

He sat with her as Catty opted for a sandwich, simply enjoying her company with a bit of modest small talk. Things were much more pleasant without the awkward edge between them. Freja mostly kept to herself, stuck in her book and trying to keep her mind distracted. While the loss of tension between Catty and Aeric was a welcome adjustment, it did little to relieve her concerns and restlessness. Like Catty she would have greatly preferred to be outside; out in the vast open freedom of nature. The cabin was a much more comfortable residence than her cell back at the Senator’s house, but it was for all intents and purposes, still a prison. But she dared no venture out unless absolutely necessary. In her mind it still felt like the enemy was everywhere, watching from every shadow. She could feel them closing in at all times, and knew it was only a matter of time before someone found them here.

Aeric was also consciously aware of this fact, but he couldn’t really come to terms with it. Catty had proven herself a fine distraction now that they’d acted on their feelings for one another. Still, Aeric could relate to his sister’s anxieties. He was also beginning to feel cooped up, though he suffered from boredom more than anything else. The world outside tempted him, but he new better. As both of the girls decided to post up and pass the time reading, Aeric decided to catch up on some much needed rest. Seeking Catty out, she found her reading interrupted by a great furry mass sliding half way into her lap. Her warm body as as good a place to sleep as any, though he had to muse over how odd their relationship was. She was the first woman not of his kind he’d ever been comfortable enough to be this way with.

Lethargy swallowed him whole, leaving him sprawled across the floor and passed out even after Catty slid out from under his weight and set off to make dinner. The smell of a cooking roast roused him well enough though, finally causing the big, black, wolf to sit back up with a huge yawn. He made himself decent before joining the others for supper. Even Freja’s spirits seemed a little higher while they sat and ate; nicely cooked meat could always make a carnivore happy. The day wound down quite nicely after that; a fine day of respite amid weeks of chaos. Yet even as the sun began to sink into the horizon, Aeric could feel his mood changing. It was nothing he wasn’t used to; the full moon would be upon them soon. There was always a tendril of excitement around this time. For most of his life it was something to look forward to, but this round would be tainted by their grief, with a taste of fear.

Nothing could stop the great cycle; it would come and go as it always had, so he tried not to think about it.Catty inadvertently helped in that aspect as she met his gaze with a look of expectation. Of course Freja had to prove another awkward barrier just as they were starting to tear them down. He might have jumped at her invitation there and then if his sister wasn’t there to hear it. He wasn’t quite sure what to say in the moment, so he flashed her a telling smile, simply bidding her goodnight for now. He couldn’t take his eyes off her as she took her leave though. It was hard to believe things had gone from her finding an injured wolf in the road to waiting for him in her bed. He still had to stop and ask himself if this was all real or not at times.

“A girl invites you to her bedroom and just sit here in silence with your sister?” Freja remarked, bringing him back to reality. “No wonder you can’t hold one down.”

“You love to bust my balls, don’t you?” Aeric grumbled at her.

“There’s not much else to do around here, is there?”

He didn’t give her the satisfaction of any further response. She wasn’t wrong after all… What the hell was he doing just sitting there when he finally had a chance for some alone time with her? Getting to his feet, he bid his sister a curt goodnight and followed in Catty’s footsteps; brushing his teeth before stripping down to nothing but a comfortable pair of pants to sleep in. He approached her bedroom door with a much greater air of confidence this time, seeing himself inside without a moment’s hesitation. His face lit with a smile when he saw her laying there, looking beautiful as ever with her braided hair; like coils of fire in the pale light.

Aeric wordlessly slipped into bed with her, drawing close as he embraced her beneath the covers. There was a soft sigh of contentment as his body intermingled with hers, granting him warmth and comfort. “Well I didn’t really see the day ending up like this,” he admitted with a little grin, “But I’m glad it did. You know… minus your almost being drowned by a fish-man and all.” He snuggled in a little closer as he closed his eyes, lulled into relaxation by her soft touch and sweet aroma. The waxing moon rising in the distance left his body humming with energy, making it hard to sleep. He eventually found repose, though his mind still ran wild with dreams.

His reveries were pleasant at first; glowing reflections of his childhood, back when life was still carefree and full of promise. He remembered running with his family beneath the full moon, their hearts full to bursting. But in an instant, what started as a run for joy changed into a flight of panic. Something chased them in the distance; something dark and terrible hiding just beyond their perception. Aeric ran as hard as he could, a bushy-coated shadow at his mother’s side. She barked encouragement towards him, urging him to keep going even as an inky black shape shot out at her in the night. Aeric followed her orders, refusing to look back as the net tangled around her, bringing her to the ground to be swallowed by the darkness.

His eldest brother was quick to follow, falling behind like his mother as the pack blazed on. One by one the members of his family fell, until only he and Freja were left. They stuck close together, side by side running with all their might. Then, their rang the sound of a gunshot and it was only Freja; her white fur vanishing into the distance being the last thing Aeric saw before he fell like the rest of them. Barely clinging to life, all he could do was lie there, waiting. His eyes clung to Mani as he bled in the dirt. Glowing and beautiful, the silver disk gave him a measure of peace at the end. Yet, even that was snatched away as a dark shadow appeared on the moon’s surface. Black jaws had closed around it from behind, a massive wolf swallowing it whole.

Aeric looked on in horror as the wolf came for him next. Furious red eyes smoldered as they focused on him, burning right through to his soul. The chains that once bound the beast sprung up from the ground, lashing around Aeric instead. They bound him to the spot, leaving him at the behemoth’s mercy. Even so, he fought against, giving all he had to break free. Fenrir’s open jaws hovered a short distance from his face, pelting him with his hot, moist breath as his tongue lolled out, seeming to taste his fear.

“What do you want with me?!” Aeric found himself shouting out amid his futile struggle.

Unleash... Ragnarok… Ordered an army of disembodied voices in his head.

“No!” he roared out in defiance. The wolf god seemed to care little for his words. He seemed to be taking a joy in his resistance, in fact. In the end it was paltry. Aeric looked up at his hands changed above his head. His heart raced in terror as the change began to take hold of him. His fingers grew like gnarled roots, sporting razor sharp tips. His skin itched and bubbled as dark fur began sprouting down his arms. “No!” he shouted again and against, doing everything he could to prevent the transformation. The change slowed considerably, leaving him half a beast and half a man as Fenrir roared out in fury, and the vision faded.

~

Aeric’s eyes snapped open, finding himself back in bed with Catty both short of breath and heart racing. She was still asleep in his arms, though he quickly realized it was not his arms at all. His hand shook in the darkness as he lifted an arm, finding it to be the same twisted shape from his dream. Dread flooded through his nerves, but he kept rational amid the panic. He was as careful and quiet as humanly possible as he pulled himself away from Catty, trying like hell not to disturb her. Once he was safely out of bed he exercised a little less caution and rushed to the door and out of the room. He clambered to the bathroom first, switching on the light and heading for the mirror in a fluster. He investigated his reflection, realizing to his horror that the change was still happening; albeit it painfully slow. “No no no no….” he gasped, pleading. Tendrils of blood-red were webbing through his eyes, blurring his vision. Next came the blinding pain; his bones screaming as they fought to stretch and change. Aeric nearly collapsed in agony, but his monstrous hands clutched to the sink, holding him upright while he bit back to urge to yell out. Despite everything happening to him he managed to keep his thoughts on Catty and Freja; on what might happen to them if he succumbed to the primal form roiling beneath his skin.

Mustering his strength, Aeric pushed himself away from the mirror, stumbling out of the bathroom and through the dark interior of the cabin. He moved as quickly as he was able, out the front door which he closed as quietly as possible in his wake. The mostly full moon seemed to burn as he stepped into its light, nearly rendering him to his knees. Aeric forced himself to look away, cowering in its light as he took off, running into the woods as fast as he could in his state. He brought himself as far away from the cabin as he could, eventually finding himself at the shore of the lake he and Catty by earlier that day. He stopped there, dropping to his knees and unable to continue once he saw Mani’s ghostly reflection shining across the surface of the water.

Aeric fell to all fours, groaning out as he felt the ripple of change further wrack his body. Tears welled in his eyes as he continued to fight. The pain brought him to cry out, his voice caught somewhere between the agony of a man and the rage of a beast. “Please…” he begged out to anyone or anything that might hear him. The more he resisted the worse the pain became, leaving him a twisted, broken creature that sobbed in the moonlight. He was just about ready to give in when he felt the brush of a strange consciousness against him. It was a surreal feeling he could not explain, like a heavy cloud floated into his mind, shielding him from pain and sorrow. Aeric’s breath hitched at the sensation, unable to explain what was happening. And then he felt it: The unmistakable weight of a hand on his shoulder.

The touch filled him with sense of peace, clearing his mind and steadying his racing heart. It granted him the clarity he needed to calm down and fight back. Fresh tears of relief escaped as the pain melted away and his body changed back to normal. He whipped his head around when he was able, looking to see who had come for him. No one was there. The realization drove him away from the spot, leaving him both terrified and confused as he stared on. He knew it was impossible, that he had to have imagined it if anything, but a singular thought consumed him.

“Dad?” he called out. The silence that answered never had him feeling so alone.

Aeric lingered there in the darkness, caught between watching his surroundings and his own hands, as if trusting both to turn on him at any moment. It took a painstakingly long amount of time before he was certain he would not begin changing again, but even by that point he did not trust himself enough to return back to the cabin. Instead he found himself walking the lake’s shore, ignoring the cold that bit into his scantily clad form. His thoughts consumed him, twisting his mind a million different ways even as Mani sank back beneath the horizon. Morning came with a painted sky, and still Aeric could not bring himself to return. He could only imagine how Catty might have reacted to his abrupt departure, not to mention the argument they just had about one of them wandering off. The felt like the least of his problems though. All he could do was sit and gaze out over the glossy surface of the water, wondering what would happen to him tonight once the full moon rose in all its glory.
 
Catty was nestled down into the blankets, hugging her pillow as she lay there. Part of her was ready to drift off, the other part bid her to wait. To remain awake just a little longer. That second part of her mind was rewarded as the door to her room swung open suddenly. Her eyes snapped open and she looked over at Aeric as he closed the door. He wasted no time in climbing into the bed and she felt the warm, strong press of his body against hers. Catty suddenly couldn't wipe a foolish grin off her face. The heady, masculine scent of him invaded her head, the warmth of his body soothing and comforting. As he wrapped his arms around her she nestled against him, hands laid gently over his. His comment brought up an amused snort. "I'm glad it did too...hell I'm even ok with the almost drowning if it helped lead to this," she said with a small laugh. It had been a strange day and Catty was more than ready for sleep. With Aeric wrapping her up in his arms she felt very suddenly ready for a comfortable sleep.

Dreams didn't wake or plague her. She slept peacefully all wrapped up and cozy. Aeric's sudden waking didn't phase her in the least. In her sleepy state she made the tiniest sound of protest as the source of warmth edged away from her. Otherwise she didn't stir. Not for a while. Catty was fully unaware of Aeric's partial transformation or his flight away from the cabin. With the other side of the bed cold it woke her up just a little, just enough to feel the absence. "Aeric...?" She mumbled sleepily. Of course there was no replay. "Must be....bathroom..." with no other thought she was asleep again. Completely out until the sun rose.

Catty woke as sunlight filtered into the room. She groaned a little in protest, wanting to sleep more. Though as she woke she realized she was alone in the bed. "Aeric?" She questioned for the second time. Catty rolled over and found the bed was, indeed, empty. Perhaps he had woken up before her? Well duh, that was a dumb thought. If he was still asleep he would be there. Maybe just restless or something. Though it was odd seeing as how she was usually the first one in the house to rise. Catty sat up and stretched with a wide yawn. Another groan followed as she ruffled her hair, most of which had escaped its braid in the night. Slowly Catty drug herself up only to pause and stretch again with a low groan. Rebraided her hair quickly and haphazardly before going out in the main area of the house.

Empty. That was really strange. Catty frowned some as she trudged to the kitchen. Coffee made the day begin. She listened for any sign of where Aeric might be. Bathroom perhaps. Catty peered around but saw the door open and the light off. This was very strange. The coffee finished brewing and Catty poured herself a mug. She tried not to get too panicked. If anything really bad had happened none of them would be leisurely waking up. Catty took her mug and walked around the house, listening intently for any signs of sound. Well Aeric was a big boy and capable of taking care of himself. Maybe he took a leaf out of her book and went out to wander the woods. Hypocrite. So Catty curled up on the couch to wait. Wait for either Aeric to show back up or for Freja to wake up. Unbeknownst to her Freja would be the first to appear. Catty was on her feet almost right away. "Aeric is gone," she said with a touch of worry in her voice. Despite her thoughts of hypocrite she was starting to get worried about him. "He got up sometime in the night and never came back."
 
Unlike Aeric and Catty, Freja was content to lounge in her bed for as long as possible. The sun beat down from her window, warming her face and attempting to rouse her from rest, yet she merely rolled over to her stomach and willed it away. After a couple of weeks sleeping on the gelid, stone floor of a prison cell, a warm, soft bed was the closest thing to paradise she could ask for. Of course, no matter how comfortable the bed, sleep did not come easily to her anymore. Her mind was a constant buzzing hive of thoughts too loud to ignore. All she could do was lay there, a victim to the ceaseless droning until her peaceful morning was thoroughly ruined.

With a sigh, Freja reluctantly pulled herself up and out of bed. To what end, she couldn’t say. She’d long since come to hate their rustic little safe haven; luxurious as it was. Day after day they sat here doing nothing while their enemies scoured for them. How long until they caught up? How long would they have to remain stagnant here? Too much longer and I’m liable to lose my mind worse than I already have, she considered to herself. She knew they needed to move on from this place, but with Aeric and Catty suddenly doting over each other she had her doubts they’d be willing to move on so suddenly; not unless she could come up with some other viable location. She might have suggested they take their chances with the ones resisting the hunters if she wasn’t so certain Aeric would refuse. All of her brother’s drive to fight back seemed to die out with the rest of their family.

Frustrated by the dilemma, Freja quickly dressed before leaving her room and heading downstairs towards the kitchen. She was just perusing her options for breakfast when Catty tracked her down, coming at her frantically. “Gone?” she repeated, cocking a brow at her. Was this going to become an every day thing? Waking up each morning to discover one of them had run off into the woods? Catty’s anxiety over the situation infected her as well. “I thought I heard some commotion. in the middle of the night…” she recalled the brief instant in which she was disturbed. She didn’t think much of it at the time, but now it was hard not to assume the worst. Even so, Freja remained level headed and calm about the situation. “Well I doubt anyone came for him, or we probably would have woken up with our throats slit…” A number of other possibilities came rushing to mind, though.

“Perhaps…” she started to say, only to cut herself off and turn towards the window instead. There was no use standing around making assumptions; their time would be better spent figuring out what actually happened. Yet even so, all she could think about was the monster she’d seen her brother become. Silently she hoped that wasn’t the reason he’d disappeared. “We better go look for him,” she deduced instead. “If he’s anywhere nearby I should be able to sniff him out easy enough.” Freja brooked no delay, leading Catty out of the house and out into the morning sun. Without hesitation she stripped down, tossed her clothes back on the porch and shifted. Her large snout lifted and twitched at the breeze that tussled her snowy fur. Despite the tension there was a touch of exhilaration over the wilderness surrounding her. The excitement grew as she caught a trace of her brother’s scent.

Without warning she took off in a sprint, making it somewhat difficult for Catty to keep up, especially considering her injured foot. The trail was old enough that the wolf couldn’t get too far ahead, however. More than once she was stuck snuffling across the grass, giving Catty ample opportunities to catch up before she picked it back up and bounded off again. It took an unfortunate amount of time, as Aeric had spent most of the night wandering around. It made for a complicated trail, sending them in circles at least twice before they finally found themselves upon the shore of the lake’s far side. There they finally found him, standing at the water’s edge and skipping stones with his back to them. Freja felt almost as much relief as she did frustration… All that work and he was neither in trouble or hurt. She might just hurt him herself after such a worrisome search.

Freja shifted back to her human appearance and announced their presence, startling him. “Do you know how long it took to find you?” she complained, doubly frustrated by her lack of apparel in such an open place, “What are you doing out here?”

Aeric had his arm cocked back, ready to launch another stone when the sound of Freja’s voice caught his attention. “Oh… hey,” he greeted them both, his voice rather monotone. “Sorry I… couldn’t sleep,” he decided to say. “Thought I’d step out and clear my head.”

“You’ve been out here all night?”

Aeric shrugged and turned back around, finally tossing his rock which bounced across the surface twice before sinking with a plop. Freja watched him, somewhat suspicious over his tight lipped demeanor. It wasn’t like him to be so dejected with her. “Maybe you should talk to him,” she quietly suggested to Catty. “I’m going to make sure no ones around to see us… particularly my state of undress.” She shifted back into her bestial form afterwards, passing one last look of concern towards her brother, before leaving them alone and stalking off to make sure no one was around to find them.
 
Freja's rather blunt assumption of their throats, assuming Aeric had been attacked in the night, was uncomfortable if true. Maybe she was being silly. If anything had actually happened to Aeric they wouldn't have woken up so leisurely. Even still Catty had a nagging worry in her mind. Suddenly she finally figured out the guilt she should have had at her forest explorations. It was a ridiculous worry. They were safe enough in the woods. It wasn't as if there were cameras everywhere watching them. Hell, between the three of them, they didn't even have a cell phone to be tracked. Though Catty felt a certain relief when Freja finally agreed to go looking for Aeric. She was also very glad Freja volunteered to assume her wolf form to sniff him out. Catty wasn't clear on the polite protocols of werewolf society and was painfully hesitant to ask something like that. For a moment she was put in mind of her asking Aeric to dig for the animals. She winced at the partially painful memory.

Catty was quick to follow Freja outside, leaving her coffee on a table. She politely glanced away as Freja freely shed her clothing and shifted to the beautiful white wolf. In a sudden lunge the white wolf was gone. "Agh! Wait..." Catty kicked up her feet to chase after, hobbling awkwardly as her injured foot struck the ground. "Ow..ow..." Her pace was slower than the wolf given her foot which she had to awkwardly run on the toes in a strange, hopping sort of gait. Of course even if she could run properly she would struggle to keep up with Freja. Catty knew nothing of tracking and was hopeful when Freja stopped suddenly. She thought stopping meant finding. No, Catty had barely caught up before Freja was on the move once again. Puzzled Catty turned to follow. Over and over it repeated. Catty could swear they passed the same tree a couple of times. A gnarled old tree. More distinctive then just any old tree.

Her foot was really starting to get sore when they broke through the tree line and came to the edge of the lake. After all that there he was. Catty huffed and doubled over a little, hands on her knees. She was just a little winded from trying to keep up with the awkward, hobbling trot she had to do given the slice in her foot. She had to see the irony in it. The same scene, sort of, but flopped around. Minus the whole lake monster man thing. Freja was quick to shift back and chastise her brother. Aeric seemed almost blithely unaware of the chase they had to find him. Strangely distant from tossing and skipping rocks. Her eyebrows furrowed some. He had been out there all night? She looked over at Freja, quick to avert her gaze upward, with her suggestion she talk to Aeric. Well hopefully whatever the problem was wasn't a werewolf problem. Fat load of good she would be for that.

Once Freja was gone Catty approached Aeric. At least she had caught her breath, hopefully she wasn't too sweaty. Nothing like an early morning run. "Probably should have warned you about the snoring," she said with a quiet laugh at her own joke. Catty rubbed her arm a little, not even sure what to ask or how to ask it. "I...don't suppose if I asked if you were ok that you'd tell me?" She questioned with a cringing smile. "Though I'm not really sure what I'd say if it was a...like...a werewolf problem. Weird I know but I haven't had much experience with werewolf problems. Only an expert by about two weeks," she said with another quiet, slightly awkward laugh. "But, I mean if you wanted to talk...I'm all ears." Can't let the awkward settle in again. She wasn't sure she wanted to tangle with the fish man again to start a chain of events to alleviate the awkward. Of course the middle of that chain was a very nice event
 
Aeric appraised Catty softly as she came to his side, and even with his melancholy demeanor she managed to coax a faint smile from him with her joke. It was only for a brief moment though, before the more serious question inevitably came. His gaze cast back out over the lake then, as he silently pondered over how to respond. He didn’t really want to keep her at arm’s length, but nor did he want to scare her or possibly even drive her away with all the things running through his mind right now. He knew he had to say something though. “Well don’t feel too bad,” he finally stated, bending over to collect another handful of smooth rocks from the ground, “I’ve been a wolf all my life and apparently I still don’t know much about it.”

Aeric fell quiet again as he tossed the first rock, followed by another. Only the first managed to skip, the other one sinking beneath the surface after a poor throw. “It happened again last night,” he decided to confess, “Your ‘Remus Lupin’ or whatever you called it. Well… almost happened. I managed to stop it somehow…” Speaking of it naturally brought his mind rushing back to the event. He lingered on the strange presence he felt towards the end above anything else; of the phantom touch of comfort that pulled him away from the madness and returned him to his senses. For a moment he contemplated telling her about this as well, but decided they had enough crazy on their plate without potentially adding more. “If it happens again...” he went on instead, “Well, I’m not so sure anything will stop it the next time.”

With a heavy sigh, Aeric launched the remainder of the stones all at once, letting them scatter across the water as he dropped to the ground with a huff. His eyes were still met with the horizon as he sat upon the rocky shore, appearing lost in troubled thoughts. “The full moon’s tonight, you know.” His words had an edge of warning to them. “We usually celebrate on the full moon. I always used to looked forward to it… The one night every month where we can just let loose and be what we really are. But tonight, I’m terrified to see what that might be.” Despite all that, Aeric found himself smiling; perhaps over the irony more than anything. “I never believed my dad when he talked about this kind of shit,” he said. “Old gods and the beast blood were all just tall tales to scare children. I guess you and I are more similar than I thought… both confronted by worlds we never truly believed existed.”

Once more, he fell silent, taking a moment to chew over his thoughts. “Whatever this is,” he started again, his eyes dropping to his hands which he stared at as though untrustworthy of them, “It desperately wants to be free. I can feel it even now… rippling beneath my skin. All day long… it’s like a buzzing in my skull begging me to let go and change. When that happens I’m not me anymore. ‘Aeric’ is chained in darkness, and ‘Fenrir’ runs free.” A dry laugh broke from free at how crazy that all sounded. Even with these strange circumstances, Aeric didn’t fully believe in the ‘gods’ either; that was still too foreign of a concept. As far as he was concerned, his dreams were just that; reveries crafted by an overactive imagination in moments of trauma. Far too much happened far too quickly for him to come out of this unscathed, after all. At least that’s what he decided to tell himself.

With another sigh, Aeric shuffled back to his feet and stretched his stiff muscles. He was utterly exhausted at this point, but rest was a long way off given all his concerns right now. “To answer your question… I don’t know if I’m okay. But I don’t think this is a problem you or Freja, or maybe even anyone else in this world can help me with. If you’re smart… you should get as far away from me as you can,” he said with a weak smile. There was a touch of humor in his words, but also a grain of truth. “If all the other craziness surrounding my life doesn’t get you killed, the beast inside of me just might.”
 
Well at least she had gotten him to smile a little, even if it was brief. Catty couldn’t claim to have known Aeric for long but his state of mind read loudly. A dour sort of melancholy. She had meant what she said though: she was all ears. However, he seemed hesitant to speak on what was bothering him. Catty forced any self-indulgent thoughts away. There were bigger things going on outside of their little newly budding world. She patiently waited for him to speak, watching as he continued to toss rocks into the lake, skipping them across the placid surface or not. As she waited she wondered if the fish man was lurking about somewhere. Her foot throbbed at the thought.

When Aeric started, confessing what had happened the last night her attention turned fully to him. For a moment her head tilted, not understanding what ‘it’ was until he mentioned Remus Lupin. So straight up horror movie werewolf. A weird, thudding pang rushed through her guts. She wouldn’t openly admit that it was a little terrifying to know that happened last night. Weird that he managed not to wake her up with that. He had managed to stop it which explained why she actually woke up that morning. The fact he had managed to control it was hopeful right? Maybe something to just get used to? Odd that it randomly happened like that though. Maybe some kind of dream had sparked it.

He was quiet again, throwing the rest of the rocks and suddenly dropping to sit on the shoreline. The full moon. Well she had seen enough horror movies to know what that meant. Her eyes drifted up to the sky as he spoke of his family. A time for joy, a time to embrace their heritage. She listened as she stared up into the blue sky. The moon gone for the moment of course. Her eyebrows raised at the mention of his father, of talk about old Gods and beast blood. She wasn’t entirely certain what he was talking about, given her two weeks of expertise, but she listened quietly and patiently. Silence reigned once more and Catty still waited. She didn’t want to interrupt the flow of thoughts on the matter and, quite frankly, she had nothing to contribute really. What did the opinion of some simple human woman matter?

Catty’s gaze drifted back down to Aeric as he went on. So unsure and so worried. Staring at his hands as if they were strangers, speaking about this thing that resided just below the surface. Oh she remembered the beast well but she hadn’t been entirely afraid of it. Even as he said he was chained up and Fenrir ran free, whatever a Fenrir was, she didn’t feel a strong sense of fear. Knowing the change came in the middle of the night with no warning, that was a little frightening. His dry laugh coaxed a sympathetic smile from her. Well at least she wasn’t alone in her confusion any more. Whether that was boon or bane she wasn’t entirely certain. Yet seeing Aeric so worried and so consumed by it all made her heart ache. This was certainly a different Aeric than the smooth, strong, confident one she had met. Not a bad different, it was actually kind of refreshing to see a man admit his fears out loud, to share them even if hesitantly.

Back on his feet she watched him stretch and canted her head curiously at him. If she was smart she would get away. An awfully melodramatic statement followed and she couldn’t help but return a chagrined smile. Catty mulled over all he had said; some of it made sense and other things she didn’t fully understand. After a moment of thoughtful frowns and pinched lips she stepped forward. Her small hand slipped into his, her fingers lacing up between. “You’re probably right…I don’t think we can help with this problem,” she said with a small nod. “But, stupid as you might say, I don’t think we’re going anywhere. We can figure this out,” she said with a confidence she didn’t entirely feel. “You know though…funny….given everything that’s happened I feel like I’m pretty hard to kill,” she said with a small, cocky laugh. “I mean…some dumb human just dragged into this crazy world managing to not get killed yet? Probably have a really tired angel or something on my shoulder. If, ya know, those are real.” Of course she knew it was all thanks to the three were-creatures that she wasn’t dead yet or some weird government vet slave or whatever their plans had been.

“Seriously though…we can figure something out for tonight. I mean we’ve got that crazy spear too. We could just lock you up in the basement. I mean…ok so look, my knowledge of any of this is mostly movie based and some movies say that you have to see the moon or be in its light. And if it’s just…weird moon voodoo then we shove the fridge in front of the door and hopefully that keeps you all contained.” Catty wasn’t entirely joking with the suggestion either. She gave a small shrug and his hand a light squeeze. She certainly sounded more confident than she felt. It was all crazy and getting away from the crazy was completely logical. Her lips pursed again and a frown creased her brow as she puzzled through for a moment. “Aeric I know…this isn’t exactly the nicest or most…sweetest, romantic thing to say but…I mean I’m kinda stuck with you guys right? Got nowhere else to go really…and that’s the logical truth. The crazy thing is too…I don’t want to go,” she said as she looked up at him, her face turning a shade of red. “I mean…I meant what I said yesterday while we were yelling.” Couldn’t maintain the eye contact anymore and she looked away. “It’s partially that I kind of need to stay but…I want to stay too. If that makes any sense. So we’ll figure this Remus Lupin thing out. Together. Right?” She managed to turn her gaze back to him with a confident grin. If it didn’t work they’d all die and suddenly it wouldn’t be their problem anymore. Happy thoughts.
 
Aeric wasn’t sure how Catty would take all this; he had to sound crazy with everything he was spilling out. For a moment he berated himself for saying so much in the first place. They already had more than enough on their plates without him unloading more on top of it. Even so, she deserved to know the truth. His body felt like a time bomb to him now, and the least he could do was warn those around him that it might go off at any time. The oddity was she probably knew more about what that meant than him. Even several days after, Aeric retained little to no memory of what happened in that clinic. At least Catty and Freja had seen the nature of the beast; knew what it could do and what to expect should it rise again.

The silence was both palpable and uncomfortable as she mulled over the things he said. Catty looked every bit as lost over this situation as he did, not that he expected her to have any answers. She did seem to be taking it all into deep consideration though, and silently Aeric couldn’t help but wonder if it was his final statement she was contemplating most. They had good chemistry no doubt, but was it really worth sticking around when he could potentially rip her apart on a whim? A heavy sense of guilt and selfishness fell over him as he realized he wanted her to stay regardless. There was little and less for him to be joyful of these last couple weeks. Even through their ups and downs, having Catty around was one of the few things he could look forward to each day.

But it seemed like Catty didn’t intend to go anywhere as she stepped forward and took his hand in her own. Aeric appraised her with a look caught between surprise and relief alike. He wasn’t able to keep the genuine smile from lightning his handsome face even with his dour mood. His fingers threaded with hers, her touch granting him a measure of peace even if he didn’t necessarily agree with her words. How could they possibly figure this out? To him it seemed as improbable as tying down one of the forces of nature. Sure, something may have stopped it the night before, but Aeric felt in his heart that he wouldn’t get lucky twice. After everything else that happened, good fortunes were a foreign concept. Catty’s feigned confidence was commendable all the same. It was amazing she could remain such a well of positivty even if she didn’t entirely feel it.

Aeric smirked some at her following comment, however naive it was. “Well after being shot and spitting out bullets, I think I know what you mean.” Though, in truth, death didn’t frighten Aeric nearly as much as losing his mind. Everything had to die eventually… But losing control; hurting the ones you love and being powerless to stop it, these were things that truly warranted fear in his mind. His thoughts quickly jumped track, however, when she joked of a guardian angel on her shoulder. That brought his more than odd event from the night before back to mind, leaving him just as confused as when it happened. “I’m not entirely sure what’s real and what’s myth anymore,” he said, though was reluctant to elaborate on his own experience. Most likely it was all in his head anyway.

Catty continued to encourage him, resolved to figure this out even as he was feeling ready to give in. He was far too exhausted to put any critical thought into it, and he’d spent the whole night trying to come up with a solution besides. Yet, all that time thinking and he’d managed to completely forget about the spear she’d stolen back. “Gungnir…” he remembered the man calling it. It might prove a powerful asset at some point, but he still didn’t see how it could help them here. Not unless Catty and Freja had cause to defend themselves against him. But hey that was a thought. Nothing was sure to kill a werewolf like a mythical spear through the heart. At least they had something capable of stopping him should the worst come to pass. The idea of either of them having to do such a thing sent a shiver down his spine.

“I’d say you can’t believe everything you see in movies, but here I am referring to myself as ‘Remus Lupin.’” His eyes drifted upward, thoughts heavy on the moon that would hang there in just a number of hours. Would avoiding its light truly make a difference? Aeric was doubtful. Even now, in the light of the day, he could feel that monster writhing beneath the skin. He resisted and ignored the sensation, but something told him if he were to give in, perhaps even poke and prod at it, he could unleash the entity right in the moment. Would simply hiding away all night going to be enough to stop it? Catty seemed adamant enough, and in the end he had no better idea to roll with.

“Moon Voodoo?” he repeated with a slight chuckle. It was hard to be entirely glum around Catty, what with her eccentric personality and way of reference. Nothing could entirely pull him out of it either, though. With a tired sigh, he looked back out across the lake, and gave a slight nod. “I guess it could work. If not… Well at least I’ll be locked up where I can’t hurt anyone. I guess Henderson and the other hunters get what they want too: Me in a cage. Works out for everyone.” He didn’t mean to be so cynical, but it was hard to be anything else at the moment. Catty sure was a blessing though. He wasn’t certain how to take her statement at first… Nothing like feeling a girl was only around because she had no better choice, but the declaration that she wanted to stay cleared all that right up. The confession, along with the positively red shade of her face, teased another smile from his lips. And when she wore that big, confident grin, how could he not believe in her words?

“I don’t want you to go either,” he admitted, squeezing her hand firmly in reply. “But the first thing we’re going to have to figure out is a proper name to call it, because ‘Remus Lupin’ just isn’t going to cut it.” Humor could often be the best medicine, regardless of how serious the matter. “But you’re right… We didn’t make it out of that fighting ring and clinic both just so things could go wrong here. We’ll figure something out. Hopefully it’s as simple as a fridge in front of the door…” Another sigh, and Aeric tried to let go of his anxieties. He turned back to Catty, trying to keep his spirits up for her. Freja appeared not long after, by way of a big, white, fluffy shape in the corner of his eye. She patiently kept her distance, waiting until the two were done talking. After the long night he had, Aeric had was more than ready to relax back at the cabin though.

“I suppose we should head back. Sorry I made you walk all the way out here. How’s your foot?” A grin swept his face over the question. “Think you’ll make the walk back, soldier? Or am I gonna have to carry you?”
 
Catty knew it was a gamble. To admit that there was nowhere else for her to go really. Yet it was honest truth but hardly negated the fact that she wanted to stick by Aeric. It was utterly crazy of course; she barely knew the guy. The heart never made wise choices though. How could she not want to stay though? Those bright, sweet smiles she managed to coax from him was reason enough really. How they lit up those bright emerald eyes and softened the strong, handsome planes of his face. Those were just simple, shallow reasons and there were plenty of other examples of simple, shallow reasons to stay. Never mind that, despite all, he was strong and caring, even if he had odd ways of showing it at times. No, there were plenty of reasons to want a stay, both logical and illogical. When he agreed, wishing for her to stay, she managed to look back at him with an equally bright smile. Her face and ears still red and heated.

First on the agenda, apparently, change the name of the thing he turned into. Catty blinked up at Aeric for a moment before giving a short burst of high laughter. She was still snickering as he finally managed to agree that they could figure something out. “We will figure it out,” she said with a nod. “And rename whatever it is I guess. I still like Remus Lupin though,” she added with a smirk. “It is kind of long though…I mean in the movies they’re called werewolves but…that’s kinda what you already are right? So that doesn’t work.” Baring the last two weeks the only thing she knew about his kind came from movies. She was willing to bet that less than 1% of it was true of course. Still she had no other platform to jump from, so to speak. The white furry shape caught her eye and she looked over to see Freja had come back. Catty wanted to think she had good timing but also didn’t wonder if, with those wolf ears, she had pretty much heard everything anyways.

His concern about her foot turned her attention back to him and she gave him a sweet but crooked smile. “It’s a little sore I’ll admit,” she said as she tilted her foot up to look at the ragged bandaging. The bandaging had certainly seen better treatment between its prolonged shower time and the wild trek through the woods. His question about getting back raised her eyebrows curiously and she paused to consider the options. Her lips pressed together into a thin little pucker as she thought about it for the moment. She fully turned towards Aeric, regarding him seriously a moment. Her hand released his and went to his hips. Gently she pushed and coaxed him to turn around until his back was to her. Then, with a mildly impressive spring, she leaped onto his back. Just as her legs had gripped him in the shower they clung to his waist again. Catty couldn’t stop a laugh as he arms draped around his chest, her chin on his shoulder with her cheek pressed to her jaw.

“Well I declare I’m just a little, delicate woman,” she said in a faux antebellum south sort of accent. “Don’t suppose a big, strong man like you would oblige.” Of course, at that point, his options were to fall back to unseat her or just start walking. Her foot wasn’t so bad she couldn’t walk but this sounded like a much more fun option. If nothing else she was trying to keep the mood light. They had only just gotten back to a point that wasn’t distant melancholy and she was determined to keep it that way. At least for a little while. “What about silver? Is that a thing?” She asked from his back. “Or crosses? No wait…that’s vampires. I mean silver handcuffs…I can think of a couple uses for that…” She said with a sly grin.
 
Aeric’s offer had really been more of a lighthearted joke than anything else, but when he saw the devious, playful look ignite in Catty’s eyes he instantly realized he would be making good on it. He chuckled over her impulsiveness, and shook his head over what he’d gotten himself into even as she coaxed him around and sprung right up and on his back. Luckily Catty was a light enough thing that she didn’t encumber him too much, though it took a wobbly step or two before he was accustomed to her added weight. Her impression of a southern belle brought him to laughter before they could make it too far, though. He decided to play along for good measure.

“Why absolutely, Miss Catriona, ma’am,” he teased her, slipping into the faux accent right along with her. “What sort of man would I be if I were to turned a deaf ear to a proper lady in need? My Momma raised me better than that.” Aeric helped to secure her into position, reaching around to hook his arms under her legs to support her. A bit of a grin teased his lips as he thought of the last time they were in a position similar to this. Of course, this was quite the different situation to that. Yet, somehow no less fun as he lumbered off, the Hodor to her Bran while they made their way back to their own version of a castle. Freja lingered behind, head at a tilt as she watched the spectacle with a bit of amusement. Leave it to her brother to find a way to act like a pup again in the middle of an apparent breakdown. Once they had a decent lead she sauntered off after them, remaining their white, ever present shadow.

Aeric wore a bit of an awkward smile as he listened to some of Catty’s queries. “Well, there’s a bit of truth to that…” he started to say, only to lose his train of thought as she brought up crosses and vampires and uses for silver handcuffs. This made him snort with laughter, threatening to throw the two of them off balance if he wasn’t so careful with his footing. “Yeah… Go up against a vampire wielding a crucifix and at least you’ll have one on hand for your funeral. Most mythology is derived from a grain of truth, but don’t go believing everything you see on T.V.” It felt funny saying that after the late-night horror flick his life was turning into. But hey out of a million different ideas they were bound to get a few of them right.

“Silver, though…” he started again, “We’re definitely slower to heal from it. The nice big scar I’ve got is testament enough to that. Normally we heal too fast, too efficiently to leave scars. So a bit of silver right through the heart? Yeah that’s a pretty surefire way to kill one of us… But so is anything else that’s big enough to do enough damage. Anyway… that doesn’t mean my skin will burn if I touch it, so, I’d say silver handcuffs are definitely in the realm of possibility.” Aeric sported a wicked grin at first, though it was quickly replaced with a look of scolding at he glanced at her. “Though, Miss Catriona,” he began, slipping back into his impression of a drawl, “I must say: A proper southern lady such as yourself ought not be having such questionable thoughts. A lovely belle like you ought to be guarding her flower against the Devil’s whispers. At least until marriage.”

Their banter did wonders to lift his spirits. It was almost easy to forget all about the impending full moon and the terror it might bring forth. But it was there, still lingering within him; the true devil whispering to him and him alone. He could ignore it, pretend it didn’t exist, and give himself fully to Catty, but no matter the mask he wore, he could still feel it there. It felt almost… patient; like it was happy to bide its time and await the inevitable… a hunter that only craved its prey in the light of the moon. But whatever terror came with the night, Aeric refused to let it ruin the rest of the day. To simply wait around mulling over what might happen would be akin to insanity. He couldn’t let himself fall into that. Catty’s infectious positivity certainly warded that off, even if he didn’t fully believe her vow that they would get past it.

It was a much further walk back to the house than he anticipated, leaving him a little worn out by the time he carried her all the way there. He spun around to turn both of their backs on Freja as she made a quick shift, gathered her articles of clothing and hurried into the house to dress. They followed in her wake, Aeric leaving Catty mounted to his back until they reached the main room. Once there, he carried her to the couch, spun around and carefully let her drop free onto the cushions. Once she was seated he turned around to face her. “Were my services adequate, Miss Catriona?” he inquired of her, though he didn’t much care for whatever review she might give as he busied himself with leaning in over her, one hand supporting himself on the arm of the couch while the other slid around her waist and gently pulled her up towards him for a kiss.

Aeric’s lips meshed with hers with an increasingly familiarity. Any shyness he might have had was lost in the depths of his kiss. Even after it was broken he lingered there for a moment, part of him wishing he could just freeze time in place; to remain here in this happy moment with her instead of dealing with everything yet to come. That could never happen, but he at least tried to keep things positive for as long as he could. “So I have to admit,” he said, finally pulling away and flop down by her side instead, “I’m a little worried. At first I just thought this whole basement idea was some clever plan to keep me locked up while I raged out. But now, after this whole ‘silver handcuff’ thing… I’m starting to think you’re just planning to lock me up in some sex dungeon or something. Well I just want to warn you, you’ve got your work cut out for you either way. It takes a lot of energy to cage a wolf.”

He flashed her a suggestive grin before reaching his arms up to the vaulted ceiling, stretching his stiff back. His all nighter was starting to catch up to him, but he knew however exhausted he might be, sleep would never come. There was too much on his mind for one, the anticipation of what might happen keeping his nerves on edge. Worse than that was the fear of changing in the middle of it again. Waking up to find Catty in his monstrous arms was as good a sleep deterrent as anything else. All there was to do was hang around and wait; Sol serving as a constant reminder her brother was on the way as she lazily crept across the sky.
 
Catty giggled at his good humored return to her jests. Not that he didn't have a right to be upset but she would do her utmost to try and keep her spirits up. If nothing else she was decently confident the whole basement idea would work. That fridge was pretty big. She laughed again as he spoke of vampires and crosses. Honestly she hadn't a damn clue what was real or fake. Throw enough darts at the board and one is bound to stick. Though she winced as the topic of silver continue on. She well remembered sewing up a wound that left a scar. It was still crazy to think everything that had happened with her utterly in the dark. Though the idea of silver handcuffs certainly had merit.

When he slipped back into the light southern drawl she snickered at him, giving a little squeeze of a hug. "Why, mister Aeric, is that a proposal then? After all i've only had one real devil whispering in my ear." She gave another little squeeze and nuzzled her cheek against his jaw. "Have to make an honest woman of me." Though she leaned back some, giving his jaw some space as she laughed, high and full of mirth. Her trying to keep his mood up was doing wonders for her own too. Ever since the air cleared around him she had felt more relaxed than when she didn't even know what he was. Not that it really mattered of course. She was having fun teasing and joking with him despite everything that happened and was happening.

The trek back was long and Catty started to feel a little bad weighing him down and pinching his hips for so long. Finally though they all arrived back at the cabin. He turned to give Freja her privacy while she changed and redressed, Catty kept her eyes politely averted despite the clear ease these siblings had being naked so much. Catty shifted some to climb down but Aeric had a solid grip on her thighs and trudged all the way inside. Right up to the couch to drop her onto the soft cushions. Catty simply let go and let herself drop right onto the cushions with a bounce. She was barely settled when he turned to pose his questions. With a smirk she opened her mouth to reply but stopped as he leaned down and over her. She blinked up at him a moment before his lips met hers. A little, appreciative sound rumbled in her throat, a hand slipping up to lay on the side of his neck.

Short but oh so sweet. Catty gave a content, happy sigh as he pulled back but ever so scarcely. Her grin was perhaps a little misty and dopey as she looked up at him, fingers lightly playing on the back of his neck. Just as good as the playful banter. Better really. Though he finally turned and flopped down beside her his sudden admission of worry turned her dopey grin to a softer, sympathetic smile. She couldn't imagine what it would be like to have this thing so close to breaking free. Something that he couldn't control, couldn't even recall if he managed to change back. Though she blinked as he continued on certainly not talking about the monster transformation. After staring at him with wide eyes she tossed her head back and laughed. Laughed hard enough that tears gathered at the corners of her eyes and she doubled over on the couch as a painful stitch embedded into her side.

"Don't deny you wouldn't like it. At least for a week or two. I'll even be nice enough to come down and hand feed you," she said as her laughing died down and the stitch faded away. Catty leaned back and tucked herself under one arm, reclining into Aeric's side. "But hey, for real, we'll get through this." She tilted her head back to look up at him, the back of her head leaned up onto his shoulder. A hand came up to lace her fingers with his. "I can't say I can understand because this shit is not what I went to school for but...we can figure this out. Shame I didn't grab any tranquilizers. Wonder if that would even work. Maybe like...a truck load of melatonin. But I'm here for you ya know. Freja is too...well I'm pretty sure she is...I can't speak for her," she added with a small laugh. "If you want to nap or whatever I'll keep watch over you...if anything weird happens I'll just shake you awake. Or we can just watch some movies. For the rest of the day."

Catty was perfectly aware she was beyond out of her league with all the myth monster stuff. She wanted to help him, help both of them, with whatever she could. Of course it was completely insane. She knew that just getting away from all of it was probably safer. Probably the wiser option. Though smart decisions weren't always the best ones. For the moment, though, she was warm and cozy against Aeric's side. Nestled up against his broad, strong frame. Catty admitted to herself she would have a hard time giving it up, giving Aeric up, even if it meant getting away from the crazy world she had been suddenly thrust into. So for the rest of the day Catty was more than happen to just hang out with Aeric feeling particularly snuggly. Part of her, though she didn't admit it out loud, was worried she might lose him that night. Something she wasn't willing to really think too deeply on. A fear that the monster would stay and Aeric would simply disappear.

As evening crept up on them Catty rose to make dinner. Skillet hamburgers and oven baked potato wedges. A simpler meal in a way. She made sure they had all eaten before the sun began to set. Catty leaned forward with her chin on folded hands. She had made a decent show of joviality for the day and it was a little tiring. With every passing hour her own worry had grown stronger and stronger. Though they were quickly running out of time. "So...what is the plan? Basement? Sorry to say I don't think there are actual silver handcuffs in the house," she said with a small grin. "Push the fridge in-front of the door and hope it cant be busted down?" Or, worse, bust up the foundation.
 
"Hey, I never said I wouldn’t like it,” Aeric said once Catty’s robustious laughter died off. “Certainly sounds like a better couple weeks than we’ve had so far.” A smile remained plastered across his face as Catty snuggled in, tucking herself against him, though it faded ever so slightly upon the more serious turn. On the surface he seemed to take her words of encouragement to heart, but in truth they did little to calm the maelstrom of worry inside. The anxiety remained, albeit it somewhat more dormant than before. Just knowing she would be there for him no matter the outcome was a comforting thought he could cling to. Her presence was soothing, allowing him to relax despite the flood of unease. His fingers played idly against hers as she took his hand, and for the moment he was more than content just to sit there, soaking up the warmth of her lithe body pressed against him.

“A truckload of melatonin sounds like something I could use ‘Remus Lupin’ or not,” he confessed with a light chuckle. “It’s hard to sleep when you can feel some… thing crawling beneath your skin. I doubt I could nap no matter how bad I’d like to… Either way, just knowing you’re in my corner is more than enough. And hey, we’ve been pretty good about miraculously stumbling our way out of tough situations so far. If nothing else, maybe our dumb luck will see us through this too.” Aeric gave a weary sigh and leaned back into the padded cushions, trying to hold onto this new-found optimism as best he could. “Anyway…” he started, trying to usher them away from the topic before it consumed the rest of their day, “Movies sound great. I’m in the mood for being as lazy as possible.”

His passivity extended to the point of letting her pick out what they watched, which he was far too unenergetic to be picky over. Freja joined them after a while, seeming in higher spirits than usual. But Aeric knew his sister well enough to suspect that it might not be entirely genuine; that she had undoubtedly overheard his conversation with Catty and knew of his troubles. The gesture still heartened him though, as he knew all too well that Freja was contending with her own manner of demons within. Freja hadn’t seemed herself from the moment she awoke in that clinic, and he could hardly blame her for the dour, fearful persona that had taken root. One fight in that ring was enough to haunt him until the day he died, so he could scarcely imagine the state her tenure left her in. But for now, all that seemed forgotten. Their little party seemed to bury the doubts and fears as deep as possible, simply enjoying each others’ company as the day wore on. Aeric even managed to doze off a couple times, snoozing quietly with Catty still in his embrace. Yet, it was never more than a few minutes before he would jerk back awake, donning an all together lost expression once he realized their movie had jumped ahead several paces.

The positive outlook Catty had inspired became increasingly difficult to maintain as the afternoon slipped into evening. Appearances were easy enough to keep up around Catty, but once she left the room to busy herself over dinner, Freja was all too quick to spot his haggard, queasy, expression. Most particularly, she noticed the way Aeric kept glancing at his hands, almost like trying to reassure himself they were still his. She took the initiative then, rising from her seat and beckoning to her brother. “Come on,” she said, walking towards the door, “Let’s go get some fresh air for a bit. I’m tired of feeling cooped up.” Aeric watched her a moment, unsure, but eventually relented and dragged himself off the couch to follow in her wake. They didn’t go far, of course, simply taking up residence on the porch where they sat in a moment of quiet, their eyes locked to the horizon, where they watched Sol steadily melting into the tree line.

“Smells like rain,” Freja commented after a moment, her eyes closing as she caught the scent of the damp wind breaking across her face, tussling her platinum hair.

“Yeah…” Aeric answered, also picking up the distinct, fresh, and earthy smell that could only belong to a storm. Though it was several miles away, their acute senses were never wrong. Currently, though, the weather was the furthest thing from his mind.

“It’s strange, isn’t it?” Freja blurted.

“Hmm?” he inquired, uncertain of what she was talking about.

“This will be the first full moon we’ve ever seen without the pack. Even now I feel like we should be heading out for the climb, making our way to bathe in Mani’s light while we prepare for Saehrimnir.” A faint smile stretched across her lips. “If I close my eyes and think about it I can almost feel the earth beneath my paws; the cool wind in my fur. I can even hear their joyous howls… But then I open my eyes and it settles in that they’re nothing but ghosts now; alive only in the memory of them.”

“It still doesn’t feel real to me,” he admitted over the loss. It threatened to choke him up for a minute, but Aeric would not allow himself to wallow in that emotion; not while they still had so much to deal with. “I wish Father was still here. He’d know what to say; what to do.”

Freja appraised her brother softly, her sapphire eyes shimmering with her own pent up emotions. “He would tell us that we are born of the wolf,” she said, her voice taking on an air of confidence, “That we are strong enough to overcome anything. Even ourselves. I don’t know what this is happening to you, Aeric… nor what it means. But I know that you can figure it out; surmount it. You’re the strongest wolf I know. Father saw it in you, too. He always knew you would take his place as alpha some day.”

Aeric couldn’t help but scoff at the notion. “Me?” he said, sounding incredulous. “Are you kidding me? I could have never survived that arena as long as you did. I’d have been bear food if Eddy hadn’t jumped in to help me. Even before that, when those assholes jumped us on the cliffs… I tried to fight, and what good was I? I was gutted like some farm animal and thrown to the ground while everyone I cared about was either slaughtered or captured. That doesn’t sound like strength to me. If I was really as strong as you think, they’d all still be alive.”

“Circumstances were beyond your control,” Freja quickly countered him. “All of us fought and lost that night. There was nothing any one of us could have done to change the outcome. But against all odds, you and I survived. We’ve made it this far without the pack, so don’t you go giving up and feeling sorry for yourself now. Without you I’d still be in that cage or worse. You’re stronger than you think, and it’s about time you realize it. You can get a hold on this; you can control it.”

“And if I can’t?” Aeric demanded, looking his sister straight in the eye. “If I lose control and I break free, what then? What happens to you and Catty, and anyone else I come into contact with?” Freja avoided his gaze, clearly stumped over how to respond. Aeric, however, had the answer for her. “That’s when I need you to be strong,” he told her. “If I lose control…” he continued on, his voice dry, “If I come for either of you… You have to put me down. You have to stop me, no matter what it takes.”

Freja’s eyes went a little wide at the request, her fearful demeanor returning as she staggered a step back. “Aeric, I--” she started to say, shaking her head.

“Please Freja. I can’t bear the thought of hurting you two, and I can’t ask this of Catty. It has to be you. You have to protect her whatever the cost.”

“I--” she stammered once more, despising the very thought of it. “I don’t even know if that’s possible. The amount of bullets they pumped into you back at that clinic… How am I supposed to--”

“Gungnir,” Aeric told her flatly. “Dad kept it for a reason, and you saw what that thing can do. Fuck if I know if it’s really the spear of the Allfather, but it’s no ordinary weapon. If there’s no other way, you have to promise me you’ll take it, and drive it right through my heart.”

Freja turned away from her brother, yet again locking her eyes to the gradually setting sun. Silence claimed her as she mulled over everything he was suggesting, debating if she could truly carry out such a deed. He was her brother; the last living member of her pack. How could she bring herself to end his life, monster or no? And yet, despite the disgust over the proposal, she found herself nodding the affirmative. “I--I promise,” she managed to squeak out, though the words were like bile in her mouth. “But only if there’s no other way.”

Satisfied with her answer, Aeric gave her the weakest of smiles and reached out to lay his hand over the top of hers. “I’m sorry to ask this of you, but thank you.”

The idea of him thanking her over the potential of ending his life was just too much for her. “You’re a damn fool, you know?” She said, her voice heavy with emotion, before she pulled him in for a tight hug. She clung to him tightly, like she never intended to let go. “It’s not even going to come to that. You’re going to figure it out.” The words were just as much to convince herself as they were him.

Such discussion made for a rather somber dinner by the time they rejoined Catty and seated themselves around the table. Despite his usual enjoyment of Catty’s cooking, Aeric found himself prodding at the food more than eating it. It was hard to have an appetite when all you could think about was the potential horror impending. As Mani grew ever closer to claiming the sky for his own, Aeric expected the tingling, shifting-like sensation he’d been plagued with to amplify. Yet it felt as though there were no change at all. He dared not take it as a sign of hope that the the change might not overtake him, though, choosing instead to ponder over everything else it could mean. He was so engrossed with his thoughts that Catty’s voice came as a surprise when she inquired over the plan.

“Well,” he breathed out, green eyes jumping from his plate to meet her gaze, “I can’t really think of anything better. I mean, since you don’t have the silver handcuffs and all…” He met her grin with the ghost of a smile, though the hour had grown late enough that he could no longer find that up-beat positivity from earlier.

“It does look like a very heavy fridge,” Freja tried encouraging him, “Honestly I’m almost more afraid of moving it to the basement than I am you breaking it down…”

Looking out the window to the blazing, orange sky, Aeric remained painfully aware of just how little time remained for them. “We better get to it then,” he said, finding it hard to meet their gazes from that point on. There was no standing on ceremony, the waning light stirring them to action as they tackled with the fridge. “You sure do cook a lot of food,” he had to comment to Catty as they perused the contents and prepared it for moving, “Seems a waste to spoil all these left overs.” There didn’t seemed to be a sturdier alternative though, so it was without mercy the cord was pulled and the strenuous struggle began. Between the three of them they managed to get the hefty appliance down to the basement door, where they were breathlessly able to set it aside before Aeric went down to investigate his make-shift prison.

“Well, there’s no padded walls but it’ll do,” he jested, before turning his attention to the shelving upon which Catty had chained Gungnir. Freja watched him with apprehension as he began to undo the bindings. “You should use this,” he told them,handing over the restraints to Catty once he freed the spear. “Strap the fridge in place. The more for me to break through the better.” He handed the spear to Freja after, which she warily accepted.

“Y-you sure you’re going to be okay down here?” Freja asked, trying to stall the moment.

“I might die of boredom if nothing happens, otherwise yeah. Anyway… The moon will be up soon. Better leave me to it.”

He saw them back up the door where he couldn’t help but linger for a moment. He looked between them and back to the lingering fridge. “You two dainty things going to be able to move that all by yourselves?” he teased them, to which Freja rolled her eyes.

“Oh gee… Without a big strong man like you? However will we handle it?”

He flashed a grin at his sister, before turning back to Catty. Reaching out, he slipped a hand around her waist and pulled her in close. He stared down for a long, tarrying moment before finally coming in to meet her lips. It was for all intents and purposes a kiss goodbye, lingering and soft, and leaving him reluctant to pull away. But he finally did after a moment, doing his best to wear a smile as he continued to appraise her. “Well, see you on the other side, I guess…” he told her before finally pulling away. Freja took the liberty of stepping up to close him in, separating the two before she had the inclination to run down the stairs and lock herself up right along with him. That done, she worked with Catty to maneuver the fridge into position, and solidify their barrier.

Freja released an exhausted sigh once it was all said and done, only to nervously retrieve the spear entrusted to her. It felt wrong in her hands; heavy and dangerous, all the more so when she considered what she was meant to do with it. “You remember where you stashed those guns?” She asked her charge, giving the redhead a critical look. “You might have use for one before the night is through.” Hopefully Aeric wouldn’t find himself coughing up more bullets come the morning, but it sounded preferable to them being mauled to death. In the meantime, all they had to do was wait.
 
Dinner was a strained affair. Cooking had help distract her a little but as the day had worn down Catty felt the gnawing worry too. She had faith in Aeric's strength but this was new ever for the two experienced supernatural creatures. If they didn't know what to expect or how to stop what Aeric became then she was utterly in the dark. She ate slow, her appetite slightly present. More present than Aeric's anyways. Catty hadn't failed to notice he spent more time pushing the food around his plate rather than actually eating any of it. He finally, solidly, agreed to the only plan any of them could manage to come up with. The quip about silver handcuffs made her smile somewhat. At least he tried to be in good spirits but even she could tell the difference in him.

The sun was barely above the trees when Aeric announced it was time to get moving. No one seemed particularly keen to do so. Catty cocked her head at the mention of spoiled left overs and just shrugged a little. "Might survive if the door manages to stay closed," she said simply enough. They had enough money Aeric had brought to go grocery shopping again if need be. Honestly if the only thing between all of them surviving and some leftovers she would take surviving. Catty threw herself into helping. Helping maneuver and monkey the fridge around until they got it down and into position. By the end she was a little winded and sweaty from the ordeal. Maybe the fridge could just stay after whatever was going to happen. Wouldn't bother her to run downstairs for ingredients.

Catty glanced to the side as Aeric began unchaining Gungir and her stomach tied in knots. Freja's face echoed her own mind on the matter. She was barely certain how he got Freja to agree to such a thing, only assuming why he was giving her the spear. As the restraining chains were handed over to her she gripped them tightly, her knuckles nearly white. Maybe this was a stupid plan. Still she gave a sharp nod, pondering how she could use them to add to their odd little barrier. Honestly the whole concept was a bit cartoonish. Might as well try and drop a bookshelf in front too. A little snort rushed through her nose at his quip. Such delicate, feminine flowers they were couldn't possibly move such a monster, right?

She jumped a little as Aeric's arm sudden wrapped around her but she relaxed and gave him a wan smile. Both of them were worried. She could see the drawn expression, the worry in his eyes. Her free hand reached up and softly laid on his neck as they stood there. She didn't mean to but she studied the planes of his face as if she might, somehow, forget them. It was just for the night. Her head tilted to meet his lips, fingers playing lightly on the flesh of his neck. Soft and sweet but lingering. Her throat suddenly felt tight and her eyes stung. No need for tears. She'd see him again in the morning right? Think positive. Eventually they had to let got and she stepped back with a small, wan smile. "Yeah, totally. If the food doesn't go bad I'll make a big breakfast," she said as she turned with Freja, who had suddenly moved oddly close, and left Aeric alone.

The fridge wasn't too difficult to move into place. Catty gave the door some wiggles and tugs, nodding somewhat. Taking the chains up she looped them as best as she could figure and locked them with the fridge and door. How much they added she hadn't a clue. Glancing over she saw Freja as she held the spear like someone might hold something toxic. Her eyes widened a bit at the mention of gun and she swallowed hard. "Uh...yeah, sure..." she said and moved away to fetch them. Not selecting just a couple to bring out she grabbed the whole bag of them and dropped it onto the table. "Kind of a shame we couldn't practice with them," she said as she pulled out the rifle she had used to shoot the soldier. The memory made her a little queasy. Making sure there weren't bullets in the gun she messed around with it gingerly, trying levers and buttons to see how it worked. Once satisfied she put in a magazine and actioned the bolt.

"I guess....we wait..." she said slowly as she sat back in a kitchen chair. At first she stared at the door as if waiting for the monster to suddenly pop out or at least start banging on the door. After a little she got up and made some coffee. Odds were none of them were going to sleep much that night, might need some help staying awake. Then she began playing with the other guns. Taking them apart, studying their components. She knew jack shit about them and figured it was a good time to at least figure out how they sort of worked, what they looked like inside. Plus it was something to do while they waited for morning. Or, worse, for something to go wrong.
 
Aeric stood there waiting, listening as the ladies on the other side added the final touches to his makeshift cage, and thus began his internment. He blew out his cheeks, feeling anxious and uncertain once the rumbling, scraping sound of the refrigerator came to a halt. There were no windows down in the roomy basement, but he was perfectly aware that Mani had begun his ascent. He could feel it in the air, his body perfectly attuned to the celestial energy that permeated the land as it was bathed in the first light of the full moon. It left him feeling as wild and excited as it did nervous, which only helped to fuel his anxieties as he climbed down the stairs, and surveyed his place of refuge. There were a few things stored away down here; some old yard equipment and a few bins filled with old cookware and other assorted goods, but for the most part the basement was largely desolate. He was painfully aware that he might die of boredom down here if nothing else.

With little to do but wait it out, Aeric decided at the very least he could catch up on some rest. He found his way to a corner of the room and plopped down to the floor with a sigh, propping his back up against the wall. It was far from the most comfortable position, but he was weary enough that it didn’t bother him as he stretched out his legs, crossed his arms over his stomach and shut his heavy eyes. The potential to sleep teased him as he sat there in silence, but it would not come; not with everything swamping his mind, and that tendril of excitement brought on by the rising moon wasn’t much help either. Fortunately, his condition didn’t seem to be growing any worse for the moment. He could still feel the peculiar sensation beneath his skin; the ceaseless ripple of his body wanting to change but refusing to. But it felt no different now than it had throughout the day. He didn’t want to grow too hopeful, but perhaps he’d spent his time worrying over something that wouldn’t happen.


Freja was as skeptical about this as ever once she saw Catty haul up the entire stash of weapons, and their was a touch of nausea as she recalled the horrific scene back at the vet clinic; how those terrible claws had torn their victims asunder despite the hail of bullets. The she-wolf quickly berated herself, however, feeling sick over the irrational fears that kept eating away at her mind. Not for the first time, she cursed those who were responsible; the ones who’d stolen her away from her broken pack, and forced this trauma upon her. But there was no use feeling sorry for herself now. There were potentially much bigger troubles on the horizon, and she turned her thoughts to Aeric and how they might subdue him without need of their father’s spear, nor hopefully even the guns.

“Well, he’s a pretty big target,” Freja said to Catty as she lamented over a lack of practice, “So it’s hard to miss. Just… be mindful of the kickback.” Catty did appear an ever so dainty thing to her, and they weren’t exactly small guns. But nothing could stop a determined woman, and Catty had surprised her more than once with her tenacity. She’d killed a man back at that vet easy enough, and even showed more courage when dealing with the beast Aeric had become. “Still…” Freja started to say after a moment, “I’d rather not turn to weapons if we can avoid it. Back at that clinic those soldiers shot at him right away, and we saw how that worked out for them. Maybe if they never pissed him off… Well, take it from me, he might look tough but Aeric is nothing but a big old puppy, really. Maybe he won’t be quite so vicious if we don’t give him a reason to be.”

Freja gave a dry laugh at her own suggestion, doubting the words even as she said them. There was no remnant of Aeric when she looked into the blood-red eyes of the form he took. She could recall only madness and chaos. But somewhere inside those swirling pools or rage, her brother still existed, and she was loathe to hurt him if there was no reason to. But the promise she made to Aeric also weighed on her mind, leaving her torn as the glanced at the spear in her hands, spying its sharp tip and the symbols etched upon it. Her reluctance was growing as she thought about driving it into his heart, and she decided to put it out of her mind, propping it against a wall near the table and nodding to Catty’s words about waiting.

Waiting, however, was especially hard for Freja. She was far too fidgety, both over the situation and the influence of the moon as it rose steadily, its pale light filtering through the trees to spill in through the windows. She tried sitting at first, bouncing her leg in a nervous sort of anticipation and constantly glancing between the blocked off door and the window behind her. She was captivated by a longing to be out of this stuffy old cabin; to run wild and free through those woods, with Mani’s pure light dazzling across her snowy fur. She’d never been forced to stay indoors during a full moon before, and it felt almost as oppressing as those cages back at the senator’s house. It eventually got to the point where sitting was far too cumbersome. Freja found herself pacing around the kitchen instead, acting very much like a wolf in human form. She prowled with indecision, deciding against any of the coffee Catty made; her nerves were fried already. Instead, she found Gungnir in her hands once more, and, keeping a wide berth from Catty and her tinkering, she made a few practice swings to get a feel for the weight of it. The last thing she wanted to be when facing down her brother was clumsy with her weapon.


Aeric was every bit as antsy as Freja while the moon continued to rise. He’d shuffled back to his feet, pacing much like his sister as he tussled with his desire to be out of this confined space. He wasn’t doing nearly as well with it as he’d hoped. In the back of his mind he kept reminding himself that he needed to be here; needed to stick it out. But the animal within him wasn’t capable of understanding that. It wanted to be free, to run as fast as his four legs could carry him, while breathing deep the scents on the wind while it ruffled through his fur. But worse than his desire for freedom was the dizzying sickness he felt over its denial. As the moon continued to rise, it eventually left him feeling nauseous to his stomach. Something inside him wanted so badly to bathe in that light, to be out of this dark, drab room.

“Ignore it,” Aeric was repeating to himself over and over again, his stride becoming even more aimless, his steps far less surefooted as he continued to prowl the basement. “Just ignore it…”

He couldn’t be sure of how much time passed, as there were no clocks and no light to go by down here, but it seemed like a couple hours had passed before the delirium finally reached its peak. By now it felt downright painful to deny himself Mani’s beautiful, calming light. The ache went right down to his bones, agonizing him with the promise that it would all go away if only he could break out of this room. Of their own accord, Aeric’s legs sent him lumbering up the stairs, bringing him to the door which he half-collapsed against in an loopy attempt to shoulder it open. His hand, shaking, found the handle which he finagled with. The sudden commotion surprised Freja on the other side, causing her to spring up out of the chair she’d been dropping in and out of all night.

“I-I need to get out of here,” Aeric moaned from the other side, sounding nothing like himself at all. “Let me out.”

Freja passed a strange look at Catty, before turning her attention back to the door. “You know we’re not supposed to do that, Aeric,” she said, her voice having no lack of sympathy. But also a touch of fear.

That didn’t seem to satisfy her brother, who only jiggled the handle more vigorously and repeated the demand. “Let me out!” He shouted, sounding much more like a ferocious wolf this time. Freja stumbled back as there was a slam upon the door, hard enough that it shook the frame. Aeric just couldn’t take it anymore, he was losing his sense of self, and repeatedly bashed his shoulder up against the door. What once felt like a ripple beneath his skin was beginning to feel more like a roaring tidal wave, seconds away from breaking the dam. The fury of his blows caused the chains bracing the fridge to the door to shake and jangle, and the sound of that just set something off in him. It gave him a flash of the Fenrir, in all his mighty glory, lashed to the floor with chains. The idea of that powerful, all-commanding beast locked away and never again to see the moon stoked in him a furious rage.

“LET ME OUT!!” Aeric roared again, and this time his voice was far more feral and much deeper; the effects of vocal chords that even now were expanding, and changing. Enraged, bloodshot eyes narrowed as he battered the door, more powerfully than any human man would have been capable of, and for one lucid second, Aeric was aware that he might have been perfectly capable of holding back this storm, but he simply didn’t want to anymore. His teeth were sharper now, the better to tear into the fresh kill he so felt his body craving. Saehrimnir was due, and Mani would light his way. He would be denied no longer. Rearing back, Aeric slammed at the door with all his might. He was much bigger now, muscled bulging beneath darkening skin that sprouted with even blacker fur.
Freja took another step back, hurriedly retrieving the spear from where she left it as she stared, wide-eyed at the their poor attempt of a barrier. It seemed such a stupid idea now that the danger was real. Aeric was ramming himself into the door so hard that the wood began to splinter while the force shook the very walls. The lights fluttered with every blow, her brother’s once human shouts devolving into ferine snarls instead. Freja continuously backed away from the door, coaxing Catty to do the same as it became increasingly clear that their defenses would not hold. And sure enough, Aeric finally battered his way through the door and struck into the refrigerator like a freight train. The chains snapped against the weight, allowing the fridge itself to crash into the floor with the great, lumbering wolf-man spilling out over it.

Freja felt her heart jump to her throat as her bestial brother recoiled, snarling and frothing as he staggered about on all fours. She might have motioned to Catty not to do anything to rash, but she was frozen in both body and mind as she watched the huge monstrosity get his bearings. He didn’t even seem to notice them at first, his great furry back was to them as he snuffled about, investigating the food container he’d just tumbled across. But then something seemed to catch his attention, and his fur stood on end while large pointed ears perked up from his oddly shaped head. The gangly beast lifted his head, smelling the air before twisting around to spot the pair of them.

A low growl reverberated in his throat as he turned around, taking a couple of steps forward before lifting up, towering above them as a bipedal beast that reached high towards the vaulted ceilings. Freja craned her neck, staring up at him in a mix of awe and concern, but she didn’t dare move a muscle. Not to fight, not to flee. Her hands were shaking but she held the spear firm, ready to use it if she had to. She decided to try reasoning with him first, pushing aside her fears as she took a tentative step forward and called out softly to him.

“Aeric?” she said softly “Aeric it’s us.”

A threatening growl as her reply as his attention snapped to her exclusively, and his posture was enough to stop her slow advance before she’d gotten anywhere at all. He dropped to all fours again, looking right at her with those crimson eyes so unlike the sharp green she’d known her whole life. Her breath and heart alike quickened under that gaze. For a long dreadful moment she thought he might charge. But he seemed hesitant and distracted. He couldn’t sit still, and was caught between watching the two of them as though he couldn’t decide if he should attack or not. But then something seemed to catch his eye, and a decision was finally made. Without another thought, the beast surged forward, seemingly straight at Freja. With a gasp, she staggered back and lifted up the point of Gungnir, ready to drive it up and forward should he crash upon her. But she lost her nerve at the last moment, unable to follow through on her promise. She leapt off to the side, narrowly dodging a swiping hand that swung through and connected with the kitchen table instead, flinging it aside to break apart against the far wall.

But Aeric didn’t actually seem interested in Freja at all. He didn’t rear about to chase her, he simply treated her like an annoyance barring his path as he made his way to the true target; the large kitchen windows and the graceful moonlight they revealed. Aeric didn’t stop even as he reached them. His powerful form crashed right through, breaking his way through though windows and wall alike to finally take in that cool, night air. The lanky monster practically galloped around once he was free of the house at last, exhilarated by the open world. But his attention quickly turned to the sky, where the full disc of the moon hang, steadily rising in all its splendor. Aeric rose to his full height, standing tall as he reared back his head and offered the patron god a joyous howl. But here, it was difficult to see Mani in full, for the trees were tall and crowding, blocking the full measure of the sight he so craved. And so, the monster fell back to all fours, hurriedly dashing into the trees, and tearing his way through the forest to satiate his cravings, leaving Catty and Freja to ponder their next move in the broken remnants of the kitchen.
 
Freja's nervous energy was seeping over to Catty. At first she was, in all respects, calm. She sipped her coffee and sat back with the loaded weapon. Beyond all she prayed she wouldn't have to use it. Hoped that the plan would work. Either Aeric wouldn't change or the door and fridge would hold him if he did. Honestly she wasn't sure she even could pull the trigger. Even the last time he had changed into the monster she had been unwilling to hurt him. She wanted to help him, however foolish it might seem. Too many movies once again. Aeric was in that body, he was the body, but his mind was utterly gone. He wouldn't be able to recognize her. Still, part of her hoped he could. Though if he didn't recognized his own sister there was no way he would recognize her. Again, they weren't in a movie. It was real life. Which was fucking insane.

Hours passed and Catty was into another cup of coffee. It would be a long night and even as her nerves tingled with worry and anticipation she had to stay awake. Her eyelids were growing heavy and eventually she had to stand and pace like Freja to help keep herself awake. Last thing they needed was to be asleep and something very untoward happen. Freja was struggling to stay awake, Catty saw her head bounce a few times when shocked awake by nearly falling face first out of the chair. She couldn't help a small grin very much aware of that awful feeling. Usually hers happened during finals week in school. The night was passing. Maybe it would work after all!

The jiggling handle made her jump and round on the door. Freja was suddenly very alert too. Aeric's piteous groan from behind the door tugged at her heart but she remained still. A nervous tingle ran up her spine. Freja responded before she could. Her heart starting beating faster, harder. Aeric's shout sent another nervous ripple through her. "Aeric stop..." Catty breathed out, even Freja would struggle to hear it. She cringed at the sudden, hollow bash at the door. He was desperate to leave and they were desperate for him to stay. "Stop...stop..." Catty repeated as her hands white knuckled the gun. Another roar, more furious and bestial than before. So much for not changing if he couldn't see the moon. Catty was frozen still as the watched the door shudder and heave against the weight of Aeric. The wood was splintering. Catty's heart froze in her throat as she watched the wood crack against his fury.

The hammering doubled in intensity, harder and harder. The wood groaned until it shattered like glass. The chain snapped with a whining pop and the fridge was flung away. Catty's breathing came in short, sharp gasps as the massive black beast lumbered into the kitchen. Strangely Catty's throat constricted and her eyes burned. While frightened it hurt to see Aeric in such a state. The viscous, mindless beast was a far cry from the man she knew. At first he seemed curious, sniffing around like a friendly dog might, curious about the space. Right up until it suddenly rounded on them. Catty gasped and swallowed hard but never once raised up the gun.

Her head whipped around as Freja tried to speak with him, the red eyes of the beast following. His attention solely on Freja. Catty's head turned again to watch the monster as it stood there, his imposing height making the scene all the more terrifying. Slowly he hunkered down but didn't move. Not at first. Still he seemed confused. "Do...think he recognizes you?" Catty asked in a soft whisper. Freja didn't have time to respond. Fast as greased lightening Aeric lunged. Catty made a sound somewhere between a shout and a groan making a sort of strained, gurgling noise. Freja managed to dodge but the table didn't have such an ability. Catty cringed as it smashed against a far wall. Still the gun was loose in her hands as Aeric attacked Freja. Though his movement had oddly slowed. As if he wasn't trying to hurt her. Both of them had seen first had what he was capable of when he wanted to kill.

Then suddenly he left Freja and hurled his massive form right through the window. Catty's mouth fell open as a cool wind whipped into the cabin. Almost immediately he was lost to the darkness. Though the howl cut through the night sending a wave of goosebumps across Catty's body. A beautiful yet terrifying sound. Now that was like the movies. Quiet and alone Catty edged over to Freja. Slowly she reached out and put a hand to her shoulder. "Are you alright?" She asked in a shaking voice. Freja didn't seem to have any wounds at least but both women were clearly shaken. The real question was: now what? Catty stared at the shattered remains of the window. Hopefully Ally's family would chalk it up to burglars or something.

"I...know this is crazy but...we can't let him run around like that right?" Catty rubbed the back of her neck. "No...maybe we should stay here...find him in the morning. I don't know." Her hand slid around and across her face. She really had no idea what to do. What the best choice was. "I mean it's not like we can stop him anyways and...I fucked up last time, almost got you killed. It just...man this sucks," she said with a strangled little laugh and scrubbed her eyes a moment. "Sorry, you've more right to be upset, he's your brother. Neither of us are going to stop him, even if we could with these stupid weapons." Despite the opportunity and the danger neither had even tried to attack him.

Already Catty was feeling antsy. Worried who or what he might run into out there. Innocent folk who wouldn't live to see the sunrise or enemies that had somehow tracked them down. She wasn't used to having no direction, not knowing what to do. Hell at least she normally had google but without a phone that was useless. Also google probably wouldn't be much help. "I'm...at least going to go on the porch. Maybe we can hear him at least. Hear him coming or...something." She gave Freja a halfhearted shrug and went out, actually using the door unlike some crazy werewolf she knew. Outside it was quiet. The nightlife had fallen utterly silent with the presence of the monstrous creature. Catty strained her ears to list for anything. Distant howling, heavy paws approaching, rustling brush, gun shots. Anything at all to give them an idea of where he was.
 
Freja was still reeling after her brother’s explosive exit. Things happened so fast that it was all a haze in her mind, leaving her to gawk at the huge breach in the kitchen wall as if to recall how it actually happened. Catty’s hand brought her flinching back to reality, though, and all she could do was swallow and nod the affirmative. Physically she came out unscathed, but only just. It felt like those claws had missed her by less than an inch. She could still recall the breeze across her face as they slashed on by. With some effort, the shaken beauty gathered her senses and pulled herself up.

“Probably not the best idea,” she had to agree with letting Aeric run about like that. Who knew what kind of damage he would do? And it wasn’t just innocent people that were at risk, either. Aeric could be just as much a danger to himself, and to their group as a whole. Even if he didn’t harm anyone he could still be seen in that hideous shape. If word of that got out, it wouldn’t be long before the hunters swarmed on their location like flies on honey. But Catty was hesitant over what to do, and Freja couldn’t give her an earnest answer either. After the upbeat attitude she exhibited about this earlier, it was a little surprising to hear Catty sounding so pessimistic and defeated over the situation. Not that she could blame her; what the hell were they supposed to do now?

Freja sighed at the end of Catty’s declarations, shaking her head. “You didn’t do anything I wouldn’t have done,” she admitted over their previous encounter with the beast.“If I wasn’t so busy feeling sorry and terrified for myself, anyway…” It was about time she got over that. She was sick and tired of feeling like a scared mongrel, practically jumping at every sound. “Still,” she said, sounding doubtful, “How do you stop an unstoppable force?” Like Catty, she gave a bitter, hopeless laugh. Instinctively, her eyes shifted between where Gungnir had fallen, and the cavity left in Aeric’s desperate need to be out there in the moonlight. She already resigned that she would not use the weapon like her brother wished,but with one less option on the table they weren’t getting any closer to an answer. Morning’s only a few hours away, She thought as Catty dismissed herself and moved to the porch. Maybe she was right; maybe they should just wait it out until then. Or maybe that was just the fear talking…

~

Out beneath that full, radiant moon, Aeric had completely lost himself to his base instincts. The energy flowing through him was positively electric! He ran fast and free, an ebony blur in the silvery light that came pouring through the canopy above. He marveled at the cacophony of the forest, taking pride in the way the howls and other creatures of the night fled at his powerful presence. And he took delight in the taste of their fear and the scent carried on the wind; of pine and fresh water, which he made for now to quench his thirst. The seemingly quiet night was alive, and he was keenly aware thanks to his superior senses. He could feel everything, right down to the way his claws dug into the soft soil as he ran with pure joy in his heart.

Inevitably he found himself back at the shores of that wide, sparkling lake. Once again, Mani’s reflection had taken dominion of the surface of a lake, granting a beautiful spectacle across sky and water alike. The first thing he did was satiate himself, scraggy black form creeping to the water’s edge on all fours, where he dipped his head and greedily lapped at the water. He was heavy of breath by the time he finally stopped for air, only to lift himself up on two legs and empty his lungs up at Mani’s blazing chariot in the sky. Likewise, his voice called out to his brother and sister out there in the vast cosmos, who, he knew even now, were hunting their prey, as he himself would soon do. His howls were encouraging and happy at first, but in time they changed to a keening, lonesome note. The world was his, and all was perfect except for one thing. A wolf was nothing without his pack.

~
That howling had a sort of magnetism as it struck Freja’s ears. At once she could feel her own beast stir, the wolf in her dying to come out and respond on this, the most joyous of nights for kind. It was incredibly hard to resist, and no longer could she find herself denying herself the thrill of being beneath that pale-lit sky. Before long she joined Catty on the porch, her brother’s strange yet familiar calls resonating against something deep within her. All the noise he was making was sure to draw attention if nothing else.

Once again, Freja was pacing, trying to think of something. Yet, nothing was coming to mind, and between the stress and all that frenetic energy flooding the land, Freja was soon running her hands through her long hair, rubbing her temples in an attempt to quiet it all. And that’s when her brother’s once ecstatic howls became far more sorrowful. Her head perked up at once; she understood those whining cries, understood his heartache like no one else in this world possibly could. You pick a funny way to grieve… She thought to herself, her own mind turning to the ones they had lost. The lack of their presence was especially felt this night; the first they’d ever lived through without them. Sickening as it was, Aeric’s woeful longing gave her a thought.

“I-I might have an idea,” she announced to Catty, watching her with bright blue eyes filled with doubt. “ I think I can lure him back here; he wants to be with other wolves. If I call back to him, I’m pretty sure he’ll come. And, maybe if he's not expecting it, we can get him in to fall for some kind of trap or something? I don’t know…” Her mind was running with a million different ideas for how that might work, but none of them seemed feasible. What did they have that could contain a monstrosity like that? The garage certainly wouldn’t work after he busted out of their last attempt at a prison. But, that did turn her mind a different direction… “Maybe if we can hit him hard enough we can knock him out cold for a while. Gods… it’s a little crazy, but maybe if we hit him fast and hard with the car or something?” It sounded insane, and like a good way to wreck their ride, but it was the only thing they had on hand that might pack enough power to do the job. “Unless you’ve got a better idea? But sooner or later, he’s going to grow bored of crying at the moon.” Who knew what would happen then?
 
Catty could hear the distant howling. At least he was close enough to still hear. So long as he kept making so much noise they'd at least have an idea of where he had gone. More importantly, if he was heading back in their direction. Though she did worry about who else might be able to hear the mournful song. To her the howls all sounded mournful, like the clips of regular wolves howling. Of course she knew that with regular wolves it was simply a means of communication. With people like Aeric and Freja there could be far deeper meanings in the song than Catty was able to grasp. She huffed a sigh and leaned over the porch railing, looking out into the darkness and just listening. Behind her she could hear Freja's footsteps approaching. She stood up from her spot and turned to her.

At first she thought Freja had come to discuss plans or something. Had an idea of what to do. Catty watched briefly, trying not to stare and be creepy, as Freja just stood there and listened to the distant howling. Her head tilted at Freja's behavior. As if the howls were both annoying and exhilarating her. For a moment Catty let herself be bemused by the strange world she had been thrust into. She really didn't belong there with them. Compared to the siblings she was relatively helpless. But it wasn't the time for self doubt or pity. Especially when Freja's demeanor changed. No longer the frantic trill but staring out into the dark once again. Catty didn't detect much change in the howls, to her it sounded pretty much the same. In any other circumstance the sound would be beautiful, especially when others joined in the chorus. Given that it was coming from Aeric's mindless monster Remus Lupin bit it was a touch more frightening.

Her head tilted as Freja suddenly announced that she had an idea. Well she had Catty's attention since she was fresh out of good idea juice. Given Aeric's easy escape she was likely out much earlier. Catty's head jerked back in surprise with Freja's offer to try and lure him back. Well that would solve the problem of him hurting others or being seen. Didn't exactly solve the problem of them not getting killed in the process though. The mention of a trap brought a self-loathing, bemused smile from Catty. Their last plan for keeping him contained had been a miserable failure. Though her mouth fell open at the mention of whacking Aeric with Eddy's car. "A little crazy?" Catty said with a small laugh. "It's all super crazy, every detail of this night is crazy." But she didn't have a better idea and had to trust Freja's instinct on how to handle the situation. Catty was silent as she pondered over the idea. The sheer consequences if it worked or the worst cases if it didn't. The car shouldn't kill him but it might. If he didn't get knocked out then both of them were definitely dead meat.

After a long, thoughtful silence Catty heaved a long sigh. "I'm not a big fan...but it's better than no plan. At least if I'm in a car and you're a wolf we might have a chance of running away if he doesn't get knocked out. Assuming it doesn't kill him too," she added with a morose laugh. Also assuming the car wouldn't get completely destroyed. "Alright let's do it before we come up with any wilder plans. I'll go get the keys and get the car tucked somewhere to hide. Probably need enough distance to get some speed." Well at least she could cross 'gun a car to hit something' off her bucket list. Catty left the porch and grabbed the keys. The garage door opened with well oiled, grumbling quiet. The best spot was just to the side of the cabin, she rolled the car up and backed into the shadows of trees and bushes uncaring if branches or whatever scratched the sides. The car was about to have far worse trouble. She flashed the headlights once at Freja to let her know she was in place and ready before completely killing the lights. Didn't need Aeric to see the car right away.
 
“Fat chance of that,” Freja replied over Catty’s worry the car might be enough to kill him. After watching him pop out rounds from an M16 like some sort of pincushion, she was far more concerned his body would recover before the impact even made a difference. But there was always the chance it didn’t have to play out that way. Maybe Aeric would be so overjoyed by finding his kin that he’d grow docile. Fat chance of that, too, she thought.

Catty was right of course, it was a crazy plan, but at least it was a plan. Having something to do left her feeling a lot better than standing around and waiting for something to happen. She nodded her accomplice off before letting out an anxious breath as she hurried down the porch steps and prepared to set about her own task. That piteous keening urged them on, echoing through the dark trees as Freja stepped out into the open. Her eyes instinctively shot to the sky, searching out Mani, who had risen nearly high enough to clear the trees now, spilling his light across where she stood. Luckily, the shadow of the cabin was deep enough to engulf Catty in the distance, betraying nothing of the vehicle she posted in after the initial flash of the headlights. After the signal, Freja got to work.

She quickly freed herself of her human clothes, a dark, shapely silhouette against the pale luminescence of the moon. It felt exhilarating to bare herself beneath his powerful, celestial, presence, and her body shivered with a mix of fear, excitement, and the chill. But a moment later she was no longer a victim to the cold, for her agile body now sprouted the warmest, thickest blanket of white fur. She looked a wild beauty, bright eyes shining in the moonlight that bathed her. Instincts ran wild at once, her triangle ears twitching this way and that as she listened to the living, breathing world all around her. But her brother’s cries silenced everything else around her, droning across the night sky, seeking an answer and lamenting that none would come. But this time, she threw back her great wolfish head, and shouted a note with all the pride and power she could muster. The sound was beautiful and full, yet like a field mouse compared to that haunting resonance that came from the one she sought.
~
Aeric meanwhile, had proven true to Freja’s words. He grew weary of padding around this lake, waiting for one to come and meet him. After his last mournful howl, he was all but ready to move on. This was doubly so, when his blaring symphony finally drew the attention of some locals. The wolf-man’s snapped up at once, burning red orbs peering through the darkness as lights sprang to life in a cabin across the lake. Suddenly, everything else was forgotten. Loneliness was nothing compared to his bottomless hunger; to the intense need to prowl and search, to hunt and kill. He dropped to all fours and took a few steps toward the light, only to hear the voice of another, beckoning him on the wind. Once again, everything else as forgotten. He spun around in excitement, great big snout taking to the air, breathing deep its scent, while his ears poised to find which way it had come from.

After a tense moment, he answered back, and thus began the language secret to all but the two of them. It wasn’t long before Freja had persuaded him to come to her. Just a few exchanges, and he was darting back through the trees once again, amazingly keen ears telling him exactly where he needed to go. And in a matter of minutes, summoned by another of Freja’s eager howls, this once louder, closer than ever, he was finally there. No sooner than bursting through the trees, however, did Aeric instantly become far more guarded. He slowed, sniffing around as he came upon the cabin with the broken windows and cracked walls. He recognized this place, the connotation negative after his last encounter with the people who stood between him and a way out. But that call from his sibling was far too exciting to ignore. He crept around the house like a suspicious hound, sniffing at everything and tasting the malcontent on the air.
~
Freja’s padded fur bristled on end once her ears picked up on the arrival of her quarry. And she stiffened, staying rooted to the spot as the black, monstrous shape slowly rounded the corner of the house, drifting from the shadow to come out and stand some distance in front of her. An uncertain growl formed in the back of the creature’s throat as he drank in the white wolf, far smaller but somehow seeming to stand just as tall. He rounded her like a puzzled predator might, torn between coming to greet her, or lunging in for the attack. But for all his unsure steps, he was drawing nearer, reeled in by his curiosity like a moth to flame. Freja made sure she did absolutely nothing to betray the intentions. In fact, she took a tentative step towards her very, very, large brother, keeping low and avoiding eye contact so as not to mistakenly challenge him.

At her advance, Aeric hesitated, the tempo of his menacing growl increasing until she stopped. But once she did, he advanced. Freja tried not to tremble as he came dangerously close. Salivating jaws hovered upon the white wolf as the immense, dark, beast lowered his head and sniffed at her. So slowly you could hardly see, Freja took a step back, tempting him into a better position for Catty if this went south. His behavior was more curious than anything, and she could see the spark of familiarity in his eyes, but he was definitely still on guard. Even so, he took that first couple steps that saw him directly in line with Catty’s car.

Then, as if sensing Freja’s anxiety, that discontented feeling on the air became all too hard to ignore. He hadn’t seen the Catty or car, but the faint scent of her tickled his nose, and he knew not everything was as it seemed. He didn’t attack though, instead he began to retreat, his shaggy, gnarled shape turning back towards the trees. Freja was at a loss, if Catty revved the car and pushed forward there was a pretty good chance she could still catch him, but those lanky arms and legs carried him unbelievably fast, and he could just as easily make a clean break into the trees. Freja was resolute; she couldn’t let Aeric be wild and free like this, pain in the ass that he was. He’d gotten himself into enough trouble over his years, she would be damned if she was going to let him cause more now.

Oh, no you don’t, she thought to herself, springing at her brother with a snarled. She caught his back leg with her powerful jaws and wrenched with all her might, trying to draw the enormous creature back into position, though his weight was far outside of her limits. Aeric roared with an explosion of fury and pain, causing Freja to retreat before one of those huge, clawed hands came soaring in. She barked and snapped, urging him to come and get her as she back pedaled. It’s just another fight, She convinced herself, And I’ve got a lot more space than that gods damned cage. It took a mustering of all her courage, but she managed to stand her ground, leaping this way, dashing that way, circling about to keep him guessing until Catty had a clear shot to incapacitate him. Hopefully...
 
Catty was absolutely not ready despite giving the signal. Her stomach was a gnawing pit filled with bats, heart pounding painfully in her throat. So much could go wrong. She forced her breath slow and steady as she waited, every fiber focused on listening and watching. So focused she hardly felt her nails biting her palms from the white knuckled grip of the steering wheel. Her heart suddenly stilled at the closer mournful cry of a wolf. She at least recognized that one as different. The note somehow sweeter, more pure than the deep rumbling cry of Aeric's monstrous form. That same deep cry replied back and Catty's heart returned to pace at a double time. The pair howled at one another for a time before falling silent. Catty tried to swallow her heart back down to her chest. Had to stay calm, don't panic. If she panicked everything that could go wrong would go wrong.

She could see Freja first. Even in the shadow nooks beneath the trees the sparse moonlight seemed to catch and glisten in her snowy fur. Just after Freja loomed the gangling shape of Aeric. Calm, had to keep calm. He seemed curious about the other wolf, circling and edging nearer as Freja held her ground. Catty's mind briefly registered the fact that he didn't outright attack her. A good sign? Perhaps, she honestly couldn't say. He drew nearer and nearer until his muzzle was nearly right up against Freja. Yet he seemed calm. She could see Freja edge back. Just a little, just a little more until she drew Aeric right in line with the car. She was waiting for Freja to move out of the way. Last thing she needed was to end up killing her.

Just as she was getting ready to slam on the gas Aeric halted, sniffing the air. Something was wrong. Still he didn't attack but his large, lanky body turned away to the forest once again. Catty's knuckles popped as she gripped the wheel even tighter. All of that and he was going! She raised her foot to gun it but stopped herself. She wouldn't be able to make it to him with enough impact if he was moving away. Thank goodness she realized that for as soon as she stopped herself Freja lunged. Sharp teeth sank into the monster's leg. Catty cringed at the ferocious roar he unleashed, swiping at Freja. Luckily she was fast and able to dodge, seemingly more like an attack dog as she snapped and barked. Aeric was good and distracted and well within the line of the car.

Catty slammed her foot on the gas. The car lurched, wheel spinning in the dirt a moment, before racing forward. Yet even as the car bolted forward things seemed to slow. Catty cut the wheel just a little to make sure not to hit Freja. The front of the car barreled right into Aeric. The airbags deployed before Catty could even slam on the brakes. The car skidded forward and ended it's course as it smashed into a tree. It sputtered and died, steam hissing out of the engine. Catty took a slow, shuddering breath as she leaned back in the seat. Her lip was split and her nose was bleeding from the airbag, her chest and hips stung painfully likely very bruised. Her limbs trembled as she fumbled to unbuckle herself and wobble out of the car. She couldn't know if Aeric was unconscious but she was just a little shaken up from the impact.

Her hands gripped the top of the roof, her legs struggling to support her. "Did it work?" She asked in a shaking voice. If she believed in God it was the perfect time to pray for success. Besides not having another car to smash into him she really didn't want to do that again.
 
Freja’s heart was racing while she gave battle to her monstrosity of a brother. Of course, ‘Battle’ was more akin to taunting him and then doing everything she could to avoid the fury of his swipes. It wouldn’t take much to bring her down, but her slender form was proving just quick enough to goad Aeric without dire repercussions. Freja tried to remain conscious of Catty and the car, knowing she had to get clear before it came barreling in, but everything was happening so fast. The blood rushing through her ears blocked out all sound of the revving engine and screaming tires, leaving Freja nearly as blindsided as Aeric once the vehicle appeared. Two tons of solid steel snapped her back to reality rather quickly, though, and narrowly missed being crushed by the barreling automobile; thanks in no small part to the way Catty veered before impact.

Aeric was not nearly so quick to react as his sister. He was still so concerned with catching the white wolf that he wasn’t even aware of the incoming threat until it was too late. His great lumped of a head turned, red eyes boring into the strange object flying at him a split second before collision. Freja thought she might have heard her brother utter a broken howl of pain somewhere within the clamor of the wreckage, but all she was certain of is that ‘Unstoppable Force’ had just been reduced to great, lumbering, rag-doll. The force of impact had sent his black shape rolling across the ground before, his gangly limbs looking useless and broken once he came to a stop and remained a motionless, shattered, mess. Freja didn’t have to see his wounds to know he’d been pretty banged up. She could taste his blood on the air. Even so, she was extremely cautious, keeping her distance from the down beast while Catty pulled herself free of the wreck.

The wolf cocked her head as she glanced back at redhead, noticing she was looking a little rough herself. Seeing her there, standing beside the steaming ruins of their vehicle with her bloodied like that, Freja couldn’t help but think this had been one stupid plan. But had it worked? That was the million dollar question, and, very carefully, she crept towards her brother to find out. Once again her heart was racing, pounding against he rib cage as she grew ever closer to the lumpy form sprawled out across the grass. There was still nos gin of motion, but as she came nearer she could hear the raspy sounds of his labored breathing. Well at least he was alive, and as she finally rounded to see his face, she had to concur that it had definitely worked. His face was contorted in pain, chest heaving, and eyes fluttering about behind closed lids, but he otherwise seemed dead to the world.

Hoping he’d stay that way, Freja returned to her human form, blue eyes glinting as she looked up at Catty and nodded. “I’d say,” she announced, indicating the unconscious werewolf at her feet. Aeric was looking even more gangly than usual, twisted with at least one arm twisted at an angle that couldn’t have been right even for a long-limbed creature like him. She’d seen him recover from bullet and spear wounds easy enough but who knew if broken bones would prove just as mending? Regardless, the damage had been done, and somehow, the two dainty women had gotten the better of the monster that even trained soldiers failed to take down. She couldn’t help but to take just a little bit of pride in that.

“Move over Buffy,” she quipped to her accomplice, “Make room for Catty the Werewolf slayer.” How very like her brother, she thought, to be using humor at a time like this. In a fluster, she gathered up her clothes, throwing them on with all haste. “Are you okay?” she asked, eyeing her battered appearance with a touch of concern. But minor injuries were nothing compared to the problem they faced now. Like a moth to flame, Freja was drawn back Aeric, her eyes drinking in his grand, bestial form now that he was unable to lash out. She wondered at his appearance, still scarcely able to believe that was truly him inside of that gnarled, monstrous shape. Nervously, she found herself kneeling at his side, and with a shaking hand, reaching out. Her fingers brushed against the wiry fur of his snout, her touch lithe and testing as though to reaffirm herself that this was real.

The monster took no notice of her trembling fingers as they ventured further up his muzzle, eventually stopping once they met a wet patch of fur. Blood, she realized. “He’s not healing like he was before,” she said to Catty, wondering if they ought to be concerned about it. Perhaps they were fortunate he wasn’t, or he might just as easily rouse from his slumber. “Maybe you should take a look at him,” Freja suggested. She knew werewolves weren’t exactly covered in vet training, but maybe she could at least assess the situation and let them know what they were dealing with. Regardless, they had to figure something out quick.

“Well I only had a plan for taking him down,” she said, watching from a distance while Catty evaluated Aeric, “Not for what came after. Now what do we do? We can’t just leave him here.” He looked even heavier than the refrigerator, and she didn’t fancy the idea of those red eyes popping back open to find the pair of them dragging him about.
 
Catty gave a wan smirk to Freja's reply. It certainly did the trick even if Catty felt a little shaky and woozy. No time for that. She still held onto the wreckage of the car and listened, pinching the bridge of her nose to get the blood to stop. That horrible, rasping breath he struggled to draw. Catty suddenly felt sick. Why did she ever think it was a good plan? Mowing down her...whatever Aeric was to her. Mowing down Freja's brother. It had stopped him but at what cost? Even at her distance in the dark she could tell he was badly hurt, limbs twisted the wrong way. Likely a collapsed lung and broken ribs too. Freja's following quip didn't elicit much. The siblings were very much alike. Aeric always had something smart to say. Not at the moment of course. After her limbs managed to stop quaking Catty wandered over as well, watching as Freja was drawn to her mangled brother's side. She stopped herself when close, letting Freja go to him first. She was his sister after all.

Her torso and head snapped back as Freja touched the massive wolf. Not healing as before. Catty felt her breath seize a moment, her stomach suddenly gone and a dark void left in its place. Had she hurt him so badly? How could he have survived the rapid fire from automatic weapons but not this? Catty edged closer, the urge to vomit roiling up in her throat. Blood had never bothered her before but seeing the wetness glisten in the moonling suddenly brought bile to her tongue. "Yeah...yeah I can..." she said distantly. Her movements were almost robotic as she dropped to her knees next to the mangled wolf. Her fingers reached out and touched his muzzle, feeling the slick wetness of his blood. Catty drew in a long shaking breath before releasing it in a calming huff. She wouldn't be any good to him if she couldn't calm herself down and help him. "Might as well fix up what I can," she said in that same distant voice. The light wasn't great, spilling from the house and shining from the full moon. "Uhm...well I need more light so...the porch at least. We have to try and move him."

It would be a struggle but they had to get him where she could at least work. Up the stairs was the hardest. Once they got him settled on the deck, heaving and panting Catty went into the house to find the supplies she had brought. Thank whatever god for her to bring a decent medical kit. Her knees were still wobbling as she retrieved the decently stocked supplies and a few large spoons to create makeshift splints. Carrying the armful of supplies Catty ambled back outside, cutting on the lights on the deck. She dropped back to Aeric's side and reassessed the injuries. Likely he wouldn't need antibiotics so she started with shots on lidocaine. Honestly she hadn't a clue how much would be needed but he was large enough she was sure it would be a lot and she likely didn't have enough on hand to overdose him. She started with the broken bones, then the larger wounds that would need stitching. Carefully she reset and tied splits to what bones she could, there wasn't much she could do for broken ribs. Then came the sewing. It was a hard enough job with all the fur in the way, harder still to see through wet eyes. Catty was awash in guilt for doing this to Aeric despite the viscous tendencies.

It was well after midnight, the dawn would come soon, by the time she finishes. Her hands were stained red to her wrists, eyes burned and drooped with exhaustion. Head aching from keeping herself from crying. What if he didn't recover? What if he just lay like that until he died? Even the task at hand hadn't been enough to keep those thoughts away. The guilt gnawed at her gut like a cancer. Finally, though, she was done and could relax. Foolish as it was Catty just wanted to stay there. She stretched out her creaking legs, buzzing and sore from kneeling for so long. Her hands rested on the massive head she let lay across her thighs. "I don't think he is going to wake up for a while..." she said eventually before heaving a tired sigh. "Hopefully everything will be back to normal when the sun comes up." Maybe it was all just a bad dream. Fat chance though.
 
Freja nodded as Catty suggested they move him to the porch. She hastily threw her clothes back on, covering up before she joined the redhead in moving her lump of a brother into the porch light. The effort of dragging his tremendous weight up those stairs had her short of breath by the end. She dropped to her rear, sitting on the deck next to the poor, rasping beast while Catty rushed into the house to get what she would need to help him. Once she returned, Freja scooted back, giving her space but standing by in case she needed any help with the task.

Just like Catty, a sense of guilt washed over Freja. This had been her idea, her design. And now here lay Aeric, a broken, bloodied heap before them. And then there was the wrecked car to think about, something she could barely even process right now. Hopefully it was still functional enough that they could at least push it away some place less conspicuous. Should the locals come by and see the smashed windows and car crash they’d be dealing with the authorities before they knew it. But the most important thing now was making sure Aeric was okay, even if Freja’s thoughts were plagued with the realization that they couldn’t stay here much longer. It was too risky after all the drama and noise tonight. And now, thanks to her and her bright ideas, they had no vehicle to take them anywhere else.

Freja couldn’t bring herself to leave the scene as Catty worked, even as the hours began to melt away. No way she could doze off with all the thoughts running through her mind. Thoughts of Aeric and his condition, Ingolf and what that asshole senator had done to him, and of their father and everyone else she watched die on that plateau. And if the decimation of her pack wasn’t enough to haunt her, ever was their the influence of moon spilling over her. Somewhere deep down Freja felt it tugging at her soul, begging her to break free and run wild just like Aeric had done. It boiled down to the pit of her stomach, intermingling with all that bitterness which had been welling up since the night of the new moon. The concern for her brother helped her to resist the urge, and she kept her attention divided between Aeric and his doctor girlfriend, and the inky darkness of their surroundings, ears tuned in for the slightest sound that someone might be coming.

Little did either of them know, but the beast had been healing, albeit very slowly. It began in his lungs, starting with the most serious injury first. Microscopic tissue wriggled and crawled back together, every painful breath helping things along at a dreadfully laggard pace. A keen ear might have noticed the slight improvement after a few moments, lungs rattly but not quite as raspy as before. It was easy to miss over the sounds of exertion while they dragged him up the stairs and laid him upon the deck. The improvement was minute at best, but things began to take a turn once Catty got to work. As she treated each injury he began to heal at a faster rate, his body not quite so overwhelmed once bones were lined up and set close enough that the newly growing tissue could mend together, joining like old lovers. Cuts and abrasions were likewise knitting back together, the evidence hidden beneath bandages already soaked with blood.

He might have woken long before she finished had it not been for the large does of lidocaine. It left him groggy and dazed, completely placid while his head rested in Catty’s lap. But his breath was coming even and steady now, fully mended lungs giving him enough oxygen that his head was beginning to clear. He stirred once, a slight shift against her and suddenly, one of those bright, scarlet eyes popped open. Chaos and madness riddled that primal gaze, one which focused right on her face from the position he was in. His throat uttered a low growl so powerful she would feel it across her legs. Suddenly he was moving, one large arm adorned with spoons reaching out to push against the floor for leverage.

He was still sluggish, and more than a little confused as he twisted about and pulled himself up and away from Catty. Freja meanwhile, shrank back, wide eyes watching as her brother stirred and began to rise, looking every bit the mountainous beast he was again. She dared not make a sound as the wolf-man gathered his wits and looked around like a confused pup. And that’s exactly how Aeric felt at that moment, his brain caught somewhere in a haze that could recall all three fragments of himself: Wolf, Man, and the something in-between that he was now. Wolf felt the most right, the most pure, and without even realizing it, the great beast man was lumbering down the steps of the porch, his form shifting on the spot. Lanky arms became elegant legs ending in large black paws, his spine contorting and shrinking down along with the rest of his body until he was that magnificent black wolf with green eyes that Catty had first laid eyes on.

No sooner than he’d touched the cool grass at the bottom of the stairs did that feeling of wooziness amplify, hitting Aeric like a freight train. In his much smaller form, the drug Catty dosed him with flooded this bloodstream, suddenly overwhelming every other sense. His whole body felt numb, like it was floating almost. And he could swear that he was; that he was being lifted away into that pitch black sky, floating even higher than Mani who sinking into the horizon. While his mind was swallowed into that dark universe above, his body went the opposite way, falling to the Earth in an utterly comatose heap.

“Aeric!” Freja exclaimed, springing up and running down to check on him. Once again he was unconscious but still breathing. This time at least, he was light enough to get him the house. Once they were safely inside she had Catty overlook him again, but there would be no trace of injury and nothing to suggest he was anything but sleeping very deeply. “Well this has been a hell of a night,” she complained with an exhausted sigh. “I guess all we can do is let him rest for now. We should keep an eye on him, though...” She couldn’t shake her worry at this point, not after seeing him drop like a bag of rocks. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to have a chance to rest right along with him either. They’d both been up all night. “Do you want to stay with him?” she suggested of Catty, “Maybe then we can rest our eyes, but you’ll still be close by if anything changes.”
 
They could relax finally. Aeric was out cold. Catty heaved a tired sigh, her fingers idly stroking the thing, wiry coat of the beast. Even with the long, gangling limbs spread around it was almost crazy to remember how ferocious he had been. Now he was peaceful, like any other snoozy pup. It took a while for it to dawn on her that his breathing had steadied. No longer rattling in his chest. Well it was good to know she hadn't killed him with that inane stunt. It was still amazing that the beast healed so quickly. Catty glanced over toward Freja giving her a weak smile, happy that things had finally settled down. Settled down and they survived! Some kind of crazy ass luck was on their side. Catty only hoped that the luck wouldn't wear out any time soon.

Of course the moment that thought crossed her thoughts she felt Aeric stir in her lap. She looked down at the great beast just in time to see a fiery red eye pop open. Just like in the movies! She really needed to remember horror movies and stop behaving like her life hadn't turned into on. Breath caught in her throat as the beast looked up at her. Fury and madness, no inkling of recognition at all. And it was in her lap! Catty held perfectly still as a growl rumbled in the monster's throat. Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck. Great lanky arms stirred. Her heart had left on vacation and her guts felt like they fell out of her butt. An empty, dark void was left where all her internal organs should be. This was it. This was how she was going to die. Eaten up by Aeric. And not in a good way!

Rather than teeth and claws descending to rend soft flesh Aeric lifted his great, hulking form up and ambled to the steps. Catty's breathing came back in short, quiet, sharp pants. Her heart returned from it's absence, fluttering painfully in her chest. Yet Aeric moved away, down the steps of the large porch. As he moved away his form looked odd, moving and undulating in a peculiar way. Peculiar until she understood what was happening. He was shifting back! Back to...a wolf. Super. Still, better than a hulking rage monster. He wasn't up for long. Just long enough to move away, shift, and collapse again. A bone jarring shudder raced through Catty. As Freja shouted for her brother Catty collapsed back with a relieved groan. "Jesus. Fucking. Christ." Honestly she was surprised she hadn't wet herself.

After taking a moment to appreciate the brush with death by tooth and claw Catty pushed herself up to help Freja. The wolf was much lighter and they were able to heft the fluffy body back into the house, careful of any shattered glass. Catty checked Aeric out but he was damn near good as new. Except comatose of course. As she was unwinding bloody bandages she listened to Freja. At least these suggestions were a little better than ramming Aeric with a car. "Yeah I'd rather be near by..." she said as she pulled a pillow under Aeric and got up to get him a blanket. "I mean...you too. If you want I mean...he's your brother. Uh wait...that didn't come out right," she said with a laugh, scratching the back of her head. "What I mean is...I don't want to come between siblings. I don't want you to think I'm like...trying to push you out or anything...with him. Ya know? Ahhhhh let's just get some sleep." Catty insisted on taking the love seat while Freja had the couch. Being shorter she could lay in the love seat with greater ease.

Once all settled in Catty found it surprisingly difficult to get to sleep. She kept opening one eye and watching Aeric's breathing until satisfied then closed it again. Only to open her eye again to check. The distant horizon was just starting to glow with the soft promise of a new day by the time Catty managed to drift off. If their luck would just hold a bit longer they could all get some much needed rest.
 
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