“Hi, Lee. How’s things?” Ben sounded cheerful, but his voice wavered slightly. Back to being nervous around him, it seemed.
“Fine, studying, eating, sleeping, not going anywhere. How about you?”
“Oh...um...good. I wondered if maybe you’d like me to bring around some study stuff the teachers have been giving us?”
Lee supposed he may as well. “All right.”
“Is tomorrow after school okay?”
“I won’t be going anywhere.”
Ben made a nervous giggling sound, “okay then. I’ll see you tomorrow. Feel better soon.”
Lee hung up.
Sure, he was feeling sick... That was why he wasn’t at school. He was, eventually, just going to miraculously feel better and not be him. He threw his phone against the wall and went back to his study and his dinner.
There was nothing wrong with a powerful wolf, why could people not see that?
****
Charles paced back and forth in his bedroom. Ben had asked about going to Lee’s with him after school and he just got the confirmation text.
Ben: Lee says that’s fine. See you tomorrow.
Charles sighed. This would be so much easier with Pet around. He looked at the time. It was only 7:30; maybe he could go around and talk to her? But what about Morganna? He did not want to intrude. Although, Ethel and Al were going to take her to a special hospital or retreat thing to see if they could help her... Had they left yet?
He poked his head out his window. He could see their car, but, that did not mean they were home. They could have done that thing where witches move about places. Charles forgot what it was called.
He took a deep breath and decided. If he was going to visit Lee, he wanted Pet by his, and Ben’s, side.
“I’m just popping next door for a moment, Mum.” He smiled to Mary, sitting in the living room, reading a magazine.
“That’s nice dear. Don’t be out too late though, school night.”
“Thanks, Mum.” His throat still caught on that word. “I won’t.”
He rushed outside, leapt Pet’s fence and jogged to the front door. He paused, shook himself and knocked.
He was about to give up and go home when the door opened to reveal a rather annoyed Pet.
“Oh, it’s you.”
“You were expecting someone else?” Charles attempted to be jovial.
“Thought Mum and Dad might be back.”
“So, they have taken Morganna to the healing place?”
“Yeah. They left the other day. They said they’d pop back when they can.”
“Is it...um...going well?”
“I think so, yes. Look, Charles, what do you want?” She gave up all pretence of politeness.
“I want us to be friends again.”
“You want us to... Would you now? How nice for you.” She went to shut the door and he stopped her.
“Look, Pet, let me explain please.”
He heard a chittering and saw Archibald standing just behind Pet. Archibald hissed a little at Charles, but mostly appeared to be talking to Pet. Finally, he stopped.
“Fine, come in.” Pet moved aside and Charles went into the living room, sitting down on one of the couches. Pet sat on the other one with Archibald on her lap, staring at Charles.
“Pet... I... I don’t know what happened with Ashleigh,” he started. She made an ‘mhm’ noise, but said nothing else. “She ambushed me that morning, kissing me and declaring me her boyfriend. I know I may not be the most moral man in the world, but I felt like putting her straight and causing a scene for her was a bit harsh, so I was waiting until I could get her alone.”
“Sure,” Pet scoffed.
“No, not like that! She made sure people surrounded us every minute of the day. I was finally about to talk to her when you saw us. In fact, I’m surprised you did not see us earlier in the day...” He stopped and wondered about that.
“Well, I didn’t.”
“Right, anyway. I am pretty sure she knew you broke up with Mike. I had the feeling that Mike turned her down after you dumped him, so she attacked me to get revenge.”
Pet had a thoughtful look on her face and Archibald was chittering again.
Finally, Pet spoke. “You might be right...”
“I’m fairly sure I am.” Charles wanted so badly to convince her. He may have ruined any chances of a romance with her, but he did not think he could bear not having her in his life.
“You what?” Pet looked at him, a discomforting mixture of emotions on her face. Archibald’s chittering stopped and he hummed a little.
“Pardon?”
“You said you couldn’t bear to live without me...”
“I said that out loud, then?”
Pet gave a small smile. “Yes, I suppose you did.”
“Will you forgive me, Pet?” Charles gave her a full smile, one he knew he did not give anyone very often.
“There was really nothing between you and that skank?”
Charles took a moment to remember what a skank was, then shook his head. “I swear, there was nothing going on except what she made up in her own mind.”
“You really want me in your life? Even if nothing happens between us and we just stay friends?”
“I do, Pet. I don’t care in what capacity I have you in my life, I just need you around. You are a wonderful friend and a more exceptional young woman.”
Pet blushed, then she nodded slowly. “Then yes... I think I can forgive you.”
“Thank you, Pet. I-”
“Of course, you’re not getting off that easily. You’ll still have to make up for it. It could take years.” She waggled her finger at him with a smile.
“Well, I may only have one lifetime now, but I will do everything I can to make it up to you before I die.” Charles found he was actually looking forward to having a time frame within which to prove himself; he felt like it would make his future good actions mean something.
Being human may actually be pretty good after all, he thought to himself as he and Pet hugged.
She let go of him slowly as the chittering started up again from behind her. Charles looked down and watched as Archibald, who stepped forward very purposefully, stopped at his feet. He knelt down and held his hand out to the little black ferret.
“What do you think, Archibald? Am I forgiven?”
Archibald made another chittering noise. Charles worried as it got very intense, but then it petered off and Archibald nuzzled Charles’ outstretched hand.
“He gave you a lecture about bad behaviour and told you to never do it again,” Pet answered Charles’ unasked question.
Charles smiled and then grimaced slightly as Archibald licked his hand.
“That is one scratchy tongue,” Charles said, giving Archibald a scratch on the head.
Pet laughed. “I know.”
The sound of the landline ringing made them both stop and look towards it.
“I had better get that,” Pet said.
“Sure.” Charles began to turn away, then remembered one of the reasons he had come over in the first place. “Oh, Pet. Do you want to come to Lee’s tomorrow with Ben and me? I think we could do with your company...”
Pet’s smiled faltered a little; she had obviously heard about Lee’s problems, too. “Sure, after school?”
Charles nodded and waved as she ran for the phone.
He walked back to the fence and hopped over it, feeling a bit of a swagger in his step. He laughed at how ridiculous he would have looked had he been watching himself. He walked inside, kissed his mother and went up to his room to study.
****
Charles caught up with Coleman the next day briefly before going to Lee’s. Ben and Pet agreed to wait for him in the courtyard.
“How are things going, Charles?” Coleman looked up from the papers on his desk, smiling, and took his glasses off.
“Not bad, Coleman, not bad.”
Charles allowed the jibe to pass. “Yes, I am. Pet is speaking to me again. Archibald did not try to eat me. I think I am finally all right with being a human.”
Coleman dropped his glasses. “I’m sorry, what? You’re happy being a human?”
“I have accepted it, yes; and I am happy with my lot. I just thought you would like to know.” Charles was miffed that Coleman was not taking his good news seriously.
“I’m sorry, Charles. It is good news and I’m happy for you. How is Ellie?”
“Same as she has been lately. Hates magic, loves her familiar, does not like the idea of going to the Academy next year but has no other options now, and she is as worried about Lee as I am.”
“I see. But, she’s healthy? She’s coping all right with the Morganna matter?”
“Yes, she seems okay, or as okay as she can be. I know Morganna does not blame her and is improving now that she has gone to that healing place.” Charles waved his hand vaguely in a direction.
“I think I know what you mean,” Coleman said. “Well, as long as she’s healthy and reasonably happy.”
“It is nice that you care, Coleman,” Charles smiled.
Coleman grinned back. “I do what I can, Charles, I do what I can.”
Charles was about to leave when Coleman stopped him.
“Oh, Charles, do you know when Ethel and Al will be back?”
“Not for a long while, I hear. Could be a few months.”
“A few months. All right then, thanks Charles. I’ll see you in class.”
“Bye, Coleman.”
Charles almost skipped on his way back to meet Pet and Ben. He stopped himself mid-stride and scolded himself profusely.
You might be human now, he thought, but that is no reason to act like a child!
Chapter Twenty-Six
C
harles and Red pushed their way through the bustling crowds, smiling and laughing as they went. They had been to the theatre and were now on their way to the local tavern for a drink.
“Red.”
“Yes, Charlie, mate?”
“I think... I think I have finally found happiness.” Charles swayed a little.
Perhaps too much champagne at the play, he thought with a smile.
“That is bloody good, mate; bloody good. I’m pleased for you.” Red thumped him on the back. “Care to share any of this happiness with your old pal?”
“Every day, Red. Every day, I will share my happiness with you. You will see my contentment in the way we live, in the women we sleep with and the people we feed from. You will see it in the money we spend and procure, and in the lavish parties we both throw and attend.” Charles threw his arms up and laughed.
Red laughed along with him. Charles reached out for Red but he dissolved.
In his place, Pet was gathered up into his embrace. She wore the voluptuous purple dress he dreamt of so often. Her hair cascaded around her face and her blue eyes shone with happiness.
Charles whirled her around the room, eyeing all the wispy dragons and ornate columns. The sombre music played on, and the other couples moved about them soundlessly, their feet barely touching the floor. Pet laughed as she spun. The little bat in her hair fluttered as though it, too, wanted to join in on the fun.
****
Lee was still on house arrest. His temper hadn’t dissipated over the course of the month and he’d found himself in a few scrapes with Dwight and Chuck. A few cuts still itched and he gingerly avoided a few bruises as he scratched.
“Lee, you had better be ready!” he heard Dwight yell up the stairs.
He dragged his bag down the stairs behind him and came to a stop in the hallway. He heard his parents talking in hushed tones in the kitchen.
“I’m just at the end of my tether, Rolf,” he heard his mum sob.
“I know dear, I know. If he can’t gain some control over this moon, maybe a witch can help him?”
“Ethel and Al are away with Morganna, and I don’t know if I want Luke Coleman to help him. That man has always given me the creeps.”
“What about Ellie?”
“She’s so young, dear…”
“I’m sure she would be willing to help Lee, and Charles seems like a good egg, despite being an ex-vampire. I’m sure he’s had experience in dealing with werewolves.”
“Maybe, I’m still not sure about asking her though…but I’ll think about it. Hopefully, Lee will be fine though…”
“I’m sure he will, honey. He’s a good kid really…he’s just having a bit of trouble adjusting.”
Lee decided he didn’t want to hear anymore, so he dragged his bag out to the car and threw it in the boot. Chuck and Dwight were packing Chuck’s ute and, other than a few scowls from Dwight, ignored him entirely.
Lee shrugged. It wasn’t his problem that he was more powerful than the rest of them. One day, they’d see that there was nothing wrong with him. He was just what a wolf was supposed to be. It was everyone else who was wrong. They’d allowed their species to go soft and tame over the years.
He climbed into the back seat and sat waiting for his parents to get in the car so they could leave.
****
The wolf snarled as he watched his female nuzzle up to the other male. She had been paying attention to the other male instead of him since he had arrived at camp. Now that he had his true form again, he could challenge the other male for his female’s affections. The other wolves in the camp watched as he approached the other male and issued the formal challenge.
The other male responded aggressively and the camp wolves backed away to give them room next to the bonfire. His female nuzzled the other male again and ignored him as she moved aside.
As he was about to lunge at the other wolf, his brother head butted him violently in the side and growled at him. He snarled back and bared his teeth. His brother backed away slowly, whining.
He snarled at his brother again before turning to the other male.
He and the other male crashed together in a tangle of fur and spit, snapping at each other. They tussled and rolled through the dirt.
He snapped and bit at the other male, trying to get a hold on it. He whimpered as the other male sunk its teeth in his front right leg, and then howled as he felt the bone break under the power and strength of the other male’s jaws. He wrote that leg off as gone and ripped it from the other wolf’s grasp.
He lunged – awkwardly as he tried to keep his weight off his broken leg – at the other male and howled again as its claws raked across his back and then he was flung into the dirt.
He lay there for a moment, stunned. The other male allowed him a short rest, but he heard it as it wheezed a laugh at him. He gritted his teeth and shook away some of the descending cloud of pain.
He and the other male circled each other, looking for any opening. He knew if the other male got hold of him again, that would be the end; he would have to concede the fight.
He feinted at the other male, hoping to get at least one decent hit in. However, the other male guessed his ploy and lunged for his exposed left side. The other male’s jaws bit into his side. He howled in pain but still did not give in.
He felt himself weaken and knew he would have to give in sooner or later.
He fell to his side. The other male released him and put its jaws over his neck. He growled softly, still not quite ready to give in. The other male slowly applied more and more pressure until his growl was little more than an exhale of breath.
He heard a yip from somewhere to his right and thought it was his mother. He stopped growling, moving his head so that his neck was entirely offered to the other male. The other male let go of him to the sound of raucous cheers, as much as wolves could cheer.
He lay there, listening to all the wolves moving about him, returning to their night. He felt four of the wolves break away from the
rest and pad slowly over to him. He heard the female, his mother, whining and the older male, his father, rumbling.
He felt his brothers nudge either side of him as they helped him to stand.
He fought off the waves of pain threatening to envelope him as the four led him towards one of the human buildings and into a room he recognised as the one his human form inhabited.
He was unable to get onto the bed, so he lay on the floor.
In the morning, when they had all regained their human forms, his family came to tend his wounds.
They helped him onto the bed. He tried not to groan in pain as they moved him. He had a great bite on his side, a broken arm, claw marks covered most of his back and there was blooding running down the side of his face. Those were only his visible injuries.
“Oh, Lee…honey…” his mother cooed to him.
He felt his wolf-self lessen, but the human part of him remained dormant.
His brothers looked at him with compassion in their eyes, even the hostile one, and he knew how terribly he had come out of that fight.
He refused – in either wolf or human form – to leave his room for the rest of the camp.
When it came time to leave, his family tucked him up in the backseat and his parents drove as carefully as they could until they got home. He dozed during the trip. The constant jostling and shots of pain stopped him from falling into a deeper sleep until they were almost home again.
He woke briefly as they carried him inside and put him in his bed.
He was glad he would be going back to the sleep that claimed him between full moons.
****
Charles woke up feeling unusually happy. He smiled to himself, wriggled his toes and stretched his arms behind his head. For once, he did not mind that his sheets were not satin and were a little bit scratchy. For once, he did not mind that his mother would knock on his door any minute and call him down for breakfast. For once, he did not even mind that he had to go to school or that his exams started in a couple of weeks.
unvamped Page 25