To Live and To Love (Black Wolf Agency Book 1)

by Jessica Swan

  Kate and James looked at each other, worried. This story sounded familiar, all too familiar.

  Charlie continued with his story, “After that, Marcus was never the same again. A month after receiving the bite wound, he had a temper tantrum and turned into a wolf. Luckily, Mary wasn’t around. I was the only one who witnessed it. I had a talk with him and told him he must never tell his mother about this. I also revealed my secret to him that I’m a wizard and that his mother didn’t know about that, either. I knew she would never understand about our differences. We were able to keep our secrets from her, and over time, I taught him how to control his abilities, so no one would be able to tell him apart from humans.”

  “So, your son is a werewolf? And you never told us?” asked Yvonne, still feeling hurt.

  “Yes, and I’m so sorry. I never meant to hurt anyone. I only did it to protect him. You must understand that.”

  “I do, Charlie,” said James. “I understand.”

  “Thank you, James,” he smiled.

  “In fact, we’ve been keeping a secret from everyone as well.”

  “James? You, too? Both of you?” asked Yvonne. Apparently, this was all getting to be too much for her. She wasn’t normally a trusting person, but when she did find she could trust someone, she expected them to treat her with the same respect. She hated secrets.

  “Yes, I’m sorry. You may want to stay seated for this one.”

  James explained everything to her and the rest of the Black Wolf Agency team. He started at the beginning with when he met Kate, found out she was a vampire, and fell in love with her despite that fact. Then, he told them how she had taken her own life to escape her life as a vampire, and he resurrected her after realizing he couldn’t live without her.

  Then, of course, there was the part about how he was bitten by the werewolf. He told them about that, and how they went on a quest to see if they could convert Kate as well.

  “So, you and Kate are werewolves, too? Is that what you’re telling us?” asked Yvonne, her face in her hands.

  “Yes, it is,” answered Kate.

  “Ugh! This day is getting to be too much for me. So, how old are you actually, Kate?”

  “I’m three-hundred and twenty-eight years old.”

  “Oh, sure you are,” said Yvonne, shaking her head. She had been around this kind of stuff for about half her life, but she still didn’t believe what was happening now.

  “Also, you know that guy you were with at the wedding reception?” asked James.

  “Oh, yes, he’s so nice. We’re actually going on a date later tonight; our fifth one so far!” said Yvonne, happily. “What about him?”

  “Well, he’s the werewolf who told us it was possible to convert a vampire to a werewolf.”

  “Really? Gee, I always wanted to date a werewolf.” Yvonne said sarcastically. She was apparently beginning to lose her mind. ‘I’m dating a damn werewolf. Oh, sure,’ she thought. She was waiting on someone to yell out ‘surprise!’, and announce that this was just an elaborate joke. No way could this be happening.

  “It’s okay, Yvonne,” said Kate. “We know this is a shock to you, but come on, think. If you can be a witch and the other magical beings here all exist, why couldn’t it be possible for this to happen? Especially with all of us being exposed to paranormal beings every day?” Kate knew they weren’t ready to hear what she and James came across on their honeymoon. This was definitely not the time for that. “There’s no need for you to worry about us. We’re not going to hurt you. And if you’re going to date anyone, Lucius is perfect for you. Who better to protect you than a werewolf?”

  Kate’s sweet, gentle voice and thoughtful words comforted Yvonne. She took a deep breath and tried to take in everything they had just told her. “That’s okay. What’s important is that he’s a sweet and caring guy. Being werewolves doesn’t change the fact that you two are nice people as well,” Yvonne said to Kate and James. She was trying to get her composure back. “So, werewolves are basically the good guys, right?”

  “Right,” answered Kate and James in unison.

  “I wish Lucius was here now, so he’d be involved in this conversation as well.” Apparently, Yvonne had already developed feelings for Lucius. Kate and James were happy that the two of them had found each other. They hoped Yvonne would be able to accept all that she was hearing.

  “We should see if he wants a job here,” suggested James.

  “Oh, I don’t know if he’d be interested,” said Yvonne. ‘Could all of this be that easy to accept?’ she thought.

  “Sure, he would,” said Charlie. “Why wouldn’t he be? He could be around his own kind, and his girlfriend. We could at least have him come try it out. If he doesn’t like it, he could always leave. It’s not like he’s going to go tell anyone about this place, being a werewolf himself and all.”

  “You’ve got a good point.” Yvonne was beginning to accept and like this idea. “You know, with a couple more werewolves in our agency, we could have this city cleaned up in no time.”

  “That reminds me,” said James. “There are two werewolf brothers we know, named Damian and Devon. They told us about how Lucius had converted his vampire friend to a werewolf. Without their help, Kate would still be a vampire. They’re actually looking for a job now, and I think the agency could use them.”

  “Good idea,” said Yvonne. She was starting to get on board with all that was going on. “As soon as the meeting is finished, give me their number, and I’ll give them a call. Then, if they’re interested, you can bring them here and give them a tour of the place before they get to work.”

  “Oh, I’m sure they’ll be interested. This will be right up their alley. They’ll be so happy to have a job like this.”

  “So, I’m wondering,” said Lin. “What was the reason you called this meeting? Was it to tell us about werewolves, or was there a different reason?” Lin was always the calm one; she was always the one to accept new things without question.

  The room went silent for a moment as everyone turned to Charlie. His face flushed. He knew the time had come to tell them.

  “There’s another reason. You see, I brought Marcus here, so you could all meet him. He’s going to stay for a while and see if he likes it here. And if he’s interested, I’m going to have him take over my job. You see, I’m planning to retire soon and I want to make sure the agency is taken care of when I leave.”

  Yvonne glared at him again. Apparently, he didn’t think she was good enough for the job?

  “I know what you’re thinking, Yvonne. You would be an excellent person to take my place, but Marcus, well, he’s a werewolf. He doesn’t age. He’ll be able to stay here indefinitely. With his knowledge and abilities from his job as a homicide detective, he will bring so much more to this job.”

  Yvonne went silent after that. There was no denying it; she was hurt. Her best friend was suddenly coming out of the closet about his werewolf son, and then told her that he would be retiring soon. Her partner in all of this, all of these years, was going to be leaving her soon.

  Not only that; suddenly, her own imminent mortality was starting to overwhelm her. Compared to werewolves, her life was short. She would age and eventually die, and they wouldn’t look a day older. The thought of that, along with all the changes suddenly happening in her life sent her in a state of shock.

  “Yvonne, I haven’t known you very long, but I can tell that you and my father are great friends and probably trust each other greatly,” said Marcus. For the first time in years, he was nervous. “I know you feel like he’s betraying you right now, but I know he won’t let you down. If he thinks I’m right for the job, I’m going to prove it to him and everyone else that I’m meant to be here. While I’m spending time here, I will be on a leave of absence from the NYPD. If I decide to stay, I’ll resign from the NYPD and work here full time.”

  “Yvonne, trust me. This is all for the best,” said Charlie.

  Yvonne didn’t say a word as
she stood up and headed for the door.

  “Where are you going, Yvonne?” asked Kate.

  “Somewhere else. I need to be alone right now.”

  She didn’t look back as she headed out the door.

  Here To Stay

  ~ Epilogue ~

  Yvonne hurried as fast as she could through security, and as soon as she got outside, she fell to her knees and began to cry.

  “Don’t cry, Yvonne,” spoke a kind and familiar male voice.

  “Lucius? What are you doing here?” She looked up at him, her teary eyes meeting his.

  “I somehow sensed something was wrong. I don’t know how. Maybe we’re on the same wavelength or something.”

  “I don’t know, either, but I’m glad you’re here.” She stood up and stepped closer to him. He gazed into her eyes, and as he ran his fingers delicately through her hair, he leaned forward and kissed her.

  “If you ever feel alone, just know I’ll always be here for you.”

  Yvonne looked into Lucius’ eyes again and smiled. He smiled back, happy to see her cheerful once more.

  “I know who you are and what you are,” she whispered. “And I’m okay with it.”

  “How do you know?” He sounded a bit shocked, but not upset in the least that she knew his secret. He knew that Kate and James must have been the ones to tell her, and he knew they must have had a good reason to. He planned on telling her soon anyway, but was dreading having to do it himself. What if she rejected him after that? He just couldn’t bear it. It was far better this way.

  “James and Kate told me. I know they’re werewolves, too. It’s a long story.”

  “Ah, I see,” he replied and then thought to himself, ‘Sure enough; it was Kate and James. Who else would it be?’

  “Come with me. There’s something I want to show you.”

  She led him through the door and down the stairway. Even in his thousand years of life, he had never witnessed something quite like what he was about to see.

  When they made it into the lobby, everyone was still seated at the table. They were all quiet, apparently waiting for Yvonne to return. Lucius looked all around the room in wonder and then focused his attention on the people at the table.

  “For those of you who haven’t met him, this is my boyfriend, Lucius,” she said to the crowd. Then she turned to Lucius, smiled, and said, “Lucius, let me introduce you to the members of Black Wolf Agency.”

  Coming Soon!

  Shadows of the Moon

  Black Wolf Agency: Book Two

  Black Wolf Agency began with Yvonne and Charlie. Now, Charlie is planning to retire and leave his werewolf son, Marcus in charge. Yvonne feels betrayed, but at the same time, she is excited to have found the love of her life, Lucius. Now, the only thing that stands between her and her eternity with Lucius is her own mortality…

  Kate and James’s baby is on the way. As they’re preparing for the birth of their son or daughter, Marcus finds himself jealous of what the happy couple has. If only he could find his soul mate and start a family of his own…

  New to Black Wolf Agency are Lucius and the two werewolf brothers, Damian and Devon; the newest and toughest members of Black Wolf Agency. The vampires of New York City don’t stand a chance with this team of werewolves on the agency’s side!