by KC Lee
Watching from the woods he saw the second woman bend down and lift the large white wolf. He used the scope to study her features and commit them to memory. He’d have to come back during the day and see if he could track her footprints to wherever they were going.
Pulling off the side of the road he drove quickly down the winding road on his way back to his house. He couldn’t wait to track down who these women were and exact his revenge for his father and brother. Maybe his uncle would finally treat him like the man he was, he grinned.
Chapter 15 (Chasseur)
The full moon came and went. Becca was completely healed afterwards. The effect of the full moon left her whole again, not even a scar where the bullet entered or exited. I still hadn’t heard from Anita. Larry and her were gone by the time I got home the next day. I tried calling and going to her apartment but she either wasn’t there or wasn’t answering.
Becca thinks that it was just some random poacher in the woods who shot her. Mother isn’t as sure as Becca that it was a poacher and not a Chasseur, a French hunter looking specifically for changers. Her reasoning specifically comes from the bullet that we found lodged in a tree. Becca’s blood was on it so it was easy to send someone out the next night to find it. The bullet was pretty much flattened but it looked as though there were etchings in it at one time. If that’s the case then we all need to become more vigilant. The fact that Becca and I are due to become elders when Aunt Maria and Aunt Mable retire has given mother even more ammunition for her worrying.
Chasseur, are druid hunters from France. Legend or history depending on your beliefs, states that once there was disease that spread through what is now France, so devastatingly that whole clans were destroyed. When Chasseur would arrive hunting the disease to destroy it before it destroyed everything, somehow there would always be one female survivor. The town and all it’s people would be burned to eradicate the disease. The one survivor was always brought to a camp with the others and all were to be kept until the disease spread no more.
The disease had mutated the genes of these women and on the next full moon they all changed into different animals. There was a wolf, coyote, jaguar, lion, leopard, tiger, and a boar. The changers as they would be known, were able to flee the camp but not with out killing a majority of the Chasseur guards left behind. The chasseur have been hunting changers ever since.
The changer gene passes by birth through the women. The Chasseurs only train their male heirs to be hunters. They try to hide their identity and infiltrate the clans to wipe them out. Chasseurs engrave all of their bullets with the druid symbol for fire. The fire symbol is solely to represent the fires used to eradicate the disease but don’t hold any magic changer killing powers. Changers can be killed just like any human but since they heal quicker, kill shots are always taken at the head and heart.
Most changer women are very fickle about allowing any men to know their true identity. Some clans don’t even allow marriage. The women get pregnant then leave before the father of the baby even knows it exists. The only men who know of their true identities are the ones who are born into the clan. Wolves mate for life and we’re able to tell our significant others about ourselves.
I’ve been at work all day searching for signs of Chasseur. My job as a park ranger makes keeping our clan safe a little easier. Mostly because it gives me reason to question people. Hunting on park grounds is illegal but that doesn’t mean we don’t get poachers every now and again. When we do catch them I can easily go through they’re weapons to check for signs of the fire symbol. So far I’ve only come across your average every day hillbilly that thinks the rules of a nationally protected forest do not apply to him.
Not coming across anyone in awhile my mind wondered back to my conversation with Becca about Anita. Becca thinks I need to give Anita all the time that she needs. I feel miserable. I just need to talk to her, see her, and touch her. Becca thinks it was stupid of me not to tell her before this happened. She also chastised me for not taking her back to mothers instead of to my own house where I knew Anita was. But the problem with that was I was nervous and scared out of my mind that Becca was going to die. I was closer to my house than mom’s house and Anita is a vet. She saves animals for a living not to mention that the first person I thought of in a time of crisis was Anita.
Making up my mind I decided that I was going to go to her house after work and wait outside her door until she let me in. From there I’m not really sure but I’ll figure out what to do depending on her mood.
*****
Coming home from work I saw Blue’s jeep parked outside of my building but she wasn’t inside of it. Climbing up the stairs I saw Blue sitting at my door. When she saw me she stood up and took a step away from the door. She looked like she hadn’t slept in days. But I didn’t have much sympathy since I hadn’t really slept in days either. Exhausted and not sure what to say or do I didn’t want to deal with Blue being a wolf changer at the moment. But I did miss her terribly. I reached out to her hand catching myself before I touched her, grabbing the door handle instead. Letting myself in I paused at the door debating on whether or not to let Blue inside. I shut the door in her face hoping she’d just leave so I could have a glass of wine and sleep until morning.
“Anita. Anita please let me in.” I could hear Blue from the kitchen through the door.
I poured myself a glass of wine. The first taste of cherry was bliss on my tongue. Relaxing finally, I felt better just seeing Blue.
“Anita, I’m not leaving until you let me in. I just need to make sure you’re alright. And that you don’t hate me. Please just let me in.”
Rolling my eyes I refilled my wine glass and went to the door opening it. She was standing in the doorway. A look of anguish on her face she ran her hand through her hair.
“Thank you.” Releasing the breath she was holding.
“I didn’t say you could come in. You said you needed to see me and know I don’t hate you. Well here am I in front of you and I’m telling you I don’t hate you. I’m just confused and a little shocked. But more than anything I’m hurt that you felt you couldn’t share something that is such a huge part of you with me. I understand that it’s not something to take lightly but I also thought I made it clear to you how much I love you and want to make this work.”
Blue’s jaw dropped and a tear fell from her eye. “I love you too.”
Confused I asked, “Then why are you crying?”
“Because this is the first time you’ve told me you love me. I thought I’d lost you before I even had you.” Blue wiped the tear from her eye.
“I guess it is, isn’t it. I didn’t even realize it. I’ve felt it for so long. Maybe I’m not as good at expressing my feelings as I thought. I love you Blue. Come inside. I don’t know what to do. But I’m willing to talk and figure it out.” Turning I walked to the living room and sat my glass down on the coffee table.
Turning around I saw Blue standing behind me. “I need to change out of these clothes do you want a glass of wine?”
Blue grabbed me and kissed me. “I love you.” She said with her lips pressed to mine.
Stepping back I put my hand to her chest. Her heart was beating furiously. Wiping tears from her face I backed up.
“Let me change my clothes. I’ll be back out in a minute. Then you can explain all of this.”
“Ok.” I said pouring a second glass of wine for Blue. “I understand the legend behind the change but there has to be some actual genetics that cause this. I mean have any of you ever been tested, had your genes mapped, anything?”
“No. I don’t know that it’s ever occurred to any changer. Mostly we just try to live our lives, keep our secret and stay hidden from Chasseur. I think most of us think like me. It’s a gift most of the time and why question a gift? I know there are others who don’t believe that the legend is our history, otherwise it wouldn’t be a legend. But to out ourselves in order to have a scientific explanation has always been out of the questi
on.” Blue looked so sincere I really believed she’d never questioned a legend that was apparently her history.
“You come from a family of shifters, the gene passes through the women so not all of the men can shift and apparently there’s a family of hunters that spans generations, after you and your family.”
It’d been two hours since Blue had started to explain her family’s heritage and all that came along with it. Her explanation made sense but there were still a few missing pieces. Not to mention the fact that apparently tales of the supernatural were not just tales anymore.
“Yes.” Blue nodded.
We were both past exhaustion from sleepless nights and things were becoming jumbled in my head. I thought back to all of the peculiar things I’d noticed about Blue. I started laughing.
“Why are you laughing?” Blue looked confused.
“I was just thinking about the first few times we’d hung out. I thought I’d connected so easily with you because you had these cute little quirks that reminded me of Larry and every other dog I see on a regular basis. I’ve always liked animals better than people. They love you no matter what. That’s why I became a vet.”
“I act like a dog? What do you mean?” Blue yawned.
“See.” I pointed at her laughing, “You just did it again. When dogs are nervous or agitated they yawn.”
“I’m just tired. I haven’t slept well in days. That proves nothing.” Blue stifled another yawn.
“Well for one thing you seem to be easily distracted. Like when we were in the park and the butterfly distracted you. Or the way you shake your head when it’s wet. Or how rude you were on our first date!”
“Rude? I wasn’t rude. It was a bad night. I should have picked a different one not so close to the full moon. The moon forces our shift and I’m always a little high strung a couple days before and after.”
“Ha! You’re lucky Buddy showed up when he did. I doubt you’d have been able to redeem yourself. Regardless of how cute I thought you looked. The moon forcing you to change certainly sounds an awful lot like a werewolf to me. Why do you despise werewolves anyhow? Listen to me right now I can’t believe I’m even asking this question. I would have never thought any of this existed let alone that I’d be asking such a question.”
I sat down next to Blue on the couch our knees touching. I was still a little surprised that all of this was even real but I was also a little intrigued. The healing powers of their genetic makeup was fascinating to me. Next thing I know I’ll be looking for mermaids and vampires.
“Well for one thing they smell. Werewolves are dirty creatures and have no self-control. They rarely integrate into society well and the ones that do are always up to no good. They’re territorial.” Looking down I laughed as Blue placed her hand on my knee.
“Territorial huh?” I gestured down at her hand.
“Oh, sorry.” She moved her hand quickly. “Promise me when I tell you. You do not want to come face to face with a werewolf.”
Laughing I said, “Sounds like every one of the men I’d gone out with before meeting you.”
“Werewolves are no joke.” Blue looked at me sternly.
“Is that everything now Blue? There’s nothing else I should know? No more secrets?” I looked into her eyes.
“Nothing else that I can think of. We still haven’t found evidence of Chasseur but mother has everyone on high alert. So please be careful. If anyone new in your life starts asking questions just be cautious. Especially if they’re about me.”
“The only new person in my life is you Blue. And I’d like to keep it that way.” A look of joy and relief came over Blue’s face.
Blue grabbed my hand and kissed my palm. “Thank you.” She stood up pulling me with her into a tight embrace.
“I should probably let you go to bed. You look as tired as I feel.” She took a step towards the door.
Not letting go of her hand I tugged gently. “Stay. I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep with out you holding me tonight.”
I stripped myself naked as I walked into the bedroom. Blue stood behind me watching me with hooded eyes that seemed to glow. Then she yawned. Laughing I walked up to her tugging at the bottom of her green t-shirt enticing her to lift her arms.
“I want to feel your skin on me while you hold me tonight.”
Lying in her arms I turned on my side her breasts against my back.
“Why does it always look like you’re eyes are glowing right before you see me naked?” I asked quietly.
“Mmmm.” Blue let out a long breath. “It’s mostly because they are. Emotions draw out my wolf. When my emotions are in hyper drive my eyes glow as a sign that my body wants to change form. When I’m aroused or angry or feel threatened my wolf comes out. But don’t worry I can control it every day and night but the full moon. You’re in no danger.” I felt her arms tighten around me.
“I don’t feel like I’m in danger. And I kind of like the way they glow. It makes me feel wanted and loved.”
Blue took a deep breath through her nose and nuzzled my neck.
“Don’t think I haven’t caught you smelling me before Blue. We’ll talk about that later.” Laughing I whispered, “Goodnight.”
Exhausted we both fell asleep finally together and content in each other’s arms.
Chapter 16 (Exes Stink)
A week later and the only sign of Chasseur was a sniper’s mound we found built out of dirt outside the clearing Becca was shot in. If I hadn’t been looking for it specifically it would have just looked like a normal part of the forest. Dirt was piled and packed into a mound. There was a divot on top of the mound where a rifle had rested. Leaves and twigs had been strategically placed on top of the mound to try to cover it. I picked up a faint scent of men’s cologne. It was harsh and smelled of oak and spice. The scent was not normal in this part of the forest where I was surrounded by pine. That smell that was out of place was what stopped me and gave me the idea to check the area for signs of a hunter. I followed the trail in wolf form until I came to the highway heading out of town. It was midafternoon and I was forced back into the woods not wanting anyone to see a wolf out in the middle of the day. Heading back there later in my jeep was pointless because the scent was lost on the highway. Whoever he was must have had a vehicle waiting to leave in.
Becca had all but convinced our mother and the rest of the elders that her accident was just that. I think she was trying to convince herself more than anything. Becca was scared that someone really had found her out and was after her. If she could convince everyone around her that she was safe then she’d feel safer. I hoped she was right and the man’s scent I followed was a poacher who took the highway out of town. But a nagging feeling somewhere deep inside made me think he’d be back.
My mother recognizing this pretended to let Becca sway her mind but she still had me searching for Chasseur quietly behind the scenes. I’m assuming that’s why I’ve been summoned to her house tonight. Walking up the stairs at dusk I knocked on the giant solid wood door and let myself in. The chandelier was lit; it cast a soft glow over the hardwood floors hiding the scuffs I knew were there. Hardwood floors and baby wolves do not mix. Surprisingly enough our mother never begrudged us scuffing her floor. For all the power she exudes in front of the elders and the clan, she was still a loving mother. The house, or rather mansion, sitting on a couple hundred acres of lush green forest all owned by our family, was an easy going, loving, and laughing household to grow up in.
“In the study Blue.” My mother’s voice called from the back of the house.
Planting a kiss on her forehead I asked, “What’s this about? Has someone seen evidence of Chasseur?”
“No my lovely. Right now you’re the only one still looking for me. I called you here tonight because of something Becca mentioned to me the other day. She said you have finally found your mate. Is this true?” Her eyes sparkled with joy and she had a wide grin on her face.
“Huh. Umm. I…maybe. I mean y
es. I believe so, but I haven’t really explained the whole mate thing to her yet. So. I’ve just told her about us. I kind of had to because she’s the one who helped me with Becca. There was a wounded wolf on the table and five minutes later there was a wounded and naked Becca on the table. It kind of became obvious something weird was going on. She freaked and it took me forever to even get her to sit and listen to our family history. I thought telling someone I’ve recently started dating and just found out I can change form into a wolf about the mating ritual might be too much. There’s a pretty good chance that’d send her running.”
“Oh Blue. I’m so happy for you. I can see how you might think it all a little too much for her. What’s her name? Where is she from? When will I meet her?” She grabbed me giving me a hug. The shear force of her joy for me almost had me agree to bring Anita to meet my mother tomorrow.
“Her name is Anita. She’s from here and I’m not sure when I’ll be able to bring her by. She’s just told her parents she’s in a new relationship with a woman for the first time and it didn’t go over well. So she may be a little sensitive to meet you and see how accepting you are.”
“Well that’s just dumb. She’ll be family soon. And why wouldn’t her parents accept her? She sounds like a lovely, well-rounded young woman from what Becca said. They should be proud of their children not make them feel ashamed. Love is love and hate because of love is still hate.” She walked to the mini fridge pulling out a bottle of water, “Would you like one?” she asked as she tossed it towards me.