"I suppose you would like an explanation." Theo sat at their table sipping on a cup of coffee. Gran had cleaned and bandaged his wounds, but he still seemed a bit shaken.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HKcp4MJno
"Yes, I would like an explanation! Starting with what the hell just happened?" Theo was the wolf!
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSXEYQvjsOR
Theo set down his coffee mug. "I suffer from Lycanthropy."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxPpRB9FKJ
Rosalind gave him a puzzled look.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2PZBOcQsW9
"I am a werewolf." He stated, so nonchalantly she couldn't tell if he was joking.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwsqX2wNEm
"You're an actual werewolf? Like in Twilight?"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpoSOMiZ2UY
Theo scoffed. "I suppose you could say that."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoC7SY2XCDP
"How is this possible?"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpqLB4G6DI
"No one knows exactly where we came from. Some legends say we were cursed by Zeus, others say we are descendants of Loki. All I know is that wolf blood has run in my family for generations. My father was a werewolf and so were my grandparents."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxYWeizA0Vb
"What about your mom?"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfvJMTTCUuh
"She may be crazy, but I can assure you she's one hundred percent human."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs1W8nLmCUy
"How have werewolves managed to stay a secret all this time? Shouldn't have someone figured out werewolves exist by now?"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfVJ0gHvhj
"Most werewolves join packs and hide out deep in the forest away from human contact. The Silver Huntsmen usually take care of the rest of them."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndmfJOrw9l
"The Silver Huntsmen, those are the guys who beat you up last night, right?"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKFnOzIJFk4
He nodded. "It is. The Silver Huntsmen are a worldwide organization whose sworn duty is to hide the existence of werewolves from the rest of the world, by any means necessary. The thugs we met last night are just a small fraction of them who have been sent to cleanse the forest of packless werewolves."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwi7eNvCXGf
"Why don't you join a pack?"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDa9PQqkfOl
"Joining a pack is a lifelong commitment. I want nothing more than to be rid of this wretched curse. Your Gran has been working on a tonic to help me control my transformations, but so far it hasn't made much of a difference."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXg7ANHFS3
"Does anyone else know?"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoRJME4rdM3
"Just you, your Gran, my mother, and I. My mother has gone to extreme lengths to make sure no one finds out." He subconsciously tugged on his sleeve revealing scars that roughly resembled the imprint of some sort of chains.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbETXmOpYNc
That's when she remembered the broken chains in the basement. She rested her hand on his scars. "Your mom chained you up in the basement didn't she?"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgxtwX4pKBm
He flinched under her touch and pulled his arm away. "Everything my mother has done she did to protect me!" Tears welled up in the corners of his eyes. He quickly blinked them away. "It doesn't matter as soon as we get the cure, I'll finally be free." His face fell at his own mention of the nonexistent cure.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkHK1FF31Hw
"I'm sorry I don't have the cure you're looking for."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ008DE5z3sG
He stood up. "Tell your Gran I said thank you for everything." Just like that, he was gone.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjfI1RwqxAI
Rosalind collapsed onto her bed. She wasn't sure how to process all of this new information. Not only are werewolves real, but they were living in Rosewood. She pulled The Silver Huntsmen's business card out of her sweatshirt pocket and traced her finger over digits engraved into the card. There was no way she could be certain Theo wouldn't betray her. He did break into her cabin after all. Maybe she should call the Silver Huntsmen and tell them Theo was the wolf they were looking for. Then everything in Rosewood would go back to normal. That was the responsible thing to do, why did it feel so wrong?
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVJ8Txq2w4
She rolled onto her side, that's when she noticed a broken picture frame resting on the floor. She picked it up and examined the photo. It was a picture of her and her older brother, Chad. In the picture they were sitting on a dock at the lake. That was the first and only family vacation they ever had. Chad died a few months after that. She didn't even remember him being sick. One day he was here the next day he was gone forever. Their father ran off not long afterward. She desperately wished she could remember anything about her brother, she, was only three when he died. Sometimes she'd lie awake at night and try to remember his face, but she could never picture it. He felt so distant to her, sometimes he felt like an imaginary friend that she'd grown out of. This was the only photo of him left. Her mother had thrown the rest away. She said it was better to forget the past. In the photo, he was wearing, her now signature, red hoodie. Something about it always comforted her. When she wears his hoodie it makes her feel less alone, almost like he was watching over her. The glass picture frame was severely cracked. She frowned and removed the photograph from the frame. That was when she noticed a wrinkled sheet of paper hidden behind the photo inside the frame. After unfolding it the paper was revealed to be a note.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmTEoopinL6
Dear Gregorio, I've finally done it! I've after all this time I've finally discovered the cure to Lycanthropy! I can't risk it falling into the wrong hands. I've hidden it beneath Daggerfall Ridge in Rosewood. I'm counting on you to keep it safe. Yours Truly, The Pack Mother.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTjI1BBVB5k
Why was this note here? How long had it been there? And who was Gregorio? More importantly, the cure is in Rosewood! Or at least it was. This could be what Theo's been looking for. She couldn't explain why she was beaming, but she didn't really care. In a moment of impulse, she dropped The Silver Huntsmen's business card in the trash.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMmRGNzzxb
She flipped through Gran's business contacts until she found Theo's number. She dialed the number took a deep breath and pressed the call.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ63kGgFqK8R
The phone rang for several moments before he answered. He cleared his throat. "I think you have the wrong number." Theo's voice was soft and cracked it sounded like he'd been crying.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKHbsRyMdA
"No, I think I have the right number."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhjGTbhvZYZ
"Rosalind?"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98tZuHt2U3
"Please don't hang up, I think I know where to find the cure."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJKKuHXqXA
"Theo darling, who are you talking to?" The sound of Charlotte's voice on the other end made her blood boil.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJUTyaVJABT
"I was just notified my new medicine is ready." He lied.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrGODrHw8If
"It's about time that old hag did something useful." Charlotte scoffed.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡao4QlM4Ll9
Rosalind bit her tongue to stop herself from saying something she'd regret."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOIx77ahwJa
Theo lowered his voice, "Meet me at the general store in an hour." Then he hung up.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRDkyBq2OU
The Rosewood General stood tall in the center of town right between the town hall and the library. The inside of the store smelled like cinnamon. It was the only store in town, so the walls were lined with wooden shelves stocked with everything from snack food to snow shovels.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnCYbedMYb
Theo stood leaned up against the wall sipping on a blueberry slushy. "I was starting to think you'd never show up." He handed her a cherry slushy.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4E4HTtcks3
"How'd you know cherry was my favorite?"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVQ5c9RmNDs
"I didn't. I knew you liked the color red," he gestured to her signature red hoodie. "So I made an educated guess."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ftJSvlrbF
"Am I really that predictable?"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡncTgXkZ5cB
"Listen, you know why I'm here," his face turned serious. "This had better not be some sort of sick joke!"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyQDr5OAkSA
"It's not a joke." She passed him the note.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCW9zWM05Qu
As he skimmed the note a smile spread across his face and for the first time Rosalind noticed he had fangs peeking out from the edges of his lips. "Where did you get this?"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXzR4qgKAg
"I found it hidden in my room."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxHCEFeX1AW
"This is it! Oh my God, this is really it, isn't it?" He placed his hands on her shoulders. "Thank you for this."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwRGiIuZGHi
She glanced at the clock mounted on the back wall. "I don't have anywhere to be for the next couple of hours. Do you wanna hang out?"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCf4piREgHC
His smile widened. "I'd enjoy that."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQCp48w3YxG
Together, the pair raided the snack section grabbing one of almost everything. "So, what's the first thing you're going to do once you've been cured?" Rosalind asked as she stuffed as many bags of chips into her shopping basket as possible.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQAqWapuk2U
He tapped his fingers on his chin. "Well first of all I'd like to settle down, stay in one place for a while. Find a job and eventually get a place to live away from my mom. Who knows, maybe I'll even make a friend or two along the way.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaT4s8utIVn
"You don't have any friends?"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaB9mrvC7c
He folded his arms defensively. "You don't have to be so judgmental about it."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmBBU5Bw9Li
"I'm not being judgmental. I just figured you'd be part of some book club or something."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWwnBVELP8Z
"My mother and I have moved fifteen times in the past ten years. Just when I'd start to get comfortable someone would come too close to learning my secret, and we'd be forced to relocate again. If I become attached to anyone I'm just setting myself up to get hurt."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUs6EfdHs7n
"That sounds like something my mom would say." Rosalind grumbled.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmNYGbacmn
"Do tell," Theo raised his eyebrows playfully. "I've already told you my sob story."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2PqJQdj2I
"Fine, I honestly can't remember the last time my mom hugged me or said she loved me or really anything moms are supposed to do. She always said emotions were a distraction she didn't have time for. She was always busy, though we never knew exactly what was keeping her occupied, but whatever it was more important than her family, apparently." She tightly clenched her fists. "She didn't even shed a tear when my brother died or even try to stop dad from leaving!" She was about to punch the wall when he gently intertwined his fingers with hers.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHjDVpxEc8k
"That must be very difficult for you. I guess neither of us won the mother lottery. You're twice the woman she'll ever be. You were still willing to help me find a cure after I broke into your house, after all."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI0jbCdCOG8
His gentle words and soft grip relaxed her. It's almost as if he could sense exactly what she needed to hear.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqylk1jQ7Kp
The couple was startled by the sound of arguing in the isle behind them. They peeked around the corner to see what the commotion was about.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXF96aPTBUc
Duke and Chandler were fighting in the center if the isle.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCBdxUZppqa
"I think we're in over our heads, Chandler! The Mixedblood wasn't working alone last night. We have no idea who we're up against here. Why don't we report back to base an-"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡte0txgTNPo
"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Chandler interrupted.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7qPnblTmV
"What's that supposed to mean?"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg9yfPbtdNk
"You've been nothing but a pain in my ass, since the day you first joined the huntsmen. You always try to make me look bad in front of the boss and never do what I tell you to! Its obvious you're trying to take my rightful place as leader! He opened a can of beer of the shelf and chugged it down in one gulp without paying for it. "Besides it's not like any pack would accept a filthy Mixedblood like him."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvCyqvYFbU
The insult made Theo wince.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM45Z0aYu5B
Chandler threw his empty beer can at them. His hand was tightly bandaged. Rosalind's shot had done some damage. "What are you looking at!"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB6CXqVjrAn
"Sorry for staring you were just making a scene."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq4DsqE5WA8
"I am not making a scene!"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVdn7mnYeLK
Rosalind began to turn away from them. "We have somewhere we need to be. So we'll get out of your way."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2JrZCCTw1
Theo nodded in agreement. The pair was halfway to the door when Duke called out to them. "Stop it right there!" He grabbed Theo by the shoulder. "Do I know you? Because something about you feels very familiar.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLinGr6xaY
Theo slapped Duke's hand causing him to release his grip on his shoulder. "You must have me mistaken for someone else."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8HlnxaZhR8
Chandler cracked his knuckles loudly. "Maybe you just need someone to help jog your memory."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzV16b1rva
Chandler was about to throw the first punch when they were interrupted by the store manager. She turned to The Silver Huntsmen. "You two need to leave right now, or I'm calling the cops!"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVbjbp28kq
Chandler growled at the manager.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpiUgKKumbD
Heath parked right outside the store. There was a man Rosalind didn't recognize sitting in the passenger seat. "Come on guys let's go!" He honked the horn repeatedly.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1J9NxdvZ8n
"Shut up Heath!" He turned to Theo. "This isn't over Mixedblood."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnLhpH4gs9
Rosalind purchased her snacks and then left the store. Theo didn't say a word after their encounter with The Silver Huntsmen. Rosalind was the one to break the silence. "Why do those guys call you Mixedblood?"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy7eCAJ0HI
"Mixedblood is the title given to an individual who is half werewolf and half human."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx7SXFq1mO3
"Like you?"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwYnBwOpRwN
He nodded.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlsP9fWGY5w
"Why wouldn't a pack except you?"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnqd3zmAILh
"Because Mixedbloods have a tendency to go rabid. Some completely lose their minds with no explanation. Though some think it has something to do with DNA."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomFSJQlmgu
Rosalind didn't know how to respond to this information, so she said nothing.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMFksoi0SF
He forced a smile. "What's the quickest route to Daggerfall Ridge?"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8E9BH76GG
Rosalind pointed to a dirt trail in the woods.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡowuCoFPHi1
"Excellent! Let's get going then!"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeRy9TiaP9C
"Right now?"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAAMV7qNHkt
His smile vanished. "I'm going to transform again at sunset, and I'd like to find the cure before then."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyYd0tLPAo
"Let's go."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ65J10KBxfC
They hiked through the woods until their limbs ached. Theo gasped for air.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHRfJTosM6
"Are you alright?"
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85aJsyl3a2
His pupils had shrunken into slits. His fingernails became something resembling claws. "I'm going to transform any moment now. You go ahead of me and find the cure. I don't want to risk hurting you."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ26NaRvEZXr
"I'm not going anywhere."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv85FlZnRbk
"You can stay. Please don't watch me transform, it makes me uncomfortable."
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0qN96bZi22
She placed her hands over her eyes and didn't peek until she heard a familiar voice call out her name.
369Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFs14938Wn
"Rosalind! Just slowly back away from the wolf." Mr. Fowler stood in front of them with a gun pointed at Theo's face. "It's time to end this."
ns3.14.152.212da2
