11.

The hotel is bustling with activity, crowding the dining area and the bar as people eat and be merry or drink to their heart's content. Kyle wasn't sure what the occasion was for until one of the locals finally explained it to him; the mail came in. This may have been seen as something insignificant in Oklahoma but when Kyle thought it through it made sense. Nome was isolated, the only ones that come and go are the merchants and they only knew the barest of news from the outside world. Same for the local press who prints the scheduled news that comes via telegraph. Besides that point, this is the first time that folks get to hear from family and loved ones from beyond the frozen frontier, a whole month can generate either good or bad news.

The mail came much faster when airplanes were used earlier, but due to the severe weather season, it soon became apparent airmail is only available during the clear months of the spring. Seeing how winter is just now setting in then people will have to wait patiently for the sled dog mail team to bring their letters.

Kyle, who is sitting at the bar with both his hands clasped together beneath his chin stares directly in front of himself, deep in thought as he thinks about a particular she-wolf he encountered earlier.

He should be more careful, him watching her and her family from afar has surely been noticed, especially when the said family looked him dead in the eye. For some reason though it wasn't till Aleu looked at him did he feel the sudden urge to flee, but why? It was only logical to leave before she pieces together the puzzle, no matter how crazy the picture is.

The point of this matter though is that he is slipping. Before he was always on guard, just waiting for a canine to attack him for no apparent reason. Now though he is casually walking through, taking in no regard to the dangers that threaten him.

As if to second that point he feels the hairs on his neck stand on high and he looks over his shoulder to see who is watching him.

Sure enough close to the door is a young husky, the very same one that saw him his first night here and who he "accidentally" snarled at. The dog, however, doesn't bark; instead, he moves closer next to a figure slumped over a table that has an empty bottle in his hand.

Kyle only smirks before turning away. Dog faithfully stayed close to his owner in order to protect him, noble and admirable. Virtues he and his team once held.

Kyle feels his eyes starting to burn; he should have foreseen this, especially seeing as he has indulged in an unhealthy habit. He picks up his glass and drinks down the rest of the liquor. Normally he stayed away from alcohol because of the bad memories and it caused him to become emotional, but on this windy day in the frozen world, he needed something to warm himself up. Besides, it's Friday, he should celebrate, the weekend will be here and the madness of the moon will leave him in peace for a month.

With that small thought, he glances outside. The sun is setting; no doubt its counterpart will be up soon.

He stands up and leaves money on the table as he turns and walks out of the building. He is sure to give the husky an extra birth of space, but he glances out of the corner of his eye. The dog, in turn, is watching him very closely.

It doesn't matter if they aren't barking or not; they don't trust him and probably never will.

Kyle, or rather Eran now, shuts the door while he crouches in front of his shed before slinking off towards the woods. He is thankful that the carpenter had a spare door that he could use until a much more studier one could be made per Kyle's request. The hardy woodcarver believed him when he lied that his old entranceway just came apart due to its age and it is unused most of the time. He got rid of the door's shattered remains before anyone else could see and question it.

Eran pushes all of this to the back of his mind as he breathes in the night air. This is it, the last full moon of the month. After this, he will no longer have to linger in fear of being caught in his monster form and be burned at the stake.

That is unless the dogs give him away.

He sighs as he stands tall and releases a much held in sigh. He supposes he should be grateful that he hasn't been cast out yet, but this only adds further complications to his dilemma. When this whole mess started he had a firm belief on who is his friend and who is foe. So far his only ally is himself considering he has told no one else of his condition nor is there anyone that he trusts as much.

Then again…there are his old comrades. They would take a bullet for him, he knew because he too would sacrifice himself to save one of them. They are the best fellows a guy could ever have, fiercely loyal and always ready to fight. They take care of each other, they comfort one another and they talk to one another. They had no regrets joining up, they would do it again not only to serve but to be there with their friends, their fellow Marines. They laughed together, fought together, and were despised together.

Eran releases a hearty chuckle as all of these memories come rushing back to him as he walks. The great and hilarious fun they had with one another. It was war, but they still had each other, the closest assurance that they would survive.

The grin however slowly fades from his face and his gait slows considerately as well. The old horrors slowly crept up right behind the wonderful memories. The fires, the roars, the gas, screams of wounded and condemned men while they ran, ran through a field of fire, back and forth, like a sick-minded game. A victory…the greatest victory they've won…so why didn't it feel like a victory? Why did he feel like he lost?

By this time he had stopped running as he stares at the snow beneath his feet as hot angry tears begin dripping from his blood-red eyes. It was too much, always too much. He did his duty, he didn't want to die, he didn't want to kill, but he did it and now he is paying the price. The nightmares won't leave him alone, nor the curse. The curse…why? Why!?

His claws grew and sink deeply into the earth as his breathing becomes laborious while his misty eyes turn a deeper shade of crimson. It wasn't fair, none of it was. Nobody deserved that, deserved this. To be murdered, to be burned, to be suffocated, to be chopped into a billion pieces liked a butchered pig. To watch the few true friends he ever had died in the most horrible and unnatural ways. They were just boys, why did it have to happen to them? They deserved better, they deserved to have lived full lives, to love, have kids and died peacefully in their sleep surrounded by their loved ones.

Even he, the survivor, was denied this because of the curse. If he had known about any of all this, maybe he wouldn't have gone at all. All those posters, those recruitment officers…he just wanted to hunt them down and shred them to pieces. Where was the promised glory? Where was the satisfaction of slaying the "Huns"? If he only knew then he…he…

All the pent up fury that had coursed through Eran's body suddenly leaves as he releases a heavy breath and stares down at his paws, hands, whatever. He was angry. He was scornful. He has regret, but never, ever, is he going to be regretful for being there with his buddies.

Just like…Spalding.

Eran's breath starts becoming shaky. He is willing to bet his life that if Eric knew what was going to happen to him if he knew his future he wouldn't have changed. He would have preferred it to be him rather than anyone else. That's what Eran loved about the big guy, which made him a natural leader. He just cared about everyone; that may have led to his downfall, but he also knew it was what the word needed. Caring people like Eric.

Eran is just tired…so tired.

He didn't want to think, he didn't want to do anything, not even go for his nightly runs like he usually does. Maybe just for tonight, he can sit here and-

His thinking is interrupted when he hears the patter of running four-legged feet coming right at him on his left. He turns to see what it is when the thing crashes into his side and bounces right off. This doesn't hurt Eran in the slightest, nor does it detour the excited wolf that he now sees.

It is Aleu and she looks very happy to see him.

"Hi Eran," she all but shouts as she bounces around him like a puppy, "how are you this fine night?"

Eran merely smirks as he watches the she-wolf's antics.

"It is just fine," he answers, not bothering to mention his past and troubled thinking, "what got you in this fine mood?"

Aleu gives a small chortle before saying, "well I got to spend time with my brother today, someone who I thought I would never see again, but I'm glad I was wrong."

She continues to prance around him like a deer, an action that coaxes a grin to Eran's face.

He is starting to take great delight in Aleu's presence. She is just bubbly with energy despite the rare occasions where she is exhausted from being a pack leader and spending time with him late at night. She somehow finds a way to get him smiling and even to snap at him whenever he steps out of line, the first person to have the guts to put him in his place. He would have doubted her friendship with him, but she has such sincerity to her that he is finding it harder for him to see her as a selfish person. If anything she is one of the most selfless giving girls he has ever met.

That last thought suddenly causes his grin to fade a bit. Did he just think that? He was admiring her and at the last moment called her a girl. He decided to shake this off though, it doesn't mean anything. He's sure Aleu will just start laughing hysterically if he ever told her of this.

'Like she would find a demonic-looking creature like me attractive', he thinks slowly to himself.

Seeing the developing frown on his face, Aleu gently bumps against his side, taking some pleasure in feeling his sturdy body and noting how his strength seems so large that it easily repelled her smaller body.

She fights hard to keep a stammer out of voice as well as feeling her face becoming noticeably hot.

"What are you thinking about," she chirps as she finally quits her hopping so that she could better look into his crimson eyes. His bright glowing red eyes…

She pulls herself back together when she hears him speak.

"Just things that I would like to forget," he pauses and looks away as if in deep thought, "and yet…I'm not even sure if I want to forget them."

Aleu for the most part baffled. She never had such contradicting thoughts like this…not unless she counts the recent idea of her and Eran being-

'No, no, no,' she growls in her mind, 'he's my friend and he expects nothing more from me…right?'

"So anything else new happen today?" Eran asks, most likely to change the subject.

Aleu decides to oblige him with a nod of her head but becomes silent for a few seconds, wondering what to say. Seeing and talking with Kodi was pretty much the highlight of her day. Then she remembers something that is worth mentioning.

"I saw Kyle today-"

She is interrupted when Eran suddenly jerks back as if he has been struck and even back steps backward. He turns his wide eyes to Aleu as if she had suddenly grown a second head. However just as fast as he reacted he calmed down. His feet came together and his eyes return to normal, though he now avoids looking directly at her now.

"You saw…my human?" he asks in a rather timid voice.

"Yes," Aleu answers slowly, not wanting to cause another sudden reaction, "he was in town right when the mail came in."

Slowly Eran nods his head, "Good, good, nice to know that he is, uh, up and about."

Aleu cocks her head to the side as she regards Eran curiously. He has suddenly become tight-lipped and even nervous as if she had said something that has scared him.

She knows it's really isn't any of her business, but sudden concern for Eran's well being fills her mind and makes her act.

"Eran," she says, "is everything alright between you and Kyle?"

Eran chooses that moment to look at her blankly for a couple of moments before chuckling. This is a genuine sign of mirth though as he cackles at whatever he found amusing, furthering confusing the she-wolf.

"Yes Aleu," he says and causes her heart to leap a bit when he finally looks into her eyes with a rather wide smile, "Kyle and I are getting along just fine."

"Oh, well that's good," Aleu says as she turns away, suddenly feeling embarrassed at the fact that he can make her feel this way just by looking at her.

Still, the conversation comes back on when she looks over her shoulder and at the still grinning giant, "but why did you jump like that early? I was afraid that…that he was beating you or-"

Eran suddenly cracks up again, this time with thunderous laughter that seems to shake some snow-free from the trees above. Such a sound would have caused Aleu to join in as well but she was at the moment too stunned to say anything. She has never seen her friend show so much emotion and she doesn't even see what it is that is funny.

Is he…is he laughing at her concern for him?

Such a thought suddenly weighed heavy within her chest, but before it could be hindered any further Eran regains control of himself, still chuckling every so often before he finally looks at her with a lopsided grin.

"No offense Aleu, but who would even think about beating me?" he questions and gestures with his strange hand-paw at his muscular body, "I admit he may beat himself up on occasion, but me? None."

"Oh," she says and gives a rather weak chuckle but soon after it generates into a full-size smile as she realizes Eran's words make sense. He is most intimidating indeed; anyone who tries to attack him will no doubt be met with instant trouble.

However a certain phrase caught her attention and she frowns again as she looks at Eran and asks curiously, "what did you mean when you said your human beats himself up?"

The smile fades away from his muzzle as Eran answers, "Well…you see…that's what I'm worried about."

He finally sits down on his haunches and stares intently at the snow beneath his paws, deep in thought.

"Like I said, we both have had bad luck," he says solemnly, "some days he just doesn't…feel good…some days he survives each day but he has like a…weight holding him down…something he is having trouble…understanding."

Eran's face turns into a scowl, "and sometimes that makes me confused, I honestly don't know what he is feeling sometimes so I don't know what can be done to…make things better," he finishes lightly, his rant over.

Aleu has remained silent throughout the whole thing. She doesn't know what to say really, especially when she doesn't completely understand what is really going on with him and the human's relationship. However, it is quite clear that the two share a very deep bond, one in which they share many hardships together. That hardship seems to have bonded them but it also threatens to tear them apart.

She isn't quite sure what to do now; she has never been one to comfort someone in pain. She thinks back for a moment before reminiscing the times she was hurt, physically, and emotionally, and what it was that her parents did that helped made her feel better.

Taking those memories to heart now, she slowly works her way over to him, careful to not disturb his silent brooding. Whether Eran was aware of her actions and chose to ignore or not, she doesn't know but at the moment she doesn't let that stop her.

Finally, she reaches his side and sits right next to him. He flicks his eyes at her just in time to see her lean towards him and starts nuzzling his body. He stiffens at the action but doesn't move to stop her nor does he voice any complaint. She continues to rub her side against his, savoring the feel of his fur against hers while smelling his dominant musk. It was almost intoxicating and causes her to shiver a little upon feeling the immense muscle that is working well with his soft fur.

"Eran," she finally voices, "I know you haven't had much of a good life, and people fear you and made you an outcast, but right now I see you as a good person."

Eran around shifts a little, unsure of the meaning behind the motion she proceeds speaking with caution.

"You're big and strong, but instead of using that to keep others away you only use it to defend yourself like any normal wolf would do," she pauses to look up at him, "and the fact that you're so concern about your human companion shows your devotion, loyalty, and care that I am sure that all dogs and wolves will respect when you tell them all."

There is nothing but silence and slowly Aleu wonders if she said everything right. Does he agree with her or does he not? Should she move away and give him space? She is just about to when Eran finally speaks his peace.

"No one ever said that about me," he speaks quietly as he continues to watch the ground, "they just see a monster."

Aleu leans closer and says, "Well I don't and I'm sure Kyle doesn't either."

Mentioning his owner brings a smile to his face and a weary chuckle. "I'm not sure about that…but some days…yeah, I guess he appreciates me from time to time."

Aleu giggles a little in response and Eran looks back at her.

"Thank you," he says with the same wicked smile as before like he knows something she doesn't, "it feels good to talk," he gives a little laugh, "even though I have no idea what it is I'm upset about."

Aleu laughs with him, "Of course Eran," she finishes by leaning against him, "anything for a friend."

They remain huddled there for a moment in the forest, bright moon overhead, snow being blown softly by the wind, and the wonderful smell of nature in the air. The scene is just breathtaking and the two just wanted to soak it in. For Aleu it felt nice to be so close to Eran for some reason; she just wanted to remain there for as long as possible, but then Eran frowns as he leans forward a bit so that he can turn around and look her right in the face.

"Aleu?" he questions her quietly, "what did you mean earlier, about telling the dogs and wolves about myself? It's not like I'm going to stand before them and talk to them, right?"

Aleu suddenly freezes when she realizes what she had said and thus remembering what her papa had said to her earlier.

She forces out a laugh and says, "Well, um, Eran…I need to talk to you about that," she ends with a rather self-conscious smile.

Seeing this however causes Eran to droop his head and gives a heavy sigh, "oh boy."

Ephesians 6:18