Chapter Six- Presenting the Pendent

Keith found Lotor under the same tree as last night, looking be deep in though. Even though Keith's approach was relatively quiet, Lotor was aware of his presence and looked at him. "You seem preoccupied," Keith noted as he sat beside him.

"I am. I'm questioning what I fight for. I know I'm on the side of evil but now I think that it may be the wrong side after all. I mean, I've seen Voltron win time and time again. I'm convinced that nothing on Doom can stop him."

"It does seem that way," Keith agreed. "Voltron fights for freedom and justice."

"Keith, what would you think if I turned away from my father and pledged loyalty to Arus and freedom?"

"You mean defect?"

"I could be a spy," Lotor said, eyes glinting at the thought. "I could set up a private communication frequency for you and you for me. You alone would know I'm working against Doom."

"That's a big risk, Lotor. If you're discovered…"

"I'll silence anyone before they tell my father."

Keith nodded, but said nothing. He knew Lotor was taking a risk by being a spy. Most, no all, spies end up getting exposed and oftentimes killed. No doubt Zarkon would kill Lotor if and when he learns that his son is a spy. Out loud, Keith changed the subject. "I was trying to find books about your planet earlier, but there weren't any." That was true; after the sparring, Keith did search for books on Doom.

"That doesn't surprise me. What were you trying to find out about?"

"I'm interested in myths and folklore. I enjoy reading about supernatural creatures like say, werewolves."

"Ah, you enjoy those kinds of folk tales. Well, let's start with werewolves. Such creatures are revered on my planet though none would wish to be cursed as one. Traitors are usually killed instead of cursed so werewolves on my planet are rare or non-existent, more the latter really. I consider wolves to be excellent hunters and killers and I would like them to be the symbol of Doom when I am king. Perhaps even have one as a trained companion."

Keith was thrilled to hear that Lotor liked wolves, revered them in fact. That means I can confess that I'm a werewolf.

"Keith," Lotor said, a hand going into a pouch. "I want to give you something precious to me as a token of affection." He pulled out the pendent and held it up.

Keith's eyes widened as he scrambled backwards. "Is that…pure silver?"

"It is."

"Lotor, I'm flattered but I can't accept it."

"Why not?"

"I have something to tell you. It's something that I wasn't sure you would take it well enough to still love me. About a week ago, I became a werewolf."

Lotor stashed the pendent away and took Keith's hand. "Who did this to you and why?"

"It's…not a curse. My ancestors were wolves who could be human for a period of years and in that time they conceived children with women. Their children became werewolves but only the males. They were talking wolves at night except for the full moon, then they became vicious ones who only thought as wolves. Over time, the wolf gene turned dormant. If one exhibited wolf sounds and urges, it meant they needed to let the wolf within out, as my family calls it.

"This is done by a formula whose recipe and ingredients were passed down to every man. I had been making wolf sounds and wanting to howl at the moon, so the first night after my night watch, I brewed the formula and drank it."

"But if you're a wolf at night, then how can you be human right now?"

Keith brought his pendent out from under his suit. "Every man was given this. It keeps us human at night unless it's the full moon. Won't work then."

Lotor came closer for a better look. "It's lovely. Keith, this revelation changes nothing between us. I still love you. You being a werewolf makes you more special than before."

Keith smiled in relief as he slid closer to Lotor and shifted so that he could put his arms around Lotor's neck and his forehead to the prince's forehead. "I'm happy to hear that."

Lotor put his arms around Keith's neck too. "That is why you asked about werewolves: To see how I feel about them." He smirked. "Clever."

"I wouldn't say clever. It was clear I was leading somewhere with my question."

"Yes, you're right." Lotor's fingers ran over the gold chain, searching for the clasp. Gold. Of course, gold. Werewolves are allergic to silver. He felt Keith move his head so his lower jaw rested on a shoulder. His fingers found the clasp that was a lobster's claw hooked into a link in the chain. He opened the claw to unhook the necklace and removed it. He heard a yelp of surprise and felt fur against his neck briefly before Keith backed up and Lotor admired the wolf he had become. His body was larger than a normal wolf and muscular in addition to a lean look. His ears and muzzle were long and delicate while his tail was long and full. His eyes were a bright gold that stood out against his black fur. "Keith, you're very good-looking as a wolf."

Keith blinked before coming back to Lotor. He reared up, planted his forepaws on Lotor's shoulders, and licked a cheek. "Thanks," he said before going back to all fours.

Lotor removed his gloves, crouched down, scratched Keith's chin, and smiled at the whine that occurred and the wagging tail. "Keith, would you consider me a mate while you're a wolf?"

"Yeah, I do. It's curious. When I'm human I think of you as my boyfriend, but a mate when I'm a wolf."

"Not really. You're a werewolf so it's natural to think of me in both capacities. I find it flattering. Not many lovers are thought of with two terms."

Keith gave a wolf's grin as Lotor sat down before laying down and putting his head on the prince's lap. He closed his eyes as Lotor stroked his head. "What are your weaknesses? I want to make sure I don't accidentally hurt you."

"Hmm. I can be weakened by a lunar eclipse or Wolfsbane which can also make me feverish. Iron and silver can burn me. Arrows are painful and prevent me from healing quickly. Finally, moonstone can block the moon's effect on me and disrupt my transformation cycle, particularly on the full moon. Disrupting the cycle could cause me to change in daylight."

"So, I need to make sure I have no silver, iron, moonstone, or Wolfsbane on me. I can't prevent an eclipse and I would never shoot at you so not much to worry about with those last two."

"I can heal quickly from the burns, but not as fast as I would from cuts and bruises. Of course, I'm stronger and faster, my senses are enhanced, and I'm a strict carnivore while in wolf form."

"Sounds nice. Being a werewolf must be wonderful."

"It is, but I can't tell anyone about it. Earth and Arusian people fear werewolves. They see it as a curse and those afflicted as being deserving to be cursed, most likely because they had committed some sort of evil."

"But yours is genetic; a family heritage."

"Yes, but it won't matter. They would still fear me."

Lotor had paused in his stroking but now resumed it. "Then, don't tell them. It'll be just between us."

"Yes, just between us. I'll be a wolf when we get together at night."

"Speaking of which, perhaps you could share more information tomorrow night."

"Sure. I'll also give you a private communication frequency."

"I'll also do the same."