Nick hadn't even moved a finger since the two had arrived on my doorstep. They crossed my threshold with the intent on bringing fear and pain down upon my father and family, and that wasn't going to happen.

"Let him go, and your little human friend doesn't have to die." He pleaded, that deep voice was fitting for his size. And the entire time, I thought him, too stupid to even talk.

The blue plague dripped from my claws onto the small man's skin, searing into it like acid. I wanted more than his screams as he writhed in my arms.

"I SAID LET HIM GO!!!"

Something dark was rising out of me as his hand started shaking. I looked over at Nick, his face stricken with fear, pleading to me to oblige the dangerous man with the gun, and so I did.

I pulled my arm from between his, and let him go. Almost immediately, Tony's arm swung the pistol in my direction. He aimed, and fired.

Ducking, I leaned forward. My clawed feet propelled me into the small man as he ran, and I ramped over him, clawing gashes in his back before plummeting onto Tony. My claws sank into his right arm. His screams... the smell of blood... it was something I'd always imagined it would be. Hunting something a little smarter than a deer, and a little more dangerous than a fox.

A blood lust reached my mouth as I rose my hand into the air. My claws glistened wet with the plague as I sneered into the eyes of my prey. My sight turned red, the world turned dark and moist with the blood of the future, and I couldn't have been more exhilarated.

My clawed hand came down hard as something behind me sounded off. I wasn't worried about it, my prey was so close to death, that I could taste his life fading away already. And sooner than I'd expected, the strike stopped with the crushing force I'd put behind it.

My father slid under me, his arms pushed out, catching the blow. "I said that's enough, Michael!"

Instantly, my blood lust left me to the reality of the mistake I'd almost made. My breathing was fast, and short. I'd never experienced something so brutal in my life. I wanted... my body wanted him to die by my hands and my hands alone. It felt as though I was pre-disposed to end this mans life, and for a second, I liked it.

"That's enough..." He said, breathing heavily under my arm. The plague dripped onto his skin, and I noticed it didn't burn him as it slid down his cheeks. For that I was glad.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

An old man withdrew from the white car, clapping. "Well, well, well." He said. He wore a brown business suit that definitely suited him. He had a full set of white hair still, even though he looked to be well into his seventies... at least in human years. The features on his face, were all too familiar. His black hair, cold blue eyes, and that smile...

"Well, son." He said, his gaze falling from me to my dad. "Looks like you could use a little help controlling that little pup of yours."

******************************************************************************

My dad told me to go back inside and get the two girls and take them home. And when I didn't move fast enough, he yelled it at me. I turned away, still changed, and unable to argue. I'd never seen my dad so angry. But it wasn't me that this anger of his was directed at, it was the man before him.

"Why are you here, Marcus?" He asked, colder than it had ever been before.

I didn't stick around to hear them argue about the money that my father had used to pay for the repairs on the house. Instead, I coaxed Nick back into the house and motioned for him to go get Emily. I changed back, thankful that my legs weren't thick enough (Changed) to tear my pajama pants, because I knew my father wouldn't have been okay with me wasting time on changing clothes.

Nick and Emily were down within seconds, but I decided to just pick Angela up and carry her too the car... I knew how hard it was to wake her. I held her up in my arms and had her hold onto my neck as she clung, half-asleep.

Nicole, Angela's mother, came out asking what was going on, and I told her everything as Nick and Emily came down the stairs. And she gave me the keys, and told me to get a move on. When I asked whether or not she should come along, she assured me that she could take care of herself. I was sure she could, too.

I lead my two friends through the wolves. Emily tried not to stare at the two on the ground, writhing in pain, I had the same problem. Tony's arm had turned black and withered away as he gripped at it. The strength of the plague was much stronger than I'd realize, and a overwhelming feeling of guilt washed across my conscience.

The smaller man was definitely in pain, but he wasn't moving. Foam lined his gasping mouth as the plague devoured the meat in his back. I'd caused this. This was my fault. And inside, my thoughts were even less comforting.

"Michael, is it?" The old man called Marcus, asked.

"Nick, take Emily to the truck." I told him. He did just as he was told, not wanting any conflict to occur while the two were near the center.

"You cause a lot of pain with your gift." He said, that smile, masking his every thought.

"I've noticed."

"Have you, now?"

I just walked past him. Ignoring his question like it were an invitation to more pain.

"Is that your mate, lying peacefully in your arms?" He asked, making me stop.

"Don't let him manipulate you!" My father yelled at me, "And get to the damned truck!"

My teeth clenched as the old man grinned at me. My grandfather. I could have went a few more years before meeting him, I thought it a blessing that I'd gone this far without seeing him.

"It'd be a pity if something would happen too her... wouldn't it?"

"Only if the offender wanted to drown in a pool of his own blood." I responded, not turning to see his changing features. Instead, I followed the orders of my father, and got into the truck.

"Hurry and get to Nicole's. There should be someone there waiting for yall." My father yelled as we backed up in the truck too leave.

As we left, Angela shifted in my lap, and kissed my chest in her sleep. I smiled a little as I looked down at her peaceful features, asleep and unaware. So peaceful.

******************************************************************************

I left Angela in the car as I approached the house. A feint scent of another werewolf hung in the air as I drew nearer and nearer too the door. My tension rose, and I grasped the gold painted handle of the door. My breath was caught between my lungs and my throat as it creaked open, my nerves ready to strike whatever lay inside.

Even though my father said someone was here for us, I couldn't be sure that it was someone who we could trust. And with Nick, Emily, and especially Angela with me, I wasn't taking any chances.

There was movement in the dark living room to the quaint house I'd entered. I heard the truck door open behind me, knowing it was Nick, I waved him back. And as I did, the lights flipped on.

I was shocked at first to see her. But once it wore off, I tore forward, and gave her hug. I hadn't seen her in years, and she seemed just as happy to see me safe as well. Her red hair had gotten very long over the years, and those deep brown, almost red, eyes still held that same exuberance that they'd always had.

"Awe, Michael. It's so good to see you!" She said, pulling me away to get a better look at me. "I can't believe how tall you've gotten over the years! I wish we could have visited each other a little earlier. And under better circumstances."

"Same her, Claire."