A/N: Sorry, everyone. I know it's been like forever since my last update, but the usual life got in the way and then there was also the writer's block I was having on this chapter. Hopefully you all like it (It may have got a little angsty at some points).

Bones crunch and muscles constrict and expand painfully as Josh nears the woods. He's always been able to suppress the wolf, but to suppress it while running as fast as possible is not something he would have ever been prepared for. Luckily, he was able to maintain consciousness and relatively human form until reaching the forest.

Only barely though, and as the wolf began to take over his mind, Josh feared for any fool who may be camping in these woods.

Waking up in the mud and itchy grass was never pleasant. It was even less pleasant when naked and covered in blood. Josh immediately vomited up what he hoped was a deer. Aidan wouldn't be coming for him today. He had to find some clothes and get back to the hospital. A lucky pair of campers had forgetfully left a pair of sweatpants outside their tent. Josh took them and stole a bottle of water to wash off the blood.

It was a much longer walk back to the hospital than it had been away. And, when Josh finally arrived, he had to avoid all of his co-workers and make his way to the basement.

Aidan leapt up from his seat next to the cage and gripped Josh's filthy, half naked body. Not smelling any human blood on his love, Aidan gave him a kiss square on the lips then stepped away, breathing a sigh of relief. "I'm so glad you made it through the night okay."

"Yeah," Josh said fairly unenthusiastically. "So, what are we going to do with this asshole?" Josh gestured through the small window to the naked figure in the room.

"Kill him?" Aidan was more asking permission than giving a suggestion.

Josh paused a moment, uncharacteristically entertaining the idea. It wasn't so much that Josh was angry at the new man for pushing him into a risky situation. He was angry that the man attacked Aidan. The night had healed much of Aidan's wounds, but there was still a sizeable gash across his face. Then he finally responded. "No. I need to know why he was following me."

Josh opened the cage door and entered, throwing a pair of scrub pants at the naked werewolf. Then Aidan commanded, "Get up, bastard."

The man woke slowly, almost as if he was taunting the pair. Then he rose slowly and donned the pants. "I see you made it through the night," chimed the new wolf. "Too bad I was locked up in here or we could've had some major fun."

Josh grabbed the man by the throat and pushed him to the wall again, just as he had the night before. "Who are you and why were you following me?"

"Calm down, Josh. I'm a wolf. I was following you because I think we should stick together." Josh drops the man and steps back.

"Why did you attack my friend?"

"Him?" he gestures to Aidan. "He's a vampire. Why wouldn't I attack him? We're supposed to be mortal enemies."

Josh begins, "Well-"

But Aidan cuts in, "Wait, Josh. How'd he know your name?"

Josh gets a sudden glint of realization in his eyes. He wasn't just being followed by his wolf scent. He was being tracked - stalked as a human.

Josh was on the new wolf again, slamming him into the wall with enough force to form cracks in the cement. "What do you want from me?"

The strange new wolf's face went from its previous jocular mannerisms into an eerily serious expression. "I just want to be a part of your life, Josh. Ever since I became a wolf, I've had no family. But now, with you, I have a chance at that sort of thing. I know we're not really related, but we have something very important in common."

As he listened to the new man, Josh loosened his grip and softened his stance. The man was just looking for a family. Josh knew how isolating becoming the wolf was, and if their places were reversed, Josh realized he probably would have sought out those relationships as well.

Aidan noticed Josh's posture relaxing and grew intrigued. "Please tell me you're not thinking what I think you're thinking, Josh."

"Aidan, I -"

Aidan put on his most concerned and persuasive face and cut Josh off. "I'm sorry, Josh. You know that on almost everything I'll support you, but this guy tried to rip my face off and he's clearly not the most civil werewolf."

Josh stepped away from the new wolf, who began to move forward upon release. Josh half-turned back, and instructed as if to an eager pet, "Stay." Josh exited the cage and signaled Aidan to follow him. Outside, Aidan closed the door and Josh began, "I know it's a lot to ask, but you took me in and I've controlled myself and kept the wolf out of trouble for the most part."

"That's completely different, Josh. You and he are different people. I'm not concerned about the fact that he's a wolf any further than the fact that it gives him the power to hurt you. You're physically stronger than him right now, but what about during the next moon? What if he persuades you to go to the forest and you kill someone? That seems like the kind of person and wolf he is. Is that what you want to become?"

"No... No. But, Aidan, those assumptions are ridiculous. We don't know how good or bad he is. For all we know he could have that he was protecting me by attacking you. We have to give him a chance." Aidan prepared to speak again, but Josh cut him off. "I'm not taking no for an answer on this one, Aidan. He's coming home with us and he'll stay there until he finds another place to live. Besides, we've got an extra room now."