Chapter 2

It had been two months since they'd discovered her mother was alive and that she'd been the one to shut off the world, the knowledge had done nothing but bring her closer to Miles.

Miles knew that Rachel had noticed just how close her daughter was to her former brother-in-law and had quickly questioned him. He tried to deny it, he really did but when Rachel had pressed herself close to him and tried to kiss him, he'd recoiled and she'd gotten her answer.

"I knew that there were many lines you had no problem crossing. I knew that you were a violent, drunken womanizer, but never did I dream that you would be corrupt enough to…corrupt…my daughter."

"I know what a lousy piece of shit I am."

"Forget that she is young and impressionable. Forget the obvious taboo of her being your niece, forget that your brother entrusted her to you. Miles, you know what runs through the Matheson bloodline. You know that it manifests so much more aggressively in the girls."

"I know that too." He said looking down at his feet

She stood next to him and cupped his face. "Have you told her what you are risking?"

"I'm not dumb, Rachel. I've been careful."

"There is no such thing with this. One bite at the right time, that's all it takes."

"I'm never around her then, same as Ben used to do with you."

"That's not enough. You have to tell her and soon or I will."

"Tell me what?" Charlie said stepping away from the tree she'd been listening from.

"How long have you been there?"

"Long enough," Charlie replied staring back and forth at them. "Did daddy know?"

"Of course, he knew. It was his idea to involve Miles." Rachel replied.

"He would never…dad?

"Charlie, what exactly did you hear?" Miles asked warily approaching her as she backed away from them.

"I heard enough to know I want nothing to do with you either of you."

"Charlie," he reached for her but she brushed him off and made her way back to the camp.

"It's better this way."

"For you and Charlie but not for me," he replied and followed after her.

Charlie had no intention of going back just yet. Whatever had been going on between Miles and her mother was still too raw, too unbelievable to bury and go on pretending she was okay like she normally did. No, this new revelation that her father had known and possibly condoned their affair was too much to process among strangers.

She needed time alone and if she wanted to get it she had to hide from Miles. He'd never allow her to wallow and would no doubt be looking for her, to explain and excuse himself. Charlie would like to say that she was strong enough to tell him to go to hell but she wasn't.

She had a very soft spot for Miles especially when he was doing something that was fundamentally wrong, which was how she'd gotten into this situation with him, to begin with. Charlie sighed and began the trek through the trees and to the little cabin she'd found a few days ago.

She had originally wanted to show it to Miles, it would have been nice to have some real private time that didn't involve her brushing leaves out of his or her hair not that was going to be a concern from now on. She didn't think she could handle being near him after what she'd just heard.

Of course that was before she saw him standing at the door of her destination. "What are you doing here?"

"Wondering when you'd show up."

"I do not want to talk to you." She replied and turned back the way she came.

"So don't. Have you eaten yet? It's fresh rabbit stew."

"Why are you being so nice?" she said slowly climbing the steps.

"Aren't I always?" He gave a wide smile that showed gleaming but pointed canines.

She took the soup bowl from his hand and sniffed it, "you're never nice. Surly and generally sarcastic, occasionally benevolent with your time but definitely not nice." She dipped the spoon into the stew and tasted it. "You're also not a good cook."

"Yet you're here, enjoying the stew and talking to me."

"Yeah, I am," she said thoughtfully. "That's because I skipped breakfast and I'm hungry." She took a generous drink of the soup and swallowed. "I also know you aren't Miles."

"What gave me away?"

"What sharp teeth you have."

"Observant, definitely a Matheson."

"Is that what you are?" she asked pushing past him and into the cabin. She saw the cozy fire and settled herself in front of it.

He closed the door behind him, "you could say that."

"Just answer the question. I can't deal with any more bullshit today, especially from someone…"

"Who looks just like him." She nodded. He took her bowl and refilled it then filled one for himself. They ate a few bites in silence but eventually, he had to ask, "What did he do?"

Charlie didn't answer and it was then that she realized that she was crying into her soup.

"All sorrows are less with bread."

She took the hunk of bread but only stared at it. "What the hell does that mean?"

He shrugged, "it's something my mom used to say. Guess you can't be too pissed with a full belly."

"I guess."

"Charlie, whatever Miles might be-"

"He's an asshole. A lying cheating asshole." She replied and viciously pulled the bread apart.

"-okay so he's an asshole. But he is an asshole who loves you."

"So he says." She muttered. "You still haven't told me who you are?"

"Cesaire Matheson, cousin of Ben & Miles Matheson, at your service."

"I didn't know my dad and Miles had more family, I thought Danny and I were the last of it."

He grabbed his own piece of bread and sat beside her, "until a few days ago, Miles didn't know I was still alive."

"He found out in the clearing didn't he?"

"Yes, I also heard about Ben."

She shrugged but looked at him," did you know my dad?"

"I did, he was a very good man, keep trying to figure out how he was related to us." He took a bit of his bread and chewed thoughtfully.

"You seem nice enough and Miles can be pretty good when he wants to be, Mathesons can't be all bad." She said sopping her bread into the soup and eating quietly beside him.

Cesaire finished his bowl and put it on the table. "So how long have you been with him?"

"About two months."

"So haven't seen your first full moon yet. Interesting."

"Is Miles like you?"

"Devilishly handsome?" Cesaire asked.

Charlie grinned."Seriously corny definitely runs in the blood."

Cesaire put a hand to his chest in mock hurt."Goofy not corny, and yes he is."

"I've never seen him turn." She finished her plate and he took it from her and she followed him to the kitchen. "He's also not domestic."

Charlie hopped up on the counter and watched him wash their dishes. "I don't have companions to do it for me. I hunt, cook, and clean myself."

"Will I turn at some point?"

"If he bites you, or if he scratches you during a full moon." He rinsed his hands and leaned very close to her, he took a long breath. "How old are you?"

"21," she answered not looking alway from his suddenly sad brown eyes.

"If you carry the gene, you'll start turning before you hit 23. But if you continue with Miles, you will turn sooner."

"Why?"

He glanced at the light bite on her neck, "there's no such thing as safe sex with a werewolf," he replied.

She blushed but didn't flinch from his gaze, "why are you telling me all this?"

"I had someone I cared about once, a long time ago. When I told her she rejected me, I lost control and almost killed her."

"You miss her?" Charlie asked.

"Not anymore. She never really cared for me, it was better this way. Still, someone has to warn you, and if my lousy cousin doesn't who will?"

"Your lousy cousin was going to tell her if my nosy one hadn't stuck his snout where it didn't belong," Miles said from the doorway.

"Miles!" Charlie said but didn't jump down and greet him, instead she looked to Cesaire. "How did you find us?"

Miles growled deep in his throat and lunged at Cesaire but Charlie jumped down and stood between the cousins. "No, bad Miles, you leave cousin Cesaire alone, he didn't do anything wrong, unlike you."

"Aww Charlie, come on," Miles whined and Cesaire chuckled from behind her.

"He actually was very forthcoming about a certain aspect of our bloodline."

"He would, it doesn't affect him."

"Au contraire my cousin, if she were to turn it would very much concern me."

"Really? How?" Charlie eagerly asked.

"Two wolves in the vicinity is doable but three is a strain on the region and if you're carrying pups, well that has its own set of problems. "

"Pups?" Charlie said in wonder.

Cesaire's eyes lit up, "this one is a keeper, Miles. Don't let her get away. Of course, I could also help out if she's too much for you."

"Keep it up Cesaire and they'll find your sorry carcass riddles with holes," Miles muttered through gritted teeth.

Charlie glanced at the two and laughed.

"What's so funny?" Miles asked.

"You two, identical but so different. Are you sure you two aren't the brothers and my dad was the cousin?"

"We're sure." Miles and Cesaire said in unison.

"So why do you look identical?" Charlie asked circling them.

Cesaire shook his head, "no idea. We have another cousin in Seattle, who looks like us."

"A quirk of our genetics," Miles said moving around Cesaire and hugging Charlie to him.

Cesaire answered Charlie's question before he could answer. "He's not a Matheson and he's full human. Though I did hear something about vampires."

Miles nodded, "Yeah I heard that rumor too, but the world went to hell, and I never got a chance to follow up on it."

"Anyway, I'm glad you're safe. You shouldn't go wandering along, Charl." Miles said while Cesaire made himself scarce going outside to collect more firewood for the dying fire. "Charlie. I did have an affair with your mother. A long time ago. Your father, God rest his soul never knew or if he did, he never told me."

"I get that now. I figured the wolf thing was what you and Mom were talking about. I'm sorry about leaving the camp. I just-it was very stupid." She hugged him, "Miles, will I really turn?"

He kissed the top of her head. "I really hope not, it's a very hard life."

"I'd have you," she said looking up at him. "You teach me just like you have taught me other things, right?"

Miles remained silent and he let her go. He sat by the fire, staring into it but not really seeing it. "Charlie, it's so dangerous. I'm not a good person. I have never been, and I don't want you to rely on me."

"I understand," she said and patted his back softly.

He looked back at her, but she had already left, she stood next to Cesaire. He hugged her and she nodded goodbye.

Cesaire came in and laid the wood next to a dwindling stack near the fireplace. "I hope you know what you are doing."

Miles got up and left.

Cesaire sniffed the air and smiled. "You're in for a rough ride, cousin."