I don't own Voltron: Legendary Defender Only Kenny is mine.
Chapter One- Werewolf Packs
A howl echoed through the foggy night followed by a low growl that none heard. A large shaggy brown wolf stalked down an empty street, his nose flaring to scent his preferred prey: Humans.
His actions were watched by a young man standing by his apartment window. The sight of this werewolf prowling the streets with impunity sent a chill down his spine. The wolf paused and turned toward the apartment building before his head tilted up and locked eyes with him. The man, Shiro, felt frozen with fear as he stared into the wolf's intense, evil gold eyes before Shiro stepped back and let the curtain fall back into place.
The door opened and Shiro looked over at it to see his fiancée, Adam, enter the apartment and close the door. He strode over to him and the two men embraced. "I'm glad you're home," Shiro said. "I saw a werewolf prowl by."
"Our apartment window faces the back of the building so my getting in wasn't a problem." He frowned a little. "If I could kill some of those monsters, I would."
"No one knows how to kill them," Shiro pointed out. "Lead and silver bullets don't work. Any silver doesn't work and any bladed attack is risky."
"It's true that silver won't kill them, but it does hurt them. I saw a hunter throw a silver knife at one. He howled in pain and actually resumed human form before pulling the knife out, dropping it, and running off. It's clear that silver causes pain and turns the wolf back to its human shape."
Shiro nodded as Adam headed to their bedroom while he went to handle the dishes he had neglected as he had been worried about Adam. Werewolves were a large threat to humanity. It hadn't always been so. Werewolves were rare in number and considered a myth. But over the centuries, underground packs began growing their numbers and coming up to the surface to exist secretly among humans, terrorize them, and eat their flesh. Some people had even been bitten and they became evil werewolves as well. There were no good werewolves; their taste for human flesh was such an evil deed that they, in turn, were evil creatures.
Most people stayed home at night as most werewolves roamed at night. A few people held jobs that ended after nightfall and had to tread cautiously when heading home; of those people, most made it home. A rare number didn't arrive home and it was said that they either became food or a werewolf themselves, the latter only if it was the full moon.
And the full moon is tomorrow night, Shiro thought as he scrubbed a pot. It is a general rule that everyone stay in on those nights so no one gets bitten and joins those evil beasts. Even the nighttime workers are told to stay home but they do get paid. Sometimes it's easy to tell who's been bitten as that person may have a distinguishing mark that would show in both human and wolf forms, like a scar. Shiro ran a finger along the scar that ran across the bridge of his nose. He had acquired it a year ago in a knife fight and felt lucky that that was all he got. The cut had healed but the white line remained. He didn't like it, but Adam did, saying it gave his face character.
Shiro smiled as he drained the sink and rinsed the dishes before setting them on the drying rack. He had met Adam four years ago and the two had hit it off right from the start. They shared their personal histories, hopes, dreams, and a variety of other topics over the years and had leased an apartment two years ago. It wasn't until after the knife fight that Adam proposed to Shiro.
Shiro recalled that day fondly. They had chosen a daylight date as they usually did so Shiro had no idea that a proposal was coming. They had had a cozy lunch for two before taking a jog around the park. It was at the bench in front of the fountain that Adam popped the question.
"Shiro, we've known each other for three years and honestly, I have never been happier," Adam had said.
"I feel the same way. I really can't imagine things getting better than this," Shiro had replied.
"Oh?" Adam had flashed a grin before getting on one knee and taking Shiro's hand. "How about getting engaged? Surely, that makes it better."
Shiro's eyes had widened before a grin appeared. "You're right. That would make it better and I accept."
Naturally it'll be a day wedding and reception. Our honeymoon will be right here. Eventually, we'll move into another apartment so we can adopt some kids. Shiro nodded to himself as he headed to the bathroom. The wedding would take place in four months. He could hardly wait.
Most people lived in apartments out of protection and ability to defend one another. Some lived in suburbs with nice homes and a neighborhood watch. Then there were the manor houses with their sprawling lawns and fancy facades. Very few were occupied and the occupants of the houses usually kept to themselves, though they did communicate every now and then with one another. These manor houses were the homes of different werewolf packs; four to be precise.
They had human servants to run errands and hold jobs to pay the bills and upkeep the place. They also held newly-turned werewolves captive as they were immune to silver's burning effect. Most new werewolves succumbed to their evil nature rather quickly so the number of captives were rare; it was the humans who were selected to be turned that the servants guarded. There had been good werewolves in the past but humans' fear of werewolves caused the good ones to turn evil and they would avenge themselves on those who had shunned them.
Each pack took turns in seeking out new members. They would seek and recruit for one month, from the end of one full moon cycle to the end of the next one. Whether they turned some or not, they had to wait for their next turn. The city Shiro and Adam lived in had four packs meaning each one had three months a year in which to turn new members. The pack that was now seeking new members was led by a ruthless werewolf called Iverson. He commanded his pack to be especially vicious when hunting humans and to be aggressive when seeking recruits either by attack or seduction.
It was on this same foggy night that Iverson received news of a recruit. The shaggy brown wolf Shiro had seen slunk up to him, ears folded, and tail tucked to show respect. "Alpha," he said. "I believe I saw a new member tonight."
"Tell me more," Iverson said.
"He was watching me from a window and we locked eyes when I sensed someone watching me. He is an adult with a strong-looking body, black hair with a streak of white, and a scar across his nose."
Iverson stroked his chin. "The scar and hair would identify him and usually I would say no, however, we are in danger of losing our spot as the largest pack. We must turn more now before we must wait three months."
"If I may, Alpha, why must we wait every three months?"
"It is to preserve the peace between the packs. We are all werewolves and we all share the same goals so we must cooperate with one another. Nonetheless, there is a competition of whose pack is the largest with the prize being respect from the other packs."
The brown wolf, Lance, brought out his tail to wag it. "I could ask Veronica to lure the human I saw to us."
Iverson nodded. "Yes, but don't ask. Command her. You are higher in the hierarchy than she is even though she's older."
"Yes, alpha. You are right." Lance left and Iverson smirked. He commanded his pack with an iron fist and his punishments kept both members and servants in line.
They'll do as I say to avoid punishment and it produces good results. I will have more members this month and maintain our place as the largest pack in the city.
