Chapter Seven- The Break Up

Shiro reached his home, got out his key, and put it in the lock. He briefly marveled how his clothes and items melded with his skin when he transformed. He turned the key and opened the door. "Adam?" he called as he closed the door.

"Shiro? Oh, God! Shiro!" Adam came rushing from their bedroom and hugged him fiercely. "I was so worried. I had called the police to report you missing and they filed it, but suggested that you had either been bitten or killed."

"Well, obviously I'm not dead and I'm not missing." They separated.

"You were gone for three nights and full moon ones, to boot." Adam's eyes then widened and he stepped back even further. "Oh…you were bitten. You're a werewolf now, aren't you?"

"Yes," Shiro admitted in a whisper. "I'm not going to hurt you," he said, returning to normal volume. "Please, listen. I am not an evil one. I'm a good werewolf. I won't bite others or chase them or kidnap them."

"You were kidnapped. Yes, that makes sense." Adam exhaled a little. "A good werewolf, huh?"

Shiro nodded, relieved that Adam understood. "Aside from my resistance to be evil, I am just like other werewolves."

"Just like the others? Then…you do eat humans?"

"It was the full moon," Shiro said defensively. "I cannot fight the change or desire for flesh, but I am self-aware and can talk, unlike the others."

"Can't…fight it?" Adam choked. "Shiro, eating humans is evil. Everyone knows that. You could resist eating flesh."

"I can't Adam, but I swear I won't eat any outside of the full moon."

Adam then nodded and said, "We should get to work."

"Right. I'll grab a quick shower and change my clothes." Shiro headed into the bedroom and emerged with clean clothes in hand and went into the bathroom.

Adam frowned as he left for work as Shiro worked elsewhere. He had feared that Shiro had been dead for three nights and today he came back alive and well, but carried the werewolf curse in him. Despite Shiro's claim of being a good one, he had admitted to eating flesh. An act like that was evil. His fiancée had changed and he was afraid of him. I need to protect myself and I know what I need and have to do.

Shiro filed sick leave papers for his two missed days. He then filed sick leave for next month's full moon. He acknowledged that his sick leave may seem suspicious but there was nothing he could do about it. On the next full moon, he would transform again and feel compelled to eat flesh while being aware of his actions. At least my job is in daylight and ends before nightfall. I can return home and transform outside the building. Once having some flesh, I can stay home for the night. Adam and I can talk during that time and speaking of which, we still need to talk about the wedding and honeymoon.

Shiro came home to find two of his suitcases sitting by the front door. He blinked in confusion before looking at Adam who stood in the kitchen, holding a silver knife. "Adam?" he asked, confusion lacing his voice.

"I know this won't hurt you but it may keep you away from me."

"Actually," Shiro sighed. "Silver does hurt me, but why protection from me? I already said I wouldn't hurt you. I love you, Adam."

"That may be, but things have changed. You're a werewolf and eat humans."

"Only three times a month. I have control over my actions otherwise."

"So you've said, but who's to say that you won't turn evil and attack me? You could kill me or turn me. I'm sorry Shiro, but we're through."

Shiro stared in shock at Adam, feeling as if the world was falling away from him. "What?"

"You heard me. We're through. I won't live with a werewolf. Take your bags and drive away. Leave the engagement ring and come back later for your other things while I'm not here. I'll give you two weeks to do that and then I'll remove you from the lease. So, go. Now."

Shiro sighed sadly, removed the ring, put it on the key ring by the door, picked up his bags, and left, Adam closing the door behind him. He actually whined as he put his bags in the trunk. His fiancée had turned on him, broken off their engagement, and thrown him out of their apartment. I don't blame him. I wouldn't want to risk living with a werewolf either. He climbed into the driver's seat, turned it on, and drove off to find a hotel to spend the night. He knew without a doubt that he was not going to live with the pack. If I do that, I really will turn evil and I don't want that.

Adam exhaled in relief. Shiro had left peacefully. He had been afraid that Shiro would change and attack him out of anger. He looked at the knife in his hand. They had been led to believe that silver didn't work on werewolves, but that had been a lie. No doubt werewolves started that lie to seem invincible and Shiro just foolishly told me the truth. I could spread this knowledge to the rest of the city and we could fight back.

Doubt crept onto his face as a thought occurred to him. Shiro had told him out of love and trust. Could he really take that trust and throw it in Shiro's face? He may not be my fiancée anymore, but he doesn't deserve to have his trust in me turned against him. I won't tell anyone, but I will use the silver to protect myself.

Shiro drove up to the apartment building the next day in a rented moving van. He had called in sick today so he could collect his things and put them in a storage until he had just rented and where he had acquired the moving van. Indeed, he considered the unit to be a decent place to live. He had rented a large one with outlets so he could plug in some appliances. He headed upstairs and entered the apartment to find boxes stacked in the living room, ready to be used.

Wow. We may not be a couple anymore, but Adam is still the same thoughtful man I've known. He quickly started to pack his things, tapping his speed and delighting in it. He was packing nearly three times as much than his normal speed. He went down to the van, got out a luggage trolley, and brought it upstairs. He loaded it up, rode the elevator down, put the boxes in the van, and went back for another load. He was taking down his fourth and final load when Adam came home.

"Adam, I appreciate the boxes. That was thoughtful."

"I still consider you a friend Shiro and I tend to give my friends some help."

"Still, thanks." Shiro gave Adam a quick hug, handed over the apartment key, and departed for the final time. He wheeled the trolley to the van and paused when he saw Veronica standing by the back and she flashed a knowing smile.

"Your fiancée rejected you?" she asked slyly.

"If he hadn't, I wouldn't be packing, would I?" he replied.

"It must hurt to be rejected. Make you angry; angry enough to kill, I would think."

"Actually, I don't blame him for breaking up with me and throwing me out. I would do the same thing if our roles were reversed."

"Of course. You know, Shiro, you are my mate. You could live with me in the pack's home."

"Sorry, Veronica but my job as a scout is to live among humans. Those are the alpha's orders."

"Oh, yes. I'm sorry, I forgot. Well, call me whenever you want to get together." She kissed his cheek before walking away.

Shiro shook his head. Veronica was a persistent werewolf. She considers us mates, but I don't, at least not now. I might consider it in the future, might being the key word.