Chapter Seven- Speed Test

Matt and Angela climbed up the stairs with ease as they had practiced after Matt's nap and Broadway's reading lesson. Both had agreed that they needed to learn to climb stairs instead of needing to be glided down.

They stood on the stone floor as Goliath jumped onto his perch. He looked back for a moment, knowing when he awoke that both would be wolves again. He faced forward and struck a pose as the sun's first rays appeared on the horizon.

Matt's eyes went wide as pain washed over him and he howled at it. He heard Angela howl too before it became a gargoyle scream followed by the crackling of stone. Matt opened his eyes to find himself human, on his hands and knees, and a stone gargoyles beside him on her two feet. He stood, went to his love, and put a hand on her cheek. "See you tonight. Maybe we can race and see how fast we can go."

Matt descended the tower stairs and pressed a hand to his stomach as hunger pains hit him. Naturally, he thought, rolling his eyes. All I had was a steak and I did just changed forms again. He reached the bottom to find Xanatos there.

"Detective, come join Fox and me for breakfast and you can tell us how last night was."

"I am hungry," he admitted as he followed the businessman to the dining hall.

"I thought you would be and I suspect you would like meat for breakfast." He gave Matt an amused smile.

Matt returned the smile. "Well, the book did say one would crave meat during the full moon."

"I'm sure I can accommodate whatever you and Angela desire."

"Good because I'm thinking steak and sausages. Cooked, of course."

"And to drink?"

"Coffee, cream and sugar on the side."

The two men dropped by the kitchen to put in all three orders and then joined Fox and Alex in the dining room. The red-haired woman nodded to Matt and her blue eyes roved over him. "You don't look any different," she commented.

"Makes sense," he said as he sat down. "The idea would be to not draw attention. I just feel lucky that I'm off work during my first full moon changes."

"David mentioned that you tested your strength, speed, and endurance before you changed," she continued as the drinks were brought out.

"I did. Angela and I tested our hearing and noses as well as climbing stairs. I plan to ask her to race and see how fast we can go."

"I'm sure she would like that," Fox said as breakfast arrived.

Matt's stomach growled, unheard by the others, as he smelled his cooked meat. He cut up the steak and the sausage patties before digging in. There was silence until Xanatos broke it. "Obviously, it hurts to transform."

"It does, considering I didn't know I would change. Or that Angela would."

"Now that you do, it won't hurt anymore. Our mutual acquaintance, Martin Hacker, told me that the pain would be one-time but did not say anything more."

"I'm guessing he had no idea of the specifics of the formula."

"I'm inclined to agree."

Matt showered, dressed, and went to his room to sleep the day away which he did. He awoke later and stepped out to a sunset in progress. He hurried up the stairs to find Elisa there again. "Hey, Elisa."

"Matt. How did it go last night and this morning?"

"I learned to wall on all fours, Angela and I practiced our hearing and sense of smell as well as climb up and down stairs. It hurt to change this morning and Xanatos told me that Hacker told him there will be no pain from this point on."

"Sounds like he knew it was a werewolf formula."

"I don't think so but if he did, he didn't know I would be chosen." Both fell silent as the sun went down. Matt felt a tingle as he went to all fours as a wolf. He had a brief look of Angela's gargoyle form before she became a wolf too. Matt went up to Angela to nuzzle her cheek. "Sleep well?" he asked.

"Of course. And you?"

"Quite well. I won't be needing a nap tonight."

Angela then dipped her head as a gurgle was heard from her stomach, heard only by her, Matt, and Goliath, the latter offering no comment. "Let's…get some food first," she said.

"Good idea," he said as they headed down the stairs. "Angela, I was thinking of racing each other and seeing how fast we can go on four legs." He saw Angela's eyes light up with interest.

"Yes! I'd love to test our speed."

"Good." They entered the kitchen to find Fox at the stove and the smell of beef filled the air. Fox looked over her shoulder at them with a knowing smile. "I knew you two would be here for food."

"Yes, please," Angela said with a soft whine.

Fox served up ground beef and water, Angela having more meat than Matt as he had eaten that morning which had satisfied him until now. They ate hungrily and slaked their thirst before they were done. Fox took the plates and refilled the water bowls as the pair left to test their speed and have some races.

As the elevator doors opened to the garden, they found the clan waiting for them. "What's wrong?" Angela asked.

"Nothing, lass," Hudson said. "We would also like to see how fast you can go."

"Sure," Matt said. He took up a position on a circular path and Angela stood beside him. "Ready, set, go!" Matt went into motion, easily moving all four limbs. He felt his paws pounding the concrete which was beginning to blur as his speed picked up. A wolf's grin appeared as he ran and enjoyed the sensations he felt. The air running over his fur and tickling his nose with scents, the feel of his paws pushing against the path and touching down before repeating it, and feeling his heart beating harder as he ran. This is more intense than when I did it in human form. It could also be because I didn't know I was a werewolf when I first tested my speed.

A black form appeared at his side and he quickly looked to see that if was Angela who was panting, not from exertion but rather excitement. He almost tripped when Angela actually sped past him and laughing.

After several laps, both wolves flopped onto the grass, panting hard as the clan came over. "Incredible," Goliath said. "You were so fast, I almost couldn't keep track."

"Yeah," Matt panted. "It was…much faster than…what I was doing…in human form."

"Definitely faster…than a gargoyle," Angela gasped. Her tail wagged happily. She was feeling better about being a wifewolf and was seeing some of the advantages as well. She heard and smelled better than a human or a gargoyle and moved at supernatural speeds.

Perhaps tomorrow night we can test our strength. I'd like to see how strong my jaws are. Also…I wonder if I can see the sun if I stay in wolf form. I could try that after the full moons are over.