Moonlit Fur Chronicles: Lucid Fur
Chapter 10 Unforseen Visit

Cordelia pulled me to my feet. My vision of Lilith was fresh in my mind, it had me confused. That’s just what I needed, one more thing to confuse me. I shrugged it off and headed back home, the gargoyles prepared to return to stone. Apparently I had been unconscious for longer than I realized. I slipped my clothes off and stuffed them into my backpack. I phased into a wolf and retrieved my backpack. I sauntered up out of the cave. My mental map led me straight to the house, I took my time. I needed time to think. The sun shone through the leaves and turned the forest a gorgeous shade of green.

I found a large boulder in the middle of a clearing. I plopped myself down on it. The boulder was slightly warm from the sun. The boulder was big enough for me to stretch out on. I pondered my situation. I needed to identify a dead language and translate the two mystery ingredients? I was so deep in thought, I almost missed the snap of a broken branch. I froze and sniffed quietly. I picked up a familiar scent. It smelled like a home, it smelled safe. I turned my head to the sound and saw movement. Something red and blue flashed among the trees. I launched off the rock and dashed into the trees just as the blue and red blur entered the clearing.

I pressed myself against the ground and watched as Isadora from the occult shop trekked into view. Wait, it wasn’t Isadora. Her lips were too puffy and her eyes were just a little smaller. It must be Isadora’s sister, they were almost identical. The woman’s phone chirped, “Isabella,” she spoke into it. “Yes Izzy, I’m here right where you told me. There’s nothing here. You obviously did the spell wrong.” She listened to the voice on the other end. “No, I’m telling you. There’s nothing here, just a clearing with a giant rock in the middle. Wait…what’s that?” She stepped toward my backpack. I had left it by the boulder, I softly whimpered.

Isabella unzipped my backpack and rifled through it. “Nothing but clothes. You know what that means. I mean there’s the off chance it’s a camper’s backpack.” She laughed cruelly. “There’s wolves in these woods!” I berated myself for my carelessness. “No, there’s no sign of it yet. I’ll keep looking though.” Isabella snapped, her voice sharp and mean. She ended the call and deliberately scanned the treeline. I hoped she wouldn’t see me. I laid perfectly still and held my breath. Isabella finally kicked my backpack behind the boulder. She took one last look along the treeline and retreated into the forest.

I waited for at least fifteen minutes before I moved, I needed to make sure she was gone. I deeply inhaled but couldn’t catch her scent. Once I was positive she was gone, I snatched up my backpack and bolted back into the trees. I shifted back to my human form and dressed. That was way too close. I moved as quickly as I tried to get home as fast as possible. I missed the good old days of rival werewolf Alphas and high tech hunters. Now I had gargoyles and curses and who knows what else to deal with. I couldn’t move nearly as fast on two legs as I could on four but I finally made it home.

I immediately called everyone together and told them to be extra careful. Someone hunted us and I had a gut feeling they were after the gargoyles as well. I tried my best to describe the scent that Isabella had. Everyone agreed they would be extra careful. I suggested to Casey and River that now was a good time for that road trip. Both of them strongly disagreed. “We are not running away, especially not now when there’s an unknown threat against us, not to mention Quinn is still down. We need all the fighters we can get.” They had a solid point.

I spent some time with Quinn, held her hand and reassured her that we would replace her cure. She weakly squeezed my hand twice. I felt someone’s eyes on me. I turned my head enough and saw Phoenix in the doorway. “Thank you, Phoenix for looking after her while I was away. I really appreciate you.” She swallowed hard. “Reese, I…I think I have a problem.” I turned the rest of the way around to face her. Quinns breath deepened. She had fallen asleep. She needed her rest. I motioned for Phoenix to follow me out of the room, I didn’t want to disturb Quinn’s sleep. I led her outside, I sat down beside the pool and slipped my feet into the cool water. Phoenix sat beside me.

“Reese, I…” she swallowed hard again. “I don’t know what to do or where to start.” I grinned softly, “Maybe start at the beginning. Seems like a good place to start.” Phoenix started shivering in spite of the warm breeze that danced around us. “Reese, I think I…have feelings for Quinn.” I didn’t say anything. So many emotions bubbled up inside of me. A twinge of jealousy, worry about Quinn and my relationship, confusion by what this meant, a little frustration. I took a deep breath and let it out gradually. I knew this was a sensitive moment and I needed to handle it delicately. “You think you have feelings for Quinn,” I repeated in what I hoped was an even neutral tone.

Phoenix trembled, I could practically smell the fear ooze off her. “I know you are with her and I’m so scared of what it might mean and of what you’ll do to me! I don’t want to get kicked out of the pack! Reese, I’m sorry!” Phoenix shook so violently I thought she’d fall into the pool. “First let’s get you away from the pool. Don’t need you falling in.” We got up and made our way to the deck lounge chair beside the pool. I sat Phoenix down in one and I dropped into the next lounge chair. My mind was abuzz with this information, my heart beat rapidly.

My anxiety picked and tore at me as I tried to remain calm and centered. Phoenix looked as hysterical as I felt. “Deep breath,” I said aloud to myself. Phoenix thought my comment was directed at her and drew in a deep breath. I fought for control of my emotions, I felt like I was losing. “Why don’t you tell me what happened?” Phoenix looked like she was about to cry. “Reese, I…I’m scared.” I tried to keep my voice even and calm, “Oh believe me, I am too. First, you’re staying with the pack unless you do something to hurt the pack or you wish to leave. I’m not going to kick you out for having a crush on my girlfriend.” My heart wrenched as I said the words.

Phoenix calmed down noticeably. Her body stopped shaking as much and her breath evened out. My inner wolf was territorial and furious. It slammed itself against my chest and roared. I swallowed hard and tried to take deep breaths. “Phoenix, would you please grab two bottles of water please.” She nodded and scurried off into the house. I wanted to scream and rage. I knew it wouldn’t do any good, probably scare Phoenix worse than she already was. She returned with the water bottles and passed one to me. I poured the refreshment into my mouth and swished it around. I had to do something to take my mind off my emotions.

I swallowed the water, it cooled the wolf inside a little bit. “What has Quinn said,” I asked quietly. Phoenix shook her head, “I don’t know. I didn’t want to upset her with this, not until she is healed.” I took another sip of water. “Yes, we can discuss this once she is cured. Then I’ll have time to sort my emotions out.” She breathed a sigh of relief, “Thank you Reese. I was positive you would’ve taken it much worse.” I took a drink of water. “Phoenix, I think I need to be alone right now,” my voice was short and gruff. She vanished into the house.