Hugh Formally Asks For Susanna's Hand

Hugh heavily sat down on his bed, to pull on his socks and then his shoes. As he did so, he noticed his hands were trembling slightly. This gave him pause, not for the fact that he was nervous but because since his change, his supernaturally strong body hadn’t faltered before.

“C’mon Hugh, get a grip!” he muttered to himself. “Susanna is counting on you…”

However his own words gave him pause a second time. He chuckled at how he was lying even to himself. Susanna wasn’t counting on him, as Susanna didn’t count on anyone but her parents. When Hugh first told her of his plans to approach her father for her hand in ‘marriage’? She laughed right in his face!

“Are you CRAZY?!” she roared. “My Dad will maul you!”

“But our families go a long way back…” Hugh tried to persuade her.

“Yeah, so? You walking up to my Dad and asking him for his 16 year old daughter to become your mate? Is like a human walking right into a grizzly’s cave and poking it with a stick!”

“But your father and my father are best friends…”

“My Dad is Second in the pack. My Dad says ‘jump’ and your Dad says ‘how high?’” Susanna rolled her eyes. “Which coincidentally, is your role too.”

“Then what is your role in the pack, Susanna?”

“My Dad says ‘sick ‘em’ and I frickin’ kill it!”

That was true, Hugh noted. Susanna in her European Werewolf body was almost the strongest in the pack, bar her father in his European Werewolf form. Declan Sabre was over 300 years old and for over 300 years he had remained the faithful, yet extremely over-protective mate of the tribe’s first female Lokoti Werewolf, Bianca Sabre. Declan Sabre had also served as Second to the Lokoti Werewolf pack for nigh on two centuries, under two First’s. Hugh sensed as all of the pack did, that each First had relied on Declan for his supernatural strength as well as his blunt and to-the-point counsel. If a job arose where a single member of the pack had to be sent to eliminate an enemy? It was Declan who was sent, or occasionally Zen Hua but usually it was Declan.

Outsiders suspected that Declan Sabre never became First of the Lokoti Werewolf pack because he was a different breed of Werewolf; which simply wasn’t true. The pack knew that Declan Sabre couldn’t lead because he could never be an impartial leader what with his wife and three daughters also among the ranks. The pack had witnessed on more than one occasion, Declan going berserk when anything or anyone had looked at his mate or his young the wrong way.

When Zen Hua, an Asian Werewolf and an honorary member of the pack courted his eldest daughter, Lucia Sabre? The pack in secret admired the Asian Werewolf’s gumption by risking the wrath of the male European Werewolf. Then with Zen Hua’s unswerving loyalty, he proved himself time and time again his heart was true? Eventually this made the huge European Werewolf retract its dangerous claws and finally give his permission.

Although Declan Sabre may have relented in the case of Lucia and Zen? It was an entirely different story with his middle daughter, Sophia Sabre and Xenthe Creillaic. Xenthe was a European Vampire and another honorary member of the Lokoti Werewolf pack. Xenthe was also Kevin’s best friend, whom was Hugh’s older brother and also a Lokoti Werewolf. Xenthe and Kevin bonded in friendship, as the two were trained to curb their deadly bloodlust from craving human to animal instead. European Vampires are also the mortal enemies of European Werewolves. So when Xenthe asked Declan permission to court his daughter Sophia? To say the ‘shit hit the fan’ would have put it mildly.

Xenthe had to prove himself in battle and his worth again and again as it was ongoing. Kevin stood beside his best friend to vouch for him, however it was from the direct influence of Declan’s mate and Sophia’s mother Bianca Sabre that permitted the courtship. Declan openly hated Xenthe as the hatred between European Werewolf and European Vampire was ingrained in their very DNA. But when Bianca stood in front of Xenthe to stop her mate from mutilating the gangly Vampire? Bianca Sabre put her foot down and that was it, Xenthe became the mate of Sophia Sabre.

Now it was Hugh Wisetail’s turn. Whereas Zen Hua pursued Lucia Sabre when she was 20 years old? And Xenthe Creillaic pursued Sophia Sabre when she too was 20 years old? Hugh was about to ask the tribe’s most dangerous Werewolf for the hand of his youngest.

Susanna by no means looked like a normal 16 year old girl, even in her human form. She was taller, broad-shouldered and more muscled then half of the tribe’s human males. Her thick, wavy blonde hair with her bright blue eyes aided her feminine appearance, coupled with her beautiful face? But if somebody looked at her body from her neck downwards, fully-clothed she could be mistaken for a man. Her strength was overpowering too, even in human form and if a human man should wish to court her? He would have to make many adjustments for her overbearing strength and her dominating behavior.

However Hugh had the advantage not many men had, he HAD seen Susanna with out clothes on and his heart could still beat faster in excitement, as he recalled the fateful night. He closed his eyes as he sat there on the bed, recalling how he had looked on her naked form and then felt it, pressed up against his. His Lokoti Werewolf muscles hardened with lust, as he remembered vividly being with the powerful young woman…

“…Susanna…?” he breathed deeply, opening his dark eyes once more. “Right, that’s it! It’s now or never.”

Hugh stood up, grabbed his old, black suede jacket and he left his bedroom. As he marched downstairs, his mother, father and two older sisters looked up at his arrival from their breakfast at the table. His Lokoti Werewolf father recognized the determined look in his eye, as his human mother and human sisters looked on in curiosity instead.

His father and Kevin knew what he was planning that day, but he hadn’t told his mother or sisters as yet. They knew of his secret affection for Susanna, as all his family did. But if his mother knew that he planned to approach ‘Uncle Dec’ today? She would insist on coming with him, scared for his life no doubt.

Hugh could picture his mother throwing herself on the ground before the enraged European Werewolf to beg for her son’s life. It was because his mother was paranoid for her children’s lives since she lost her first born in battle? Was the reason why Hugh didn’t want to tell her until AFTER he had marched into the bear’s cave to poke it with a stick.

“Are you going out?” Wendy Wisetail asked her grown youngest, as she watched Hugh walk past and into the kitchen.

“Yes.” He answered, as he opened the fridge to pour himself a glass of juice.

“Where are you off to?” Wendy asked. “You look a little dressed up, why are you wearing ‘smart casual’? Have you got a meeting in Fairbanks or something?”

“If you’re going into Fairbanks for the day, I’ll come with you.” his eldest sister Edwina, piped up. “I need to socialize in civilization again.”

Edwina who was now in her late twenties and currently living with her family after her latest break-up? Was not just the family’s but the Tribe’s snobbiest member. She prided her College education, well-paid jobs and usually rich and even snobbier boyfriends? But actually committing herself to any of these vocations was another matter. Every couple of years she would move back home to live for a month or two, lick her wounds, sharpen her claws and then launch herself upon another unsuspecting city. Hugh, Kevin and Katrina often joked how their oldest sister for a human could be pretty bitchy.

“I’m not going into Fairbanks.” Hugh said crisply as he raised the glass to drink.

“Oh, are you going into Anchorage then?” Edwina tried again.

“Nope.” Hugh said in between chugs.

“Then why the hell are you all dressed up? You’re too dressed up for Lokoti lands or even Alma.” Edwina said snidely. “Unless of course, you have a date?”

“Nuh uh.” Hugh lowered the empty glass and proceeded to rinse it in the sink.

“Oh so you’re NOT seeing the girl who if anyone asks, you’re supposedly not seeing?” Edwina taunted.

“Edwina.” Walt Wisetail gave his eldest daughter a dissatisfied growl.

“Uncle Dec is going to find out eventually, Hugh.” Edwina laughed coldly.

“Edwina, mind your own business please.” Wendy said, colder still.

“I thought the pack were empathic or telepathic with each other or something.” Edwina pretended to think out loud. “So how does Hugh and Susanna get away with it, with her parents not sensing something?”

“Ed, shut up!” Katrina, Hugh’s other older sister lost her patience. “You are such a bitch!”

“No Katrina, if I were a bitch then I’d accidentally blurt out in front of Uncle Dec or Aunt B about the 22 year old Hugh’s crush on their 16 year old daughter!” Edwina stood up haughtily to carry her plate into the kitchen. She came to stand beside Hugh by the sink to wash off the crumbs before putting it into the dishwasher.

“And if Edwina didn’t have an over-protective Lokoti Werewolf for a father, she would be kicked out on her ass weeks ago!” Katrina retorted.

“And if I were a North American Werewolf and not a Lokoti Werewolf, I would eat my eldest sister with out a second thought.” Hugh said icily as he passed Edwina a menacing look.

Just then Edwina snapped her fingers as she looked on Hugh like she had realized something, “I know why you’re all dressed up! It’s the reason why you were talking quietly to Kevin and Dad outside last night! Today you’re going to tell Uncle Dec and Aunt B about you and Susanna! It was the reason why Kevin and Dad were saying they should come with you!”

“What’s this?” Wendy immediately looked up in alarm.

“Oh for crying out loud…!” Katrina moaned as she dramatically rested her head in her hands. “Dad, can’t we just kill her?”

“Not legally, no.” Walt sighed.

“What’s this, Walt?” Wendy looked on her husband, before looking on her youngest. Walt who looked younger than his human wife thanks to his supernatural slower aging process, tried to look innocently back. “Hugh?” she next turned his way again.

“It’s nothing, Mom.” Hugh walked out of the kitchen to address her. “It’s nothing, really.”

“Are you going to see Declan and B about Susanna TODAY and you didn’t tell me?!” Wendy got all riled up. Hugh looked at his father for help, which next earned a look of fury from his wife. “Walt, you KNEW about this and you were keeping it from me?!”

“Yes, Hugh is going to talk to Declan and Bianca this morning.” Walt began to explain patiently. “He’s going to ask Declan and Bianca for Susanna’s hand in marriage. I suggested that Kevin and I go with him, but he refused.”

“MARRIAGE?!” Wendy stood up so suddenly, her chair was knocked backwards. “You’re going to ask Susanna to MARRY you?!”

“We are mates, mother.” Hugh announced.

“You and Susanna are MATES?!” Wendy spluttered. “But when did this happen? Why didn’t anyone tell me? What’s going on here?!”

Wendy looked on her family in shock, as her family all looked away guiltily.

“Look Mom, we didn’t want to scare you or anything…” Katrina began.

“Scare me?! So you thought you’d hide my youngest getting mated off, because you thought it would scare me?!” Wendy ranted.

“Well Mom, you kinda get a little worked up with your constant worrying, so we thought…” Katrina tried to put it diplomatically.

“WORKED UP?!” Wendy’s face began to turn red in anger. “So you all thought you would hide my youngest getting married from me?”

“Don’t worry Mom, I didn’t know either.” Edwina also tried to play the victim.

“We were talking about it when you were in the room, but you were sharpening your claws at the time with one of your emery boards which I know can be so time filling for you.” Hugh glared at Edwina.

Katrina cracked up laughing and applauded her younger brother for his excellent commentary on their mutual enemy, as Edwina huffed and went to sit at the table again.

“So today you were planning on becoming engaged and you didn’t want to tell me, your own mother!” Wendy vented. “Oh sure, she won’t notice if her youngest just packs up and moves out!”

“Wendy, I don’t think Hugh will be moving out with Susanna for some time yet.” Walt tried to comfort her.

“But he’s talking to Declan and Bianca about it today!” Wendy objected.

“Yes, he’s TALKING about it with them today… but remember what it was like for Zen Hua or even for Xenthe when they asked Declan for his permission?” Walt pointed out.

“Oh...” Wendy’s face fell. “…oh dear…” Using his lightening-fast reflexes, Walt quickly picked up the chair from the floor just in time too, as Wendy sunk into the seat. “Walt!” she quickly grabbed onto his arm. “Don’t let him go alone to face Declan for Pete’s Sake! Go with him!”

“I offered but Hugh said he wants to go alone…” Walt began.

“Are you CRAZY?!” Wendy became shrill. “Our little boy is going to be David facing Goliath! He’s walking right into the monster’s cave, asking Declan for his 16 year old daughter’s hand!”

“Mom, no.” Hugh spoke up. “I’ve got to do this alone. If I go with Dad and Kevin, I’ll look weak. I have to show Uncle Declan that I’m strong enough to be the mate for Susanna.”

Suddenly everyone was interrupted though by Edwina’s loud laughter. She was practically falling out of her seat, howling with her guffaws! She was laughing so hard, she had to hold her sides.

“Oh man, I wish I was coming to see this! I wish I could see Uncle Dec’s Werewolf eyes turn their glowing green and his face go red. Or his veins protrude from his muscles upon muscles, as it always happens when Uncle Dec gets angry!” Edwina guffawed.

“Shut up Edwina!” Katrina picked up her piece of toast to throw at her.

“Then I’ll come with you.” Wendy stood up again. “I’ll talk to Declan for you.”

“No!” simultaneously Walt and Hugh cried out together.

“Mom, if I can’t have my older brother or my father come with me, how the hell can I have my mother go instead?” Hugh argued.

“Hey Uncle Dec, I’m man enough for your little European Werewolf daughter, so much so I have my Mom here with me.” Katrina mimed in amusement.

“Well you’re NOT going to do this alone, Hugh!” Wendy said adamantly.

“Yes I am, Mom.” Hugh said stubbornly. “I don’t expect to come home engaged today, but at least I’ll get the ball rolling for Susanna and I.”

“I don’t expect that you’ll come home in one piece.” Edwina giggled to herself.

Wendy’s face paled from her eldest’s words, as Walt growled upon them.

“You’re excused from the table, Edwina.” He rolled his eyes at his 28 year old’s immaturity.

“Fine!” Edwina harrumphed, as she jumped up from her seat and stormed up the stairs.

“Can we excuse her from the house, too?” Katrina looked at her father in hope.

“Hugh, maybe you should practice on us what you’re going to say to your Uncle Declan and Aunt B this morning.” Walt suggested, gently helping his wife back into her seat again.

“Yeah, good idea Dad!” Katrina said brightly.

“I still don’t think you should be going alone, Hugh.” Wendy whined. “If your father and I came with you, it would show that you have the full support of your family behind you.”

“Dec and B would know that by Hugh officially asking for Susanna’s hand, sweetie.” Walt patted her on the shoulder. “Later, I’ll also have a private word to Declan.”

“But shouldn’t you do that before Hugh goes to talk to them?” Wendy nagged.

“No dearest, because Dec and B already sense there is an attachment between Hugh and Susanna.” Walt explained calmly. “I can see Hugh’s point of view that if he walks into the Lion’s Den alone? He’ll build up respect in Declan’s eyes. Declan and B know that by Hugh formally asking for Susanna’s hand, he would be doing with his family’s approval. Then as Hugh proves himself to his Second? Hugh can buy his first home and start to make preparations for living with Susanna.”

“Don’t buy any curtains or blinds or carpet until I see this house, Hugh!” Wendy was quick to wave her finger warningly at her son.

“I won’t, Mom.” Hugh smiled patiently. “I’ve only just started house-hunting this week.”

“Maybe I should come with you, so I can help you decided on a house that’s the right size and shape…” Wendy’s mind immediately began to fret, “…with Susanna being a female European Werewolf, I hear that her kids could turn out to be like her too. So Hugh could have kids like Dec and B’s kids, half Lokoti and half European Werewolf, or more European or more Lokoti.”

“You’re not even engaged yet and she’s already planning grandkids.” Katrina giggled to her brother.

“I remember what Susanna was like when she was a baby so we have to start planning now.” Wendy’s eyes widened with worry. “Susanna was born in her Werewolf form and didn’t turn into her human body until she was three months old! A nursery is going to have to be well-equipped if my grandchildren are going to be like that!” Then Wendy turned to Walt, “do you remember how many toys Susanna went through, because she chewed them all to pieces?”

“At least the kids will be hardy.” Walt smiled on in amusement.

“OK, before Mom starts buying baby clothes? Let’s practice my speech to Susanna’s parents first.” Hugh clapped his hands together.

“Sounds logical.” Walt smirked. “Go ahead Hugh, convince me why I should give the hand of my teenaged daughter to you.”

“Well Susanna isn’t a normal teenager.” Hugh pointed out. “Her physical age could be of a twenty year old woman, as well as her mentality.”

“Good starting point.” Walt nodded. “What’s next?”

“Susanna has needs as a European Werewolf that I as a Lokoti Werewolf will be able to address… like hunting, for one.” Hugh started to pace as he practiced.

“Good second point. Now what else?” Walt encouraged.

“We are friends as well as lovers, as we grew up together. I know well about her temper and how to calm her down…” Hugh began but he was interrupted.

“Hmm, becareful with that.” Walt frowned. “I wouldn’t brazenly tell the 16 year old girl’s parents that you’re her lover.”

“No, not if you don’t want to limp home.” Wendy shook her head. “Just embellish the parts about taking care of her.”

“But Susanna isn’t just a normal 16 year old girl, as she has her bloodlust-fueled desires that a normal 16 year old human girl doesn’t have.” Hugh debated back.

“I wouldn’t say that. I mean look at Edwina, she’s not a female European Werewolf and we all know what she got up to with her boyfriends, when she was Susanna’s age.” Katrina snickered.

“Hey, I heard that!” Edwina called out from upstairs, indicating she was eavesdropping.

“Katrina, please.” Walt passed her an unimpressed look. “I don’t need to be reminded of your older sister’s antics.”

“Or the couple of times you were almost arrested by the Sheriff in Alma for scaring off those High School boys.” Wendy tittered as she gave her husband an affectionate pat.

“Kevin helped.” Walt chuckled about Hugh’s older brother who was also a Werewolf. “Whereas I scared the boys off outside of school? Kevin who was younger although stronger than the footballers Katrina dated, was able to scare them off inside of school.”

“Look you guys.” Hugh took a deep breath. “I’m just going to go in there and be forthright and honest about my feelings for Susanna.”

“Er, I wouldn’t do that Hugh.” Katrina shook her head. “You’re sometimes an idiot but you’re not that bad for a little brother. I know I’m going to surprise you when I say this? But I actually want you to come home.”

“Thanks Katrina.” Hugh put his hand on her shoulder. “I can honestly say that you make a better older sister than you-know-who upstairs.”

“Thanks a lot!” Katrina laughed. “That’s not really a compliment, when I’m being compared to the worst of the worst!”

“Hey, I heard that!” Edwina sung out again. “I wish Katrina would go with you Hugh, then you can both die a horrible death!”

“Hugh.” Wendy stood up as she anxiously wrung her hands with her husband standing up right after her. “I wish you would take your father and I with you, or even just your father…”

“No Mom.” Hugh took a deep breath. “I have to do this alone and I have to do this now.”

Then the 22 year old Lokoti Werewolf squared off his shoulders, fixed his gaze straight ahead and marched out the front door of the Wisetail house…

…

…to boldly walk up to the front door of the Sabre house. He pressed the button for the doorbell and took a series of deep breaths to try to slow his racing heart.

“Is that you, Hugh?” he heard Uncle Dec’s voice boom from inside. He wasn’t surprised that the male European Werewolf smelled his arrival.

“Er, yeah.”

“C’mon in then.”

Hugh helped himself to opening the heavy, wooden front door and entering the house. The front door was thick and strong, as it had to be. Hugh had heard the stories of how many times Uncle Dec’s temper had smashed the door in both human and in Werewolf form. Even Susanna had broken it upon occasion when she accidentally changed indoors. The door has also had to be used as a barrier in the past to keep out other supernatural predators who came to prey on three young female Werewolves in the shapes of his daughters. That was until Uncle Dec bounded onto the scene in his Werewolf form and laid waste of the threat.

He heard his Uncle Dec was in the kitchen as was typical, cooking up something with his Aunt B with him. They were typically arguing as they were cooking as it sounded like they were preparing something. As he walked through their living area over to their kitchen entranceway, he saw he was correct. As he had walked through the house though, he couldn’t detect Susanna’s scent indicating that she wasn’t home.

“No Declan!” B squawked. “Dr. Harris is allergic to shell fish! We can’t have prawn cocktails served for an entrée!”

“For crying out loud, B! Why don’t you just hire a professional chef to cook for you, instead of the slave labor you put your husband through?!”

“Fine!” B huffed. “I can call my PA at Hodge Endeavor and have this lunch specially catered for!”

“Fine!” Declan bad-temperedly threw down his tea towel as he began to walk off. “Get measly little humans to cook for you! See if I care!”

“Well I DID tell you who was allergic to what! Humans AREN’T Werewolves Declan, they can’t regenerate like we can! If you serve a human something they’re allergic to, they can keel over dead! Now what kind of academic luncheon is that?”

“An interesting one!” Declan snapped, before he addressed Hugh. “These academic lunches that B goes to are so boring that it can drive a Werewolf to distraction! Seriously Hugh, watching paint dry is more entertaining.”

Hugh chuckled, but instantly stopped when he saw his Aunt B glower. His Aunt B and Uncle Dec were different to his parents. As Wendy Wisetail appeared like a human in her fifties because well, she was one? Walt Wisetail who was the same age as his wife, still appeared to be in his thirties thanks to the Lokoti Werewolf slower aging. However with Aunt B and Uncle Dec being Circulators as well as Aunt B a Lokoti Werewolf and Uncle Dec was a European Werewolf? They both appeared to be in their thirties, even though they were both over three centuries old.

B took out her mobile phone from her pocket, hit a button and then raised it to her head. “Hallo, Genavieve? Look, an emergency has come up and I need an event catered ASAP.”

“Say what?” Declan fired up. “I wasn’t SERIOUS about the catering company, B! You can’t get a catering company to come NOW, with all of this food we’ve already bought!”

Next Declan charged back into the kitchen, snatched B’s phone and shut it and then he returned to cooking.

“Declan, I was in the middle of talking!” B complained.

“We’re not wasting all this food we’ve bought for your stupid luncheon!” Declan snapped. “Now I am going to serve prawn cocktails for the entrée and anyone who’s allergic can simply have bruschetta! Is that good enough for you?”

“Fine! Now there’s no shell fish in the main, is there?” B asked warily.

“Since when did I ever serve a roast dinner with shell fish as the main meat?” Declan rolled his eyes. “We are eating Roast Lamb so not to offend some of your guests who are Islamic, or the guest who are Hindus. I am serving creamy potato bake and honey-cinamon carrots as well as creamy broccoli and cauliflower bake. Now, does this dinner meet your specifications?”

“Oooh…!” B’s anger melted away as she wrapped her arms about her large mate’s strong neck. “How can I stay angry with you?” She even teasingly rubbed her nose against her mate’s cheek.

Hugh watched the last of Declan’s temper evaporate from the attractive female rubbing herself against him, “I tell you what, you can pay me for my services later on tonight.” He said quietly in her ear before kissing it.

B and Declan’s audience quickly averted his gaze as he felt his face heat up, as he even felt obliged to clear his throat.

“Oh sorry, Hugh.” B pulled out of Declan’s arms as she returned to cutting up some salad.

“Is there a reason why you’re here, Hugh?” Declan asked gruffly, not liking the interruption.

“Er yes.” Hugh admitted. “I came to speak to you… about Susanna.”

“Susanna?” B stopped chopping to look his way. “Why? What’s she done now?”

“Oh no, nothing! Susanna hasn’t done anything wrong. But um, I would like to speak to the both of you please.”

Declan’s eyes immediately narrowed as he looked on the Lokoti Werewolf standing there in the entranceway of his kitchen. “Oh yeah? And what about?”

“Um…” Hugh started to falter, “…perhaps we could all sit down?”

“Why?” Declan refused to budge.

“C’mon Dec.” B took hold of her husband’s hand on passing to pull him along with her.

Hugh led the way over to the table and the three of them all sat down, with Hugh sitting across from his prospective Bride’s parents. Declan was the tallest as well as the most muscled man in the tribe, even seated. However Hugh took a deep breath and carried on with fulfilling his mission.

“Allow me to begin by expressing my most deepest love for your daughter Susanna.” Hugh proclaimed. “As at the same time, I hold you and Aunt B in the highest regard and with respect.”

“Say what?” Declan blinked.

“Oh no way…” B looked from Hugh to Declan, “…I think this is one of those talks that we had with Zen about Lucia and then with Xenthe about Sophia.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Declan abruptly leaned forwards to rest his weary head in his hands. “Hugh, look behind me. I’m supposed to be catering an academic luncheon for twelve people who will be arriving in two hours time… and you do this NOW?”

“I’m sorry if this is inconvenient to you, I just knew you would be home this morning. I’ll leave…” Hugh started to stand up.

“No Hugh.” B spoke up. “Sit back down. Declan does have a point, but he’s also saying it so he’ll put you off and hope that you don’t come back to try again.”

“Oh.” Hugh sunk back into his seat. “Unfortunately Uncle Dec, I would come back. I would come back again and again and again…”

“Yeah, I’m sure you would.” Declan sighed tiredly as he rubbed his face. “And I’m sure that you’re banking on the fact that I’m friends with your parents, so I’m not going to kill you to stop it.”

Hugh tried hard not to show his nerves, “I’ve considered that as a possibility, Uncle. However my love for Susanna is worth the risk.”

“OK, here we go.” Declan sat upright to face-off his youngest’s suitor. “You’re going to tell me your intentions are honorable and I’m gonna say no. You’re going to say that you can make her happy and I’m gonna say no. You’re gonna say you would risk life and limb for my baby girl? And then I’m gonna say no. Hugh, no matter what you’re going to say, I’m gonna say no. So how about we both save ourselves a lot of time and I return to my cooking and I’ll allow you to walk home on both legs.”

Hugh tried harder to keep from flinching, “that is a very acceptable proposal, Uncle Dec and to be honest with you, I didn’t expect that I would leave today engaged.”

“You see B?” Declan turned towards his beloved B. “And you say that I don’t communicate, how’s that for communication skills?”

“However I came here today even if I end up crawling bloodied and broken home, to state my intentions and make my feelings for your daughter known.” Hugh went on.

“Frickin’ hell!” Declan rubbed his face again.

“I love Susanna and you know first-hand Uncle that when a Lokoti Werewolf chooses a mate? We don’t give in easily as we mate for life.” Hugh began.

“No.” Declan responded.

“I know for a fact that Susanna also loves me and she has consented to become my mate.” Hugh continued.

“She has?” B asked in surprise.

“No.” Declan responded.

“I am older than Susanna I know, but with my extra years I am in a position to take care of her...”

“No.”

“…as I can provide for her and ensure she is happy and fulfilled…”

“No.”

“…and be the best mate for her, also being a Werewolf and for being the breed that she is part of…”

“No.”

“…I have already started looking for a house and with my employment I have excellent prospects for advancement…”

“No.”

“…my family are behind me a hundred percent and even the pack in agreement that I would make an excellent suit for your daughter…”

“No.”

“…I can understand that you think Susanna is too young for this kind of commitment…”

“No.”

“…however Susanna is by no means an ordinary teenager…”

“No.”

“…she has fought for the tribe as I have fought side-by-side with her for her safety…”

“No.”

“…and if you need me to prove myself further for you, I can.”

“No.”

“However if you want me to wait a couple of years until Susanna is older? Then you would not just be harming me, but you would also be harming Susanna.”

“No.”

“I speak with the greatest respect Uncle, but waiting until Susanna’s older is not the solution. All that it will do is make her bloodlust-fueled desires worse. If Susanna and I are together now? I can help her control those desires.”

Suddenly Declan’s hand flew out so fast, Hugh didn’t see it coming until it was about his neck!

“NO!” Declan roared as his eyes flashed glowing green.

“Declan!” Aunt B cried out, as she tried to pull her much stronger mate’s arm back, but Declan’s grip was iron-clad as it was tight.

Hugh started to splutter as he couldn’t breathe properly, as he helplessly tried to remove his Uncle’s hand at his throat. Not only was the feeling of suffocation upon him, but so was the feeling of being an idiot for saying exactly what his family had warned him NOT to say.

“Declan let him GO!” Aunt B stood up from her chair as she tried to make his Uncle lower his arm. Hugh saw his Aunt start to morph into her stronger Werewolf shape to save him, but her additional strength was still no match.

But then luckily or if perfectly timed; reinforcements arrived in the forms of Lucia, Zen, Kevin, Mali and Susanna as well. They had walked in through the front door carrying shopping bags from several clothing boutiques in Alma, indicating why Susanna had not been at home.

“DAD LET HIM GO!” Susanna roared immediately upon seeing the sight of her father strangling the male she loved.

Nearly all of the arrivals ran up to help Hugh, with Lucia taking her son out of her baby-carrier on her front and hand him over to Mali to hold, since she was a pregnant human and wouldn’t be able to assist. Then Lucia ran after Susanna to grab hold of their father’s arm to help their mother pull their father off Hugh. Simultaneously, Kevin and Zen ran over to Hugh’s position at the table to try to pull him backwards to safety.

Hugh’s face was turning bright red from both the pain of Declan’s grip crushing his windpipe as well as from lack of oxygen. He felt like his arms were about to be pulled from their sockets with both Kevin and Zen trying to pull him free. Meanwhile, B had climbed into Declan’s lap as she tried to lower his arm as both Lucia and Susanna were wrestling their father.

However it was the combined strength of both Lucia and Susanna who saved Hugh that day, as they loosened Declan’s grip just enough that Kevin and Zen could pull him to safety. Hugh’s chair fell backwards onto the floor, with Hugh, Kevin and Zen toppling over from the sudden inertia of Hugh’s release.

Hugh sat up wheezing and rubbing his bruised neck, as Kevin and Zen stood up first to help him to his feet. On the other side of the table, Declan too stood up as he looked murderous on the young Lokoti Werewolf. His Werewolf eyes were bright green as they glowered threateningly. But with his mate and two daughters now standing in the way to prevent a second attack? Furiously he spun on his heel and stalked out of the house via the backdoor, with the sound of his clothes beginning to tear as he exited.

Just before Declan disappeared, he was already half-way through his change into his European Werewolf body thanks to his bloodlust-fueled temper being ignited. Everyone knew by Declan’s sudden departure, he had left to run in his Werewolf form through the woods and probably kill an animal rather than accidentally harm his mate and young.

“I told you that Dad and I should be with you when you asked Uncle Dec for permission.” Kevin rolled his eyes at his little brother.

“Why did you do it when I was out of the house?” Susanna next whacked Hugh on the arm. “I’m stronger than you, Kevin and Uncle Walt put together. I could have kept Dad off you!”

“Hugh, make a mental note; the next time you ask the father for his daughter’s hand in marriage? Don’t mention controlling his daughter’s desires!” His Aunt B said crossly, as she glared his way.

Zen’s eyes widened at Hugh’s stupidity, as Kevin laughingly shook his head.

“You did what?” Even Lucia looked on Hugh incredulous. “Man, of all the idiotic things to say? No wonder Dad went off!”

The heavily pregnant Mali, waddled up to Lucia to hand her back her baby whilst Kevin put his arm about his mate’s shoulders and gave her an affectionate kiss.

“Are you alright, Kevin?” Mali asked concerned in her French accent.

“I’m fine.” Kevin promised, patting her on her protruding stomach. “Are you OK, Mali?”

“Bien.” She answered.

Zen crossed over to his mate’s side, to pat his baby’s back whilst he was in Lucia’s arms. Zen and Lucia next rubbed noses as they shared an affectionate growl to each other. Hugh looked at Susanna for a similar form of bonding? But Susanna looked too angry.

“You mentioned our sex life to my Dad?” Susanna seethed at him. “I’m tempted to maul you myself!”

“Oh.” Hugh’s face fell at his amore’s wrath. “Well I didn’t actually say that we were…”

“Parents in the room!” B objected to interrupt him.

“Yeah, just keep digging that grave, Hugh.” Kevin continued to shake his head.

Hugh next watched B turn around and walk back into the kitchen where upon everyone heard, “great! This is just great! I have twelve respected academics coming for lunch and my chef has just staged a walk-out!”

Lucia sighed, “I’ll help Mum.” Then she handed her son over to her husband and went into the kitchen after her. “What are you making for lunch?”

“Prawn cocktails or bruschetta for entrée, followed by Roast Lamb with creamy potato bake and honey-cinamon carrots as well as creamy broccoli and cauliflower bake.” Aunt B whined. “I was cutting up the lettuce and cucumber for the prawn cocktail and the tomato and fresh oregano for the bruschetta? But I don’t know how to make creamy potato bake or creamy broccoli and cauliflower bake.”

“I know how to make those.” Lucia promised. “Don’t worry Mum, it’ll be fine. Hey Susanna, you wanna give us a hand?”

“Coming.” Susanna shot a parting glare at her future mate, before she joined them.

“I know how to make honey-cinamon carrots.” Mali offered. “My Grandmamma taught me.”

“I can make the prawn cocktail sauce.” Zen next volunteered with his heavy Chinese accent. He next strapped his son into the baby-carrier on his chest then went to assist his wife and in-laws.

“I’ll set the table, if you like.” Kevin didn’t want to feel left out, before he whacked Hugh on the arm.

“Er, I’ll help.” Hugh added on.

“Hugh, you can peel the potatoes for the potato bake.” B said crisply. “Kevin? You’ll need to extend the table and get the extra chairs.”

“Will do, Aunt B!” Kevin said exuberantly. “Don’t worry, we’ll make this lunch extra special.”

“This morning has already been ‘extra special’.” Hugh picked up his Aunt sigh under her breath, which made him feel guilty.

~~~~~~~~

To make up for his idiocy, Hugh tried to help out as much as possible. He peeled potato after potato at the kitchen sink whilst watching the others work around him. He snuck many a sideways look at Susanna, as she and Lucia worked in unison.

From all the years they helped their father out in the kitchen? The sisters were well aware of their father’s many recipes he had cooked from memory. They knew exactly how to make the creamy potato bake as well as the creamy broccoli and cauliflower bake. As Mali prepared the honey-cinamon carrots? Kevin set the table, with coming into the kitchen to retrieve the cutlery as a perfect excuse to give her several more kisses on passing.

What surprised both Kevin and Hugh was Zen’s mastery of the chopping knife when he helped B thinly-slice the peeled cucumber. He proficiently and quickly cut everything up neatly with his lightening-fast reflexes, making the sharp knife gleam in his hands. This made Hugh and Kevin exchange wary looks, as they recalled their honorary member of the pack who was an Asian Werewolf? Had come to live with the Lokoti after being picked by his clan back in China for being their best assassin.

Hugh then helped his Aunt B prepare the Lamb to put in the oven, remembering how his parents cooked roasts. He helped his Aunt smear freshly-crushed garlic over the meat, as well as sprinkle rosemary, thyme and a tiny amount of oregano.

“Lucky Xenthe isn’t here, as he wouldn’t like the smell of that garlic.” Kevin joked about his best friend who was a European Vampire.

Everyone laughed in agreement, as many hands made light work. Within an hour, the bakes were in the oven along with the lamb to slowly cook. The honey-cinamon carrots were ready to put into the oven towards the end as they would take less time. Lucia next prepared the bruschetta as Zen then put together the prawn cocktails in several small bowls along with the cocktail sauce he had made. Aunt B now turned her attention to the table Kevin had set. She added to it, by putting down place cards as well as two small vases of flowers which had been cut from her garden.

Kevin helped himself to going upstairs before returning carrying a couple of items of Declan’s clothes.

“I’m just gonna go and find Uncle Dec and give him these to put on, once he changes back.” Kevin announced. “So he doesn’t come home naked in his human form in the middle of your academic lunch, Aunt B.”

“Thank you Kevin.” B smiled appreciatively.

“See you soon, sweetie.” Kevin kissed his wife’s cheek one last time before he departed the house too. “Hugh, can you pick up Uncle Dec’s torn clothes and put them in the laundry?”

Hugh followed his older brother out via the backdoor and as Kevin carried the new clothes, Hugh began to pick up the torn ones up from the back lawn.

Just before Kevin left the yard to go into the surrounding woods to look for his incensed European Werewolf Uncle? His parting words to his little brother were, “I’d probably leave soon, if I were you Hugh. You don’t want to be around whilst Aunt B is holding her lunch for the visiting humans and Uncle Dec attack you in his Werewolf form.”

No Hugh wouldn’t, it would give away the secrecy of Werewolves existing to the outsiders that were coming to the house. Hugh let out a dejected sigh as he carried his Uncle’s torn clothes back into the house and he left them in the laundry, on top of the combined washer/ dryer. But before he walked out, he was joined by Susanna.

“Why did you mention our sex life to my father?” she asked in a surly voice.

“But I didn’t…” Hugh tried, “…I just said that by not making us wait for me to take you as my wife as well as my mate, I can help you control your desires - ”

“You said WHAT?!” Susanna blanched.

“I know.” Hugh’s face fell. “I learned well from my mistake by your father trying to strangle me.”

“I thought the older a person grows, they make LESS stupid mistakes not MORE!” Susanna crossed her arms crankily. “It sounds like one of the stupid things you used to say when you were a kid.”

“I know.” Hugh couldn’t help but to smirk. “I certainly said some classics when I was young, didn’t I?”

Susanna next leaned against the washer/ dryer as she thought out loud, “I mean, I’m always on my guard. I have to be so careful of what I do or touch so I don’t accidentally hurt somebody. You’ve seemed so mature of late, especially in the last couple of years since your change? I thought you were always on your guard too.”

This made Hugh smile softly as he placed his hand on her arm, “I know you’re always on your guard, Susanna. I know that you’re always holding yourself back as you constantly restrain yourself. But I was hoping that one day you and I could live in our own house and be who we really are with each other. Together when it’s just you and me, we wouldn’t have to restrain ourselves.”

“And you tried to say this to Dad?” she grinned in good humor.

“Very poorly, I’m afraid.” He grinned back.

He next leaned in to place a soft kiss on her lips and with her being his height? Came very easily. Then her European Werewolf fiery passion came out when she suddenly grabbed him just before he pulled away to kiss him back harder. It was the fiery passion which Hugh loved about her, as he eagerly kissed for longer. He liked the feel of her strong hands gripping onto him tightly, as their sharp teeth grazed the other’s lips. The force of Susanna’s affection made the washer/ dryer bump loudly into the wall.

“OK guys? Breaking Mum and Dad’s laundry is not going to help your case.” Lucia sung out from the other room, along with a round of snickering could be heard.

With pink faces, Hugh and Susanna reluctantly parted as Hugh gazed into Susanna’s bright blue eyes and she gazed back into his dark ones.

“I will risk your father’s wrath and ask him again and again, until he says yes.” Hugh promised.

“Maybe you should buy a First Aid Kit for your plan of attack, as it looks like you’re gonna need it.” Susanna giggled.

Hugh looked from the open doorway of the laundry, then back to Susanna. “Are you going to be joining your parents for their academic lunch?”

“No, I was going to go to Lucia and Zen’s for the afternoon.”

“How about I take you out? Let’s spend the day together. We can do anything you like.” He offered.

“And risk my father’s wrath so soon?”

“Of course.” Hugh chuckled. “No matter how old a person grows? They certainly don’t stop making mistakes overnight.”

This made Susanna beam, as they always had shared the same silly sense of humor.

“Lets go.” She took hold of his hand and led the way out of the laundry.

~~~~~~~~

Hugh parked his hover-car in a small clearing in the National Park, just off the dirt road they had cruised down. Hugh had offered to drive Susanna into town to do more shopping or to see a movie or something as such? But Susanna shook her head and told him to take her into the Park instead, which surrounded their Tribal Lands.

This partially surprised Hugh, as they already spent much time in the wilderness. Every full moon, the pack hunted the large wildlife whilst running up to hundreds of kilometers using their Werewolf senses to navigate in the night. Then with Susanna and Hugh’s relationship which began in secrecy, resulted in many a clandestine evening meeting in the woods. Hugh had expected now that their love had been ‘outted’ as such, they could spend time in public together without hiding their true feelings? But nope! Susanna wanted to spend more time in the forest instead.

“Why don’t we go to lunch at a nice café in Alma?” Hugh offered before they climbed out of his hover-car. “My shout.”

“No Hugh.” Susanna pouted, which he thought looked quite cute on her. “You did promise that we could do anything that I wanted?”

“I did.” He conceded. “But why back in the woods when we don’t have to pretend out in public anymore?”

“Because we’re going to do something I very rarely get to do in daylight.” She smiled mischievously his way before opening the door on her side of the car to climb out.

This made Hugh grin at the intonation as he was quick to open his door next and climb out after her. “Do you care to elaborate on that?”

Susanna smiled secretively as she walked a little way away from both he and his hover-car. Hugh leaned on his door to look on, wondering about the direction she was heading in? He also wondered why she slipped off her shoes and took off her jacket? Then he looked around startled as her undressing didn’t stop there and she even turned around to face him as she moved.

“Susanna!” Hugh said worriedly. “We’re in the public section of the National Park! Somebody could come by and see!” He even looked back down the road behind to check for traffic.

“Then we’d better hurry.” She giggled, taking off the last of her garments.

“Wait!” he held out his hands. “Then I’ll take us somewhere more secluded than here.”

She carelessly dropped her underwear and stood there in all her natural beauty, which made Hugh pause to give her a good look up and down. She was right, he was seeing something he had only seen with his Werewolf eyes at night; never before during the day with his human sight.

Next she began to tremble slightly, as he heard her bones begin to crack while they contorted into her European Werewolf shape. She fell on all fours, with her blue eyes glowing green and her round pupils changing to long, narrow slits. Her human mouth changed into a short stubby snout, over razor-sharp jaws. Her hands and feet turned into four claws as the last of her feminine human appearance bulked up and hardened into her supernaturally strong body.

Like this she growled at him whilst she thought his way; ARE YOU COMING OR WHAT?

Hugh took one last look down the dirt road behind, then he looked warily about the empty clearing. Next he began to take off his coat, his shirt as well as his shoes and socks. He tossed these into the car, before shutting the door and walking forwards in just his jeans.

As he walked towards her, Susanna watched in satisfaction as his upper body began to expand and bulk up with his Lokoti Werewolf muscle. His sharp, jagged teeth protruded from his mouth, his nails on his hands and feet turned long and claw-like as his human brown eyes began to glow emerald green, with his black pupils completely disappearing.

“Where to?” Hugh rumbled out with his deep, growly voice which also changed along with his appearance.

SEE IF YOU CAN KEEP UP! – she telepathically teased, turning around and then leaping into the tree line.

With his lightening fast moves, Hugh leapt right after her. As she bolted ahead in supernatural speed, Hugh ran right on her heels. She noted this, as she began to run faster. European Werewolves can run 300 km/h with Lokoti Werewolves speed matching 200 km/h and she wanted to show this off. This distance between them began to grow as she bounded off ahead on all-fours with Hugh streaking along on his two legs.

They ran within a matter of minutes 20 km’s through the trees, before reaching a large natural meadow where several caribou were grazing in the long grass. The animals gave a start at their sudden appearance and turned to bolt away, but the Werewolves weren’t hunting them today so it was unnecessary.

Susanna charged through the bright, open meadow with Hugh running right after her, still looking about warily. He felt exposed like this, worried about being seen by either picnickers or hikers who may be visiting. Susanna was right, it was refreshing running in the open daylight in their supernatural bodies but it was also risky.

SUSANNA, LETS KEEP TO THE COVER OF TREES! – Hugh thought her way as he began to run towards the wood on the other side of the clearing. – IT’S TOO DANGEROUS BEING IN THE OPEN LIKE THIS. A HUMAN COULD SEE US.

YOU WUSS! – she complained, but reluctantly she turned to follow.

The two disappeared out of the bright sunlight and back under the shadow of trees. Susanna began to bolt ahead once more, as Hugh began to guess which direction she was now heading in.

Soon the ground began to slope, with the trees ending as they approached one of the sides of the mountains in the ranges that the National Park was situated in. The ground turned steeper, the higher they ran. Their clawed hands and feet experienced no problem clinging onto the rocks as they began to climb up.

Susanna in her large, bulky European Werewolf form disappeared over a rocky ledge, as Hugh scrambled after her. On the ledge, he paused when he found her sitting upright on her hind legs, looking out over the view of the forest-encrusted valley below. Her hardened, light-tanned hide complimented perfectly the hardened grey of the rock she was sitting on. He approached and knelt down beside her, with her canine-like head craning as she surveyed the scene.

“Nice spot.” Hugh growled out with his deep, rumbling Werewolf voice. Susanna growled back in acknowledgment, not looking his way. His muscle-hardened arm extended to rest affectionately over her bulky shoulders, as his claw-like hand next stroked the tough hide on the back of her head.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU RAN THROUGH THE PARK IN DAYLIGHT IN WEREWOLF FORM? – She asked knowingly.

“A very long time.” He rumbled back. After a moment he added on, “we just have to make sure we aren’t seen.”

Susanna growled in annoyance as she rolled her glowing green eyes as if to say, ‘no shit sherlock’.

“Wouldn’t it be good if everyone could live without secrecy or restraint? If everyone could live freely with out concerns of being judged? If Werewolves could live without fear of a human seeing them in their other form and trying to harm them for it.” Hugh rumbled out, as he continued to stroke her strong back.

IF WE DON’T HUNT HUMAN THEN IT’S ONLY FAIR THEY DON’T HUNT US – Susanna thought.

“I agree.” Hugh sighed, which came out as a soft growl.

Just then Susanna turned her beastly head Hugh’s way and playfully albeit gently, bit Hugh on the lips.

Hugh knew that it was a kiss Susanna had just given him. He used both of his claw-like hands to hold her huge, hairless, canine-like head as he moved in closer. In turn, she opened her razor-sharp jaws and settled them over the bottom half of Hugh’s face. Like this, Hugh opened his mouth and met his tongue with hers. He empathically felt her affectionate mood grow, as he heard her heart begin to pound just like his was.

Before he could sense what was coming, Susanna knocked Hugh backwards onto the rocky ledge!

Now a dangerous creature such as a huge, hulking European Werewolf knocking you over might scare some people? But not Hugh, he didn’t bother trying to sit up again as instead he laughed at her gruffness. Susanna noted this as she settled over him. She growled softly whilst she used her dangerous teeth to tenderly graze his jawline, then chew on his neck and to end with licking his bulked-up chest. Hugh ran his claws up and down her hardened hide, knowing she liked that.

Like that, out in the open on top of the ledge with the midday sun beating down on the pair, the two Werewolf lovers ‘made out’.

~~~~~~~~