Small Fry Chapter 9 *Updated*

24th January 2364

I was in the kitchen, making two cups of coffee, when I heard the door chime. It was 10.15 AM and outside, it was black as night. The Lokoti Tribal Lands were encased in the six days of constant darkness. For nearly a week, our little part of Alaska didn’t see sunlight, mid winter.

“I’ll get it!” I yelled out.

Temporarily, I left the beverage preparation to answer the front door. I could smell whoever it was, wasn't Lokoti. When I opened it, I found I was right.

A well-dressed man in his thirties, wearing a dark grey coat over his tailor-made, light grey suit; was standing on my icy veranda. He had neatly cut, blonde hair and blue-grey eyes. He came complete with a platinum Rolex, which was peeking through his sleeve; whilst he carried an expensive, black leather briefcase.

The stranger openly looked me over, standing there in my jeans, jumper and 'Ugg Boots', before he smiled.

“Mrs. Bianca Sabre?”

“Yes?”

“My name is Jonathan Bourne, I work in the legal division at the London office of Hodge Endeavor.” He introduced, in an English accent.

“Oh,” I tried not to smirk, "no wonder you look like a lawyer.”

“Quite.” He smiled back. “May I come in? I have the documents you were waiting for.”

“OK,” I opened the door wider, for him to come in.

The human male walked into my living room and I shut the door, once he was inside. Just as he gave me a good stare, he openly examined my house. He seemed amused for some reason, by the predominantly country décor.

“Jonathan Bourne,” I recalled his attention, "you look like you’re the kind of lawyer that charges hundreds of credits, by the hour.” This made him chuckle and I continued, “so why did you come all this way, to Alaska in the middle of winter, instead of sending some lackey to do it?”

“I wanted to meet you.” He spoke plainly. “I must admit, I’m rather surprised by your appearance and by the way you live. Why would the Head Chairwoman of one of the world’s most successful companies, live as such?”

My hands moved to my hips in a defiant posture, "you care to elaborate?”

“I’m not on the Board of Directors, but I own three houses all of which are five times the size of this one.” He spoke brazenly.

“I like the little things in life,” I said coolly.

“You must.” He walked over to the pine dining table, to place his briefcase on top. He opened it as he went on, “you continue your part-time work with your lectures and papers; instead of enjoying the benefits, of what your position in the company can afford.”

“Sounds boring,” I said flatly, "besides, I like to live quietly.”

“And stay out of the limelight?” He asked knowingly. I watched him take out several documents. “This is your new birth certificate, your new passport, your new drivers license, your new bank account, as well as your new credit cards.” He placed them all on top of the table. “As well as your new Bachelor of Arts in History, your new Masters and your new Doctorate from Cambridge University.”

I walked over to peruse through the papers and cards. “What of the identity of Dr. Bianca Baker?”

“We didn’t generate a death certificate." He declared. "A demise at the age of forty-six, would raise questions from the authorities. Instead, I left a paper trail that the former Professor, moved to the off-world colony on Eurasia. If anybody asks, your PA will say that she retired from her academic career, to start a family. It will be in line with your recent cancellation at the University of Paris, with 'morning sickness' cited as the reason.”

Next, I watched him take out a small laptop from his briefcase. He switched it on, to show the electronic records. I saw how efficient he was at this sort of thing, as my old driver's license under my old, academic identity; showed the off-world address instead of the Alaskan one. As did my old bank account details, and so on.

“Good," I said, impressed; "complete with a fake address?”

“Oh no," he shook his head, "fake addresses are too risky. Dr. Bianca Baker is living in a Hodge Endeavor owned house, on a tropical island. It just so happens that this house is the only one, on the small island; so there are no neighbours to witness the comings or goings, or even its unoccupied state.”

"Not bad,” a small smile escaped.

“Here is my card,” Jonathan handed me the small piece of plastic, which would have been created by a well-to-do stationery company. “You still have your PA at Hodge Endeavor of course, but should you get any uncomfortable questions about your old life or even the new? Or should you have any legal concerns, contact me directly. If I’m not in the office to take your call, my PA knows my 24 hour contact details.”

My eyes narrowed in suspicion, as I wondered why was he being so nice?

“So you came to freezing Alaska, to make yourself known to me?”

“Yes," he said simply.

“Why?”

He spoke plainly, “I was recruited by Hodge Endeavor, straight out of Oxford. I put in many hours, as I worked my way up the legal department. Now I’ve become the company's best lawyer, as I continue to prove myself. I was hoping, I might be made privy to the company’s secret.”

“The company’s secret?”

“Why the Head Chairwoman maintains an almost anonymous position, whilst never making a bad investment yet.” He tried to smile charmingly.

However, I didn’t know him from a bar of soap, so I kept my mouth shut.

Jonathan boasted, “I must tell you, I earned my first promotion by winning the gag order on the journalist, who tried to write an exposé on you. I earned my second promotion, when I sued the executive who was fired for corporate espionage. Then he tried to blackmail the company, by going to the media with information on you, until I hit him with bankruptcy. I earned my third promotion, by successfully petitioning for the ‘Anonymity Order’, which protects the privacy of high-profile people. This in turn, stopped several other members of the media, from digging into your private life.”

All of this sounded familiar, as I recalled the Circulate Mainframe mentioning them, when it reported on notable events. The Mainframe also sent me emails to this effect, when it thought I should be made aware of something. However, the smart computer never said the name ‘Jonathan Bourne’, only that it monitored the legal department's work in each situation.

“So you came here to get another promotion?” I pondered.

“In a sense," he grinned, "I came to introduce myself, and to prove my usefulness to you. I can see privacy is your highest priority, as your PA and the Board of Directors make every effort to this affect, as well. Your hold on the company is phenomenal and the rewards for the people who perform well, are astronomical. Yet here you are, living in a small, wooden cottage, in cold and dark Alaska, whilst your employees live better than you.”

This made me laugh, “it’s only cold and dark in winter.”

Just then we were interrupted, by Declan asking indignantly, “who’s this Jackass?”

Both of our heads turned, to see him standing at the top of the staircase, glaring at the intruder in his home.

The two men sized each other up. The stranger stood there in his expensive clothing, as my husband wore his typical wardrobe of jeans, t-shirt and an undone, flannel shirt. Then my mate came down the stairs, so he could stand close to my side, and mark his territory. I could sense he wanted use his tall and strong appearance, to intimidate the human. However, the lawyer didn’t seem put-off, when I caught him smirk at my husband's youthful features. I think he took him for a cocky college kid, or something as such.

I did the introductions, “Jonathan Bourne meet Declan Sabre.”

“The husband and proud father-to-be," he rested his hand, over my small baby bulge.

“Ah, of course,” Jonathan seemed to recognize his name somehow, "please accept my congratulations, over your happy condition.”

“Thanks," Declan said stiffly, as he eyed him warily.

I tried to move the conversation along, by picking up my passport to show my husband. “Look, do you like my new name?”

He took it from my hands, to gaze upon it, before he smiled, “Bianca Sabre!”

“I thought that you'd like me taking your name again.” I stood on my tippy-toes, to plant a kiss on his cheek.

“Speaking of which,” Jonathan took out another large envelope, from his briefcase. “I have the new documents for Mr. Sabre as well.”

“You do?” I said in surprise.

That’s strange, I hadn’t requested these…

“Here's your new birth certificate, driver’s license, passport, bank account and credit cards.” He handed them to my husband. “However, the age on these documents, state you’re 29 years old, the same as your wife. Perhaps I should alter your date of birth, to reflect your physical appearance?”

“No," my mate said firmly, "if B is 29 years old, so am I. Besides, I’m really three years older than her, anyways.”

This made the human’s eyes widen, but he was quick to reclaim his professionalism.

He continued, “your previous balances in the old bank accounts, will be transferred to your new accounts today. Then the old accounts with small amounts deposited, to show that they're still being used; will be transferred to a financial institution on Eurasia.”

“Huh?” Declan gave a funny look.

“Instead of ‘killing off’ my last identity, they’ve made it look like I’ve moved to an off-world colony, instead.” I brought him up to speed.

“But B,” he frowned, “why didn’t you tell me, you were ordering the new ID for me too?”

“I didn’t,” I shrugged helplessly.

“That’s strange,” Jonathan frowned, "the order for the new documents came from the Board of Directors, which you preside over.”

“Oh, I get it,” I realized aloud, "the Circulate Mainframe did it.”

“The computer can do that?” Declan wondered at the technology.

“The Mainframe is always issuing commands and instructions, to the Board of Directors.” I told him, before I shot off an uncomfortable look towards Jonathan, who was listening in. “I have a personal computer that I give orders to, who in turn sends those orders to the board.”

What I told him was half true, but I left out that most of the time, it was the computer making those decisions for me.

Declan caught on that I didn’t want to share this with the stranger, so he went back to glaring at him.

“Of course," Jonathan straightened, "however the word ‘Circulate’, has come up before.”

This raised alarm bells inside my head, “it has?”

“The executive who tried to blackmail the company after his dismissal," he brought up, "said he had information pertaining to a secret society, who were the real controllers of Hodge Endeavor. They were called ‘The Circulate’.”

“Did he just?” My mate growled out, making Jonathan give a funny look. “Who is this guy and where does he live?”

“Declan!” I nudged him to keep a hold on his temper.

“The said individual was silenced with a gag order, whilst his assets were seized, when we sued him." Jonathan said casually. "He is of no concern to you now.”

“But where is he?” Declan demanded. “How do you know if he’s keeping his trap shut?”

“We obtained permission from the European Police Force, to tap his video-phone and computer, so we can monitor his calls as well as his emails. We also have a private investigator, who observes him at regular intervals.” The lawyer promised.

“I still think I should take care of this guy," my mate looked my way.

“Mrs. Sabre, if I may?” Jonathan tried to recapture my attention. “If this individual suddenly went missing, after all the media attention he initially attracted when we took him to court? It would bring more attention to this matter.”

The European Werewolf started to growl threateningly at the human for his interference, when I whacked him on the arm to stop it.

“Of course you’re right, Jonathan." I spoke again. "Besides, it’s not like we’re the Mafia or into organized crime, to take out people like that.”

“Certainly.” He chuckled at the analogy. “However it might be in your best interest, if I become privy to certain words that you don’t want the media to hear; so I can stop any untoward enquiries?”

“How about you pack up your things instead, and I let you leave here alive?” My husband returned.

“Declan!” I blushed, as I whacked him on the arm a second time. I said embarrassed; “sorry, my husband is very overprotective at the moment, with the pregnancy.”

“It’s understandable," my lawyer didn’t seem bothered. “If I had a beautiful, intelligent woman for a wife, who was in charge of one of the world’s wealthiest companies; I’d be clinging onto her too.”

I snickered at how he just made Declan sound like he lived off me, but a low growl of displeasure, emanated from my mate.

“Thank you for the documents and for your efficiency, in the past." I rounded up the visit. "If any other words come up that I don’t want the media to hear, I have my own monitoring system. It’s best that you don’t know all of my affairs, right now.”

“Very well.” Jonathan gave a nod, before he turned to close his briefcase and pick it up from the table. “Thank you for seeing me this morning Mrs. Sabre, I won’t take up any more of your time.”

Declan walked over to the front door and opened it wide, to kick our surprise guest, out of the house.

But as he passed me by, I said lastly; “B.”

“Pardon?” He paused, to look back.

“Call me B," I explained, “everyone calls me B, or those that know me. If your PA says ‘B’ called while you were out; you’ll know to contact me on my private number.”

Jonathan smiled widely at this, when Declan cleared his throat, to move him along.

“You’d better keep my card close in that case," he sounded pleased.

As he passed my larger husband, he gave him a wide birth though. Once the lawyer was through the front door, Declan slammed it shut! Then the incensed European Werewolf, turned to give me a glare.

“You don’t need that leech looking after you." He said unhappily. "You have me as well as the pack, watching your back.”

“I know this,” I walked up, to wrap my arms about his waist. “But as much as you guys are good in a fight; occasionally we’re going to need a lawyer as well as Hodge Endeavor, to take care of other matters.”

“He’s an 'ambulance chaser', B!” My husband complained. “I heard him simpering to you, trying to ingratiate himself, when I was upstairs.”

“I know.” I shrugged again. “But I have one of my feelings, Dec.”

“You’ve got a warning feeling about that guy?” His eyes bulged, and he looked like he was about to run after to maul the human!

I held him still; “no, I’ve got one of my tell-tale feelings, which are saying we'll need him in the future.”

Declan emitted another dissatisfied growl, before he headed back upstairs. I walked over to the window and parted the curtains, to look outside. From the light of the veranda, I watched Jonathan Bourne walk to a luxurious hover-car, which was parked at the end of the driveway, complete with a driver. The man opened the back door for him, as he approached. Then the lawyer hopped in without a second thought, as if he were used to this servitude.

Oh come on, what a toff! But I couldn’t help but to smirk that he was ‘my’ toff, at my beck and call. I wasn’t offended that Jonathan Bourne was 'brown-nosing' the Head Chairwoman of the company. He was bucking for more money and success, which could prove useful. But to be on the safe side, the next time I’m at Circulate HQ; I’ll request that the computer keep an eye on him.

Lastly, I left the front window and dawdled back into the kitchen, to finish off the coffees. Then I carried the mugs upstairs, as I joined my husband in the second bedroom. I placed his mug by him on the floor, before I sat in similar fashion, with mine.

“Here we go.” I said. “So, how are we going?”

Declan was sitting on the floor with our disassembled nursery furniture, lying about. His tool kit was open beside him, with a pile of screws next to it. The instructions lay on the other side, however he barely glanced at them. His bloodlust detested being told what to do, even by a sheet of paper.

“I can see why these things usually come constructed, because machinery on a production line was meant to do this.” He shook his head in frustration.

“What do the instructions say?” I queried.

My husband gave an incredulous look, for asking such a thing.

“Look, give me the instructions and I’ll see what it’s going on about.” I held my hand out.

Declan slapped the sheet of paper into my grasp, as if he were happy to be rid of it. Then he asked unhappily, “so B, when were you going to tell me?”

“Tell you what?” I asked vaguely, as I was studying the picture diagrams. I even turned the paper upside down, to get a handle on what it was supposed to convey. “Hey, did you differentiate the screws?”

“Huh?”

“The screws, are they separated into small and large?” I replied.

Then I glanced at the pile, which were mish-mashed together. Yet another growl escaped, as he began to separate them. Whilst he organized the bits and bobs, he continued.

“When were you going to tell me about the kind of role you play, or even what the computer does, with Hodge Endeavor?”

“You know about the role I play.” I said flatly. “You know I control the company via the computer.”

“Then why the hell did that guy come here, to suck up to you like that?”

“You'd have to ask him that,” I tried not to laugh, "but I think he'd call it, ‘initiative’.”

“Initiative?” He paused in his work, to flash a wary look.

“Sucking up to the boss, to get more money and prestige.” I spoke plainly. “Hey, do you need a hand with that?”

Declan had finished separating the screws, and now he was trying to hold up both the base and the bed head at the same time. I left my place on the floor and held the pieces for him, so he could drill the large screws in. Once the bed head was done, I did the same for the bed end too.

“Now that I’m a Circulator, is the Circulate Mainframe going to start 'calculating' for me too?” He asked, petulantly.

“It’s already started.” I observed. “It ordered the new ID and bank details for you, didn’t it?”

“Well tell it to stop.” He said sourly. “Or I’ll stop IT.”

“Declan,” I said patiently, “it’s a computer and it’s programmed to look after us. It monitors the timeline and any changes we make to human history. It’s meant to run Hodge Endeavor, to protect our assets. It’s supposed to send requests to the company for help, should we be in trouble. Vincent spent years programming the computer, to act as my Calculator in his stead.”

“B, I don’t like having a frickin’ computer doing things for me!” He snapped.

“Obviously!" I snapped back. "You don’t even like reading instructions on a piece of paper!”

"Hey, I don't need instructions, telling me how to build a bed for my baby." He retorted. "Besides, I'm gonna have to get more screws from the garage, to reinforce the joints for our rug rat."

I sighed tiredly, “Declan please, don’t get all ‘princess’ on me.”

“Say what?” He looked on in amusement, for using one of his favourite taunts.

“I trust the Circulate Mainframe, just as I trust you and the pack. I want you to trust the computer, too. Now that you’re a Circulator, you can give it orders just as I can. Hell, you can even tell Hodge Endeavor what to do via the computer.”

“I can?” He broke out in a grin. “So if I told the Circulate Mainframe to fire everyone at Hodge Endeavor, including that leech who was just here?”

“It would," I confirmed. “But it would warn if you’re making a bad decision, or how it would affect the timeline.”

“I can live with that," he chuckled, "now, what’s next?”

Just as I turned to reach for the instructions again, I felt a jab in my side. I opened my mouth to say ‘oow’, thinking it was a stitch, until I felt it again. It was coming from deep inside, rather than my external muscles.

“Declan, she kicked! She just kicked!” I cried out.

He dropped the drill and leapt to my side, to place his hands on my abdomen.

“Did she hurt you?" He asked fearfully. "Are you alright?”

“I’m fine!” I gushed. “But this is the strongest I’ve ever felt her.”

Then I moved his hand to where I felt her kick last and we waited. After a full minute, we felt another jab. I looked on my mate amazed, as a silly smile took over his face. He even laughed for some reason.

“Yeah, I’ve felt her before.” He admitted. “She’s pretty active at night, especially when you’re asleep. Last week you bitched at me, thinking I elbowed you, when it was really her.”

“Huh?” I gave a funny look.

“I think it was last Tuesday night, when you were curled up in my arms. I felt her kick and so did you, but you thought it was me. You whined out ‘Deeeeclllaaaan!’” He put on a sarcastic voice, before he continued. “Then you rolled over and went back to sleep.”

“Really?” I eagerly listened.

My husband saw that he had his wife's full attention, which made him go on.

“You can tell she’s my daughter, being the most active at night.” He patted my stomach. “When I felt her kick the first time, I thought I was imagining it. Then I kept my hand on your tummy and waited for half an hour, until I felt her again.”

“Really, Declan? Really?” I giggled excitedly.

“Yup.” He turned tender, as he looked down at his wife's ecstatic expression. “We're having a baby Werewolf, Mrs. Sabre.”

“We’re having a baby, we’re having a baby!” I started to chant.

“My B’s having my baby…” he chanted along, “…my B’s having my baby.”

“Daddy Declan," I cupped his face, to pull him closer for a kiss.

“Momma B," he chuckled back, before his mouth engulfed mine.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

20th February 2364

At the end of the month, I’ll be 16 weeks pregnant. However, what concerned Ki, was the fetus already the size of a five month old. Declan and I weren’t surprised though, as we always knew Lucia would be different. My mate was just happy that her other European Werewolf tendencies weren’t coming out, such as supernatural strength in her kicking. I was relieved that I didn't experience another common symptom, such as morning sickness.

Instead of experiencing nausea, I'd have phenomenal cravings! They felt just as strong as my bloodlust, during a full moon. It was like it was coming out in my cravings, where instead of feasting on fresh kill? I HAD to snack more, or eat larger servings, or even drink more milk. My craving for dairy products ran at record levels, where sometimes I’d drink two litres of milk, a day! My husband would go to make himself a cup of coffee in the morning, but found he had no milk to put in it since I drank it all, the night before.

Another strange thing about the pregnancy, was a change in my hunting pattern. The bigger my stomach grew, the less I hunted. I didn't want to feast on flesh, but on cheeses, dips, or creamy foods.

Two nights ago it was a full moon, and I told my mate to hunt without his Werewolf wife.

His mouth fell open in surprise, “say what?”

“I don’t feel like hunting this month,” I shrugged.

I was curled up on the couch by the fire, reading a history book.

“But B, it’s a full moon! We get to kill things! Sure, it’s large game instead of human, but beggars can’t be choosers.” Declan looked on, like I was nuts.

As he protested, I noticed his leg jiggling restlessly. Even after three centuries, the European Werewolf never got bored of hunting. I guess his bloodlust wouldn’t allow it. He loved expanding into his beastly body, and behaving like a monster. He'd run on all-fours in supernatural speed and fight large animals, using his phenomenal strength. His bloodlust delighted in taking down his prey fighting. He's said they tasted better, when they fought back.

“No, you go on without me."

He began to strip in the lounge room, for his change. However, he thought he'd check, "are you sure you’re sure?”

“Yes I’m sure,” I promised, "happy hunting.”

He removed all of his clothes under a minute then I watched his naked form, depart via the front door. Through the front window, I saw him morph into his larger, more dangerous form. Once he was standing on all-fours, his glowing green eyes threw me a last look, before he leapt into the surrounding forest.

After a couple of minutes, the rest of the pack wondered where I was. They were probably curious, why my mate rocked up without his. I felt their concern, and heard them with my mind;

WHERE’S AUNT B? - Forrest pondered.

SHE’S AT HOME, READING ON THE COUCH BY THE FIRE – Declan answered.

ARE YOU FEELING OK, AUNT B? – Ki asked worriedly.

DO YOU NEED US? – Caesar offered.

I’M FINE, GUYS. FEAST WITHOUT ME THIS MONTH. AS I SAID TO DECLAN, ‘HAPPY HUNTING’ – I thought back.

Our telepathic communication died down, as soon as they closed in on a small band of moose. Although they were over fifty kilometers away; I sensed as usual, Declan took on the strongest male. When his competitor collapsed, he ate alone. The rest of the pack shared the fallen females, up to four or five per prey. Whereas the Lokoti Werewolves could feed in a pack; the European Werewolf bloodlust, refused to share its kill.

I guess I was a little restless, thanks to the full moon's impact on my brain chemistry. The later it grew, I didn't tire instead I got a rush of inspiration, for my next paper. I put on my MP3 player and blasted my ears with Trance, as I moved to the dining table to write up some notes.

At 4 AM, my husband in his naked, human form, walked through the front door. He had blood on his hands and feet, when his claws tore his food apart. I could also smell blood around his mouth, from the flesh and bone his gigantic jaws, crushed.

“You didn’t wait up for me, did you?” He asked in surprise, to see me still up.

“Huh?” I had to remove the earphones, so I could hear him. “What did you say?”

He walked over to the table, picking up his clothes on the way. “What are you doing?”

“I’m writing up my next paper on ‘Ancient Gods In Mediterranean History; Light vs Dark In Creation Mythology’.” Then I lifted up my notepad to show him the pages and pages I'd written. “I got the idea tonight. It’s fascinating, analyzing the different gods and goddesses and the roles they played, not just in everyday life; but in the creation myths.”

“Uh huh," his eyebrows rose, as he glanced at all the open books, piled on top of the other. “B, I think this pregnancy has done something to your bloodlust.”

“I think you may be right,” I admitted, "I don’t feel tired, which I think is from the bloodlust. But instead of going out and killing something, it’s brought inspiration instead.”

“I’m gonna go have a shower," he implied his dirty and sweaty body, "how about you finish up and come to bed?”

“But I’m not tired," I shook my head, "I want to write a couple more pages.”

“OK, let's say that again; B you’re pregnant, so you tire easily. You may not feel tired, but I can see how puffy your eyes look, which shows me how tired you really are. Now, I’m gonna go shower and I’ll meet you in bed.”

“Declan, I am NOT tired!” I giggled at his behavior. “You can shower and go to bed, but I’m staying up to write.”

I turned back to the books, as he stood there, holding his clothes in one arm and stroking his chin with his other.

Suddenly, I felt my chair pulled back from the table and my body rise into the air, as he hoisted me up into his arms.

“Declan!” I squealed in laughter.

He roared like he was claiming me, just like he claimed his kill that evening. Then he carried me up the stairs and into the bathroom, to shower with him. Besides, I got my revenge…

The next morning when we finally emerged from the bedroom, Declan began to make his much-needed coffee, the day after a hunt. Low and behold, there was no milk left. I overheard the snarling under his breath, on his way out the door, to go buy some more.

Now it was my turn to leave the house, however it wasn’t to buy milk, but to buy more books.

I stood up from the bed with my shoes done, grabbed my handbag and departed. Just as I was passing the second bedroom, the sight made me pause. I smilingly looked on the setting of the nursery.

It was almost complete, with the furniture built, the linen purchased and the chest of draws had some baby clothes inside. We still had to buy a high chair, baby capsule, pram, as well as more baby clothes? But I patted my protruding tummy, as I thought to myself; ‘there’s still time’.

After a moment or two, I left the doorway and went downstairs. My husband was sitting at the dining table, preserving sun-dried tomatoes, marinating olives and preparing antipasto, in the spare jars he'd accumulated over the years. He glanced up with my approach and saw I was carrying my handbag.

He enquired, “where are you off to?”

“I’m going to hit the bookstores in Alma,” I answered.

“Why don’t you just order the books, over the Internet?” He asked.

“I want to see if the bookstores have these particular titles first,” I shrugged.

“Wait a minute," he made me pause. “Can’t you just download them off the internet now, from the publishers’ websites?”

“Do you mean ‘ebooks’? With most you can, but not all. Some publishers still sell the information in hard copy, instead of electronic form.”

I pulled on my coat then I opened the front door, to be hit with the frosty air.

“Why don’t you stay home?" He requested. "You'll be warmer and you can talk to me, while I prepare the delicacies you enjoy eating, especially in your pregnant state. We'll work together, I preserve and you download.”

“The bookstore called ‘Dominion Of Knowledge’, has a huge history section.” I disagreed. “I’ll be back soon.”

I walked out onto the veranda, when I heard him call out; “have you got your phone on you?”

“Yes."

“Be home in an hour!” He ordered.

“Dream on!” I shut the door behind.

*****

It was nice getting out of the house, even if it was for a little while. I parked the hover-car, in the bustling, commercial centre of Alma. But before I hit the bookstores, I popped into a café to purchase a takeaway, hazelnut mocha, to drink while I perused. Mmm, hazelnut mocha's taste like liquid Nutella...

After the first hour of shopping, my phone alerted me to a text message.

IT’S GETTING DARK, WHERE R U? – Declan.

I rolled my eyes and sent back - IT’S WINTER, IT GETS DARK EARLY.

THANX 4 THE SEASONAL LESSON - he retorted - WHEN WILL U B HOME?

I’LL LET U KNOW, OR SO WILL THE SOUND OF THE HOVER-CAR POWERING DOWN ON THE DRIVEWAY – I replied.

After the second hour, I carried the bags of books I'd bought, back to the hover-car. It was only 3.30 PM and already the sun had set. The pale, starry sky of winter’s twilight, put the streets in a silvery glow.

When I climbed into the driver’s seat, my stomach rumbled and my mouth watered. I blanched, as one of my bloodlust-inspired cravings, hit me full-force. The nails on my hands almost extended into claws, as my teeth sharpened.

I wanted to eat, no I just HAD to eat; smoked salmon. Yes, that’s what my mouth is watering for; succulent, savoury, smoked salmon. Only, I don’t think we have any at home. The batch we bought off someone in the tribe who makes it, ran out two days ago. Declan had put it into a creamy pasta dish, so I'd have to buy some more.

The hover-car powered up, and instead of driving home, I parked it behind the supermarket. Then I engaged the central locking, as I rushed into the building. My mouth was watering so badly, I was worried I might change then and there!

That's all I need, my photo appearing on the World Wide News channel, on Internet TV, as a drooling Lokoti Werewolf. I could imagine the caption underneath; PREGNANT WEREWOLF ATTACKS SMOKED SALMON IN REFRIGERATED SECTION.

Instead of using a hover-trolley, I grabbed one of the carry baskets, as I didn’t expect to buy that much. But once I started shopping, my bloodlust urged me to buy more and more. Six packets of smoked salmon ended up in my basket, as well as several packets of rice crackers and three tubs of caviar dip. Just as I turned away, my eyes fell upon the cheeses…

Finally, I made it to the self-service check-outs. My carry basket was straining from the amount of food, when I lined up. My foot tapped impatiently, all I wanted was to get out of there, go home and eat.

“Aunt B?”

My head turned sharply, to see Peta Sabre approach. She's married to Antonio, who was something like seven times removed, from Declan. Antonio was one of Derik’s progeny, my husband's late human brother. Peta and Antonio were the parents of Holly, who made the cute card for Declan's 300th Birthday Party, last year.

“Hi Peta,” I held the bulging shopping basket, next to my baby bulge.

“Are you OK?" She noticed the amount of food. "Would you like me to get a trolley for you?”

“No, it’s cool." I laughed awkwardly. "It’s not heavy, it’s just awkward to carry with a certain other bulge.”

She smiled in understanding, “when I was pregnant with Holly, my back and feet would ache something fierce! How’s yours?”

“Actually, pretty good.” I nodded. “Sometimes I get the odd tension headache, but everything else is fine.”

“That must be handy, being one of your kind,” she hinted at my supernatural state. “Wendy told me that you don’t experience morning sickness either, is that true?”

“Yeah, but there are downsides as well," I indicated my over-stuffed basket, "my cravings can get pretty bad.”

She cracked up laughing, “so I can see! Um, would you like me to carry some things, for you?”

“Thanks Peta, but I’m fine.” I reassured. “I’m stronger than you are, remember?”

“Of course," she rolled her eyes, jealously. “Anyways, I better let you go. Say hi to Uncle Declan, for me.”

“Take care," I gave a little wave.

I watched her stand behind someone in the line for the self check-out, next to mine. Then the person who was ahead of me, moved off and I proceeded to process all my purchases. Once I was finished, I carried my groceries, out to the car park.

It was then my phone rang, with the call I'd been expecting for the past forty minutes.

My husband barked out; “B, where the hell are you?!”

“I thought I’d get some groceries on the way home,” I said calmly.

“If I’d known you were going grocery shopping, I'd have met you at the supermarket.”

“What?" I laughed at him, "so not only can't I go out by myself; I can’t go grocery shopping alone, either?”

“Look, just stay there and I’ll come and get you.”

“Too late,” I sung, "the shopping is finished and I’m loading up the car.”

“B!”

“I’ll see you at home, in fifteen minutes.”

“B, I don’t like you being in the supermarket's car park, after dark." He snapped. "I heard some lady was mugged there, late night shopping.”

“Declan, that happened a year ago and it’s only 4.20 PM!” I objected.

“Yeah but it’s winter, so the sun sets earlier.”

“Look, I’m trying to put the groceries into the boot." I huffed. "I’m going to hang up now and I’ll see you at home in fifteen minutes.”

Before he could object, I hit the 'end call' function. I was shaking my head, as I put the phone back into my pocket. Lastly, I started to load the bags of shopping into the vehicle, as I contemplated my mate’s behavior of late.

Man, this pregnancy hasn’t only brought out the nesting instinct in Declan, but his territorial tendencies are ten times worse! It’s like he's ready to tear out anyone’s throat, who came near his mate. It didn't just worry me, but I sensed it caused the pack, some concern as well. Half of its members' were treading on egg shells, around their grouchy Second.

After all the bags were put into the boot, I closed the lid. But just as I started towards the drivers' door, I froze. My body tensed up, as my eyes widened, by what was blocking the way.

An African American man with a dirty appearance, was leaning against my hover-car. He looked underdressed for an Alaskan winter, wearing only a black leather jacket over a stained white shirt, and muddy, black jeans. Then he came to stand directly in front, with a hungry look in his bloodshot eyes.

In this situation, a woman let alone a pregnant one, might worry about a mugging or something else; being accosted in a dark car park. But what worried me, was that this man smelled dank and even partly dead…

…meaning that he was a Vampire.

As I sniffed at his half necrotized body, I pondered what kind of Vampire I'd stumbled across? He smelled unlike any 'fang head' I'd met before. He didn’t have the aroma of the European species, nor the scent of the South American one. I bet with my pheromones though, he knew I was a Werewolf. I just hoped that he didn’t see I was a pregnant one, underneath my thick jacket.

“Hi," he smiled with his sharp, dirty teeth, "can I help you with your groceries, Miss?”

“It isn’t 'miss', it’s 'missus'.” I replied curtly.

Quickly, I looked around, worried about witnesses, incase I had to wolf-out.

“Of course, especially with that bun in the oven," he licked his cracked lips, whilst looking on my abdomen.

Frickin' hell, he can tell I'm pregnant! I sensed that not only did he find the idea of drinking from a Werewolf appealing, but a pregnant one made me seem like gourmet pate on mini-toasts. I'd have to instantaneously phase home, as I couldn’t risk a confrontation, especially without my sword.

Just then another male Vampire, stepped out from two car spaces away. Then a female Vampire popped her head up, three vehicles over. They thought they had me surrounded, as they stalked forwards in their dirty clothing. The second male had long red hair, whereas the female had a short, blonde bob.

The first 'fang head', chuckled evilly; "we can do this the easy way, or the fun way.”

To which the second agreed; “please kick up a stink, and make us drag you from here.”

Then the female smiled, “please beg mercy, for your unborn child.”

As she grinned, her snake-like fangs grew in size, before she made a hissing noise.

“A pregnant female Werewolf, do you know how rare you are?” The first 'fang head' looked me up and down. “We ate a pregnant human last week, but we haven’t eaten Werewolf, male or female, in years.”

“Not since we took down that North American mongrel, in Wyoming," the second chimed in.

At that moment, a hover-car pulled into a space nearby and powered down. I watched a man step out, lock his door behind and then walked towards the supermarket. I didn't want to call for help, as I knew the Vampires would make a meal out of him, if I did. But I was waiting for the witnesses to depart, so I could disappear in a bright flash of light.

“But you're a different breed, we haven’t come across before," the first continued.

The female came closer, as she stared at my stomach; "how far along are you? Five months, maybe six?”

“The baby will just be big enough, for us to tear out and eat separately.” The second smiled broadly, whilst allowing his two fangs to extend.

I watched their eyes begin to glow a reddish-yellow colour, as their foreheads changed to take on demonic ridges. The first proceeded to hiss at me with his snake-like fangs, whilst the other two moved in to flank him. As the three came closer, I saw their dirty nails also extend in length.

That was it, I'd seen enough to report to the pack. I was prepared to instantaneously phase out of there, when an inopportune witness stumbled by. Talk about the wrong place, at the wrong time!

“Aunt B, are you alright?” Peta called out.

She was pushing her hover-trolley into the car park, when she saw the three strangers close in on my position.

“Er, fine thanks Peta!” I lied to make her go away.

But she took one look at their glowing reddish-yellow eyes and fangs, when she whipped out her mobile phone.

“Hello, 911? I'm reporting a mugging…” she began, but she was too late.

In a lightening fast move, the female Vampire rushed up and picked her up by the throat! As Peta’s feet wavered in the air, her attacker crushed her phone, in her claw-like hand. The broken technology, clattered onto the icy asphalt.

Frickin' hell, not Peta! She’s just an innocent bystander! Now what do I do?

“Leave her alone!” I called out. “Look, I’ll come with you. Just put her down and leave her out of this!”

“Where would be the fun in that?” The second male, grinned menacingly.

I took a deep breath as I readied to run in light speed, over to Peta’s position. I'd have to knock the female Vampire off her and instantaneously phase her home, with me. It would give away Circulators existing, but what choice did I have? However, things grew worse when we were interrupted by another voice;

“Hey, what’s going on here?!”

Another shopper had come out of the supermarket, when he caught sight of our kafuffle. He saw the males corner me, whilst the female choked Peta. Oh no, not another witness!

“Now this is more like it!” The first 'fang head' laughed, with his two long teeth hanging over his bottom lip.

“Turn around and run you idiot!” I cried out in frustration.

Instead, the man stopped and stared at the three Vampires glowing eyes, demonic ridges and fangs.

“What kind of drug addicts are you three?” He gave a peculiar look.

Next, he too started to take his phone out of his pocket…when the second Vampire rushed up and grabbed him about the throat! His phone too, fell to the ground, as he sputtered helplessly. Then the female choking Peta, saluted the male who was choking the other human, in a ‘cheers!’ gesture.

As things went from bad to worse, I saw I was going to have to call for back up.

VAMPIRES IN ALMA! – I thought to both Declan and the pack - VAMPIRES IN ALMA HAVE ACCOSTED TWO HUMANS! ONE OF THEM IS PETA SABRE!

WE’RE COMING - Caesar immediately replied - INSTANTANEOUSLY PHASE HOME NOW!

I CAN’T AS THEY HAVE HOSTAGES! – I thought frightenedly.

Then I thought of using the fact that I had backup, against my attackers.

“Look, just let the humans go and leave, and you’ll live. You have no idea of who my mate is! As soon as he sees you encroaching on his territory, he’ll rip your throats out!”

“You’re not alone?” The first 'fang head' stepped up closely. “Guess what, neither are we! We were sent to bring you in, which would lure the male Werewolves, when they try to rescue you.”

I blanched, as I wondered how they'd heard of the Lokoti Werewolf pack? We were a well kept secret, except when we're accosted in car parks, with witnesses stumbling onto the scene. However, the scenario became a lot more noticeable, by who next appeared.

Suddenly, we were interrupted by the loud sound of metal crunching and glass breaking. It sounded like several of the vehicles in the car park, were being crushed! When our heads turned at the ruckus, what we saw made the humans and vampires stare in terror; but filled me with a sense of pride.

A huge, hulking, hairless European Werewolf, bounded towards us on all-fours. He leapt from hover-car to hover-car, galloping over the vehicles. The tops of the hover-cars protested at his great weight, thanks to his muscle bulk and hardened hide. His glowing green eyes, were trained our way as his razor sharp jaws, were open and ready.

“Holy mother of…” the first 'fang head' started to utter, but didn’t have a chance to finish.

Quickly, I ducked and my mate sailed over my crouched form, to land on both the male Vampires, at the same time. His greater strength coupled with his larger jaws, were more than a match. Soon Vampire blood was splattered over the sides of the hover-car, as well as over the icy asphalt.

I backed away, whilst simultaneously pulling the man free, from the second Vampire’s hold. The 'fang head' could hardly protest, with his face being eaten through. I dragged the human several meters away, to sit on the ground gasping, from his bruised neck. Then I turned on the female Vampire, who was still holding Peta.

The female 'fang head' was looking on in horror, at her cohorts' demise. My eyes glowed turquoise, my nails and teeth extended, as my body began to bulk up, for battle. She noticed my change and finally dropped her hostage, to take me on. We circled the other whilst Peta rolled away, gasping for breath.

First, she swiped at me with her long, sharp nails; but I easily wove between her blows with my light speed reflexes. She tried to claw me again and again, but missed every time. Lastly, she hissed in frustration and prepared to leap on top of me…

…when she went flying backwards instead, from a European Werewolf, leaping on top of her.

“Declan, that’s MY kill!” I growled out, in my changed voice.

CHANGE BACK B, THAT’S AN ORDER! – He mentally demanded.

Then I saw why, as a small crowd was assembling, just outside the supermarket’s entranceway.

Hastily, I turned around as I reverted to my human body. When I looked back with my dark blue eyes, I saw the crowd hadn't noticed my transformation. They were all pointing at Declan's monstrous form, instead.

The female 'fang head' tried to scream, but her cries were cut short. The wet, crunching sound of him eating through her skull, made the humans wince. In several chomps, he devoured skin, bone and brain. Within a matter of seconds, she was made headless, with just a bloody stump of a neck remaining.

“What is THAT? Is it a bear?” One onlooker, cried out in fear.

“It’s a mutant, hairless, albino, grizzly bear!” Another witness, agreed.

The European Werewolf rose from his third victim – slash – meal and snarled warningly at the humans. It did exactly what he wanted it to do; it frightened them back inside. Then he stood on all fours, as he surveyed the scene of a saved mate, a rescued relative and three deceased attackers.

I’LL SEE YOU BACK AT HOME – I telepathically told my husband.

I watched him bolt out of the car park in his monstrous form, past the mangled bodies of my assailants. Their remains lay there on the cold, hard ground; without their heads. Around the half-eaten bodies, was blood spatter, bits of skull and brain, as well as small bloodied tufts of hair.

THE VAMPIRES ARE TAKEN CARE OF – I overheard Declan's thoughts to the pack - DON’T COME TO B’S POSITION IN WEREWOLF FORM, AS THERE ARE TOO MANY WITNESSES.

I knew why he told me to change back to human; because I’m the only female Lokoti Werewolf, I could easily be identified. I let out a sigh, seeing the after effects of the fight I wasn't permitted to partake in. Then I turned to check on Peta Sabre, as I helped her to her feet.

“I’m OK," she wheezed, as she held her sore throat, “I’m still trying to catch my breath.”

“Same here," the man agreed, as he stood a little away. Together, the humans looked around in shock, at the dead bodies. “What was that thing that attacked us?”

“Drug addicts looking to steal credit cards, I suppose,” I tried to lie, until I realized they were talking about Declan.

“Was it my imagination, or did a hairless, mutant, grizzly bear; eat our attackers, and then run off?” The man coughed out.

“It WASN’T your imagination," she rubbed her sore neck.

These two just barely escaped with their lives, from three thirsty Vampires. Instead of talking about them, they’re pondering the creature who saved them? I don't understand humans, sometimes.

“Are you alright, Aunt B?” She looked me over. “What did those three people want with you, anyway?”

“I'm guessing they were drug addicts, who thought they could mug the pregnant lady in the dark car park.” I tried to shrug it off.

“Man that girl was strong!" She remarked. "I’ve heard of drugs making people stronger from an adrenaline rush, but did you see her eyes?”

“The same with that guy," the man agreed with her, "it must have been one hell of a 'high', to make their eyes like that.”

Then we were interrupted by the sirens of two police hover-cars, arriving. The dark car park was soon lit up by flashing red lights. Meanwhile, the people who had rushed back inside of the supermarket, all came out again, to gawk at the crime scene.

The police hover-cars were soon joined by two more, before a black coroners vehicle arrived, to take away the bodies. As the officers used their forensics scanners to record the evidence, I tried to stand away, so I wouldn’t be. When an ambulance also arrived, politely I refused to be seen to, as I was wary of the medical scanners too.

Man, it's a bitch being a Werewolf in the 24th Century. Everyone is just so accustomed to scanning everything. This was a bad thing, when one was a supernatural species, trying to keep their existence a secret. Our Shape Shifter DNA would be picked up, if we were scanned at the cellular level.

I was standing off to the side, telling my version of events for a third time, to a Detective. Momentarily I looked away, as he made notes in his PDA; when I saw Declan, along with Caesar and Ki, appear. All three were in human form, looking anxious to see me. However, police tape and several officers blocked them, when they tried to come to my position.

“You have to stand back, behind the perimeter," a female officer, ordered.

“That’s my WIFE over there!” He growled in protest.

“Declan!” I waved his way, before telling the Detective; "that’s my husband and relatives.”

The officer I was talking to, gave a nod to the policewoman. She lifted up the tape, to allow the men through. Declan rushed forwards and engulfed me in his arms.

“B!” He held me at arms length, to look me over. “Are you OK?”

“I’m fine.” I told him, before I looked at the other two. I let the three in, on the story I was using. “It was just an attempted mugging, that’s all.”

“That’s an interesting way to down play it," the Detective smirked, "your wife is leaving out a wild animal attack, which followed.”

“A wild animal attack?” Caesar asked obligatory.

“Eyewitness reports have the animal as a large, mutant, hairless, albino grizzly.” The Detective checked his notes on his PDA. “This is going to be fun, to take to the Federal Wildlife Services. We’re going to run a search of the Lokoti, Denali and Matanuska National Parks, for the creature.”

“We can help you with that, Detective.” Caesar said smoothly. “If there is such an animal, our people who work as Rangers inside the Lokoti National Park, will track it.”

“I’d believe that," the officer smiled appreciatively. “You guys never have a problem finding a missing hiker or camper, in your neck of the woods.”

“Can we take B home and out of the cold?” Ki asked the Detective.

“We still have a couple more questions and the paramedics would like to check her out.” He replied.

“I don’t need to be checked out by the paramedics!” I objected for my fifth time.

“Pregnant women’s mood swings, don’t you just love it?” Declan tried to laugh it off.

“I’m a Medicine Man and I'm seeing B, through her pregnancy. I can make sure she’s well taken care of. I’m the only medical practitioner she trusts, in her delicate condition.” Ki told a half truth.

Declan looked on the Detective like he would be doing him a huge favor. “C’mon man, let me take my pregnant wife home and get her out of the cold.”

He let out a reluctant sigh as he relented, “alright, I’ll release Mrs. Sabre into yours and the Medicine Man’s care. She’s been through a lot tonight, so it's best she's taken somewhere warm, especially when in shock. But she’s going to need to be available for further questioning, over the next couple of days.”

“We’ll see to it.” Ki gave a nod, as Declan held me closer to share his body heat.

However, when he tried to escort me to the passenger's side of our car, the Detective interrupted.

"You can't drive your vehicle home."

“Why not?” My husband gave a peculiar look.

“It’s part of a crime scene, Mr. Sabre," the Detective said staunchly. “Your car is covered in evidence, in an investigation of a bear attack. The victims' blood are all over the side and back panels.”

“Oh," he acted like the sound of blood, turned him off. I guess he had to, since he was responsible for putting it there.

“But the groceries are still in the boot -” I started to complain.

“Can we get the shopping out of the car?” Caesar asked.

“That should be OK, but don’t touch the vehicle. We don’t want to contaminate it with further finger prints or traces of DNA," the officer warned.

We watched the Detective snap on a pair of latex gloves, before he escorted us to our vehicle. Declan hit the remote key to open the boot, then the policeman passed he, Caesar and Ki, the groceries. Before we departed, the Detective gave me his card and the final instruction should I remember anything else, to call him. Otherwise he said, he'd see me in one or two days time.

Declan carried a bag of food in one hand and held mine, in his other. Caesar and Ki, carried the other two shopping bags, for me. Then I left with my mate and kin, as they escorted me from the scene.

As we walked past the ambulance, Declan shot a look towards Peta. She was being checked out by paramedics, when she noticed his gaze. She gave him a nod, to show she was OK and then mouthed the words, ‘thank you’. Tonight was only the second time she'd seen her Great x7 Grand Uncle in his frightening form. I think it still unnerved her, but she knew it was because of him that she was alive.

The police lifted the tape to let us pass then we walked quickly through the crowd, to Caesar’s hover-car. I felt antsy and just wanted to run away from the police, their scanners and the staring people. But I also wanted to tell the men that the three Vampires had a coven, nearby.

Caesar hit his remote to open his boot, which they put the bags of food inside. Then he and Ki sat up the front, with Declan and I in the back. As soon as our First sat behind the wheel, he powered up the vehicle.

“Damn it!” I cried out, when the vehicle rose into the air. “My books are still in the car!”

“The books won't go off like the food, B.” My mate said flatly, as he glanced out of the rear window. “You’ll get the books back, when I get my car back.”

The hover-car glided down the main street and towards the outskirts of town. However, I noticed how tense the men were, as they continuously looked about. It was quiet inside the vehicle, as we drove out of town and headed towards tribal lands.

“Guys, I have to tell you something.” I leaned forwards in my seat. “The Vampires said that they weren’t alone. I think their coven is nearby. They said they were sent to bring me back, to the others.”

However that didn't reaction I thought it would. Declan remained quiet although alert, as he looked out the windows. It was Caesar who finally acknowledged what I had said.

“We know, Aunt B.” He spoke calmly. “When Uncle Declan ran to you tonight, the rest of the pack scouted the outskirts of Alma. We’ve tracked the North American Vampires to an unused building, on the edge of town.”

“North American Vampires, so that’s what they are?” I echoed. “I wondered why they looked different to the European or the South American species, I’d seen in the past.”

Nobody said anything else, as our driver pulled off the highway and onto the smaller road, which led onto tribal lands. I thought the atmosphere was quiet in a way that was suffocating; as if something else was going on that I wasn’t aware of. Then something clicked inside my mind...

“Hang on, why are we driving home? Why aren’t we going to join the rest of the pack who I assume, are staking out the Vampires’ nest?” I wondered.

“We’re taking you home first,” Declan said simply.

“Oh, to get my silver sword? Good idea." I thought aloud. "I hated facing off those fang-heads tonight, without my Katana. Then I’ll instantaneously phase us back into Alma.”

This was met with further silence, which I thought was strange.

The hover-car cruised up the steep hill, all the way to the top where our house sat. As soon as the vehicle powered down on the snowy driveway, I hopped out. Next, I rushed up the veranda steps and hurriedly unlocked the door.

Once inside, I raced up the stairs and into the bedroom, to fetch my silver-coated weapon. I picked it up in its sheath before heading back downstairs. Then I put the belt over my shoulder, to carry the sword on my back.

When I returned, I found the men were calmly putting away the food, into either the fridge or the pantry.

“OK, let’s go.” I tried to move them along.

It was then that Ki cast an awkward look at his First and Second, as if he were waiting for them to say something.

“B, you’re not going," my mate said.

“What do you mean, I’m not going?” I almost laughed. “I’m a Circulator who can sword fight in light speed, which is necessary when fighting Vampires.”

“You’re also fifteen weeks pregnant,” Caesar said sternly.

Then the men all walked out of the kitchen and over to the dining table. There, they started to kick off their shoes and remove their upper clothing. Whereas Ki and Caesar could keep their jeans on, Declan had to completely strip. No fabric lasted long on his huge, hulking body.

“Guys, it’s OK.” I tried to reassure. “When I’m sword fighting, the 'fang heads' won't be able to get close enough, to get their teeth into me or the baby.”

This was met by more silence, as again Ki looked at Declan and Caesar, to say something. The Lokoti Werewolves wore just their jeans but my mate seemed to hesitate in taking off his. His eyes were fixed on the sight of the sword on my back, coupled with my protruding stomach.

“You can take that sword off your back B, because you’re not going.” My husband said curtly.

“Excuse me?” My hands moved to my hips. “Who died and made you Ruler of the Earth?”

“B, we don’t have time for this and you’re NOT going!” Declan barked out.

“Fine, I’ll instantaneously phase without you and beat you there!” I challenged.

My bloodlust boiled at being treated like this! Who did they think they were talking to; a weak woman or another Werewolf? There was no way, I was going to miss this fight.

I stomped past the table where they were standing. It was then that I felt Declan’s arms close around, to hold me back. I opened my mouth to yell at him to let go, whilst preparing to instantaneously phase out of his grasp. Then a sudden, sharp pain erupted in the back of my neck...

...and I don’t remember much else after that...

...one minute I was walking towards the door then my neck got a spasm and I blacked out. I didn’t feel my legs anymore, nor do I remember hitting the floor. I passed out so quickly, I wasn’t even sure if I fainted or not.

Darkness - complete and total blackness - that's all that I recall.

However in the world outside, Declan was holding me upright in his arms. His mouth moved away from the back of neck, leaving a bite mark in its stead. In one heave, he scooped me up and carried me over to the couch that was closest to the fire.

Gently, he laid me out, even fixing a cushion behind my head to rest upon. Then he straightened and looked on my unconscious form, whilst he dropped his jeans. Lastly, he turned and walked naked out the front door, with Caesar and Ki, walking behind.

“Uncle Dec, you and Aunt B really should consider ‘couples counseling’.” Our Medicine Man cast a concerned glance my way, before closing the front door. “In a normal marriage, husbands and especially father-to-be’s, DON'T knock their pregnant wives unconscious, when they want them to stay home.”

“Shut up, Ki.” He growled, as he walked out into the freezing night air.

On the veranda, the Lokoti Werewolves shifted shape first. The nails on their hands and feet turned long, hard and claw-like, as their teeth grew longer, sharper and jagged; jutting out of their mouths. Caesar’s eyes glowed a yellow colour, as Ki’s glowed pink. Their upper bodies bulked up with extra muscle, which supplied their supernatural strength.

The European Werewolf stood by himself on the snowy driveway, as his height began to increase, as did his width. His bones made soft cracking noises, as his skeleton expanded into a larger, canine shape. His transformation came complete with a short, stubby snout over razor sharp jaws. He fell forwards to stand on all-fours, as his hips and shoulder joints were manipulated into place. His hands and feet turned into claws, as his eyes glowed green, with his circular pupils turning into narrow slits. His human skin was replaced by a tough hide, over his hardened muscle bulk, which rippled as he moved.

In this shape, Declan was not only faster than the Lokoti Werewolves, but he was twice as strong. However in his role as Second, he dutifully waited in the snow for his First to step down from the veranda. Then Caesar leapt into the woods and ran in supernatural speed, back into Alma, to rejoin the rest of his pack. Declan and Ki ran after him, on either side, flanking their First.

*****

I felt warm and also like I was lying down on something soft. I expected to wake up and find myself on the floor, where I thought I had fainted; but I didn’t. I opened my eyes and waited for them to focus, before I realized I was lying on a couch in the living room. I felt warm because I was lying on the one closest to the fireplace, which was my favourite seat during winter.

Just as I turned my head, a sharp pain shot up my neck. Man, my neck is sore! It felt like a pinched nerve, or something. I groaned, as my hand moved towards it, to try to massage the pain away.

“You want an icepack?” I heard Declan ask.

I tried to turn my head, but I couldn’t as it hurt too much. Instead, I had to peek from the corners of my eyes, to find him sitting on the other couch, reading a book. He smelled soapy, like he'd just showered, and I think he was wearing a change of clothes.

Then I saw him put aside his book, before standing up and leaving the lounge area. I heard him walk into the kitchen and open up the freezer. Then he returned to stand over me, whilst wrapping a tea towel around an icepack. He sat down on the side of the couch I was lying on, to carefully lift up my head and place the icepack behind my neck.

“Here we go," he said softly.

“Oow oow oow!” I whimpered, as my pinched nerve objected to any movement. However, as soon as my head was lowered, with the icepack resting against the sore spot; bliss! “Oh thank you… that feels good.”

Declan remained by my side, as he looked on in concern. One of his hands rested over the baby bump, as his other began to stroke my hair. His blue eyes looked wide with worry, I thought it was sweet.

“W-w-what happened?” I managed out. “Did I faint or something? Did I knock my head when I fell? Or did I twist my neck when I landed?”

“I knocked you out.”

“Huh?” I blinked, thinking I had misheard. “What happened?”

“I bit you on the back of your neck and knocked you out.”

What the...?! My eyes widened as I focused on his face. Was he kidding around? From his earnest expression, I thought perhaps not.

“Say that again," I said.

“You heard me.”

“Hang on…” I pushed his hands away, “...I thought I heard you say that you knocked me out?”

“I did say that I knocked you out.”

He didn't look remotely guilty. His expression said it all; he wasn’t ashamed of what he'd done. I bet he wouldn’t be adverse to doing it again, either.

“You did what?!” I tried to sit up, when the sharp pain became blinding! “Oow oow oow!”

“Woah there," he gently pushed me back down, "take it easy, B.”

He even repositioned the icepack for me again.

“It’s your fault that I’m in this condition!" I flared.

“Yeah whatever," he said dismissively. “If you weren’t as stubborn or as stupid as a horse’s ass, I wouldn’t have had to.”

“What?!” My voice grew shrill, which I knew bothered his sensitive ears. He even flinched from the noise, as I carried on; “you frickin’ knocked me out?! Your own frickin’ wife?! To stop me from – from -”

But then I paused, to try to see the clock on the wall.

I asked anxiously, “what’s the time? How long have I been out for? What about the Vampires?”

“It’s 3.23 AM and all the 'fang heads' are dead," he said simply.

“What?” I gave a funny look. “What do you mean all the Vampires are dead?”

“We fought them in their hide-out and afterwards, we buried their mutilated corpses, in a mass grave inside the National Park.” He said perfunctory.

“How many were there? Is everyone alright? Are you OK?” I asked worriedly.

He smiled on my fears for his safety. “There were seventeen North American Vampires at the hide-out and everyone in the pack are fine.”

“Well you won’t be, as soon as I can move again!” I whacked him on the arm! He jolted from the impact as I flinched from the jarring to my neck, before I ranted; “you bastard! You complete and total bastard! You frickin’ knock your wife unconscious and fight seventeen more Vampires without me? You were outnumbered and you could have used my help!”

“Oh could we have just?” He arched his eyebrows. “Ask me how many 'fang heads' I killed tonight, B.”

“No!”

“Ten! Altogether, I killed ten 'fang heads' tonight! After the three that attacked you in the car park, I killed seven more at the hide-out! It was like I was unstoppable, B. With my European Werewolf strength and my new Circulator speed, I WAS unstoppable!”

“Declan, you’re NOT unstoppable! That’s just your gigantic ego, talking." I rolled my eyes. “If push comes to shove, I’m still faster than you.”

That gave him pause, “what do you mean that you’re faster? As soon as I learn how to instantaneously phase -”

“That’s not it," I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, as my sore neck was bringing on a headache. “Your ability comes from me, so you'll be able to instantaneously phase one day. But my bio-electromagnetic frequency is still higher than yours. We can both move in light speed, as well as turn ourselves into light; but I'll always be faster than you.”

“What? Why?” He looked offended by this.

“I don’t know, it has something to do with our frequencies.” I sighed, before I gave him a glare. “So you’re NOT unstoppable Declan Sabre!”

“Oh yeah? Well, I’m a damn sight stronger than you!” He said indignantly. “Plus, those North American Vampires were stronger than the European ones, we encountered in the past. There was no way in hell I'd put you against that, pregnant or not!”

“Declan…!” I moaned as I rubbed my face. “Why can’t you see the light that’s shining right on your face?”

“Why can’t I see? Why can’t you see, B?! You’re my frickin’ mate! You're MY B! If anything looks at you wrong, I'll frickin’ end it! No matter how much you jump up and down and squawk about women’s liberation, or whatever? I’m frickin’ stronger than you and that’s that!”

My headache was starting to make my head pound, as I tried to massage my temples and take several deep breaths to calm down.

“Declan, you're not ‘Superman’. Besides, we’re supposed to be equals. I certainly didn’t turn you into a Circulator, to become subservient to you, until the end of time. Just as I'd never expect you, to become subservient to me.”

“Subservient? You’d never see a European Werewolf become subservient!” He scoffed. “Wait here, I’ll go get you some Ibruprofen.”

He stood up from the couch and left the lounge room again. I heard him open up the fridge as well as a couple of cupboards, in the kitchen. Then he returned with a glass of water and two tablets. He placed the medication inside my mouth, before raising my head, to help me drink it down. Once I was finished with the glass, he put it on the coffee table and then sat beside.

“If you’d never become subservient, then what do you call this?” I smirked.

“Shut up.” He snickered back. “Besides this isn’t being subservient, this is protecting my territory.”

“Oh yeah?”

“I can’t have you sick or injured, or it’s no fun when I dominate you…or try to.” He gave a wink as his hand returned to my enlarged abdomen. “If you ever stopped fighting back, I don’t know what I would do. So please don’t make me go looking for another argumentative female.”

“If you like it when I fight back, why did you knock me unconscious?” I glared again.

Declan let out a loud sigh, before gazing back down into my eyes. “Because when you disobey a command that’s issued for your safety, you scare me.”

“Even if the command, is unfair?" I raised my eyebrows. I was going to say more, but he jumped in instead.

“I like it when you bite back during sex. I like it when you snap back, when I tell you to do something. I like it when you yell or insult me. But I don’t like it, when we say, ‘don’t go near the dangerous Vampires’ and what do you do? You're either injured, or you're nearly injured, when you go near the dangerous Vampires.”

“Declan that happened ONCE!" I objected. "The first time I fought the 'fang heads', on our European vacation, I won that fight! The second time in Scotland; you would have run right onto that silver knife, if I hadn’t of taken that fang head down with me.”

However my argument was like water off a duck’s back. Declan didn't look affected by my words, as his head was turned in another direction. He even stroked his chin, as if he were contemplating something.

“To hell with it!” He growled out. “Look, I have to tell you something; I think I had my first ‘all-knowing feeling’ as a Circulator today, and it was a bad one.”

“You did?” I asked in surprise. “What did you feel?”

He stared into my eyes, as he began; “I sensed you were in danger, as soon as you came downstairs, with your handbag. When you were out for so long, a sickening feeling overtook my stomach. When I called you as you were leaving the supermarket, the sickening feeling turned into this horrible, dark pit inside my gut. I felt like my blood turned cold and I'd already started to undress, before we got your call for back up.”

“You did?” My mouth fell open, in bewilderment.

“I ran to the supermarket in light speed, as I didn’t care about being seen. I’m hoping that I just looked like a bright blur, to the passersby. Then I arrived at the car park and I smelled the decrepit stench of those half-dead murderers surrounding you; I literally saw red. B, they weren’t just attracted to your aura as a Circulator, or your Lokoti Werewolf pheromones. But they wanted the baby inside you, the baby I put in there.” He stroked my abdomen.

“Oh Declan, I know.” I murmured, placing my hands over his.

“And since it’s a female you’re carrying? Lucia is going to have just as much trouble as you’ve had, B. Vampires are going to try to feed off her, or other Werewolves will try to mate with her, or if she has the same pheromones you do? All of the males in Alma, will be knocking on her door.” He gave a rueful grin.

“I don’t care, I’ll teach her how to fight.” I said stubbornly. “She won’t be made helpless by the world we’re bringing her into, Declan. My daughter may not be a Circulator, but she'll have some of your strength. I'll train her to become a strong and independent woman.”

My mate entwined his fingers with mine, as he grinned; “and this is where I love it when you fight back.”

We exchanged soft smiles, before he turned serious again.

“I’ll be right beside you B, teaching my daughter with you. But please, give me some small benefit of doubt? If I say she can’t do something because she’s part European Werewolf; then believe me. If I say something is too dangerous for Lucia or even for you; then take my word for it.”

I turned quiet, as his words sunk in. He sat there, stroking my large tummy as his eyes shone with love. On this occasion, I would give him credence, since his first gut instinct as a 'Light Person', turned out to be true. I also liked the idea that his 'all-knowing feeling' was for the safety of his mate and young.

“Oh alright," I groaned, which made him chuckle at my reluctance, "you win this round."

"I'll add it to the scoreboard," he joked.

“But since it's YOUR fault that I can't move properly, and I’m tired and I wanna go to bed…?”

I didn’t have to say another word, as Declan scooped me up into his arms, stood up and carried me upstairs. Carefully, he laid me on top of the bed, before changing me into my pajamas. He acted so considerate, I almost forgave him for putting me into this position – almost.

He stripped down to his boxer shorts, to come to bed too. It was then that I rolled over whilst adjusting my pillow; and used it to whack him in the face! Then I settled onto my side, to dream up other ways to torture him.

“Oow!” He chuckled out, before spooning me from behind.

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