Small Fry Chapter 10 *Updated*

4th April 2364

I lay in bed, listening to the night. Considering it was spring here in Alaska, including our small part of the Alaska Range, I thought it was relatively quiet. The majority of bird life hadn’t returned yet. Since there's still a lot of snow on the ground, there were no crickets or frogs either. Yep, the beginning of April was relatively a quiet month, naturally speaking.

I couldn’t sleep. So typically when you can’t sleep, the stupidest and most mundane thoughts, creep into your head. Particularly about birds flying north in spring, or when do crickets come back out.

Although I was tired, I couldn’t find a comfortable position to lie in. I’m only six months pregnant, but my baby bulge was huge. It's such an effort to roll over and my favoured position, used to be sleeping on my stomach. You can guess it's a bit impossible right now, as well as for the next three months.

Declan was quietly snoring away, in a deep sleep. The pregnancy could tire him too, I noticed. In the past, with his predatory instincts he'd wake up, just from my rolling over in bed. With my huge shape, it took much more effort to roll over yet he didn’t stir. Lately, not only has he been doing all of the cooking, but some of the cleaning, too. If I tried to do any heavy duty chores such as the bathrooms or the floors, I'd get growled at.

I looked over at his digital clock and stared disheartened, at the glowing green numbers; 1.33 AM.

I'd been lying here awake, for two hours. I was bored! I was tempted to get out of bed, go downstairs and fix myself a snack, but I didn’t want to get any bigger. Ki was concerned about how much weight I'd put on, with the pregnancy.

“Declan," I said softly.

“Hmm, what?” He immediately stirred. “Is it time?”

"Time for what?”

“To have the baby.”

“Declan, I’m not in labor.”

“Oh…” his head fell back into the pillow, “…have you got a craving?”

“No.”

“Are you in pain?”

“No.”

“Then what?” He moaned, wearily.

“I can’t sleep.”

“Yes you can, just close your eyes.”

“I can’t, I’ve been lying here awake for two hours! Well, since we went to bed at 11 o’clock, it’s really been two and a half hours.” I argued.

“Alright alright!” He rolled over to spoon me from behind. “Is this better?”

“No.”

“Then what, B?”

“I can’t sleep on my stomach.”

“Huh?” He opened his eyes, to give a peculiar look.

“I always used to sleep on my stomach, but now I can’t!” I huffed. “I think it’s why I can’t sleep.”

“Frickin’ hell woman, you're a classic!” He laughed loudly, in the dark bedroom. “Now you don’t want the baby after 300 years of trying, because you can’t sleep on your stomach?”

“I never said that!”

“Here," he snuggled closer, to wrap me up in his arms and his legs. “Close your eyes, relax, and do what you used to do, when you couldn’t sleep. Didn’t you listen to my heart beat, or inhale my scent or whatever?”

“I used to lay on top of you, with either my head resting on your chest, or my face was buried in your neck. But when I did this, I was usually lying on my stomach.” I said sulkily.

“You can still put your head against my chest, by lying on your side.” He offered.

We both adjusted in bed, or it was more like Declan waiting for me to adjust. I rolled onto my side so we were facing each other, before he wrapped me into his arms and legs again. He held me closely, so my face could bury itself into his wide chest. Even with my stomach protruding, he could still press himself against my form.

He was right, I did feel much better. His greater body heat started to relax my muscles, as I inhaled his maple syrup scent. His strong heart beat, pounded away, as its melody carried me off into 'sleepy land'. Even the baby moved less, as if she too could feel his warmth and it comforted her. That was until…

“Oow!” We both cried out, at the same time.

The baby gave an almighty kick, which went straight through me and into Declan.

“She’s getting too hot," he moved away and as soon as he did, the kicking subsided.

“But I was falling asleep!” I whined.

“Wait, I have an idea," he thought up, "roll onto your other side.”

“Why?”

“Just do it.”

“Do you know how much of an effort that is?” I complained.

“C’mon B," he gently pushed me onto my back.

Then he helped roll me over, so I was facing away from him. I was about to object, when he spooned me from behind. A contented growl came out of my mouth, as he rested his leg over mine and his arms encircled my large waist.

His heart pounded into my back, which coupled with his steady breathing and excessive body heat; it was like sleeping with a huge, hot water bottle that was gently rocking. Next, Declan lowered the bedcovers past my stomach, which could remain cool. This way the baby wouldn’t get too hot, and both baby and mother would be happy.

“Is this better?” He murmured in my ear, before kissing it.

“Mmm… I love you, Declan Sabre.”

“In unan, B.” He rubbed my baby bulge. “In unan.”

The last thing I felt before I slipped into unconsciousness, was the feel of his large hands, slowly stroking my belly. Like the proud papa Werewolf, he was claiming his territory. I didn’t mind, in fact the melodious stroking aided sleep to finally claim my mind. Within a matter of minutes, I fell into a deep, relaxing slumber.

*****

The next morning after breakfast, I was ushered out of the house and into the hover-car. Typical of getting ready for a social event, I underwent my last minute nerves over my appearance. As usual, Declan growled that we were going to be late, as he stood in the bedroom doorway.

“B, you have ten seconds to get your pregnant ass downstairs!”

“You can’t pick me up and sling me over your shoulder anymore.” I taunted, by waving my hand over my enlarged abdomen.

“Trust me woman, I can still carry you out of the house.” He said grouchily. “Now c’mon, it’s 8. 53 AM! This thing starts in seven minutes!”

“OK OK OK!” I rolled my eyes as I closed the wardrobe doors. I picked up my handbag and began to depart when I paused. “Maybe I should wear my red jumper instead?”

“It’s a frickin’ birthing class! Do you think the expectant mothers will be worried about fashion?!” He rolled his eyes back, before he grabbed my arm. “Now come on.”

“Wait,” I pulled back, “I feel like we’re forgetting something.”

“Yeah, your brain since you’re so forgetful, thanks to this pregnancy!” He snapped. “I’ve made sure everything is turned off, unlike you leaving the oven on last week.”

Declan pulled me from the room and marched me downstairs and out the front door. Once I was outside, I was pulled over to the garage. He hit the remote key and our doors automatically unlocked and opened. Then he helped me into my seat, slammed the door shut behind, before going around to climb into his own.

“Man, it still stinks of human, in here." He grumbled, once he was behind the wheel. "Maybe I should deodorize the car, this afternoon."

He was referring to when the police temporarily impounded our vehicle, as evidence in a mugging and wild animal attack. We got our hover-car back three days after the incident, but it could have been longer than that. All it took was one call to my lawyer at Hodge Endeavor and within hours, our vehicle was returned. It was delivered by two police officers who drove it over and since then, Declan's always complained our vehicle smelled like human. The officers didn't smell bad, but he was trying to downplay how it tempted his bloodlust.

Hurriedly, he reversed the hover-car out of the garage, not even slowing down. He careened backwards out onto the concealed road then he gunned down the hill, towards the community centre. Our birthing class was being held in the Meeting Hall, by our Medicine Man and one of the Tribal Elders.

“Man, you’re eager.” I commented.

“You know I hate being late!" He snapped. “Now we have to walk in last, when everyone else will be sitting down.”

Declan didn’t slow until we reached the intersection, at the bottom of the hill. We cruised around the sports oval, where some Lokoti kids were in the midst of hockey training. He didn’t say another word, as he pulled up in an available car space outside the hall, powered down the vehicle and then climbed out.

I was pulled out of the car and towards the large, wooden, painted in Lokoti design, building. He opened the door first and ushered me through before walking in behind. We found he was right, everyone was already seated. Chairs formed a small half circle with Ki and Feather, standing up the front. It looked like class had already started, as everyone stared at the latecomers.

“Aunt B and Uncle Declan," the elderly Feather smiled on our arrival, "I'm glad that you could make it.”

My mate flashed me an annoyed look, as he led me over to two available chairs. We sat between two other couples, Walt and Wendy Wisetail as well as Jay and Gina Shallow Water. They smiled in greeting, when Declan did a double take over the Wisetail's.

“What are you two doing here?” He asked in surprise. “I thought this being your third rug rat, you two would be old and experienced with this birthing business.”

“Thanks a lot!” Wendy snorted.

“You can leave out the ‘old’ but you can keep the ‘experienced’ part.” Walt grinned in good humor.

“Wendy and Walt came for a refresher on breathing techniques during delivery.” Ki told him.

“Yeah, this is our second ‘rug rat’." Jay put his arm about his pregnant wife. "But Gina liked the classes so much, we came again.”

To which she enthusiastically agreed; “when they teach the man how to massage the woman’s lower back during delivery, it’s a godsend!”

“And don’t forget the massages before the delivery," Wendy added on. "You’re taught similar methods the Chinese developed. They're amazing because when you do it correctly, it can help your lower back, let alone your aching feet.”

“Oh," my eyebrows arose, impressed.

Declan joked, “what about massages for the expectant father?”

He started to laugh, but he stopped when he saw all of the women were looking on, unimpressed.

“OK, let’s get started.” Ki looked towards Feather, who nodded in agreement. “Thanks to Wendy and Gina for sharing some of what will be taught in these classes. Over the next four weeks, we’ll be going through both theory work as well as the practical. You’ll learn what’s happening to a woman’s body in the lead up to delivery and then during the birth. We’ll also go through the after birth procedure and how your bodies will continue to change, during your first few months with your baby.”

“Isn’t it obvious what’s happening to your body during and after pregnancy?" Declan leaned in to whisper. "The baby is inside you and then it’s out.”

I nudged him to shut up as I straightened in my chair, to show I was paying attention.

“First of all, we’ll go through the theory of how the baby gets into position during the last month. If you could all take out your pamphlets and open them on page two.” Ki ordered his class.

Declan looked around at everyone taking out the information they were given, when I moaned out; “I KNEW we were forgetting something!”

“If you weren’t so insecure about your looks, I would have remembered instead of having to rush you out of the house.” He rolled his eyes, before he turned to Walt. “The bigger B gets, all I hear these days is, ‘I feel fat’ or ‘my clothes don’t fit me anymore’.”

This time Walt nudged him to quiet down, as Wendy gave him a glare.

“Here you go Aunt B,” our Medicine Man handed me a spare. “Now on page two, you will see a picture of a baby that’s moved into position -”

“Hey that kid is upside down!” My husband interrupted, as he looked at the pamphlet.

“Yes Uncle Declan, the baby is meant to be upside down," Ki frowned.

“Then what happens if the kid isn’t upside down?” He asked.

“Then it’s called a breach birth, which can lead to complications for both mother and baby.”

“Say what?” His mouth fell open. “THAT’S a breach birth? When the baby isn’t upside down?”

Ki pointed out, “if the baby isn’t upside down, then the baby isn’t born head first, is it Uncle Declan?”

My mate turned and looked on my protruding stomach with wide eyes and he even put his hands over it. “How do we know if it’s upside down or not?”

“Since Aunt B is only six months pregnant, you don’t have to panic yet. The baby doesn’t have to be upside down until the eighth month. Now if you don’t mind Uncle Dec, I’ll explain how the baby gets into position and why.” Ki said coldly, showing his patience was running thin.

I felt my face heat up at the attention Declan was attracting, as Wendy passed me a sympathetic glance. My mate glared back at our Medicine Man and his subordinate in the pack, as he sat back in his seat again. However, he kept one of his hands possessively on my large stomach.

Class went for two hours, with the first one on theory and the second was spent on the practical.

We moved onto some padded mats, which were waiting on the floor a short distance away. Here, Ki and Feather began to teach the men how to massage their pregnant women’s feet. According to Ki, this particular massage if done correctly; was meant to relieve the stress on pressure points which could also ease the tension in a woman’s lower back.

However, my feet were so ticklish that every time Declan tried, I couldn’t keep still! He already knew how ticklish they were, which could work to his advantage when he wanted to torture me. But I squealed every time he tried, as he turned into the embarrassed party. He looked on the other males in the room as they proficiently massaged their female's feet.

“C’mon B, just let me massage your frickin’ feet!" He said abashed. "What if the baby doesn’t turn upside down because we didn’t do this?”

“Erm Uncle Dec," our teacher overheard his concern, "if Aunt B doesn’t want her feet massaged, it won’t affect the baby getting into position.”

“Are you sure?” He asked skeptically, whilst looking around at all the other women who were enjoying their foot massages.

“Yes I’m sure," our Medicine Man smirked. “If she doesn’t like foot massages then I’ll teach you how to massage her lower back instead.”

“Trust me Ki, I’ve got plenty of experience massaging B’s lower back thanks to 273 years of period pain!” My mate exhorted, to my humiliation. Then in surprise, he noticed all the dirty looks by the other women in the room. He wondered at their disapproval, "what?”

Sharply, I pulled my feet back from his lap and silently fumed, whilst pulling on my socks and shoes.

“Aunt B, if you wouldn’t mind lying on your side for me; I’ll show your loud husband how to massage a pregnant woman’s lower back. This will ease the tension that the baby weight causes to your spine.” Our medical practitioner spoke, as he knelt down behind.

With a pink face I obeyed, noting the pairs of eyes which remained our way.

Wendy promised, “you’re gonna love this massage, Aunt B.”

“Now do you see where her spine meets her pelvic bone?” Ki proceeded to demonstrate, as he ran his hand down my clothed back. Next, he gently touched several parts of my lower back and hips. “The nerves you need to concentrate on, run here, here and here. You’ll need to rub in a circular motion as you move your hands across here, here and then up here.”

Oh my gosh that felt good! My eyes bulged and I even gasped in surprise. Ki’s massage felt heavenly! The twinges of sharp pain I experienced, instantly began to dissolve into blissful relaxation.

Declan worried over my exhale, "are you OK, B?”

“Man that feels good!" I accidentally cried out a little loudly. "Ki don’t stop!”

The territorial European Werewolf didn’t appreciate this. Ki received a hard shove out of the way, as Declan took his place. My mate tried to copy his hand movements, but with his overbearing strength, it wasn’t the same.

“Oow!” I objected. “Declan that hurts!”

“Use less force and more circular motion," our teacher instructed. “You don’t want to just poke her, remember that this is supposed to be a massage.”

“OOW!” I sat upright in pain. “Now you’re deliberately hurting me!”

“I am not!” He returned. “You’re just frickin’ ticklish!”

“THAT was not tickling!" I rebuked. "THAT was torture!”

“Fine then!" He said sulkily. "I won’t massage you at all!”

“Ki…” I looked to our Medicine Man, “…can I please have another massage?”

He let out a sigh, as if to say; ‘I can’t take you two anywhere'. Then he risked Declan’s wrath, by moving behind me again. I lay on my side on the mat once more then as soon as his hands touched my back, immediately I relaxed.

The Second in the pack gave his subordinate a dangerous look, which Walt told me later. I couldn’t see what was going on behind, but I heard what happened instead. According to Walt, the Lokoti Werewolf was flirting with death, by telling the European Werewolf how to look after his mate.

“Just try to be gentle, Uncle Dec." He lectured. "Remember that your physical strength has increased so you may not mean to harm Aunt B, but you are. After all, you’re dealing with an already sore part of her body, so your wife just needs a little TLC. Lucia may be six months old, but she’s the size of a seven month old. Since she’s a big baby like her big father, it’s putting a lot of strain on Aunt B’s body. When you massage the right way, it will ease much of the tension in the spine.”

Then I heard a low, threatening growl come from my mate, which was usually the sound he made right before he attacked something.

In alarm, I looked over my shoulder to see his eyes had turned their glowing green colour and he even bared his sharpening teeth…

Quickly, I sat upright again. “Declan!”

Finally Ki saw the invisible shovel in his hands, as he realized he may have just dug his own grave. He blanched at the sight of the infuriated European Werewolf, who was within mauling distance. Slowly, he began to back away as Walt looked tense, like he was worried he may have to come to his defense.

Declan’s body remained taught, his teeth sharp and his eyes burned bright green in anger. It was literally like the saying ‘the green-eyed monster rearing its ugly head’. Once he had scared off the male that was encroaching on his territory, he silently turned my way.

Gently, he pushed me back onto my side and then he began to massage. I lay tense and anxious, expecting him to hurt me again…but he didn’t. His rubbing was harder than Ki’s, however this time it didn’t feel like he was just poking. His large hands moved in a circular motion and after a minute, it did start to relax me, which I think was helped by how hot they felt, too.

“Er, Declan?”

“What?” He replied in a flat tone.

“It’s um, working.” I admitted.

“Of course it is.” He growled out. “If anybody ever says that I can’t look after you? They'll have my claw marks embedded in their skin, let alone their thick skulls.”

“Oh but you can go around calling me ditzy for being forgetful from the pregnancy?” I replied coolly.

“I never called you ditzy.” He spoke in a low voice. “I just pointed out how much you’re forgetting lately.”

“Forgetfulness is a common symptom in pregnant women.” Feather said, as she walked past whilst offering advice to different couples. “When I was pregnant, I accidentally left the grill on all day, after making grilled cheese and avocado on toast. I almost burned my kitchen down.”

Then she moved off to answer the Shallow Water’s questions on massaging during birth. This left Declan and I to exchange a long look. I watched his teeth return to normal as did his eyes, showing his calmer state.

“OK, I’m sorry about the comments I made about your forgetfulness." He said quietly. "It just pisses me off that you wanted this baby so bad, but you’ll whine about your clothes not fitting you. Or, people bag me out for having a big baby from my European Werewolf genes, when I warned you all along that it could happen.”

I rolled my eyes, “I’m always making comments about my clothes when I’m nervous about how I look; pregnant or not.”

“I know, which I also don’t get.” He gave a peculiar look. “You’re pretty and you know it, so why the hell are you fishing for more compliments?”

I sat up indignantly; “what, my whining about feeling unattractive or when I change an outfit two or three times, is because I'm confident of my looks?!”

Declan looked about, realizing we had an audience who were watching in curiosity, whilst they were massaging.

“Well isn’t it?” He wondered.

“No!” I turned my back on him again. “Maybe I ask those questions because I want to know if I fit in? I have to stand in front of people and look like a professional, when I lecture. Maybe I'm scared of looking like a freak?”

“B, you’re a frickin’ Werewolf and a Circulator, of course you don’t fit in!” He rolled his eyes. “Because you’re a Lokoti Werewolf, you’ve got the pheromones working for you. Then as a Circulator, you have the aura that makes you stand out in a crowd. When you put the two together, you have a frickin’ hot female. I mean, why the hell did I nearly maul our birthing coach, for massaging you?”

Pause…my eyes remained downcast but I managed out a, “really?”

“Yes!” He said shortly. “So quit whining and sit pretty for me, so I can massage my pregnant mate.”

Giggling, I rolled onto my back and pulled him over me. He chuckled as he willingly came along. We used our sharp teeth to graze the other’s lips, as he emitted another growl, this time in satisfaction.

“C’mon guys, can you please not do this in my birthing class?” Ki asked tiredly.

The room erupted into laughter, which made us pull apart. I lay on my side again as my mate resumed his post as the massaging, expectant father. However, I did feel his large, hot hand, slip under my jumper to rub my skin directly, which felt nice.

We overheard one woman say to her partner; “I thought being the tribe’s longest married couple, let alone the longest living one; they wouldn’t argue anymore.”

“I can’t believe how Uncle Dec can even make cursing sound tender," another joked.

“I wish I was a Werewolf with the kind of sex lives they have," one man complained. “They’ve been married for nearly three hundred years and he still gets some.”

“Oh excuse me for having swollen ankles, nausea, dizziness and tension headaches!” His pregnant wife whacked him on the arm.

The three male Werewolves in the shapes of Declan, Walt and Ki, exchanged raised eyebrows at the unhappily married couple in the class.

“As well as the ‘birthing classes’, perhaps you'd like to come to our ‘couples counseling’ here at the Meeting Hall, on Thursday nights.” Feather said diplomatically, as she continued walking around, observing.

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

14th April 2364

I lay awake in bed, listening to the noises of the night once more. I could hear a hoot of an owl or two, from the trees in the surrounding forest. However the predominant sound in the bedroom, was my husband's quiet snore. I raised my head to look over his large sleeping form, to see the time; 12.53 AM.

I couldn’t sleep again. So I gave up trying to force myself unconscious and simply laid there. Declan happily slumbered away on his side, with his mouth hanging open. The corner of his mouth looked a little wet, with drool.

“Oooaaahhggrrrr!” I growled in frustration, as I rolled over onto my side so I was facing him.

I reached out my hand and pinched his nose closed, which stopped his snoring and did something else, too.

“Huh? What?” He instantly woke up.

“Oh good, you’re awake.” I sung cheerfully, as I perched my head on my hand.

“Aw B, I was sound asleep!” He whined as he rolled onto his back. “I was having a good dream, too!”

“Really?" I asked out of interest. "What were you dreaming?”

“I was dreaming I was sound asleep," he said with his eyes closed.

“No,” I poked him in his side, “tell me what you were dreaming about.”

“You don’t wanna know," he grumbled back.

“Yes I do.”

“No, you don’t.”

“Why, were you dreaming about another woman?” I asked suspiciously.

“I was dreaming about LOTS of other women.” He smirked, whilst keeping his eyes closed. “I dreamed that I was still working at the Garage where women paid me in sex, to keep their engines running.”

“Say what?” My mouth fell open, before my hand lashed out to slap his bare chest. “Declan!”

“Heh heh!” He didn’t even wince. “You were in my dream too.”

“And what was I doing in this dream, while women were paying you with sex?”

“You were my manager, deciding on what woman would be strong enough in the sack for me.” He grinned like he was picturing this. “When I got bored with the humans, I’d recharge my batteries with you.”

“Eew!” I cried out in disgust, as I rolled away.

“Yup, it was a good dream.” He sighed wistfully. Then I felt him move up behind and begin to massage my lower back. “You can’t sleep again?”

“Do you care, or would you rather return to your harem?” I retorted.

“The dream was OK, but I’ve had better.”

“You’ve had better sex dreams?”

“Yup," he spoke so casually, as if we were discussing the weather instead. “Remember your first trimester, when you craved me like you’d crave food?”

“Er, yeah?”

“Those were the best three months of my life!” He exclaimed. “Sometimes I dream that you’re always like that, where your abdomen is just a tiny bump but your hips and breasts are bigger. You’re riding me hard all day, every day, whilst crying out, ‘don’t stop Declan, don’t stop!’”

“You LIKED that?” I looked on like he'd gone mad. “I was worried I might accidentally kill you from exhaustion!”

“Trust me B, I would have died a happy man.” He chuckled as he massaged.

“You’re in luck then,” I said dryly, “coz we’re supposed to have two more daughters, remember?”

“So we’ll go through those first three months again and again?” He smiled widely. Sulkily, I looked away, still annoyed about the other kind of dream he had this evening. He was quiet for a minute or two, as he rubbed my lower back before he spoke again, “you know what, B?”

“What, Declan?”

“I think I know of a way which will help your sleeping problem and fulfill my fantasies as well.” He gave a mischievous grin. “These lower back rubs are all well and good for pregnant humans. But with our kind, it calls for another kind of massage.”

“Huh?” I gave a funny look, until his hand moved to the front of my body and went straight into my underwear. I gasped, as I accidentally dug my nails into his arm. “Oh Declan!”

He chewed on my shoulder, whilst keeping his eyes on my face to watch my reaction to his new 'technique'.

*****

The next morning, again I was rushing about the bedroom, trying to decide on what to wear. The only difference this time was instead of growling impatiently, Declan calmly sat on the bed. Beside him, was my handbag and coat he'd fetched.

I looked on my large appearance in the mirror on the inside of our wardrobe, with dissatisfaction. My maternity jeans were sitting comfortably over my large bulge, but I couldn’t decide what top to wear with them. I eyed my reflection, analytically.

“I don’t think I’ll wear the red jumper.”

“OK," he shrugged.

I tugged it off and pulled on the light blue coloured, woolen turtle neck. Then I looked into the mirror again. This time I thought I looked too monotone, wearing dark blue jeans, a light blue top with my dark blue eyes.

“I look too blue,” I said unhappily.

“How about your dark purple jumper instead?” He offered helpfully.

The turtle neck was whipped off, over my head and I grabbed my v-neck, dark purple, woolen blend. Once I put it on, I checked myself in the mirror. I let out a sigh of relief, as I liked this much better.

“Thanks," I sounded surprised, at his assistance. “But now my hair is all messed up, so I have to go do it again.”

“OK," he shrugged again, whilst looking at his clock on the bedside table.

“I know we’re late!” I snapped, as I rushed out of the bedroom.

“Well, it’s 11.18 AM and I told you Wendy’s lunch starts at eleven.” He called back.

I stood in front of the bathroom mirror, brushing my long, black hair. Then I applied a dark purple lipstick, to go with the jumper. Once the hairbrush and lipstick were back in the draw of the vanity, I checked my appearance one last time. Lastly, I walked back into the bedroom to find Declan was standing up, holding out my coat and bag.

“Well?” I demanded.

“You look like the prettiest pregnant female Werewolf in the tribe.” He said perfunctory. “Now let’s go.”

My husband led me by the hand down the stairs and then out of the house. I marveled at how he continued to remain calm instead of acting cranky. He helped lower me into the passenger’s seat, closed the door for me and walked around to the driver’s side.

Slowly, he reversed out of the garage, down our gravel driveway and out onto the road. Then he glided down to the next driveway, on the hill. To my astonishment, we found six other hover-cars, either parked on the road or in the Wisetail’s driveway.

“Wow, there’s a lot of people here for Wendy and Walt’s lunch.” I commented.

“Hmm," he agreed.

Declan parked behind what looked like to be Tyson’s family car. Once the engine had powered down, we climbed out. I took longer with my huge bulge, as he waited patiently. Then hand-in-hand, we walked up the driveway past the three other vehicles parked there.

As soon as we went up the steps of the front veranda, Walt opened his front door.

“Aunt B and Uncle Dec!” He beamed. “It’s good to see you.”

“Sorry we’re late.” I kissed his cheek.

“Late?” He looked on, puzzled. “It’s only 11.30, so you’re early.”

“Early?” I echoed in surprise, before my eyes swung in Declan’s direction.

“I told her this thing started at eleven," he smirked to Walt. “I figured if I told her the wrong time, instead of rocking up half an hour late? We would be half an hour early.”

Walt cracked up laughing, before he clapped him on the back, “nice one, Uncle!”

He held the door open for us to come inside, whilst I passed my husband a dirty look for his deception.

“They’re here already!” Wendy cried out excitedly, as she came out of the kitchen. She kissed both of our cheeks as she went on, “we’re just setting up the food and nibblies. I didn’t expect you guys to be early.”

“Blame him," I elbowed Declan in the ribs.

“Uncle Dec lied about the time to Aunt B, to get her here earlier instead of later.” Walt laughed to his wife.

“You two are a classic!” She tittered. "You're just like that married couple from that antiquated show, ‘George and Mildred’.”

Then she turned around and waddled back into the kitchen, thanks to her own pregnant state.

Tyson and his wife Tanya came forward to greet next, as did Caesar and Forrest, Derik and Uma Elm, Antonio and Peta Sabre, Ki and Jenny Lightfoot then lastly, Jay and Gina Shallow Water.

As we said the rounds of ‘hi, how are you?’, we noticed that all of our families were present today, as well as the members of the pack. Those who weren’t here already, were still arriving. I shot off a puzzled look to Declan who shrugged back, as he was thinking the same thing. We were beginning to suspect that this ‘lunch’ wasn’t just a social gathering. Another funny thing about this, were people arriving with presents.

Soft drink was being served and I held a creaming soda in my hand, as Declan was drinking orange flavoured Fanta. The Wisetail’s dining table was completely covered in nibblies, which many of the Werewolves happily congregated around, with their constant hunger. Declan was talking 'pack business', such as security concerns to Forrest and Caesar, whilst they gobbled down cabanossi and cheese. However, Walt was in the kitchen helping Wendy make sandwiches.

I grazed on some water crackers and brie cheese, whilst looking about the Wisetail’s living room.

Although I’ve been back to the house several times over the long years, I still felt nostalgic about being in my old childhood home. When Mum and Dad evolved to the space time continuum, my father handed over the house to a cousin. The house had seen several generations of Wisetail’s be born, live and die; with the families altering and expanding the abode, with each ownership.

As I was reminiscing, I vaguely heard the male members of the pack’s discussion.

“Did you guys see the news report last night, on the escalating murders throughout the States and Canada?” Declan asked.

“We did," Forrest frowned.

“I think they’re being caused by several covens of North American Vampires.” My mate gave his opinion. “The whole ‘smash and grab’ approach, with the police finding the victim’s drained and mutilated bodies, days later?”

“Hmm," Caesar acknowledged unhappily. “There was a case in Anchorage two months ago, which fitted a North American Vampire’s MO. But I’m hoping the coven we eliminated, were the perpetrators of that offence.”

“Yeah, but I think there are way more out there, than anyone realizes.” Declan continued. “With the decrease in the world’s Werewolf population, the natural or the supernatural balance, has been thrown out of whack. Vampires are reproducing like cockroaches, with not enough Werewolves to cull the numbers.”

“Then what do you suggest, Uncle?” Caesar asked warily.

“Instead of playing defense and not doing anything until we get attacked; what if we went on the offense and did some attacking of our own?” He said seriously.

“You mean leave our tribal lands to go and pick a fight?” Tyson objected, as he stood across the table. “That would bring on trouble even faster! Lokoti Werewolves are still relatively unknown, to the separate species of Vampires. If the 'fang heads' knew about us then we would have a lot more trouble than we do now.”

“I agree.” Ki spoke up, standing with his friend. “Our existence is still a myth to many outside of Alaska, let alone the inside of it. By taking on the responsibility of ridding the world of the murderous parasites, would be like putting up a neon sign and inviting trouble. We would be endangering the lives of our human families.”

“Then just send me," Declan looked directly into Caesar’s eyes, "a lone European Werewolf. No-one will know of the Lokoti Werewolves this way, as they'll think I'll have my own vendetta.”

“Huh? What? No!” I snapped to and shot off a glare. “No frickin’ way!”

“B, stay out of this," he glared back.

“No!” I stood my ground. “No Declan Sabre, no you cannot go on a killing spree and risk your life like that!”

“B, I wouldn’t be in any danger.” He said firmly.

“You may be the strongest in the pack, Uncle.” Our First spoke gravely. “But you’re also going to be a father soon. What you’re suggesting is just too risky, even for a European Werewolf – slash – Circulator.”

“Can you instantaneously phase yet?” Ki asked knowingly. “We’ve seen you run in the speed of light, as you ran so fast down Main Street that day Aunt B was in trouble, not even the traffic cameras picked you up. But can you instantaneously phase from Alaska to somewhere else in the States, to wage your one-man-war on the fang heads?”

“No, not yet -” Declan began but Ki cut him off.

“Then how can go out to fight and not give away our existence, let alone our location? The Vampires could track you back here, when you run home.”

The pack's Second started to growl threateningly at our Medicine Man again for his intrusion, but our First put his hand on his arm, to silence him.

“Ki’s right, Uncle.” He decided. “Your offer is admirable, but I'm going to say no. Besides, today is a day to celebrate yours and B’s upcoming parenthood.”

“It is?” I asked in surprise.

“Why yes," Caesar smiled warmly, “I’m surprised that you haven’t guessed yet, by everyone arriving with presents. Today is yours and Uncle Declan’s Baby Shower.”

“It is?” My mate's eyes widened. “I thought that was just a 'chick thing'?”

“It is the 24th Century now, Uncle.” Forrest shook his head at his younger looking elder.

“Walt!” Caesar called on his fellow Werewolf and the host of this shindig. “Today was Wendy’s idea, so how about we let her propose a toast?”

Walt escorted his pregnant mate out of the kitchen, as she wiped her hands on a tea towel. Tyson was quick to hand the couple another two cups of soda he'd poured, as the room quieted to hear Wendy speak. She looked nervously upon her husband, who returned it with an encouraging grin, which prompted her to begin.

“Thank you Tyson.” She acknowledged. “Well first of all everybody, thanks for coming and bringing a dish and a bottle of soda, let alone your presents.”

“Thank you for hosting today, Wendy and Walt.” Caesar raised his drink.

“Yeah, thanks Wendy and Walt.” I seconded that, whilst Declan placed his arm about my shoulders, to smile on.

“Uncle Dec and Aunt B, not only are you the tribe’s longest living members, but you’re the longest married couple. We’ve witnessed your many arguments…” Wendy giggled out which also earned guffaws from the crowd, “…but we’ve also witnessed that there are no other people in the world that the two of you would rather argue with."

"Here here," my mate planted a kiss on my forehead.

She continued, "when Uncle Dec nearly passed away last year, right after his 300th Birthday Party; it gave us all a fright. We were worried that we might lose you either in two ways, death or evolving. But then the news that Aunt B was expecting came out, which meant you'd have to delay your departure for the space time continuum. I must admit, I was glad because I can’t imagine the tribe without you both. You’ve helped your family with babysitting, advice and your protection. So giving you this Baby Shower today, is just one of the ways we wanted to thank you.”

Everybody raised their cups, "to Aunt B and Uncle Dec!”

Then as they sipped on their sodas, I turned to look up at my mate whose bright blue eyes seemed to be waiting to hold my dark blue ones.

“Here’s to parenthood,” I tapped my plastic cup against his.

“Did I tell you how beautiful you look today, Mrs. Sabre?” He smiled softly.

“You can tell me from here to eternity, my handsome husband.” I tittered back.

His head ducked so his mouth could smother mine, as I eagerly responded.

“And they’re at it again!” Ki cried out, making the whole room laugh.

“OK, let’s at least do the presents before you retreat into your own little universe, you seem to exist in.” Antonio taunted.

Declan passed his great x7 grand nephew, a warning look; “you’ll keep Antonio, you’ll keep.”

There was more laughter, before Peta and Wendy led us over to a couch in the lounge room, so the gift giving could begin. Instead of sitting beside my husband, I sat in his lap. Then Wendy sat beside us, with Walt sitting on the arm rest, beside her. Everyone crowded around with their presents, to take turns at handing them over.

We were given the smaller presents first, such as more baby clothes, toys and other accessories. Then in the end, we were presented with the larger ones, such as a hover-pram, a highchair and even a baby capsule; that the families had chipped in to buy. My husband and I unwrapped everything together, as we were touched by everyone’s thoughtfulness and consideration.

For three centuries, we'd given countless Housewarming or Baby Shower presents. We'd watched other couples get married, have kids and then grandkids. When we used to think I was barren, we were forced to watch from the sidelines, but never participate. Now it was our turn and we were overwhelmed at everyone’s celebration of our condition.

“Speech! Speech!” Tyson called, when the gift giving was finished.

Declan and I were surrounded by so many new things, I didn't know what to say. I was so emotional, I couldn’t open my mouth in fear of crying, so I looked on him to say something for the both of us. But even my loud-mouthed mate, was gob smacked.

“Er…” his mouth hung open, “…thanks.”

Everybody guffawed at the stunned Werewolves in the room.

Declan forced out; “I mean er, thanks so much guys, as we didn’t see this coming. It really means a lot to us, um it really it does.”

“It must, because I’ve never seen you left speechless before, Uncle.” Caesar gave a wry grin.

“This man has an opinion on everything!” Forrest laughingly agreed.

“I still remember his advice on marriage, when I told him that I was going to propose to Peta.” Antonio looked to Tyson and Walt.

“Is this the one where he tells the husband-to-be, to start buying up stocks in ‘Nutella’?” Tyson smilingly shook his head.

“Yep that’s it," he answered. “That and, ‘if you’re gonna provide for your woman then at least learn how to frickin’ cook! My mouth is still recovering from your over-cooked mushroom risotto’.”

Peta affectionately messed up her husband's hair, "well it has improved over the years."

“You’re lucky, he was nice to you.” Walt smirked. “When Wendy and I became engaged, Uncle Dec said to me, ‘Walt I have two words for you; take-away’.”

The room erupted into louder laughter, with their experiences of the European Werewolf's bluntness.

“I remember in High School when you did that semester of cooking classes, you set off the fire alarms when you incinerated that self-saucing chocolate pudding.” Antonio teased.

“That was so funny!” Wendy laughed along. “It was winter and below freezing, when the whole school was evacuated until the Alma Fire Department gave the all-clear.”

“So has Walt’s cooking gotten any better?” Peta asked her.

“He can be trusted with making sandwiches or cutting up fruit or vegetables." She tittered. "But I won’t let him near the stove or oven.”

Then she pulled in her cooking-challenged husband, for a kiss.

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

5th May 2364

I slept fitfully on my side, as I couldn’t maintain a deep sleep. Lucia was moving around like hell and it felt like she was doing somersaults, inside me! Declan spooned me from behind, periodically rubbing my enlarged belly or even my lower back, when he heard me whimper.

On the sixth time, I opened my eyes to see it was only 2.35 AM.

“Frickin’ hell!” I moaned in exasperation.

“Huh?” He sleepily raised his head.

“It’s two thirty-five in the morning.”

“Yeah and?”

“I can’t sleep properly!”

“Oh,” his head flopped back into the pillow, where he mumbled out, “you wanna have sex?”

“No…” I moaned a second time, “…we can’t have sex every time I can’t sleep.”

“Why not?" He wondered. "The last couple of times you couldn’t sleep and we had sex; you were out like a light, afterwards.”

“I didn’t think you noticed, as you passed out before I did.” I snickered.

“Yeah, but I woke up and saw you had fallen asleep right behind.” He chuckled, as he began to rub my lower back.

“Talking about sex though,” I cleared my throat.

“Oh oh," he said dead pan and his massage stopped.

“What?”

“Every time you start that way, I know I’m about to be hit with something I won't like.” He spoke with his eyes closed.

“What I was going to say,” I continued, “is what’s going to happen about sex when we have the baby?”

“Huh?” He opened his eyes to give a peculiar look.

“We’re constantly going to have a third person in the house, so we’re going to have to be quiet. We can’t growl as much, or break the bedroom furniture.”

“Aw, why not?” He asked indignantly, as he raised himself in his objection.

“The baby will hear us.”

“So?" He scoffed. "The baby is just a baby! It’s not like she’s gonna know what we’re doing behind closed doors.”

“Yeah but maybe we should practice 'quiet sex' from now on?”

“Quiet sex?!" He turned loud. "It sounds like frickin’ boring sex!”

“It doesn’t have to be.” I said petulantly. “But I want to stop the bed from rocking.”

“Say what?”

“It squeaks now, from all the commotion we’ve put it through. We’ve had to buy ten new beds over three centuries, from wear and tear.” I reminded.

“Then I’ll put some WD40 on the hinges!”

“Yeah but we should just try to… you know.”

“What?” Declan demanded. “Try to what?”

“I don’t know, try to be more quiet or gentle, or whatever.”

“I tried being gentle once B, but you got bored and bit me!”

I burst out laughing, as I recalled what he was talking about. “I did too! I think I also slammed you into the coffee table, didn’t I?”

“Look, we’ve bought a new bed for the baby, so we’ll buy a new bed for the parents, too. We’ll get an even sturdier bed frame as well as a thick, cushioned mattress. Hell, I’ll even soundproof these walls if I have to!” He knocked on the wall above the bed to demonstrate. “But c’mon, I’m a European Werewolf! Quiet and gentle sex, are you NUTS?!”

Declan proceeded to demonstrate, by growling loudly as his mouth dove into my right breast!

I squealed in further laughter, as he 'mauled' his wife. I felt his hands pull up my maternity nightgown, to fling off my underwear. I used my hands to tug off his boxer shorts, which fell beside on the floor. Then I parted my legs which he readily leapt in between. His arms were extended, as he held himself over my baby bump, to fall into a quick rhythm.

The wooden bed frame creaked and even the inner-spring mattress, squeaked. I noticed the noise immediately, as I worried about one day, anybody else hearing this too. I partially sat up against the bed head and his crotch followed.

“Damn it!” I complained. “We really do need new bedroom furniture.”

“We can afford it!” He grunted out, as he kept up the pace.

“Do you think we should buy an entire bedroom suite, to go with the new bed?” I wrapped my arms about his neck.

“I’ll buy you all new linen, if it makes you happy!” He gasped.

In a single move, Declan sat upright whilst pulling me into his lap, without interrupting his rhythm. We both exhaled loudly, as our heads fell backwards. My nails dug into his back as his dug into my thighs, whilst he held me firmly against his almost vibrating body.

When I rolled my head back round, I found his mouth waiting for mine. His eyes were glowing green and his teeth looked sharper. As soon as we were face-to-face again, he bit down on my lower lip! I growled in both pain and excitement, as my eyes turned turquoise. I held him close, as he used his tongue to lap at the bloodied teeth marks, which numbed the sting. His rhythm slowed but remained steady.

“Mmm – mmm – mmm!” He groaned in delight. “If we tried ‘quiet sex', our second let alone our third daughter, may never be born!”

I felt my head hit the pillows, as Declan pushed me back onto the mattress. He claimed the dominant position once more, to move over my body. A couple more times, he sucked on my fast-healing wound. Then I felt his right hand push down the neckline of my nightie, as it sought out my left breast to squeeze.

“Yeah well, with your strong 'swimmers', I could be wearing underwear and still get knocked up!” I breathed hard as I came hard.

His hot skin, coupled with his angle and speed, was just the right combination. I felt my inner muscles ripple in an upwards motion, sending waves of ecstasy throughout my torso. My nails dug into his upper arms as I turned taught, to hold onto the exquisite delight. He felt my orgasm three ways; my claws detracting, my crotch becoming drenched, as well as my aura changing colour.

Declan tried to maintain the pace, to make my pleasure last as long as possible before I felt him come as well. His hot fluids, mixed in with my warm moisture. He stopped moving so he could hold my hips still and enjoy his release.

His eyes were squeezed shut, as he uttered out; “well, we aim to please.”

I tittered as I did my ‘Apu’ impersonation, “thank you, come again!”

“Oh I thought you'd never ask!” He cried out, mockingly.

Then he rolled over onto his back, pulling me along as he went. Soon I was sitting over his crotch, straddling him. 'Round Two' commenced, as the bed frame creaked louder and louder…

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


'Small Fry' doesn't finish at chapter ten, but I wanted to share this much to ‘whet your whistle’. ‘Small Fry’ has thirty chapters, as well as an extended version of the, 'SSIT Report on the Separate Species Of Vampires’.

'Small Fry’ will be ‘outted’ in December 2011 and I'll be posting updates and info on my Facebook page regarding publication. I hope you enjoy the book

The Circulate Series
Circulate © K.R. Smith, 1st ed. 2005.
ISBN: 978-0-646-53776-4
Scent © K.R. Smith, 2010.
ISBN: 978-0-646-53730-6
Paperback novels available at: http://stores.lulu.com/onaya3
eBook novels available at: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/onaya3

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