Chapter 8

Dustin awoke to someone shaking him. He wondered what the woman wanted. He hoped it wasn't another round. She had been more energetic than all his other bed mates; both human and lycanthrope.

“What do you want?” Dustin asked drowsily.

All vestiges of sleep deserted him when he saw the pistol she pointed at him.

Nadine pulled out her phone and showed him a picture of Dave, “Have you seen this man around?”

Dustin looked at the picture, then at Nadine. Before she could blink, Dustin had flung her off him.

Nadine groaned as she hit the wall with a thud and fell to the ground, losing her gun and her phone in the process.

Nadine got up and discovered that she was not aching anywhere. That was the enhancer at work although she could feel the effects wearing off.

“What the fuck do you think you're doing? Pointing a gun at me?” Dustin growled.

“Questioning you.” Nadine said as she attacked him head on, only to have him duck fastly. Nadine couldn't believe she was fighting with a lycanthrope, stark naked.

“You're stronger than the ordinary human, but that's what you still are.” Dustin taunted, trying to punch her.

Nadine grabbed his fist and threw it back, countering with a punch to his abdomen. That didn't affect him because his abs were rock hard.

Dustin grabbed Nadine by her hair and she kicked him with all her might in his groin.

Dustin roared forcefully and Nadine began to notice that his pupils were dilating, fur was growing on all parts of his body, the shape of his face was changing and claws were growing out of his fingers.

“Oh, shit! He's changing!” Nadine said hurriedly. The process looked excruciating.

Nadine knew she'd be dead meat if he transformed completely, so she ran to where her pistol lay, picked it up and put a slug in him.

Dustin growled painfully and fell to the floor as he began to return to human form.

“What did you...do to me?” Dustin accused, writhing in pain. The silver bullet was lodged in his right shoulder.

“That's silver right there.” Nadine said as she picked up her phone and moved over to where he was.

“I'm going to ask again. Have you seen this man around?” Nadine asked.

“Help me.” Dustin wailed.

“I will. Just tell me what you know.” Nadine promised.

Dustin squinted at the picture and then said, “Yes. His name is Dave, right?”

Nadine nodded eagerly.

“Yeah. Marlowe showed me his picture the other day, when we were drinking.” Dustin rasped.

Nadine listened as he cursed her rapidly. After Dustin had finished, his eyes closed and his breaths came in gasps.

Nadine threw her clothes back on and walked up to Dustin, “This is the only way I can help you.” She said as she pulled the trigger, shooting him in the heart twice. Three bullets, one dead lycanthrope.

*  *  *

Nick Law sighed as he approached a cave deep in the woods.

There, three middle-aged men and one man who was about Nick's age were waiting for him.

When the young man saw Nick, he snorted, “You're late.”

Nick shunned him and greeted the men, asking, “What's he doing here?”

One of the old men scowled at Nick. “Trent has something to tell us. Something we would have heard if you came earlier.”

“I was held up at work.” Nick explained.

“Always putting work before the pack.” Trent said disapprovingly.

“Can we get this meeting underway?” Nick asked the men.

“Fine. Trent, tell us.” One of the middle-aged men said.

Trent nodded and cleared his throat, “My council of elders,” He saluted the three men, then turned to Nick and sneered, “My Alpha, I've come to report to you that the rival pack are at it again, hunting in our jurisdiction. In other related news, Gary is dead.”

“What? How did that happen?” One of the elders asked.

“He was found with his throat slit. There are talks of a lycanthrope hunter in town.” Trent said.

Nick wanted to laugh, “The hunters no longer exist.”

“Yes, they do. With the permission of the Council, I would like to take down this hunter.” Trent said hotly.

Nick rolled his eyes. The Alpha of a pack was usually the most capable lycanthrope and since Nick had assumed that post, Trent had challanged him at every turn, trying to sway the council in his favour. Nick wasn't bothered, the only way he could lose his post was if he stepped down or if he lost a battle challenge to Trent, none of which was happening anytime soon.

“Alpha, what do you suggest?” one of the elders asked.

Nick scratched his neck, “I think we should talk to the rival pack and establish our presence. As for the hunter, the police will find him.” Nick said.

They all looked disappointed, “We have warned them numerous times but they won't listen, we need to fight them.” Trent suggested and the elders nodded.

“I can't risk anyone in our pack.” Nick replied.

“I don't mind tearing off their heads.” Trent plowed on, undeterred.

“I said, no!” Nick shouted, the veins on his neck popping.

Trent turned to the elders, “You see, he puts us second. He busts his ass everyday, trying to protect the humans but won't even put his family first.”

That statement annoyed Nick so much that he grabbed Trent by his collar, “What are you trying to say?” he quietly asked Trent.

“Nothing.” whimpered Trent.

“Good.” Nick said, throwing Trent to the ground. He would have loved to fight Trent in lycanthrope form, but didn't want to risk some hiker seeing them and blowing their cover.

“I'll handle the rival pack and the hunter. And don't you ever forget that I took the job as a policeman only to destroy any evidence of lycanthrope existence.” Nick said angrily.

The council nodded.

“If that will be all, then by the power vested in me, as the Alpha, I hereby dismiss this meeting.” Nick said and left.

On his way out, Nick decided to kill two birds with one stone; he'd enlist the help of the hunter to deal with the rival pack, then he'd have the hunter arrested on a multiple murder charge.