I have a sort of love-hate relationship with Halloween. The general population uses the opportunity to make light of the monsters I’ve spent my life fighting, but that’s more refreshing than insulting. The hate stems largely from Jesse’s insistence we celebrate it every year.

Although, this year I suppose I’ve the pups to consider, and they wanted to dress up and go trick-or-treating.

Correction:

they wanted all of us to dress up and go with them.

It took some doing to make them understand that adults don’t go trick-or-treating, but there was no winning against Jesse now she had Echo on her side when it came to dressing up.

Heh, I don’t remember agreeing to wear what they’d picked out for me, in fact, I remember being rather adamant in my refusal, but here I was in costume…

the skirt felt much shorter than it’d looked.

“Come on, Reyna, smile for me,” Jesse beamed as she fastened a heavy red cape around my neck despite my glare.

“Oh,” Echo clapped her excitement, “you look so good!” I leveled my glare on her.

“I blame you for this,” I said bitterly as she pulled a mirror over from one wall of Jesse’s room.

My reflection surprised me; I’m not fond of being in pictures and it’s been so long since I saw my reflection as anything other than my beast that I think I’d almost forgotten what I looked like.

I didn’t recognize it at first—was surprised not to be meeting the bloodlust eyes of my beast.

Maybe for the irony, I was dressed as Little Red Riding Hood, complete with a long red cloak the fell across my shoulders almost to the floor. Jesse had done my wild red hair in a loose sort of half-braid and makeup softened slightly features I remember being on the sharp side. The mirror was enchanted somehow, I recognized the smell of magic in a vague sense of static, but the Alcaimynder ‘curse’ couldn’t be overwritten enough to hide the bloodlust in my reflection’s emerald eyes.

I started to make some bitter and/or sarcastic remark when Loki rushed into the room with Zevi on his heels, both of them already dressed up, so I kept my thoughts to myself for once.

“Hurry up, let’s go!” Loki was a bundle of energy, but Zevi seemed fairly calm by comparison, his fingers tracing and adjusting his costume until everything was exactly in place.

“What do you think of your mum’s costume?” Jesse asked as she adjusted her hair in the mirror, finishing her look as the Red Queen of Hearts. Zevi smiled.

“You look beautiful, mum,” I laughed.

“Well thank you,” I mussed up his hair and turned back to Jesse and Echo as Jesse moved to sit at the edge of her bed.

“We’ll have to go by the shop to pick up Michael and make sure he dressed up,” she said as she strapped on her heels, “he said he would but there’s no one to make sure he does.” I raised an eyebrow at her.

“What about Jack?” Her lilac eyes narrowed into a glare just at the mention of his name.

“He has work apparently,” she came closer to growling than I’d ever heard, “he said he’ll meet us later.” Then Jesse gave me a knowing look with an almost victorious smile, “I bet he’d be happier about today if he knew it was—”

“No Jesse,” my voice almost came more snarl than words, my teeth lengthened and eyes red-gold. “It’s bad enough you know.” Echo looked from Jesse to me and back again.

“What’s today?” She broke her silence and Jesse’s smile widened.

“Reyna’s birthday.” Echo’s eyes lit up.

“No fracking way, really?” I breathed a sigh of defeat.

“I was born at thirteen hundred hours on the 31st of October twenty-three—sorry, four years ago today, so yeah.”

“Isn’t 13 considered unlucky?” A bitter smile flashed across my lips; I’d actually rounded down, I was born at 13:13.

“Explains a lot, doesn’t it?” My voice matched my smile when I answered. Then I focused on the boys, “Come on boys, they’ll meet us at the shop.” I spoke as if to flee the subject and I had Loki and Zevi out the door before anyone could call me on it.

-----

Michael was, by some small miracle, actually in the costume Jesse and echo had assigned him.

He didn’t look very happy about it, but the heavy black hood made him hard to read on expression alone so I had to go off the black haze of his scent.

The idea of an ex-Reaper dressed as Godfather Death from Grimm’s Fairytales was enough I almost laughed. To be fair, he seemed to be having a similar struggle after giving my own costume a once over.

“I think the big bad wolf would’ve fit you better.” I snickered, one hand shooting up to stifle the sound. Michael mirrored me as a smile pulled at his lips and we made a silent agreement not to laugh. Then we lowered our hands and stood in silence for a moment.

“Are we…” Micheal paused to pull his hood back as he searched for the right way to put it, “okay?” I blinked.

“How do you mean?”

“We were… I mean I don’t think we ever named it but we weren’t just friends.”

“Oh.” I thought for a moment, looking through our relationship for feelings I couldn’t be sure I’d had. “Do you ever get the feeling maybe we never really loved each other like that? Like we were just going through the motions?” He nodded his agreement after thinking it over. A bittersweet smile found my lips for a moment, “Maybe we’re better off like this.” His smile matched mine.

“Maybe you’re right.” I reached up to pull his hood forward again to block his eyes before I slipped past to look up the stairs.

“Loki, Zevi,” I called up, listening as the boys paused whatever they were playing, “Come on down, they’ll be here any minute.” They called back, voices still clear to me despite the walls.

“Reyna.” I glanced back at Michael where he’d fixed his hood, “Happy birthday.” A fragile smile flickered across my lips.

“Thank you, but I’d really rather not talk about it.” He started to reply but the boys came rushing down the stairs with pillowcases in hand just in time for the bell over the front door to chime. Jesse and Echo waited in the shop when I opened the door to let us through, Michael tugging his hood forward to shade his eyes again. Jesse, as always, looked ready for the red carpet and Echo wore a stunning rendition of mother nature.

I wasn’t the only one staring, either.

Michael’s gaze, despite attempts to look anywhere else, kept slipping back.

“Can we please go now?” Loki, in all his excitement, completely bypassed the tension in the air and I smiled in relief.

“Yes, we can go now,” I opened the door and let the group out onto the sidewalk before locking up for the night.

“Where’s… Jack?” I blinked in surprise at Michael.

“Working,” I trailed off as a smirk tugged at my lips, “does this mean you’re finally warming up to him?” He exhaled slowly as if buying time to answer.

“No, just wanted to know how he got out of this,” there was a defensive note in his voice that had me raising an eyebrow at him. He frowned at me before breathing a sigh of defeat, “If you can warm up to him then I have no excuse.” I gave him a sharp look but couldn’t stop my laugh.

“Fair point.” I paused to change the subject, “Jesse said he’ll meet us out here.” We paused outside the first house as Loki and Zevi charged up to the door to ring the bell. Michael got dragged into Jesse and Echo’s conversation and I, master wallflower that I am, allowed myself a small smile as I watched them and the boys. Then I turned my gaze up toward the stars I could see beyond the streetlights. Just as I caught the scent of nutmeg and half-demon, I felt someone tug at one of the leather straps of my corset and the buckle came free. My hand shot up to catch it, to prevent my loose shirt from slipping down. Then I froze as I felt his warm breath just beneath my ear.

“You look good enough to eat,” Jack’s voice was husky, something between a growl and a purr and it sent a shiver down my spine, “I just might have to have a bite now.” I felt teeth graze my skin, about to nip at my neck but I pulled away, eyes wide as I realized what I’d been about to let happen.

“Jack, for the love of god,” I spoke loud enough to draw Jesse’s attention.

“Don’t mess with Reyna’s costume, we spent a really long time on it.” I struggled to get the strap buckled again for a moment before Echo helped me with it.

“I was just playing the part, lighten up, will you,” his voice turned soft as his wolfish gaze found me again, “you really do look nice, Reyna.” I stared, unsure how to react after his sudden appearance.

“Jackie!” I was relieved when Loki and Zevi came rushing down the driveway, plastering themselves to his legs in excited hugs, “What did you dress up as?” Jack blinked in momentary surprise as if just remembering something.

“Yeah, Jack,” Jesse’s gaze narrowed as she crossed her arms across her chest, “where is your costume.” He glanced at me as if to ask for help, but I just gave him a helpless shrug.

“Here, Jesse,” Jack pulled a Ben Hogan hat from his coat pocket and pulled it on. Jesse started to tell him off, but before she could get a word in, a set of rather realistic ears sprouted out of the hat and a tail uncurled from under the back of his jacket, “happy now?” The ears pricked towards her, as if daring her to still be mad. She was, but she expressed it in a frustrated groan rather than in words before turning to the boys.

“Come on, kids, let’s go to the next house.” Echo stayed a moment longer, staring in awe at the ears and tail until Jesse caught her wrist and dragged her along with the boys. I stared too, impressed as always by his skill with illusions, until Jack turned his gaze on me and I forced myself to meet it. Michael gave me a pointed look before drifting off after Echo, much like his namesake for the night.

“What?” I couldn’t resist, I reached up with careful fingers to touch one of the ears. It laid flat as I ran the tip gently through my fingers.

“It feels like one of mine.” I spoke without realizing it, but Jack only smiled.

“I’m glad someone likes them,” I laughed lightly as my hand returned to my side.

“We should go catch up,” I spoke quietly, averting my gaze as I turned away to follow the pups. Jack trailed behind, almost as if he really were a wolf in the woods, hunting some poor girl. I shook the thought away as we caught up at the next house.

-----

I’d lost track of how many houses and shops the boys had gone through, but they still ran from one to the next as if they were still the first few. The rest of us were growing tired. Jesse’s cheerful demeanour was beginning to strain her. Echo looked about ready to pass out on her feet, leaning heavily on Michael even though he seemed just as tired, though he was probably more accustomed to it. Jack’s almost feral slink had slipped into more of a lazy saunter at some point in the night, and it took everything I had not to veer off towards the nearest bar. We paused to wait at the next house as Loki and Zevi bolted up the driveway and Jack slipped an arm around my waist, despite the watchful eyes of the other members of our rather dismal party. He rested his chin on my shoulder and I glared back at him, slapping his hand away. I didn’t step away though, and the moment they were distracted by something else, I leaned close.

“Later,” I smiled softly as I whispered the word, “Have some patience, Jack.” I wasn’t sure what made me say those words, but there was no taking them back once I had. Jack’s annoyingly self-assured smirk appeared for a moment and something carnal sparked in his wolfish gaze. I heard a disgusted huff from nearby and turned, fearing the worst, though what that might be, I’m not sure. It wasn’t though. I watched as the mother ushered her children away from us, giving us a dirty look as they disappeared down the road.

I couldn’t help my laugh.

Jack smiled, wrapping an arm around my waist again.

“It could’ve been worse,” he turned his gaze back to me, pressing his lips to my exposed shoulder, “we were only talking.” I bared my teeth at him, finally stepping out of his reach.

“What did I just say?” Jack started to reply, but Loki and Zevi, thankfully, chose then to come charging back down the hill. I opened a small pocket watch, checking the time before I tucked it away again. “Alright boys, we’d better head home.” Both boys groaned, trying to protest around tiny, gaping yawns.

“But,” Loki rubbed one eye, “we’re not tired.” I smirked and crouched in front of them.

“Not tired?”

“Not a bit,” Zevi spoke softly and I grinned wider, untying my mask’s strap from my father’s leather belt.

“Then let’s make a deal, my little lost boys,” I couldn’t help my wicked grin, “we’ll race home. If I win, it’s dinner and straight to bed. If you win, both of you, then you get to watch a movie before bed.” The boys cheered and I smiled softly before leading them to somewhere out of sight—a park bathroom—so that we could shift without tearing our costumes.

“Aunt Jesse.” I handed her our costumes bundled into the pillowcases with the boys’s candy as Loki spoke, ”Will you tell us when to go?” Jesse forced a tired smile at the boy’s excitement and I put a hand on her shoulder.

“Just make sure no one’s looking when we come out.” I whispered the words and she nodded slightly. “Alright boys, line up,” we lined up and I tied my mask’s strap behind my head like it was a pair of sunglasses.

“Ready,” I waited while they changed shape. “Go!” Loki bolted forward through the door, Zevi carefully staying behind, his gait making his brother’s mad sprint seem like nothing. I started more slowly, quietly pulling my mask down as my bones cracked and stretched and changed and a coat of fur grew from my skin. I took a moment to stretch, opening my mouth in a yawn and stretching sharp claws before I shook out my coat and loped along behind the pups. Had I wanted to, I could’ve stretched out my lope and overtaken both pups in a few seconds, but I just wanted to get them home, and so I stayed behind, their excited barking causing a wolfish smile to find my expression.

-----

I sat at the bar an hour later. The pups had won the race home, just as I’d planned, but when I was about to call it a night and curl up with them to watch a movie, Jesse had broken out a birthday cake. I’m not proud to say that I was back out the door before the cake touched the counter. It had become a custom over the years; Jesse would drag me around town all night for Halloween and then try to get me to celebrate my birthday, and I’d be sitting here nursing a bottle of scotch a few minutes later. The bartender here knew me fairly well by now. I downed the glass in my hand and he reached out to snap a cardboard birthday cone on my head before refilling it, ignoring my growl.

“One of these years, I’m going to be closed on Halloween.” I flashed a bitter smile.

“Then I’ll have to find another bar,” He shook his head slightly.

“You should be with your family, tonight of all nights.” I glared at him for long enough that he just shrugged and moved down the bar. A fellow patron approached me with a joke and I turned my glare on him; he turned around and rejoined his friends without a word. I was about to fall asleep on the bar when the bartender got me up another hour or two later, the phone already in his hand to call the shop. I grumbled something unintelligible and he laughed before talking briefly into the phone.

I don’t remember what happened after; just someone speaking briefly to the bartender before lifting me over his shoulder to carry me home.

There's nothing quite like the warm embrace of sweet oblivion.

-----

I woke up to the delicious smell of food I hadn’t had to make...

Again.

If it were just that, it probably would've taken me a lot longer to piece together an idea of what was going on. But it was a list of details that alone I would’ve been able to write off. It wasn’t my bed or my room, but with as much travelling as I did, it've been stranger for me if it had been. I wasn’t clothed at all, but I've woken up in stranger circumstances. No, what really raised the red flag was the tiny Béluæ cub that I found myself nose to nose with when I opened my eyes. He wagged slightly, staring at me for what felt like a long time before his red tongue flicked out to lick my nose. I smirked, forgetting my confusion long enough to scoop him into my lap as I sat up.

"I know you, don't I," it wasn't really a question as I stared down at the little cub; I'd been the one to orphan him. I took a deep breath and set the cub beside me on the bed, climbing out from the sheets and gathering up my costume as quickly as I could. Then I stopped, studying the skirt a moment before plucking Jack's jeans and shirt up from the floor and pulling them on, "I'm borrowing these." I cinched the pants in with my father’s belt before securing my costume in a small bundle and opening the window to look out.

I'd survived worse falls.

I landed lightly on the balls of my feet, wincing as the impact pulled slightly on my freshest scar. A glance toward the house betrayed no signs of change, so I straightened up slightly and slunk towards the garage, where I assumed Jack’s car would be. The door was louder than I would’ve liked, but his car was unlocked and my phone lay dead beneath the passenger seat, just as I had hoped. I was about to start walking but something made me pause, leaning into the driver's seat as I studied the car and a cruel smirk twisted across my lips.

I was in the middle of hot wiring Jack’s car when it started suddenly, and not by my doing. I jumped, knocking my head against the steering wheel as I straightened up.

"Well," Jack leaned in the doorway into his house, a coffee mug in one hand and his car keys in the other, as if he’d been watching for a while, "Good morning to you, too." I was too torn between exhaustion and confusion to return his greeting.

"I need to leave," I muttered the words, climbing out of the car to start walking.

"But I made breakfast," there was a hint of indignation and I glared, but I didn’t turn back.

"I'm not staying for breakfast!"

"So you're going back to the shop?" I paused just long enough to shoot a glare at Jack as a crooked smile spread across his mouth, "Not even going to shower first?"

"No."

"You were a lot more fun when you were drunk." I stopped dead, my misdirected anger suddenly giving way to cold terror. I turned slowly to face him.

"Excuse me?" He laughed lightly, waving a hand at me dismissively.

"Relax, I didn't do anything," I breathed a sigh of relief as Jack took a thoughtful sip of his coffee, "Mmmm... You, on the other hand..." I swallowed, trying to force back the rising sense of embarrassment, "I didn't know you got a new tattoo." It was useless, I could already feel the heat rising in my cheeks as he tapped the line of his hip in reference to my most recent tattoo.

"Oh dear lord," I groaned as I buried my face in my hands. Jack laughed and pulled my hands away with an uncharacteristically gentle smile.

"Come eat breakfast with me, then I'll drive you home," he was a lot closer when I finally looked up, and he reached into the front pocket of the jeans I was wearing, ignoring my half hearted growl, "happy birthday, by the way," he kissed my cheek lightly and pulled my cardboard birthday hat from the pocket. I couldn’t look away when I finally met his gaze. Before I knew it, I was nodding weakly and letting him guide me back into his house.

What in the world had I been thinking...