I was beginning to feel like a homeless person after staying at JoAnns and now Linnea's. We were actually going to head back to the Wolf's Den but after talking to my sister last night, Linnea insisted on helping with her. I guess she heard the whole conversation with Nancy and they already traded notes. Nice of them to include me.

"Nobody will even know who I am. And just for the record, I'll need a raise before I can buy a new house." Linnea smirked at Nancy who didn't look at all pleased with Linnea.

I didn't like the idea of being away from Nancy but I knew she needed to talk to Jason about the one thing I really didn't want to be apart of.

"Maybe you should also look into becoming legal and sticking around for awhile. Just an idea." I said raising an eyebrow

"kanske jag gör. (Maybe I will.) she answered suppressing a yawn. She was worn out but there was still much to work out. Still, it was nice having her back more to herself.

Nancy had ordered pizza and we worked out the details of tomorrow which I was still uneasy about but Jake killed my parents, he wasn't going to do the same with JoAnn. Then there was what Nancy said about what she suspected Ashley had planned. She wasn't really planning on doing it already, was she? They just met. Of course, me and Nancy hadn't known each other long either but it still seemed soon.

The very thought scared the shit out of me even worse than a blade cutting up my penis and I've had some time to think about it. I was sure, JoAnn was still totally clueless. The thought adding to my nervousness.

I sat on the back steps admiring their backyard. It was small but had an attractive vinyl fence to offer a decent amount of privacy and a little garden along the far side. It was also cooler out tonight which I took great delight in as it had been far too hot lately for my liking.

I heard the screen door behind me followed by Greg stepping out in a pair of black shorts and a grey t-shirt. He wasn't wearing his glasses and he hadn't shaved giving him a handsome and more rugged appearance than normal. Personally, I think he should stick with it.

"Can I get one of those from you? I don't dare buy my own as Linnea hates it when I smoke and she always seems to find where I hide them. It was like she could smell the em or something. I guess I know why now." He asked sitting down beside me.

"I didn't know you smoked." I replied with a grin handing him one.

"I quit a few years ago. Now I only smoke when Linnea is not around. Every time she catches me she won't shut up about it."

"I can almost guarantee she's going to smell it on you. Sorry dude, but I've all but given up on keeping anything from Nancy so you might as well get used to it too."

He let out a chuckle nodding. "Yeah, I think you're right. She's done nothing but blame herself for what happened and asking me if I'm alright a million times. I figure if I'll ever there's ever a time I can enjoy one without the backlash, this is probably it. I might as well take advantage of it."

I laughed at him. " Fair enough. And for the record, I get it. Nancy has gotten after me a few times for the same thing. Well maybe Linnea will continue pretending that she doesn't know like before. But trust me, she does."

I knew he needed to sleep , as did I, but neither of us wanted to just yet. Greg had a billion questions, and while I really wasn't no expert on the paranormal or even just on werewolves, I was happy to talk with him. I'd been wanting to have someone like him since Linnea first told me about him. Inside, I knew Nancy's and Linnea's discussion was much more serious.

"What are they doing in there?"

I asked nonchalant but I was sure I already knew.

"Nothing good. They were discussing when Jake was going to hit Ashley's pack. Nancy was trying to think of a place they could hide till it happened but Linnea is just wanting to go after straight after Jake. I still don't know what to think of everything so I figured I better follow your lead when I saw you out here."

"I welcome the company." I said giving him a flamboyant bow. Well a half of one. I wasn't going to get up as I was much to tired.

Occasionally Linnea or Nancy would poke their head out to check on us like we were kids. Greg would roll his eyes and make a comment about losing his masculinity.

"So, what happened?" I asked him after I felt like he was comfortable talking to me about such a personal topic. I knew he still hadn't talked to Linnea about it much based on comments earlier but hopefully I'd be more lucky."

He took a few seconds to think it over before taking another of my cigarettes, this time without asking. It was a good sign.

"I always knew something was off with her but I just figured she wasn't sure about getting involved with someone like me. She'd take off alone for a day or two when we first got together. It drove me nuts!"

"You didn't ask her about it?"

"No, why would I? I just figured she was having an affair and I wouldn't of been able to stand hearing her confirm it. I just tried my best to not think about it."

"How he could think Linnea would give someone else the time of day was beyond me. She was completely devoted to him. Her searching everywhere for him only proved it.

Greg had never seen one who befriended him earlier but apparently he knew Linnea which made me automatically think of Jake further increasing my hatred for him. According to Greg he said his name was Robert and was about 5'7, blonde hair, and a fit build. He also claimed he knew Linnea from work and that she'd been acting aggressive towards customers and that Nancy was thinking of firing her. Greg swore to me he didn't mention what they had fought about, only that she'd been keeping secrets from him. The description didn't match Jake at all to no surprise. After what Linnea did last time he was probably chicken shit to risk going another round with her and sent someone else. Still Greg could've died and I couldn't help but feel responsible. It was foolish of me to ever want to try and work things out in a reasonable way. He wasn't reasonable.

"It was Jake. I'm sorry you got caught up in all this. I never thought-"

"Oh don't you start too!" He said giving me a grin "I'm fine. My medication gave me more of an ass kicking than he did. It seemed to of scared him too and why he took off so quickly."

"It probably saved your life. He probably figured it would kill you without drawing any suspicions. People are getting wild up about it in The Valley. More mangled corpses and The Council would be forced to act." I said grimly.

Greg just shrugged and rubbed my back. "Well it's about time it did something to help. The point is, I'm fine. Linnea is already treating me like I'm Humpyy Dumpty after his fall, I won't have you doing it too. I knew the consequences when Linnea asked me if your sister could stay. Granted, I expected him to be human... the point is, he's just an asshole. That's not your fault. And for the record, my condition saved him, not me."

He popped his knuckles "I was Rogers High school wrestling champion back in the day, I'll have you know. If not for the Parkinson's, I'd of shown him why." He said with pride lifting his head in a pose. If he was trying to make me laugh, it worked.

"What, you don't believe me?"

"Oh, I do!" I said laughing holding my hands up.

" Shit! Ummm ...Take it!" Greg said panicking as he tossed me his cigarette burning my hand in the process just before Linnea opened the door again to check on us. It was actually rather comical.

"Did you want anything else or should I put the rest in the fridge, babe?"

"I'm stuffed, so go ahead."

"I'm good." I answered when she glanced my way still fumbling with the cigarette. I felt like a kid who was smart enough to set up a video camera in our parents room so we knew right when they were going to check on us.

"All right. Just please don't let him smoke anymore. His doctors said he shouldn't smoke."

"I wasn't!"

I busted up laughing at her and Greg who couldn't believe she knew.

"I told you! Hey I may be relatively new to all this, but I've picked up a few things from Nancy. Maybe next you'll believe me."

He gave me the evil eye as if it was my fault.

"You just got lucky! I've been with Linnea a lot longer than you've been with Nancy. It is I who could teach you a thing or two, little lady.

"Little Lady? Uh, seriously?" I gasped with an open mouth

"How did you- oh nevermind! That's what they always tell you. I'm sure in Sweden they're much more sensible about such things. Here, however, it's all politics and insurance. I could go in because you were driving me up the wall and they'd tell me not to smoke."

"And they'd be right too." She gave him a kiss on the forehead "I'll be going to bed soon and I expect you to join me right after you stop being so sexist. Everyone's worn out and we have a big day tomorrow."

"I wasn't! Oh, I give up!"

It was great to have another human I could now be open about this with. Just hanging out together I felt a whole lot better about everything that's happened and what will soon happen.

——

The left side of my body lifted off its resting making it feel cold missing the contact as my right side took my weight.

"Do you think you can sneak away from me?" I mumbled recalling her comment at the bar. "If I can't sneak up on you, you sure can't sneak away from me."

I knocked her hand away bringing my body back down half on top of her.

"Oh is that how this works?" She replied with a laugh and a kiss on my forehead.

She had a good excuse as the smell of coffee and cinnamon overtook me and convincing my eyes to open.

"Someone's busted!" I heard Linnea say. "The coffee is done and the French toast will be in just a minute. There's also some porridge and fruit if you favor something more sensible than others."

"What?" Greg said wide eyed as he tossed a piece of bacon in his mouth "Bacon seems pretty damn sensible to me!"

"Can't you wait till it's served?"

"No. Because I'm hungry like the wooolf." Greg sang sarcastically to her with a huge grin.

"Did you just quote Duran Duran to me?" Linnea rolled her eyes trying to act annoyed "By the Moon Goddess, you're such a dork!"

"...And you love me for it!"

"Skyldig." (Guilty) she answered kissing his cheek.

We had a great breakfast. Then around half past nine the talking died down as everyone seemed to escape to their thoughts.

Nancy was in a rather heated debate with herself if she could trust Jason. Well I as sure didn't trust him but it wasn't about if he would stand by her when everything went down. He protected me after all and he doesn't even like me.

Linnea i had a good feeling she was coming to grips with placing herself in Ashley's sights. No matter how hard she tried to cover it up, she was still upset about what happened to Greg.

Despite my good mood from getting to know Greg last night and a great breakfast, my stomach was twisting into knots about what was about to happen. Not just with JoAnn, but also with the full moon.

And it wasn't just my mood that shifted, it was all three of us.

On top of that it was still rather obvious Greg was still in the dark about a lot of what was happening. The long talk he had with Linnea after we arrived yesterday seemed to calm him down about some of it but he was about to be put into real danger.

The drive out to Mrs. Miller's old home was actually fun. We spent most of it making light conversation and trying not to think about how bad things could get.

I drove Nancy's Ford with Linnea shotgun, and Greg in the back. I didn't like him coming as it was too soon and he should be resting but he insisted and even Linnea couldn't change his mind.

We didn't even make it outside of Lakeside before she was going through Nancy's music collection making little gagging noises and mumbling how something sucked.

"I can hear you." I told her annoyed.

"Good. You can tell your mate to get better music. How is this crap, supposed to calm me down? I mean, she has the Glee soundtracks. Not just one, there's like seven here. Who the fuck has the Glee soundtrack collection? Crystal, this isn't normal!

"Linnea... I love you. But I swear if you criticize Nancy's music choices again, I'm going to bite you!"

"Oh shit! I'm sorry... really, I didn't mean" she said raising her hands up acting terrified. "Please... don't... make me laugh so hard!"

Both her and Greg started laughing and I found myself joining in which did help calm our nerves a bit. Eventually Linnea did put in the Sound of Silence by Disturbed. Yes, I was pleased I was learning the rock songs since working at the bar.

"Who does it better?" Greg asked trying to be a smartass no doubt. " Simon and Garfunkel or-"

"Disturbed! And if either of you say otherwise, you can walk."

"Someone's in a mood." He stayed with a smirk.

"Blame your mate! Dissing Nancy's crazy music choices then laughing about me biting- I have some sharp teeth you know! I brush regularly and floss."

"Of course you do. It was very inappropriate of me. I'm sure they can cut through the softest noodles with ease... Om du skär upp den i mycket små bitar. (If cut it up into very small pieces)" Linnea said sympathetically as she leaned over towards me.

"I smacked her leg "what was the other part?"

"Nothing! I just said anyone can tell that as your teeth are in very good shape." Linnea said laughing at me again.

"Liar!"

By the time we reached the exit, I felt like this might not turn out so bad after all. I mean, she clearly didn't want to be there and recent lapses in judgment aside, she usually was a reasonable person.

I looked at the clock that said it was eight past noon as we hit the dirt road about a mile from June's home. Linnea must of known we were close as she rolled down the window and was taking in every detail.

Dust flew up surrounding us as I drove at a steady twenty miles an hour. The speed limit was thirty but my stomach was turning knots again. I didn't like this. Even the mountains on both sides of the road seemed to be closing in on us even though that's completely impossible.

So was vampires and werewolves.

Shut up, head.

As I drove down Elizabeth gulch I kept an eye out along the edges of the mountain tops for signs of Ashley's pack but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. It's been awhile since I have been down this way, it still looked exactly like I remembered. A few houses and trailers scattered about a quarter mile apart, most with their driveways packed with old cars that haven't ran since before I was born. The old creek that we crossed when turned off and followed the north side had all but dried up. We used to swim in it but now it was considered unsafe. There was still a bit of it left though that filled me with pride. The damn EPA can't ruin everything!

I pulled into the driveway of Mrs. Miller's old place barely remembering it. The house still looked in good shape. It was a brown two bed two bath home with a gracious 1,092 square feet of space for the low asking price of only a hundred and sixty-two thousand. Okay, maybe JoAnn's sign helped a little...

The old well looked like it hadn't been touched in ages and the grass around it was tall, yellow, and uncared for. The shed looked like it was about ready to fall over. Most of the wood had rotted away and the roof looked partially caved in from snow that had gathered over a harsh winter.

Barbara had always taken care of this place and it would kill her to see the place like this. I wasn't sure why JoAnn was even showing the house so early. Barbara hasn't been in the nursing home that long. Seemed a bit soon to me. Work all your life for what you have, then you have a stroke, and lose everything. It breaks my heart. Who should have the right to tell anyone if they can or can't take care of themselves? Her kids were nothing but vultures as far as I was concerned.

I parked near a light blue 1980 Jeep Wrangler, making sure I turned around first. I wanted to make sure I was able to leave in a hurry.

People leaving their cars running like that wasn't uncommon here. It was actually one of the benefits of living here. You could leave your car running and your house doors unlocked and aside from an occasional bear coming down from the mountains looking for food, your stuff was generally safe.

"Stay in the car."

Linnea's uneasy voice making me jump. Greg decided to ignore her as he got out anyway putting on a cap to cover up his bandage.

"I'm not staying there. My legs need to stretch." Linnea gave him a dirty look not happy.

I motioned to Linnea that should should stay out here while I see how bad everything was. After all, JoAnn could be just as anxious to leave. Think of some reason to take her out to the car and we're out of here. Yeah right. Something told me it'd probably be far easier for me to get knocked up with Nancy's kid.

I checked the door to discover that it was unlocked upon opening it I knew something was wrong. The crack of the door revealed the disaster of the living room. The coffee table was tipped over, the couch was pulled away from the wall and trash all over.

"Wait!"

I heard Linnea tell me as she grabbed my arm. I broke the grip as I rushed further inside calling for JoAnn. I could hear Linnea chasing after me telling Greg to stay back.

The living room of the house was completely demolished with blood everywhere. The television along with lamps was on the floor and the couch had large cuts in it as if someone slashed it with a knife in a crazed fury.

I heard Greg gasp aloud as Linnea pushed ahead sniffing the air in her wolf form reminding me that he wasn't used to her shift yet. I wasn't going to cuddle him, I needed to find JoAnn.

I followed her into the kitchen where we discovered Kevin's naked body lying in a pool of blood. Fighting my nausea at the sight and sense of hopelessness I ran over to him praying there was still a chance he might be alive only to discover it was too late. The slash to his throat damn near decapitated him. This wasn't just a fight, it was a slaughter.

"JOANN!" I screamed looking around frantically now desperate to find her.

"Who the fuck would do something like this?" I heard Greg ask in a daze but I had no answers for him.

"I-I-"

I didn't know what to say. There were no words for something like this.

I followed as quickly as I could after Linnea as I could without slipping on the blood that covered the linoleum floor as she took off down the hall to discover more blood to go with large holes in the wall. Mixed into the fabric made the blood tacky making me aware of it all the more as I tried not to think about it. If I did, I'd lose it and I couldn't do that till I found JoAnn and knew she was alright. She was alright!

"Where's the body?" My brain asked out loud. "Nobody could lose this munched blood and live." Hopelessness was beginning to win at the realization of this. Why the hell did I ever watch CSI?

I felt Greg's arm circle around me from behind as my knees started to give out. I couldn't lose JoAnn after my parents. She still was wearing her cast and wouldn't of been able to run-