A Full Moon - 6. Chapter 6

With Pop staying for two weeks, I knew that this was going to be one interesting time in my life. I didn't count on Dylan being out of the woods as far as spookiness went and I was really starting to wonder where Gene was. I did get a lot of information from Dylan and his research report. He had read the entire packet cover to cover several times and then handed me a summation. He handed me a book report the same size as the book!

“Um, little dude, this is about the same size.”

“I know, but I also found more things on the net that you might want to know about. Like where Gene is hunting the Solaris and the legends surrounding them.” I was impressed. Give him something he wanted to study and he would go to the ends of the earth...sounds a lot like I was. “Grandpa and Papa Travis are taking me out to the movies.”

“Okay...wait. Papa Travis?” I asked.

“Yeah. He's like my other grandpa since you 'nd Pat are my parents. Can't call him Grandpa when your dad is around, now can I?”

The logic was sound. “Sure. Have you called him that yet?” Dylan nodded. “Too bad, I would have loved to have seen his face when you did the first time.”

“It looked like this.” Dylan's smile became as big as his ears and then he barked.

I couldn't help but laugh. “Was he in slobber mode?” That got a nod. “What am I going to do with you?” My son was amazing. I would never have been able to cope with all this in the short time.

“Give me a few bucks for popcorn?” I shrugged and reached for my wallet. “Kidding, I have my allowance.” In another fifteen minutes the trio were gone to the movies and Pat came down dressed in a pair of boxer shorts.

I sat reading the paper and marveling over it. The first recorded Solaris actually predated Lupus and Lunais by close to two hundred years. They were the guardians of some long dead Queen who worshiped Bast, the Egyptian goddess. With some sort of magic that could not be codified she turned her trusted guards into the first Pantera Leo Solaris. She gave them the power to turn at will into large cats to protect her as Bast did Ra during the day. It was also said she had turned herself into a cat at night much as Bast did.

Dylan had gone into vivid detail on the history of Bast and her religion and how Solaris thrived until a worshiper of Wepwawet, the wolf god, sought to overthrow the monarchy by turning his soldiers into ravening wolves to hunt and kill the Solaris while they were vulnerable during the night. The usurper gained a foothold because his creatures were infectious and able to take on the Solaris as they slept. The queen and her most trusted fled over the Tigris and the Euphrates, through the Fertile Crescent and east, running from the spreading plague of the Lycanthropes so named by the Greek who seemed to be passed over for the most part. The queen was killed in what is now India but a few of her followers remained.

There were tons of reports and sightings all over the world throughout history, but they stopped in the late 1950's. Like Solaris were truly and utterly extinct. Dylan had added that an anonymous source had a conversation with one a few decades ago, but that was the last recorded incident with a Solaris. Many legends were out of Central and South America and led to the worship of jaguars in their cultures. Even the Inuit people have revered legends and how some could become one with the cats.

“Anything interesting?” Pat asked, jarring me from my reading.

“Huh? Oh, yeah. Dylan has really done a thorough search and report. But all of the sightings stop in 1957 over in North Dakota. There had been so many, each one showing that the Solaris were all moving north and then nothing. Like they just...left.” I was at a loss. “And Dylan's behavior and weirdness only marginally reflects what was recorded about Solaris puberty. They go throw a huge growth spurt right before their first change. Like a foot to two feet in a month.”

“That has got to be painful. So they don't infect like Lupus do.”

“No, they're born, like Lunais. Well, most Lunais.” I smiled and winked. “One big thing that is throughout then entire paper is that Solaris can only be detected when they want to be. Lycans can't tell one unless the Solaris wants to be known.”

“Handy.” I nodded and set the paper aside. “So Dyl probably isn't a Solaris.”

“From what this says no. I...” The phone rang and I picked it up. “Hello?”

“Hello Jon.”

“Gene! Where are you?”

“Right now I'm in Panama. I have found out a few things and am on the trail of a possible Solaris. All others have been fake.” His connection was faint but steady.

“How many others and where?”

“Three others and all of them along the US border with Mexico.”

“Gene, not to throw a damper on your search, but Solaris can't be detected by Lycans.” I told him what I read in Dylan's summation.

“Then they could have been.” he sighed heavily. “Looks like I'll be going back once I'm done here. I'll keep you posted, Jon.” He hung up and I shook my head.

“So he's fine,” Pat commented, relieved. I was relieved too. Gene was a good friend and he was doing this out of loyalty, and maybe a bit of a streak to stick it to a man we both did not particularly like.

“Yeah. Might be gone longer than we could hope, but this is Gene. He is thorough.” Pat nodded and we sighed. “So. The munchkin is gone and protected by Travis' uber wolf powers and Pop's withering death glare and courtly acid tongue. If anything gets past them, it will be too big for us to handle.” Pat grinned and bopped me on the head. “What shall we do with our afternoon?”

While my tone had been conversational, our scents said what we were thinking. But we sat and just snuggled, our fingers toying lazily across skin and body hair. It was sweet and loving and everything we both wanted...when we weren't ripping each others clothes off like horny teenagers. A late lunch was made and we fed each other. Pat had to be silly and stuck the potato salad in my face. It was in retaliation for me poking him when he was spooning it onto the plates and him getting splatted across the chest. Which I, as a good and loving partner, had to clean up. With my tongue. Repeatedly.

After lunch we went for a walk, holding hands the entire time. People in my neighborhood would greet us with smiles and waving hands. Genuine smiles. Part of me was still surprised that we weren't the least bit shunned. I had been somewhat uneasy about that, even in the back of my mind, until Halloween. By then I didn't care and no one made a big to-do about it. Yay, Salem!

“Any more trouble, Jon?” asked Mr. Jennings, my neighbor down the street. The entire neighborhood knew about the break in and some had even offered to help fix things up.

“Nope, and thankfully so. Dylan's been sick and I'm glad it's been quiet. Well, until my Pop dropped in.”

“Your father is Alan Davenport? The opera singer?” I nodded. I was not surprised people had seen him. He is huge. “Think he might sing something for my wife? She's a big Wagner fan.” I knew Pop would do something although he was no Wagnerian singer in the slightest.

“I'll ask. You might not get Wagner, but he might do something.”

“Thank you, Jon. Nice to see you Patrick,” he said with a smile. Pat squeezed my hand and smiled.

Pop was asleep on the sofa and we were up in the bedroom with the papers Dylan had looked at. We were all in our pj's and had the pages spread out. “So, tell us what you didn't put in that dissertation.”

“Well, fer starters the Solaris didn't just disappear. I've been doing more digging and asking Papa Travis about it and he has been a bit more open than I think he would be with you guys, even though he knows I'm gonna tell you anyway.” We nodded and chuckled. Travis knew the information would be getting to us but he wouldn't let us know directly. “They immigrated into Canada and crossed over the continent north. Past Lake Winnipeg and Reindeer Lake and from there...well. Papa Travis thinks they may have a colony on one of the Queen Elizabeth Islands. He doesn't know for sure, but he has heard rumors of Lycans steering clear of them altogether and those that do go up there don't come back much. If they do come back they're really different. Like...all peaceful.”

“Sounds like we should send the lot of them up there then,” Pat said with a smile. I didn't disagree, but then I didn't agree either. If a Lycan lost his hunting edge, he would be dead very soon after that. He would be prey for those who did not take that journey. I knew Pat was being silly because I could smell the same bit of caution I felt.

“That's not the half of it. The area around Montana and the Dakotas is like no man's land. No one from the pack lives there. Gives em the creeps. Papa Travis said he went to check it out when he got the pack, but he couldn't get in there without wanting to run away as fast as he could.”

That was big news. Travis was no coward, not even in the smallest sense of the word. If he ran it was for a damn good reason. “So...something about the area the Solaris are said to have settled and where they left from is seriously mysterious.”

“Yup.”

Pat and I heard Pop get up and we began to gather the papers quickly. Dylan got the hint and did the same. He didn't ask, he just did it. I grinned as I heard the grumbling of Pop coming up the stairs. He was not a person to wake up as it took a half hour for him to become civil. It was the same every morning I was growing up and it made me smile. “Watch. When he gets to the top of the stairs he'll be scratching his belly and grumbling.” As Pop crested the stairs he was doing just that and the three of us laughed.

“Too much noise in there,” Pop groaned and we only laughed harder. One thing would never change. When he came out of the bathroom he was brushing his teeth.

“Evening, Pop. Sleep well?” He grumbled and we laughed again. His eyes said he had done it just to make us laugh. “Any plans? I assume you and Dylan have plotted against me behind me back.”

“He's giving a concert,” Dylan said. “That's the other reason he's in town.”

“Oh.” I hadn't realized there was an opera company anywhere in the area, but Pop would make a point to find out and make his visit known. “What are they doing?” I asked him.

“Gianni Schicchi.”

“They need someone for Schicchi?” I asked. It was a pretty popular comedic opera by Puccini. “Betto?”

“Simone.” I laughed. He said he would never play Simone, the old man. “Right, right, smart guy.” Pop went to get ready for the evening. I should have guessed he had a show as he always took a nap before them and rarely at other times.

“Want us to come watch you make a fool out of yourself?” The part was very much full of himself and loudly so.

“I don't know if you can get tickets since the show starts in two hours,” he called from the other room.

“We can get them,” said Pat with surety.

I leaned in. “Ticket booth clerk a Lycan?”

“House manager. Fox.” Dylan grinned even bigger.

“So, Dyl, wanna see an opera and get some culture?” He nodded. “Go get ready.” We left his room so we could start getting ready ourselves.

Pop said goodbye on his way out. Pat had already secured tickets for the three of us. Not the best seats, but mezzanine seating isn't too bad all things considered. Pat and I were dressed in custom fit suits, have to with our builds, and Dylan was in a nice shirt and tie. “I need suits,” he said.

“When you're done growing, then yes. Until then, little dude, you're stuck with off the rack.” He gave an “aww shucks” finger snap as we loaded into the car. The actual house was in Boston, which not too far, really. Only fifteen miles or so. With the evening traffic it took us forty minutes; there was an accident on the 107 and we had to cut over to the Adamski Memorial. We picked up our tickets from the booth and headed inside. Dylan was looking all over the place to see not only the opera house, but also looking for Lycans. I smelled them, more than just a fox, but I hadn't seen one yet.

We took our seats and only then did Dylan have to use the bathroom. “Hurry up, curtain is in fifteen.” He nodded. He was back in two.

We watched as Buoso Donati keeled over in the first thirty second of the opera, the only death. The family rushing in and “mourning” their loss. Mourning because they were all greedy bastards who wanted Buoso's money. He left that to the friars. They were really bummed after that. Rinuccio, the young love role, said his girlfriend's dad could help them. Enter Gianni Schicchi and he does arrange for them to get the money by impersonating the now dead Buoso and they made a new will. A will where he left himself the bulk of Buoso's estate to use a dowry for his daughter to wed Rinuccio.

When it was done and the bows over, Dylan went to the bathroom again as we waited by the stage door for Pop. When Pop came out, he looked nothing at all like Simone. He looked like a guy who was ready for bed. “You done good, Pop.”

“It was okay. The baritone they have playing him is getting an ingrown toenail removed. He'll be back in a week. Until then, I get to be an old man. Where's Dylan?”

“Bathroom,” I said. Then I realized it had been nearly five minutes and there wasn't much of a line at all. I went in. “You fall in, Dyl?” I called...and got no response. “Dylan?” I checked each stall. They were all empty. I knocked over a man in my haste to get out. “He's gone.” Pat's eyes got huge. He ran to the ticket booth.

Pop's way was faster. “Excuse me!” he called over the crowd, his trained voice carrying. “Has anyone seen a young man? Thirteen years old?” I gave him Dylan's clothing description. No one had seen him. He went inside the bathroom and did the oddest thing I had ever seen him do. He got down an sniffed the ground.

“Um...Pop...”

“He was here, as were four Lupus.” When I heard that I literally fell against the wall.

“What...?”

“He put up a decent fight and got one in the nose. I smell blood.” He stood and went to the window, which was open. “They took him out through here.”

“Pop?” He ignored me and went out and around the building to the alleyway where the bathroom window was. Here I smelled the blood Dylan had caused, and the exhaust from a vehicle. There were two sets of tire marks, small skids where they peeled out. “Where did they take him?”

“They would take him north. It has to be that way else they would never make it to safety before tomorrow.” He looked at me and I could see he was both worried and pissed. He blinked and I saw a side of my Pop I never had before. His eyes...they were the eyes of a lion.

“Tomorrow...when Dylan changes first into a Solaris?” Pop nodded. “Will you be changing too?”

“No. It's a puberty thing.”

My Pop...the Summit of '83...fuck. “We'll talk about our Lycan lives later.”

Pat came running up. “I called Dad. The house manager was dead in his office. Silver knife wound to the chest and head.” He didn't seem to care about Pop being there, until he looked at the lack of shock on his face. “Tell me what I missed later. We have Hunters on their way. Mariam is with them, as are Michael and Tommy.”

“Has Angus been notified?” Pop asked.

“No. Dad says he will be letting Angus know personally. I wish I could see that fight. That fuck nut is going to get his ass handed to him.”

“Not if I get to him first,” I growled out. I knew I was in danger of shifting to my hybrid form and both of them placed a hand on my shoulders. Taking a very deep breath, I nodded. “Where in Canada would they take him?”

“Magog, Quebec is right over the border. There used to be a Solaris sanctuary there, but we left. It has the only place within a thousand miles they need.” I called Betty and told her to book us a flight for Magog on the jet.

“I can't just...”

“Dylan was kidnapped and that is the only place they can take a prepubescent Solaris before he changes.” I heard her gasp.

“I'll get you the plane. Head to the field.” We waited until The hunters got there and then drove like maniacs to the plane. It was waiting and ready. Betty was there. “Go get him back.” The three of us nodded and got on.

Once seated I just looked at my Pop. “So...how do we do this, Pop?”

“We do nothing about it. You're a Lupus...”

“Lunais,” I said and he looked confused. “Pat infected me and he's a Lunais with very unique genes. I got his genes.”

“Huh. Well, you're a Lunais and I'm a Solaris. We both get hairy, only I'm better at hiding it. Past that, you're my son, and if anyone tried to hurt you, they will answer to me.” That settled that. He wouldn't disown his Lunais son. “I knew when I walked up to your door. I smelled you, Pat and Travis. Scents too strong to be casual visitors. It has been a long time since our kinds have really fought, but the instinct was to run.

“Yet here was my son. Now a Lycan. Now starting a family, one that included one of the few Lupus I have ever met whom I trusted enough to tell my secret. I knocked and found out that you were dating Pat and when I looked at Dylan I saw it. He saw it in me too. I looked at him and knew.” He lay his head back and shut his eyes. “Dylan is my grandson.” I nodded. “I mean by blood.”

My heart thundered to a halt. My world was changing too fast and I couldn't keep up. “How can he be?”

“He has the smell.” The cabin filled with a new scent. I knew it too. This was Pop's scent. A light musk. A calming thing laced with a frenetic energy. A vibrant pulse of life. One that Dylan was starting to smell like. “It's a family thing. I had one daughter, human like your mother, who left the family after a huge fight between her and your mother. I hadn't heard anything from her until she called to tell me she was going to give birth. She died as Dylan clawed his way out.” Much like a Lunais birth. “The hospital never knew what happened, only that they went to check on her when she flat lined. I saw her corpse. They called it murder, the father charged with it and he is on death row because of it.” Pop closed his eyes. “But I knew. I could not tell them what happened and could not go looking for a child that may not even be alive. He could be anywhere.

“But when I saw him, I knew him and he knew me. I looked at his file and I could trace it all back to one person. The man who took him tried raising him, but he was killed. Dylan was put into foster care. You know the gist of the rest.” I did. Dylan was never at a home for very long. Always troubled, always a handful. Always different...and never knowing why. “But for him to show up in your life? My own grandson adopted by my own adopted son?”

“Kinda twisted way to find him.” Pop nodded. “And I get why you couldn't tell me sooner. I mean I would never believe you unless you went all cat on me and then I would be scared of you.” He nodded. “But why not when you found out I was Lycan?”

“I didn't know how you would react. How far into the politics you had gone. Pat is sitting there quiet and nervous. Wary of how I will act.” I looked at him and Pop was right. Pat was nervous. I had never seen him like this.

“I know you're not going to hurt us, Alan, but it's...”

“It's something inside. Something that tells you to either run from me or try to kill me.” My head swung back to Pop but I saw Pat nod. “I feel it too, but I love Jon too much to let it affect me, and for how you have made him so happy I love you as well. Travis would never raise a person who followed blindly.”

It was true. Pat knew where he stood, but he didn't follow like a drone. “You are so like my Dad, Alan, that it is scary.”

“I'm glad to hear that. Travis and I learned how to be leaders at the Summit and shared the same hotel room.” More and more just kept coming at me.

“The Summit...what's it about?”

“Normal stuff, not Lycan. How to run a business. How to get to the top without resorting to underhanded tactics. Life lessons. We learned it well, I'd say. I wish he had thought to send Angus there. That animal needs a few lessons.”

I felt Pat relax a bit. “He'll get them.”

When we landed in Roland-Désourdy Airport and hopped into a cab that waited for us. “Parc des Braves,” Pop said as we climbed in.

“You're the second load of people going there tonight. Is there a convention?” the cabbie asked, his accent heavy.

“Yes. A group of business men meet there for a Summit every now and then.” We shared glances. They had gotten here ahead of us. They took a plane, one they knew would get them here fast and without questions. There was no airstrip close enough.

Actually there was one and only one. We had been there not long ago. When I began to growl Pat looked at me. I knew it was barely audible over the sound of the engine and heater so the cabbie would never hear me. “The flight not agree with you, Jon?” he asked, taking my hand.

“Angus forgot to tell us about the earlier flight coming here. We would have missed the opera if we had known, though.” Pat put two and two together. As did Pop.

“Remind me to thank him later,” said Pop genially. I knew that Angus was going to be in a huge world of hurt. Travis would kill him, Pop would kill him slowly...I wouldn't let him die.

We got to the park and Pop paid the cabbie. He walked until the driver was gone, then he ran, his shirt flying off and he began to grow. Golden blonde fur sprouted and with it the full mane and tail of a Solaris feline. He topped over fifteen feet and I knew he outweighed me even when I was in full lunar form. His pants were shreds and they fell off as he ran faster, seeing the footprint in the snow. The only sets here. We shucked our own clothes and went hybrid because we could see that there was an occasional drop of blood in the snow. It had to be Dylan's. The tracks led to a gazebo and there they stopped, but Pop pressed some hidden switch and it raised up to reveal stairs and one guard. The guard had no time to even get a warning shout as Pop ripped out his throat with one swipe, those massive claws six inches long each. He didn't even slow, just ran down the steps.

The steps ended in a huge room far below the ground. I didn't look around, I didn't care about the architecture. Just the boy laid out on the slab with four Lupus holding him down and the last cutting into his chest. There was no sound at all, but I could feel everything keenly. I moved. I think I moved faster than the others as I was the first one there and slamming my own claw through the knife wielder's chest. He didn't utter a sound to my ears, he just looked to be screaming and then he fell over as I shook him off my arm. Pat was facing off with two of the others and Pop the other two. Then I smelled them. Ferals were being let out of a cage by another Lupus and they were coming right for me. Good enough.

I met them head on and ripped the throat out of one before it could even get a swipe in. The last clawed my back, but I spun and grabbed his other paw and broke his arm. I never had the desire to kill until I had a son. Now all those dark parts we all have were right there in the front and I just waded through the Ferals. I took hits, I kept going. I was losing blood, but I didn't care as there were more targets for my anger. I was briefly aware that Pat had joined me in the fight, but it didn't register fully that we coordinated our attacks perfectly. It was almost as if right then I knew what he was thinking and he knew my thoughts. We were such a tight fighting unit the ten Ferals were dead on the floor in moments. I heard a gun shot but felt no pain. With that shot sound returned and I spun back to see Pop had killed the last Lupus. He was bleeding from a gun wound to the chest, but it was closing up very quickly.

Dylan lay sobbing on the altar, the dagger on the floor and his blood already slowing to a seepage. I dashed over. “Are you okay?” He shook his head and I pulled him close to me. I could feel the heat radiating off of him and knew something was wrong. “Pop?”

“Stand back. Let him get up on his own.” I looked at him and he nodded. I stepped back, wishing I could hold my son. I watched as he began to pant, falling to the floor from the altar. He began to cry out in agony. I watched him change into a Solaris for the first time. The bad thing was he was far larger than he should have been. He had to grow a lot. His cries became mewls and hisses as his face became more leonine. Whiskers grew and the beginnings of a mane. He was like a gangly lion cub starting to get his growth, all limbs and lean angles.

Then he just lay there. I could see the scar across his chest where they had begun to cut into him. It was healed over, but it would never go away. I picked up the dagger and looked at the solid gold blade. Silver and gold, moon and sun. It made sense. Pop's wedding band had been platinum. He had a gold allergy. Slowly Dylan pushed to his hands and knees, collapsing once but getting back up. I went to go to him, but Pop shook his head. He had to get to his feet on his own. It took a long time, longer than when I had changed, but I was not born to this. I knew nothing of what a first change was like for those born to it and less of Solaris. Once up he wobbled and then shook all over. Then he stood all the way up, topping out at nine feet. “Dad?” he asked, and rushed to him. He hugged me hard. “God, Dad, they were going to take my heart.”

“They're dead now. Your heart is safe.” I could feel him shaking and this time he didn't try to hold it back. He cried. He clung to me and sobbed. Pat came over, but Pop stayed where he was. I looked at him but he was keeping an eye open for more surprises.

Dylan wiped his eyes. “Guess I can't hide this from you like I could some other secret.” He sounded tired and hollow.

“Nope. Guess I won't be infecting you after all.” He shook his head. “You do realize you are going to have a lot to learn.”

“Yeah.”

“He'll be coming with me for a year or two. Learn what he needs.” Pop made a lot of sense.

“When?” I asked. I knew it was for the best, even though I had work...if I still had a job after I killed Angus.

“Starting when I go back to Perth. You should come too. Your mother misses you.” Pop and Mom had been divorced since before I came into the picture but she loved me just as much as he did.

“I will, once I deal with that piece of shit Angus.”

* * *

Now, what to do about Angus, honestly. I doubt I could really kill him unless I used silver and I didn't want to be the future Leader-in-Waiting. I didn't want all of that. I wanted a home with Pat and Dylan without having to deal with the Pack's shit. We could try to move over seas. Maybe Australia. The parents would be thrilled. Angus couldn't touch us easily as we would be under the supervision of another pack and a Solaris. But Pat would have to leave everything behind. His family, his friends, his life. He might not be top of the hierarchy in the Pack, but he was to the Lunais. They all loved him even without him being the son of the Leader.

With Dylan unable to change back to human yet we had to hide in the caverns below the park. With nothing left down here that was alive, it would be safe enough for the day. Pop and Travis were making sure the bodies were disposed of and Dylan had his head in my lap. It was something to be petting your foster son's hair and having it feel like a lion's mane. He slept and his sleep was troubled a bit by dreams, but he was not awake and thinking about a knife headed for his chest. I smiled down at my son.

He had called me Dad. Without even thinking it he had called me the one thing he had never called any other of his foster fathers. How was I different? How did I earn the love and trust of such a boy? Yeah, I was the living embodiment of his fantasies. I was Lycan, he loved Lycans. I gave him a home after saving his life. That would make him like me, yeah, but even I would not hand someone my heart and trust with so little as that. But he gave it all willingly and called me the best name I had ever been called. Even better than son.

I looked up as Pop came over. With the bodies gone we had found enough clothing down here to wear something after our changes. Even some for Dylan once he was calm enough to change back.

“How's he doing?”

“He's asleep, which might or might not be a blessing with his history of nightmares. The scar will fade, right?”

Pop nodded. “Fade, yes, but it will always be there. With the precision of it, I would even go as far as to say the one with the knife had been a surgeon.” I nodded.

“Why is the first Solaris change so different? I was tired, but not bad.” I knew there were many differences between Lunais and Solaris, but were we that different?

“Imagine going through puberty all in one moment. All the changes, all the pain, all the things that take years.” I could imagine that. “His mind needs to get use to not being human any more and once it does he will gain the first part of control over his changes.”

“How long did that take you?”

“A little over a day. Once I was stuck in this form for a fortnight. High stress can change us as we gain control.” It was daunting. This was a super stressful time for us all and Dylan was the center. At least we knew why now. “But I can aid him in getting back to his human self, although he will have to get a whole new wardrobe.” He saw the question on my face. “When I changed back I was four inches taller and six inches the next time.”

“Great. I'm glad I have money in the bank. Although some of Pat's stuff might fit him in the height.”

“And bulk. He'll gain muscle mass very fast.”

“Sounds great,” said Dylan as his eyes opened. “Maybe now I can wrestle those guys at the meet and see who wins.” He sat up but stayed leaning against me. Which was hard as right now he was three feet taller. Even without the extra legs he was almost a foot taller than me seated.

“One more layer, huh little dude?” He laughed and winced.

“I'm fine. Growing pains are a bitch.” I gave him a small look about the language. “Yeah, I know, but they are.” He stood up and stretched. It was impressive because even as young as he was there was a muscle tone there that said he would probably be a mountain like Pop was. “Can I get some pants? Not use to my naughty bits being public.” Pop just laughed and went back to the pile of stuff they had found. He brought back a robe that would fit. “Eh, good enough, although the green does not go good with my fur.”

“How are you feeling, really?” asked my father and Dylan smiled sadly.

“With everything else, this I can deal with gladly. I mean we talked about it a few times and I knew it was coming up, so it doesn't really surprise me. Getting almost sacrificed...” he trailed off and sat down with his arms wrapped around his knees. “I can honestly say I have never been more scared in my life. It was like the worst horror film I have ever seen brought to life and I was the star. Only the stars don't know half of the pain. It burned and cut and I could feel it sucking something out of me.” He had a few tears in his eyes, but they didn't fall.

“When we first turn, those of us born to the Lycanthropy emit a power. Only in the first turning. That energy can be taken if the heart is taken.” Dylan and I sat listening to Pop. Pat was within earshot but he was busy with other things like hiding the bodies as best as he could. “The energy can be given to another of Lycan blood and they would become very strong indeed. By taking yours, they could have given a Lupus immunity to silver and the ability to change during the day.” That was a frightening thought. Angus would be unstoppable. “I would hate to see anyone sacrificed like that.” Then I saw something that said a line would be forming to kill Angus. I know more than a few Lunais who would love to be in that line but could not because of upbringing and culture. “He will pay for this.”

“Good. He's a dick anyway,” Dylan exclaimed and we all laughed. Then we got concerned as he began to mewl and writhe. Watching the reversal back to human was grossly fascinating and Dylan just whimpered once as he sat back up. Thankfully it was quick, unlike my first time changing back. That seemed to take forever. “God that hurts. Does it always hurt like that?” His hair was now a ruddy strawberry blonde and I could tell he was taller and bulkier. Like puberty's first growth spurt in a few hours and doing weight training.

“It gets easier,” all three of us said.

“Dad, I got muscles!” He flexed and I was wondering where his little noodle arms went because he was barely a teen and had at least sixteen inch biceps.

“Nice. Wait for the rest. You'll be a beast like Pop. Anyone know what time it is?” I asked. With Dylan human again, we could get the hell out of this place and back to Massachusetts.

“We have an hour until sunset,” Pop said without even looking at his watch. I never doubted him as he was always right when it came to time. Then he turned to Dylan. “Now, here is the big deal for us. No gold. Nothing. Can't even touch it. Seems like the queen who made the first Solaris didn't trust them and their sticky fingers around her gold.”

“Got it.” Dylan began to rapid fire questions and Pop answered each one until he got to Solaris breeding habits.

“That one I'll cover when you're sixteen.” Pat and I laughed at the sheer look of incredulity.

“I know about sex, Grandpa. I just want to know if there are mating rituals and if it has to be a Solaris or a human. Would a Lycan-Solaris cross be possible?” I suddenly wondered at such things. Was it possible? What would it be like?

“No, and never again ask that question, if you would be so kind.” Pop's tone was a bit stern and I knew that this subject would never again be brought up.

Thankfully Dylan got the message and stopped asking questions. Instead he got up and began to see what new things he was capable of. Like a twelve foot vertical leap, lifting Pat with one hand, doing a wall run for close to twenty feet before having to hit the ground again. We watched him play like a kitten, testing his limits and his surroundings and generally being a kid.

My good mood soured when I thought about Angus again. I had to do something. This was my son he was trying to sacrifice. Yeah, Pop had blood claim and Travis had leadership rights, but I would get to the son of a bitch before them and show him what it meant to hurt my son. I shoved the anger down when I felt the three of them staring at me. “Saving it up for the shitball?” Pat asked.

“Yeah. We clear, Pop?”

“If you mean is the park clear, yes. The other...well, we'll see who gets to him first.” He pulled me to my feet and we went up the stairs.

I dialed Betty. “Tell me you were in time.”

“He's alive. A little spooked, but he's always been a bit spooky.” Dylan grinned and gave me a gentle shove that knocked me over a step. “Can you send a plane for us?”

“I can. Jon, there is something you should know.” I watched the entrance raise up and we left into the snow, none of us feeling it. “Mr. Andrews will be challenging Angus openly tonight. I don't know if you'll be in time.” I knew Travis could very well kill him just by ripping his head off, but then Angus could do the same to him.

“Ask him to hold off, if you can find him. I want to at least get a punch in before Travis shoves his fist through the asshat's chest.” Dylan went a bit wide eyed as we jogged to the air field. It wouldn't take us very long and it was cheaper than finding a cab.

“I'll let him know. He's called an entire Pack Meeting for this.” I whistled low. “Yeah. So I'll call for the plane, you get here fast.” She hung up.

Back in Massachusetts we were met by a huge surprise. Gene stood there and with him were five people I didn't know, but I would bet by the way Pop and Dylan were acting they were Solaris. “Gene, I take it your mission was a success.”

“Sure was. They insisted on coming back with me. Mr. Davenport,” he said with a nod. “The van is waiting to take us all to the Meeting. This will be a first. All the Lycans will be there. Lupus, Lunais and Solaris.” The Solaris eyed us with a bit of trepidation, but Dylan gave each of them a winning smile.

“My Dads are cool. And Grandpa, well, he's cool too. That Gene though? He's shifty. Keep an eye him.” It was a bit of a laugh to them as obviously Gene had won their trust enough to have them follow him all the way from Mexico and god knows where else. It did dissolve some of the tensions, but I understood what they were feeling. This would be the first real contact in decades and it was at a fight for leadership.

“Do they know we're coming?”

“I was told Travis knows, but he won't wait forever.”

Good, at least he got the message. That means I might get some chance to kick Angus's ass from here to next Tuesday. He so had this coming, the mondo douchebag.

We pulled up in front of the main office and I was not the only one surprised. “Let me guess, super secret room I don't know about.” Gene and Pat nodded. “Yay, I finally get the full tour.” We walked up to the doors which were actually guarded right now.

“Pat, Gene, you know this is no time for guests.”

“Just stop, Kevin,” I said. “I was turned months ago.” He looked shocked. “Yeah, I imagine that's what Angus's face will look like right before I rip his throat out for trying to kill my son multiple times. Move or be moved.” The guard stepped aside and then he looked like he didn't even know why. “Thanks. I'll remember that for your next eval.” We marched in.

I could hear the Solaris growling to each other, but I didn't know their language. They seemed to be less tense now that we were here and I was thankful for that. Gene led us to the service elevator and hit down. There was no basement level, but I guess that's because it's super secret. Dylan hummed the theme to jeopardy as we descended and Pat snickered. When it got to the room it opened up into something like an indoor stadium. My nose took a huge hit from all the fear and tensions I could smell. It stung and made me want to vomit. Dylan covered his nose and tried to snort the scent out. The others seemed to be fine.

I had never seen so many Lycans in one place. I could see they were even segregating themselves by type. The Lupus were in one section and then divided by their animal forms and the Lunais were in a smaller section and actually mixed up. This was more scary to me, as if the Pack was forced into this hierarchy by chance of birth and infection. No one had a say in how they were treated.

More than a few heads turned to see us standing there and when all of us made our way to go sit with the Lunais, more than some started to growl, but I stared at them directly in the eyes and they backed down quickly. One man even peed on himself he was so scared. Then people started to whisper about me. Why I was there. What had changed. What this meant for the Pack.

I saw Travis and got a nod to come over. “Dylan, go with Pat and Gene to the Lunais section. Pop, come with me.” We split and went to our areas.

“Jon, you know I can't let you fight him,” Travis said.

“Then try and stop me. I don't care about Pack Law right now. I care about a fucking piece of shit who tried to sacrifice my son. Travis, you know I have the utmost respect and love for you, but you cannot stop me from ripping his head off and shitting down his neck.” Travis looked at me and smiled.

“Looks like someone came into his own.” I closed my eyes and sighed. I knew what he was talking about.

“I changed, didn't I.” He nodded. “I don't want it, Travis. I just want a few licks in before you actually kill him.”

“And you?” Travis asked my Pop.

“I'm here representing my people. He tried to kill one of ours. Family ties aside, I claim right to combat.” And oh boy would Angus NOT want to tangle with my pop. It would be a massacre.

“Hmm. Alan, shall we give Jon the fight? His seems to be the strongest case. If he dies then you can step in. If you die as well I will kill him.” Travis was merely stating a fact.

“A father's prerogative to avenge his son, hmm?” Travis nodded. “The challenge is your, son.”

“Just to set the record straight. This is not a challenge for leadership. I don't want the Pack, Travis.”

“You could, though. Your own.” I blinked.

I could, couldn't I? I grinned and then looked at Angus as he came in the room. All talking stopped.

God he was huge. Out of his tailored suits and his office I saw just how big he truly was. I felt tiny, but I also knew I could kill him. I felt it in my gut. He would not walk out of this room unless I spared his life. “Jon, what are you do doing here? Travis, you know better than to let humans come here.” He wasn't even trying to hide the fact that they weren't human.

“I assure you, Angus, there are no humans in this room.”

Angus went to open his mouth but I just stared right into his eyes and he shut up. “You tried to have my son killed.” He blinked and then grinned. I took off my watch and shoes and the shirt I wore. I heard the faintest of whispers as some of the Lycans saw me for the first time wearing just pants. “Multiple times.” I walked towards him and Angus just laughed at me. “See, I don't take kindly to people trying to sacrifice my son. I don't care if you're Lupus. I don't care if my son is Solaris.” A murmur began to circulate. “You are not leaving here until I have beaten you bloody.”

“You really think so?” Angus laughed. “Do you honestly think you can beat me?”

“Yes. And if not me then my father.” I thumbed back to Pop who was stripped down to his skivvies. Angus sized him up and that wiped the smile from his face. “You see, Travis and Pop gave me the fight, although Travis has right as the true leader and Pop...well...Dylan is his grandson by blood and I really would not want piss off an Alpha Solaris.”

“He figured it out,” Pop whispered to Travis.

“So here's the thing. You've managed to piss off two full Alphas and one who just came into his power.” I was close to ten feet away. “I don't think your chances are good, you flea bitten mongrel son of a rapid whore. You will die like the dog you are and I won't even shed a tear.” Angus lunged and went to punch me.

I caught his fist and stopped him completely. His eyes went wide. “How...”

“Ever met an Alpha Lunais?” I shoved him back and Angus had to catch his balance. “Pop, catch,” I took off my blessed silver medallion and then entire assembly went silent. They could all smell me now, all smell that I was changed, and they could all tell that because of everything that had happened I was an Alpha. Perhaps the first Alpha Lunais.

“Impossible,” Angus whispered.

“Very possible when the true pack leader is the father of your boyfriend.” I stalked forward. Angus came at me full force and I barely got my leg back to stop his momentum and then we were fighting. Before this whole sacrificial thing I never would have had the drive to really challenge him, but right now I felt that I was going to do a ton of damage.

Angus knew how to fight though. Better than I did. He would block a hit and then send one right for my face, but I was faster. That was my advantage right now. I was younger and faster. I just had to keep ahead of his swings and I could get out of this without too much damage. I landed one lucky punch, but then he just shrugged it off and slammed a full force hit to my chest that sent me flying. I hit the ground in a roll but he was right on top of me and I couldn't even get to my feet. He picked me up bodily and threw me across the arena, this time I landed more or less on my feet and launched myself at him. He expected a high hit, but I got him in the balls with a headbutt. He doubled over and howled and I could hear Dylan cheering me on.

Of course all that crotch shot did was piss him off and he came at me again, this time truly pissed off. I went to duck his hit but I got a knee to the side of my head. My vision blackened for a moment and as I felt the ground under my hands I pushed up. It was a blind move, but it shot me over Angus and I landed a few feet away where my vision slowly began to return. Speed was not helping and I wasn't his match in strength, not yet if ever. He was back up and rushing me again. This time I leap frogged over him and landed solid enough to kick back and again score one to his balls. If I couldn't beat him fairly I would just make sure he never bred. He wouldn't back down though. He wasn't going to die from crotch shots and we both knew that.

I went into a dive to the right, but he caught my foot and dragged me back to get me in a headlock. I had never felt such power. Even the solid holds from my school days were nothing compared to this. I could feel him trying to literally rip my head off while I elbowed him in the ribs, tried to gouge out his eyes, anything to get him to let go. It was no use. I couldn't break his hold or his concentration...not as I was. I could feel my consciousness slipping away but I had one last ace up my sleeve. I changed. Angus let go very quickly and crawled away as I stood up slowly. This change did not hurt, it did not take minutes. It was as fast as you can think and I was standing. I was not in hybrid form. I was fully in my Lunar form.

“Impossible,” he said and then tried to get to his feet as I stared him down.

“You should know by now that true Alphas are beyond you.” I was on all fours and coming at him slowly. I was over five feet taller and I outweighed nearly double and right now he knew without a doubt that he would die. I saw it in his eyes. He knew he would not live to see tomorrow. My upper lips curled as I growled.

Then I was on him, my claws raking at his flesh and my teeth ripping into that feeble seeming arm he threw up to block. He screamed as I ripped a chunk out of his forearm and spat it at him. Angus swung with his good arm but I caught it and hauled him to his feet and then off the ground as I stood to my full height. I roared in his face, saliva and blood splattering him and he closed his eyes as my other claw encircled his throat. His face began to turn red and I was liking the smell of fear I was getting from him...it smelled the same as Dylan did as he was being cut. That undeniable realization that you were going to die.

“Dad?” I looked at Dylan who stood just outside of arms reach. “He's not worth it.” His eyes were calm and his voice even.

I nodded and released his throat, Angus gasping for air. Tossing him aside, I took a few deep breaths and changed back into my human self. I was naked, but I didn't care much any more. “You had better be very thankful Dylan is a good person, mongrel. You will never touch my son, my boyfriend, or anyone else I care for ever again. If you do I will come back and kill you.”

I raised my voice. “This was not the fight for leadership of this Pack. I will not be your new Leader-in-Waiting.” More than one person was shocked. “This was me avenging the wrongs he has done to my family. Yet, right now I feel there needs to be change. Pop?” He stood. “Do the Solaris control Montana and that creepy area?”

He shook his head. “No. It has been marked by our scents to drive Lycans out of the area, but no one lives there.”

“Then it is settled. Angus, I hope you're paying very close attention. With your blessings,” I said to the Solaris, “I will make that area my territory.” They had a visual conference and then nodded. “Thanks. Angus, if you ever set foot in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota or Montana without notifying me ahead of time, I will see it as an act of aggression and come for your head.” He looked up at me from where he landed and glared but he nodded. He knew he could not beat me now.

I looked at the assembled Lycans. “If anyone wishes to come with me, you will be welcome. I don't care if you're Lupus, Lunais or Solaris. No one is better than another based on species, only if you're a mondo dick. Oh, and Angus?” He was still glaring. “I quit.” I picked up my clothing and walked away.

I heard the roar Angus let out but then I heard it stop. When I looked back Dylan stood over him with his hand clenched and I saw my son slug him right in the jaw. “That's for trying to kill me you piece of shit.” He turned on heel and came jogging over to me.

“Feel better?” He nodded. “Me too.”

“Dad?” I looked down at him as I put my arm around his shoulders. “You done good.”