First posted on April 12, 2008 in the Turnskin role-play collaborative novel at Pan Historia. Candice and Michael have arrived in the states and as Michael’s new alpha bitch she’s not too pleased about Lucille. Lucille is a natural beta and though her human feelings are hurt she’s prepared to accept the situation. We also get a glimpse into Michael’s motives for what he does.

“She can stay for a while, Candice.”

Michael opened a fresh pack of cigarettes. Candice wrinkled her nose in disgust. The smell was even worse to her now; she wondered how he could stand to pollute his lungs like that.

The place they were at was yet another apartment Lucille had rented for Michael. With enemies such as the Lycaon Society there was no way that Michael could settle down. The flat was pretty bare bones and he’d seen the disappointment in Candice’s eyes when she took in her new ‘home’.

“The flat is not important, love, we’re not going to be here long. Get used to living out of a suitcase. I have powerful enemies. Lucille, make us some coffee, will you, luv.”

It sounded like the same word ‘love’ and ‘luv’ but Lucille wasn’t the only one to catch the difference. Candice had smiled. Michael had made no mistake in her. His bite had turned an unhappy human woman into the alpha predator she was meant to be.

Once Lucille was out of the room to make the coffee Candice hissed at Michael.

“You’re fucking enjoying this too much, mate. Why does she have to be here, get rid of her.”

“She’s very useful to us and very loyal. She’s not the only one, just the only one I was sharing my bed with. Now that you and I are mates, there is no question of that relationship continuing but wolves run in packs, my love.”

Candice sighed. Michael knew she wasn’t going to let it go, but she was content to let this round go to him for the time being.

“So why the suitcase thing, why all the mystery, and why the lackeys?”

“This is war, baby. I used to belong to a turnskin secret society called the Lycaon Society. You’ll learn about them all in due course. I was a happy soldier for them for many years, but after a while I started to have questions. This whole fucking world is going to hell and no one wants to do a thing about it. We’re all going to burn to a fucking crisp in much less than fifty years, maybe less than thirty years, or maybe twenty years, and humans are going to take everything with them: every last wolf, swallow, tree, flower, even the blue skies. I couldn’t sit by any longer. The Lycaon Society was as blind as the humans. I mean no fucking charity or environmental protection agency or stupid little eco-lobby or celebrity spokesperson is going to change that. I’ve taken the war to the street. I’m opting for total Armageddon now.

“Oh nothing big then?” said Candice.

Michael laughed. Lucille brought in the coffee, careful always to avoid eye contact with Candice, keeping her posture subservient. Candice ignored her, didn’t even thank her for the coffee.

“And now I suppose you want me to tell you how I plan to effect this dastardly plan?”