Demon: Book 1

Chapter 51: Just a Few Adjustments

My mother was fanning herself. She kept shaking her head at the different colored werewolves nearby. We sat around her on rocks covered in furs.

"You knew about this," she stated plainly. "I know you knew about this, Quint."

My dad squeezed her hand. "I'll explain what my real job is to you later."

Pursing her lips, my mom's head snapped toward her husband. "Real job? Oh, good lord." She started to unbutton her coat. "I think it's getting hotter in here."

"Do you want something to drink, Karen?" asked Xavier.

"Water." She glanced outside. "Not from a river or stream, preferably."

The alpha chuckled. "How about from a bottle?"

"Oh, yes, please."

Xavier sent a werewolf off to bring her one.

My dad leaned over to me. "You and Titus can go. Once she's calmed down a bit, I'll explain things to her."

"'kay." I grabbed my boyfriend's hand and slipped away.

We went to Titus's room and collapsed into the pit.

Groaning, I pressed into his side. "She didn't take it well, Titus."

He laughed in my ear and rubbed my back. "She didn't faint, at least. I was worried there for a moment when the color drained out of her face."

"I don't consider that to be a positive."

"There's been far worse reactions." He unzipped my coat. "Take some of this off."

"It's cold, though." There were piles of snow in the hallway under the skylights. "I don't understand how you can be half-naked."

"It's a little cold." He put a fur over our legs. "But I run hot."

I nodded and wiggled out of my coat. Titus tossed it to the side. He rolled onto his back, and I placed my head on his chest. He started to play with my hair. I was still cold, so I tugged the blankets up to my shoulders. Titus started to move around and slid off his shorts. I felt his fur rub against my cheek.

"Better?"

"Yes." I nodded, letting my eyes close. "Much."

***

"I say, this is different."

I flinched and opened my eyes. My mother was standing above us, staring at Titus. My boyfriend sat up with his ears splayed to the side. He smiled, but his fangs didn't look very friendly.

"Mrs. Perri," he laughed hesitantly. "Well, this is the real me."

"Real you?" My mother glanced at her husband.

"They're born as werewolves, Karen. The pups you saw earlier are too young to know how to shift."

"Oh," she said, trying to sound positive. "Yes, it makes sense then." She wandered about the room.

Titus shifted back to human right when my mother looked his way. Jumping, she clutched her chest and gave him a precarious look. Her mouth opened but quickly closed. Shaking her head, she went back to examining the room's interior. Titus slipped into his shorts.

"It's not exactly homey." She picked up the lid of a plastic bin, which was cracked and had a large section missing.

Grabbing my coat, I put it on and sat on the ledge of the bed. "It's not that bad."

"Hmm..." She picked up a shredded shirt with some rust-colored stains. "Yes, not bad at all." She took a deep breath and faced us. "I think I'll be having a word with Xavier."