The Lycan

Chapter 8

"Hey, you're okay," Katie said to Nero softly as his tail began to wag slightly. The werewolf let out a snort as he got up and began to sniff the air, growling lowly as he picked up a scent. He bounded away from the two humans in the direction they came.

"Isn't that where your cabin is?" Matthew said. "Uh, yeah," Katie said, rather concerned as they both followed Nero, calling out his name.

"Oh, ohhh..." Katie's smile when she found Nero quickly turned into a face of awkward discomfort when she saw that he had a rabbit pinned, lifeless in his mouth.

Nero looked at Katie and snarled when she took a step forward, not letting go of his prey.

"Nothing we can do about it now," Matthew said, shrugging. "He's still pretty wild." He cringed slightly as Nero seemingly ate the rabbit whole in seconds without tearing it apart. He huffed as he sniffed around the outside of the cabin, licking his nose every so often.

"He's like a dog..." Katie whispered to Matthew.

"I guess he's somewhat in control of himself? I'd say maybe about 75% since he's not attacking us but- wait, Nero hold on-" Matthew suddenly reached his hands out in a waving motion as Nero began pawing at the front door, which had been left open by a crack. Swinging it open with his muzzle, the werewolf entered the cabin, with Katie following closely behind, protesting.

"Nero, Nero no, why'd I leave the door open, what are you..." Katie said in a slight panic, but trailed off as Nero stood up on his legs, his claws clicking against the table as he leaned down to sniff at the hot mug of chai tea that was left on it, before lapping at the beverage, his tail wagging as he drank.

"...that's really cute," Katie whispered to Matthew.

"Surprisingly, yes."

"I really wanna take a picture."

"Please don't."

"Okay."

Nero finished the tea, knocking the mug over as he got back down on all fours, sniffing around the living room, before flopping down on his side in front of the fireplace.

Katie couldn't help but chuckle. "I actually like him a lot," she told Matthew as she picked up the mug and washed it. "Was he like this back then?"

"No..." Matthew said, staring at the werewolf who had made himself comfortable in front of the warmth of the fireplace. "This is actually the first time I've ever seen him this way." He walked up slowly to Nero and sat next to him. The werewolf let out a low, but non-threatening growl, and rested his head on his large, paw-like hands. "He's actually content. Back at the lab he was always scared and aggressive."

"Aggressive, huh?" Katie said quietly, sitting next to Matthew. "He wasn't treated well, was he." He shook his head.

"I actually helped him escape from the lab that night, but I haven't seen him since then. I honestly thought he was dead after not being able to find him for a year. But then I heard the rumors of howling being heard every month over here."

"Do the people from the lab know?"

"Thankfully, no. They stopped looking for him a year after he escaped. I kinda had to lay low myself, since I'm the one who helped him get out of there. I left and didn't look back."

"I see," Katie said, nodding. She looked over Matthew's shoulder to look at Nero again, who had fallen asleep. "Hey, I think you should stay here for the night, it's really late."

"Oh, me? It's fine, really," Matthew chuckled nervously.

"I'm serious! I have a guest room you can use," Katie persuaded him, smiling. Matthew scratched the back of his head, flustered.

"I mean, sure, if you really want me too. But I think I should stay down here, where Nero is."

"Okay, it's settled! Hold on a minute..." Katie quickly made her way up the stairs and came back down with a blanket and pillow. "You wanna sleep on the couch?"

"Oh no, no, I'll take the floor," Matthew said hastily. "This is your home after all, heh." He took the blanket and pillow and laid himself down on the carpet.

"Okay," Katie said, settling down on the couch. "Will Nero turn back in the morning?"

"Yep. He's usually drained after it happens though."

Katie looked at Nero one more time, and then reached for the lamp next to her.

"Goodnight, Matthew," she said.

"Goodnight. And thanks."