Unknown Touch: Werewolf Series, 1

Chapter 13 Confrontation

We held our positions and remained motionless. Guarded, Daniel walked across the clearing to the front porch. Everyone completely tuned into our surroundings, listening and watching for anything suspicious. I tried to slow my rapid breathing. But my heart pounded with anxiety because no one knew what might happen next.

The cabin was falling apart from years of neglect. Rickety old steps, rotted wood with peeling paint, curled and missing shingles. I'm surprised anyone would attempt to live in it. Then again, we weren't dealing with a human, but a savage werewolf.

I sent a mental message to Zac and Tessa, Do you have Daniel and the front door clearly in your line of sight?

They answered in unison, Yes.

Daniel stood on the front porch and braced himself. He pounded on the door twice and shouted, "Hey, Stephen! It's Daniel. I know you're in there. We need to talk."

A distinct snarl came from within the cabin. Could Stephen be in the shape of a wolf? A few moments passed. Daniel stood patiently waiting, and took two steps backwards. I assumed we caught Stephen off guard, possibly sleeping, or maybe he needed to get dressed before coming outside. The growl obviously conveyed his anger with Daniel's unexpected visit.

And then the door flung open. Stephen stepped onto the porch, making his grand entrance.

Daniel and Isaac had showed me very accurate images of Stephen during my previous failed attempt to enter his mind. I now gazed at him in the flesh... an extraordinary, supernatural creature, on so many levels. And he knew it. His arrogant, tough guy attitude dripped off him.

Still, I couldn't deny it, he was handsome, in an Old World sort of way. I memorized his features, specific traits, and any interesting idiosyncrasies he displayed. Then, I tried connecting to his mind, but it stayed locked. Nothing. No sign of a way in. Just a big black wall. I kept concentrating.

"What do you want?" Stephen glared at Daniel. "You're in my territory."

Daniel took a deep breath, and calmly said, "I'm not here to fight with you, Stephen. I know you're looking for any excuse to let loose on me. I am here to talk and ask you some questions. I hope you'll give me honest answers."

"Well, now, I'll see what I can do," he replied.

Daniel and Stephen remained on the small porch. Stephen closed the front door and leaned against it. Daniel positioned himself a few feet away, near one of the porch's rotting posts.

"I'll get straight to the point," Daniel began, "I heard the news about the dead cattle and the hunter who was killed. Did you do it?"

Stephen slowly shook his head from side to side and laughed in mockery. He said, "No, it wasn't me. Although I'm sure you sniffed out my scent in the general area, didn't you?"

Stephen wanted to play games. Daniel knew this would be like pulling teeth, trying to get accurate information from him. "If it wasn't you that committed these acts of violence, then tell me who did it."

"That is the big question of the day, isn't it? Well, I'm not at liberty to say at this time. He'd prefer to keep his identity private."

"Why in the world are you covering for someone?" Daniel pushed.

"He gives me the opportunity to be my real self. To not downplay what we truly are. We may have originally been humans, Daniel, but we aren't anymore and haven't been for over three hundred years. I'm tired of pretending to act like a human. To 'blend in with society', as you constantly kept cramming down my throat all these long years. You were always the calm, cool and collected one. Even back when we hunted those wretched witches who started this whole mess. You were the one who insisted we leave our homes in Salem. To start fresh somewhere else. And no one would know what we really were. As long as we kept quiet and listened to everything you said. I just couldn't take it anymore. I wanted out. To be free and not have a care in the world. And not to have to bow to your every beck and call. I don't care what anyone thinks. At one time, I thought maybe I'd found a light at the end of the tunnel... some happiness. But I wanted to break free from your Alpha male control so badly and I couldn't have that light and my freedom at the same time... " Stephen trailed off.