Unknown Touch: Werewolf Series, 1

Chapter 26 Departure

At noon, Dom fixed us a light lunch. After eating, we planned to continue our reign of laziness and hanging out together for the rest of the day.

I gazed through the sliding glass door at the breathtakingly beautiful scene. I grabbed my cell phone off an end table and took a few pictures.

At this point, several inches of snow blanketed the ground, clinging to everything in sight. The trees glistened, completely covered in white, with branches drooping from the weight of the snow. Every direction I looked, white was the dominant color, rarely did another shade appear through the snow. The temperature held around forty degrees and the air was perfectly still. A few rays of sunshine peeped out from behind the clouds and reflected off the snow, causing me to squint from the brightness. Squirrels and rabbits frolicked across the yard, leaving adorable trails of footprints. At the farther edge of the yard, I saw two foxes darting among the trees.

I said to anyone listening, "Wow... it's so pretty and peaceful." I heard murmurs of acknowledgment.

After a few minutes, I walked over to the couch and discovered Daniel in a horizontal position. Right in my spot. He looked at me with a sideways grin, fully aware he stole my couch. That would not do. I wanted to lay down there. I'd just have to get him up.

"Try me," he teased, obviously reading my mind and my intentions.

But instead of a wrestling match, he rolled onto his side and indicated that I could lie next to him. Hmm... that might work and he provided great body heat, too. I snuggled up against him, with his arm draped over me. And tried to keep from falling off the edge of the couch. Dom glanced up from his recliner to see what we were doing and shook his head.

I quietly talked to Daniel, so as not to disturb anyone else in the room. I said how the snow was sticking to everything outside. And it looked like good packing snow for making snowballs and building snowmen. I wasn't even one to like winter, cold weather or snow, but I couldn't help myself from appreciating the beauty and wonder of it all. I told Daniel I'd seen rabbits and squirrels and a pair of foxes frolicking through the snow.

Suddenly, Daniel sat up on the couch, nearly knocking me off the side, but he grabbed my waist to keep me from hitting the floor. He had an idea and could barely contain his excitement.

He exclaimed, "I know what we can do this afternoon. Instead of lying around here like bums, we're going outside to play. I need to make a few phone calls. I'll be back."

And he took off at a run for his office. We were mystified about Daniel's plans for us, but his mood was playful. I decided not to read his mind and spoil the fun. Let him surprise us with his idea when he returned. It was early afternoon and we still had several hours of daylight to "play".

Five minutes later, Daniel came back. He had just invited several of the other werewolves over for a romp in the snow. Winter was a difficult time of the year for them, because during the winter, their resorts and campgrounds were mostly deserted. The werewolves got bored easily and Daniel thought it would be nice to get a group together for some fun. For them and for us.

Also, this would be a great opportunity for Stephen to goof around, release pent up energy while practicing control over his emotions, and renew bonds with some of the other wolves.

I asked, "I'm guessing you won't be wrestling around in the snow in human form. Right?"

"We could," Daniel explained, "but a wolf likes to play in the snow and toss it around. I thought this would be interesting for you humans to see us, as wolves in a pack, enjoying ourselves in nature. Not as humans, not as beasts, just as wolves. I can imagine what everyone's thinking. Kara, I actually do know what you're thinking... We don't exactly look or behave like normal wolves. So, you'll be seeing larger, powerful, faster wolves with more intelligence than the norm. Now, get ready to go outside!"