Werehuman

Lettuce or People

Katie awoke before I did. I woke up to her rummaging through the picnic basket and then unwrapping a sandwich before I could stop her.

"This is delicious," she said after a large bite. "Except for the lettuce. I've never met a werewolf who eats lettuce."

She pulled out the green leaf and offered it to me. I took it and ate it, not wishing to waste Mel's preparations. The rest of the sandwich was devoured in four bites. She ate like I had when I first became human.

"Now what?" she asked, scratching just behind her ear. Her blonde hair was shorter than even Ralph's. Mine was a mane in comparison.

"I don't know what time it is," I told her. "Shouldn't you find your pack?"

"We're staying in a cabin at that park near here," Katie yawned. "And they know where I am." She held out her arm. "Marcus chipped us all so we can't get lost."

"What?"

"You know the RFID chips? Like when you lose you dog?"

I shrugged. Katie looked back in the picnic basket to see if I had any more sandwiches. I had kept the last one for this morning, but this woman had eaten it. I wasn't sure if I was comfortable bringing her up to the house. I didn't know if she was safe to be around people.

I didn't like keeping her hidden from Ralph though. Surely the two of us could handle Katie.

"Why are you here?" I asked, pulling on a shirt.

"Because. You seem interesting, and I know all of the werewolves in my pack. Why do you not want me around?"

"I don't trust you," I countered. "I don't know if you have control of yourself or if you're going to raid the chicken coop when I'm not looking."

She put a hand on her chest. "I promise to be on my best behavior," she replied.

I doubted that would be good enough, but that was the best promise I was going to get. Hopefully she had my difficulty lying.

I stood up, stretched and began packing all the trash into the basket and concluded the routine by folding the blanket and pillow. Katie insisted on carrying the pillow and blanket as we made our way to the house. The chicken coop was untouched, I noted. The guineas had resumed their noisy pest control. Susie Lynn's cat, who probably had thought he was rid of me for good, was lounging on the porch. He hissed as we approached and stalked off into the bushes.

"Conor!" Susie Lynn called, pushing open the screen door. "I heard noises last night. Did you catch them?"

She stopped when she saw Katie who gave her a wide, though friendly, smile.

"Hello!" Katie said cheerfully.

"Should I have Mom set another plate?" Susie Lynn asked.

I nodded. The girl went back inside and I turned to stare Katie dead in the eye. She didn't dodge my gaze immediately, but then glanced down.

"This is my family," I told her. "You are a guest, and an unwelcome one at that. Do not scare them, harm them, or upset them, understood?"

"You're awfully small for an alpha," she answered.

"Katie," I growled.

"Understood," she said with a sigh.

I opened the screen door for her and we walked into the house. Ralph's eyebrows went nearly over his forehead when he saw Katie. Mel was less surprised.