Werehuman

Betsy Ross

Mel and Ralph were relieved that I was back, and understandably confused as to why Katie had come back with me. Susie Lynn, back from school, didn't think anything of it and invited Katie to help her feed chickens.

Mel and I watched Katie from the back porch.

"How'd the meet go?" Mel asked. "Should we be concerned?"

"Unfortunately," I said. "They smell like blood. They are dirty and...I don't know. Not very good wolves. Katie believes the alpha female, Heather, want to kill her. She's probably right."

"But," I added. "Marcus agreed to the boundaries I set. He'll push them as much as he can, but I'll do my best to keep him away from us."

"How many were there?"

"Five, not including Katie."

Mel frowned at the woman tossing feed with her daughter.

"She can't be older than you," she noted. "Do you trust her?"

"I don't know her," I protested. "I trust I can take her in a fight. I want to go hunting with her to be certain, but not for a few days. Marcus will be watching to see if I'll break my word, I know it."

"I've never known you to break your word," Mel observed. "Well, the girl can stay for now. Barn or house?"

"In my room," I replied. "I want to keep an eye on her. She said her former pack killed humans, and while she doesn't seem strong enough, I'm not putting you or anyone else at risk."

"I'm glad we're in your pack, Conor," Mel smiled.

"I'm glad to be here too," I replied. "I rather just be a normal wolf, but since I can't be, I'm glad I'm here."

Katie bounded up with Susie Lynn.

"Guineas are weird looking birds," she informed us. "Mel, is there anything I can help with? I'm so grateful for the chance to be away from my family, you have no idea."

"You can help me get supper going," Mel said. "Come on. Conor, will you lend Ralph a hand in the shop? He's trying to fix the car again. Susie Lynn, homework."

I nodded and headed down the hill to the shop. The guineas scattered as I made my way to the shop's open doors. Ralph was under the car, making clanking sounds that didn't sound like fixing anything.

"How's it going?" I called.

Ralph rolled out from under the engine and sighed.

"My father was so much better at cars than I," he sighed. "If we had the money, I'd just buy Mel a new car and have done with it."

"Can we get this one into town?" I suggested. "Tow it behind the truck?"

"Maybe?" he allowed. "I'm going to give it another go."

I glanced inside the hood, marveling at the intricacy of vehicles. I didn't know how to drive one, let alone how they worked. Ralph had promised to teach me to drive, but there was so much I needed to learn about being human. I hadn't even been that good of a wolf; I had been bitten in the first place.

"You look worried," Ralph noted. "Did your meeting with Katie's pack not go well?"

"The meeting went fine," I shrugged. "But they still scare me. I wish they could have found any other spot in all of the country to live."

"That makes two of us," Ralph agreed. "We can always call the police if they trespass."

"What are the police going to do?" I questioned. "They are five werewolves. They're stronger and faster than any regular human."