Sinner

Part 9 Adapting

Leaping over the threshold, I skid to a stop in the living room. My eyes widen. All the mess in the living room has been tidied and a clean set of clothes lay on the sofa, waiting for me. Wow, I still can't imagine the house being cleaned automatically by our friends.

Keenan trots leisurely into the house after me. Get used to it. Mary's a neat freak and will go after each speck of dust with a vengeance. But she doesn't take it kindly if you mess up the house too much. Scraping his paws on a floor mat near the door, he motions me with his paw. Come, wipe your paws on this mat before you track the mud all over the floor. I'm sure you wouldn't want Mary to haunt you in your room at night, do you?

Obedient, I quickly skip to the mat and rub my paws clean. Peering at Keenan, I thought you had cleansed and warded my room? Why can Mary still enter to haunt me?

Glancing at me briefly before walking over to his clothes, I only warded it against evil spirits. Mary is benign, unless you anger her. Cleanliness is one of her pet peeves. A black mist surrounds him once more and he regains his human form in seconds.

Mesmerized by his nakedness all over again, my jaw gapes open as I stare at him unblinkingly.

Noticing my reaction, he smiles widely and teases me, "Close your mouth, Kelly. You're drooling".

I quickly close my jaws and avert my eyes.

Strolling over to me to pat my head, he gently instructs, "Close your eyes and picture yourself as human. With your brown hair, your brown eyes, your facial features. Be as specific as possible and include details. It will make it easier to transform back".

Closing my eyes, I did as he instructed. The same agonizing process of my skin stretching and bones shifting happens again. It is painful. It seems to take a long time for the shape-shift to complete, unlike the seconds it took Keenan. God, I really hope it gets faster and easier like Keenan said earlier.

Opening my eyes, I scrutinize myself. I'm human again. Arching my back to stretch out the kinks, I realize my back doesn't hurt anymore. I try to twist my head to see my back, my arms reaching backwards to feel my wounds.

Watching me with amusement in his eyes, Keenan informs me, "Healing fast is one of the perks of a werewolf. As long as the wound is not inflicted by a silver object, you will be mostly healed after a shape shift. We are nearly immune to all known diseases and have a disgustingly healthy constitution".

"That's awesome! So do we get fat on binging?"

He replies with laughter in his voice, "No, or at least I've yet to see a fat werewolf. Our metabolism is simply too high and just burns the fats super-fast".

"Hmmm..." his answer making me look at his body appreciatively. My eyes stick to his and involuntarily wander downwards. When I realise I'm looking at his full length unconsciously, my eyes snap back to his. Eyes, filled with merriment and cockiness, he arches one of his brows.

I sputter embarrassedly, "I can't help it, since I have a front row seat to an impressive view. Have you considered going into modelling than this line of job? Much safer and more perks".

Giving a bark of laughter, he says, "I can't complain much, can I? I'm also enjoying an extremely beautiful view," as he unhurriedly pulls on his clothes and finishes dressing.

Looking downwards at myself, my cheeks heat up. Embarrassed how I easily forgot I'm still naked, I hastily grab a piece of clothing to cover my front. My hot cheeks are aflame.

Keenan casually plops onto the sofa. Looking up at the ceiling, he murmurs, "Urgh, I hate being ogled and devoured alive by lusty female eyes. They strip me naked with their eyes even when I'm having a serious conversation with them. If I become a model, the female fans will start stalking and fondling me. So no, modelling's out for me. I would rather fight with monsters any day than to be eaten alive by she-wolves".

Patting his shoulder, "Poor thing, you must have it rough, with all the females going crazy over your luscious body," I mockingly console him, a trace of sarcasm tinging my words.

Sinking into the wrecked sofa next to Keenan, I stare into the distance, my voice taking on a somber tone, "I can't deny I'm not a werewolf anymore. As a werewolf I can't go back to my old life". I suck in a bracing breath before continuing, "I need space to run when I turn furry once a month. My old place is in an urban built-up area. A wolf in the city is likely to be shot dead by civilian or police".

My head turns to face Keenan, who is looking at me sympathetically, "Let me stay here and learn the ropes. I can help out as assistant".

Deep wrinkles appear on his forehead as he scrunches his face into a fierce frown, "My job is not easy. It's not glamorous. You may have to take away lives at some point. Your life may be forfeit if you are negligent".

Nodding my head in agreement, "I've seen firsthand what kind of monsters you deal with. They're terrifying, and scare the wits out of me". My hands start to wring each other and I forcibly relax my fingers, although I still can't stop my fingers from fidgeting nervously. "If I were still human, I would have run as far away as I can away from you. You are bad luck".

I stand abruptly and pace the floor. "But it is an irrefutable fact that I'm a werewolf now. I can never turn back into human. Since I now have werewolf powers, I want to be like you". Stopping, I look at Keenan in the eye, my palm thumping on my chest, "I want to save other innocent humans from turning into a freak like me".

In a calm voice, Keenan says, "I don't care for apprentices. They die on me too easily. Before you rush headlong into this and insist on joining me, it would be wise for you to observe my job first".

"Yes!" I enthusiastically agree without a second thought.

Keenan shake his head and smile wryly at me. "Let's hope you last longer than the rest".

So sorry for the long break between thechapters. Stuff came up and I had to take a hiatus. Thanks for staying tune.