The Millennial Game

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

San Francisco, California, USA

Present

“Don't be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends.” ~ Richard Bach, Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah

“He did what?”

Laughter sparked through the group of young wolves. Lenne smiled at their acceptance and continued. “So there I was, stark naked, and this guy I had never met before was waving around the sausage links like some madman. I had two options because he knew exactly what I looked like: charm the clothes off him, literally, or-”

“Please, please, please, tell me that you got the clothes off that man,” one of the she-wolves barked out, nearly rolling around on the ground. Her dark brown eyes sparkled brightly in the firelight.

“Was he hot?” Another wolf asked curiously. He was the youngest of the group and was barely of age. Even so, he was one of the more accepting of what she was.

Lenne grinned, the light gleaming off her teeth. You so don’t want to hear the end of that story. “You’ll just have to use your imagination because,” she leaned forward, “I’m not telling.”

The wolves groaned collectively. “Come on, that’s not fair.”

“Alright, pups. Off you go,” Matthew growled at them when he approached. Killjoy. They didn’t protest, some glaring at their pack’s Beta, but they all left grumbling.

“They didn’t need to go.” Lenne glared at the wolf but it didn’t have the force behind it that it could have.

“You needed to talk to me. This way you can. What’s eating you?”

“Time.”

“Be serious,” he scolded her. This was always the way of things.

“I am always serious.”

Matthew studied her curiously. Oh, great. What now? “Did you feed this afternoon?”

“Oh, Matthew. You and I both know you hate talking about my feeding habits.”

“It’s just that you seem a lot more chipper than you did yesterday. And you’re usually only this happy after you’ve,” he paused, choosing his words, “slaked your appetite.”

Lenne lifted a gracefully curved eyebrow, impressed. “Look who’s learned to be diplomatic. And as for your question, I might have.”

“And?”

“And he’s still alive, if that’s what you’re wondering. I wouldn’t take enough to risk killing. I’ve got more than enough control by now.” She playfully shoved him, eyes narrowed. He wants something. Wait for it.

“I don’t want you to leave.” Bingo. “Why do you want to leave San Fran anyway?”

“It’s time I moved on. I’ve spent enough time here.” Lenne looked down, her good mood vanishing like dew under the morning sun.

Matthew gripped one of her hands, causing her to look up. “Come on. You’re one of my best friends and as far as we’re concerned, you’re part of the pack. You don’t have one of your own.”

“I’m your best friend and you still think of me as a threat. Should I be flattered or insulted?” Please don’t do this to me now.

Matthew gave a snort. “Of course you’re still a threat. Doesn’t mean that I don’t trust you. You even protected the pack once or twice. So you should be flattered.”