The Magnificent and The Maleficent by Heron Djenne Canvasback

Chapter Four: True Clues

Cordelia is walking to her favorite spot, to eat at during my lunch break, from her job as a concierge. It's a cliché 50's diner, but the food there is awesome. The diner isn't that far from the hotel that she works at. As she walks in, she sees a guy that she feels like she knows. It's a weird sensation. It's as though her body is reacting to his presence. A sudden flood of reverence and awe flows through her. Bowing seems appropriate enough though that's abnormal. She sits down at the loner's booth across from him. "Who are you to me?"

The tall dark brunette man looks a few years older than her. His posture stiffens, and his almond shaped dark gray eyes harden. He had a tannish complexion. "I'm Dillion Hachadoor." His accented voice is low, but she can hear him clearly. "I sense that I turned you." He sounded like he was from Appalachia. "I'm so very sorry."

"Why did you?" She asked as quietly as he talked. "I don't understand."

The waiter came to their table. "Can I start you two off with drinks?"

"I'll have a strawberry lemonade." Dillion was still looking at her. "I'll pay for her meal and drink as well."

She paused as the waiter turns to her. "I'll have a chocolate milkshake."

The waiter jotted down both their orders and smiles. "I'll be back shortly to take your orders." He goes to another table.

"About that night: I had been kicked out of the pack that my family were part of. The new alpha doesn't want another alpha around." His eyes strain like they're about to produce tears. "The alpha put me out, just before I could feast on bought blood, during the full moon. I wouldn't leave; I fought him, but I lost. I lost a lot of blood trying to challenge him for the alpha position, as a last resort. That was why I was crazy with thirst when I found you."

"Why didn't you hunt an animal then?" Cordelia gasped.

"Werewolves can only be sated with human blood." He sighed. "Only alphas can turn humans too."

"Tell me." Cordelia bit her lip. "Where do we go from here?"

He scratched his chin in consideration. "I guess that we could stay in contact. At least until you get used to being a werewolf?"

She scratches her neck from nervousness. "How long will that be?"

He shrugged. "That depends entirely on your adaptability."

"How will I get blood? What do I do once I turn to protect people from me?"

"You only need blood during the full moon. If you have enough blood in you, you won't have the urge to attack anyone." He grimaced. "As for the lockdown, you don't have to unless you're bloodthirsty. After you're used to transforming, you'll get to the point where you can control yourself. I am in the process of acquiring a secure place to transform at."

Cordelia frowned. "Am I the only one that you've turned?"

He nodded, but he squirmed a bit.

She leaned back in her booth. "Do you know how to help me?"

"I think so."

She clenched her teeth. "I guess that we'll figure this out before long."

He winced. "Are you going to report me?"

She shook her head. "Where are you going to be during the next full moon?"

His jawline relaxed. "I guess that I'll be at my house. I don't have access to my ex-pack's land."

Their waiter comes back with their drinks. "What can I get you two?"

"I'll have a mega cheeseburger and fries," she said.