my way around the house, closing all ways inside. If someone wanted to get in, they would have to move shit out of their way, which would give us a sign to get ready for a fight.
Once I was satisfied, I checked the time. There were another four hours until nightfall. It was going to be a long night. I stripped and folded my clothing, putting it on the kitchen counter. Once that was done, I began my own shift, letting the werecat form tear through me at a speed that still surprised me and hurt—still so painful. When I was done, I looked over to Heath and found him watching me.
“It irks my male pride that you’re so much bigger than me.”
“Is now really the time to worry about your ego?” I retorted without heat. “We’re ancient big cats in the same way you’re actually a dire wolf. We’ve always been bigger than you.”
“I know. Have you ever wondered about the origin of our species? I have. No one has any answers.”
“I haven’t, actually. Next time I talk to Hasan—if I’m alive at the end of the conversation—I’ll bring it up. If there’s one werecat out there with answers, it would be him.” I considered the fae too. They could also hold the key, but the cost of receiving the answers to those sorts of questions was probably high, too high.
“You don’t have to. It’s just a curiosity. I don’t believe it changes anything for us in the end.” He sounded somewhat defeated.
“Are you one of those who thinks we’re all damned in the end and all that?” I didn’t. I thought I was a monster, but I didn’t really consider the afterlife. I had no choice in this life, and I did my best to do what I could with it. That had to count for something with whatever higher power was out there, right?
“Somewhat. I grew up in a heavily Christian society. Mind you, we weren’t all Christians back then, or we didn’t use that term. I was raised Protestant. My parents hated our Catholic neighbors.” He rolled onto his side. “I lost that faith a long time ago. I’ve just always wondered if maybe our origins would hold the secret to removing the curse on us. And that’s what it is, a curse.”
“I know. I’ve been told other species of supernaturals call us the Moon Cursed Ones or just the Moon Cursed. It makes sense. We lose nearly all of our control on the full moon, and if we aren’t careful, we can hurt someone.” I gave an audible grumble. “But many of us didn’t ask for this.”
“I know. Neither of us did.” He shifted and rolled to his other side as if he couldn’t get comfortable. “I’m wondering if we should try to sleep now so we can stay awake for the night.”
“You can nap, and I’ll cover for now. You just have to watch my back tonight, so I can get some sleep in.”
“Good idea.”
Moments later, the wolf was snoring. I huffed and laid my head down on my front feet. I wasn’t used to staying in this form for very long. Normally, I was very active while a werecat and shifted back into my human form once I was done hunting, eating, or checking my territory. The idea of staying in werecat form to sleep bothered me enough; any exhaustion I felt from the early morning was long gone. I was wide awake, alone with my thoughts, and had nowhere I could safely go. I couldn’t even roam around to stretch my legs.
Already I was feeling cooped up.
This is what I get. Hasan told me not to go into the woods. I went without even fucking thinking about it. It was only supposed to be a short hike and back, and here I am. I know they fucked with the car. I just know it. Taking the risk to check on it and having to find better shelter than that shack was too much.
What could possibly be doing this? What’s in these damn woods, killing people?
Who is helping them? I swear if those fucking humans cut the fuel line, I’m going to kill them.
My mind went to awful places while Heath slept. I bounced back and forth between killing and not killing the humans, solely based on their species status. The world could ignore several dead werewolves and werecats. Dead humans would bring the eyes of the local authorities. If answers weren’t found,