The Howling

Keith picked Lena up and threw her over his shoulder. He carried her off, giggling, to the bathroom. He turned on the water, with her still struggling to get off his shoulder. He held her in place with one hand and stepped into the warm stream of water. He put her down on her feet and kissed her as the water poured over them. The way he touched her made her shiver even in the heat of the shower.

Steam filled the room as Keith took Lena right where they stood. He lifted her up and pressed her against the shower wall as he pummeled her insides. She buried her face into his shoulder writhing in pleasure. He held onto her tightly as if she weighed nothing at all. She cried out as he finished inside her and sunk her teeth into his shoulder to keep from screaming aloud. He put her feet back on the shower floor as she trembled in his arms.

“God, you’re evil.” She whispered.

“You know it.” He laughed.

The water poured over Lena as Keith gently washed her down. She pulled her wet hair back from her face as the water started to turn cold. He shut the water off as she wrung the excess free of her hair. He reached up into the cabinet and pulled them down towels. She wrapped up in one and made her way back to the bedroom in search of her clothes.

Lena shook the sand out of her sundress and put it back on as Keith reached into his dresser for clothes. He put on shorts and a t-shirt and reached for his wallet and keys. They headed outside and got into the four-by-four as the thought crossed her mind that she was forgetting something. The thought faded away quickly as he reached for her hand and drove down the highway.

When they got to the motel, Keith went to the room to get Lena’s things and put them in the car. She took the room key back to the front desk and checked out of the room. She met him back at the car and fished her keys out of the bottomless pit she called a purse.

He held open the car door for her and asked, “Are you hungry?”

“I could eat.” She smiled.

“I know a quiet place just up the road if you want to follow me there.” He replied.

“I’ll be right behind you.” She smiled and closed the car door.

Keith pulled out of the motel parking lot with Lena fast on his bumper. He laughed as he had to speed up, looking in the rear view mirror. She drove her old Monte Carlo like she stole it. He nearly missed the turn to the restaurant by paying too much attention to her driving. He whipped into the parking lot sideways barely remembering to hit his blinker. She didn’t miss a second as she pulled into the parking space next to him.

Lena climbed out of her car and dropped the keys back into her purse. Keith walked around his SUV and took her by the hand as she looked at the building curiously. It looked as if the place was going to collapse on itself at any moment. It had old weathered wood on the outside of the building and an old painted sign that read, ‘The Dutchman’s Daughter’ over the front door.

Keith pulled Lena toward the door as she looked past the building at the ocean. They passed through the front door and made their way inside. The whole place had the nautical theme. There were pictures of ships on the walls. On a banister, Lena noticed a huge reconstruction of an old ship that she paused to admire as they waited for a table.

They didn’t have to wait long. Bryan waved Keith over to the corner table. Lena saw that the entire pack from the previous night was there having lunch. She gladly let Keith lead her across the room by her hand to join them. She was surprised when Brielle stood up and hugged her before she had a chance to sit down.

“It’s good to see you again.” Brielle said as she hugged Lena tight.

“It’s good to see you all as well.” Lena replied as she took a seat. “Keith tells me you’re joining the pack after tonight’s moon.”

“We are,” Anna smiled proudly.

“Are you all excited?” Lena asked, most of them nodded their response.

“I will be escorting them there first thing tomorrow.” Bryan stated as the waitress arrived to take their order.

Lena hadn’t even thought to look at the menu. She picked it up and asked the waitress for an unsweetened iced tea. Just as she thought, the primary items on the menu were seafood. She couldn’t make up her mind what she wanted, so she settled for a fish sandwich and fries. She closed the menu and joined back in on the conversation as they continued to chat on about the new changes that awaited them.

“I’m going to open my art studio as soon as I get there.” Brielle was smiling.

“Oh, you’re an artist?” Lena asked.

“I am,” She said fishing through her purse for a business card.

“This is fantastic,” Lena commented as she looked over the information on the card. “Well done.”

“Thank you!” She exclaimed. “That means so much coming from you.”

“I started out small once.” Lena chuckled as her food arrived.

“Your work is required reading for all new members.” Anna smiled.

“Oh, that’s cruel.” Lena laughed and mockingly punched Keith’s arm. “Quit tormenting the poor kids.”

“Yeah, it’s torture alright.” Keith replied as he rubbed his arm.

Lena rolled her eyes and ate her sandwich quietly. The others continued the conversation until the dinner crowd began to pour in. They were forced to vacate the table and take their conversation to a more private place.

The caravan of vehicles made its way back to the private seclusion of the beach. Many collected firewood for the bonfire as Lena kicked off her shoes and made her way to the water. The waves hit her ankles and splashed up on the hem of her dress as everything but the sound of the water became silent. Her mind drifted to a place where she once stood on another shore.

It was Tampa bay, near sunset. She faced another man as others looked on and then, there was nothing but blood. It was on her hands, it stained her dress. She began to scream trying to get it off. Keith wrapped his arms around Lena and shook her until she focused on him.

“Lena,” He screamed. “What was it? What did you see?”

“Death,” She whispered. “I saw death.”

The details of the experience escaped Lena. She couldn’t explain what she saw or why it unnerved her. Keith held her close and led her back to the bonfire and the comfort of the pack. She warmed herself next to the fire and watched the sun go down on the horizon. The uneasy feeling drifted away as the moon came up and she watched the others shift.

Keith didn’t shift with them. Instead, he took a seat on the sand next to Lena and put his arm around her. As she leaned against him he wondered to himself, worried that she was beginning to remember. He didn’t want a past that she couldn’t recall haunting her. He just wanted her to be happy there beside him. Was it too much to ask? His thoughts were interrupted as the others howled calling out to him.

Keith shed his clothes and stood tall as the wolf came out to play. With outstretched arms the wolf took over, claws, fangs and a howl emerged. It was time to run off the excess energy and he was all too ready. Lena smiled as he dropped down on all fours beside her. She climbed up on his back as he let out another howl. They all took off on a run down the shore. She could feel the wind in her face as she closed her eyes and let her hands relax around his strong neck.

Keith shifted beneath her, turning quite suddenly. Lena leaned forward holding on tightly once again. He went racing back up the beach heading for the glow of the bonfire. The others were right beside him as they came skidding to a stop kicking up sand as they slid toward the fire. Panting, they took a seat and watched the flames dance and devour the driftwood they had collected.

The night drew to a close as one by one they returned to human form. Clothes were gathered and good-byes were said as Lena watched them depart. She felt accomplished, like she was a part of something bigger and more important than just herself. As her and Keith made their way back to her car she smiled holding his hand.

“Thank you,” She said kissing him softly.

“For what?” He asked confused.

“Everything,” She smiled.

“You’re welcome then,” He chuckled and kissed her again. “See you at the house.”

“I’m right behind you.” She replied climbing into her car.

As Keith pulled out onto the highway, Lena floored the gas pedal. She passed his four-by-four effortlessly as she flipped on the headlights. Shocked, Keith put the pedal to the floor trying to catch her but it was no use. She had the car parked, shut off, and was seated on the hood as he pulled into the driveway. He climbed out of his vehicle laughing and shaking his head, unlocking the front door.

“You’re insane,” He said as he led the way inside.

“You only live once,” She shrugged as the door closed behind her.

“If you say so,” He said wrapping his arms around her. “God, I love you.” He whispered into her hair.

She didn’t know what to say as the tears welled up in her eyes. “I love you too Keith,” She said at last.

Keith lifted Lena into his arms and carried her off to the bedroom. Sleep wouldn’t wait as she closed her eyes and lay her head on his chest. She was exhausted and he understood why. It took a lot of energy for her to keep up with him the last few days. The least he could do for her was hold her near to him and let her sleep in peace. It took him a while longer to get over the restless feeling. He didn’t want to take his eyes off of her for fear the moment wasn’t real. But eventually they closed and he too drifted off to sleep.

There was no bad dream to wake Lena. Only the sunlight that poured in through the open curtain stirred her as she opened her eyes. Keith felt her move slightly and pulled her close as he opened his eyes as well.

“Good morning beautiful,” He said kissing the top of her head.

“Good morning,” She replied. “What time is it?”

“Almost eleven,” He replied.

“Ah shit,” She cussed crawling out of bed.

“I know,” He replied laughing. “I just didn’t want to get up either.”

Lena slipped back into her shoes and grabbed her purse as Keith packed a small bag. She had turned the ringer off on her phone and as she turned it back on she realized she had missed three calls from Kyle already. She hit redial as they headed for her car.

“It’s about time.” Kyle hissed as he answered.

“I slept in Kyle. I’m sorry. I should be home in an hour.” She said starting the car.

Keith barely fit in the passenger seat. His knees pressed up against the dashboard as he buckled up. Lena hit the gas and tore out of his driveway. She hit the road sideways causing Keith to grab at the window to steady himself.

“Good,” Kyle continued. “I had your red dress dry-cleaned. I left it hanging on your bathroom door.”

“You’re awesome Kyle.” She replied. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” He said. “Just make sure you’re at the ballroom of the Hilton by six tonight.”

“You got it Kyle, I’ll see you there.” She said as she hung up and dropped the phone in her lap.

When Lena hit the expressway she had to slow down. Traffic was at a standstill headed toward Los Angelis. She cussed aloud and hit the brakes as the seat belt locked across Keith’s chest.

“I hate these events.” She muttered.

“Really?” He squeaked mockingly. “I couldn’t tell with you being all high strung.”

She punched him across the console. “You’re not helping.”

He grabbed her hand before she could pull away. “Relax love, I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”

“I know,” She sighed as he kissed her hand. “I’m just nervous.”

“It’s going to be fun.” He smiled as the traffic started moving again.

“I hope you’re right.” She laughed easing the car back into traffic.

Keith let the conversation fall away so Lena could concentrate on her driving. Forty five minutes later they were in Los Angelis. It took twenty more minutes for her to navigate traffic before she parked the Monte Carlo in her driveway.

Keith took his bag and followed Lena inside. He marveled in awe over the large living room and kitchen as she threw her stuff down on the couch and disappeared down the hall. He grabbed a beer out of the fridge, popped the top, and fished his suit out of his bag. He left the bag on the counter and made his way back to the living room to change.

Keith could hear Lena cussing down the hall. He took a sip of his beer and set it down on the coffee table so he could change. He slipped out of his jean shorts and t-shirt and pulled on his dress slacks. He tucked in the white shirt and put on the black belt to hold it all together. He then left the red tie hanging loosely around his neck. He left the black jacket hanging on the arm of the couch and took his beer out onto the porch to wait for Lena.

Lena struggled with the curling iron. She burnt her hand twice and dropped it as she cussed aloud. She finally won the battle and unplugged the iron from the wall. She brushed the soft curls away from her face and sprayed her hair down with hairspray. She then moved onto her makeup bag as she fished out her eye pencil and red lipstick.

Lena lined her eyes in black and painted above it with dark red eye shadow. She then painted her lips bright red and put the makeup case away in the drawer. She turned to the bag that hung on the door and opened it up. She slipped the red spaghetti straps free from the hanger and pulled the zipper down so she could slip into it. Her heel stepped on the hem forcing her to cuss louder and lean against the wall to keep from tipping over. She managed to pull it up and slip her arms through the straps without any further incident.

Lena positioned her chest into the built in cups and then pulled up the zipper. When she turned around and looked herself over in the mirror she barely recognized her own face. The red dress shimmered in the luminescent light as the slit showed her right leg all the way up her thigh. She pulled on her matching red heels and then dared to open the door.

Lena walked down the hall and back into the living room. The front door was open. She could see Keith’s back as he stared off the porch at nothing. When her heels left the carpet and hit the linoleum he turned briefly and let out a gasp.

“You look stunning,” He breathed out as she approached him.

“Thank you,” She replied quietly as he set his beer down and wrapped his arms around her.

“I’m so glad you brought me along. I’d never be able to let you out of my sight looking this good.” He chuckled as he placed his hand on her cheek.

“I’d kiss you but I’m still a bit wet.” She smiled.

“Red is your color not mine,” He laughed.

Keith leaned down to kiss Lena anyways. They were interrupted by the honking horn of the limousine as it pulled up. She smiled and made her way inside for her purse. He sighed, taking his beer bottle into the kitchen and throwing it away in the trash. He gathered his bag and his discarded clothes stuffing them back inside. He tossed it into the back seat of Lena’s car as she joined him back outside in the driveway.

Keith held out his arm and escorted Lena down the walkway to the curb where the limousine waited for them. The driver held open the door for them and closed it behind them once they were inside. As the man made his way back to the driver’s seat Keith poured them each a glass of champagne.

Lena sipped at it quietly and stared out the tinted window. Keith slid his arm around her shoulder and held on tight. They passed through the streets quite quickly and arrived at the hotel with a shower of flashing cameras. Police officers pushed back the crowd as Lena climbed from the limousine. Keith took her hand and pushed through the gathering insanity as the doorman made quick work of getting the two of them inside.

Kyle spotted her from across the entrance way and called out, “Lena.”

“Kyle,” She replied as she caught up to him. “This is Keith.”

“Nice to meet you again,” Keith said holding out his hand.

Kyle shook it and replied, “Again?”

“We met briefly in North Beach.” Keith replied.

“Oh,” Kyle responded with a shrug. “I’m glad you made it Lena. You’re just in time.”

“Great,” Lena replied as she was dragged off toward the ballroom.

The ballroom was decorated in red and white. It had tables placed near the back but they didn’t stop the horde of people from packing in all the way up to the stage. Lena was led through the crowd to the back of the stage where nine other ladies stood poised to be auctioned off for a good cause. Lena took her check book out of her wallet and handed it to Keith.

“I don’t care how much it costs. Don’t let me go home without you.” She begged.

“I won’t, I promise.” He replied daring the kiss at last.

“I’ll see you when it’s over.” She smiled.

Kyle dragged Keith away leaving Lena alone to wait. It wasn’t a long wait. She was called up on stage third. As she made her way through the curtain the men whistled. She looked over as Keith let out a howl, part of her wanting to howl back as she was introduced. She kept her mouth shut and put on a smile as she walked to the front of the stage.

We have a special guest this evening.” The lady with the microphone stated. “Author, Lena Crawford. Shall we start the bidding at one thousand dollars?”

Keith waved the check book and the lady pointed, “Thank you sir. We have one thousand, do we have two?”

Behind the crowd a man raised his hand. Lena couldn’t see him but the auctioneer did clearly. She strained to see over the crowd and failed as the lady continued on.

“Thank you sir,” She stated and moved on. “We have two can I get three?”

Keith held up the check book again causing Lena to smile.

“That’s three, how about four?” The lady asked. “We have four, can I get five?”

Keith was in an all out battle for Lena. He couldn’t see the man on the other side of the crowd as the bid reached nine thousand dollars.

“This is just amazing.” The auctioneer gasped. “We have nine is there ten?”

Again the man at the back raised his hand, frustrated Keith yelled out “Fifteen.”

“We have fifteen.” The lady stated shaking her head in awe.

“Twenty,” The other man shouted.

Lena thought for a moment that she recognized the voice as Keith shouted out, “Twenty five.”

“Twenty nine,” The other man countered.

“Thirty two,” Keith replied.

“It’s up to thirty two thousand dollars. Anyone else?” the lady asked. “Thirty two going once, twice; congratulations sir.”

Lena breathed a sigh of relief as she climbed down off the stage, taking Keith’s hand.

“That was intense.” She hissed as they made their way over to the table to pay the debt. “Who was that other man?”

“I don’t know. I couldn’t get a good look at him.” Keith replied as he handed her back the check book.

Lena made out the check and handed it over. Keith took her hand and led her away from the crowd. They passed through the double doors back into the main lobby. They thought they were clear of the insanity when Keith was suddenly wretched free of her grasp.

The assailant threw Keith against the wall and held him there by his throat. Keith growled manically as Lena feared that he would shift at any moment. The man hissed back defiantly as Lena realized who it was.

“John!” She cried out. “What in the hell are you doing?”

Lena tried to pull John away from Keith. His eyes glowed as red as her gown as he barred his fangs. She gasped and took a step back as all the memories lost to her flooded back at once. She couldn’t grasp a single one of them as they slowly slipped away.

“I told you to move on and forget about this world.” John growled at her.

“I don’t understand.” She stammered. “Keith?”

“Lena, I’m sorry.” Keith replied as John finally let him go. “I tried to tell you.”

“Do you want to bring the wrath of the dark father down upon us all?” John howled at Keith.

“That was never my intent.” Keith stated.

“Is there a problem here?” Kyle asked as he appeared in the doorway.

John grabbed him and stared into his eyes, “There is no problem. You have seen nothing.”

John released Kyle as he parroted, “I have seen nothing.”

“I am begging you. Don’t do this Tris Morte.” Keith said trying to steer him away from Lena.

“I will not stand by and watch you selfishly put her in harm’s way. You know what she is.” John replied harshly. “You have to let her go, just like I had to.”

“Keith,” Lena whimpered as John looked into her eyes. “You promised me.”

Keith turned away as John began to speak, “Lena, you will forget about all of this. To you, we were nothing but a story.”

“Just a story,” Lena replied coldly.

Keith wanted to cry as he watched her slip away from him. John didn’t stop there.

“Kyle is going to take you out for a nice dinner and then take you home since he won the auction tonight.” John stated.

“Alright,” She replied as he let her go.

“Take her out to dinner Kyle.” John ordered.

Kyle held out his arm. John put Lena’s hand on it and watched as they walked away. Keith tried to go after her but John held him back.

“I can’t take your pain from you brother. But you have to forget her.” John said sadly.

“I’ll never forget her.” Keith said as he wretched his arm free and stormed off.

Lena woke up in the morning with a solid throbbing headache. She felt like she had drunk way more than the two glasses of wine she had shared with Kyle over supper. She made her way into the kitchen to make a pot of coffee and cursed aloud when she realized she was out. She slipped into her shoes and grabbed her car keys, not caring how she appeared before her first cup of coffee.

Lena made her way out to the car. As she climbed inside something in the back seat caught her attention. She turned back and lifted the black duffel bag into the front seat. As she went through it she thought she could smell a faint hint of wet dog. She didn’t recognize a thing in it and wondered where it had come from.

Lena didn’t let the thought linger. She shrugged thinking that someone had mistakenly left it in the car. She climbed out and threw it in the trash can on the curb before returning to her car. The Monte Carlo’s engine revved to life as she put it in gear and pulled out of the driveway.

In that moment when Lena turned the corner and vanished from sight, Keith made his way across the street and pulled his duffel bag out of the trash. He had hoped in the moment he had seen her grab it that she would remember something. He begged for anything, but watched as she shrugged it off and threw it away. She was gone from him forever.

Keith took his bag, climbed back into his rental car and headed north. Away from Lena, away from the pain; he returned alone to his pack, his heart forever gone.

Lena returned to her home with the coffee she purchased at the corner market. Kyle was waiting for her on the porch as she put her car in park. She walked up to him and suffered through an awkward hug.

“You weren’t answering your phone again.” He said as he released her.

“I didn’t take it with me. I was out of coffee.” She replied as she brushed past him and made her way inside.

“I had a great time last night.” He said following her through the front door.

“Me too, it was nice.” She replied casually.

“We should do it again some time.” He prodded.

“We do it all the time Kyle.” She replied rolling her eyes.

“It was different last night,” He pouted. “There was something special about it.”

“I don’t know what you think you’re seeing Kyle. It was just like every other event.” She countered.

“I saw an opportunity at normality.” He replied. “One that maybe you’d like to experience together.”

“Kyle,” She sighed. “I’m not doing this with you again.”

“I really like you Lena,” He said quietly.

“I can’t believe this.” She growled.

“Give it a chance, please?” He begged.

“Screw this, I’m out,” She said grabbing her laptop bag and purse.