Haven
Alo called out as stormed through the parlor. “Have?” He got in front of his frustrated friend, placing his hands on the scowling man’s shoulders. “Hey. Stop, buddy. You okay?”
didn’t want to answer. What’s my excuse? “I will be,” he said under his breath. “It’s just—well, Strix wants us to find the werewolf we discovered tonight and bring him in.”
“And what, you worried he’s gonna give your sweet room to the new wolf in town?”
“No, not that. It’s just—I don’t know,” shook his head. He didn’t want to share more right now. “I just wish I never went out to sweep the forest tonight.”
Alo was studying his facial expressions. knew that if he could hide the truth from him, he could fool anyone. He could tell, though, that his friend didn’t seem fully convinced. He was surprised when Alo finally nodded. “That’s just how fate works, I guess, huh, ?”
“Guess so,” said, the warmth and kindness of his friend positively affecting his mood. He tried to shake off his frustration, at least for the moment, and found that it worked.
Alo moved quickly to the coffee table near them, grabbing up two of the three full glasses on it and handing one over to . “You know what could be a good idea, right?” he asked, an enthusiastic tone to his voice.
No,” sighed as he cradled the cup in his hand. “What?”
“The big mixer we’re having tomorrow night. Huge party, tons of new people, no stuffy old dogs like my brother,” Alo joked as he took a swig from his glass. “Well, technically, he’ll still be around, but… Why don’t we invite your cute new friend from the woods?”
winced at the suggestion. Does he—he doesn’t think I’m gay, does he? He took a drink, swallowing hard before responding. “Y-you think that’s a good idea?”
“I don’t think, my friend.” Alo’s face lit up. “ I know. ”
was hesitant to reveal the fact that he had Griff’s phone number, or share anything else about him. After all, it seems like Strix has Luna up his ass. Who’s to say she doesn’t have everyone else wrapped around her finger?
Still guarding the entry to Strix’s office, Gaius cleared his throat and tilted his head, making his presence known to the two friends. decided it might be best to continue their conversation elsewhere. His best friend—quickly sorting through a large collection of liquor bottles in an antique wine cabinet and grabbing up a favorite—was on the same page. “You wanna hit our favorite spot?”
The two friends took the bottle they were sharing up to the rooftop of the manor, their special getaway from the rest of the house that could only be accessed through ’s balcony. Over the railing they went—now tipsy and shirtless—to howl at the moon.
With liquor in his system, wondered if he should let any of his new secrets slip.
“What’s on your mind, Have?” Alo asked as he passed the bottle.
grabbed for it, but found Alo wasn’t letting go. “Nothin’,” he quickly replied.
“Come on, you’ve got to tell me something,” Alo said, tugging the bottle back. “Anything.”
“Oh, fine ,” the Australian werewolf sighed. “It’s just Fen’s little vision from earlier.”
“I know, man,” Alo said excitedly. “I’ve been craving cake ever since.”
“Real funny,” rolled his eyes. “You know what I’m talking about.”
“Wolf with Two Powers! Grrr, argh!” Alo said in a silly voice, raising his arms up as though he were imitating a ghost, zombie, or maybe even Frankenstein. “Is that what’s got you going?”
“I know I’m not exactly the most experienced werewolf, but I’ve never heard of something or someone like that before,” said . “Have you?”
“Well, Magnus has got that special howl he does. On top of that, he puts up with Fen’s antics,” replied Alo. “Sounds like he might be our guy, ‘cause that second thing would be tough to do.”
cracked a smile, but stayed silent.
“Come on,” Alo swatted at his friend’s arm. “You don’t think it’s me, do you?”
“Well…” ’s voice trailed off, a sarcastic smirk crossing his lips.
“Oh, please,” Alo chuckled. “We all know that the wolf gift is recessive in my family line. Neither Strix nor I have ever had one. I mean, at least not yet, anyway.”
“Wait, really?” asked . “I mean, I knew you didn’t, but Strix doesn’t have one either?”
“Not that I know of,” Alo said as he took another swig. “Either way, he’s never told me.”
rubbed his temples, thinking back to the first time he first used his special ability. “Don’t some develop only when you need them?”
“Like, uh, in the heat of battle or something?” Alo scratched his head. “Well, that’s how we found out about your healing, huh? When the only human on our football team broke his back, and you healed him right then and there. Remember the look on coach’s face? Don’t think they’ve allowed a single normie on the team since.”
nodded. “Wild times.”
“’t had another one develop or anything, have you?”
shook his head no, but his mind wandered back to the strange rash that appeared on his hand earlier. “Sometimes I wonder, though…”
“Well, what about the scratch your new wolf friend gave you? Think he passed on his power to you?” Alo asked. “Let me see.”
“Not sure.” reluctantly leaned forward so Alo could inspect his back.
“Ah, too dark out here to see it. All I see is the same tattoo I have,” said Alo as he stood, patting his friend on the shoulder. “I wouldn’t think too hard on it. Prophecies are overrated, anyway. You sure that’s all that’s bothering you?”
No, thought to himself as he swallowed hard. The liquor in his system gave him enough courage to share more, but not everything. “I, uh, chatted a little bit with that guy back in Howling Timbers, actually. He goes to Moonhaven. I’m not sure what came over me, but I came out as bisexual to him tonight. Don’t think I’ve ever told anyone that… n-not even my best friend.”
He waited for a reaction with bated breath. “Oh, dang,” Alo said, his lips slowly curving up into a smile. “I bet that took some courage.”
“It did.”
“Well, I’m sure your best friend would be completely accepting, tell you that he loves you no matter what, and might even confess to you that he’s felt a little bit gay himself since the night you guys first transformed. All that typical sappy stuff,” Alo replied, placing a steady hand on ’s shoulder and giving it a good squeeze. “You know, if you ever decide to tell him, of course.”
sighed. It was like he was suddenly relieved of a heavy weight he didn’t know he was carrying. His best friend’s response was perfectly sweet. And wait, what? I could’ve been trying to hit on Alo this whole time?
“So, he’s a cutie, huh?”
“Real cute,” replied, a silly grin forming on his face. He never expected to talk about guys with his closest friend. “Thing is, um, I guess he might already have a boyfriend?”
“Seems like you said that as a question.”
“Well,” began , “you see, he told me he’s polyamorous.”
“Ah, so like Sister Wives ?” Alo asked, much to ’s horror. “Just kidding, Have. Though I have no experience with it, I think that’s pretty common in every clan under the Canid Throne.”
“It is?” raised a brow. “Now that you say that, I guess I do remember some of that from Intro to Lycanthropy.”
Alo nodded. “Was he marked by another werewolf?”
“Huh?” asked . “Wait, that’s really a thing?”
“I mean, I don’t know,” replied Alo. “I’ve heard it is. Next you’re gonna tell me you don’t even know what knotting is.”
“Oh, come on.” blushed. Trust me, with how much I used to fantasize about you doing it to me, I definitely know what knotting is, he thought to himself.
Alo smiled at before letting out a yawn and throwing his arms up to the sky as he stretched.
“You about to call it a night?” asked .
“Gotta get my beauty sleep for tomorrow night’s party,” Alo nodded as he made his way back to the balcony ledge. “After all, I want to do my best to impress your new normie friend—or is it date?”
“I’ll only answer that if you promise you’re not using normie as a derogatory statement,” shot back , well aware it was a nickname the boys of Dark Moon Manor often called non-shifter humans. “Besides, I haven’t even invited him yet. He’s probably busy, anyway.”
“You’ll never know until you ask,” Alo said with a wink.
“Good night,” said with a smile. “Love you, mate.”
“Love you, too, buddy. Don’t stay up too late.”
let out a long sigh as Alo disappeared inside. As soon as he heard his bedroom door close, he leaned back onto the roof tile and stared up at the night sky. The moon lay amongst a sea of stars, and the view was breathtaking.
Phone in hand, he finally found the words to write to Griff.
I hope I’m not doing the wrong thing, he thought to himself. But I can do what I’m told and protect him again if I have to. His friends, too, I suppose. Whatever it takes to get Luna out of the clan’s hair, and for Strix to lay off of me.