Ashley headed back into the locker room dripping sweat. It was Monday and they were all back in school. She’d received a week of detention for what she’d done to Monica, but that wasn’t so bad. Especially since the track coach had worked it out to let Ashley still run with them even though it was part of her detention time.

Most of the weekend had been spent talking to Nathaniel about him being a werewolf. It was a weird thought but the more she heard, the more it intrigued her. She wasn’t afraid he’d come and eat her or anything else strange. He was still just the same guy to her. She’d have more time to spend with him in detention later in the week.

Ashley slammed her locker shut and jumped when she saw Mary next to her. Trying to relax, she smiled at her. “You scared me.”

“So it’s true then,” said Mary with a devilish smile.

“What’s true?” Ashley couldn’t help but notice how inquisitively Mary was looking at her.

“This.” Mary reached out and pulled the necklace Nathaniel had given her out from beneath her shirt. She’d only had the necklace for a few days now, but this was the first time anyone had noticed it. “Where did you get this?”

“My boyfriend gave it to me.”

“You mean Nathaniel.”

“How do you know Nathaniel?” Mary let the necklace fall back to her shirt and smiled.

“Really Ashley? You still haven’t figured it out?” Now Ashley was confused. She didn’t like the way Mary was smiling at her. It was like they were playing a game only Ashley didn’t understand the rules.

“What exactly am I supposed to be figuring out?”

“Why I know Nathaniel? Why I knew you had that necklace and know his big secret?”

Big secret? Did Mary mean the secret of Nathaniel being a werewolf? It hadn’t even been a week and already somebody else was hinting at it. Mary relaxed against the lockers and gave her a toothy grin.

“What do you know?” Ashley asked concerned.

“Everything.”

“How?” Mary put her hands behind her and relaxed. She didn’t respond, but gave her this look of you’re stupid. Ashley really hated that look. Mary did it just as well as Nathaniel could. Then it dawned on her. The answer was on her PE shirt. Mary L.

“You’re Nathaniel’s little sister.” Mary started to clap.

“It’s alright. Almost nobody ever figures out we’re related.”

“Liz mentioned he had a brother and sister here. I knew about Kevin, but nobody mentioned you.”

“It’s because I’m a freshman and nobody cares. Nathaniel is the oldest boy and has a reputation. Kevin is a junior and is following in Nathaniel’s footsteps. I’m just a freshman on the track team. Almost everyone is terrified to pick on me because of my older brothers.”

“So I’ve been dating your brother for almost three weeks and you never decided to tell me before now?”

“Eh, I figured you’d get weird around me. I also figured I could spy on you for a bit.”

“Spying on me?” Ashley crossed her arms. “You’ve been spying on me?” Mary laughed.

“A little. Nathaniel doesn’t date and he likes you. A sister can’t help but look into it.”

“Do I pass your standards?” Ashley raised her arms and spun in a circle. Mary smiled.

“You’re fine by me and Nathaniel for sure, especially since you’re wearing his pendant. I never thought he’d be parted from that. I’m still surprised he gave it to you after just three weeks. I suppose it makes sense since you know the family secret. I think you’re kind of with us no matter what.” As Mary had regarded her differently before, now Ashley looked at her differently. It’d been one thing to find out Mary was Nathaniel’s sister, but if she was it meant she too was a werewolf.

“So you’re also…” Mary held a finger to her lips and nodded. Then she opened her mouth to show her her canines. They were larger than normal just like Nathaniel’s. “Weird to know eh?”

“Getting used to it. The initial shock has passed.”

“You’re not scared?”

“Surprisingly no. I’m afraid of jackals now.” Mary nodded.

“They won’t come here anymore. They aren’t even allowed in these parts. If we see them again we’ll hunt them down.”

“As much as that statement should alarm me, it doesn’t. You seem oddly mature and calm about all this.”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“I kind of have to be. Do you know what puberty is like for me?” Ashley grimaced.

“I’d rather not imagine.”

“Neither would I, but I already know. Shall we?” Ashley followed Mary out of the locker room and out into the school. The days were definitely getting chillier. She had her coat on, but Mary just went around in a shirt. She looked at her in disdain.

“Does anybody in your family ever get cold?” Mary laughed.

“Not really. We usually wear coats just for the comfort or for style. People also look at us weird when we walk around in the winter in regular shirts.” Ashley nodded and looked around to make sure no one was listening. She didn’t want to risk saying the wrong thing to someone and let Nathaniel’s secret out. The school for the most part was empty though and anyone who was left didn’t seem to care to listen.

“So where are you going?” asked Ashley.

“I’m walking to my dad’s shop. When he gets off work we’re all going home together.”

“Do you want a ride?”

“Sure. My brother should be there and I’m sure my dad will want to say hi now.” Ashley waited until they had the seclusion of the parking lot and her jeep before she started to talk again.

“So does your whole family know that I know now?”

“Yeah,” said Mary as they got in the jeep. “Nathaniel came home and we all knew something was wrong from the get go. Oh what a night that was.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. The whole family had to sit down and talk about you and the jackals. It was a big night for us. My dad always said a night like this would come, but none of us were really ready for it.” Ashley started to drive out of the parking lot and grinned.

“If it makes you feel any better, it was a big surprise for me too.”

“I bet it was. Sorry you had to see it that way. I still have a hard time believing you’re taking this all so well.” Ashley shrugged.

“As I told your brother, what choice do I have? I can either accept it or run away screaming. And your brother has saved my life twice now. Werewolf or not, if he wanted something bad to happen to me, he would’ve let it happen by now.”

“Good. My brother would never let anything bad happen to you.” Mary started laughing. “Mom totally freaked out. I thought she was going to make us move at the rate she was going. It takes a lot to panic my mom, but you both had her going. She’s calmed down a bit now. As long as you don’t go to the authorities anytime soon, I think she’ll be okay.”

“So does this mean I’m accepted?” asked Ashley.

“If you can handle our secret, I’d say so. But we’ll see, my mom is a little over protective of us at times. Just wait until you meet her.”

They pulled into the parking lot and they both got out of the car. Ashley walked a little behind Mary. She wasn’t sure how Nathaniel’s family would take to her now. Just inside the open door, Mary called out.

“Hello dad! Hello brothers!”

“Hello,” said Nathaniel from within an opened car that he was working on. Kevin said a quieter hello as he searched through a toolbox. Her dad was in the office working on something.

“Hello Mary,” her dad called back. “You got here quick. Did they let you out early?”

“No, I hitched a ride.” As one, all three heads turned to look at Ashley. Ashley went red, but at the same time smiled. Now that she knew they were werewolves, she was beginning to see their resemblance to dogs. The way they all turned reminded her of dogs when you made a loud, sudden noise. They had the same excited look. Nathaniel began to wipe his hands on a rag and Morgan came out of the office.

“Hello Ashley,” Morgan said. “How are you today?”

“I’m okay. Just dropping Mary off.”

“And seeing my boy no doubt.” Ashley shared Nathaniel’s smile.

“Maybe.” Nathaniel came around his dad and hugged her. She squeezed him back and they shared a quick kiss. Ashley stayed red as Morgan watched the exchange. Nathaniel obviously wasn’t bothered by it.

“How was track?” he asked her.

“Track was fine. Mary followed me around afterwards and I felt I should give her a lift.”

“Good of you,” said Morgan. “I appreciate you giving Mary a ride here.”

She nodded and they all kind of stood around for a minute looking at each other. Ashley wasn’t sure whether she should leave or stay. Thankfully the silence was broken by Kevin who still hadn’t looked up from his tools.

“Do we have to have the awkward moment? Ashley knows now and it’s only us here.” Nathaniel shrugged and Morgan conceded.

“No I suppose not,” said Morgan. “Well Ashley, how do you feel knowing what you do?” Ashley felt an interrogation coming on and wanted to hide.

“I don’t know. I don’t feel all that different.”

“She’s scared of jackals now,” said Mary.

“Not a bad fear,” said Morgan. “But we’ve made sure they won’t be coming back so you don’t have to worry about them. I can assure you, you don’t have anything to worry about with us.” Ashley nodded.

“I know.” Morgan grinned at her.

“I know. You wouldn’t be here if you did.” Ashley tensed and took a step back. Nathaniel squeezed her shoulders and Mary slapped her dad in the stomach.

“My dad didn’t mean that in a bad way.” Nathaniel said apologetically. “He meant you wouldn’t come visit us if you were afraid of us.” Morgan took a step back and tugged his collar.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize how bad that sounded.”

“Way to go dad!” shouted Kevin. “I’ve got five bucks that you make her run before mom even gets to meet her.”

“Oh shut up,” grumbled Morgan. “I’m sorry Ashley, I’ve had a long day and I’m obviously not thinking. Has Nathaniel invited you to dinner yet?” She shook her head.

“Well I would if you gave me a minute to talk to my girlfriend,” said Nathaniel. Morgan raised his hands and turned away.

“Alright, alright. You invite her. Ashley it was good seeing you again, I need to get back to work. Hopefully we’ll see you again soon.” Ashley smiled.

“You will.”

“Good,” said Mary. Nathaniel took Ashley around the side and walked her out of the shop.

“Sorry. My family is weird.”

“If they’re anything like you, I know. So I’m invited to dinner?”

“This Saturday my mom wants to put on a big dinner. My family and I were hoping you’d come.”

“Sure. What time?”

“I’d pick you up around five.”

“Sounds good to me.” They got to the jeep and he kissed her. She hugged him and sighed into his shoulder.

“I suppose you have to get back to work.”

“Sadly yes.”

“Think your family will like me?”

“They’ll like you. Give them some time and they’ll do anything for you.” Ashley grinned.

“Does this mean my jeep’s next tune up will be free?” Nathaniel started laughing. He kissed her and opened the door for her. She got in and looked back at him. “Is that a yes?”

“I’ll tell that one to my dad. He could use a good laugh today.”