For many teenagers, the night of the thirty-first of December was the most anticipated holiday of the year. Most had dinner with their parents and families, and after eating the twelve lucky grapes, they went out to party with their friends. Everyone dressed in their best clothes, and Sofia didn't want to be an exception, at least that year, so she spent a long time rummaging through her wardrobe until she decided on a pair of black pants, a copper-colored tank top and a dark blouse to match. It wasn't much, but she hadn't had the chance to go to so many parties that she could justify buying fancy clothes.

She didn't wear perfume, because she knew he wouldn't like it, but she did put on a little makeup. Nothing extraordinary, a little discreet shadow, lip gloss, eye liner and nothing more. She wasn't used to seeing herself in makeup, and anything that stood out too much would seem excessive. Once she had finished getting ready, she looked at herself in the mirror in the hallway. Very few times she remembered having seen herself so well dressed, and the worst thing was that she liked the image that was looking back at her. She liked that smiling girl who felt butterflies in her belly and had a blush on her cheeks that was not painted on, but real.

“I feel so silly, Kas. What will he think when he sees me like this?” she said, unable to control a smile that was somewhere between excited and embarrassed.

Kas just wagged his little tail, and Sofia laughed and bent down to stroke his head. Naturally, he didn't understand anything, but he was happy because his friend was happy. Something seemed to have caught his attention, because he raised his head and ears as if he was listening to something very interesting. A thousandth of a second later, he trotted towards the door and began to dance anxiously while whimpering.

It took Sofia a little longer to hear the sound of the motorcycle that had alerted her dog, but when it reached her ears, a knot of anxiety tightened her stomach. From the closet she pulled out her coat and it took her three tries before she managed to get her arm into the right sleeve to put it on properly. Then she took her keys, phone and wallet, and stuffed everything into her pockets with hands so shaky she could barely do it. The motorcycle stopped in front of the door. The idling engine increased her anxiety, and Sofia started to pant.

As she stared at her reflection in the mirror, at that strange contrast of her all dressed up and behaving like a dog, she took several deep breaths until she managed to calm down and straightened her coat and clothes. In reality, she was already looking good, but she needed a few seconds to stop her hands from shaking, and to calm both the beating of her heart and the energy in her chest. When she felt ready to leave, she took the leash from the hook where it always hung and leashed the dog.

“Let's go, Kas,” she told him as she opened the door.

A cold wind hit her face. The sky was overcast, covered with a blanket of pale, smooth clouds that threatened more snow. Night had fallen long ago, so the whole town was lit by its old street lamps and by the decorative lights on the windows, facades and trees on many of the houses. It had been six days since the full moon but the influence of the waning moon was enough for Sofia to feel its gentle caress.

Dave was there, astride his motorcycle. He was dressed in dark pants, a light shirt, and a white sweater with navy blue stripes. As always, he was wearing his black jacket, and the helmet, now hanging from the handlebars, had tousled his straight blond hair. Upon seeing him, Kas yanked on the leash and went at the boy with so much enthusiasm that he almost knocked him off the motorcycle. Dave, laughing, hugged the big black hulk. His laughter was crystalline and joyous, and his lips opened wide to reveal fangs that were slightly larger than usual and didn't look very human.

“Hello, Kas! How are you?” said the boy with that gleam of enthusiasm in his gaze.

“Down, Kas. You'll cover him all over with fur,” said Sofia, giving him a little tug on the leash.

With a short bark, the dog obeyed, but he kept wagging his little tail, excited by his friend's visit.

“Don't worry. It doesn't bother... oh...” His words fell silent at the sight of her, and a soft blush began to creep into his cheeks.

“Is something wrong?” A little uncomfortable, Sofia looked away and licked her lips.

“Nothing. I just wasn’t expecting that you... You look...” He cleared his throat. “It... it suits you.”

A warm blush began to tinge Sofia's cheeks pink. As she looked up, her eyes met her friend's, who had a shy smile on her lips that mirrored her own. He didn't hold it back as much as he used to, at least not when he was with her, so Sofia could see the tip of his fangs peeking out from underneath, and she'd be lying to herself if she said she didn't find that attractive. They gave him a wild and dangerous look that she found very appealing, because she knew what they were capable of.

“Thanks for joining me to take Kas out,” Sofia said, offering him the leash.

Dave dismounted his motorcycle and accepted the leash. As he took it, his hand wrapped around hers, and Sofia could feel a gentle trembling that she found a little concerning. It was probably just the cold, though his skin seemed warm enough, though after what happened in the forest path she couldn't help but worry. That he was barely joining her to go running didn't help to ease her mind either.

“Don't thank me. If I'm being honest, I'd rather have a plan like this than go to Sara's house,” commented the boy as they walked through the streets towards the park. “Don't get me wrong, her sisters are very nice and Sara is a good friend, but I'm a bit boring and I prefer quieter plans."

“I wouldn't call you boring. Different, maybe, but you're not boring,” Sofia commented with a warm smile.

Dave let out a quiet sigh and licked his lips.

“Yeah, I guess I am different,” he said in a quiet tone, and looked down at the dog.

“Hey, I'm not saying it's a bad thing. I like that you're different.” Sofia took his hand to give it a gentle squeeze and twisted her lips into an encouraging smile.

“I appreciate it, and I know you mean it, but being different has given me a lot of trouble throughout my life. I like being the way I am, the things I can do are amazing but sometimes...” he looked down the street, at the people who laughed and chatted animatedly as they walked through it. “Sometimes it's hard.”

After giving her a fleeting look of longing, Dave shook his head and continued walking toward the park. Sofia tilted her head to the side and followed him silently, but kept watching him discreetly. The snow that covered the streets crunched under his feet with every step, even when he was very quiet when walking. It was something Sofia had noticed, Dave had mastered stealth so well that he did it without thinking.

When they reached the park, Dave released Kas, who went off to sniff around some bushes, and returned the leash to its owner. Sofia hung it up like a bandolier and looked around. There were more people walking their dogs than she thought there would be. Some were alone while others were smiling faces chatting and laughing with a friend or relative who had come to visit. With her fine hearing she was able to hear snatches of conversation where they talked about people she didn't know, job topics she didn't understand, and political matters that didn't interest her. These were all mundane conversations.

“Being different isn't easy,” Sofia commented as she followed Kas with her gaze.

“No, it's not. How do you do it?” Dave blurted out. Sofia's heart skipped a beat and she couldn't help but lick her lips. “Sorry for asking. I... I've noticed that you're like me, partly at least. Your behavior is like mine.”

“I have a lot of discipline. It's something I've learned since I was little,” Sofia said with a shrug. “But you had to show up to make me lose control. I've never let myself go as much as when I'm with you,” she added with a broad smile that didn't even try to hide the blush on her cheeks.

Then she did something she knew he would understand, another gesture of affection among cinanthropes. She leaned into him and rested her arm and her side against his. In dog language that was a hug. As she expected, he understood and a wide smile that seemed to brighten his gaze appeared on his lips. He was like a confused and frightened pup, and he seemed to feel a little less alone knowing that there were others who were like him.

“I wish I had your discipline,” he said as he looked at Kas, who had stumbled upon a golden retriever friend of his and they were both running around the park. “I've never been able to fully control my behavior. I have a hard time. It shows that I'm... different.”

Dave looked down at his hands. They were shaking a little again. He let out a frustrated huff and lowered them sharply before turning his head to sniff the air to his right. Sofia watched him discreetly and, after a quick mental calculation, bit her lip. It was being the same as the previous month, the stereotypies started about a week after the full moon, when the moon's influence was starting to weaken. It didn't make any sense.

“You told me you had problems in high school,” Sofia commented.

“Not only in high school. The kids at my town have tormented me ever since I was six years old.” A growl seeped into his voice, but the boy tightened his lips and held it back. The hair on the back of his neck had bristled.

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“Six years old! You were only a child!” Sofia exclaimed, horrified.

“I was, and I was also the class weirdo. I had three good friends, and that made things easier, but I felt guilty because they were targeted only because they hanged out with me.” He looked up at the sky. “I miss them,” he said in a voice that was barely a whisper.

Sofia bit her lip. She could understand his pain for she too had lost good friends. Yes, they were hunters and therefore they were her enemy, but they were childhood friends she missed. She reached for his hand and let her fingers, which were beginning to feel cold, tangle with his. Dave let out a small gasp and looked down at her. Sofia smiled and moved closer to him until she was able to feel the warmth of his body and the scent he gave off. It was intoxicating and pleasant, but he was once again losing the forest aroma.

“I know it's no consolation, but you've made good friends here with the people from class. At least with Sara, with me, and even Lola and her little group of henchmen seem to like you,” Sofia commented.

“Because I haven't done anything too weird yet. At some point some strange behavior will slip out and they'll notice that I'm different. Then the taunts, the nicknames and the ridiculous rumors will come back.” Dave’s shoulders sank and he let out a long and deep sigh that sounded exhausted.

“I've noticed that you’re different, and I don't care,” Sofia commented with a small, amused smile in an attempt to cheer him up a bit.

“You don't count!” he exclaimed. With a playful growl, he pounced on her and nibbled her neck.

Sofia giggled as she felt his little fangs brushing her skin, and all the barriers and self-control she used to keep her instincts at bay relaxed. Little by little she was reconnecting with her canine nature, because it was natural to share those gestures with him. Not only that, she also felt truly free for the first time, as if all her life she had been searching for that, another cinanthrope with whom she could be herself.

“But seriously, I'm glad I met you,” the boy said, and his smile softened.

Somewhat shyly, and very aware of the warmth she felt in her belly, Sofia smiled back and looked towards her dog, who was still playing with Thor, the golden retriever. Her fingers were still tangled with his. In that cold, feeling the warmth of his skin was pleasant, although the shudder that shook her was due to the soft caressed he was tracing on her hand with his thumb.

Kas dug his elbows into the ground and barked at Thor, and the other responded in kind. That way they came to the agreement that everything they did from then on would be a game. At the same time, the two dogs jumped to their feet and started running around the park. They seemed to be enjoying themselves so much that it was hard not to want that kind of life. It was so simple yet so rewarding at the same time. Sofia looked at the boy, who had a strange longing in his eyes as he watched the two dogs play in the snow.

“What are you thinking about?” Sofia asked.

“About... my biggest dream,” the boy commented. “Most people dream of big things like publishing a book, having a good job and making lots of money, or traveling. I... I just want a mate and a family but... who would want to be with someone like me?”

“Lola would be thrilled,” Sofia joked, although she couldn't help but notice a certain tightness in her voice as a pang of jealousy shook her.

“Yes, because she doesn't know what I'm really like. If she did, she'd run away in terror.” A deep growl rumbled in his throat. When he realized what he had done, he licked his lips and ducked his head. “I'm... I'm sorry. I'm trying to control it, but...”

“Don't apologize to me. Feel free to be yourself when you're with me,” Sofia said, while stepping in front of him with a wide smile and holding both his hands. The boy tilted his head to one side. “We spend our lives hiding, masking our natural behavior. Don't hide with me, let yourself go.”

“I... I shouldn't... I'm trying to control myself and...” He licked his lips and looked away to sniff the air around him.

“Me too, but why not do something crazy once in a while? It was you who incited me to howl with you,” Sofia commented. A deep blush began to appear on her cheeks as she recalled that moment when, unbeknownst to her, something awakened inside her.

“God, don't remind me. I still don't know how I let myself get carried away like that,” he said, and scratched the back of his head, ashamed.

“For me it was something very special. I'd never done it before and it's made me rethink a lot of things. Before, I just wanted to be able to have a normal life, but now I think that maybe this is not so bad.”

“God, Sofia, you can't imagine how special it was for me, too,” he gasped while looking at her as if she was the most incredible thing he had ever seen. “It's not that bad. It's... it's really amazing, but it's hard and you feel very lonely when you have no one to share it with.”

“Then share it with me,” the girl encouraged him.

“I'd love to. You can't imagine how much...”

With their hands still intertwined, the two teenagers exchanged glances and on their lips appeared twin smiles. Snow started to fall and they both looked up at the sky and opened their mouths in wonder. Until she met Sara, Sofia had never experienced Christmas like other children, she had never known the magic of enthusiasm. That night, surrounded by thick snowflakes, with the multicolored lights shining on the nearby houses, was being magical.

Again they looked into each other's eyes, and for a brief moment Sofia saw in his pupils the greenish glow that betrayed his nature as a nocturnal predator. Then the boy released her hands, took two or three steps away from her, opened his arms on either side and bowed forward in a curtsy. Instinctively Sofia understood that gesture, and without losing her smile or breaking eye contact, she imitated him.

Then they broke into a run through the park and the night filled with their laughter. Once again they shed their human disguise, at least in part, and embraced their dog nature. All around them were people walking their pets, but they didn't care. To outsiders they were just two teenagers giving vent to their inexhaustible energy. For them it was an instant of absolute freedom where, for a moment, they could be themselves without fear or shame.

Between dodges and jumps they danced on the snow, completely carefree. They had agreed that everything that would happen after that bow would only be a game. What neither of them took into account was that play between a male and a female could also be part of courtship.

After several sprints and evasions, Dave caught her, or perhaps it was Sofia who let herself be caught. The boy's arms closed around her waist and, with a playful growl, he nibbled her neck. Sofia also sought his skin but in a different way. Her hands tangled with his hair and she gently bit his ear. Intoxicated by his scent, she noticed that his playful nibbles had changed, and now traced a line of kisses down her jaw. A few inches from her mouth he stopped and looked at her confused. It was the same confusion she saw the first time. A trembling hand, uncertain, ascended to her cheek and his fingertips gently caressed her skin. For a few seconds time stood still, and only the two of them existed, their gazes intertwined in a mute question.

They both closed their eyes almost at the same time. The space between them grew smaller and smaller. Sofia could feel the warmth of his breath brushing against her skin and she braced herself to meet him. Her whole body shuddered and a flock of butterflies erupted in her belly. ‘This is crazy!’ she screamed in her head. But she wanted it, she really wanted it. She had been fantasizing about that kiss for days and she couldn't wait to feel the touch of his lips on hers. There, under the snowflakes falling from the sky, it couldn't have been more perfect.

Then she felt the blow, and the next thing she knew, they were both sitting on the snow, and Kas was looking at them with his ears down.

“Fuck, Kas!” Sofia exclaimed, and threw a handful of snow at him, which the dog dodged before scampering off again. It was obvious that, for him, it was just a game.

“Are you all right?” Dave asked.

“Yes. Are you?”

“Yeah, don't worry.”

As Kas returned to his games with the golden retriever, Dave stood up and, after shaking the snow off his pants, held out a hand towards her. Sofia hesitated. She wanted to feel the touch of his skin again but what had just happened between them had been all too real. However, the last thing she wanted was for it to make them strangers. After summoning her courage, she took his hand and allowed him to help her to her feet.

Back to a more upright position, they again looked into each other's eyes and in their crossed gazes appeared again that mute question that was reflected in the blush of her cheeks. However the magic had disappeared, at least for the moment, so with their hands intertwined, their smiles turned to embarrassed laughter and they decided in a silent agreement not to speak of that kiss that didn’t come to be.

“We'd better go drop Kas off. We're going to end up being late for Sara's party,” Sofia commented.

“Yes, we'd better,” the boy said with a shy smile.

While Sofia walked towards Kas, who was still playing with Thor, she held the leash to her chest. A quiet whimper rose to her throat but she controlled it so Dave couldn't hear it with his keen cinanthrope ears. When they laughed, she could clearly see his fangs. They were bigger, probably because he had let himself get carried away by his nature. ‘Shit’ she thought as she bit her lip. It was happening more often.

She had to talk to him, she had to warn him about what he was and what was going to happen to him, but she didn't know how to do it. What worried her most was not how he would react when she told him that his behavior was normal because he was not human, he was a dog and he was about to transform into what was his real form. What worried her the most was what would happen if he found out that she knew all about the supernatural world because she was a hunter. One only had to see how upset he got every time those two bastards talked about their misdeeds.

Another whimper rose up her throat and she hugged herself. If Dave found out that she'd spent years helping to track down and kill others like him, she would lose him.