Louis made his way back downstairs where the pack members were waiting. They had all congregated in the living room, and Louis first ventured into the kitchen to pull a couple of popsicles out of the freezer. When Louis returned to the living room he squatted down as everyone waited for him to explain their new guest. Louis handed Gabrielle and Giraud each one of the sweet treats. Gabrielle’s strawberry blonde pigtails bobbed as she reached out and took the wooden handle and smiled at Louis from behind Colette’s legs. Giraud was different little beast all together. He glared at Louis from behind Colette, but Louis wasn’t threatened. At the age of six, Giraud was a fearsome little monster and gave his mother a run for her money, which is why Louis felt the need to step in as a father figure to the boy when he was out of line. The truth was, Louis adored the kids and figured they were the closest he would ever get to having children of his own.

“No, Giraud? I guess I will enjoy your popsicle, then. It’s your favorite flavor, too. I guess I will just have to…” Louis stuck his tongue out but before he could taste any strawberry, Giraud darted around his mother’s legs and stood in front of him with one hand on his hip and the other held out to take the frozen treat. Giraud was wearing a pirate outfit and had a tiny plastic sword strapped to his side with an eyepatch and swashbuckler’s hat to complete the ensemble. “Are you pirating my popsicle!?” Louis clutched one hand over his heart and pretended to be afraid of the little tyrant.

Gabrielle giggled, and Giraud turned to glare at his sister. Louis quickly snatched the hat from his head and placed it on his own, so that when Giraud turned back around, his blue eyes immediately darted to the hat. The adults in the room fought to suppress their chuckles. Louis laughed and placed the hat back on Giraud’s head and then handed over the popsicle. “I am sorry I snapped at the two of you earlier. We have a new guest and he is not well. Please help make him feel welcome when you see him and let him rest when he is in his room.”

Giraud and Gabrielle nodded complacently, both of them now fixated on their treats.

“What’s his name?” Daumier asked. He was playing with a yoyo. The toy seemed out of place for his six-foot two stature, and his dark skin, hair, and eyes. He had come from Côte d'Ivoire, along the Western Cape of Africa. His parents emigrated to Maine with Daumier and his six siblings . His parents now lived in Waterville retirement home and his siblings were spread out all over northern Maine, some having started families of their own. One was a priest in Saint Mary’s Catholic Church and another had become a potato farmer far up north in Aroostook County. Daumier had chosen to remain in Bangor, having befriended Louis there. They had grown thick as thieves while doing their duties for the state, and now as game wardens for the werewolves.

“His name’s Henry. He’s on the run from a rival gang in Quebec. That was all I was able to get out of him before delirium and hunger took over, and once he ate, he was too fatigued to question any further. Henry will remain here until he is healthy again, and I will look into the situation is Quebec.”

“I could do that for you,” Daumier offered.

“No, I’ll handle this one myself.”

Daumier looked confused but didn’t question him further. Louis was sure Daumier would corner him and ask why he decided to take on the task of looking into Henry’s background himself, a task he usually delegated to Daumier.

“Let me know if he holds any business ventures, owns properties or needs any legal recourse to be taken care of. It will be a bit difficult as it is now an international affair, but not impossible to help him,” Phillip spoke up. He was a short, plump man with a balding head and a handlebar mustache. Phillip usually wore a newsboy cap to keep his head warm, but in the heat of the day, perspiration beaded on the top of his head.

Phillip had been vacationing with his new wife in Bangor when a drunk driver had left the roadway and veered onto the sidewalk, striking and killing her. The legal system had swept her case under the bridge and the drunk driver had gotten away with fines, rehab and a few misdemeanor traffic violations, but everyone knew that the judge presiding over the case was biased against werewolves. Phillip had earned his law degree not long after and pursued justice for on behalf of the werewolves of Maine in place of the justice he was denied for his wife.

Phillip himself hadn’t been quite right ever since, occasionally succumbing to spells of deep depression. Louis had taken him in and given Phillip a home full of people who would help him through the tough times. Phillip was always quick to jump in and help, especially after Louis had gone and found the drunk driver and “handled” the situation better than the justice system had. Louis had left the guy alive--he wasn’t a cold-blooded killer--but the guy had willingly given up his keys after Louis had paid him a visit. Louis checked on him every now and then and the most pedal the guy was pushing these days was a bicycle, ensuring he would cause no more accidents.

“I’ll let you know.” Louis nodded to Phillip as he took out a handkerchief to mop up his brow.

The rest of the pack stared at Louis, waiting for more of an explanation, but he had none to give. None of the people here were the ones who had started the fight on the border that had unwittingly made he and Henry enemies, but they might not take kindly to Henry being in the house if they knew who he really was. Louis needed to get a better sense of the situation and see where each individual stood. He needed to know if any of them would challenge Henry if they found out his true identity. He wasn’t yet sure just who he could trust with this information.

“Has anyone seen Pierre?” Louis asked. The silent response from the room was enough to tell him that Pierre had indeed been spotted and was probably passed out in his room from an all-night bender. Sleeping until four in the afternoon and waking up to go out and get drunk and high all over again was not unusual for the anxiety-ridden twenty-two-year-old. Pierre was probably Louis’ toughest case. Short of throwing him out, Louis wasn’t sure how to help Pierre just yet. Sure, he could continue to demand that Pierre get sober, but that only ensured that Pierre would just continue the behavior. Louis could be the Alpha he was and force Pierre to stop, but that would just make Pierre rebel even harder. Louis could kick Pierre out, let him get a taste for life on the streets, but Louis didn’t think he could find it within himself to put a wolf under his care out on the street.

“I checked to make sure Pierre wasn’t drowning in his own vomit about an hour ago.” Lizette looked at him between the curtains of her black hair. Her eyes were such a dark brown it was startling how pale her skin was. Lizette often looked out for Pierre because they were close in age, but she had her own demons to battle. The evidence was in the pale lines on the insides of her wrists that she covered up with black studded wristbands that matched the rest of her Goth wardrobe. Lizette was doing much better having been with Louis for several years now. She was the one who initially brought Pierre to Louis, and if it was anyone who was going to get through to him, it would be Lizette.

“Tell him to clean up and stay in tonight. We have a stranger in the house and I want all wolves on deck and running with me tonight for the full-moon. Colette will need help with the kids because they're getting faster.”

“I can help Colette.” Matthew held up his hand. Louis smiled at him appreciatively.

“Very good, it’s settled then. I’ll ask if Henry would like to join us for the run.” His pack nodded hopefully, always interested in newcomers, and Louis noticed Matthew looking longingly at Colette, who was trying very hard not to look back at him. It was as if the two of them thought Louis would mind if they got together, but Louis really didn’t. He actually thought they would be perfect for one another. Both had demure dispositions and apart from being extremely socially awkward, Matthew would be good for Colette after her overbearing husband. Matthew pushed his glasses up on his face and bent down to talk to the kids.

“Would you like to run with me tonight, Giraud?” The little boy stared up at the gentle giant. Matthew’s sweater vest rode up on his button-down shirt and he looked all kinds of big goofy nerd. Matthew’s curly brown hair wrapped around his ears, and he reminded Louis of a cross between the characters Steve Urkel and Denis the Menace.

Giraud nodded up at Matthew and then read him the joke that was printed on his popsicle stick.

Satisfied his instructions to the members of his household were understood, Louis turned and walked back through the door and into the kitchen. He grabbed a loaf of bread and began making some sandwiches, which would only be a precursor to the evening meal in an hour. Louis was constantly eating, because wolf metabolism was higher than humans. He imagined that Henry would be ready to eat again, as he had been so starved. Louis figured it was best to bring Henry something else before he brought him down to meet the rest of the pack. That way it lessened the danger of his instincts taking over and unintended challenges occurring over food.

“It’s unlike you to take such a vested interest in a werewolf’s background.” Daumier had come into the kitchen behind him and Louis stiffened. Daumier’s statement was borderline challenging his instructions, but to calm himself Louis assured his wolf that it was nothing more than a polite inquiry.

“You were there when I pulled him out of the water. He was starving, beaten, injured and half dead. Of course I am taking an interest in him.”

“I meant no offense, Louis. It's just that you usually let me look into the background of new household members.”

“Well, I don’t know if he will be staying yet. Do you have an issue with my instructions?”

Daumier held up his hands when Louis turned to look at him. Daumier knew Louis was close to changing, as his wolf was always especially restless on the eve of a full moon, but Daumier had been pushing a lot in general lately. Louis was worried this meant a challenge was coming from his good friend, and he had been thinking about what he would do if the challenge came to pass. He had decided that he would offer Daumier territory in the north to form his own pack. Daumier was an alpha himself, even though he was under Louis, and if Louis sat down and had this discussion with Daumier, it would save them from challenging one another, and he’d still get to keep Daumier as a friend and business partner.

But today was not the day for that discussion. Not on the eve of a full moon and with so much else on his plate. At the same time, Louis didn’t want Daumier thinking he wasn’t welcome in the house or that his offer to help look into Henry’s situation wasn’t appreciated.

“I don’t want you to worry about this one, Daumier. Let’s get through the full moon shift and then we will discuss it further.” Louis finished putting cold cuts on the four sandwiches he had made, and Daumier nodded, but Louis saw the look of reservation in his eyes. Louis hated it when one of his wolves closed themselves off to him and shut down. He felt like the work and progress they had made together was somehow being undone. Although Daumier hadn’t been a tough case, he had been there through the formation of their pack just as Louis had. They’d built this place together. It would never be the same without him, and the wolves would all miss him dreadfully if he went. It stung the most for Louis because Daumier was his very best friend.

At that moment, Pierre pushed through the door of the kitchen. He looked as pale and wasted away as a wraith and he smelled awful. The tang of alcohol and vomit wafted in the air after him. Louis wrinkled his nose in disgust but quickly masked it.

“You need to sober up for tonight, Pierre.” Louis’ tone was low but powerful. It was a command this time, not a request. It had the effect it needed to. Instead of perusing the contents of the fridge and ignoring him like he usually would have, Pierre’s spine straightened, and he looked at Louis.

“Yeah, Lizette told me. Newbie in the house.” Pierre saluted, and Louis closed his eyes, counting back from ten. The salute was sarcastic and massively disrespectful, and Louis bit his lip trying to focus on not whipping Pierre’s ass into shape right then and there in the kitchen.

“Be sober for the run tonight. I mean it. I need everyone to be thinking with a clear head. The full moon is hard enough for all of us, we’re more volatile, but it will be worse with someone new running with us and I don’t want any fights to break out.”

Pierre turned his attention back to the fridge and Daumier folded his arms across his chest while Louis sighed. There was only so much nagging Louis could do. He had a bad feeling that it was going to come down to something drastic with Pierre. He just didn’t know how much patience he had left.

Louis turned his attention back to the task at hand and retrieved a couple of bottles of water and nudged Daumier’s shoulder. He exited the kitchen, letting Daumier take over the task of nagging Pierre and went up the stairs. Louis sidestepped Gabrielle who was playing with her dolls on the steps, pretending they were entering a grand ball like in Cinderella. She even had a toy castle which looked just like the Chateau d'Aubiry located in Céret, France. The Chateau was said to have inspired the Disney version of Cinderella, and Gabrielle was obsessed with the tale, and her castle. If only tiny mice would help Colette and the rest of the adults clean this house. Then maybe Louis wouldn’t step on the tiny plastic shoes from Gabrielle’s dolls in the middle of the night.

Louis knocked on Henry’s door softly. “Hey, are you decent? I have more food.” Louis had to knock several times before he finally decided to just open the door and take his chances. The thought occurred to him that Henry might have tried to escape through a window, but given the state Louis had found him in, Henry wasn’t likely to survive long if he decided to jump out of the second story window and brave the Maine elements.

But Henry was there in the bed, curled up in a ball and wrapped in one of the bathrobes embroidered with the initials L.L.F and the pack emblem. He was fast asleep. Henry’s face was gaunt, but not in the life-threatening way it had been when Louis had found him. Louis was confident that with another few rounds of food in him before the shift tonight, he might just survive the transition.

Some wolves preyed upon weaker wolves. It was a natural instinct to wean the pack of the weak links, and something Louis and Daumier had a difficult time controlling. Since Louis welcomed all wolves, he had to battle the most basic instinct of all the members of his pack, not to mention he had to control the instinct within himself. They couldn’t help it, and Louis didn’t blame them, but he did want to give Henry a fighting chance at survival. Louis couldn’t think about the injuries he had seen on Henry’s body. The way the pack had clearly ripped right into Henry made his skin tight with the need to shift and protect. The man in Louis cringed at the injustice of it all. None of them would ever be held accountable. Henry would never be allowed to go back to the place he had called home. It made Louis’ blood boil knowing how hard society had worked for equality, especially in the LGBT community, but those social changes were much slower among the werewolf community.

Louis set the tray down once again on the bedside table and sat on the edge of the mattress, stroking Henry’s still-damp hair back from his forehead. Henry had been crying in the bathroom. Louis had heard him and seen him, and his heart broke for his enemy. Henry still wore the raw track marks of tears down his cheeks and his eyes were puffy where the rest of his face was hollow. Louis was pleased to see Henry respond to his touch, turning his cheek into Louis’ palm. It was a milestone when a wolf responded so subtly, even if it was subconsciously. It meant trust was being built. They had a long road ahead of them, and Louis knew Henry was keeping secrets from him, but he hoped those secrets were more of the personal ones he had already discovered, and none that would endanger Louis and his pack.

“Henry, wake up and eat some more. You need it” Louis gently shook his shoulder and the man blinked his eyes open in confusion for a moment before the horror of his circumstances seemed to come crashing back down around him all over again. “Hey, it’s okay. I brought you more food. See? Eat, and I will go find you some actual clothes. I think you are a little smaller than I am, so they will fit but you might have to roll the cuffs once or twice. We will go tomorrow and get you some new ones, okay?”

Henry just stared at Louis as if he still couldn’t fathom why Louis would possibly help him. Louis questioned himself also, though less the act of helping and more his own methods. He wasn’t usually so secretive, and he didn’t like keeping secrets from his pack. He really needed to decide what to do with Henry. It was one thing to take in a stray wolf, but it was another to take in the alpha of a rival pack. The pack might lose their faith and trust in Louis They had lived the last ten years thinking Henry was a monster, and yet here Louis was, letting Henry remain under his roof.

Louis searched himself, wondering what it was about this man that stayed his hand and held Henry’s fate at bay. Louis wanted to see a positive outcome to this ordeal, but that might not be possible given Henry’s reputation. Louis considered bringing Daumier in on the secret, but Daumier had strongly voiced his opinion that they should have raided the south when the attacks had happened and quelled the enemy to begin with.

Louis hadn’t listened to Daumier then, instead opting to patrol their borders and contain any attacks at those borders to singular incidences. If Daumier found out Louis had Henry here, now, he might attack Henry on sight out of principal. Louis couldn’t tell Daumier, not yet. The beast sometimes ruled the heart, and as much as Louis wanted the advice of his best friend, it was better to rule with his head and not his heart. Louis knew there was more to Henry’s story, more to Henry. He just had to wait it out. There was also a part of Louis that was enjoying caring for someone again. Most of the people in his house had been there for a while, and with the exception of the frustration Louis felt with Pierre, none of them were in mortal peril. Perhaps it made Louis perverse that he wanted to care for someone whose circumstances were so extreme, but he liked to think it was because he genuinely wanted to do good in his territory.

Henry sat up slowly and looked at the food. Louis picked up the tray and held it out to him. Henry accepted it with a shaking hand and this time forced himself to eat with a modicum of manners. Louis wanted to tell him it didn’t matter. His pink tongue darted out to taste the food before he opened his mouth to accept the bite, and Louis found himself so transfixed on the process that he knew he was in serious trouble if he were to begin focusing on Henry with the full onslaught of his lust. As it was, Louis was struggling to remain in his seat without squirming as he watched Henry’s mouth move in such a sensual, carefully deliberate way. How could eating be this erotic? Henry was the enemy, but apparently when Louis ignored his urges for too long, even the enemy became eroticized, and Louis’ desire saw only a man, not an enemy.