“I just gotta remember not to pick my nose,” Xander said and pretended to pick his nose, eliciting a giggle from the boys and a snort from Ethan. “Also, maybe don’t scratch your bal…”
“Xander,” Rose said in warning and he grinned and coughed.
“I just got to be careful where I scratch,” Xander said and the boys giggled again. Ethan let his own claws grow and then his hands began to grow as well. Xander and Zahara did the same.
“Now, we might look totally different when we’re in our werewolf bodies, but we can understand everything you say. We just can’t talk, unless you know a dog that can talk,” Zahara said and she looked at the boys and they shook their heads. The dog from next door barked and everyone looked at him. Then they laughed.
“I wasn’t talking to you, mutt!” Zahara said and laughed.
“What if Ethan gets mad at us?” Lauren wanted to know.
“When we change, we don’t change out of anger. No matter how angry we get, we are still us. None of us has ever hurt someone that we didn’t want to hurt and none of us has ever hurt a child,” Xander said softly.
Lauren seemed to mull that over. Then Shay stood up and went to stand beside Zahara.
“I’m a werepup. I’ll be a werewolf when I grow up. My mom was a werewolf and she never ever hurt me. Even when she got mad,” Shay said. Lauren’s eyes grew large and she looked from Shay to the adults.
“We are special and magic, we were born to protect those who can’t protect themselves. We protect children and the reason we look so scary is so bad guys will run away,” Zahara said softly. She then began to let her face change, first her ears and then her snout. She let her teeth slide down and Shay stood there touching her fangs and grinning. She then petted Zahara behind her ears. The twins did the same to Xander and Ethan. By the end of show-and-tell, the boys sat in their laps and petted the full werewolves. Lauren shyly petted Zahara and when she scratched behind Zahara’s ear, her foot began to jiggle and tap, causing Lauren to giggle. When they all transformed back to human form the children ran off to play.
“I think that went well,” Rose said, a soft smile on her face. Zahara suspected that seeing the werewolves interact with the children eased her mind and she was glad for Ethan’s sake. She knew Ethan cared about Rose; it was clear on his face. But if Rose didn’t feel safe with Ethan, then that relationship would be at a stalemate. Each of the assassins had lived a lonely life with neither friends nor lovers. Here was their chance to live a life away from the government and actually see a future that was bright, despite the zombies.
Reggie got up and stretched and looked around.
“I’m gonna head over and help the lady in the house. See if I can get her situated a little better,” he said.
“I’ll come with,” Ethan said and stood. Xander’s eyes slid over to Zahara and she shrugged. When the men pulled away in Reggie’s Jeep, Zahara got up and went to the swing where Xander joined her. Rose had gone into the house so Xander and Zahara would keep an eye on the children.
“I think Ethan’s trying to get to know Reggie better. Maybe he’s hoping if they can begin a friendship, it will be easier living under one roof,” Zahara said.
“I think you’re right. I think it went pretty good with the kids. They know to keep the secret, but more importantly, they’re not afraid of Ethan. I think I’ll suggest he turn from time to time and play with the kids, you know, like a dog,” Xander said and laughed.
“What a mutt,” Zahara snorted.
The sun was setting and Xander watched as Zahara folded Shay’s clothing up neatly and put them into a bag. They were leaving early in the morning and he was torn between excitement to go home and the sorrow of leaving his new friends. Even Reggie, who he didn’t think he’d like. The man was thoughtful and helpful and watched the children like a hawk. Despite his previous proclivity and activity, Reggie had stepped up to the plate and exhibited no animosity nor bigotry toward Ethan.
He sighed. In the best of times, it would be roughly a six-hour trip. However, they were going to be traveling on secondary roads and unknown dangers. They would steer clear of Huntsville on their way west along with any other urban centers. They would go along the secondary routes and pass-through small towns and hamlets which he was sure would have their own dangers. It was impossible to avoid all trouble, but they could try.
“I’m going to plot out our route while you’re doing that. Rose, do you have a notebook? I’d like to get a route laid out for us,” Xander said getting up. She smiled and got up and went into the house. A few minutes later she came back with a spiral notebook and pen. He thanked her and went to sit beside Zahara. He turned on his phone and cursed under his breath.
“What is it?” Zahara looked up from folding the clothing.
“There’s no internet service and no cell service. Try your phone,” he said and she pulled out her phone and turned it on. After a few moments she looked up at him and shook her head.
“Xander, my uncle has a road atlas you are welcome to,” Rose said, getting up.
“I won’t take that; you guys may need it some day in the future. I’ll borrow it though and plot my
