The Second Covenant

Ten minutes later, I kissed Druex on the cheek and slid into my father’s Mercedes convertible. He had the top down. We drove through town and out, down a familiar road, the trees on either side on fire with the changing of the leaves. We drove in a peaceful quiet, just the sounds of the wind and the trees rustling through the car. We drove to the top of the bluff, where the land met the sea and my dad parked. This was our spot. We came to watch the whales in the spring, the seals in the winter. Just our spot to come and have some time, just the two of us. “What’s up daddy?” I asked and he sighed. “I’m worried about you.”

I twisted in my seat and looked at his profile, he had both arms no the steering wheel, leaning forward in his chair. “General worry or something specific?” He smiled and looked over at me. “Both I think. So much is happening, changing.” He looked back out at the ocean. “I’m fairly sure last week you were eight years old, asking me to throw you higher, push the swings higher.” I leaned my head on the leather seat, listening to him reminisce. “But this week, there’s some creature after you, you’re spending the night with a werewolf and your mother is telling me to just let you grow up and be a woman.”

He gave me a dirty look. “I don’t want to. I order you to turn five again.” I laughed. “Yes sir. Let’s just whip out the time machine.” He snorted. “Smartass.” I blew him a kiss and turned back around in my seat. We were quiet for a while, and he reached over for my hand. “I want you to be happy honey.” I nodded and tucked my hair behind my ear. “I think I’m getting there daddy.”

I sighed and scanned the area, smelling so many different things on the wind. “If it bothers you that I’m staying with Druex, I won’t.” But I hoped to god he wouldn’t say yes. “It bothers me honey, because you’re my baby. And he’s…a dog. Literally.” I nodded and refrained from telling my father about my wild and amazing sex life. “But you’re going through something I can’t help you with. The part of you that’s a wolf, I don’t know a thing about it. But you feel safer, more stable when you’re with Druex and the others. I saw that when you had that episode in the living room. It kind of brought home how very dangerous this is for you right now.”

I leaned my head on his shoulder so he couldn‘t see the sadness in my expression. “And for you.” I murmured. “Naw, we’re strong enough to keep you from hurting us honey. We don’t want you hurt. I just hate it that you’ve grown up right under my nose. Gone through so much that I had no clue about. Makes me feel so old.” I kissed his cheek. “You fogey.”

He laughed too and we sat a bit more. “So are you thinking of moving out, and in with Druex?” My father asked tentatively. “I don’t know. I hadn’t thought about it, nor have I been asked. We just kind of sleep in one big pile, furry and all. Well, ‘cept for me.” My dad lifted his brows. “They all sleep with you, in wolf form?” Lying to your father about your sexual habits is a must. Unless you want your lover to die. “Mostly. Dax takes his spot by the door. I think he’s got a thing going for Molly.”

My dad kept his frown. “Is that safe? She’s one hundred percent human.” I shrugged. “I haven’t asked a lot of questions about it. Dax tends to get grouchy, and Druex just smiles. So I’m waiting to ask the twins. They’ll spill it.” He laughed, a good sound and then he sighed. “So we’re having…twenty two for Thanksgiving?” I counted heads in mine and nodded. “Twenty one and a half. Molly has a baby brother.”

“Mom’s making that sun-dried tomato and basil pasta tonight.” He said, like he was trying to tempt me. Which of course he was. “Tell her to set the table for three.” I saw how happy that made him and watched him struggle to remain pensive and calm. “Okay.”

I decided that I felt safe enough to stay the night at home and dad gladly drove me back to Druex’s to get my car and things. “I’ll be home in a while.” Dad nodded and was still just looking pensive. “Take your time honey.” I hopped out and flew up the stairs.