Page 41 of Wolf's Mark

“If they shifted into being a werewolf, then there is only one way that we know of at this time. They must be beheaded. Perhaps someday a disease they can’t avoid can be created.”

Like that was going to happen.

“And if they are still somewhat human?” Chase finally came back to the discussion.

“It’s another unknown at this point. It depends on how fast they begin to shift.”

For some reason, I wanted to laugh. “Okay. From what you know, how long before the victims suddenly become creatures of the night?”

“Maybe twenty-four hours. No one knows. Their species is also evolving. Our best scientists haven’t unlocked their full DNA yet. That will come in time. It’s our hope maybe a serum or a gas can be developed that will eliminate them, but it’s all about the time needed.”

“When it’s already too late.” Riker’s voice was almost unrecognizable.

Chase threw back his chair with enough force, it slammed against the wall several feet away. “I’ve sat here as required, just like at that meeting yesterday, and listened. This is bullshit. I’m not buying any of it. There are plenty of monsters out there, but they’re entirely human. I have business to attend to.”

Chase reminded me more of our dramatic matriarch. When Riker moved to get him back, Mother threw out her arm.

“Let him be. There are many things the younger generations do not know because we were hopeful you wouldn’t need to discover the darkness that haunted our past lives. I fear that’s not the case now. He will need to come to terms on his own. That will take some time, but be mindful that your senses will be more activated if this situation gets out of hand.”

“No idea when they might come rolling into town?” My humor was starting to kick in.

“None. I will let you know if and when I hear anything else. We must fight this, gentlemen,” Mother said. “I don’t mind telling you that I am also very concerned.”

With three of us left sitting with her, I had a feeling we all felt the weight of death.

And I tasted it.

“Parker,” our mother continued. “What about the situation in Europe?”

As usual, Mother could flip from one subject to another.

Parker was taken aback, likely never fully believing in our shifting abilities as I’d never attempted to shift around him. Not even as much as I had with the assholes who’d accosted Sedona.

He took a deep breath and tried to return to business as usual. I suspected he’d want to talk afterwards. Hell, I didn’t know what to tell him, as I’d always believed that the idea of the different wolves was bloated or completely made up.

To scare the wolf children.

There was no doubt my mother was nervous, concerned about our future as well as that of all humans. With superhuman strength and a desire for blood, thousands could die.

And be turned.

Monsters were real. Humans had no idea how lucky they were the Wolfen packs were not aggressive.

Usually.

Unless we were backed into a corner.

CHAPTER 12

Sedona

Fear.

I was numb instead of what I’d felt the night before. Yet I hadn’t slept, just like I’d known I wouldn’t.

Sleep was tough when all you could see were fangs. No, wait. That was a vampire. Werewolves had canines. Or were they called fangs?

Huge ones.

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