For days Cory functioned on autopilot. He'd lost his appetite and was no longer sleeping. Every sound within the house penetrated deep within Cory's mind and every movement put him on edge. After a week his mother came to him, her distress obvious.

“Cory, sweetheart, is everything all right? You can talk to us.”

She sat on the edge of his bed, as Cory lay motionless, staring into space.

“Cory, honey. Please say something?”

Cory did not acknowledge her and nothing his mother said could help him. She ran a hand through his dirty hair and Cory heard her sob but he never looked at her. He couldn’t bring himself to when he thought he would lose her.

He had not heard from Neve since his visit. Didn’t Neve realise how much harder it was for Cory, waiting for them to come for him. How could Neve not attempt to help him? Wasn’t he supposed to be in love with him? Some love that was.

His mother left his side and some time later both parents came to see him. His father sat beside him, his mother standing behind his father.

“Cory, you need to tell us what’s going on. We're worried about you. If something has happened, we’ll work it out together.”

Cory looked over at his father and up at his mother and seeing the expressions on their faces Cory couldn’t help the tears he shed. His mother kneeled beside him and brushing his hair from his face said, “It’s all right honey, whatever the problem is we’ll get through it. You need to tell us what’s wrong.”

“Whatever it is Cory, we’re family, and we’ll support you.”

Cory looked at the ceiling, saying nothing. How could he tell them the truth? Better they lose their son and not know why?

“Cory, is Neve involved?” Sarah asked.

Cory’s eyes fluttered at the mention of Neve’s name.

“Did something happen while he was here too upset you?”

Cory wanted to laugh, but didn’t. He looked over to his parents again. It wasn’t fair on them to be behaving the way he was. Cory decided to mask his fear from his parents and lie.

“Someone is going to die and nothing can be done to stop it.”

"Who is dying?" Derek asked. "Neve?"

Cory could only shake his head at their misunderstanding.. He couldn't tell them the truth.

“Oh sweetheart, I’m sorry.” Sarah took his hand. “You should have come to us sooner and talked to us. We were worried.”

“I’m sorry,” Cory told them.

“Life is unfair son; it takes anyone and never discriminates.”

Cory flinched at his father’s words. He was being discriminated against but he couldn’t tell them that.

“Why don’t I make you something to eat?”

“Thanks, Mum. Can I have a sandwich?”

“Sure sweetheart, why don’t you come out and join us. It does you no good to lie here dwelling on your friend.”

Cory nodded and his parents both rose as Cory sat up on the edge of the bed. His father placed his hand on his shoulder, and said, “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not now, thanks Dad.”

“All right. Let’s go get a movie going while Mum makes you something to eat.”

Cory nodded and followed his parents down to the living room. He focused on every detail. The way his mother had her hand on his back patting him, offering comfort. How his father chatted about work, doing his best to distract him. Cory’s movements were automatic. He had to let them think he was fine. He didn’t want them knowing these could be his last days.

Cory sat at the back the café, a cold cup of coffee in hand. Three weeks had passed since Neve last spoke with him and Cory wasn’t sure what was happening. The next full moon fast approached and Cory wondered if they might return then. Should he be planning to flee? If he went on the run he might live longer – but what kind of life was that? It didn't guarantee his family wouldn't be drawn in. They’d find him sooner rather than later and then where did that leave him.

He wrestled with ideas but the conclusion was still the same – he would be killed.

Cory wasn’t paying attention to what was going on around him when the chair opposite him pulled back and an older man of Italian descent sat down. Cory stared at him in surprise. He wore a black suit with a pale blue shirt underneath and a deep blue tie. His charismatic look gave Cory the impression he meant no harm by sitting there until he spoke.

“Cory Wellan?”

All at once, Cory’s fears rushed to the surface and in a panic he attempted to run. The man anticipated Cory’s move as he swiftly reached out and grabbed Cory by his arm, stopping him.

“Don’t make a scene, Cory.”

Cory was half out his seat as he looked back and realised he was not one of them. He didn’t have the orange glow around his body. Cory lowered back in his seat and asked, “Who are you?”

“My name is Nikali Papas.”

“You’re not here to kill me?” Cory had to be sure he could trust him. When Nikali gave him a surprised looked a spark of hope filled Cory.

“No, I’m not. Can I ask you why you think I would kill you?”

“I’m a half-breed,” Cory replied.

Nikali’s eyes widened, confusion now evident.

“Several days ago a young man approached me. He told me if I found you I’d find the answers to my questions. The encounter was confusing until I suspected what it was he was referring to. This left me disturbed. I thought no one knew the real reason I was in the country. Confronted by this I was unsure what to do. I thought my only course of action was to find you.”

“You know about us?” Cory asked.

“Yes. I do.”

The realisation Neve may have put Nikali in contact with Cory made him aware how deep Neve's betrayal was. Neve was putting his own life in danger to save him and guilt surfaced.

“We should finish this conversation elsewhere," Nikali said.

Cory followed Nikali as they walked four blocks in silence until they came to a park. The entire time Cory’s eyes darted around searching every person as they passed. He was ready to flee the moment he saw another with the orange glow.

Nikali noticed Cory’s behaviour but said nothing as he too surveyed their surroundings.

They came to a park and found a secluded seat. Cory again swept his eyes over the park looking for anyone that stood out. It looked clear but Cory wasn't ready to let his guard down.

“Will you tell me who the man was I met?” Nikali asked.

“What difference will it make?” Cory asked.

Nikali gave a huff. “All the difference in the world.”

“Because the clan in Australia is unknown?”

“You have information regarding them?”

“Yes. I do.”

“The man said if I found you, you could answer my questions.”

Cory stared at Nikali unsure if he should trust him. Neve had spoken of the secrecy his family enforced and Cory was reluctant to mention what he knew. Yet Neve was in deep and Cory didn't want to think he too might be killed.

“His name is Neve Saunders. I met him in January at the Blue Mountains. I was on a camping trip there with my family and he and his two cousins found me.”

“What happened?”

“There was an argument, and they left.”

“What were they arguing about?”

“Me. They were scouting, and Seth, Neve's cousin, wanted to kill me then. Their job is to report the discovery of half-breeds. They left, and I didn't see or hear anything until two months later when Neve showed up.”

“Why kill you?”

“I told you. I'm a half-breed.”

“That makes no sense. You're all werewolves?”

Cory laughed. “You understand – we’re not like the stories.”

“I understand.”

“Then why use the term werewolves when it’s inaccurate?” Cory asked.

“When one of your kind matures and has not mated they transform into something wild and dangerous. There is no way to control them and they have no way to control themselves. Their desire to destroy everything around them results in bloodshed. Our family has been documenting their existence for over four hundred years. Your perception of what a werewolf is comes from what you read in fiction; our perception of a werewolf is vastly different. The word is tainted by urban myth.”

“I understand. You're saying I should rethink what I know.”

“Yes. Over the last two hundred years there have been no documented cases of werewolves. Your kind are now smarter. They understand the consequences of a werewolf not mated, and deal with them before they surface.”

“... by killing them.”

“No. By bringing them into their packs. There are fierce battles between packs to find new blood. The more members they have within their pack the more profitable they become. It’s not about territories so much these days but status. For the older members to reach levels of importance in the world they need younger members to bring up the ranks. Therefore, new blood is looked upon as gold.”

“It's different here,” Cory said.

“I wouldn't know. I've been here three years. In that time I've not discovered the existence of werewolves. I know they're here but it's been impossible to learn anything.”

“Any half-breeds, those of us born to parents not like them, are killed.”

Nikali stared at Cory, eyes wide, lost for words. He went to speak, paused, and Cory saw Nikali struggle with the information.

“Do you know why?” Nikali asked.

“Yes. Neve gave me a brief history lesson.”

Nikali looked around, now deep in thought. “If I tell you everything I know. Will you tell me everything Neve told you?”

“What good will it do? I told you they want me dead.”

“There's a reason Neve sent me to you. Maybe I can help you.”

Cory stared at Nikali. Had Neve found a way to save Cory?