A few hours later I awaken to the soft sound of very persistent knocking with an agitated groan I get up out of my recliner and shuffle down the stairs, into the main bar area where through the front door glass I see the familiar shape of my younger brother Newton. Waking over I unlock the door just in time to have a bottle chucked at his head.

    Growling I pull him inside and step out, "YOU GOT A DEATH WISH PUNK?!" I shout walking towards the brat. The smell of magic like a faucet, pouring from him.

    Derek Fucking Shaw, a smug looking on his face as he shrugs.

    "Nah, just wanted to mess around with Newton a bit." He retorts shoving his hands in his pockets.

    "Piss off Incubus." I snarl rolling my shoulders as the kid raises his hands in defense before bolting. But not before shouting over his shoulder with that same sharp toothed grin.

    "Bye Puppy!"

    A low growl leaves my lips as I turn and head back inside finding Newton sitting at the bar his head down on the countertop.

    "What happened?" I asked walking over and taking the seat next to him.

    "Same old same old..." He retorts.

    Unconvinced I shake my head and place my hand on his back rubbing it reassuringly.

    "It's gonna be okay, you got what two years before your off to college and you can get out of this small town and away from that asshole." I lean back closing my eyes. Newton sighs nodding his head. "Why don't I drive ya home, Ma must be worried about you."

    Reluctantly Newton hops down from the bar stool kicking his feet as we walk out the front and to my truck.

    "Mac..." He mumbles

    "Yeah kid?" I look over to him as he stands in the doorway of the passenger seat.

    "Could... could we maybe go for a run?" He asks his leg bouncing a bit. I sigh giving our little road one last look before nodding.

    "Alright, but you better hang on."

    He nods a smile gracing his face as we walk towards the tree line. Taking a deep breath the shift was always painful, bones cracking and realigning to fit the animal's body tail swaying as I lower to the ground. Newton all but hops onto my back and after a minute were off.

    It had been years since Newton had shifted letting his own wolf free to run, but I don't mind just to see my baby brother smile as I weave through the trees and towards the house. Halfway there the smell of magic lifts off the ground making me stop dead in my tracks, Newtons body low against my fur as though he was trying to hide as we waited. Cautiously we duck behind some bushes by the thick pines as the sound of footsteps draws near.

    After what felt like forever a young woman with dull orange hair walked passed and with her a tall man, his attire hiding his entire body but his scent setting alarm bells off in my head.

    A Vampire.

    My senses screamed to tear the bloodsuckers head off his shoulders but as the soft pull of fur on my head quickly reminded me, I wasn't alone that I had to get Newton home before that creature could sense us. So as quickly as they appeared we made our exit running towards the house without looking back.

    Reaching the house Ma is quick to meet us her hands grasping my muzzle in an almost death grip. Dragging me towards the house, I don't resist and make my way inside. Shifting back Newtons voice is all but babbling about the encounter as I make my way over, a fresh pair of clothes on my body and the smell of pinewood in the air.

    "Is it true." She asks as I step into the kitchen where a red-faced Newton finally takes a breath.

    "Yes, looks like a Baron." I take a seat at the kitchen island my eyes catching the newspaper beside her the words in bold catch my attention. 

    "A Baron..." She sighs, "I hadn't heard of one since you where a puppy." She gestured towards me. Grabbing the newspaper form beside her I open it up and read the caption.

'ONE DEAD, ONE MISSING: HIKERS BEWARE.'

    Putting the paper back I shake my head. "Never meet one so." I shrug leaning back.

    "Not many out there anymore." She retorts grasping her coffee mug and taking a long sip.

    "So, what are we gonna do."

    "There is nothing we can do but go talk to them we are the present pack around here, so we have the right." She explains pulling her mug away and placing it on the island counter.

    "So, date with a vampire." Newton chuckled

    "Newton."

    "Yeah?" He asks smirking

    "Go to your room."

    The smile falters just as fast as it was there before he groans and throws his head back his glasses coming up off his nose as he made a dramatic show of slumping out of the kitchen.

    "You think everything will be alright Ma?" I ask as soon as Newton leaves and she nods solemnly.

    "We can only hope."

    Nodding I look at the clock above her head and sigh. "I'm sorry Ma, but I got to go. Restock and all."

    She chuckles shaking her head and waving me off as I grab her truck and head into town. First stop grocery store, as I pull into the parking lot my eyes immediately go to the hunters across the lot packing up all sorts of tools and guns. Getting out I walk to the sliding double doors of Mrs. Georgina's Grocery Mart the hairs on the back of my neck standing on edge as step inside.

    "Mac come here a second would ya!?" Mrs. Irene Wilkins' voice bounced off the off-white painted walls as she stood in front of her register. Stepping over I nod towards her and the customer she seemed to be talking to. "Have you seen my idiot of a husband? He and the kids went on their camping trip, and I hadn't heard anything."

    "No, I haven't but if I do, you'll be the first to know." I respond, "You heard about the hiker?" I ask and Irene immediately pales with a nod.

    "How could something do that." She says in almost a terrified whisper. Nodding I pat her on the back and grab a cart before quickly doing my restocking.

    Getting back to the truck the parking lot is all but empty the streetlights shining brightly as I throw my groceries in the backseat the stores lights going out one by one. Standing by the truck for a second I spot a familiar figure through the passenger window, Oliver in his usual attire walking down the street adjusting his turtleneck as he went. Curiously I get into the truck and drive up next to him.

    "Oliver whatcha doing out here?" I ask making the poor man jump as he turned to look at me. Placing his hand on his chest he feigned shock as he walks closer taking his notepad out, he writes.

    'Just enjoying the night air what about you?'

    "Grabbing groceries for the bar." I respond unlocking the passenger side door. "Need a lift?" Oliver nods jumping into the passenger seat a big smile on his face as I take us back to the bar. 

The Bar itself looked almost dead as we pulled up out beside the building. Getting out I round the back to the bed of the truck to start grabbing bags Oliver quick to help as we grab everything and head inside. Placing the bags on the counter I flip the light switch dawning the room into usual amber glow. Smoothly I move around the bar and start putting things away as one by one my nightly crowd made themselves at home.