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LYKOS

Third Age

Chapter 5

(Thicker Than Water)

There wasn't any sound quite like rain hitting glass, beading up on the windshield and streaking along the body of the SUV as it ventured down the backroads between the forest of trees. It was also one of the only sounds inside the vehicle, a departure from the usual flurry of questions that Marya Yashin would ask of her son's pack any time she saw them. For the first time since the pack had met her, Marya was silent. She sat behind the steering wheel, her thick brown hair in a perfect bun beneath a floral print headscarf. Her eyes were on the road, her werewolf instincts focused... but focused on something far away. The silence was palpable.

Fletcher sat in the middle of the center row of seats, his eyes slightly narrowed as he studied Marya's body language. Marco sat to his side while Duncan sat in the back, his arm over Udo's shoulders. Yom had taken the front seat to sit next to his mother, though he was partially reclined, looking at the raindrops streaking along the windshield. Fletcher's feet shifted back and forth, threatening to wear a groove in the SUV's carpet before he leaned forward, stretching the seatbelt to its limit.

"You have a captive audience, are you not going to tell us what's wrong?" Fletcher asked, breaking the awkward silence of their drive home. Marya's lips tightened a bit.

"I don't know what you're speaking of." she responded, though her eyes took on a faintly yellow tinge. Marco didn't have to be a werewolf to sense the tension. Artyom turned, giving her mom a flat gaze.

"There's no use, mama. He's caught on to your scent, you won't be able to shake him loose." Yom said. Marya's brow creased further.

"Ne delay iz mukhi slona..." She chided Artyom, though her fully grown son just rolled his eyes and leaned back in his chair, running his hand down his long beard to fluff it up. Marya looked into the mirror, seeing that Fletcher was still leaning forward, hanging on every word she was holding back. She looked at his reflection, meeting his gaze before she finally sighed, realizing that Yom's warning had indeed been correct.

"I wanted this Thanksgiving to be perfect for you all after everything that has happened... As they say, being a guest is good, but being home is better. I always want you to think of this place as your home." Marya said softly, directing her focus back to the road.

"We do. It was the first place I could really just... embrace being a werewolf without worrying who saw me." Marco said. Marya gave a small smile at that.

"Quite right." she replied, taking a small breath, "But here I am worrying about things I should be overjoyed about. We found out about a week ago that Alexi and Marina are expecting twins. Anatoli and I are to be grandparents."

"Congratulations Marya!" Udo said with a smile. Marya met eyes with Udo in the rear-view mirror, although her expression was conflicted.

"It is fantastic news, but Marina isn't up to traveling which deprives me the opportunity to make sure she is well fed, well cared for and that Alexi knows the responsibility he has now that his family is growing. On top of that, Anatoli went on a last-minute business trip." Marya said, her volume decreasing a bit as she uttered the last words. For the first time during the drive, Artyom sat bolt upright in his seat.

"Dad isn't going to be here for Thanksgiving?" Yom asked. Fletcher looked a little concerned at that, given the fact that Yom was almost always so cool and collected. Marya's fingers gripped the steering wheel a bit tighter.

"He has been much more invested in his work recently. More calls, more time at the office, and now the trip to the mines." Marya said, "It can't be helped. Without some work, you can't pull a fish out of a pond. Evergreen Minerals isn't just the business that keeps us fed and safe, it provides resources to the werewolf community across the world." Marya said.

"As of last year, eighty five percent of the world's moonstone was processed by the Yashin family business." Udo explained to Duncan, eliciting a bit of an awed look from the athlete. Fletcher smiled and leaned back in his seat.

"Even if it isn't the way you pictured it, you still have all of us. I can solemnly swear that we can eat enough to make up for those that can't be with us this Thanksgiving." Fletcher smiled. Marya smiled a bit more at that, her grip relaxing on the steering wheel.

"On top of that, Yuri will be bringing his boyfriend to enjoy the holiday with us, although I've never prepared a feast for a Varos before." Marya considered.

"A vampire?!" Fletcher jumped before wincing as his seatbelt cut into his shoulder.

"I've never met a Varos in person." Duncan considered.

"There are a few around Black Diamond. The houses are spread out enough and the community's tight enough that it's pretty welcoming to different supernaturals. I never expected Yuri to date one though." Yom said. Marya shrugged.

"You know Yuri. With his big brothers out of the house, he needed someone to be with, he's never been a lone wolf... and Vale needed a friend. He tried going to the school, it just wasn't working out. Yuri took him in, and they'd spend all their time together. I had to stop giving Yuri a curfew... but I think they are good for each other, which is all a mother can ask for."

Marco sat in his seat, looking at how accepting Marya was and feeling an immense thankfulness that he had been that lucky with his own parents. He couldn't imagine it was easy, although perhaps in the werewolf community it was more common to be gay with how werewolf packs seemed to interact with one another. Marco put on his winning smile.

"The world is changing, and we have to believe it is changing for the better. Echo Creek is going to be a sanctuary for everyone. We could very well see vampire students after winter break. It'll be good for us to learn so we can be good advocates and classmates." Marco said.

"I wonder if vampires give bad hickies..." Duncan whispered. Udo stifled a chuckle at that. Yom looked at his mom and saw the smile on her face, back where it belonged. It was enough to put him back at ease.

The SUV turned the corner, pulling onto the long driveway that led up to the Yashin household. Duncan looked ahead, though his eyes widened as he beheld the wonder of Artyom's family estate. Forty minutes away from the nearest airport, hidden in a labyrinth of evergreen and elm trees, the Yashin household looked nearly large enough to be considered a mansion. Standing tall at two and a half stories, the siding was a pleasant and warm iris yellow tone. The driveway was lined with lanterns that glimmered brightly beneath the gloomy skies.

The copper-colored SUV slowed, one of the three garage doors rumbling open to grant access to the cavernous space inside. As they pulled in, Duncan leaned over and peered out, looking at the rather robust collection of vehicles. A small tear appeared in the corner of his eye as he thought of his truck, burned out and gutted during the attack on the box canyon. Still, maybe if he behaved, they would let him drive the Camaro or the Mustang... Udo reached over and rubbed his shoulder to try and reassure him.

"Welcome home my boys." Marya said with a nod, feeling reassured after opening up to them. Marco looked at Fletcher with love in his eyes, feeling a renewed sense of respect that, in his own way, he'd always root out any hidden truth for the benefit of his friends and family.

****

Fire was such a strange, enigmatic thing. It produced heat and light and warmth and yet was virtually silent. If not for the subtle crackling of the wood, or the nearly imperceptible ripple of the air as it moved around the flame, it would have been. Still, the power was undeniable as it radiated its ambiance across the living room, comforting those gathered around the hearth. After a very early flight and a very long drive, the Yashin home had once again proven itself as an exemplar of comfort and those that took shelter there. Artyom stood by the fireplace as he gazed upon his pack. Udo was curled up in the over-plush recliner Marya usually favored, sketching Marco as he told Duncan with tales of their summer jobs working for Evergreen Minerals. Fletcher was in the kitchen with Marya, learning food preparation techniques for the evening's feast. It seemed so comfortable, so fitting, and yet... so distant.

Artyom had taken his lifestyle for granted growing up and he had only realized it after meeting Marco. Thinking back, he wondered if that sense of entitlement had contributed to how fiercely he had competed for his Alpha's affections. He'd worked to distance himself from that kind of elitism while he'd been in Echo Creek. He had tried to learn how to be a better man, to become the perfect kind of husband for Marco. Looking at them now, though, Artyom saw the one thing he could embrace from each part of his life - family.

"Oh god, that smells so good..." Duncan murmured, his eyes slipping shut, his mouth hanging agape as he inhaled the scent of broiling turkey, savory stuffing, hearty potatoes and any number of other dishes. The smells were so rich and robust that it was starting to coax Duncan's lycan attributes out. His teeth were noticeably sharper, and his ears were ever so faintly pointed.

"It may smell good, but no touching until it is time..." Yom warned. Duncan groaned.

"But when will it be time, I'm starving." Duncan said. Udo considered for a moment before he set his sketchbook down on the end table.

"I think Misses Yashin was planning a snack plate; I think I'll go help to move things along." Udo said. Marco reached out and rubbed Udo's arm as he headed to the kitchen before looking back at the others.

"It's nice to be able to come back here and unwind a little." Marco said. Duncan opened his mouth to say something but both he and Yom turned in unison. Marco figured out why a moment later as the front door eased open, revealing a rather waterlogged teenager moving on from the downpour outside. Yuri had grown since the last time Marco had seen him, the eighteen-year-old putting on another five inches and a few dozen pounds of muscle. He was filling out around his chest and the rain made his dishwater blond hair stand up in unruly spikes. He shook the water off a bit, though his white long-sleeved t-shirt was still soaked. Yuri paused and turned around, leaning against the door frame.

"Come in you big goof." Yuri grinned before he made room. The next figure to enter was garbed in a black sweatshirt with a hood so deep and sleeves so long that it looked as if it belonged to a druid. Unlike many of the werewolves Marco had seen around campus that seemed to wear out their clothes as soon as they got them, the sweatshirt Yuri's guest wore was in impeccable shape without a fray, snare or scuff. Yuri closed the door behind them and double checked that the curtains were closed before he spotted the others and smiled.

"Yom, Marco! Happy Thanksgiving!" Yuri grinned, bowing his head to Duncan whom he had not yet met. Still, he turned and gestured to the shrouded individual, "Everyone, this is my boyfriend, Vale." Yuri introduced. The other teenager reached up and withdrew his hood, revealing a shock of jet-black hair kissed with a hint of purple on the fringe. His skin was pale and icy, less of a buttercream color and more of an eggshell. Whether by nature or by makeup he had enhanced the aesthetic with a bit of eyeliner that matched the dark black enamel on his fingernails. He was as tall as Yuri but almost half the weight, his face angular and fair.

"Happy Thanksgiving Yuri. This is Duncan, our newest packmate." Marco said. Duncan bowed his head, though he had a hard time looking away from Vale. He'd never seen a vampire before, although at first, he wasn't sure he was. He looked like some emo eighteen-year-old. Other than being a bit pale, he wasn't sure if this was some elaborate prank, but then he saw it. For a split second, just in the way the light bounced off his eyes, the brown irises looked a lot more red than they should have.

"Alright, I was able to finish up the snack tray, dinner is going to be in about half an hour." Udo said as he emerged from the kitchen, turning to see the new arrivals. Udo looked at Vale's sweatshirt and hair, a bit of a grin crossing his lips, "Cool look, I love it." Udo said. Vale smiled a bit at that, though he still clung a bit close to Yuri. Marco read the tenseness and gestured to the living room.

"I know it must take a lot to adjust to so many new people, but you're welcome to sit with us and dry out a bit." Marco said. Yuri smiled warmly, putting his arm around his boyfriend's waist.

"That sounds like an amazing idea." Yuri said happily. Duncan, meanwhile, had finally diverted his attention to the tray Udo had brought out.

"Snacks also sound like an amazing idea." he said with hunger and zeal in his eyes.

****

It was said Thanksgiving was an American tradition, but family was a tradition shared the world over. Nothing could have been more accurate as everyone seated themselves at the dinner table. It had been a true test of restraint and stamina to keep that many werewolves from tearing into the food. The only casualty had been the hors d'oeuvre tray that had been left with nothing but a spare wilted broccoli spear and a few flecks of dressing.

The table itself was a work of art. Everything was laid out with such precision that it looked like some sort of painting. The turkey was golden and seared. There was so much stuffing that a second salad bowl held a mountain of the excess. The candied yams were protected by a fluffy, cloud like layer of marshmallows. Two plates of cranberries offered something for either camp, including the whole berry crowd or the jelly crowd. Creamy mashed potatoes with just enough chunks to indicate their authenticity sat next to a boat of rich and hearty gravy.

Marya had seemed truly grateful as she, Fletcher and Udo set the table. Seeing so many hungry boys around the table was fulfilling and ensuring they didn't start into the food prematurely kept her on her toes. In the end, rather than having any empty seats, Artyom had taken the head of the table. He wore a nice button up shirt and pants for the occasion, the collar and lack of additional layers making it clear just how full and long his beard had grown. Udo set down a bowl of brussels sprouts before he situated himself between Marco and Duncan on one side of the table, leaving spots for Marya and Fletcher on the other next to Yuri and Vale.

The presentation wound down with Marya ushering Fletcher to take his spot. She made one last trip to the kitchen before opening the warming tray beneath the oven. While most of the boys were busy talking, Marco looked into the kitchen, trying to determine what Marya was doing. When she returned, she was carrying what appeared to be a bottle of red wine and a plate with assorted meat parts. He could see the turkey gizzard but there were other elements that clearly came from another sort of beast. Marya set the plate down in front of Vale along with the bottle and a tall glass. Vale gave a shy smile.

"You didn't have to go to all the trouble." he said softly.

"Believe me, she did." Yuri grinned. Marya gave a nod at that before finally settling herself in the chair next to Artyom and Fletcher.

"Family is everything... No matter what happens in our lives, it is our family that we survive for and strive for. You have been good to my son; you fulfil him and help him to grow. You are part of our family." Marya said to Vale, "As are you." she added, turning back to Marco. Marco smiled warmly.

"As always, it is my honor." he replied. Marya looked around the table, meeting eyes with all of those gathered before she gave one last little smile, looking to Artyom. His eyes widened a bit before he nodded.

"I'm not very good at these things, but as most of you know, it is Yashin tradition to share what we are thankful for as we fill our plates. Sort of our version of grace." Artyom said. Yuri grinned wide.

"It was the only way to keep people from snapping at each other." Yuri chimed in. Duncan chortled at that. Marya gave a nod to Artyom to encourage him to start cutting into the turkey as she reached for the potatoes.

"I am thankful this year to re-learn an old lesson, and to learn it with the company of new family." she said, looking to Duncan and then Vale, "Blood is thicker than water and family is family no matter the distance. Thank you all for being here with me."

"Here here!" Marco said cheerfully, moving to open the sparkling cider and start pouring it for the others. Yom dished up Marya's turkey, sticking mostly to dark meat before he went back to prepping the next cuts. Fletcher looked around before he realized he was next. He blushed a little before sitting up straighter in his chair.

"Hi, uh, I mean..." Fletcher hesitated as he wrestled with his thoughts, his brow furrowing a little before finally relaxing. "I'm thankful that... we are all here." he said, swallowing a little, "Sometimes it is hard to stop and think back to everything we've been through. We came so close to losing each other several times. We've been through more life changing experiences than I can count, but in the end, we made it. We made it here thanks to one another, and I'm very thankful." Fletcher said. Marya reached up and rubbed Fletcher's shoulder at that as Yom filled his plate with meat.

"As you all already know, I am thankful for my boyfriend Vale..." Yuri said, meeting eyes with Vale, "That he saw past the usual divide between the Varos and the Lykos, and that my family embraced him just like I always knew they would." His words trailed off but the dreamy expression in his eyes remained. Vale smirked a little at that before he leaned over and gave Yuri a peck on the lips.

"And I am glad to have found a place as warm and open as Yuri's heart to spend Thanksgiving. It's the first time I can remember a holiday really feeling special, just like Yuri makes me feel." Vale said before he reached for the bottle before him and uncorked it. Fletcher's eyes widened a bit as he smelled the coppery tang of blood and realized it was not wine at all. The other werewolves knew as much instantly, but Marco only caught on as Vale poured the beverage into the glass before him and the light caught the liquid in a way that no wine ever could. This time Artyom did not serve up any meat given that Vale had been provided with his own special plate. Duncan was so transfixed on the glass of blood that he didn't realize that he was next until Udo elbowed him.

"Oh, yes..." Duncan said, snapping back to his attention. "I'm thankful for pretty much everything you've all said. It's easy to get caught up in college life when you get there... Easy to be an athlete with the blood of a werewolf running through your veins, but it isn't really living. At first, I felt lucky just to be accepted into Marco's pack, and then I started to learn what came with it. We're family to one another, we love one another, and we save each other over and over again. There is a deeper joy in that than anything else I've ever known and I'm so thankful to learn that lesson." he said. Marco bowed his head at that in agreement, having filled his plate with yams, potatoes, brussels sprouts and green beans.

"I hate to sound redundant." Udo smirked, "Of course I agree with all of these things, but I want to add on that I am so thankful that we have all been able to find ourselves, and to keep finding ourselves. Our love isn't something that just latched on and locked on tight. We've been able to grow and change and still find that connection. Fletcher became a Lios, a lion dog. Duncan found our pack. Yom found a purpose. Yuri found love. Vale found family... and Marco found that he is still our alpha, no matter what form he takes. I am thankful for all of these things." Udo said.

"Well said." Marco whispered, taking a long breath before he smiled before he cast a look at Yom.

"You better not cop out when we get to you." he said. Yom gave a sideways grin at that as finished giving Duncan his meat and moved on to Udo.

"Would you not be thankful for that?" Yom asked. Marco gave a smirk at that before he looked back at those around them.

"It is too easy to see the negative in life, I think. It's a part of the human nature we all share, regardless of what else we might be. But I am thankful for the part in each of us that can help us to heal and grow beyond that as well. It's that part of humanity that gives the werewolf its pack mentality. It's that connection that the lion dogs strive to protect. I would assume that it is that warmth that you appreciated, Vale?" Marco asked. Vale nodded gently.

"I think so." he said softly.

"Whatever we have become, whatever the future holds for us, we really are connected. We are a family; we are everything that each of you has said here. I am thankful to be a part of it, to know you all, to have my life made that much richer and fuller and healthier and far more interesting as a result." Marco said. There were murmurs of appreciation as Yom leaned down to fill Marco's plate with meat, moving to kiss his cheek as he got in close. Marco turned his head and they met lips. Yom froze for a moment, feeling that spark of connection, that burning heat of affection and the magnetism that could pull him anywhere. When the kiss finally broke, Yom's heart fluttered.

"I am very thankful for that..." he whispered, eliciting a chuckle from those gathered. Yom reluctantly eased back into his father's chair and looked out at them all, feeling the anticipation. He gave a slight sigh before pressing on. "As you know, I am not a man of many words. Even if I tried, I doubt I'd come up with anything as good as you all have. But I also know my mother would not forgive me if I didn't at least try."

"Good boy." Marya smirked.

"I am thankful for love in every way. The love of my mother, my brother, my pack, and Marco. I am thankful that love has been kind, forgiving, and accepting. I am thankful for you all, but Marco, I am most thankful for you. I know you don't like to take credit, but you set the tone for this pack. You helped us all to grow and to grow more loving. Thank you." Yom whispered. Marya sniffled a little, using her napkin to dab her eye. Yuri rested his hand on Vale's as they looked into each other's eyes. Duncan's stomach, however, punctuated the sentiment by growling most audibly and encouraging laughter to break out among those gathered.

"We've put the food off long enough, don't want it getting cold. Dig in!" Marya said, watching as forks and knives and spoons plunged into the spoils of all her effort. She leaned over until she was shoulder to shoulder with Yom, "I don't think we've ever had thanks that good before." she whispered.

"One more thing to be thankful for." Yom whispered back.

****

Dinner had progressed at a breakneck speed. The turkey had been carved to scraps, the mountain of stuffing had been reduced to a molehill, and a few stray yams floated in a vast sea of liquified brown sugar, cinnamon and butter. Stories had been swapped, the boys filling in missing details that had been omitted about their time in Texas, though as everyone's appetites were satiated, it became a bit more difficult to find words - at least for most.

Fletcher had taken part in most of the conversations, but he found his attention kept drifting to Vale. Fletcher had always been fascinated by horror movies and supernatural creatures. Despite falling in with a werewolf pack and becoming a foo dog himself, it was hard to deny the opportunity before him. Yuri's boyfriend was a living... well, unliving? Breathing? Did he breathe? At the very least, Fletcher knew he was a vampire. It also seemed that Vale was aware of the persistent attention focused on him. He took one last sip of blood from his glass before lowering it down.

"Ask your questions." Vale said, turning to meet eyes with Fletcher, a glint of red spreading across the brown. Fletcher looked a little embarrassed, a little nervous, but overall grateful for the invitation.

"Are you sure?" he asked. Vale gave a reluctant nod.

"I guess I expect it. Everyone seems so fascinated by us." Vale shrugged.

"We know so little, even the werewolves. Your keepers do a good job of keeping the secret." Udo said. Vale shook his head.

"Vampires don't have keepers like werewolves do, though I guess a few keep servants or familiars or whatever. Our abilities lend themselves to keeping our own secrets."

"How wrong are the movies?" Fletcher asked, "Garlic and crosses and no eating and stuff? Well, I mean I guess you can eat." he said, indicating the plate. Vale shrugged a little.

"I guess it's a bigger deal to the people that are turned because they remember eating. We can do it, it just... doesn't do anything? Unless there's garlic in it, then we're in trouble." Vale said. Duncan tilted his head.

"So, if eating doesn't do anything for you, and you were... born a vampire? Why eat?" he questioned.

"You come to a feast where everyone else is going to be stuffing themselves, it'd be weird to just drink the whole time, right?" Udo asked. Vale nodded.

"I didn't want to be rude, and I didn't want to stick out any more than I usually do. It was harder at school." Vale said. Yuri reached over to rub his shoulder.

"Yeah, but that's behind us now. And hey, maybe we can go to Grand Mesa next year and be ourselves. No more hiding, no more doing things just to blend in." Yuri said.

"It is going to be a very new experience there for everyone..." Marya said with a bit of hesitation in her voice, "Marco, you said you were asked by the school to help?" she questioned. Yuri tensed a bit at his mother's interjection. Marco, however, nodded.

"Yes. I guess they feel I have a unique perspective to help people adjust. I expect to see many more werewolves, perhaps even some vampires and komainu."

"Maybe you'll even see a cernnos, that is if they don't spook the first time a branch breaks." Vale commented before finishing off the turkey gizzard from his plate. It took a few bites until he realized everyone was still looking at him. He finished chewing and swallowed, looking around at them all, "Cernnos? Deer people?" he asked. Even Yuri looked surprised. Marya smiled a little shrewdly at that.

"I suppose those stories might be true, and a vampire would have an easier time spotting one. They tend not to create as much noise as we do, crashing through the forest." Marya said. Udo considered for a moment, leaning back in the dining room chair.

"Lykos... Varos... Lios... Cernnos?" Udo asked, "It's not exactly Greek, is it?"

"It's keeper language, or at least one of them." Yom supplied, "Abel told me about it. It borrows roots and suffixes from different cultures but remains independent enough that it sounds like gibberish to those that shouldn't be listening in." he explained.

"Unless you learn the language..." Vale said, smiling a bit, "It's kind of nice being able to offer something to conversation besides just vampire facts. If you don't know about the cernnos, I bet you haven't heard about the others either." he said.

"What others?" Fletcher whispered, wide eyed. Vale grinned wide enough that the tips of his fangs were exposed, matching the eager red glint in his eyes.

****

With full stomachs and pants pushed to their breaking point, the dining room had been abandoned for the moment as everyone moved back into the living room. The fire had died down, though warmth still radiated from the hearth. While the main light remained off, the various lamps around the room created a cozy mood lighting that seemed to fit the situation. The remnants of the feast had been left behind to give everyone time to digest the food - not to mention the idea that there were more kinds of supernatural creatures in the world.

As the boys got situated on the various furnishings, Marya moved in with a six pack of beers. She gave one to Duncan who bowed his head in appreciation, one to Artyom and then kept one for herself as she set the rest on the table for anyone willing. Duncan focused on his hand long enough for his fingernails to darken and stretch out into claws, using one to pop the lid off of the beer before he lifted it to his lips and took a long drink.

Yuri came in behind them, heading to the window to pull open the curtain now that the sun had set. As the fabric was withdrawn, it revealed the inky black darkness of night and the unrelenting torrent of rain cascading down across the window. Fletcher glanced over at the glass, realizing that Vale did in fact have a reflection as he entered the room just ahead of Marco. Vale surveyed the room, trying to decide on the best position before he moved over to perch on the corner of the brick that extended beyond the fireplace, allowing the embers to bottom light his face. Having a captive audience seemed to be drawing him out of his shell.

"They say it takes one lifetime to start to get the hang of things... two more to realize that you were overly optimistic in that assumption. I'm only eighteen, but my family... They've seen some things in their time." Vale said with a bit of enchantment in his voice.

"So, vampires can have kids?" Fletcher asked before wincing as Udo elbowed him.

"Don't interrupt." he whispered. Vale seemed undaunted.

"The werewolves were always the most famous, even before the humans knew of them publicly. There was always something captivating about the idea of an animal breaking out at any moment. My parents say werewolf blood has that wild flavor to it, something I can attest to..." Vale murmured, meeting eyes with Yuri who gave a hormonal grin in response. Vale pulled himself back a bit though, remembering he was in mid-story, "But to a vampire whose only real meal in life is blood, there is a yearning for different flavors... The blood of the cernnos like a fresh spring rain, the blood of the tannos like a full-bodied wine, and the blood of the nagos whose bite is as dangerous as a vampire's..."

"Nagos..." Yom murmured, his eyes closing and his face scrunching up a bit as he tried to remember the stories Abel told them as kids, "Snake..." he whispered.

"Like a Naga." Udo said in realization.

"Nagas are from fairytales..." Yuri said.

"So are we, love." Vale whispered.

"And Cernnos are deer people?" Marco asked, quite enraptured by everything Vale was sharing. Vale smiled, apparently having had his fill of being enigmatic.

"You've seen pictures of nature spirits, right? Deer antlers, tails, like satyrs?" Vale asked.

"Do satyrs exist?!" Fletcher asked, nearly falling off of the arm of the chair he was sitting on. Vale looked mildly alarmed.

"Not... that I know of." he replied. Fletcher suddenly looked quite disappointed.

"Tanos... You described it like alcohol?" Marco asked. Vale nodded.

"That is the only one I've tasted besides human and werewolf blood, but only on special occasions. It's the blood of a Tanuki." Vale said. Marco nearly laughed, though he wasn't sure why exactly. After a little over a year steeped in the world of the supernatural it seemed like a lot to take in, and yet there was something about it that was oddly uplifting. Everything they'd been through, everything they'd suffered for, everything they'd struggled for - it was just a piece of a larger whole. The idea that there were more species out there brought an odd comfort to Marco's mind.

"And all of them have remained hidden all this time, even from werewolves." Udo said with wonder. Vale shrugged.

"Mostly, I mean, my parents do manage to get a supply..." Vale said. Fletcher straddled the arm of the chair, looking thoughtful.

"When I became a lion dog, I lost my magic... and the werewolf bite didn't work on me because I was something else. I guess the same is true for those you bite?" Fletcher asked.

"That's why it's less frowned on to feed from supernaturals. There is no risk of turning them and they generally recover better from blood donation." Vale explained.

"The mayor's speech, when they declared Echo Creek a sanctuary... They specifically said it will be a sanctuary city for all individuals, human or otherwise." Marco whispered softly, "They knew there were others, they were inviting anyone that wanted that kind of lifestyle."

"See, it's just like I said!" Yuri said. Marya's face once again tightened. Yom's brow furrowed a little as he looked up at his mother.

"Chto eto takoye?" Yom asked under his breath.

"Nichego." she replied, though Yuri could smell the change in the room, his head turning to look at his mother. He could see her nails were darkened, her ears pointed.

"You don't want me to go..." Yuri said softly. Marya turned her head to lock eyes with him, the corners glistening with the dew of tears threatening to break loose.

"Of course I don't!" Marya said, unable to keep it all back, "The world is too dangerous still for me to send all of my boys out into it. It is hard enough with Alexi out there trying to heal the world... He was even approached by Futurza to work for them before they started rounding up werewolves." Marya whispered before she turned to look at Artyom, "But I almost lost you completely... First to the fang clan, then the hunters, then Futurza..." she whispered.

Silence hung in the room for a long moment. Yom's shoulders had slunk, but so too had Yuri's. Vale's eyes fell to the carpet, forced to debate the risks and rewards his many different potential futures might have held. Marco pushed himself up from the couch and moved over to Marya, earning the focus of Fletcher and Udo. Marya didn't meet eye contact, knowing her words would have been hard on Marco.

"Miss Yashin, I want to beg your forgiveness for putting your son in danger." Marco said softly. Yom snarled at that, his fangs emerging and his eyes snapping to an intense amber.

"You didn't drag me anywhere!" Yom said. Marco shook his head.

"Even if I didn't, I led you into danger." Marco said.

"Shut... the fuck... up." Yuri said.

"Yuri!" Marya snapped in response but Yuri growled, brownish-blond fur bristling from his cheeks as his claws emerged from his fingertips.

"Being a werewolf is dangerous no matter where you are. We live in the middle of the woods as far from civilization as we can get. You homeschooled us all until we were in fifth grade to make sure we could keep our instincts in check... but every day was a gamble. One wrong move and we could have outed ourselves. If we had they would have come right after our family. Wherever we go, there's risk... If we go to college next year, that's just one more level of sending us off to school." Yuri said. Marya said nothing, though she looked at Marco who gave her a reassuring smile.

"Give me a semester to work on things and make it as safe as possible." Marco said. Marya reached out, holding Marco's chin in her hands as she looked deep into his eyes.

"I will give you a semester to do what you do best..." Marya said, "Now, can I trust you to help me with the dishes?" she asked. Marco smiled.

"What is family for?" he replied.

"Thank god, that means I can try to let off some pressure." Duncan groaned, releasing the button from his pants to give himself some well needed room to expand.

"I can help too." Udo said cheerfully. Marya shook her head.

"You helped cook... Artyom, you'll help clean." she said. Yom nodded.

"Yes mama." Yom replied. Marco led the way, heading back to the dining room to start gathering the dishes while Yom followed close behind. Yuri pulled his werewolf traits back in, looking up at Marya as if he had his tail tucked between his legs.

"Sorry I yelled..." He apologized. Marya moved over and wrapped her arms around her youngest son, pulling him to her chest.

"Don't be sorry. You are right zvezda moya." Marya said, reaching to run her fingers through his blond hair, "Your heart is true, and your instincts are good."

"I can second that." Vale responded with a soft smile. Marya opened one arm and beckoned him. Vale seemed slightly hesitant but moved over and was pulled into a tight, warm Russian hug while Marya rested her forehead on the top of Yuri's head.

****

A warm breeze blew in through the window of the hotel room, fluttering against the curtains. Anatoli sat on the end of the bed, trying his best to listen. He could hear the traffic, he could hear people... but it was ambient, vague, a muddy mixture of sound painting an impressionistic painting in his mind. For the first time since he had met Marya, Anatoli felt his age - every year of it. His bones were tired, his muscles weary, even his lungs felt as though they'd been pushed too far, but part of that was from venturing into the mine, but at a certain point Abel had stopped him. Normally blood moonstone required direct contact or even ingestion, but in such high concentrations, proximity had been enough... enough to return Anatoli's humanity for a while. The hotel room door clicked open, causing Anatoli to jump in surprise. Abel winced, easing into the room to shut the door behind him, carrying takeout in one hand.

"I didn't mean to startle you." Abel said, his voice deep and comforting. Normally when they went on business trips, Abel wore contacts to hide the citrine hue of his eyes, but even he had been affected by the blood moonstone, leaving his eyes a far more natural shade of brown. Anatoli gave a weary smile.

"It shouldn't have been that easy, but I think I have gotten used to my senses being a bit sharper. I forgot what it was like to be a human." Anatoli said.

"Then let me provide you with a reminder. Happy Thanksgiving." Abel said, setting the takeout down on the hotel room table. Anatoli's face blanched a bit at that as he checked the clock.

"Oh my god, it is Thanksgiving... I lost track of time. Marya will kill me." Anatoli whispered, springing to his feet. He grabbed his phone and moved out onto the balcony, looking over the city of Delicias. The creamy glow of the hotel lamps backlit the curtains fluttering behind him, giving an aura on the balcony. The phone took a few moments to connect, then rang before finally there was an answer.

"It is about time... I was afraid I would have to go to bed without hearing your voice." Marya answered. Anatoli grinned.

"We both know you wouldn't have gone to sleep until I did." Anatoli purred.

"I must be losing my edge; I'm losing all of my arguments today." Marya replied. Anatoli quirked his head.

"How many arguments have you had?" he asked.

"Enough... Arguments with myself, with Yuri... Don't worry my husband. Everything was put to right in the end." Marya reassured him, "The question is, have things been put to rights there?" Her question hung in the air for a moment. They knew not to discuss anything sensitive over the phone, least of all when the connection was an international one.

"There are some opportunities down here, the company may have to move in another direction. Abel and I are double checking everything. It may be a week or two until I can make it back home. It is torture to be apart from you this long." Anatoli apologized. Marya sighed softly on the other side of the phone.

"At least I have our beautiful boys to keep me company for a while longer, but if you take too long my eye might wander." Marya whispered.

"I promise I will return as soon as I can and remind you exactly why you married me in the first place." Anatoli grinned.

"Oh, that is one thing I'll never forget. I am thankful to have such a... giving husband." Marya whispered. Anatoli grinned.

"And I am thankful to have such a loving, welcoming, beautiful wife. Happy Thanksgiving my Marya." Anatoli whispered.

"Happy Thanksgiving zaichik." Marya whispered before the connection ended. Anatoli closed his eyes and breathed through his mouth, in and out, in and out, realizing after a moment that his teeth were just a bit sharper in his mouth and that the flutter he felt in his heart was most assuredly werewolf in nature. He licked his lips slowly before he moved back into the hotel room. Abel looked up at him, tilting his head a little.

"You're looking better, more color in your cheeks." he commenced, setting down two glass bottles of cola.

"I'm feeling better. It only took, what, seven hours?" Anatoli asked.

"Nine." Abel corrected. Anatoli whistled a little bit.

"I can see why the world's supply of this stuff was used up. You could escape a lot of scrutiny in that time without any werewolf tells." Anatoli commented.

"Some people would give anything to seem normal, even if it was for a little while." Abel replied gently, looking at his employer and friend.

"Here we are at a turning point... Werewolves are public knowledge, and we were just handed the best way to hide them. Do you think it is cosmic irony or a sign?" Anatoli asked.

"I do not think the universe has that good of a sense of humor, nor that good of timing." Abel countered. Anatoli chuckled at that.

"You have more than enough of both to make up for it." Anatoli said as he sat down, reaching to open the takeout food, "Did you find any turkey?"

"You will have to settle for chicken." Abel replied, sitting down on the other side of the table. The two dug into their meal, finding it far from the feast they dreamed of but grateful for each other's company and relieved that the symptoms of their visit to the mine were starting to wear off. The coming days offered frightening possibilities.