Non-magical And Magical

"You may not remember, but we've worked with werewolves before, in combat." Chris took a drag of his cigar. "Do you remember Stephenson?" Chris was easing Jeb into the topic.

"You mean that crazy mother fucker who went wading through that Taliban perimeter before ending up with body pieces completely shot off? What about him?" Jeb looks completely confused.

"He was a werewolf." Chris pauses. "He suddenly lost his mate, his wife of twenty years. She was in another theater and got shot with silver-coated ammunition. You see, werewolves are allergic to silver. It's an odd trait. I think someone knew who, or at least what, the Stephenson's were." Chris waited while Jeb absorbed the information. Chris passed Jeb the flask of Kentucky bourbon. Of the top five things Chris would pay for quality were cigars and bourbon. Right now, his friend had to be a little on the side of drunk so that he can begin to accept and understand what he saw - that magic, and magical creatures, are real.

"I had seen Stephenson turn into a wolf before and wade into battle. It was quite impressive, and violent. However, when he lost Josie while we were bogged down by the Taliban, I saw something different. It was like the light of reasonable thought left his eyes. I don't know how I knew. I just pointed him at the enemy and let him go." Chris breathes shakily. "If he was going to meet his love in the Afterlife, he would want to make her proud. He would want to have made a difference."

Jeb hands the flask back to his friend. "They love that deeply? How did he find out she died?"

"From what I understand, when they marry, they bite each other, sharing blood, and that connects their minds so they can mentally talk to each other. There is a distance factor and their need for each other requires them to see each other often. But, when one dies, the other is beyond bereft. They lose a piece of themselves in an instant. They go crazy. Some survive, but are a ghost of their former selves, cantankerous and unfeeling." Chris shakes his head. "I don't understand it, but there are things all over this world that I don't understand."

"Like rich people not paying their taxes?" Jeb found his sense of the absurd again. "I think I'll be alright if they don't sprout fangs and tails again."

"Good to know." Chris holds out his hand and helps Jeb to his feet and they make their way to the sounds of laughter in the house.

....

Sloane Michael watches his uncle face as he sleeps fitfully. The torment in the centenarian's face makes his body restless. Sloane Michael feels sorry for the old man, but just now realizes how close he himself had come to the same abyss. The Natural Order and God Himself did not look kindly on harming one's own kinfolk. In harming Blood, you harm yourself. He shakes his head at his own blind naivete he once had for his uncle. They share the same name, but at least now they don't share the same fate.

"How you doing?" Doug cuts into his reverie. As the oldest brother, Doug was keenly aware of when his younger siblings were hurting, a trait believed to be inherited from their Mom.

"I'll be okay." Sloane couldn't lie to Doug, not when it mattered.

"Sure you will. You got the tough and I got the soft." Sloane twin brother, Shaylan slaps Sloane's shoulder. His ever-present smile is comforting in the toughest of times. It surprised most of the family that despite having a plethora of girlfriends for years, Shay settled down and became a priest. He went into Jesuit studies and then the Marines after getting a Bachelor's degree in Psychology.

"Mom always wanted you two to find wives and settle down." Doug shakes his head.

"Then she and Dad would have been overrun with grandkids - especially with the rest of you competing on who can have the most kids." Sloane cracks a rare smile.

"Is my bad-ass son smiling? What's the occasion - World Peace?" Earl shows up with three more mugs of tea. His years with plants and his family has led to his own blend for family time which has become almost as calming as the warm milk his wife made for the child who couldn't sleep. He returns to matters at hand. "We all need to be getting ourselves back home. The Alpha and his pack have a four hour drive, don't forget."

"Yes, Da." Sloane uses the term of endearment rarely. He feels that he has returned to his family. At 65-years-old, his spirit has released a lot of negativity tonight. His gaze returns to the fitful sleeper on the sofa. Again, he is thankful for being able to help Brianna today. He hopes that he has paid for some of the negative balance on his soul.

"You'll come home with me and we'll take care of your uncle. He will need us. He will not be with us much longer." Earl saw his brother's life energy wavering. However, he could not let a family member pass alone.

"We can transport him in my Escalade," interjects Trey. "He can continue to sleep and you can stretch your legs while I drive you. Siobhan and I live in Fredericksburg. We're just an hour away." Siobhan nods her head as she puts her arm around her husband.

"I'll stay here tonight and shut the place tomorrow," Shay offers. "I can get in some good fishing while I'm here."

"My brother is fortunate to have a family to care for him, despite all that he has done." Earl is truly grateful to have such wonderful, thoughtful children. He knows that most of the credit goes to his late wife. She was disciplinarian and he was the jester. They were both full of love for their children and each other, and this was the wonderful result.

Just as Edward, Brianna and the rest of the werewolves are making their way to the door, the door opens. Chris and Jeb enter. "Is this a private party, or can any degenerate join in?" Chris announces their arrival.

Jeb points to Edward, "Hey, man, sorry for my reaction. But you gotta admit, as a huge black wolf, you had me pissing my pants!"

"Thanks for the compliment. It's a really big one, coming from a Navy Seal." Edward holds out his hand to shake and Jeb obliges.

"We have a four hour drive ahead of us, but we hope to see you. The rest of the family is making plans to be visiting back and forth. We hope you will find time in your schedule?" Brianna, a natural hostess, invites Chris and Jeb to family gatherings.

"The wife and I always enjoy a Gilhoughley shindig!" Chris's enthusiasm is genuine from years of spending time as a family guest.

"I'll have to ease the wife into this," Jeb indicates the werewolf party, "but otherwise, we'd be delighted. She's been asking after you, Earl."

"Send Lashanda my love," Earl calls from the living room.

With that, the werewolves take their leave. Jeb visibly relaxes. "It's going to take some time, but I'll get used to it. Y'all need to show me some of y'all's mojo."

"We need to get on the road, too." Chris interjected with a yawn. "These old bones ain't as young as they used to be."

"C'mon, brother. I'll deliver you safely to your bride." Jeb affirms. "Goodnight, y'all. Call us anytime. Sloane, Friday. Poker. My house. Bring your retirement check."

"Drive safe, my brothers." Sloane waved from the living room. He starts picking up the mugs and napkins around him. To his family, he says, "I'll help clean up." Sloane knows that he has to clean up more from the results of tonight's gathering.