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A soft, gentle snow fell across Echo Creek, Colorado, clinging to the tree branches and the grassy lawns. It was hesitant to stick to the cement, but little by little it started to blanket the sidewalks and roads. Cars passed back and forth with their headlights and windshield wipers on. For those that lived at that altitude, this was no surprise. If anything, it was a welcome reminder that another winter was coming, that a year of pain and tragedy and overcoming hardships was drawing to a close.
Despite the falling temperatures, the fountain outside of the Town Hall was still on, water bubbling up out of a polished spherical boulder, running down the edges, landing in a collection of ribbed spiral grooves that carried the water outward in an almost hypnotic circle. The fountain had been made out of rocks removed when Grand Mesa University had been built. It had been a time of innovation for Echo Creek. The university had been followed by the Hospital, the museum and the town hall. The latter two had been built at the same time and shared the same rich red wood and some of the architecture. It was one reason Ren felt oddly at home, sitting on a bench outside the mayor’s office.
Ren Sekimori was a pillar of the community, representing its heritage and history as well as acting as an advisor to several city boards. Her request to meet with the mayor had been met without a second thought, but her proposal had taken him aback. The mayor had asked if Ren and her guest would be alright waiting outside while he consulted others on the city council and Ren had obliged. After all, what other choice did she have?
Auel and Ren sat on an old handmade oak bench from the 50’s, well worn by over sixty years of life with its own patina and polish. They were situated beneath a mural of Echo Creek’s founding fathers and mothers. Few knew that over half of them were Keepers, and that the first mayor was himself a werewolf… It was another fragment of history that Ren kept to herself. Ren had dressed in a beautiful robin’s egg blue and periwinkle houmagi with a pale gold obi around her stomach and a spray of pink flowers. She would have been content wearing western clothes, but her request required a certain degree of presentation.
In a show of solidarity with his newfound employer, Auel had dressed in a respectful navy blue Yukata with a periwinkle belt. He’d pulled his dusty-brown hair back into a clean ponytail. He’d come a long way from the hunter he had been before, and he’d felt an undeniable satisfaction in helping to coordinate the safe passage of werewolves… He only hoped that feeling would persist if Ren’s plan fell into place. He looked over at her with a slight smile that was mostly for show.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a politician so speechless.” Auel said. Ren smiled a bit more at that and nodded.
“If he hadn’t been briefed on our secret upon his appointment as mayor, I am sure he would have turned us away as lunatics.” Ren commented, considering for a moment, “He still might.” she mused. Auel smirked at that, although his head swiveled as the double doors to the mayor’s office opened again. The mayor looked out at them, a little strained. His shaved head was showing his age a bit, a few wrinkles here and there but his umber toned skin was still healthy. A bit of salt had made its way into his coarse short kept beard, and glasses rested on his nose as he looked out at them.
“Ren… This may mean the end of you and I. You know that, right?” the mayor asked slowly, gesturing for her to return to his office. Ren stood and Auel followed.
“I do. The secret we have kept has not been an easy one, Horatio, but the truth is going to be far more difficult to manage.” Ren said as she returned to the seat she had originally sat in. The mayor shook his head, moving around his desk. Auel waited for the mayor to sit before he settled himself next to Ren.
“I’m still not completely convinced that it wouldn’t be safer to continue as we have… But Grand Mesa’s president agrees with you.” Horatio said softly. Ren’s honey colored eyes looked deep into the mayor’s.
“Many think that we were called Keepers because we kept the secret of the werewolves, but that was a formality. Our goal, our existence, is to keep them safe. In an effort to keep the secret, we did not keep them safe. Our werewolves, our students, our citizens were kidnapped and experimented on and brutalized because we tried to keep a secret. The secret is out. The world knows about werewolves. There may still be hunters that know there is a pack here. It is time to change tactics.” Ren said. The mayor took a long breath.
“It won’t be easy, but… I am forced to agree.” Horatio replied softly, running his hand back and forth across his desk, “Will you want to be part of the announcement?” he asked. Auel turned, looking at Ren, realizing this was the first time she may not have been prepared for a question. She considered for a moment before looking back at the mayor. It would be a change to her own way of life, her very modus operandi… but it was not enough simply to encourage others to accept danger on themselves. She gave a soft nod.
“I will stand with you and Julio. We will face the future allied and united.” Ren resolved. Horatio smiled at that and exhaled a bit.
“Then I think we stand half a chance. I think Julio is already writing his speech. Are you sure now is the right time?” Horatio asked. Ren nodded.
“With Futurza’s fall, the world is uncertain… Those that know what happened are scared, those that don’t know… should be. We need to let the world know that there is a living legacy to protect, lives on the line, and we will do what it takes. Echo Creek will just be the first. I know others will follow our footsteps.” Ren said. Horatio nodded, finding his own resolve building up. He wasn’t known as an indecisive mayor; he’d led Echo Creek through trying times. It was time to be bold.
“Give me a few hours to make sure my part of the speech is ready. I can’t let Julio outshine me.” Horatio grinned. Ren smiled at that and nodded, standing up. Auel rose to his feet and waited.
“History will remember this day.” Ren said, “Let them remember it well.” she said, bowing before excusing herself. She moved out of the office and Auel followed after, the two moving down the hallway, past the mural and out of the front doors. The air outside was chilly, a stark contrast to the heat inside. As the door swung shut behind them, Ren paused for a moment, forcing Auel to stop abruptly.
Ren drew her gaze along the horizon, following the trees at the edge of town, the peaks of Grand Mesa’s Walden building, the tall brick and mortar shell of the hospital beyond. Echo Creek was a sleepy town, but it was about to get a wakeup call. The hidden history was about to become an open book. Her life of protecting the secret was ending. Her true work of protecting those in need was about to increase many times over. With a quick breath to steel herself, Ren turned back to Auel.
“We need to get back to the museum and find something a bit more appropriate for the presentation. I’ve never dressed for a global audience before.” Ren said, resuming her walk toward the car. Auel moved after her, realizing just how right she was. What they were about to do, what they were about to say, was going to be viewed and reviewed by the entire world… It felt counter-intuitive, rubbing against the way he had lived his entire life - but then again, he’d felt the same way helping werewolves after being raised to hunt them. No one ever said change was easy.
The sun was setting over Houston, casting a rainbow of hues across the heavens. For the first time in a week, a few stars were visible again as the air quality finally started creeping back to normal. Crickets chirped in the distance and every home on the suburban block glowed like warm embers in a cozy fireplace. Marco couldn’t claim to call this place home. In fact, he’d spent less time there than his pack had, but for a few days it had been a safe space, a refuge.
Yom carried one last box down the steps and over to the Mazda, squeezing it into the hatchback. Marco’s parents were returning to Hawaii and they couldn’t take everything with them. It had been only natural to try and pawn off as much as possible on their son. Yom looked back to the house, watching Duncan emerge, then Fletcher. Duncan moved over to the car, running his fingers over his beard a few times.
“They are such a nice family.” he commented. Yom nodded.
“They are formidable.” he agreed. Fletcher grinned, clapping his arms over both of their shoulders.
“And you both survived meeting the in-laws. I’d say you’re off to a great start.” he beamed. The door creaked open again as Udo squeezed out, Marco making it about halfway before one more round of hugs. They had intended to leave mid-day, but that had been pushed to dinner, then desert. Cira was reluctant to let her son leave, and Marco was reluctant to leave… but this wasn’t home for any of them.
With the front door finally closed for the last time, Udo jogged over to the black car. He tried to crawl over Duncan but his feet got tangled and he dropped onto his lap instead. Duncan flashed a fang filled grin.
“Hey there.” he whispered. Udo considered a witty retort but decided instead to gyrate his ass a little before he slid the rest of the way over and sank down in the center. Fletcher looked at him from the other side, buckling himself in. Up front, Yom was grinning ear to ear that he had won the right to sit shotgun and have all that legroom to himself. He leaned back, emphasizing the point.
“If your hair starts blowing in the AC and I choke on it in my sleep, we’re going to have words.” Duncan grinned.
“As what, ghosts?” Yom shot back, looking over as Marco climbed in, settling into the bucket seat. It was as comfortable as ever, but the pedals felt a little further away. Marco reached down to adjust his seat, bringing him a little bit closer. It was going to take a while to adjust. Marco reached between the seats and opened the console, grabbing a cherry red nylon covered hard-shell cd wallet. With a quick unzip he flipped through the pages before finding his Linkin Park CD to put into the player. The stereo chirped as it got ready before pulling the disc in. In moments the car was filled with energetic thrashing metal with melodic vocals.
“Do you always drive to this?” Duncan asked, still getting used to the pack dynamic.
“Hey, I know how werewolves get with road noise. It’s too easy to nap. I want you all awake if I’m awake.” Marco grinned.
“Fair enough, boss.” Udo smiled, mimicking Duncan. Duncan shrugged, it seemed as good a reason to him as anything. Marco smiled at that and reached for the shifter when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, though the sensation coincided with Fletcher and Yom’s phones beeping and Duncan’s making some sort of football noise. Udo’s phone had apparently gone off as well, though on silent. Marco hesitated, reaching over to turn the stereo off.
“I don’t think my mom can send out a text that fast, and she doesn’t group text.” Marco said. Udo shook his head, reading his phone.
“It isn’t from your mom, it’s from Grand Mesa. They sent out an email to all the students. It’s a link to a video from the University President, the Mayor of Echo Creek and-” Udo paused, going white as a sheet. Fletcher caught up, his eyes flashing orange for a moment.
“And Ren.” he said, looking up at Marco. Marco took a long breath.
“Play it, we’ll put it up here.” Marco said. Fletcher clicked the link and handed the phone to Marco. He turned the phone sideways and let the video adjust to landscape as he tried to prop it up on the dashboard. With the setting sun as a backdrop, the video cleared to reveal the rich warm wood interiors of the mayor’s office in the Town Hall.
“Good evening citizens of Echo Creek and the larger Colorado area. I am mayor Horatio Lewis. It has been my honor to serve Echo Creek in a variety of capacities for the last nineteen years. In that time, I’ve seen our city prosper, but I have also seen it suffer. I have seen triumph and I have seen setbacks. In all of my years serving this community, I have never witnessed the pain and anguish like I did when a portion of your city’s population, students from Grand Mesa University, were taken without provocation by a vigilante paramilitary force funded and armed by the corporation known as Furutrza.” Horatio said.
“Did this just go out to the students?” Fletcher asked. Udo shook his head numbly.
“It’s public, it went out to whoever was looking…” Udo whispered.
“My name is Julio Fernandez. I am the president of Grand Mesa University.” The second man said, his hair artfully slicked back and shaved on the sides, his square jaw offsetting his weathered face, his rugged good looks balanced by the fine suit he wore. As a university president, he hadn’t been the sort of faculty member living on high in his office. Each of the students had seen him around campus.
“As a matter of discourse, there has always been a debate about if a college campus should be a safe space for ideas to flourish, or a forge where reality is tested against the moral fiber of our youth… But there is no question that every campus should be a safe place for its students. There is no excuse for anyone to suffer because of their race, their sexuality, their gender, or religion. My students were targeted, abducted, and subjected to acts inhumane and cruel because they were different, because they were feared, because… they were werewolves.” Julio said.
“Marco…” Udo whispered but Marco said nothing, his eyes glued to the screen as Ren braced herself. She had dressed in a black blouse with gold flowers printed on it, her black slacks trim and neat. She looked approachable and yet formidable, ready for anything. Marco wondered how much of that was a mask.
“My name is Ren Sekikomori. I am a historian and serve on the city council here in Echo Creek. It has also been my life’s work to act as a protector to those that need it most. I am from an order of protectors that call themselves Keepers. For many years we served to keep the secret of the werewolves from the general public. We did this in the interest of mutual protection. To keep the werewolves in line ensured their survival, and it limited the risk to the public. The events of April fourth revealed the existence of one kind of werewolves to the world, but it did not reveal their history to the world and that lack of knowledge has led to needless suffering.” Ren explained.
“Oh my god…” Yom muttered.
“We address you tonight as community leaders and we acknowledge that we have failed to protect and defend those that depended on us. That ends tonight.” Horatio said clearly, “At midnight tonight, November sixteenth, Echo Creek, Colorado will officially be a Sanctuary City for all individuals - human, or otherwise...” Horatio announced, “A special session of the city council has unanimously passed laws prohibiting discrimination and prejudicial treatment against any minority. The city council has also commissioned the creation of a defense team to ensure the safety of our protected citizens.”
“Let us be clear...” Ren said, looking into the camera, “Echo Creek is a place of tolerance, acceptance, growth and understanding… but we will protect our citizens, our students, our people. Never again will our children be taken.”
“The coming days will not be easy for any of us, but the days of keeping secrets are behind us. Our efforts will be public, and they will be transparent. Other communities can learn from our failures and our successes. With the proper education, we can all become better citizens and better people.” Julio explained.
“To each of you watching this, I leave you with one last thought… If you live your life in fear, you can never truly live… Fear paralyzes those that are afraid of change and those that they terrorize. It is a poison that kills both the attacker and those attacked. We can all live together, truly live, if we put that fear behind us. If you cannot, then my last word of warning is this - Do not come to Echo Creek. This is a sanctuary. We will defend it.” Horatio said clearly before the video ended, jumping back to a blurry version of the first frame.
Absolute silence filled the car, though Marco realized that the silence was worse for him. He couldn’t hear the heartbeats or the breathing of his pack. He couldn’t smell the changes to their scents. Somehow, after everything they had been through, after everything they had experienced, that moment hit Marco hard. He closed his eyes and leaned back in his seat; his head pressed to the headrest. Fletcher reached up and rubbed Marco’s shoulder. Marco smiled without opening his eyes, reaching up to rest his hand on Fletcher’s, rubbing it softly.
“We… We don’t have to go back, if you don’t want to.” Fletcher said softly. Marco opened his eyes at that, looking in the rear-view mirror at Fletcher, then Udo, then Duncan before he looked over at Yom. Marco knew how he felt, but he also wasn’t sure if he had the right to make those kinds of decisions anymore. Marco unhooked his seatbelt so he could turn to face them all better.
“Echo Creek’s going to be a flashpoint, for better and worse. The world’s attention will be directed at the school, at the people there, at the people we care about. They’ll have more help than ever before, but they are going to have a target on their back. I want to help, but it isn’t right… if I make the decision for you all…” Marco said.
“Zatkni past!” Yom cursed, his Russian flaring a bit in his voice, “I don’t care what that self-important glowing cloud did, you are still our Alpha. You are still our leader. You are our conscience and our guide. They would be so lucky to learn what you have to offer!”
“Damn straight.” Udo grinned wide.
“You don’t get out of this by playing the human card, my friend. You let me tag along before we figured out what was going on with me.” Fletcher smiled. Duncan gave a meek, shy smile himself.
“Besides, didn’t you say you lived a whole other life in your head where you were human? Didn’t you still make things better for people even then?” Duncan asked. Marco looked at them all for a long moment, feeling a bit surprised and relieved and loved and respected all at the same time. Marco exhaled his stress, feeling his shoulders relax a bit.
“Then our destination is set. We’re going back to Echo Creek. We’re going to try and put our lives back together, and we’re going to help everyone else in the process. It’ll be a challenge, but we’ve been through tougher stuff.” Marco said, buckling his seatbelt back in before he turned the Mazda on. Yom handed Fletcher his phone back before turning the music back on.
Marco took one last look at his family’s temporary home in the rear-view mirror before he pulled out of the driveway, turning back onto the street. The headlights shone out from the car, the taillights burning a bright red as it stopped at the stop sign, waiting just a moment before heading out into the night, traveling beneath the sky, the stars, and a waxing crescent moon. The moon was timeless, ever shifting, ever changing, a companion through the darkest nights. It was more than just a lump of rock orbiting the planet - it was an idea, a mythic concept that traveled with every human through their lives. Marco knew the werewolf inside him was gone, but everything he’d learned and everything he had gained was still with him. Marco had faith in his family and friends, and even without his second skin, he knew they would persevere.
-----------------------------------------
LYKOS
Second Skin
-Epilogue-
(Leap of Faith)A soft, gentle snow fell across Echo Creek, Colorado, clinging to the tree branches and the grassy lawns. It was hesitant to stick to the cement, but little by little it started to blanket the sidewalks and roads. Cars passed back and forth with their headlights and windshield wipers on. For those that lived at that altitude, this was no surprise. If anything, it was a welcome reminder that another winter was coming, that a year of pain and tragedy and overcoming hardships was drawing to a close.
Despite the falling temperatures, the fountain outside of the Town Hall was still on, water bubbling up out of a polished spherical boulder, running down the edges, landing in a collection of ribbed spiral grooves that carried the water outward in an almost hypnotic circle. The fountain had been made out of rocks removed when Grand Mesa University had been built. It had been a time of innovation for Echo Creek. The university had been followed by the Hospital, the museum and the town hall. The latter two had been built at the same time and shared the same rich red wood and some of the architecture. It was one reason Ren felt oddly at home, sitting on a bench outside the mayor’s office.
Ren Sekimori was a pillar of the community, representing its heritage and history as well as acting as an advisor to several city boards. Her request to meet with the mayor had been met without a second thought, but her proposal had taken him aback. The mayor had asked if Ren and her guest would be alright waiting outside while he consulted others on the city council and Ren had obliged. After all, what other choice did she have?
Auel and Ren sat on an old handmade oak bench from the 50’s, well worn by over sixty years of life with its own patina and polish. They were situated beneath a mural of Echo Creek’s founding fathers and mothers. Few knew that over half of them were Keepers, and that the first mayor was himself a werewolf… It was another fragment of history that Ren kept to herself. Ren had dressed in a beautiful robin’s egg blue and periwinkle houmagi with a pale gold obi around her stomach and a spray of pink flowers. She would have been content wearing western clothes, but her request required a certain degree of presentation.
In a show of solidarity with his newfound employer, Auel had dressed in a respectful navy blue Yukata with a periwinkle belt. He’d pulled his dusty-brown hair back into a clean ponytail. He’d come a long way from the hunter he had been before, and he’d felt an undeniable satisfaction in helping to coordinate the safe passage of werewolves… He only hoped that feeling would persist if Ren’s plan fell into place. He looked over at her with a slight smile that was mostly for show.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a politician so speechless.” Auel said. Ren smiled a bit more at that and nodded.
“If he hadn’t been briefed on our secret upon his appointment as mayor, I am sure he would have turned us away as lunatics.” Ren commented, considering for a moment, “He still might.” she mused. Auel smirked at that, although his head swiveled as the double doors to the mayor’s office opened again. The mayor looked out at them, a little strained. His shaved head was showing his age a bit, a few wrinkles here and there but his umber toned skin was still healthy. A bit of salt had made its way into his coarse short kept beard, and glasses rested on his nose as he looked out at them.
“Ren… This may mean the end of you and I. You know that, right?” the mayor asked slowly, gesturing for her to return to his office. Ren stood and Auel followed.
“I do. The secret we have kept has not been an easy one, Horatio, but the truth is going to be far more difficult to manage.” Ren said as she returned to the seat she had originally sat in. The mayor shook his head, moving around his desk. Auel waited for the mayor to sit before he settled himself next to Ren.
“I’m still not completely convinced that it wouldn’t be safer to continue as we have… But Grand Mesa’s president agrees with you.” Horatio said softly. Ren’s honey colored eyes looked deep into the mayor’s.
“Many think that we were called Keepers because we kept the secret of the werewolves, but that was a formality. Our goal, our existence, is to keep them safe. In an effort to keep the secret, we did not keep them safe. Our werewolves, our students, our citizens were kidnapped and experimented on and brutalized because we tried to keep a secret. The secret is out. The world knows about werewolves. There may still be hunters that know there is a pack here. It is time to change tactics.” Ren said. The mayor took a long breath.
“It won’t be easy, but… I am forced to agree.” Horatio replied softly, running his hand back and forth across his desk, “Will you want to be part of the announcement?” he asked. Auel turned, looking at Ren, realizing this was the first time she may not have been prepared for a question. She considered for a moment before looking back at the mayor. It would be a change to her own way of life, her very modus operandi… but it was not enough simply to encourage others to accept danger on themselves. She gave a soft nod.
“I will stand with you and Julio. We will face the future allied and united.” Ren resolved. Horatio smiled at that and exhaled a bit.
“Then I think we stand half a chance. I think Julio is already writing his speech. Are you sure now is the right time?” Horatio asked. Ren nodded.
“With Futurza’s fall, the world is uncertain… Those that know what happened are scared, those that don’t know… should be. We need to let the world know that there is a living legacy to protect, lives on the line, and we will do what it takes. Echo Creek will just be the first. I know others will follow our footsteps.” Ren said. Horatio nodded, finding his own resolve building up. He wasn’t known as an indecisive mayor; he’d led Echo Creek through trying times. It was time to be bold.
“Give me a few hours to make sure my part of the speech is ready. I can’t let Julio outshine me.” Horatio grinned. Ren smiled at that and nodded, standing up. Auel rose to his feet and waited.
“History will remember this day.” Ren said, “Let them remember it well.” she said, bowing before excusing herself. She moved out of the office and Auel followed after, the two moving down the hallway, past the mural and out of the front doors. The air outside was chilly, a stark contrast to the heat inside. As the door swung shut behind them, Ren paused for a moment, forcing Auel to stop abruptly.
Ren drew her gaze along the horizon, following the trees at the edge of town, the peaks of Grand Mesa’s Walden building, the tall brick and mortar shell of the hospital beyond. Echo Creek was a sleepy town, but it was about to get a wakeup call. The hidden history was about to become an open book. Her life of protecting the secret was ending. Her true work of protecting those in need was about to increase many times over. With a quick breath to steel herself, Ren turned back to Auel.
“We need to get back to the museum and find something a bit more appropriate for the presentation. I’ve never dressed for a global audience before.” Ren said, resuming her walk toward the car. Auel moved after her, realizing just how right she was. What they were about to do, what they were about to say, was going to be viewed and reviewed by the entire world… It felt counter-intuitive, rubbing against the way he had lived his entire life - but then again, he’d felt the same way helping werewolves after being raised to hunt them. No one ever said change was easy.
****The sun was setting over Houston, casting a rainbow of hues across the heavens. For the first time in a week, a few stars were visible again as the air quality finally started creeping back to normal. Crickets chirped in the distance and every home on the suburban block glowed like warm embers in a cozy fireplace. Marco couldn’t claim to call this place home. In fact, he’d spent less time there than his pack had, but for a few days it had been a safe space, a refuge.
Yom carried one last box down the steps and over to the Mazda, squeezing it into the hatchback. Marco’s parents were returning to Hawaii and they couldn’t take everything with them. It had been only natural to try and pawn off as much as possible on their son. Yom looked back to the house, watching Duncan emerge, then Fletcher. Duncan moved over to the car, running his fingers over his beard a few times.
“They are such a nice family.” he commented. Yom nodded.
“They are formidable.” he agreed. Fletcher grinned, clapping his arms over both of their shoulders.
“And you both survived meeting the in-laws. I’d say you’re off to a great start.” he beamed. The door creaked open again as Udo squeezed out, Marco making it about halfway before one more round of hugs. They had intended to leave mid-day, but that had been pushed to dinner, then desert. Cira was reluctant to let her son leave, and Marco was reluctant to leave… but this wasn’t home for any of them.
With the front door finally closed for the last time, Udo jogged over to the black car. He tried to crawl over Duncan but his feet got tangled and he dropped onto his lap instead. Duncan flashed a fang filled grin.
“Hey there.” he whispered. Udo considered a witty retort but decided instead to gyrate his ass a little before he slid the rest of the way over and sank down in the center. Fletcher looked at him from the other side, buckling himself in. Up front, Yom was grinning ear to ear that he had won the right to sit shotgun and have all that legroom to himself. He leaned back, emphasizing the point.
“If your hair starts blowing in the AC and I choke on it in my sleep, we’re going to have words.” Duncan grinned.
“As what, ghosts?” Yom shot back, looking over as Marco climbed in, settling into the bucket seat. It was as comfortable as ever, but the pedals felt a little further away. Marco reached down to adjust his seat, bringing him a little bit closer. It was going to take a while to adjust. Marco reached between the seats and opened the console, grabbing a cherry red nylon covered hard-shell cd wallet. With a quick unzip he flipped through the pages before finding his Linkin Park CD to put into the player. The stereo chirped as it got ready before pulling the disc in. In moments the car was filled with energetic thrashing metal with melodic vocals.
“Do you always drive to this?” Duncan asked, still getting used to the pack dynamic.
“Hey, I know how werewolves get with road noise. It’s too easy to nap. I want you all awake if I’m awake.” Marco grinned.
“Fair enough, boss.” Udo smiled, mimicking Duncan. Duncan shrugged, it seemed as good a reason to him as anything. Marco smiled at that and reached for the shifter when he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, though the sensation coincided with Fletcher and Yom’s phones beeping and Duncan’s making some sort of football noise. Udo’s phone had apparently gone off as well, though on silent. Marco hesitated, reaching over to turn the stereo off.
“I don’t think my mom can send out a text that fast, and she doesn’t group text.” Marco said. Udo shook his head, reading his phone.
“It isn’t from your mom, it’s from Grand Mesa. They sent out an email to all the students. It’s a link to a video from the University President, the Mayor of Echo Creek and-” Udo paused, going white as a sheet. Fletcher caught up, his eyes flashing orange for a moment.
“And Ren.” he said, looking up at Marco. Marco took a long breath.
“Play it, we’ll put it up here.” Marco said. Fletcher clicked the link and handed the phone to Marco. He turned the phone sideways and let the video adjust to landscape as he tried to prop it up on the dashboard. With the setting sun as a backdrop, the video cleared to reveal the rich warm wood interiors of the mayor’s office in the Town Hall.
“Good evening citizens of Echo Creek and the larger Colorado area. I am mayor Horatio Lewis. It has been my honor to serve Echo Creek in a variety of capacities for the last nineteen years. In that time, I’ve seen our city prosper, but I have also seen it suffer. I have seen triumph and I have seen setbacks. In all of my years serving this community, I have never witnessed the pain and anguish like I did when a portion of your city’s population, students from Grand Mesa University, were taken without provocation by a vigilante paramilitary force funded and armed by the corporation known as Furutrza.” Horatio said.
“Did this just go out to the students?” Fletcher asked. Udo shook his head numbly.
“It’s public, it went out to whoever was looking…” Udo whispered.
“My name is Julio Fernandez. I am the president of Grand Mesa University.” The second man said, his hair artfully slicked back and shaved on the sides, his square jaw offsetting his weathered face, his rugged good looks balanced by the fine suit he wore. As a university president, he hadn’t been the sort of faculty member living on high in his office. Each of the students had seen him around campus.
“As a matter of discourse, there has always been a debate about if a college campus should be a safe space for ideas to flourish, or a forge where reality is tested against the moral fiber of our youth… But there is no question that every campus should be a safe place for its students. There is no excuse for anyone to suffer because of their race, their sexuality, their gender, or religion. My students were targeted, abducted, and subjected to acts inhumane and cruel because they were different, because they were feared, because… they were werewolves.” Julio said.
“Marco…” Udo whispered but Marco said nothing, his eyes glued to the screen as Ren braced herself. She had dressed in a black blouse with gold flowers printed on it, her black slacks trim and neat. She looked approachable and yet formidable, ready for anything. Marco wondered how much of that was a mask.
“My name is Ren Sekikomori. I am a historian and serve on the city council here in Echo Creek. It has also been my life’s work to act as a protector to those that need it most. I am from an order of protectors that call themselves Keepers. For many years we served to keep the secret of the werewolves from the general public. We did this in the interest of mutual protection. To keep the werewolves in line ensured their survival, and it limited the risk to the public. The events of April fourth revealed the existence of one kind of werewolves to the world, but it did not reveal their history to the world and that lack of knowledge has led to needless suffering.” Ren explained.
“Oh my god…” Yom muttered.
“We address you tonight as community leaders and we acknowledge that we have failed to protect and defend those that depended on us. That ends tonight.” Horatio said clearly, “At midnight tonight, November sixteenth, Echo Creek, Colorado will officially be a Sanctuary City for all individuals - human, or otherwise...” Horatio announced, “A special session of the city council has unanimously passed laws prohibiting discrimination and prejudicial treatment against any minority. The city council has also commissioned the creation of a defense team to ensure the safety of our protected citizens.”
“Let us be clear...” Ren said, looking into the camera, “Echo Creek is a place of tolerance, acceptance, growth and understanding… but we will protect our citizens, our students, our people. Never again will our children be taken.”
“The coming days will not be easy for any of us, but the days of keeping secrets are behind us. Our efforts will be public, and they will be transparent. Other communities can learn from our failures and our successes. With the proper education, we can all become better citizens and better people.” Julio explained.
“To each of you watching this, I leave you with one last thought… If you live your life in fear, you can never truly live… Fear paralyzes those that are afraid of change and those that they terrorize. It is a poison that kills both the attacker and those attacked. We can all live together, truly live, if we put that fear behind us. If you cannot, then my last word of warning is this - Do not come to Echo Creek. This is a sanctuary. We will defend it.” Horatio said clearly before the video ended, jumping back to a blurry version of the first frame.
Absolute silence filled the car, though Marco realized that the silence was worse for him. He couldn’t hear the heartbeats or the breathing of his pack. He couldn’t smell the changes to their scents. Somehow, after everything they had been through, after everything they had experienced, that moment hit Marco hard. He closed his eyes and leaned back in his seat; his head pressed to the headrest. Fletcher reached up and rubbed Marco’s shoulder. Marco smiled without opening his eyes, reaching up to rest his hand on Fletcher’s, rubbing it softly.
“We… We don’t have to go back, if you don’t want to.” Fletcher said softly. Marco opened his eyes at that, looking in the rear-view mirror at Fletcher, then Udo, then Duncan before he looked over at Yom. Marco knew how he felt, but he also wasn’t sure if he had the right to make those kinds of decisions anymore. Marco unhooked his seatbelt so he could turn to face them all better.
“Echo Creek’s going to be a flashpoint, for better and worse. The world’s attention will be directed at the school, at the people there, at the people we care about. They’ll have more help than ever before, but they are going to have a target on their back. I want to help, but it isn’t right… if I make the decision for you all…” Marco said.
“Zatkni past!” Yom cursed, his Russian flaring a bit in his voice, “I don’t care what that self-important glowing cloud did, you are still our Alpha. You are still our leader. You are our conscience and our guide. They would be so lucky to learn what you have to offer!”
“Damn straight.” Udo grinned wide.
“You don’t get out of this by playing the human card, my friend. You let me tag along before we figured out what was going on with me.” Fletcher smiled. Duncan gave a meek, shy smile himself.
“Besides, didn’t you say you lived a whole other life in your head where you were human? Didn’t you still make things better for people even then?” Duncan asked. Marco looked at them all for a long moment, feeling a bit surprised and relieved and loved and respected all at the same time. Marco exhaled his stress, feeling his shoulders relax a bit.
“Then our destination is set. We’re going back to Echo Creek. We’re going to try and put our lives back together, and we’re going to help everyone else in the process. It’ll be a challenge, but we’ve been through tougher stuff.” Marco said, buckling his seatbelt back in before he turned the Mazda on. Yom handed Fletcher his phone back before turning the music back on.
Marco took one last look at his family’s temporary home in the rear-view mirror before he pulled out of the driveway, turning back onto the street. The headlights shone out from the car, the taillights burning a bright red as it stopped at the stop sign, waiting just a moment before heading out into the night, traveling beneath the sky, the stars, and a waxing crescent moon. The moon was timeless, ever shifting, ever changing, a companion through the darkest nights. It was more than just a lump of rock orbiting the planet - it was an idea, a mythic concept that traveled with every human through their lives. Marco knew the werewolf inside him was gone, but everything he’d learned and everything he had gained was still with him. Marco had faith in his family and friends, and even without his second skin, he knew they would persevere.
LYKOS
Second Skin
Epilogue - Nature Versus Nurture
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Days have passed and the dust has settled. The Futurza Incident will be remembered by the world, but the ripples have spread outward and continue to have consequences. How will Marco's pack choose to move on from these life changing events?
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Lykos is continuing thanks to my amazing, generous patrons. Their support has allowed this story to flourish and grow into something new and exciting and evolving. Patrons get early access to Lykos chapters like these as well as exclusive stories. If you're interested in reading ahead and supporting other original content like this, please check out my Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/LeoTodrius
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Category Story / Human
Species Human
Gender Multiple characters
Size 120 x 120px
File Size 19.9 kB
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The whole part about "letting the secret out" and Echo Creek becoming a sanctuary is really interesting, and I'm sure it will bring a lot of development going forward.
Personally i read the part about the pack's reaction, and Marco not being able to feel it like he's used to, and ohhhh man this breaks my heart into thousand of tiny pieces and then tramples it thoroughly 😭😭😭
You're a fantastic writer, but damn I didn't sign up to get so much sadness injected into ly veins... (just kidding i'm a sucker for these stories).
Guess I'm gonna cry about Marco for a bit once again... Well done as always ^^
Personally i read the part about the pack's reaction, and Marco not being able to feel it like he's used to, and ohhhh man this breaks my heart into thousand of tiny pieces and then tramples it thoroughly 😭😭😭
You're a fantastic writer, but damn I didn't sign up to get so much sadness injected into ly veins... (just kidding i'm a sucker for these stories).
Guess I'm gonna cry about Marco for a bit once again... Well done as always ^^
I'm really torn!!! Everyone's reacting so strongly to Marco's change, and that means I did well to make people care for him and root for him, and I'm very empathetic so people suffering is not the goal for sure! But think of story structure! The characters have to have losses if they are to have gains, think of what other possibilities might exist! I'm glad you're a sucker for stories like this and will stick with it, I'm sure you'll have a variety of interesting rewards!
I think what really made me think about it was some analysis people made of "Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back." It's the middle of a trilogy, things really don't go well for most of the characters. It ends on a down note. They're battered, they're divided... but that means the triumph would be so much greater. Same with "Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan." Loss inspired TWO movies, created a trilogy that forms the core of who I am... I love happy stuff, but sometimes... there's a lot you can do if they lose ground.
Okay, what the actual fuck? First, Twister destroys with his ending to Wild Things, and now you? Are you in this together?! Russian Hoax! Collusion!
J/K. Finally I've found some time to read the last 3 chapters (okay 2 + epilogue!) What a marvelous end to this volume of Lykos! I really enjoyed reading it, and reading the last two chapters. Didn't see it coming (literally!) to Marco , or Naomi and it is definitely a twist! I really wonder what will happen in volume 3 for the guys!
BTW, I imagine you don't have too much free time on your hands, but if you have a couple of free minutes, I invite you to read my collaboration with WolfTF918, a story called Packing.
J/K. Finally I've found some time to read the last 3 chapters (okay 2 + epilogue!) What a marvelous end to this volume of Lykos! I really enjoyed reading it, and reading the last two chapters. Didn't see it coming (literally!) to Marco , or Naomi and it is definitely a twist! I really wonder what will happen in volume 3 for the guys!
BTW, I imagine you don't have too much free time on your hands, but if you have a couple of free minutes, I invite you to read my collaboration with WolfTF918, a story called Packing.
Hahaha. I love your feedback. I can say that I shared some of what I was planning with Trickster, but I fell behind so we didn't collude in a bilateral direction at the very least. I had Naomi's ending planned for a long time, but I started to realize the inevitability of Marco's as I realized the sort of opposition he was facing and why lycanthropy came into the world in the first place. That being said, challenges present opportunities so book 3 is already shaping up great!
I'll try to check it out. It's the least I can do after you've read so much!
I'll try to check it out. It's the least I can do after you've read so much!
Meh, it's all right if you don't get into it, just wanted to know how a fellow author thinks.
Well, I came across this story, I think, last year or so, and it was amazing to read. This volume was very different than its predecessor, and I love how the characters evolved and did some self-discoveries. My favourite is Udo (though I LOVE Yom when he cursed in Russian haha), but love every one of them. Will wait eagerly for volume 3 to unravel!
Well, I came across this story, I think, last year or so, and it was amazing to read. This volume was very different than its predecessor, and I love how the characters evolved and did some self-discoveries. My favourite is Udo (though I LOVE Yom when he cursed in Russian haha), but love every one of them. Will wait eagerly for volume 3 to unravel!
Ohhh! Udo love! That's very refreshing! He's certainly the heart of the pack, haha. And I have some interesting potential for him in the next book for sure.
Oh yes, this one was different than book one for sure! When I wrote chapter 3-01 and put it up on Patreon, it was such a huge relief to get back to Echo Creek, haha.
Oh yes, this one was different than book one for sure! When I wrote chapter 3-01 and put it up on Patreon, it was such a huge relief to get back to Echo Creek, haha.
I am not good at English but thanks to the translator-chan I am here to share my feeling that your work has left me
Years ago there was a series called Teen Wolf that I finished, which I am very fanatical even years after I ended up believing that I would not see or find something with its theme that came to its heels.
And then I found your work and it may not be a kind of professional or critical connoisseur, but I can say that I loved it and definitely fell in love with it to affirm for me that without a doubt your work was better than that series that I appreciate so much
I love the characters especially Fletcher I love him I love him he's the best but that's me being too fanatical about him so full stop
At first I came for the content NSFW aware that I loved your stories in many subjects not only for the content of that type but also for the plot structure and creativity in the development of the world and the plot, but although I came for that reason I left that thought when I started getting into the story to the point that I think without NSFW it would still be fabulous
I do not know if I imply myself but if this comment can be described as the first one I do in my account since I created it a year ago and the work I did with this fabulous story that I will share with my friends turned out to be so important to me so I have to force them to read it XD
It is not a joke when I say that it bothers me to read long stories but I was so trapped that it was 3 days without almost sleeping and with a lot of coffee to finish the series until this point
To finish I hope that my thoughts and emotions are processed as I want and I will only say I'm dying for the wait for when part 3 of this story comes out
I really can't wait !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Psd: hail Fletcher best character !!!!
Years ago there was a series called Teen Wolf that I finished, which I am very fanatical even years after I ended up believing that I would not see or find something with its theme that came to its heels.
And then I found your work and it may not be a kind of professional or critical connoisseur, but I can say that I loved it and definitely fell in love with it to affirm for me that without a doubt your work was better than that series that I appreciate so much
I love the characters especially Fletcher I love him I love him he's the best but that's me being too fanatical about him so full stop
At first I came for the content NSFW aware that I loved your stories in many subjects not only for the content of that type but also for the plot structure and creativity in the development of the world and the plot, but although I came for that reason I left that thought when I started getting into the story to the point that I think without NSFW it would still be fabulous
I do not know if I imply myself but if this comment can be described as the first one I do in my account since I created it a year ago and the work I did with this fabulous story that I will share with my friends turned out to be so important to me so I have to force them to read it XD
It is not a joke when I say that it bothers me to read long stories but I was so trapped that it was 3 days without almost sleeping and with a lot of coffee to finish the series until this point
To finish I hope that my thoughts and emotions are processed as I want and I will only say I'm dying for the wait for when part 3 of this story comes out
I really can't wait !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Psd: hail Fletcher best character !!!!
That is such high praise, and I thank you not only for writing about my work, but also a second thank you because you took the time to translate it! I am so lucky and so thankful to you!
I am also honored that you find that Lykos better than Teen Wolf. I was inspired by Teen Wolf to write Lykos. It showed me that I could use a premise like that and make stories. Some things I beat them to. I wondered what werewolves would have done in World War 2 before them, but then they beat me to it by including other supernatural species. It was a give and take for sure.
Haha, Fletcher might be my favorite too!
I'm relieved that you found the plot to be good enough. I think book 3 will have more NSFW content than book 2 did. The story just seemed kind of huge and it was hard to break away to the fun times.
:O You binged the series, you read everything all at once! Thank you so much!
You won't have to wait too long. Chapters 1 and 2 of book 3 are finished and should come to FA next month!
:D Fletcher's blushing.
I am also honored that you find that Lykos better than Teen Wolf. I was inspired by Teen Wolf to write Lykos. It showed me that I could use a premise like that and make stories. Some things I beat them to. I wondered what werewolves would have done in World War 2 before them, but then they beat me to it by including other supernatural species. It was a give and take for sure.
Haha, Fletcher might be my favorite too!
I'm relieved that you found the plot to be good enough. I think book 3 will have more NSFW content than book 2 did. The story just seemed kind of huge and it was hard to break away to the fun times.
:O You binged the series, you read everything all at once! Thank you so much!
You won't have to wait too long. Chapters 1 and 2 of book 3 are finished and should come to FA next month!
:D Fletcher's blushing.
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