~ A LITTLE TIME LATER ~

Sebastian sits in the middle of the bed, his back against the headboard, his arms wrapped around Lois, who sits between his legs and leans against his chest. He wants her to contain herself to avoid any kind of bad reaction when she learns the truth.

Lois: Well, what's this very important thing I need to know?

Here we are, Sebastian. It's now or never. Hang in there! You got it.

Sebastian: Tell me, please, what do you remember about the attack?

Lois' body tightens in his arms.

Lois: Sebastian, I can't tell you. Don't push me!

Sebastian: Baby, it's very important or I wouldn't insist. Please tell me exactly what you remember.

You are doing fine, Sebastian. Go on!

Lois: I don't remember much. Peter was drunk and Mark drove us home. I hadn't had anything to drink, but the son of a bitch wouldn't even let me drive because he didn't trust me. At some point we pulled over because Peter wanted to puke. I stayed in the car with Mark because it was cold. And then he... Mark, I mean... suddenly attacked me. I don't know why. He never showed any intentions like that. He seemed so good. And I didn't do anything. I swear it, Sebastian. I never provoked him. I wasn't wearing any slutty clothes either. I swear it. You believe me?

Sebastian: Of course, I believe you, baby. I never had a doubt in my mind. Go on.

Lois: When he attacked me, I started screaming. Peter heard my screams and ran back, but Mark hit him, and then he went on with me. I don't remember anything else. I woke up in the hospital.

Sebastian's blood is boiling hot. That bastard messed with her mind. He's got the story all wrong.

Sebastian: Tell me something. Do you remember Mark attacking you? I mean, do you remember him touching you or anything?

Lois turns and looks at him in amazement.

Lois: Why are you asking me that?

Sebastian: Answer me.

Lois: Honestly, no. I don't remember that. The last thing I remember about him is putting his head on the steering wheel.

Come on, Sebastian. Now is the time. Do it!

Sebastian: Kitten, that night Mark didn't attack you. It was someone else.

Sebastian feels Lois stiffen. She presses his hands against her body. Even her breath comes out with difficulty.

Lois: If it wasn't him, then who was it?

Sebastian: Peter.

Lois: Peter? No. No. It can't be. No way. No. Why would he do that? It was Mark. Peter told me... My parents ... Mark was jealous of Peter. He wanted to hurt him, and because he couldn't hurt him, he hurt me. That's how it happened.

Sebastian pulls her even tighter.

Sebastian: No, baby. That's not how it happened.

Lois: How do you know? Who told you?

Sebastian: Mark. He confessed everything to Jared after your breakdown.

Lois: And you believe him?

Sebastian: He's got proof, baby. He was the one who carried you to the hospital on foot when Peter took the car and left you in the wilderness. He walked all night carrying you and when you got to the hospital he collapsed. He was in the hospital for several days with pneumonia. You weren't the only one who risked his life that night. He has the papers he signed for your operation. He took full responsibility. He saved you.

Lois: No. He is ... He can't, Sebastian. But how...? And why...?

Sebastian: I know it sounds crazy and it's hard to swallow, but think. You know them both. Which one of them is really capable of something like this? Mark or Peter?

Lois is shaking like a leaf. Tears roll down her eyes like a waterfall. Sebastian can feel her heart pounding madly, and her scent... Her scent is changing.

She tries to get up, but he tightens his grip. She is as fragile as glass right now. The blow of truth has caused cracks. He needs to hold her together. If he lets her get up now, she will shatter into pieces. He has to protect her.

Lois: Let me up.

Sebastian: No! Not now!

Lois: Sebastian, I said let me up!

Sebastian: Please, Lois. I'm begging you! Please, don't!

Lois: How could he do this to me? All these years... And Mark? He was there. Why didn't he help me? I was screaming for help and... and...

Sebastian frowns. This is the moment he was afraid of. The moment of realization. The moment Lois was supposed to go through alone.

Sebastian: He was afraid. Peter's been bullying him for years. I don't want to defend him, of course. I may owe him for saving you back then, but he's going to pay for making you suffer. Everyone will pay for what they did to you. I swear to you! I'll make them regret the moment they were born.

Suddenly, Lois begins to scream. She holds her head, threatening to explode, and screams like a wounded animal.

With a strength Sebastian never thought she had, she pushes his hands away and runs from him. She hides in the corner, in the shadows. Sebastian can't see her, but he can hear her sobs and his heart bleeds because he can't help her.

She has to make it on her own. Sebastian knows this for a fact. He's been through this before. This is what we call the crosspoint. The point where you either give up and everything falls apart with no chance of recovery, or you decide to keep going and ask for help.

Sebastian puts his feet on the floor, sits on the edge of the bed, leaning over his head. He prays to God to help Lois hang on and asks for his help, but he hasn't calculated everything. It looks like there's a third way. The path Lois chooses and surprises him once again.

Sometimes unleashing your inner beast is the only way to survive. So, instead of breaking down or begging for help, Lois chooses this path. The third solution. She unleashes her inner beast and...

The she-wolf rises!

She comes crawling to his feet. Sebastian looks at her and raises his hand to stroke her hair, but she takes it and brings it to her lips. She kisses his palm. He looks at her, kind of confused. Her hair is messy. Her cheeks glow a vivid scarlet. Her lips are moist. Her eyes are red and shiny, but she's not crying anymore. She's so beautiful.

Lois: All my life I've been a sheep, just following the flock. They have tormented me. They have taken advantage of me. They humiliated me, and I always took the fall. But that's all over now. Today. I'm ready to kill this sheep and be reborn. To become what you want me to be. The only question is... Do you want me?

Sebastian: Do I really have to answer that? Don't you already know the answer?

Lois: I do, and that's why I'm fighting. I promised you that I would fight. I just want to hear it.

Sebastian: I want you, Lois. I've wanted you from the first moment I saw you, I want you now and I'll want you all my life! You are my moon and a wolf can't live without his moon.

Lois: Tell me you love me.

Sebastian: I love you, Lois. More than you can even imagine.

Lois: Kiss me, Wolf. Kiss me the way only you can. Kiss me and give breath to the She-Wolf inside me. Kill the sheep and let me be reborn in your hands. In my safe place. To my home.

Sebastian takes Lois' hands and stands, pulling her with him. He wraps his arms around her waist and she hugs his neck.

Sebastian: Then the She-Wolf shall be born.

Sebastian feels Lois change... transforming into his hands. He senses the awakening in her, the awakening of the she-wolf. He feels it in the way she responds to his kiss. In the way she sucks in his breath while simultaneously giving him the oxygen he needs. But it's not just that. Everything about her screams out this change. The way she moves. The way she touches him. The way she invites his own touch. The way she sighs in response to his own moans.

Yet despite this change, Sebastian can feel her need for submission, with the small difference that now that need is only for him. He holds in his hand an independent, powerful creature that belongs only to him. She will only allow him to subdue her. No one else. Ever again.

So, Jared was right after all. Lois- His Lois has managed to surprise him once again.

As he ends the kiss, Sebastian looks at Lois with a smile.

Lois: Why are you looking at me like that?

Sebastian: First, I admire you, and second, I'm trying to figure out what the hell is going on.

Lois: You were expecting me to break down, weren't you?

Sebastian: After something like that, yeah, I was afraid of that. When you left my arms and hid in the shadows, my blood froze. Why did you do that?

Lois: I don't know. It was spontaneous. I just felt the need to hide. The shadows were calling to me.

Sebastian: You'll never stop surprising me.

Lois: Is that a bad thing?

Sebastian: Are you kidding? It's the best. I fucking love it, Kitten.

Lois: I think you are going to have to come up with another nickname for me now, Wolf.

Sebastian bursts out laughing.

Sebastian: Oh, no. You may be a wonderful and strong she-wolf now, but to me you'll always be my kitten.

Lois frames Sebastian's face and gives him a smacking kiss on the lips.

Lois: If that's the case, Wolf, it's time you make me purr.

Sebastian: With pleasure, Kitten.

He lifts her into his arms, takes a few steps, and presses her against the wall, stroking her thighs and not just that.

His lips collide with hers as she pulls him on top of her. A moan escapes her mouth as he pulls the kiss deeper and deeper. Four lips in one mouth. Nothing can separate them. She is the fire and he is the gunpowder. And when these two come together, you know what happens... EXPLOSION !

Lois slips through his hands and when she's back on her feet, she grabs his shirt and flips him over, this time pinning him against the wall. Sebastian doesn't fight back. He's too surprised, but also too excited to do it.

Sebastian: Wow, Kitten.

Lois: Tell me something, Wolf. Have you ever been submissive?

Sebastian: No. As far as I can remember, no.

Lois: Then it's time you saw what it's like!

Sebastian: Huh?

She kisses his lips hungrily, grabs the collar of his shirt and rips it open in one swift motion, leaving the buttons scattered everywhere.

She starts kissing his body, from his neck to deep below his belly button. Sebastian runs his hands through his hair and moans deeply.

Sebastian: Son of a bitch!

Lois: Today, you are mine. I am the master and you are my pet. Deal?

Sebastian: You have got 15 minutes, Kitten. Then the wolf will wake up.

Lois: That's enough!

Lois grabs his belt and pulls him close, tossing him into bed and going up to him to kiss him over and over. His face is priceless and makes Lois laugh.

Lois: What's the matter, Wolf? It seems strange, doesn't it?

Sebastian: I... I mean... FUCK ! Don't mind me and take the ball out.

Lois: Sure!

With quick and determined movements, she gets rid of the rest of her clothes and without wasting any more time, she takes in his whole length and starts riding him fast, like an Amazon would do with her winged stallion. Sebastian, enjoying the ride, leaves his hands open at his sides, temporarily leaving full control to Lois.

Her breath flows in and out of her lungs as she rocks on his lap, rubbing her insides with his hard cock. Sebastian's vocal expressions of pleasure excite her even more, bringing her to the point of no return. She arches her back, tilts her head back and squirts on his cock, screaming at the top of her lungs.

She collapses on top of him, exhausted, trying to catch her breath. Sebastian puts his hand in her hair.

Sebastian: Are you satisfied now, Kitten?

Lois: I am, in spades, I'd say.

Sebastian: Perfect. Now it's my turn!

Lois: Oh, shit!

A surprised laugh escapes Lois's mouth as Sebastian, without even taking his cock out of her, twists his body, presses her under him, and begins to fuck her, pressing his fingers around her throat.

Sebastian: What happened earlier, Kitten, happened because I let it happen, and if it happens again, it will happen because I will let it happen. You may have me on a leash, but I will always be the dominant one. Are we clear?

Lois: Yes!

Sebastian: Yes what?

Lois: Yes, Master!

Sebastian: That's my girl! And now I want you to cum again.

Lois: Yes, Master! Fuck me harder!

He thrusts even further into her and she gasps. She can feel the veins of his cock pulsing in her vagina. His well-toned body glistens with sweat as his hips thrust into her. His lustful moans fill her ears and the ache between her legs tightens. Every neuron in her body fires with sensory overload as the warm feeling of orgasm floods her core.

Sebastian: CUM! CUM WITH ME !

Lois: YES!

Once again, she obeys his command and she comes at the same time as he shoots his load into her with a few hard thrusts. They both scream together, but it's not enough to lessen the intensity of their bodies. As Sebastian sinks his teeth into the flesh of her shoulder, she runs her nails across his back, leaving eight parallel lines on his skin, because as we all know... the wolf has fangs, but the kitten has claws.

***

~ A LITTLE BIT LATER ~

Lois is lying on top of Sebastian with her head resting on his chest as he strokes her back and hair. They both have their eyes closed and are deep in their own thoughts. We leave Sebastian for a while and focus on Lois.

As she listens to Sebastian's steady heartbeat, she thinks about how lucky she is to have someone like him in her life. Before she met him, she was sure she was going to spend her whole life with Peter, and she was resigned to it. And suddenly everything was different. He invaded her life and turned everything upside down. With him, she learned about a whole new world and what it means to love and be loved. She owes him so much. She would do anything for him.

A cover story she had read in a magazine a few years ago comes to her mind. The article was about a woman, Lois' age, who, when someone tried to kill the man she loved, didn't hesitate to throw herself in front of the bullet and make her body a shield for him.

Lois laughed at what that woman had done and said she would never do such a thing for anyone. Certainly not for Peter. But now, with Sebastian in her life, Lois understands exactly why this woman did what she did. For Sebastian, Lois would do exactly the same thing without hesitation.

Sebastian's voice brings her back down to earth.

Sebastian: A penny for your thoughts.

Lois: You don't have to pay. I was just thinking about how much I love you and that I would do anything for you.

Sebastian: I love you too, Kitten.

Lois: And would you do anything for me?

Sebastian: Anything. Without hesitation.

Lois: Even have a baby?

Sebastian laughs and pulls Lois up, straddling her body on his own, stroking her hair and feeling her butt.

Sebastian: What's the matter, Kitten? Do you want to be a mommy?

Lois: Don't you?

Sebastian: Be a mommy? That's technically and anatomically impossible, don't you think?

Lois: Come on! Don't make fun of me, and tell me. Would you like to have a baby? Would you like to be a father?

Sebastian: A father, huh? To tell you the truth, until recently I hadn't even thought of it, but now, yes, I would, but on one condition.

Lois: What?

Sebastian: That you become the mother of this baby.

Lois: Are you telling me the truth?

Sebastian: After the fiasco I've been through, yeah, baby, I'm telling you the truth. I would love to have children with you and if you want, we can have the first one right here, right now!

Sebastian tries to kiss her, but Lois laughingly stops him by putting her hand on his chest.

Lois: Oh, no! Stay back, you perverted Wolf! Save your appetite for later. Now we have a revenge to plan, and I also hungry as a wolf.

Sebastian: Shocking!

Lois sticks her tongue out at Sebastian.

Lois: Come on, get up and move your sexy butt. Your female is hungry and you need to feed her. Chop-chop!

Sebastian: Sorry to break it to you, Kitten, but in a pack, the females hunt and feed the males, not the other way around, so you cook, I eat.

Lois frowns.

Lois: Whatever! Come on, let's go.

They get up and get dressed, laughing. Holding hands, they cross the living room and walk into the kitchen. Strangely, they find all the rooms empty.

Lois: Where did they all go?

Sebastian: I have no idea.

Lois looks around and notices a post-it note on the fridge.

Lois: Look there. There's a post-it note on the fridge.

Sebastian goes over and reads the note.

Lois: Well?

Sebastian: It's from Jared. He says he has a business appointment, but he will not be long. Mark and Jessie went to Jared's mom's house so you can calm down after... you know. They are going to wait for us to call them to come back. And finally, he says dinner is in the oven.

Lois: Thank God! I was so bored I had to cook.

Sebastian: That's not fair, damn it!

Lois: Complain to the president, honey!

Sebastian: Yuck, Kitten. Don't call me honey. It's lame.

Lois laughingly takes the pan out of the oven and a few minutes later they are eating off the same plate. It's something of a habit. In the early days of their flat together, Lois always picked at Sebastian's plate, even though they always ate the same thing. At one point Sebastian got annoyed and emptied the contents of his plate into Lois's plate so she couldn't pick at his plate anymore. From that day on, they always eat from the same plate, even when they eat at a restaurant.

Lois says something, but because her mouth is full, Sebastian doesn't understand anything.

Sebastian: Baby, swallow first and then speak. I didn't understand anything.

Lois gulps and laughs.

Lois: I said that what I eat is delicious, though I have no idea what it is.

Sebastian laughs.

Sebastian: It's round zucchinis stuffed with ground meat and bechamel sauce. It's Jared's favorite. It's a Greek recipe that my mom used to cook for us.

Lois: Would you like to talk to me about your parents? If it doesn't hurt you, of course.

Sebastian: It doesn't hurt. At least not as much anymore. Give me a minute.

Sebastian goes into the living room and comes right back with a photo in his hand, which he gives to Lois.

Sebastian: It's the only photo I have. A few days before the accident. Here, this is Damon and Elena Jones.

Lois looks at the photo. She can see Sebastian's resemblance to his father and also her resemblance to his mother. Damon and Elena Jones were a well-matched and very beautiful couple who died so young. They look so young in the picture. It's so unfair.

Lois: They are beautiful and so young.

Sebastian: My father was 33 and my mother was 32.

Lois: How old were you when they died?

Sebastian: Almost 16.

Lois: But how?

Sebastian: How could they have such an old boy when they were so young?

Lois: Yeah.

Sebastian: My mother got pregnant after a pretty wild party. Her parents demanded that she have an abortion, but she and my father categorically refused.

Lois: So, your mom's parents were assholes, huh? She and I have something in common after all.

Sebastian: You two have a lot in common. After that, she left home and went to live with my dad. His parents, the only grandparents I have met, took her in like she was their own child and that's how I was born. My father was 17 and my mother was 16. They finished school with me in their arms. My mother breastfed me when she had exams, and my father carried me in a carrier bag at his graduation. They got married right after that.

Lois: That's amazing.

Sebastian: They were amazing. They loved each other. As long as I can remember, I never heard them fight. Not even once. My mom was very sweet and she loved to cook. My father was completely crazy, in a good way of course. He taught me how to dance and sing. He shared with me his passion for motorcycles and rock music. They were great parents and I'm sure they would love you if they knew you. The only good thing about their early passing is that they didn't live to see what became of their only son. They had so many dreams for me and I became a fucking gangster who works as a gigolo in his spare time. A piece of shit! A scumbag!

Lois: Whoa, mister! Slow down.

Sebastian: Why, Kitten? Am I wrong about something?

Lois: Of course, you're wrong. You may be a gangster and a gigolo, but your heart is pure and you are a very good person.

Sebastian: Yeah, right. That's bullshit!

Lois: Oh! For God's sake!

Lois slams the counter shut and grabs Sebastian by the collar. She brings her face closer to his and bares her teeth.

Lois: Listen to me and listen to me good, Mr. Jones. I don't care what you are or what you have done. What I do know is that there is no one better than you. Your hands may be dirty, but your heart isn't. Because if it was, you couldn't love me or your best friend or your men. Do you understand me? And finally, I forbid you to speak ill of the man I love. Nobody talks bad about my wolf, not even you. Do we understand each other?

Sebastian: Crystal clear, Kitten.

Lois: Wonderful!

And she finishes her statement with a rather passionate kiss.

That's how Jared finds them when he gets back from his business meeting.

Jared: For God's sake! Let me go into a room and not see you two piggybacking! Have mercy on me!

Sebastian and Lois move away from each other, giggling.

Sebastian: Then it's time you learned to knock first.

Jared: In my own house? Give me a break, asshole!

Sebastian: Don't get mad at me, man. She attacked me!

Lois: HEY!

Jared: Is that so, doll?

Lois: He provoked me. It's not my fault.

Jared: Shouldn't you be devastated or something?

Lois: Why would I be?

Jared: Because of everything you have learned, maybe? Or haven't you learned anything?

Jared looks at Sebastian.

Sebastian: She has. She knows everything.

Jared: And she's like that? How is that possible?

Lois: Actually, it's quite simple. The old Lois would be devastated after hearing this news. I'm not her anymore. I killed her and put a new and improved model in her place. No more Lois the Sheep. Long live Lois the She-Wolf!

Jared stares at Lois with his mouth open.

Sebastian: Shut your mouth, you idiot. You'll catch flies in there.

Jared: But how?

Sebastian: Didn't you tell me she could surprise us again? There you go. She did it.

Jared: I'll be damned!

Lois: Why, jerk? You don't like the new version?

Jared: Are you kidding me, bitch? I love her! Good job, girl. I'm so happy for you.

Lois: Thank you, Jay-Jay. For everything.

Sebastian: But you are not just happy for Lois. There's something else going on, isn't there?

Jared: I can't keep anything from you, can I?

Sebastian: No.

Jared: I got the job.

Sebastian: What job?

Jared: THE job!

Lois: The one you didn't want to jinx?

Jared: Yeah.

Sebastian: And? What job is that?

Jared clears his throat and announces the very good news in a highly official tone.

Jared: In about a month, you two will be living with a very rich and famous photographer.

Sebastian: Wait, wait! You mean what I think?

Jared: If you think I'm going to do my first show together with a famous painter, FUCK YEAH!

Jared cheers and Sebastian with Lois run to him and hug him.

Sebastian: Finally, buddy. I'm so insanely happy for you!

Lois: Me too! Me too! It was your dream. Congratulations!

Jared: Thank you! Thank you both! But congratulations and wishes are not enough. I need your help, too.

Sebastian: With what?

Lois: How can we help you?

Jared: By becoming my models. The exhibit has a very specific theme, and you two are a perfect fit.

Lois: We? What's the theme?

Jared: Absolute love in all its forms.

Sebastian: And you want us? Me and Lois?

Jared: Of course! You are perfect. You are both beautiful, you are both photogenic, and most importantly, you love each other unconditionally and irrevocably. What else can I ask for?

Sebastian: Kitten, what do you think?

Lois: I think, HELL YEAH!

Sebastian: All right.

Jared: Guys, thank you so much!

Lois: Jared, who's the painter?

Jared: Hold on tight, doll.

Lois: Come on! Tell me!

Jared: Mary Morningstar - Harronate!