Theo-

Walking to my house after all of that seems completely surreal. I don't even know what time it is right now, but my body is about to fall apart.

I can hear the howling from behind me, and I know it's Danny and his....herd? No pack.

Ahead of me, I can hear voices in the backyard, and I and see Riker running around his backyard like a mad man. He's probably been warning me about Chris this whole time.

"Theo!" I hear in a harsh whisper, and I know it's Uncle Mason.

He hops the fence like a gymnast And pulls me into a hug. "I was so worried," he says and then Kisses the top of my head. "So worried. Let me look at you."

He examines my face and neck and pulls me tighter. "I'm so sorry I lied to you, Theo."

I push back and shake my head, "no. I'm sorry." I'm starting to cry again, "you were right. Mom called me. She told me the reason she couldn't see me."

"Is that why you ran away?" He asks, and I see a pair of paramedics behind him eyeing me. He ignores them and looks me in the eyes.

I shake my head, "no. You were right to be mad at me. Bryce was mad cause of Danny. Danny was mad cause I was mad. So I left to fix it with him and then Bryce and then you.....and ....and ....and then it all happened."

He shushes me gently, "you're ok, buddy. You're safe. Let's get you looked at."

I nod and then realize I have a message for the paramedics, "Ummm, Brenden said about 20 people are coming by..., and you'd know what to do."

They smile and nod at each other and head over to the Sheriff's van I saw in the driveway. Uncle Mason takes me inside. I'm shocked to see Megan and Mrs. Madison waiting for me, less shocked to see Bryce, Jackson, and Mandy, and even less shocked when Aunt Tasha tackles me into a motherly hug.

"Oh, Theo. I was so worried," she says and does a quick check on my face.

"I'll be ok. I promise," I say as the others crowd around me.

Megan is last to hug me, "you smell terrible, but I'm glad you're ok."

I smile and look over as the paramedics come back inside. The taller of the two gestures for me to sit down, "let's get you cleaned up."

He starts on my face, and the other checks out my arm to make sure the cast is ok.

I can tell everyone is nervous, so I just say what I'm thinking, "sooooo, does everyone in here know what happened tonight?"

All eyes flash to me. Thankfully Mrs. Madison comes to my rescue, "they all know the basics, but we're waiting for Owen before we got into it all."

I nod and hiss as the guy starts cleaning my neck. He looks concerned for a second, "Is that a bite?"

I cover my neck but know the damage is done as Megan and Danny's Mom look nervously at me. I nod and whisper, "kind of."

The two guys share a look and then turn to look at the backyard. Where a wave of shirtless people are coming over the fence. They quickly head out back, and I look at them all. Of course, all of them are wearing department sweats, so that's what they went to get.

Bryce takes a seat next to me, "hey. I know you went to see Danny. I hope it's for the reason, I think."

I nod and look at Megan, " I guess what I saw....wasn't really what I saw?"

She smiles and shakes her head, "Danny is all yours. I've got my man."

Bryce Laughs and hugs me tightly; Jackson and Mandy come around and join in the love fest.

I hear Uncle Mason sniff back, and I know he's crying a bit too. But then, we all jump when someone knocks on the glass door.

I look and see Mr. Madison standing there....and a bruised Danny behind him. I break away from my family, move past Mr. Madison, and hug Danny.

I hear him breathe out in slight pain, but when I pull back, he pulls me in again and whispers, "don't go. Please."

I feel him shaking and look around at the people in the yard. Finally, Mr. Madison breaks the silence, "everyone go home. Meeting tomorrow at the usual place, and I'll debrief you all then."

They all nod, and I avert my eyes again as 18 people strip and vanish into the night.

I hear Jackson quietly go, "wow." Meaning the wolves are gone.

I look into Danny's blue eyes and see he's crying a bit. I wipe a tear off his cheek and whisper, "I love you, wolf boy."

He laughs and then says, "I thought I lost you, T. I really thought I lost you."

"I'm sorry," I mumble into his shoulder.

"Don't be. I love you, and I would've told you if I could," he says and leans in for another kiss.

His Dad clears his throat and gets our attention, "you two come inside. I have a lot to explain."
******
Danny-

Watching Mrs. Collins, Jackson, Mandy, and Theo learn about all of this is interesting. I didn't know the Sheriff knew, but it's clear that he didn't tell his wife anything. Again, proving that he's a stand-up man.

Dad's trying to keep it simple for them; yes, we turn into animals. Yes, there are hundreds of us in this little town. But, no, he won't tell us who.

Theo seems to be still stunned by the events cause he's just quiet and listening. Finally, Jackson asks the first real question of the night, "soooooooo basically everyone in town is like you?"

Dad shakes his head, "not everyone. towns like Astoria are good for us to blend in but also have a sense of community."

Mandy makes a face and raises her hand, "can I see?"

Her Dad cuts that off, "not tonight! You two need to keep this to yourselves, though. I'm sure some of your friends are like them," he looks at Dad, who nods. "If they want to tell you, then they'll tell you, ok."

They both nod, and Mandy looks at Megan, who's holding Bryce's hand, "but you're one?"

She nods, "yup."

"Cool. Cool. What's next," says Mandy with a smile. " we've got wolves. What else?"

"That's enough for tonight. You three head to bed. We need to talk to Theo," says Sheriff Collins with a smile to his adventurous kids."

He nods to me to head outside with Megan, but I feel Theo's hand on mine still, "ahhhh, Sheriff. Can I stay here tonight.....please." His eyebrows cock, and Bryce slams to a stop. I push on, "I...I just don't want him out of my sight after tonight. Please."

Theo looks at his Uncle, and I hope he gives him a pleading face. The Sheriff looks to his wife, who nods, and he does too. Then, just as Bryce opens his mouth, he holds up a hand, "no. The night Megan saves your life, you can have a one-night pass, but not until then. Now go."

"Megan, I'll be out in a second. Your Dad knows I'm driving you home," shouts Dad. I don't hear her response, but I don't care. I've got Theo.

"Ok. You two. What do you need to know tonight?" Asks Dad.

I shrug cause I really don't know where to start, but Theo speaks up, "why can Danny and Christian change into bigger things, but you can't?"

Dad sighs, "there are two ways for us to achieve that level of power. Christian....well....he got it from...." He's really walking a fine line here cause he doesn't want to scare them. "He got it from killing and eating people."

"Jesus," says Theo, and then he looks at me. Sheriff Collins stiffens next to his wife.

Dad's quick on the ball here, "now Danny. Danny got it the other way. It's our law not to kill and eat people. Cause besides being evil, it brings a lot of unwanted attention."

Theo looks at me, and I just smile. Sheriff Collins speaks up, "what's the other way then."

"We call it imprinting," says Dad. "It's a deep bond that we get with another person. It's insanely rare and usually shows up in the months leading to someone turning 18."

"I've been feeling this way about you from the moment I saw you," I whisper to Theo.

Dad nods, "yup. And because it's so rare, I didn't put it all together until tonight."

"Ok, so Danny imprinted...which is a wolf thing," says Mrs. Collins with a smile, "and not eating people. I can handle that."

"Shifter," corrects the Sheriff, who looks at Dad, who nods. "Ok. You two off to bed. Owen, you'll come get us tomorrow around 1?"

"Yes, sir," says Dad as he grabs his jacket. "The other leaders will be there if they want to be known. But we need to talk to Theo more."

Theo nods and rubs his neck. Dad reaches over and pulls his shirt to look at the wound, "I don't think it was deep enough for you to become one of us, but we need to keep an eye on it. Ok."

Theo and sheriff Collins nod. "Good. Ok. Night Danny," says Dad and adds, "I love you. I'm so proud of you."

I just nod and lead Theo to his room.

When we get up there, he's quick to kiss me, "I love you. I'm sorry about all of it tonight."

I shake my head, "babe. It's ok. You're back with me. That's the important part. How are you doing?"

"You mean besides my boyfriend being a wolf....my ex trying to kill me....my uncle knowing about wolf people and my mom telling me that she loves me but can't see me," he says in a quick breath.

I nod.

"I'm fine," he says with a smile. "Ask me tomorrow when I am summoned in front of the wolf council."

I can't help but laugh, "it's not a council, really. But what do you want to know still?"

He's quiet for a beat, "your Dad said it was a deep bond....the imprinting thing." I nod, and he keeps going, "does that mean that we can never break up? Like what if I go off the deep end like my Mom. Or ...or ...you go to college across the country, and we end it....do you die?"!

I don't know what's more interesting. The fact that he's asking or the way he made himself the bad guy.

I pat his bed for him to sit down, "it's a bond. But, like any bond, it can end. It can grow strong or weak. I'll always be bonded to you, but it's not a requirement for us to be together forever."

He nods, "so you....you could find someone better...a wolf I mean....I guess. I mean.....like if the bite doesn't change me," he says in a word vomit pile. He's nervous.

I turn his face to look at me, "Theodore Elliot Bennett. There is no one better than you."

"Don't call me Theodore," he snaps. "And you know what I mean. A wolf-like you."

I shake my head, "it's a one-person a life bond. But like I said, we aren't tied to each other. It just gives me more strength. Now, can we cuddle?"

He nods and pulls me down next to him. I smile and quietly say, "I love you. Can you please stop breaking up with me?"

He gives me a breathy laugh and kisses me. Then, I feel him rub his hands down my stomach to the wristband of my sweat pants. I give him a cocked eyebrow, and he just smiles and continues moving his hand into my pants.

"Happy Friday night to me," I whisper.

"Shut up," he whispers. "How many chances will we get at this?"

I nod and start to pull my shirt off.

He's right. Tonight was rough, but we have each other.

"Ok," I say with a smile. "but after we need to shower. Cause we both smell bad." Thankfully he laughs and pulls off his shirt.