"Aaron, sugar, have you heard about the wolves that have moved in?"

Aaron looked over to Mabelle, a middle aged woman with light blonde hair and a round body. Mabelle was the local store owner and like a second mother to him. She was well known for her caring nature, but toughness as well. 

"No ma'am. What wolves?" he answered, picking a can of soup off the shelf and putting it into his basket. 

"From I've heard, a pack of wolves has been spotted nearby." she said in a strong southern accent, "They say that they're somewhere near where you and Grayson and his folks live. I'd warn Jason if I were you. I even heard that James from the barbershop was bit while jogging and has been acting strange ever since. 'Said his eyes changed and everything. It's probably just rabies or somethin'" she said. 

"But I thought we already had wolves down here? I hear them all the time at night." pointed out Aaron. 

"Yeah, but these are different. These ain't like the one Jason's hunted before. These are on local news stations and everything. They're much bigger and smarter than the wolves we usually see. They say they can handle two to five bullets, too. I don't want to overstep, sweetie, but I think it's best if you and Jason move out of that home of yours in the woods and find somewhere else to stay until you can buy a new home." 

Aaron bit his lip. He knew that the two of them could take care and defend themselves, but even he knew when it was best to walk away from a dangerous situation. Still, he couldn't leave his home. He may visit the city daily, but the forest was where he felt the most comfortable. 

"Mabelle, you know tha-"

"I know, sugar. That's your home. But you're like a son to me and a brother to Madison. I just don't want to see you get hurt. I can vouch for you and get you a room for free at the local inn if you need. Ruby owes me a few favors anyway." 

Aaron smiled as he collected a some more groceries. "I'll think about it. Thanks for the heads up."

"Anytime, dear. Speaking of Madison, have you seen or heard from her? I've been trying to get a hold of her and I've been having no luck!" she exclaimed, rolling her eyes.

Aaron shook his head. Madison was a close friend of his. In fact, she was the first one to approach him when he first started high school. Ever since then, they've both been each other's best friend. She resembled her mother a lot. The only difference was that Madison's body wasn't as round as her mother's and her hair was longer. To hear of dangerous wolves and her not being heard from put some worry in him. 

"Maybe I can go check on her." he offered as he walked up to the counter the older woman was behind and placed his basket down. 

"Thanks, honey. I was gonna go and check up on her after closing, but we close at 10, so I'd have to wait until Sunday. Plus, I have to go visit her granny later."

"You have a lot on your plate, Mabelle, so I'd be glad to help you out." Aaron said, grinning. 

"That's supposed to be Madison's job if she were here. Anyway, enough about her. Have any strange dreams, lately?"

Aaron was used to Mabelle's constant topic changes, so he simply went along with it. "Actually, I did. A few nights ago, I had a dream of a silhouette of a man running through the forest. The more he ran, the more his body morphed into a wolf, until he had completely turned into a wolf." he described. 

In the part of the city where Aaron and Jason lived, Aaron and his siblings were known for having strange dreams that people believed predicted or revealed something. The three who moved further away didn't thought nothing of it, but Aaron and his two closest siblings thought it was a neat gift that they all shared. It was odd that they all weren't related, or that's what they were led to believe, and yet all had white blotches and patches over their skin and shared the same 'ability.'

"Ain't that something strange..Jame supposedly got bit a few days ago as well." Mabelle pointed out as she scanned and bagged his items.

"Do you know what day, exactly?" 

Mabelle tapped her chin. "I'm thinking it was last Wednesday.  His mama said he came home that night looking all shook up." 

That flipped something Aaron. It may have not been a big breakthrough that he had, but he remembered having that dream on the same night James was 'supposedly' bit by that wolf. He would definitely have to look into it, but he would also have to find some time. Even for someone who didn't work, he still had a lot to do.

Once Mabelle finished scanning everything, Aaron paid and said goodbye. His next destination was to his friend's residence. 

Driving down a trail, Aaron drove past a sign that said "Welcome to Full Moon Acres!" It was the home community of people who were known to be strange or reclusive. No one on the outside really heard much from them or understood them and their ways, so most people tried their best to keep away from it. 

But Aaron wasn't most people. 

Parking his car and getting out, he approached a couple, who looked to be the same age as Mabelle, sitting on a porch.

They smiled at him warmly, and he smiled back at them. 

"Well, good morning Aaron. Ain't you a sight for old eyes." said the older man. 

Aaron's smile grew. "Morning Mr. and Mrs. Higgins. Is Grayson here?" 

The couple both nodded. He thanked them and knocked on the door, waiting for someone to answer. 

Within five minutes, a shirtless, tattooed man came out. He smiled a wide smile at the man in front of him. His bright red eyes glowing with excitement, and his smile revealing two sharp canines.

"Aaron!" he exclaimed as he engulfed the smaller man and nearly squeezed all the air out. "My favorite hippie! How ya been?"

After finally catching his breath, Aaron smiled at Grayson. He was used to Grayson and a few others calling him and his siblings hippies, so the name didn't bother him. 

Grayson was Aaron's actual non-animal friend. When Aaron was twelve, he and his sister were playing tag through the trees, which was usual for them. That one time, they happened to run too far off from their home and ended up at Full Moon Acres, where they ran into a younger Grayson. Ever since then, he and his sister snuck off to Full Moon Acres at every opportunity. It was also how he found out about the city. 

Ever since he's seen other people, he's been questioning Grayson's eyes and teeth. Most of the people, including his parents, had odd teeth and eyes, but Aaron decided not to speak on it. Still, he was curious as to why they looked different compared to others. Aaron was also curious about the behavior of the people around him but was told not to judge based on the cover or the summary on the back. At least that's what his mother told him. 

"I've been pretty good! How about you?"

"Eh. So-so. How's the husband? What's his name? John? Jack? I think it's John....Definitely John!" 

Aaron chuckled and shook his head, "Gray, I've been married for 3 years. I've brought Jason around multiple times. He's doing pretty good, by the way. Today's the first day of hunting season, so he's going to spend the next few days preparing."

"Hunting season? Guess that means more meat for everybody and more money you too, huh? Doesn't matter, though. Make sure that Jason knows what he's doing. There are some animals that don't like some guy hunting them, or their food. If he comes too close or invades their territory, things might not turn out so well..."

By the time Grayson had finished, Aaron's smile had fallen and he had somewhat of a concerned look on his face. The tone and face that he had used emitted complete seriousness, but on the other hand, Grayson was a total wildcard and prankster. No one could tell whether or not they were being pranked. 

"Umm...thanks for the...warning?" he said, but more in a questioning tone, "I was hoping that Madison would be here with you. Her mother hasn't heard from her and she's getting worried. Don't worry, I haven't told her about you two." 

Grayson turned his head back, "Hey Madi! Aaron's here!" he called out. 

Looking past Grayson's large and muscled body, Aaron saw a female figure run up behind Jason. Her eyes landed on Aaron. She smiled at him and engulfed him another hug, one seemingly stronger than her usual hugs. When she let go of him, she smiled, showing oddly sharp teeth as well and shining, bright blue eyes instead of her dark brown eyes.

"Hey, Aaron! What brings you here?" she said in an accent similar to her mother's. Her voice was a higher pitch than Mabelle's but if she tried, she could easily impersonate her. 

"Your mom asked me to check on you and to see why you haven't been answering her calls. She doesn't know you've moved in with Grayson, but you should still call her and talk to her.

Madison sighed, "I know, but I'm scared that mama might find out about me and Gray. People ain't fond of Full Moon Acres so it's guaranteed that she ain't gonna like him. He practically runs the place."

"I definitely understand what you mean, Madi. But still, at least give her a call and tell her how you're doing. She's been really lonely lately, and I can't be the only one to visit and talk to her." scolded Aaron. 

Madison, feeling some sort of guilt, cast her head slightly down and nodded her head. The both of them hated when Aaron had to fuss at her, but in his eyes, it had to be done. In her late teenage years, Madison had gained a rebellious streak. She would often try to get Aaron to join in on her adventures, but would always end getting fussed at, and going alone. 

Aaron turned to Grayson, "I also came to talk to you guys about the nearby wolves." he said. 

"Wolves? They've never been a problem around here." Grayson pointed out, raising an eyebrow and crossing his biceps across his chest. 

"Well, from what I've been told, a pack of wolves have moved in and they're bigger, stronger, faster, and smarter than the ones we usually get around here. I wanted to tell you all so that you would be careful. I also heard that James from the nearby barber shop got bit and probably has rabies now."

"Really?" Grayson wondered out loud. He and Madison shared a look, then they both turned to Aaron. Grayson smirked at him, "Don't worry about it, ya little hippie. I'm sure they won't come for you or hurt you."

"Gray-"

"You're like family to us, Aaron, we're not gonna let them get you. We'll keep away- I mean, keep them off..."

"Just make sure that husband of yours sticks to his usual spots and doesn't get all adventurous and brave, alright?" Grayson warned, an odd look on his face. "Like I said, if he walks into the wrong place at the wrong time-"

"Then something bad might happen. I get it, I'll tell him..." interrupted Aaron with a small eye roll.  

Madison smiled and pulled Aaron  into their small home. She wrapped her arm around his shoulder as Grayson followed the two. 

"Now that we've finally got you here, it's time we've hung out. You've been away for too long!"

The smaller male groaned inwardly as he knew he wasn't going to get out of spending the rest of the day with his most persistent friends. On the other hand, the errands could wait, and he did miss his friends quite terribly..

Aaron smiled as the couple began to chat his ear off, time speeding by as they did.