The Darkness We Hide

Two days later, Michelle found herself driving through the Montana countryside, understanding why people called it the ‘Big Sky Country’. It was amazing. Open fields rimmed with mountains that made it feel open and welcoming at the same time that it felt closed and secure. Never in her life had she felt such a comforting thing.

Since realizing she was still pregnant, she’d been restless, unable to concentrate on any lesson Louise, Hugo, or any of the others had tried to teach.

Seeing how distracted the younger woman was, Louise had passed her the keys to one of the ranch’s jeeps and told her to take a drive. Overhearing the conversation, two of Gareth’s sister-in-law’s asked if they could join her.

“I’m dying to go for a drive, but I don’t fit behind the wheel anymore,” Alice, the younger of the two said, her hands rubbing her very swollen belly. Her pale face was covered with the most freckles Michelle had ever seen on one person, but it suited her. Her green eyes flashed like emeralds when the sun hit them at the right angle.

Michelle smiled at her, wondering if she was going to get that big and also, how she managed to stay upright. She looked like a weeble.

“Sure,” Michelle said, holding open the screen door.

“Well, if you and Phillip could keep your hands off each other,” Bella, another sister-in-law joked, bumping shoulders with her sister as they stepped out the door, “that wouldn’t be a problem.”

Bella was one of the wives who’s chosen to change, but where Alice was pale and freckled, she was dark and mysterious. Her deep brown skin, smooth black hair and olive colored eyes spoke of and exotic ancestry Michelle was curious to know about.

“Hey,” Alice laughed, playfully slapping Bella on the arm, “I’ve seen you and William get down and dirty often enough.”

“Alright you two,” Michelle said, laughing at their antics, “this is supposed to be a relaxing drive. If you can’t play nice you can stay home.”

“Yes mother,” the two other women replied in sing-song unison.

Their journey started with them heading east towards the distant mountains, but reaching a river they all agreed it would be fun to get their feet wet.

Sitting on the bank after they’d had their fun both women opened up to Michelle, sharing their own stories about finding out their intends were lycans and the difficult choices they’d had to make.

“I wanted to change,” Bella said with pride, “When I saw what Allen was capable of I wanted it too.”

“I did too,” Alice said, putting her hand on her stomach, “but I already had two kids from my first marriage and I couldn’t leave them behind. Thankfully Phillip understood.”

“You would have had to leave your kids behind?” Michelle asked.

“Not necessarily. Lycans age differently,” Alice explained, “it’s slower than humans. When my husband is 80, he’ll still look 30. If I changed, my aging would have slowed down too, then my kids would grow old right in front of me.

“I couldn’t watch that happen,” she continued, a momentary grimace flashing across her face, “so I’ve chosen to wait until my boys are old enough to make a decision on their own and then I will change.”

“Oh,” Michelle replied, shocked at how frankly Alice was able to talk about this subject. “Gareth said there were no major differences in being a lycan and a human. He said there were differences between lycans and werewolves, in face he was adamant about that, but he insisted we were the same.”

“There really aren’t,” Bella interjected, giving her sister-in-law a withering look, “about humans and lycans. It is just the aging, the senses, and a little hypnotic abilities.”

“Don’t forget the fur,” Alice teased, her fingers clenching tightly on her hip, “and the animalistic appetites.”

All three of them laughed heartily, enjoying their own memories of lovemaking.

“There is that bonus,” Bella replied, barely able to contain herself. “There are times I wonder how my husband can have that much stamina.”

Seeing Michelle blush, both women sobered up.

“Sorry,” Bella said apologetically. “In this family there are few topics that are taboo.”

“It’s alright,” Michelle laughed, tucking an errant lock of hair behind her ear. “Honestly.”

“No,” Alice said with a moan, “no it’s not.”

“Alice,” Bella said sitting up, her eyes dilating. “Alice, are you?”

“Uh huh,” Alice panted, gripping her belly with both hands.

“Alright,” Bella said, standing quickly. “Let’s get you back to the house.”

“Shouldn’t we take her to the hospital?” Michelle asked, helping Bella get Alice back to the truck.

“Why?” Alice replied over the backseat.

“Because you’re having a baby,” Michelle ventured, not sure if she was being toyed with or not.

“Oh, you don’t know,” Bella said, mildly sarcastic, “Alice is a home birth fanatic. She’s had all her kids in her own bed, no drugs.”

"Fuck that," Michelle breathed, "I want to be unconscious when it's my turn."

Again they laughed until Alice moaned as another contraction hit her.