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Previous: "Welcome to Crystalshaw"
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Next: to be released
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Series 13 Episode 2
"Edmund"
There was one window of opportunity a week.
Just one occasion where the path to the outside world was clear.
It wasn’t an easy job, but Edmund was willing to work for it. After all, it had been months in the planning.
Every detail had to be meticulously planned. There was only one chance at this. If it didn’t work out, Edmund was screwed. Another opportunity would never arise. One shot, and it had to hit the bullseye.
The moment was approaching. The hairs on Edmund’s arms were stood to attention as his heart raced a never-ending sprint. The only time of the week where neither of Edmund’s foster parents were inside the house.
Typically, one would always be nearby, like his own personal security guard, except it was far more restrictive. Edmund couldn’t remember the last time he’d left the house-shaped prison he was stuck in, but with any luck, he’d never have to see those bland four walls he was forced to call a bedroom ever again.
Of course, they presented well whenever the social worker came to visit. Edmund could barely get a word in for all the bragging they both did. Home-schooling covered the façade of Edmund remaining inside, but he didn’t ever get taught anything. Why they wanted a foster child, Edmund had no idea. Neither of them had a parental bone in their body.
Seconds away. Edmund had been observing ever since he arrived. Watching for patterns. Looking for gaps. He was expected to stay in his room, but he was never locked in, and Edmund had worked hard to keep their trust in preparation for this exact moment.
The front door clicked shut. That was his cue. Creeping out from behind the banister, Edmund rapidly but daintily glided downstairs. From the coat stand, he grabbed the set of keys and ran to the back door. Mr. Murray was at work, and Mrs. Murray had to put the bins out for collection, so the back way was his only route.
Fumbling through each key, Edmund was trying not to panic. He could be caught at any moment, and that would be it. He’d never get another moment like that again. The keyring had a good ten keys fastened to it, and any one of them could have been the back door key. The first key he picked was a dud.
As was the second key.
And the third.
Each key kept failing him. One had to open the back door, right? Edmund had hope, but with each key that failed, it diminished a little more. A couple of minutes had already passed, and time was running out.
The front door clicked open. Time was up. Edmund had one more key left. The fight to remain calm had never been more challenging. As he inserted the key, Edmund took a deep breath, as if wishful thinking was magically going to contort the key inside the lock.
Success. The lock clicked open. Edmund wasted no time. He slipped out the door, pushing it to but not closing it entirely; any noise at that moment would have alerted Mrs. Murray to his location.
Quickly, Edmund ducked behind the shed. The only way out was over the fence, but he still had to avoid detection. They’d notice he was gone before long, but if he was caught escaping, they’d be on his tail. His head start would be depleted immediately.
A bewildered Mrs. Murray pulled the door shut, locking it with the keys Edmund had left behind in the lock. Clearly, she assumed she’d opened it herself.
Her back turned, Edmund wasted no time in heaving himself over the adjacent fence, into the neighbour’s garden. He was away from their grip, but he wasn’t safe yet. He had to keep running. It was his only chance of safety.
Just one occasion where the path to the outside world was clear.
It wasn’t an easy job, but Edmund was willing to work for it. After all, it had been months in the planning.
Every detail had to be meticulously planned. There was only one chance at this. If it didn’t work out, Edmund was screwed. Another opportunity would never arise. One shot, and it had to hit the bullseye.
The moment was approaching. The hairs on Edmund’s arms were stood to attention as his heart raced a never-ending sprint. The only time of the week where neither of Edmund’s foster parents were inside the house.
Typically, one would always be nearby, like his own personal security guard, except it was far more restrictive. Edmund couldn’t remember the last time he’d left the house-shaped prison he was stuck in, but with any luck, he’d never have to see those bland four walls he was forced to call a bedroom ever again.
Of course, they presented well whenever the social worker came to visit. Edmund could barely get a word in for all the bragging they both did. Home-schooling covered the façade of Edmund remaining inside, but he didn’t ever get taught anything. Why they wanted a foster child, Edmund had no idea. Neither of them had a parental bone in their body.
Seconds away. Edmund had been observing ever since he arrived. Watching for patterns. Looking for gaps. He was expected to stay in his room, but he was never locked in, and Edmund had worked hard to keep their trust in preparation for this exact moment.
The front door clicked shut. That was his cue. Creeping out from behind the banister, Edmund rapidly but daintily glided downstairs. From the coat stand, he grabbed the set of keys and ran to the back door. Mr. Murray was at work, and Mrs. Murray had to put the bins out for collection, so the back way was his only route.
Fumbling through each key, Edmund was trying not to panic. He could be caught at any moment, and that would be it. He’d never get another moment like that again. The keyring had a good ten keys fastened to it, and any one of them could have been the back door key. The first key he picked was a dud.
As was the second key.
And the third.
Each key kept failing him. One had to open the back door, right? Edmund had hope, but with each key that failed, it diminished a little more. A couple of minutes had already passed, and time was running out.
The front door clicked open. Time was up. Edmund had one more key left. The fight to remain calm had never been more challenging. As he inserted the key, Edmund took a deep breath, as if wishful thinking was magically going to contort the key inside the lock.
Success. The lock clicked open. Edmund wasted no time. He slipped out the door, pushing it to but not closing it entirely; any noise at that moment would have alerted Mrs. Murray to his location.
Quickly, Edmund ducked behind the shed. The only way out was over the fence, but he still had to avoid detection. They’d notice he was gone before long, but if he was caught escaping, they’d be on his tail. His head start would be depleted immediately.
A bewildered Mrs. Murray pulled the door shut, locking it with the keys Edmund had left behind in the lock. Clearly, she assumed she’d opened it herself.
Her back turned, Edmund wasted no time in heaving himself over the adjacent fence, into the neighbour’s garden. He was away from their grip, but he wasn’t safe yet. He had to keep running. It was his only chance of safety.
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Edmund couldn’t recall the last time he’d had a cup of tea. It was a taste he’d craved for ages, especially during the chill of the winter nights spent on the street. The warmth radiating from the adorable dog-shaped mug was the cosiest feeling against his hands. The first time he’d experienced any kind of warmth in a long time.
It was representative of the vibe Dylan gave off from the moment Edmund first met him. He had a sparkle of kindness in his eyes that he’d never noticed in anyone before. He wanted to help, and that made Edmund feel at ease, but he couldn’t help wondering why. What reason did Dylan have for wanting to help? Did he have an ulterior motive? As sceptical as Edmund was by nature, he couldn’t ignore how positive his gut felt.
“Thank you,” Dylan smiled, his tone as gentle as a soft hug, much like his demeanour, “You know, for coming.” He had walked Edmund into a side room from the front door, a well-furnished office with six desks and an array of noticeboards engulfing the wall space. Edmund was perched on the edge of a relatively comfy chair facing one of the biggest desks at the front, while Dylan and another gentleman relaxed side-by-side on the other. He shared the same kind smile as Dylan, his curls bouncing off his shoulders as he turned to face Dylan.
“This is Jono,” Dylan continued, introducing his peer, “He’s my husband. Don’t worry, he knows everything, we’re in this together.”
Edmund remained silent. He didn’t know what to say or where to start. He didn’t know anything at all. Nothing he’d experienced in the preceding days made any semblance of sense. He had too many questions, but where to begin?
“I know how weird this must feel. I was you once. Thrown into this strange world where nothing makes any sense. There was nobody to talk to, and who’d even believe you? Everything you thought you knew had been overturned in one moment. That’s it, right? That’s how you feel, isn’t it?” Dylan said, accurately describing the exact train of thought in Edmund’s mind. All he could do was nod in response. Dylan knew what he was talking about, but the barrier in Edmund’s mind remained up. Was he ready to jump the hurdle?
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come,” Edmund panicked. His fight-or-flight instinct had never been stronger. He wasn’t used to talking about himself. He could handle it on his own, couldn’t he?
“Please, stay,” Dylan asked, concern painted across his face, “You don’t have to talk. We don’t have to do this now. Just, take your time and know that you are safe here.”
Edmund nodded again. He figured Dylan was right, but everything was new to him. It was quite the adjustment for his brain to make, and it was performing somersaults attempting to rationalise what was happening.
“Where are you staying?” Jono questioned, keeping the gentle tone Dylan had set.
“It doesn’t matter,” Edmund brushed the question off. He wasn’t their problem to solve.
“You’re sleeping rough, aren’t you?” Jono persisted with concern painted across his face, “Stay here tonight. We have a couple of spare rooms. Take your pick.”
“No,” Edmund instinctively rejected.
“You’re safe here, remember,” Dylan added, “You can leave the door open if you want. I’ll even show you where we leave the front door key, so you can leave whenever you want. You’re not trapped here, Edmund.”
Dylan spoke as if he knew a lot about Edmund’s story. It wasn’t a conversation he wanted to have, though. They were saying all the right things, so Edmund figured all he could do was take them at their word.
“Okay,” Edmund accepted, desperately hoping he wasn’t going to regret trusting someone for the first time in a long time.
“I’m home,” Sammi called out with a sigh of relief. Every night, she was the last one home, on the cusp of six o’clock. Living in such close proximity to the school was the one saving grace; how some of her colleagues had the necessary attention span for an hour’s drive home at that time of night was an art she had no understanding of.
It wasn’t all bad, though. The appetising scent of a freshly cooked dinner made Sammi’s mouth water from the second she opened the door. Cooking wasn’t a natural skill of Freddie’s, but he had stepped his game up considerably in the time they’d been living together. He pulled his weight, and Sammi appreciated how much of a team they were.
Sprinting down the stairs, undoubtedly following the irresistible scent trail to the kitchen, Jonah stopped in his tracks when he met eyes with Sammi. They shared an awkward smile, a shared acknowledgement of the last time their eyes met in the corridor that afternoon. Sammi hadn’t forgotten that confusing encounter, but probing Jonah was never a successful strategy. Sammi knew he would talk when he was ready.
“Hey,” Freddie beamed, serving Sammi a full plate as soon as she skipped not the kitchen, taking her usual seat at the dining table against the far wall.
“Smells delicious,” Sammi complimented. Jonah sheepishly sat to her left, his bounce flattened and enthusiasm lost.
“Do you mind if I eat in my room tonight please?” Jonah queried.
“Everything alright?” Freddie worried.
“Fine, I promise,” Jonah assured, “I’m just tired.”
“Alright. Let us know if you need anything, okay?” Freddie reluctantly agreed. Sammi could tell he was snowballing, his mind immediately jumping to the worst conclusion. As Jonah vacated the dining room, Freddie lowered his voice, “He’s not okay, is he?”
“I was going to tell you, I saw Jonah near the end of the day, backing away from the bathroom. He looked spooked, but he said he was fine. He’s been awkward with me since,” Sammi explained.
“What happened in the bathroom?” Freddie panicked, as Sammi knew he would.
“I don’t know, but he said he’s fine, Fred. He’s old enough to talk to us when he needs to. We just need to trust him,” Sammi reminded, “And he’ll talk, when he’s ready, whether it’s to us, or George, or Lily, or anyone.”
“I just want him to be okay. We’re the closest thing he has to parents, Sammi. He lost his parents. We lost our dad,” Freddie vented, “I’ve not been sleeping. Nobody else seems to care that Jono somehow werewolf-scratched Jonah when he’s not a werewolf anymore.”
“Deep breaths,” Sammi reminded, softening her tone, “You’re an amazing brother. Jonah is so lucky to have you, Fred, and he’s been more talkative since we told him the truth. We did the right thing. Besides, Jono says he’s fine, and a scratch doesn’t usually cause any damage, so we have to trust him. He’s your friend. You’ve known him for years. He and Dylan would tell us the second they’re worried about something.”
Freddie sighed, as if he were letting the weight of the world out of his system in one go, “I know. It’s not that I don’t trust Jono, because I trust him more than most. It’s just that sometimes, Jonah feels like my son. Our son, Sammi. It feels like I lose a memory of my mom every day, the further away I get from her, the more I lose, but I still remember her love. She fucking loved me, Sammi, and I’ll never lose that. I just want Jonah to feel the same, no matter what happens to us.”
“And he will,” Sammi quickly reminded, “Trust me. I know exactly how you feel, because my mum was my world. A world that came crashing down when, well, you know the deal with my dad, but despite everything he did, every time he prioritised his sick ideas over Jeremy and I, I know how much my mom loved me, and how much she’d have loved Jeremy too. Nothing can ruin that kind of love, Fred. Nothing at all. Jonah loves you, he appreciates you, and now we need to give him space and time to talk to us and realise when he needs that helping hand.”
Sammi placed her hand decisively on Freddie’s arm. They were a strong team, and though Jonah was continually the top of discussion, Sammi knew to check in on Freddie too. If they fell apart, Jonah would feel the effect far more than either of them.
Anxiously, Jonah peered out of the window. His bedroom overlooked the front gate, and he’d spent much of the afternoon keeping an eye out. The truth was that Jonah had somewhat hoped Edmund would have taken him up on his offer of a fresh shower. Jonah was so intrigued; there was something about Edmund, and Jonah was desperate to find out more.
Much to Jonah’s disappointment, Edmund had been a no-show. Even worse was how Jonah was judging himself for feeling that disappointment. He and Edmund were strangers to each other. They’d spoken for all of five minutes before Dylan burst in. Jonah knew he was onto something, though. If Dylan was involved, there had to be a bigger picture. He knew enough about what Dylan and Jono did to know it didn’t involve regular werewolves who lived everyday lives. The supernatural world was a complex place, and even Jonah knew that. He wanted to help. He knew he could crack the case, if only he wasn’t treated like a child still.
Jonah opened Snapchat. His favourite group chat had been unusually tranquil all day, especially considering its only other participants had a day off school. Jonah broke the silence, skipping the pleasantries.
Jonah
Need your help with something
Jonah sat watching the chat after pressing send. Both Leah and Ashton were fast repliers, and sure enough, Leah’s Bitmoji cartoon bounced up from the bottom of the screen within seconds.
Leah
Can’t it wait?
This flu has busted my ass
Jonah
What’s the deal with Ashton?
He’s obviously not ill
Leah
I haven’t heard from him all day
He’s probably sleeping
Or maybe his social worker came
Idk
What do you need help with?
Jonah had a plan. The more pairs of eyes he had helping him, the better. He was going to track Edmund down.
Dylan woke up on red alert. There was no calm, quiet stirring as he scrolled through his phone notifications. His eyes shot open, and Dylan instantly turned his focus to his ears.
Three heartbeats. Edmund was still in the house. Relief.
Over the course of the night, Dylan had woken up several times, each in the same state. He still knew next to nothing about Edmund, yet he felt protective over him. Staying the whole night was an indication of trust, and Dylan felt privileged. It was a big deal.
With his newly regained sense of calm, Dylan snuggled back under the duvet. His alarm clock told him it was almost time to wake up anyway, so there was little point going back to sleep. Instead, Dylan laid on his left side, facing a still, silent Jono. Dylan loved to watch him sleep. He always looked so beautiful, even when his curls were all over the place in a bedhead like what Dylan was surely sporting himself. He looked so peaceful.
“Quit staring at me,” Jono smirked, his eyes still shut.
“How did you know?” Dylan smiled, feeling his cheeks glowing red.
“I heard you jolt awake,” Jono answered, opening his eyes to meet Dylan’s gaze.
“I’m sorry,” Dylan felt guilty. He wouldn’t have wished such a disrupted night of sleep on Jono as well.
“No, it’s okay,” Jono assured, “I’ve barely slept. Trying to figure out what to do.”
“I’m just relieved he’s still here,” Dylan mentioned.
“He can’t stay here, though. He’s on the run. If we leave this any longer, we’ll be accused of kidnap,” Jono theorised.
“So we report him?” Dylan considered, “I know Ed’s on our side, but he’s still the sheriff. He has a duty to flag this up. What happens then? We sent a fresh werewolf back into the foster system. It’s too dangerous, Jon.”
“I know, I know,” Jono assured, “We need to talk to Edmund. Properly. Find out what the situation is. If he talks, maybe we can do something. We’re not abandoning him, I promise.”
“I’m so glad I’ve got you,” Dylan grinned. Without Jono, he was lost. Being a werewolf meant nothing when he didn’t have his husband by his side.
“Come here and prove it,” Jono winked. Dylan didn’t need to be asked twice. He shuffled his body towards Jono’s, their bare chests connected as they gazed into each other’s eyes. Wasting no time, Dylan’s lips reached out to Jono’s. Together, they were magic. Nobody and nothing made Dylan feel the way Jono did, and he savoured every moment they had together.
Downstairs, the front door clicked open and then shut. Immediately, Dylan’s relief grew into panic once again.
Edmund had gone.
Waking up beside Josh was a surprising comfort to Yasmin. Her flat was small and a little claustrophobic, yet somehow, the addition of an extra person made it cosier. Josh had all but moved in, spending multiple nights there each week, and it felt like they had never split up. The honeymoon period had been pleasingly persistent.
The only real stability Yasmin had grown accustomed to since graduation was her independence, and her confidence in her own ability to thrive by herself. Her mother had always been more focused on her career than her child, so a diminished presence in Yasmin’s adult life was no surprise. Yasmin had learned to rely on herself, so regular company had become an alien concept; she’d forgotten how it felt to let her guard down.
Life felt satisfyingly stress-free in general, too. Working with Dylan wasn’t the Harvard dream she once had, but for the first time, Yasmin was truly enjoying her job. Adult life had become considerably less mundane, and a lot less lonely.
“Fancy skipping work today?” Josh murmured, stretching his arms above the comfort of the duvet, his right arm smoothly slipping around Yasmin, curling her body against his chest.
“You’re very persuasive,” Yasmin smirked, unable to block the train of thought imagining just how blissful that would be, “But our boss is your brother. Neither of us would get off the hook that easily. Besides, I know you have a conscience buried somewhere in there.”
“Me? Conscience? Come on, just admit you like a bad boy,” Josh flirted shamelessly, his eyes still barely adjusted to the daylight.
“Don’t flatter yourself,” Yasmin laughed harshly. Perhaps on paper it looked as if Yasmin had a type, but Josh was nothing but a teddy bear. He was as far away from being a bad boy as the rest of the pack, and that was what Yasmin really loved about him.
“Alright, I admit it, I miss you at work. I’d say I’m only human, but I’d be lying,” Josh continued with a playful tone.
“You sit about six feet away from me,” Yasmin chuckled, embracing the intimate sensation of Josh’s hands gliding around her chest.
“Exactly. You know I hate being so far away,” Josh snuggled in closer, resting his head on Yasmin’s shoulder.
“Damn, you’re really feeling some type of way this early? Come on, shower, now,” Yasmin’s head won over her heart and she slipped out of Josh’s hands, “A cold one, at that.”
Josh playfully huffed as he heaved himself out of bed, smirking as he maintained eye contact until he was out of the room. Yasmin chuckled to herself. Her guard was down, and it was cathartic.
Yasmin took a deep breath, rotating her body to look at the full-length mirror opposite the bed. Gone were the once-regular bags under her eyes. Her cheeks had more colour than they’d seen in a long time.
The mirror image flickered. The reflection Yasmin could see wasn’t her own. It looked just like her bedroom still, albeit darker, like it were nighttime. As the flickering slowed, the identity of the person became clearer.
Ashton.
And his head was bleeding.
Nothing ever got past Lily. Usually, people knew better than to try. Her instinct was never wrong when detecting whether the wool was being pulled over her eyes. For some reason, being pregnant seemed to give people the misguided impression that she had to be kept in the dark.
That morning was different, though. Lily didn’t need her werewolf powers to be able to sense the panic in Dylan and Jono’s office. A lot had happened overnight, and the Edmund Franklin case was proving even more complex than they’d realised. Lily could see the worry in Jono’s face, clear as day; he always invested in each case with his heart, and that was what made his business with Dylan so successful, but it also made him stressed when uncertainty reared its head.
“Tell me everything,” Lily commanded, taking a seat opposite Jono’s desk where he was furiously slamming his fingers against the keyboard, “And I mean everything. Remember I can hear your heartbeat.”
Jono broke his scrunched, focused expression to raise a polite chuckle. Suddenly, the hustle and bustle of the rest of the office seemed to vanish; it was only Jono that Lily wanted to listen to, “Edmund stayed the night, but he’s not here anymore.”
“Okay, have you told Ed?” Lily questioned.
“We have not. We just wanted to make him feel safe. We were getting somewhere,” Jono justified.
“I know, I trust you, Jon. You care about the people you work for,” Lily acknowledged.
“I think Dylan saw himself in Edmund, too. He wants to keep him safe. We all know what it’s like to be a newly bitten werewolf,” Jono recalled. Lily nodded; it was a time she’d never be able to forget.
“You’ll do what you can, I know that,” Lily encouraged, “Don’t change a thing. You’re doing everything right. What do you need from me?”
“Mission control,” Jono answered, his face painted with regret, “Not that I think you’re not capable of defending yourself or anything, but we need someone here in case he comes back, and to monitor cameras across the town. I trust you, and I trust Jeremy.”
“I get it, and let’s be real, I’m due any day,” Lily chuckled, accepting and appreciating Jono’s honesty.
“Dylan called Yasmin and Josh, they’re checking the town. Ed’s deployed deputies all over, but it needs to be one of us finding him. If he’s unable to control his shifts, he could be a danger, and, well, cops have guns,” Jono stressed.
“Go on, go. Dylan can track a scent like nobody else. You’ll find him in no time,” Lily encouraged, “Jeremy and I will be fine. Us Chadwicks are a strong bunch.”
“Too right,” Jeremy interjected from the back of the office, “Sorry, I wasn’t listening, but I couldn’t help myself.”
“It’s true,” Jono chuckled. His stress had lifted into determination, and Lily was confident he’d succeed.
Returning to Crystalshaw High for the second time in two days was a surreal experience for Dylan. It was close to ten years since he first stepped through the double doors of the depressingly dull reception area. It wasn’t only his first day of high school, but his first time attending a school in Crystalshaw. If only he knew then just how significant a place it would become for him; he and Jono returning to the place they first met felt special.
The reception hadn’t changed. Somehow, the secretary was still trundling along; she appeared old and frail even when Dylan started high school. This time, though, Dylan and Jono were guests. They had to sign in and be escorted around the school according to the safeguarding procedures. Little did they know that Dylan had made his own way around the school site the day before.
“Hey,” a friendly voice greeted, breaking the monotony. Dylan glanced up from his phone to see a welcoming smile from Freddie. Dylan and Jono didn’t see Freddie as often as they once did – adult life had caught up with them both – but in Dylan’s eyes, they were always brothers, and that was a bond they could never break.
“Hey, good to see you,” Dylan beamed, disregarding professionalism for a warm hug with his friend.
“Looking good, dude,” Jono commented, checking out Freddie’s smart work attire after a hug of his own.
“Err, thanks,” Freddie’s smile faded into awkwardness for what could only have been a moment, but it felt longer.
“Thanks for arranging this,” Dylan pushed ahead as Freddie began to escort them through the main school, “I know we’re not cops so it’s harder to arrange this in school hours, but I promise it’s urgent.”
“All good, I know what it’s like. I might not be on the payroll but I’m still in the pack, right?” Freddie mentioned, as if he were seeking validation.
“Always,” Dylan assured, “And we’ll put you on the payroll any time you want.” He had already extended the offer of a job at Chadwick-Drummond to both Freddie and Sammi – they were part of the pack just as much as the rest of them – but they had chosen to stay closer to Jonah, which Dylan could only respect.
“You’re family,” Jono added, and he was right. The entire pack was family in Dylan’ eyes. He didn’t care how physically strong he became as a result of being the alpha, he simply valued the bond they all shared, and it ran deeper than a friendship.
“Speaking of, why do you need to speak to Jonah?” Freddie queried, the worry evident on his face.
“He was talking to a boy yesterday. A boy we’re looking for,” Dylan explained.
“A werewolf?” Freddie checked.
“Newly bitten,” Jono confirmed, “He’s missing.”
“Jonah didn’t mention anything,” Freddie pondered, “But he was a little quiet yesterday. I knew something was up.”
Freddie came to a halt outside the old newsroom office. A cosy wave of nostalgia flooded his body. It was an empty office now, but that was where Dylan and Jono spent hours getting to know each other while working on the school paper. Dylan thought so fondly of that time, and he found it a shame that nobody had continued that legacy.
“Mind if I stay?” Freddie checked.
“Dude, of course you can stay, you don’t need to ask,” Dylan did his best to soothe Freddie’s worries, but he seemed insecure about his position in the pack, and Dylan felt guilty. He was the alpha, he should have realised how Freddie felt.
“Hi,” Jonah sheepishly smiled, composing himself as the door clicked open, attempting to disguise that he had been spinning on Dylan’s old desk chair, “I haven’t done anything, I swear.”
“We know,” Dylan chuckled, “We just wanted to ask you about yesterday. About Edmund.”
“Who?” Jonah averted his gaze. Dylan didn’t have to listen to his heartbeat to know he was lying.
“Jonah,” Freddie sternly reminded, “They’re trying to help. We’re all on the same side.”
“The more we know, the more we can help him,” Jono added, as eloquently as always.
“I don’t know much, I swear. I only met them a few minutes before you came in. He seemed desperate. I just wanted to help. He was kind, then he lost control. You told me about being in control of your shifts, Freddie. I don’t think Edmund could do that.”
“He’s a newly bitten werewolf, we think,” Dylan explained, “You’re right, he needs help, but he’s dangerous right now, Jonah. None of us want you getting hurt.”
“I thought you were my age when you were bitten,” Jonah confidently retorted, much to Dylan’s surprise. Jonah wasn’t wrong, but Dylan didn’t have someone older to look out for him. He had to find his own way.
Before Dylan could respond, Jonah stood up and ran to the window at the far end of the newsroom. Dylan, Jono and Freddie shared a perplexed glance. Dylan focused on his hearing. There was a commotion outside, but not one that was audible from inside. Not to anyone with regular hearing. Human hearing.
Turning back around, Jonah’s expression had transformed. He had a focused, stern glare, but that wasn’t what terrified Dylan the most.
The bright green glowing eyes were far more worrisome.
Jonah leapt past Dylan, Jono and Freddie and sprinted out the door, far quicker than any human could move. Dylan was speechless. His mind was racing, and he didn’t know what to think or do.
“Um, guys,” Jono summoned Dylan and Freddie to the window overlooking the school entrance. A swarm of deputies were gathered around what looked to be a scruffy teenage boy. A familiar face, at that.
Edmund.
Like a flash of lightning, Jonah sprinted towards Edmund. He slid between the deputies with ease, moving faster and with more precision than Dylan had ever known a human to do. He took Edmund by the hand, and they dashed away before any deputy could react.
“What the hell?” Freddie’s jaw dropped. Dylan was horrified. What had happened to Jonah?
It was representative of the vibe Dylan gave off from the moment Edmund first met him. He had a sparkle of kindness in his eyes that he’d never noticed in anyone before. He wanted to help, and that made Edmund feel at ease, but he couldn’t help wondering why. What reason did Dylan have for wanting to help? Did he have an ulterior motive? As sceptical as Edmund was by nature, he couldn’t ignore how positive his gut felt.
“Thank you,” Dylan smiled, his tone as gentle as a soft hug, much like his demeanour, “You know, for coming.” He had walked Edmund into a side room from the front door, a well-furnished office with six desks and an array of noticeboards engulfing the wall space. Edmund was perched on the edge of a relatively comfy chair facing one of the biggest desks at the front, while Dylan and another gentleman relaxed side-by-side on the other. He shared the same kind smile as Dylan, his curls bouncing off his shoulders as he turned to face Dylan.
“This is Jono,” Dylan continued, introducing his peer, “He’s my husband. Don’t worry, he knows everything, we’re in this together.”
Edmund remained silent. He didn’t know what to say or where to start. He didn’t know anything at all. Nothing he’d experienced in the preceding days made any semblance of sense. He had too many questions, but where to begin?
“I know how weird this must feel. I was you once. Thrown into this strange world where nothing makes any sense. There was nobody to talk to, and who’d even believe you? Everything you thought you knew had been overturned in one moment. That’s it, right? That’s how you feel, isn’t it?” Dylan said, accurately describing the exact train of thought in Edmund’s mind. All he could do was nod in response. Dylan knew what he was talking about, but the barrier in Edmund’s mind remained up. Was he ready to jump the hurdle?
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come,” Edmund panicked. His fight-or-flight instinct had never been stronger. He wasn’t used to talking about himself. He could handle it on his own, couldn’t he?
“Please, stay,” Dylan asked, concern painted across his face, “You don’t have to talk. We don’t have to do this now. Just, take your time and know that you are safe here.”
Edmund nodded again. He figured Dylan was right, but everything was new to him. It was quite the adjustment for his brain to make, and it was performing somersaults attempting to rationalise what was happening.
“Where are you staying?” Jono questioned, keeping the gentle tone Dylan had set.
“It doesn’t matter,” Edmund brushed the question off. He wasn’t their problem to solve.
“You’re sleeping rough, aren’t you?” Jono persisted with concern painted across his face, “Stay here tonight. We have a couple of spare rooms. Take your pick.”
“No,” Edmund instinctively rejected.
“You’re safe here, remember,” Dylan added, “You can leave the door open if you want. I’ll even show you where we leave the front door key, so you can leave whenever you want. You’re not trapped here, Edmund.”
Dylan spoke as if he knew a lot about Edmund’s story. It wasn’t a conversation he wanted to have, though. They were saying all the right things, so Edmund figured all he could do was take them at their word.
“Okay,” Edmund accepted, desperately hoping he wasn’t going to regret trusting someone for the first time in a long time.
“I’m home,” Sammi called out with a sigh of relief. Every night, she was the last one home, on the cusp of six o’clock. Living in such close proximity to the school was the one saving grace; how some of her colleagues had the necessary attention span for an hour’s drive home at that time of night was an art she had no understanding of.
It wasn’t all bad, though. The appetising scent of a freshly cooked dinner made Sammi’s mouth water from the second she opened the door. Cooking wasn’t a natural skill of Freddie’s, but he had stepped his game up considerably in the time they’d been living together. He pulled his weight, and Sammi appreciated how much of a team they were.
Sprinting down the stairs, undoubtedly following the irresistible scent trail to the kitchen, Jonah stopped in his tracks when he met eyes with Sammi. They shared an awkward smile, a shared acknowledgement of the last time their eyes met in the corridor that afternoon. Sammi hadn’t forgotten that confusing encounter, but probing Jonah was never a successful strategy. Sammi knew he would talk when he was ready.
“Hey,” Freddie beamed, serving Sammi a full plate as soon as she skipped not the kitchen, taking her usual seat at the dining table against the far wall.
“Smells delicious,” Sammi complimented. Jonah sheepishly sat to her left, his bounce flattened and enthusiasm lost.
“Do you mind if I eat in my room tonight please?” Jonah queried.
“Everything alright?” Freddie worried.
“Fine, I promise,” Jonah assured, “I’m just tired.”
“Alright. Let us know if you need anything, okay?” Freddie reluctantly agreed. Sammi could tell he was snowballing, his mind immediately jumping to the worst conclusion. As Jonah vacated the dining room, Freddie lowered his voice, “He’s not okay, is he?”
“I was going to tell you, I saw Jonah near the end of the day, backing away from the bathroom. He looked spooked, but he said he was fine. He’s been awkward with me since,” Sammi explained.
“What happened in the bathroom?” Freddie panicked, as Sammi knew he would.
“I don’t know, but he said he’s fine, Fred. He’s old enough to talk to us when he needs to. We just need to trust him,” Sammi reminded, “And he’ll talk, when he’s ready, whether it’s to us, or George, or Lily, or anyone.”
“I just want him to be okay. We’re the closest thing he has to parents, Sammi. He lost his parents. We lost our dad,” Freddie vented, “I’ve not been sleeping. Nobody else seems to care that Jono somehow werewolf-scratched Jonah when he’s not a werewolf anymore.”
“Deep breaths,” Sammi reminded, softening her tone, “You’re an amazing brother. Jonah is so lucky to have you, Fred, and he’s been more talkative since we told him the truth. We did the right thing. Besides, Jono says he’s fine, and a scratch doesn’t usually cause any damage, so we have to trust him. He’s your friend. You’ve known him for years. He and Dylan would tell us the second they’re worried about something.”
Freddie sighed, as if he were letting the weight of the world out of his system in one go, “I know. It’s not that I don’t trust Jono, because I trust him more than most. It’s just that sometimes, Jonah feels like my son. Our son, Sammi. It feels like I lose a memory of my mom every day, the further away I get from her, the more I lose, but I still remember her love. She fucking loved me, Sammi, and I’ll never lose that. I just want Jonah to feel the same, no matter what happens to us.”
“And he will,” Sammi quickly reminded, “Trust me. I know exactly how you feel, because my mum was my world. A world that came crashing down when, well, you know the deal with my dad, but despite everything he did, every time he prioritised his sick ideas over Jeremy and I, I know how much my mom loved me, and how much she’d have loved Jeremy too. Nothing can ruin that kind of love, Fred. Nothing at all. Jonah loves you, he appreciates you, and now we need to give him space and time to talk to us and realise when he needs that helping hand.”
Sammi placed her hand decisively on Freddie’s arm. They were a strong team, and though Jonah was continually the top of discussion, Sammi knew to check in on Freddie too. If they fell apart, Jonah would feel the effect far more than either of them.
Anxiously, Jonah peered out of the window. His bedroom overlooked the front gate, and he’d spent much of the afternoon keeping an eye out. The truth was that Jonah had somewhat hoped Edmund would have taken him up on his offer of a fresh shower. Jonah was so intrigued; there was something about Edmund, and Jonah was desperate to find out more.
Much to Jonah’s disappointment, Edmund had been a no-show. Even worse was how Jonah was judging himself for feeling that disappointment. He and Edmund were strangers to each other. They’d spoken for all of five minutes before Dylan burst in. Jonah knew he was onto something, though. If Dylan was involved, there had to be a bigger picture. He knew enough about what Dylan and Jono did to know it didn’t involve regular werewolves who lived everyday lives. The supernatural world was a complex place, and even Jonah knew that. He wanted to help. He knew he could crack the case, if only he wasn’t treated like a child still.
Jonah opened Snapchat. His favourite group chat had been unusually tranquil all day, especially considering its only other participants had a day off school. Jonah broke the silence, skipping the pleasantries.
Jonah
Need your help with something
Jonah sat watching the chat after pressing send. Both Leah and Ashton were fast repliers, and sure enough, Leah’s Bitmoji cartoon bounced up from the bottom of the screen within seconds.
Leah
Can’t it wait?
This flu has busted my ass
Jonah
What’s the deal with Ashton?
He’s obviously not ill
Leah
I haven’t heard from him all day
He’s probably sleeping
Or maybe his social worker came
Idk
What do you need help with?
Jonah had a plan. The more pairs of eyes he had helping him, the better. He was going to track Edmund down.
Dylan woke up on red alert. There was no calm, quiet stirring as he scrolled through his phone notifications. His eyes shot open, and Dylan instantly turned his focus to his ears.
Three heartbeats. Edmund was still in the house. Relief.
Over the course of the night, Dylan had woken up several times, each in the same state. He still knew next to nothing about Edmund, yet he felt protective over him. Staying the whole night was an indication of trust, and Dylan felt privileged. It was a big deal.
With his newly regained sense of calm, Dylan snuggled back under the duvet. His alarm clock told him it was almost time to wake up anyway, so there was little point going back to sleep. Instead, Dylan laid on his left side, facing a still, silent Jono. Dylan loved to watch him sleep. He always looked so beautiful, even when his curls were all over the place in a bedhead like what Dylan was surely sporting himself. He looked so peaceful.
“Quit staring at me,” Jono smirked, his eyes still shut.
“How did you know?” Dylan smiled, feeling his cheeks glowing red.
“I heard you jolt awake,” Jono answered, opening his eyes to meet Dylan’s gaze.
“I’m sorry,” Dylan felt guilty. He wouldn’t have wished such a disrupted night of sleep on Jono as well.
“No, it’s okay,” Jono assured, “I’ve barely slept. Trying to figure out what to do.”
“I’m just relieved he’s still here,” Dylan mentioned.
“He can’t stay here, though. He’s on the run. If we leave this any longer, we’ll be accused of kidnap,” Jono theorised.
“So we report him?” Dylan considered, “I know Ed’s on our side, but he’s still the sheriff. He has a duty to flag this up. What happens then? We sent a fresh werewolf back into the foster system. It’s too dangerous, Jon.”
“I know, I know,” Jono assured, “We need to talk to Edmund. Properly. Find out what the situation is. If he talks, maybe we can do something. We’re not abandoning him, I promise.”
“I’m so glad I’ve got you,” Dylan grinned. Without Jono, he was lost. Being a werewolf meant nothing when he didn’t have his husband by his side.
“Come here and prove it,” Jono winked. Dylan didn’t need to be asked twice. He shuffled his body towards Jono’s, their bare chests connected as they gazed into each other’s eyes. Wasting no time, Dylan’s lips reached out to Jono’s. Together, they were magic. Nobody and nothing made Dylan feel the way Jono did, and he savoured every moment they had together.
Downstairs, the front door clicked open and then shut. Immediately, Dylan’s relief grew into panic once again.
Edmund had gone.
Waking up beside Josh was a surprising comfort to Yasmin. Her flat was small and a little claustrophobic, yet somehow, the addition of an extra person made it cosier. Josh had all but moved in, spending multiple nights there each week, and it felt like they had never split up. The honeymoon period had been pleasingly persistent.
The only real stability Yasmin had grown accustomed to since graduation was her independence, and her confidence in her own ability to thrive by herself. Her mother had always been more focused on her career than her child, so a diminished presence in Yasmin’s adult life was no surprise. Yasmin had learned to rely on herself, so regular company had become an alien concept; she’d forgotten how it felt to let her guard down.
Life felt satisfyingly stress-free in general, too. Working with Dylan wasn’t the Harvard dream she once had, but for the first time, Yasmin was truly enjoying her job. Adult life had become considerably less mundane, and a lot less lonely.
“Fancy skipping work today?” Josh murmured, stretching his arms above the comfort of the duvet, his right arm smoothly slipping around Yasmin, curling her body against his chest.
“You’re very persuasive,” Yasmin smirked, unable to block the train of thought imagining just how blissful that would be, “But our boss is your brother. Neither of us would get off the hook that easily. Besides, I know you have a conscience buried somewhere in there.”
“Me? Conscience? Come on, just admit you like a bad boy,” Josh flirted shamelessly, his eyes still barely adjusted to the daylight.
“Don’t flatter yourself,” Yasmin laughed harshly. Perhaps on paper it looked as if Yasmin had a type, but Josh was nothing but a teddy bear. He was as far away from being a bad boy as the rest of the pack, and that was what Yasmin really loved about him.
“Alright, I admit it, I miss you at work. I’d say I’m only human, but I’d be lying,” Josh continued with a playful tone.
“You sit about six feet away from me,” Yasmin chuckled, embracing the intimate sensation of Josh’s hands gliding around her chest.
“Exactly. You know I hate being so far away,” Josh snuggled in closer, resting his head on Yasmin’s shoulder.
“Damn, you’re really feeling some type of way this early? Come on, shower, now,” Yasmin’s head won over her heart and she slipped out of Josh’s hands, “A cold one, at that.”
Josh playfully huffed as he heaved himself out of bed, smirking as he maintained eye contact until he was out of the room. Yasmin chuckled to herself. Her guard was down, and it was cathartic.
Yasmin took a deep breath, rotating her body to look at the full-length mirror opposite the bed. Gone were the once-regular bags under her eyes. Her cheeks had more colour than they’d seen in a long time.
The mirror image flickered. The reflection Yasmin could see wasn’t her own. It looked just like her bedroom still, albeit darker, like it were nighttime. As the flickering slowed, the identity of the person became clearer.
Ashton.
And his head was bleeding.
Nothing ever got past Lily. Usually, people knew better than to try. Her instinct was never wrong when detecting whether the wool was being pulled over her eyes. For some reason, being pregnant seemed to give people the misguided impression that she had to be kept in the dark.
That morning was different, though. Lily didn’t need her werewolf powers to be able to sense the panic in Dylan and Jono’s office. A lot had happened overnight, and the Edmund Franklin case was proving even more complex than they’d realised. Lily could see the worry in Jono’s face, clear as day; he always invested in each case with his heart, and that was what made his business with Dylan so successful, but it also made him stressed when uncertainty reared its head.
“Tell me everything,” Lily commanded, taking a seat opposite Jono’s desk where he was furiously slamming his fingers against the keyboard, “And I mean everything. Remember I can hear your heartbeat.”
Jono broke his scrunched, focused expression to raise a polite chuckle. Suddenly, the hustle and bustle of the rest of the office seemed to vanish; it was only Jono that Lily wanted to listen to, “Edmund stayed the night, but he’s not here anymore.”
“Okay, have you told Ed?” Lily questioned.
“We have not. We just wanted to make him feel safe. We were getting somewhere,” Jono justified.
“I know, I trust you, Jon. You care about the people you work for,” Lily acknowledged.
“I think Dylan saw himself in Edmund, too. He wants to keep him safe. We all know what it’s like to be a newly bitten werewolf,” Jono recalled. Lily nodded; it was a time she’d never be able to forget.
“You’ll do what you can, I know that,” Lily encouraged, “Don’t change a thing. You’re doing everything right. What do you need from me?”
“Mission control,” Jono answered, his face painted with regret, “Not that I think you’re not capable of defending yourself or anything, but we need someone here in case he comes back, and to monitor cameras across the town. I trust you, and I trust Jeremy.”
“I get it, and let’s be real, I’m due any day,” Lily chuckled, accepting and appreciating Jono’s honesty.
“Dylan called Yasmin and Josh, they’re checking the town. Ed’s deployed deputies all over, but it needs to be one of us finding him. If he’s unable to control his shifts, he could be a danger, and, well, cops have guns,” Jono stressed.
“Go on, go. Dylan can track a scent like nobody else. You’ll find him in no time,” Lily encouraged, “Jeremy and I will be fine. Us Chadwicks are a strong bunch.”
“Too right,” Jeremy interjected from the back of the office, “Sorry, I wasn’t listening, but I couldn’t help myself.”
“It’s true,” Jono chuckled. His stress had lifted into determination, and Lily was confident he’d succeed.
Returning to Crystalshaw High for the second time in two days was a surreal experience for Dylan. It was close to ten years since he first stepped through the double doors of the depressingly dull reception area. It wasn’t only his first day of high school, but his first time attending a school in Crystalshaw. If only he knew then just how significant a place it would become for him; he and Jono returning to the place they first met felt special.
The reception hadn’t changed. Somehow, the secretary was still trundling along; she appeared old and frail even when Dylan started high school. This time, though, Dylan and Jono were guests. They had to sign in and be escorted around the school according to the safeguarding procedures. Little did they know that Dylan had made his own way around the school site the day before.
“Hey,” a friendly voice greeted, breaking the monotony. Dylan glanced up from his phone to see a welcoming smile from Freddie. Dylan and Jono didn’t see Freddie as often as they once did – adult life had caught up with them both – but in Dylan’s eyes, they were always brothers, and that was a bond they could never break.
“Hey, good to see you,” Dylan beamed, disregarding professionalism for a warm hug with his friend.
“Looking good, dude,” Jono commented, checking out Freddie’s smart work attire after a hug of his own.
“Err, thanks,” Freddie’s smile faded into awkwardness for what could only have been a moment, but it felt longer.
“Thanks for arranging this,” Dylan pushed ahead as Freddie began to escort them through the main school, “I know we’re not cops so it’s harder to arrange this in school hours, but I promise it’s urgent.”
“All good, I know what it’s like. I might not be on the payroll but I’m still in the pack, right?” Freddie mentioned, as if he were seeking validation.
“Always,” Dylan assured, “And we’ll put you on the payroll any time you want.” He had already extended the offer of a job at Chadwick-Drummond to both Freddie and Sammi – they were part of the pack just as much as the rest of them – but they had chosen to stay closer to Jonah, which Dylan could only respect.
“You’re family,” Jono added, and he was right. The entire pack was family in Dylan’ eyes. He didn’t care how physically strong he became as a result of being the alpha, he simply valued the bond they all shared, and it ran deeper than a friendship.
“Speaking of, why do you need to speak to Jonah?” Freddie queried, the worry evident on his face.
“He was talking to a boy yesterday. A boy we’re looking for,” Dylan explained.
“A werewolf?” Freddie checked.
“Newly bitten,” Jono confirmed, “He’s missing.”
“Jonah didn’t mention anything,” Freddie pondered, “But he was a little quiet yesterday. I knew something was up.”
Freddie came to a halt outside the old newsroom office. A cosy wave of nostalgia flooded his body. It was an empty office now, but that was where Dylan and Jono spent hours getting to know each other while working on the school paper. Dylan thought so fondly of that time, and he found it a shame that nobody had continued that legacy.
“Mind if I stay?” Freddie checked.
“Dude, of course you can stay, you don’t need to ask,” Dylan did his best to soothe Freddie’s worries, but he seemed insecure about his position in the pack, and Dylan felt guilty. He was the alpha, he should have realised how Freddie felt.
“Hi,” Jonah sheepishly smiled, composing himself as the door clicked open, attempting to disguise that he had been spinning on Dylan’s old desk chair, “I haven’t done anything, I swear.”
“We know,” Dylan chuckled, “We just wanted to ask you about yesterday. About Edmund.”
“Who?” Jonah averted his gaze. Dylan didn’t have to listen to his heartbeat to know he was lying.
“Jonah,” Freddie sternly reminded, “They’re trying to help. We’re all on the same side.”
“The more we know, the more we can help him,” Jono added, as eloquently as always.
“I don’t know much, I swear. I only met them a few minutes before you came in. He seemed desperate. I just wanted to help. He was kind, then he lost control. You told me about being in control of your shifts, Freddie. I don’t think Edmund could do that.”
“He’s a newly bitten werewolf, we think,” Dylan explained, “You’re right, he needs help, but he’s dangerous right now, Jonah. None of us want you getting hurt.”
“I thought you were my age when you were bitten,” Jonah confidently retorted, much to Dylan’s surprise. Jonah wasn’t wrong, but Dylan didn’t have someone older to look out for him. He had to find his own way.
Before Dylan could respond, Jonah stood up and ran to the window at the far end of the newsroom. Dylan, Jono and Freddie shared a perplexed glance. Dylan focused on his hearing. There was a commotion outside, but not one that was audible from inside. Not to anyone with regular hearing. Human hearing.
Turning back around, Jonah’s expression had transformed. He had a focused, stern glare, but that wasn’t what terrified Dylan the most.
The bright green glowing eyes were far more worrisome.
Jonah leapt past Dylan, Jono and Freddie and sprinted out the door, far quicker than any human could move. Dylan was speechless. His mind was racing, and he didn’t know what to think or do.
“Um, guys,” Jono summoned Dylan and Freddie to the window overlooking the school entrance. A swarm of deputies were gathered around what looked to be a scruffy teenage boy. A familiar face, at that.
Edmund.
Like a flash of lightning, Jonah sprinted towards Edmund. He slid between the deputies with ease, moving faster and with more precision than Dylan had ever known a human to do. He took Edmund by the hand, and they dashed away before any deputy could react.
“What the hell?” Freddie’s jaw dropped. Dylan was horrified. What had happened to Jonah?
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