Empire of the howling moon

Chapter 8

Stewart returned home Tuesday afternoon to find Claire reorganizing the kitchen. New appliances gleamed on the counters, gifts from Rowan that had arrived while he was gone. She turned when he entered, and for a moment, her smile faltered.

"You look different."

"Just tired." Stewart set down his bag, hyperaware of every sound in the house. Danny's breathing upstairs. Emma is sleeping in her crib. Claire's elevated heart rate. "How were the kids?"

"Fine. Your mom helped yesterday." Claire approached, touching his face. "Stewart, you're burning up. Are you sick?"

His temperature ran hot now, the wolf's metabolism keeping him at near-fever levels constantly. "Just worked hard. I need a shower."

He escaped before she could ask more questions. Under scalding water, Stewart tried to wash away the memory of blood and hunt. But the wolf was still there, coiled tight, waiting. Elena had warned him, strong emotions could trigger partial shifts. He needed to stay calm. Controlled.

When he emerged, Claire was waiting in the bedroom. "We need to talk."

"About what?"

"About whatever you're hiding from me." Her voice was steady but her eyes hurt. "You disappear for two days. Come back looking half-dead. You're jumpy, distracted. That job at the warehouse was killing you slowly, but at least you were honest about it."

Stewart's jaw clenched. Claws tried to push through his fingertips. He forced them back, focusing on breathing like Elena taught him. "It's just an adjustment. New job, new responsibilities."

"Then why can't you look at me?"

He met her eyes. Mistake. Claire gasped, stepping back. "Your eyes. They just….they flashed. Like gold."

"The light"

"Don't." She held up a hand. "Don't lie to me anymore. Something happened. Something Rowan did to you."

Stewart's phone buzzed. Rowan, as if summoned by mention of his name. *How's reintegration going?*

"I have to take this," Stewart said.

"Of course you do." Claire's voice was bitter. She left the room, closing the door harder than necessary.

Stewart answered. "She's suspicious."

"Expected. Marlene will visit tonight. Help smooth things over." Rowan's tone was casual. "Meanwhile, I need you downtown. Client meeting at four. Wear the suit."

"What kind of meeting?"

"The kind where you stand behind me and look intimidating. You'll be good at it." Rowan disconnected.

Stewart wanted to refuse. Wanted to stay home, fix things with Claire. But the blood oath pulled at him, a compulsion he couldn't resist. The pack called. He had to answer.

He dressed in one of the expensive suits from Rowan's gift. Downstairs, Claire was feeding Emma, not looking at him.

"I have to go out."

"Naturally."

"Claire……"

"Just go, Stewart. Whatever you're involved in, whatever Rowan has you doing, clearly it's more important than us." She finally met his eyes. "But when you're ready to tell me the truth, I'll be here. For now."

The threat in those last two words was clear. Stewart left before he could make things worse.

Downtown, Crestmont Tower felt different. Stewart's enhanced senses picked up everything—the fear from a nervous intern, aggression from a businessman arguing on his phone, the predatory satisfaction from a woman closing a deal. Humans broadcasting emotions they didn't know could be read.

Rowan's office occupied the entire top floor. Marlene was already there, along with Gabriel and two others Stewart recognized from the hunt. They looked professional, dangerous, and contained violence in expensive suits.

"Stewart. Perfect timing." Rowan gestured to a chair. "The Northside Collective wants to negotiate territory boundaries. Their Alpha, Sienna Cross, is coming here. Neutral ground."

"Why do you need me?"

"Because you're new. Unknown. Sienna will underestimate you." Rowan smiled coldly. "Let her. When the time comes, that advantage will be useful."

Twenty minutes later, Sienna Cross arrived with her own entourage. She was striking, tall, athletic, with platinum blonde hair and eyes that saw too much. Her power was immediately apparent. Not just physical strength but presence. Command. She was an Alpha in every sense.

"Rowan. Still squatting in this glass tower?" Sienna's voice carried contempt. "Some of us prefer real territory."

"Some of us prefer civilization." Rowan gestured to the conference table. "Shall we discuss the Fifth Street properties?"

They sat. Stewart stood behind Rowan with the others, trying to look competent while his wolf stirred uneasily. Sienna kept glancing at him, assessing.

"You've been expanding south," Sienna said. "That's my territory."

"Was your territory. I bought those buildings legally."

"Using pack wealth built on blood and extortion." Sienna leaned forward. "You're spreading too thin, Rowan. Your pack can't hold everything you're claiming."

"My pack is strong enough."

"Is it?" Sienna's eyes locked on Stewart. "Fresh wolf. Barely controlled. I can smell it on him. You're recruiting desperately."

Stewart's hands clenched. The wolf wanted to respond to her challenge. Wanted to prove strength. Elena's training held it back, barely.

"Stewart is exactly what I need," Rowan said smoothly. "Loyal. Motivated. Hungry."

"Hungry wolves make mistakes." Sienna stood. "Here's my offer. Pull back from Fifth Street or I burn those properties to the ground with your people inside them."

The room tensed. Gabriel's hand moved toward a weapon. Marlene's eyes flashed gold. Rowan remained perfectly calm.

"That would be war."

"We're already at war. You just haven't admitted it yet." Sienna moved toward the door, her pack following. She paused beside Stewart. "When you realize what Rowan really is, when you understand how he's using you, find me. I protect my people. He just uses them until they break."

Then she was gone. Stewart's heart hammered. The wolf inside him was agitated, confused. Two Alphas, two packs, two sets of commands pulling in different directions.

"She's right about one thing," Marlene said. "We're spread thin. Three more attacks this week. We need more wolves."

"We need better wolves." Rowan looked at Stewart. "How's your friend's situation? Is anyone desperate enough to take our deal?"

Stewart's stomach dropped. "You want me to recruit?"

"You want your family protected? This is how it happens. The pack grows stronger, we grow safer." Rowan's smile was sharp. "Bring me three candidates by next week. We'll see who survives the turn."

That evening, Marlene visited the house as promised. She charmed Claire effortlessly, explaining that Stewart's new position involved confidential work, irregular hours, and significant stress. But the pay was worth it. The opportunities were worth it. Trust the process.

Stewart watched his wife slowly relax, believing the lies. Hating himself for it.

After Marlene left, Claire apologized. "I shouldn't have pushed. This is just so different from anything we've known."

"I understand." Stewart pulled her close, breathing in her scent "It'll get easier."

But he didn't believe it. And from the way Claire held him, too tight, too desperate, neither did she.

That night, Stewart dreamed of hunting. Of Claire running through the forest, terrified, while his wolf self chased her. He woke gasping, claws fully extended, having shredded the sheets.

 He's now becoming the beast that he is.