The Cursed Homeland

Dread

How does one get away with murder? Do they know the right people? Know how not to leave evidence. Be someone with enough influence to get away with it… or someone with so little that they fly under the radar. No. In my experience the ones who truly get away with it all are the ones who are monstrous enough to intimate people into silence.

My name is Jamie. I'm a homicide detective for the NYPD. I am also what most people would consider that ‘monstrous’ type. The type that could rip someone's throat out with their teeth and howl at the night sky while they eat whatever prick they just killed. Not what you expected? Yeah - I'm a werewolf.

The world has known of the existence of monsters for centuries. It has taken just as long for them to give us the same rights and respect, regardless of what race of beast we were. But still people are so afraid of us that when a monster commits a crime they call do as little as growl or hiss and get away with it. Purely because of fear.

I'm not the most popular member of my pack because of my job choice. Last year I arrested my older cousin for a murder that he expected me to just sweep under the rug. He got a life sentence. So did I… in the packs own way.

Now I'm walking into my living room, fixing my blazer. I stopped Infront of my mirror and groaned. I looked like I hadent had sleep in days. I turned my head, eyeing a deep scar I had on the side of my face. My stomach twisted and I shook the feeling quickly only to jump when my door slammed open. “Why do you always take so long? I've been waiting in the car for hours?” My partner complains as he walks in the house. I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding. “Oh my God! Brandon! Don't just do that!” He threw his hands up and gestured to the door. “Let's go then. The Captain has a case for us and he wants us there like yesterday.” I groaned. It wasn't the season for this. I was two days into my heat and wanted nothing more than to stay home. But my job was my job… so I got in the car.

We get to the precinct and Brandon rushes us to the captain's office. Before I know it I'm staring at the man with wide eyes and my stomach tight and not for the reason anyone would think. “You want us to go where!?” I practically squeaked out. Captain Richards looked at me and folded his hands. “Germany. Specifically the region in and around the Black Forest. I'm sending the two of you and two human officers to show diversity. The situation there has erupted into total race war. The two of you will tackle your own species along with one of the two human officers.” I couldn't believe what he was saying. I shook my head and looked at Brandon, then back to the Captain. “Let me get this straight. You are sending us to the Homeland… in a race war. Almost the entire country is still feral and quite traditional. You are setting the Humans up to die or worse. And are you not aware that it is the heat season for werewolves?” Richards glared at me. “You are going or you will hand over your badges. Your race's hormonal issues should not impede your ability to work. Now… you will be looking for the source of a string of murders. The unsub seems to be using the race war as cover but they have been getting sloppy. Human body's have now shown up, same M.O.” Both me and Brandon adopt an unamused expression. The Captain, noticing this, shut up and shoved the files, along with our plane tickets at us. We scoffed and picked them up and left the office with a slam of the door.

Brandon dropped me off at my house so I could get my things together. I quickly gathered my things and pulled a suitcase out of my closet. As I sat it on the bed I caught a glimpse of someone standing in my door. I sighed and began to pack my bag. “Yes, dad?” He walked in and stood at the other side of the bed. “Heard you are going to the Homeland…” I rolled my eyes as I placed another pair of pants into the suitcase. “Yes, for work. Not for pack shit.” My father growled, making me freeze for a second. He grabbed my arm hard. “The pack comes before your bullshit little job! Our pack used to have status in the Homeland. You need to find out if it still dose.” I looked him in the eyes and snarled. “And if it doesn't.” He grinned, his sharp incisors glinting in the midday lighting in the room. “Then take it by force. Maybe we'll forget your little f**k up with your cousin.” I glared at him but nodded. He lets go of me and leaves the room. I didn't move until I heard him go out the back door, get in his car, and drive off.

I finished packing and ate something small before Brandon returned. When he got there he helped me put my things in the car. We gave each other a weary look before getting in and driving off. The ride was quiet and tense. As we parked at the airport Brandon looked at me. “Are you comfortable with separating in the Homeland?” I shook my head. “No… but if we don't we lose our jobs.” I decided against telling him about my father's visit and we got out of the car. After dealing with TSA and baggage check for two hours; because we were instantly ‘suspicious’ the second we showed our identification, we were finally on a god awful long plane ride to somewhere I didn't want to go.