The Alpha Beast

Chapter 12: Lycanthropes

Theodore 

 Is she really this thrilled about a library? I know it is imposing. Especially for a private library. But I never thought she would like something like that.

I always saw her like daddy's little girl who grew up with a silver spoon. But the way her eyes were lightning up when I turned to her. That joy on her face… I guess rich people could also like reading.That doesn't mean they are not spoiled and arrogant. If this was something small and she would get all excited about it, that would mean something.

She takes the book, examining it's covers. "Thank you." She replies with a soft smile. This is actually the first time she is not angry or scared of me while interacting with me. And it feels kinda nice.

Evelyn 

I take the book and head to one of the sofas. As I turn to Theodore he is already gore. I open the book. It has no name or year of writing. Finally I get to first words. It's written by hand. 

 "Lycanthrope Greek: λυκάνθρωπος lukánthrōpos, "wolf-person" A human transforming into a beast like wolf." 

 After that there are some sketches of a human and a warewolf. Beneath that there is a drawing of few pictures, showing step by step a transformation of an lycanthrope.

 "Improved night vision - tapedum lucidum. 

Increased bone density and muscle mass. 

Enhanced strength. 

Thick hide. 

Claws. 

190 cm to 260 cm tall. 

90 to 250 kg weight.

Moving on all fours. Digitigrade. 

Bipedal. Plantigrade." 

All these words are written arond various drawings of body parts of a lycanthrope. This all must be written by a doctor or someone who was deep into studying about lycanthropes. 

 "Lycanthropy is inherited. Humans experience first transformation at the age from fourteen to nineteen years old. It occurs always at the night of full moon. Before their first transition they are just average people. After that they get stronger senses and abilities. Every other transformation happens by will." 

Is it really possible that there is quite a number of people like this out there? Even if back then when this was written there wasn't many of them, now there should be a lot.

 "Lycanthrope's instinct take over their reason. They have bad temper and are quite aggressive."

 Well, that explains some things.

"A Lycanthrope is immune to damage caused by ordinary weapons. Their vulnerability seem to come only from silver objects, but affecting them only if they contact it with inside organs." 

 At least one thing sounds familiar.

"Lycanthropes live in packs.

Alpha - the wisest, strongest who holds absolute control over other pack members. Leader of the pack.

Beta - the highest ranking wolf in the pack just below the Alpha. Alpha's right hand."

 God there is so much information. But mostly it's some random facts. Nothing from the scientific side. Well it's an really old book. It's fascinating enough that they know so much about their anatomy... Look at me. Am I really trying to find reason in this. Silly. 

Theodore 

 It's slowly getting dark outside. Evelyn was missing from lunch and I am heading up to her. Bringing a blanket with.

As I get to the library, I see she had fallen asleep. I take the book from her hand as it's almost slipped out and cover her up. I sit back at the other sofa and flip through the book. 

I remember when John gave it to me and how supportive he was back then. We never had a connection before, as he was quite a reserved man. But he was always there for all three of us, spending all his free time with us, taking on the father role. This book was my first encounter with what I am exactly. It's quite a secret in the world and I had no one connected to it directly in my surrounding. 

 "Hello." 

I lift my eyes from the book.

"Hi." I replay. 

Evelyn shifts a little bit to make herself more comfortable and asks: "Why do you change for the first time at the full moon?" 

"You know how people have trouble sleeping when it's full moon outside? Well for us it has stronger influence. It awakens our instincts. And they are a lot stronger then by people. And they are harder to repress."

"And how does it feel? The transformation." 

"It's quite painful. The first one. But mostly you're just terrified. You don't know what is happening to you or will you even survive it. And after it's done, you just feel amazing. Like you're freed. Something like while stretching after lying for too long." 

She finally smiles after getting a little worried. 

"Were your both parents…"

"Mhm… You really didn't know any of this?" 

"Only from television. How do people not know about this for real? Yet it's all around in books, movies…"

"Well, at the very beginning it was known. We all lived in harmony, working together. But somewhere along the way, lycanthropes got greedy and humans became envious. There were a lot of conflicts turned into wars between the species. So eventually everyone was just trying to make our existence into mere legends. Now Hollywood stories."

 Evelyn gets lost in her thoughts. I guess this is a lot of information for her to handle. And that's what I don't get. 

The whole world knows about Maxwell Walsh, the controversial owner of a famous pharmaceutical company, and a notorious lycanthrope for one part of them. And everyone knows he has a daughter even if he tries to hide it. Yet she is so clueless about that part of him. 

 Then I remember the night I met Maxwell. I guess he knew she was in danger for being his blood. Maybe he tried to keep her identity secret. But that won't still explain why he would ask me to help her. 

A stranger who came for his life.