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pregnant again and the pregnancy was difficult. Klaus was angry I had disappeared before my time, and he took his anger out on my mother. Her body was covered in scars from the fire. I shuddered when I thought of the future of the baby.
    And then she was born—another sister, a beautiful girl, with haunting blue eyes that reminded me so much of Elena. My father was furious, but as always, he let his anger brew under the surface during the day, making nice with the villagers, while he forged their horseshoes and tools. But when night came, the bubbling anger rose and my mother was the target for which he took aim.
    “You’re worthless, Marlena. I told you I needed a son, especially since Alistair left, and what do you give me? Another pitiful girl! How will she have strength to tend my fire? Maybe it’s time to take a new wench. There are many in this village that would beg for a chance to be with me.”
    I was watching at the window. I watched Klaus grab the infant from my mother's arms. The baby girl remained strangely quiet, staring up at her father’s face. “Maybe she can still be of some use. It worked the first time and my wine cellar is running a little dry.”
    “Give her back, Klaus. Please I beg you!”
    “You’d better keep your voice down, my dear, there’s room in the fire for two.” With that he flung the baby high into the flames.
    My mother flung herself forward, but it was too late. She stumbled and fell into the fire. Klaus watched, a smile playing on his lips. “So sad,” he muttered, “so very sad.”
    There was to be a full moon that night. I waited, biding my time. I watched the sky darken and the moon slowly rise. I welcomed it into my limbs. Tonight I had a purpose. Tonight I would achieve my destiny, my immortality, and I would make Roman proud. Tonight justice would be mine.
    My transformation started to take hold. Today I have complete control, but back then I was still at the mercy of the moon. My limbs lengthened, the fur on my body grew and bristled. My facial muscles stretched. Some of Roman’s new recruits feared the metamorphosis, but I have always enjoyed my lupine form—believed somehow this is what I was always meant to be.
    I flexed my now fully-formed claws and bared my canines. I put out a paw and tapped on my father’s door. I imagined him inside preparing his story of the terrible accident that had occurred, preparing to bask in the gullibility of his neighbors.
    He didn’t expect me. He opened the door and peered out. My wolf form is formidable on all fours, but I reared up on my hind legs and pushed him to the ground. I placed my paws on his shoulders and enjoyed the fear in his bloodshot eyes. I willed him to understand who I was, to understand that I had come for vengeance for the murders of my mother and sisters. Then I tore the shirt from his chest and sunk my teeth into his flesh.
    It was the best meal I have ever eaten.
    As I consumed his body, I gained power beyond measure, and when I returned to Roman after the full moon I was welcomed as an equal.

    “So am I still a monster, Joshua?” Alistair asked.
    Josh didn’t answer and stared at Alistair with wide eyes before returning his attention to the chessboard. But it was too late.
    Alistair reached across the board “Checkmate!” he said.

     
     

Read more of Alistair’s story in P.A.W.S. , Argentum , and in future books of the P.A.W.S. saga.
    Look for more Tales from P.A.W.S. coming soon.
    Learn more about the series at debbiemanberkupfer.wordpress.com/p-a-w-s/
    Debbie would like to thank David Higgins and Hayley Coates for their help in editing this story, Rachel Bostwick for the beautiful cover, and my friends in the Facebook groups, Fiction Writers, The Dragon’s Rocketship, and YAAR for their continued support.
    If you enjoyed this tale please consider leaving a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads. Thank you for purchasing this story.