Abby held herself during the entire elevator ride up to Logan’s apartment. She had been here before on a few visits but mostly they were cut short by Russell’s insistence she come home right away. She took small steps down the hall guided by her friend’s hand until they arrived at the door. Logan inserted her key into the lock and opened it, pushing the door in and gesturing inside.
“Welcome to your new home,” she said.
“I don’t know about this,” Abby replied.
“I do.” Logan guided her over the threshold. Once she had stepped through the door Abby felt as if the tension that had gripped her since Russell’s call had faded. It was not gone, but it was weaker in her friend’s home. She took a few steps inside, still getting used to the hooves on which she walked. Her blue scrubs provided a little comfort, as at least they were familiar to her. She walked into the living area and caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror hanging on the wall. “It takes some getting used to,” Logan said.
Abby walked up to the mirror and looked at her ebony and white furred face. Her hands touched her long muzzle, and she trailed a finger along her horns as far as her arms would allow. The weregemsbok nurse examined the backs of her hands, bearing a patch of black before melting into the white of her fingers. She saw a black line of fur trace down her neck to her collarbone where it split to either side of her body. When Abby lifted up her scrubs she saw brown fur on her sides and a white tummy separated by a line of black fur. Her body appeared well toned, more so than it had been before her change. “Am I a little thinner?”
“I think so,” Logan said. “Some of the perks we get are slowed aging and some pretty strong muscles. I can leap across a city street to another building.”
“I don’t think I’m ready for that one,” Abby said.
Logan smiled. “Yeah, well, we’ll work on that one eventually. Would you like some tea?”
“I’d love some,” Abby said.
Her werewolf friend set to work heating the water in the kettle. She pulled out two mugs and opened her fridge. Abby’s eyes widened as she saw the amount of meat inside. “Oh, yeah. The change requires a bit of fuel to keep us going. I can make you a salad?”
“Sure,” Abby said. She sat down on the couch and held her legs in her arms, still not feeling entirely safe. The weregemsbok watched her friend prepare a large salad and heat the tea. After a moment, Logan walked into the bedroom and the sound of water could be heard. Abby was impressed at the level of sound her ears could pick up. Logan had started a bath for her. She emerged a moment later and smiled.
“Okay, sweetie. I’ve fixed a bath for you and tonight you’ll sleep in my bed. I want you where I can keep an eye on you. When you’re ready we’ll figure out some more permanent arrangements.” Logan came over to sit beside her. “Are you okay?”
Abby was not used to being asked that question. She looked at her hooves uncertain if she should answer. Finally she shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“That’s okay. Becoming a Were is kind of weird. Anyway, don’t worry about anything, okay? I’ll take care of you.” She touched a paw to her knee. “Your only job tonight is to take a bath, get comfortable, and eat something. After that, you’re getting a good night’s rest. Take off work tomorrow. You probably need the time to get used to all this.”
“Oh god, how I am going to work like this?” she asked.
“You won’t. Just stay out of moonlight and you can stay human. We’re not cursed or anything, it’s just different, that’s all. We’re like people that develop diabetes,” Logan said.
“This is a little different than diabetes.” Abby gave her friend a smirk.
Logan nodded. “Yeah, it’s an adjustment, but you learn to live with it.” Her friend rested her muzzle on her knees and gave her a cute grin. “Besides, there are some nice things about being what we are. The senses are a lot sharper; you wouldn’t believe what I can tell from just sniffing the room. I’m way stronger than I was before and we heal fast. We’re not indestructible but we can take a pounding. Not to mention that we look pretty hot like this.”
“Hot?” Abby asked.
“Well, yeah. Look at how our animal features blend with our human forms. You can’t tell me you didn’t think it looked cool when you changed.” Logan’s ears perked up in amusement.
Abby shrugged, looking at her knees. “I was kind of more concerned about not getting caught. That, and looking like a freak. I was lucky nobody saw me leaving the hospital.”
“Abby, don’t ever think of yourself as anything other than a gorgeous strong woman. I know you’re not used to it but you’re cute, girl. Someday some gentleman is going to realize that and he’ll sweep you off your hooves. Russell, he doesn’t deserve you. He doesn’t appreciate you. He expects you’re a given and he doesn’t give a second thought to how you feel.” Logan stood up.
“He loves me,” Abby said.
“If he loved you, he’d know who you were even like this. He’s never treated you right.”
“I need him. I can’t make it without someone taking care of me,” she said.
“That’s bullshit. You don’t need him. You’re a woman with a good job and someone who cares about you. I know you think he’s good for you but he doesn’t treat you like an equal. He may be a male but he’s got a lot to learn about being a man.” Logan guided her to stand up. “Now, tomorrow we’ll go and get some of your things but for now, do you think you’re up to your first lesson? I’ll show you how to become human again.”
“Okay,” Abby said. She listened to Logan as she instructed her to picture herself as she normally was. The werewolf brought up a cell phone picture of the two of them smiling during one of those days that Abby was genuinely happy. She looked at her own face and felt her muzzle begin to shrink as it reduced to become a human nose and mouth. Her horns became smaller and smaller as they reabsorbed into her skull. While she felt the changes Logan continued to instruct her. It was not just thinking about the change but one needed to want it as well. She desired to see her skin and watched the fur recede as her hands returned to their natural state.
Her hoof tipped fingers reverted to fingernails and her feet lowered to a plantigrade stance as her hooves reformed into five toes. She wiggled them to be certain they were as they should be. When her tail disappeared she held on to Logan, who only smiled back at her. While she did not wish to think of how Russell would have reacted, it did her heart good to see Logan at the convention where her friend had not even been surprised to see a walking talking animal but in fact had expected it. When she realized how even before either of them had become Weres that Logan had always been a big sister to her she fell into her embrace and simply cried.
When the tears began they would not stop. As she completed her change back to her human form Abby felt her breath heave in deep gasps for air. She cried into Logan’s shirt until the fabric was soaked, but her werewolf friend continued to let her. Logan rocked her body back and forth until her cries became quiet whimpers. Her friend had shifted back to her human form completely without Abby’s notice. The woman smiled back at Abby with the same face she had always known to be one of her best friends. “Feel better?” Abby could only nod.
Logan sat her down on the arm of the couch. “I’ll be right back.” She went into the bedroom ostensibly to turn off the faucet. When she returned the doorbell rang. “Go into the bedroom.”
Abby did as instructed and pressed against the wall. A moment later she heard Russell’s voice.
“Where the hell is she?” he asked.
“She’s not here,” Logan said.
“Bullshit. I know she’s here. Now bring her out so I can take her home,” he said. “I don’t have time for this crap. I’ve spent all night looking for her worried sick.”
Abby listened to the conversation out of sight but the more she listened the more she felt her hands tighten into fists.
“Back off. You put your hands on me you know I’ll put you through the wall. Now go home.” Logan attempted to close the door but the sound of Russell pushing against it could be heard.
Abby appeared with her arms crossed before her. “Russell.”
“I knew it, you can’t keep me from her.” Russell tried to push his way past Logan but her arm did not budge. No doubt her werewolf strength was too much for him.
The nurse took a step forward. “You need to go.”
“As soon as you come with me. Tell this bitch to get out of my way.” Russell held out his hand to encourage her closer.
Abby shook her head. “It took tonight to see it but this ‘bitch’ is one of my best friends. She’s been there for me though my worst times and I realize now that most of them were with you. She never judged me or told me I was worthless or ordered me to do what she said. You don’t love me. I don’t love you.”
“Abby, please,” he begged.
“Russell, I’m only going to say this once. I don’t need you anymore.” She closed the door to his stunned expression. After she locked and chained the door she turned her back to it and slipped down to the floor. “Oh my god, I can’t believe I just did that. I can’t breathe.”
Logan knelt beside her. “Yes you can. Look at me, sweetie.” Abby turned towards her. “You’re stronger than you know you can be. You’ll make it. Don’t think about Russell. You did the hard part. Now all you need to do is come with me and we’ll get you in a nice hot bath. I’ll bring you your tea.”
She didn’t really remember how but somehow Logan had gotten her into the bath with her clothes folded neatly on the toilet seat. Abby sipped the tea and felt the warm water relax her muscles. She had no idea how she would survive tomorrow, but for the first time she had the chance to think about it. Her head leaned back in a stretch. She could get used to this.

An excerpt from Blue Moon Chapter 4 - "This Is Different"

Abby, overcome with anxiety after telling her abusive boyfriend she no longer needs him, collapses to the floor in a moment of near shock. Logan reassures her and promises she will protect her until she can stand on her own again.

An amazing rendition of a pivotal scene in my upcoming werewolf novel, Blue Moon.

Characters are  LaurenRivers
Art by  drpickelle (who I would love to have do the cover!)

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