Sunrise was just creeping over the horizon as Iron Gust peered out through the blinds for what seemed like the hundredth time. He had been pacing the floor for hours, waiting for Lavender to return home. The air was stale as the gray peagasus stallion had not left the house the entire time she was gone. He always hoped that she would return home early, but she never did.

He had made himself a prisoner for three days straight, cleaning and organizing, making sure that everything would be perfect for her return, trying not to worry himself sick. Running a hoof over his red close-cropped mane, he felt his heart leap when he spied her gliding towards home. Practically tripping over his own hooves, he threw the doors open wide for her as she landed less than gracefully on their front walk.

Her body was covered with scratches and bruises once more. He knew they would heal quickly, but it still disturbed him to see her hurt this way over and over again. She had asked him time after time not to follow her or question what she was doing, it was something she had no choice about and she did not want her love to think less of her. In spite of all of his assurances, she still begged him to just trust her.

Silently, he walked her to the back room and started a warm bath running. Gently helping her into the water, his heart ached as the water turned pink almost instantly from the dried blood rinsing out of her bright white fur. There was heavier bruising around her neck and lower legs but it seemed to be fading already.

“Lavender, I...”

“Gusty, please...”

The same start as always. She looked up at him with those exhausted eyes, pleading with him not to ask.

“Lavender I... I can't do this anymore.”

She blinked, a chill running through her in spite of the warm water, “What?”

“I can't.” Tears were running down his cheeks, “I can't sit here month after month not knowing. I don't know where you go, or what you're doing. I sit here every month for three days, trusting you to return, making sure everything is perfect for you when you do.”

“Oh, Gusty, I...”

He barked out a short laugh, an ugly sound. “I sit here for three days, not even sure if you're coming back this time. You always come home hurt in some way. You beg me to trust you, assure me that everything is fine. You ask for my trust and I've given it for five years.” He turned to gaze at her and she looked away, unable to bear the sight of the hurt in his eyes. “Yet you still won't trust me.”

She felt like a cornered animal, her heart slamming against her ribs as she stared down into the water. If she told him, there was a good chance he would leave her, but if she didn't, now it was all but guaranteed. Biting her bottom lip, she whispered softly. “You're right... and I was wrong...”

He blinked, caught short by this response. He wiped the tears from his fur as he looked at her. “You mean..”

“After I am clean and dry, I will show you where I go every month. You deserve the truth.”

A few hours later they were gliding over the Everfree forest. Iron Gust had never flown out this far over the old, gnarled trees and was surprised to see a clearing up ahead. Lavender slowly banked into a turn, her violet mane whipping around in the breeze as she circled down into it.

They landed with a soft crunch in a thick bed of dry leaves. The smell of decomposing plants was strong, but somehow familiar and comforting. This part of the wood was eerily silent, though, the crunching of leaves underhoof the only sound.

She led him to the old, rusted out hulk of a train's storage car. Old and dented it had partially sunk into the ground under its weight. She admitted that she had no idea how it got out here, but it served her purpose well for over ten years. Steeling herself for a moment, she led him inside.

The inside stunk horribly, of blood and sweat, old rotting meat, and something else. Something feral and wild. Heavy chains were bolted to the back wall of the car as well as the ceiling and floor. They looked like they were made to restrain some massive beast. As he turned to face his love, he could see light pouring into the car from what looked like huge claw marks gouged through the metal walls.

“Lavender, I don't understand. What is this place?”

She looked at him with tears in her eyes, “This is where I go every month, Gusty. I come here, I lock the door behind me and I chain myself up and wait. I have to, so I don't hurt anyone. If I hurt someone I couldn't live with myself, please, understand Gusty...”

He hefted the heavy chains and looked back at his lover once more, “Lavender are you...?”

She nodded, tears running down her cheeks, “I'm a werewolf, Gusty. I'm so sorry, I should have told you sooner, but...”

Iron Gust hugged his love gently and nodded, stroking her back, “It's alright. I understand why you didn't tell me now.”

“Please don't leave me. Gusty, please.”

“I won't. I promise.” The stallion smiled sadly as he stroked her cheek, “But going forward, we face this together, okay? Let me help you.”

She nodded, pressing tightly against them and after a few moments began discussing plans for the following month.