Chapter 24: Chapter 8

Michael called his son.

The sun had risen a few hours ago and Kurt was still in his bed sleeping.

Although he struggled to fall asleep in the end he passed out, as tired as he was after dancing for hours.

He got up and the first thought of him was that girl.

Make sure you forget her, she will already have done the same, he ordered himself.

«Kurt, come on get up. There is a delivery.»

«Coming!» shouted the boy rubbing his eyes.

As soon as he opened his room door his father handed him a bag and the money for the carriage. «Can I at least get dressed?!»

«Hurry up.»

Kurt put the money and the bag on the bed and went to the bathroom to wash and get dressed.

He didn't really want to do deliveries for his dad, but he thought it would be a good way to get distracted.

The carriage stopped him in front of a marvelous and gigantic villa. Much more majestic than the one where the ball was held the night before.

Stop it Kurt, don't think about that ball, just make this delivery and go back, he repeated himself.

He knocked on the door and was greeted by a red-haired woman. He had heard that the O'Gradys were Irish and that hair color had characterized the family for generations. They were his father's most loyal customers.

«Are you here for my sister?» the woman asked, she didn't look like a waitress at all.

«I'm here to deliver some shoes.» Kurt answered. He didn't know who the delivery was for, his father had said nothing but the family surname.

«Yes, they are for her and her usual whims.»

«Cassandra are you still talking behind my back?»

Kurt couldn't believe his eyes. It was Christine, she was walking gracefully down the steps.

«You don't deserve all of our father's gifts. Assuming he's your father too, you don't even have a red thread in your hair.»

«Your insinuations don't bother me.», Christine was now at the door. «Let our guest come in.»

Cassandra moved and let him in. «Try not to get anything dirty with those dirty shoes of yours.» she said and went up to her room.

«I apologize for making you wait and... for my sister's rudeness.»

Kurt just handed her the bag with the shoes, not saying a word.

Christine sat down in the living room. She pulled the shoes from the bag and peered at them. «They are just as I imagined... Did you make them?»

«I just helped my father.»

«Wasn't it difficult? I'm not very good at drawing.»

«No. Your artwork was… perfect.»

«My mother will love them. Thank you. You can go, my father has already paid the bill.»

Embittered Kurt didn't move. She had really forgotten about him, she really just had fun with him.

He had his head down and fists clenched. Christine looked at him, then she made sure no one was around and she approached him. «I will be waiting for you tonight, at the Hyde Park entrance.»

Kurt widened his eyes. «A-alright.» he stammered before reaching the door.

Before he left Christine stopped him. She grabbed him by his patched coat and kissed his cheek, as if she knew he needed a confirmation of her intentions towards him. She smiled at him and he was paralyzed. «Now go. I'll see you tonight.»

Kurt nodded again speechless as he walked through the door.

He went back to the carriage and all the way home he kept the same shocked expression.

Only when he threw himself on his bed he did begin to smile and process what happened.

«Kurt! Come here, I need your help! Don't just stay in the room.» his father shouted. There was a time he shouldn't even have called him, his son loved to play there while his father worked.

«I'm coming father!»

The boy went downstairs happy as a clam.

«Did something happen?»

«No, father. The delivery went well.»

Michael had never seen him so happy. He knew what made him so cheerful. He had to be involved with a girl. The last time Michael had laughed like that, it had been a long time ago, and the credit was solely due to his Maryanne.

As much as he liked to see his son smile like that, he had to protect him and not let what he had been through with his wife, happen to him too.

For this reason, he never told Kurt what he really was.

Every full moon night he gave him a sleeping pill, secretly and took him to the forest, near the grandparents' house. He chained him to a tree and stayed around during his transformation.

He hated having to hide it from him, but he thought it was the best way. It clearly wasn't. Sooner or later he would find out.

He had taught him to be nice, not to get into trouble. He always told him that talking, arguing politely, was much better than getting angry and fighting. In fact, Kurt was a boy of a very kind nature and not prone to quarrels. He always tried to find the good, in people and in every situation. He took after his mother in that way.

Michael let him out as little as possible, only for simple errands that wouldn't get him in trouble.

He hoped thus to prevent him from turning into a wolf.

But Kurt found out the truth that night when he saw his father put something in his food. Perhaps he had noticed that he was running away in the night and wanted to stop him. He pretended to eat, but as soon as his father was distracted he would put the food in the handkerchief next to the plate.

When the plate was empty he put the handkerchief back in his pocket. «Do you mind if I don't help you, father? I'm a little tired.»

«Don't worry, I can handle it. Just go to bed.»

Michael pretended to clear the table and after a few minutes peeked into his son's room to make sure he was asleep. He took him on his shoulder and carried him with him into the forest.

Kurt knew his grandparents weren't living there anymore. He was confused but he kept pretending to be asleep. He didn't even move when he felt his father chaining his wrists and ankles.

He wanted to ask him so many questions but soon excruciating pain invaded his whole body. He felt the bones out of control under his skin. He had to hold back the screams or his father would know he was awake. But it hurt so much. He had never felt such pain.

Then suddenly nothing. No pain. But instead of his hands he saw gigantic black paws.

It was then that he remembered that day, that imposing black wolf in his father's shop.

What's happening? What... am I?, he wanted to ask but his voice didn't come out.