97 Jealousy?

The round trip took Greg two hours. Even though the road itself took the smallest part of this time. He spent a lot of time searching for a fluffy four. Finnely Greg spotted them at a remote clearing in the forest, still in the skins of wolves. Lana sat by a tree and from under half-closed eyelids watched Brian diligently teach something to two black wolves or playing with them, rolling on the young grass. Even Nicky relaxed a bit next to his uncle. Allowing himself to be dragged into a tussle.

Greg stopped at the edge of the meadow, watching the three wolves. For some reason, suddenly his heart shrugged as if from a prick. He did not immediately understand what it really was. Jealousy?

During all this time, he never regretted that he was not a werewolf, just like them. Greg was sure that with all the problems to cope, it was a worthless worry. He will be able to protect his family without claws and fangs. Fortunately, in his arsenal, some things could arrange a much bigger massacre, if needed.

But right now he suddenly a longing to be like them. Get a little closer. To share what they cannot share now because they are not like him.

What if Lana bites him? Will he become the same? He was even ready to offer his neck to Brian. Or a heel.

At that moment, Lana noticed his silhouette on the edge of the trees and lifted her head. The children also ended their scuffling and turned to him. Within a second, Vicky rushed to meet Greg with a joyful shriek. The link was still there and Greg's head filled with a million images. The girl, apparently finally came around from the shock, and now was in a hurry to share all her thoughts at once. There was a beautiful butterfly, which she saw and wanted to catch, but it flew away. Such a pity!. And how frightened Vicky was to jump over a mountain stream, but in general she even liked it, and they should definitely try again. And she was sure that they looked so cool from the side, how awesome it would be to film it. And Aunt Becky said she has llamas. Vicky wants to see the llamas so much ...

Greg laughed, not even trying to sort out this jumble of images and emotions, just taking it all in. He leaned over and patted the little she-wolf on the head. She barked happily and put her head up for stroking.

"The butterfly is really very beautiful," - Greg began to answer in order. - "But let's not jump over the river just yet. I rented a car, Tony already ordered us hotel rooms. There we can take a break while Maddy wakes up. And about llamas... I'm not sure. Becky protects them like sacred treasure. I don't think that she so quickly agrees to let the wolves on her farm. But for some reason, it seems to me that you can come up with something..."

Vicky squinted slyly and wagged her tail. It seems that a diabolical plan began to form in this girl's head. Poor Lamas and Becky!

Greg looked up and met Nicky's stare, who had crept in behind him. For some reason, some hesitation emanated from the boy in waves, although it was impossible to understand by sight. Greg gave Nicky a broad smile and patted him behind the ear too. The black wolf froze for a moment, as if he hadn't expected it, then shook himself, but remained seated, allowing himself to be patted. Greg could barely suppress a laugh. Nicky, you still such a teen boy!

At that moment, Brian came up in Greg's sight. He stopped two steps away and carefully watched their interaction. Greg was so to see that the white wolf eyes were mirroring exactly the same kind of emotions, that Greg had just a few minutes ago. Apparently, it was not at all important, human or werewolf. Everyone has the same feelings: desire to be loved, possessiveness, envy, greed for warmth. No matter to what kind you belong, you will still crave to be the most important person for your loved ones.

Greg grinned.

" I can scratch you as well if you want." - He said mockingly, turning to the white wolf. Brian immediately bared his fangs and growled, sending him a rather graphic image of what he would do with Greg in this case.

Greg laughed in response.

"Every time I am amazed at your imagination. You should think about a career as a screenwriter for thrillers. Would become a millionaire."

"I'm already a billionaire,"-Brian responded through clenched teeth, turning in just a split second. Clearly, the man was not at all embarrassed by his nakedness. And the rest of the shifters did not pay much attention to this. But Greg was a bit taken aback.

"Damn, you could have warned. I didn't want to see that at all." - He grunted, throwing a blanket at Brian.

" What? Now envy will torture you all night?" - Brian taunted with a grin, still wrapping the blanket around himself.

Greg was ready to say something offensive when Lana's voice interrupted him. She also shifted.

"God, when are you two will grow up," - she grumbled, coming closer. Greg gritted his teeth and enveloped her in the cloth. And then hurried to wind up another one on Vicky, who didn't even think of shifting just yet. His mind already endured quite a lot today. The nudist bias of the shifters was somehow too much on top of that.

While the children turned and put themselves in order, Greg briefly shared the news about Maddy and at the same time retold the information from Tony to Lana and Brian.

"You have one hell of a gang," - Brian grumbled sarcastically when Greg finally finished, and they moved in the direction of the road.

"Yeah, I'm a real freak magnet." - Greg replied with a hint, forcing Brian to snarl again. Even in human form, his fangs were impressive enough.

The way back has taken less time. Tony was already waiting for them in one of the rooms, ogling with hungry eyes the pile of food on plates laid out on the table.

"If I were in your shoes, I would eat before we returned. If Nicky's appetite is a family trait, then all this is barely enough for one bite."

Tony, hearing the words of Greg, immediately darted to the table, grabbed a plate full of sandwiches and ran away. Greg raised one eyebrow in surprise. But apparently Tony had some foreseeing skills. As soon as Brian noticed the table with food, everything seemed to have ceased to exist in his eyes. Greg barely kept his footing when he was thrown to the side.

Following Brian, Nicky flue to the table, mesmerized by the smell. The girls followed closely behind, not even greeting Tony.

Greg chuckled and proceeded to order some more, noticing how quickly everything disappears on the plates. Watching this, Greg's stomach growled, begging for some food and maybe a drink or a whole bottle. After such a night ...

Having noticed Greg's hungry look on his plate with sandwiches, Tony stepped back a little.

"Don't even think about it. I do not share food, and I'm armed. Note this!" - Tony warned, hiding the plate behind the back.

Greg turned back to the table. But there was almost nothing left on it. Brian covered up the rest of his steak, pretending not to see Greg at all. Nicky and Vicky had no crumbs left before them. Lana chewed on the last croissant. Catching his gaze, the girl stopped abruptly in the middle of the movement, and with anguish looking at the last piece of pastry, extended it toward Greg.

"OMG! It's so cute!" - Tony hastened to spoil the moment with his comment. Greg chuckled, and with a gesture refused the offering, smiling at Lana gratefully. He settled himself in the opposite chair.

His stomach can wait. Sometimes you can feel full just by watching your family stuff their cute faces with pleasure.