Runners and the Stray

Dear Reader,

I truly hope you enjoy my book. If you do (or don't), I would love to hear from you and reviews are always greatly appreciated.

I wanted to add a list of terms, but with most of the electronic reading devices, there is an internet search available and I personally love making use of that function as it allows me as a reader to learn more on a subject matter. I recommend using the 'List for South African slang words' on Wikipedia or searching for them on Urban Dictionary, as both provide the most appropriate descriptions for the terms. This said, there are not that many so don't run just yet.

Thank you for your support thus far and I can't wait to tell you more of the Unnatural (R)evolution as it unfolds in these first two parts.

See you on the other side,

Chevoque

I dedicate this supernatural book to my amazing friend, Roslyn.

I think I would've been a convincing vampire.

Table of contents

Word from the Author

Runners

History

Bloodline

Making Friends

Beers and Boobs

New Ideas

Strange Encounters

Awkward Conversations

Unexpected Changes

New Beginnings

Fighting Urges

Wounds

Facing the Beast

Consequences

Seeking Out Old Friends

Mistakes

Finding a Solution

Reminiscing

Claiming Fate

A Few Years Later

The Stray

Stray's Note

Looking for Something

New Places

DNA

You are Me

All the Ugly

Strange Friends

The Scars

True Colours

The Truth

The Ache

Claws Out

Bloody Things

Boiling Point

Becoming

Future Past

About Chevoque

Books by Chevoque

Acknowledgements

Runners

History

Since the dawn of time, werewolves had been fighting a senseless battle against one another. They were divided into two clans; the Destructors and the Curables.

The Destructors - werewolves who used their abilities to be savage and out of control - they would go out on a full moon and feast on the flesh of humans. They were reckless; they didn't care if they were exposed or if they would see the light of day ever again. They were also set on the idea of creating more like themselves; inflicting the curse on babies, children and anyone they saw fit.

The Curables were the opposite; they wanted to rid themselves of the curse, which was unfairly set upon most of them. These werewolves would chain themselves up during the full moon, thus ensuring that they bring no harm to the humans, since most of them still lived with and loved them. When the Curables finally found a way to get rid of the curse, they realised that it was going to take much longer than they had hoped.

The approach was simple; a pure Curable female had to bear the child of a brutal Destructor male to show peace between the packs. The consummation had to take place in wolf form and the pup needed to be born on a full moon to fulfil the legend. This pup would then be able to cure all werewolves, after its eighteenth birthday; no matter the age at which the person was afflicted or if they were born of werewolf blood, the first transformation took place on this day.

As the Destructors were, they found out about the Curables' plan and two years later, they produced the Destroyer. This pup would be the only werewolf who would be able to kill the Curer, since none of the Destructors could. The breeding was simpler than that of the Curer; a virgin human female had to bear the child of a Destructor male. The loss of the mother's life during the birthing would give the Destroyer the needed sacrificial blood; as the pup would be born of innocent blood.

This afflict created two people who were destined to be together - according to the ancestors - to face unspeakable challenges to not only fight their Beasts, but to fight for an undeniable connection of love.

Bloodline

The Curer was a pup named Cole Storm and his legacy was known throughout the supernatural world. Protecting him was of the highest priority to the Curables. He was living with his mother, who was his main protector, while he was still a child. The boy never knew of his destiny until a few days before his eighteenth birthday; when there was a blood moon that appeared every night; to purify his blood of all evils. He soon learnt his purpose, handling it quite calmly, he accepted his fate and hoped to be able to fulfil his destiny. On the midnight of his birthday, the transformation began.

Pitch black hair covered his entire body, teeth came out in rows on his muzzle and all his bones broke as he stretched out, adding an additional half metre to his already 1.8 metre height. His ribs broke and realigned as his thorax pulled outwards, while he was howling at the moon with eyes that shone sapphire blue. His transformation was complete and his journey to discovering his new life was to begin with more trouble than he would've ever expected.

For years, Cole travelled through the country, looking for Curables and Destructors alike. His blood was the lifeline to being cured. The Curables would come to him for the cure, but the Destructors weren't interested, so he had to seek them out. He would befriend entire packs and then attack - knowing they couldn't kill him - he gave them his blood. By curing all he could, he made it safer for everyone and slowly destroyed his subhuman species.

As Cole aged, he decided to expand the area to the Curables, as they began to extract his blood and spread it to different stations throughout the world. Cole's mother, Joan, helped from her post at an old lodge close to Sabie. On the night of Cole's twenty-first birthday, a Destructor werewolf killed her. Cole was determined to find out who it was and have no mercy in avenging his mother. In the following years, he kept on travelling through southern Africa, and doing what he was destined to do. He never stopped searching for his mother's killer, but because he had no evidence, he lost hope of ever finding vengeance.

***

On the Destructors side a girl was born; the destined Destroyer and Queen of the Beasts. Her name was Autumn Walker and even as a pup; she was ruthless. She bullied the other kids and even took on a few adults. She grew up among the werewolves, knowing exactly what she was to become and this made her the same as the Destructors, in most ways. She knew what was wrong and right, according to their standards, but all seemed to change after her first transformation.

Autumn wanted nothing more than to get rid of the Beast, as it seemed to overrule most of her decisions when she was still trying to find control of it. She was - just as Cole - able to transform whenever she wanted. A few months after her first transformation, she went to one of the places where the Curables would save her from the curse she was born with. But she was soon to learn, that this was a choice she would regret the rest of her life.

The night she went to be cured, she had brought on two evils; she did a thing so terrible that she could have never forgiven herself and she amplified her curse. Her wolf was immune to the cure and the effect it brought was far different from curing; it only seemed to make things worse. She was cursed by the cure to change every time a moon was in sight. Autumn researched everything from evolutionary patterns to DNA modifications, to find a scientific conclusion for why she reacted so differently to the supposed cure. The only thing she thought could be the reason was that it was her ultimate destiny to kill the Curer and that she would never be cured, unless her prophecy played out.

This part seemed to be the lesser evil, since she had to teach herself to resist the temptations of human flesh, so she could never harm a human or werewolf who was no threat to her. Not being like the other werewolves, she was familiar with, she could control herself after transforming.

Even this hadn't taken away the fact that Autumn was the Queen, feared by all werewolves, being known not to take pity on any wolf. She refrained from harming humans, but after she went to be cured, the Beast in her seemed to have disappeared. It had placed her under a certain sense of ease, but something inside her felt out of balance. Something else seemed to have replaced the Beast.

Making Friends

Autumn would always disappear in the evenings, to transform into the wolf she hated. Most of the werewolves of her pack knew how things worked with her, so they had not asked questions. When new werewolves joined her pack just outside Sabie, they would not be told of whom the Queen was, as her identity was to remain unknown to the Curables.

Chances of life mates in Destructor packs were very slim; this was something much more common with the Curables. Autumn did not believe in the Destructors' preference over this matter; she wanted to have a life mate, but when she found werewolves who had potential, they all seemed to fear her when they found out she was the Queen.

It was a late autumn afternoon at the Destructors' shared farmhouse, which was surrounded by the Lucretius plantation they used to cover their drug empire. Autumn was busy seeking information to locate the Curer, when her beta male, Dejen, stepped into her office.

There is a man here who might have information on the Curer, Dejen said in his ever-stern tone, admiring his beautiful Queen. Focus, he cussed himself for getting hard at the sight of her. Dejen was a true African warrior, like Moshanyana, as he stood a full two metres high with ebony skin, which softly glistened where the sun touched him. Fierce brown eyes seemed to burn the soul of the person he spoke to and his shaved head showed the scars he proudly wore as a warning to others who wanted to defy him.

Let him in. It couldn't hurt, Autumn said, intentionally sly as she shot Dejen a sweet smile. She continued working as the man was brought in a few minutes later. He started talking and Autumn was listening, but Wesley, as she caught his name, wanted her to look at him as he spoke.

Are you even listening? Wesley asked, shivering with fear. This alpha is a piece of work, he thought.

I am, Autumn said, irate, Get yourself something to drink if you like. I'll be with you in a second. She threw the pile of mail, which once again held no significance, into the dustbin, while Wesley sipped on a Merlot. Autumn found it odd that a man would drink wine when stronger drinks presented themselves, free of charge. As she poured herself a Jack, Wesley took a seat on the brand new black leather couch with studs for trimming.

Frank Sinatra permeated the air and this made Wesley even more confused with what this alpha truly was. On his way to the office, in the enormous three-storey farmhouse, he passed a room where the Destructors were involved in a full-on orgy and in those rooms heavy metal poured out, like the Sabie River during a flood. Wesley squirmed in his seat as he recalled the picture of a man pounding another, while the second guy was in a woman being fucked in the mouth by a third guy.

Autumn took a seat on the armchair opposite him and used the newspaper on the coffee table as a coaster. Wesley seemed to be a timid character as she took in his appearance. His neatly chopped brown hair was combed back, and paired with dull brown eyes hidden behind glasses, he didn't exactly instil fear.

Wesley stared at the clear expense of his surroundings, then looked back at Autumn, who seemed to analyse him. He was not of her kind and she would kill him if she knew the truth, so he took a sip of wine and used it as liquid courage.

The Curer has been spotted coming into the province last week. Some say he is heading for Graskop. Wesley said, just keeping his voice steady enough so the alpha couldn't hear his desperation. He began trembling and knew he had made a mistake seeking help from the Destructors to find the Curer.

I have heard, Autumn said, turning the amber liquid in her hand, bored. She realised the man was a Curable the moment he stepped into her office, but she gave him a fair chance. To test her assumption, she said the thing that seemed to always expose the Curables. Luckily, the Queen will soon kill him, since I have just received information this morning that she is trailing him. It was the tipping point; Wesley jumped to his feet as if he could take on the Queen.

That cunt will never kill the Curer! He will kill her faster than all you Destructors can get off. Autumn took a sip of whiskey, eyeing the stupid Curable with dead eyes. Are you too much of a pussy to defend your Queen? Autumn set her tumbler down - not wanting to break the crystal - rose from her chair and faced Wesley with a glimmer of mirth in her expression.

I have to disagree with you, she coolly said, slightly cocking her head to the side.

What? Wesley was baffled, more than; he knew Destructors were arrogant, but this one... She was something.

Why do I need to defend myself? Wesley blanched faster than his eyes could blink. I will find that Curer and when that day comes... I'm afraid you will be otherwise occupied. The sarcastic bite in her tone had Wesley quavering.

I will make sure I'm there! I will-Autumn's hands moved faster than a lightning bolt as she snapped Wesley's neck like a twig.

You stupid fucker, Autumn said softly to the collapsed body, slightly laying over the coffee table. Dejen, call the clean-up crew. A second later, Dejen stepped into the office, smirking at his not-so-innocent Queen.

You couldn't wait to use that one, Dejen shot Autumn a smile as the man's body fell off the coffee table with a thud.

It has been weeks since one of these genius Curables had been here. It was building up and my hands were itching. Autumn said with her profoundly evil smile that almost looked guiltless as she refilled her tumbler.

That's my girl, Dejen said as she looked over her shoulder. You can't make friends, can you? Autumn shrugged her shoulders and threw the whiskey down her throat. The warm alcohol fused with her boiling blood as it burned down her throat. Looking for his Curer, like the others? Dejen asked as he crouched down to search the man's pockets. Autumn topped her glass off with water and went to her desk.

Ja, anything of worth on him? Autumn asked, sitting down at her desk. Jason! Midwe! Get your asses in here! They were probably fucking each other's' brains out, but they needed to do their jobs.

Just a family photo, Dejen said, flipping a picture onto the desk in front of Autumn. Without glancing at the photo, she threw it in the dustbin and Dejen knew it wasn't detachment to not feel guilty, but rather that probable ache of never having known her family that made her ignore the photo. And just his wallet with a license, a few cards and two hundred rand, Dejen said as he stared into the mangy fabric wallet, which was dwarfed in his hands.

Take the money out. Jason! Midwe! Where the fuck are you two?

I'll do it. Their probably too busy anyway with pre-party fucking... Along with the rest of the pack. Dejen said with an awkward smile as he shoved the wallet back into Wesley's pocket. He threw the body over his shoulder, then headed for the door and closed it as he stepped out.

Thanks! Autumn shouted after him. As thrilling as it felt to kill a man who pissed her off, she hated acting irrational. Fuck, she cursed and shoved her tumbler off the desk as the feeling of repentance seeped into her soul. A muffled thump sounded in her ears as the glass met the carpeted flooring. The ice glistened as it rolled out of the tumbler and Autumn fell back into her chair, exasperatedly sighing as she stared at the photo in the wire dustbin.

***

Later that evening, Autumn was mad at herself, and went to the place she was almost cured, she stared as the workers of the plantation were having a celebration in honour of the new owners. Autumn knew she would never again be able to do something like it, but she did prefer to spend her evenings in the plantation at the small waterfall where she felt calm and sincere in her wolf form. She knew that even being surrounded by her pack, it could never fill up the hole she felt. Her loneliness dominated the root of her pain, and needing to be away from her pack was a choice.

As she said goodbye to the moonlight, not too far away, she heard an agonising yell. Autumn ran toward the cry, knowing that it was a mistake, but when she arrived at the scene, the smell of blood surrounded her. In a small pathway lay a woman, mutilated; from head to toes, she was covered in a layer of her own blood and the smell of semen lingered in the area. Already dead, Autumn felt hatred inside as she wanted to track down the killer with every cell in her body.

She walked away as the signs, which overcame her at night, shed away, and she became human again. Getting involved would only cause trouble. Gods, the world is cruel, Autumn thought, since the scene was most likely the work of one of her own pack members. Heading back toward the farmhouse, she grabbed her clothes in the garage, before heading into the house.

It was the morning of Autumn's fourth year as Queen and also her twenty-second birthday. While everybody wanted to celebrate the day, Autumn only wanted to sleep the painful memories away. As she walked to her bedroom, Dejen came down the hallway with a bright smile he struggled to suppress. His hands were lodged in his pockets and Autumn swore he was keeping them there to ensure he didn't try to hug her.

Don't even go there, Autumn warned, as she saw his lips curving, wanting to congratulate her. Haley, Autumn's only friend, apart from Dejen, fucked it up by running down the hallway with too much energy. Clearly high as a kite, Autumn sighed heavily and leaned against the ebony wood panelling, awaiting the onslaught. Haley had been turned by Autumn herself, when the women was heading for her deathbed at the age of twenty-four, after fighting two years of terminal cancer.

Haley crashed into Autumn and laid a deep, lingering kiss on her mouth that tasted of dagga and Maltabella. Dejen took an extra breath of air as his cock became unbearably hard against his jeans' fly.

I got you something, Haley's green eyes were piercing as she whispered against Autumn's mouth. Soft red curls shaped Haley's face in perfect precision as the hair swept over her shoulders. She was a little taller than Autumn, so their breast pressed together as she leaned back. Tugging her shirt up high, so her breasts were exposed, Haley donned a vivaciously white lace bra, which just covered her rosy nipples.

Autumn was frowningly looking down at Haley's breasts, pressing half-naked against her own. Dejen closed his eyes and turned his head away from the nearly cock-explosive-situation that stood a metre away. Two of the women he loved stood before him, but he knew he wasn't worthy of either. Gods, they are too close together, he thought as the image and fantasies burned deeper into his memories.

Uhm, Hales... I don't get it?Autumn said, looking awkwardly at Dejen, whose eyes were closed and she was stuck on her own.

I got you this, Haley jumped up and down, making her sizable breasts nearly bounce out of the thin fabric. It is for if you maybe get a good fuck on the trip. Autumn's eyebrows rose high. I'm not wearing the thong, don't worry. I just knew a present box would've made it too obvious. Autumn pulled Haley's hands down and looked at her high friend, missing the sweet woman that joined her pack only a year ago. She smiled at her and gave her a soft kiss, before receiving a hug.

Thanks, Hales bales. I love it and I'm sure it will bring me a lot of luck.

Here, Haley said, trying to pull of her shirt, to remove the bra.

No, Autumn quickly said as Dejen groaned and turned his back to them. Remove it in my room then I won't forget to pack it.

Okay, Haley enthused, as she ran to the room at the end of the extensive hallway on the second floor of the house.

"My present is not that exciting... Dejen said, finally facing her again. He wore an expression of pent-up need and Autumn saw the strain at his fly. But it is in your room. Happy fuckt-for-life day, Autumn," Dejen stepped closer and placed a soft kiss on Autumn's brow, then strolled down the hallway. She sighed as she pushed away from the wall and saw Haley saunter back into her room, next door. When Autumn passed Haley's room, she saw Jason crouching forward to sniff coke while Haley lit a zoll, baring a smile. Midwe, as usual, had a bowl of Maltabella and he shouted a Happy Birthday Autumn's way, just as she entered her room.

Autumn closed her bedroom door and leaned against it, as she stared at what was privately hers. The master suite of the farmhouse was nothing other than decadent. A four-posted extra-king-sized bed with cascading red satin draping covered the area to the left of the mini rumpus room in front of her. She made her way to the bed and took the bra and thong that Haley gave her into her hands. The bra still felt warm as her fingers ran over the delicate fabric and the tag read Caprice.

Throwing it back onto the bed, Autumn went to the en-suite that was connected to her walk-in dressing room, to shower before taking a nap. Upon returning to the room and getting into bed, she turned on the stereo to block out the noises that came from the plantation. On the bedside table, she found Dejen's present to her.

It was a first edition On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin and Dejen's note made Autumn smile:

Bet he didn't know how much Homo sapiens truly evolved.

Enjoy, Your Majesty.

Autumn hugged the book, thanking whichever Gods were out there, that they had blessed her with Dejen. He was the only wolf that looked past what he could gain from being her mentor. Autumn settled between the 1 000-thread Egyptian cotton and hummed in relief.

She had been looking forward to go on their annual road trip, which was also a small check-up on the dealers. Being the alpha also brought on the responsibility of running the province's drug empire, which Autumn was all too happy to do, since the money was always plentiful. The drug trade might have had its ethical problems, but anything other than Haley's addiction, never brought her concern.

Beers and Boobs

Just past noon, Autumn woke up to the loud rumble of motorcycles coming to life. Her pack wanted to get moving, so Dejen softly knocked on the door before coming in.

I'm tired, Autumn whined, kicking the flat sheet away from her body. Dejen pulled the ceiling-to-floor, blackout curtains away after he had stumbled over a footrest in the rumpus room. Autumn laid sprawled out, naked, on the covers, and Dejen scraped his marbles together before he spoke.

The pack really wants to leave, Autumn rolled back to her usual bedside table and climbed out of the bed. I can send them ahead if you'd like to sleep a while longer and then we can join up later. Autumn walked