Max got an early start the next day. After a quick phone call to his parents to let them know he had made it there he headed down to the small diner for breakfast. As he entered he noticed a few of the patrons looked up at him, showing interest to his presence. One guy in particular stared at him intently almost as if he recognized Max. Max could see he was a few years older than him and had an expression on his face that was a combination of annoyance and smugness. He shrugged it off as he sat down in one of the booths. He ordered and ate quickly trying to decide what his first step should be. He needed to find out more about the town so that he knew where to start looking. He ate fast and after finding out where the town library was he went to find it.
He spent several hours in the library pouring over maps and newspapers learning all he could about the town. And now he was headed for the Sheriff’s office. As he entered the Sheriff’s office he noticed it was smaller than Roswell’s. He walked up to the counter and saw two men sitting at desk nearby talking. One was a younger guy with black hair and olive skin while the other one, who he assumed was the actual Sheriff, also had dark hair but not as dark of skin. The guy kind of reminded him of Liz and Michael’s dad, maybe he was related to him. After all Liz and Michael might have came up here because they had family there. The younger one was the one to approach him. “Hello there, I’m John Kanin. What can I do for you?”
“Max Evans. I’m looking for someone, actually a couple of someone’s.” Max explained before pulling out a picture of him, Michael and Liz. “And I was wondering if you could help me. Have you seen either of these people in town?”
John took the offered picture and looked it over. He instantly recognized the subjects in the pictures. “Are they in some kind of trouble?”
“I really hope not. The names I have for them are Elizabeth and Michael Parker but I do know that Parker is an alias. They disappeared a few months ago along with their parents and I’m just here looking for them.” Max explained.
“You look kind of young for a bounty hunter.” Matt Donner said as he walked up. He had overheard all of the conversation and decided to join in. Liz had told him the night before about Sophia and Luke spotting Max coming into town and had promised Liz he would check after him. He had to admit that he was surprised when Max had said he had discovered that Parker was an alias. He looked at the picture and saw it was of his niece and nephew along with the young man in front of him. He stared at it for a moment, his eyes drawn to it by the huge smile on Liz’s face. She looked so happy.
“I wasn’t hired to find them, it’s more of a personal search.” Max answered.
John nodded. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of Déjà vu from his own days when he was searching for Ruby. He could see by the way that this young man looked in the picture that the three had been close. He wished he could help him in someway but he couldn’t. He was pack now and he had to protect the secret of the pack, it was a part of his new life, a new life with Ruby. “Sorry but I don’t recognize them.”
“How about you Sheriff ….?”
“Donner. Matt Donner.” Matt said shaking the young man’s hand. He had to admit he was starting to like Max and could see why the twins were close to him. “And no, I don’t.”
“Are you sure? I know that they’ve been spotted in this area.” Max stated.
“Nope. Sorry, I wish we could help.”
“Well if you happen to maybe remember or do see them, I’ll be staying over at the lodge.” Max said before grabbing up the picture and leaving. He knew that they were there but why would the Sheriff and his deputy lie to him? Maybe they just hadn’t seen them. After all Michael and Liz had never been in trouble so it could be possible. He headed for his jeep and took off in the direction of where he plan to search next.
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Matt and John watched as the young man drove away. “Well Sheriff, what do we do?”
“I’m sure V has already heard about him being in town or she soon will. Then like with you, she’ll probably have a keep an eye on him.” Matt answered.
“I wish I could have said something to him. He seemed to care about them.”
“He does.” Matt stated. “Come on, let’s get back to work.”
Part 41
Liz didn’t know how she had made it through school, she had been so distracted knowing Max was so close. She made her way down the hallway towards her locker turning the corner she spotted Presley and her friend Brittany standing by some large windows that overlooked the parking lot. She didn’t know why but she decided she had to see what was so interesting to them so she crept up behind them. She could see over their shoulders what they were looking at, Max. He was in the parking lot getting into his jeep, he must have come there to try and find her.
"I don't go for humans but I think I might make an exception for him." Presley said licking her lips as she eyed Max. She couldn't take her eyes off of his hard tanned muscular body. She had to admit that although Liz Donner was a bitch, she had good taste in men.
"I'd be careful Presley, you know who he belongs to." Liz could hear Brittany. She looked over and saw Luke had come down the hall as well and watched what she was doing. She put her finger to her mouth to tell him to stay quiet so she could listen.
"I'm not scared of her." Presley stated.
"You should be, she kicked your ass once." Brittany said just as she noticed Liz.
"Presley, I'm only to say this once so listen closely." Liz leaned in just a little, "Stay away from him."
"What's the matter? Afraid that I'm going to hurt him?"
Liz smiled; it was a rather interesting twist of her lips, "No, afraid I'm going to hurt you."
Presley only stared at her for a minute before leaving. Liz looked at Luke only to see him smiling at her. "What?"
"Nothing, it's just always funny to see you or Sophia talking to Presley." Luke explained. It was then his face turned somber. "My mother sent me to get you. She wants to talk to you."
Liz closed her eyes; she knew what a meeting with Vivian Cates would entail. "I figured she would."
Skipping the last few classes of the day Luke drove her to his house and the two went inside. But then Liz was on her own as she walked into Vivian's study and saw the Alpha sitting at her desk. "Elizabeth, sit down please."
Liz sat down in the same chair she had the last time. As soon as she did Mrs. Cates spoke. “It has come to my attention that a boy your age has come to Wolf Lake looking for your family especially you. Did you know about this?”
“Yes.” Liz said simply.
“Who is he?”
Liz knew she shouldn’t but was pretty sure that the female Alpha would know she was lying. “He was my boyfriend back in Roswell.”
“I thought as much.” Mrs. Cates said her tone icy. “You have to get rid of him.”
Thinking the worse Liz asked, “How?”
“Before we would have just kept you out of his sight and had no one tell him anything but we learned that doesn’t always work from the last time so I’m thinking of something different. How serious were the two of you?”
“We were together for a year.”
“I want you to go to him.”
“What?!” Liz asked.
“You are to go to him, tell him you don’t want him here. That you don’t care about him, whatever you want to tell him but get him to leave. There is a male outside waiting to take you to make sure it’s done. ” Vivian explained.
“Mrs. Cates I’ve known Max for years. I love him and I want to be with him. I know he would keep our secret.” Liz pleaded. “Please? !”
“Are you suggesting that you want to take him as your mate?”
“It’s been done before.”
“Yes, but Matthew Donner was one of the strongest males in the pack. For that reason alone he was not challenged. You might have some status as a female but it’s not enough. The other males your age would feel threatened and kill him. You don’t want that do you?”
“No,” Liz whispered.
“Then forget it. Go now and tell him to leave.” Mrs. Cates stated in a tone that said she was dismissed. Liz got up and headed out.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Max set down his food from downstairs and flopped onto his bed in frustration. He had spent his first day in Wolf Lake trying to find any evidence of Liz and Michael but had came up with nothing. He had tried everything he could think of. His trip to the Sheriff’s station hadn’t helped what so ever. He might have been imagining it but he could have sworn that the men he talked to were holding something back. Actually Max was starting to feel paranoid. He felt like people were watching him as he had made his way through town. He figured it was just because it was a small town that he was spotted quickly as an out of towner.
After the trip to the Sheriff’s office he had gone to the high school to see if anyone matching their description was registered there but the office had refused to help him. They said they weren’t allowed to give out any information on their students whether they were registered there or not. After that he had came back to the lodge and grabbed something to go from downstairs. The waitress, he thought her name tag said Sophia, had been really nice while waiting on him but it didn’t improve his mood.
Max felt disheartened by the day but if he had to stay in Wolf Lake forever to find her, he would. He knew she was here, he just had to find her. When there was a knock on the door he almost didn’t get up but he didn’t know who it might be and he was curious.
(Enter sad instrumental music)
Max opened the door and was completely dumbfounded by what he saw. There she stood before him the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, his Liz. He blinked once expecting her to disappear, but she still stood there. He was finally able to choke out, "Liz?"
Liz couldn't help but smile slightly at him. She was so happy to be close to him. "It's me Max."
Max stepped forward and pulled her into his arms. After so long it felt so good to feel her against his body, like always she fit perfectly. Liz felt the same way. She breathed in deeply wrapping herself in his warmth and scent. She didn't know how long they stayed that way before Liz finally pulled back. She didn't know if others were watching them and she needed to get him inside. They moved in to the hotel room and Liz shut the door.
"Why did you come here, Max?" Liz asked.
Max was surprised by her question; "I came to find you and Michael of course. I've missed you and I had to find you. What's going on? Why did leave without saying goodbye?"
Liz bit her lip; here was the part where she had to start lying. She knew they were watching her and she had no choice. "We had some unexpected family stuff come up and we had to come up here."
"And you couldn't leave me a note or call me? You've been gone for months and didn't even bother calling me."
"Well I thought if I didn't call you, you might get the hint." Liz said biting the inside of her cheek to stop from sobbing.
"What?" Max asked shocked by her words.
"I didn't call you because I didn't want to talk to you." Liz lied. "You need to go back to Roswell."
"I'm not leaving here until you talk to me." Max said not understanding why Liz was acting the way she was.
"There’s nothing to talk about. I started my life over here and you're not a part of it so just pack your stuff and leave." Liz said. She turned to leave knowing that if she stayed she would loose it. But Max stepped in her way. "Liz, this isn't you. This isn't the girl I've been in love with for years."
Liz closed her eyes, "Yes, it is me Max."
"No, because if it is then it means that you lied to me." Max said furiously. "And I believe that you love me."
"Just because you want to believe something doesn't mean it's true." Liz said before stepping around Max and out the door. She walked up to the man Ms. Cates driver and heard the door slam behind her. Max was definitely upset. She got into the waiting vehicle and was driven back to the Cates residence. Ms. Cates was waiting inside for her. "Are you happy now? I did it."
"You did your duty to the clan. To protect them. Don't forget that." Ms. Cates stated.
"Can I go?" Liz asked.
"You're excused." Liz headed out of the house and into the woods. She striped off her clothes almost shredding them before flipping and running off. It was strange that the thing that kept her separated from Max was what was comforting to her. She didn't know how long she ran for but she stopped eventually when her paws started to hurt. She noticed it was dark out, she had not noticed the sunset. She hated what she was forced to do. She hated that she could be with the love of her life and she hated that she had to lie to him.
She hurried towards her uncle's house. It wouldn't be long before her and Michael would be moving back in with their parents. She saw the window to her and Sophia's window open and jumped through it. She flipped into human form and dressed. She let the tears flow then. She cried until her eyes were dry. She couldn't let him leave thinking she didn't love him. She would rather him hate her for what she was then for that. She knew that since her task had been completed Ms. Cates wouldn't have any of her men following her. Thinking quickly she headed back out the way she came and cautiously made her way back to where her heart was.
Part 42
Max sat in front of the fireplace in his room moping. His search for Liz ended completely different than he thought it would. He had come to be with Liz and she had pushed him away telling him she didn't love him anymore. He heard the window creak slightly. He turned around surprised to see Liz standing there.
"Come to drive the knife in deeper?" Max asked vehemently.
"Max, all that stuff I said earlier was a lie. I had to say that because they were watching me."
Max's ears perked up at her words. "Who?" Max asked confused. All he could really concentrate on at the moment was that she had said she had lied earlier.
"Some very dangerous people." Liz said solemnly. "But I snuck back when they stopped watching."
"Liz, you're not making any sense."
"I know I'm sorry." Liz apologized. “Can you just hold me for a minute? I need to feel you.”
Max moved over to her and wrapped his arms around her. Liz would have broke down again as the warmth of his body encompassed her but she had cried too much already. They just stood there enjoying being able to feel one another again until Max couldn’t handle it anymore, he had to know what was going on. "Why did you leave Roswell? Me?"
"You have to believe me when I say I didn't have a choice. I was forced to leave." Liz pleaded. "I love you more than anything."
"I love you too." Max said as he kissed her. It was the first kiss they had shared since she left Roswell. All the emotions that had built up in them over the months they had been separated was poured into the kiss. They only broke apart when oxygen became necessary.
"Max, there's something I need to tell you. And I'm not sure how you might react." Liz said. "I don't know if you'll still love me after I tell you this but I had to tell you before you leave."
"Liz, I'll love you regardless of what you tell me." Max stated.
"I want to believe that but I don't know."
"What is it Liz?" Max asked.
Liz pushed him lightly to sit down before she said, "I'm just going to be blunt. I'm different. My family and some of the townspeople of Wolf Lake are what some people call 'Skinwalkers'. We look like normal humans but we're not."
Max looked at her confused, "What are you?"
"We are humans that can change our shape and become wolves." Liz explained.
Max looked at her, "Yeah, right. And I'm a reincarnated alien king."
"Max I'm telling the truth." Liz stated.
Max looked at Liz and saw that she was completely serious. That made her words completely sink in to him. She wasn't joking. So either she was what she said or she believed she was. If it was the latter it meant that Liz had serious mental problems. But Liz wasn't crazy. She had always had a good head on her shoulders. "You're serious."
Liz nodded, "Deadly. I've wanted to tell you for so long but I wasn't allowed to."
"Why?"
"To protect the clan we have to keep our secret from anyone outside of it. We aren’t even supposed to leave Wolf Lake so that we don’t run the risk of outsiders finding out." Liz explained surprised at how well he took it.
"But you lived in Roswell." Max said interrupting her.
"Let me start at the beginning okay?" Liz asked.
"Okay."
"Like I said, my people aren't allowed to leave Wolf Lake. It's been that way for hundreds of years. But sometimes people try to leave. My parents wanted Michael and I to have more opportunities so they ran. The leader of the pack, the Alpha male Willard Cates, sent hunters to find us and bring us back. It took them years but they finally tracked us to Roswell. That night we spent together, I headed home. I had just jumped the fence to sneak up to my balcony when I was surrounded. I could tell by their scents that they were pack and they drug me inside. My parents knew they had been finally caught. They gave us a choice of either going or dying; of course dying wasn’t an option. We were given a few hours to gather our stuff and were shipped back. We weren't allowed to see anyone, they even stood guard over us as we packed. Then we came to Wolf Lake. My parents were locked away and Michael and I were sent to live with my Uncle Matt and my cousin Sophia. You might have seen her around, she works at the diner."
"This is so hard to believe." Max whispered. "So you've always been able to do this?"
Liz shook her head. "We're not able to until after we hit puberty. It's connected to our hormones somehow. After the first time, which is very painful, we can learn to control it and do it whenever we want."
Understanding dawned on Max, "That night of the party, it wasn't a muscle spasm it was your first time."
Liz nodded and blushed, "The situation we were in kind of jumpstarted the first transformation. Michael took me home and hours later I flipped completely into wolf form. I had to learn how to control it during heated times so that's why I pushed you away that week. I didn't want to flip in front of you."
"That would have been a little weird." Max stated.
"I'm sorry I lied to you for so long but I was scared that you wouldn't want to be with me if you knew." Liz said softly
Max looked at her eyes; they were filled with fear that he'd turn her away. That he couldn't accept her and what she was. Max found himself feeling strangely serene about the new knowledge. It was still Liz, it was a part of her, and he had to accept that if he really loved her. But before he could tell her he had to see her, all of her. "Can you show me?"
Liz looked at him in surprise; "You want to see me flip?"
"Yes."
Liz nodded unsure of doing it but unable to deny him. She backed up away from him and began to strip. She undid her pants, slipping them down her hips along with her panties and let them pool at her feet. She saw Max's eyes were locked on her as she wrapped her fingers around the hem of her top and pulled it over her head. Her bra was the last item of clothes on and she discarded it last. She looked at Max one last time; she could see apprehension etched on his face as well as curiosity. "Are you sure about this?"
Max looked at her completely naked form. She was as beautiful as he remembered more beautiful even. It took him a minute to absorb what she asked. "I'm sure."
Liz could see he was sure so she relaxed and let the wolf inside her out and the first stages of the flip take hold. She made sure to do it slowly so not to scare him. She just had a feeling that if one moment she was there then the next she was a wolf that it might freak him out.
Max watched in awe as her body contorted. He could see her bones bending and reforming, her hands and feet hooking into claw shapes, her creamy skin melting away into thick fur. And then suddenly none of the human form was recognizable, a silver white wolf replacing it.
Max sat completely still while he memorized every new feature of her wolf shape. If he hadn't seen it he never would have believed it. As she looked at him, he saw the same things he always did when he looked in Liz's eyes; they were not foreign to him. They both stood there staring at each other, motionless. Finally, Liz ended the torture and trotted closer. She rubbed her head against his neck, bumping his chin. Liz pulled back to see his expression. She could see the love that was still in his eyes as he whispered, "You're beautiful."
Liz licked his cheek with her tongue showing her thanks for the compliment. He ran his hands over her fur, raking his fingers through it. Her soft fur made him inwardly shudder it was so soft. He wondered if all of her people's coats felt like this, although it wouldn't surprise him if it was just Liz. He remembered how soft her skin was under his fingertips. He eventually moved his hand up to her head where she leaned into his hand.
Liz loved the feeling of Max’s hands roaming her body. The way his fingers combed through her pelt almost tickled. She pulled away from him backed up and flipped back into human form. She quickly pulled her clothes on trying not to let Max's hungry eyes effect her body, a battle that she was loosing. "Max please."
"Sorry." Max said blushing and averting his eyes. As he did it he thought of something. "You undress every time you flip?"
"It's either that or shred our clothes, which I did the first time." Liz stated.
"So the pack has seen you naked?" Max couldn't help but ask.
"Well not the whole pack but some yes. I usually try to cover myself quickly but others don't. I know it sounds strange but nudity isn't usually a big deal among pack we're not aware of it." Liz explained. "But when I'm undressed in front of you I'm very aware of my body."
Max moved in close and kissed her. It was hungry, passionate and all consuming. It was Liz who broke away. She knew if she didn't they wouldn't stop. And as much as she wanted him to make love to her again, she couldn't risk being here that long. "Max, I'm out of time. And you have to leave."
"WHAT?"
"The longer you stay here the more in danger you'll be because they'll suspect you know."
"But why can't we be together now that I know?" Max asked.
"Humans and wolves are not allowed to be together." Liz said. “Some of the males my age in the pack would see you as a threat and try to kill you."
"Then let's leave. We can leave tonight in my jeep and be gone."
"I can't I told you. They'll come after us and we'll be running for the rest of our lives. I couldn't do that to you." Liz stated. "I really need to go or they might know. After I leave, take a shower and wash your clothes otherwise someone might smell me here."
Liz leaned in and kissed Max as hard as she could. "I love you, Max Evans. You are my heart, and the love of my life. And although we can't be together, know that you will always be in my heart."
Then she was gone. Max couldn't believe she was gone. He did as she told him and striped out of his clothes. He threw them in the sink and filled it with water. After that was done he turned the shower on hot and got in. While he washed he thought about what had happened. Liz had told him her darkest secret because she wanted him to know why they couldn't be together. Max on the other hand hadn't accepted that they couldn't and he was starting to come up with an idea as how to get them together. And he was going to need some help.
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Liz crept into the house trying to be quiet but it was pointless because Michael and Sophia were waiting for her in the living room. “What happened? Luke said you had a meeting with his mother.”
“I did.” Liz said sniffling. Michael saw that she had been crying and pulled her close in a hug. “What happened?”
“She ordered me to go to Max and tell him I didn’t want him here. And I did it.” Liz said burying her face in her brother’s chest.
“It’ll be okay. He’s safer that way.” Sophia said reassuringly.
“But I went back.” Liz said. “And I told him.”
Sophia and Michael looked at each other over Liz’s head. She couldn’t mean what they thought she meant. “Told him what?”
“About me, us, Skinwalkers.”
“What did he say?” Michael asked tentatively. Was she crying because he had freaked out?
“He was shocked at first, of course. I mean I told him I was part animal. That would freak out people who hadn’t grown up here. But then he was okay with it, he still wanted to be with me and everything.” Liz explained. “He was more upset when I told him that we couldn’t be together because of our differences.”
“So you still told him to leave?” Sophia asked.
“Yeah, but I had to tell him the real reason. I couldn’t let him leave thinking I didn’t love him.” Liz argued.
“We understand Liz.” Michael said as he pulled her back with him into the couch and let her cry.
Part 43
The next afternoon Max headed into the diner for something to eat and was glad to see Liz's cousin Sophia working. He sat down at the bar and ordered. He tried to keep up the appearance of being distraught and heartbroken since he was sure there were pack members in the restaurant watching him. He ate quickly, snagged his check, and went up to the register.
Sophia glanced up to see Max standing in front of her. Liz had come home last night depressed and confessed to her and Michael about going back to see Max. They had been shocked that she had told him but had comforted her as best they could. Sophia felt bad for the couple but knew what the pack law was. Pushing her thoughts away and plastering on her waitress smile she asked, "Everything okay?"
"Just fine."
"Heading out now?"
"Yep."
"Hope you have a good trip." Sophia said before lowering her voice. "Sorry things didn't work out."
"Yeah, well. At least I know how she feels. Keep the change." Max said.
Sophia was surprised when she saw him wink at her. She watched him leave before putting his ticket up. That was when she saw it. Need to talk to Michael. 555-6271
Sophia looked around to make sure that no one saw the note before ripping it off and pocketing it. A few minutes later she excused herself to take her break and call Michael. She dialed home and was glad when he picked up instead of Liz. "Michael. Is Liz close by?"
"She's in the living room, you want me to get her?"
"No!" Sophia exclaimed. "If she asked just tell her I called to check in."
"Okay." Michael said confused.
"When we hang up dial this number 555-6271. Promise me okay?"
"Sure, who is it?"
"A friend." Sophia answered. "Listen, I've got to get back to work. I'll talk to you later."
Sophia hung up the phone and headed back out into the dining room. She didn't know why she had decided to give Michael the message but just felt like it was the right thing to do. She hoped it was. If it made Liz smile again, Sophia would do whatever she could to help.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Sophia's strange call had intrigued Michael so he hurriedly called the number she gave him, "Hello?"
"Max?!" Michael asked surprised.
"Michael. I need to talk to you but you can't tell Liz. Can you meet me?"
Michael knew it probably wasn't the best idea but he could hear the desperation in his voice, plus they had been friends for a long time. "Yeah. But we have to be careful, we can't be spotted."
Michael gave Max directions to an area on the outskirts of town that not a lot of people frequented during the day. They hung up just then. Michael then headed out to the living room. "That was Ms. Cates. She's got some stuff she needs to meet with me about for the house and what needs to go inside. So I'm going to go over, are you going to be okay?"
"Yeah. Go ahead." Liz mumbled.
Michael watched his sister head up the stairs before he hurried out to the SUV. He swung it around to drive it to the meeting place. He made sure no one was following him as he drove quickly. Max was waiting by his jeep when Michael arrived. Michael jumped out and headed over. He wasn't sure how to act around Max now that he knew the wolves' secret. Liz had said Max was cool with it but he had to see for himself. Max surprised him by grabbing him into a hug. Michael stiffened for a minute before hugging back. It was over quickly and the boys pulled apart. "Sorry about that. It's just good to see you after all this time. To know you're okay."
"I'm good." Michael smiled thinking about Maria.
"This place seems to agree with you, Michael. I don't think I've ever seen you smile that big." Max commented.
"Liz isn't doing so well." Michael stated. "But you know that."
"That's what I want to talk to you about. I'm sure Liz told you that I know."
"Yeah she did. I have to admit I'm a little freaked out about it too." Michael said.
"Now you understand how it felt to find out your girlfriend and one of your best friends are werewolves." Max admitted.
“You do know that by staying in Wolf Lake you’re in a lot of danger, right?”
“I’m not leaving Michael.” Max determinedly.
“Max, the pack will see you as a threat. Granted they don’t know how much you know but you’re an outsider. One who involved with one of us. If the Alpha orders it, they’ll kill you.”
“Liz didn’t tell me a lot of the inner workings, can you?” Max asked.
“It’s kind of a long explanation.” Michael said.
“I’m not going anywhere.” Max stated.
“Well sit down.” Michael said motioning to some fallen logs. “I’ll do my best.”
The two guys sat down and Michael got started. “Okay, first off not every person in Wolf Lake is a wolf. There are humans here too. I think it’s about 50/50 but I’ve never done the math so I don’t know for sure. Some of the humans know about us some don’t but the ones that do tend to shy away from us.”
“I can understand that.” Max commented. He would be scared too if he didn’t feel like he knew Liz and Michael so well.
“Any way whether it’s out of fear or because the brewery is the largest employer in the town, they keep our secret. Our clan has been here for over a hundred years closer to two hundred. The clan is always run by the Alpha male who also is in charge of the brewery." Michael explained. He had to give himself a pat on the back; he had actually learned something in pack education.
“But I thought Vivian Cates was in charge of the brewery?” Max asked interrupting.
“You’ve done your homework.”
“That’s how I found you two. There was an announcement in the Wall Street Journal announcing that the brewery had elected its first female chairperson.” Max stated.
“That’s true. The Alpha that was reining, the one who had my family brought back here, was her husband. She is the leader of the pack now and like with the brewery it is the first time that has happened, at least in our clan. It’s another long story but basically when the time came for the pack to vote on a new Alpha they weren’t happy with who was up for it and when my uncle suggested Mrs. Cates they went for it. So she’s been leading us since. Clear things up?”
“Yeah.” Max answered. “Liz mentioned that humans and wolves aren’t allowed to be together.”
“We are only supposed to mate with our own kind but there have been some exceptions.” Michael stated. "There has only been two cases that I know of. One of them was my Uncle Matt and my Aunt Marie. That was only allowed because my Uncle was far up in the pack hierarchy. The other case was Ruby Cates, daughter of the former Alpha and stepdaughter to the current Alpha was another who tried to leave. While she was gone she met and fell in love with a police officer named John Kanin. When Ruby disappeared he started searching for her and eventually came to Wolf Lake. While he was here, he got injected with wolf's blood. He became one of us after that they were allowed to marry." Michael explained trying to remember what Luke had told him.
Max sat back and thought over what to do next. He needed to be with Liz, “What if I talked to Mrs. Cates? Maybe I could convince her to let me be with Liz.”
“You would have to get into to see her first, which I might be able to arrange but I doubt she would listen to you. More likely she’d kill you or have someone else do it if you reveal that you know about us.” Michael stated.
“Damn it.” Max said in frustration. “You don’t think there is anyway of convincing her?”
An idea suddenly struck Michael and if it worked than everyone would be happy. “I might have some information that could be useful to bargain with.”
“Really?” Max asked hopeful.
“Yeah but Max the information I have is very dangerous. If I tell you, you can’t tell anyone. At least not before you’re supposed to.” Michael answered. “Liz’s life could even depend on it.” Michael firmly believed that if Tyler knew that Liz had told that he wouldn’t stop from killing her after he fulfilled his threat.
“I promise.” Max swore.
Knowing Max was good to his word Michael started relaying the story Liz had told him about her witnessing Tyler kill Mr. Cates. He could tell Max was upset but he told him the whole tale. He also told him all about Tyler, that he was the one who had came after them in Roswell and that he was very dangerous. When he was finished he said, “So you see you could tell her that you have a witness and that might give you something to bargain with.”
“That might work, Michael.” Max said thinking. “You said you could get me to see her. But how?”
“Let me borrow your phone.” Michael smiled. Once he had it he dialed quickly and was glad when the object of the phone call picked up. “Luke, I got a favor to ask you.”
Part 44
“Michael what is it?” Luke asked.
“Remember that first place you took me for our first run?”
“Yeah.” Luke said cautiously.
“Can you meet me there? Like now?”
“What’s going on Michael?”
“Just trust me on this.” Michael said.
“Be there in ten minutes.” Luke said before hanging up. Michael turned off Max’s phone and handed it back to him.
“Feel like explaining?” Max asked. “I thought you said we couldn’t let anyone know I was still here.”
“You’re right. But we can trust Luke. He’s Sophia boyfriend and a good friend of mine.” Michael said.
“And how is he going to help?”
“He’s Vivian Cates’ son.” Michael answered with a smirk.
“Friends in high places?” Max asked.
“Something like that.” Michael said. “I was friends with him before we left and kind of picked it back up. Both of our families are pretty strong wolves and high up in the hierarchy, I guess it was just natural for us to be friends.”
Max thought over what Michael had said. He hadn’t realized how strong his friend’s family was. Max asked about more about Michael and Liz’s lives in Wolf Lake. He had just finished when Luke’s red car pulled up.
Luke got out of his car and made his way to Michael. He noticed right away who was with him, Liz’s boyfriend Max. He couldn’t help but wonder why Michael had called him. “Now my curiosity is really peaked. What’s up?”
“Luke you know this is Max, Max this is Luke.” Michael said introducing his two friends.
Max stuck out his hand for Luke to shake it. He had to admit he was a little intimidated. Luke just reeked of the strength Max knew he held within. Luke shook his hand firmly before dropping it and looked at Michael to get back to business.
“Like I said on the phone I need a favor, I need you to get Max into your house so he can meet with your mother.” Michael requested.
“And why would he want to meet with my Mom?” Luke asked.
“Because I want to be with Liz and talking to the Alpha is the only way I can see that happening.” Max explained.
Luke hid his shock at knowing that Max knew about the wolves and looked at Michael, who said, “He knows.”
“Kind of figured that out for myself.”
“I wouldn’t ask this if it wasn’t important.” Michael stated as he pulled Luke off to the side away from Max. “But you saw Liz, I don’t want her to be like that anymore. She deserves to be happy like you are with Sophia and I am with Maria.”
Luke knew if his mother found out he would be in deep trouble, more trouble than he had ever been in his life but he felt like he needed to help Liz too. She had helped him when he needed it. “Fine. Mom’s not home right now, she’s at the brewery but she will be home soon.”
“Okay, we’ll hide Max’s jeep here and he can ride with me.” Michael stated. Luke nodded and watched as the two hid the jeep before climbing into the SUV and followed Luke. It didn’t take long before they were at the Cates’ house and going inside. Luke hurried Max in the back door up to his room so that his mom wouldn’t catch his scent when she came in. They waited for about a half an hour just talking and such when Luke and Michael heard a car pulling down the long driveway. “Mom’s home.”
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Vivian Cates made her way into her house past the foyer and into her office. It had been her office for a little while but she still sometimes thought of it as Willard’s. She couldn’t believe that someone had killed him, if they would have waited a little while longer he would have died from the cancer that had been eating away from him. But no, someone had decided to take away his opportunity to die peacefully at home surrounded by his family instead killing him out in the woods alone.
She was so preoccupied by her thoughts that she didn’t realize someone else was in the room until she was in the process of sitting down. “What are you doing in my house? You are trespassing.”
Max looked at the imposing female wolf in front of him. “I came to talk to you.”
“I have no idea what you think we would have to talk about. I don’t even know who you are.”
Max took a deep breath before continuing. “How about we be frank with each other. I won’t lie to you and tell you that I don’t know about the secrets of Wolf Lake and it’s pack and you won’t insult my intelligence by acting like you don’t know who I am or why I’m in town.”
“Then you know how much danger you are in by that statement.” Vivian threatened. The threat this young man posed to the pack had just tripled in size. Normally as Alpha she would take care of him but something told her to hear him out.
“That I do but it’s worth the risk to talk to you about Liz.” Max stated.
“If you are here to try and reason with me so that you can take Elizabeth out of Wolf Lake than you are wasting your time. It is out of the question.” Vivian announced.
“I figured on that but I thought I might be able to convince you to let Liz take me as her mate. I would never let the secret of the pack out and live by the pack laws just like I was one of you.” Max said.
“I cannot allow that either.”
“Not even if I had information on who murdered your husband?” Max offered. Max saw her eyes turn golden for a second before answering him.
“My husband was killed in a hunting accident.” Vivian practically growled.
“I’ve never heard of the victim of a hunting accident being shot at point blank range.” Max commented.
This time Max saw surprise flash over Vivian’s face. “You’re very informed.”
“I was raised by a lawyer whose bestfriend is the town sheriff, I picked up on a few things. One being that you always make sure you have all the information possible.”
“You should become a cop or lawyer yourself.” Vivian stated. “And how did you acquire this information?”
“That would be giving away my information without getting anything in return. Let’s just say that in the time I’ve been in Wolf Lake I’ve uncovered more than where Liz was.”
“Including who killed by husband?” Vivian asked. She had to admit that the young man in front of her did have a lot of courage to go after what he wanted. Not to mention he seemed to be very resourceful.
“Yes.” Max answered.
“But you see all you have is hearsay, no concrete proof.”
“I never said I didn’t have proof.” Max said. “Proof of which you will have if you concede to my terms.”
“To let you become Elizabeth’s mate.” Vivian reiterated. She couldn’t believe that this young man was so determined to be with Elizabeth.
“Yes.”
“You do know that even if you are her mate, you won’t be accepted. And it would not be in the best interest of the pack to allow one of our strongest younger females to marry an ungulate. Despite the advantage the information you hold would give me.” Vivian stated.
“Then I have another idea.” Max said before laying out his plan.
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