[ WP ] Were-humans ...

Tanner waited in the dark. He felt comfortable in the woods. Once, long ago, he would have said that he grew up in the woods. Now he knew better. At best, he grew up on the fringes of the woods, playing in the cool pools that gathered as the small stream wound its way through the shade of the tall pines. He loved the open feeling of these old woods, they were not crowded with the brush and undergrowth that young forests often contain. The ground was soft with pine needles in the summer, and the sun would dance with the shade as the wind brushed past branches that were old long before Tanner was born. The familiar scent when the wind picked up would remind most people of Christmas, but for Tanner it was merely a warning of a coming summer storm. He knew the woods to be light and airy, a place to run, play and laugh. He explored there, hunted there, and, when he was older, brought girls there. 
 
 However, Tanner knew now that the woods had a dark side. Not in an evil sense, but at night these trees transformed. These dark woods where he waited were not the same as the ones he grew up in. Still, he waited, as he did every full moon. 
 
 In the quiet he heard coyotes howl in the distance. At the eerie sound his heart rate quickened. Clouds obscured the moon and Tanner could barely see, even though his night vision was better than most. But it was not yet time for the flashlight. He waited and listened. 
 
 It did n't always take this long, though it had taken longer in the past. Still, Tanner could n't help but worry. He knew one day he would wait out here all night and nothing would happen. The longer he waited, the more his heart filled with dread. It was too soon for that; he was too young for that. Still, the woods hid many different dangers, so really who knew when that night would come. 
 
 A rustling suddenly sounded to his left and Tanner froze. The rustling stopped, but was soon followed with a groan and some coughing. He did n't make it to the clearing this time. Tanner quickly grabbed the backpack he brought and turned on the flashlight. He blinked in the sudden brightness and then quickly hurried to the source of the noises. 
 
 Max was curled up in a ball on the ground, shivering in the fall air. His long black hair, which fell to his waist when he was upright, was currently a mess of leaves and pines. His skin, a deep mocha that showed his shared ancestry with Tanner, was scratched in some places but for the most part he looked to be healthy. He was clutching his head; the transformation always left him with a bad headache. 
 
 `` Hey man. I'm here. I've got some water, asprin, and clothes.'' Tanner rushed to his side and the two fell into the familiar routine. Once he was settled, Tanner helped Max to his feet. Two feet, not the four he was used to. As he did, Tanner felt the red heat as the coyote tattoo on his hip flashed to life. The matching birthmark on Max's chest shimmered simultaneously. 
 
 `` Thank you Tanner.'' Max's voice was soft and his words were cautious. He was used to a different form of communicating. `` You are so dependable.'' 
 
 `` Hey, it's my job. Guardian and all that...'' Tanner replied awkwardly. 
 
 A silence stretched between them. Tanner studied Max. He looked older, though his eyes had the same curious youth to them as they always did, regardless of his form. When Tanner had first found Max, he had been a young pup. In the past four years he had changed drastically. Now he looked old enough to pass for a college student, it would n't be too long before he looked as old as Tanner. And not too long after that... best not to think about it. 
 
 `` So what is the plan for tonight?'' Max asked, adjusting his shirt as he did. He never felt comfortable in the clothes Tanner brought. 
 
 `` Well I was going to suggest the arcade again, you had so much fun there last month.'' Tanner thought a moment. `` But you know what, let's have some adult fun. Have you ever tried a beer?'' 
 
 Max looked up startled. His face broke out in a wolfish grin. `` Yes, that sounds good. Let's go get a beer.''
