📎A/N. Hello my lovelies... another weekend... another chapter...

For those of you following the RWC... congratulations to Wales who beat England 25:28. Good luck if your teams are playing... :-)

This weeks chapter is dedicated to browneyedgirl65 - I highly recommend her story The Road Goes Where We Go - Check it out.. You will not be disappointed.

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New Hampshire Gazette

ELLSWORTH MAN ACCIDENTALLY SHOT DURING ANNUAL WATERVILLE VALLEY TURKEY HUNT

By Damian McRoss - Staff Writer

Ferncroft - An Ellsworth man was treated at the scene Tuesday morning after a hunter accidentally shot him while hunting turkey in the Waterville Valley forest.

David Williams, 52 of Ferncroft was hunting with a group of friends in a wooded area of the state forest when the early morning shooting occurred, according to the New Hampshire Wardens Service.

Both wardens and local police were nearby, monitoring the annual event which has attracted hundreds of competitors each year. According to eyewitnesses, David Williams fired his shotgun, loaded for turkey at what he believed was a large grey wolf.

Once Williams and the remainder of his team went to find the downed animal, they were horrified to discover the bullets has inadvertently struck Ron Winslow, a resident of Ellsworth, a nearby town.

Williams, adamant that he did not see the victim prior to discharging his gun, was not available for comment. Investigators are still trying to piece together what happened, according to Cpl. John Donalds of the Warden Service.

"We don't really know for sure what he was shooting at," Donalds said in an interview Tuesday afternoon. "Obviously he had not intended to shoot Mr Winslow."

When questioned about the state of Mr Winslow when he was found, Donalds was tight lipped saying, "he (the victim) was treated at the local hospital and discharged shortly afterwards."

When questioned about the lack of clothing when the hunting party had found the injured man, Donalds only comment was, "Naturalist should know better than roaming around naked in hunting season."

Mr Williams and the hunting party are being interviewed by the Warden Service and are "cooperating fully" with the investigation, according to Donalds.

Mr Winslow, the victim of this tragic accident, refused to comment publically on the incident.

Damien McRoss - Twitter @D_McR

Peter scanned through the printout which had been slapped on his desk. He shook his head in confusion and looked up at Drew who was hovering above him, "I don't understand, there's no story here. Accidental shootings happen to hunters all the time. It's not the first, and it certainly won't be the last," he said as he handed the page back to his reporter.

Drew snatched the page out of Peter's hand and waived it in the air like a man possessed. "Can't you see it?" he exclaimed in frustration, "They thought it was a wolf! And when it was shot, the wolf turned back into a man!"

Peter brought his fist down on his desk, dislodging the stack of folders piled unevenly across his desk. "Is that what this is about?" he shouted. "When are you going to stop this nonsense? I gave you some leeway when it came to the wolves turning up in the city, but this obsession of yours is now bordering on outright paranoia."

"But you don't understand," spluttered Drew, "I saw a man turning into a wolf."

Peter snorted in disgust. "Yeah, on a doctored video which no one else saw. Which, may I remind you, you conveniently lost."

"It was real I tell you!" argued Drew, his voice now raised to match his editor's. "And that man who was shot was one of them. I just need more time to prove it."

"No," Peter said as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"No what?"

Peter stood up and rubbed his bald head. His expression grim but determined. "No you can't do the story. Because, there is no story," he said. Peter then looked his reporter directly in the eye. "I had hoped that it wouldn't come to this. But you have left me with no choice - starting immediately you're on suspended leave."

He then placed his hands on his desk and leaned forward, his face full of concern, "Andrew, for the love of Mike, seek help, this fixation is not healthy."

Drew stood rooted to the spot. Unable to move. He had heard the words but his mind was in denial. How could they take him off the story? There were people running around who could change into wolves for Christ-sakes!

Andrew pulled the lanyard which held his security key, from his around his neck. "Fine, throw me out," he hissed as he flung it on his editor's desk. "But I'll have the last laugh once I break this story - just you wait and see."

With that, Drew turned and stormed out of the office, out through the bull pen of reporters and made a b-line to the lift lobby. As he existed the busy floor, he turned and shouted at the top of his lungs, "You'll be begging for me to come back."

Peter, who had trailed out of his office to watch Drew's departure, shook his head at the outburst and returned to his office.

Drew exited the building that housed the Boston Globe a few minutes later. His only thoughts were centred on the quickest way to get to Mr Ron Winslow, the naked gunshot victim, and part time wolf.

"Where the hell is Ellsworth?" he muttered under his breath as he hailed for the next cab.

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"I told you I didn't feel good about this," Briana said as she sunk into the chair and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Well, it's not your call," Ambrose's voice growled through the phone, which was currently on loud speaker and resting on the coffee table.

Junior leaned forward with a frown as he glanced across the table at his cousin, who was obviously distressed about the turn of events. "That's where you are wrong," he said forcefully, addressing the phone. "We have always made these decisions together. That's how we've managed to grow without taking needless risks.

"Our only chance to grow further is to stop the families control over us and then to turn our attention on those Russians. You know as well as I do, they're encroaching on our territory more and more each year."

From his tone, Junior could tell Ambrose didn't expect to be disagreed with.

"But how do you intend to grow the operation from behind bars?" Briana broke in. "We are all aware how well that's working for the others," she spat out sarcastically.

Junior held up his hand to halt Briana from the lecture, which was undoubtedly ready to spurt forth. As was her way, his little cousin had always been the cautious one. It was in her nature to minimise risk. Of all of them, she was the voice of reason within their organisation. "I think what Bri is trying to say," he began, as he turned back to the phone. "Is that you tried to solve this particular problem in a crowded restaurant. People saw your face. It's a wonder we haven't seen you plastered across all the news channels yet."

"Hardly," remarked Ambrose, "It's in the heart of Mangano territory. They all understand they have to keep their mouths shut. We went to that restaurant for a reason."

"Be that as it may," interrupted Junior, "that was a huge risk to take. You put all of us in jeopardy, and the only reason to you have a city full of cops chasing you down, is because they are too busy finding those two gunmen that killed those kids."

"I had it under control," barked out Ambrose, "It was over within minutes. They didn't know what hit them."

"Yeah, right!" scoffed Briana, "You had everything under control. How about that madman? Was he under control?"

Junior rubbed his clean-shaven jaw, unsure as to how to proceed with the conversation without it escalating. He had to agree with Briana. His only run in with Elijah has been when he had brutally introduced them to the existence of Werewolves. The man was definitely a loose cannon. Up until then, people turning into wolves had been a thing of fiction. Told in the old days to frightened children to keep them from misbehaving.

For a reason, only known to Ambrose, Junior had been kept away from the house. The majority of their conversation had been via phone. When questioned, Ambrose had informed him that he needed Elijah to not be aware of his role in the organisation. At first, it had irked him. The secrecy - being held at arms length - it was as if he was now surplice to requirements and was being pushed out of the organisation.

However, this thought was put to rest as Ambrose piled more and more responsibility on his shoulders. The only thing now of concern was - When was it to be his turn? When would he be allowed to join the others? These questions had played on his mind to the point they were now a festering wound that he constantly picked at.

"So what's your next step?" Junior asked, moving the subject back on point.

"Right now," began Ambrose, "It's a waiting game. They aren't likely to just rollover and hand the reigns to use. They will try one more time to take us out."

"I'm assuming you're expecting another attack?" Junior asked.

There was a slight pause at the other end before Ambrose answered. "Yes. They would be stupid not to."

Briana let out a groan, "Please don't tell me you're going to risk exposure again?"

"No," explained Ambrose, "we've set up a meeting with a local arms dealer out in Jersey. He has ties to the Mangano's, so, we fully expect them to try and take us out there."

Junior, still not comfortable with the plan, or the possible outcomes, remained silent after Ambrose had ended the call.

"What do you think?" Briana asked, her expression full of concern.

"Junior exhaled loudly and ran his fingers through his hair as he digested the plan that had been outlined to them. "Strategically, it could work," he admitted, "it comes down to how confident we are that our boys are faster and stronger than theirs."

Briana let out a chuckle, "That's the only thing I'm sure of."

The both stared at the phone, worried for the others and ultimately, for themselves.

"How does it feel?" Junior asked eventually.

Briana's face registered her confusion at the question. "How does what feel?"

Junior scratched the back of his neck, working out how to phrase a question he never thought possible. "You know, being a Werewolf. How does it feel?"

"Oh that," she sighed. She paused, her expression blank. "It feels," she faltered, searching for the words to explain the strangeness of it all, "different. It's hard to describe. It's like there's another person living inside my head. Some days I think I'm going to go insane. She wants out all the time," Briana explained, referring to her wolf.

"Other times, it's like I can take on anything. It's as if there's an unlimited amount of power running though my veins and that nothing can stop me. I keep forgetting I'm now much stronger than Misty, she has so many bruises on her that she's now starting to ask questions. I try to be gentle, but I still end up hurting her."

Again she struggled to find the words. Briana stood and began to pace, "Everything just looks, tastes and smells different. Some days I feel like I can take on the world. Other days I think that I'm going to explode with so much energy."

Junior posed the question that had been playing on his mind, regarding Ambrose's erratic behaviour. "So do you think that's why Ambrose is all of a sudden, taking risks he normally wouldn't?"

Briana's face became pensive and she halted her pacing. "To be honest, I'm a little concerned about him. His change seems to be bigger than the rest of ours. He always wanted to build the organisation and extend its reach. We all know that. But, he kept it in check as he didn't have the power, nor the support or resources of the others to do anything about it."

Junior shrugged his shoulders. This wasn't anything new. They all understood their cousins long held beliefs. "And?"

"Well, since the change, he is making more and more demands that he normally wouldn't. Putting up with Elijah is one thing. But the needless slaughter that he is now actively participating in is something else. And he doesn't seem to want to listen to reason any more. What's worse is that once his mind is made up, for some stupid reason we are compelled to go along with him. It's the oddest thing," she halted, as she looked Junior directly in the eyes, "some days I'm actually scared of him. And I think Frank and the others feel the same..." she trailed off.

Junior had no idea on how to respond. He had no idea Briana felt like this. They had all grown up together and had been inseparable since childhood. How could Ambrose do this to them?

"So when do you think it will be my turn?" Junior asked, now even more determined to force his cousin to agree to his change. Someone needed to be able to stand up to him.

Briana glanced at her cousin apologetically. "I honestly have no idea. But I suspect it won't be until he knows we no longer need your connections. We can't afford to have you out of that loop for too long. And you know yourself the amount of time the rest of us were ill before our turn."

Junior, with reluctance, had to agree with Briana's assessment. He was their first line of defence to warn them if problems were coming their way. He glanced back at his cousin in time to realise she had just sniffed the air around her. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"You smell different to us," she said, her brow crinkling. "You and Misty," she qualified, "You both smell..." she trailed off struggling to find the appropriate term, "like humans."

Junior looked at Briana as though she had more than one screw loose. Seeing his expression she laughed. "I didn't mean that in a bad way," she explained, "but with our heighted sense of smell, I can tell the difference between a Werewolf and a human just by smelling them."

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A/N... looks like there's some grumbling in the ranks ... not good for Ambrose...

.. and it looks like our reporter is like a dog with a bone...

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. If you did. don't forget to vote :-)

Take care

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