Dinner At Mike's

Art by Shiro

When socialite Clara Winslow, a member of the very wealthy Winslow family, first met Brent Bittaker, grandson of landowner Isembard Bittaker and heir apparent to the Bittaker estate, Clara thought he only had one sister, Heather. Certainly, the man was a little eccentric (especially in his fascination with wolves and werewolves, which went to the point of always wearing a wolf's-head ring and tie clip), but otherwise he was a perfect gentleman—and one almost expected someone of great wealth to have a few quirks.

But then he announced his brothers Kevin and Michael wished to meet her. She was surprised to learn that Brent had brothers that nobody in his social circle seemed to know about, and even more surprised to learn that not only did Brent have brothers, but he was the youngest. True, his father Ryan (Isembard's eldest son) was dead, but she wondered why Brent would be next in line rather than either of his brothers. Curious, she agreed to go with him.

As they drove to his brother's home, Brent explained the history of the place. Bittaker Lodge had once been a very high-end hunting lodge, but now that the lake couldn't be seen due to the water level falling and forest growing in its place, it had fallen in popularity and ultimately abandoned. Then Michael, who had come here as a child during his many outdoor adventures, fell in love with it and desired it for his own, so Isembard gave it to Michael as an early inheritance. Michael moved in with his brother, renamed it Clear Night Manor, and set about refurbishing it—though he still didn't have electricity nor hot running water.

Clear Night Manor turned out to be a huge brick building that, despite its age, was in very good shape. Brent knocked on the door, and a remarkably hairy man wearing a bandana that went oddly with his suit opend the door. Enter freely and of your own will. Dinner is waiting.

Brent grinned and embraced the man. Brother! he said. Kevin, this is my girlfriend Clara Winslow. Clara, this is my brother Kevin Bittaker.

Kevin grinned, shaking hands with her. Welcome to Clear Night Manor. I trust your drive went well.

Quite well, she said, noting he had a surprisingly gentle hold.

The Alpha will be down in a moment.

Who is The Alpha? she asked.

Michael, explained Kevin.

You certainly... seem to like werewolves, said Clara cautiously.

You could say we're lifestylers, said Kevin. Which is why dear old Grandpa passed everything on to Brent.

If Clara thought Brent had a fascination with werewolves, his brothers evidently took it to the point of obsession; werewolf tapestries were everywhere, the wolf's head design that was on Brent's ring and tie clip was featured everywhere. The furniture which looked newly made had a distinct wolf theme to them. When she went to hang up her coat in the wardrobe, she saw two leather jackets (one evidently worn by a huge man), emblazoned with a logo saying Clear Night Pack. Are your brothers... okay? she asked Brent softly, wondering if Brent was the heir because both of his brothers were better suited to padded rooms than a house in the woods.

We're both in excellent health Kevin responded blandly, smirking at her surprise. And Michael is in fine spirits, too. If he weren't well, this place would be a mess. He's like that.

She looked around and noticed the house was fairly neat, but why would there be a barrel entitled Bone Bin between the huge easy chair and the couch?

When she came to the table, she was utterly shocked at the food: sure there were bread and vegetables (only a little of the latter at where slips of paper with their names were), but the food was mostly meat, as well as dishes made from offal, including haggis, roast lung, stewed intestines, and other recipes only a determined carnivore could enjoy.

Relax, darling said Brent. We've been made welcome here. After all, the meat is cooked, is it not?

Clara looked at him in bewilderment. Why would meat not be cooked? Puzzled, she followed his lead and took a seat.

So when is Michael going to be down? asked Brent.

Once he wrestles on his suit, said Kevin, then whispered something in Brent's ear that made the younger man roll his eyes. You know he loves to make an entrance.

For someone who doesn't like pork, Michael can be such a ham, Brent laughed. he glanced up, and looked at Clara. Clara? Do you think werewolves exist?

... I don't believe in fairy tales.

Better start believing them, Miss Winslow, said an inhuman voice. Kevin took off his bandanna as Michael stepped through the door. You're in one!

Clara wasn't sure which shocked her more: That neither of Brent's brothers were human...

Or that Brent was utterly unphased.

Con comission, Fur-Eh 2014, depicting the Bittaker Brothers, from my unpublished Hound Of God story.