The observances taken care of, we were able to sit down for a meal and chat. Our reasons for being in Wisconsin were discussed and approved.

"Who seduced you to be a breeder?" Gerhard asked me.

"Strictly speaking, I wasn't seduced. I'm being paid for each werewolf pup I produce."

That surprised Gerhard. "Paid?"

"This is America, where free enterprise is king," I said. "I fell on hard times when I lost my job with a lot of debt, both student loans and a house. I was probably looking at something disgusting like prostitution to survive anyway. Rene offered me 200 grand per pup, plus a million bonus if I'd...