05-28-2018 A new Patreon exclusive series

I've started working on a new, original series set in the Lycanthrope Club universe called "American Werewolf in Japan" that I will write while editing Book III. The story, as you probably inferred, is set in Japan. Unlike my other stories this one will be posted exclusively on my Patreon  as a reward for my patrons. I've already posted the first chapter (+5,000 words) and you can read an excerpt from it below. I'm also going to start commissioning LC images on a regular basis - some I will post here, others on my Patreon. 

Don't worry - I will keep posting stories on my dA account now and again and once I finish it Book III there will be a free PDF edition of it on the Daemoneye Publishing website just like with books I and II. 

UPDATE: I lowered the minimum pledge to receive Patreon exclusive content from $5.00 to $3.00 per month; if you already pledged $5.00 you might want to re-pledge. Apologies for the inconvenience. 

* * *

The three high schoolers ambled along. It was quieter here than the rest of the city. The rumble of traffic was distant and muted. Small sounds such as birds, rustling branches and their own footsteps grew audible as their ears adjusted to the dearth of ambient noise. This, coupled with her unfamiliarity with the neighborhood, was making Junko a little uneasy.

"I've...been this way once before, too," said Taro reassuringly. "It's just an older part of town."

"I know, I know," said Junko. "Just...everything looks...I dunno, a little sketchy. Like, over there," she said, pointing. "There's a pile of clothes or...or rugs just lying in the street."

"Huh?" said Taro, looking ahead.

There was indeed some kind of furry black object sitting on the side of the road next to the forest. It was a good fifty meters away so the high schoolers couldn't make much detail of it. It was charcoal black, though conceivably its dark hue was due to it being water-logged from the morning shower. It was the only piece of litter or debris in the otherwise clean albeit wet street.

"Must have fallen out of someone's bike or car," mused Masae. "Weird."

"It...kinda looks like a big fur coat," said Taro.

"Hey, yeah!" said Junko. "A real fancy one?"

The object was tufted and not a uniform shade of black; there were dark grey streaks and blotches here and there. It was rather lumpy for a discarded garment. In fact, it looked as though it was covering something. As the three students grew nearer, however, it became painfully obvious this was not the case.

"That's...that's a dead animal," said Masae suddenly.

As one, Junko, Masae and Taro stopped in their tracks.

"N-No way," protested Taro. "It's too big. There's nothing that big around here."

"Maybe it's a dog," said Masae quietly. "It looks like one. A foreign breed, maybe."

"I...I guess."

"So sad...and kinda gross," whispered Junko, her face wrinkling with disgust.

"A dead dog, then," said Taro unhappily. "Should we do som-whaaa!"

The animal had stirred.

"Whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa-whoa!" yelped Junko.

"It's still alive?" breathed Masae.

The animal lifted its head. It was vaguely canine in shape, sporting a narrow black muzzle. Its ears, though currently drooped, were pointed and long. It was large. Very large, in fact.

"Look at the size of it," said Masae.

"I hope it's friendly," gulped Junko.

"W-We should get out of here," urged Taro, stepping back. "Go and get the police."

"It's just an animal," said Junko, though in truth she sounded uncertain.

It flexed its legs once. Then twice. It remained where it was. Its chest slowly rose and fell as it breathed.

"Yeah I think Taro has the right idea, Junko-chan," conceded Masae, an uncharacteristic tremor of fear in her voice. She stepped back. Junko, however, didn't move.

"It's...hurt," said Junko.

"Yeah, obviously," growled Masae, equal parts angry and frightened. "It's an injured animal. That makes it dangerous. Let's get out of here."

The creature shifted its weight and rose unsteadily. As it stood, two disconcerting facts became apparent. For one, it was as large as a human, perhaps larger. For another, it wasn't a dog. While none of the high schoolers were experts in comparative physiology it would be difficult to mistake the creature before them for a dog. The fur around its neck and back was far too thick, its skull too large, its muzzle too straight. Bizarrely, it had a curly ebony mane that bore a striking resemblance to human hair; it almost looked like someone had put a toupee on it, albeit an incredibly realistic one. Then there were its eyes - yellow, piercing, intelligent, wild. And they were staring directly at the high schoolers.

"Junko-chan, walk away, slowly," whispered Masae in a hushed, terrified voice.

Then, it rose up on its hind legs. And stood there.

Junko, Masae and Taro stared in stupefied amazement. Its posture was not awkward; it was not teetering on its hind legs like an animal performing a trick. It looked as though it could maintain its bipedal stance as long as it wished. That said, it looked...exhausted. The creature was breathing heavily and clutching its stomach with a paw.

Almost unconsciously, Junko reached into her pocket. She took out her cell phone and snapped a picture.

"No, no, no!" exclaimed Masae, shaking her head in disbelief. "What are you doing?"

The wolf-thing did not seem to like this. A low, rumbling growl issued from its black lips. It took a single step forward.

"Oh no," breathed Junko. She stared horrified at her phone as though it had betrayed her.

The creature took another step, still holding its side. Then, it crumpled to the street with a surprisingly pathetic whimper. It raised its head and gazed up at Junko. Then, it sniffed the air and opened its mouth.

"You need to get away."