Word count 827

The childless couple Duke and Jen gave up on getting pregnant the usual way.  Duke said “I’m so happy that your artificial insemination was by Ben.  We chose the right donor – with our friend Ben donating sperm we can expect a strong, bright child.  It was so kind of him to help us get you pregnant when I couldn’t.”

Feeling hopeful about starting a family, Duke and Jen went out walking on the trail next to their house as a full moon lit their way one night when they heard a rustling in the shrubs about twenty meters up the trail.  Within seconds a large animal came out and rushed them.  Duke, who wrote and believed horror stories, yelled “Werewolf” as the canine / human mutant ran towards them.  The hybrid slowed down as it got close and they got a closer look as it trotted up to them.  It had the general shape of an Irish setter, but a broader chest, and toes halfway between human and dog.  When within a meter or two it began to wag its tail, and open a non threatening mouth with tongue out.  To cap it off, the beast had a green bowtie.

The couple was unable to move caught between fright and wonder.  While in that state, the strange animal rose on its back legs and put his (and it was obvious it was a “he”) on Jen’s shoulders and licked her face.  It then moved to Duke and rubbed against Duke’s leg.  Without thinking, Duke rubbed their new friend’s back.  After a minute of that, what Duke and Jen would call the weresetter ran away down the trail Duke and Jen had come down.

The shaky couple slowly and cautiously followed the weresetter back to their house without seeing it again.  At home they tried to process what had happened.  As the house’s werewolf expert, Duke said “Werewolves aren’t the only were animals.  There are were birds, were jackals, so why not a were Irish setter?  I believe that is what we saw.  If true, who is the man who becomes the weresetter?  How did the man become were?”

Jen jumped in “We’ve got a really good clue.  Who do you know wears bowties, particularly a green one like the one we saw on the setter.  I’m tired of weresetter, let’s just use setter.”

“You’re right twice.  Ben who lives down the block and setter it is.  We can talk to him tomorrow during daylight.”

Ben let them into his house the next night a couple of hours before dark.  After telling him their suspicions, he admitted it.  “Yeah, it’s me.  But you should know Irish setters.  They’re the friendliest thing you can find on this green earth.  You might think in setter form I’d kill cute bunnies, but I’m vegetarian in both forms.”

Jen asked “If we believe you, I still have a couple of questions.  How did you become a setter, and why the bowtie?”

“The first part you may find difficult to accept, but I swear it’s true.  I was at a party and saw something I thought were snacks.  After I ate maybe a dozen, I looked at the label and found out they were dog biscuits made especially for setters.  The host was a dog guy.  The second part is easy to believe.  Usually I get naked before my transformation and just wear my setter fur.  Last night I forgot to take my tie off.”

“I’ve told you my story.  Are you going to tell authorities and ruin my life, or take me at my word that I’m not going to cause trouble?”

Jen looked at Duke and said “You know this is the safest neighborhood in the city.  I think we have to believe Ben”.  Duke smiled and nodded in agreement.

On their way out, Duke asked “One more thing.  Why hasn’t anyone else reported the setter?”

“I guess I’ve avoided everyone else because I’m not as close with the other neighbors as you.  One thing about my condition is that I’m always a bit fuzzy about what I’m doing when I’m were.”

A few days later Jen announced she was pregnant.  “It was so kind of him to help us get you pregnant when I couldn’t.  What a good friend and neighbor.”

Jen’s ultrasound at two months of pregnancy showed a normal male fetus except for unusually rapid development, chestnut fur, and a large appendage.  She said “It’s a boy, and look how well equipped he is, just like Ben.”

After a stunned pause, Duke said “First of all, you’re looking at its tail not what you think it is; second, I thought Ben artificially inseminated you.”

“Oops, maybe I should rephrase that.  Just like I imagine Ben.  Maybe I got the idea from setter.  No, I haven’t seen Ben’s stuff.  Artificial.”

Duke believed what she said because he wanted to.

Appears in Freedom Fiction Journal

The above is the relatively clean version. The following was my original idea which pushed some serious taboos. I was advised not to submit it. You’ve been warned.

                                                                      Were What?

Duke and Jen were out walking the trail next to their house as a full moon lit their way one night when they heard a rustling in the shrubs about twenty meters up the trail.  Within seconds a large animal came out and rushed them.  Duke, who wrote and believed horror stories, yelled “Werewolf” as the canine / human mutant ran towards them.  The hybrid slowed down as it got close and they got a closer look as it trotted up to them.  It had the general shape of an Irish setter, but a broader chest, and toes halfway between human and dog.  When within a meter or two it began to wag its tail, and open a non threatening mouth with tongue out.  To cap it off, the beast had a green bowtie.

The couple was unable to move caught between fright and wonder.  While in that state, the strange animal rose on its back legs and put his (and it was obvious it was a “he”) on Jen’s shoulders and licked her face.  It then moved to Duke and rubbed against Duke’s leg.  Without thinking, Duke rubbed their new friend’s back.  After a minute of that, what Duke and Jen would call the weresetter ran away down the trail Duke and Jen had come down.

The shaky couple slowly and cautiously followed the weresetter back to their house without seeing it again.  At home they tried to process what had happened.  As the house’s werewolf expert, Duke said “Werewolves aren’t the only were animals.  There are were birds, were jackals, so why not a were Irish setter?  I believe that is what we saw.  If true, who is the man who becomes the were setter?  How did the man become were?”

Jen jumped in “We’ve got a really good clue.  Who do you know wears bowties, particularly a green one like the one we saw on the setter.  I’m tired of weresetter, let’s just use setter.”

“You’re right twice.  Ben who lives down the block and setter it is.  We can talk to him tomorrow during daylight.”

Ben let them into his house the next night a couple of hours before dark.  After telling him their suspicions, he admitted it.  “Yeah, it’s me.  But you should know Irish setters.  They’re the friendliest thing you can find on this green earth.  You might think in setter form I’d kill cute bunnies, but I’m vegetarian in both forms.”

Jen asked “If we believe you, I still have a couple of questions.  How did you become a setter, and why the bowtie?”

“The first part you may find difficult to accept, but I swear it’s true.  I was at a party and saw something I thought were snacks.  After I ate maybe a dozen, I looked at the label and found out they were dog biscuits made especially for setters.  The host was a dog guy.  The second part is easy to believe.  Usually I get naked before my transformation and just wear my setter fur.  Last night I forgot to take my tie off.”

“I’ve told you my story.  Are you going to tell authorities and ruin my life, or take me at my word that I’m not going to cause trouble?”

Jen looked at Duke and said “You know this is the safest neighborhood in the city.  I think we have to believe Ben”.  Duke smiled and nodded in agreement.

On their way out, Duke asked “One more thing.  Why hasn’t anyone else reported the setter?”

“I guess I’ve avoided everyone else because I’m not as close with the other neighbors as you.  One thing about my condition is that I’m always a bit fuzzy about what I’m doing when I’m were.”

Until the next full moon, life went on as usual.  Duke and Jen went out as usual with no fear of running into what they thought of as their setter.  Part way through their planned walk, Duke got cold and went home.  Jen had dressed more warmly and continued walking.  She got home 50 minutes later.

A month later Jen announced she was pregnant which surprised Duke.  “I thought we couldn’t have children.”

Jen frowned “You couldn’t, I could.  Why don’t you sit down?  I’ll explain.  After you went home on our last full moon hike, I stumbled and fell down.  My pants were loose and came down around my knees.  Next thing I knew, something was sniffing my butt, then licking down there, followed by clawing at my panties.  I can’t explain what possessed me, but I helped setter pull down my panties and then he mounted me.”

Duke ejaculated (in the archaic sense) “You mean setter or Ben raped you?”

“Not exactly.  At some point I wanted it and cooperated.  The second time, I literally asked for it.  You know we’ve been through a long dry spell, and I was really turned on.  I know how hurt you must be.”

Duke didn’t respond to that, but said “I’ll see Ben tomorrow.  I promise I won’t be violent.”

At Ben’s house Duke was blunt “How could you have done this after we’ve been friends all these years?”

“Done what?”

“Screwed Jen when you were setter.”

“Duke, honestly I remember nothing of it.  I told you I don’t remember much while setter.  Setter is an animal, and Jen must have been in heat.  Look I’m sorry, I apologize”

Duke couldn’t think of a response so he left.

Jen’s ultrasound at two months of pregnancy showed a normal human fetus except for unusually rapid development.

Shortly thereafter with one worry gone, Duke visited Ben again.  Ben greeted him with “Duke, I’ve told you I’m sorry there’s nothing else I can do.”

Duke replied “Listen, I’m not mad anymore.  I love Jen, and you did something for her I couldn’t do.  So I guess we’re both thankful.  We may want more children.  Are you game?”

Ben smiled what could be called a wolfish grin.