"It was a setup," she sobbed against his shoulder. "The cabin, the car accident. The Movement got there before the Oracle's people could collect us, but when we went with Anne… She is not on our side.

"I woke in the car. You were drugged. When we arrived here, they took me to a medical facility. I do not know what they did to me. When I woke again, they did not argue when I asked to be brought to you."

"They treated you okay?" That didn't bode well for her, somehow. "What about the baby? Is it okay?"

"Yes," she said quietly. "That is what they want."

If ever there was a moment he could imagine busting iron chains, now should be it. Max roared, his face shifting as he struggled against the shackles.

"Calm yourself," Bella soothed, laying a hand on his brow. With a heavy sigh, she withdrew. "I think perhaps it is time to tell you something very few of your kind know."

He swallowed thickly. "Is it anything I want to know?"

"It is something you must know, now." She hesitated for a moment, then, with a deep breath, plunged in. "You know of the division between werewolves and lupins?"

It wasn't the question he expected. "Yeah. It's something the Movement teaches. Werewolves are into the earth spirituality, and using magic to control their change, while lupins figured out a way to do it medically, and think they're all better than you."

"No," Bella said with a note of sadness in her voice "They have been lying to you for years."

The Movement lied?" It should have come as more of a surprise to him, but lately it was hard to disbelieve any nasty thing someone had to say about them. "Is that so?" His vision had cleared enough that he made out her emphatic nod. "The real cause for our division is… Perhaps I should start from the beginning.

"You recall what I told you about the blood debt that can never be repaid? The curse that is branded on my body?"

"Sure." Max searched the corners of his still-foggy brain. "Something about all werewolves being descended from Pontius Pilate and that's why you're all cursed, right?"

"The division between werewolves and lupins started there, though both factions kept it quiet until lately. When the children of Pontius Pilate, and their children, became aware of their affliction, naturally, they hid it. It was a superstitious time, and they were surrounded by godly people. Some of them returned to Rome, where their animal state was worshipped as a gift from the gods, an allusion to Romulus and Remus, who founded the city.