"What kind of problem?" Phineas asked. "Did you have fleas, man? They make collars for that, you know."

Howard chuckled.

Phil gave them both a bland look. "It wasn't fleas. It was Billy."

"Billy?" Howard selected a bear claw from the doughnut box. "Isn't he Jean-Luc's new day guard?"

"Yes. He was the local sheriff," Phil explained, "but he retired, so he could work for MacKay S & I. I had a little trouble training him. He was sorta angry with me."

Phineas snorted. "Well, you did bite him, you know."

"He shot me first," Phil muttered.

Phineas grinned. "You looked at him funny."

"So what's the problem with Billy?" Howard munched on his bear claw. "He doesn't like being a werewolf?"

"He was shocked at first," Phil began.

"I'm sure he was." Howard stuffed the last of the bear claw in his mouth. "It can be a tough adjustment for those who become shifters as adults. It's a lot easier for us who were born into were families."

Phineas snickered. "So you had a Mama Bear and Papa Bear? Was your porridge too hot or too cold?"

"It was just right." Howard smiled as he licked the sugar off his fingertips. "So what happened with Billy?"

"After I took him out on his first hunt, he seemed okay," Phil said. "He was excited about having extra strength, superior senses, and a much longer life span. Everything was fine till about two weeks ago when Billy's girlfriend left him and he decided his life was ruined."

"Hey, I remember his girlfriend. She was hot!" Phineas sat up. "Do you have her number? She might need a little comforting from the Love Doctor, if you know what I mean."

Phil snorted. "If she rejected a werewolf, she'd probably reject a Vamp, too. Personally, I don't think she would have stayed with Billy even if he didn't go furry with the full moon. She was used to being a celebrity fashion model in New York and Paris. Life in a small town in Texas would have never suited her. I told Billy that, but he was convinced his life was over."