Wolf Sirens: Forbidden: Discover The Legend

by Tina Smith

  “You can confide in me, you know?” he had said, looking at me. Sky seemed to know when I was staring off into nothingness that I was deep in thought.

  “I want to, I have been.”

  His hand lingered on my chin.

  Something about him looked doubtful- a flicker

  in his eye. A feeling of uncertainty waved through me. Wasn’t I?

  I racked my brain for what he could mean with this look.

  Was he as insecure as me? I had been an open book, I had no secrets, none that I had withheld or would. He knew exactly what had happened with Reid and me. I had disappointingly told him more than he had divulged to me about his relationships with Cresida and Sam. Experience had taught him not to go into detail when confessing other relationships to jealous (insecure) new girlfriends, which perhaps worked to his advantage, and my disappointment.

  He knew that Reid and I had been intimate and he didn’t want to do the same. We were different. I know now why he abstained from it. We did everything but have sex, for now we didn’t need that part. I could not doubt my feelings for him. They were embarrassingly evident and he failed to hide his pounding heart from me and fortunately he didn’t try to conceal it anymore.

  Sky and Reid had been best friends, now they had to be civil. I was glad that they had somehow managed it. Reid admitted he had somehow sensed it coming. Why else would Sky act so jealously? Sky had tried to fight it within himself after the Cresida episode, and had failed or given in - I hoped it was mostly the latter - until the internal fight against it welled over into the world and he fought his pack brother, to save me, he told himself. But like all human instincts, which remained in the wolves, it was just mad jealousy in the guise of a conscious good deed, for all is fair in love and war.

  I didn’t see Reid anymore, as I had once not seen Sky or Lily. Sky admitted that he had peeked at me and spied on me whenever he could, despite himself. It was as though I’d broken up a family inadvertently and I couldn’t be sure but I think I was almost as heartbroken about this as they were. I liked Reid’s company, I loved being in the pack, even if it was only as a human decoy, Sam’s pet project. My uncomplicated relationship with the pack was perhaps shrouded in naivety. I hadn’t suffered the way they had. According to Sam they had lost me for the better, but because of that they had also put walls between themselves and their brother. The devil on one shoulder had wanted me to not care anyway - after all what could I do about it? The angel on the other shoulder had felt sorrow for breaking long-held ties between brothers and between his first love in wolf life, Sam, though he had been cold to her for years. My draw on him had helped Sky from under Sam’s persuasions or hypnotism as he called it, of which he was glad, as he had only managed it once himself alone - only to run into Cresida’s arms when she was just a human. He knew that it was best I stayed as far away from Sam’s talents as possible and he was doing his best to avoid her unless necessary. He had separated himself from her because he wanted me, though he tried to deny it, and then fight it. He burnt in jealousy whenever Reid and I touched and sided with Sam to relieve me from the group for the greater good. To separate Reid from me, but not from himself - he couldn’t stand that anymore than I could.

  I shuddered as Sky revealed to me that Sam had sensed something in me, an instinct about me and then because Cresida wanted me, Sam wanted me more, which she now realized was the wrong move especially since I had inadvertently stolen her boyfriend and caused the death of a pack member. She had tried to persuade me and when I avoided Giny’s appeals she employed her own and when that failed, she had then devised a plan for Reid to entice me into their group, so that Cres would be distracted from guarding the town. I didn’t feel as bad for breaking Reid’s trust then, knowing they were even more manipulative than I had thought them capable. I was mad with Reid now and far from sorry, and Sky had encouraged him at the very beginning, before he had discovered his own interest in me was caused by the first inkling of real emotions. Sky wanted to keep me safe. This is what I was led to believe were the reasons at the time. But one major factor was missing: the reason why Sam and Cres bothered with a girl from Horkum at all.

  25. Prophecy

  Full moons were always pack nights. It was inevitable the moon in its full state would win one night of the three it shone to transform them. So it was better to plan for it and welcome it when it came, taking away their human will not to phase, more powerfully than a sudden burst of anger. They could not control it then but all other times, to an extent, when not taken by severe anger or grief they could phase and un-phase at will.

  I didn’t yet understand the ghost within me felt the same and that there was a reason we were pulled together by some force beyond my own comprehension, this pack of werewolves and me. There was a part of my mind as unconscious as a dream which stirred in their presence. Sky held the key to the hidden door, he had a talent he had not yet realized: he could smell a threat out and subdue it, but he was still young for an immortal and did not realize his powerful skill, his gift - though he had used it more than once to his pack’s advantage, inadvertently. All animals have a sixth sense and Sam’s was the most improved as she was the oldest, even when considering human life time, as well as wolf life, which was never-ending.

  I would have thought my powerful urge to exercise would have waned in the wake of my involvement with Sky or ceased altogether. However it almost grew. I arranged it around his visits and school, but I was driven like never before and now that there was no practice, I had plenty of spare time. I put it down to wanting to keep up with my new life, to be as good as I could in my human form so that when, I hoped, he or they changed me, that I would be ready or worthy.

  My mother arrived home late while I was making dinner. She was tired from work, and exhaustion was stale across her face as she automatically tried to help me.

  “Mum what are you doing? I’m fine here, I’ve got it.” I stared at her with intensity as her dull eyes barely focused on mine. “Maybe you should take some of my vitamins?” I injected a hint of humour that fell flat.

  “You look like you need a hit,” I joked. However I was concerned, I’d seen her work herself into

  Wolf SirenS

  exhaustion before, and I knew there was nothing anyone could do about it. Like my father before me I was helpless to stop it. “Is the…sickness coming back?” I had forgotten its name on purpose. “The chronic fatigue?” I swallowed pretending to concentrate on stirring the wok.

  She breathed deeply.“No,” she protested defensively, as though I’d accused her of something worse. “I’ve got a headache,” she spat, reaching for the medicine cupboard. “I’m going to lie down.”

  “Is it bad?” I asked unnecessarily, as she had already left the room.

  I made the dinner and took it up to her. I snuck in some seeds. Hopefully she’d be a good sport and eat them – or, better yet, not notice. Sophie was such a fussy eater. Her headaches could be lasting. I knew things wouldn’t change. This was how it had been before we moved.

  I tapped on the door to my mother’s room. “Are you going to make it back in the morning. Do you want me to call work?” I offered.

  “No, I’ll call them,” she said from under her pillow. I placed the tray down on the bedside table and left. We had never had the touchy feely sort of mother daughter relationship, and she liked it dark and quiet when a migraine struck. I was simply returning in kind, whilst remembering the brief moments she had showed some parental compassion, which was direct. Most of her love was not. She showed it by killing herself slowly, by not loving herself, so no one else could either, like Sky said. I guess that’s why my father had given up - when the person you love doesn’t let you show it. She had withheld it so long it had turned stale.

  I thought to call him then, my dad; we had spoken only twice in five months. I didn’t want to acknowledge the existence of his girlfriend. So I had avoided him. Not returned his calls. He made me feel sick. He was as good as dead to me,
anyway.

  I knew he wouldn’t be capable of doing anything; I felt frustration as I picked up the receiver and hung it up again. What could he do? I didn’t want to be faced with him but he wouldn’t come down anyway, they weren’t at that place yet. The ink on the divorce papers wasn’t yet dry and neither was my mother’s pillow from the tears of hurt. What if he brought the new girl friend, God forbid? Betrayal strangles its victims.

  I thought I heard her cry at night but I could have imagined it.

  26. A Knight Hunter is Born

  The next day when I got home there was a message on the phone table. Cresida called. I was alone and mum was at work. It was Tuesday, which meant Sky was with the pack.

  “What?” I said out loud to the note. I wracked my brain as to what she could possibly want. Nothing concrete settled in my mind. Should I call her back? All that time I’d wanted her attention and now when I didn’t want a thing to do with her because I had what I wanted, here she was, calling me! I ran my fingers through my hair; this was definitely a bad omen.

  I scrunched up the note and threw it towards the bin. It missed and bounced on the floor; I felt a surge of anger then and I kicked at the air. After wandering around a little, trying to think of something, anything to do, I circled the carpet in the house, pacing.

  I looked down at the note on the floor. I left it there and ran upstairs. I threw off my shoes and pulled out my jogging pants, jumper and put on my new fitted sneakers. It was light out and Sky was out hunting with some of the others. I told myself on the way out that I would be back before curfew time.

  I jogged the usual route, but as I turned to go back I no longer felt tired and I saw the way to Sam’s cabin, Stones Road, which curved up and to the right out of town and instead of turning as I usually did, I followed it, not really thinking, just feeling and as I continued it was as if possessed. It would be hours until Sky appeared at my window. I continued not wanting to go home and face my mind, knowing I might get bored and call her out of curiosity. I realized I was doomed anyway. If Cresida wanted to find me she could - calling me was just her way of being polite. Unlike Cresida’s aunt my mother would have gladly let her in our front door, even to wait for me. I wasn’t ready for the bubble to burst and I knew it would inevitably, sooner or later. Somewhere in my mind, I knew this was now the catalyst. I worried that something had to crop up that would break us up or kill one of us. Whatever it was, it would bring this happy part of our relationship to an end. I thought about going to the cabin and asking them all to change me. I envisioned Sam ripping my head from my body, as a possibility, but I didn’t care and on my legs beat, closer and closer to the cabin, where I dared not go for months. I ignored the sick feeling, the knot inside my gut, which warned against the consequences of me arriving at the cabin.

  Running further my legs automatically pounded the asphalt, I kicked rocks smacked tree branches, gave the finger to a few cars that tooted me, as I had to run on the road because there was no path on this outer town roadway. My lungs burned from the cold late afternoon air. I gasped, but I didn’t stop, not to catch my breath or turn. I did not break into walk when I felt a stitch start to rise and eventually I saw the gate in the distance. It was covered by trees. I knew its unmistakable austere stone pillars and log post fence anywhere. I told myself I would just stop at the gate, but once I reached it I ran up the drive flanked by agapanthus and only broke into a walk, or more of a stride, when the house was only metres away. My breathing was laboured; I collapsed down onto my butt, against the outer wall, near the front entrance steps, under the shade of a short gnarled apple tree. My throat was dry and searing from the cold air as I caught my breath and the sun started to set.

  Once I had steadied my breath, I stood leaning over onto my knees and then full of coursing adrenaline, my wobbly legs jogged up to the door and I knocked.

  I was not invited, but something told me by now they would know I was here, whether they heard me out the front or smelt my scent. I was drenched in sweat.

  “Come in!” called out a male voice. I opened the heavy door. I could make out Jackson down the end of the hall at the back of the house standing side on to me, casually holding a plate. The air smelt of toast. He didn’t greet me but huffed and walked on. I couldn’t tell but I thought his head shook in disapproval or disbelief that I was there.

  I swallowed and walked down through the back of the house to the main living area where I hadn’t been since Reid had fought Sky the night Sam had taken me away in the weeks after Lily was killed. Although it had been only a few months it seemed a lifetime ago

  I shouldn’t have been surprised to see Sam on the couch, sitting up casually in the lounge area. She saw me, watched me before I noticed her sitting like a luxuriating queen on the furthest couch, her hair nearly as white as the leather.

  “Hello, Lila.”

  I noticed something had changed and I remembered the matching sofa and recliners used to be brown.

  “Did you change the furniture?”

  “We had to replace the set. Reid’s temper got a bit out of control, following certain goings on.” She gestured for me to sit beside her. I had the feeling I was very much expected.

  The room was cleared as if the members of the pack in this space had been feathers and I the breeze. As far as I could see everyone had dissolved away out of vision, conveniently as the sunset, or they were still out hunting. They had split into teams lately - Sky in one and Sam in the other. I glanced out of the large glass window and saw the last of Jackson’s clothing fall to the ground as he swiftly slid over the back fence, naked.

  I shifted uncomfortably.

  She breathed in then, almost sighing, her head tilted slightly.

  “We have been observing your transformation”. I knew then that this creature was the real Sam, not the reminiscent 1950s cheerleader act she put on for school, to win trophies for her dead sister.“You have shaken our little pack, since your arrival.” Her left brow waved and arched. “I think you and Sky will be a couple for keeps, don’t you?” She contemplated me with her hand on her chin.

  I had a feeling she wasn’t pleased by this.

  “I’ve never seen him so taken by anyone…and there have been a few.” She said it as if she expected a rise out of me. But any animosity I held was overestimated, probably from being measured against her own.

  “I’m here because Cresida wants to contact me. I don’t know why.” In fact I had no idea now what compelled me here - and Sky was not here, I thought growing anxious.

  She smiled, almost.“Why do you think?”

  I played innocent.“Because she’s worried about me, maybe she’s had a vision?” Seeing her seemed the lesser of two evils now. I stood alone with Sam eyeing me like I was defenceless prey, and I felt I was.

  “And why are you here?”

  “I know I’m not welcome but-”

  “Are you worried?” She obviously noted my sweaty body as my pulse increased.

  “About what?” I lied back.

  “You want to become one of us? Don’t you?” Her shimmering eyes beckoned me.

  “Yes.” I answered confidently - of that I was sure.

  “Tonight, Lila?” She was devoid of expression.

  I didn’t try to conceal my surprise. I wanted to scream ‘yes’ but I was clever enough to realize something was up; perhaps she was going to kill me. I felt like a lamb to the slaughter. Was this what happened to Cresida? I stood frozen to the spot.

  Would Reid and Sky save me?

  “Where is everybody?” I asked cautiously.

  “I think, hunting,” her truculent eyes flared in rapture during the uncomfortable silence.

  “Why, so you can eat me,” I barked bravely.

  She laughed then, seething. “Lila, it’s in my best interests to change you. Now that you’re here it’s the perfect opportunity. Sky would only interfere – it’s what you want?”

  “I’d rather he know,”I said,shifting uncomfortably.


  “He’d only try to stop me.” She slid from the leather couch and approached.

  “Where is he?” I looked around feebly for signs of him.

  “Hunting -the others are keeping him busy.” Her voice was gentle and sharp.

  “It sounds like that’s what you meant for them to do,” I said aloud. I was not quite sure if I was making sense. I began to feel light headed, which could have been attributed to the run.

  “Yes, they will keep him entertained elsewhere, and I will entertain you. You want to be changed into one of us, don’t you?”

  I wondered if these were orders and not questions. Be strong, I thought, but at the same time she was offering me what I ultimately wanted, no matter her motive.

  Though I knew there was no rush to become one of them, I felt that if I left it too long, I would change my mind or the opportunity would disappear. I wanted to trap myself into it as much as she wanted to tie me to it, which made her ruthless gift more powerful to resist.

  I was scared. Sky would be angry and despite my courageous front I was frightened. What about my mother?

  I couldn’t conceive much beyond those thoughts. My thinking became laboured. I was feeling the full force of her persuasion. My head swirled jumbled thoughts. I blinked as the world around me began to warp, the way it does when you are about to faint.

  She beckoned me closer, her pull was hard to resist. I didn’t know if I had not been so willing to change if it would have been easier to withstand. I took one stiff step towards her, pausing midway. I tried to think but no thoughts came. What was I doing?

  “You want to be one of us, like Sky, part of the pack. I can help you.” Her robotic mannerisms were turning sympathetic. Something she only had to employ when her power on its own was not enough.

  She moved towards me easily, coming at me smoothly from the side.