by Lewis, D. C.
She could see the gas fumes rising from the tank, the blurry lines looking like heat waves on a hot summer day. The smell was also present, almost overpowering with its chemically sweet odor, especially to one like Kiera. While not exactly a bad smell, she didn't understand how anybody could tolerate inhaling those types of fumes in an effort to become intoxicated. The whole idea seemed ludicrous but there had been a case of it happening on campus this past year. The last she heard, the student had permanent brain damage. She considered it to be Darwin's Law at its finest and lacked the least bit of sympathy.
As Katrina was emerging from the store carrying one of those white plastic bags that dominates landfills, laden with whatever goodies she found to her liking as a Lycoan, Kiera tried Brandon's number once more with the same result. When the voicemail greeting came up this time, Kiera berated Brandon for not answering his phone, letting him know that he would have to make it up to her. She wasn't panicked about his absence, more of a concern, wanting to know where he was. There was a part of her that wondered if he was out on a date and even though she knew that to be highly unlikely, she was still hit with a pang of momentary jealousy.
“Knowing Brandon he probably has his face buried a computer and doesn’t hear the phone,” she said to herself, surprised at how she was feeling about the whole thing and trying to convince herself that there was no “other woman”.
She contemplated running by his house when she got back to town, but knew that Katrina would never go for it.
"Everything fine?" Katrina asked as she came to the driver's side to give Kiera her water. Kiera could smell the beef jerky lurking in the bag as well and the back of her mouth started to salivate with the thought of biting into the flavorful meat.
"Yes, just tired and ready to be home," Kiera replied, not wanting to tell Katrina about her failed attempts to get up with Brandon.
"I know Kiera, only another forty-five minutes and we will be there," Katrina assured her daughter.
"Well, might as well get started," Kiera said as she started her engine, the five-hundred ten horsepower screaming to life. Waiting for Katrina to get back to her car and get it started, Kiera eased out of the parking lot and took a right turn to get back on the main road towards home. She wasn't the only one ready to get home.
Watching her daughter take off in her new car, Katrina followed suit, taking her designated spot in the rear. She felt that the past three days had gone well. She was surprised at her daughter's choice of vehicle, and imagined that her daughter was surprised at the lack of lecturing. It hadn't been easy for Katrina to hold her tongue at certain points of the trip, wanting to reiterate her desire for Kiera to take over the pack. She had let it slip when Kiera informed her of the upcoming camping trip, but then Kiera had so deftly turned Katrina's words against her. Even though it was infuriating, at the same time, she was pleased with how skillfully and effortlessly Kiera was able to do it.
"What a fine Alpha she will make," Katrina said aloud.
Yet, Katrina was ready to get home as well. While she had valued the time she was able to spend with her daughter, many things were going on that needed to be addressed and they all revolved around Larissa.
Pulling her cell phone out of her front pants pocket, Katrina called her second-in-command, Vivian. The luminous keyboard lit up the interior of the dark car, silhouetting Katrina's sculpted face. Exhausted from all the driving she had done in the past few days, Katrina's patience was even less than it normally was, and not in a mood to put up with any more than she had to. She got right to the point when Vivian answered.
"News?" she demanded.
Being the second-in-command afforded Vivian certain opportunities. She didn't have to genuflect in the same manner as the other members of the pack, forgoing the "Lakaia" title and just answering the question.
"Nothing new. Larissa and the missing three still haven't been located. We have kept an eye on the van at all times but nothing has changed, it hasn't moved."
"Have we figured out how that van was able to get back into town unnoticed?" Katrina inquired, not wanting to come out and ask if there were a traitor in their midst. Having been with Katrina for decades, Vivian had learned to read her Lakaia's implied questions. It was a skill that had formed over a relationship that reached back so far that neither one could imagine life without the other. Other than her daughter, Vivian was the only person who had Katrina's complete and uncompromising trust. There was never any question about Vivian's loyalty. Falling back into the role of friendship they had shared for so long, Vivian dropped any semblance of formality and answered openly and honestly.
"Katrina, I know what you are getting at. I don't think we have a turncoat in the pack. There really is only one way to get to that section of town and I thoroughly grilled the two who were on watch. The van somehow managed to slip through the cracks, whether it was during a change of watch or while someone wasn't paying attention, I don't know, but I don't believe it was intentional, just bad luck, timing, or whatever."
A deep sigh on the other end confirmed Katrina's relief. Vivian knew the weight this suspicion had put on Katrina's shoulders. She had felt it as well.
"I have just been waiting for you to get back so you can decide what punishment you think is suitable for their lackadaisical attitude about watch," Vivian finished.
"Viv," Katrina began, falling back on the way that they had addressed each other as children, a lifelong bond that few, if any, Lycoans knew about. "Things have just been so crazy recently. Each time a new issue presents itself, it seems like two more follow in its footsteps. The past few months have been plagued by nothing other than bad news. I don't know how much longer I can keep this up."
"I know, Kat," Vivian responded, using the shortened version of Katrina's name that she used only when nobody else was in earshot. "A lot of bad things have seemed to be going on lately. I do feel that some of this is our fault though, we should have dealt with Larissa a long time ago, a more permanent solution," she said, the finality in her voice hinting at what she meant by "permanent."
"You're right," Katrina agreed, "I underestimated her. I never thought she would actually do all this. While she has always questioned my leadership, it was inconceivable for me that she would really go through with harming Kiera. I take responsibility for this. I had a chance to correct it and chose not to, if only I could turn back time! I would give that coward what she so rightfully deserves!" Katrina screamed, her grip on her phone tightening to the point where she heard the plastic start to crack and pop. Quickly bringing her temper back under control, she relaxed her hand before she caused any permanent damage to the tiny device.
"There are many things I would like to go back and change," Vivian chuckled on the other end, "But unfortunately that option isn't available to us."
Her long time friend's jovialness was contagious and Katrina couldn't help but laugh in turn, "I know what you would go back and change," she chided.
"Oh boy, I really set myself up for that one didn't I? Let's not bring that particular instance up again," Vivian pleaded, "Having the experience just once was enough to last a lifetime."
Katrina couldn't help herself and burst out in laughter. It felt so good to be able to let her guard down for a little while and share in a chuckle with a friend or rather, at a friend's expense.
"How is Kiera doing?" Vivian asked in an attempt to change the subject.
"She is my daughter," Katrina answered, "As strong-willed and hardheaded as ever."
"Then she definitely takes after her mother," Vivian interjected.
"Ha!" Katrina retorted. "She makes dealing with me look like a walk in the park. It took her three days to decide on a replacement vehicle."
"What did she get? Another BMW?"
"Actually no, she got an SUV instead, a Range Rover, if you can picture that."
"To be honest, I can see that, a big powerful car to match her big powerful personality. Did you discuss her ascension?"
; "No, I didn't, I have decided to let things be. After her Lycoan side communicating with her and her 'change', I have decided to just let things happen on their own. Her Lycoan side will only be suppressed for so long, eventually she is going to have to deal with it."
"Can we afford to take that gamble? You yourself have said that your grip on the pack is loosening. With all that has gone on, you are going to be seen as weak and might be challenged more. To put it bluntly," as she always did, "if something doesn't change soon, you won't be Alpha a year from now. I am concerned if you can last even six months at this rate."
"Trust me, I have thought long and hard about this. Any attempt I make at trying to force her to accept her responsibility only pushes her farther away. The more I wanted her to 'change', the more resistant to the idea she became. It was her Lycoan nature finally stepping in and taking control that led to that, not me."
"I understand that Kat, but we can't wait another eighteen years for it to happen again."
"It won't, not now. You remember the first time you 'changed', the desire you had to do it as soon as you could? I don't think Kiera consciously wants to 'change' again but I will bet anything on the fact that she is curious about it, thinking about what happened and how she felt. That alone would eventually persuade her to 'change' again. My only concern at this point is the influence of her friends. She has decided on going camping with a group of them from school this week. I really don't think it is a good idea, especially with Larissa on the loose, but Kiera isn't deterred, actually using my own words against me as a justification for her going. The one that really concerns me is the Phelan kid that she has such an attachment to. He really seems to be able to influence her attitude. He has been encouraging her to go back to school next semester. I am doing everything I can to dilute his influence but Kiera really values his opinion."
"Is this something that needs attending to? Does this kid need to have an 'accident'?"
"No, I don't think it has gotten to that point yet. It would probably only further Kiera's desire to denounce her Lycoan side if something happened to him. Let's not risk that, besides, now with her Lycoan side being awake and actually talking to her, I doubt she will be able to resist the 'change' for more than a few months."
"That's good to know. I still can't believe her Lycoan side actually talked to her, I have never heard of that."
"Neither have I but I couldn't have let Kiera know that, she would have just freaked out even more. My eyes almost popped out of my head when she told me about it."
"I can imagine," Vivian said as she drew a mental picture of the event. "Your daughter is definitely special."
"Yes, she is," Katrina agreed, "Maybe more than we know."
A soft grunt signaled Vivian's agreement. Kiera was indeed special but to what degree, neither Katrina nor Vivian fully understood. But that became secondary to the main concern of getting her prepared to take over the pack.
"Keep an eye on things," Katrina said.
"Don't I always?" Vivian replied in an annoyed tone.
"Yes, I guess you do," Katrina enjoyed teasing her old friend from time to time. While it was playful, it also gave a subtle reminder as to who was in charge. Not that it was necessary with Vivian, but this was so ingrained in Katrina that she did it without thinking.
"I'll be home in about an hour, I don't really see the need to meet tonight, we can deal with everything tomorrow," Katrina went on.
"There is nothing that requires your attention right now anyway. We will keep an eye on Kiera while she is out roughing it in the woods. Go home and get some rest, I hear you old folks need as much as you can get," Vivian stated, in an attempt to pay Katrina back for her earlier comment.
"You should know," Katrina replied. "We're the same age," and immediately hung up before her friend had the chance to get in the last word.
Feeling significantly better after her conversation with her oldest friend, Katrina allowed herself to let go of some worries. She didn't know what she would have done without Vivian's support, but more than that, her friendship. The role of the Alpha female wasn't the easiest one. Sure it looked great being in control, having a large home, and a successful business, but with all that came a lot of responsibility. Katrina was constantly having to make decisions that affected not only her, but the pack as a whole. Over the decades, it had slowly started to wear her down and she was making decisions that weren't the best. Larissa, for example, was a mistake. She should have dealt with her rebellious attitude many years ago instead of tolerating it.
In her mind she was telling herself that disagreement was good for the pack, that through it new ideas came forth and the pack was able to grow and adapt to the changing times. Dissension at times could be healthy but she had allowed Larissa to carry it too far. That was another reason it was so important for Kiera to take control. Even though she was her mother's daughter and they possessed many similarities, Kiera would have a fresh perspective on things. While many would be resistant to change, they would understand the need for it in order to avoid stagnation. So many things were going on that it was a luxury to have a friend like Vivian where Katrina could vent and seek counsel.
Although Katrina had the final say, she always took Vivian's opinion into account and weighed her responses carefully. It was Katrina's hope that she and Vivian both would be able to do the same for Kiera once she took over.
A glance over to the green sign on the side of the road, so efficiently reflecting her headlight's rays back into her own eyes, revealed another thirty-seven miles until she hit town. It was always this part of the trip that lasted the longest for her. One would think that after centuries of life, she would have developed a certain amount of patience, and in many ways, that was true for Katrina with only this exception. The desire to be at her home, her sanctuary, was all-encompassing, part of her Lycoan nature that had been passed down to each generation, the need to be close to their den.
It was less than thirty minutes later that Katrina was following the familiar road to her house. Still trailing Kiera, she had noticed her daughter's speed picking up slightly as they neared home. Typically such speeding would result in a scolding but Katrina felt a certain amount was justified since she was feeling the urge herself. The dark forest bordering her on both sides gave the sense of being in a tunnel, and the overcast sky not revealing the slightest hint of a star, furthering that feeling.
Rolling down her window to let the night air wash over her face, Katrina noticed that not even the night life was active. It was as if she and her daughter were the only two people in the world. It was an interesting notion and one that she allowed her mind to wander with, exploring different scenarios but finally coming to the conclusion that it wouldn't simplify matters, possibly even make them worse. Had she been paying attention she might have noticed the large shape deftly moving through the trees on silent feet, effortlessly keeping up with her and Kiera. A large shape that was headed for the same destination.
Twenty-Seven
It was by pure chance that The Watcher happened to come upon Kiera and Katrina. Having been missing for the past three days, seemingly without any notice, The Watcher had wondered if they had picked up their belongings and moved. It would definitely simplify things if that were true but The Watcher still had unfinished business to which it wanted to attend and that business required the continued presence of the Hemming family.
The Watcher had been keeping up with its nightly watch over the Hemming property, though it was forced to find a new spot temporarily since some of the local wildlife had managed to raid the Hemming trashcan and bring their bounty to The Watcher's lookout spot. Trash and a multitude of foods in various states of decomposition decorated the once-clean spot, emitting a smell of decay that would overwhelm most creatures, The Watcher included. But somehow this seemed to be appealing to others.
Signs of a struggle were also evident, the conflict that resulted from multiple creatures vying for access to the same piece of food,
not noticing there were dozens of pieces just like it lying around, focusing only on what as directly in front of them, their territorial mentality manifesting itself physically.
While having to find a new location was not the most convenient of tasks, The Watcher was somewhat grateful for the chaos that had been unleashed in the clearing. The Watcher admitted to itself that it had become complacent over the past few weeks. It had become so comfortable in its lookout spot that it had become lax in making sure no footprints or other identifiers that would reveal its presence were visible. The fighting over the scraps of food and subsequent physical confrontations had torn the ground up to the point where no tracks at all were apparent, only an intertwining of markings that would be indistinguishable even to the most trained eyes.
It would do no good for The Watcher to be discovered now, to have Kiera or her mother find its spot and see its tracks. The Watcher didn't want to draw any attention to itself. It was already having to dodge patrols of others of its kind. As a direct consequence of the night, it almost was able to finish off the quarry it had been stalking for so long.
The evasion of the patrols proved to be easy. The Watcher wondered how these creatures were able to survive as long as they had since there was such an inattention to detail and their surroundings. It was quite pathetic, The Watcher thought, but even still, they could get lucky and stumble across its vantage point of the Hemming house and thus be alerted to The Watcher's nighttime activity. Again The Watcher had worked too hard to have its plan foiled by something as elementary as a footprint.
Katrina was another matter. The Watcher was certain that she would have no difficulty in detecting its presence, which is why The Watcher took extra precautions anytime Katrina was in the area. Right now, it was making certain to stay in the deepest shadows of the forest so that it blended in with its surroundings. It made sure to not look towards the car, using its peripheral vision to keep an eye on the cars, or to open its mouth else a random beam of light might reflect off a retina or tooth and draw Katrina's attention. And as always, it made sure that the wind wasn't blowing its scent towards Katrina. Even going her current speed, a stray gust of wind could carry The Watcher's scent to Katrina's ever-ready nostrils. Once again, The Watcher had worked too long, come too far, to be derailed by something so silly.