Silver-White (The Great North Woods Pack #1)

by Shawn Underhill

  “I hope you’re right,” he said without looking at his niece.

  Inside they placed Erica on the couch in her grandfather’s study. Janie felt her niece’s forehead; then placed a cool pack over her head.

  “Can’t you stay, Mom?” Evie asked. “What’s one more day?”

  “Maybe I should,” she said to Earl and Ruth. “She’s very hot.”

  “I don’t know,” Earl said, pacing uncomfortably. “Is she hotter than Evie was?”

  “I think so.”

  “Please stay, Mom,” Evie said.

  “I don’t know what’s worse,” Earl said, “standing here helplessly all day or being on the road.”

  “I can get another flight,” Janie said. “I’d like to stay. And it might not be a bad idea to call Doctor Wilson, if she gets any warmer.”

  “Good grief!” burst Evelyn Snow. “You people act as if I’ve had no experience in this matter. Do you all suppose the house will cave in because Joe’s away for a day?”

  As several of them began speaking at once, Matthew caught Evie’s attention and motioned her to follow him from the study. Evie looked around for a moment at the faces of the adults; then she followed her cousin out of the room and away from the brewing argument. They were in the kitchen before they spoke.

  “We might better keep our distance,” Matthew said in an unusually soft, serious manner. “Things get pretty tense when the fever hits the kids. It’s best to keep out of their way and stay quiet.”

  Evie nodded. “I see what you mean.”

  “As much as they like to act like they’re in control, they know they’re not. That’s why they lose it easily.”

  “What exactly is the fever?” Evie asked. “I barely remember anything of mine.”

  “It’s Ruach,” Matthew said. “The spirit wolf entering the body.”

  Evie raised her brows. In her mind she was picturing the white wolf from the cabin.

  “The change begins because it’s in the blood line,” Matthew explained. “The body can’t help it. But Ruach finishes it when he gives a part of his spirit to the human to control. The fever is from the shock. The human body can barely handle what it’s been given. It’s dangerous stuff, even with medicine to control the fevers. Some relatives have died from it.”

  “I just found that out before you got here,” Evie said.

  “Our uncle Justin was one. He died at like … eighteen or nineteen.”

  “That’s terrible,” Evie murmured.

  “Don’t worry, Red, Erica will be just fine. She’s a tough little brat.”

  “I think so too,” Evie agreed.

  The voices from the study were getting louder now, the conversation more heated.

  “But we aren’t parents,” Matthew said. “It’s easier for us to keep our cool.”

  “So what do we do? Make coffee? Try to keep the peace?”

  “Nah, stay right out of their way, trust me,” Matthew said. “We shouldn’t leave, but let’s go for a walk or something to give them some time.”

  Evie took one of her grandfather’s lined shirts from the coat closet. To her it was a little cool outside.

  “Does it hurt?” she asked, motioning to Matthew’s side. They were walking in the wet grass to the horse pasture.

  “Not now,” he said. “It hurt like hell last night when I shifted human. I paced around the yard for like two hours, putting it off as long as possible. The wolf handles pain much better.”

  “I’m sorry it happened in the first place,” Evie said. “Thanks to me, you have scars now.”

  Matthew scoffed. “They’ll be light in no time. And don’t give me that crap. I deserved to get clawed.”

  “They wouldn’t have come here if they weren’t looking for me.”

  “They might not have crossed the boundary line, but they still come nearby sometimes, to test our patience. Either way, I know better than attacking a cat the way I did. It was very stupid. I got exactly what I asked for.”

  Evie looked at him crossly. “How do you figure? It’s your land.”

  “Doesn’t matter. Young wolves aren’t supposed to take on a cat alone. Especially not an older cat. Our aggression gets the best of us, and the wise cats take full advantage of the fact.” He touched his side. “That’s how we end up clawed. Hasn’t Grandpa been talking with you?”

  “We haven’t had time. It’s been crazy around here,” Evie said. “Are they better fighters than us or what?”

  “Not better, just different. We kill primarily with our mouth. They use their claws first, then their mouth once their victim is badly disabled. Wolves like to circle and fight with their shoulders, using brute force and quick strikes to the throat. These cats like to lay low, play defense and wait for the chance to use their claws.”

  “Good to know,” Evie muttered.

  “It’s real good to know,” Matthew said with a laugh. “Don’t ever forget that. Using your head is the only way to defeat a cat without getting clawed. Clearly I didn’t use mine.”

  “Another young wolf thing?”

  “It sounds funny but it’s true. I just got so worked up I didn’t even give the warning call like I was supposed to. I smelled it and went to check. Then I saw it, warned it, and I just lost my head and charged it. Left the door wide open for him to dig me.”

  They were near the pasture now. Matthew leaned on a fence post. Evie called to one of the horses and turned to her cousin. “Did it really say my name?”

  “He said, basically, that he wasn’t interested in fighting me, he wanted to see the Snow. I knew he sure didn’t come to visit Grandpa. He meant you.”

  “Sorry,” Evie mumbled with her eyes on Chappy the horse.

  “Hey, I said don’t give me that,” Matthew insisted. “I wanted to fight him even before he said that. Hell, I just plain wanted to fight. That’s the truth of it.”

  “Was it your first fight?”

  “Second. I fought one cat up in Maine last year, but that was in training with other wolves around. Last night was all real. What we train for. My old man sure saved me. He was only a little ways behind me, thankfully, and he grabbed that first cat right by the tail while it was tearing me up. Then the second cat came in, and it was a hell of a scuffle until some of the other relatives arrived. They usually back right down once they’re outnumbered.”

  “Smart.”

  “They are. Sometimes, anyway. Plus they’ve received mercy from Grandpa before. Some of them know he won’t let us kill them.”

  “It sure looked like you almost killed him. That one was a mess when I got there.”

  Matthew laughed slightly. “I can’t take credit for that; I barely landed one solid bite on him. It was Grandpa … the one they expected mercy from. He messed him up bad.”

  “Well, he was super mad when he left here,” Evie said.

  “He was even madder by the time he got to us. There was about four or five of us by then. We had the cats in a circle when Grandpa came crashing in like hell on wheels, and that first one that had dug me up hissed “Snow” in a real nasty way. Well, Grandpa just flipped the kick-ass switch and went to work on him. That second cat didn’t even try to help. We all thought Grandpa would kill him. But, somehow he stopped himself.”

  “He has full control, doesn’t he?”

  “That he does. That’s the deadliest kind of wolf, right there. Even when he’s in a rage he can still think, can still see the right moves to make at the right time. And he can pull it back right before he goes over the edge.”

  “He and Eli kept me from getting clawed,” Evie said thoughtfully. “I wanted to jump right on that cat.”

  “That’s exactly what they wanted you to do. Our scruffs are a lot tougher than our bellies, and they know it well. When a wolf stretches out for a throat bite, the cat takes its swipes.”

  Evie shook her head. “It’s crazy to think there’s a person in there … under that cat … that wants to kill us.”

  “It’s strange, for
sure,” Matthew said. “You and I are people, and we’ve both felt the urge to attack them.”

  Evie nodded unhappily.

  “That’s the only reason Grandpa’s lenient with them; they’re half human. He’s even been friendly with one or two of them before. He won’t kill unless he’s left without a choice. None of us do much killing at all, around here.”

  “Around here?” Evie said. “Do I dare ask?”

  “I keep forgetting you haven’t had our special home school classes,” Matthew said with a grin. “The bottom line is, not all wolves are as nice as Grandpa. Some of our Maine relatives are straight-up militant. Have you heard of Abel?”

  Evie shrugged. “No.”

  “Oh man, Red, wait until you see him. He’s bad. In a cool way. A true wild one.”

  “Who is he?”

  “Grandpa’s brother. The only wolf Grandpa can’t, or doesn’t try to, assert his authority over. His given name is Abel, but his nickname—don’t ever say this around Grandpa—is Cain.”

  “The murderer,” Evie mumbled. “How cute.”

  “He earned that nickname honestly. He’s a killer, no joke. Sometimes, in his kinder moods, he trains the younger wolves to fight. That’s what I meant earlier by training. You’ll get your chance. Just wait till you see him, Red. Scariest thing I’ve ever seen in my life.”

  “I’m not sure I want to see him.”

  Matthew laughed but stopped himself short of saying anything more.

  “What?” Evie said after a moment.

  “Nothing. It’s just … you might not have a choice but see him, if Grandpa sends you up there for training.”

  “I’d rather have Papa train me. And you, and Eli, and Uncle Lester.”

  “Uncle Lester’s pretty bad, but he’s no Abel.”

  “Well, I don’t think I want to kill anything,” Evie said, running her hand over Chappy the horse’s big cheek. He was leaning over the fence to get closer to Evie, in hopes of more carrots. “I know I don’t,” she added. “It’s just not me.”

  “That’s good, Red,” Matthew said. He put his big arm around her and squeezed her. “That’s how Grandpa is, and that’s how he trains us to be. Just the same, though, you should learn some skills.”

  “I guess you’re right,” Evie said. “But last night, after my stupid move, I went for a run with Eli and Sara and those Wilson wolves, and I had so much fun just … running and playing. It was amazing. So much better than being angry and wanting to fight.”

  “I understand,” Matthew said.

  Evie smiled, remembering the night. “I ate two fish.” She could barely say the words without laughing. “I caught them myself and just chomped them right down.”

  Matthew laughed and gave his cousin a shake. “You vicious fish killer.”

  Evie was still laughing. “But fish aren’t half human.”

  “True, true.”

  Evie stopped laughing now. After the light moment, a new concern had entered her mind. “What kind of a wolf do you think Erica will be?”

  “Oh, who knows,” Matthew said, taking his arm back and leaning over the fence. “Some think she’s gonna be nasty just because she’s impatient. Me, I’m not sure. I’d like to think she’ll be cool, after she settles down. All of us need a little time to settle.”

  “Listen,” Evie said. “Keep this between us for now, okay?”

  “You got something that good?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Shoot. I’ll keep it under my hat.”

  “Erica saved my hide yesterday,” Evie blurted. “I’m dead serious.”

  Matthew said nothing at first. He only looked at his cousin, waiting.

  “We were heading down to Cold Springs and a moose crossed the road. She swerved in time to miss it, but then—I don’t know if it was the shock or what—I actually tried to chase it. I was literally a few steps away from shifting, I think. All that stopped me was Erica, thinking fast and holding me back.”

  Matthew whistled. “That’s some serious stuff. Down south of town, there are cats in those woods for sure.”

  “I didn’t know that at the time.”

  “My sister did.”

  “Exactly. My point is … Erica’s more concerned about others than she lets on.”

  “I know that,” Matthew said, in about the most serious tone he was capable of.

  “Well, I don’t think everyone should expect the worst from her before she’s even finished the change.”

  “I’m with you there.”

  “She proved herself to me, anyway. But I don’t know if I should tell anyone else.”

  “Nah, don’t say anything for now.”

  Evie turned her head to look at the nearest of the barns. It had been a relief to share her story. She felt better already. “Do you think Eli knows about Erica’s fever?”

  “I don’t know. I’ll bet he’s down there, though.”

  “Let’s go check.”

  “Let’s see if old Chap follows you,” Matthew said.

  -15-

  “There’s excitement in the air,” Eli said when he’d heard of Erica’s fever. “Something’s stirring; the whole pack has felt it.”

  “Like the old days?” Matthew said.

  Eli looked at Evie, who was patting Chappy again after he’d entered the barn in pursuit of her soft hands. “Back when Grandpa was young,” he said, “they tended to change a little younger. The environment wasn’t as controlled as it is here and now. Little kids grew up seeing the wolves as a normal fact of life.”

  “That would scare me half to death,” Evie said. “I’m glad I never saw one till now.”

  “Grandpa agrees. He likes to let the kids be kids for as long as possible.”

  “That’s the problem with Erica,” Matthew said. “She don’t wanna be a kid. Never has.”

  “She’s getting what she wanted,” Eli said. “Let’s hope she pulls through okay. The hotter the fever is, the hotter the wolf that usually results.” He took his phone from his pocket. “Sarah will want to know,” he said, and he took a few steps away to make the call.

  Evie looked to Matthew. “The hotter the wolf?”

  “Wilder. They wake up ready to raise some serious hell.”

  “Were you hot?”

  “Nah, I was average. Most of us are.”

  “You know,” Evie said, crossing her arms, “I used to think of this town and this farm as the most simple, tranquil place on earth. Y’all hide the craziness very well.”

  “It’s not always quite this exciting,” Matthew reminded her. “The most action we’ve had the past few years is tearing down game cameras. Now and then a hunter puts one up near one of our borders. They’re looking for deer and moose, but we’re afraid they’ll catch a shot of one of us instead.”

  “I never even thought of that,” Evie said.

  “It’s one more reason why young wolves are kept close to home. If someone gets a picture and realizes they’re seeing a wolf of our size, it’s gonna bring a lot of attention we don’t want.”

  “Exactly,” Eli broke in after his phone call; then quickly changed the subject. “Maybe I should go up to the house,”

  “They were just getting ready to lite into each other when we left,” Matthew warned him.

  “I’m not going back in for a while,” Evie said. “No one has left yet, so I guess that means my mom is staying another day.”

  “Yeah,” Eli said thoughtfully, “I’ll go up and check in. I feel like I should.”

  Evie looked to Matthew again. “I’m good here. At least horses and cows don’t yell.”

  “No they don’t. I’ll stay with you. It’s gonna be a long day, Red.”

  For the next two hours Evie brushed and tended horses, one of her old, favorite pastimes. Matthew took over Eli’s cattle chores. During that time half a dozen vehicles passed the barns moving in the direction of the house; none left. Evie knew her mother had decided to stay. She was glad. Glad for her mother’s presence but still
worried for Erica. Even the calming effect of caring for the horses couldn’t drive the worries completely from her mind. And the one person she knew who could reassure her, could truly make her feel like everything would be all right, was a thousand miles away by now, somewhere in the sky between New England and Montana.

  “The situation is fairly good in there,” Eli told Evie when he finally returned to the barn. “Erica’s hot but stable. You’re safe to go in, I’d say.”

  “Whatcha think?” Evie said, looking to Matthew.

  “I need food either way,” he answered rubbing his belly.

  The two cousins walked out of the barn and up to the house, going straight for the kitchen as they entered. Most of the family was on the far side of the great room, near the study doorway. They made roast beef sandwiches and ate at the island bar before taking their turn to look in on Erica. She was very pale. The two went back out to the great room. Evie took the time to catch up with several relatives. It was good to visit, but the hours passed slowly and uncomfortably.

  It was mid-afternoon when Erica woke for the first time. She opened her eyes to the large crowd of family gathered around her and asked weakly for water. After she drank, she passed out again.

  The fever broke early in the evening. Erica’s pulse had increased greatly within the last hour, and she’d been sweating and shivering. Then, when the family could be no more worried, and they were on the verge of calling the doctor, she awoke.

  The scene was like something from a horror movie. One moment she lay muttering in her sleep, and the next moment she shot up straight on the couch. Her eyes were wide, her face crinkled up, and her breathing was like she’d just sprinted a football field.

  As the family began clapping and cheering, Evie held back during the first few minutes of Erica’s consciousness, allowing Uncle Earl, Aunt Ruth and Matthew to be nearest to her. When she heard her name being called, she worked her way through the crowd to the side of the couch where Erica still sat amongst strewn pillows and wrinkled blankets.