Howl (Howl Book 1)

by Kalani Zoldyck

  Michael didn't turn back around, though. His features changed slightly, but I couldn't read his expression. I could only feel the soft growl that was vibrating in my chest. Anger grew in my stomach, coursed up my ribs and through my throat until a harsher growl left my lips.

  "El," Cassiel cautiously spoke. His tone was full of concern.

  I broke out of whatever kind of trance I had been in, and turned to my friend in confusion. We stared at each other, studying one another, for a while. No one spoke. No one moved.

  "When is the full moon?" Michael asked suddenly.

  I frowned in confusion, but didn't answer, because Gabriel beat me to the punch. "We have two weeks to go."

  "But her birthday is next week." Josh interjected.

  I flinched away from Cassiel, so I was leaning against the cold leather door. I curled up, pulling my knees to my chest, and tried to breathe.

  I had forgotten about my birthday. Next week, on Thursday, I'd be turning 17. I'd finally be an adult in this pack. Michael wouldn't be able to label me a pup anymore. Then, in two weeks, I'd really be part of the pack. I'd be going through my first change, the one thing I'd been dreaming and thinking about since I really was a pup. And… I'd be doing all that alone.

  Mom and dad wouldn't be there.

  They wouldn't be there for my birthday.

  They wouldn't be there for my change.

  And there was nothing I could do about it.

  I sniffed and tensed when I felt Cassiel's arms wrap around me. He forced me to lean against him. "Hey, that is something to be excited about."

  "No it's not." I jerked, trying to get away from him, but Cassiel surprised me by showing some muscle. He wouldn't let me move.

  Michael mumbled something under his breath, before saying louder, "We need to get home." I hadn't realized that Michael had stopped the car until he sped up.

  CL

  Beep. Beep. Beep.

  I rolled over so I was lying on my back, and stared up at the ceiling. The room was completely dark, except for a sliver of light that was coming from the hole between the floor and the door.

  There wasn't a muscle on my body that wasn't sore. It felt like I had only just fallen asleep a second before.

  I groaned lightly and wiped my eyes in exhaustion.

  Beep. Beep. Beep.

  A few more seconds went by before I realized what was making that damn noise. I jerked out of my 'bed' and fumbled with the off switch of Cassiel's alarm clock. The beeping got faster and even more annoying with every second. I faintly thought about just slamming the stupid things against the wall. But, finally I shut the thing off.

  "ammhh…"

  I went completely rigid as I heard Cassiel shift around on his bed. I moved so I was sitting on my knees and looked up to my friend. He lifted his head, but a second later he was out.

  After I made sure Cassiel wasn't going to wake up again, I slipped out of his room.

  When we got home a few hours before, Alex had been waiting for us. He was all business and only dropped his mask when he asked how I was doing. There wasn't much tension, but I could practically see Alexander and Michael sending each other telepathic messages. Okay, so maybe that wasn't true, but they were definitely having some kind of silent conversation.

  I learned that Nathaniel was coming. Unfortunately he wasn't coming alone. Leonard and Caleb evidently survived the attack. They got out of it with no scratches, unlike my parents. That knowledge had made me bitter, but I tried not to let it show. It wasn't fair, at all, that the two people who that attack had been meant for were alive and well, while my parents were no where to be found.

  Because of this visit, I was now staying at the pack house. Don't ask me why, because I still didn't know. It was an order, and since I didn't feel like going a round with all of the Durand's that night, I didn't fight it.

  The hallway was dark and cold. My socked feet slid on the wood, but that didn't bother me. At least the floor didn't creak.

  I slowly crept down the stairs and grabbed the cordless phone as I went into the vacant living room. Without turning on the lights, I lounged on the couch and dialed a very long distance number.

  The line only rang once before it was picked up.

  "Yeah?" Vladimir had a very attractive voice. It was deep, smooth, and assured me that he'd fix everything. He'd always been able to do that for me. He was the organized one of Nathaniel's children. He could handle anything that came his way.

  However, at that moment, his voice was also thick with sleep. "Did I wake you up?" I frowned as I asked that; confused.

  "Elaine?" I could just see him shaking his head, like a dog in the rain, in order to wake up.

  I ignored his question. He'd figure it out sooner or later. "I'm assuming that I did." I stretched out my words to give me some time, as I scanned the room for an illuminating clock. Through the archway in the hall I saw the microwave. Then, very quickly, I calculated what time it would be in the U.S. "It's almost nine in the morning. Why aren't you up yet?" I started panicking, "I'm sorry. I thought you would have been up by now."

  "Don't worry about it." His throat was tight and I went on edge, "Hold on a second."

  "Who's that?" I tensed and shoved the phone more firmly against my ear. "Is everything okay?" It was a female's voice, but I didn't recognize it.

  "I'll be right back." Vlad waved away the woman's questions. His accent was thick with frustration. Then I heard some movement and a door shutting. "I'm so sorry about your parents, Elaine."

  For a second I didn't say anything. Then, after I pushed away the questions that had formed in my mind, I forced myself to concentrate. "That's actually what I'm calling about."

  "What can I do you for, dyevuchka?" One Vladimir's end of the line I heard him rooting around. From what I could make out, he was making coffee.

  "I need to know who Zak Maryland is." I told him quickly.

  Vladimir hummed a few notes before saying, "He's an idiot." He was obviously distracted, because he hadn't figured out why I was asking about him.

  I sighed, "So you know him?"

  Vlad thought for a second before starting, "Why do you…" He trailed off before bursting, "oh no."

  "What?" I jumped at the loudness of his voice.

  "You're not going anywhere near him." Vlad scolded. I knew, that if we were talking in person, that he'd be shaking his index finger at me like a lecturing father. "Yes, he has your parents, but it is not your responsibility to find them."

  "Why can't I help?" I grumbled. What was with everyone? No one seemed to think I could do anything except get into trouble.

  "Because you're too young."

  I growled, "I –"

  He cut me off, "I know. You're birthday is next week. Your present is already in the mail. But that doesn't mean anything. You haven't gone through your first change yet, and it takes years to develop enough strength and control to take on men like Zak Maryland."

  "But,"

  Vlad growled, but lowered his voice as he said, "Het." He spoke in Russian. "There are no buts. You shall wait for Alexei to handle the situation. I assure you, that my grandfather is doing everything within his power to find them."

  I frowned and waved my hand in a frustrated manner, "Yeah, but…"

  Vladimir cut me off again. He seemed to have made a habit out of it, or maybe it was just with me. "It may not seem like it, but I know that he is. Alexei will find them."

  After I let out a growl, I sighed, "I hate you."

  "I love you too." I heard the grin in his voice.

  Then I remembered something, "Hey, can I change the subject for a second?" That woman's voice didn't ring any bells. Of course, it wouldn't. I didn't know any of the women that Vlad had ever dated, so it didn't mean much that I didn't recognize the voice.

  "Go right ahead, little girl."

  A grin spread over my lips and I shifted around in my seat like a gossiping schoolgirl, "Who was that girl?"

  Vlad hissed through
his teeth like he was in pain, "Elaine…"

  "Oh come on, I need a distraction." I whined playfully and pulled a pillow into my lap as I sat up. The leather couch was soft and cool against my skin and I rested my head on the plush cushion.

  He chuckled lightly, "She's not really anyone."

  "Are you dating?" I switched gears.

  Vladimir made a choking sound in the back of his throat and I waited for him to say something. "Not really."

  I scrunched up my nose and my eyes went wide as I realized what was going on, "Oh my god."

  If Vlad was more modern I would have thought he'd be rolling his eyes, but Vlad didn't even know the word 'cool' had another meaning other than the temperature. "Don't make this into a big deal."

  "You had a one night stand." I mocked being outraged, "At least tell me that she' a werewolf."

  He didn't answer me and I gasped melodramatically.

  "And I thought I knew you!"

  I could visualize him wiping his face with his hands in aggravation, "Are you finished?"

  "No not yet." I clenched my teeth to keep myself from laughing, "You've disappointed me." Then, after I heard him sigh, I grinned, "Okay, now I'm done."

  "Look, El, I'll look into Zak Maryland and give the information to Alexander. That's all I can do for you."

  I closed my eyes and let myself relax, "Thank you, Vlad."

  "It's not a problem."

  "I miss you." I told him gently.

  "I miss you too." Vlad said, just as softly, "More than you know." He paused for a second and then his tone turned serious again, "Take care of yourself, you hear? Don't do anything stupid and listen to my grandfather."

  "I will," I smiled tiredly, "Goodnight."

  He echoed my goodbye and then I hung up. Once the phone was back on the charger I went back upstairs and got in my 'bed'.

  CL

  The week flew by and the next thing I knew, I was opening my eyes on my 17th birthday. The sun was barely up and the house was quiet. The silence and the cold greeted me as I pushed back the comforter.

  I was still at the pack house, even though Leo and Caleb were no longer staying with us. I just couldn't make myself go back to my house.

  Not even Josh was staying there. He was crashing on the couch downstairs.

  I had moved from Cassiel's floor to the room between his and Michael's room.

  I sat up and my gaze went to the only reason I was getting out of bed. A postage box was sitting on the dresser. I hadn't even opened it yet, even though it had arrived three days before.

  Once I ripped off the tape I was free to open my present.

  Vlad's gifts were always my favorite. He definitely wasn't the type of person to buy fuzzy slippers for someone. Last year he sent me the complete television series of House. It's not about werewolves, but I even got Cassiel addicted to it.

  There were two things in the box, but no card; which wasn't unusual.

  I bit my lip in anticipation as I pulled out a tape. 'Play me first' it instructed.

  I slid off my bed and, after changing into a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, I went over to Cassiel's room. He was just a lump on his mattress. Blankets were wrapped around him in bulk, and I laughed to myself. He wasn't one for the cold weather. Unfortunately, for him, Michael controlled the thermostat. The beta liked it cold.

  Then, with silent steps, I put the tape in his VCR and pressed play.

  I sat on the edge of Cassie's bed and stared at the blank screen. After a second the screen cleared and I was looking at Vlad's living room. I recognized it from what I've seen on the webcam.

  The camera moved before Vlad came into view. "I think its recording." Vladimir was taller than Pavel, but only just shorter than his father, but right now you wouldn't be able to tell. His shoulders were hunched as he collapsed on the couch.

  His hair was light brown, straight, and short. His eyes were darker than his hair with an olive tint.

  I smiled brightly and bounced on the mattress as excitement rushed through me.

  He greeted me in Russian as he leaned back and sat on his couch. "I'm sorry I couldn't be there today, Elaina." He clasped his hands together and shifted in his seat. I leaned on the bedpost. I smiled at the television screen. It wasn't everyday that I saw Vladimir. "I know today's a big day for you; one that you've been waiting for." He winked knowingly and a small laugh escaped my lips.

  "Anyway, I want you to smile a lot today, you got it? Try not to fight with Gabriel, listen to DaDa Mikhail, and don't run away when Alexei gives the toast." He mocked seriousness.

  I laughed softly.

  "Okay," He clapped his hands excitedly, "Now, open your present." He smiled broadly and laughed again, "I think I'm more excited about this than you are."

  I pulled out the wrapped gift and dropped the box on the floor in the process. I tensed and sent a quick glance over my shoulder. Cassie was still out like a light.

  "Come on, we're not going to save the paper!" Vladimir ordered; having fun.

  I ripped the paper off the present. My hands froze as they touched soft, but strong, leather. My jaw opened in a gasp, but the rest of me was silent. I couldn't form words.

  "Those were mine, a while back," I glanced up just in time to see Vlad wave his hand in a dismissive manner, "I thought you'd like them."

  They were wrist guards. What made them so amazing was the black wolf burned into them.

  "I'm sure you see the Luperco sign. And I know that you aren't part of their ranks, but I'm sure you won't get beheaded over wearing them. In fact, I'm almost positive that either dad or Alexei have plans to give you some more equipment." He paused, "Don't tell them I said that."

  I almost cried when Vlad started to say goodbye. I wanted him to be there, in the room. I wanted to hug him, thank him, and have him be with me at the party. But he wasn't. He was on the other side of the world.

  "Alright, devuchka, I have to go. I love you very much," He smiled gently, "Poka."

  The screen turned black and I sighed sadly. Every year Vladimir sent me a tape, when he couldn't make it, and every year I was sad when it ended.

  I put on the wrist guards and left the room in silence.

  "Hey birthday girl."

  My gaze snapped over to the stairs, where Pavel was leaning against the banister. He grinned at me, but I noticed the smile didn't reach his eyes. "How are you doing?"

  I just shrugged as I passed him.

  "Alex wants to see you at his house."

  I froze in my doorway, "Is he mad?"

  Pavel chuckled deeply, "I think he just wants to talk to you. Or give you a present. It's either one or the other." I nodded, to show that I had heard him, and slipped back into my room. Clothes were scattered over the floor around where my backpack was laying. I hadn't taken the time to unpack my things, so I was practically living out of my bag.

  I grabbed a sweater out of the bottom of the bag. As I pulled it out most of my possessions spilled out across the floor.

  I swore under my breath as I watched my alarm clock, which batteries were almost as old as me, eye liner that I never used, and clumps of socks rolled onto the wood. Then my eyes landed on a picture frame that I hadn't packed.

  Someone else must have stuffed it in there, most likely Josh, seeing as he was the only one with access to my stuff.

  My parents' faces gazed thoughtfully back at me.

  I choked slightly and quickly turned away. Then, while pulling on my sweater, I left. Pavel escorted me, with his arm looped through mine, over to the alpha's house. The Durand's, minus Cassiel and the cousins (aka Greg, Vlad, and Seb) were sitting in the kitchen.

  Michael was absently stirring his coffee while Nathan had his head resting on the table. Alex was the only one who didn't seem outwardly look sleep deprived, although I heard the accent rolling off his tongue as he said, "Good, Elaine, you're here."

  "Pavel said you wanted to see me." I stated the obvious.

  Alexander stood and stretched, without l
ooking vulnerable. "Thank you, Pavel." He told his grandson as he passed him. "Elaine, my office."

  I sent an anxious look over my shoulder, towards the youngest of Nathan's kids, and succeeded in making Pavel's eyes light up in a smile.

  Then, with a somber expression and clenched stomach, I followed my alpha into his casual office. Alex had two studies. One was formal. He put on a show of being the big bad wolf; the man you respected so much because you feared him. Then there was his casual office. To paint a picture, he had a toy basketball hoop on the back of the door.

  "How are you feeling?"

  I cracked a grin, "Pavel just asked me that." I watched Alex walk further into his office and lean against his desk. He seemed to be thinking about something, so I continued to blabber on. "I've been better."

  I fell silent when Alex pushed himself off the desk and walked over to the corner. He leaned down and when he stood up he was holding a sword.

  I watched his every step as he approached me.

  "You know," He grinned, "You are the only pup I've ever given a gift to, who wasn't blood related to me, when they reached this age."

  I went tense as I waited. I could feel myself shaking in anticipation. My eyes studied the sword and the Russian letters that were etched into the blade.

  "But, I've always thought of you as my daughter." He dropped his voice, so now he was speaking softly. It almost felt like I was talking to Cassie instead of his father. His voice was that gentle.

  "Thank you." I stammered.

  He gave it to me without a presentation, for which I was glad. "I thought I'd give it to you now, instead of at the party."

  Tears clogged my head as I stared at the object in my hands.

  "It had been mine, way back when." He said thoughtfully, "And it matches what Vladimir gave you."

  I chuckled gently; nervously.

  Then I hugged him. I hugged my alpha.

  After a second he wrapped his arms around me, "You deserve it, pup." He whispered into my hair. "Now all you have to do is get one of the boys to train you." He winked when he released me.

  I laughed through my tears.