by Siobhan Muir
“Ho’a’tote jumped up and danced in gratitude for the Lady’s great blessing. But the Goddess raised one hand in warning.
“‘You must keep the knowledge of your special abilities within your People, Ho’a’tote. If the others see these gifts, they will not understand and may try to harm your People. Choose your confidantes carefully. Some will understand, others will only fear what you are.’
“The Lady sang a song of Change, and Ho’a’tote shifted from being only Wolf to sharing the shape of the Human Peoples. He was much colder in his human shape, but he had hands with which to manipulate tools to make a new coat and a warm shelter. He harnessed Lightning’s Fire and made friends among the Human People, bringing peace.
“His strength and wisdom pleased the Lady, and She offered his People one more gift, the gift of the mating bond, the knowledge of our True Mates. Ho’a’tote mated with a glorious she-wolf and she became his Luna, the Guardian of the Stories. The children of this Alpha Pair inherited their father’s ability to shift shape as promised, and thus began the Moon Singer People.
“Ho’a’tote is remembered as the First Canid of our People, the First Alpha of all the packs in the World, and we offer our prayers and blessings to Him for His wish to become more than just Wolf.”
There were other stories, of how the hierarchy was established and why, of the Luna and her role in the pack, of the Stances and the Kerstance, of the reasons for keeping the People hidden from the humans. Julianna learned them all.
“Sebrina, are all the other candidates learning these stories?” she asked one morning as they went for a walk through town.
“I don’t know, daughter,” the older woman confessed. “Each of them should have heard the Stories since they were children, but I don’t know if they know them. Many have forgotten the old ways and the First Canid. His teachings should have been carried down through the generations, but I’ve seen fewer and fewer who remember them or the blessings bestowed upon our People by the Lady Moon.”
“But isn’t it important that the Luna of the pack knows the Stories? Didn’t the Alpha say the Luna must be the Guardian?”
“He did, and he may believe that, but it has been a long time since a Luna was here to recite them, and an even longer time since the need for the knowledge has been enforced.” Sebrina shook her head. “I see our pack pulling further and further away from the old ways. Some change is good, like the Kerstance between father and son. But forgetting the teaching stories and the beginnings of our People can only bring hardship and despair.”
“Will I be tested for knowledge of the Stories?”
“Not directly. They are teaching Stories, and their value lies in understanding their underlying meanings. Using their examples in your responses to events in your life is the best way to show your knowledge of them.”
“Right,” Julianna grunted, and let it go.
Julianna’s interaction with the women of the Callowwood Pack increased in frequency with her candidacy. Many of the beta females sought her out, grateful for her approachability. Eloise Farkas, a friend of Tawny’s, invited Julianna to her bridal shower with a shy smile. She was engaged to Tommy Scatterstone, a low-level alpha who worked as a building and carpentry contractor.
Eloise had short, straight white-blonde hair cut longer in the front than at the back and her light blue eyes seemed to look through people with unnerving clarity. She had a straight nose and thin lips, small breasts and hips, and long, long legs. She reminded Julianna of a greyhound, ready to sprint away in a moment. Still, Eloise had a ready smile and an easy way with her friends, but Julianna could see sorrow lurking in the back of her eyes and wondered from what it stemmed.
The party was held at Nadine’s Salon and Day Spa in Leland, a small square building with an overhanging sign that provided a covered porch around the front windows and door. The place smelled like shampoo, fried hair, and nail polish, but Julianna also scented feminine satisfaction and contentment.
Tawny, JenniLynn and MaryBeth Grayhound, and Julianna were the only packmembers invited, and Julianna suspected her own invitation had been for political reasons. Not only was she a friend of Tawny’s, but more importantly, she was a candidate for Luna. Nothing brought more prestige than a bigwig’s presence at a party. Julianna didn’t mind. She liked going out with the other women, and the more time she spent with packmembers, the more she’d be accepted.
“Thank you for inviting me,” she said to Eloise as they waited in the foyer of the salon among the potted palms and ferns. “It’s nice to get out with the girls to be pampered every now and again. I haven’t done this in a very long time.”
Eloise smiled widely and chuckled. “I’m very glad you accepted my invitation. We’re happy to have you with us, and, well, Tawny said you were nice. Besides, you’re new to the pack, and I know it’s pretty lonely at first.”
“Haven’t you been in the pack all your life?”
“Yes, but not this one,” she conceded. “My family became part of the Callowwood Pack when our old Alpha died and most of the packmembers moved away. We used to live in a very small town, smaller than Callowwood. The change was really hard at first.”
“Wow. Your old Alpha didn’t have any heirs?”
Eloise shook her head. “I’m glad you’ve come home to Callowwood. I saw you at the dinner a few weeks ago and thought you were the only candidate who looked like she could actually take on leadership of the pack without losing herself to the position.”
“Really?” Julianna smiled, flattered. “This is such a big responsibility, and I wasn’t expecting it so soon after joining the pack. I hope I didn’t look like a complete and utter fool standing there among people who’d been doing this… you know, in this pack, for all their lives.”
“Oh, no, I thought you looked great,” Eloise insisted earnestly. “I know you probably don’t need too much encouragement, but I hope the Successor chooses you.” She shrugged shyly. “The others just don’t feel right for our pack.”
Julianna studied the other woman for a few long moments in surprise.
“They don’t ‘feel’ right? How?”
Eloise grimaced and scanned the lobby, her body language showing discomfort.
“I can’t really explain it. My father says I’m just being silly, but I keep feeling like the other candidates are too worried about themselves and what they can gain than they are about the pack as a whole.” She shrugged again. “I’m sorry. I’m probably wrong.”
“Don’t apologize.” Julianna shook her head, impressed with Eloise’s observations. “You may be right. I know I’m candidate for Luna, but I wouldn’t be needed if there were no pack to govern. Your observations are valid, and I’ll take them into account with my own conduct toward the pack and this competition.”
The bride-to-be blushed. “Thank you, Mistress Morris.”
“No, thank you,” Julianna replied earnestly. “I think all the candidates need a periodic reality check so our egos don’t get too out of hand. I’d rather have someone tell me the truth, no matter how unpleasant, than simply stroke my ego. Then nothing gets done.”
Eloise studied Julianna for long moments, her light blue eyes introspective. Julianna’s respect for the beta female increased exponentially.
“Mistress Morris, I pledge to always tell you the truth as I see it, no matter how difficult. Thank you for coming to my party.”
“You’re more than welcome.”
Eloise’s face creased into a real smile as Tawny and the Grayhound sisters appeared, chattering a mile a minute. Some of her tension dissolved as everyone giggled and laughed like teenagers at the mall. Eloise laughed with the others, but the scent of worry and unease tainted her fresh fragrance. Julianna watched the bride-to-be carefully as she agreed to a manicure and a haircut/wash, but she insisted on unscented shampoo. She’d discovered “lightly scented” bath products often flattened her with their overwhelming stench.
The atmosphere at the spa was festive, an
d all the women seemed to be enjoying themselves, but Eloise still broadcast sadness, and it grated on Julianna like an off-key piano. At one point in the evening, she found herself and Eloise seated side by side as they waited for their nails to dry. The other women chatted as the nail technicians worked on them, and Julianna decided to take the chance Eloise would talk about whatever was bothering her.
“When is the wedding again?” Julianna asked casually, catching the flash of worry and uncertainty in Eloise’s eyes.
“Two months from this Saturday.” Eloise kept all her attention on her nails.
“Are you looking forward to it?”
“Of course.”
Julianna nodded. “But…?”
Eloise gave her a sad, rueful smile. “Am I that obvious?”
Julianna laughed. “Well, the little black rain cloud over your head might be a hint.”
Eloise sighed and inspected her nails again. “I am looking forward to the wedding. Tommy’s a dream come true.”
“But…?”
Eloise tightened her lips and blinked back tears. “It’s my older sister, Nora. She’s supposed to be my maid of honor, but she’s missing.”
“Missing?”
Eloise nodded. “She hasn’t been seen for weeks, and no one can get a hold of her. She hasn’t been home, she won’t answer her cell phone, and she hasn’t even been online at all. My whole family is out of their minds with worry. What could’ve happened to her? She’s too strong for a rapist or a kidnapper to get a hold of, and she never goes this long without contacting people. The wedding is in two months, and I want her in it, but I’m so afraid she won’t be back in time. I’m afraid she won’t be back at all!”
Julianna reached out and squeezed her hand, heedless of their newly painted nails. “When was the last time anyone heard from her?”
“Four weeks.”
“Was she planning on taking a trip or maybe visiting friends somewhere?”
“I don’t know. She never said anything to me about it.”
“What’s your sister’s name?”
“Nora Farkas.”
“I’ll speak to the Alpha about it and see if he can think of any way to find her. He might know others who’ve seen her outside of Callowwood.”
“Oh, we don’t want to trouble the Alpha with—”
“Why not? She’s part of this pack, too, isn’t she?”
“Of course, but…”
“But nothing,” Julianna declared. “If she’s part of the pack and she’s missing, the Alpha needs to know about it. I’ll mention it to either him or Mr. Jeff Lightfoot, and we’ll see what can be done.”
Eloise’s eyes filled with wariness. “Why are you helping me?”
Julianna blinked in surprise. “That’s my job. If a packmember is missing, it’s up to the Alphas to find her.” She paused, thoughtfully. “Didn’t your old Alpha do that? Wasn’t he the protector of the pack?”
Eloise shook her head slowly.
Disgust surged through Julianna, and she clenched her jaw to keep from growling. No wonder this girl hasn’t said anything to Richard. Her family wasn’t able to trust their old Alpha.
“That’s terrible. The Lightfoots aren’t like that. They’ll do all they can to find your sister. We all will.” She squeezed Eloise’s hand once more. “I’ll mention it to the Lightfoots tomorrow, and something will be done. It’s going to be okay.”
Eloise gave her another long look. “Do you really believe that?”
“Yes. I know it.”
The bride-to-be would have said more, but the twins burst in from their massages full of enthusiasm. Laughing and giggling, they pulled Eloise up to her feet and whisked her away to a special couch were she could open the few gifts piled at her side. Julianna followed more slowly, her mind caught up on Nora Farkas.
The old Alpha must have been a real bastard to keep the family of a missing packmember silent. Julianna knew Jeff and Richard would have done something about it immediately if they’d known. She suspected Tawny didn’t know about Eloise’s missing sister, but Julianna would pass the news on.
She was glad to be included in the bubbling excitement and laughter, and she smiled as the others exclaimed over the gifts. Everyone was relaxed by the time the evening drew to a close. Julianna felt a little like an outsider, the one invited because of her rank rather than friendship. She admitted she felt a little lonely, but she didn’t doubt Eloise’s gratitude at her attendance. Pleading fatigue, she thanked Eloise for the invitation and stepped out the door.
Julianna felt the heat of the summer night envelope her, and she tried to shake off her loneliness. It was a nice evening and they were all happy I was there. No reason to feel melancholy. She took a deep breath and thought about her promise to Eloise. It was scary to think even a Moon Singer could end up missing. What could’ve happened to Nora?
Julianna meandered around the corner of the salon and dug in the pocket of her jeans for her phone, but suddenly stopped. The scent of the night had changed, and the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She inhaled deeply through her nose. The scents of malice and excited men pushed away all her other thoughts, and she felt her canines elongate in her mouth as a growl worked its way up from her chest.
She waited for her eyes to adjust to the limited light and listened hard. She stood near the edge of the building closest to the parking lot, which had only one street lamp casting weak light over the vehicles parked there. The wall to her left was solid cinderblocks with no doors or windows to break its concrete monotony.
Five men of varying size materialized out of the dark and closed in on her. Julianna slowly rotated her back against the wall, grateful none of them had gotten behind her. Four out of five were taller than she, but they all outweighed her by at least fifty pounds. She smelled alcohol and cigarettes on them, but their motions were sober.
Why couldn’t I get the really stupid bad guys my first time out?
If they’d been drunk, she could’ve kicked the shit out of them and they wouldn’t notice her speed or strength. Their leering expressions made her hackles rise, and her canines elongated again, but she kept her lips tightly closed. She’d have to be careful not to give away her species. She wondered if she could keep her secret without allowing these men to hurt her.
Like there’s any choice. Thank God I know tai chi. It might be slow, but it’s still kung fu. If she just sped up the moves a little, she’d be able to defend herself enough to either get to her car or back into the salon.
Julianna kept her eyes on all of them as she threw her purse strap over her neck and cinched it down tight. She took deep even breaths and settled her body into her “readiness meditation.” Her heart thundered in her chest, but she relaxed her shoulders and waited to see what they’d do first.
“Isn’t it a little late for someone like you to be out alone, little girl?” the bald one asked. She could see the edges of a tribal tattoo when he turned his head to nod at his buddies. A single silver ring hung in his right ear lobe.
“I’m not alone.” She watched the others peripherally. “My friends are coming out any minute now.”
“We’ll be long gone by then, little girl.” He stepped closer with an evil smile. “You just come with us and do it real quiet, okay?”
“Sorry, can’t help you with that one.” Julianna gathered her energy to move. “I’m not known for being either cooperative or quiet.”
“Now, don’t make this harder on yourself than it has to be,” he cajoled. “You know you’re outnumbered and outclassed.”
Humor uncurled inside Julianna and leaked out in an unladylike snort. Irritation spread across their faces, and someone darted toward her. She heard and smelled him, twisting away, only to lock her hands together and swing back, slamming her elbow into his gut. He bent in half over her arm, grunting painfully, and she shoved him backward until he tumbled into his fellows. The stench of his cigarette breath burned her nostrils as she remained in her defensive crouch,
listening to the fallen men struggling together in a cursing heap.
Part of her stopped in amazement at what she’d just accomplished.
Woo-hoo! Did you see that?
Focus! It’s not over yet.
Right, right.
The adrenaline of a fight zinged through her system, and she made herself pay attention to the other men. They appeared taken aback at her move, but their expressions hardened, and one closed in to throw a punch at the side of her head. She ducked and shoved both hands into his chest as she focused her chi through her arms.
Not too much strength, not too much strength, not too much strength!
Despite that, her blow hammered him hard enough to knock the breath out of him when he hit the ground. He flailed and wheezed, landing just within the spill of light from the windows of the salon. Julianna hoped one of the women saw him, but her attention was diverted when someone new grabbed her left arm.
This man stood shorter than her and smelled like burnt onions. Julianna shifted her weight into him, surprising him into loosening his hold, and shook off his grip as she kicked the side of her foot into his ankle.
She spun in a pirouette when he collapsed with a cry of pain and found herself nose to nose with Baldy Tattoo. He had blue eyes that widened as she threw her arms outward, removing his leverage, and brought her right knee up to nail him in the balls. He saw her move at the last second and shifted so she thumped his thigh, but she’d drawn one hand back and threw it forward so the heel of her hand crashed into his nose. He grunted in surprised pain and released her, his eyes tearing.
Julianna twisted sideways to get around him and heard the downed men get up, still cursing a blue streak. One lunged at her and met her foot with his throat. He choked and dropped to the side, clutching his neck. Julianna tried to ignore the triumphant howling of her Sister as she looked around to see where she was.
The windows and the door of the salon were to her left. She took a chance and bolted for them, but one last grab by a determined thug caught her arm. She used his stationary presence to swing around and smash the heel of her left hand into his face, dancing backward to slam into the door. With the last of her adrenaline strength, she shoved it open using her legs.