by Sky Winters
“She’s already opened the door,” Johnny said, sounding hard. “We have no doubt Dominic's amassing a pack of his own to contest us for power in these lands.”
“That sounds like--”
“It’s going to come to a battle,” Johnny said.“We’ll have no choice but to fight.”
“What does that mean?” Savannah asked.
“If we lose, all those loyal to the root pack will be destroyed,” Gordy said slowly.
“You mean they'll kill us?” Savannah asked, horrified.
“Land is sacred and holy,” Johnny said. “It has power, and it will not bend to the will of another pack so long as any one member of the root pack is still living.”
“There must be someone that can help us,” Savannah said. “Isn’t there some way we can protect the pack?”
“None that we can see,” Johnny said. “All we can do at this point is to wait--”
“For what?” Savannah asked.
“For them to make the first move.”
“That’s it?” Savannah asked. “You’re just going to sit around and wait for their move? You’re not going to do anything?”
Johnny and Gordy exchanged another glance, and Savannah felt her patience evaporate under all the stress. “Stop looking at each other and talk to me,” Savannah demanded. She felt a personal responsibility to the pack, considering she was the reason for the break in the first place. “There has to be something we can do. We can ask for help--”
“From whom?” Gordy demanded. “Other packs won't get involved. This isn’t their battle, and they cannot stray from their territories.”
“A witch, then,” Savannah said.
The expressions on Johnny and Gordy’s faces changed. They looked startled at first, but then their eyes visibly narrowed. “We do not involve ourselves with witches,” Johnny said darkly.
“Why not?”
“They are our enemies,” Gordy said, as if it was enough to explain everything.
Frustrated, Savannah stood. “Xander was ready to ask for a witch’s help yesterday, in the clearing,” she reminded them.
“Because he was desperate,” Johnny said. He also stood. “And that desperation temporarily blinded him, but if he'd been thinking straight, he would have realized that seeking a witch's help is like shooting yourself in the foot--it won't work.”
“Why not?” Savannah demanded.
“Because a witch brings nothing but destruction and betrayal,” Johnny said. “You may marry Xander one day, and you may bear him children, and become a part of the pack in some small way, but do not forget that you are not a shifter. You do not understand our ways, our beliefs, and our traditions. You cannot assume that you know what’s best here.”
Savannah fell silent, but her anger burned palpably beneath the surface. Her fear rose with every passing moment, and at the pack’s insistence on doing nothing, which was starting to weigh heavily on her.
She felt a sting pass through her stomach, and her hands immediately dropped to her belly.
“Are you okay?” Johnny asked, interpreting her gesture.
“I’m fine,” Savannah said quickly, and she left them in the hall to move into the bedroom where she closed the door behind her, and sat down. She took deep breaths, trying to force her fear down in order to think of a clear way forward.
The dark feeling in the pit of her belly had cemented itself there, and Savannah knew that the foreboding she had felt yesterday had been warning her of this very moment. She closed her eyes, and willed a miracle to manifest, so that she could, in some way, help decide the outcome of the looming battle.
“Savannah?” Xander said, his voice was worried and anxious as he walked through the door. Savannah sat up and Xander rushed to her bedside. “Are you all right?”
She nodded quickly. “I’m fine,” she said. “Physically, I’m fine.”
He looked at her carefully, his hand cupped at the side of her face. “What did Johnny and Gordy tell you?”
“The truth,” Savannah replied. “They told me everything.”
Xander shook his head in frustration. “I told them to leave that to me.”
“I’m not a child,” Savannah snapped. She pushed his hand away from her cheek. “Stop treating me like one. I deserve to know what’s happening.”
“I know that,” Xander said firmly. “I’m not trying to keep anything from you, I was just trying to make sure you understand what’s happening.”
“I do,” Savannah nodded. “Marissa betrayed all of you. You defended her yesterday. You said you knew her. You said she'd never harm us, but she already has.”
“I guess I underestimated her.” Xander sighed. “And that was my fault, but I don’t think she’s thinking clearly. She was angry yesterday, she was hurt, and bitter, and she made a rash decision–"
“Are you actually defending her?” Savannah demanded.
“I’m trying to understand her,” Xander said quickly, “so I can figure out how to stop this before it starts.”
Savannah shook her head at Xander in disbelief. “It’s already started Xander,” she said in a heavy voice. “She’s already left the pack. She's already aligned herself with Dominic. Johnny and Gordy told me what that means.”
Xander looked down at her and sighed. “I know it looks bad right now--”
“Are they really going to contest your claim on these lands?” Savannah asked.
Xander sighed. “I think so.”
“What chance do they have of winning?”
Xander’s eyes reflected his conflicting emotions. Savannah knew he needed comforting, but she was too far gone in worry to give him any at that particular moment. “Tell me.”
“I don’t know,” Xander said at last. “The town Dominic's from has a pack of its own.”
“Wait,” Savannah said,“Dominic’s town has a pack of its own?”
“Yes.”
“You just said Dominic's been a lone wolf with no ties to any pack.”
“He is.”
Savannah shook her head in frustration. “I don’t get it. If he was born into a town with a root pack, then shouldn’t he automatically be a part of that pack?”
“That's usually the case,” Xander said, nodding. “Which is why this situation is unique. You remember I told you my father had an affair with Dominic’s mother?”
Savannah nodded. “I remember.”
“Dominic’s mother was a part of the root pack in Mosley, this other village. She had an affair with my father, and adultery is not our way. There were consequences for my father. He was removed from the pack, and his authority was taken from him. The same thing happened to Dominic’s mother.”
“You mean lone wolves are just wolves that have been banished from their root packs?” Savannah asked, shocked.
Xander nodded. “Yes. Usually a banished wolf will move from his or her town, but Dominic’s mother didn’t move very far away.”
“That’s why he can come into Grey Mountain at all,” Savannah said, “because he was an outcast.”
“Yes.”
Savannah looked at Xander. “You know that isn’t fair--he was a child. He shouldn’t have been banished because of the actions of his parents.”
“I agree,” Xander said, nodding, “but the alternative is to separate a child from his banished parent, which an elder would never do. They felt it was far kinder to allow outcasts to take their children and build new a life for themselves elsewhere.”
Savannah sighed deeply. Her head began to spin. It was a lot to digest in such a short space of time, and there were still things she needed to know. “Johnny said that Dominic could amass followers and form a pack of his own--how is that possible?”
Xander sighed. “Because Dominic was not banished himself. The ruling was not cast on him, it was cast on his mother and father. He still has alpha-blood in his veins, and alpha-blood is sacred, which means he can take power if he fights for it, and if he has wolves who are willing to follow him.”
“That means they can choose to join him,” Savannah said slowly.
“Yes.”
“How likely is that?” Savannah asked.
“We don’t know yet,” Xander said, “but Marissa and Dominic haven’t been spotted for hours--I don’t think they’re in Grey Mountain anymore.”
“But they'll come back.”
“Yes, they will.”
“And when they do, they might have a small army with them.”
Xander’s eyes were far away and troubled. “I’m going to make sure it doesn’t come to that, if I can help it.”
“How can you make sure of that?”
“Because Marissa made a mistake,” Xander said with conviction, “and she’s going to realize that eventually.”
Savannah stood up and pulled her hand from Xander’s grip. “When are you going to realize that Marissa's made a choice?" she said. "She's betrayed you and your pack, and the sooner you accept that, the easier it'll be for you to figure out a way to fight them.”
Xander was about to say something when they noticed Johnny and Gordy at the door. They'd obviously been listening to them argue. Xander’s eyes locked onto Johnny’s.
“I hate to say it, Xander,” Johnny said, “but I think Savannah’s right: we’ve lost Marissa. We need to start thinking about battle strategies.”
Xander shook his head as though he wasn't having any of it.
Savannah felt the black hole in her stomach grow larger and more unruly. “Listen to Johnny,” she pleaded. “The threat is real--I felt it before you did. The vision I had right before the pack call? It was of Dominic.”
Xander looked up at Savannah with a start. “You said it wasn’t clear. You said you didn’t know who it was.”
“I do now,” Savannah said. “I had that vision for a reason‒it’s a warning, it has to be. You need to start thinking of ways to fight this, to fight them.”
Xander groan in frustration. “I know,” he said distractedly. “I know.”
Savannah watched him struggle, feeling her resolve cement itself inside her. Her hands fell onto her belly, and she knew she couldn’t rely on anyone but herself. She needed to make sure her child was protected.
A plan began to take shape in her head. She needed to seek out the help she needed, but she knew that if she told anyone of her plan they'd likely take steps to stop her.
It was time to take matters into her own hands. Savannah knew--it was time to visit the woods witch of Grey Mountain.
Chapter Five
Xander took Savannah back home that day and then left almost immediately to confer with the elders. Savannah waited till she could no longer sense the heady perfume of his scent before going into the house in search of her parents.
“Mom?” she called. “Dad?”
“There are you,” her mother said, surprised. “We were wondering where you were.”
“I just went out for a walk,” Savannah said casually. “It’s beautiful up here in the mornings.”
“Let me know the next time,” her father said, “and I’ll join you.”
“Sounds great.” Savannah nodded trying not to sound too distracted. “Umm… I have a question, actually.”
“Hmm…sounds suspicious,” her father teased. “What’s the question?”
“I was wondering about my car,” she said. “I was wondering when we could go pick it up.”
“We were planning to go tomorrow,” her mother said, “but if you want we can make a call to the dealership and let them know we want the car today.”
“You don’t mind?” Savannah asked.
“Of course not,” her father said, nodding. “Want me to make a call?”
“Sure,” Savannah nodded. “I’d like that.”
Her father left the room to make the call. Savannah’s mother looked at her with interest. “What?” Savannah asked self-consciously.
“Nothing,” her mother she replied with a shrug. “You just…look a little different.”
“Different?” Savannah repeated guiltily, wondering if it was possible her mother had sensed the pregnancy. “Different how?”
“I don’t know,” her mother said, looking genuinely puzzled. “It’s like you’ve blossomed in this town--ironically enough.”
“Why is that ironic?” Savannah asked.
“Because I honestly thought you’d hate this sleepy little town,” she admitted. “I imagined you’d be counting the days until we left. I really never expected you to want to stay here after we'd gone.”
Savannah smiled tightly. “I guess I just feel at home here.”
“I can see that,” her mother nodded with smile. “And I bet the handsome boy helps.”
“Handsome boy?” Savannah asked.
“I saw him drop you off just now,” her mother said. “He’s very good looking.”
“Oh,” Savannah said, trying to conceal the blush on her cheeks. “His name's Xander.”
“And are you two…exclusive yet?” she asked. “Or is it too soon to say?”
Savannah smiled. “I think we’re pretty exclusive.”
“Wow! Moved fast, didn’t you?”
“Mom!!” Savannah said, horrified at what her mother had implied, and the two of them burst out laughing.
“I’m only kidding,” she said. “I’ve been waiting to do this forever.”
“Do what, exactly?”
“Tease you about a boyfriend,” her mother replied. “You’ve never had one before.”
“Good news,” Savannah's father said as he walked back into the room. He sank back into the sofa next to her mother.
“We can pick the car up today?” Savannah asked.
He father nodded. “They’ll have it ready for us around eleven.”
“Thanks guys,” Savannah said and she leaned in to give them both a hug.
“You’re a good kid,” her father said, “so we figure you deserve what you ask for. And you don’t ask for much, you’ve been dragged from place to place without complaining.”
“Much,” Savannah’s mother added, and then gave her a pointed laugh.
“Your mother and I wanted to drive into town today to run a few errands,” Savannah’s father said. “We can pick up your car while we’re at it. Do you want to join us?”
“Do you mind if I sit this one out?” she asked feeling a little fatigued after her conversation with Xander.
“No problem,” her father replied. “We’ll be back around noon.”
Savannah thanked her parents again and then she went back to her room. She locked the door and sat herself on her bed with her laptop. She searched the Internet with a specific purpose in mind, to find out more about Grey Mountain and its history.
She spent an hour on the Internet, but learned nothing new. Grey Mountain as a town was relatively unknown, as far as the rest of the world was concerned, and there was little to no information about it online. The only thing she did find was a short article on old town legends, but all it did was to repeat the story of the wolf prince with a few minor details changed, and Savannah was left wanting more.
It was about eleven when Xander called. His voice was steeped in suppressed worry, and if it hadn’t been for her keen senses, Savannah might have thought he was calm and sure in the wake of everything they had to face. Given her "gift," Savannah was able to sense his trepidation, even from their distance, and she realized that their connection was growing stronger.
“How are you?” Xander asked.
“Fine,” Savannah replied. “I’m fine.”
“And the baby?”
“It doesn’t feel like there is a baby at the moment,” Savannah admitted. “The only reason I feel anything at all is because I know I’m pregnant.”
Xander was silent for a time.
“Is…everything ok?” Savannah asked tentatively.
“Yes,” Xander replied. “It’s just--”
“What is it?”
“I hate having to leave you.” Xander sighed. �
�When we were out in the clearing and Elvira told us you were pregnant, it felt like the world had righted itself, and we'd finally have some time to be together without worrying about anything else.”
“I know,” she said, feeling the weight of that disappointment as keenly as Xander had. “I was hoping for that, too.”
“It’s unfair--”
“We'll get that time back, Xander,” Savannah said with more confidence than she felt. “After all this over and Dominic and Marissa have been pushed out of this town we'll have all the time in the world.”
“You think so?” Xander asked.
Savannah realized he was in need of someone to support him, to give him words of reassurance and confidence. "I am sure," she said resolutely, despite the fact that she was just as unsure as he was.
“Once this is all over, we'll have time to really get to know each other. We can spend our days in the clearing, swimming, and making love. You can teach me about the history of your heritage, and I can tell you about my life as a modern day gypsy, moving from place to place without ever finding a home.”
“You’ve found one now,” Xander said softly.
“I know I have,” Savannah nodded. “And I’m never going to leave.”
“And you’re not concerned?” Xander asked cautiously. Savannah realized this was a question that had been troubling him for some time.
“Concerned about what?”
“You know I can’t leave Grey Mountain,” Xander said. “I'm trapped here for the rest of my life. I just don’t want you to feel like you’re trapped here, too.”
“I don’t feel that way,” she was quick to answer. “I’ve moved around so often that it feels nice now to know I can plant roots here and not have to worry about leaving. Besides, why on earth would I want to go anywhere without you or our child?”
Savannah could practically hear the smile on Xander’s face. “That’s good to know.”
“I’m just telling you how I feel,” Savannah said honestly.
“If you ever change your mind--”
“I won’t, but if I ever do, you'll be the first to know.”
“Thank you,” Xander said, sounding relieved.
Savannah hesitated for a moment, wondering if she should run her plan by Xander. She hated having to do things on her own without involving him in the decision-making process, but she couldn’t risk that he'd try to prevent her from doing it. Still, she approached the topic carefully.