by Kat Zaccard
“What does this mean?” I was getting excited, but Kulani shushed me.
“We’ve figured out a plan,” she said. “You can come out to our property alone more often, as a human,” she stressed, “and you can shift there. You will have to stay on our property, but we will tell patrols to avoid our land and claim we have a nasty burr infestation. It will hurt Jack’s pride and groundskeeper reputation, but he said he would take one for the team.” She smiled at me. “Diego’s agreed to keep your secret for now, but in a few moons we will officially inform the headmaster and patrols that you have five days under the moon. When that happens, you’ll have two more days of freedom to chase your tail all over the mountains.”
I was ecstatic. I needed to run and train, and this was a perfect plan.
“You’ll have to be careful,” she cautioned, “and mind curfew. But I think we can pull it off.”
After I hugged Kulani goodbye, I whooped, pumping my fist in the air for good measure.
◆◆◆
The following week passed quickly and soon it was Friday, the full moon, and my shot at being team captain. I was so stoked I barely paid attention to the morning classes, planning instead battle strategies and tracking tricks to use in the afternoon game. Jillian made a few scathing remarks about my team having a few feral players. I bit back my growl and decided to give Shea an important role in the game.
After lunch we gathered in the arena to pick teams. I had a strategy based on good players and trustworthy friends, and I was counting on Laureine, the other team captain, to pick the usual suspects since she ran with Jillian’s crowd. Laureine won the coin toss and picked Jillian first. Big surprise. I smiled at Shea but picked Hayley, assuming I’d have another chance at Shea. I was unnerved when Laureine next picked Shea. Shea gave me a helpless shrug and walked over to their side.
“Oh, man. Calculated,” Hayley whispered to me.
“You think?” I asked.
“Oh, yeah. It’s psychological warfare. Plus Shea knows your strategy.”
I hadn’t thought about that and was surprised to be concerned. But then, I knew Shea, and I didn’t think she’d care to win so badly that she’d give away my battle plan. Still, we all wanted to win, our wolves wanted to win, and we were being graded, so of course she had to try her hardest.
“Just in case, you may want to re-tweak your plan,” Hayley suggested with a look that said: don’t let sentiment blow this.
I gave Hayley a confident grin. “Don’t worry. I have a few tricks up my sleeve I haven’t mentioned to Shea.” After dividing up the rest of the players, I quickly sketched out our new plan.
“Everyone will expect me to go for the flag since I got it last time. The other team is sure to keep me in their sights so that’s why my original plan was to draw attention, then have Shea circle back and nab their flag. Well, Shea knows that plan, so we’ve got to go one more.” I outlined my idea, and we divided up parts. Hayley and I were each leading a group of four girls, while Lola and Sara stayed behind to guard our flag.
The playing arena was a large outdoor expanse of grass that included a line of woods on either end of the field. Predictably, both teams hid their flags well and deep into the woods. Looking across the field, I could see only six members of the opposing team come out of the woods and onto their half of the field. That left seven wolves in the woods or guarding the red flag.
I didn’t recognize Jillian’s white-and-tawny pelt in the pack as we crossed to the center of the arena. Our opponents approached at a jog. I led my group to the left, while Hayley flanked right. Darting around each other, we avoided being tagged by the other team. Soon, the rest of my team had our opponents occupied. I glanced at Hayley, and she gave a knowing nod. We hit the trees hard and slowed as the underbrush tore at our hides. Splitting off, I made more noise than I would if I were hunting, trying to draw out Jillian or any of our opponents. Hayley took off at a more stealthy pace, but I caught a glimpse of her purple streak a few paces away and smiled that my plan would work.
After a few minutes, the wind shifted, and I caught a whiff of a wolf that wasn’t on our team. A moment later, a twig snapped, and I whirled as a flash of fur and teeth came at me. I jumped back, startled, missing the bite but getting a swipe of claws across my nose. I yelped in anger and pain, and rolled away from Jillian’s claws.
Crouching low, I growled and barked what felt like: Back the *bleep* up!
To my amazement, and apparently Jillian’s by her wide-eyed whimper, she obeyed. Her momentary disorientation was enough for me to flip around and dart away from her. In a moment, she was on my heels, and soon, two more of her teammates jumped in behind her. I recognized the familiar brain signatures of Laureine and Crystal, and willed myself into a sprint. I felt Laureine and Crystal fall back, but Jillian wasn’t letting me go that easily. I led her in a wide circle back toward the arena. I could lead her around and tire her out, but there was no way I was going to lose her. Hayley was supposed to be seen by the wolves on guard and lead them away from the flag. I was supposed to lose my tail and circle back to capture the flag. I wasn’t sure I could shake Jillian.
Mentally, I cried out to Hayley: Get the flag! … but I didn’t know if my projection could reach her. I pictured her dark, thick fur with purple streaks. I sniffed and thought I could sense the scent of her mental signature. Get the flag! I tried again, and I felt a jolt of surprise that wasn’t my own, knowing my message had been received.
I burst into the clearing with Jillian hot on my heels. I was planning to make a wide arc back onto her side of the woods, but to my horror I saw Pamela’s dark russet hide streaking out of our woods with our blue flag in her mouth. I changed course on a dime and made a beeline for her. A team didn’t win until they crossed the center line of the field with the opponent team’s flag.
I barreled toward Pamela, crossing the line and body-slamming her to the ground. We struggled as I bit her ruff to pin her. She was hampered by the flag she didn’t want to drop from her mouth. Stop! I commanded, and she stopped struggling so I could take a breath. Then Jillian was upon us, biting at my neck and forcing me off of Pamela. I twisted and snapped at Jillian, raking my claws across her chest, avoiding her face, because I’m cool like that. I shoved her back with my body then launched myself on top of Pamela just as she was starting to get up.
Jillian, sensing Pamela’s hesitation, growled in frustration and leaped over me to yank the flag from her teammate’s mouth. Jillian tore off. I jumped up and chased after her. She was closer to the centerline, and I wasn’t going to catch her. Just then, a streak of black-and-purple barreled past us, and the whistle blew. The field erupted into howls and cheers as werewolves shifted into girls who jumped and hugged each other.
“We won! We won!” The rest of our team charged us. Hayley was boosted onto shoulders and Jillian stomped off to the showers.
That night, we all celebrated at dinner. It was nice to share a meal with our whole team and a few friends from other grades who’d heard about our success.
Nadia was there and came over to congratulate me.
“I was very impressed by your victory. Well done, Princess.”
I smiled at the praise. “Credit largely goes to Hayley for getting that flag. I couldn’t shake Jillian to go for it myself.”
Nadia smiled again. “Ah, a modest leader, as well. I heard you were very commanding on the field.” She held my gaze, and I got the feeling she knew more than she said.
I laughed it off, a little uncomfortably, and looked away, wondering how much she had heard and from whom. I had “spoken” to Hayley, Jillian, and Pamela while we were wolves. I doubted Jillian would ever admit to my being able to do something she couldn’t, but who knows about Pamela? This was the second time I’d projected my thoughts to her as a wolf. I hadn’t had a chance to talk to Hayley in private about the game yet, so I wasn’t sure if she knew what I’d done. Just then I overheard her boasting loudly.
“It was like a flash of inspiration, an
d I knew, just knew, the plan had gone awry. Call it instinct, call it the skill and talent of a natural leader and masterful werewolf, but I knew I had to get the flag.” She paused for dramatic effect. I smiled as she went on to detail her maneuvers through the woods to fool the goalkeepers, and her triumphant snatching of the flag.
“Then I ran like the hounds of hell were chasing me, until I hit the woods with Shea, Calla, and Pamela hot on my heels.”
“Hey, wait, what’d you call me?” interjected Shea, to the laughter of all.
Hayley nodded and continued, “When I hit the tree line, I saw a tornado of fur and claws, and flag near the centerline. Then I saw Jillian break away with our flag.” A collective gasp made me hang my head dutifully in mock shame. “I put on a burst of speed, calling on reserves I didn’t know I possessed, then darted across the line first!” She held up the red flag she’d refused to relinquish to Coach Murry. Our teammates and friends cheered. Shea joined in, even though her team had lost.
Hayley, caught up in the moment, jumped on top of the table, waving the flag. Then she bounded across the room and swung the flag around and around, flinging it up high and hooking it on a chandelier. The room applauded and cheered, loudly enough to disturb Ms. Grissle.
She came in with growls for all and sent us off to bed.
Chapter 13
The next day, I woke up sore all over. My nose and cheek stung from the scratches Jillian had given me. I groaned, climbing out of bed. Standing under the hot shower, I decided my morning was better spent sleeping than having breakfast with Logan. I called him to let him know, and he was cool about it. I was relieved to take the day off. I napped for a bit, then finished an essay for History on the migratory patterns of nomadic clans. After a snack and peek at the lovely weather outdoors—cold but sunny—I decided to surprise Logan after all.
I knew a lot of werewolves would be in the arena. It was the last day of the full moon, and everyone wanted a chance to shift and practice drills, even if it was a Saturday. Students were streaming out of the arena as I strolled in. I walked through the archway and entrance, past the bleachers, and onto the sunlit field. The day was gorgeous for November, but I was glad I’d grabbed a knit hat. I saw some kids near the benches and headed over. Logan was sitting next to Jillian, who was pressed against him, whispering into his ear. Pamela and Laureine were nearby, along with some friends of ours, and everyone seemed pretty nonchalant about it. I didn’t know for sure what was going on, but I did see her hand slide along his thigh.
I was coming up behind them, so they were caught completely unawares. Logan was just turning his face toward Jillian, a playful smirk I knew well teasing at his lips. She licked hers, then saw me. He noticed her face darken and turned to see me approach. He leaned back away from Jillian, but didn’t appear guilty or upset. I held my wolf in check.
“Hey, how’s it going?” Okay, so I went with ignoring all signs of possible cheating, including the bitch sitting right there. You know, small talk. Smooth.
Logan stood casually and hopped the bench, nearly kicking Jillian’s knee.
“Oh, fine. Even better now that you’re here, baby.” He wrapped his arms around me with a grin. Then he frowned. “What happened to your face?”
I remembered the scratch. “Oh, right, battle scars.” Jillian scoffed, and I smiled sweetly at Logan. “My team won, of course.”
“Of course.” He twirled me around, and we left his friends behind. I noticed all the extra attention and wondered what was really going on with Jillian. I decided to ask as soon as we were away from the arena.
“Alice, please, don’t be jealous.” He sounded trite. “She was throwing herself at me, but I brushed her off. It’s over now that you’re here.” He’d said it matter-of-factly, and it didn’t set my heart aflutter. I sighed.
“Okay,” I said, “I trust you.” I wanted to trust him. I wondered if my wolf trusted him. Before I could ponder the question, he went on.
“Good, because I have a surprise for you.”
“Oh, yeah? What’s that?”
“I am taking you to a ball, Princess.” He smiled, and yeah okay, the only way to describe it was “dashing.” He had a killer smile. He was a freaking prince, giving me a dashing smile, and I thought about how this would be the part of the fairytale to swoon, if such a thing existed.
“A ball?” I smiled, but sounded dubious.
“Yup, a royal ball. It’s all getting arranged. You will have to travel and room separately, of course, for decorum’s sake. And we will eat with the queen and most of the council members. It should be quite festive.”
“A royal ball? Is my boyfriend prince really inviting me to a royal ball?” Now I was laughing.
“The Winter Ball is a very old tradition that the queen hosts annually at the Winter Palace.” He looked imperious, and he drew himself up to his full height. “Aren’t you pleased?”
“To be honest, I’m a little terrified and a little thrilled!” I admitted.
“Well, then, focus on the thrilled part.” He smiled.
Over the next few days, I fretted about what to wear so much that Shea insisted I go ask Nadia for help. I felt bad admitting it, but Shea was right. I needed help from someone in on the royal scene.
After dinner one night, I approached her and asked bluntly for help. “I have no idea what’s appropriate for a royal ball. I could trust the girls in town, or come to you. Please help me find a dress?”
Nadia smiled like the wolf dressed as Grandma. “I’m so glad you asked! I would be happy to help. You know it’s a really big deal what you wear.”
“Great.” I’d meant to say it as: “Great! Thank you!” … but instead it’d come out like: “Great, I have to get a root canal.” Nadia had not set me at ease, but I had help now. I could so do this.
“The Winter Ball will be your debut event! You will be queen in two years. You have to make a splash!”
“I just want to fit in.” Wait. Did I really just say that? My thirteen-year-old self was about to slap my sixteen-year-old self—hard. But as I reconsidered, I realized it was true. I didn’t want to embarrass myself, or Logan. I blushed at the thought, feeling conflicted. I should be confident in myself, but I had to admit I was more than a little out of my depth on how to dress for a royal function. Reasoning with myself, I missed half of what Nadia was saying. Better tune in.
“… I mean what better statement than red? Am I right? You will totally stand out. The Queen Regent will freak!”
“I’m not sure I want the queen to freak.”
“Alice, of course you do. You have to make a bold entrance that shows off your strengths. Right now, that’s mostly youth, beauty, and a royal name. But trust me, the right dress says everything. We’ll pick out an elaborate couture designer. Someone regal and elegant.”
“I don’t consider youth and beauty as really admirable strengths,” I countered, remembering that the late, great Carrie Fischer had said something similar. I grinned to myself, thinking that we princesses had to stick together.
“Of course they are! Especially to our aging Queen Regent. Remember, the entire royal court will be there. You represent the future; you must appear strong, capable, and ready to lead. You need to stand out at this ball. You need to outshine the queen.”
“Sounds dangerous,” I muttered. “Maybe I should’ve turned Logan down.”
Nadia leveled her gaze at me. “You are Princess Alice of the Royal Clan Luna and rightful queen to the Great Pack. You were already invited and expected to be there, with or without Logan. I’ve only been on the council a few months, and the moment your application to Mount Henley was received, the political sphere shifted completely. Before, it was a contest of wills between the royals and the elite who’d bought seats on the high council. These rich families have to buy their way into royal blood through marriage contracts that usually result in their heirs taking the royal name. The queen has been vying to sanctify her name as royal ever since she took the rege
ncy, but spouses cannot claim their partners’ name or their royalty. Her plan to marry her daughter into a royal family would ensure that should all else fail, her grandchild might one day claim the throne. But now that you, the rightful heir to the throne, are here, the Queen Regent’s only likely choice is to petition the court for a vote of non-confidence. If she can prove you are not capable to lead, she can hold the throne until her other schemes pan out.”
“That’s the problem, though, isn’t it? I’m not ready to lead. This whole world is so new to me.”
Nadia leaned in and whispered sharply, “Never say that aloud again. You must always wear a mask of confidence, regardless of how you feel.” She resumed her perfect posture to demonstrate, smoothing back her long, black hair, then continued more pleasantly, “You are only sixteen and you still have two years to prepare for actual leadership. This ball, however, is your first impression to the high council, and really, to the public of the Great Pack. You need to dress to impress.”
“Hmm, I’m not totally convinced. But maybe we just need to find the dress first.”
“Oh, honey, you don’t find the dress, you make the dress,” Nadia said with a laugh, and I knew she wasn’t thinking about the homecoming dress my mom had made me over the summer.
Nadia and I spent quite a bit of time together over the next couple of weeks going to the dressmaker and planning all of our arrangements for the ball. I was excited to get a trip away from school, though a little sad I wouldn’t have time to visit home over winter break. My parents understood that I had to step into my new life. They didn’t pretend to understand what it all meant, but they got it that I had to try to figure it out without them. I told them that most kids go home for the holidays, but Shea was staying behind and needed the company. I felt bad about lying, and guilty that I’d used Shea as an excuse. My parents knew nothing about werewolves and royal balls; there was no way to explain that I was spending the holiday break with my betrothed. They’d hear “boyfriend” and ship me off to a convent faster than I could say “Happy New Year.” Somehow, I didn’t think the nuns would be cool with my full moon runs.