Morgan was placed on an oak table, the one at which holidays and meetings had previously been celebrated. The pack gathered around and stared at Reed in silent question. Such strong werewolves, but without their leader, they looked like blind puppies. They need someone to take responsibility."Trent did it," Reid said. Standing behind everyone, I felt rather than saw their dumbfounded faces, - He gathered the renegades, with the help of Fred, lured ... Morgan, - the name of his uncle was not easy for him, his voice trembled, but he gathered himself and continued firmly, - Only he could inject him a tranquilizer from the back.The flock whispered. It was easy for me to determine where the Martins, Fred's relatives, stood, now there was a gaping hole next to them, separating them from the rest of the pack. Of course, the uncle's sins were immediately transferred to his sister, nephews and niece. I never liked them, but now, looking at Laura Martin, I saw her genuine astonishment and mus
I resignedly followed him without taking my hand away. It's only recently that I've been getting confused about the days, it would be strangely unusual, but from the events in Des Moines and beyond - it has become so natural. I never found out how long I had been passed out from that gas station in Casper... I should have known... But now it was all so unimportant and tiresome.Although I was terribly tired, I was surprised when we stopped at Aunt Sarah's house. He just walked me out.- Morning is coming soon, but it's forgivable for you to sleep for a day, - he smiled weakly and let go of my hand.“Forgivable would be a week,” I continued awkwardly.I wanted to ask - and you? Now, under the light from the windows of the house, I could see the consequences of our captivity and the fight with Trent's werewolves. Dried blood on his face made it impossible to see the severity of the wound. A shabby sweater from someone else's shoulder hid the wounds on the wrists, but the gray fabric stu
I'll take my word for it.When I finished on top and the line of wounds on my legs came up, it was already dawn. Reid had been sitting with his eyes closed for some time now. It would be necessary, of course, to check his legs, but I did not want to disturb him. Aunt's decoction, as always, miraculously worked. Reed himself did not notice this, but came to life. He could even smirk and sneer. I hope when he wakes up, his soul won't hurt like that either.I decided to let him sleep a little and then continue processing. She sat next to Reid on the couch and instantly fell asleep.I woke up with the feeling that I had only let my eyes close for a couple of seconds. Still not understanding what disturbed me, I straightened up. The sofa next to me was empty, all the medicines were also removed. The pale winter sun shone through the window. Noise in the kitchen, apparently, was the reason for my awakening.- Where's Reid? - rubbing sleepy eyes, I asked Aunt Sarah. She hurriedly packed food
Luke stopped, letting the stretcher go forward. My aunt also stopped me near Luke. An invisible border separated us. The men secured the stretcher at the top of the platform and retreated towards us. Reid stood next to me.Grandma Cooper began to carefully arrange some things around the edges of the stretcher. Only after looking closer, I realized that these were, apparently, Morgan's personal belongings. His connection with the human world. I examined a book, a family photo, a knife, a flask, a small box, the contents of which remained a mystery to us. And maybe only for me, but for the rest of the familiar part of the ceremony. Separately, she hung a leather bracelet on the top of the protruding branch. The sign of belonging to the flock.After the bag of things was empty, she went to Luke and took the torch from him. The torch was powerful, on a long stick, but the elderly woman waved it confidently, setting fire to the stretcher. They blazed right away. The flames shot up, wrappin
Everyone slowly turned towards the voice. Carried away by disputes, they did not even notice that the enemy was on the "threshold". He had the audacity to come not only when we mourn his sacrifice, but also when we are discussing how to deal with him.Trent stood at the very edge of the forest. One, confident in his invincibility. He slowly approached, brazenly looking at the assembled members of the pack. Now he has already entered the territory of the reservation, but no one stopped him with a word.I looked at Reed. He stood with his back against a tree trunk, his head bowed, his eyes fixed on his feet. Only his gloomy face and moving jaws betrayed his tension.With apprehension and alertness, I also saw the interest that showed through among the pack. Trent is a good tactician. The sudden attack demoralized the enemy."You'd better get out of here as soon as possible," Bruce said first. He walked around the table and stepped forward.- Why not? Trent chuckled. "Isn't this a trial?
You can deny anything. The one for whom I just told this, believed me.- What are you talking about, weirdo? Trent waved her off. "Who...“I challenge you,” he was interrupted. My arm has lost support. Reed nodded to my aunt and stepped forward.- That's how? Reid walked over to Trent and stood opposite him. "You're not even from this pack."- And how do you know that? Reed chuckled. "You haven't talked to Fred for seventeen years," Trent hesitated, but Reed didn't wait for him to come up with excuses. "It doesn't matter." There is no leader in this pack. And that means that anyone can apply for it. If no one from the pack challenges me, then the fight is only between us, - he turned to the pack, waiting for objections. There were no objections."Great," Trent grimaced. "If you went against your father, if you trusted this woman...“Excellent,” Reid interrupted him again and turned around. “Today at sunset, where you killed Morgan,” he said as he left.I didn't have time to enjoy Tren
The meeting was all at the same table, he witnessed many events. I hope that not a single tourist will now wander uninvited into the cottage village. Because his eyes would have presented a truly incredible sight. Enormous bear-like beasts paced among the houses, and beside them, women scurried about without fear and children fooled around. Not only Aunt Sarah remained at home. Of course, the fight is not a spectacle for children. Rachel, Norma, Mary and Courtney stayed to look after the children. The world was not visible either.Next to the other children, I saw Kira. She did not take part in the game of children who tried to climb onto the wolves and ran away laughing when the werewolves did not seriously growl and made feeble attempts to catch them. Here it is, fun in an ordinary werewolf family. A playful game of children with a werewolf dad. Did Kira now remember how she fooled around with Morgan in the same way? Or was she offended that her friends so quickly forgot about her g
At that moment, when the seat belt stung my neck and dug painfully into my body, when my head fell back from an invisible blow, and my hands involuntarily flew up, there was only one thought in my head - I foresaw it. Holding back sobs in the bathroom, looking back at Reed for the last time, getting into the car with Luke, a second before the huge SUV drove into us at full speed, even then I knew that something was going to go wrong."Luke, Luke," I called. My voice sounded muffled, like I was wearing earplugs. The buzzing in my ears reminded me of flying in an airplane. Luke didn't answer. His entire body was covered in small pieces of glass. The driver's door was crushed, and Luke was sandwiched between it and the gearbox. I unbuckled my belt and turned to him. - God, God, - I touched his hand, moving, - Wake up, Luke.Everything will be fine, everything will be fine, I repeated to myself mentally. He is alive, he is alive. I'll call for help. I got out of the car and looked aroun
They did not accompany me beyond the threshold of the house. I went out alone through the back door, wearing only a long poncho. I stepped on the cold ground with my bare feet and looked up at the sky. The moon has claimed its rights. Bright and round. Reed picked a great time to start the race. Oddly enough, the wolf in me was calm. Either the rut didn't work on her, or I drank too much wine. Throwing off my only robe in the shed and placing my mother's bracelet next to me, I took a deep breath and said softly before turning around: “Just not this year. And then she gave herself up to the she-wolf. I felt the thirst and desires of others. They seemed to be on fire, but their heat did not touch me. I was drawn to the forest, and I was calm. She circled the closest of her flock and rushed deep into the depths. I, as if stepped on the threshold of my native home, confident and peaceful. But there was something else. Something was waiting for me up there. Beckoning, but not demandin
— Kira! Kira, wake up!Martha's voice and an unpleasant thump on my shoulder pulled me out of a dream where I wandered through the woods in search of ... something. Listened to all my feelings, but could not find. What was I looking for? I didn’t have time to understand, because they unceremoniously woke me up in my own house, where, I can swear, I fell asleep alone.“Leave me alone,” she grumbled and hid from the intruder under a pillow.But she did not lag behind, moreover, she climbed on top of me and shook me well.No, no, you can't sleep now. I have such news!“Get off me, you annoying elephant!” She turned around and pushed her off.Then Martha crawled under the covers, looked under the pillow and put her head beside her.Pfft, so childish. Let me sleep. I don’t know what time it is, but I’m sure it’s God’s shit,” I muttered, barely moving my tongue, drifting off to sleep again.Reed approved. Mating season starts tomorrow.My eyes flew open. And it is unlikely that they had the
"No, I didn't," I grew more and more gloomy.And then, when Roca's mom treated us all to baked mutton pies in the courtyard of his house. The four of us sat at a round table - Me, Martha, Rock and Alex. Alex and I fought over the crunchiest pies, and Martha kept dreaming.“Just imagine, this year we might have a new member of the pack join us.- In terms of? Rock asked in surprise, barely chewing a huge piece of pie, which he hastily stuffed into his mouth, saving him from two gluttonous alphas.“Someone can find their mate from another pack."That's unlikely," Rock waved his hand.Why not? For example, you can get so far away from our territory by smelling your mate. So is she,” Martha smiled.“No, definitely not me.Of course not you. You're looking forward to your Beast choosing Molly, aren't you, Rock?“Maybe it will be me. Just like my Uncle Trent.I suddenly spoke up. I don't know why she said it. Yes, and remembered the father of Reed. But the expression on Alex's face explaine
I was waiting for the trial, threats. Grandma was gone, so I took her place in the rocking chair from where she usually watched the meetings, in the shade of her house. She swayed rhythmically and watched the others gather around the oak table. And she scrolled everything so that I would tell the pack if I were the leader. Probably, anger still spoke in me, but I would demand blood. I found Alex with my eyes, he also did not join the others at the table, he froze in the distance, leaning on the carved posts in the fence of my old house. And my eyes were ignored. Therefore, Ba liked to repeat - my character is not suitable for a leader. Too impulsive. Too easily emotions take over the mind. Reed appeared on the porch of the office, looked around the pack, and stopped at Lark and his son, who were sitting at the table. They took everyone, even the children. Lark looked worried, stroking her son's head, twiddling her fingers through the curls, but as soon as she caught her husband's ga
Surprisingly, the news about the new gene in the pack was perceived calmer than the close attention to us from the people from the hotel and the ban on solo outings. Let the lesser danger, but it is closer, and that makes it more frightening.I had to go to Reid, give him reports, but I continued to sit on the porch at Martha's house. We didn’t even really talk, we just worried together. There were so many things I wanted to discuss with her, but for some reason, what Ba told me, she could not pronounce. The tongue could not put together the necessary words, and in my thoughts, as if there was a taboo.“You know, I thought… If our blood can heal many people, then that’s good. We will save so many lives. They can come up with cures. Or they will develop something based on our gene, - Martha propped up her cheek with her hand and turned so that she could see me.“You will think differently when you lie on the operating table, and your blood will be pumped to the last drop. To heal a few
Dinner did take place that evening, thanks in part to Sarah's food. But much later, so Morgan pecked at the table.Although with the same success it was possible to bring that burnt meat pie to the table - no one had an appetite. Lark took Morgan to sleep in Rod's empty room, Ba moved to a chair closer to the fire in the fireplace. The others sat at the table and talked quietly, as if speaking a little louder would bring the disturbing thoughts to life.“How serious is it, Rod said?” Reed asked.- News, as always, and do not reflect half. There are several laboratories, and there are far from such peaceful purposes as they show us. And not in such peaceful ways,” said grandfather.He became even gloomier after they returned with their grandmother. And I was sure that my uncle did not tell even half, so as not to disturb the old people.He said he had suspicions. But then people failed to get on the trail of the werewolves, - Reed remained calm. - And now?He's not sure anymore. But he
“Mr. Wilson, five years ago, when I was fourteen, we found out that I do not understand half hints. Be direct about what you're getting at.Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the old man wince. If the alpha points directly, even without the intent of an order, it is difficult to cross this barrier. I knew that the old man would never admit it, and therefore would not complain to his brother.“I didn't want to remind you. But my heart always remembers and regrets your loss: you lost your father, then your mother and maternal uncle ... If you think about it, then your brother and his wife are behind all these events.“If you think about it, my Uncle Trent is behind all this,” I said through gritted teeth. Every family has its own black sheep.Are you still wearing it? He suddenly changed the subject.My gaze dropped to my hand. I myself did not notice how unconsciously I began to twist the strap on my arm. Mr. Wilson knew it well, having seen me put it on. And he knew the reason.I lowe
And at my eighteen. Right after the birthday, when we were alone.Nothing has changed. We were pulled and thrown back. And the gap between us grew.And at the next meeting, we put on hopelessly cheerful smiles and did not discuss anything. As if it wasn't.But this look. Every time this look. I tried to understand him, but I couldn't.- Grandma, go. I'll be back in a minute,” I told Grandma, never taking my eyes off Alex. Her fingers reached for the bracelet on her arm, seeking reassurance.Well, Alex Wilson, I know the rules of the game very well. I smiled, nodded in the direction the stranger had gone, and rolled my eyes. Alex nodded in understanding.I waved my hand and turned away. There was no point in discussing anything. Not when I was so afraid of losing my best friend.Not when we both knew full well that two alphas couldn't be together. In this duel, only one will survive. It doesn't matter what stupid human hearts felt.***In the evening, Reed gathered us around an oak tab
Toward morning, I found myself naked in the forest. The she-wolf left, left me, as if punishing me. This was not her first meanness, and in this case, I kept caches of clothes and shoes all over the forest. In the nearest one, I found a long shirt and sneakers that were almost trashed. Too many hiding places, too few unnecessary clothes.But such a walk through the gloomy forest, when the sun was just preparing to assert its rights, on the grass wet with dew, cleared my head. I, like a ghost, went through the fog to the community houses. Tourists should see me! My feet were covered in mud and grass, my head was a complete mess. Maybe not a ghost? Maybe a bride from the grave? Thinking like that, a smile appeared on my face, and I smoothed out the fabric of my white shirt, which reached down to my knees.I went into the house through the back door, threw off my dirty sneakers, made a note in my head that I needed to return things to the hiding place in case of new wolf kicks, and went