POV Aiden Moving the flashlight from one side to the other and back again. I tired retracing my steps. Had I went to the right or more straight, maybe a little of both. Cherry black dots became visible on the ground increasing in number and size as I moved forward. Leaning down I ran a finger across one. “Blood.” Juxes confirmed. This was not like the small pools of dried blood in the first chamber, this was older. Following the increasing drops and streaks of blood my flashlight found the object my foot had earlier. At first I couldn’t make out what it was, moving closer I bent down. It resembled a wet brown paper bag that had been sprayed with dark red dye. Reaching to pick it up my heart sank upon realizing what was in my hand. This is a piece of hide ripped from the flesh. The fibers that used to hold skin to muscle sticking to my fingers as I turned it over chocolate brown hair on the other side unmistakably werewolf. Not much bigger than a piece of paper
POV Aiden Running my thumb over the raised emblem, turning the silver dollar sized coin over and over in my hand. The worrier who had given it to me asked, “What is it Alpha?” “It’s a betrothal pendant.” I said not looking up from the charm. “I don’t know what that is.” He said brows furrowed. “Traditionally the Alpha can claim a mate for their first born son, next in line to be Alpha. It dates back to the first pack, few packs that I know of still honor the barbaric tradition but there are still some out there. It’s meant to purify and keep the bloodline strong. There’s even records of siblings being betrothed to each other when no suitable mate was found. Ignoring the mate bond in hopes of breeding stronger wolves. This pendant isn’t a request, it’s a summons. One of these girls was claimed. Could very well be why they were hiding out here.” “How do you know all this? I’ve never heard of such a thing.” Looking up from the pendent, directly in
POV Eric The last 24 hours have been excruciating, the doctors going back and forth. Disappearing into the windowless operating room with very few updates. Braxton has calmed down which is a relief. Having had a major meltdown when he couldn’t feel her anymore. I started reading up on the different kinds of wolf bonds in hopes of finding some answers for him. One of the books Miss Evens gave me goes into elaborate detail on what’s called a veil bond. Where two or more wolves trapped in the veil can feel each other. Shifting to early is often painful, causing the others still in the veil to share the pain. Braxton seemed satisfied with that answer. Considering he could no longer feel her and she was safe. Fascinated by the lore and legends he pushed me to keep reading. Flipping through the most recent book she had given me “Rare and Mythical Werewolf breeds” a full page drawing caught Braxton’s attention. “What’s that?” He asked. The drawing d
POV Eric Dr. Stevenson walked into the room looking disheveled. “Luna, young Alpha. She’s stable but still unconscious. Alpha had the remains from the cave sent to the morgue. I’m going to head out, get cleaned up and then get started on the autopsies.” He said. “Do you think she will be ok.” Joann asked. “She is holding strong, her wolf is working quickly to heal her now that we have the infection under control. The rest is up to her.” Dr Stevenson replied giving her a knowing look. He continued. “Physically she is going to recover but we can’t know the psychological damage until she wakes up. From the Alpha’s reports, I can only imagine how traumatic this was for her.” “Thank you for all of your help Elijah.” Joann grabbed his hand, with a squeeze and a sad smile she dismissed him. “We should return home. Not much we can do here and I’m anxious to know what your father has found out.” She said as she started packing up the few items
POV Eric The next morning everything almost seemed normal. I could hear mom singing to herself in the kitchen and in the office dad was pacing, making phone calls and running his fingers through his hair in frustration. I sat down across the table from mom and started dishing up a plate. When my father came in and sat next to me I was surprised but chose to blow it off. He usually sat at the head of the table. “I just don’t understand.” He said after a few minutes of silence. “What’s going on?” I asked him. Not expecting a response. “We found the cave she was hiding in, along with 3 shifted and disfigured bodies. I have this feeling that the male is at least a Beta. I’ve rang every pack for hundreds of miles, an Alpha or Beta doesn’t just leave without someone noticing. They are all adimit that everyone in their pack is accounted for.” “You think they ran away from their pack?” I asked. “There was a betrothal pendant where the child was hiding. I gave it and all the emblem
POV Eric Pulling up to the morgue my stomach had settled. The last of the ride here we had just been talking about school and training. I reached for the door handle as my father shut the car off and pulled the keys out of the ignition. He stopped me, putting his hand on my shoulder. “From now on it’s important that you only address me as Alpha or Alpha Aiden.” My father said. “Yes Sir, I mean Alpha.” I responded. This place had always given me the creeps. Not because there were dead bodies here but because everything was a high gloss plastic white or stainless steel. The smell of cleaning chemicals burned my nose and throat. This is exactly what I picture when I think of the back of a butcher shop. Dr. Stevenson greeted us in the hall just after the entrance. His white lab coat looking fresh and a clipboard in hand. “I didn’t realize Eric would be joining us.” He began organizing the photos and x-rays he was holding, putting some inside a folder that was pinned to the clip bo
POV Eric Pulling up to the house cars lined the driveway and half a block in either direction. Some I recognized but most I didn’t. “How many elders are there?” I asked Alpha Aiden. “There is five who hold places on the board but twenty total. Luna called everyone together for ideas and to make sure the whole pack understands the situation we could be putting ourselves in.” He replied. No sooner had we gotten out of the car then Miss Evens approached us. “I have information on the pendant but you aren’t going to like it. Can we speak in private before the meeting?” She walked in the house and headed for the office before even getting a response. I went to head upstairs but Alpha Aiden grabbed my attention and motioned for me to follow them. In the office Miss Evens had already spread out several books across the desk in preparation. Miss Evens has never been a cheerful person but when she turned to face us her expression was more grim than usual. “You’ve figured out what p
POV Unknown A faint rhythmic beeping soothes my ears the soft sound almost in harmony with Sel snoring. If she’s sleeping we must be safe. I try to stretch my arms only to find I can’t move. Opening my eyes I see something soft across my chest looking down further they are on my wrists, waist, hips and legs as well. A woman with wild hair and peach colored scrubs walks through the door. She doesn’t look up, she’s reading something in her hands. Ear buds in she’s bobbing her head like she’s listening to music. I lay perfectly still and try to wake Sel who just grumbles and goes back to snoring. Finally the woman looks up, quickly dropping the papers in her hand at the foot of the bed and snatching the ear buds out. “You’re awake?” The tone of her voice calm and nurturing and a little surprised. “Please don’t hurt me.” I pleaded. Pushing as hard as I could to crawl up the bed and away from her but the restraints are to tight. Squirming and wiggling, I can’t get loose. She rai