36. Whispers

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Back at Randall’s house, people were beginning to arrive, relaxing from a long day at work or school. I realized that, for the Pack, this day was not only a day of necessity due to our affliction, but it was also an essential time for bonding. The time spent mingling and talking, the grilled hamburgers and hotdogs and potluck dinners, the eating together; it all helped the Pack members to form bonds. Each full moon evening was like Easter Sunday. Everyone, despite our vast differences, had one thing in common that brought us together. We were a family. We didn’t have to like or even tolerate each other, but every full moon, every Easter Sunday, we were still there together, eating our holiday ham and enjoying our time of relaxation.

Randall and I said our greetings to a few people, and then went to hang out with his friends. There weren’t many people around our age in the Pack, so we had to make do with what we had, even if some of them were incredibly annoying, like Pete. We tried to hide it, but they could tell that the two of us had been fooling around.

“Ah, when the moon is round, emotions can run high,” Pete winked at Randall while shoving a hot dog in his mouth. I blushed involuntarily while Randall shrugged and said nothing as Pete tried unsuccessfully to get a high five. Unwavered by our lack of enthusiasm to divulge what had gone on, he moved on to another sore topic.

“So the Pack is buzzin’ with news of the new Alpha girl,” Pete said as he began to dress another hot dog for sacrifice. He scooted his chair close to me, mustard on his lips, crumbs stuck in his unkempt beard. “When she takes your place, you and I could always run away together. I’m more of the loner type anyway.”

I growled as he tried to put his arm around me and he quickly backed off. Randall got up and I followed his lead. He took my hand and told the group, “Selene isn’t going anywhere. This new girl, though she’s won the approval of my father, has no place in my heart.” He looked at me and smiled.

Pete nodded and apologized, the others silently eating their food and keeping their eyes on their plates. Kate looked sadder than usual, more resigned.

Randall and I made our way through the crowd, trying to find some space to ourselves. The Pack was so large that the house was packed with people. They were in every room including Randall’s bedroom.

Everywhere we went, I could feel their eyes on me, staring and whispering their rumors and lies. They all expected to see me gone. It wasn’t that they didn’t like me or wanted me gone, but everyone likes good drama, even if they are part of your adopted family. It keeps everything interesting. They also all knew that Quinn didn’t really approve of me. He was afraid of my strength. Though a strong Alpha should be good for the Pack, to defend it and to keep the harmony, Quinn was afraid his position would be usurped. He was protecting himself rather than his people. Not exactly the qualities of a great leader, but who was I to say anyone else in the Pack could do any better?

As twilight approached, the Pack members began to make their way to the clearing. I felt Lilith awaken as the sun sank below the horizon and we prepared for the evening’s events, but I pushed the feeling aside. Feeling energetic, we went towards the rock stage to prepare for the evening and to meet this new girl, but when Randall and I arrived, one of Quinn’s bodyguards barred us from getting onto the stage. Quinn and Sylvea were already up there, surveying the crowd.

“What’s this about?” Randall asked the man.

“Pack leader’s orders. He says the new Alpha requested only the Leader of the Pack and his wife to be on stage for the initiation. No one else. Quinn is honoring her request.” He said importantly.

His words inexplicably gave me chills as we both walked away from the man and made our way though the crowd, trying to get a good vantage point so we would be able to see this new wolf when she arrived.

The crowd began to grow restless as we waited. I could feel their inner animals struggling to free themselves in the light of the moon, wanting only to run in the night. The girl’s tardiness only made me feel better. The longer she took, the worse she would look in the eyes of the Pack. First impressions are key, and she wasn’t making a good one.

Finally, to the cheers of the restless crowd, a figure appeared on the stage, a girl dressed in black, with short blonde hair and pale skin. She looked a lot like, “Lilith?”

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A/N: This chapter is shorter than normal, but I liked the idea of leaving you guys on a nice little cliffhanger here. I have another chapter primed for posting on Wednesday morning, so come back in two days for the next part. ^.^

(Everyone knew it was Lilith! I'm terrible at foreshadowing!)