(Excerpt of Sororate Chapter Two)
6th
August, 2226
Three days later, the family as well as the tribe, attended my cousin’s
funeral on the Holy Grounds before the Sacred Totems. I clung to Declan’s arm through the service
and it was like my mate literally held me up.
The Tribal Elders sang the funeral chant as the pyre burned the body
wrapped in the woven funeral shroud, as Phoenix’s
progeny looked on.
After the service, the tribe split up to go their separate ways as did
most of the Elders, to leave the body to burn overnight. Declan and I left with Chiron and his family
for the wake at the old Riverclaw house.
The fourteen other members of the pack and their wives – the ones that
hadn’t passed away from old age – came to share food and drink with their First
whilst reminiscing about their fallen.
Everyone brought a dish or bottle of soda to share and Declan had made
three large plates of goodies. On one
serving plate sat an antipasto mix complete with salami, marinated mushrooms
and smoked oysters; on another sat Capsicum and Potato Frittata as well as on
the third, Bacon and Olive Cakes. The
antipasto plate he had put together today but the other dishes he cooked up the
night before.
When he made them, I sat up on the bench in the kitchen to watch. It became the custom in our marriage for most
of our discussions to happen over food and this way, I also got to sample what
he was cooking. Declan often interrupted
me in the middle of conversation to allow me a taste of what he was
preparing. Last night, this reoccurred
and I relished the deliciousness of the samples. From seeing how quickly the plates of food
emptied, it became evident everyone else thought so too.
In the beginning of the Wake, I was sitting next to Sharon who was
busily gossiping to another two wives.
However I started to tune out during discussions of school fees or the
best nappy rash treatment. My eyes
wandered over to my husband who was nursing a small plate of nibblies, whilst
telling Chiron, Stone and Forrest Riverclaw, as well as Meadow Shallow Water
and lastly, Jake Wisetail about our altercation in China.
“Excuse me,” I stood up to the women’s surprise when my departure
interrupted their conversation. “Er,
it’s pack business.”
I used this excuse often, which the women never minded since I was a
member. They watched me cross over to
Declan’s side and rest my arm about his waist.
He angled his plate of nibblies my way to share and I stole a marinated
mushroom. Then he moved the plate to his
right hand to hold, as his left arm was slung over my shoulders.
“So the Asian Werewolves broke off their attack?” Chiron double checked.
“Uh huh.” His Second
confirmed. “I don’t think they’ll be
tracking us back here.”
“Are you a hundred percent certain of this?” Meadow spoke as the concerned Medicine Man.
“Yup.” Declan straightened. “They stopped their pursuit.”
Chiron’s eyes momentarily flashed in my direction before he spoke to my
husband. “Perhaps for the next couple of weeks, we should have a Werewolf run
the borders of our land just to make sure we don’t have any surprises.”
But this got my back up and I said curtly, “But they’re not coming. I don’t have any warning feelings as a
Circulator. I don’t foresee any further
trouble from that clan or breed.”
Our First looked in my direction but for longer this time, before he
said, “Let’s call it peace of mind.”
Just as I was about to argue this further, Declan spoke up, “It wouldn’t
hurt.”
Then Forrest also sided with our First by volunteering, “I don’t mind
doing a run tonight.”
“Then I’ll do a run tomorrow night.”
Stone agreed.
“I’ll go the night after.” Meadow
shrugged.
“Night four works for me.” Jake
Wisetail nodded amiably.
He was my cousin five times removed, from my father’s side of the
family, who inherited Mum and Dad’s house with their evolution. He also inherited Dad’s place in the pack by
his Lokoti Werewolf DNA activating on the following full moon. The same time Jake received my childhood home
as a Housewarming present for he and his new wife, another adjustment had to be
made when he had to take time off work to learn to control the bloodlust.
“Fine.” I said coolly. “I’ll do a run on the fifth night.”
However my husband and the rest of the male members of the pack didn’t
look happy to hear that, and neither did our First.
“No Aunt B.” He said
seriously. “Just as you weren’t
permitted to patrol during the years of lawlessness after the War, nor can you
do so now.”
“What?” I objected. “Why not?”
Declan rolled his eyes, “Don’t start this again.”
But it was Meadow who spoke patiently, “There are humans in Alma who still whisper
stories of male Lokoti Werewolves who helped the townspeople rid themselves of
a bad element after the War. However
no-one talks of a female Lokoti Werewolf because to outsiders, there’s no such
thing.”
“Except to a bunch of horny Asian Werewolves," my husband said
unhappily before he turned back to Chiron.
“I think I should go back to China and finish what I
started. I’ll eat the other thirty who
know about B.”
“Declan!” I elbowed him
sharply. “Yeah, what a good idea to help
the concept of living quietly; by embarking on another murderous rampage and
placing a new vendetta on your head!”
Our First looked on his overprotective Second in the pack. "No Uncle, there’ll be no further Asian
Werewolf blood spilt. Unless of course
they come onto our territory then you can unleash your wrath. But according to Aunt B, it’s unlikely.”
“Then if it’s unlikely, it should be OK if I go for a run around our
borders.” I tried again.
“Yeah, what a good idea of the concept of no such thing as a female
Lokoti Werewolf existing, if a townsperson from Alma catches sight of
you.” Declan repeated sarcastically.
“Oh shut up!” I rolled my eyes as
I stepped out from under his arm.
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