Bamboozled

 

‘Lothario’ Jack Wisetail is looking for a different kind of female to romance and one afternoon while playing pool with his cousin, he thinks he finds her.  Emily Woodward stumbles into his local bar for a rest stop on her road trip and instantly attracts Jack’s attention.  He turns on the charm and successfully woos the feisty redhead.  

 

Through Jack, Emily learns that she’s a North American Werewolf, which explains her blackouts and waking up to traumatic murder scenes.  Since Jack is part European Werewolf and part Lokoti Werewolf, he understands Emily’s bloodlust.  He offers to help her try to control her dangerous nature.  However, when he brings her home to meet his family, both Emily and Jack are in for a surprise that leaves him bamboozled…

Coming June 2025

"So our victims were allergic to silver which caused the chemical burns when they were decapitated?"

 

(Excerpt Alma Introduction)

 

Wearily, she rubbed her eyes which were sore from looking at computer screens all day.  She envied Griggori since he was a Detective, he could leave the building and get some fresh air once in a while.  Her work was scanning samples on glass slides then analyzing the results.

            "There are more murders that occurred in Russia which are related to our OO Positive suspect," she sighed tiredly.

            "More?" he echoed in surprise. 

            Julia hit a new command on the computer and pictures of twelve bodies appeared on screen.  Nine bodies had been decapitated and three victims were missing most of their heads, which looked eaten away.  Even Griggori had to flinch at the gore, with blood spatter, bits of skull and some brain matter surrounding what was left of their heads.  Then he caught the date on this case file, it was the year 2145 again.

            “These bodies were all found at a crime scene in St Petersburg.  Nine were beheaded by a sharp, metallic weapon, like a sword.  The weapons were most likely in the style of the Japanese Katana, as they are light-weight but strong and extremely sharp.  Do you see the cuts?”

            “They’re clean," he nodded along with her.

            “But look here at how the flesh is singed slightly.  Forensics first thought the swords had been heated to burn the flesh so.  But when they ran further tests, it showed that the flesh was not singed by heat, but they were chemical burns.  There were also traces of silver in the wounds, meaning the Katanas were coated in silver."

            "So our victims were allergic to silver which caused the chemical burns when they were decapitated?" he summed up.

            “Correct, now don’t interrupt me," she playfully whacked him on the arm.  “Or I will pack up my test tubes and Petri dishes and go home.”

            “No, don’t do that, Babushka," he pretended to be alarmed.

            “The twelve victims all had OO Negative blood type," she announced. 

            "Really?" he sat back on his stool, to take it all in.

            "The OO Positive middle-aged man that died by a sword to the heart, he too showed chemical burns around his wound."  She continued.  "I believe the same person or persons, with silver-coated Katanas, murdered that man as well as the nine OO Negative victims." 

Declan who as another breed of Werewolf, could never completely be one of us, just as I would always be different

(‘Scent’ Excerpt Chapter 11)

30^th October 2084

“Are you ready?” Grant’s glowing silver eyes felt like they burned into my soul.

“Yes.” I gulped.

“I feel that you’re ready tonight B.” He rumbled out in his thunderous voice. I looked at him expectantly when he said simply, “come.”

Then in his Werewolf form, Grant leapt from our front veranda, clear over the driveway and he disappeared into the woods in a single bound. In one leap, in my Werewolf form I joined him. He ran out in front as I ran right behind, so close I was almost treading on his heels.

We ran through the darkened woods so fast that the colours seemed to stream into each other like army camouflage of green, grey and black.

My husband streaked along, running up to 200 km/h as I deliberately hung back, not engaging my faster speed thanks to my ability as a Circulator. Although Grant’s supernatural strength was more than my match; my Circulator speed was greater than his. My instincts slowed me from overtaking him as I played out the role he were First and I were Second of our personalized pack.

Grant ducked left and instantly I ducked left. He ducked right and automatically so did I. I mirrored his movements and together we bolted through the woods as he was Yin to my Yang. I smelled his scent as clear as day as I felt his heart beat and I felt his hunger… Tonight I hunted as a Lokoti Werewolf with my mate.

TONIGHT WE HUNT ANIMAL AND NOT HUMAN – Grant willed to his Werewolf wife.

TONIGHT WE FEAST ON ANIMAL FLESH – I willed back to my husband.

My body copied exactly what my mate’s did. I ran at his pace and I panted when he panted. Hell, even my heart would beat to the same rhythm as his.

Then I sensed what he sensed, as I smelled what he smelled. I picked up that we were closing in on the pack, as they chased down a small group of moose. I smelled the scent of our prey which made my stomach rumble.

The thirteen other members of the pack all closed in on the four moose who were running for their lives. I felt exhilaration with my predator instinct delighting in their fear. I could almost taste the fresh kill!

However as my mouth watered, another instinct knew that this wasn’t the National Park’s only moose. I sensed that I wasn’t hunting a species to the point of extinction. If this had been the case, then our instincts would have steered us towards other prey.

As my mate and I left the tree coverage, we spotted the Lokoti Werewolves running up a mountain ridge behind our targets. Out in front of the pack, ran Declan in his European Werewolf form as our honorary member.

My heart skipped a beat, as it picked up in speed from seeing Declan’s large supernatural form running on all-fours. Like this, he chased down the Alpha male moose. Don’t ask me how and don’t ask me why, but although this was my first hunt with the pack; I sensed that the pack allowed him to take down fighting, the largest and the strongest. If it were moose than Declan would challenge and take down the alpha male or if it were caribou it would be the same. The pack would chase other quarry to let him combat alone. I sensed that his European Werewolf bloodlust demanded that he didn’t share his prey.

My greater speed as a Circulator engaged, thanks to the rush of exhilaration I experienced from seeing him out in hunt. I streaked past Grant as I spotted the fastest female moose. As Declan challenged the strongest male to combat, I wanted no I needed, to chase down the fastest. My bloodlust wanted to feel the satisfaction of being not only stronger but faster than my meal.

As the female moose ran out in front, I streaked past the entire pack to chase her down. The female tried to shake me as she ducked left so I did too. The female next ducked right and so did I. Next, she bolted towards more trees to try to hide but before she reached the tree line I leapt upon her.

My bloodlust boiled as my heart was pounding and all I could smell let alone breathe was the scent of my kill. I smelled her fear, her racing heart and her adrenaline rush as she tried to escape from death - from me.

I leapt into the air and landed upon her outstretched, engaging my supernatural strength to dig my claws into her tough hide. The female moose made a last-ditch attempt to bolt with all of her might…but by instinct, I knew exactly where her jugular was in her larger neck and I brought my dangerous jaws down. I felt her mangy fur against my tongue, as my elongated teeth drove through her tough pelt. I tingled all over as soon when I felt her warm blood gush into my ready mouth.

With her jugular pierced she immediately came crashing into the ground with me right on top of her. Then as her legs flailed uselessly in the air, I kept my jaws over her crucial artery which both expedited her death and made it as painless as possible.

In the corner of my eye, I caught Grant also pounce on her fallen form, indicating that he had run right behind. Then so did Grandpa, Dad and Ian and share my kill they did. Grant’s elongated teeth dove into the artery in her chest, right next to her heart. Dad also bit into another major artery. Ian and Grandpa bit into the moose’s upper legs which were still trying to kick us off. As soon as I saw my kin do this, the sooner I felt the female moose’s heart stop as she no longer inhaled air…she was dead.

The female moose who was my first kill on my first full moon hunt with the pack, was extinguished. As if guided by my predator instincts, my elongated teeth now began to pull away her pelt to reach the warm, soft flesh underneath.

This even tasted better than my Great Grandma’s roast dinners with her famous gravy! This was more fulfilling than I could have ever dreamed possible! The taste was both sweet and yet savoury, with the fresh kill both placating my hunger and my thirst. My heart raced as I felt giddy over the exquisite delight!

Frickin’ hell, this both excited as well as satisfied me in a way that I have never experienced before. This was more than pleasure, this was more than delight, this WAS fulfillment. For a brief couple of moments as my bloodlust was purged; I felt more than satisfaction but I felt almost euphoric as I addressed my yearnings.

As I feasted, I caught Grant’s silver eyes watching as he hungrily ate. Then I felt something else…I felt a rush of pleasure and appreciation in my Lokoti Werewolf husband that he got to share this with his wife. I sensed the relief that he felt for being able to share the hunt and the kill with not only another Lokoti Werewolf, but it was with his mate.

My glowing turquoise eyes met his glowing silver ones. Grant growled satisfactorily as he ripped open the chest cavity with his clawed hands. I couldn’t see Dad’s or Grandpa’s bloodied faces, as they were eating their way through the moose’s abdomen. Ian tore off a leg to eat, like it could have been a giant chicken drumstick instead.

The males feasting encouraged my own as we didn’t have to worry about table manners. I didn’t care about being ‘lady like’ as I was permitted to gorge on fresh kill. My dangerous mouth became covered in blood, just as Grant’s, Ian’s, Dad’s and Grandpa’s did.

I am Lokoti Werewolf who is mated to another Lokoti Werewolf. I AM the fifteenth member of the pack and for a coherent moment all of the basic principles of life and my existence made perfect sense. I AM a predator, just as I AM a killer. I need to hunt when the full moon piqued not only our bloodlust but our lunatic tendencies.

Luna which means the moon…lunatic which means made crazy by the moon…the light of the full moon which stirred my bloodlust and I must hunt and I must kill and I must feed. That was all there was to it, so why fight it when I could hunt with my kin; animal instead of human?

The circle of life and death; the universe expands, the universe contracts and the cycle of existence continues to renew itself. My Lokoti Werewolf instincts were part of this; able to hunt a species where numbers were not endangered so it harmonized with nature.

As I contemplated all of this, my life started to make sense because I now made sense. I am the first female Lokoti Werewolf and I am the last Circulator. I am the beginning and I am the end but I am not alone. I had my Mum, Gran and Vincent, as members of the Circulate; I had Grant and the rest of the pack to guide me as one of Earth’s dangerous predators. But in a small way I also had Declan…

He was the male whom my secret desires lay with; he was the male who secretly desired me; Declan who as another breed of Werewolf, could never completely be one of us, just as I would always be different as the first female of the pack. Declan, who after combating the strongest male moose, he ate his kill alone. The rest of the pack numbered four to six Lokoti Werewolves per prey. As the Lokoti Werewolves could hunt in a pack, his European Werewolf bloodlust demanded that he ate his conquered alone.

Declan raised himself from his already-eaten meal, thanks to his greater appetite. I felt his burning gaze as the green-eyed monster looked my way. I overheard the satisfied growl he emitted, seeing me covered in blood as I sensed inside of him a different kind of hunger build…

Just then he caught sight in the corner of his glowing green eyes, another male moose come into the clearing. It looked enraged at my feasting on one of its females. The male moose made a charge towards me, but Declan swatted the animal with his strong, sharp claw when it charged past the tree that he was standing behind.

His second kill went crashing bleeding profusely, into the ground. As Declan’s large canine head and ever-hungry jaws lowered to eat his second meal, he never looked away from my direction.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

HERE’S A TIP B, MALE WEREWOLVES ARE ATTRACTED TO STRONG WOMEN.

(‘Scent’ Excerpt Chapter 11)

Declan reluctantly stood up from his half-eaten meal and then he waited for me to stand up. I had to lean on him whilst I pulled myself to my feet, as my legs wobbled horribly. I feel so weak and hungry!

FRICKIN’ HELL, YOU LOOK USELESS – he telepathically taunted – HERE’S A TIP B, MALE WEREWOLVES ARE ATTRACTED TO STRONG WOMEN.

“Man am I relieved that I’m not married to you!” I grumbled.

CLIMB UP AND I’LL CARRY YOU HOME TO YOUR HUSBAND – he thought bitterly.

He was so big in his European Werewolf body that even standing on all fours, he was almost the height of a horse. He was too high to climb in my weakened state! When I pointed this out, he growled unhappily and lowered himself to the ground. As soon as I’d clambered up, I wrapped my legs about his wide, muscled waist. I leaned over to hold onto his bulky shoulders which also enabled me to bask in his excessive body heat.

The monster raised himself once more to his four clawed feet, but he stood still for a minute or two as I sensed he appreciated our contact. Then after turning his beastly head to make sure I was holding on tightly, he took off out of the grassy plain! Declan bounded along on all fours at typical European Werewolf speed which was something like 300 km/h which was 100 km’s faster than what Lokoti Werewolves run.

We ran through the forest, with Declan expertly dodging the trees in our path as he simultaneously leapt over log, rock or bush. I must admit, I was enjoying the ride...! I felt as warm as toast thanks to his greater body heat and I also enjoyed the feel of his huge muscles ripple. However it took him twenty minutes running in supernatural speed, for him to reach the hill that my house sat on. I didn’t know I had gone so far…

WHEREABOUTS WERE WE? – I wondered when he slowed to a jog.

YOU MEAN IN THE NATIONAL PARK? ALL THE WAY ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE BORDER – he answered.

NO WONDER I HAD NEVER SEEN THAT PART OF OUR LANDS BEFORE – I marveled.

It was here that the ride ended when he leapt out of the tree line of the woods and landed on my dirt driveway. There we found Grant, Ian, Dad, Grandpa and Grandfather standing by the veranda steps talking to Mum and Gran. Everyone looked relieved to see me, but puzzled by the method of my arrival.

“B?” Mum came forwards, as did Dad and Grant.

“Hallo.” I growled out in my Werewolf voice as I gave a little wave with my claw-like hand.

Declan lowered himself to the ground once more, to enable me to climb off. When I did so, my legs gave away but Grant was quick to catch me. The European Werewolf looked on my husband jealously, before he abruptly turned and leapt back into the woods! Mum and Gran looked surprised by his sudden appearance and then disappearance, but I sensed he did it to stop himself from mauling the man who had become his rival.

“B, what’s wrong with you?” Mum cried out concerned as I had trouble standing on my own two feet.

“I instantaneously phased tonight.” I managed out, looking on their astonished faces. “I ran so fast in light speed that I accidentally turned myself into light. I looked bright and see through as I was running and when I nearly ran into a tree? Suddenly I found myself on the north side of the border, having instantaneously phased there without realizing it.”

“Hunter!” She whacked her husband on the arm. “You take our little girl out on a hunting trip as a Werewolf and she circulates for her first time without us!”

“You’re weak and tired at the moment, which happens to a Circulator who circulates for their first time.” Gran frowned. “Let’s get you inside and warmed up.”

“Actually,” I looked on in a pleading manner. “I’m really, really hungry…could I please have some bacon and eggs?”

“Of course you can!” She quickly agreed. “I was famished after the first time I circulated.”

Grant was about to scoop me up into his arms to carry his weakened wife inside, when I stopped him. I looked apologetically into his concerned eyes, before I next looked to Ian, Grandpa, Grandfather and then lastly, Dad.

“I’m sorry I disappointed you tonight and I’m not a very good Werewolf. I know if you had a son instead of a daughter he’d probably make a much better Lokoti Werewolf -”

“You think I’m disappointed in you?” He interrupted in an incredulous voice, before he crossed over to stand closely. “B I’m damn proud of you! I’m proud that you’re my daughter just as I’m proud of the fact that you’re the first female Lokoti Werewolf.”

“But,” I said in confusion, “when I couldn’t kill the bear you seemed angry or something.”

“Tonight I saw a new Lokoti Werewolf not let the bloodlust get the better of her. If that bear had been human, you managed to run away from the temptation of the kill and the human would have lived.” He said strongly.

“The human would have lived?” I asked amazed. “The human really would have lived because I ran away?”

“As long as Ian doesn’t snap its neck, sure.” Grandpa joked, making the men chuckle.

“Hey, how often do we get to eat grizzly?” Ian tried to justify himself. “The bear was just lying there like that…”

“I really can’t take you anywhere.” Grant mockingly shook his head at his older brother.

Just then Gran shuddered from the cold as Mum rubbed her arms in agreement.

“Er guys? Can we have this heartfelt moment inside where it’s heated?” My mother complained.

“Bacon and eggs do sound good right about now.” Grandfather smiled on Gran, before he escorted her up the veranda steps and into the house.

“But I thought you guys fed on grizzly tonight?” I looked at Grant.

“Never underestimate a Werewolf’s appetite, B.” Mum rolled her eyes. “They’re ALWAYS hungry.”

“Yeah well, it’s not just for food.” Dad laughingly pulled her close, before they followed her parents inside.

“C’mon then, let’s get some ‘human’ food inside of you.” Ian joked. He stepped back as he watched Grant pick me up to gallantly carry me over the threshold. As he trailed in after, he mused, “but what about Declan though, I’ve never seen him give anybody a ride on his back before.”

“With his European Werewolf temper, he would soon as maul whoever would even suggest such a thing.” Dad agreed.

Grant sat me down in a chair at the dining table before taking the seat next to mine, as Gran and Grandfather helped themselves to cooking in my kitchen for one and all. Mum even went in to help, as Dad set the table.

“Declan’s always been protective over B.” Mum mused, overhearing their conversation. “I remember how he used to pick her up and carry her everywhere when she was little.”

“He did?” I looked up, taken aback. “I must have been really little then, because I don’t remember it.”

“I remember.” Gran smiled softly. “You, Derik and Declan all used to be quite close until you and Derik hit seven years old.”

“That’s when the fighting began.” Mum chimed in. “Suddenly you and Declan went from best friends to worst enemies, almost overnight.”

Just then Grant frowned as he leaned in and sniffed me, “his scent on you is strong.”

“Oh, I had to hold onto him tightly so not to fall off.” I tried to say casually.

“Anyways that’s enough about Declan.” Dad said narkily.

“Agreed.” Ian declared. “Mmm that bacon smells good, Em and Arabella.”

All of our heads turned at the delicious smell of bacon frying and the creamy, cheesy scrambled eggs being cooked to perfection. As Gran and Grandfather were concentrating on these, Mum made the toast as Dad put out the butter, salt and pepper.

I was relieved when the conversation was changed and as soon as we were all sitting at the table eating; I was able to shrink back into my human body. My prior thoughts of Declan slipped away just as my Werewolf muscle bulk did.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Make the kill, B.” Grandfather ordered.

(‘Scent’ Excerpt Chapter 11)

My eyes widened in fear at what I had done as I looked down on the poor animal which was groaning in agony. Then I looked up at the tree she had been clawing when I saw some kind of insect hive inside of the broken trunk. The female grizzly had been happily minding her own business, trying to feed herself when I stumbled along and massacred her!

“Do it, B.” Grant growled out softly in his deep, rumbling Werewolf voice. He walked up to stand beside, as did Ian, Dad, Grandpa and Grandfather. “Kill her and put her out of her misery.”

“Then we will feast on her flesh.” Ian eagerly licked his lips as his glowing pink eyes stared hungrily on our prey.

“Make the kill, B.” Grandfather ordered.

No, no, no! I don’t want to! I shook my head as I stepped back from the scene of my crime. I’m disgusting! I shouldn’t feed on her as I don’t deserve it!

Dad’s glowing red eyes narrowed in what I thought was disappointment as he watched me back away. He must feel so let down that he didn’t have a son to turn instead. He must think I’m a disappointment to the entire pack…

Ian saw that I wasn’t going to do it, so he dropped down to his knees and took hold of the grizzly’s huge head in his supernaturally strong arms.

SNAP!

The grizzly’s head dropped to the ground lifeless, with her eyes staring blankly as her blood continued to ooze out of her many cuts and scratches.

Dad lowered to the ground beside his best friend, as both Grandpa and Grandfather followed. My mouth fell open in a mixture of horror and yet hunger, as I watched the male Lokoti Werewolves begin to feed. They used their claws and teeth to pull away her fur to reach the warm, succulent flesh underneath.

“B?” Grant held out his clawed hand to me.

“NO!” I roared before I turned around and took off out of there!

I ran in a direction I know not… The trees flew at me so thick and fast, I felt the odd scratch of a low branch or a bush that grazed as I concentrated on missing the tree trunks. I ran faster, slipping from Lokoti Werewolf speed to Circulator light speed. My skin turned bright as all of me and not just my eyes glowed. I tried to run faster than I had ever run before, even faster than light speed!

Something odd happened as I no longer felt my bare feet touching the cold, hard earth anymore. I was running so fast, I felt all light and tingly like I could have been floating. When I looked down at my bright body, I saw straight through myself! Oh my god I look like a ghost! Then that means I’m in phase! I looked just like Gran and Mum did when they went into phase being Circulators.

Just then I looked up when I saw I was about to hit a huge tree…! Frickin’ hell, this is gonna hurt! I ‘closed’ my eyes as best as I could, being all bright and see-through as I tried to prepare for the impact…but it never came.

I stopped, or I think I stopped. My body of bright light reformed back into it’s solid, Werewolf shape and I could feel my feet touching the ground again. When I looked around, there was no sign of the tree I was supposed to hit. Hang on, where am I?

Feeling completely lost, I looked around the surrounding wilderness which I had never seen before. I was in some kind of huge, grassy plain which stretched for a couple of square kilometers. But I knew I was still in the vast Lokoti National Park by recognizing the distant trees as well as the familiar backdrop of mountains in the Alaska Range.

The real question though, was how the hell did I get here? Oh my god, I think I must have instantaneously phased! It would make sense, I was running so fast I went into phase. When I thought I was about to hit the tree and I closed my eyes, somehow I instantaneously phased myself out of danger to another part of the National Park. Only how do I get back? I’m lost! I don’t know my way home from here.

My muscles turned to jelly because my body was depleted of energy and I slipped to the cold, grassy ground. I tried to remain in my Werewolf body for the supernatural body heat as I was wary of the icy cold air. Next, I tried to calm my racing heart by admiring the view of the snow-capped mountains which looked a haunting white under the starry sky.

Just then I heard a noise and my head snapped around to track it. My nose caught wind of a familiar scent…maple syrup? Off in the distance I spotted Declan in European Werewolf form. He stepped out of a section of wood carrying some kind of large, dead animal in his strong canine jaws.

On all fours, he trotted over to where I was sitting in the grassy plain. His glowing green eyes stood out in the night, with his jaws dripping with blood from his hapless victim. The closer he came, the sight of his huge, hulking, hairless supernatural body made him a sight for sore eyes!

“How did you find me?” I wondered.

I WASN’T LOOKING FOR YOU – he telepathically replied – I WAS HUNTING WHEN I CAUGHT YOUR SCENT.

“Oh.” I said flatly, looking on his prey.

Declan ceremoniously dumped the carcass he had been carrying in his mouth, which I saw was a male Elk? Then he sat down on his hind legs to look down on me as the weaker Werewolf.

“Elk?” I queried in my deep, rumbling voice. “How the hell are you hunting Elk? They’re not native to Alaska.”

SOMETIMES THEY STUMBLE INTO OUR TERRITORY, ESPECIALLY TO MIGRATE AWAY FROM THE RADIATION – Declan shrugged with his bulky shoulders – SO WHERE IS GRANT AND THE OTHER LOKOTI WEREWOLVES?

“I don’t know.” I answered.

AREN’T THEY SUPPOSED TO BE TEACHING YOU TO HUNT OR SOMETHING? – he gave a funny look with his monstrous face– IT’S WHAT THE PACK HAD BEEN PLANNING

“They did take me hunting.” I said dismally. “I’m a failure.”

IS THAT WHY YOU’RE SITTING HERE SULKING? – he chuckled which came out as an odd kind of panting noise.

“They took me hunting and I hurt a bear.” I said guiltily. “I think I disappointed Dad when I couldn’t finish the kill so Ian did it. Just as Grant tried to get me to eat with them, I chickened out and ran away.”

STOP BEING SUCH A PRINCESS BY WASTING GOOD FOOD – he rolled his glowing green eyes – GRIZZLY IS RARELY HUNTED AS THEIR NUMBERS ARE FEW SO YOU JUST TURNED DOWN A DELICACY.

“Thanks for the sympathy!” I looked away in annoyance. However when I heard some kind of strange, wet, crunching noise? I turned my head back around to find Declan eating his prey. “You’re eating that now?”

WHEN THE MEAT TURNS COLD AND IT STARTS TO DECOMPOSE IT’S NO GOOD – he thought with his mouthful – NEED I REMIND YOU THAT WEREWOLVES FEAST ON FRESH KILL?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Yeah but when I turn into you, I get locked up as my clothes tear and I feel the worse pain imaginable!”

(‘Scent’ Excerpt Chapter 11)

As the ‘Cranberries’ played softly as mood music, Grant occasionally looked over his book to watch me work. He quietly observed me separate all of my books on history and mythology from my novels and shelve them in alphabetical and categorical order. I was so fastidious, it took me most of the afternoon. I was almost done when we were interrupted by unexpected guests.

Knock, knock, knock!

“Come in!” He called out immediately, as if he were expecting the intrusion.

I watched my front door open with the entry of Ian, Dad, Grandfather and even Grandpa walking into my living room.

“Oh.” I stood up worriedly from the floor. “What’s wrong?”

“Why do you think something is wrong?” Grandpa smiled in amusement.

“Then what’s with the mini reunion?” I pondered.

“We’re declaring class is now in session.” Dad announced.

“Class, what class?” I looked his way in befuddlement.

“Tonight, tomorrow night and for the next couple of nights, you’ll be training with Lokoti Werewolves.” Grandfather grinned. “Your mother and grandmother as the Circulators within the family are your ‘lecturers’ in time manipulation. Now you have us as your tutors for your Werewolf abilities.”

“I do?” my eyes widened, before they narrowed when they turned towards Grant who came over. “You knew about this?”

“Of course.” He shrugged. “The pack have been talking about this for the last couple of days. When you fall into sync with us, you’ll hear as well as feel the pack consensus too.”

My heart skipped a beat as I felt dwarfed by being the only female amongst all of the males in the room.

“Where’s Mum and Gran?” I took a step backwards. “Are they coming too?”

“Your grandmother and mother can advise you on Circulator matters, but they can’t train your bloodlust as a Werewolf, B.” Dad said gravely.

“But I don’t want to wolf-out and go all yucky!” I took another step backwards with apprehension. “It hurts being a Werewolf and I always get into trouble for it!”

“If you start your training as soon as possible, you can be taught to control the bloodlust, B.” Grandpa said patiently. “The longer we leave it, the harder it will be.”

“It’s not a full moon so I don’t want to change!” I objected. “I don’t want this! I don’t want to be like you!”

“B…” Grant looked pained, “…it will be alright, I promise.”

“Yeah but when I turn into you, I get locked up as my clothes tear and I feel the worse pain imaginable!” I objected.

“Then we’d better get you trained as soon as possible, so you don’t feel the agonizing stomach cramps anymore.” Ian said calmly.

Suddenly in a bright flash of light, Mum and Gran instantaneously phased into my living area, to the surprise of the male Lokoti Werewolves.

“Arabella?” Grandfather looked on his mate.

“Jess?” Dad had to blink at Mum’s abrupt appearance.

“Hi Hunter.” She smirked. “We just came to drop something off for B.”

“For me?” I wondered out loud. “Like what?”

Gran walked forwards holding a small pile of neatly folded up clothes in her hands. As she came forwards, she unfolded the garments and soon we were looking on several elasticized black tops and bottoms of what looked to be like gym clothes.

“You need elasticized clothing which won’t tear when you change.” She announced. “Here’s a couple of pairs of work-out clothes you can wear which will handle your increased muscle bulk.”

I looked on the two other females in the room which coupled with their consideration; it was like they were the light in all of this darkness. I walked up not just to accept my gift, but I pulled both older women into my stronger arms in a grateful hug.

“Thank you!” I uttered out in a tight voice. “Thank you so much!”

“They’re just clothes, B.” Mum laughed at reaction, but Gran understood.

“Of course we’d be here for the first female Lokoti Werewolf who’s still our beloved B.” She rubbed my back in a soothing manner. “Now how about you go upstairs and change?”

“You mean you’ll be coming too?” I asked hopeful.

“Er, perhaps not.” She tried not to laugh.

“We’ll stay here though.” Mum promised. “Go off and do your ‘Werewolf bonding’ or whatever the males have planned? And when you come home all hunted out, we will be waiting for you.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I watched his eyes widen, before they narrowed into a look of pure resentment when he saw Grant standing beside.

(‘Scent’ Excerpt Chapter 10)

We walked hand-in-hand, up and down the small aisles of the general store. In his other hand, he held the carry-basket for us as he told me what to grab. When we walked past a couple of older women, I noticed their looks of approval by seeing us behave like we really were a married couple.

“Hi B and Grant.” Old Mrs. Huntington smiled as we passed by, whilst she was shopping with her grown granddaughter.

“Hi Mrs. Huntington.” My husband greeted the elderly woman. “How’s your elbow treating you?”

“Good thanks, Grant.” Old Mrs. Huntington answered before she smiled in my direction. “The cold compress your Grandpa gave me to use works like a treat.”

“That’s good.” I said politely.

Mrs. Huntington just stood there, grinning at us then she looked down to obviously stare at our holding hands. It was almost like she was bestowing her approval, which made me uncomfortable.

“Well then, we’ll be seeing you.” He excused us.

Even if we weren’t Werewolves with our sensitive hearing, we still would have heard old Mrs. Huntington say as she watched us walk away; “the Wisetail-Riverclaw girl and the Elm boy, now there’s a good match! Three branches of the tribe’s oldest families have come together to create one strong tree. They’ll breed good stock.”

My eyes widened as Grant tried not to snicker. He pulled me along to prevent me from turning around and staring back at the nosy old woman! I felt my cheeks burn as I tried to refocus on the task at hand, whilst he didn’t seem offended at all.

“Come on B.” He squeezed my hand. I gave him a funny look, which he caught so he spoke quietly, “when my family first announced our engagement, I got a lot of that. I had people stopping me on the street to offer their congratulations. They all told me how they thought we’re the perfect match being two Lokoti Werewolves marrying another, let alone a Wisetail-Riverclaw and an Elm union.”

I gulped as I quickly looked away and tried to look preoccupied at the bottles of sunflower or olive oil.

Not that there was any pressure or anything! Boy, if this is how the whole tribe feels about our nuptials, I wonder what would have happened if I had refused to go ahead with the wedding? Or if I had ended up with Declan instead…

Grant grabbed the bottle of the olive oil before he moved us along. I sensed that he wasn’t bothered by any of this in the slightest. He may have been amused but I started to wonder if he saw our union as something else; fate perhaps?

“Yum!” I stopped in front of the different confectionary and I was relieved to change the subject. “Should we get choc-chip biscuits or just a bar of chocolate?”

“I think Hannah will be giving us some more biscuits soon, so we probably don’t need any of the bought kind. How about a couple of bars of chocolate instead?” He shrugged.

“OK.” I readily put two bars of chocolate inside the basket.

Just then we heard the rattle of the bell over the door, of somebody else coming into the general store. Before I turned my head to see who it was, I smelled his maple syrup scent.

I looked up sharply just as Declan stopped in his tracks when he saw me. I watched his eyes widen, before they narrowed into a look of pure resentment when he saw Grant standing beside. His human blue eyes even began to look a little green...

…when he quickly turned around again and walked back out. Oh, just like that he was gone. As I watched his abrupt departure, I noticed his huge muscles under the dirty white t-shirt looked tense. The poor guy, since he worked next door at the Garage, he probably came in to get a can of soda or something when we put him off.

My heart hurt but to hide this from my husband, I quickly busied myself by grabbing another two blocks of chocolate off the shelf before moving us on again. However what I really wanted to do was let go of Grant’s hand and run after Declan, to comfort him.

I wished I could somehow ease his pain, because the pack and even the tribe thought that it was a much safer bet to pair me off to Grant Elm instead of Declan Sabre. Just because he wasn’t a Lokoti Werewolf and because his family wasn’t as old in the tribe as the Elm family was…it did seem a bit unfair.

“I think that’s it.” Grant said cheerfully, acting oblivious to Declan’s sudden appearance and disappearance. “Are you ready to go home?”

Quietly I nodded before I walked with him over to the counter for Mr. Barley to mark the things out in his book.

“And how would you like to make up for this trade today?” Mr. Barley asked congenially.

“Ian and I are currently working on some new pieces of furniture.” He began.

“I’ve seen your work, it’s good. I especially liked that dining table set you did for the Lightfoot’s. I can give you two month’s worth of groceries for a dining table set with a buffet unit.” Mr. Barley bartered.

“Deal.” He smiled on the arrangement and the two men shook on it.

Grant placed a happy kiss on my forehead, as I watched Mr. Barley write this down in his book underneath the items we were checking out. As I looked on the book which kept records of all the family accounts, I realized that this was a new section of the book that he had created for Grant and I. My name was no longer under the ‘Hunter & Jessica Wisetail’ account, but it was now under the ‘Grant & Bianca Elm’ account.

Frickin’ hell! I really am a married woman and the tribe firmly saw me this way. I stared at my name scribbled next my husband’s – Bianca Elm. We had our own family account as I was officially seen as Mrs. Bianca Elm.

No wonder Declan couldn’t bear to be in the same room with my husband and I…because I was another man’s territory.

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Running really fast is completely different to passing through mirrors or glass without breaking them

(‘Scent’ Excerpt Chapter 10)

“Yep, Clara Riverclaw’s culinary expertise is legendary in the tribe.” Grant smiled to Grandfather. “Even my Mom borrows recipes from your Mom.”

“So does mine.” Dad chuckled. “I think my parents were secretly waiting for me to marry Jess, so Mom had an excuse to visit Clara Riverclaw in the kitchen more often on the pretense to talk about us.”

“That’s alright,” Grandfather laughed, “because my Mom also had a cunning plan about your coupling. She couldn’t wait to get her hands on your Dad’s knitting patterns.”

On this, Grant looked at the white woolen turtle-neck jumper I was wearing. “Did your Grandpa knit that for you?” he asked.

“Yep.” I nodded.

“A Lokoti Werewolf who likes to knit; if outsiders only knew?” He joked as Mum giggled in agreement.

“You’ll need to change out of your jumper before we start your training, B.” Gran warned. “You don’t want to put a hole in it.”

I thought that was a little odd, as I pondered on what kind of training were they planning? “Why?”

“Today, your mother and I are going to start off your training in fencing.” She announced.

“You can move in the speed of light.” Mum stated. “So it’s a good place to start teaching you fencing before we move onto phasing through time.”

My eyebrows rose warily, “um, do you really think I’ll be able to phase? I mean, running really fast is completely different to passing through mirrors or glass without breaking them.”

“You looked bright like your skin was glowing, when you ran.” Dad advised.

“I did?” I echoed in surprise.

“I guess your grandmother and your mother think it’s related to how you phase through time.” Grandfather shrugged.

“It is related.” Mum proclaimed. “By moving in light speed, you’re effectively turning yourself into light. I’d bet a hundred bucks that says you’re probably running in phase rather than in your biological body.”

“I’ll agree to your wager.” Gran smiled in amusement. “Let’s make it two hundred quid that says Jess is right.”

“I’m on your side.” Grandfather grinned to his beloved mate. “I’ve learned never to underestimate what a Circulator says about the timeline or even about other Circulators.”

“So if I’m going to learn fencing, does that mean I’m going to get a sword of my own to play with?” I asked hopeful.

I have always admired Mum’s and Gran’s swords. Ever since I was a little girl, I liked to swing them around as I imagined that I could sword fight in the speed of light, like they could. I had many imaginary battles, taking down monsters like the European Werewolf that attacked Aunt Susan and turned Declan. However the battles would end when either Dad or Grandfather would chastise, “that sword is NOT a toy, B.” They would warily come to take it away, always careful to hold the weapon by the hilt and avoid the blade as it was silver folded over steel and as we all know, Werewolves are allergic to silver.

“To ‘play’ with?” Dad’s eyebrows rose unimpressed as he repeated, “swords aren’t toys, B. They’re deadly and dangerous weapons.”

“Especially when they’re silver coated.” Grandfather frowned my way, before he looked at Gran. “B’s sword isn’t coated with silver, is it?”

“It is.” Gran said simply.

Just then the table turned quiet as the male Werewolves eyes bulged at this piece of news.

“But Arabella,” he began, “B is a Lokoti Werewolf and Werewolves are allergic to silver.”

“Yes, I know that other Werewolves are allergic to silver.” Gran smirked.

“‘Other’ Werewolves?” Dad immediately caught what she said.

Then Gran stood up and momentarily left the table. We watched her walk over to where I now noticed three sheathed swords stood, leaning against the wall. I recognized two of them as Mum and her silver-coated Katanas, which were Japanese style swords.

I was once told that the Circulate’s collection of Katanas were indeed made in Japan in the medieval times. Gran told of how they were collected by a Japanese Circulator who had left Earth with the majority of the Circulate in the ‘Final Phase’. The swords were left as a part of the collection of weapons through the ages, on display in the self-defense training room at Circulate HQ. The Katanas complimented perfectly the European swords, crossbows or longbows through the ages which also hung on the wall. There were even futuristic laser rifles, next to the polished antique muskets.

My heart picked up speed in excitement when Gran picked up the third sword to carry over. “This is for you, B.” she smiled. “Consider it an early birthday present. But don’t lose it, because not only is it a priceless antique, but one day it’s going to save your life.”

I practically snatched it from her as I giggled with anticipation! I immediately unsheathed it to behold the long, sharp, silver-coated Katana gleaming in my hands…

“Woah!” Grant, Dad and Grandfather instantly leapt out of their seats and away from the table.

“Arabella!” Dad looked on worriedly. “B is a Werewolf! Can’t she get a sword that’s NOT coated in silver?”

Hmm, if I was a Werewolf then shouldn’t I feel apprehension around silver too? But I don’t and I wondered why. The women watched intently as the men looked on in horror; as I reached out my other hand to touch the actual sword.

“NO, B! DON’T!” The male Werewolves yelled in alarm.

But nothing happened… I was touching the blade, but nothing was happening from the contact with my flesh.

“Are you sure it’s silver?” I checked with Gran.

“Yep,” she clarified, “it’s silver alright.”

“But I thought Werewolves are allergic to silver?” I frowned, confused.

“We are allergic to silver.” Grant stated.

“Then you touch it.” I moved the sword towards him.

“NO B!” He leapt further backwards in a lightening fast move.

Huh? I don’t understand, why won’t Grant go near but I can hold it?

“Gran?” I looked to her for an answer.

“Arabella?” so did Grandfather.

“I just had this feeling.” She shrugged.

“Actually, so did I.” Mum smirked. “B is the first female Lokoti Werewolf, but because she’s also a Circulator…”

“…silver doesn’t have the same effect on her.” Gran finished.

Now Mum clicked her fingers as something else occurred to her, “I bet it has something to do with her higher bio-electromagnetic frequency! Circulator’s don’t age the same way as humans do because we’re in temporal flux. I bet it’s the same with silver.”

“Her heightened bio-electromagnetic frequency is harmonizing with her Lokoti Werewolf regenerative ability. So as a Circulator, she’s faster than Werewolves and now, she’s also not allergic to silver.” Gran pronounced.

I looked on the two older women impressed, “did you two just ‘see’ all of that then?”

They stood back smugly and nodded. Although I believed them, I also sensed there was something missing to the equation.

“Hang on.” I said and then I surprised everyone by morphing into my stronger Lokoti Werewolf shape.

In my supernatural form, I touched the silver on the sword again…still nothing. So this time I ran my finger along the sharp edge and that got a reaction for sure!

“OOOOWWWW!” I roared in pain!

Simultaneously I dropped the sword which clanged when it landed on top of the table, as I jumped backwards recoiling in pain.

My finger didn’t feel like I had a simple cut, but it felt like it was burning too! It was like somebody had poured acid into the wound! I nursed my injured hand whilst reverting to my human shape, as I backed so far away from the table that I knocked into the wall.

“Let me see.” Grant was quick to rush to my side. He carefully held my hand and we both looked down to see blood almost pour out of the tiny cut.

“There’s so much blood!” I whimpered, afraid.

“As a human which is also her Circulator form, B can touch the silver. But in Werewolf form if the silver breaks her skin? Then silver causes just as much injury to her as it does to us.” He proclaimed.

“So she’s not as allergic to silver as we are, but she’s still allergic.” Dad pondered as he and the rest of my family crowded around to see.

“But it’s just a tiny cut! Why is there so much blood?” I complained.

“Silver is deadly to Werewolves.” Grandfather spoke softly. “In weapon form, it can kill us.”

“We can’t regenerate easily from silver-caused injuries.” Dad added on.

“It’s why you’re bleeding so much and why the cut isn’t healing itself immediately.” Grant finished. “But Em and Hunter look at the cut, do you notice anything different?”

Dad’s breath sucked in sharply as his eyes widened, “there’s blood but no smoke.”

“Smoke? What smoke?” I gave him a peculiar look.

“Silver burns us. It not only weakens our flesh, but a small amount of red smoke can appear which is a chemical reaction to the silver.” Grandfather explained.

Next, Grant raised my injured finger to gently place it inside of his mouth. I felt his tongue tenderly lap at the cut, sending it numb with his regenerative ability. As he did so, my parents and grandparents moved a little away to give us privacy.

My eyes met with my husband’s, as my stomach felt all fluttery from the contact. After a minute, he took my finger back out of his mouth and we both looked on. The cut had completely healed over and was now just a small, pink line.

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