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.

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

They knew they would have to restrain a vicious animal; a predator

(‘Scent’ Excerpt Chapter 9)

Meanwhile, in the upper part of the house; my husband, father and grandfather all stood outside the bathroom door. Dad was gripping onto the doorknob so hard his knuckles had turned white; Grandfather leaned with his back on the door to use himself as an extra support and Grant stood helplessly by, as his new wife screamed in pain.

They flinched but remained steady as they both heard and felt me bang on the door once more.

“GRANT! DAD! MUM!” They heard me holler. “HELP ME!”

“She’s strong.” Grandfather remarked.

“She’s almost as strong as a male Lokoti Werewolf.” Dad agreed.

Then all three flinched in sympathy pain, as they heard a bloodcurdling scream come through the wood that the agonizing bloodlust inflicted.

“If the DYSTAR stops Circulators from phasing through time, shouldn’t it stop B from also running in light speed?” Grant asked.

“Theoretically it should.” Grandfather answered.

“Then can’t we take her hunting if she can’t escape from us using her Circulator ability?” He continued.

“No! I won’t risk B to that.” Dad said fiercely. “She’s my daughter and I won’t risk her escaping us. I won’t risk the people of Alma complaining to the Government, if B eats one of them. I won’t risk the Government sending Marines or whatever soldiers they have available with machine guns, to destroy her.”

“But if she’s dosed on DYSTAR -” he began.

“Werewolves aren’t the only supernatural species with regenerative capability.” Grandfather interrupted. “Circulators can self-heal, including from DYSTAR. B could suddenly get her ability back while we were taking her on a hunt. Then it would be like the first night she changed all over again, she’ll run towards Alma and we won’t be fast enough to catch her.”

My husband’s eyes widened at the older Werewolves worry. His heart hurt as his stomach tightened at the idea of putting his young wife in any kind of danger. His protective Lokoti Werewolf instincts were in direct agreement with their plan.

“But we may not have to worry about the Government coming to destroy her.” Dad continued. “The morning after her first change, you should have seen her eyes, Grant. When she realized what she nearly did, B told me to get my hunting rifle and shoot her in the head.”

His eyes bulged at this news! His face became a mask of shock, which then turned into one of sadness. He looked from Dad to the door I was on the other side of.

“We’re not just saving the humans in Alma from B’s bloodlust, but we’re saving her as well.” Grandfather said sadly.

My new husband looked down at the floor and after a moment, Grant gave a nod to show he understood.

Just then Dad and Grandfather were nearly thrown forwards when I gave the door an almighty thump! They heard the sound of the wood crack and this time even Grant jumped forwards. He was quick to put his hand over where the wood was weakening to stop it from splitting.

“She’s getting stronger!” Dad said with gritted teeth, almost turning as he recaptured the rattling door knob.

“Her bloodlust is making her strength peak.” Grandfather agreed, pushing his back up against the wood once more.

All three of them stood ready incase the bathroom door completely broke. They knew they would have to restrain a vicious animal; a predator. They waited and then they waited some more…but nothing happened.

The door didn’t shake anymore, nor were there any further banging sounds. It turned eerily quiet, like inside the eye of hurricane. Grandfather and Dad exchanged an optimistic look as they wondered if the worst was now over? But their hopeful glances were interrupted when my husband doubled-over, with his face a mask of pain.

“Grant?” Grandfather put his arm out to steady him. “What is it, what’s wrong?”

“B’s pain...” He groaned, “…the bloodlust is tearing her insides apart and she’s in complete agony!”

“My baby B?” Dad asked fearfully.

“I have to go in.” My husband moaned. “I have to be with her, to help her!”

“Grant, I don’t know if that’s a good idea -” Dad frowned.

“She needs me, Hunter.” He interrupted. “I’m going in!”

Dad looked conflicted on the younger Werewolf, before he looked questioningly at Grandfather. He watched his Second of the pack give a nod, although he looked a little wary himself.

“Alright then.” Dad sighed in resignation. “I’ll unlock the door and open it for one second. Em, stand ready incase she tries to bolt.”

Grant nodded to show he understood, as did Grandfather. After one more moment as the three exchanged a rueful look, they put their plan into play.

At first my father leaned in close to the door to listen in, trying to hear if I was right on the other side of it. Then he took a deep breath before his hands moved to the lock to turn it quietly. Grandfather stood ready just as Dad quickly opened the door and he barked out; “now!” Grant leapt through the crack and he immediately slammed the door shut behind!

However my husband soon found out that my father needn’t have worried about me making a mad dash as I felt so weak and wretched, I could no longer move. I was curled up in a ball on the cold and hard, tiled floor. I was panting hard in pain as the agonizing cramps ripped across my entire torso! I couldn’t even look up as Grant crouched down beside.

“B…?” His eyes watered. “B, come on.” He pulled me into an upright position where I was leaning against the bath tub and I growled at him warningly. He smoothed the hair off my wet face, “I know B, I know.”

I even snapped at his hands! Not to injure, but to warn him to keep away. However he sat down beside as he tried to pull me into his arms. Instead I pushed them away, as I turned my head in the opposite direction.

The pain was so bad, Grant’s scent became as intoxicating as a glass of vintage wine to an alcoholic wine connoisseur. I could hear his heart beat drumming in my ears as I could smell the blood in his veins whilst I could feel the heat emanate from his warm body. I was even tempted to feast on him!

I wanted him - I wanted him bad - but not as a wife should want her husband.

“Grant!” I snarled. “Get out of here!”

“No.” he growled back in his deep, thunderous Werewolf voice.

When I looked back, I saw that he had changed and he was gazing back with his glowing silver eyes. His enlarged Lokoti Werewolf muscles bulged underneath his long-sleeved t-shirt which was almost ripping at the seams.

“GRANT GET OUT OF HERE!” I roared, leaning away.

Then I thought that he did the stupidest as well as the cruelest thing I had ever seen a person do; he used the claws of his right hand to place a cut on his left wrist and then he held the injury up to my mouth.

My eyes widened as my nostrils flared at the seductive smell! My already elongated teeth grew sharper, as I stared at the blood hypnotized… Yet some tiny amount of will power enabled me to turn my head away from the temptation.

“What the HELL are you doing! Get it away from me!” I roared in fury.

How can he be torturing me like this?! What was he, a sadist?! Just my luck to be mated to the Maquis de Sade.

“Drink!” He ordered.

He used his uninjured hand to take hold of head then he thrust his injury against my mouth! But I refused to part my lips…

*NO B, HE’S YOUR MATE!*

My willpower refused to let his red sweetness in, as I locked my mouth shut. As strong as the bloodlust was to feed? So too were the protective instincts which kept my jaw shut.

“You won’t injure me.” He growled out. “Now drink!”

I tried roll away from him and the delicious aroma of his cut, but Grant pulled me back using his greater strength. Whilst keeping his uninjured right arm about my body, he used his strong claws to force apart my jaw. Then he shoved his injured wrist into my mouth…

Frickin’ hell’s delight! I had never tasted anything so good before in my entire life! Imagine the most perfect plum or the sweetest peach or even the rarest steak that you have ever enjoyed and times that pleasure by a hundred!

DRINK! – he mentally commanded.

As the mouthwatering sweetness like nectar from the ripest fruit filled my mouth, I couldn’t help it…my sharp teeth came down!

Grant’s eyes squeezed shut from the pain, but he didn’t stop me. The blood flowed freely out of his double wound as I gripped onto his arm. I drank down his life force like I was both ravenously hungry and dying of thirst.

The agonizing stabbing pains immediately began to ease as my heart raced in excitement! My skin warmed all over as I felt renewed energy course through my veins. I drank in his warmth, I drank in his vitality, I drank down his essence. Until this night, I had never quite understood the term ‘life force’ when applied to blood before now. But drinking Grant’s blood? It was like I was truly drinking HIM. He was his blood and that night it also became part of mine.

I started to lose track of how much I was drinking as I reveled in these new sensations…that was until I felt his heart slow and his blood pressure begin to fall.

*NO!* my protective instinct roared. *HE IS YOUR MATE!*

I sharply drew back my head and gasped, pushing away his wrist. Grant leaned heavily against the bath tub, pale and panting hard. I turned and looked on him fearfully… oh no, what have I done?!

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

A Circulator’s bio-electromagnetic field disrupting a Werewolf’s will

(‘Scent’ Excerpt Chapter 9)

… and when I opened my eyes again? For a first in the past three days, I woke up alone. He wasn’t in bed, nor was he in the room.

I raised my head to look about, thinking that things looked a little brighter than usual. Hang on, what time is it? I turned my head towards the digital clock on his nightstand which read 10.33 AM. I’ve certainly slept in! Usually my body clock woke me up at eight as did Grant’s so no wonder he’s no longer in bed.

When I sat upright, I paused. My keen hearing picked up somebody talking downstairs and I recognized it was Grant.

“Last night was almost a full moon and B changed to go gunning into town again.” I heard my husband say unhappily.

“And how has she been besides last night?” I heard Grandfather ask, indicating he was downstairs too.

“Fine,” he answered, “she had been adjusting to the transition just fine, until last night.”

“Tell us what happened.” I heard Dad’s voice, showing he was here as well.

“We had dinner and then we did the dishes. We had a slight…well, I wouldn’t call it an argument but she got annoyed. She went for her evening shower then after the shower instead of coming to bed, she went downstairs to stand on the veranda. I sensed her bloodlust begin to boil, so I came out. B could smell a townsperson in Alma and when I asked her to come inside; she became confrontational. I had to use my will on her to muddle her mind which bought me time to bring her inside. Then she begged me to let her go or even go with her after the townsperson. I had to use every bit of will power I had, to calm her down enough to put her to bed.” He told the older men.

Dad sighed out, “that’s the Circulator in her. Whenever Jess gets angry, she gets itchy feet. The Circulator way of tackling a problem is to run away from it. It’s why B went outside.”

“She probably went out on the veranda to look at the stars.” Grandfather added on. “Arabella likes to do that. I think it’s because they’re Light People who come from the place of light, just as they’re destined to return to that place.”

“Jess enjoys that too…stargazing. Circulators belong to the space time continuum however it sounds like the Werewolf part of B kicked in, when she smelled the townsperson.” Dad said seriously.

“Bianca isn’t ready to go hunting tonight.” Grant proclaimed.

“But this will be her second change!” Dad objected. “She has to start learning to hunt animal instead of human.”

“Last night when B changed, I nearly lost control of her and it wasn’t yet a full moon. With tonight being the first night of the full moon, I don’t think my will alone can hold her. I don’t think I can steer her towards animal flesh yet.” He sighed disappointedly.

There was a minute’s silence before Grandfather said concerned, “I’ll get Arabella to bring back more DYSTAR from Circulate HQ on Mars.”

“Does your bathroom lock on the outside as well as the inside?” Dad asked Grant.

“No, but that fact will change today.” My husband promised. “Can a wooden door hold her even if it’s locked?”

“With my back against it, it will.” Dad said determinedly.

“No Hunter,” he interrupted, “I’ll stay with her tonight.”

“I think we’ll ALL stay with her tonight and tomorrow night and the night after it.” Grandfather declared. “When the full moon is over, I’ll teach her how to control her changing as I start teaching her to hunt animal.”

“To prepare her for the next full moon?” Dad guessed his plan.

“It’s how my Grandfather taught me and how I taught Julian.” He told the younger men. “By teaching B how to control herself without the full moon making her bloodlust peak? She’ll be able to concentrate better. When Julian first changed, he wasn’t as fast as B, so I was able to take him on his first hunt immediately. With the will of the pack, we were able to convert his bloodlust from hungering human to craving animal. But I think because B is a Circulator and their bio-electromagnetic fields are different, it can disrupt our will so it loses its potency. That’s how B escaped the pack the first night she changed, as well as her running away at light speed.”

“My Dad taught me that way too.” My father agreed. “He taught me how to control my change in between full moons by taking me hunting when the bloodlust wasn’t at its peak.”

“And that’s how you and Ian also taught me when I first changed.” Grant said to Dad.

“Grant.” He spoke in a serious tone of voice. “What Em just said about a Circulator’s bio-electromagnetic field disrupting a Werewolf’s will is true as well. Jess is pretty good at deflecting my will over her from time to time. It’s how she managed to live away from me during those three months when she was pregnant. Jess became aware of what I was doing and it hardened her resolve. It’s why she purposefully avoided me by living and training in England. Jess started to become aware that when she was around me, my will could pervade her mind. B isn’t consciously aware of the Lokoti Werewolf will yet, so you have that going for you. But the more you’re around her, it will help increase your biological and mental meld with each other.”

“I won’t let her out of my sight.” My husband said firmly.

There was another moment of silence as I heard my grandfather and father walk towards the front door.

“We’ll be back at sunset.” Grandfather said as his farewell.

I listened to them leave the house, with Grant shutting the front door behind. Next, I overheard their car doors open as they climbed in to start up their engines. I heard both Dad’s and Grandfather’s four-wheel-drive vehicles roar to life, before they reversed out of the driveway. Lastly, I listened to the sound of their engines disappear down the hill.

My stomach sunk as my mouth fell open with dismay…I’m still a liability, even after this whole arranged marriage debacle. I’m a shame on my family because I’m still a killer. Mating me to Grant Elm wasn’t working - he said so himself! But what was more disturbing, was my own father and even my grandfather, were encouraging him to use some sort of mind trick on me!

Dad was even giving him frickin’ pointers on his technique, by using his own experience on my mother! This was so wrong, it was disgusting! It even sounded like Grandfather wasn’t above using it on Gran now and then! Well they can all go to HELL!

I leapt out of bed to quickly change into my everyday clothes. However just as I sat on the side of the bed, to pull on my socks and shoes; the bedroom door opened with Grant carrying in a cup of coffee.

“Good morning.” He smiled cheerfully. “I thought I heard you were up, how did you sleep?”

I remained quiet as I finished fastening my boots.

“Oh.” His face fell. “Not well, huh? Um, I made you a coffee…” he walked over to put it on my bedside table. He watched what I was doing. “Er B, it looks like you’re going somewhere?”

“I’m going for a walk!” I stood up to march out of the bedroom.

“A walk?” He quickly followed after. “OK hang on a sec, I’ll just grab my keys. We could walk down to the general store if you feel up to it? I was going to go there anyways.”

“Why, to buy a lock to put on the outside of the bathroom door?” I flashed him a hurt look, before I stormed down the stairs towards the front door.

I marched off the veranda and down the driveway towards the road. I was stomping, full-steam ahead with a worried husband trailing after. Grant just managed to grab his keys, lock the front door behind us and then he followed me down the hill.

“Oh, you heard that, huh? Listen B, I can explain -” he tried to offer but I cut him off.

“I’m not listening to you!” I put my hands over my ears.

“Don’t be foolish!” He laughed as he easily fell into step beside my angry form. “You’ve got it all wrong -”

“Don’t follow me!” I whirled around to put up my hands to stop him. “Don’t talk to me and don’t be around me! Do you know what I want to do right now Grant Elm?”

“Er what?”

“March over to my grandmother’s as well as my mother’s house and tell them what I heard my father and even my own grandfather tell you!” I shouted . “Mind tricks?! Mind control?! What are we, frickin’ sheep?!”

“B, you’ve got it all wrong and if you’d just let me explain -”

“And let you use more of your ‘Jedi’ mind games on me? No way in hell!!” I yelled in his face.

“B please -”

“These are not the droids you’re looking for!” I quoted sarcastically. “Yeah right! How about I go running and tell every single woman who’s unlucky enough to be married to you sneaky Werewolf bastards what’s really happening in this tribe?!”

“Come on, it’s not like that! If you would just let me explain -”

I put my hands over my ears again and started singing loudly, ‘Lust For Life’ by Iggy Pop to drown out his voice. “Here comes Johnny yeah, with the liquor and the drugs…”

“Come on, B!” He laughed again. “Not that you don’t look cute doing that? But I think you should calm down and just hear me out.”

I spun around to storm on ahead with my hands over my ears and singing loudly as I went.

STOP!

Huh? I stopped in surprise to look around in bewilderment.

TURN AROUND.

What was that? I turned around as I continued to look about. Where the hell did that come from? Is the bloodlust causing me to hallucinate now?!

LISTEN TO ME.

My hands lowered from my ears as I madly looked about, almost a little fearfully. Don’t tell me I’m going insane and I’m starting to hear voices inside my head? Thanks to my hesitation, Grant caught up once more.

“Did you hear that, or did you feel that?” He took hold of my shoulders to make me look his way.

“Did you hear that?” I looked on in shock.

“B, did you hear the words, or did you feel those words just then?” he repeated.

I blanched as I took a frightened step backwards…did HE just do that?!

“You felt my words, didn’t you?” He asked knowingly. “You felt them here...” He placed his hand over my heart.

Grant was right, it was as if the words originated from my chest and ended up in my head.

“How did you do THAT?” I demanded.

“I feel the words all the time.” He shrugged. “I feel them from the pack, when we receive an order from our First or Second. I feel the words when one of us is on patrol and they need backup.”

“You mean we’re telepathic?!” I asked in amazement.

“Yes and no.” He emitted a small smile. “We’re more empathic. I’ve heard from your Uncle Julian being married to a telepath that he and his mate can have complete mental conversations with each other. I’ve heard that your Aunt Danika can also see images in other people’s heads. When Lokoti Werewolves send mental messages to other members of the pack, we primarily sense the emotion behind them. It takes a lot out of us so we can only send short bursts or commands.”

“Is it what you use on your wives?!” I glowered with distrust.

“If you weren’t another Lokoti Werewolf, you wouldn’t have heard the words but you would have felt the will behind them. Usually we can’t hear words from our human mates but we feel it when you’re hungry or we feel it when you’re tired or ill. I feel it when you’re worried about something and I also feel when you’re scared…like right now.”

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

“Just remember, you’re a Lokoti Werewolf and there’s very little that scares us.”

(‘Scent’ Excerpt Chapter 8)

At 9.50 AM, I was led out of the house with the paint barely dry on my face. I was in full traditional dress, with my long black hair plaited, beaded and feathered. Mum, Dad, Great Grandma and Aunt Danika, were dressed in their smart clothes.

“Where are our Australian and English relatives?” I asked as I climbed into Dad’s truck.

I sat in the middle of my parents as I always have done. Aunt Danika climbed inside of Great Grandma’s truck with her to drive in front of us.

“Your Gran instantaneously phased them here an hour ago, to her house. They’ll be down at the Holy Grounds now, along with the rest of the tribe.” Mum answered.

“OK, let’s go.” Dad slowly started the ignition to let Great Grandma reverse out our driveway first.

We drove down the hill and turned left at the intersection instead of right. Rather than driving towards the community centre, Dad drove towards the outskirts of our village. The Holy Grounds where the three Sacred Totems sat were in a picturesque, grassy glade by the side of the river.

Up until this point, I had felt calm and determined to go through with this. But as soon as I saw all of those parked vehicles and the size of the crowd that had gathered? My eyes widened as my heart sped up. I had heard even the general store was closed for the celebrations. I wasn’t afraid of marrying Grant as I was determined to do that. But to marry him with the WHOLE tribe watching? I got stage fright! My breath sucked in sharply as I grimaced at the sight of all of those people.

Dad drove through the large cluster of parked vehicles and into the awaiting car space, reserved for us up the front with Mr. Barley waving us in.

“You’ll be fine.” My parents accidentally said at the same time, as he turned off the engine.

“Just breathe.” Dad instructed, squeezing one hand.

“Just try to focus on the ceremony.” Mum squeezed my other.

“Right.” I tried not to blanch.

“Let’s get this show on the road.” He grinned. “Just remember, you’re a Lokoti Werewolf and there’s very little that scares us.”

“Just don’t instantaneously phase out of here because you’re also a Circulator.” She joked.

“Now THAT would scare us.” He chuckled.

My parents hopped out of the truck as I climbed out after Mum. I stood by her side feeling rather conspicuous, dressed and painted up as such, especially when everybody turned and craned their necks to get a good look. I could hear a drum beat as Dad walked around from the driver’s side of the truck. He took hold of my hand as she held onto my other and together they walked me forwards onto the Holy Grounds.

Gran and Grandfather joined us as did Great Grandma, Aunt Danika and Nana and they were all dressed formally.

“You look beautiful, B.” Grandfather smiled a little tearfully as he kissed the side of my face that wasn’t painted.

“Thank you.” I smiled nervously.

At that moment Grant appeared and he was dressed similar to me, with Uncle Ian walking beside him wearing jeans and a suit jacket and tie.

Grant wore the same coloured suede clothing, with a suede shirt, a suede jacket and suede pants. His long black hair wasn’t in three plaits like mine, but in three loose ponytails which were also tied by leather bands with feathers. He also had the painted claw mark on his face but it was on his left side. My eyes widened as I looked on impressed, as I thought that he looked very handsome and just like a Lokoti Warrior of old.

“Hi B.” He smiled softly.

“Hi Grant.” I smiled back shyly.

“I formally ask your permission Emanuel Riverclaw as the head of the Riverclaw family; for the hand of your beloved granddaughter, Bianca Grace Wisetail.” He spoke in a clear, concise voice to Grandfather.

I noticed the tribe suddenly turned quiet as they stood back to watch and listen. Oh was this apart of the ceremony?

“You have my permission, Grant Elm.” My grandfather stepped aside.

“I formally ask your permission Hunter Wisetail, as the father of Bianca Grace Wisetail, for the hand of your beloved daughter.” He next spoke to Dad.

“You have my permission, Grant Elm.” My father released my hand.

Then Mum let go of my other when he stepped forward and took hold of the hand that Dad let go. Grant turned me around to face Uncle Ian.

“Bianca Grace Wisetail, with the blessing of the Elders today; I formally acknowledge your entry into my family’s house. I call you from this day forth, Bianca Grace Elm.” My ‘uncle’ spoke loudly, so everyone could hear.

I could hear the tribe murmur in excitement and admiration, watching this ‘handing over’ to the beat of the drum.

Then Grant led me by the hand to walk through the crowd. Our tribe parted to allow us passage towards the assembled nine Tribal Elders. They stood also dressed in traditional attire, before the three Sacred Totems. Uncle Ian, Dad, Mum, Gran, Grandfather, Great Grandma and Nana all walked behind Grant and I through the parted crowd towards the Elders. Aunt Danika went to go and stand next to Uncle Jules and their children.

The Council of Elders moved to sit in a half circle before a fire, as Grant led me forwards for us to kneel on the ground before them. Then all of our families and the rest of the tribe also sat down on the ground, with the people up the back remaining on their feet so they could see what would happen.

Then the drum beat stopped, with Mr. Lightfoot and Mr. Shallow Water lowering their instruments.

“You have the Tribal Elders convened here for you today. What do you ask of us?” Aunt Beth began.

“I have come to ask for the blessing of the Tribal Elders as the Guides of the Lokoti Wolf, to take this woman as my mate.” Grant spoke loudly.

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“You smell like a vase of wildflowers sitting in a kitchen while a cake is baking in the oven.”

(‘Scent’ Excerpt Chapter 7)

Gran continued, “but as such, I told her that I sent off Derik’s application to Cambridge University along with B’s. I told her that because Mike Sabre was apart of the Circulate, her family also had access to Hodge Endeavor funds which can pay for his degree. Susan thanked us and said that Derik was considering living in Cambridge instead of studying by correspondence, to get away for a while.”

Derik…he was going away? He was going to Cambridge without me? My marriage to Grant was sending him away? I had just started to hand Aunt Danika her coffee, when suddenly the muscles in my hand gave out…

…and the mug fell to the floor and smashed!

Everyone went quiet, as they looked either surprised or guilty. I stood there, feeling everybody’s heavy gaze as I felt my eyes sting but I refused to cry so publicly.

“What are these feathers for?” Phoenix suddenly bellowed, holding up the leather hair band with the feathers. “Is B going to be wearing feathers tomorrow? Hahahaha!”

When Grandpa growled warningly, it made him quickly put down the hair band and step away from the table.

I walked out of the kitchen, past the crowd of onlookers, out of the front door, down the veranda steps, across the gravel driveway and into the woods. I walked quickly, I had to. But then I heard the front door open and Dad call out, “B?”

Quickly I took off so he couldn’t come after me. I ran in supernatural speed, down the hill towards the river. My eyes watered from the rushing air as well as from the force of the emotions which were making my chest ache. I picked up with my Werewolf hearing that I was being followed and that Dad was running after, matching my speed…

No, Dad, no! Don’t come after me! So I ran faster…I ran at almost the speed of light, as my Circulator ability took over from my Werewolf physical prowess. The woods became a blur as I streaked through the trees. I jumped over log or rock, in between the tree trunks as my hair streamed behind.

I left the path that went down to the river as I ran upstream, past Sunset Point. I ran even faster, going further and further than I had ever gone before. No longer did I recognize the terrain that looked like a blur anyway, as I zoomed along the river bank. I made sure I had lost Dad until I began to slow down, slipping back into Werewolf speed, as I high jumped over a fallen tree to land on all-fours.

When I looked up, I found myself in a pretty glade surrounded by different kinds of ferns next to a quiet part of the riverbank. With the late afternoon, the light in this glade actually looked a curious kind of purple-green. The air smelled sweet and the bird song was constant. This glade was not just full of beauty, it was full of life.

I’ve never seen this part of Lokoti tribal lands before although my instincts told me that I was deep inside of the National Park. In the years just prior to the War, this land was renamed the ‘Lokoti National Park’. Hodge Endeavor sponsored it in the name of the original landowners the Lokoti, or so the press release said.

Just then something moved and I realized I wasn’t alone…somebody who was sitting on a large rock with their back to me, now turned my way to show a tearful, angry face. That face belonged to Declan, who was sitting in grease-covered jeans and a dirty grey t-shirt, which had momentarily camouflaged him on the similarly coloured rock.

“YOU!” he shouted, enraged.

Me?

“What are YOU doing here?!?” He bellowed.

I paused, not knowing how to answer that.

“How did you find me? How did you find MY spot? Did you sniff me out to come and gloat about tomorrow?!” He stood up.

This was HIS spot?

“Look, I come here to get away so I don’t accidentally eat anybody when I get angry! And now you won’t even let me have my space? My privacy?” He charged towards me.

He was sitting here because he was angry?

Declan marched up so he was standing right in my face, tearfully glaring as I tearfully stared back, in shock. What are the chances of me just stumbling across HIS spot like this?

“What the hell are YOU crying for?!” He shouted in my face. “YOU’RE the one who broke my brother’s heart! YOU’RE the one who’s callously marrying another!”

I couldn’t take this - not from him - not right now. I turned around and tried to leave the glade. But Declan as I found, wasn’t about to let me leave that easily.

“I made you promise that you would NEVER tell my brother about us so he wouldn’t be hurt! And what the hell do you go and do? You get promised to another!” He raged as he followed after. “You still hurt Derik!”

“It wasn’t my idea, Declan!” I cried.

“Yeah but I don’t exactly see or hear you refusing, either!” he rebuked as he grabbed hold of my arm to whirl me around. “My brother asked you to marry him! My brother’s been in love with you since you were 16 years old! He frickin’ worships the ground you walk on! And what do you do? You walk all over his heart!”

I ripped my arm out of his grasp as I tried to flee, but Declan stormed after.

“You’re a cold, heartless bitch who doesn’t care about anybody but herself! I hope your marriage to Grant is a failure! I hope that he hurts you like you hurt Derik!”

My eyes watered so much, I had rivers of tears coursing down my cheeks as I hurried away.

“I hope that you do another first in this frickin’ tribe by being the first to die during childbirth to a frickin’ Lokoti Werewolf!” He went on. “I hope that you’re absolutely miserable and you’re in pain! Did you know my brother’s not just leaving the tribe, but he’s talking about skipping the country because of you!”

Declan meant by Derik going to Cambridge University.

“Bianca Grace Wisetail, you are such a shallow, stuck up bitch! You think you know everything by reading your books! You think you’re so good with your Werewolf pheromones and your pretty face! But that’s all you’ve got! You don’t have a heart! You don’t have a soul! And you certainly don’t have a conscience!” He yelled.

I almost tripped over a hidden rock in some ferns, but I stumbled onwards.

“Did you plan this all along? Did you string my brother along on purpose? Did you plan on breaking his heart?” He grabbed hold of my arm once more. “ANSWER ME DAMN YOU! SAY FRICKIN’ SOMETHING!”

I sobbed as I struggled to pull my arm back from his strong grip.

“Would you at least tell me why?” He shook me, as his voice cracked. “Why B, why? Why are you doing what you’re doing tomorrow?”

Then I realized that this stopped being about Derik, but this started to be about Declan’s feelings. This thought occurred when he pulled me close to rub his wet face against mine.

“Why B, why?” He sniffed. “Why are you marrying Grant Elm tomorrow?”

“B – b – because the pack and the Tribal Elders said so.” I mumbled.

“I know THEIR reason, but what’s yours B?” He looked on, hurt. “When I first heard what they were thinking, I laughed! I actually laughed as I thought there was no way in hell Bianca Wisetail would go along with this. No way in hell, would Bianca let a bunch of old folks tell her who she was going to marry… and then I see the wedding preparations at the Holy Grounds? And what I heard from Derik which you said to him?”

Declan gently shook me once more before he held me even closer, so close I felt his breath on my face. “I could take it when you were with my brother, because he had you first… but Grant Elm? Grant Elm?! That guy is a full ten years older than you!” His voice turned loud again. Then he sniffed me and suddenly pushed me backwards! “I can even smell him on you!”

I cringed as I felt dirty for kissing my fiancé, the man the whole tribe had set me up with.

“You’ve KISSED him haven’t you?” Declan spat out in disgust. “What else have you done with him?!”

I spun around as I tried to get away from him and away from this…

“Grant Elm gets Bianca Wisetail. Grant Elm gets to marry the first female Lokoti Werewolf. Grant Elm gets the prize, the tribe’s trophy bride! How does it make you feel, B? To be passed around and to be decided over like you were property?!” He said cruelly, following behind.

I tried to break into a run, but Declan leapt on top of me! He knocked me to the muddy ground. When I tried to get up, he pinned me underneath! My heart raced as we wrestled, with me trying to get up and Declan fighting to stay on top.

“Get off me! Get off me! GET OFF ME!” I screamed, turning afraid.

If he tries to do what I was worried he would do, Grant would smell him on me. Then the shit would really hit the fan! I was frightened Grant and Uncle Ian and maybe even Dad would go gunning for Declan. I was scared how this would hurt Aunt Susan and even Derik would find out.

However as soon as he heard me scream, a change came over him. He instantly froze as he looked down, remorseful.

“I’m not going to hurt you, B.” Fresh tears sprung to his eyes.

We both paused as we looked on the other with wide eyes. Declan removed his hands from my wrists, when instead they encircled my waist. He buried his face in my hair as I heard him inhale deeply. He held me tightly in his arms and we laid there like that in the mud, in an embrace.

I turned my head as I closed my eyes whilst pressing my nose against his neck to inhale him deeply. His familiar maple syrup scent filled my senses, as I held him tighter. As I pondered on how I relished his scent, I wondered what I smelled like to him?

“What do I smell like?” I asked out of the blue.

“Say what?” He raised his head to give a funny look.

“What do I smell like to you?” I asked as I wanted to see if I smelled the same to him as I did to Grant.

Declan bent his head again to run his nose down my cheek to my neck, as I felt his body harden in arousal.

“You smell like a vase of wildflowers sitting in a kitchen while a cake is baking in the oven.” He said in a low voice.

My heart raced at his words as I thought that it was the most romantic thing that anyone has ever said to me…!

I kissed him which seemed to be just what he was waiting for because he eagerly kissed back. Our passion not only made my stomach flutter but it made me feel hot all over. I gripped onto his shirt so tightly it was as if my body never wanted to let him go.

Our lips opened to each other’s as soon as they touched. Whilst our tongues wrestled, he tried to be the dominant but again, I fought back. Our teeth sharpened, which we both felt as our mouths couldn’t bare to be apart. The odd growl escaped, although I wasn’t completely sure if it came from me or him or even the both of us?

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I spotted his glowing green Werewolf eyes as he sat in his hiding spot in the woods.

(‘Scent’ Excerpt Chapter 6)

It was late in the afternoon when Grant drove me home. As he parked his jeep in my driveway, I noticed the other trucks and vehicles had gone, indicating that my ‘wedding planners’ had left. My husband-to-be turned off his engine before he turned in his seat to look on longingly.

“Try not to worry so much.” He spoke softly as put his hand over mine. “Everything will fall into place, you’ll see.”

“Hmm.” I stared thoughtfully out his windscreen.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to our future together. I think it could be fun.” He gave a wink.

I sighed weary with emotion, “thanks Grant.”

“Thanks for what?”

“Thanks for being the optimist in all of this.” I turned to give him a small smile. “Thanks for the house too.”

“Anytime.” He said humorously. “I just hope I haven’t spoiled you so when your birthday rolls around, you’re not expecting anymore large pieces of real estate.”

I laughed out my return, “you mean it was a one time thing?”

He laughed back, “for the moment anyways.”

We both turned quiet as his hand didn’t want to let go of mine and he was staring again.

“What?” I wondered.

“You’re the only girl in the tribe with dark blue eyes, you know that?”

“Yeah I guess.”

“Your mother, your grandmother and your grandfather have blue eyes but not dark blue eyes like yours.” His voice turned husky as he caressed the top of my hand with his thumb.

“OK…?”

Then he leaned forwards to kiss me softly on the lips and whilst he was sitting closer, I overheard him breathe in deeply.

“Good bye B, for the moment.” He sighed like he didn’t want to see me go.

“Bye Grant.”

I opened the door and climbed out to walk up my veranda steps. I threw him a wave before I disappeared inside. He didn’t start his jeep again until he saw me go through my front door. As I closed the door behind, I heard him begin to reverse out.

My parents came out of the kitchen where they had started to prepare dinner.

“Hi B.” Dad looked on hopefully. “Did you have a good afternoon with Grant?”

“Um yeah, it was OK.” I said as I turned towards the stairs.

“What did you think of the house?” Mum enquired.

“It’s OK.”

“Well, did you like it? Can you imagine yourself living there?” She stopped at the bottom of the stairs to watch me climb up.

“Yeah, I guess.”

“What did you and Grant talk about?” He queried.

“Typical newlywed stuff.” I called as I disappeared down the hallway.

Mum and Dad exchanged confused glances but they thought it best to leave it at that before they returned to the kitchen.

I walked into my bedroom and shut my door behind. Then whilst leaning on the wood, I slid down to the floor and sat like that, with my back against the door. I don’t believe it…I’m actually engaged to be married! Then the double-whammy is that the groom isn’t such a bad guy, nor is he a bad kisser.

Frickin’ hell, my Werewolf pheromones just keep on snow-balling…picking up reluctant or willing volunteers along the way. How did the male Lokoti Werewolves cope with their attractiveness before they took mates? I guess their egos expanded as they enjoyed the attention from the opposite sex, but it was going to take me a little while longer to get used to.

It started off with Derik; then the boys at Ben’s party flirted with me; then Declan holds my hand before he kisses me and then I do something else with him. Now this afternoon I kissed my fiancé, the man that the tribe set me up to marry because of this Werewolf business.

I felt like a tennis ball, being hit back and forth across the net in a game of doubles. Derik, Declan and now Grant were holding the rackets. But as the Sabre’s stood on one side of the net, Grant Elm played as a one-man team on his own. I rubbed my face hard with the palms of my hands as I tried to take control of my raging Werewolf hormones.

As my room changed colours with the oncoming sunset, I tried to stop myself comparing scents; maple syrup or a herb garden, which did I prefer? Whilst the lighting in my room changed from pink to purple, I tried to make sense of my racing heart.

“Stop it B!” I growled out, angry with myself. “Just stop it!”

I decided to get my mind off you-know-who by having a shower before dinner. However as I walked over to the window to close my curtains to undress? In the purple dusk, I spotted his glowing green Werewolf eyes as he sat in his hiding spot in the woods.

This time I paused as I stared back, unsure of what to do. Usually I would close my curtains on him, but today I didn’t. Today Declan did something different. Instead of me closing my curtains dismissively, I saw his eyes move away as he turned around to disappear amongst the trees. I sensed that he bolted off down the hill, probably back home.

Oh, I guess Declan knows and I don’t think he was happy about my news either.

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

“Next thing we know, Bianca will start running away and hiding from Grant.”

(‘Scent’ Excerpt Chapter 6)

“We can make the Joining Ceremony at 10 o’clock in the morning and then at midday the Housewarming can begin.” Aunt Beth said. “We’ll have all afternoon to celebrate as we set up the new couple’s home.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Uncle Ian agreed. “Grant, Hunter, Em and I will have the place spick and span, repaired and ready by Saturday.”

“We certainly will.” Dad said confidently.

I sucked on my bleeding lip as my fingers madly plaited away the tassels on the square cushion; I had plaited two sides already. Then there was a pause in the conversation as I sensed Grandfather and everyone else look over in my direction.

“I could show you the house this afternoon if you like, B.” Grant offered.

Frickin’ hell, I felt the clothes around my underarms become drenched in a cold sweat. I turned the cushion around and began plaiting the third side as I literally felt like I was unable to speak.

“That sounds like a great idea, Grant.” My mother spoke for me again. “That way B can get an idea of the lay out of the place, so when the furniture and household goods start arriving, she’ll know where to put it all.”

Dad frowned; “B, can you please come and sit at the table and involve yourself in the conversation?”

“Hunter.” Grandpa said softly and shook his head at him to back off.

“A Housewarming this Saturday may be a bit too soon. Is it enough warning for the tribe to scrape together the furniture for the couple’s new place?” Mum wondered.

“It should be fine, Jess.” Grandfather smiled on his daughter. “The Lokoti are a resourceful people.”

“I’ve just finished building the couple’s dining table and chairs and they’ll have two rocking chairs for their lounge room.” Uncle Ian boasted about his furniture construction business.

“You build good furniture, Ian.” Aunt Beth said in approval. “That tallboy and two bedside tables that I gave to my granddaughter for her Housewarming look great.”

“Grant made the two bedside tables.” He said proudly.

He did? I listened in with mild interest to keep my temper at bay. It was almost working too…

“Good work Grant.” Aunt Beth said warmly. “So have you decided to permanently work with your brother in his furniture construction business? Or do you just help out occasionally with the other odd jobs you do around the tribe?”

“I’ve been helping Ian with the furniture or Hunter with house repairs around the community.” Grant told her.

“Talking about construction.” Dad spoke up. “I’ve now scraped up enough glass for us to start the greenhouse repairs at your new place.”

“Cool.” He gave a nod and then he threw a sideways glance my way before he spoke again. “I guess we’ll have the greenhouse fixed before Saturday. B and I could start potting and planting as soon as we move in.”

“Oh and B?” Mum spoke again. “I’ve bought new packets of seed for you. I’ve bought something like ten different kinds of vegetables to get you started in your new place.”

I turned the cushion around as I began to plait the last side.

“Thanks Jess.” Grant said appreciatively for the both of us.

Grandpa cleared his throat. “You certainly seem to be good with your hands, B. Have you thought about taking up knitting or something like it?”

I didn’t answer as I just kept working. My hands twisted and moved as I plaited and plaited. The plaits on the cushion looked like they’d always been like that.

“It’s a nervous habit.” Dad said quietly. “She used to do the same to her ribbons or shoelaces.”

I couldn’t take much more of this; I had run out of tassels to plait and I tossed the cushion aside as I stood up.

“Excuse me.” I bit out, before I turned to head out the front door.

“Good idea B.” Grandpa spoke up. Huh, what was that? I paused in the doorway to give a funny look. He said calmly, “now would be a good time for Grant to show you the new place.”

“What?” Grant looked on Grandpa in surprise, when his older brother nudged him sharply. “Oh yeah,” he quickly stood up.

This is getting beyond a joke! I rolled my eyes as I violently pushed open the door to stomp down the veranda steps.

“That girl is just as skittish as Jess was, when she was growing up.” I overheard Uncle Ian chuckle. “Next thing we know, Bianca will start running away and hiding from Grant.”

“Shut up Ian.” Mum moaned. “That joke is so old.”

Grant came down the veranda steps as he unlocked his jeep with his remote key ring, before he hopped in first. Darn it! I didn’t know how to get out of this so I would have to go along. I let out a frustrated sigh as I opened the door on the passengers’ side and climbed in last.

He didn’t say anything as he turned on the ignition. Whilst barely looking behind, he reversed past the surrounding trucks. Grant drove fast, without looking over his shoulder but instead through his rear-vision mirror. He skillfully reversed out onto the dirt road, before he drove up the hill. I have to admit, the way he just made it look so easy then, was impressive.

We drove half a kilometer up to the cull de sac at the end of the dirt road. There we pulled into another dirt driveway of a small, two-story, brown wooden house with a stone chimney. I had seen the old place before, but it was long ago. Old Mr. and Mrs. Windchime lived in the house before they passed away last year. Grant must have bought the house off their children, who had houses of their own in the community centre.

“How did you buy it?” I wondered aloud as I looked through the windscreen. “I mean, since the War the only time we use money in the tribe is when we transact with the outside world.”

Grant smiled as he said mysteriously; “a transaction for this property did take place but you don’t have to concern yourself with the details.”

Next, he hopped out of the jeep and walked around the front of the vehicle to wait for me. I hopped out, shut the door behind and then I walked over to where Grant stood.

“What do you mean that I don’t have to concern myself with the details? Either that’s a jibe at my sex or my age, like you don’t want me to worry about the cost of living. That’s stupid because I’m being thrust into adulthood by this marriage.” I griped.

“B, this house is my wedding gift to you.” He said simply.

My eyes widened as my mouth dropped, as I looked from Grant to the house in shock…this is his present to ME? A house?!

“Come on, I’ll show you inside.” He laughed at my stunned expression.

He took hold of my hand to lead me up the veranda steps. He only released it to search for the keys in his jacket. I stood back as I watched Grant unlock the front door and then he stepped aside to let me go in first.

I walked into the old, empty place which smelled of freshly sawn wood and lacquer from the repair work currently going on. I even saw a couple of hammers, boxes of nails and sandpaper lying around. The house had a very similar lay out to my home, with the same open-planned living area for the lounge and dining room combined, with a walk-in kitchen. There was a staircase next to the downstairs bathroom-combined-laundry. Next, I headed up the stairs to the second story where I found two bedrooms and another bathroom.

Grant followed me up and retook hold of my hand. Like this, he walked us inside the master bedroom which looked fairly spacious.

“This is our bedroom.” He waved his free arm. “The windows face the front of the house. And this…” he next led us out of that room and into the second, smaller room, “…will be the kids’ bedroom.”

Kids? He’s already talking about kids? I’m still a kid!

This made me feel uncomfortable and I pulled back my hand from his. I walked a little away as I folded my arms in front. Like this, I looked at the woods at the back of the house from one of the windows.

“As you can see, there are blinds on the windows which will give us our privacy. But to make it less bare and more homey, my sisters Vine and Hannah are currently making curtains for us.” He said chirpily. “Plus we’ll be getting my grandparents old rugs to put in the lounge area as well as in the main bedroom, so it will add some coziness.”

I nodded, trying to appear enthusiastic when I really felt the exact opposite. Not only did I feel forced into this situation, but I still felt guilty that Grant was doing this for me and not the woman he was meant to be with. I certainly didn’t feel like a woman, as I still felt like a teenager.

When he walked up behind to wrap his arms around my waist, it made me feel more nervous. He said good-naturedly, “it will all work out B, you’ll see.”

I didn’t know what to say or do. I mean, sure it was sweet the effort he was making for our future. But I was still unsure if I wanted a future with Grant? I guess there was still some small part of me that was still hoping that I could be an actual University student, attending Cambridge. I didn’t want to study by correspondence! I wanted to physically attend class. I wanted to study with other people like me.

But then, I’ll never be able to study with people LIKE me, because now I’m a Lokoti Werewolf. I stopped being like everybody else the first moment I changed. I’m not even like the other Lokoti Werewolves, being the only female amongst all males!

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