Tuesday, March 12, 2013

“However no-one talks of a female Lokoti Werewolf because to outsiders, there’s no such thing.”

(Excerpt of Sororate Chapter Two)

 

6th August, 2226

 

Three days later, the family as well as the tribe, attended my cousin’s funeral on the Holy Grounds before the Sacred Totems.  I clung to Declan’s arm through the service and it was like my mate literally held me up.  The Tribal Elders sang the funeral chant as the pyre burned the body wrapped in the woven funeral shroud, as Phoenix’s progeny looked on. 

After the service, the tribe split up to go their separate ways as did most of the Elders, to leave the body to burn overnight.  Declan and I left with Chiron and his family for the wake at the old Riverclaw house.  The fourteen other members of the pack and their wives – the ones that hadn’t passed away from old age – came to share food and drink with their First whilst reminiscing about their fallen.

Everyone brought a dish or bottle of soda to share and Declan had made three large plates of goodies.  On one serving plate sat an antipasto mix complete with salami, marinated mushrooms and smoked oysters; on another sat Capsicum and Potato Frittata as well as on the third, Bacon and Olive Cakes.   The antipasto plate he had put together today but the other dishes he cooked up the night before. 

When he made them, I sat up on the bench in the kitchen to watch.  It became the custom in our marriage for most of our discussions to happen over food and this way, I also got to sample what he was cooking.  Declan often interrupted me in the middle of conversation to allow me a taste of what he was preparing.  Last night, this reoccurred and I relished the deliciousness of the samples.  From seeing how quickly the plates of food emptied, it became evident everyone else thought so too.  

In the beginning of the Wake, I was sitting next to Sharon who was busily gossiping to another two wives.  However I started to tune out during discussions of school fees or the best nappy rash treatment.  My eyes wandered over to my husband who was nursing a small plate of nibblies, whilst telling Chiron, Stone and Forrest Riverclaw, as well as Meadow Shallow Water and lastly, Jake Wisetail about our altercation in China. 

“Excuse me,” I stood up to the women’s surprise when my departure interrupted their conversation.  “Er, it’s pack business.”

I used this excuse often, which the women never minded since I was a member.  They watched me cross over to Declan’s side and rest my arm about his waist.  He angled his plate of nibblies my way to share and I stole a marinated mushroom.  Then he moved the plate to his right hand to hold, as his left arm was slung over my shoulders.

“So the Asian Werewolves broke off their attack?”  Chiron double checked.

“Uh huh.”  His Second confirmed.  “I don’t think they’ll be tracking us back here.”

“Are you a hundred percent certain of this?”  Meadow spoke as the concerned Medicine Man.

“Yup.”  Declan straightened.  “They stopped their pursuit.”

Chiron’s eyes momentarily flashed in my direction before he spoke to my husband. “Perhaps for the next couple of weeks, we should have a Werewolf run the borders of our land just to make sure we don’t have any surprises.”

But this got my back up and I said curtly, “But they’re not coming.  I don’t have any warning feelings as a Circulator.  I don’t foresee any further trouble from that clan or breed.”

Our First looked in my direction but for longer this time, before he said, “Let’s call it peace of mind.”

Just as I was about to argue this further, Declan spoke up, “It wouldn’t hurt.”

Then Forrest also sided with our First by volunteering, “I don’t mind doing a run tonight.”

“Then I’ll do a run tomorrow night.”  Stone agreed.

“I’ll go the night after.”  Meadow shrugged.

“Night four works for me.”  Jake Wisetail nodded amiably.

He was my cousin five times removed, from my father’s side of the family, who inherited Mum and Dad’s house with their evolution.  He also inherited Dad’s place in the pack by his Lokoti Werewolf DNA activating on the following full moon.  The same time Jake received my childhood home as a Housewarming present for he and his new wife, another adjustment had to be made when he had to take time off work to learn to control the bloodlust.

“Fine.”  I said coolly.  “I’ll do a run on the fifth night.”

However my husband and the rest of the male members of the pack didn’t look happy to hear that, and neither did our First.

“No Aunt B.”  He said seriously.  “Just as you weren’t permitted to patrol during the years of lawlessness after the War, nor can you do so now.”

“What?”  I objected.  “Why not?”

Declan rolled his eyes, “Don’t start this again.” 

But it was Meadow who spoke patiently, “There are humans in Alma who still whisper stories of male Lokoti Werewolves who helped the townspeople rid themselves of a bad element after the War.  However no-one talks of a female Lokoti Werewolf because to outsiders, there’s no such thing.”

“Except to a bunch of horny Asian Werewolves," my husband said unhappily before he turned back to Chiron.  “I think I should go back to China and finish what I started.  I’ll eat the other thirty who know about B.”

“Declan!”  I elbowed him sharply.  “Yeah, what a good idea to help the concept of living quietly; by embarking on another murderous rampage and placing a new vendetta on your head!”

Our First looked on his overprotective Second in the pack.  "No Uncle, there’ll be no further Asian Werewolf blood spilt.  Unless of course they come onto our territory then you can unleash your wrath.  But according to Aunt B, it’s unlikely.”

“Then if it’s unlikely, it should be OK if I go for a run around our borders.”  I tried again.

“Yeah, what a good idea of the concept of no such thing as a female Lokoti Werewolf existing, if a townsperson from Alma catches sight of you.”  Declan repeated sarcastically.

“Oh shut up!”  I rolled my eyes as I stepped out from under his arm.

 
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