Chapter 5 Dagger shot !

<< My darling, do you finally have time for your old mother? >>

I place a kiss on my mother's forehead.

<< How can you say that? I always have time for you. >>

I pull out the chair right in front of my mother's, my father sitting right at the end of the table gives me a stern look.

<< Good morning father. >>

<< Is this when a clan leader gets up? >>

I was sure he would make a remark like that, but I thought he would at least have the patience to wait for Mom to get up from the table.

<< I went to bed pretty late. >>

<< Yes that's totally normal. When instead of doing chores for the good and survival of the pack you attend all these orgies. >>

I swallow a mouthful of scrambled eggs. Delicious, I close my eyes for a moment to better feel all the spices.

<< Father, all or most of that pack you speak of was at that party. >>

<< And of course you got drunk more than you should have. You're the alpha you must... >>

<< My son does not consume alcohol. >> My mother replies.

<< Even so, my father thunders. Do you think he has nothing else to do but throw parties? >>

A door opens behind us, it's Laurie. Yes, my father gave her a room in his house.

<< Hello everyone. >>

At the sight of her my father smiles, she is the only one who manages to make him smile these days. I can't believe it.

<< Hello Laurie. >>

She comes up behind me and tries to give me a kiss, which of course I dodge by pushing my head aside. My dad frowns, my mom squeezes my hand a little harder and I just keep eating. I don't care.

<< Good morning daughter says my dad to her. >>

<< How did you sleep? >> My mother asks him.

<< Very little, last night exhausted us. >>

Lord, even his voice tires me.

<< It's good that you accompanied your future husband to this party, you must start learning how the wife of an alpha behaves. >>

I put down my breeches for a moment and burst out laughing. My father is so funny.

<< Okay father. The same party you demonized a moment ago, you're praising her for going? That's pathetic. >>

<< Don't talk to your father like that. >>

Gently scolding me by my mother.

<< Your mom is right, you need to talk to your dad with a little more respect. And what's more, she says, taking a glass of juice. You should never have allowed those stupid humans to come. They disrespected me, I'll have you know.>>

What is this story again?

<< She spoke to me very badly that Penelope. I had to put her in her place.>>

I look at her, surprised.

<< What are you talking about? >>

<< She took the liberty of insulting me. >>

<< You see the people you're around, allow themselves to disrespect your companion.>>

<< Don't worry, I made it clear to her that it was the first and last time. >>

<< What did you do to her? >>

<< Nothing too bad she smiled. Cora interfered. >>

My eyes redden with anger, I try as well as possible to channel it, but I feel it well which is present and asks only to leave. I seize violently his wrist, I tighten it hard, very hard.

<< If you hurt her at all, you'll see what I'll do to you. And believe me, you have no idea.>>

<< You're hurting me Calvin. >>She said with a look of fear in her eyes.

<< That's nothing compared to what I'll do to you if you touch her again. >>

<< Well now that's enough intervened my father. Instead of worrying about this female you'd better think about the fate of your pack. >>

<< I always worry about my pack father. >>

<< Alright, so when are you going to get ready for the convention scheduled with the other alpha's to talk about the hunters? It's today. >>

Ouch! So that's what I couldn't remember from this morning? The alpha meeting.

<< I was actually planning to go there after lunch. >>

Every year on the same date, a meeting is organized between the alphas of several packs, in order to discuss the safety of the packs. But this year we had several because of the threat to our heads. The werewolf hunters are after us. They want to finish us all off. And we are looking for a way to stop them from killing any more families. It will be on the other side of town and I should be home early by then. Maximum two days.

<< I'll go with Micheal and Cora. >>

As usual my dad tries to tell me what to do and how to behave, my mom gives me a forced smile and says she's sorry. I get up from the table and give my mom a kiss. I'll have to get ready to go.

But first I go to Penelope's to apologize for Laurie's deplorable attitude. I go out, I warn Micheal and Cora who immediately start to ride. I get on my 1980 Hartley Davidson, my jewel, I bought it for a fortune, but it was well worth the cost. The noise it makes when it whirs is more pleasant to hear than a woman moaning. We head for Penelope's house, with Michael and Cora following behind. We leave our motorcycles further down and continue on foot to the house. We are still outside when we hear voices inside.

<>

<< Oh please Annie stop it will you? I loved my fiancé more than anything and I wouldn't love anyone else like him. >>

<< But who is talking to you about love? I'm talking about the obvious. Your desire for him. As soon as the two of you are alone, just look at the way you devour each other with your eyes. >>

<< I will never be attracted to a monster. Put me with a werewolf? Someone who can't even keep up with Mason? You never hear me. >>

These words hit me right in the heart. I didn't know it could hurt this much, I've never hurt this much in my life. I am close to crying, words hurt more than blows, I have the proof today. I've been hit a lot in my life, but it has never hurt this much. The door of the house opens on Penelope, as soon as she sees us she gives us a pained look, I look at her and then I turn to leave. I never want to see her again. I didn't know that in her eyes I was a monster, I never hurt her, nor did I do anything that would make her say that.

<< Cal... >> She whispers.

I don't even want to look back. And to think I thought I had feelings for her, no one has ever made me feel so bad about being a wolf. I was so wrong. About her, about me. Cora and Michael are behind me, they almost have to run because I am walking so fast. I get on my bike and start. I have never been ashamed of my nature, being a wolf for me is a pride and I would never regret it. For me it is a real honor, this part of me I communicate with pride, because yes my wolf is a part of me that I can't get rid of. I ride, faster and faster, I need the exhilaration of the thrill, if I don't transform and go running in the forest I let the wind whip my face. We arrive faster, in the clearing where the meeting must be held. Mich tries to talk to me, but he changes his mind at the last moment when he sees my face close. I am not open to discussion. We walk a bit more and finally arrive at the meeting point. Franck, the oldest alpha, welcomes us.

<< Calvin. Son, I'm glad you came. >>

I draw a smile on my lips.

<< Me too Franck. I say before giving him a hug. >>

<< So how is your old man? >>

<< He's fine, but still annoying. >>

<< I can imagine, he says, laughing. Follow me, we were waiting for you. >>

We head for a small village where the pack led by Frank is located. I find a whole council already present, in all, we are six. Six packs present in this area. Edgar, the alpha of the sun pack, throws spikes at me, I am much too beautiful, charismatic, in short, I am much too everything for him and he is jealous. I make him a finger of honor and everyone laughs.

<< Well, Franck starts. Now that we are all here, we can start. I'll get right to the point, the hunters are after us. >>

Everyone starts chatting to say nothing. All at the same time.

<< That's impossible. >>

<< How did they manage to find the wolves among the humans? >>

Franck is silent for a moment and looks at everyone, he is getting older and older and therefore has difficulty to be respected.

<< Silence >> I shouted.

All the noise stopped.

<< Thank you, son. Well, let's keep going ! The hunters have found us and are coming after us. The poor innocent children, who haven't even discovered their powers yet. >>

I squeeze the stitches. How could anyone be so horrible? Attacking children who have done nothing, who have not asked for anything.

<< But how is that possible, Frank? >>

<< They found out about the notebooks.>>

Everyone stands up. The notebooks are our family tree, in a way, and inside they list all the werewolf families of each pack, each pack has one. Ours is kept by my father, safe in a box. I always thought that mentioning everything in a notebook was stupid, what would happen if this notebook fell into the wrong hands? But no one ever listened to me and in the end it turns out I was right.

<< But how did they find out about the notebooks?>>

<< I don't know, son, but I need your help. They took Damian.>>

Damian is Frank's grandson, he couldn't give birth to an heir and had a daughter instead. Who today is married and whose son was to be the new alpha. I put my hand on his shoulder.

<< You don't have to ask. You can count on us.>>

He shakes his head without saying anything. All the wolves in the meeting stand up and turn into Mich and Cora do the same. I take off my shirt and let the wolf in me take control. The transformation is not painful, it's just a strange sensation like electricity running through your skin. Once transformed, I let out a rallying cry to which all the wolves respond and we head straight for the forest.