Chapter 40: Pack Tactics

Willow felt as if everyone’s eyes were on her as she walked up the gravel path to Rashida’s home. This was the home of every pack alpha, consisting of a large lodge complete with various outbuildings to include guest quarters and a meeting center.
She walked to the meeting center now, her grandmother beside her. Other wolves trickled around them, some giving her wary looks and others nodded their hellos. It would be a joyful occasion had they been there for any other reason. Willow had always looked forward to their gatherings. While she wasn’t social by nature, her wolf side was and responded in kind when she was surrounded by her pack. She felt it now, buzzing through her veins. In spite of her trepidation, it felt good to be here.
She had asked her grandmother if they would speed up her trial to tonight but Loriann had assured her that the Red Hoods gathering was more of a pressing issue. They followed the others into the large building and took their designated seats. The Bittermane clan sat up front. They were a high-ranking family despite the transgressions of Willow’s mother. Willow had heard rumors that her grandmother was supposed to be the alpha but stepped down when her mother ran away. Willow sometimes wondered if her grandmother ever regretted it.
Rashida walked in and the room grew silent. Keena trailed in behind her and her father followed. Keena stood by her mother’s right side and her father took his place directly behind her, his arms folded behind his back. Her yellow eyes roved over the wolves in front of her. They all averted their eyes in a show of respect. Willow risked a glance and saw that Rashida’s eyes were burning into hers. She dropped her gaze quickly.
“I believe you all know why I have gathered you here today,” Rashida’s voice rang out through the room, settling over the pack.
“The Red Hoods have begun to gather at the Brochade estate. While I’m sure they will try to pass it off as wedding preparations, our scouts have said that only the Knights have arrived. As we all know, the Knights only gather when they are planning a hunt.” The pack began to whisper to each other as Rashida relayed the information.
“In the past, we would run, find a new home. Barter for some territory with a different pack.” Her voice sounded tired and Willow could see the faint lines around her eyes, the only hint of her age. The pack shuffled uncomfortably. Willow could hear their thoughts, no one wanted to run but they began making preparations. Long to-do lists before they could leave.
Rashida stood. “But I am tired of running.” The pack froze, a ripple of confusion running through them. “Our pack has held this land for hundreds of years. The Red Hoods only just got here a handful of years ago and what, we are supposed to relent? I’m done with playing weak. For too long we have let them push us into the shadows.” She crashed her fist against the arm of her chair and Willow felt the impact rocket through her as if she had been struck herself. The fever of the wolves began to rise as Rashida continued.
“I am not giving them my land. We always play defense, it’s time we go on the offensive. It is high time we show them who we are. What we are!” she growled, and the pack cheered. The temperature in the room seemed to rise. Willow felt sweat pricking at her brow. She could feel their collective heartbeat increase. She felt the telltale sign of shifting twist under her skin.
With wide eyes, she looked around the room. Others were feeling it too, their features smoothly shifting from human to wolf and back. Willow looked towards Rashida. She was somehow making it happen. Her yellow eyes were wide, the pupils so dilated her eyes appeared black. Willow felt the pressure probe against her mind, trying to reach in and pull her wolf out.
She pushed back against it, aware now of what it felt like. The pack began to stomp now, in time with their heartbeats, thump thump THUMP. It was intoxicating. Willow wanted to lose herself in it, she felt the enticing allure to just let go and give in. The room had a dreamlike quality and colors began to blur as the pack chanted.
“By the moon and the fang, we take the night! By the moon and the fang, we set wrong to right. By the moon and the fang, they will fear our bite!” Her heart threatened to beat out of her chest as she found herself mouthing along. She swallowed the words instead.
Loriann was lost in the battle cry, her head thrown back as she yelled with the rest. Willow felt her wolf rage against the inside of her skull, begging to be released. But not yet. This wasn’t the way. People and wolves would die. On both sides.
There had to be a better way. War wasn’t the answer. She felt the seductive lick of bloodshed creep up her throat, her wolf’s siren call. Shaking her head, she yelled no but it was swallowed in the melee of the pack’s yelling.
“If you stand with me, declare your fealty now! Death to the Red Hoods! Death to anyone who stands with them. By the moon and the fang, I declare war!” Rashida roared above the chanting. The pack members all exposed their throats, pulling aside shirt collars and scarves, showing their submission.
Rashida’s eyes met Willow’s, who stared at her, her neck still covered.