Chapter Twenty-nine: Question time

“So, Aliana. Where do you come from? I don’t believe any of us have seen you before.” Estelle asks, curiously.

“I’m not from around here, I only arrived a short time ago….I had thought, up until I arrived, that I was the last human in the world.”

After saying that sentence I was bombarded with a bunch of questions from each of them.

“All humans have died?”

“You thought you were human? What about your wolf?”

“Have you shifted yet?”

“How did you get in? It’s known that those who try and enter get killed on sight?”

I felt a bit overwhelmed and tried to slow them down, then took a deep breath. “Yes, all humans died due to a plague which travelled through water sources and airways. Yes, I was brought up with humans and didn’t know any better, all I really knew from my parents is that I was adopted from an orphanage. My wolf only came to me just before I got here, long story to explain exactly what happened. No, I’ve not shifted yet. Lastly, the Alpha saved me.” I laughed as I finish, swallowing a deep breath as soon as I answered their questions as fast as they fired them, and my answers surprised them all I assume, as they were giving me shocked looks.

“Wow, wow, wow and wow. I feel for you girl, sounds like you’ve had a rough time.” Estelle says, with a slight frown.

“It was at the start, I was quite young, but I’ve grown now and sometimes miss the silence and my own thoughts.” I shyly laugh and they all laugh with me.

“How old are you Aliana?” Loretta asks and Mandy tuts at her.

“Its fine Mandy, I hold no secrets. I’m twenty-one.” I answer.

Nina gasps. “And you’ve never shifted! Wow I couldn’t imagine not being able to shift for three years. I bet your wolf is dying to get out. What’s her name?”

I think for a moment. Athena’s never mentioned she’s in distress over not shifting. I don’t feel her thoughts about it so I doubt she’s overly bothered.

“I didn’t actually know about shifting until a few days ago, and my wolf didn’t really know much about who or what she was until we got here. Her name is Athena.”

We all chatted about our wolf’s names and what they all look like. Mandy’s wolf was call Faith, as I had guessed when I heard Lukas call her the other day. Her wolf is grey with tints of black which apparently showcases her Alpha line. Estelle’s wolf was called Rue, and she was deep brown. Nina’s wolf was called pearl, who was also brown but had both light and dark brown blotches all over, and Loretta’s wolf was called Philippa, who was brown with black spots similar to Faith’s, showing her Alpha heritage.

The girls all wondered about what colour my wolf would be and we all settled for a red-brown like colour, probably to match my hair. All wolves have brown eyes, except for the Alpha. Athena and I smile at that liking the thought of our coats colour.

“The Elders will probably allow you to shift tonight, under the new full Moon. Usually it is done on your eighteenth birthday and in tradition, in front of the pack if you’re a ranked member, but I guess this would be classed as special circumstances.” Mandy says as she shrugs.

I look at her a bit flustered. “Wait, so I’d have to get naked in front of the whole pack?” I say a bit worried.

She looks at me with a questionable glance. “We’re half animal and you’re worried about getting naked in front of everyone…you realise your wolf won’t wear clothes?”

She senses my uneasiness and giggles. “Don’t worry, no one goes naked to shift. They’ll put you in a sort of gown to cover your dignity and then when you shift the gown will be destroyed. When you shift back to your human appearance you’ll be asked to do it elsewhere, where clothing will be provided.

I breathe a sigh of relief and we all laugh.

“Is there anything I need to know about shifting? I understand my first time will hurt……but how do I start the process?” I ask, a bit unsure.

“It’s easy. For my first time, I closed my eyes and just focused on Faith, my wolf. She took over and we shifted.” Mandy notes as if thinking back from memory.

“Same here with me and Rue. I just thought of a blank space and she took over.”

The other two nodded in agreement. Athena started to get excited and I did as well. I know it was going to be painful but I was looking forward to seeing what I would look like through new eyes.

“So, where were you before the Alpha saved you then? Also, saved you from what?” Loretta asks.

I shiver thinking back to the monster thing that had chased me to Lukas’ turf. “I’d really rather not go into what he saved me from. Maybe someday I’ll give details but I’d rather not just now.” They all seemed to understand, so I moved back to her first question.

“Before here, I was staying with an elven community for a few months, named Druida. I made friends there and learned their ways, and learned some elven. They actually told me about the werewolf kingdom which sparked my interest to try and come here, it just meant going through the dark woods….

“Nice, in our history books we used to trade with the outside communities, elven ones included. But a long time ago there was a fight or something so our borders were indefinitely closed. I’d love to go out and see a bit more of the world. But I understand and respect the Alphas decision of course.” Estelle says, intrigued with my story.

The others nod along. I see Nina look a bit apprehensive whilst we discussed the subject but I put it down to what she’s been told about leaving the pack lands.

We continue to talk about the outside world and the sites I’ve seen and I give the best descriptions I can, with lots of ‘ohs’ and ‘ahs’. When I’m finally done telling and giving as much details about my stories, I try and question them on this place.

“So, the lake that’s on the far side of the borders, what’s it called?”

“That, is Lake Cilorious. It’s the only of body of water in the borders, so we try and keep it pristine, with all round maintenance.” Nina says smiling. “There’s a cliff edge at one of the lakes ends that we’ll have the ceremony at today. It gives the best view of the pack, but you can’t quite see it from here, but it’s that way.” She says, pointing to the right side of the pack house.

True enough, we are unable to see anything behind the massive building, so I drop it for now and smile at Nina.

“Thanks Nina. Has anyone ever tried to leave the place?” I ask, genuinely interested, but more so because of what Mandy said happened last time. Nina grimaces so I can tell that she definitely doesn’t like talking about the subject but I see Mandy going into take over the conversation.

“Yes, and they’re brought back….every time.” Mandy says, hesitantly. “To survive, we closed our borders, both ways. In our history, we used to have kings. One of our kings was nearly overthrown by a corrupted individual and did some things that go against our pack law. Since then, the king at the time denounced his kingship as he was worried he couldn’t look after his people. Instead, he chose to lead as an Alpha only and created what we now call the council of Elders.”

I nod my head, most of this information already came from Lukas, but there’s one thing I don’t understand.

“I wonder how I got over to the human orphanage if no one can leave.”

All the girls looked at each other a bit unsure, shrugging.

“No one has got out since the borders were closed…..if there was a few that got out before the borders were closed then no one would know about it. But I assume that the blood lines of those would have either died out or would have been extremely watered down.” Loretta says.

True, but still, why I would my real parents leave me in an orphanage, with no notes, nothing. I feel the questions piling up and next to no answers coming in, but I think past this and decide to ask something else.

“It’s ok. I’m sure I can find something in the library which I’m excited to go to.” Mandy rolls her eyes at me and Nina’s face lights up.

“Maybe we can go together? I love going to the library, although I think I’ve read through most books I’m allowed to.” She says with a slight frown.

“Is there a section that we’re not allowed to read?” I ask, a bit confused.

“Yes, there’s a closed off section that only the Elders and the Alpha himself are allowed to look at. I’ve no idea what’s in that section.”

Athena and I both know instantly that we need access to that closed off section. I’ll put it on the list of questions to ask Lukas later. I have one lingering question to ask the girls though.

“This may be a bit awkward for you and Loretta, Mandy, but I need to know…..how many people has Lukas slept with?” I ask, straight up without hesitation.

All the girls look between each other. I already have a sinking feeling that it’s going to be plenty, but I didn’t expect this reaction. I sigh, when Estelle brushes off non-existent dust from her trousers.

“Aliana, one thing that you have to understand is that Lukas has been waiting for his mate, you, since he was eighteen. Eight years is a long time to be celibate for, and it’s natural for us to mate, have sex…you know. After waiting several months trying to find you within the pack, he gave up.”

“He swore to our parents he wouldn’t ever take a Luna until he met his mate though. The Moon Goddess makes one for us all, and he said he will wait, patiently. In all honesty, he has, and now you’re here. But the last five or so years has been rough, and he’s been more tough on us all. Yesterday when he apologised I was amazed and could only thank you for that, obviously.” Mandy said, and we all giggled a bit.

“We will not hide anything from you though. He has been with a few different women in the pack….one you already met last night.” Nina says in a small voice.

“Yes, I already guessed Emma was one of them. I had met one a few days ago as well…Valencia I think her name was?” I say, putting my hand on my throat remembering her strangling me.

Estelle scoffs which takes me by surprise, as she’s been so calm and collected. “Yes that one’s a bitch. Lukas had a one night stand with her and she thinks she’s the bees-knees. Always going round thinking she’s going to be the next Luna. Lukas put her at the far end of the pack by the hospital but she still thinks she’s the one.” She laughs and we laugh along with her.

“There’s also…” Loretta starts, but is cut off from the sounds of running footsteps from the forest behind us. The girls all stand up and Estelle and Nina bow their heads in respect.

“Alpha Lukas.” They all say together.

Just as I was about to get more information!