Game on the way south was plentiful, and we ate well. However, for two days we saw no one. There were a few abandoned territories, which I would have expected as we moved closer to the human populace, but no new trails.
It frustrated me that we were nearing sanctuary and still only three strong.
While Gregory and I were both determined to rid the place of the unwanted human, Grey’s stance on the human’s intrusion wasn’t as easy to tell. He remained quiet whenever Gregory and I spoke. He neither defended nor condemned the human’s presence or the Elder’s choice. He only cautioned me to think before I acted, which wasn’t a new message. He worried about me. He always had.
As we continued south, I capped my frustration with the certainty that we would find support once we reached our destination. We weren’t alone in our hate of the humans.
A few hours from sanctuary, a howl echoed in the woods around us. We slowed and watched a lone wolf emerge from the trees. To show welcome, Grey and Gregory sat while I shifted to my skin.
Summer had fully claimed southern Canada, and a warm breeze moved the leaves of nearby trees while sporadic, light clouds dusted the light blue sky. The air felt odd on my bare flesh, like it usually did right after I shifted.
The wolf stopped trotting forward and shifted to his skin several yards away.
“I caught your scent and thought I’d warn you,” he said. “The fighting is escalating.”
I grinned and crossed my arms.
“Good. Hopefully the human will be gone by the time we get there.”
“Gone? That’s unlikely. There would be an uprising if the Elder let the girl leave unClaimed,” he said, killing my humor.
“What do you mean, unclaimed? We don’t claim humans.”
“You don’t know? She’s not like the rest. She smells different. Like a potential Mate.”
His words stunned me.
“Impossible.”
“That’s what I thought. So, I went to see and smell for myself. There’s no mistaking, she’s human, but there’s something different about her, too. Her scent was…right. Not just for me, but every wolf who got close enough. Two tried claiming her already. I saw the marks on her neck. It didn’t take. She’s unique, and she’s causing a lot of attention.”
“You mean trouble.”
The man shrugged.
“Our kind’s used to trouble.” With a grin he shifted to his fur and took off running north.
What do you think of that? I asked Grey.
It changes the possibility of your plan succeeding. If she’s a potential Mate, every male there will fight you to keep her safe.
Frustrated, I shifted to my fur.
We all know there is never just one human. She will have family who will want her back. By force if necessary. We continue on. For the future of our race, we cannot allow this to continue.
I took off at a sprint. Gray and Gregory followed in my wake. As we drew closer, we encountered more scent trails among the trees. At least a dozen. If we found that many while running a straight path, what would we find when we arrived?
We heard the fighting before we reached the clearing. Snarls, growls, and yelling. When we reached the edge of the trees, we stopped and observed the group before us. Dozens of wolves and men milled around the area. Some already wore signs of lost challenges.
Winifred stood in the bed of a pickup truck parked near the front of the building. She wasn’t speaking aloud or communicating to the masses, just watching a few males fight near the door. A majority of the males looked on, pacing as they waited for their chance to fight for their place to meet the female. I scanned the area a second time.
Where is the female? Gregory sent me, echoing what I also had been wondering.
I don’t know. More importantly, why is Winifred doing nothing to bring order? It’s this kind of desperation that likely led to that female being taken. We need to have more control.
One of the men near the door went flying and landed on his back well over ten feet from where he’d started. He didn’t immediately move.
Be ready, I sent to both Grey and Gregory.
Then, I growled, low and long, venting my anger and frustration. A few on the outer edge of the milling bodies heard and turned to eye me.
Winifred, you are no protector for our race.
Her gaze snapped to mine. Those nearest the truck saw the move and quietly turned to look our way as well.
“You question my intent?” she said, her voice carrying a hint of warning and disbelief.
The noise in the yard slowly quieted as the fighting at the door stopped.
I do.
“You know I can only do what’s in the best interest for our race,” she said, speaking of her Elder oath. An oath so binding, it would be her death if she broke it.
Then protect us from ourselves, I sent back. Surely you can see how this will end? You brought a human everyone wants but none of us can Claim. You know the fighting will continue with each failed attempt. If you were truly our protector, you would remove her. One possible human Mate who no one can Claim is not worth all the males here. How many must die before you see this?
Her eyes narrowed.
I do not know what you are saying to her, but she is not happy, Grey sent me.
I didn’t bring her, Winifred sent me at the same time, and I am not the one keeping her here. The males you would have me protect are the ones who would not allow her to leave unmolested. I cannot command them to let her leave or to stay away from her because I do not believe that is in the best interest for us all. So what would you have me do?
A noise came from the building. I felt Gregory’s attention stray, but I did not look away from Winifred.
There are two females here. Gregory’s message surprised me. It wasn’t just the almost giddy way in which he’d sent it but the number as well.
Two? Nothing good would come of a human female mixing with one of our females.
I ask for permission to speak to everyone about the danger, I sent Winifred.
She considered me for a long moment, then glanced at Gregory with a slight smile.
Granted, she sent me finally. On one condition, though. When in your human form, you must wear pants at all times. Do you agree?
I growled again, understanding her game. I would need to speak out against a potential human Mate, against all humans, while wearing human clothing. My hackles started to rise.
Easy, Grey warned.
He was right. In strength, we had no chance against an Elder, three to one. We needed the support of others.
I agree, I sent her. Then I let both Grey and Gregory know the condition. We must shift and wear human pants.
As soon as I started shifting, they did the same. The light, warm breeze disturbed the inadequate hair on my arms and legs. It was uncomfortable and unnatural to be so exposed. I looked at the men around the truck and wondered how they could stand remaining in their skin for so long. No female was worth this.