Authors: Kimberly Hunter
Chapter Six
Seeing everyone else sharing smiles pushed her over the edge, and she broke down for the second time that day.
Must be getting close to my period. I’m not usually this weepy.
“Come on, boys. You can help me clear the table so these two can have a moment,” Charlie ordered, gathering dishes as the other three followed suit.
Sasha was too busy blubbering to pay attention or to hear what Dillon said as he walked into the kitchen with the others. Flynn told her later what was said.
“Is Sasha really my new sister?” Dillon asked Roan, seeing him and his mother nod. “Cool! A sister who can kick butt! And an Alpha, too. Wait till I tell the guys at school.”
Roan looked at Dillon, as the others did since surprise seemed to be the order of the day. “How do you know she’s an Alpha, Dillon?” he asked.
“’Cause she smells like one. Not as strong as you, Roan—almost like Jenna, but more fruity. Apples, I think?” he answered, his little brow scrunched with thought. “You think she’ll smell like you soon, Roan?”
Roan smiled in reply. “I’ve no doubt, scamp, no doubt at all.” He ruffled Dillon’s hair with affection.
“Awesome! A brother and a sister for an Alpha,” Dillon said in awe, going through the kitchen door with his share of the dishes.
Roan looked over at Flynn, watching his brother comfort Sasha. “Yes, very awesome, indeed,” he replied and then followed the others with more dishes.
By the time the table was cleared, her crying had stopped, and she was a mess. Again. Luckily, she had her napkin from dinner. It sopped up the tears Flynn’s shirt had missed.
“Sorry about that.” Sasha blew her nose with as much delicacy as she could, which was impossible, of course. She thought she sounded like a sick goose. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I hardly ever cry, especially around others,” she said, secretly wishing they were alone so Flynn could comfort her like he did earlier.
“I think you’re entitled. You’ve been through the ringer today. Anyone else would have probably lost it.” Flynn smiled, touching her cheek. His expression said he too wished they were alone.
“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” She smiled back, feeling those words clear to her soul.
“Amen,” Charlie agreed, carrying a cake through the kitchen door.
The others followed behind with Roan carrying a loaded tea tray, Dillon a pie, and Gabe brought up the rear with a coffeepot.
“No truer words have been spoken, my dear,” Roan replied, setting the tea tray down on the table. The others did the same. “And appropriate, given the situation.”
She guessed she could take that saying literally now, couldn’t she? It had been her private litany for years when things got rough. Who knew it would come true someday? Irony at its best.
And I guess that’s me in a nutshell.
“Who’s up for dessert?” Charlie took dessert plates and forks off the tea tray. “I’ve got German chocolate cake and cherry pie. Nothing like sugar to ease the nerves.”
“Just a small slice of cake for me, Charlie,” Sasha said. “Now that I actually have a figure, I want to keep it that way.”
She handed Sasha the plate with a larger slice than she had asked for, smiling merrily. “Don’t worry about the weight and figure anymore, hon. DNA isn’t the only thing that’s changed in your system.”
She took the plate, along with a cup of coffee from Gabe, a question written clearly on her face.
Seeing her confusion, Charlie asked Roan if Sasha had been informed, in detail, about her new life as a Lupus as well as apologizing for her father’s attack. From what Roan had explained, the man hadn’t been in his right mind so really couldn’t be held responsible for his actions. Besides, she was alive, and that was all that mattered. Charlie gave her a teary smile of gratitude.
“I had hoped to rectify the matter over dinner, only Jenna had other plans. But now is as good a time as any for it.” Roan nodded, taking a bite of his cake.
Sounded good to Sasha, too. She was getting kind of tired of all the little surprises being hurled her way out of nowhere. Hard to keep up with the score if you hadn’t played the game before.
“Great! After the day I’ve had, I could use a crash course in Lupus 101,” she said, chocolate cake melting in her mouth. Ah, sweet chocolate. What more could she say?
“You’re definitely with the right company for answers.” Gabe grinned, a piece of cake and pie on his plate.
“Well, then, class is in session,” Flynn stated, a big wedge of pie already starting to disappear off his plate. “To begin with, Lupus are born, not made.”
“That’s right,” Roan said, picking up Flynn’s thread. “Long ago in our history, Lupus ran wild, attacking humans. Turning some, killing others. The humans took offense, naturally, and tried to wipe us out.”
“Damn near succeeded, too,” Flynn continued. “The Alpha at that time knew he had to do something to keep our race from being slaughtered. So he gathered his remaining Pack, moved to another country, and started over.”
“There, he wrote down a set of laws for the Pack to adhere to. Then getting a blood oath from every member of the Pack, which bound them to their promise till death, they began a new way of life.”
“Over the years, some laws have been changed, others done away with. It happens when the world around you changes. But one law has never changed. Attacking a human means automatic execution. No questions asked. No excuses. And because we have followed this law to the letter, the Pack has never been safer,” Flynn explained, finished with his pie then took a sip of his coffee.
“But it does happen,” Sasha replied. “I wouldn’t be here otherwise.”
“Not often, no,” Roan agreed. “Like every race, we also have the occasional deviant. Or in your case, unbalanced Elder. But our justice is harsh and a lot swifter. We couldn’t do otherwise. Our safety hinges on secrecy. If one of the Pack started leaving a trail of bodies, questions would arise, and we would eventually be found out. Then hunted down.”
“Man destroys what he fears.” She repeated a phrase Roan had said earlier.
He nodded in acknowledgment, saluting her with his coffee cup.
“That or worse.” Gabe shuddered visibly.
They all knew what the worse meant. Capture and experimentation. That was a nightmare better left in the dark.
Time to change the subject. Little ears, she thought, thinking of Dillon. “Okay, that’s some history. Now how about some biology? I got a very brief outline earlier.”
“Flynn, you’re the doctor. You can explain that better than the rest of us,” Charlie said with pride as she poured another cup of tea.
“All right,” he agreed. “I told you about the virus and how it alters your DNA and renews and repairs your body on a cellular level.”
She nodded, taking a sip of her coffee.
“Well, the virus also enhances all five senses and gives you much greater strength, as you no doubt discovered.” He smiled, clearly remembering Jenna pinned to the wall.
“Yeah. I kind of figured that one out for myself.” She chuckled along with everyone else.
“What’s so funny?” Dillon asked, chocolate smudged at the corner of his mouth.
“I’ll tell you later.” Gabe winked.
“Gotcha.” Dillon winked back conspiratorially.
That got another round of laughter from everyone again.
“And to touch on what Mother said earlier about the cake, you now have a higher metabolism as well.”
“Of course, all that will magnify after your First Transformation,” Roan said, voicing aloud the one thing she wanted to know more about.
“You guys touched briefly on that as well.”
Flynn frowned, a look of worry passing across his handsome face. He clearly didn’t want to worry her about what might happen. But the not knowing was worse than the truth.
“I have to know what to expect, Flynn. Going through this blind would be worse than knowing. At least this way, I can try to prepare.” She took his hand and laced their fingers together. His touch was such a comfort. Which was kind of scary really. They hardly knew each other.
“I know. I just…” He took a deep breath. “I just don’t want anything to go wrong.”
“Have faith, brother. She has already shown us how strong willed she is. I should think the First Transformation a small feat compared to what she has already been through,” Roan assured them, trying to offer comfort with his firm belief in her.
“That’s right, son. She’ll be fine,” Charlie concurred.
Gabe and Dillon nodded in agreement.
“Okay.” Sasha let her breath whoosh out. “What are the beginning signs, and what am I to expect?” She hoped all the movies about how a werewolf changed were greatly exaggerated.
Flynn sighed in resignation. “All Lupus have their First Transformation at the height of the full moon. There have been exceptions to this rule, but that’s rare.”
So the myths were right on that one
.
“The beginning signs are edginess and a need to be outdoors. Tingling in the hands and feet are also common. As your time draws nearer, usually on that day, your skin will itch slightly, and all your senses will be heightened. You’ll be ravenously hungry because your body knows what’s going to happen, so it needs plenty of energy to complete the process.”
“It’s a good idea to eat a lot a few days before. The more fuel your body has, the less drained you feel afterward,” Gabe added.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“The process for first timers last no more than fifteen minutes, depending on the Lupus, though it definitely feels longer.” Flynn smiled ruefully.
“What’s the process like, Flynn?” she asked softly.
Sasha knew he was going around the actual answer, but she couldn’t let him skirt it anymore. She had to know.
He looked at her with pain-filled eyes, wanting desperately to spare her the truth. His handsome face was pinched with worry.
“Tell me, Flynn.” She placed her hand on his arm.
He took another deep breath and then plunged ahead. “The first time is always painful. Your body has never altered its form before. Everything is used to being one way. The transformation changes that by reshaping your entire being. Bone, muscle, tendons, skin, even organs. Then adding to that with fur, four legs, and a long muzzle filled with sharp teeth, and a tail.”
“So I can expect it to hurt. Is that what you’re saying?”
“No, what I’m saying is that for you, it could be worse,” he replied stiffly, clearly upset at the thought of her hurting that much.
“Because of James’s age.”
“Yes.”
“And you’re not sure how much worse, because ones like me don’t usually survive.”
“Yes,” he choked out.
“Well, then. I guess I’ll just have to prepare myself for the worst and eat as much as I can, huh?” she said glibly, winking at Dillon. He seemed to be the only one not totally upset. That helped ease her nerves a bit. A tiny bit.
“She’s right, Flynn. We really won’t know until the time arrives,” Gabe said, trying to sound hopeful.
“He’s got a point, son. And she’ll have all of us there to help, so she won’t be alone with this,” Charlie agreed, also trying to instill a note of confidence into this deep discussion.
No one voiced aloud about how the worst might happen, though, and how to deal with it. Sasha didn’t want to dwell on the worst-case scenario, so she let it go. No need to jinx things now. Lord knew she had enough on her plate to deal with as it was.
“So, when’s the next full moon?” She was almost afraid to ask.
“In four days,” Roan answered.
“Great. Plenty of time to prepare,” she said, trying to sound cheerful.
“Sasha—” Flynn started to say something, but she cut him off.
“Flynn, please. I need all the positive thinking I can get right now, okay? You’re the doctor. Use that skill to help.” She squeezed his arm in reassurance.
He brought her knuckles to his lips. “I’ll give you every skill I possess,” he murmured huskily, effectively ending their discussion of her upcoming change.
She snatched her hand back, still feeling his warm lips. “Cut that out.” She blushed.
“Goodness, will you look at the time?” Charlie chimed in, eliciting a laugh from everyone. “Dillon, you have school tomorrow, and it’s way past your bedtime.”
“But Mom, I want to hear more about my new sister,” he whined with a huge yawn.
“No buts, young man,” Charlie admonished sternly. “Your new sister isn’t going anywhere, so you’ll have plenty of time to get to know her better. Now come here and give me a hug, then off with you.”
“All right,” he huffed and went to hug his mother, getting a peck on the cheek in return.
Gabe stood as well. “I’ll take him up, Charlie. Seems I promised to tell him something.” He smiled after hearing a big whoop of joy come from Dillon.
“Yes!” His smile was wide as he ran around the table to hug Roan. Seemed he was awake now.
“Night, scamp.” Roan returned the hug, ruffling his brother’s hair.
He then ran to Flynn, getting another hug. “Night, pal.”
Dillon went to the door, then stopped and turned, like he forgot something. That’s when he smiled brightly and hurled himself at Sasha, almost knocking her out of her chair.
“Ooomph!” She grunted at the impact, wrapping her arms around his wiry little body to prevent them both from toppling.
“Night, Sasha. I’m glad you’re my sister,” he said, sniffing her. “Mmm, apples. Just like I thought.” Then he leaped away and was gone in a blink.
Gabe was close on his heels, laughing on the way out. “Be back shortly.”
“Seems you’ve made more than one conquest tonight, Sasha.” Charlie grinned, getting the dishes cleared away.
“What was with the sniffing and apples thing?” She laughed, still a bit stunned.
That was when Flynn and Roan told her what Dillon had said earlier and also about Alphas and smells. She wasn’t really sure about the Alpha thing, so she let it go. That thought was better left alone for the moment. She did want to learn more about her senses, though, and smell seemed to be a good, safe place to start.
“So everyone has a certain smell, right?”
“Right. Matter of fact, we can try it now,” Flynn said. “What do you pick up from Mother?”
She stopped getting the last of the dishes, even though Sasha did offer to help, and stood still as Sasha sniffed the air from her direction.
“Vanilla, like sugar cookies.”
“Very good,” Roan praised. “What about Flynn?”
That was easy. “Clean air and fresh-mowed grass.”
“Right on. Now what do you get from Roan?” Flynn asked.
Sasha sniffed, not really picking up any particular scent from him, just getting a wave of power, like a warm electrical current that made her senses tingle. She closed her eyes and concentrated, inhaling deeply. There, a faint whiff of pine floating under the currents of power.
“Pine, though almost undetectable, and power.” She opened her eyes to the shocked faces of Charlie and Flynn.
“Excellent.” Roan beamed, obviously pleased and looking not all that surprised.
She looked at Flynn in confusion, not having a clue as to what was going on. “What? What’s wrong?”
“That’s some nose you have there,” he replied with a chuckle, his expression saying he was proud.
“I’ll say. I can’t usually smell Roan like that unless I’m in wolf form. And even then, I have to be beside him,” Charlie added.
“Oh, well, I almost didn’t catch the scent at all. It’s very faint,” she explained.
“That’s because he’s the Alpha. Great power and all that,” Flynn joked with a smile lighting his pale eyes.
Roan ignored him. “It goes back to the beginning of our race when the Alpha would mask his scent from his enemies with pure power. It was virtually undetectable if you didn’t know what to smell for.”
“Very effective camouflage.” She nodded, impressed. “Can you smell him?” she asked Flynn.
“I’ve always been able to. Though when we were kids, I always thought he smelled like dirt.”
“That’s because you were smelling yourself. He was always rolling around in the dirt, grass, and leaves, just about anything,” Roan countered, directing that last bit to Sasha.
“Now I know who the older twin is.”
“And just how would you know that?” Flynn asked with a mock haughty tone.