As The Woe Turns: A World Before Woe

The Pack Lands (E.S.)

In what both seemed like forever, and no time at all the Sinclair van skidded off the highway and onto the private gravel road that led to the massive thousand plus acre property that was The Pack Lands. The lands were supposed to serve as a wolf's home away from home. They could come and relax and recharge without having to hide who and what they were. They could let instinct take over. They could ground and center themselves just being around other wolves immersed in nature and the culture and community that was the pack. Enid felt like an outsider, like she didn't belong. For obvious reasons she felt like she was intruding on something she wasn't supposed to see or be a part of. Not yet anyway.

At any given time there were dozens if not hundreds of wolves prowling around the area. The San Francisco pack consisted of eight major families that made up the seats on the council and several smaller families. Each greater family, Sinclair, Manning, Bishop, Tate, Keeting, Peters, Torrance, and Fisher had their own section of the land. Within that section each individual family had a camp site for the most part. The smaller families and those not on the council had to fight for a place to pitch their tents where they could.

Luckily for Enid her family's usual site was located between the gardens and the lake. It was an absolutely gorgeous spot. It was beautiful and tranquil. Enid loved it. It was also the most remote site. It was the farthest away from all the hustle and bustle that was the communal bunk house. It was the most peaceful place on the land. And the farthest away from all the stares, jeers, and whispers that were directed at Enid because at 15, she was a werewolf that couldn't wolf out. It was sacrilegious, blasphemous, and mostly unheard of. She was an anomaly in a bad way. If she wasn't careful she'd be kicked out. Completely disowned. Abandoned. She'd be forced to be alone. Doomed. A lone wolf. Solitude equaled death to pack centered beings like wolves. It was a terrifying prospect even if she did have somewhere to go, which she didn't.

Enid looked up as they drove past the bunk house on the way to their site. It was an enormous three story building that looked like a cross between a stone and log cabin and a mansion. It was the hub of everything. It housed the infirmary, the kitchen and dinning room, a multipurpose room and a living type room with several lamps, couches and chairs spread throughout it. It was also the only place on the land where there was clean running water and electricity so there were also communal showers, restrooms, and laundry facilities split between the first two floors. The top floor consisted of bedrooms for those unable to rough it for whatever reason, and access to a flat part of the roof used for special functions. Enid usually avoided it other than for meals.

The original building and its foundation was gifted to the pack by the Sinclair family in the early 1900's after some kind of earthquake and fire hit San Francisco and the surrounding areas hard. Originally it was used as a gathering place and shelter for the pack before they were able to purchase the surrounding land. There is still some debate as to whether it was to gain a seat on the council or to get back into their good graces. Either way it had worked. Her father's family name still carried clout to this day. As did her mother's Tate. They had since made the improvements to the building, adding electricity and running water.

Enid must have zoned out because before she knew it, the van had come to a stop. Her brother's filed past her before she could move. Their gear was being unloaded and tents were being pitched. Her brothers split off into pairs quickly throwing their gear up hurriedly then moving to help their parents with theirs and the rest of camp. That left Enid to her own devices, but it was better than having to share with her parents. Besides, she was used to being alone by now. Mostly.

Enid walked slowly to the farthest part of the site on the other side of the fire pit from everyone else. She set up her cute baby blue pop up tent, unrolled her sleeping pad, her pink and yellow sleeping bag, and bright green extra blanket. Then she inflated her camp pillow, placed her duffle and the rest of her gear on the opposite side of her tent. Lastly, she set up her chair and the mat that read 'home sweet home' out side. She stood back to admire her handy work. It was perfect. She genuinely smiled. Maybe this trip wouldn't be so bad after all.