Shifters Pen

23

  I had spent the morning applying for jobs, again. The afternoon I spent making plans with Che and the shapeshifters. Che was getting out, and would be one of those present at the birth. He said his son would be able to help also.
  “But will he? Will he help me?” I was afraid.
  Che hugged me. “We will start calling around tomorrow. You just show me how to use that machine.”
  I nodded. He had told me that he had no idea how to operate a computer, and there wasn't a phone book in his cubicle. He needed help figuring things out.
  The other guys all contributed a name or two, and the areas where they lived. There was one in Winrock, which was only 40 minutes from my parents store. If that guy could pick me up and take me to Che or into town that would be great. But would he?
  It was a starting point. I thanked them all for their help. Che had slept on it. He was going to be starting out in Kayenta. He was a veteran, and could get low cost to free flights. He and I could get on a flight together, carrying a couple skinwalkers each on us as insects. They wouldn't show up on the scanners. We could fly to Illinois and then get a ride or bus to the pack.
  It sounded like a great plan, except, “Would they really want to travel as insects?”
  Che laughed at me, then realized I was serious. “I have traveled all over the world as an insect. I have boarded cruise ships. I have gotten on trains and busses. Yes, traveling as an insect is quite common. Once you are aboard and in a secure area you can usually turn into something else. On boats and trains you can become a person.”
  That was sneaky, but cool.
  Dinner came with an exhausted Luke. He had been job hunting all day. It was a hard thing to do. It was also something he had never done before. He had always worked for the pack. He had never needed income. Now he was obsessed with it.
  The pack council met, and we listened to Jordan and Levi explain why they would be better as alpha. Jordan had been here longer, knew the men. Levi had experience as an alpha and did have the ability to Command a pack.
The votes were cast anonymously. I was allowed to vote. I, being the Luna, read them outloud. “Levi. Jordan. Jordan. Levi. Levi. Jordan.”
  It was even. There was an uncomfortable silence. We all looked around at each other. Luke looked at Jordan and Levi. “Either of you feel like withdrawing?”
  “No.”
  “No.”
  Luke and Kevin looked at each other. They nodded. “Tomorrow, after lunch, we are all meeting in the courtyard. You will fight each other to see who is the dominant fighter, and that will decide who the next alpha is. You fight until the other is unconscious. We will work on who the next beta is later.”
  A fight. It was coming down to a fight? I would be there to heal them. I didn’t really like this method. But both the alpha and beta seemed to be ready to accept this form of choosing an alpha. The others didn't bat an eye at this suggestion. It was just me. The luna. The female didn't like this idea. But everyone was heading to their cells already. What could I possibly say anyway? A revote would be pointless. I had no better idea. I would be healing men tomorrow.
  I didn't sleep well, worried the fight would go too far. In the serving line at breakfast my worries only grew.
  Nostradamus asked, “Have you considered my request?”
  I met his ancient eyes. “Look, my mornings are completely taken up with the 5th test stuff. To be honest I might have to extend those hours soon. However, I am being tutored myself until dinner. And right now the pack council is in the middle of meetings. I am a busy woman Nostradamus. Besides that, I am not sure I can help you pass the first test.”
  He tilted his head curiously, “And why is that?”
  I sighed, “Because it's about sincerely caring about something besides yourself, and they weigh you. It's not a written test at that point.” Men were waiting for their food as Nostradamus stood there, watching me. His gaze was cold. He didn't like my response. After at least 30 seconds he picked up his tray and headed to a table.

  I looked at the information on my computer. Ella was mated and had a last name that felt familiar, but I couldn't place it. Not from our pack. Her name was Ella Harmon now. She still lived on Rural Route 17, Pine Valley. Our old home. And I had her number right here.
  I called. It rang. I felt so nervous. What if she wouldn't talk to me? Then a voice came on the line, “I am not buying solar panels! Take me off your list already.” It was her, only she didn't sound like a kid anymore.
  I cleared my throat a bit, “Hey Cinderella, I am not trying to sell you anything.” Dead silence. “Are you there?”
  “If this is a prank I will hunt you down and-”
  “Don't even joke about killing people Ella. I have spent the last 14 years in prison for it. I would never want this for you.”
  Her voice sounded tight, “Prove it. Prove you are my brother.”
  I took a deep breath. “I was quite possibly the worst alpha after mom died and dad disappeared. But on the moons we would shift and after all the pack gathering stuff we would go to this giant tree. It had an overhanging limb that was only about 3 or 4 feet off the ground. We would lay on it or under it. That was the same tree we had always daydreamed of building a treehouse in. Then we could spend nights out there in the summer. But dad never had time to help us figure out how to do it. So mom bought us that orange tent instead. We started with setting it up in the yard, but eventually we were setting it up by the river and the tree, and anywhere our hearts desired on our lands.” The memories flowed. “You would always pack peanut butter sandwiches. The jelly was all clumped in the middle because you’d never spread it.”
  She laughed, “We’d always get sticky eating them. Oh Mother Moon! Luke, where have you been? You disappeared, and I nearly lost my mind.”
  “I have been in a prison for people like us. I did something bad. I deserved to go, and I am sorry I left you. I never meant to do that. I was young, and so mad.”
  She sounded uncomfortable, “Did it have to do with the McCains?”
  “I found dad.”
  Dead silence, “What? Why didn’t you lead with that?”
  “He was stuffed in Tom’s bar. I wanted Tom to pay for it. I wanted to kill him. I wanted him to die knowing that he had killed more than your average wolf. I thought the rest of his family was gone. We turned into wolves and Mikey shot-”
  “Mikey shot Forest.” She hummed in thought. “Then he got killed too, by a wolf. They weren’t lying when they told me you killed him. I never wanted to believe.”
  I swallowed, “I have struggled with those demons for years. I doubt I will ever sleep soundly again. Look, I am going to be getting out in a couple months here. I know I have no right to ask you any favors, but I really need some help.”
  “I’m mated. I have children. I am the luna, but he might not be too thrilled to have you here. You aren’t that popular after killing the McCains and then vanishing.”
  I took a deep breath, “If it was just for me I wouldn’t say anything more. I would find someplace else, and not upset your life.”
  “But?”
  “So the prison I am in is coed. I met my intended mate here. Her name is Lucy. She is pregnant. It could be a pup, or baby. She can’t give birth in a normal hospital.”
  “Lucy. And what did she do to go to prison?”
  “She was mauled by a skinwalker, instead of killed by a skinwalker. They are usually quite thorough killers. It turned her into a skinwalker, and she didn’t want to be a danger to anyone else or herself, so she volunteered to be placed in Shifters Pen. She’s really sweet, and is an amazing luna. She has healing powers Ella.”
  Ella asked, “And how far along is she?”
  “She will be at 38 weeks when we leave.”
  “38! Cutting it kinda close, aren’t you?”
  There wasn’t much I could say to that. “That’s what we got. Can you help us? We won’t stay long. Just until the baby is born and we have our own place. I don’t want to impose.”
  “I gotta talk to Gerald first.”
  “Of course.”
  “He and I might want to talk to this Lucy too.”
  I smiled, “She’s been dying to talk to her sister in law. She will probably have about a million questions for you. I kinda turned her, and she’s new to being a werewolf.”
  I heard Ella growl, “Luke Tillerman! You are not making your case very well. You turned her? You know that’s illegal. Why?”
  “I knew she was supposed to be mine, even with all the suppressed things in here. I knew it. Plus, I’m alpha in here, and as such I can offer her more protection. Otherwise she would be getting raped night and day by everyone, and sucked dry by the vampires.”
  Ella was incredulous. “Vampires. You expect me to believe there are vampires?”
  “Lycans, hexenwolves, vampires, skinwalkers, and wendigo. Shifters Pen has a fun assortment of freaks besides werewolves.”
  She sniffed. “Two months huh? Ugh! Can you call me later?”
  “Not today. I have to oversee who will be taking my place. I’m making arrangements for when I leave my pack.”
  She was bitter, “Nice that someone finally figured out to do that.”
  “I missed you. So much. Worried for you more than you will ever know. I’m sorry for the pain I caused you, and the pack. I should be able to call tomorrow in the morning or afternoon, if I don’t get an interview.”
  “Interview?”
  “I’m trying to get a job. Get an apartment or something.”
  She sighed. “I will keep my eyes peeled for this number then. Call when you can.”
  “Thanks Ella.”
  “Later Luke.”
  “Bye.” It was something so small, but I hadn't got to say it last time. I had so many regrets over that one simple word not being spoken to my little sister, and now I had finally gotten to say it. I hung up the phone and stared at it for a moment.
  Ella hadn’t seen me in half her lifetime. We used to be so close, but was that closeness even partly there still? She was luna over the pack, and mated to Gerald Harmon.
  Gerald Harmon. Moon and stars above that sounded familiar. Why did that sound familiar? I would ask Kevin, maybe he knew.
  For now I had other things to do. I opened my email. I scrolled through some junk about golf and then spotted an email from Sandman Motors HR. I opened it up. I had a phone interview at 10am Mountain Standard Time. “Whoo hoo!” Then I realized I had no idea what time zone we were in.
  Asterion came over and eyed my email.  He nodded. “We are on Eastern European Time. 8 hours ahead. So 10 in the morning there is 6 in the evening here. Dinnertime.” He watched my face as I contemplated my schedule, “They usually aren't that long. 15 minutes max. If they like you they'll set you up for a second interview on a zoom chat.”
  Two interviews? Why? It seemed like overkill. But, and my mind wandered to Lucy and the baby. Whatever it took. I wasn’t exactly sought after for employment as a prisoner. I would take anything I could get.
  “I gotta be gone for lunch, and a bit after. Can I leave and then return?”
  Asterion narrowed his eyes, “Tell me what exactly you are meeting every night about.”
  “The pack is choosing a new alpha so that when I leave it won't be utter chaos.”
  Asterion nodded, “Like when you became alpha.” He remembered the violence and how many died in that endeavor. “What’s happening after lunch today that you have to leave here?”
  “We have narrowed it down to 2 guys, Jordan and Levi. We tried voting, but the numbers were even for each. So they fight to knock each other out after lunch. Winner gets to be trained as alpha. Then we start looking into beta. Kevin is going to step back when I leave.”
  He nodded. “I will most likely have to lock people down for a bit afterwards. I will escort you to this room then. You might be in here overnight. Be ready for that.”
  I nodded. Then I delved back into applying places. One interview was exciting, but it was no guarantee that I would get a second one, or hired.
  By lunchtime I was a nervous wreck. Would Ella let us stay for a bit? Would I do alright in my interview? Who would be the next alpha?
  I sat down with my tray. Lucy wrapped an arm around my shoulders and kissed my cheek. Worries disappeared for a minute. My love was here. She said, “So I have a tutor program that is making me take a test and submit references and stuff, but it looks good. Going to find out in the next week if they want me or not.”
  I hugged her. “That’s great.”
  “How was your morning?”
  What a loaded question. “Productive.”
  Kevin plopped down across from us. “Not doing laundry. That stupid vampire, Serin, doesn't know what softener is.”
  Lucy glanced at the vampire now doing laundry. “In all fairness they probably didn't have washing machines where he came from before here.” Her eyes came back to me. “So. Productive?”
  I nodded, “Spoke to Ella.”
  They both sucked in their breath. Kevin asked, “And? Don't leave us there.”
  I nodded. “She's Luna now. Mated, has kids. Was glad to hear from me, but disappointed that I had actually killed the McCains. I am not too popular around there, apparently. Told her about Lucy. She wants to talk to her. You.” I looked at my mate.
  Lucy was so excited. I didn’t mention that Ella wasn't nearly as excited to meet her as she was my sister. “I have a phone interview tonight.”
  Lucy beamed. “That’s great!”
  I shrugged. It wasn't really great unless I got the job. Then I remembered something. “Hey Kevin, do you recognize the name Gerald Harmon?”
  Kevin snorted, “Yeah. He's that asshole alpha over the Icy Lake pack. He offered to “take the pack over” when your dad disappeared. Why?”
  I felt like puking suddenly. “Fuuuck.” I hadn't responded exactly kindly to his offer. “Didn't I-?”
  Kevin nodded, “Tell him you'd kill him if he ever set foot on pack lands again. Why?”
  “He's mated to Ella.”
  Kevin and Lucy stared at me. “What?”
  Lucy said, “He must have made a similar offer to Ella when-”
  I felt like I had been kicked, and was trying to catch my breath as I pictured that 35 or 40 year old asshole approaching my 14 year sister with an “offer”. I felt tears forming, “She was 14! It's my fault! That bastard! That mother fucking piece of shit! I am going to kill him!”
  Lucy felt my rage. There was no way I could contain it. She sucked in a breath as it flooded over her. She rubbed her arms. “We don't know the whole story. Just hang on. Let me talk to her. It might not be as bad as-”
  But it was. I was sure of it. My actions had forced my sister into an arranged marriage to a perverted asshole. No wonder she hadn't been too happy to hear from me. A backup plan was suddenly very urgent.
  And lunch was over.
  Word had spread about the fight and everyone wanted to watch. Entertainment wasn't that great here. The pack council shoved our way to the front. Vampires were shoved towards the back. Wendigo and skinwalkers turned into animals that could climb or fly above the rest. Lycans shifted into their forms that were all about 7 feet tall. They could see over the crowd. Everyone was in good spirits. Bets were being made.
  I stepped up to Jordan and Levi. “You guys are fighting to see who will be trained up to be the next alpha here. You are equals in votes after presenting your mental capabilities. It comes down to your physical capabilities. You fight to knock out, not kill.” There were some boos from the crowd. Fuck them. “Any questions?” They shook their heads no, never taking eyes off their opponent. I stepped back. “Begin.”
  Jordan stepped in quickly and hit Levi's left side. It would hurt. He took it. Jordan hit his right side. Levi took it. Jordan pounded on Levi. He took every hit, making not one move. What was this? What was he doing? He had a broken nose, busted lip, and probably one or two broken ribs.
  Then Levi looked at Jordan and spoke. “Be still.”
  It was like Jordan turned into a statue. He had given him a Command. Jordan didn't so much as blink. Levi walked around him slowly. “You're tough. You're smart. You're strong. But you ain't gonna be no fucking alpha to me.” He hit him on the head, and Jordan went down like a sack of potatoes.
  I smiled. I had voted for Levi because he had this ability within him. And I knew the warden would soon be flashing the orange lights. “I want all werewolves to report to their cells. Except Luna Lucy. Could you help heal these two?”
  She stepped forward and ran a hand over Jordan's head. He groaned and came to as Lucy started to fix up the broken ribs on Levi. I heard the pops as they went back into place. She fixed his nose and lip. “Thank you Luna.”
  Lucy shrugged, “I am here to help my pack. That was not your average fight, was it?”
  I kissed her cheek. “Haven't you figured out by now that nothing here is average?”