Another Werewolf Story

CHAPTER ONE

The idea of a peace meeting between werewolves draws to mind a more rough and unrestrained venue than the conference room at the Residence Inn. The long rectangle table, its yellow chairs, the old projector in the back and the fluorescent lighting made the place more dull than a clearing in the wilds of an almost undisturbed forest. I guess my expectations show how new I am at being a werewolf. 

For my newness it is "Quite surprising, indeed quite unexpected," that I am at such an important meeting, well at least according to that old biddy, Mrs. Franklin, who seemed quit upset not to be going. Instead of an older woman who smells faintly of cabbage a ruggedly handsome man will be sitting in the corner recording the discussion for our pack records. An ex-student at Stanford's law college I was quickly drafted into the Arkansas Pack's efficient and exclusive history team of two when they found me after a rogue had bitten into me and made me one of them. 

So instead of bravely fighting for the downtrodden and misunderstood, maybe even making history, I was sitting in the back of a brightly lit conference room writing the words of the fat man at the other end of the table,

"I know that our two packs have had trouble in the past, but with the guidance of our new alpha our pack has come to the realization that an alliance, or at least a peace treaty between the packs of Arkansas and East Texas would be beneficial to both parties. Though not only because it would bring an end to the blood shed and create new pathways of knowledge. But also because we seem to be facing a new and worse enemy. A band of rogues has gathering and by targeting established packs, busy with their own petty border disputes, it has grown," said the big man with a grim look on his bearded face. 

From there he went on to speak of this new packs growing territory, which coming through Oklahoma and Kansas seemed to be heading straight for the main concentration of our packs. He spoke of the need to band together with the other nearby packs and stop the threat before it became too large. I know he sounded like the narrator of a Batman comic but I was so fascinated by his speech I almost forgot to keep recording it a few times. 

I was in one of these mini-trances when the door banged open. Everyone stopped listening to the charismatic Beta of the East Texas Pack as they spun to face the door. In the doorway stood a woman. She was in her mid-twenties, extremely tall and lithe with brown hair pulled into a low ponytail and a blush rising on her cheeks.

Yet despite her embarrassment she was composed and authoritative as she said, "Sorry I am late, but there was a little trouble at the border I had to take care of, a few rogues were scouting out our borders." For a room full of werewolves who had just been hearing about these rogues and the danger they posed this was a startling revelation. 

"No problems my dear, you're here now. You know how I hate having to give the speeches," said the big beta who was now more jovial. 

With a slight smile, one that almost wasn't there she lilted, "Well then, I'll just take over for you Frank."

"My name is Susan, and I am the new alpha of the East Texas Pack." This declaration unleashed an unease accompanied by whispered comments and even a few that were said loud enough for all to hear that seemed to challenge the calm and strength with which she said it, yet she stood firm. 

Over the rising tide of voices she said, only so loud as to be heard, "I am the new alpha according to our laws, as I am the one to have defeated the old alpha, Alfred. I know it must be surprising for me to be so young… and female. However, it is of little consequence and I believe we should be moving on to matters of more importance, such as the impending threat."

And just like that she had handled a room full of angry, wolf men. At that point I did forget to keep recording her words, not that I could with the hearts in my eyes so big and their rhythm beating in my ears. 

*********

I finally snapped out of it after the meeting when the alpha, Susan, stood in the corner talking with a few individual members of my pack. As they began to drift off I walked over and was real suave as I said,"Uh…Hi."

"Hello," said the goddess as she stared at me. 

We then stood there staring for more than a minute and I am not embarrassed to say that immensely awkward moment is how I introduced myself to my mate. 

After we finished staring I again said, "Hi," before whispering, "what do we do now?"

"Well, we will have to talk to your alpha about your joining my pack. And then.. you'll join my pack."

"That sounds like a well thought out plan. But beyond that, what do we do?"

"We can get my pack used to you before we… you know." 

"No, I don't really know."

"What? How did you grow so old and never have the birds and bees talk?"

"I know that! I just am new at the whole wolf man thing! So…what exactly are we suppose to do?"

"I don't really know."