The Pack's Melody

The City Before Time

A cold rain assaulted the small city in Rhode Island. The blaring cries of siren's were acompanied by the blue and red flashes of emergency response vehicles.

"You're going to need to tell her pup she's not coming home," a police officer informed a woman in a black raincoat.

"I know, and you know we need a moment to mourn," the woman said. Her voice was shaking.

"I guess it's good it's raining. The rest of the pack wouldn't want to see their new Alpha crying over one loss."

The woman drew her hand back to strike the officer then held it to her chest. "You know as well as I do that this isn't some simple loss."

"You're right. I guess I should pay my respects as well, she was my Alpha too after all." The woman advised him to take it slowly and warned him it was grusome before he left.

He was first greeted by mounds of hair, once a shimmering silver but now stained a dark mix of red and brown. Next came the shredded remains of clothing. The officer nearly fainted when he pushed past the onlookers, other packmates. Sure as he had been told was Ophealia, her body had been mangled and twisted into an inhuman shape. The lights around revealed an array of hand shaped bruises across her bkdy; but what disturbed him the most is what was not present. Noticable absent from the once beautiful woman's corpse were her nine large, silver tails.

"This is just awful, 937 years old and the poor girl is done in like this. Whoever did it must be scary strong." The officer's final observation was made and he placed his coat over the once humanoid form.

"Okay everyone," he shouted, "It's time to go home. The new Alpha and I will take it from here." The crowd dispersed and the officer carried the corpse to his vehicle. The woman in the coat opened the door for him. 

"Will you be able to tell Cam?" he asked.

"It's not like I have a choice. She'll be up for school soon."

"She's over 500 years old, it shouldn't be too hard on her."

"Officer Mhin, Kitsune mature very slowly. She's barely 15 for what you'd expect. "

"Then good luck." Officer Mhin placed the corpse in the seat before getting in the driver's side and speeding off, leaving the woman in the coat alone to cry.

°°°°°

A door bell's chime awoke Camilla from her sleep. She looked out the window to the right of her bed and smiled widly, unaware of the events from The night prior. The bell rung again making her get out of her bed. She slipped on a large shirt and groggily stumbled to the front door. She stood on her toes to look through the peep hole and opened the door happily.

"Hello miss Audrey!" Camilla shouted happily.

"Hello Camilla hun," she greeted back to the young kitsune. Her five black tails were fluffy and fanned openly behind her. The sight of Ophelia ran through Audrey's head again and forced her to hold back the welling tears.

"Are you here to see my mom? Cuz she's not here right now. I think she went to get me a surprise."

Audrey's heart skipped a beat when the innocent child spoke her mind. "And why might she be doing that sweety?" Camilla gave her visitor a toothy grin.

"Today's my birthday!" Audrey's heart shattered and she wrapped her arms around the child.

"I'm so sorry Camilla, I am so, so sorry."

"Why's that Miss Audrey?" Camilla asked adjusting her now wet shirt.
Audrey did not say a word. She picked the young teen up and carried her to the couch and sat her in the center. She dropped to her knees and and placed her hands on the girl's lap.

"Camilla, your mother's gone!" she shouted, releasing her emotions all at once. She looked at the child, who looked at her with large silver eyes.

"Where did she go," Camilla asked innocently.

"Oh hunny. She's gone. She's not coming back," her words were shaky and forced. She watched in pained sorrow as the young girl's fox-like ears fell low against her head. Tears started to trail down her cheeks and Audrey drew her into her arms. The girl let out a high pitched, howl like cry that shook the glass around her. The windows would have shattered of Audrey had not pushed the crying girl's head into her chest, muffling the sound.

°°°°°

That evening a massive funeral was held for Ophelia. Camilla stood beside Audrey in a small black skirt and all black blouse. She was holding her hand and weeping as many of the attendees spoke of how wonderful her mother was.

Following the ceremony and burying, a small group of Ophelia's closest friends gathered in a small room. Audrey had told Camilla to stay outside while they talked.

"What do they plan to do with her territory, and her pack?" One man asked in a gruff and rushed voice. Another man in a suit held a sheet of paper close to his face as he read the words aloud.

"I, Ophilia Seraphine, leave all of my belongings to my child, Camilla Seraphine." The lawyer paused for a moment to let anyone object, but not a word was said. He cleared his throat and continued. "Should I be murdered I relinquish control of my pack to my daughter as well. Should she be to young I wish Audrey to maintain it until she is at least 600 years old."

"That's bullshit!" the man with the gruff voice objected, "the pack should go to the next strongest!"

The lawyer adjusted his glasses and placed the paper in a folder. "Indeed, but are you going to dare question the final wishes of Rhode Island's strongest alpha?"

The rest of the spectators turned their gaze to the man who huffed a breath of digust and stormed out of the room knocking past Camilla on his way out.