Lunar Eclipse

16 - Trouble

Neither my sulking nor my boiling anger provide an outlet for the rejection of my family, which leaves my resentment over life in general to slowly push me over the edge. To make matters worse, the warmer weather stirs the unrest in my wolf; the one hour run Dante takes her on is not enough to control her wild nature. We are both itching to exert ourselves and by day three, I wander aimlessly around the settlement in the search of a task.

The vegetable garden is where I find most of the other females. Chattering and laughter keep their mouths busy while eager hands dig and plant seeds and flowers. Those who conceived are stretched out on chairs scattered across the lawn that separates the garden from the lake, or they doze in the sun in their wolf form. Two females work a little distance away from the main group on another patch of dirt with faces as miserable as they can be; one of them is Hailey, the other Savannah.

"Hey, Raelyn, come and join us," calls out a redhead from the lawn. She points at an empty chair next to her. Her freckles seem to merge into one as she smiles. Getting closer, I'm surrounded by a whiff of new life driving me a few steps back. Anger nettles my wolf; she's upset she isn't carrying a pup.

"I think I'll give Hailey and Savannah a hand."

When I kneel next to Savannah on the ground, she offers me a meek smile. Grabbing one of the small shovels, I break and turn the soil until the ground is ready for a seed. Water is added from a small watering pot before I start on the next plant.

For a while, we work in silence before I carefully probe. "How are you two holding up?"

"Kendrick Raynes has assembled more troops out on the West Coast and my grandpa is spooked about an imminent attack. That's why my parents think it's too dangerous for me to visit, so I'll probably have to stay here for the summer." The bitterness in Hailey's voice is like bile.

I furrow my brows. "But I thought Raynes is pushing into Maine."

"Well, who knows. That wolf is all over the place. One of his brothers was just appointed tribune to the Quebec territories and he's eager to prove himself. I overheard my parents talk with Lance and Millie this morning. They fear there'll be war."

Savannah snorts. "Raynes better hurry so I don't have to mate with Marco."

"How can you say that?" Hailey clicks her tongue. "We would be enslaved. All this—our territory—would be used to benefit the Northern Light pack."

"Well, I suppose." Savannah scrapes with the shovel over the ground, her lips pressed together to a thin line.

"Besides, why are you complaining? At least you'll have a decent mate. Marco is a catch."

"You of all people should know that Bay is the only one for me."

"Awe, poor Savannah."

"Oh, shut up, Hailey. You're just jealous that Marco chose me over you. But you know what? As far as I'm concerned, you can have him. You two deserve each other."

Glaring at her friend, Hailey sets the shovel down. A growl resonates from her chest and she smiles with teeth. "Maybe I'll convince my dad to pair me with your precious Bay."

"Guys, no fighting." When her claws extend, I rest my hand on Savannah's arm.

"Stay out of this, Raelyn. You're not my mother." Another growl rumbles deep in Hailey's chest. Her joints crack; she's ready to shift. Crouching low, her teeth snap at Savannah.

I'm on top of her before she can complete the shift. With my thumb pressing down on her vein of life, she goes still. Everyone is staring and I lean forward to keep our conversation between us.