Feral

Chapter Six

        The old truck clanked down the bumpy road passed the town sign. Welcome to Roshchend, population 3,563. She watched it disappear behind the trees. "3,566," she corrected. The town was larger than she expected. Every brick building looked like it would not survive the next passing storm. They would crumble after being touched by a gentle breeze. The people in the town looked just as worn out as their stores and homes.

         "That was a stupid, stupid, move. What in the hell were you thinking?" George finally said. He had used this tone very few times in her life. "He was going to bite Peter! Dad, come on! How long do you suppose he was watching us? That jerk knew Peter did not intentionally pass. He was looking for a fight and I was not about to be scared of such a prick." George pulled into an old gas station. He slammed his breaks and looked at her. Peter wished he could melt into the middle seat indefinitely. He leaned back into the seat, hoping to get out of George's sight.

"You challenged him. He was doing his job protecting the pack and you went out to challenge him. Lacey, he could have hurt you!"

         She could not hold her father's gaze because the fear in his voice brought her shame. He's right, she admitted to herself. Though she was too stubborn to admit it to her father, she acted without considering the consequences. She could have ruined their chance of finding a new pack, a new home, and a new start. "I don't get it," she thought aloud. "What threat could we pose him? We weren't even shifted. Peter was busy with the map and we were carrying a heavy-ass ice-chest."

          George answered, "Under pack law, any trespassers without permission can be slaughtered on sight. He would have been in the right if he wanted to punish Peter for crossing onto pack territory." Her father looked at her as he continued, "And you would have been an immediate kill for challenging his authority. You see, Peter was at his mercy. He could have made it out with a few bites and scratches if he remained submissive."

          "That is barbaric bullshit," Lacey muttered. "What makes him any different than you, Peter-" she pressed a hand to her chest, "or me? He did not do anything to deserve my respect! I will never submit to someone like him. Our family was never like that!"

          "I've told you before. This pack is much different than ours. This is going to be a culture shock for both of you, but you'll survive." He added, "as long as you learn your place." Lacey looked at her father with complete disgust. "So, are you going to tell me I have to stay in the kitchen now?"

         George responded quickly, "You know that's not what I meant when I said that. Pack laws do not diminish women's rights. Hell, you've seen our alpha and beta. Both are highly respectable women. This is about your position in the pack. Your snub to him is a snub to the pack as a whole."

"Wait, so the male wasn't the alpha? I thought that was her boy-toy or something," Peter interjected.

         George shook his head and said, "He is not. Both women are widows and they don't need men to lead this pack, otherwise, they would have been overthrown already."

         "I'll be back. I need a breather," she said as she opened the truck door to leave. The concept of knowing one's place seemed redundant. They were in the twenty-first century. Why did they keep those types of traditions when they only fueled inequality? Why should she submit to someone who did not earn her respect? Lacey would have gladly stepped aside had he not rushed to attack Peter. Technically, attacking Peter would be the equivalent of attacking all of them. Lacey scoffed. I wonder how many wars they got into because of that stupid ideology.

         "Watch where you're going!" An older man grumbled after she bumped shoulders with him. He reeked of cheap alcohol and day-old cigarette smoke. Lacey quickly said, "I'm so sorry!" She inhaled through closed teeth with flushed cheeks. "Can this day get any worse?"