Werewolf Queen

"They must have made a run for it. Mr. Woods, these are hardened criminals, if you notice any strange activity then you call this number."

"Can't I just call the cops?"

"No. This number only." He said and I heard the crunch of gravel and then a vehicle start up.

I held on to Jade for a few more minutes until I couldn't hear the vehicle anymore. I let her go and she went up to the small window.

"You knew the man?"

"My dad." She answered as her cell phone vibrated. She rushed over to it. "Is my dad safe?" She asked. She paused for an answer and she went rigid suddenly. Tears streamed from her eyes as she listened. "Okay, I'll be there as soon as I can." She said and shut the phone.

"Come with me?" She asked.

I nodded and dressed as quickly as I could. She unlatched the door and we went to her car. I could smell smoke and looked toward the town. Something was on fire.

She sped that mile toward the town and stopped a block from the smoldering building. The male and female were there. The male was holding the female whom was also crying. I looked up and saw the sign Rumors. The red on white was blackened you could barely make it out.

"Has anyone seen Nikki?" a man asked.

"Oh dear god no!" Jade said and ran inside.

"Jade it's not safe!" another man said and started to follow after her.

"Jim, she'll be fine, at least physically." The female said.

I heard Jade inside. "Well if you're not following her." I said and went inside the smoldering building. "Oh no, no, no, no." I heard her say from the back and heard a large banging. I followed her voice through the smoke and saw her on the ground it what was probably the freezer. She had tipped over a large shelf.

"She was trying to get away from the flames." She said holding a burnt corpse.

"Are you sure it's her?" I asked and knelt down beside her. She pulled on a chain and a dragonfly pendant.

"I gave it to her on her 13th birthday." She said. "Nikki I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"She's at peace now."

"Yeah now, burning alive is one of the worst ways to go." She said and stood up with the body. She walked outside with the body and Jessie dropped to her knees. They must've all been really close. Derek went to comfort Jessie. I saw Jade turn her head to them for a brief second. They didn't notice the look.

A coroner pulled up and quickly got out. The tall skinny man came up to Jade and took the body from her. He had tears in his eyes.

"Thank you Jade. Is there anything you need? I know you were like sisters."

"Bury her, don't cremate her. Please don't burn her anymore."

"I don't know if she had life insurance Jade." He whispered. "We may not be able to afford it."

"I'll pay for it." She said. "Don't worry about it." She walked to her car and got in and just sat there.

"You're her mate, aren't you going to comfort her?" I asked Derek.

"You don't know her like we do. She'll want to be alone." Derek said holding the sobbing Jessie.

"Whatever." I said and went to the car and got in on the passenger side. "Run with me?" I asked.

She nodded and started the car.

"Do you want me to drive?" She gave me an evil look. She took off with a squeal of the tires and we were out of town and passed the house in less than a minute. The odometer reached to 100 before she slowed down and turned onto a dirt road. She stopped and went off the road and parked in the trees.

"I'm not stupid. I see now. They hid it so well too. He's her wolf mate isn't he?"

"I can't answer that." I answered. She put her head on the steering wheel and cried. I put my hand on her back and rubbed it gently. She needed comfort right now and her mate wasn't willing to give it. She got out of the car and took off her clothes, throwing them in the car and shutting the door. I followed after her and she made the quickest change I had ever seen. One second she was human and the next she was a blonde wolf. I willed my change to go that fast but alas it didn't. I was quick but I wasn't that quick.

I hit all four and followed after her. She was already a mile ahead of me by the time I changed. Damn the woman was quick. I heard her mind. It wasn't thoughts but feelings she couldn't put into words. She thought she didn't deserve to live. That Nikki should be here and if it weren't for her that she would be.

That's not true. The Enlightened could have showed up any time. They burned it down because Jessie and Derek's scent was so strong there. It's not anyone's fault. It's The Enlightened's fault they even exist.

We shouldn't even exist. She thought at me.

I caught up to her and she stood at the edge of a gorge. It looked like it used to hold water. I came up beside her and she leaned against me. I put my head over hers.

Jade! I heard his and her voices and then something pounced on us tearing us apart.

Jade

I hit the ground hard and it stunned me for a second. I got up and saw Derek on top of Brent.

Stop! I screamed and went to pounce to get Derek off. Jessie blocked me and I let out a snarl. She didn't let me hear her mind. I lowered my head and ran at her and rammed her. She whined and then growled. I went through her throat without a thought but she went on to her back and bared her belly. The beast in me stopped and I growled at her again. It was a show of submission. She couldn't beat me in a fight so I was the dominant one.

I went after Derek this time but ended up being pounced on again but not by Jessie. It was another male with dark brown fur.

This is not a fight to the death. Your mate started this out of jealousy and Brent is fighting for you.

Jack? I asked.

You must let this happen or Brent loses. If you interfere he loses by forfeit and he and I will have to leave forever. If that happens we will draw The Enlightened away from you.

Can we not be human and settle this a different way? I asked.

We are not human. We may have human bodies but the beast always wins. We are not human anymore. Jack said and blocked me again when I tried to move around him.

I heard growling and then a loud whine. I jumped over Jack and saw Derek on the ground with his throat in Brent's mouth. Derek was belly up.

I went up to them and Brent let go. His muzzle was dripping in blood. I went up and licked him and caught sound of Derek's thoughts. I hit him with all the force I could muster in my paws. Brent snapped at him.

Call me a whore again and I'll tear your throat out myself.

I made you into what you are. You can't kill me.

She may not be able to but I can. You changed two over without telling them a damn thing. You are pathetic. Take your wolf mate and get out of here. I have claimed this territory now. Brent said.

Jade! You can't let them do this. This has been my home for years. Jessie said.

I just turned away from her.

Jade!

We are not human anymore. We follow their rules now. Find a place in Mangum or Altus. Friendship is hiring. There is nothing for you here. Rumors is gone. Nikki is gone. You have no family here.

You are my family Jade.

I turned and growled at her. Family doesn't take the man you love behind your back! You don't think I don't see it? The secret smiles, the stolen glances when I'm not looking?

Jade I-.

Don't try to explain it. There is no explaining it. I turned my back on her once more and didn't look back. I didn't want to see the hurt in her eyes.

You have until tomorrow night. Jack said and he and Brent followed after me.

I stayed gone overnight. Brent never left my side and Jack stood watch to warn us just in case humans came to close so we could move. He never complained. They just let me mourn.

When I reached my car my cell phone was ringing. It was my dad.

"Honey are you okay? I've been trying to call all night."

"Yeah dad, I'm okay."

"I don't want to bring more bad news on you but Jessie and Derek left. I trusted that boy too. I gave him permission, Jade I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault dad. It's a wolf thing. They couldn't help it."

"That man that went after you? Who is he?"

"Hey dad, you know how some people take a lifetime searching for that perfect person?"

"Yes."

"Well if Derek and I were never changed we would have been that perfect couple. But now that I am what I am, Brent is that perfect wolf."

"So he's a wolf too? This is all so ridiculous. If I didn't see Derek change I would have put you all in a nut house."

"Me too." I told him. "Would you like to see me?"

"Where are you?"

"By Oakley Farm. A couple of miles down his road."

"You better watch it around that farm, he likes to shoot things."

"Unless it's silver it won't kill me."

"So nothing can hurt you now?"

"I said it wouldn't kill, it would probably still hurt like a bitch."

"I'll be there in ten minutes. Please already be changed. I don't want to see my daughter naked."

"You used to change my diapers.

"That's different."

"I know. See you soon." I said and hung up.

"You and your dad close?" Jack asked.

"Since mom died."

"Our mom died too when we were kids. Tuberculosis took her."

"Ovarian cancer the day after I turned 18." I said and waited to hear my dad's truck. "What about your dad?"

"That drunk bastard couldn't even put his shoes on the right foot. Brent and I got out of there when we could."

"Who is the oldest?"

"Brent by two years but I was changed first. You have any brothers or sisters?"

"Not blood. Nikki and Jessie were my sisters and I've lost them both in a single day. Mom started having problems soon after she had me and couldn't conceive anymore. Broke her heart too."

"Must've been a hard life." He said. I could hear a hint of sarcasm.

"No, I never went hungry, my parents never divorced, I always had a roof over my head. If you think I was spoiled I wasn't. See this car right here? I bought it when I was 16 with my first job. As soon as I could work I bought my own clothes and needs and helped with the bills. I was never spoiled. Everything I have I've worked for."

"That's something to be proud of. You don't hear that very often."

"My dad made me the way I am and I couldn't appreciate it more. Speaking of my dad-." I got out of the car and went behind the trees. I didn't bother getting dressed like the men.

Dad pulled up and got out. I peered around the tree so he could see me. Jack made a movement between him and I.

"Jack." Brent said and shook his head. Jack went back to standing by my car.

"Hi dad." I said making sure he could see me.

"Hi honey."

"Dad, you have a gun on you."

"Just in case them people come back for you. They creeped me out and I'm not handing over my little girl."

"Your little girl turns into a wolf the size of a horse." I said.

"You could turn into the bride of Frankenstein and I wouldn't love you less."

"I love you too." I said and began to shift. I was tired already from spending so much time yesterday and switching right back just wore me out. I hit all fours and came out of the wooded area.

"Wow Jade." My dad said. "You're fur," he smiled, "It's the same color as when you were two."

I nodded my massive head like a human would in agreement. I walked closer to him and he unconsciously took a step back. He realized what he did and regained that step. I was proud of him. He held up his hand to touch me and I lowered my head down so he could.

"How could something so big fit inside little ole you?"

I rolled my eyes and shrugged my shoulders.

Brent

I watched closely as Jade's dad put his hand on her head. She was a pretty wolf. Most wolves were brown, gray, white, or red. Very few were blonde. Then again now days there were very few real blondes. You took on the color of your natural hair. I stood up when she started huffing and laid down.

"What's wrong?" her dad asked.

"She's tired. Too long in this form can take a toll on one, especially the new ones. A few hours and they are spent. She has been in this form for 15 hours. Then she went right back to show you." I said and went up to her. "If you don't want to see her naked you better go. Once she passes out she'll transform whether she wants to or not."

He nodded and kissed her on the head. He went to his truck and looked just a bit longer. "Take care of her." He said. I nodded and he did a U-turn and drove off.

Jack came up as her eyes rolled back and her massive head hit the ground. The transformation began immediately. He had brought a blanket and put it over her. I got in the back seat with her as Jack drove. He had the window down and sniffed his way to her actual house. It was a small thing. I now understood what she meant. Seven people in there would have been horrible.

Her dad was sitting in the driveway as we pulled up. Her neighbor came outside looking concerned as I pulled her out of the car.

"She's just exhausted." Her dad said and went over. I was grateful he was there. How horrible would it have been for two strangers to bring her naked home, especially two strange men?

"Who are they?" I heard her ask.

"Some friends of hers from out of town, I'm going to unlock the door for them. Susan please give her some space."

"I will Jim." She said.

Jim came up and grabbed the keys from Jack and unlocked the door with the right one. He let us in and showed me to her room. Derek's scent lingered. She would most likely hate that. I laid her down and covered her up.

"I'll come by later to check on her. I'm trusting you with my only child. If something happens to her I'll hunt you down to the ends of the world."

"As long as I'm breathing she'll come to no harm as long as I can help it. But right now she's hurting. Derek and Jessie are gone; she lost Nikki all in the same day. The pain of her mother is still raw. I don't know her but she seems like a strong woman, but even the strongest can break."

"Why did Derek and Jessie leave?"

"Why don't we go in the living room and I'll explain everything like Derek was supposed to do."

"Jack." Jade called out, her eyes still shut. Her heart never sped up to tell she was awake.

"Right here doll face." He said coming into the room.

"You and Brent help yourselves to anything you need. I think I'm going to sleep a while." She said cuddling up with a pillow and curled into a ball with it, still never opening her eyes.

"Sleep all you want doll face, we'll be here when you get up."

The three of us went to the living room and sat down.

"You two can sleep in a bit I have questions. Who are you and where do you come from and when?"

"I'm Brent Carter and this is Jack my brother. Most pass off as friends as siblings like Derek did but we are actual brothers. I'm 186 he is 184, physically I'm 30 and he's 28. We come from what is now Nebraska, back then it was Nebraska Territory."

"You were born before the Civil War?" he asked.

"We were in the Civil War fighting for the North."

"It's just hard to wrap my head around."

"That's why I'm 30 and he's 28." I said.

"And Jade?"

"She will be 24 for as long as she lives. It's a gift and a curse."

"Why is it a curse?"

"Because in a couple of decades everyone she loves now will be dead."

"So tell me about these wolf things. Why isn't Derek and Jessie here anymore?"

"For humans there are such things as soul mates. Like she told you if they were never changed Derek and Jade would have been the perfect pair. Once she was changed that part of her humanity went away. I was drawn to this town for a reason on the night of the 4th. We ran all night and early morning. We found them getting ready to leave and while Derek was hostile, Jade offered hospitality. That is rare among wolves, we rarely get along with others. When we can, we form packs, from as small as 3 to as large as 50, as long as we get along.

Jack and I worked because we are blood. Brian whom you have yet to meet is our childhood friend. There is a bond there that works when you are together that long. If Nikki were made into a lycanthrope, Jade and her would never separate unless something very serious came up. But onto your question. Derek challenged me over Jade after seeing our bond. He hated it immediately which isn't just a wolf thing but a male thing. I won and therefore him and his wolf mate had to leave because not only did I win his mate I won the territory that came with it."

"You talk of Jade as if she is an object."

"On the contrary, it's not only males that fight for females but also females can fight for males. Even though we don't get along with each other we are all a large family. We all come from the same wolf. We are human but animal as well."

"You actually fought for territory?"

"Yes. Fights for mates and territories are not fights to the death. It is when a pack's alpha is challenged does it end in death. Even though Derek was the eldest wolf he did not show dominance over Jade and Jessie showed submission when Jade defended herself against her. So honestly I only fought for Jade because Jade is the alpha. Alphas do not deserve submissive wolves. They do not do good with them."

"Jade is an alpha?" He said with a smile.

"And so far a very good one. She does not back down and is very straight forward. Then we were hunted to damn near extinction."

"By The Enlightened."

"Yes. They aren't really a vast majority of people but a certain family meant to hunt vampires, lycanthropes, elves, dwarves, you name it, they want them gone."

"Vampires?"

"Yes. There are different types of lycanthropes. Lions, Snakes, Bears, Foxes, Tigers, and so much more."

"So everything that we thought was a fairy tale?"

"Well I don't know about that. I have yet to see a mermaid or a dragon."

"Fairies?"

"There is a mound in Illinois full of them. Elves in Kentucky. I saw some kelpie in Japan once."

"And why don't humans know?"

"Humans see and believe only what they want to. Just because you don't believe it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Plus if the mass population got word that there are blood thirsty people that kill on a daily basis for their food do you think that there would be an all out panic? People killing people in the street claiming that they saw the other drinking blood. When lycanthropes die they change back to human form with no evidence of what they were. How do you know that the man down the street was actually a weretiger? You hated his guts because he crushed your wife's begonias and made her cry. You claim he is a lycanthrope and kill him like that." I snapped my finger for emphasis.

"I understand that." He said. "Tell me more about The Enlightened."

"They come from the family Dovah back in the time of the Vikings. They were a large family that loved to kill. One day they happened upon a village of men and women that could turn into beasts and were extremely hard to kill. It became a game to hunt them down after that. They were very good at what they did. Over the centuries they got better and with technology they developed weapons that could hunt us down and kill us. If you hear thunder on a cloudless day it is them. A large boom that no one can explain it is them. A bright flash in the distance that isn't possible it is them. They haven't managed to get underground weaponry so we are safe underground. But soon not even that will be safe. I haven't changed someone since 1920 and that was to save his life. If he died his family would have starved. It's wrong to bring someone over when they are hunted for just existing."

"Is there anything we can do to stop them?"

"Just stay out of their way." I said.

"I'll let you get some sleep now." He said and stood up. He offered his hand and I shook it. "I found it funny that he went after Jessie and not Jade. You took care of her."

"There was a reason I came to this town and maybe it's not just because of her. You ever get a feeling of destiny?"