Wolf Marked by Alexis Calder

10

My foot was healed by the time we started for Alec’s camp. I tried to swallow back the excitement bubbling inside me. I’d healed from the injuries sustained before and during the cave, but I’d shifted. Until this moment, I wasn’t sure I’d retained the magic. I didn’t want to allow myself to believe that I could shift on my own, but maybe it was possible.

Sheila, Malcom, and Alec each had a backpack on their backs. Their sleeping bags were rolled and attached to the bottom of the pack. I got the sense they did this often.

“So you three were on patrol?” I asked.

“We had some reports of talismans in the woods,” Sheila said.

“She doesn’t need to know,” Alec said.

“Witches?” I asked.

“Not your business,” Alec said.

“I would rather know what I’m getting into. Besides, who am I going to tell? You made it clear that trying to get through the woods to civilization on my own is a death sentence,” I reminded him.

“Ignore him, he’s just pissed we didn’t find anything,” Sheila said.

“Another wild-goose chase,” Malcom said.

“Is your camp not warded?” I asked.

Malcom laughed.

“What’s so funny?” I asked.

“She’s from Wolf Creek, you’ll have to excuse her witch-loving ways,” Alec said.

“I never said I hold any love for witches,” I said. “If anything, I’m equally against all magic.”

“Strong words for a shifter who had the protection of the Cedar Coven,” Alec said.

“I don’t know anything about the Cedar Coven but I do know that I have no love for the witch who cursed my family.”

“So you really never shifted before?” Sheila asked.

“Well, even if I could have shifted, that was my first full moon,” I admitted.

Sheila looked at me as if I’d said something crazy. “You’re a late bloomer, then.”

“I just turned nineteen two weeks ago. How is that late?” I asked.

“Wolf Creek’s barrier has a few other restrictions in place,” Alec explained.

“What are you talking about?” I was completely confused.

“Most of us have our first shift around thirteen or so,” Malcom said. “It varies from wolf to wolf, but there’s no set connection to a specific age. We feel the pull and shift on a full moon when our wolf is ready.”

“Are you serious?” I asked.

“It’s when we start feeling the bond, too, if we’re around our true mate,” Sheila added.

I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me. Tyler’s abuse had started around that age. Prior to that, I wasn’t treated well, but he didn’t go out of his way to torment me. Had he been feeling the bond that whole time?

“What is it?” Sheila asked.

“Nothing,” I lied. “It’s just a lot to learn how much was hidden from me.”

“Wolf Creek is the only magically sealed shifter pack in the world,” Malcom said. “Y’all are like a cult.”

“Not by choice, I assure you,” I said. “If I could have left, I would have.”

We walked in silence for a bit and I was careful to watch where I stepped. I didn’t need another injury even if I did heal faster now. There was so much to think about. Growing up locked away from the rest of society had left me unaware of far more than I realized.

“What’s your pack like?” I asked.

“We’re more of a group of likeminded individuals than a true pack,” Sheila said.

“What the hell does that mean?” I asked.

“We’re all feral,” Alec said.

It felt like ice was running through my veins and I stopped walking. “Feral?” I should have been more cautious. How had I not seen that coming.

“I don’t mean any of you any harm. I’ll just be on my way now.” I turned and started walking away from them.

“Where are you going?” Sheila called.

“She’s from Wolf Creek, remember?” Alec said.

“What is that supposed to mean?” I slowed my pace but didn’t turn around.

“Ask her for her definition of a feral wolf,” he said.

“Really, please, just leave me alone,” I said. “I won’t tell anyone I ran into you out here.”

“What do you think we’re going to do to you?” Shelia asked.

“Let me guess, you think we’re going to tear off your head and drink from your skull?” Alec mused.

I stopped walking and turned around slowly. When he put it that way, it sounded ridiculous. “What does feral mean to you?”

“We’re rejects or runaways from other packs,” Malcom explained. “What did you think feral meant?”

My face and neck felt hot and I knew my cheeks were likely pink. Either these shifters were lying to me, or my pack had lied to me. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what was true.

“She thinks we’re going to kill her and eat her or skin her alive or some bullshit,” Alec said.

“You really think that?” Sheila asked, her tone pained.

“I don’t think you’ll hurt me.” I really didn’t. They could have already if that was their plan. “They taught us a lot of things in Wolf Creek that don’t seem to be true. I thought all shifters needed a pack. That it was harder being on your own.”

Even though that was my plan, I never considered that I counted into that theory since I couldn’t actually shift.

“It is harder on your own,” Malcom agreed. “That’s why we live in a community. We have companionship but we don’t have the burden of a pack.”

“We prefer to be around others like us. It makes things less complicated,” Sheila explained. “But packs have systems, rules, expectations.”

“You don’t have rules?” I was liking the sound of this. Maybe being feral wasn’t so bad.

“We treat each other with respect. If someone crosses the line, they’re out,” Sheila said.

“Permanently,” Alec added. “There are no second chances here.”

Okay, so maybe the lack of rules wasn’t such a good thing. But then again, I’d done what I was supposed to do and I still ended up in the caves. Living my life was enough to nearly get me killed in my pack. How was being around feral shifters any more risky?

Either way, it was taking a chance. On my own, I had nothing to get me started. No map, no shoes, no food. With the feral shifters, there was a chance at some supplies at the very least. Best case, maybe I could figure this whole shifting thing out.

“Come on,” Sheila urged. “You’ll see we’re not so bad.”

Reluctantly, I agreed to follow them. I’d been taught that feral shifters were the enemy, but the members of my own pack had been the ones to try to end me.

Thinking about it too deeply was making my head spin. Exhaustion and hunger were making me feel weak. I hoped I was making the right choice by following my new companions.

I was so lost in my own thoughts that I didn’t notice the army green canvas tents parked between the trees. They seemed to appear out of nowhere. Or I was so oblivious to details, that I’d managed to miss them. Either way, I supposed I was going to need more than just a pair of shoes. Not noticing an entire town of tents wasn’t a great sign for my ability to survive on my own.

“When you said camp, you really meant it,” I said.

“What did you think we meant?” Alec asked. “Too rustic for you?”

“Are you kidding? I grew up in a trailer. It’s almost too reminiscent of home.” I hesitated about ten feet from the nearest tent. This was the feral pack or group or whatever they called themselves. The place with no rules and no second chances.

“Should I introduce myself to your alpha?” I asked.

“We don’t have an alpha. Feral, remember?” Malcom said.

“Who’s the closest to a leader?” I felt like I should introduce myself to the shifter most likely to throw down the gauntlet.

“You’re with him.” Sheila inclined her head toward Alec.

I groaned. Of course he was the leader of a group of misfit, lawless shifters.

“Don’t sound so disappointed,” Alec said. “I haven’t killed you yet.”

“So when you said you were sent to look for signs of witches, you mean you decided to go?” I asked.

He shrugged and nodded. “Sounds right.”

“So you’re paranoid,” I said.

“The witches have been trying to eliminate all shifters for the last decade. I wouldn’t call it paranoia,” he said.

“What do you mean?” I asked. “I thought witches just did their own thing.”

“Like I said, you would never make it on your own.” He walked forward, leaving me standing there like an idiot.

“Come on, you can bunk with me,” Sheila said.

Grateful for her kindness, I followed her into the cluster of tents. As we got closer, I saw that the tents were all on platforms. Well maintained dirt paths connected them, leading around the makeshift village they’d constructed. The tents had lots of space around each other, but they were arranged in a general circular pattern around a larger open space.

Multiple fire pits, a few charcoal grills, and several picnic tables were spread out around a grassy common space. It was early morning but a few of the inhabitants were already up. A small group was brewing coffee over a fire, the scent practically making me drool. My stomach grumbled. It had been a long time since I’d eaten and the scent of coffee reminded me of how hungry I was.

“You need some breakfast,” Sheila said.

“That would be nice,” I agreed.

A group of children ran past us, nearly colliding into Malcom. He jumped to the side and the kids shouted apologies as they continued on in their game.

Under some of the trees, I caught sight of hammocks, lounge chairs, and more tables. Little groups were gathered all around. They were talking or playing with children or cooking food on grills.

It was the complete opposite of the way Wolf Creek felt. I’d grown up with what could only be explained as forced community. This was different. It felt authentic, peaceful, welcoming.

People waved to Sheila and Malcom and none of them seemed to care that someone new was with them. I wondered if that was due to Alec’s presence. Then I realized he wasn’t with us anymore. A little weight of disappointment dropped into the pit of my stomach. I should be thrilled that he was gone, but there was something intriguing about him. I told myself it was the safety he could provide, but that wasn’t true. Even my own fight or flight instincts seemed to be taking a nap while we walked through this camp. It felt safer than walking down the halls of school.

We walked past a picnic table lined with fruit. Sheila picked up a banana and handed it to me.

I accepted it gratefully and ate it as we continued to walk. We crossed through the common area, past a little cluster of tents, until we reached a tent that was set back away from the others.

“Here we are. Home sweet home,” Sheila said.

We were standing in front of a green canvas tent that looked like it had seen better days. It was the duplicate of the other tents nestled between the trees around the common area.

“Cozy,” I said.

“Wait till you see inside.” She pulled apart the flap and ducked inside.

I followed her, not really sure what I was getting myself into. Again. That seemed to be the theme of my life lately.

Her tent was more spacious than I expected. Not large by any account, but it easily fit the cot, pair of folding camp chairs, and stacked crates that looked to be her version of a dresser.

She set her backpack at the foot of her cot, then tugged the sleeping bag out. “It’s not much, but you’re welcome to the sleeping bag and the space on the floor. I’ll ask around to see if anyone has a spare cot.”

“It’s perfect, thanks.” I accepted the bag and set it on the floor in front of her folding chairs.

“Now, let’s see about getting you some clothes and shoes. She started digging through the crates. She was a few inches shorter than me and much thinner. I didn’t think we were close to the same size.

“I appreciate it, but I might be better off keeping Alec’s shirt.” I tugged on the bottom of the fabric, making sure it was still covering me.

“My ex left some stuff behind,” she said. “She was about your size. I should have tossed it months ago, but I guess it’s good I kept it.”

She emerged from her crates with a pair of jeans and a tee shirt that looked like they might actually fit. “That is very lucky for me. Are you sure you’re okay with me wearing it?”

“Yeah, it’s a good use for it,” she said. “She couldn’t hack the feral life. Went back home to her old pack. It happens. I knew better than to get attached to someone with ties to the outside world.”

I tugged the jeans on. They were a little tighter than I liked, but they covered me better than the shirt. Then I pulled off Alec’s shirt and replaced it with the faded black tee. I wasn’t used to going sans bra and panties, but it was nice to have any kind of clothing again.

“We’ll have to ask around for some shoes,” Sheila said. “I don’t think my size five will fit you.”

“Nope, not even close,” I said.

“Thanks, again,” I said. “I will find a way to repay you for all this. I’m just not sure how yet.”

“Stay and help us for a while,” she said. “I’m sure we can find something for you to do.”

“Help with what exactly? I don’t think you want me out scouting for witches.”

“No, you’re not ready for that, but there’s other things. Besides, you could learn a bit. Figure out how to connect with your wolf,” she suggested.

I sat down in one of the folding chairs. “What if I can’t do it?”

She took the chair next to me. “Every shifter finds a way eventually, even if it takes some of us longer.”

I shook my head. “My mom has never shifted. I wasn’t supposed to be able to either.”

“The curse,” Sheila whispered. “Tell me about it.”

“I don’t know much. I know my grandfather pissed off a witch and boom family curse. No shifting for any of us.” I sighed.

“But you did it,” Sheila pointed out. “You shifted. You broke it.”

“My wolf fought to keep me alive but how do I know I can repeat it?” I wanted to believe it, but it seemed so impossible.

“You won’t know until you try,” she said.

“Not shifting brought me nothing but pain,” I said. “If I try here and fail, it’s another group of shifters who know.”

“You think they’d care? Why do you think we’re all here? Some are like you,” she said.

“Some can’t shift?” I asked.

“No, but they were rejected by their mate. Tossed out of their pack with nowhere to go. Or they didn’t agree with the alpha or their family tried to overthrow the alpha and lost. You know how it is, shifters don’t just punish the one who did the deed, they punish everyone in the family. It’s messed up.”

“Why are you here?” I asked.

She rolled up her sleeve and revealed an angry looking circular scar. “I was chosen. Or some shit. But my pack said women can’t be chosen. So they burned it off.”

“A crescent mark?” I’d never heard of a woman getting a mark from the goddess.

“The mark of a protector,” she said. “Ironic, isn’t it that I ended up tossed aside after it showed.”

“I’m so sorry,” I said.

“It’s better this way, I didn’t need their shit. I’m happy here. I’ve found a home and a family of sorts. Sure, people come and go, but there’s some of us who will never leave. We have each other’s backs,” she said.

“What about Alec?” I asked. “What’s his story?”

Her expression grew solemn. “It’s not my story to tell. You’ll have to wait until he’s ready to share.”

“Is it as bad as yours?” I asked.

“Worse,” she said. “You wait here. I’ll see if I can find you some shoes. Then I’m taking you to Greta. If anyone can figure out what’s going on with your wolf, it’s her.”

I nodded and forced a smile. Sheila’s story wasn’t so different than mine. She was a victim of things beyond her control. For a culture who prayed to a female deity, they sure were terrible in the way they treated the females in their packs.

I had planned to go to school, to become human and blend in. But that was before my wolf had made an appearance. Now, I was wondering if I could get away with staying here for a while. At least until I could get my wolf sorted out. If I was going to live with humans, I couldn’t risk shifting unexpectedly. And it turned out there was a lot I needed to learn about shifter culture.

They had tried to break me in Wolf Creek, but in the end, maybe I was exactly where I needed to be.