The Lost Queens Revenge

Chapter 1

The moon was high in the midnight sky as I ran through the thick, looming forest. I dodged low-hanging branches as rotting leaves swirled around me, the smell stinging my sensitive nostrils. The sound of distant howls sent my heart into an erratic rhythm.

"All most to the boarder." I thought as I pushed my tired legs to move faster. The overwhelming thought of being caught sent fear rippling through me as I ran. Ahead I could make out the thinning of the forest that gave way to the meadow.

"Just a few more feet and we're safe." I continued to chant in my head. I was almost free, but just as I reached the line separating pack land from the human world, I felt the burning pain of claws ripping through my left hind leg. I stumbled over the border, whimpering in pain as blood oozed out of the fresh wound. A pair of black eyes glared at me as his low rumbling growl echoed around the clearing, causing the ground beneath the large beast to quake from his powerful presence.

The large wolf shifted into a man that was built like a boulder. His large muscles glistened as beads of sweat dripped from his massive frame. His alpha aura was suffocating as it pressed down on me, forcing me to shift. A light breeze kicked up dirt around me, causing tiny pebbles to coat my wounded thigh. Fear lanced through me, causing tears to trickle down my dirt-stained face.

"Filthy, f*****g rogue! Stay the hell out of my territory or the next time a scratch will be the least of your worries." He spat before turning on his heels and shifting before disappearing into the darkness of the forest. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. I was safe, for now.

My name is River O'Brian. I was once the proud daughter of Alpha Shannon O'Brian of the Silver Moon pack. That was before the war that destroyed my pack and killed my parents. I survived because my mother hid me beneath the floorboards of the pack house. "Be still my little River. Know that we love you more than anything." My mother smiled down at me with tears cascading down her beautiful face. That was the last time I saw my mother alive. My entire family was slaughtered that night. Now, I'm just your common rogue trying to make it in a world that doesn't want me.

As I lay on my back staring at the stars while my wound began to close, I prayed to the Moon Goddess to point me toward my destiny and save me from this pathetic life. I prayed for a life that no longer existed for me. My pleas were met with silence. There was no Goddess to answer my prayers. There was just me in a cruel world that seems to get crueler every day.

I gathered what little strength I had left and pulled myself up. I shifted into my dull gray wolf. Once upon a time, my fur was a brilliant shade of silver that seemed to shine brighter than the moon. That was ages ago. Now, my emaciated frame was coated with matted gray fur that had missing patches, giving me a mangy look.

"That was a close one, River. Next time when I say we shouldn't cross into someone's territory, you should listen." My wolf, Blue, scolded.

"It was the quickest way. And hey, we made it." I said. I could feel her eyes rolling at me as she plopped down in the back of my mind.

"Let's just find somewhere to sleep for the night. Maybe some clothes?" I suggest. I wondered around for a while before finding a small cave big enough for me to crawl into. I decided my human form would make me vulnerable, so I stayed as I was, winding myself into a ball and dozing off.

I woke before daybreak and began walking in no particular direction. I traveled for miles in search of any sign of civilization. As the sun began to rise, I stumbled upon a small town.I sniffed tentatively in the air. Humans. I sighed in relief as I crept up to a small house on the outskirts of the city. I circled it, sniffing to see if it was occupied or not, but there was no scent to be found. A bubble of excitement began to bloom in my chest as I wondered around the back of the little cottage. However, as I rounded the back of the house, a loud sound reverberated off of the trees, causing me to freeze. I slowly turned my head to see a small woman with silver hair and deep mocha skin holding what appeared to be a shotgun. How did I not smell her? How can I still not smell her?

"Listen Wolfy, I don't know what you want and, quite frankly, I don't care. All I know is you better get on. I don't want no trouble here. You understand?" I felt my tail curve under my body and my ears lay back. I thought I had finally found a home for myself, but once again I had stumbled upon a place I was not welcome.

"River... she’s a witch..." Blue whispered cautiously. "River... shift." Blue hissed. Why the wolf was whispering was beyond me, but I decided that Blue probably knew better than I did, so I felt my bones begin to rearrange as I shifted back into my human form. The old woman didn't seem surprised at my sudden transformation; in fact she looked more angry.

"Listen Wolfy, I said to get on!" She said. I heard a rustling coming from the house as a young woman came running out.

"Granny! Put that damn gun down! You can't go waving guns arou-" the woman glanced over at me. I was naked, dirty, and terrified as I hunkered down on the ground. The only thing truly visible on me were my crystal blue eyes. "Oh my... Granny, put that damn gun down!" The woman shouted at the old lady, who’s rifle was still pointed at me.

"That's a werewolf Sadie! I'm not putting the gun down!" The old woman dead panned.

"That is a scared, dirty, naked little girl! Now, put that gun down!" The woman, Sadie, snapped. Her words seemed to resonate with the old woman because she lowered her weapon, but she never took her eyes off of me.

"My name is Sadie. This is my Granny, Elizabeth. What's your name?" The young woman asked me gently as she slowly moved closer to me.

"River." I whispered, backing away. Sadie smiled a nurturing smile at me.

"River. That's a pretty name. Where's your Momma and Daddy?" Sadie asked gently, continuing to inch closer to me. My back hit a tree, forcing me to stop.

"They were killed in the war." I said quietly as my eyes stayed focused on the old woman. Elizabeth's eyes never wavered from mine either, but I could feel the wheels turning in her head.

"How old are you River?" Sadie asked.

"I'm twelve." My voice was barely a whisper as fear continued to seep from my body. I heard a sharp intake of breath from Sadie.

"Granny, we can't just leave her out here to fend for herself. She's a child."

"Dammit Sadie! I know!" Elizabeth seemed to be deep in thought.

"I'll just be on my way... I don’t mean no harm... I don’t want no trouble... I'll just be on my way..." I said wearily as I shifted my body and began to back away slowly.

"And go where, hmm? Back into the woods to whoever did that?" Elizabeth said, pointing to my thigh with the gun. I flinched.

"Listen Wolfy, the woods ain't no place for a child. Werewolf or not... Dammit Sadie!" The old woman glared at her granddaughter, who only smiled lovingly at the old woman.

"They want us to stay here... witches hate werewolves..." Blue whispered.

"Come on, River. Let's get you cleaned up. Then I think a good breakfast is in order. You’re nothin’ but skin and bones." Sadie said with a smile as she offered me her hand.

Nervously, I took it and let her lead me into the house. She led me up the stairs to the bathroom. She filled the tub with warm water as she poured oils and soaps in, creating an overflow of bubbles.

“Now, get on in there, Wolfie girl.” Sadie said with a gentle authority. I didn’t argue. I sank down into the hot water and let it soothe my achy muscles. I hissed as the water reached the deep gash on my thigh. Due to malnutrition, my body wasn’t healing as quickly as it should. Sadie wore a look of sadness and anger, but she held a strained smile as she began to wash my hair.

“How long you been out on your own, Wolfie?” Sadie asked as she tilted my head back and rinsed the suds from my hair.

“Two years.” I said carefully. Her hands stilled.

“Two years? That’s a long time for a child to be out there on their own.” She said as she continued rinsing my hair.

“I didn’t have anyone. They were all killed in the war.” I said as I leaned forward and cupped some bubbles. I blew out a breath and watched the suds float in the air as Sadie rubbed conditioner into my hair. I could see the dirt and grime from my body settling into the bottom of the tub. We sat the rest of the time in silence as Sadie washed me. When she was done, she had me stand and she sprayed me with the shower head. Once clean, she dried me with a towel and slathered my body in coco butter before brushing and braiding my long blonde hair. When she had finished dressing me, she ushered me downstairs and into the kitchen where her grandmother had already made scrambled eggs, bacon, and fluffy white biscuits.

“Sit down Wolfie girl and eat somethin’. We need to talk.” My eyes fell to the floor as I made my way over to the table. I sat nervously down on the chair and folded my hands in my lap. The smell of the delicious food had my stomach rumbling and I could feel the heat radiating off my face from embarrassment.

“Granny, stop acting like you hard. You’re scarin’ this poor girl.” Sadie admonished. Her gaze met mine and her eyes softened.

“Go on now. Get somethin’ to eat, baby.” Sadie’s soothing voice was a balm to my broken soul, and I hesitantly reached out to begin filling my plate with food. Slowly, I brought a bite of eggs to my lips and nearly moaned. I hadn’t eaten in a couple of days and to me the eggs tasted like heaven.

“Now, you listen here. No sassin’. No invitin’ any of your wolf friends. You clean up after yourself, and you will go to school. A girl’s gotta have an education.” The old woman said sternly. I glanced up at her while shoveling food into my mouth. She raised a sardonic eyebrow at me and I quickly swallowed.

“Yes, ma’am.” I said quietly.

“Good. Now, we gotta go into town and get you some clothes. Can’t have you wanderin’ around lookin’ like nobody loves you.” She said as she got to her feet before turning back around to look at me.

“Oh, and you can call me Momma Beth.”