A witch among wolves

Marie sat outside staring at the moon. Tomorrow would be a full moon. Tomorrow would be her 18th birthday. Traditionally werewolves will gain their wolves on their 18th birthday. Sometimes before if they were from alpha or beta bloodline. Marie wasn’t. Marie was an orphan. Taken in by the pack as a toddler. She was found wandering in the forest near the packs territory by the Luna of the pack. The Luna had taken her in and nursed her back to full health. She had no memories of before that time. No memory of her mother or father. The alpha and Luna had tried looking for them but it had become evident that they were either dead or nowhere to be found. She had mourned them not knowing what had happened. Marie had realised early on in her life she was not a werewolf. She didn’t possess the speed, the increased senses and she healed as a human would. The alpha had told her on her 18th birthday there would be a meeting with the elders from the other packs to discuss her fate. If she stays under the protection of the pack or if she is to move on. Marie had already decided she wanted to leave to find her parents or find out what had happened to her parents. As she stared at the moon she started at a noise from behind her. It was probably one of the guards coming to find her to take her back to the packhouse. She wasn’t allowed to wander too far because she was only human and if any rogue werewolves were to find her she would be taken advantage of very easily. She turned towards the noise and saw Thomas, the alphas eldest son. His tawny hair and brown eyes looking deeper than normal in the dark. Thomas had already turned 18 the month before and was waiting for his mate. Thomas was muscular as all werewolves were because they spent so much time training to fight and running through the forest. Even the female wolves had muscles Marie would never possess. Thomas stood behind her waiting for her to stand and walk back with him. When she didn’t he crouched down beside her. “Mother is looking for you. She was concerned as you had been gone a while and the guards could not find you.” Marie looked to him. His eyes full of concern. Thomas was good at hiding his emotions but Marie could read him like a book. “What if they want me to stay?” She asked quietly. Marie was concerned she would never be able to leave the protection of the pack. Concerned she would never find the truth of what happened to her family. Thomas sighed. “Whatever they decide, I’ll be by your side.” Standing and brushing the autumn leaves from her trousers she turned towards the village. Thomas was now on his feet. She could feel him waiting beside her. As she walked she looked back towards the moon. She was not connected to the moon goddess like the wolves were. She loved to look at it though. The glow it gave off in the nights sky when it was in full bloom. Maybe it was because she was raised by wolves and the full moon was celebrated amongst them. Thomas smiled down at her and whispered “I have a surprise for your birthday anyway!” Marie and Thomas had always been close. Probably because they were a similar age. The Luna had treated her like a daughter but Thomas had never treated her like a sister. They were the best of friends until recently. He almost never spoke to her anymore and so she was surprised he had come to find her and even more surprised he had bothered with her birthday. They walked through the village until they reached the packhouse and Thomas led her to the kitchen. A poorly made cake was sitting on the side with its top sliding off. A candle sitting in the icing. It was midnight blue. Marie’s favourite colour. She grinned up at him. “Did you make this?” Thomas hiding behind a chuckle laughed as he answered her “the chef gave me the recipe. He was less than impressed with the mess I left behind though!” Taking a lighter he lit the candle and whispered to her “blow the candle out, it’s almost midnight.” Grinning to herself she pulled her long brown hair to one side and leant over the candle and pursed her lips ready to blow. The orange flame illuminated her dark brown eyes and made her skin seem more pale than normal. Her cheeks were flushed from the walk back. Taking a deep breath she blew steadily and the flame stuttered out. “Happy birthday” Thomas turned towards her. Marie hugged him. Cutting a slice each and wrapping it up to take with her to bed. She was thankful he had thought about her. She knew they would celebrate as a pack anyway tomorrow as happens with all the alpha children. But she was grateful to Thomas for this intimate celebration between the two of them. He walked with her back to her room. It was just before midnight. She would called in front of the elders in the morning. “Goodnight Thomas, thank you for my cake.” She turned and walked into her room leaving him standing there. “Goodnight Marie, tomorrow we will see who you really are.” Thomas turned and walked back to his own room. He heard her door click shut behind him and climbed into bed. Tomorrow,he thought.