A witch among wolves

Marie POV

Marie woke up to a dull autumnal morning. The sky was overcast with the sun just barely peeking through. It had rained overnight and there was dew on the grass. Making her way into the bathroom ready to wash for breakfast she looked in the mirror. She didn’t feel any older or any different. Part of Marie had hoped that she would get her wolf today just like all the others. She gave her face a quick scrub and brushed her teeth. Tying her long hair into a high ponytail she left her long fringe curtaining her face. Turning back to her bedroom she picked up her discarded jeans from the floor and paired it with a simple white T-shirt. She turned ready to leave glancing back to make inventory on what she would take with her when she left. Her room had been simple. A single bed that was currently a mess from having been slept on all night. A white wardrobe sat in the corner near the window. Her bedside table with a small lamp and in the opposite corner her desk where she had spent many nights studying. She sighed as closed the door to the only place she had known.

Marie headed down to the canteen to grab some breakfast. On her way she ran into the youngest alpha. Being 6 Simon was full of questions and Marie smiled fondly when she thought about the times Simon had asked her why not knowing that he was irritating the person he was asking. Thomas would get frustrated with him and stomp away.

“Good morning Marie, happy birthday!” Simon exclaimed running to give her a hug. Simon was a smaller version of his brother but his hair was closer to blonde and he didn’t have the muscles. “Thank you Simon. Have you had your breakfast yet?” He held her hand and started leading her towards the canteen “no Marie. Mother insisted I wash first!” He said with great distaste scrunching up his nose. Marie laughed at the boys reluctance to stay clean and walked with him to the canteen.

The canteen was full of people who worked in the packhouse or lived there. It was located on the lower ground of the packhouse and was easy for any member of the pack to access. Each of the pack members were getting their meals and taking a seat. It’s ceiling was two storeys high and you could just make out the miserable sky outside through the windows at the sides. Marie grabbed two plates and let Simon pick what he wanted first. Pancakes with syrup, some bacon and a glass of orange. He thanked her and went to find his mother. Marie turned back to the spread before her. She was beginning to feel nervous with the elders meeting today. She decided some toast might calm her stomach and helped herself to two slices. She looked around the room for somewhere to sit when Simon turned and motioned for her to sit with him.

Marie made her way to the alphas table. As she approached she noticed that Thomas and the alphas seats were empty. The Luna turned towards Marie with her bright smile “good morning Marie! Happy birthday!” She cooed as she stood to embrace Marie in a motherly hug. A silent tear escaped Marie and she could feel the all too familiar sting of tears threatening to fall. Breathing in the Lunas scent of morning dew she calmly pulled away and thanked the Luna. The Luna was much taller than Marie. She stood at 5’7” easily and Marie barely made 5’3”. The Luna had long black hair tied neatly in a chignon and was wearing her traditional Luna robes which were in the pack colours of forest green and black. This must be because of the elders Marie thought.

Marie sat down and nibbled her toast. Glancing towards the empty seats only made her more nervous. She would miss the pack. They had been her home for 15 years. “What time will the meeting be Luna?” Marie nervously asked. “Marie, please don’t worry. We will always be your family. The elders will send for you when they are ready. But you will always be welcome here.” The Luna was trying to reassure Marie but Marie was not feeling reassured. Fighting an internal conflict with herself. She wanted desperately to stay but she also wanted to go search for answers. Marie went back to nibbling her toast taking a quick glance around the all too familiar room again. She noticed that the pack families ate together with friends and everyone was in a jovial mood.

The bells in the village began to chime. And the doors to the canteen flew open. Marie turned as Thomas, the alpha and the elders entered. It was time.