Fighting Instincts

Chapter Ten - Pack Rules

It wasn't terrible. I mean I expected worse. The pack ran in shifts, with each person helping out in their strengths. Some exceptions were made. Gun never had to do perimeter guarding because he was so capable on the computers and repairs of the tech and machines took a lot of his time in between security watch. There were other ways pack members helped out if they were not warriors. I would help around the house. It would seem they hadn't had someone to clean up the rooms and when Xena mentioned the library I was all to willing to volunteer with cataloguing and organizing. No one had done anything since the library had been recently renovated. I was most excited to take a look at what a werewolf library looked like. If only to sake my curiosity.

Pack members were expected to eat at the pack house two times a month. It wouldn't apply to me because I would only be allowed to eat here. This check in was meant to also have a pack member looked over by the healer they had. Ensuring good health and keeping track of who might be flying under the radar.

Other things not applicable to me were contributing wages to the pack, investing, property management outside of the pack. I did get informed I would be joining the pack run at the day before full moon. Every special moon the pack was expected to get together. Seeing as the next full moon was the blue moon, the entire pack planned to get together, have a potluck dinner, and then run through the woods. The night of the actual moon was reserved for all more intimate packs. In this case Xena had said I was welcome to join her, her father, and a few others who always ran together. I tried to get out of it. Both really. I didn't know many people. I wasn't really a part of the pack. I didn't shift well from one form to the other. I had already spent a lot of time as a wolf this past month. The alpha refused my excuses and with “you're a were living in my house with my pack. You will show or I will use my command on you.”

The alpha command I had learned from Xena, was the power the alpha held over is pack members because he was the strongest and also because the pack gave their trust to him. The stronger the alpha the more commanding he could become. Xena has said it was rarely used, because of respect and customs. When it was in play there was usually a situation at hand needing to be brought under control immediately. I did learn one more thing from the meeting. I finally had a name. Derek. The stubborn, impeccably dressed, perfectly sculpted male's name was Derek. I was not supposed to use his name. It was rude.

Unlike other alphas, Derek was not just an alpha to his pack he was a pack master. An alpha to surrounding packs. To show the new, unheard of status, the packs agreed to give him a new title. As pack master to four other larger packs, he was always on the go and in and out. Which left me in the watchful eye of Derek's trustful eyecandies. I mean dogs. I snapped at myself. Did all the men around here have to look so nice? It was fun to be able to look since they did wear clothes now. Although, there had been a few times I had to advert eyes because someone was casually walking about in the nude. I could understand why the house was so far away from main roads and prying neighbours. No one needed the police here on the daily because clothes were 'inconvienent'.

I spent the next couple hours having my hair filled in with sticks, being covered in dirt, after changing into my pajamas Zen had fetched from my house during his investigation. Derek was no taking any chances. He had different leaves and dirt from along the trail put on me in a way the police would know it wasn't just from outside his door. My pajamas had been torn a bit here and there to resemble being hooked on trees. The healer, Anna, and her husband Brian, had given me a small amount of wolfsbane. The idea was to slow my healing ability. We had scuffed my knees and palms. I had a couple scratches along my face and my forearms as if protecting my face from tree branches. It was well thought out.

We had rehearsed what I would say and do as well. I was currently wrapped in a thin, clean, blanket, with a cup of warm tea. Xena was rubbing my back while sitting protectively beside me. The police were at the door, speaking with the alpha. He was telling them his version of what happened.

This morning I had walked out of the woods. Alerting the security team. He had made me do just that, stumbling into view of one of his camera overlooking the property before someone had come to stop me. Walker had recognized me immediately and had taken over from there. He was currently growing angry at the officers.

“What do you mean go to the station. She isn't going anywhere. She's practically comatose because of whatever happened to her. I am not letting her go with you.”

“Sir, this is an active murder investigation. She is a suspect until we can clear her. We have to be able to question her...”

“Then you can question her here, with me, so I can ensure you aren't harrassing her.”

The two officers looked at each other and nodded. It might be a compromise for now, but at least we had gotten our way so far. The men followed Walker and Derek to the room I was sitting in with Xena. It wasn't hard to lower my eyes and act timid. I was also scared of what would happen, making it seem I was scared of the whole situation I was in.

“Good morning Miss Luneburg.”

I shyly looked up, made sure to look to Xena for her 'reassuring nod' and looked back before looking to the floor. My hands around the cup were tightening. Pity me, so I can get this over with fast.I wished.

“We understand you have been through a lot these pass weeks but we do have a few questions for you. Would it be okay if we talked?” The officers waited. Walker offered a chair to each and then came to sit beside me.

“As you can see she may need time.”

“Miss Luneburg,” the second officer pressed, blantantly ignoring Walker. A protective feeling overwhelmed me. I wanted him to show more respect. Father and mother had said to always show seniors compassion. They were wise and a fountain of information if they cared to share. “Where have you been these last few weeks?”

“Weeks?” I whispered hoarsely. I needed my voice to be unused sounding, a bit hoarse, broken, tired. I wouldn't have talked much while I was in the woods. I knew because I had done just that. I shook my head. “Forest, I ran. I ran as far as I could. I had to find a safe spot.”

“Were you home at the time of the attack at your house?”

I nodded. I didn't have to pretend to cry. The wounds were still fresh. My eyes threatened water. I focused on the questions. Have no feeling. Be a robot.

“Would you take us through that night please?”