The Weaker Wolves

2.

My name is Hannah. I’m one of the few werewolves left in England. Our ‘pack’ (if you can even call it that) has less than 30 members. We don’t function in the same way that the larger American packs do. We basically do our own thing and meet up altogether once a month. Obviously we see each other in passing, but it doesn’t really matter. We don’t all live together, but separately across the east of london. We call ourselves the Emerald pack as we are their descendants. True Mates are essientially a thing of the past now, with most of us taking chosen mates. The werewolf blood has been thinned out so much now that we can never be sure whether we will have werewolf pups or human babies. Without an alpha we chose to live by democracy, everyone having an equal voice in our plans for the future. We don’t really have plans as we just want to live our lives, but incase their is any problems we still meet.

On the 1st of each month we get together at a local pub, which is luckily owned by one of our members. The night is spent talking and drinking until we are ready to go home. My parents have explained to me that it’s more like a night out, with the human partners getting wasted whilst the werewolves enjoy each other’s company. My 18th birthday is in 12 days, and this will be my first meeting tonight.

My father is a werewolf, but my mother is human. My dad never found his chosen mate, the same as many wolves, but the love he has with my mum is undeniable. Male wolves are able to breed with humans but the females are not so lucky. The chances of a female wolf ever carrying a human baby is so unlikely that it’s just assumed they won’t. This is another reason for our numbers breaking down so much. I’ve learned that wolves love hard and my family is no exception.

I have a younger brother, Henry, who is 8. He’s strong for his age but we won’t know whether he is human or wolf until his 18th birthday. That’s when we all learn whether the genes have passed on or not. I don’t mind either way whether I’m a wolf or not as I’m happy doing my own thing. The dream of a mate is the only thing I would miss. As a little girl you dream of the big wedding with that special person, but as I grew up and learned more about my heritage I knew I wanted a real mate. The chances were slim but I knew that was my dream. When I turned 14 my parents explained how few and fair between real mates were. My heart was broken. These days, I just hope to be happy.

“Are you ready love?” My mum calls to me.

“Yeah, I’m just finishing my make up!” I respond.

I was excited about the night. My first meeting, and a chance to get to know everyone a little better. I’d met the whole pack a few times, but only really in passing. Never together as a whole group to be sure. I don’t know whether I’ll get a wolf on my birthday, but either way I wanted to help and be a productive member when needed.

We headed to the pub, arriving just before the doors would be opened to us. Apparently there was some big news tonight, and all had to be in attendance. Our leader, Ray (although not an alpha) was the brains behind our pack. Nothing got passed him, as our pack was his life.

“So what do you think the big news is?” I asked my dad.

“Probably gonna get a meeting with the Scottish tribes. We’re probably due a meeting with them so they can tell us how much they hate us” he smiled at me.

I rolled my eyes. Our Scottish brothers loved us, but it is no secret the Scottish hate the English.

The doors to the pub open and we enter. It’s bright inside, brighter than the pub usually is.

“Emily! Simon! You brought Hannah!” Ray smiled to us. He pulled me into his bear tight grip. “I’m so glad to see you here! You picked a good night to join, because this one will affect you too.”

“It’s good to see you too uncle Ray!” I pull back trying to breath.

Ray is a big man, easily over 6foot with neat black hair peppered with grey. You wouldn’t think this man to be in his 50’s, but he was pushing 70 by this point. His eyes were almost as dark as his hair, but still welcoming and friendly.

We all take a seat at the bar and order our first round as more people fill the pub. After what uncle Ray had said I was nervous.

Why would this affect me?

What could be happening?

It had to be more than just meeting with our Scottish brothers surely?

Once everyone has arrived Ray calls for quiet.

“Ok fellas, this is a big one tonight!”

The room goes silent as we all listen patiently.

“We’ve been in contact with the Obsidian Moon pack in America, and they want a visit!”

Murmurs erupt.

“They want to come over and help us build our packs back up again. But, with that means we will be given an alpha, as well as having tests run to find out the strongest among us as is…”

“But you’re our leader Ray!” A man interrupts. “We can’t just replace you and carry on like nothings happened!”

“I get what you’re saying, but I’m no alpha! Don’t worry, I’ll be testing too. We suspect I may be a beta, in which case I’ll be the packs beta…”

“Do they know how small we are?”

“How many are coming?”

“When is this happening?”

Everyone was a buzz with questions. Ray raised his hand and we all look to him.

“They arrive on Friday. I’m not sure how many exactly but quite a few…”

The younger women in the crowd are bubbling. Maybe they could find a mate?

Maybe even a true mate?!

Their excitement was palpable.

“What if they’re only coming here to destroy us?”

I looked towards Michael, my heart racing at the idea of an attack. The excitement died immediately as everyone realised how open to attack we really are.

“Mike mate, if they wanted to attack and destroy us, I don’t think they’d warn us of their arrival.” Ray laughed.

“Either way, there’s not much we can do. How is 30 odd wolves going to take out alphas? Or even trained wolves? We have no training, no strength. We need this. We’re barely a pack as it is. Ruby pack took a Spanish packs help, and they are working well! They even have a Luna with a pup on the way! Imagine what we could achieve if we make ourselves strong again!”

At this the mood changed again. Excitement bubbled.

“Do you think we will get a pack house?”

“I might find a true mate!”

“Do we get to train?!”

The questions were unending. I kept quiet and waited for Ray to go on.

“Listen, I know there’s a s**t ton of questions, but I can’t answer them all. What we’re gonna do is all meet back here Friday lunchtime. They want to meet us all and work out what exactly needs to be done. Alpha Mark of the Obsidian Moon is bringing 40 men with him. Once the ground work is done, some women are coming to join our pack too. This is a chance for everybody here to finally see how a pack is supposed to function as well as seeing what real potential we have!” He smiled at us all, grinning from ear to ear. His happiness was infectious.

“So, let’s stop the nattering now and celebrate!” This was met with a round of cheers. I had never seen everyone so happy and excited.

“Mum, what if I don’t have a wolf… will they kick me out of the pack?” I whispered. My mum hugged me hard.

“No baby, of course not. I don’t have a wolf, and I’m here!” She stroked my hair behind my ear. “For now, let’s forget about it and have a few drinks, okay love?”

I nodded, but couldn’t push the fear away. This could be my first and last meeting, so I wanted to make the most of it.

***

The next day I woke up with a heavy feeling in my chest. *11 days* I thought to myself. *11 days and I’ll know…* I got up and showered. I met my dad in the kitchen making a fry up.

“Mornin’ love.” He smiles.

“Mornin’ daddy.”

“Mums a bit hungover so she’s gonna be in bed most of today.”

I giggled at his smile. Remembering the night before I couldn’t help it. You never expect to see your mum drunk, dancing on a table to ‘girls just wanna have fun’ but it’s a sight I’ll keep forever.

“Let her know I have pics if she doesn’t remember it all!”

“Haha, I’m sure she will love that!”

Henry walks in rubbing his eyes. Still not properly awake, he slumps on the sofa behind us. His messy brunette hair (the same colour as mine) has an unmistakable bed head look.

“Oh, bud what’s the matter?” My dad yells through.

“Why is mum so loud when she’s drunk?!” He sleepily replies. We both laugh, remembering her ‘beautiful’ karaoke singing from the night before.

“Come on mate, it’s not that bad.” I try to soothe. “Look on the bright side, fry up for breakfast!”

He suddenly opens his eyes and rushes the table. We smile at him, knowing that to him food is life.

“Love, I know it’s a hassle, but can you take him to school please?”

“Sure dad. Just tell sleeping beauty that she owes me…”

I finish my breakfast and go get washed and dressed. Looking in the mirror I glance at my face. Wondering about make up I look at my green eyes. My face is plain, but my eyes I love. Nothing is really amazing looking, just a little button nose, a round bottom lip and slim top. My fine, brown hair is just passed my shoulders. Super straight, even without a straightener. I step back and look. I wasn’t proud of my body, but it could always be worse I tell myself. I have an average size frame, which at some angles could be considered big, with an obviously large chest. My mum always tells me “if you have big boobs, you have to have a tummy too or you would fall over!” I pinch my stomach fat, knowing that it isn’t too big but not as small as I’d like. Whilst my bum is big, it fits my frame too. I had fitted jeans and t-shirt on, so I was comfy, but I still felt like I was massive. I sigh “oh well” and leave to make sure Henry is ready.

The walk to school takes us about 10 minutes, and I kiss his cheek goodbye as he runs in. I decide to go on a walk. It’s quite a nice day considering we’re in the UK, so I decide a walk by the canal might be nice. As I take the steps down towards the canal path an uneasy feeling settles over me. I push the feeling away as I make my way forward, seeing the barges moored to the paths. I get lost in thought as I walk and nearly walk into someone. I grab their arms and apologise “I’m so sorry, I was lost in my own head!”

She looks down at me, a look of disgust clearly displayed on her face.

“DON’T TOUCH ME!” She yells.

“Woah, calm down, it was an accident!”

She brushes her shoulders as the two men that were with her come to check on her. She flicks her long blonde hair over her shoulder, her perfectly manicured nails brushing her cheek.

“I DON’T CARE IF ITS AN ACCIDENT, WATCH YOURSELF!” She spits at me.

She turns to walk away with the two men still fawning over her.

*shes gonna have a heart attack if she carries on that way, stupid cow*

I decide to make my way home to get ready for work, hoping I won’t run into the cow again.