Call of the Goddess

A Scarf and a Hair Clip

“To our heroes, may Aluna light their path,” Elsie says as she raises a goblet of wine in the air, looking directly at Dalton as she speaks. I’m back in the packhouse for the first time since I was called to go on this mission, but this time I’m seated at the long, mahogany dining table in the Alpha’s formal dining hall. It’s here that the current Alpha honors the brave men and women who are about to embark on an assignment for the betterment or protection of the pack. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would be invited to one of these meals, much less as a guest of honor. Even if I had expected to have lunch here today, I would have expected Alpha Jarod as my host, and a more exquisite banquet. As it is, Alpha Jarod’s condition is said to be pretty dire, as is Beta Louis’s, Gamma Frederickson’s, and most of the pack warriors’ who are all ranked pack members themselves. And with the curse turning all of our food supply to dust, we’re lucky to have any food on the table at all. An allied pack was kind enough to donate a bottle of wine for the traditional heroes’ toast, which was divided amongst the few of us who are in attendance. With All of the ranked pack officials bedbound, the party consists of Elsie, our makeshift host, and the guests which includes Dalton, myself, my parents, and Gamma Frederickson’s son Garrath. This is a group that has never been formed before, and likely never will again.

“Here here!” my dad says enthusiastically before taking a big gulp of his wine. I take a much smaller sip of my own, having never actually drank wine before. It’s bitter, and dry somehow despite being a liquid. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it does not taste like grapes. I manage to keep a straight face and not show my displeasure, painting a grin on my face in appreciation of the toast. Even if Elsie did mostly direct it toward her future mate. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say Elsie was jealous that I would be spending so much time alone with Dalton. But there’s no way the Alpha’s daughter could ever be jealous of a little nobody Omega like me, right?

“Yes,” Elsie says, side-eyeing my dad. She clearly feels undignified having to host a group of Omegas in her father’s sacred dining hall. “Let us eat, and may this meal give our heroes the strength they need to succeed.” As if on cue, a few members of the packhouse staff enter through the large double doors and set plates and silverware in front of all guests. The plates are made of china with a pink rose pattern, and the silverware seems sturdy and well-made, but are not made from actual silver as one would expect from such a fancy dining set. Werewolves are deathly allergic to silver.

We spend the next half-hour or so at the table, eating the meatloaf and potatoes we’re served and making light chatter. I speak mostly with my parents, as Elsie mostly ignores us and engages only Dalton in conversation, as if marking her territory. My parents attempt to converse a bit with Garrath, who responds to their questions out of politeness but seems just as confused by my parents’ and my attendance as Elsie. Or Dalton for that matter, though he knows better than to continue to display his displeasure. As unwelcome as I feel, I do my best to ignore it and just enjoy my food. Who knows when I’ll get another hot meal like this?

After lunch we move to the front steps of the packhouse for the official sendoff. A crowd of well-wishers have gathered to see us off, as is customary. Elsie steps up to a microphone to address the crowd. Today is the first time she’s ever had to take on any of her father’s responsibilities. So far it’s been primarily ceremonial acts as Beta Louis was able to put in place a plan for rolling out rations before his illness got too bad. But until Dalton and I return, if we ever return, Elsie is the acting pack Alpha. As a pack with a strong Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and a team of ranked warriors, nobody ever thought that these responsibilities would be placed on her at such a young age. I feel for her, despite how she’s treated me in the past. More than most, I understand how she must feel, though she shows no signs of fear or a lapse in confidence. She’s still an elitist jerk, though.

“Today we send our champions, chosen by the goddess Aluna, to save us from a terrible curse. We wish them well, and hope they know that the spirit of their pack will be with them,” Elsie says. Howls of encouragement erupt through the crowd. “There isn’t much time, so we will keep this short so that our heroes can be on their way. We have packed their bags full of food and supplies for their journey.” A packhouse staff member hands Dalton and I each a drawstring bag similar to the one Dalton had this morning. For a moment I fall off balance under the bag’s weight before Dalton steadies me with a big, strong hand on my shoulder. I’m suddenly wishing that I’d spent more time lifting weights. “And of course, as is customary, we present a compass of the stars, blessed by water from the Moon Pond.” The Moon Pond resides behind the packhouse, and although it is now full of sand, its usual wetter contents are said to be sacred water where the goddesses bathe in the moonlight and watch over us. The compasses blessed by this water are supposed to symbolize direction from the goddesses being bestowed on whoever them, and as such they are given to wolves who journey outside of the pack for special quests.

Elsie hands Dalton a compass, brass, with a long chain similar to that of a pocket watch, and kisses him on the cheek. She then turns back to the microphone without even looking at me. “We wish you both well. May Aluna light your path, and help you bring a swift end to this curse.” The crowd cheers as Elsie turns away to wrap Dalton in a hug. I stand dumbfounded, empty-palmed, no compass in hand. I know I shouldn’t even be surprised at this point, but was Elsie really trying to sabotage me? Even though helping me as much as she can is clearly what’s best for the pack? I start to open my mouth to say something, but the words don’t come. My cheeks turn red and I start to turn away.

“Wait,” Dalton says suddenly. I turn, and see he’s pulled himself out of Elsie’s embrace. “I don’t think you gave Sutton her compass.” I smile. He actually stood up for me, against Elsie. Sure, it was an admittedly small gesture, but it was something.

“Seriously, Dalton?” Elsie asks as if she can’ believe what she’s hearing. My smile fades.

“Yeah, I mean… It’s tradition, right?”

“It’s tradition to give them to our heroes, not some Omega.”

“I mean I know it doesn’t make sense, but the goddess did choose her to be our hero this time, Else.”

“If the goddess wanted her to be a hero, then why wasn’t she born in some kind of rank? She’s clearly only ‘leading you’ up that mountain to be your guinea pig, your human shield, your diversion, your tool for victory. Leaders lead. Alphas lead. Omegas do what they’re told,” Elsie says coolly before turning to me. “Don’t expect to come back from this. You’re collateral damage, nothing more. The pack can afford to lose you, but Dalton is destined to lead us into the future. So you’d better not let anything happen to him. Remember your place, Omega.” And with that, before Dalton or I can say anything, Elsie storms off, grabbing Dalton’s arm and pulling him with her.

I’m stunned, but can’t shake the feeling that Elsie is actually right. Why would the goddesses even create ranks within our pack if they didn’t mean something? Why would they want someone ranked at the very bottom to lead someone so near the top? That seems to completely defeat the purpose. Could all of this really be Aluna’s way of protecting Dalton with someone the pack could easily afford to lose? Dalton is supposed to be the future Alpha of our pack, but I’ve never had any kind of destiny before now. Crap, Elsie is right, she has to be. It’s up to me to protect Dalton with my life. History may never learn my name, but through my sacrifice, they will know Dalton’s. That’s the way it must be. Dalton will make it home, even if I won’t. That is the will of the goddess Aluna. My breathing quickens and my arms and legs start to tingle.

A hand on my shoulder pulls me out of my thought spiral. “Look at me,” Polly says. She stands in front of me, and I look into her eyes. “Breath with me,” she says. She takes slow, deep breaths, and I follow suit as best I can. The tingly feeling starts to fade away and my heartbeat slows. Eventually I’m able to pull myself together.

“Thanks, Polly,” I say, my voice dripping with gratitude.

“What did she say to you?” Polly asks. She’s clearly completely pissed at Elsie. I just shake my head, not wanting to freak out again. There’s no time for that. “She’s obviously so jealous. Some gorgeous, smart, talented girl is going on an extended hiking trip alone with her man. I’d be way intimidated if I were her.”

I laugh despite the situation. “I must have missed the part when the goddess invited a supermodel to join us.”

Polly rolls her eyes. “I obviously mean you. On a serious note, Sutton, I should have come to see you sooner. Like last night. I don’t know how you’ve been feeling, but I’m sure you could have used the support.”

“Don’t worry about it, I’ve been taking it pretty well, actually. Believe it or not that was only like my third panic attack.”

“Third huh? I would have thought I’d missed at least the first six.”

“What can I say? I have nerves of steel.”

“I have no doubt. Here, I brought you something.” Polly reaches for some gift bag she must have left on the ground while I was having my little freakout. I raise an eyebrow but take it, reaching inside to pull out a soft, black scarf. “I basically stayed up all night knitting that. You know, while I should have been going to make sure you’re okay.”

“It’s perfect, Polly, thank you,” I say honestly as I wrap it around my neck. “I’m surprised you didn’t take the opportunity to try to get me to wear pink or something.”

“Nah, you don’t need to change, Sutton. The goddess called on you just as you are.”

I hug her. I’m so not a hugger around anyone other than my parents, but I can’t help it. My sudden show of affection seems to catch Polly off guard, but she wraps her arms around me after the shock wears off and we just stand there like that for a while. I finally pull away and sigh. “Seriously, thanks. This is way better than some stupid compass. It’s great to have something to remember you by.”

“You’re talking like I’m never going to see you again,” Polly says, laughing. I shrug. Polly’s smile fades. “Sutton, you’re coming back.” I shake my head.

“I don’t think I am.”

“Of course you are. You have to bring me back my favorite hair clip.”

“What?” I ask. Before I can do anything she slips her sparkly white butterfly clip, the one she wears basically every day, into my hair and runs off, disappearing into the crowd.

~~~~~~~~~~

“About what Elsie said earlier… She was out of line. Like she could ever know what Aluna’s intentions are,” Dalton says. With no time to waste, we’re about to hit the road. An excited, if a bit anxious, crowd is escorting us to the intersection where the northern road forks off, and our journey really begins. Dalton and I are walking side-by-side, leading the group.

“Doesn’t matter,” I say. “As your leader, I’m responsible for your safety. I have to make decisions that will allow you to succeed, even if that means you succeed without me.”

“And you’ve accepted that?”

“I don’t have a choice. About any of this. There’s no point in worrying about it. I’m tired of worrying about it.”

“Okay, then, you’re the boss.”

We walk in silence for a while until we make it to the fork. This is as far as our well-wishers will go. I pause, looking down the road as far as I can before it curves through the trees and out of sight. For some reason, this road feels like the point of no return. Dalton turns to face the crowd, and I follow suit. He had said goodbye to Elsie back at the packhouse, and I had done the same with my parents. I think having them here now would make it all the more difficult to leave the pack behind. The crowd following us now is just a group of eager neighbors, feeling like they’re doing their duty by giving us their support. Admittedly it has been a comfort to have them there and I’ll miss them when they’re gone.

“My friends, thank you for support and courage,” Dalton says gratefully. “We will return. Have faith, and pray every night to the goddesses to grant us safe passage.”

The crowd cheers as we turn back around to face the road ahead. “Ready?” Dalton whispers to me.

“Yes,” I say, and I’m a bit shocked to find that I actually mean it. I take one meaningful step forward, then another, and before I know it I’m rounding the curve I saw earlier, the cheering crowd behind us falling out of sight.