Wolf Lake

Chapter 8

“--NOTHIN’ LEFT TO LOSE, OR USE OR DO. 

MY BAD HABITS LEAD TO WIDE EYES STARE INTO SPACE, 

AND I KNOW HOW I LOSE CONTROL--”

My body jolts awake with a start and I quickly move to turn the alarm off. “Oh come on Aspen…. It’s Saturday!” Wren groans, rolling over and pulling the pillow over her head. “We don’t even have to work today…It doesn't seem fair that we’ve got the Gathering to get to this afternoon.” Oh crap… That's right... It was my turn to groan, I’d totally forgotten. “Sorry, I forgot… and I forgot to adjust my alarm.” I curl up against her side, pulling the blanket up under my chin. “Do we have to go? Can’t we just play hooky?” I can feel her sides move as she laughs silently next to me. “I could probably get away with not going and not being missed. You on the other hand--the unmated daughter of the Alphas from the ‘Howlers’--your absence would certainly raise some eyebrows.” She used the nickname some of the other packs had given Wolf Song. Some people think they’re such comedians. 

She was right of course. All unmated Wolves are expected to be present at each Regional Solstice Gathering, as well as the Nationwide Gathering during the first full moon of the year as well. While there are Wolves all over the world, but it's rare to attend a Gathering abroad. Some packs will even send out exclusive invitations for additional Gatherings during blue moons in order to try to encourage more politically favorable mating. Yuck. Even though I’m not “in-line” for the power position of my pack, I unfortunately am still considered a prime mating opportunity. Which is seriously antiquated and gross. The Alphas of this Blue Moon Gathering hosting pack would consider it an insult if I canceled on them last minute or even worse just didn’t show up. It’s a terribly flawed system if you ask me...but no one does… The invitation wasn't even sent to me, but to my mother, requesting the attendance of all our unmated members. 

My parents and most Wolves are firm believers in the “mate bond”, a bunch of “love-at-first-sight” fairytale nonsense if you ask me. Grandmother has always told Willow and I that “when it happens to you, you’ll understand.” I personally think Willow just placates them all when she said she got the feeling when she met Paul… Honestly, we've never been close enough that I felt comfortable asking her such a personal question... It's not that I think she doesn’t love Paul and that they aren’t incredibly happy together, but some supernatural, unbreakable bond with another soul that suddenly makes you complete and is able to surpass all other attraction and reason? Yeah… I think not.

“We’ve been going to these since high school Wren… you really think we’re just going to run into our soul mates one of these times and suddenly the universe is going to shift its axis and gravity will change and the world will never be the same and all that nonsense?” She rolled over to face me, putting her forehead gently against mine. I can see the look on her face despite the dark under the comforter. A chagrined, almost tired half-smile on her lips. “Wouldn’t it be nice though? To like…. Find the thing… the person that helps give you a sense of clarity… meaning in this crazy thing called life? Would that be so bad?” 

I sighed and gave her hand a small squeeze. “Of course it wouldn’t be bad Wren.” I know how much Wren looks forward to the Gatherings, hoping that this time she’ll meet the love of her life and finally feel a sense of security The surety and calm that's supposed to come with a mate bond. Someone to take away some of the burden of her constant restlessness. But as much as she anticipates Gatherings, I resent them. I’m happy with myself and my life and I don’t need a man--or worse a boy--to come into my life in order to feel complete. I also know that most of the guys.. and girls… who have paid any attention to me at these things so far have just been trying to get their hooks in someone who can give them a leg up in the Wolf world. It's all just so pretentious. 

I give her quick kiss on the forehead before rolling out of bed. "If we get up and start getting around now, we can beat some of the traffic and get there before noon." She lit up and the look on her face was almost worth going. "You won't regret it Penny! This is our year! I can feel it!" Wren did a little happy dance squirm on the bed before bounding out and wrapping her arms around me, pinning my arms to my waist as she gleefully jumped up and down. "Come on! Get excited!" 

I couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. I truly hoped she wasn't left disappointed again.