The Pack and The Ruffian

A Stranger in Silver Moon

Addi sat at the water’s edge. She knew her grandmas were close behind her somewhere. But she liked to pretend that she was alone. She sometimes felt like they were too protective. She knew she was important and that her mom was the Alpha. And her other mom was the Custos, a guardian of all. But she hated feeling caged. Addi threw a rock into the water and pulled her knees up to her chin. She wanted to talk to someone. She felt itchy. That’s the best word she had for what she was feeling. Her whole body sometimes felt itchy. Trixie sat on her shoulder, she stroked her cheek, and Addi leaned into the touch. She loved the little Pixie. She was the only one that knew when to give her space and when not to. Not that she ever wanted space from Trixie. Pax was her best friend. But they only spent time at school together, and sometimes when he had time between his training. She’d wanted to be a warrior like Mya too. But her mom wouldn’t let her. And when she spoke to Amber, her mom had promised to talk to Sam. But that had been days ago, and now they were off on some adventure without her again. She sighed and Trixie pinched her cheek.

“You should tell your moms about this feeling, kiddo,” Trixie said.

“I know. But I’m scared. What if there’s something wrong with me?”

“Then one or both of your moms would have sensed it. This is something else, and maybe they could help you. Or talk to one of your grandma’s.” Trixie pointed over her tiny shoulder. “They could probably help you too.”

“Yeah, I guess,” Addi said but shook her head. “I’m not sure what to say anyway.”

“Okay, kiddo.” Trixie suddenly jumped and flew a few feet away, then back to Addi. “Come on, get to your gran,” Trixie said, pushing, with no effect, on Addi’s back.

“Who is that?” A tall slender figure came out of the far side of the forest, right on the edge of the lake.

“I don’t know! So, get back to your grandma’s!” Trixie said again.

“She’s on pack land, she can’t be a threat.” Addi swiped a hand at Trixie. “Cut it out.”

“Just as stubborn as Sam!” Trixie grumbled and rushed to Diane, who hadn’t seen the stranger yet. Trixie couldn’t explain why she felt like she did. On edge, nerves shook her tiny body. She tugged on Diane’s shirt until she looked up, then pointed to where the figure was now only a few feet from Addi.

“Oh, gods!” Diane shoved to her feet and rushed to where Addi stood smiling up at the stranger. “Hello.” She said and put an arm around Addi’s shoulders. Diane blinked, the woman looked like Jane.

“Grandma, this is Tris, she’s Jane’s sister.” She shrugged off Diane’s arm but stayed close. Her skin always felt overheated lately when someone touched her. Since Pax had bitten her, things had just gotten worse.

“Hi, uh, I spoke to Taylor, she said that I should come to get some of Jane’s things.” She looked out over the lake and swallowed the lump in her throat. She’d let her mother put distance between her and Jane. And now it was too late to fix things. “I came as soon as I could.”

“Oh, I’m sorry for your loss,” Diane said. “Come, we’ll get you something to drink and eat. Taylor and Mya are not here. But they should be back later today.” Diane held out her hand. “I’m Diane, sorry, you just gave me a scare.”

Tris took the hand Diane held out to her. Her eyes tracked the girl. “How old are you?”

“Nine.”

“She’s…”

“In wolf years,” Addi added with a roll of her eyes. “Why?”

“Just curious.” Tris could smell the pheromones pumping off the kid. She must be in a very frustrated state. And at her age. Strange that grandma seemed not to notice. She felt the kid stare at her as they walked to what seemed to be a coffee shop. Kids, adults, and pups sat and played in a water hole not far from the entrance. “What?” She asked and looked down at the kid. Did she get her name? Certainly not? “What’s your name?”

“Addi.” The kid said, eyeing her curiously.

So, she must have gotten the name earlier. She fought the urge to rub her temple. Her memory was getting worse. Stupid rookie wolf! “Why are you staring at me?”

“Why did you ask how old I was?” Addi asked. She’d seen the strange look on the woman’s face when she’d asked. Did she know something?

“Uh, I don’t think it’s my place to discuss this with you.” Tris nodded. “In fact, I know it’s not.”

“Discuss what?” Addi persisted.

“Addi, come on, let’s get a milkshake while Diane takes care of Tris,” Alice said.

Tris looked at the other woman that had joined them on the walk back, she seemed to be with Diane. “Alice, right?” She hated the stupid thing her brain did after she’d been hit with the stupid bat. She was going to kill the stupid kid wolf. “I’m not going anywhere and even if I did try something, the guards that have joined us would probably kill me before I even thought of doing anything.” She grinned. Her instincts and her gut were still working at least.

“I’m sorry. But you have to understand, the Alpha’s daughter has to be protected,” Diane said.

Tris saw Addi roll her eyes and anger flashed in her eyes but it was quickly hidden. “Ah, I see. If we sit right here, would that be, okay?”

“You want to sit and talk to a child?” Alice asked suspiciously.

“Well, why not? Besides, I’m a stranger, sometimes it’s nice to talk to strangers. I know I loved it as a kid.” She winked at Addi, who grinned.

“Please Gran?” Addi begged.

“Okay sure, but you stay right here, and you don’t go anywhere until I come back,” Diane said. Alice smiled at them as they walked away.

“Tough crowd,” Tris said.

“Yeah, they are.” Addi slipped onto the chair opposite Tris. “So, what can’t you talk to me about?”

“Look, kid, I don’t think…”

“Is it something to do with how I’m feeling?” She swiped at Trixie who was trying to get her attention. “Can you tell? No one else can.”

“Really?” Tris was confused. Her mom, being Alpha, should at least know. “You special or something?” Tris looked at the pixie furiously flying around Addi’s head. “What’s she saying, kid?”

“That I should wait for my mom, that you’re a stranger.” Addi shrugged. “But you know, don’t you?”

“Well, let me ask this, have you found a mate?”

“I’m three!” Addi laughed. “No!”

“Okay, well then I think you should wait for your mom and talk to her.” Tris watched as Addi’s eyes left hers, lit up, and her little body stopped vibrating. She looked over her shoulder and followed the kid’s eyes. A boy, her age, Tris guessed, with shoulder-length, pitch-black hair, and bright blue eyes came running toward them. He had a huge grin on his face as he skidded to a halt next to Addi.

“Who’s this?” He asked and eyed Tris suspiciously.

“Tris, she’s Jane’s sister.”

“Oh.” Sadness filled his eyes, then cleared. “Hi. I’m Pax. Addi’s best friend.”

Tris smiled inwardly at the emphasis put on her best and held out her hand. “Tris.”

“You might have to tell her your name again. She seems to have a short memory,” Addi said.

“Addi!” Diane said and shook her head. “Sorry, Tris.”

“Not at all. She’s right. I took a bat to the head in training and seemed to have developed a short-term memory thing. Just certain things.” She shrugged. “But I’m good.”

“Ow.” Pax winced and grinned at Addi. “Wanna go play in the water hole?”

“Sure,” Addi said. She thought she’d feel reluctant to leave Tris, but now that she had the opportunity to run with Pax, she couldn’t wait. “I’ll see you around Tris.”

“See you kid.” She looked back to Diane who was looking at her curiously. “What?”

“I don’t want to pry,” Diane said and smiled at Lucy, who set Tris’s food and drink down. “Thanks, Luce.” She looked back at Tris. “What did Addi want with you?”

“To talk,” Tris said. “Look, I don’t want trouble, I’m here for my sister’s things. And if you want me to stay away from the kid, I will.”

“No.” Diane took a deep breath. “I’m sorry, we’re just wary of strangers here.”

“I understand,” Tris said. Not sure if she did. Surely, when she was let in at the gate she was deemed safe to enter. She shrugged. “Something else?” She asked when Diane stood seated.

“The memory thing, you’re a wolf, why didn’t it heal?”

“Your guess is as good as mine. Our medic cleared me but can’t explain the memory.” She shrugged.

“How long ago did it happen?”

“About a month ago, the memory started the same day, and sometimes seems worse than others.” Tris smiled. “You a medic?”

“Yes, sorry. I’m disturbing you.”

“No, not at all.” Tris laughed. “I’m just used to medics. My mom made me see four before I put my foot down.”

“None of them could find anything?”

“No.” Tris shrugged. “You want a chance to poke at me while I’m here, don’t you?”

“Only if you are willing,” Diane said. “But yes, I’d love a look.”

“Fine. But don’t be disappointed when you can’t figure out my stupid brain. A wolf that can’t heal. What nonsense.” A bit of her bitterness shone through. “Sorry.”

“Oh, I get it,” Diane said. “Let me leave you in peace. Enjoy your meal. Mya and Taylor are on their way back.”

“Thank you.” Tris sat for a second and watched the peaceful scenes around her. Everyone seemed relaxed and at ease. So different from her pack. Where chaos seemed to reign every minute of the day. She watched Addi and, s**t, the kid, play. Someone would have to talk to Addi soon. She looked back at her food and wondered what she could expect from Taylor and Mya. Taylor seemed friendly enough. But she’d be invading their space. A space they shared with Jane. They didn’t even know her. She was a stranger coming to take what belonged to them. Not for the first time, Tris wondered why she’d come.