She skipped back to the house, she felt like she could burst from excitement. She would be able to introduce her wolf to the pack properly. It was something all wolves dream about when they’re young… Alissa dreamt of it fondly right up to her parents murder.Alissa was in her own little world when she felt a tap on her shoulder. “Kristen!” she started. “When did you get back?” she asked, her excitement filtering into her voice and not just because her friend was back. Kristen pulled her in for a big hug, “I literally walked in behind you. What's put you in your own fairy land?” she asked.Alissa bounced in the balls of her feet,“Oh, Kristen! I'm getting my initiation, Luca just told me.” She smiled broadly, her excitement bursting from her. “Alissa! I'm so happy for you!” They embraced again and bounced up and down in excitement. “When?” Kristen asked.“Luca's going to talk to the elders,” Alissa squealed, unable to hold in any of her excitement. This was the time all wolves wait fo
Alissa stood at the front door of her former home. She hadn't been in the house since she had moved to the main house. She felt it wrong to be there without her parents, but she was curious. The painted wooden door swung open, the smell of must hit her as she looked into the hallway. The sun streamed in from behind her, it was how she remembered it apart from a layer of dust on the oak floor. Her mum would shudder at the cobwebs and dirt that now enveloped the house.She peered into the sitting room, she smiled at the memories she had with her parents in that room, playing games, learning about their history. Eating sweets their mother had bought them from the human town in the pink and white striped paper bags. A memory played out in her mind. Alissa sat on the circular rug in the middle of the room, her hand dipped into the paper sweet bag, trying to find a white chocolate mouse. Her parents were talking above her, sat on the cream fabric sofa. Her parent's voices floated above her
Alissa fell into a dream filled sleep, her dream started as a memory of her at the beginning of her sixteenth year. She was so excited because she knew that year she would have her first transformation. She would have her initiation day. The dream melted as dreams do into another scene, Alissa stood before a mirror, her reflection showed her in a gorgeous white gown, her mum stood behind her. She was fiddling with a bow on Alissa's hip, her dad came in. He beamed, so proud of his youngest child. Her dad's voice floated around her head, “You look so grown up my child, I love you so much.” He took her hand and walked her to her initiation. He gave his permission for the pack to take his daughter from his charge, tears glinting in his eyes. Alissa bolted upright, the dream fading as she fumbled for her lamp. She rubbed her face finding her cheeks damp with tears. She tried to remember the dream, but every image that nearly got to her mind's eye vanished before she could see it, she fumb
Alissa stepped off the last step, she could smell bacon and could hear noise coming from the kitchen. The door was unusually shut so she pushed it open. Sausage, bacon, hash browns, eggs and black pudding filled the middle of the table. A pile of parcels wrapped in colourful paper sat at one end of the table, excitement bubbled within Alissa again.“Happy Lykos day!” everyone in the kitchen shouted. Alissa made a noise of excitement, “Thanks everyone!” She went to sit at the table, helping herself to the food on offer. After she had had her fill, the pile of gifts were slid over to her by Jack. She moved her apple juice out the way and picked up a parcel wrapped in green. “That is from Elder Tobias,” Kristen stated. She opened the lumpy package delicately. Unveiling a beautifully crafted wooden wolf statue with the Wuffaman shield carved into the base, the detail was phenomenal.She continued to open the gifts before her. She received a necklace with a blue sapphire pendant from her
Alissa cleared her throat, Richard liked direct, so she took some time to ask her first question; “Richard, I noticed there are small holes next to some names on the pack members' plaques,” Alissa started, “We wanted to know, what do the holes mean?” Richard looked surprised but managed to cover it up with a knowing smile. “Well a hole can mean any number of things, the plaques after all are full of holes.” Alissa sighed, she hated asking Richard questions when she actually wanted an answer, he relished in giving vague responses. “OK, there are small holes like full stops after some names, do the holes have a significance?” Jack tried this time. “Ah, a better question, it’s a possibility, do you think it was me?” Jack and Alissa looked at each other. “Well, maybe. At least the ones in your lifetime,” Alissa said carefully. Richard twitched before looking around the trees, “Vampires listen, lower your voice.” Alissa sighed. There was a reason Richard lived away from everyone.“R
“Alissa want anything to eat?” Michael burst into her room. “Don't you knock?” She straightened up from the book, glaring at her brother. Michael shrugged. “I could have been getting dressed” she said more indigently. “Well, we used to take baths together. I'm sure my mind has been sufficiently scarred already.” A cheeky grin lit up his features. “Do you want something to eat?” he asked again. Alissa turned back to the books, “I don't think I'm that hungry.” Michael walked up to her, “Are you dying?” He put his hand to her forehead “We're always hungry.”“Get off” She swiped him away. “I'm just busy.” “What with?” Michael asked, not really interested. “History, secrets that kinda stuff” She started looking for the birth information of Lawrence Howthorne. “Well, it's not important enough to deprive you with lots of carbs, come on!” Michael grabbed Alissa by the arm, she suppressed the flinch, expecting it to be painful, but he merely guided her from the room. She protested but
With the door open, Luca offered a smile, “After you” he gestured through the door. Alissa stepped outside into the evening sun which was beginning it's descent, shadows creeping across the grass as they made their way to the trees.Luca helped Alissa over the moss-covered logs and branches until they made it to the small trail. Alissa tried to watch her footing as best she could, but the heel of her boot sank into the soft ground. She cursed under her breath when she started falling backwards. Luca snaked his arm quickly around her waist and placed his hand on her arm, securing her in place. “Thanks,” she muttered. Luca lifted her slightly to unstick her heel. He kept his arm around her waist until they made it safely to the barn. The barn was covered in ivy and creeping plants, even the doors. Luca located the handle and pulled, the ivy parted in two as the two hidden wooden doors swung open to show two cars; their 4X4 and their truck, with space for another car. Luca unlocked the
Alissa looked around the room better now the ringing in her ears was subsiding. The deep red walls gave the room a smaller feel than it was, it was cozy. The dim light cast shadows around the room. A painting of a river with a boat being rowed by a man dressed in black and white hung on the wall. “Venice, a human city far from here.” Alissa looked to Luca, he had followed her line of sight. “How far is it?” she asked.“I don't know, but you would have to go across the sea.” Alissa nodded, her mother had taught her about other countries, wolf packs were spread all over the globe. Some foreign packs lived amongst humans. Alissa had never understood how they would be safe not having their own clearings. “I always liked the idea of going to the sea,” she mused quietly.Luca flicked a lighter and lit a candle that sat on the table. “So, what do you fancy this evening?” Luca handed her one of the thin leather books Colin had left to the side. She opened it and saw headings 'starters', 'mai