Chapter 3

We finished the last stint of the journey to the pack which was only a few more miles down the road from Castle Black. The pack had built its own little village amongst the trees. Most of the people that live here are werewolves, there are a small handful of humans. But you get this in any pack, generally they’re mated to one of the wolves within the community. A few, who’s family are understanding and trustworthy, may have been able to move into the village along with their sons or daughters on the understanding that they kept the secret.

The Eclipse pack was not like most, they were extremely inclusive. Being situated right in the heart of a tourist destination meant not only had they grown used to passing human visitors, but humans actually lived in amongst them. Although they never made it blatantly obvious, most of the humans who lived in the village were aware of what the people around them were. If they were scared, they certainly didn’t show it.

The Eclipse Pack was one of a handful of the packs across the world who could boast a witch amongst their community. An earth witch named Alison Walker. She was mated to Drake. I remember Steph talking about her just after she and Drake met. As the Luna of the pack, it made sense for them to celebrate more pagan style festivals like Mabon. I couldn’t help but find myself the slightest bit curious about Alison. She would be the first self-acclaimed witch I had ever met. Although Mel was rumoured to have special abilities, she was still a wolf, meaning that any magic potential was minimal. I had heard many rumours about their kind, most of which didn’t exactly cast them in a very good light.

Contrary to popular human belief, true witches were few in numbers now. Most family lines were hunted to extinction in the 15^th and 16^th century. After that most of the so-called witch trials and executions were of completely harmless humans, or humans who could boast of a magical connection but was not enough to be classed as an actual witch. So, the fact Alison was here, and mated to a wolf, was completely unheard of.

The few that remain are believed to be dangerous, power hungry and some on verge of madness. Turned to dark magic to protect themselves and hide their whereabouts. I suppose it wasn’t a complete stretch. When your race is hunted to the point of extinction, you would go through great lengths to protect the few that remained. I’m sure that in itself was enough to turn anyone a little bit mad.

Steph turning down into a road which took us into the centre of the village. I had never seen so many people in one place before. The whole village was a hive of activity. Lights were being hung from every building and zig-zagged over the streets above us. In the village square a large statue of the Goddess Selene was being decked in ever-green foliage. Holly sprigs, pine and ivy hung about her neck and arms in great swathes of colour. There was one group of girls, not much older than fourteen or fifteen, hanging glistening foil stars and crescent moon shapes into a large oak tree. They fell down through the branches like a waterfall, each catching the sunlight and twinkling where they swayed in the autumn breeze.

“Wow, this is really something.” I mutter, eyes glued to the mass of people decorating the village.

“I know right? Just wait until tomorrow when this is all lit up like a Christmas tree. It’s such a magical festival.” Steph sighed to herself.

“Why's the festival so important to you all?” I ask.

“Well firstly, it’s kinda the name of our pack, so every Eclipse is a blessing to us from Selene and needs celebrating. But secondly, and I guess more importantly there is a legend about the Eclipse which has been passed from generation to generation.”

I raise a brow at her, “And? What does the legend say?”

“Well, it’s not so much a legend as a story, Grammy Lou definitely tells the story the best. It’s something along the lines of our pack once being the royal pack of England. The last Alpha King found his mate on an Eclipse. It was said to be a true love match. Bit cheesy if you ask me.”

“Well, I think it sounds romantic. What happened to them.” I ask.

“Oh, you know, the usual. Boy meets girl, girl falls in love with boy. Girl dies and boy goes bat shit crazy and losses his crown.” Steph shrugs her shoulder with a small laugh.

“Sounds like a Romeo and Juliet spin off.” I laugh out loud.

“You could say that.” Steph agreed.

I carry on watching out the window as Steph slowly moves her way through the crowd of milling people. I couldn’t help but feel saddened by her strange story. I wonder if there was actually any truth to it, or if it was, in fact, as Steph said and only a legend. Made up to inspire the kids in the pack. I made a mental note to ask Steph’s Gran, Granny Lou, when I saw her.

When she finally made it out of the village square, a couple more turns, and Steph pulled into the familiar cul-de-sac which the main pack house sat. Both sides of the road were lined with two storey red brick houses, ending in the biggest house along the road.

It hadn’t changed in the last two years. The large red brick house, which was far more like a mansion than a family home, with the same pearly white double door and frosted glass windows. The small front garden perfectly mown, with the large apple tree sitting in the centre. Fruit sat heavily on its branches, a few ripe apples dropping in the wind as we pull up outside the gate.

Before I could even step out of the car, the front door swung open to reveal a very happy Joanne Black. She was the complete opposite to my mother in every way possible. Short, curvy and a bundle of fun. Unlike my own mother’s pristine dress sense, Joanne went for comfort over fashion. She wore a pair of well weathered jeans, plain white t-shirt and large knitted burnt orange cardigan. Her brown hair flapping wildly around her face.

It felt like I had come home.