The five werewolves streaked off into the woods. Claire looked over at Beatrice, whose wolf-form looked almost exactly like Victoria’s, only thinner, and with white fur streaking her muzzle and ears. Her ribs showed.
Beatrice padded over and eased herself down on her haunches next to Claire and nudged Claire’s arm around her neck. Tears flooded Claire’s eyes, and Beatrice pressed her flank close against Claire’s leg.
It’ll be okay, child. Your mother—after you finish your transformation, she will be able to explain things better. I know it’s hard to believe, but she’s as nervous and afraid as you are, Claire. Maybe more. When Victoria had her change, I was so proud, but at the same time my heart broke for her. Our life—it’s a wonderful one, but it’s also a heavy burden to bear, and Marie knows it. Did your mother tell you that she is second only to me?
Claire shook her head.
Someday, she will be the Alpha of our pack. You must trust her, Claire. She knows our ways—she knows what she is doing. Things will be fine, really.
Claire buried her face in the soft fur of Beatrice’s shoulder. Her breath came in short, ragged gasps. If this is what I have to be, things will not be fine. I want to go home, she thought. I just want to go home, I want to go home. And how the hell could she not tell me any of this for sixteen freaking years? Before her tears could begin to flow in earnest, she heard a strange sound, like something heavy was being dragged through the woods.
“What’s going on?” she whispered.
It’s the hunt. Beatrice began to pant.
Victoria bounded into the clearing ahead of the others.
I hope you’re hungry, she said, butting her head into the side of Beatrice’s neck. We got a buck!
Claire looked over in time to see her mother and Katherine dragging an enormous deer into the clearing. The silvery fur on her mother’s chest was matted with blood. The buck kicked once, sending a wild hoof in Katherine’s direction.
“Oh,” Claire cried. “Oh—it’s not even dead!” She scooted back and cowered against the trunk of a tree.
Zahlia clamped her jaws around the deer’s neck and squeezed until it lay still. The six wolves gathered around the animal. Claire shut her eyes and tried to block out the sounds of ripping deer hide, and chewing.
There was a soft yip that sounded familiar, somehow. Claire looked up and cringed.
Her mother cocked her head to one side. Are you okay?
In spite of herself, Claire glanced over at the other werewolves crouched around the mutilated deer. Its wounds glittered in the firelight. To her horror, Claire felt a band of hunger squeeze around her stomach. Her mouth flooded with saliva and she swallowed hard.
Claire’s mom blinked at her. Do you want me to bring you some? Her ears flicked in Claire’s direction. Your teeth—human teeth—won’t work.
Claire shook her head. In spite of her watering mouth, she couldn’t eat that. She wouldn’t. I’m not an animal, she thought. She forced herself to look away, gazing down at her hands. The sight of them made her gasp. A coat of silky fur, the color of a storm cloud, covered the backs of her hands. Slowly, she reached up and brushed the same sort of fur as she traced the outlines of her ears. They had lost their usual seashell curve. They were flatter, more pointed. An inhuman whine whistled through her teeth.
Claire’s mother padded over to her and sat on her haunches. Marie ducked her head low so that they were almost face-to-face. The hunger will get stronger and stronger for you, and it will bring more changes each time it comes. Each month, your transformation will be more complete. In three full moons, Beatrice will call your name in the ceremony, too. This is the way of our world. The sooner you accept it, the easier things will be.
Claire’s chin trembled. She pushed her palms hard against her eyes, trying to force back the tears, and shook her head. The fur on the backs of her hands was like a blanket. Her skin underneath felt hot, smothered. She heard her mother sigh and pad away across the clearing, back to the deer.
While the others ate, Claire huddled against the tree and ignored the growls coming from her stomach. She closed her eyes and waited while the minutes crawled by. Finally, Beatrice stood over the remains of fire and gave a strange, gurgling howl. As the noise died away, so did the flames, and since the moon had long since dipped below the tops of the trees, the clearing was left in darkness.
Judith and Katherine left for home together, still in their wolf-form. Beatrice slipped silently into the trees while Victoria and Marie dragged the remains of the deer back into the deep woods. While they were gone, Claire felt a snout nudge her. She looked up at the round, gold-flecked eyes that stared down at her.
You kind of look like you’re freaking out. Zahlia flopped down next to Claire and stretched out her legs, licking at the blood spattered along the fur of her shins.
Claire shrugged.