Wolven Rising: Untold Stories

GR-2: Hunter

Shasta (16 years old)

I looked at my reflection in the small chipped mirror on the wall in the cabin. For the first time, I had to bend over to see my face.

You got taller when I was awakened, Hunter told me.

I know. It's just weird to see it, I responded. I shifted for the first time only a week ago, when Hunter, my wolf, woke up and joined me. I was still getting used to having him share my consciousness, but I was happy to finally have him with me. Harlie had gotten her wolf a couple of months before, and Kendria had had Daria for over a whole year now. We had all shared a huge sigh of relief to confirm that none of us were mates. That would have complicated things a lot.

I squinted at my reflection. I couldn't deny the added benefits of having a wolf. When a werewolf shifted for the first time, our bodies changed too, in order to better accommodate our wolf spirit. The most obvious changes were that our human forms grew taller and more muscular. But as I leaned in closer to the mirror, I saw other more subtle differences. My cheekbones were more prominent, and my jaw line was stronger. I looked a little older than I did before, that was for sure. My dark brown hair also looked healthier and shinier, and my eyes were a slightly more intense shade of blue.

The eyes are from me, Hunter said proudly. You're welcome.

I ignored him and forced myself to walk away from the mirror. You would think I'd be more awkward with a brand new, upgraded body, but that wasn't the case. My movements were graceful, measured, and easy. You're welcome for that, too, Hunter said smugly.

You need to chill, I told him.

"Shasta, you about ready to go?" Kendria poked her head around the door. "I want to get to the human town and back before dark."

"Yeah," I said, turning to follow. "I'm ready."

We walked over to the brand new SUV, a welcome addition for conducting our business. We'd gotten pretty good at making handmade furniture, but until now, the only way to transport it was by strapping it to someone's back, running to the human town, then shifting, changing, and pretending that we were bringing it to the buyer from a vehicle parked down the street. I, for one, was more than grateful for having a vehicle, especially after Kendria had told me several times I would be one of the pack mules after I got my wolf. Dodged that in the nick of time.

"Can I drive?" I asked as we neared the gray vehicle.

"Let's see, did you schlep repeatedly out to the human town to take drivers' ed and get your license?" Kendria asked sarcastically.

"Ugh, no."

"Then, no. I'll be driving. I earned it," Kendria said.

Harlie was already sitting shotgun, so I sat in the back while Kendria took the wheel. The engine started with a purr, then we were off.

The ride was smooth. It was summer, and over sixty degrees on the mountain. I rolled the window down and let the air flow through my fingers, watching the dappled sunlight through the trees rapidly change the color of my skin from bluish gray to a warm tan. "Can I drive home?" I asked hopefully.

"Again. Do you have a license?" Kendria asked incredulously.

"Aww, c'mon, Kendria, it'll be fine," I whined. "I'll be a good driver, I promise."

"Whether or not you're a good driver isn't the point," she replied firmly. "Although be warned, if you're a bad driver you'll never set a single finger on the wheel."

"What's the point, then?" I asked, confident I wouldn't have a problem with my driving skills.

"If, for some odd reason, we got pulled over with you behind the wheel, you could get arrested," Kendria said. "Not to mention the insurance hell. We can't afford to get in trouble with the law, or to pay higher premiums."

"Oh. Okay," I said dejectedly, feeling chastised. She had a good point, and I felt stupid now, for pushing the subject.

"It's okay, Shasta. You can come with me to take drivers' ed next month," Harlie said helpfully.

"Yeah, once you have your permit, I'll help you get your hours," Kendria added.

Their words made me feel better, and we continued talking until we reached the human town. "Let's do the chair delivery first, then we can go pick up supplies from the hardware store," Kendria said.

I pulled the piece out of the back, which was an order for an antique replica with custom woodwork along the sides. I'd spent a lot of time on it, and was a little sad to see it go. But we made good money making furniture, better than most of our other ventures, and I was glad I was able to contribute that way.

The shop owner was overjoyed when they inspected the product, and even gave us a twenty dollar tip for the quality and quick turnaround. We left the shop in a great mood, Kendria counting the money in her hand. "We'll go get polish, varnish, and sandpaper, then put the rest in the bank," she said, thumbing through the bills.

"Okay, I said, eyeing the used bookshop down the street. I loved to go there when we came to the human town, though all I did was find a book and sit in a corner to read. I'm sure they hated me for mooching, but I loved reading too much to care.

"Here," Kendria said, waving a twenty in my face.

"What's this?" I asked, snatching the bill to stop it from fluttering so close to my eyes.

"Your tip," Kendria said.

"What do you mean? It's not mine," I protested.

"Of course it is," Kendria said. "You built the chair, the customer was happy and gave you a tip for the excellent quality. You deserve it."

I looked at the money uncertainly in my hand. "Are you sure?"

Kendria gave me a small shove in the direction of the bookstore. "Yes. We'll come get you when we're done running errands." Harlie nodded and smiled.

"Okay. Thanks," I said with a grin. Over the years, our talk of being leaders of our fledgling pack in the mountains slowly became more than talk. When Kendria got her wolf, she started taking on way more responsibility, and we had her to thank for all the progress we'd made. Luna Adina had helped us survive and slowly improve our circumstances, but under Kendria's leadership, we were finally starting to thrive. I was glad Hunter was finally awake, so I could start being of more help with things like patrols and rescue missions to the south.

The tiny cheerful bell tinkled when I pushed the door of the bookstore open. The checkout counter was unmanned, and I gladly walked past it toward the fiction section, getting lost in the jumble of different sized and colored volumes.

Finally, I spotted a promising book. Wicked, by Gregory Maguire. I vaguely remembered my mom saying the book was darker and more twisted than the musical that was inspired by it. Whether it was for that reason, or simply the fact that it reminded me of my mom, I slid the book off the shelf and tucked it under my arm.

The checkout counter now had an occupant behind it, a teenage girl chewing gum and scrolling through her phone with a bored expression on her face. "Will that be...all?" She asked, her eyes widening when she finally looked up at me.

I placed the book carefully on the counter. "Yeah," I said blandly.

The girl looked me up and down approvingly. She had a nose ring and bright orange hair. "You new in town?" She asked as she scanned the book and tossed it carelessly into a paper bag.

"Just visiting," I said, sliding the twenty across the counter. She must be really unobservant, since I'd seen her in the shop at least twice before. Maybe I was indistinguishable amongst all the other customers she waited on.

She quickly made change, then leaned forward on the counter, holding it out to me far too close to her body. I couldn't help but notice how her breasts got pushed out more prominently with the action. "Just visiting, huh?" The girl asked coyly, winding her finger in her hair. "For how long?"

Talk about desperate, Hunter muttered.

What do you mean? I asked as I took the change and pocketed it.

Isn't it obvious? She's flirting with us.

I looked at the girl, who was waiting expectantly for my response. Flirting? Really? "I'm leaving soon," I said.

She pouted, poking out her cherry red lower lip. "That's too bad," she said. "I was hoping I could show you around."

I don't get it. She's seen me before, and she obviously doesn't even remember me.

Uh, hello? You're hotter now, thanks to me, Hunter said. I could literally feel him rolling his eyes in our shared mind.

Gee, thanks, I said to my wolf sarcastically. "I come to town every now and again," I said to the girl. "Maybe you could show me around some other time."

What the hell are you doing? Hunter snarled.

Flirting back, what's the big deal? I asked. This newfound attention was new, and I was finding myself liking it more than I should.

The big deal is that we have a mate.

So? It's not like we're going to do anything with this girl. Who knows, she could be our mate. I argued. We won't even know for at least two years when we turn eighteen, and it'll probably be even longer than that.

So we should wait for mate, Hunter insisted.

I pushed him down in my mind and turned my attention back to the bookshop girl.

"I'm Marianne," she said with a coquettish smile. "What's your name?"

"Shasta," I replied.

"Sounds exotic," she said with a giggle. I lifted the corner of my mouth in a crooked smile. If I was being honest with myself, I wasn't sure I liked her as a person, or just the attention she was giving me. She was definitely being too forward, throwing her body across the counter at me and trying to show off her curvier areas. I also didn't really like the fact that she obviously only liked me for my looks, since she never acknowledged my existence when we met previously. And based on her behavior, I wasn't all that sure whether or not she only expected me to like her for her appearance, instead of her mind. Still, this was brand new to me, getting this kind of notice. Even if it wasn't from the right person, it sort of felt...good.

No it doesn't, Hunter growled. Only mate can make us feel good.

We don't know who our mate is. What are we supposed to do, be rude?

Yes.

Sorry, no can do.

"Well, I'll see you around, Marianne." I said, grabbing the bag.

"I hope so," she said flirtatiously, raking her eyes down my body.

I felt my ears grow hot as I left the bookshop, the cheery bell over the door jingling on my way out.

---

Running felt amazing. There was nothing like it. The wind in our fur. the ground pounding beneath our paws. I let out a joyful yip as we continued running the perimeter.

I still don't like how you behaved with that girl in the human town. Hunter chastised me, effectively ruining the mood.

Again, was I just supposed to blow her off? I happen to like that bookstore. I retorted.

We should save everything for mate. Hunter said.

We will save everything for our mate. The important things, anyway.

It's all important.

I huffed, changing course through the woods. Can't you work with me here? It's not like we did anything. It was only flirting, it was harmless.

No it's not.

Yes it is.

Hunter blocked me out, and I was left running in silence for awhile. But the joy was gone. I was left feeling guilty over this afternoon's encounter. But what did I do, really? I just talked to a girl. I didn't touch her, I didn't kiss her, nothing really happened.

You let her believe something might happen, Hunter grouched at me.

Oh, so you're talking to me again?

Well, we're stuck together, you and I, so I figure we should get on the same page, Hunter said reasonably.

We are on the same page, okay? I fully intend to wait for our mate.

I hope so, Hunter said. Because I'll rip you apart if you don't.

I'd like to see you try, seeing as how we share a body, I snapped. If I knew having another voice in my head was going to be so annoying, I wouldn't have been so eager to get my wolf.

You know you love me, Hunter quipped.

I shook my head and turned back toward the center of our territory. My round of patrol was over, and I wanted to do some sanding on a table I was working on before dinner. Then, once my obligations were over, I was going to curl up with my new book and read.

As I ran, my mind drifted once again to my parents, as it so often did. I'd been thinking about them a lot lately, especially before my birthday. If they were alive, my dad would have helped me through my first shift. My mother would have been there to mindlink me. My younger sibling would have been jealous and excited. Instead, I had Kendria to guide me during my first shift, and no mindlinking at all. Despite what everyone told me, deep down I still felt that if it hadn't been for my actions on the day of the m******e, at least one of my parents would still be with me, if not both.

I wondered what advice my dad would have about flirtatious women. I looked a lot like him, so I imagined he had similar issues when he was younger. Did he flirt back? Did he tell them off? Or was it something in the middle?

I'd have to count it as one of the many things I'd never get to know.