LUNA ROXANA HOOK
Year 2006
(Winter, The Howling Five Kingdom)
SIX DAYS AGO…
The seven werewolves were shivering in fear, unable to look their King in the eye, while the eighth one standing tall and confident—the leader named Mozzo—replied, "we saw what we saw, Alpha Kee."
Heads bobbed eagerly and Mozzo added, "We tried to stop him, told him that If he can't find the gate in the snowstorm, he can't come home. But he said he belonged there. That's his home."
Immediately, Rox knew that Mozzo was lying.
Because Ray Hook is a wimp.
Wimps don't travel alone, especially not with an uncontrollable wolf that'll wipe out one's entire life force in minutes. Her brother would be too scared to leave his room without supervision. Just the thought of the gate would scare the shit out of him. Fuck, everything scares him.
And Mozzo's one stupid mutt.
And his King and Queen. Actually, the entire royal family is stupid. All the stupid of the werewolf world is gathered here in one drama fest.
And Rox was trapped in the middle of it.
The Alpha King looked like he wanted to asphyxiate himself, and, inside, Rox was rolling her eyes in boredom.
Mother's gonna want to find Ray.
"Why would he say that? His home is here!" cried the Queen, already dashing past the group of young wolves, heading for the door.
But her firstborn quickly barricaded her, and the others quickly ring-fenced her.
Obviously, there's more concern for the mother hen than the missing chick.
"You can't be serious, mother, it's a blizzard out there!" exclaimed the oldest son, Rex.
The oldest daughter begged. "You just healed someone, you won't last in the cold. Mother, please!"
Before the Queen could refute that, another son jumped in. "We'll head out again once the snow stops," he promised with an open scowl clearly meant for that burdensome youngest.
The embitterment was universal. More trudging, more snow, more cold, just to find a wimpy needle who can't even take care of himself. All the King's offspring, including Rox, could no longer scowl privately.
And Mozzo seized the chance. "But the prince said—his own words, not ours—he'll be having some fun over there. His father's done it before, and he's also more human than the King, so he'll do better. He'll be back when he's had enough. Or he won't be back at all."
Rox was genuinely impressed. Dumb mutt's got some talent afterall.
And much to the princess' amusement, the King crimsoned hard. "Did he now?" There was rage in his eyes and voice.
But Rox saw something else: embarrassment.
"Kee." The Queen intervened. "Ray's only six. He'd never talk like—."
"He's just going through a phase, father," concluded the second son, Reynold.
"He's not going through anything," snapped the Queen, shutting up the smartass. "Kee," she continued persuading the head of the family, "you know Ray. He's probably out there in the cold, frightened." Then, something horrifying widened her eyes. "He's probably dying! We've got to get to him before it's too late! His wolf! His wolf will kill—."
"Yes, he's a werewolf!" Thundered the King, his blue eyes shooting daggers at his mate. "A bit of cold won't kill him."
The Queen paled. "You can't be serious—."
"If that bit of cold can kill him, SO BE IT."
Mozzo and his mutts were gloating—their evil (but stupid) plan was working. As for the royal offspring (Rox included), their exasperated looks unanimously said: here we go again.
The Queen shot back her own version of dagger eyes. Lowering her voice so that Mozzo and the others wouldn't hear, she hissed, "His wolf killed him once! Did you forget that or is your pride more important now?"
"His pride, Rose. His. As a werewolf."
"So you're saying one doesn't make a difference since we've got twelve anyway?!"
"Do you not understand words? I said—."
"He's our son, you asshole!"
"He's also an Alpha!" The King roared. "And you do not call yours an 'asshole'! We've been through this a gazillion times—I'm not done talking!"
The King had been hugging his mate, and now she was trying to break away to find Ray Hook. To everyone's surprise (but much to their offspring's embarrassment), the King flung the hybrid Luna over his shoulder like a sack of flour before carrying her, kicking and screaming, away.
Oh no, Rox wouldn't step in to knock some sense into them. This is too much fun!
*****
ALPHA RAY
Year 2006
(Winter, The U.R.T, Furnace Mount Buddhist Monastery)
They stare at each other—Ray in cold sweat, his mind wheeling furiously for an exit strategy but churning out useless advice like 'hide!', while Kate in confusion, blinking profusely.
And then, a bright chuckle rings from her throat. "I guess Dr. Tim's right—the hospital is bad for me," she murmurs, "I thought you said 'it wasn't you'."
Ray swallows hard. His tail brushes that rosy cheek, wiping away the tears, and she sniffs with a smile. "Or maybe I just wish that you can talk."
Something squeezes his heart. Should I talk then? But would it freak you out? Ray opens his mouth and clamps it shut. No, no, no, I can't. It's against the law. The Goddess will be angry if I reveal myself to a human.
Her fingers have resumed playing with his fur, her green eyes tracing every curve on his features, and he's suddenly nervous. If she continues to look at him like that, he may actually start talking, just to make her happy.
"You've got very pretty blue eyes," she murmurs dreamily.
Ray snorts, his tail brushes the corner of her eyes. You've got pretty green eyes.
She giggles. "That's ticklish!" More swipes of his bushy white tail, and more giggles spill out, until Ray finds himself scoffing along like laughter.
When they finally calm down, she's caressing his right cheek when she whispers with a distant smile, "I really didn't touch that toaster. I'm very sure." She sighs and rests her own cheek on her hand. "Maybe that's why I thought I heard you say that. I want someone to be on my side… to help me convince Mummy that it wasn't me."
Ray looks away, afraid that he'll slip up and talk again.
"I don't use any of the things in the kitchen. Daddy wouldn't let me. I'm too young, he said."
Ray turns back. How old were you?
"Ten years old isn't that young—."
A shudder of fear passes through Ray. They're the same age. Would Kate bully him too?
"—but I don't want to upset him," continues Kate, and Ray relaxes again.
Me too. He rests his snout on his forepaws. He smiles at everyone but me.
"I never wanted to upset Mummy too. She was so heartbroken that I was sick. That I killed Daddy because of it. I guess that's why I couldn't remember doing it."
Ray turns back to observe the angel. She looks perfectly normal to him. What sort of sickness would drive someone to kill and forget about that later?
As though she heard his thoughts, Kate rests her right cheek on her palm and plays with his whiskers. "Psychopath. That's what she told the police."
That evil woman said it too. What in deity's name is that?
Her arm goes around his neck and pulls him close for a hug, and, like it's the most natural thing to do, Ray tucks his head under her chin and snuggles into her neck. For some reason, he needs her heart beating softly against his neck.
She giggles—his fur is tickling her—and whispers featherly, "I wished Dr. Tim would tell Mummy that I'm not sick. She'll believe that I didn't kill Daddy and take me home."
"But he said no. He said we can't tell Mummy. It's dangerous. But Mummy's going to be upset…and I miss her…."
For the first time, Ray is angry not for his sake. Are you dumb? Of course, you can't tell her. She tried to kill you!
Ray finally figures out why that evil woman didn't kill Kate.
Someone needs to be responsible for the murder, and that evil woman wants to be free.
His angel isn't safe. Ray wraps his white bushy tail around her back and pushes them closer.
I'll keep you safe.
"I know!" Kate jolts up, beaming at the Alpha. "Snowy! I'll call you Snowy!"
Ray turns whiter than the wolf's fur, with repulsion.