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Chapter 13
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Echoes of the Pack Chapter 14
"Here's everything you need to know about the town's history. Is this for a school project?" Anne-Marie, the town's sole librarian, places three books on the table beside me. I've been poring over a book about medicinal plants, but it's not yielding much. I've had a fascination with and knowledge of plants since I was a child, so nothing here surprises me. I know everything there is to know about herbology. I'm missing something. Even though Azura was researching herbs, her notebook seems to be about something different. I flash a smile as I open one of the books and reply, "It's for research." The book contains a list of the families that founded the town and the businesses that have been established since. Only two remain: the post office and Barnaby's, a pub situated on the corner of the central square. "Well, if you need any assistance, you know where to find me. Send my regards to Dorothy the next time you see her. I've missed our monthly bridge gatherings the last few times."
Echoes of the Pack Chapter 15
The door slams loudly, and my mother flinches. She comes over to me and hugs me tightly. Unlike her, my father is furious with me and has stormed out of the house after lecturing me. There are numerous reasons for his anger, namely the fact that I didn't stay at home after the hospital and the fact that I had to go to the hospital in the first place. In his opinion, all I had done was conjure up the attack and had been attacked by a stray dog or wild coyote. Despite the policemen who have stated in the report that they had seen a massive wolf attacking me, he refuses to believe any of it. Especially about the man in the house. It amazes me that someone can be so closed-minded and blatantly ignore the facts. "He was very worried about you," my mother pulled away. She picks up my bandaged arm and examines it once more, "I know how difficult he's been since Azura died, but he's doing his best. He's lost many family members in tragic ways like this, Alora, so this is a lot for him." I
Echoes of the Pack Chapter 16
I rise when the curtain falls, and Zaven playfully winks as we disperse backstage, followed by the thunderous applause from the audience. It's the second-to-last night of Giselle, and we've just finished the final act. Zaven groans, "I need pizza," as we head toward the dressing rooms. "Wanna grab some after we're done here?" I watch the lead actors rush to the lobby to meet their fans. I had hoped to be Giselle in my winter show, but I missed too much and my understudy took my place. Still, I'm thankful I could participate as an ensemble member. "Hello," Zaven waves a hand in front of me. "Pizza!" I grin, "Yeah, sure. Invite the others!" "Duh!" He chuckles and disappears into his dressing room. I close the door behind me and change out of my costume with the other ensemble girls. They're all singing a song from My Fair Lady. Most of them are sophomores and juniors, with only one other senior like me. Most seniors have transferred to dance academies to pursue a ballet career. I
Echoes of the Pack Chapter 17
I think about it as I pour soda into the cups. When I fill Zaven's cup, I notice someone leaning against the counter beside me. It's Kiana. "Surprising to see you here," I'm still not accustomed to hearing that strong Irish accent. There aren't many European immigrants in El Nido, mostly their descendants. "I live here," I say with a laugh. She takes one of the drinks as she sees me struggling to carry all three. "Are you guys here for business?" "We just finished, actually," She looks for an empty table with me. "We're heading out tonight, but we were hungry." "Are you at our docks?" I haven't been there all week since my parents are briefly in town, so I haven't seen the registry. "No, we drove this time," She chuckles. "Why don't your friends join us?" "We're good," Lucien suddenly appears behind me. He and Kiana stare at each other for a while. The tension between them is uncomfortable, and I shuffle uncomfortably. "It's okay," I try to grab his hand, but he pulls away. Unde
Echoes of the Pack Chapter 18
He is facing away from me, bent over a bloody body. His shoulders are hunched, and he screams as if breaking. I cover my ears, but his agony remains in my mind. "Save him." I turn to find a petite woman looking at me. She's covered in freckles, framed by white-blond hair, and has piercing blue eyes. Tears stream down her face as she gazes at the injured man. Her bottom lip trembles, and she breathes in sharply. "It's not his fault," she whispers, her hands resting on her swollen belly. I blink, and she vanishes. She reappears next to the man, who cradles a newborn in his arms, soothing the crying baby. A sandy-colored wolf emerges from the bushes, approaching the man without hesitation. She sniffs the baby before licking the man's hands and wagging her tail. Soft whines escape her, and he embraces her, placing the baby on the ground for her to see. The wolf lies down, curling around the swaddled infant, resting her head on the man's lap. He places a hand on her head, and they shar
Echoes of the Pack Chapter 19
We arrive at the Old Road Diner shortly after parking. It's located alongside a tree-lined road, next to a gas station, and serves as a popular stop for travelers along the Palawan coastline. I used to come here frequently to find Azura studying in the corner booth by the jukebox. Typically, we would end up having dinner here and chatting until the diner closed. Azura didn't express it, but I could tell she disliked being at home; it felt too empty with just the two of us in those echoing hallways. Lucien's voice, calling my name, interrupts my reminiscence. He gently guides me to the counter, but I pull away, suggesting we sit at one of the tables instead. I take a window booth, and he sits across from me, wearing an amused smile. He admits, "Sorry, I just wanted to talk to you in private." I respond, "It's okay." Lucien then orders coffee with two sugars and no cream, while I request hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows – Azura's favorite treat. The waitress, named Ke
Echoes of the Pack Chapter 20
"What was it about?" "Our history project was about researching our family's origins. We wanted to explore how long our families had been living in this town and trace it back as far as possible," he says, his gaze fixed on my hands. "I already knew about my family because it's impossible not to when you know you'll be shifting by the time you turn fourteen. But what I didn't know was that Azura's, and yours, was just as closely connected." He takes my hand and turns it over, saying, "Azura discovered that while your father's family came from South Carolina, there was a branch of them that settled here on the West Coast at the same time as my family. It was actually the same date. It seemed like they had moved together. Your father's grandfather later moved back to South Carolina-" "Yeah... my dad mentioned that was why he moved out here with my mom," I run my thumb over his wrist. His pulse is steady, and he's telling the truth. "The land my house is on has been in the family for a
Echoes of the Pack Chapter 21
His cries are all I can hear, and they are so painful that they wake me up with screams. My heart pounds, causing me severe pain, and I think I'm having a heart attack. Now, as I sit by the window in the living room, I'm convinced that whatever is causing his sorrow is tearing me apart from the inside. The tea tastes sweet in my mouth, despite my dark thoughts. It's the weekend, and I'm determined to find answers. Cassiel is coming over, thinking we're just hanging out for a girls' day, but I plan to question her about my dreams, the Wolves, and Lucien. Cassiel wants to talk to me; I'm sure of it ever since the library. Now is the perfect time to let her in. I can't forget how she looked at Azura's journal yesterday, as if she recognized it. She said she wants to help me. Maybe if she knows that Lucien has revealed things about himself to me, she'll be willing to share more information. My phone rings, and I set my tea down before answering, "Hello?" "Alora, hey." "Lucien?" My hea
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