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Chapter 8
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Echoes of the Pack Chapter 9
I've finally finished reading the books Dorothy gave me, which were initially intended for my sister, Azura. The content of these books doesn't seem unusual to me. The only one related to alternative medicine is the herbology book; the rest are primarily plant catalogs and care guides. I've returned all the books and now find myself sitting in Azura's room, staring at her bookshelf. It's filled with her favorite romance and fantasy novels. My sister was an avid theater enthusiast, and her shelves were packed with plays and musicals. However, there's nothing about plants, magic, or herbs. She never mentioned the box she left for me or the journal I found. My phone rings, and I see Detective Dristan's name on the caller ID. I let it ring. Since the day I met Lucien and Laurel in the nursery, Detective Dristan informed my parents that Azura's room was no longer considered a crime scene, suggesting that murder was no longer the suspected cause of death. I'm angry at him. I never returne
Echoes of the Pack Chapter 10
As we enter, my heart races. The inside is hot and humid, dimly lit, and teeming with people. I scan the faces – a few familiar, but Lucien's isn't among them. "Here comes the birthday girl!" Ahren announces, and the crowd turns, erupting into cheers that startle me. Ahren hands me a beer, and I'm engulfed in a sea of revelers. Many seem inebriated as they pat my back and offer birthday wishes. I smile at the ones I recognize, then wiggle my way out of the throng. Ahren places a hand on my waist and twirls me around. "Where are you off to?" he asks. "Oh my god, Ahren! Are you drunk?" I gaze at him in disbelief. I push him, but he keeps grinning and responds, "You brought me here, you idiot!" "Alora, don't be so nervous. I've only had three." He laughs, and his breath carries another scent. He brushes my bangs away. "What's this?" I inquire as he reaches for my shirt. Glancing down, I notice the tooth necklace is gone. I gently move his hand and fix it back. "Nothing, just somethi
Echoes of the Pack Chapter 11
After Ahren's words chase me, I pivot and sprint away. "No, Alora! I wasn't thinking!" I navigate through the inebriated teens dancing and the blaring music, making it difficult to hear my own heavy breaths. I'm overwhelmed, torn between wanting to scream or cry. Ahren has always been my friend, so his kiss feels wrong. Despite the fact that he and Azura never had anything romantic, it doesn't alleviate the guilt I now carry. Upon opening the patio door, a rush of frigid winter air invades, chilling my lungs. There's a 40-yard stretch before the dense, dark forest looms. I lean against the wooden railing of the patio deck, attempting to stave off the buttery sensation in my head induced by the alcohol. My wrist stings as if on fire, prompting a hiss from me. I grasp it and scratch my arm where my bracelet rests. Looking down, I notice ice forming on the railing, enough to nudge me toward the decision to head home. Nobody there is in a state to drive, and I can't turn to Ahren. Howe
Echoes of the Pack Chapter 12
I think it's a smart idea to check Azura's piano a few hours after the party. She might not have hidden anything in her room, but she could have stashed things elsewhere. I discover a notebook beneath the piano's lid, tucked amidst the strings so it doesn't obstruct the keys. It's the perfect lead. Azura has meticulously documented her notes from Dorothy's books on the pages, filling the journal from beginning to end. It even includes the locations of the plants she wrote about in her journal. Yet, as I peruse the notebook for the umpteenth time, I can't help but feel like this isn't everything. She would have needed more than one journal. I still don't know what she did with the plants after she located them. This journal only informs her which plants she requires, why she requires them, and where to find them. Dorothy mentioned having a garden, but it remained elusive to everyone. If Azura delved into magic, she would have noted how and why she selected these plants. The initial
Echoes of the Pack Chapter 13
Before everything goes quiet, you can hear gunshots and howling. Now that the wolf is gone, the police are all around me. I remember the two officers who came to my house before, with their guns drawn and their eyes wide. I know I don't have my gun anymore. When the wolf bit me, I must have dropped it... "Alora," Detective Dristan says. I startle and look up at him. He's on his knees in front of me, just beyond the mugwort barrier. "Alora, are you okay?" he asks. "He came to my home," I speak rapidly and disjointedly, not sounding like myself, almost as if I'm inebriated and unable to string a coherent sentence together. "I...He..." "Take my hand," he says, standing up and extending his hand. "You're safe now." I'm uncertain. This is where I should stay. Azura instructed me to do so. The only place the wolf seems unable to breach is where the mugwort grows. Why would I leave if it's the only thing keeping him away? "We're all here now, Alora," Detective Dristan assures me. "He wo
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
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