Chapter 22

Louise and her friends find out Michar is in trouble with another Wolf People Pack.

    We all stood dumbfounded staring at Miss Rose. She looked quite pleased with herself.

    I could still hear the coyotes singing, that porcupine was still eating away at tree bark somewhere in the Douglas Fir tree tops and several owls were calling back and forth now. Seems that one owl wasn’t so solitary anymore.

    I heard all that but my full attention was focused on Miss Rose. She smiled.

    “What do you know about Michar?” Miss Snow shouted.

    She started to move toward Miss Rose but both Pine and I each took hold of her upper arms to stop her.

    “A lot Miss Snow.”

    “I don’t believe you.” I said.

    Miss Rose turned her very familiar black eyes on me. A certain look that I knew too well flashed into them that made me suddenly feel uncomfortable.

    “Why Louise, you don’t have to but that doesn’t change the truth.”

    I wanted to attack her.

    Her smile grew, exposing her canines. She was still the Miss Rose I remembered, all the way down to her very attractive husky voice.

    Pine turned to me. “She might know something Louise. We don’t know where she’s been living or with what Pack.”

    I took a deep breath. “You’re right Pine. We don’t know any of that.”

    “Tell us what you know.” Miss Snow said to Miss Rose, hope in her voice.

    “I will.” Miss Rose looked around. “Perhaps some other location than here.”

    “Like where?” I asked, not really trusting Miss Rose and unwilling to stray too far from our Village boundaries.

    Miss Rose flicked her eyes over me. Her hungry look made me even more uncomfortable. I hated that look and it made me trust her less. Actually, I didn’t trust her at all.

    “There’s a lake not far from here. Do you know it?” Miss Rose asked.

    “Yes, I know it. Lake of the Otters.” Pine said.

    “That’s the one. We can go there, sit on the sandy beach and I will tell you about Michar.” Miss Rose said.

    I knew of the lake but hadn’t spent any time there. It wasn’t very far but still I didn’t feel comfortable about this. It might be because of my negative history with Miss Rose, what I felt was her betrayal of our friendship.

    “I don’t know…” I started to say but Miss Snow yanked herself out of my and Pine’s hold and turned to me.

    “Please Louise! I need to find Michar! If she can help us…why not?”

    I looked at Miss Rose. She was watching me, waiting to see what I would do. I felt like snarling at her.

    Pine watched and waited too.

    Miss Snow looked at me pleadingly. I felt something really uncomfortable start churning in my stomach. I didn’t trust Miss Rose, felt like she was being dishonest but yet it might just be me.

    How could I say no to Miss Snow when Miss Rose could be right? How could I tell her no and not support her in her chance to find out if what she said was true or not?

    I heaved a big sigh. “Okay Miss Snow. We’ll go with Miss Rose and hear what she has to say.”

    Miss Snow threw herself at me, giving me a tight fierce hug. “Thank you. Thank you Louise.” She said softly to me.

    “Okay.” Miss Rose said. “I think we should get going.”

   Miss Snow stepped back. She wiped tears off her cheeks. “Yes, let’s go find Michar.”

    “Okay, Miss Rose. Lead the way to your beach.” I said to her.

    She turned and shape shifted into her coal black Wolf Form. Miss Snow, Pine and I all shape shifted into our Wolf Forms and we set off to Lake of the Otters.

    We loped through the forest as Wolves slipping through the underbrush as Miss Rose led the way.

   I loved the feel of the breeze rushing through my wolf hair and my heightened senses as the forest came even more alive when I was Wolf.

    As we neared the lake I pushed ahead of Miss Rose and reached the beach first. Miss Rose didn’t challenge my taking the lead position.

    I came out of the forest on one of the two soft grey sandy beaches of Lake of the Otters. The beach was scattered with shiny rocks of different shapes, sizes and colors. Some sparkled with the moon and star light.

    The rest of Lake of the Otters was bordered with leafy shrubbery that grew right up to and sometimes into the lake. The lake itself was almost motionless and the moon and stars were reflected upon its dark surface.

    Several loons floated near the leafy shore occasionally making their strange sad cries that rang out into the darkness.

    I came to a stop on the beach and shape shifted into my Human Form. The others quickly did the same.

    Then we were standing there on the beach looking at each other until I took charge.

    “Well, we’re here. Let’s get on with it.” I said sitting down.

    Pine, Miss Snow and Miss Rose sat down on the warm dry sand. We sat in a loose circle.

    “Tell us about Michar now.” Miss Snow said, unwilling to make any small talk.

    “I agree. Let’s get right to the point.” I said looking at Miss Rose.

    Miss Rose took a deep breath then said, “Michar was brought to my Village where I went after…well you all know. He had obviously been subjected to the Lesser Punishment. But he wasn’t brought out of compassion or caring.” Miss Rose glanced around at us.

    I felt a sinking feeling in me. I could tell Miss Snow and Pine were feeling the same.

    “Go on.” I said.

    “It’s gotten around he had brought humans into Our World to kill other Wolf People. That’s why he was picked up and brought to my village. He’s wanted. He hadn’t healed much at all when he had been found and was still helpless. Your Mr. Black let him go Louise but my Pack won’t. I spoke to him briefly, and found out he knew you all and I told him I also know you all. He got rather excited and wanted me to take a message to you Miss Snow. So here I am, giving you his message. He loves you Miss Snow and he wanted you to know that since he knows he is going to be killed by my Pack.”

    Miss Snow gasped and then cried out.

    I was horrified! I was going to have to save Michar again!

 

 

Reviews

[Black Cat Fever]

My. My. What's with Michar? He needs to be rescued again and Louise plans on being the one to do it, yet again.

[Star Wolf]

Poor Michar. Poor Miss Snow. It's all bad luck for them right now.

[Theresa]

Just when you thought Michar was in the clear an unsuspected twist. I hope Louise is able to save him again. I just thought it was strange that Miss Rose wanted to speak in a different area, but I might be looking to far into it. Great chapter.

[deeps]

Wow i got suspense and some action from this chapter here. I like this one alot. Very well written. excellent imagery, structure and detail.