Chapter 1

    Armand lay on the bed in his room listening to his Wolf Father and Mr. Stonevalley talking in the front room. His Wolf Mom and Cerise were participating in the discussion too, a discussion about the Others.

    None of them had a favorable view of the Others. Armand didn’t either. The experience he had had with them could in no way be called pleasant.

    But we all were strangers to each other, Armand thought. It’s only natural and understandable we’d be suspicious and cautious.

    But for the same reason it was also understandable for the Wolf People not to want strangers in their midst, especially ones who had powerful magic at their disposal.

    Armand folded his hands behind his head and sighed. He didn’t really want to think about the Others anymore.

    He was glad Joshie and Mandie weren’t staying in his house. Mr. Brown and Maple were caring for them right now.

    Helping to keep them prisoner too, Armand thought with a slight smirk.

    With the entire Pack on alert they’d never successfully escape. Added to that Mr. Stonevalley’s entire Pack was on the alert as well as several other Packs in the area.

    Even if the two did escape they’d never get very far. They’d never reach their home deep in the forest.

    But it was obvious neither Mandie nor Joshie wanted to leave.

    More likely Shasta and Kyle would come to the Village and try to rescue them. Or lead a rescue mission.

    And they would never be able to reach the Village undetected. They’d be stopped by Wolf People before they got anywhere near it.

    It seemed like some kind of confrontation was going to happen, perhaps it would be a war.

    The forest around the Village was well into the Warm Time. The warm breeze brushed against the Douglas Fir and Broadleaf Maple trees creating a constant yet soothing swishing sound. The dark sky overhead was clear with a half silver blue moon spilling its sheen down on the world below. Myriads of stars twinkled and glittered against this dark canopy.

    The questing calls of owls drifted back and forth through the forest as well as the songs of a nearby coyote pack.

    Wolf People were out and about in the shadowy forest in their Wolf Forms, their voices rising and lowering in their songs.

    Armand grew restless. His thoughts went to Miss Feather. A vision rose of her in his mind. He had no trouble at all maintaining it.

    Her smiling face framed with her wavy brown hair, her radiant black eyes sparkling with what ever emotions she was having. He could easily recall the sound of her voice, her laughter and her giggle, a giggle he thought so cute.

    She is beautiful, Armand thought sitting up in bed.

    He decided he wanted to see her. Right now!

    But the conversation continued in the other room and didn’t at all seem it was going to end any time soon. The voices out there droning on and on and on.

    What to do about the Others.

    Armand didn’t want to pass through their talking. He knew the Others fate wouldn’t be to their liking and right now he didn’t care, didn’t want to be a part of anything to do with them.

    I’ll go out through the bedroom window like a little Wolf Child sneaking out of the house, Armand decided with a grim smile.

    He went to the window and slid open the screen and easily went through the opening.

    No one was close by the house to witness his rather undignified exit but he wouldn’t have cared too much if anyone had.

    The whole Pack was too busy being concerned about the Others.

    Armand walked through the Village heading for Miss Feather’s house.

    Wolf People greeted him as he went by. They couldn’t very well ignore him, pretending like they were too busy to acknowledge him. After all, he was the Wolf Son of their Pack Leader. Ignoring him for any reason would be unforgivable and totally disrespectful.

    Armand smiled as he reached Miss Feather’s house. He could hear her voice inside talking to her Wolf Parents.

    Armand went up the porch steps and rapped loudly on the door.

 

    “Someone’s knocking.” Moonshine said looking at Miss Feather.

    Moonshine, Mr. Grey and Miss Feather were sitting around the kitchen table enjoying a meal of cubed, raw freshly killed meat.

    Mr. Grey looked at Miss Feather. “It’s Armand.”

    Miss Feather smiled. “Good thing I’m almost done.” She said in her brightest cheeriest voice.

    “He seems more than just a friend, Wolf Daughter.” Mr. Grey said.

    Both her Wolf Parents were staring hard at her now, questions in their radiant eyes.

    Suddenly feeling nervous and trapped Miss Feather giggled. “We’re just friends!”

    “Is he interested in you two being Mates?” Moonshine asked.

     The knock came louder the second time. “I should answer the door!” Miss Feather said, jumping up now, eager to escape her Wolf Parents probing questions, questions she wasn’t ready yet to answer, let alone talk about with them.

    “We will talk more about this Wolf Daughter.” Mr. Grey said. “Go answer the door. Armand’s waiting for you.”

    With another nervous high giggle Miss Feather rushed out of the kitchen and went to open the door.

 

    Armand smiled a big welcoming smile when Miss Feather flung open the door. But seeing how nervous she looked he frowned.

    “Everything okay?” he asked her.

    “Yes. Yes. It’s just my Wolf Parents. You know how Wolf Parents can be.” She stepped out onto the porch and shut the door behind her.

    “I sure do. Mine are busy talking with Mr. Stonevalley and Cerise about the Others.” Armand went down the steps.

    Miss Feather was right behind him.  At the bottom they stopped and faced each other.

    “I wish we’d never discovered the Others.” Armand said.

    “Same here. Nothing good’s come of it.”

    They stood there looking at each other. Armand smiled at her slowly.

    Miss Feather giggled, feeling nervous all of a sudden, recalling her Wolf Mother asking her if Armand was interested in her being his Mate.

    “Feel like a run in the forest in Wolf Form?” Armand asked.

    “Yes! That would be great fun!”

    “Perhaps we can chase a deer or two.”

    “Yes! Lets!”

    They headed through the Village to the forest’s edge.

 

 

 

   

 

Reviews

[Sam Severn]

Freakin' FABULOUS!!! I'm in love with the world you've created! It's magical as hell, n' imaginative to the MAX!

Are the other "Wolf People" books published? If this is Book 4, I am gonna have to go back n' scrounge up some reading time for Books 1, 2, n' 3!
COOL STUFF! ㋡

[Black Cat Fever]

Great opening chapter to this 4th book. It's captured my interest right from the beginning.

[James Watts]

Not a bad start. I have a cat chick in mine, so nah. I liked this. Going to add it to the old library for future reading.

[Eric Cox]

Love the continuing adventures of the Wolf People. Very cool characters you've developed. Your writing makes a reader want to read on to see what new happens.

Great start! I'm not surprised that Armand still has strong feelings toward Miss Feather. They seem to be a cute couple.

[trish420]

Oooh are we going to see mroe action between Armand and Miss Feather this timae around too? How exciting!

[Star Wolf]

A great start to this 4th book of the Wolf People series.

[Sean M. Addams]

this is really good!!! like the characters and storyline alot.... i'm ready for chapter 2 ... really awesome job so far... you are the Queen of the Wolves