Chapter 9

A Chapter by Tina Kline

Miss Starfire and Mr. Hunter headed home after enduring watching Joshie and Mandie eating cooked meat with ‘greens’ that they had cooked with their meat.

Mr. Thunder was the only one who had managed to eat any of the raw cubed meat.

The talk had been light and superficial during the meal. As soon as Maple returned they made their excuses to the Other Twins and left.

Mandie and Joshie waved goodbye at the door as they walked away.

Mr. Thunder headed off in the direction of his house and Miss Starfire and Mr. Hunter headed for theirs.

A warm breeze blew through the Village rustling the Douglas Fir and Broadleaf Maple trees that grew in the forest surrounding the Village.

An owl called from the leafy canopy at the forest edge. In the distance several coyotes sang.

“What do you think Miss Starfire? We did good?” Mr. Hunter asked.

“I think so. We got some important information.”

“I think so too. They still trust us.”

“They still like us. But Armand is their hero.” said Miss Starfire.

“Armand only has eyes for Miss Feather.”

“He should be here helping with this Others situation.”

“I agree.”

They continued home, greeting the many Wolf People out and about in the Village.

As they neared their house they spotted Armand and Miss Feather emerging from the forest holding hands, looking into each others eyes and laughing softly.

“Ew! Look!” said Miss Starfire.

“Ugh for sure.” said Mr. Hunter.

“Armand!” called Miss Starfire.

Both Miss Feather and Armand tore their eyes away from each other and looked in Miss Starfire and Mr. Hunter’s direction.

“Hey Little Wolf Sister.” Armand said.

“Where have you been? No, wait. As if I don’t know!” Miss Starfire’s voice was sharp with her irritation.

“Hey! What’s up? You sound angry.” said Armand.

Miss Starfire came to a halt in front of Armand and Miss Feather. “I am. We’ve been helping the Pack.” She indicated herself and Mr. Hunter who stood beside her. “What have you been doing?” She looked at Miss Feather. “No, don’t tell me. It’s obvious.”

“Hey!” said Miss Feather. “Be more respectful.”

Miss Starfire just made a rude noise rather like a snort and walked off, her nose slightly in the air.

Mr. Hunter looked at Armand, smiled slightly and shrugged. He followed his Wolf Twin.

They both walked the short distance to the house, not looking back at all.

“Why are they so mad?” asked Miss Feather.

“Something to do with the Others I’m afraid.”

“They are nothing but trouble.” said Miss Feather.

“That’s all they are. I’ll walk you home sweetie.” Armand put his arm around her waist and they started walking toward her house. “We’ll have to start planning our Mating Ceremony. Decide when we want it.”

“Yes! Oh, I’m so excited Armand!”

“So am I. We’ll have our own house.”

Miss Feather laughed in excitement. “We’ll be so happy!”

“Yes we will. Happiness will be our dominant emotion!”

“Hey Armand.” Mr. Thunder waved at them.

“Mr. Thunder.” said Armand. “How’s it going?”

“I’ve been working on the Other Twins with your Wolf Siblings. We’ve been assigned the task of working them for information. If you’d have been here you would have been too.” He looked closely at Armand then Miss Feather. He raised his eyebrows in surprise then laughed. “Well! Well! Well!”

“No comments please.” said Armand.

“Why not? It’s obvious you two have Mated.”

“Is not!” cried Miss Feather.

“Is so!” said Mr. Thunder. “I can smell it…so don’t bother to deny what you two did!”

“Well!” exclaimed Miss Feather.

“We are soon going to announce our becoming Mates.” said Armand.

“Oh, I don’t know about that. You’ve missed a lot hanging out in the forest.”

“What do you mean Mr. Thunder?” Armand asked.

“I suggest you get caught up. Both of you.” said Mr. Thunder.

“Fill us in as we walk Miss Feather to her house.” said Armand.

“Sure.” Mr. Thunder told them all that had been going on with the Others as quickly as he could including what he, Miss Starfire and Mr. Hunter had learned from questioning the Other Twins.

“So.” said Armand as they reached Miss Feather’s house and came to a halt. “There are a lot of these Others and perhaps a lot of them know Powerful Magic.”

“Yes.” Mr. Thunder said.

“Well, we have Mr. Stonevalley’s Pack and a couple other Packs. I’m sure we could get more to join us.” said Armand.

“I’m sure we could.” said Miss Feather.

“Well, I better go check in with my Wolf Parents and Pack Leader.” said Armand. He turned to Miss Feather and kissed her. “We’ll still be planning our Mating Ceremony. There is no reason not to.”

“Really?” She looked at him with worry in her radiant black eyes.

“Yes, really.”

“Should you be making that promise Armand? We might be going to war with these Others.” warned Mr. Thunder.

Armand didn’t answer. He kept looking down into Miss Feather’s eyes. “I’ll see you later.” He said to her.

“Okay.” She turned to go up the porch steps to her house.

When she reached the door she turned to wave one last time at Armand who waved one last time back to her. Then she went inside.

Armand started walking to his house; Mr. Thunder fell into step beside him.

“I want Miss Feather as my Mate. I don’t want to wait because of these Others.” He growled.

“I don’t blame you but it looks like confrontation will happen.” Mr. Thunder said.

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