Free Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack (Siren Publishing Classic) by Siobhan Muir

You will understand more the longer you stay in Callowwood.”
    “Forgive me, Sebrina, but it looks like he’s getting railroaded by that young punk, and the youngster should be showing the old man some respect. At least wait for him to finish.” Julianna shook her head. “I feel like the world’s gone topsy-turvy. Everything’s just odd. Guests are rude to the hostess in her own home. The young treat the old without respect. Heck, Mr. Lightfoot damn near interviewed me before the party started. I’m just a guest! Everyone’s excited like this is a special occasion, but I thought it was just a spring garden party. I know there’s something going on, but I don’t know what it is or what it has to do with me.”
    “Take me to my seat and sit beside me for a moment. I’ll try to explain as quickly as I can before you must play your part in this pageant.”
    Sebrina directed them to the table closest to the podium and Julianna helped her into her seat. Reading the place cards, she noted Sebrina shared the table with Richard, Tawny, and Jeff. She spied her own name on a place card beside Sebrina’s and was grateful someone had seen to it she’d sit with the few people she knew, even if they were the hosts of the party.
    Julianna took her seat beside the older woman and smoothed her skirt in an effort to stave off her jitters. Still, her heart pounded, and she hoped she presented a serene and confident façade. Her gut told her something big and frightening barreled her way, a runaway train of events she couldn’t stop. She could see the light coming, but she felt tied to the track.
    “Now then, daughter, there’s no reason to be so concerned.” Sebrina patted her hand where it unconsciously clenched in her lap, and Julianna forced it to relax. “I know you’ve only recently returned to Callowwood, so all of this will be a rude shock or worse, but the timing cannot be helped, and you must do the best you can with what’s presented to you.”
    “What’s going on, Sebrina?”
    The old woman settled herself in her chair. “Since you’ve been home, I’ve scented when you’ve changed into your Sister form, but she seems to have taken most of your choices from you when you changed.”
    Julianna blinked. “My Sister form?”
    “That of the Moon Singer, the dusky brown wolf who is the other half of your soul.”
    Julianna felt all the blood leave her face. “How do you know about that?”
    “Don’t look so worried, daughter. We all knew what you’d become the moment you returned.”
    “All?” Julianna repeated weakly.
    “Everyone here at this gathering.” Sebrina frowned a little, cocking her head to one side like a curious dog. “You’re now among more of your kind. Did you not know? Everyone here is a Moon Singer. You’re sitting with the members of the Callowwood Pack, the largest and strongest werewolf pack in the north central Basin and Range.”
    The words hit Julianna like thrown stones: Everyone here, werewolf, your kind.
    Julianna swallowed hard and gripped her chair tightly. Holy shit! All of them are werewolves.

Chapter Four:
    Candidacy for Luna
     
    Julianna clamped her lips together, trying to avoid throwing up the tea she’d drunk. Suddenly, all of Tawny’s remarks made sense. Werewolves, they’re all werewolves. She clenched her jaw to keep everything down as her hands gripped the edge of the table to keep from falling off her chair. They know I’m one, too. They knew at the funeral, but I was too stupid to see it!
    “The whole town?” she whispered.
    “Not all of it, but a lot of it. Did you really not know?”
    “No, I really didn’t know.” Oh my God, I’m such an idiot! “Jeff Lightfoot is one, too?”
    Sebrina laughed gently and hope began to bloom in Julianna’s heart.
    “Oh, yes, daughter. Richard Lightfoot has been the Alpha, the packleader, for the last hundred years and has ruled well, but he’s getting ready to step down and hand the leadership to his