Free Big Bad Wolf by Michelle Marquis Page B

burden in his heart. Gregor knew what that burden was. He’d seen it often enough in suicidal pack members who couldn’t find a mate because of this genetic cleansing. Even Gregor himself had all but given up hope of ever finding another alpha female like Amana to bring balance and love back into his tiny pack of…well, now three. Too bad the old grand dam had died over a thousand years ago of old age.
    “I hope one day you do, brother,” Gregor said. “But to the matter of the killing and enslavement of our females, that atrocity must be avenged. Lead us back to the east, back to where you came from, Boris. The werewolves who have taken your territories have been taunting the devil it seems, and now the devil will have his due.”

 
     
     
     
    Chapter 2
     
    The festival started just as the full moon came up. There were rides and games, but more than anything else there was meat, lots and lots of it. Small tables were set up all around the cul-de-sac selling everything from Italian sausage, to that all-American favorite, meatloaf. But there were also other types of meat dishes any way one would like them prepared. Patrons had their pick of cuts roasted, broiled and fried.
    The scent of a dozen spices perfumed the air: onion and garlic salt; fresh ground pepper; and sea salt. The rich, delicious variety made Eleana’s head spin and her mouth water. As she made her way through the crowd she made sure to be as pleasant as she could to her neighbors. It was all a game they played; she pretended to like them and they pretty much tolerated her. She didn’t know why things were the way they were, all she knew was this edgy truce had been going on since she was a little girl. And it sure didn’t look like anything was ever going to change.
    What a bunch of stiff phonies they all are. Most of them would stab each other in the back faster than a New York minute. A mouth-watering scent of pot roast filled the air and Eleana’s stomach growled. She walked up to Celia, a neighbor who had her table set up near Eleana’s house, and pulled out five dollars.
    “Can I have a few slices?” she asked, giving the woman her most pleasant smile. Celia was a bitch-and-a-half to Eleana most of the time but boy that cow could cook.
    Tiny wrinkles formed around Celia’s eyes as she forced a grin. It didn’t look like this woman smiled very much at all during her miserable life.
    “Sure you can, dear,” Celia said. She cut a few slices off the main loaf and placed them on a paper plate. Eleana took the offering and paid the woman, suppressing the urge to punch Celia in the face. If anyone on the planet was in dire need of a punching out, it was Celia, who openly hated Eleana more than anyone. Today was one of the cow’s good days . It’s probably because I can’t shift like the rest of them can.
    As the evening wore on, Eleana forced herself to visit all the tables, sampling every offering until her money ran out. Then, just as midnight struck in accordance with tradition, everyone began shifting into their wolf form. Everyone, that was, except her, as usual.
    She found a park bench and watched the scene. Young women stripped their clothes off in the middle of the street and transformed with a tortured grace. Soon they were the most beautiful creatures Eleana had ever seen, their soft luxurious coats ranging in color from dark brown to silver-gray. Oh how Eleana wanted to be one of them! Oh what she wouldn’t give to be normal for just one night! But watching them change and delight in their freedom was too much for her heart to bear and soon she did what she always did during these festivals. She went home vowing that the next festival she was going to stay home, watch movies and cook steak.
    * * * *
    Back in her bedroom, she opened her window and listened to the sweet music of the werewolves as they howled into the aging night. The sound twisted her heart and Eleana had to force herself not to shed a tear of disappointment. I