Page 5 of Wolf's Mark

Only it was impossible to alter our DNA. We’d been around since the beginning of time. However, while we could breed with humans, our numbers had dwindled. While it was entirely possible for a child born of hybrid parents to shift, the difficulties could be considered a problem. Plus, few children born in the last twenty years gave a shit about their ancestry.

“I did a check on the numbers of packs after reading the email,” Riker said. He remained in the same stoic position, his posture all about asserting his Alpha authority.

“Yeah? And?”

“Even the number of packs is dwindling.”

I didn’t find that hard to believe.

The council members began to fill the stage, chatting amongst themselves as they remained standing. Other Alpha pack members had also arrived, the group now approaching two hundred.

“I heard some bullshit on the Wolfen dark web about fated mates.” Chase’s voice was suddenly filled with amusement.

“Meaning?” I asked. Fated mates, another ancient rule that had been abandoned for at least fifty years. There wasn’t a single pack member I knew who wanted to go chasing around the world to find their soulmate.

I no longer believed they existed. It was another fable in the line of ridiculous stories we’d all heard as kids.

“Meaning we might be forced back into the prehistoric era.” Chase laughed again as other members of the packs began to converge in front of the stage.

Riker snorted. “Fated mates? Such bullshit. Even if there was such a thing, I’m not ready to settle down.”

I remained quiet, noticing our mother appeared stressed. She’d had countless arguments with Cane Evans, a man who’d been the Wolfen council president for as long as I’d been alive. Some said his time had passed, that his wisdom was no longer important or needed.

While I wasn’t certain where I fell on the scale, it had become obvious my mother hated the man. She had different beliefs than most ancient council members, following along with the ninety-two percent of Wolfen who enjoyed their new way of life.

Only a few human spouses ever learned about our true heritage.

“Who knew Cartersville would be the center of Wolfen activity?” Riker was still amused while my hackles had been raised.

“You mean it is,” I told him. Cartersville was supposedly the location where our kind had been born. I took a deep whiff, sensing discord amongst the council members.

Something was off about the meeting.

“Don’t you remember a great battle was fought here hundreds of years ago?” Chase offered with his usual dramatic demeanor. “Wolfen against hundreds of humans with spears and tomahawks. The Wolfen won, forever preserving our way of life and making this hallowed ground a mecca of fertility. Therefore, the Cartersville pack is considered royalty, the Wolf family the supreme beings.”

“Just keep your mouth shut, Chase,” I told him. We weren’t royalty. The truth was that there were dozens of packs who loathed our existence. Our kind had its share of hatred, so much turning political given the Wolfen rules established so long ago. That had led to battles in the past, although killing one of our own kind was punishable by death.

“You’re not my boss, brother of mine.”

I was tired of the bantering, moving closer to the crowd while still keeping my distance. All the council members took a seat except for Cane. He was already at the podium, checking some notes he’d brought with him. I’d heard the man had developed health problems over the years and it showed in his sallow features.

Even his heartbeat was erratic. I could feel that from where I was standing. While our kind hadn’t been prone to human diseases or illnesses for thousands of years, the interbreeding had presented a new host of possibilities leading to our deaths.

There was no such thing as immortality.

Cane tapped the microphone and cleared his throat. “Thank you for coming. It has been a long time since we’ve held one ofthese meetings. Too long. I bring you a new item that must be considered for a vote.”

“Here we go,” Riker whispered, suddenly flanking my side.

I couldn’t imagine our diverse group agreeing to anything at this point. We were too scattered, too torn apart.

And too human.

“Our numbers are dwindling,” Cane continued.

“Tell us something we don’t know,” a pack member yelled from the crowd.

“Who cares!” another burst out.

---