Fool's Gold by E. A. Copen

Author:E. A. Copen [Copen, E. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: E.A. Copen
Published: 2020-03-12T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Lou had told Nic to report to the pack gathering place, but Nic didn’t know where that was, and there wasn’t anyone to ask. They were already there, judging by how empty Lou’s place seemed to be. There were several trucks and another Jeep parked out front, but no one answered the door when he knocked.

They must be close by. Nic circled the house and caught a whiff of Bryce’s familiar scent on the air, which he followed into the woods behind the house. Snow crunched beneath his boots. It was still coming down, though not as fast as before. His wolf thought the snowy cold weather would make for good hunting, but Nic wasn’t so sure he could oblige his wolf half. Lou would expect him to Change, maybe even force him to, but Nic wasn’t sure he was ready mentally or physically.

After walking a short distance, he spied the flicker of a fire in the distance. When he stepped through the tree line into the clearing, it was like stepping into a different world. The forest floor lay bare of snow, covered in frosted leaves. A huge bonfire blazed in the center of the clearing, and familiar faces stood around it in a circle.

Bryce greeted him with a nod of his head, and Mandy smiled at him from the other side of the fire. Ruby put a gentle hand on his back as he passed, a welcoming gesture. He recognized several other werewolves from the funeral, but couldn’t recall their names. Mitchel was the only other name he could remember, and he stood over by Lou, giving Nic a harsh glare. Nic ignored him and went to stand between Bryce and Mandy.

Lou waited for him to take his place before he stepped forward, the light of the bonfire flickering over his face. His voice boomed through the clearing. “Today has been a long, hard day for all of us. This morning, we said goodbye to a beloved member of the pack, and while we will continue to mourn Temple’s passing, we must remember that we are more than any single member. We are a pack.”

“The lone wolf dies, but the pack survives,” murmured everyone in response. Everyone except for the three inductees.

“We are stronger together,” Lou continued, pacing and eying the gathered wolves. “And not just because there is strength in numbers, or security in companionship, but because in times of weakness, we must look to each other to find strength.”

“I offer my strength to the pack,” said the others, joining hands and forming a semi-circle, “so I may be strong.”

“Tonight, I bring before you three prospective new members.” Lou turned and gestured to Nic, Bryce and Mandy. “I believe each one has something to offer us, and that we can help each of them. I ask you to accept them into the pack now, and to extend to them all the protection, power, and strength that entails.”

“I offer the bonds of my pack and all that have been asked without limit,” chanted the crowd.

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