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woman in the chair seemed not to notice us, but I watched her eyes move ever so slightly as she
slowly scanned Alex and me.
Matriarch, my I introduce Tal O Duirwood, representative of the Coalition, and his
consort, the human mage Alexander Carlson. I believe you already know Suzzy Goodberries,
Matriarch of the Bitter Tooth Bear Clan. Her tone was formal even if the surroundings were not.
She gestured toward us. I give you Cynthia Willowbranch, Matriarch of the Bitter Tooth Wolf
pack, wife and mate of Thomas Willowbranch.
Suzzy, good to see you again, said Cindy with a smirk, ignoring the rest of us. I keep
telling you that need to stop by more often. We ain t seen nearly enough of you these past few
years. She stood and stepped toward Suzzy.
Cindy, you know how it is when you are Matriarch of a clan, life can get busy. Even
when you want to visit with your friends, it can be difficult. So how have you been? Suzzy
stepped forward and embraced the werewolf.
Oh, you know how it is. The guys go away on a hunting trip and leave most of the girls
to keep the home fires burning. Cubs to clean up after, new pack members to train, the usual,
she sounded so casual, but her face moved nervously.
That was why we ve stopped by, Suzzy replied, as they stepped away from each other.
You need help training your new clan members? I hadn t heard that the bear clan had
any new members. Last one I remember was about ten years ago and you guys threw a party that
rivaled one of ours. I m in the mood for a party right now. Where s my invitation to this one?
Cindy seemed so pleased with her incorrect conclusion, she was almost cheery.
Sorry Cindy, this isn t a social call. Tal and Alex have some information concerning
your men s hunting trip. Suzzy was more serious than I d heard her before. She took on a
commanding role with the other werematriarch. It was the first time she d used her alpha
energies in my presence, and overall, it was fairly impressive.
What have they done? They often go hunting in the fall. That s the normal hunting
season for most of this country, ain t it? she demanded as she turned on us. Her social tone
threatened to slide away.
If normal hunting involves changing as many people as possible into werewolves, then
that is what they re doing, I answered her accusing glance in a steady, almost monotone voice.
If you think they are off stalking wild beasts in some distant wood, then you re mistaken.
They re off hunting boar in Texas. Tom d never set out to change anyone without my
approval. I m his wife and mate! He needs my approval of every new member he brings into the
pack, just like I get his approval for the ones I bring over, she ranted. Her look had gone from
one of pleasant denial to near panic. The shift in her voice was almost unnerving, and showed
more than a little mental instability.
Do you always know of your husband s movements? I pushed.
Do you always know what your pretty little human does? Of course not, but Tom tells
me everything. I m sure they ll be home any day with their trucks packed full of wild boar and
maybe some good venison too. Her pale blue eyes were frantic.
They lie. A large American Indian woman stood up from one of the couches we walked
past. They come into our home with lies, trying to tear us apart. They re afraid that our pack
grows too strong. Even the bears fear our growing might.
We do not lie. Over the past couple of weeks, the men of your pack have been ravaging
the town of Yellow Sky, Texas. They re infecting one person apiece each night. When the full
moon rises, over three hundred new werewolves will run the night. One of your own, a wolf
named Wayne, told me before he went on to his next life, I explained. I hoped to talk some
sense into these women, but by the frantic look in Cindy s eyes that would be next to impossible.
Wayne s dead? A small woman near the back of the room screamed and pushed her
way toward us. As she cleared the front of the pack, it was obvious that she was beginning to
show signs of losing herself to her wereside. Her brown hair was too thick to be normal human,
her fuzz-covered ears were too long and her eyes showed the amber of her wolf.
I turned to her as she approached. I am sorry, but he d been sent to deliver a message to
me, and in trying to get information out of him, I killed him. I bent the truth a bit. He was
following the orders of Tom, and Tom is being commanded by a sorceress named Marcella
Bovelwood. She directs them in everything they do.
Impossible! Cindy roared as the other woman collapsed in a pile of tears and howls.
Tom and my pack answer only to me. I tell them what to do. No sorceress could command
him. Her eyes darted around the room seeking reassurance from her pack. The lower part of her
face shifted slightly, becoming longer. She began to lose control of her shape.
I have no way to prove my words other than taking you there to see for yourself.
Confront Tom and make him return with you.
No! The ancient man struggled to his feet. My son s a good man. I demand truth by
combat. You ve killed one of our own already. Defeat our warrior and we ll know you tell the
truth and our Matriarch will go with you. Be defeated and die here along with the Matriarch of
the bears. He waved a gnarled stubby hand at us that was more paw than hand.
Truth by Combat! others around him began to chant.
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