Chapter 1: Moving On, Again

"Shannon, sit down. Relax, I'm not mad. I just don't understand why you don't want to work for Segolia."

"I'm sorry, Becca. I love the work, but this Cerberus business has shown me that wolfblood genetics research is dangerous. We wanted to use it for good, but after what Alex tried to do, I - I don't have much faith that the benefits outweigh the risks."

"You're incredibly bright. You could do a lot of good in the field. Don't let one person's actions ruin your future."

"I'm sorry, but I can't just let it go. That kind of power. I don't like it."

"Well, genetics isn't the only research Segolia does. We even have partnerships with a few universities, so I might be able to find you a job as a research assistant while you're in school. We really don't want to loose you. You've proven yourself to be loyal to your friends and to wolfbloods in general. People like that are in short supply right now."

"Alright then."

"The thing is, most of our other research is outside of the UK. You'll have to be prepared to travel."

/

Maddy crouched down in the forest, using Eolas to feel the world around her. The forest at home had been green, mossy and full of life, and the trees there had wide leaves. Here, it was all pine and spruce. It was too cold for moss, and animals stayed out of sight. Yet the vast evergreen forests of Canada felt more wild than anywhere she had traveled in England. Standing under the stately trees with an icy wind tangling her hair, Maddy felt at peace with her small part in this vast wilderness.

Suddenly her moment of serene contemplation was shattered by a vision of her father, in his wolf form, terrified. He was being chased by a man with a gun.

Maddy sprinted in his direction, hoping to reach her dad before the man in plaid had a clear shot.

Out of breath, she stopped in the clearing where she had seen them. "Stop!" she shouted, "Mr. McDonald!* Don't shoot!"

"And why not, Ms - "

"Jones.** Maddy Jones. We live just up the road."

"Right. And tell me, Ms Jones, why shoun'I shoot this mongrel I caugh' eatin' one of my calves."

"Because... you don't have a license?"

"No' good enough. The game warden has cattle, too. He won't so much as bat an eye if he hears I shot the varmint wha's been eatin' our stock." He pulled back the lever on his rifle and let it go, making a menacing click.

Maddy's father was getting away. If she could just stall a bit longer... "Please, sir, you can't. I brought me camera. I aim to photograph it."

"Of all the nonsense..." The farmer put the gun up to his shoulder, took aim, and fired. A cloud of dust erupted from the ground, seven meters to the left of the wolf. He fired again. This time, the shot was closer - about two meters to the right. The wolf picked up his pace, sprinting to the trees that marked the edge of the clearing.

Out of frustration, Mr. McDonald took one final shot and a bullet slammed into a tree trunk. "Look wha' yah made me do!" he shouted, "Get ou' o' here! Aren' you supposed to be in school?"

"I'm home-schooled, sir," Maddy replied.

"Bleedin' hippies! Well either way, ge' off mah proper'y!"

"Yes sir!" Maddy called over her shoulder as she ran away.

She caught her father's scent trail, and caught up with him half a mile from their caravan***. Daniel had transformed back into a human. "Thanks, Maddy," he said, breathing heavily, "I thought for sure I was a goner that time."

"Well, we know Old Mad McDonald is trigger happy."

"Don't call him that, young lady."

"Why not? He can't hear me."

"Yeah but your mother doesn't like it," Daniel replied, sternly.

"All right. But he is mad though. What was he goin' on about, you eating his calves?"

"Er-"

"You didn'!" Maddy laughed, "All this time you've been tellin' us to stay away from the livestock. Turns out you just wanted it for yourself."

Daniel exclaimed, "It was just this once! I was getting so tired of nothing but rabbits all the time."

"Right. Well, I won' tell mam about that, but you owe me one."

"Fair enough."

"Won't tell me what?" shrieked Emma, running towards them from the caravan, "Does this have anything to do with those shots I just heard?"

"Drat mam's excellent hearing," Maddy said, "Looks like you're on your own, Dad." She made a hasty retreat, muttering about starting supper back at the caravan.

She was met at the door by Rhydian, who looked concerned.

"I wouldn't go out there just yet, if I were you," she warned.

"Noted," he replied, as he pulled her in for a kiss.

Maddy heard her own heartrate speed up as she returned the kiss, wrapping her arms around his back. She could feel his heart racing as well. He'd joined her family in Canada months ago, but sometimes she couldn't believe he was actually here. She'd spent so long dreaming of their reunion, and now she relished every moment they had together. And moments alone didn't last long.

Rhydian gave her one last, lingering kiss, before pulling away and saying, "I think I hear your parents coming closer."

"Yeah," Maddy agreed, "Mam's getting all worked up. Wouldn't do for them to catch us snogging just now. How was town?"

"Good. There were a few letters in the PO box. You've got one from Shannon. And I managed to get all the supplies we need, including a nice side of beef."

Maddy smirked.

"What?"

"You're a little late there. Mr. McDonald just caught dad eating a calf."

/

At dinner, Emma was still lecturing her husband, "Dan, I don't know what you were thinking. You could've been seen, or killed."

"I know. I've already said I'm sorry at least a dozen times."

"Well, you obviously don't understand the gravity of the situation."

"I made a mistake. But all McDonald saw was a wolf. Not that uncommon 'round here."

"You took an unnecessary risk. One more incident like that and we head north, winter or not."

"Mam," said Maddy.

"Not now, dear," Emma replied.

"But mam, I have an idea. We could go south."

"Maddy, you know why we can't do that. Wolves and people - it just doesn't work here. Today was a great example of that. The farther south we go, the greater risk we take."

"But that's just it. Wolves are protected in America."

"America," Dan scoffed, "They've got more guns there than anyone else in the world."

"I've had a letter from Shannon. She's going to university in Montana. She'll be part of a program that studies the wolves of Yellowstone National Park."

Emma remarked, "So this is about you wanting to be close to Shannon again. Please don't put your friendship above our safety."

"I think you should listen to her," Rhydian said, taking Maddy's hand.

"As I was saying," Maddy continued, "Shannon is studying the wolves of Yellowstone Park. No one is allowed to shoot them there. And its big. Two million acres. That's nearly twice the size of all of Northumberland."

"And if Shannon's going to University there, maybe we could, too," added Rhydian.

"We'll think about it," said Emma.

Maddy smiled, knowing the battle was half won.

Author's Notes:

* Mr. McDonald is an ornery old Scotsman who immigrated to Canada to become a cattle rancher in Alberta. Not that he's a major character.

** Maddy's family changed their names, remember. It's not illogical for them to keep their first names and just ditch the surname.

*** Or RV, for us Americans.