Chapter Two up and running! Don't forget to review for me, pplleeaassee! :D
MPOV
As soon as I entered, Alice came running up to me and said "There you are! What took you so long; we have to meet the wolves in an hour!" I sighed.
"I was running, I told you that. Now please Alice, let me go. I'm all set for the meeting, but I can already tell you aren't." I told her. She crossed her arms.
"What makes you think I'm not ready?" she asked.
"You aren't wearing your band." I told her, pointing to her left wrist. Her mouth popped open in a little 'O' and she ran up to her room to get her band. The others followed to go get theirs. I sat in the living room, thinking about my symbol on Seth's leg. I just couldn't remember what it was about. The girls came running back down with their bands on their wrists. Sighing with relief, we waved farewell to Esme, our mother, and sprinted out the back door.
Once we got to the cover of the trees and were close to the border, we all stripped except our bands and shifted. I sighed once I was back in my wolf form; it was much more comfortable than being human.
As we ran towards the border, I tried to think of where I'd seen that symbol thing happen before and came up empty. Alice's thoughts intruded in my head.
I can't remember it either. Where did you see that? She asked. I thought back to when I went running with Seth today and I heard her gasp and then giggle.
I thought you went running alone? Oh, nevermind. At least you have a friend now; that way you don't have to spend time around your love-stricken sisters. She told me, winking. I rolled my eyes at her, but nodded all the same. Stupid imprinting.
A few minutes later, I could smell the border close and veered to a small meadow with the boundary line going right down the middle of it. I stood proudly in the middle of the others, my strange fur glinting in the moonlight. A moment later I could sense the other pack running our direction.
When they all appeared out of the bushes, they looked shocked at our obvious feministic. I was upset they only had one girl in the pack, but I shrugged it away. Now wasn't the time. I was, however, disappointed that none of them had bands on their legs like they should.
I took in their colors and figures. There were ten of them in all. The one in front was a black one. The four behind him was a russet colored one, a dark gray one, a light brown one, and a slim gray one. Behind them was a chocolate brown one, a tan one, a black and gray speckles one, and another brown one. I noticed the sandy colored wolf in the back and recognized Seth. I locked eyes with him and he grinned goofily. I snorted at him; immature, but still hilarious.
Alice grinned goofily when she heard what I said. I snorted at her too. Suddenly I heard the solid thumps of two wolves coming up behind us. I'm surprised I hadn't noticed them when they shifted. Carlisle and Esme bounded into the clearing, take up their positions behind me. We now had six wolves on our side. By the end of the week there would probably be nine of us, if we could anger the other three. Easy.
I noticed with approval that Esme and Carlisle had not forgotten their yellow bands. I was the same rank as them, and I was immensely proud of myself for it.
Once we were assembled in our spots, I howled up to the sky and the other five joined me, howling at the moon. Suddenly I could hear Seth's voice in my head like I did earlier.
Why are you howling? A tradition from back home? He asked. I nodded my large head.
Yes, at the beginning of every wolf meeting, all members are supposed to howl. I told him.
Why? He asked. Why not just say 'hello'?
It's supposed to be a formal greeting, and it's tradition for all packs. I supplied. He snorted and shook his head, but otherwise didn't comment.
The leader, a large black wolf I knew to be Sam, stepped forward. I took a step forward, bowing my head for a moment before raising it back up. He only stood there. In my head I scoffed He's still a pup.
Alice looked over at the rest of them and said They're all pups; probably only 17 or so each. I agreed and chuckled. They probably thought we were that young too. Wow did they have a lot to learn. I repressed a sigh.
Grinning, I turned my attention back to Sam, who merely stood there, unsure of what to do. I rolled my eyes and said Might as well shift; The stupid pup. I turned around, flicking my tail in irritation. I ran back to where our clothes were stored nearby and shifted, getting changed. I ran quickly back to the clearing. Sam was just coming out of the trees on the other side in nothing but a pair of cut-offs. I rolled my eyes again. They're so lazy.
Sam came forwards and said "Greetings; I'm Sam Uley, leader of the Quileute pack."
I nodded and bowed respectfully. "Madelyn Cullen; former leader of the Sand pack, leader of the ShiftingColors pack."
He bowed out of respect and then asked "I'm assuming you and your family have moved to Forks?"
"That is correct." I nodded again.
"How long will you be staying?" he asked. I glanced back at Esme.
"For a couple years, then we will move on again so folks don't get suspicious. If something goes awry before then, we might have to move immediately." I told him. He looked surprised by this.
"Why move so often instead of stay in one place?" he asked. I rolled my eyes. Such a childlike answer.
"People tend to get suspicious when you don't age and live in the same place for hundreds of years." I told him. He looked shocked for a moment.
"Not to be rude, but exactly how old are you?" he asked cautiously.
I stood up straighter "I'll be turning 243 next month. I'm the oldest beside Carlisle and Esme, our parents. They're both 268 years old; I was their first child when they became wolves." I told them. They looked shocked for a moment.
"I'm assuming your parents are imprints?" he asked casually.
I nodded. "Yes. Carlisle became a wolf and imprinted on Esme. A few days later she changed too. I'm surprised to hear you have so many imprints, but none of the actual imprints are in your pack. Why is that?" I asked him. He looked surprised.
"When you imprint, you're imprints change into wolves?" he asked, astonished.
I nodded. "Of course, it's tradition. That's why we had four packs at home; there were so many of us. We were more spread out to protect the area we lived in better." I informed him. He shook his head.
"If you will agree not to fight with the pack and live peacefully in this realm, we will not cause any harm to your pack." he said, trying to sound authoritive. He sounded like a newborn pup.
"Good. Will we see you at the monthly ritual?" I asked him before he turned to leave.
"Monthly ritual?" he asked, confused. I rolled my eyes at him.
"Yes, pup, monthly ritual. The one all wolves are supposed to partake in. It's no wonder none of you have your bands yet!" I scoffed. Sam looked offended for a moment and began to shake.
"Oh, stop shaking pup. Learn some real control before you try to become a real leader. All leaders must have solid control, and should know the basics." I told him. He looked slightly abashed and still looked mad, but the trembling had stopped.
"Alright, O' Wise One. Explain this monthly ritual." he said, crossing his arms.
What a pup I thought. "The monthly ritual is when all members of the pack must go up to a craggy peak of some sort, or an open field, and give thanks to the moon for her support and help. Also, it is a time for discussions, arrangements, and for new additions to any pack to receive their training bands. Each ritual is on the night of the full moon. We will give thanks on the cliffs overhanging the ocean. Will you be joining us to receive your training bands?" I asked them.
Sam thought about it for a moment, and then bowed respectfully, saying "Yes, we shall. We do not know these strange rituals, but we would like to learn from them, and receive these 'training bands' from you. I'm guessing you move up rank by rank through the bands?" he asked.
I nodded, saying "Yes. The band colors go black, brown, purple, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange, pink, red, white, and finally you get a power-band with your symbol etched into it. Each individual wolf has their own special symbol. The power band is the highest ranking band any wolf can get. It makes them a legend; a hero of sorts. No power band wearer has ever been defeated. They've only died when they decided their time should be over. On my next birthday, I will have to go back to the South to be inspected by a power band holder in order to possibly receive the next band." I told him.
To say he looked shocked would be an understatement. After a moment he nodded and said "See you at the ritual."
I nodded and ran back into the trees with my sisters. They shifted and got dressed. Once they were dressed, Alice turned to me.
"Hey Maddie, when do you think I'll get my green band? She asked me. I smiled at her.
"Soon. Your skills have improved since your last assessment. Maybe this year, or maybe the next, but either way, very soon." She smiled at me. I smiled back and hugged her.
"I think you'll get your orange band soon too. None of the wolves stand a chance against you." she said. I grinned at her.
"You think Rose will get her yellow band, and Bella her green band too?" she asked. I nodded.
"In five years, we'll be able to say proudly that we have gone up a band level. Whether we all move up sooner or later I don't know, but it won't be too long now." I told her, smiling. She smiled back.
Right then, Seth came nosing through the bushes in wolf form. I laid a hand on his shoulder in a comforting way as he stood beside me. He lied down on the forest floor and gestured to his back with his muzzle. I sighed and rolled my eyes, but otherwise sat on his back. How dramatic. I could hear the Underworld background music now. Absentmindedly I began to hum it. I heard Seth chuckling beneath me. He stood and began to lope through the trees in the direction of my house. After a few minutes, I saw the lights from inside and grinned. Home.
Seth loped over to the front door and I slid off his back as he ran into the woods. A moment later he came back in a pair of cut-offs. I smiled and led him inside. I could already smell Esme making dinner in the kitchen. I sniffed the air appreciatively and sat down on the sofa with Seth. After a moment Alice, Bella, and Rose came through the door. They were talking about their bands. As they were going upstairs, I turned to Seth.
"So are you excited to get your band?" I asked him.
"I'm still confused about this whole band thing. Enlighten me." he said.
Sighing, I explained. "A wolf is supposed to wear a band on their wrist so that people know they're protectors. The color of the band shows how strong they are, and how powerful. The wolves with power-bands have magic, but they won't tell anyone when they gained it, so whether it was during the time of their power-band or earlier we don't know. They are the strongest of us all, and nothing can oppose them. Even though there are so many of us, we have so far been undiscovered, though we expect that not to last. A wolf's job is that when they receive their yellow bands, they are to travel the world and learn as much as they can.
"Learning is the only way they can really study. The only way they become stronger. They travel the world to learn from other packs of wolves; fighting styles, techniques, traditions, legends... everything. Even the languages they speak. So, since I am a yellow band, I have begun my travels, taking my blue band sisters with me. Rose is a green band, so she's practically getting advanced studying. When our birthday comes, we will all go back together for an assessment. If we pass, we are moved up a color band. The higher color rank you are, the less people that will dare to challenge you.
"We came here to study your culture of werewolf-ism, and were upset by how basic and childlike it was. Apparently no one has explained the rules to all of you. We are here to take care of that. The teaching of all of you will help boost my way to orange band, and Rosalie's to yellow, so we are happy to teach. Also, training my sisters' new imprints will boost our way. It's a learning experience. Anyways, you will all begin with black bands, and you shall meet with us higher bands every day for training, plus keeping up your patrols. It's hard work, both those who try hardest and succeed in their learning will move up to brown bands.
"And no, even though you are my friend, you will not receive any special training or help when you get tired. You will work like the rest of them, but shall be rewarded greatly. Even then, through all the hard and pain of training to be a wolf, you must keep up your human facade and you must exceed in your studies. The lowest tolerated grade in any class is an A-, so I suggest you reconsider how important school is. For those out of school, we will test their work and/or college. You cannot drop out of this practice once you begin it, unless you are going to forever quite being a werewolf. Where I come from, you had to earn the right to call yourself a werewolf."
I explained it as best I could, and repeated what my mentor had told me when I was getting ready to go to my first monthly ritual to earn my black band and begin my training, still a kit. Seth sat there lost in thought for a moment before he slowly nodded his head and began to smile. I was about to ask him what that was about when he spoke.
"I'll grow stronger, smarter, and more powerful than the others. I won't be teased if I rise in the ranks with them; I'll be accepted, even being the youngest. It's a dream come true." he said. I smiled at him and when I heard a plate being set on the kitchen table I grabbed his hand and pulled him into the kitchen.
Esme had set out all the food, and it looked like enough to feed a football team. Smiling, I sat with Seth at my side. I saw Alice come downstairs and take one look at the kitchen table before her ears perked. Mine did too; tires coming down the driveway. Alice squealed for Rose and Bella and they came flying down the stairs.
I didn't need to ask who was here; it was their imprints. Invited over just for a short dinner and then for project buddies. I didn't even want to begin guessing how they got their partners the way they did. I sighed.
Seth looked over at me and raised an eyebrow.
"Don't talk about anything that has to do with werewolves or the packs, nor our bands. Nothing in relation. They aren't to know anything until the moment they change, not even that they're imprints, okay?" I asked him. He nodded in understanding. A moment later, I heard the front door open and close. Then the six teenagers came in and sat down.
We all immediately began to dig in, we wolf girls scarfing down more than Seth. Everyone talked casually about sports, school, colleges, blah blah blah. I didn't pay attention that much. My attention kept becoming divided between Seth and my food. Throughout the entire time he kept making silly faces at me, using his food. He had two baby carrots, and he stuck them in his teeth so they were hanging down like vampire fangs. I nearly narfed my drink! When I'd finally eaten my fill and I noticed Seth was done, we got up and excused ourselves. We ran upstairs to my room, laughing.
We went all the way up to my room and when I opened the door I grinned. I loved my room.
My room was so different from the others' rooms. My carpet was green and brown like the forest floor, and all the furniture was made of dark wood that we'd carved ourselves. The walls were painted in various mixtures of browns and greens in swirling patterns, and then there was my favorite part. Wolves were painted all over my room; each with their own band on their legs. They were all my wolf friends from back home, of the Sand pack, along with my family's pack of the Shifting Colors. There was still plenty of space between them though for more additions.
I sighed and flopped down on my bed. Seth walked around my room looking at the paintings of all the wolves on the wall. "All these are real wolves?" he asked.
"Yes, from the ShiftingColors pack back home. We were the largest and most advanced pack; the most powerful." I said. He looked around in awe.
"There's so many of them." he commented. I nodded silently. After a moment he grinned and came running towards my bed, flopping down on it next to me, laughing. I laughed with him as the bed bounced from the shifted weight.
Seth and I sat up and spent a while talking about the most random things, from motorcycles, to pizza, to music, to why the sky is blue. This kid was always in such chipper spirits, and he said the weirdest things. I swear I'd never laughed more in my life. After talking for a while, I heard a distant howl, but I didn't recognize it. Seth perked up his ears and said "I gotta go."
He hopped off my bed and started walking out the door. I waved to him when he turned around. "Bye Seth; see ya at school." He waved too and ran out the door and down the hall. Sighing, I hopped off my bed and went to my desk, sitting in the chair in front of it. I opened up my bottom desk drawer and pulled everything out of it, setting it on my desk. I reached to the back and felt around for the lever. Finding it, I pushed it down and the bottom of the drawer popped up and open.
I reached into the dusty confines of the hidden empty bottom of the drawer and reached to the back, pulling on the chain I had hidden back there. I pulled out the chain with the charm on the end and sat back in my chair, staring at it.
The chain was simple, but it was a flex chain, meaning if I was wearing this necklace and was to suddenly shift, it would stretch with my body. Even then, the chain was uber long, so the actual charm hung to my abdomen. The charm itself was a specialized mood necklace, one that was made just for me by the power-band holder back home. It was to warn other wolves when they were pushing things too far.
The charm shape was that of a wolf, running. It was a gorgeous charm, but I hadn't yet worn it. The power band holder told me not to start wearing it until I began my world-wide learning, my travels. Now that the time has begun, I needed to start wearing it. I smiled. I had always admired this necklace; I loved it. I slipped the chain loop over my head and held the charm for a moment, staring at it. Right now it was dark blue; calm.
I smiled and began putting my stuff back in the open drawer. Once I was done, I changed into my pajamas and turned out my light, climbing into bed with my necklace still on. I was to never take it off, no matter what. Smiling, I slept peacefully and until the wee hours of the morning.