One by one the men in the room approached Pansy and lined up in front of her. Her uncle knelt and took her hand.
"I was your father's adviser." He told her. "And I was your mother- my sister's secret keeper. As such it is now my duty to inform you of her secret. Our pack must have two leaders-"
"Who else? Where is he?" She interrupted nervously. She did not support the traditions of arranged marriages and it might end up a deal breaker.
"Not a he, Love, a she; your sister." Pansy's face went blank with confusion.
"Uncle, I haven't got a sister."
"You do, Love. A half sister."
"No..." Pansy's eyes widened and she shook her head fiercely. She'd spent her life believing that they were pureblood supremacists but at least she'd always believed they were deeply in love.
"Don't worry, Darling," Her aunt soothed from her place by the pilar. "Your mother and father loved each other very much and were very happy."
"Yes," Her uncle explained. "But your father was injured shortly after your mother became pregnant with you. Your parents decided against pushing you into an arranged marriage for the sake of our pack, and your father knew that he could no longer give your mother children. So they chose another of our number to father your sister. Someone they trusted very much, and rightly so. Immediately after your birth, your sister was conceived and for her safety, she was sent away shortly after her birth. You must find her before the Dark Lord does."
"How?" Pansy asked, shocked.
"Your mother's journals may help; but first-" He gestured to the five other men kneeling before her.
"I am Wesser. I acted as an ambassador to the pack. It was my duty to approach possible allies."
"My name is Addam. I verified all of the information that came through the pack."
"Leighstrom, Miss. I approached those in need of protection."
"Avantes. I aided in developing and carrying out tactical procedures."
The last man spoke. "Cainis, my lady. I was your mother's general. I carried out her direct orders."
"Are you my sister's father?" Pansy asked.
Cainis smiled slightly. "No, Lady. He is not among us tonight."
"Why not?" She asked. "Shouldn't he be here?"
"He is on...other orders, Love." Her uncle answered. "Now it is time for you to take your place with us."
As the men returned to their wives, the women each pulled a flower from their braided hair, their husbands set a spark to them. Pansy's uncle beckoned her to them. She stepped in front of her aunt.
"For compassion." She offered with a smile. Pansy leaned in and inhaled the smoke from the burning petals. As she made her way to each pillar, inhaling the essences of ferocity, understand, wisdom, nobility, and truth, she felt something shift inside herself. Now, at the far end of the room, she began to itch. She turned to see all six women had followed her and were kneeling before her in a line. Her aunt, the first in line, spoke.
"I was your mother's adviser. I helped her through times of burden."
"I am Elise. I gathered leads for our pack."
"Donna, My Lady. I brought all information to your parents and divided it as per their instructions to the others."
"Aurellia. I'm the pack's healer, Lady."
"Mona, Lady. I handle the supplies."
"Strega. I was your father's commander. I also led the hunting parties and rescue missions."
"Darling," Her aunt spoke up. "If there is anything you wish to say or ask, I suggest you do it now while you are able." She advised.
"I don't understand," Pansy responded. "Define 'able'."
"Well, you will be quite unable, after the ritual is finished. For sometime at least."
"Oh..well," Pansy stood as straight as she could manage. "I'm not sure what kind of leader I could be, but I will honor my parents, and learn all I can from all of you until I have earned my parents' legacy."
Howling echoed through the massive chamber, then all at once it turned to a low thrum of chanting. The men gathered in the center of the room where a fire was being lit. The women still knelt before Pansy as the ground started to shake and thirteen misty, ghostly figures came up from the dirt and stone. They all took the shape of wolves which sat back on their haunches. One of the spirit wolves began a slow march to where Pansy stood. It howled to her and she tilted her head at it.
Pansy had never been possessed before and she had always imagined it would feel like being invaded. But really, when the wolf spirit entered her body, all she could feel was relief. Until the women joined in the chanting. Their eyes turned white and their fingers began to glow. With a rushing of wind each of the other wolves entered the bodies of every one in the room. Then they began to shift. Their skin was torn away like paper, revealing snapping, growling, very real wolves. She didn't even have time to panic before the wolves were on her.
