Chapter Six- Bonding Traditions

Keith knelt by a stream and sipped some water in his cupped hands. He had stopped here last night and slept as he knew no werewolves would be found at night. He stood and went to a bush to eat some berries. He silently cursed himself. He hadn't thought that he wouldn't be a werewolf still. He deeply loved Allura despite her being a wifewolf and she still loved him though she said their engagement was off.

She asked me to forget about her, but I can't. I still love her and wish to be with her. He began to head back the way he had come, thinking he could stay in the village and wait for Allura to show up or for someone who pulled a cart out of the woods. He would then ask if they knew Allura and if they said yes, he would admit to knowing she was a wifewolf. It was a half-thought of a plan, but it was a plan, nonetheless.

Allura wandered around the village, the others greeting her by her title and answering her questions. The villagers supported one another like a family and it gave her a warm feeling. They welcomed her like a sister and they were happy to speak with her.

"The alpha didn't mention our weaknesses yet?" Hal asked when Allura asked about them.

Allura shook her head. "No. I guess it's because there hasn't been turned ones for months." She sipped some soup off her spoon.

"That is true and would make sense that he would not speak of them. Okay, then. Silver weapons and jewelry causes pain and Wolfsbane makes us weak and ill. Raw meat heals any wound, especially from silver and distance will help us recover from the weak feeling of Wolfsbane. A special herbal soup will help with the illness part or any poisoning a wolf may get."

"Oh. I guess that's why we leave in pairs or groups; to help each other."

"That and as a matter of safety. The entire world despises us as you know."

Allura averted her eyes. "I know and if I could, I would have put an end to the persecution. I never liked the idea of executing prisoners."

"Alpha, I don't blame you for the world's view! Our kind's been feared for centuries and hunted as well. It is only natural for us to band together and hide from the world."

"Speaking of which, how did the barrier come about?"

"Legend says a werewolf magician created it with a spell and the howls of the then small village. In order to keep it working, the village gathers before it once a year and howls to it while the alpha speaks a set of words left by the magician."

"Wow. That's amazing."

"And it will happen in a few weeks so you can participate and witness the special event."

"But before that, there'll be another special event. The Bonding of Lance and me. I should go as the alpha wishes to discuss it with Lance and me in the forest." She rose from her cushion.

"Of course, alpha and congratulations on choosing a mate."

Allura left the inn and headed toward the barrier where Pidge and Lance were waiting. She smiled at Lance who returned it before following Pidge through the barrier. The forest was quiet aside from chirping birds, but Allura's ears heard sounds no human could possibly hear. Her nose also picked up scents from faint to distinct. Her eyes were a bit sensitive in the sunlight but they easily adjusted. A happy smile appeared on her face. These enhanced senses make being cursed worth it. I will live in the village as the second alpha and with my soon-to-be mate. I will birth werewolves and wifewolves and school them in the village's rules and traditions as well as teach them to speak like humans. Allura imagined this future as she followed Lance and Pidge into the forest while wondering what the Bonding ceremony involved.

"Here we are," Pidge announced as they entered a small glen. He brushed aside a curtain of willow branches to reveal a concealed cavern. The stubs of candles sat in niches in the wall and Pidge lit them to provide light before sitting on a boulder while Lance and Allura sat on the floor before it. "This is where chosen mates and the alpha go when discussing their Bonding plans. Some want to have a ceremony in front of the entire village while others want a private one. Both options are performed by the alpha. Once Bonded, they must decide where to live. The wifewolf usually moves in with her mate's family house."

"Uh, maybe I should move in with Allura, if that is all right with you, alpha."

Pidge chuckled. "Yes, of course you can. Your family is quite extensive."

"Yeah. The females keep wanting to raise pups. You're almost a member of the family, alpha, you're there so often."

"In any event," Pidge continued. "The mates are required to wear a crown of flowers as the ceremony takes place at night and wearing rings would be problematic. Both of you choose the flowers you want and then you make your mate's crown."

"So I pick the flowers I want but Lance makes them into my crown." Allura said.

"It symbolizes our commitment to each other as wolves mate for life," Lance explained. "I've actually made a crown design a year ago and Mom loves it and honestly, so do I."

"Then, let's get started and maybe fish up some fish for lunch," Pidge said. "Although you can gather some berries to go with them. Just don't pick the ones near the stream."

"Why?" Allura asked.

"They're poisonous but not lethal. They cause severe abdominal pain to our kind but a remedy we have can cure it. The thing is one must be in wolf form before taking it."

"And if a human ate them?"

"In that case, the abdominal pain would eventually lead to death. The only way for them to survive would be to be bitten and then given the remedy."

"I see. That would require leading that person into our village."

"Yes, but most humans wouldn't take our offer as they hate our kind."

"You're right, alpha. Well, let's collect those flowers." She accepted a small basket Pidge held out and headed out with Lance behind her. Pidge left a little later to catch some fish to cook for lunch.

Lance found a patch of daffodils and bluebells which tickled his nose in a pleasant way and picked some of both. He moved on, thinking of the crown design he had made. It didn't matter what flowers Allura chose, they would work with his design. And I'm sure Allura will like it just as I'm sure I'll like the crown she'll make for me. I know she still loves Keith, but accepts that is as far as it'll go.

Keith moaned softly as he laid on the ground in the fetal position, clutching his abdomen. He was in serious pain. It hurt so much he couldn't move. But I need to move. I need to get medical attention, but the pain won't subside enough to allow me to get up and head into town.

He slowly moved an arm and put the back of his hand on his forehead but jerked it away and moaned again as his stomach ached. Oh, great; in addition to the stomachache, I've got a high fever. All I had today was water and berries. Wait. Those berries…were they poisonous? That would make sense and not good news for me. I'm dying and no one knows. Well, at least I left a message that I won't be coming home and my death will solve Allura's dilemma. She can focus on choosing a werewolf mate. Keith curled up even tighter as his stomach began to burn and he fell into an ill sleep.