Elinore let the story sink in and wash over her like an ocean wave. When she spoke, she kept her voice soft and low. “Is that why this manor is called Ravenwood? For the raven?”
“Ravens are companions to wolves even today. Where you find wolves, you also find ravens.”
Elinore thought of the raven in her dreams and of those she’d seen around the grounds. At first, she’d been fearful of the raven in her dream, but now found it a welcome companion. She wasn’t sure how to phrase her next question. She didn’t know how to explain it herself, but she knew there was something about the call of the wolf that bit her. Though she hated its discordant howl and she shivered and felt repulsed by it, she was compelled by it. She tried to explain as much to Caleb in halting words.
“The wolf that bit me, when it howls… its like it calls to me and though I don’t want to answer, I feel I must. Once, when you were gone… I found myself wandering the grounds. Thankfully, one of the staff brought me back inside. I’ve not been outside again at night since, but…” She paused a sudden realization coming to her. “Mrs. Davenport. She brings me tea and stays with me until I sleep. I think… it keeps me here.” She glanced up and saw Caleb’s eyes troubled and grim.
“Mrs. Davenport knows a great many things. Herbs, tonics, mixtures. If she suspected you were being called out against your will, she would have done her best to keep you inside. Ravenwood takes care of its own. We are a pack.”
“George mentioned you asked him to look over me while you were gone.”
Caleb nodded. “I did. When Hayter spoke of ranks, he mentioned that yours is not yet set.” Elinore opened her mouth to protest that she would never be an Alpha pair with Hayter, but Caleb kept speaking. “I know you’ve no interest in Hayter, but, that is not the only consideration. The wolf that bit you, the omega, though it has no pack of its own, and though you are by default part of our pack, my pack, here at Ravenwood, the wolf that bit you … holds sway over you. An omega can start a pack of its own by biting members and compelling them to join. It can be difficult for them to keep their pack with no territorial land to speak of, for generally, omegas are nomadic, but it can be done.”
“For always?” Elinore asked, feeling dread coil in her belly. “Will I always be tied to the one that bit me?”
“Until you submit to an Alpha, to Hayter, then yes.”
Elinore’s stomach clenched at the word. “What do you mean ’submit’?”
“Wolves show their submission by baring their neck. At the full moon, if you shift, you will have to submit to Hayter as your Alpha to be a part of our pack. It’s our way.”
Elinore’s lips curled in disgust at the thought of submitting in any way to Hayter. She feared her submission as part of the wolf pack would lead Hayter to take other… liberties. Or to try, at any rate.
Caleb’s arms tightened around her. “It is pack dynamics to submit, but he cannot force you to be his mate.”
Elinore nodded at his words, but did not, could not, believe him. It was so simple for men, she thought. Caleb declared that she had nothing to fear and she was sure he believed his words. But Elinore had a deeper sense of Hayter, a woman’s sense. She’d known he was a predator long before she knew he was a wolf. She didn’t think she could submit to Hayter and she feared what that would mean for her longevity at Ravenwood. Her understanding was if she didn’t submit to Hayter, her only other choices were to submit to the omega, or become an omega herself. But to voice that out loud…
Caleb pressed his nose against her neck, inhaling her scent. “You’ve gone worried and fearful again.”
Elinore forced her lips to curve into a small smile. “It’s all very new to me,” she said, hoping he would not press her on her feelings. “It’s quite an adjustment.”
Later that morning, Hayter was nowhere to be seen and though Elinore should have been pleased, instead it made her wary. She thought she almost preferred seeing him and feeling his overbearing presence. For now, he was like a ghost in the shadows who might creep upon her when she least expected it. Caleb seemed troubled by Hayter’s absence as well and by lunch, he inquired of the servants for any knowledge they may have of his uncle’s whereabouts. One of the stablemen indicated Hayter had left, journeying back into Haleton, for what purpose he did not know. Sitting across the dining table from Caleb while they ate supper, Elinore watched his lips go thin at the news. Elinore waited for the staff member to leave before asking why Caleb was worried.
“I fear Hayter has gone to speak to one of the other packs by himself.”
“Is that… unsafe?” Elinore asked. “As Alpha, is he not able to travel alone?”
“On the contrary, most wolves are quite respectful of an Alpha’s status, but Hayter can be… abrasive.”
A sarcastic retort was poised on her lips, ready to issue forth, but seeing the concern on Caleb’s face, Elinore left her words unsaid. “Are there so many packs? Were you not just visiting some?”
“There are three packs within a few days travel of Ravenwood, and there are two more within a fortnight. We have spoken with the three close by, as they are allied with us, but he may have gone further. We are inquiring over the countryside for anyone who may have information about the omega. Any unreported bitings, any news of other packs missing anyone. On our recent trip we found out that other packs in the area had been experiencing animal deaths as well. It seems this omega is well-travelled over the countryside.”
“Are these other packs helpful? Is this the way of wolves?”
“Packs tend to stay amongst their own, but there is a sense of camaraderie with a threat such as this. We all fear being exposed and witch-hunted. Hayter is a strong Alpha, but is not… diplomatic. Ravenwood is a large pack in size, but not in wolves. We’ve only the two of us. Three, should you turn. We cannot afford for him to be abusing our allies.”
Elinore fidgeted with her cutlery, not wanting to say the words she was thinking, but thinking they needed to be said. “Should you go after him?” Caleb looked up at her, brows furrowed. “If Hayter is known to be somewhat… volatile,” she hedged, “would it not be better for you to follow him and sooth any abrasions he has caused?”
“Though your advice is sound, I do not like the thought of leaving you so close to the full moon.”
The full moon. The very words sent a thrill down her spine. Elinore could hardly wait to gaze upon the moon each night and see it fattening up, filling out, so close to brimming over with silvery light. But, it was not full yet. The true full moon was still some days away and though she could feel it creeping behind her like a delicious surprise that one waits for, it would not be that night, nor the next. There was time.
“I’m sure you can attempt to catch up with him wherever he may be and return in time for the full moon. You’ve yet to inquire with the rest of the stable hands. They may have information on where Hayter went. Or perhaps one of the closer packs may know.” She paused, considering his expression. “How concerned are you?”
“If Hayter should irritate or offend another pack…though he is difficult, he is my family.”
Elinore felt an assuredness in her next words. She reached across the table and grasped firmly at one of Caleb’s hands. He threaded his fingers through hers easily, holding her grip.
“You must go. Hayter may be your Alpha, but it seems as though he may still need a keeper.”
“I still dislike leaving you so close to the full moon.”
“I shall be fine. I’m not a child and there is nothing wrong with me.”
Caleb pointedly looked down at her arm where her sleeve had ridden up slightly, showcasing the black lines that were running from the bite, along the length of her arm.
“That will keep until the full moon,” Elinore said calmly. “I have no wish for you to go,” she rushed on, feeling she needed to push the words out before she became cowardly and couldn’t say them. “And I will miss you dearly. But I feel that the choice is clear. You must find Hayter.”
<
br /> The muscle of Caleb’s jaw flexed and he nodded tightly. “If I mean to catch up with him, I should leave presently. Tonight.”
It was Elinore’s turn to nod. “I feared as much. Or rather, I didn’t fear, but suspected.”
He tightened his grip on her fingers slightly and she forced her lips to curve in a reassuring smile. Dinner was silent for the remainder - both of them eating quietly, their hands entwined across the table. Almost immediately after they were finished, Caleb stood and came to Elinore’s side, pulling her to her feet and kissing her hard and furious. She matched his ferocity, not wanting him to go. She already felt a keen sense of longing pulling at her chest, even as he remained in front of her. Caleb pulled back and rested his forehead against hers, eyes closed. She thought she should perhaps close her own, but she liked seeing the inky spikes of his eyelashes against the soft skin underneath his eyes and the lines of his face. He clasped her hands in his, cradling them against his chest.
“Will you travel by horse or… as a wolf?” she asked, curious what he would choose.
“By horse. I can cover more ground. Though I’m fast as a wolf, I can’t compete with the horses.” His voice held a trace of humor and she smiled at him. “I will be back by the full moon. You will not be alone if the bite takes.”
“I await your rerun. I shall keep Ravenwood safe in your absence,” she said, a teasing tone in her voice until she realized it was true. She felt as though she could keep Ravenwood safe while he was gone. She would be the lady of the manor.
He opened his eyes and took a step back and she no longer felt that her eyes were crossing to watch him. “I’ve no doubt of you.”
His faith in her steeled her nerves, although she still felt agitated at the thought of him leaving. Wanting to do something for him, she cast her eyes about for anything that could possibly be of help. “You should pack some of Mrs. Thistlewaite’s biscuits for your trip.” She senselessly grabbed the plate from the dining room table with its biscuits piled high and handed it to him. It was only as he looked down at it and quirked his lips that she realized the complete foolishness of the gesture. She laughed at herself.
“Perhaps in a satchel would be a better idea than on the fine china,” she amended. She took one of the cloth napkins and fashioned a small pouch into which she then placed four biscuits. “Be safe.” She held out the handily made pouch and as he took it, he caught one of her hands and brought it to his lips, kissing the knuckles. Instead of leaving, he remained where he was, holding her hand. She heartily wanted him to stay, but there was also something inside her, something primal that demanded he go forth and find Hayter. Caleb must corral him, rein him in - if such terms could be used on a man like Hayter. “You must go,” she said quietly and felt he heard the truth of her words. Caleb let go of her fingers and took his leave from the dining room. She could not bear to turn around and watch him walk away, instead choosing to face the other end of the room as he left and closed the doors behind him. Another urge rose up in her, like the one that dictated Hayter must be located, only this time, the feeling built up in her chest, rose through her bones and came out of her mouth in the sound of a sad whine.
It was her wolf, Elinore realized with a sharp jolt. Placing her hand on her chest, she could feel the white wolf within her straining at the seams of her flesh. The longing feeling in her chest wasn’t just her own heart missing Caleb, it was the wolf’s heart as well. It was akin to the feeling she had when she stood outside that day, having the sensation that she should be on all fours, running into the forest. She felt now as though she were two beings - a human and a wolf. Neither were pleased with the circumstances and both were making their unhappiness known. How strange and… compelling. She wanted to find Hayter and bring him back, not because he was pack, but because he could cause the pack problems. But she also wanted Caleb close to her, within her sights. Elinore inhaled deeply, letting the feelings wash over her until they were no longer so strange and foreign, but a part of her being.
After a moment, she felt more in control. Her emotions were still there, but she no longer had the urge to bolt after Caleb, whining as she moved through the corridors searching for him. Nor did she feel so annoyed and angered with Hayter that she desired to go into his study and destroy his horrid stuffed animals. She would wait for their return, maintaining her calm for the rest of Ravenwood.
She retired to the library, walking past the room where the dreadful piano lived. If she turned into a wolf, Elinore would no longer play for Hayter, she decided. She did not enjoy it and he could not force her.
But what if she didn’t turn into a wolf? The question plagued her as she ran her fingers over the titles in the library, searching for any books or myths of wolves. Pulling a Norse Mythology book off the shelf, she sat in her chair and stared blindly at the pages. She was distressed to think that she may not change into a wolf. Perhaps she should be horrified by the notion of shape shifters and fearful, but she felt more sure and strong than she ever had. She wondered if those feelings always lived in her and were awakened by the bite or if they were caused by the bite itself. Either way, she did not want to lose them. Not able to concentrate on reading after several minutes, she slammed the book shut and made her way to the desk, pulling out several sheets of paper and a quill. In a rush of writing, she penned out her feelings in a letter to Charlotte, carefully avoiding any reference to the supernatural. She kept her thoughts to the feelings at hand - her attachment for Caleb, her fears of Hayter, her sensation of changing into a different woman, or perhaps only growing into herself. Organizing her thoughts on paper helped her understand them. As Elinore wrote, it was as though she could feel her friend’s presence, giving her companionship and strength.
It was late by the time Elinore finished, stunned to count her letter at over thirty pages. She gathered the pages up and took them with her to her room, setting them safety in her trunk. She would decide later if she would post the letter or not.
As she undressed and slipped into bed, she pressed her face into one of the pillows and breathed deeply, inhaling the lingering scent of Caleb. It thrilled her to think that he had been here, in her bed, just this morning. A tingle ran through her as she thought about him, about how he touched her and she pulled the pillow close, hugging it against her chest. How extraordinary her life had been since coming to Ravenwood. How much more extraordinary it still may become if she turned on the full moon.
The white wolf welcomed Elinore into dreamland, waiting patiently with a black raven on its shoulder. The wolf’s muzzle pressed against Elinore’s calf and she let out a low, canine whine. Elinore threaded her fingers through the soft fur on top of the wolf’s head.
“Yes, I know. I miss him too.”
Movement in the trees made Elinore’s heart thump. The feral wolf - in the bushes, watching her. Waiting for something. A low, growling sound came from its throat - deep and menacing. The sound washed over Elinore like a cold rain, leaving gooseflesh in its wake. The white wolf faced the forest, pulled her lips back over her teeth and bared them, showing off the shiny, white tips. Elinore felt her own throat make a matching growling sound in response to the feral wolf. She may very well be a wolf herself in a few days time. She would not allow herself to be cowed or frightened by this creature. The feral’s dissonant howl rang through the forest, making Elinore wince as it ripped through her eardrums. Though it was always tuneless and shrill, something was different, something that made Elinore’s stomach lurch.
It was not coming from her dream. The howl was coming from outside the manor.
Chapter Seventeen
Elinore awoke while the feral wolf was still howling. Hearing it both in her dream and in the waking world was jarring and incongruous. She pushed back the bedclothes and dashed to the window, hoping the light of waxing moon would paint the landscape more brightly than before or perhaps that her eyesight was better than it had been. In the trees, she was certain she could see the feral wolf - its golden demon
eyes glowing at her. She put her housecoat on, securing the sash tightly and rushed to her door. Before she even reached it, her hand still outstretched for the handle, she heard a scream - a human scream. Her heart thudded madly in her chest and for a moment she hesitated. Should she go out? Or should she remain in the relative safety of her room? Then, in her mind, she heard the words she’d said to Caleb echoing back at her. I shall keep Ravenwood safe in your absence. She was the mistress of Ravenwood. She would do her best to keep all inhabitants safe.
Elinore squared her shoulders and opened her door. She grabbed one of the lit candle sconces in the hallway, holding it aloft as she made her way downstairs on quiet feet. She paused at the bottom and listened with her preternaturally good hearing - something she was coming to rely on. She could hear voices coming from the kitchen area - toward the back of the manor. She made her way there on light feet.
Once in the kitchen, she spied Mrs. Davenport, Mrs. Thistlewaite, Alice, and four of the male servants just outside the back door, hovering around something.
“Is something amiss?” she asked, coming to join them.
“Miss Reed! Elinore,” Mrs. Davenport corrected herself, holding a hand over her heart. It was clear Elinore’s arrival had startled them all, but none so much as the kind housekeeper. “You should not be about at so late an hour. And in your bedclothes. You’ll catch your death.”
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