Howl About It

by Donna McDonald

  “What’s in this charm? It’s like being hit with lightning and it’s still running through me.”

  Her charm-giving stranger giggled and clapped her hands gleefully. “This is way more fun than I remember it being before. I may start giving these out to all my special friends for their birthdays.”

  “Glad you’re so entertained by my reaction. Can I go now?” Moona took the outstretched glowing hand when it was offered. Her legs seemed normal once she was standing again.

  “No, we’re not finished yet. The best part of this gift is that the charm works by putting you in touch with your true witch powers temporarily. Have you never felt it swirling through you before? That lightning feeling you mentioned? That’s all you, Moona.”

  Shaking her head, Moona stared at the woman in wonder. “Are you telling me this is what it’s like to be a witch?”

  “What if I said it was? Would that make you respect your powers?” Her special friend smirked. “Your mother denied her witch power and nearly died for doing so. Your sister had no idea what she was until she was given her powers all at once. I’ll tell you something else too—if your witch sister hadn’t done what she did in changing your mother into a wolf, your pack would have already been gone.”

  The female stopped talking and shook her head.

  The truth hit Moona and rang all over her body like a struck bell. “Willa saved our mother. She’s my sister. If she hadn’t saved our mother, I wouldn’t even exist,” she said, summing it up.

  A solemn nod was her answer. Moona sighed at all the revelations of the last few days.

  “I’m sure you’re wondering about many things right now,” her special friend began, “because I know how much knowledge means to you. You’re wondering—why do witches say no to using their magic? What I’ve learned in all the millennia I’ve watched over them is that humans aren’t always brave enough to deal with the consequences of using magic. But I don’t think you’re going to have that problem, are you, Wolf Witch?”

  Moona shrugged. “I’ve never considered myself human, so I’m going to say no.”

  “I validate that conclusion, but you cannot change your past. Your mother was once human and humans will one day show up in your lineage again. DNA was made to work like that.”

  “Are you saying my children will be human?” Moona asked.

  “Maybe children. Or grandchildren. Or great-grandchildren. I’m saying no one knows. That’s determined by natural law. Individual fate only kicks in when the spirit attaches to flesh. Humans call it the quickening. Magicals call it Gaia’s work.”

  “Why are you telling me this now? I’m heading to a fight. None of this might matter tomorrow.”

  The woman danced around in a circle while giggling. “Because I love, love, love giving advice and seeing if it gets followed. It’s the best part of my job.”

  Moona sighed. “Your advice doesn’t seem very helpful at the moment.”

  The woman stopped dancing and fisted her hands on her hips. “Fine. Here’s something that is. Your ancestors want you to have the energy they left behind in this world. So few ever call it to them. Don’t make that mistake. It could one day save your life or the life of someone you love.”

  Moona turned and looked at Sha who was now looking at her and blinking. She put her hand over the charm resting on her chest. “Do those same rules work for animal ancestors as well? I wish Sha could call back her past.”

  As her words hit the air, power was suddenly wrenched away from her. It went zinging to the bobcat who yowled in shock before exploding into an enormous creature who roared in alarm.

  Her special friend pried her fingers off the charm while Moona stared at Sha who was now roaring with fear and checking her enormous feet. Her benefactor whistled as she checked Sha out.

  Moona gasped. “So that’s what a liger is. Wow, she’s really huge. No wonder they killed her.”

  The woman nodded. “Yes, Sharada is huge. Be careful what you wish for, Wolf. Your will is stronger than even Elenora realized. That wish you made manifested instantly. And by the way, none of the magical things you do with the charm can be reversed. The charm expires in three days or three uses—whichever comes first. Use the rest of your power more wisely.”

  Moona watched her benefactor walk to the enormous Sha and chant over her until the liger returned to being a regular bobcat. They stared at each other for a while. She saw Sha’s head nod enthusiastically before the woman stooped and patted the bobcat on the head.

  “Thank you for fixing her,” Moona said softly. Her respect for the female left no room for any emotion other than humility.

  To her shock, the glowing woman shrugged and laughed again.

  “Congratulations, Wolf-Witch. You now have a liger for a familiar. Sha will have to learn to control that old beast form of hers, but I’m sure she’ll manage—eventually. She’s very determined. You two are a good match.”

  “I’ll use the charm more wisely the next two times.”

  “Fight well,” the female said, gripping her shoulder and squeezing.

  Then Moona found herself staring at empty space where the stranger had been standing just moments before.

  12

  At the house, a nervous Jared paced until he saw Moona and Sha walking back. The Jezibaba circled overhead and landed just before Jared caught Moona up in a relieved hug.

  “Stop disappearing on me,” Jared ordered. “I could feel you in the woods, but just tell me you’re going before you go. I hate waking up alone now. I missed you.”

  “Sorry,” Moona said, pushing his hair back from his face. “Sha and I had a friend stop by to wish us luck.”

  “What friend?”

  “I don’t know, but she brought me a belated birthday present and told me more about my mother and sister. She seemed invested in me becoming a witch one day. That’s really all I know.”

  Both Jared’s eyebrows raised. “Sometimes you really do sound crazy.”

  Moona laughed. “That’s certainly been the case since I started dealing with dragons. All the woman told me was that she was my special friend.”

  Jared looked over his shoulder at the female behind them.

  “Don’t look at me,” Elenora said with a chuckle. “I’m not the only person who ever used that phrase. Nice power charm, Moona. Better put it inside your shirt to protect it. You don’t want to accidentally trigger it.”

  “Too late. I’ve already accidentally used it once. Sha got her liger form back.” Moona pushed away from Jared’s hold and did as the Jezibaba instructed, hiding the charm inside her shirt. It hung between her breasts and felt amazing. The energy in it made her feel nearly invincible.

  Sha yowled to get her attention. Why did you tell him about the liger? Now Jared won’t let me stay in the house.

  Moona laughed at her bobcat’s concerns. “As liger, you’ll have to have your own house. Dudette, you were huge in that form. In a good way though. I hope you’re not mad at me for bringing back your past. It truly was an accident.”

  I heard your wish. I know you meant well. Sha made a bobcat huff. The sound made Moona laugh again.

  She looked at Jared. “I’m sure you hearing the one-sided conversations I’m having with Sha all the time now isn’t helping me look any less looney.”

  “You’re fine. Lots of great sex will probably keep me tolerant of your crazy side.”

  Moona smacked her mate on the chest and made him chuckle. She looked at the Jezibaba who lifted a brow and flashed dragon eyes at them both. “Let’s go get this over with. Jared and I have a lot of better things to do.”

  “As do I,” Elenora said, calling to her dragon form.

  “Here,” Moona said, putting two tiny pills into Jared’s hands as the Jezibaba walked away to shift.

  “Are they magic beans or something?”

  Moona snorted. “It’s medicine. The pills will help you fight off the flying sickness. Chew them. They’re harmless.”

  “All abo
ard the red dragon,” Elenora said, extending one of her giant front claws for them to climb into. “You too, bobcat. I can carry all of you.”

  Sha looked to Moona. Tell her thank you but I’ll find my own way there. I need some time to think and I have something to do.

  Moona turned to Elenora. “Sha said to tell you no way in hell was she riding there on your back. I think she’s afraid to fly, but she said she would meet us there.”

  An indignant yowl rose from the ground. I did not say any of that… and I am not afraid.

  Moona grinned at Sha as Jared settled behind her. His body against hers was comforting and made her feel loved.

  “Stop giving your bobcat a hard time,” Jared ordered. He wrapped his arms around her. “Have you ever flown on a dragon before?”

  Shaking her head, Moona reached out and stroked the Jezibaba’s red dragon mane. “No, I haven’t flown on a dragon, but I’m not afraid to fly. I hope it doesn’t scare you off, Jared, but this is my idea of a good time.”

  Jared chuckled in her ear. “Give me the ground under my paws any day. Let’s see if you still think flying is fun once we land again. Personally, I think magical transport would be easier, even though that popping in and out stuff seems pretty awful to me as well.”

  Elenora turned her massive head and contemplated her passengers. “You know something, Wolf? I agree with you.” She lifted both front dragon claws and clacked her talons together, grinning as she heard both wolves on her back swearing.

  Elenora had brought them to Jared’s house then left, but she’d vowed to return before the fight ended.

  “I’m a bit disoriented, but not sick,” Jared reported. “How about you?”

  Moona shrugged one shoulder. “I liked transporting. The only thing better would be doing it myself.”

  “That definitely proves my point. Wolf Witches are inherently crazy females,” Jared teased.

  Giggling at her mate, Moona looked around. “You can tell you live alone.”

  Jared waved a hand. “Fix it. Change it. I really don’t care so long as you stay. We’re going to either build on to the kitchen or find you a whole other place to brew your potions.”

  “Assuming I remain the pack’s healer.”

  Jared tilted. “Why wouldn’t you?”

  Moona shrugged. “I like the work. I’m just… everything feels strange today.”

  “Agreed,” Jared said. “And I’m not the best company at the moment. My hackles are raised and I’m concerned for you.”

  Moona knew pushing him to fight was the real reason they were both here. She sighed and looked around. “Your house is great. This is bigger than my quarters at the fairy palace. Willa’s house is like living in a thimble.”

  “Speaking of Willa…” Jared began. He ran a hand through his hair. “What’s going to happen to her?”

  At least Jared was in a positive frame of mind about there being a future need to balance their life together. That made one of them at least. Moona dropped her head to ponder the niceness of the male wolf she’d mated.

  “It’s nice of you to worry, but I doubt Willa would move here with us even if we asked. She’s spent a lot of years cultivating her herb garden. Those are finicky and very hard to transplant. What she takes from the forest for her cures grows within miles of the house. Really, her location is perfect for a healer witch.”

  “What’s a perfect location for you?” Jared asked.

  Moona lifted her gaze. “As long as I have you to come home to, I’m going to be fine.”

  Jared moved close and lifted a hand to her face. “Thank you for not pushing me away.”

  “Thank you for not giving up on me,” Moona replied.

  Then Jared kissed her… and in his kiss was hope.

  13

  Sharada, the feline spirit who had been named after a Goddess of Learning and Knowledge, blinked at the sight of the elder witch climbing from the baby dragon’s back to sneak into her own house.

  Sha wasn’t surprised by the witch’s return. Some internal voice had warned her of it happening. She’d just been hoping she was wrong because Moona was not going to be happy about the situation. Her Wolf Witch had enough problems to deal with today.

  Willa, a talented witch who had no trouble at all communicating with her, came rushing out of her home with a medicine bag slung over one shoulder and strange rings glinting off every finger. Willa had Moona’s old amulet around her neck and a black, hooded cloak thrown on over her clothes.

  Sha started to announce herself with her usual yowl of hello to Willa but got a better idea. She waited until Willa was on the move then liger-pounced, landing in the middle of the path that led to the pack village. The shift of forms was so natural for her that Sha never felt it happen after that first time.

  Willa screamed loudly which was how Sha knew her efforts to be a liger again had been completely successful. Sha crept forward as Willa scrambled backward with a hand pressed to her chest.

  “I’m already going to die soon, Sha. You don’t have to hurry the process along by scaring me with that monstrous version of yourself.”

  Sha huffed. You are not supposed to be here, Willa. Moona begged the dragon lady to keep you safe. She gave up her deal with her in exchange for your life. That’s how much she cares.

  “Moona gave up her deal with the dragons for me?” Willa’s lip trembled as she straightened her medicine bag. “Well, that was nice of her, especially given what I kept from her. Did she and Jared… you know… do the deed?”

  I assume you are asking if they mated. All day. All night. Every chance they got. They marked each other too.

  Willa clapped her shriveled hands. “Good. Excellent. That’s what werewolves are supposed to do.” Her gaze narrowed. “And her wolf? I assume she came out at last.”

  Her wolf is not nearly as big as my liger. However, her wolf is as large as Jared’s. I like Jared. He said I could live with them if I wanted.

  “I think you should live with them. Probably as a bobcat though. I don’t think a liger will fit in Jared’s house.”

  A liger doesn’t fit anywhere.

  Willa laughed and looked around. She lifted a hand. “This is a big world, Sharada. Your liger fits in it as well as any dragon. Did you know they build elaborate castles by burning tunnels inside mountains? There are rooms and rooms of dragon nests. If creatures like them can exist peacefully in our world, the rest of us must learn to do so. I’m glad they intend to set the example of peace.”

  Sha roared and looked around as liger. Animals ran wildly. Moona said my liger was impressively scary. I chose to take that as a compliment. It is not like before. I can feel the Wolf Witch moving into acceptance of me and everything else in her life. I really am honored to serve her.

  Willa patted the liger on the leg. “Moona was right about you being scary, but I still like your bobcat form best. I am glad you have both. Who did that to you?”

  Sha shifted back to a bobcat. She knew that worked when she found herself looking up at Willa instead of down on her. Moona thinks she did this to me. From a certain point of view, I suppose that’s true.

  Willa laughed as they continued their walk. “What do you think happened?”

  Gaia gave her a gift and Moona spoke from her heart. She asked for me to have all I lost in the past. She had no idea what would happen. The Baba Yaga said her will was very strong.

  “The Baba Yaga? Are you sure it was her?”

  Sha bobbed her bobcat head. Surprised me with her visit as well. Moona doesn’t know who she was. The Baba Yaga never said her name and I was forbidden to say it to Moona. She didn’t say anything about telling you, though, so now I have.

  “The Great Mother is still up to her old tricks. Now she’s sending her representatives to deliver her gifts. What did the Baba Yaga do? Tell Moona she was her ‘special friend’ like Gaia did with me?”

  Sha looked up at Willa in wonder. Exactly. That is what she said to Moona.

  “Figures.
Wait… did she give Moona a power charm? Is that what she used to change you?” Willa asked.

  Yes. How did you know?

  Willa picked up her pace. “We need to hurry. Moona needs to know how powerful that charm can be. I got one as well. I used the last wish on my charm to change our mother into a werewolf. The power glimpse is how Gaia lures people into becoming witches. She gives us a taste of our power in its purest form, but a very concentrated version. I nearly died doing what I did.”

  Moona is at risk if she uses the charm?

  “If she uses the charm to heal, yes,” Willa said, hurrying as best she could.

  14

  “They aren’t coming,” Beth yelled to the crowd. “Your alpha cowers from the fight because he knows he will have to concede to my father and his supporters. The time of pack weakness is finally over. Today we will rise up and show the other packs who we really are.”

  Jared and Moona walked through the murmuring crowd together. They each wore one of Jared’s sleeveless shirts that showed off their muscled bodies and their mating marks. Ignoring the whispers, they kept moving forward until they reached the dozen people waiting for them in the fight circle.

  “Twelve regular werewolves against two alphas?” Moona asked. “That doesn’t seem very fair. You might want to recruit a few more to help you, Beth.”

  “You’re no alpha,” Beth said, showing her canines.

  Moona smiled and let her teeth lengthen. “Want to bet your life on it?”

  “Your wolf is nothing but a magic trick. What favors did you trade the Dragon Witch for your wolf form?” Beth asked.

  “Actually, finding my wolf ended up being a birthday present from my family.” Moona turned to Jared. “And a mating gift.” She turned back to Beth. “Better run while you can before I kick your trouble-making ass. I can’t promise you’ll be alive when I get done.”

  “Run? Never. We came to fight!” Beth screamed.