"I do not want you. I want my pack. I want my father. I want my mother!" Aaron shouted.
Grace appeared and handed Tamsin her needlework and a candle.
"Let me out!" Aaron shouted.
"You know that would not be safe," Tamsin said. A werewolf's first moon did not involve a complete turning. He would be vulnerable if he was in the wild with his pack which was why a wolf's first moon was spent at home. Her mother had explained it to her after Thomas's first change.
She had thought it terribly cruel then and she wasn't sure she found it any less cruel now but as she was not a werewolf herself there was little she could do.
"I want out," Aaron pleaded again.
"I can not let you out. But I will be here with you the whole time," Tamsin said.
"How will I know you are there?" Aaron asked. Now his voice was soft and child like. The rage was passing and being replaced by fear.
"Shall I sing to you?" Tamsin asked.
"Yes," Aaron whimpered.
***
Walter felt exhausted when he awoke. He had made it inside the cave where they had left their clothes and supplies moments before sun up.
He dressed and then grabbed one of the bed rolls. He had just laid down his head when he heard shouts. He raised his head up again waiting to be called if there was danger.
"I come to you in peace," a voice Walter had never heard before said.
"Who are you and what business do you have?" Margaret asked.
"My name is Dylan. I am the alpha of the Rees pack," he said.
"Where are your wolves?" Edward asked.
"Nearby. I did not want to frighten you by bringing my wolves with me though our numbers are few," Dylan said.
"What business have you?" Edward asked.
"My pack were the ones that saved your brother. We met your scouts. I sent a few wolves with them. We have been trying to unravel the mystery of the marceffynol for several moons now," Dylan said.
"Have you seen more than the one?" Edward asked.
"We have destroyed five. We are not sure of their purpose but your man said that you fear they are being created to attack the crown. Is this true?" Dylan asked.
"It is," Edward said. Walter moved to stand near his brother and his son. Dylan was shorter than he was and heavy set. He was between the ages of him and Edward. The man's hair was graying and he had dark circles under his eyes as if he was exhausted from all he had been doing.
"Then we must find out who is plotting and we must end the plot," Dylan said.
"Have you any idea who might want to cause Henry harm?" Edward said.
"I could guess but that would do you little. We need evidence if it can be found. I sent three men with yours as scouts. I would have liked to send more but we are few in number," Dylan said.
"What happened to your numbers?" Jonathan asked. Dylan turned to look at him warily for a moment.
"This is my nephew and the next alpha of the Crake pack," Edward explained.
"We lost many of our number in the War of the Roses and then there was an outbreak of Lycanpolium. It cut our population in half. It took the life of two of my children. It also took the life of their mother," Dylan said.
"I am sorry," Jonathan said. Walter saw his son avert his gaze to the ground. There was still much that his son needed to learn. Particularly about dealing with other packs.
"We have always been a small pack. Now, there are only ten mated pairs," Dylan said.
"Did you remarry? My father recently remarried," Jonathan said. Walter wanted to shush him but he didn't.
"No. There is only me and my daughter. Once I am gone whatever man she marries will take over the Rees pack. Our wolves will need to relocate. The land that has been part of our family for generations will pass on to a distant relative who is not a werewolf and who knows nothing of our kind," Dylan said.
"We are sorry to ask your pack for assistance when it is in such a condition," Edward said.
"We have a duty to do," Dylan said simply.
"Will you and your pack join us for the rest of the moon?" Edward asked.
"Only if you are sure it will be no intrusion," Dylan said.
"It will not. Instead, it will be a fine time to share what little knowledge we have," Edward said. Walter sighed. He didn't want to think about marceffynol or the upcoming battles that might take place. He only wanted to think of Tamsin and the life he wanted to have with her.
***
Tamsin felt stiff as she stood up. The sun had risen the hour before. The Crake pack would return before dark.
Grace had left her the key to Aaron's room the second night that she sat with him and sang to calm him.
She slid the key into the lock and opened the door. Neither Aaron nor the room looked worse for wear. The boy was exhausted and lying beneath a blanket but his eyes opened when he saw her.
"Shall I bring you some water?" she asked softly.
He looked up at her for a moment before nodding his head. When she returned he was dressed and sitting up in bed. She handed him the cup and he took it from her. He gulped the water down and then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
She reached out for the cup and Aaron handed it to her but before she could step away from him he put one of his hands on her wrist. They were still small hands and not those of a man nearly grown.
"I am sorry for what I said," Aaron whispered.
"I know that you could not help it. It was merely the transformation fits," she said.
"I am glad my father brought you here. I missed having a mother," Aaron said. He looked down at his feet as he spoke and she knew the words were not easy for him.
"I am glad to be your mother," Tamsin said.
She realized it was true. When she had failed to turn into a werewolf so many parts of her life had seemed lost to her. Now, it seemed a small thing that she was not a werewolf. She was the wife of a werewolf and the mother to several.
She couldn't wait for her mother to come to Crake estate and see how well her daughter was doing. Tamsin's mother might even find solace in the fact that her daughter was happy even if she had failed to marry King Henry.
Chapter 23
Walter heard the commotion well before the procession of women came into view. Male servants pulled carts that held the Wolstenholme women and all they had brought.
He hadn't contemplated how they would arrive before. He and his pack usually walked wherever they needed to go as the scent of werewolf spooked horses. It had never occurred to him to have something as elaborate as servant drawn carriages. It showed him yet another level of the disparity between the Crake and Wolstenholme houses. His new in-laws were wealthier and of a much higher social standing than his own people. If Tamsin had been a werewolf she would never have been allowed to marry him. Fortunately, she wasn't.
Walter stepped forward to help the first woman down from her carriage. He knew at once that she must be Tamsin's mother because she had the same high cheek bones and thick lips. Her hair was covered by a French hood with the veil down the back hiding the color. From the wrinkles that lined her face he would have expected her to have streaks of gray though he would never have said so.
"Lady Wolstenholme," Walter said. She took his outstretched hand and allowed him to help her to the ground.
"And you are?" she asked gently. He had expected her to be haughty and he was pleasantly surprised that she was not.
"I am Walter Crake," he said.
"My daughter spoke highly of you," she said.
"I am glad that she did. Let me take you to the house. She is with the children. My youngest are quite smitten with her," Walter said.
"I am glad she has the opportunity to be a mother. I worried that she never would," Lady Wolstenholme said.
"May I inquire as to who is joining you?" Walter asked with a glance back at the remaining carriages which were being unloaded.
"I am accompanied by five of Tamsin's aunts and ten cousins. I am sorry that th
e Wolstenholme men were not better represented," Lady Wolstenholme said and Walter noted that she didn't even try to make excuses for them. He was grateful for that.
They had barely passed the threshold of the house when Bess flew forward and wrapped her arms around Lady Wolstenholme's legs.
Tamsin appeared around the corner a moment later with Naomi at her heels.
"Mother," she greeted softly.
"My dear girl," her mother said taking Tamsin's hand. He wanted to observe the reunion but a commotion behind him caught his attention.
Adney appeared at the doorstep. He looked around cautiously. Whatever information he had must be urgent but at the same time he would be hesitant to interrupt the alpha family.
"Edward is in his study," Walter offered.
"You and Jonathan will want to hear what I have found as well," Adney said. His face was grim.
"Is all well?" Lady Wolstenholme asked as she watched Adney walk away.
"Nothing that will interfere with my bride's wedding day," Walter said with a reassuring smile.
"You should go," Tamsin said gently. He wanted to stay with her but he was glad she understood his duties.
"We have many days to become acquainted," Lady Wolstenholme assured. There were five days until the full moon and the Wolstenholme she-wolves would spend the moon with the Crake wolves as they had arranged.
Walter found Jonathan and together they hurried to Edward's study. His brother was leaning back in his chair looking tired.
Adney looked haggard and when he stepped forward to take a seat Walter noticed he was limping.
"What has happened?" Edward asked.
"I believe I have discovered who is making the marceffynol. The centaurs that remain are in hiding. I was fortunate to find one before they retreated to whatever location their lore says is safe. They are not being bred. At least, they are still being captured in the wild. If the captured ones are bred I cannot say," Adney said.
"Do you know where they are going?" Jonathan inquired.
"No. They would not tell me and they are disguising their scent so that they are nearly impossible to track," Adney said.
"Do they not wish to avenge their kin? Will they not help us?" Edward asked.
"As far as they are concerned it is the affairs of man that have caused this."
"What did you learn of the Rees pack?" Edward asked. Walter had not considered that his brother would send scouts to look into Dylan and his wolves to see if their offer of friendship was true or a fancy ruse.
"They live across the border but they are still loyal to the Tudors even though Henry proved not to be Y Mab Darogan as he claimed," Adney said.
"What is Y Mab Darogan?" Jonathan asked.
"It is a very old welsh legend. He was supposed to free the Welsh from Britain and return them to the Celts. Henry the seventh claimed he was that figure and he would do those things. It helped him win the War of the Roses because he had Welsh support," Adney explained.
"So, he owed them their kingdom and he did not do what he promised?" Jonathan asked.
"That is about right. If his oldest son, Arthur, had lived things might have been different but Henry does not share a love of the Welsh like his father did. That, along with his break from the church and his contention with the Welsh Marchers over criminals, has made many a Welshman despise him. Especially the Marchers," Adney said.
"Do you believe it is a Marcher that is creating the marceffynol?" Edward asked.
"I think that is very likely as does the other pack though they have yet to determine which Marcher it is," Adney said.
"Most of the Marchers are a mix between Norman and Welsh blood. Perhaps one or more families kept their Celtic traditions alive. There are many witches sprung from Celtic blood. Maybe it was one of them who decided that since Henry's father did not return Wales to the Celts as he implied he would that he would take on the role of Y Mab Darogan. He might even really believe himself to be some Celtic Savior," Edward said.
"But you said they were Catholic and that the break from the church was part of the Marcher's reasons to hate Henry," Jonathan protested.
"Do not assume that there has never been a witch who used their powers and still served in the church as a bishop or a monk. I cannot tell you the number of nuns I have met who became so because of their guilt at being born a natural witch. They turn to service as their penance. Perhaps this mad man believes it is God's will that he free the Welsh," Edward said.
"Or maybe he is just angry with Henry for breaking his balls over a few criminals," Adney said.
"We cannot know his motivation," Edward said looking at Jonathan who was seated at his side. He reached out a hand to touch his shoulder. "He almost certainly believes his cause it just but it is our duty to protect England and our king. We must prevail against whoever this man or men are."
"Suppose he really is this Y Mab Darogan?" Jonathan asked.
"Then we will die trying to do our duty to our country and our king," Edward said.
Jonathan looked over at Walter who sighed. He was glad once more that he never would be the pack alpha. He doubted he would have been able to so clearly decide that the duties of the pack outweighed the loss of life that might follow if they pursued whoever was making the marceffynol. If the culprit really was a Marcher who had the blood of witches in his veins that was a far greater threat than they had originally anticipated.
Chapter 24
Tamsin's relatives along with her new daughters and Margaret helped her to dress for her wedding. Her mother had brought a gown for her to wear as a wedding gift and it was clear her mother had spared no expense. Tamsin wondered what her father had said but she didn't ask because she thought it might hurt her heart to know. Her mother had barely mentioned her father as they had visited.
Naomi and Bess had warmed to their new grandmother almost immediately but Rachel and Miriam remained cautious of her.
Tamsin couldn't really blame them. One of the girls would someday be sent to Wolstenholme as a bride for Tobias. Rachel and Miriam were old enough to understand that meant a life far away from the Crake estate.
Tamsin's mother tied her sleeves. They were the largest she had ever worn and they made her arms appear almost as large as her torso.
The kirtle was white with golden thread trimmings which Bess kept tracing her fingers over in wonder.
Tamsin's aunt placed a Gabled Hood with a veil down the back atop her head and Tamsin looked in the mirror.
"You look pretty, mama," Naomi sighed. Tamsin had to agree. Even at Hampton Court she had never looked so beautiful.
"Indeed she is," her mother agreed.
"Rachel, see if your father and the men are ready," Margaret called and the girl rushed to do her bidding.
She returned a moment later to say that everyone was waiting for the bride.
Tamsin, followed by the women who had been attending her, went out on the lawn to join Walter and his boys.
Walter's eyes looked her over hungrily as she walked towards him and took her place at the other side of the priest. Their sons stood in a line behind Walter and their daughters behind Tamsin as the priest began the ceremony, which was spoken in Latin.
Before their children, family, and the Crake pack Tamsin vowed to love and honor Walter for the rest of their lives. He promised the same to her.
As soon as the priest finished the children shouted with joy and Margaret invited everyone to a long makeshift table that had been set up for the occasion.
Margaret had made the arrangements but every Crake she-wolf and every Wolstenholme had helped to prepare the feast and there was excitement as it was served. It was not as rich a banquet as Hampton Court had offered but Tamsin was sure she preferred it.
After the dinner, music was played and everyone danced.
By the time that the children could be tucked into bed they were exhausted and Tamsin was grateful for her mother's help at carrying Bess to the nursery. Her own arms were heavy with Nao
mi who had fallen asleep at the table.
Once both girls were laid on the mattress Tamsin pulled the blanket under their chin.
"I want to inform you that I will be advising your father that Bess is the most suitable choice for Tobias," her mother whispered as she gently rubbed Bess's cheek. Tamsin knew how hard it was not to fall in love with little Bess but that didn't stop her from feeling surprise at her mother's words. She had thought that Naomi would be the one chosen to become a Wolstenholme wife.
"She is only a baby," Tamsin said thinking of how much older Tobias was.
"Your brother will need time to grow into a man. His duties as the heir of the pack will keep him occupied for a time. He will need a wife younger than himself so he can provide pups to the pack. That girl has spunk. He needs that sort of woman in his life. I am afraid your father is teaching him to be terribly serious," her mother said. Bess did seem to have a vivacious spirit though it was hard to say if she would retain it as she grew and matured.
"You will be sure she is old enough before you send for her, will you not?" Tamsin asked. Some families married werewolf daughters shortly after their first moon so long as they had also had their first blood. Tamsin did not wish that for Bess.
"I will do all in my power. Prepare her to be a Wolstenholme," her mother whispered.
Tamsin nodded. It would be up to her, as Bess's mother, to be sure she was taught Scottish lore as well as Welsh. Tamsin would teach her the things she had been taught as a girl. After all, she was raised to be the mate of an alpha until it became clear that was not what fate had in store for her.
They closed the door to the nursery and Tamsin faced her mother. She was surprised how much she had missed her since she had left Wolstenholme. It seemed almost a lifetime ago.
"I am proud of you Tamsin. You have done well for yourself. You will be a good mother to these pups and a good wife to that husband of yours," she said gently reaching out to stroke Tamsin's cheek. Tamsin took her mother's hand and held it in her own.
"Will father forgive me?" Tamsin asked though she wasn't sure she wanted to know.
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