Onawa
May 3rd, 1679
"Onawa, come on! We are leaving!" Tarak said as he opened my tent flap and through a small stick at me teasingly before running off laughing.
My name is Onawa. I am a 19 year old Apache Native American. I come from a long line of hunters. For as long as I can remember, I went with the hunting party of my tribe to learn how to be the next healer and animal dresser. We were often gone from home, but that didn't bother me much. I didn't have a family back home to miss. My mother died when she went into labor with me, leaving me an orphan. I guess that is what made Chief Delshay pick me to be the healer and animal dresser for our hunters. With our current healer getting too old to go out with the hunters, they needed to teach another. I grabbed my medicine bag and skinning tools and headed out to meet with the hunters.
"Onawa, you arrive last, as usual. For a girl who's name means 'awake', you always seem to move slow." Taza our hunting leader said.
Taza is tall like his father, standing at 6'4, broad shouldered with a narrow waist. A little stockier than his father, but less than Bodaway. While he doesn't have any physical imperfections, it is offset by the way he managed to insult the female population without trying.
Taza is next in line for Chief after Chief Delshay, his father. I personally think Taza is a bit arrogant, and takes everything way to seriously. I understand he's going to be the next Chief and he is our strongest warrior, but the guy could have a sense of humor.
Among the rest of our hunting party is Bodaway, Kuruk, Elan, and Tarak. Tarak is my best friend and he is also the son of Bodaway. Tarak is the shortest among the hunters standing at 6'1. He isn't stocky like his father, but slender and toned. His most identifying characteristic is the dark birthmark that spreads from the left side of his jaw to the base of his neck. I think it looks like a hawk with wings, but the other hunters give him a hard time because they think it looks like a rabbit with claws. I think it accents his clef chin and strong jaw line.
Bodaway is a hunter and Taza's guard, by Chief's orders. Aside from the common black hair and brown eyes that all of us have, Bodaway is about 6'1 with a stocky muscular build. He also had a crooked nose from being broken too many times, and a scar across his left eye that went from the top of his eyebrow to the edge of his nose. One thing I can say about him, is unlike Taza, he is incredibly reserved. He could hate your guts and you wouldn't know it.
Kuruk and Elan are cousins. Kuruk is 34 and has his woman and two children, while Elan, who is 26, has his woman who is currently with child. Both look oddly similar with their average body build, high cheekbones, same nose, and strong jaw lines. The most notable differences are that Elan stands 6'2 with eyes that are a little farther apart, and Kuruk stands 6'3 with his mouth curved up more.
"I apologize for my lateness. I will be on time from now on." I said as I secured my bags to my horse.
"Don't make promises you can't keep." Taza said gruffly.
I didn't respond back as I hoisted myself onto the horse and gently urged him forward. Taza led our group forward into the forest as the sun broke to the surface, lighting our path West. I remembered then the conversation I overheard last night between Taza and Bodaway. We were heading West to check a trap set to catch a dangerous animal. Usually we start South, then make our way West, then North, then East. This animal must mean a lot if they want to check the west traps first.
We rode for several hours, going up hills, crossing streams, and never stopped unless someone needed to relieve themselves. During those short stops, I found a couple herbs I was nearly out of. I wrapped them in cloth and put them in my bag to finish them when we make camp.
It didn't escape my notice that the closer we got, Taza motioned for Bodaway to join him at the front of the group. They began whispering to each other and at first I just thought it was unusual and I didn't put much thought into it. It was when they both turned to look at me while still whispering when I felt like something was definitely off. Bodaway nodded to Taza and stopped his horse and waited until his horse and mine were side by side to continue trotting.
"Onawa, when you make your herbs, what methods do you use to get the most usefulness out of them?" Asked Bodaway.
"Well every herb is different, not all of them thrive on turning them into an oil, smoking it, or boiling it. Why do you ask?"
"I need you to try every method on a new herb. I need to find out what method is most effective." Bodaway said.
"May I ask what it is and what it's for?" I asked him. He leaned towards me and whispered.
"No you may not, and it has been requested you keep silent about this. If anyone askes, you know nothing about it." Bodaway straightened back up and took out a small bag and handed it to me.
"As you wish." I responded as I looked in the bag. I thought maybe once I looked at it that maybe I would recognize it, but I didn't. Bodaway nodded at me then sped up to a gallop to catch up to Taza and continued whispering to him. I didn't know what was going on, but I knew that there was much more to this request than meets the eye.
-----------------------‐
Roman
"Alpha, ye called for me?" I said sticking my head in the door.
"Aye, take a seat." He motioned to the chair. Taking my seat, I waited for him to continue.
"Three days ago, Gamma Adam was sent to survey the Natives again. I am concerned because he never takes more than two days. I need ye track him and make sure he is alright." Alpha Elias finished.
"Aye Alpha, I will leave immediately." I responded.
"Be careful ladie. Ye are dismissed."
"As ye say." I said as I stood up and left Elias's office.
Being beta means I am second in command and directly under Alpha Elias. Although my position as beta was acquired under extenuating circumstances, I don't slack off in anyway. My father use to be Gamma, but he died because my mother was killed during a rebellion in Scotland. I acquired the beta title when the Natives killed our beta. He lost his mate before they were bonded and so he didn't have an heir for the beta position. As for Gamma Adam, he use to be the lead warrior trainer. His mate is currently pregnant with their first pup which is exciting because it's hard for our kind to conceive.
I made my way down the stairs and jogged through the foyer before running across the clearing to hut that Adam and his mate Ellen shared. I rapped on the door and waited for Ellen to answer the door. After a few moments the door opened a crack, revealing Ellen as she squinted her eyes.
"I apologize for wakin ye mistress. I just thought I would let ye know before I head out that I'm going to look for Adam." I said to her.
"Do ye know what happened ta him?" She asked worriedly.
"I know he has been gone a full day longer than was planned. Has he not been able to mind link ye?"
Mates can only mind link each other, and the Alpha and Luna. Not being able to reach you mate via mind link is certainly cause for worry. As mates it is impossible for them to go even a few hours without at least reaching out for comfort or reassurance. The fact that Ellen hasn't been able to reach Adam, is definitely cause for concern.
"Did ye tell Alpha?" I asked her.
"I linked him earlier this morning. I didn't want to tell him yesterday and then me be over reacting. So I waited 24 hours before telling Alpha. Please bring him home." She looked at me with tear filled eyes. It's bad enough that she knows something is wrong. It's worse that she has pregnancy hormones on top of it. I'm surprised she's been able to hold it together for this long.
"Alpha, can ye ask the Luna if she wouldna mind keeping Ellen company? Just thought someone should be with the lass until Adam comes back." I linked my Alpha.
"It is already done. Thank you for checking in with Ellen."
"My pleasure." I responded as I closed the link.
"I will bring him back safe. Luna Annalise will be over later." I tried to sounds reassuring. Exiting off the porch, I turned and left jogging towards the forest. As I entered the forest tree line, I stepped behind a tree to step out of my clothes.
As werewolves, our first shift is when we turn 16. During the first few months, the transition is painful. The more you shift, the faster your pain will dull. Being over a century old, shifting is like second nature. It takes little to no effort.
After my clothes are removed, I shift into my wolf. I have to be careful after I leave the pack territory. With the Natives here, some are friendly, others, not so much. The tribe nearest to us, they are quit set on capturing us for information. Eighteen years ago, our beta before me was sent to the native tribes around to establish peace between our people are theirs. Most of them were receptive of us, but some of the more hostile tribes, didn't even want to hear us out. The tribe nearest to us, was not only the smallest, but also the most difficult. Because of a mistake made by our previous Beta, Ian, the tribe has spent the last 19 years killing us off one by one.
Darting through the forest, I quickly reach the packs territory line in a matter of minutes. Stopping to survey if there is anything nearby, I am greeted by the sound leaves rustling in the wind, and various insects and also few toads. I listen harder as I scan my surrounding, looking for the packs boarder patrol. I vary faintly hear breathing, trotting towards a sound I see a huge oak tree with moss covering the bottom, with a few mushrooms. I growl low in warning to whoever is behind the tree when I hear the breathing turn into a snort, followed by the crunching of leaves and the snapping of twigs. The figure quickly steps out from behind the tree and a knife quickly zooms past my as I roll to dodge it.
"Dear Goddess, Roman! Ye gave me a fright! I thought ye were a rogue or a native." The young warrior said. I noticed the boys trussed looking hair and I cocked my head in curiosity.
"Where ye asleep?" I linked the boy, Aaron. The look on his face tell me that I am right, but he doesn't speak.
"Answer me, boy!" I growled. I will not tolerate disrespect or laziness.
"Yes, Beta. I was sleeping. I apologize, it wont happen again. I will accept any punishment ye deem necessary." He looked panicked.
"Ye put the entire pack in jeopardy. Ye already know the consequences, Aaron. Give me one good reason why I shouldna have ye stripped of yer position and flog ye?" I asked calmly, but firm.
"I was up all night last night with my sister. She had her pup, and we almost lost her. I am sorry Beta, but I promise ye, it'll never happen again." He quickly dropped to his knees and bared his neck in submission.
"While yer reason is valid, there still has to be a punishment. Ye will be at yer sister and her mates disposal for the remainder of the week. That is five days. You will do all of Diana's regular house chores as well. Have I made myself clear?" I asked him.
"Aye! Thank ye Beta."
"Aaron. I won't be this lenient ever again. Finish yer patrol."
"Aye, of course Beta." He said quickly.
As I ran on the direction of the nearest native tribe, I mind linked my Alpha.
"Alpha, Aaron was sleeping on patrol. His sister was in labor all last night and they almost lost her."
"While that is understandable, we can't have our patrol falling asleep on duty. It is risking the packs safety."
"I agree, which is why I put him on servant duty at his sisters house for the rest of the week. Someone will need to cover his shifts."
"Thank you, Roman. I will take it from here." He said before closing the link.