From the howls of Dana Truth -Seeker;

This story is true. Listen, spirits and brothers, to the tale of the first meeting of a new pack among the Forsaken.

When Andrea and I left the bookstore on the night of my Tribal initiation, it became pretty obvious that we were not heading back to the Silver Syndicate’s territory. Instead she headed south, driving us out of Denver and down the Interstate. She told me that I was being taken to a final rendezvous with Max Roman - it was time for me to stand on my own feet, to claim my own territory and to walk among my own pack. I had enjoyed my days of infancy among Roman’s pack, but I knew that she was right. The wolf within had been yearning for freedom. Flushed with success from my trials, I was ready to take on the world’s challenges. When we stopped near a run-down rest area on a secluded side road, Andrea and I parted as friends. Perhaps Bone Shadow affairs will bring us together again one day.

A battered SUV was already waiting in the lay-by. Danny Walker was standing patiently beside the vehicle - a still figure under silvery moonlight. It was good to see each other again and good to know that we would form our pack together. We had grown close through our training and learned respect for each other’s strengths. Danny smiled as I told him the tale of my joining the Bone Shadows, his comments expressed no surprise that I had mastered powerful rites and unearthed secrets from ancient lore. He spoke little of his time with the Storm Lords, but I could see small changes in every line of his stance, in the stillness of his eyes. Even more so than before, he carried with him a sense of calm and confidence, of strength and quiet purpose. I was impressed and even a little awed.

While we talked and waited, an old Ford truck pulled up - bringing the third member of our fledgling pack. The sight of the young woman left standing in the departing truck’s dust was a surprise that broke through Danny’s composure ...

From words carried by Luna's Choir of Secrets;

Elodoth and Irraka stared at each other in amazed disbelief, human lives once ripped apart now brought together with Uratha souls.

“Natasha? Is that you?” Elodoth first to speak, incredulous that this could be.

Irraka backed away, fearful of some unseen trick, “What’s going on? How the hell did you find me? What are you doing here, Danny?”

“Find you? I didn’t … I was told to wait here. Natasha, what happened to you? Where have you been all this time? You just disappeared.”

Emotion clouded Half Moon’s judgement, still hiding obvious answer to the questions. But wise Cahalith looked on, picking up familiar scent, “Danny, she’s a werewolf. She’s one of us.”

Finally recognition dawned, the moon’s touch at last revealed, Uratha hearts no longer veiled. Sadness filled Irraka’s eyes, she that Walks Alone still denying the primal truth, “Oh, Danny, not you too. I’m so sorry.”

“You were going through the First Change,” Elodoth murmured, lost in memory, “Natasha, if only I had known. The night you left, the things that I can’t remember - is that from Lunacy? Did you attack me?”

“I never wanted to hurt you. I’m sorry. God, are you telling me that you share this curse? I never would have wished that on you.”

Such a reaction made no sense to proud Elodoth, exhaltant in Uratha’s strength, “Curse? What do you mean? This life is our birthright. All those questions I had have finally been answered. Doesn't your own lack of acceptance make sense now?.”

Anger flared, bitterness tainting purity, “Don’t kid yourself, Danny. We’re nothing more than monsters. Don’t tell me you haven’t tasted the urge to kill. What sort of lives can you possibly expect for us now? We’ll never find peace among humanity and everything else out there is just waiting for the chance to kill us.”

“You’re wrong, Natasha,” Elodoth’s head shook, certain of the Forsaken’s place, “We’ll build our own lives together. We’ll fight back at those who would strike against us. We’re not monsters - we’re the ones who stand against the monsters.”

From the howls of Dana Truth -Seeker;

... It was clear that Natasha was struggling to deal with the truths of her existence - not a great first impression for a prospective packmate. She and Danny were still arguing when I spied another observer among a copse of trees. The large back wolf padded across and shifted into the Dalu form of a tall, dark-haired, half-clothed male. His feral smile was mocking as he apologised for interrupting the ‘domestic dispute’. I hid a laugh, but Danny and Natasha were clearly not amused. The new arrival called himself Forest Dweller, a Rahu Hunter in Darkness. It was interesting to watch the two males sizing each other up as introductions were made. Forest Dweller seems some years older than the rest of us and in Dalu build he towered over our Hishu forms, but Danny would not be intimidated. He held the other man’s gaze and addressed him with a firm and assertive tone.

Further posturing would have to wait for another time. Roman’s dark Cadillac pulled into the rest area. The alpha himself emerged, dressed to impress in expensive clothing. He stared the four of us down then frowned, looking around as if in search for somebody else. Apparently his invitation had been sent out to a fifth freshly changed werewolf, but none of us had seen sign of her on the roads down. Obviously irritated, Roman advised us to track her down if she didn’t turn up by the next night, but for now he pushed on with business. He handed around a pen and wallet of legal documents. By signing them we were taking possession of a small property in an area called Manitou Springs farther to the south. The territory’s former owners had died while fighting alongside Roman against Gurdilag. We were being given an opportunity to reclaim the land for the Tribes of the Moon.

I was quick to sign, seeing no reason to doubt Roman’s goals or turn down his aid. Forest Dweller wrote his name without a glance at the papers, but he kept his eyes on Roman and asked why no other packs had moved in. Max’s reply indicated that the urban territory of Denver had been a higher priority, but he couldn’t be certain that other intruders wouldn't have taken advantage of the untended ground. Danny took his time reading the contract, ever cautious before committing himself. Natasha skulked at the rear, glaring at Roman before following Danny’ lead and adding her signature. Satisfied, Roman took his copies and handed the wallet back to Danny. Wishing us luck, he drove off and left the four of us alone. We had been given our chance. Whether we could bond as a pack and work together would be down to us.

To be continued;