Sea Lion Shores 1957

The woman did not seem fine, but Doe took her at her word. Her attentions were turned back to the sea lions, where she still hoped to find a pristine seal pup waiting to be snatched. Either it was not the season for them, or they had all noticed her approach and fled. Perhaps they had even fled whenever this Teaghlaigh shewolf appeared.

Abruptly, Doe was angry with the woman. It was her duty to care for her pack, her family, and this shewolf was getting in the way. Lash out, commanded a small, poisonous voice in the back of her head. Kill her, and send her into the waves, it begged. For the children, for Szymon. He would have approved. She knew he would.

But she could not leave her scent at the scene of such a crime, and by the time the other spoke, the Cairn had resigned herself to being cordial. If she could not be sacrificed, then she must be treated with the same care she afforded Arturo.

"It is not the universe," Doe said darkly, her eyes darting toward the riotous churn of the waves. "I am from Blackrock," she confirmed, taking a deep breath and thinking of Szymon's face, his sweet laughter. Be brave. Be sane. Be here and now. "The alpha female, now," she added, thinking that she ought to pay a visit to Arturo once more.