Black Karma by Shawnee Rose (bookstand for reading .TXT) 📕

He asked so that only I would hear.

Karma
It amazed me how the pack fanned out behind Diablo, leaving him the leader. Aislinn and Cinnamon flanked him on either side, and Aislinn made sure to shoot me glares that could kill. It amused me immensely, her hatred did.
Bo led us to a little clearing where I sat down watching them attentively. His pack members spread out around him so that we formed a circle, Diablo and I sitting across from each other. I felt my head fall to the side in curiosity. What exactly were the results of this going to be? The last pack encounter I had didn’t end very well.
Namiko, I noticed, was very restless. His front feet danced around as he sat there. Other than Namiko, they sat still.
You live in the old Smith house, as we mentioned. It’s in our territory. You have a few options. You could move out

, Bo said, stopping there.
My tail twitched in agitation. He wanted me to move? Stupid lycanthrope… I couldn’t move out if I wanted to! That isn’t an option.

I’m sure it could be if you explain to your family that you’re trespassing on another pack’s territory. I’m surprised they didn’t notice themselves.

I can’t move. My parents and brother do not know that other wolves live here and I’d like to keep it that way, I said. My parents didn’t even know I was a wolf, let alone that they were risking my life by living in the old house. They were safe, simple little humans, free from the laws of the wild.
They’re going to find out eventually that you’re living in our territory,

Mocha informed me, shaking out fur that matched her name.
No they won’t.

Bo’s head cocked to the side while Aislinn bristled next to him. My eyes narrowed at her and I felt my head raise a little in response to her look in an instinctual attempt to make myself look taller. How won’t they? Our scent is all around your home

, Bo asked.
I groaned mentally. I was a freak among the humans, I didn’t want to become known as a freak among the wolves as well. Trust me, they won’t notice.

Of course they will. Our scent isn’t hidden, sweetheart

, Cinnamon commented from where he sat.
I huffed, frustrated. They’re not wolves!

A couple of them sniffed. I didn’t acknowledge them, only watching Bo’s reaction. He didn’t appear phased, only watching me intently. Well I’m sure if you explain to them the situation they’ll leave.

A frustrated funny cross of a howl and snarl slipped between my teeth. We can’t move! I’m not moving! They aren’t wolves, and don’t know about wolves! They don’t know and aren’t going to find out about me if I can help it! And even if they did, not everyone can just pick up and move. Not everyone has that kind of money!

Tommy, Accallia, and Shade backed up at my tone, whimpers escaping from a few others.
Okay.

Bo said, standing. I’ll make you a deal. You can stay where you are, but with a few restrictions.

I’m listening,

I grumbled.
Don’t wander the woods. They’re ours. You can leave and wander our territory only where you have to. The woods are off limits because there is no reason you should have to be in there. The roads are acceptable, same as the houses of the people that live here. The town is neutral ground among the packs, so you’re safe there. If you step onto our territory where you shouldn’t be, we won’t hesitate to remove you.

His words held a menacing warning. I understood why he was the alpha here.
I can live with that. May I ask where these other pack territories are?

The Moonshade pack runs most of the north and some of the west. The Morningstar pack runs the east. We take the south

, Namiko chimed.
Bo shot him a glance. Namiko shrank back under his glare. You’d be best staying at home. The other packs won’t be so friendly, especially the Morningstar pack. It’s in your best interest to steer clear of them. They won’t hesitate to kill you. Stay on your house property and on neutral territory,

said Bo.
I stood, tail flicking in irritation. It was like I was a dog, and my house was my cage and the little town the quick trip outside to relieve myself. It was sick. I got all excited, got my hopes up, only to have them crushed. I had so looked forward to moving here because there was so much room to run. I should have known it was too good to be true.
Welcome to the real world

, Aislinn said.
My head snapped to her, lips curling over pearly white fangs. Last time I checked I was already living in the real world. I’m not fooling myself with a false sense of superiority, I snapped. I was really shocking myself. I usually was this big of a bitch. The girl really got under my skin…
Aislinn’s teeth snapped together and she was on her feet, a horrible snarl bouncing off the trees. Just as fast as she was launching herself towards me, someone else was standing in the way. Almost instantly Aislinn was pinned to the ground, Diablo’s teeth on her exposed throat. I stumbled back in shock.
Enough!

Diablo barked out. You will leave her be, Aislinn!

Aislinn cringed against the ground where she laid, belly up. Diablo’s other pack members all backed away, heads dropping low, tails down, and ears pulled back. Diablo stepped away, leaving Aislinn. She slowly rolled onto her feet, her white fur tinged red around her throat. I just had my first lesson on pack dominancy. Aislinn didn’t even look at me as she backed away. I couldn’t believe Diablo had actually bit her.
Without another word, I headed back for the only place I was really allowed to be.

Bo
I watched Karma trot away, my blood still boiling. When I could no longer hear her I turned to Aislinn. I think you’re forgetting who’s in control here. That girl did nothing to provoke you, nothing to hurt you. You had no right to go at her like that, I snapped at the snowy wolf. She lifted her head, appearing ready to respond. This isn’t open for discussion, I said, shutting her up. Her head fell again.
You were being awful nice to her, Bo,

Namiko pointed out, eyes dancing in amusement and tail wagging. I shot the youngest of us a glare, but he just skipped around like a puppy.
Her parents don’t know she’s a wolf? How is that possible? Wouldn’t they be wolves too?

Accallia asked.
Good question, Cally. Maybe she’s adopted?

Shade offered.
That wouldn’t explain why her brother isn’t a wolf either. They both look alike so there’s no doubt there’s a blood tie there,

Cinna said. I started walking away, letting them discuss it while I listened silently.
Maybe he’s only her half brother?

said Mocha.
She reminds me of the wolf from the prophecy. White angel of Darkness, remember?

Nimiko said. I skidded to a halt while Aislinn demanded to know why everyone cared so much.
What did you say, Niko?

I demanded.
The little wolf shrank under my tone. Nothing bad. I just pointed out that she reminded me of the wolf from the prophecy.

White angel of darkness…

I mused. We need to keep an eye on her. School starts in a week, right? I need one of you to get in close with her. God damn, Niko, you are more helpful than I originally thought. If Karma is the prophecy we won’t want her to befriend the Morningstar pack under any circumstances. The Moonshade pack can be just as big of a threat. Mocha, you like her?

I said, my mind frantically trying to remember all of the prophecy.
Mocha’s head tilted. Sure. She seems nice enough. I think I would actually like to get to know her a little. I’ll show her around town if that’s what you want. I might do that anyway.

That’s a good idea, Mocha.

Keegan
Katara sat next to me, her pretty brown eyes flicking around nervously. It had me curious, but I said nothing. It was amazing how quickly I had found a group to talk to here.
“Do you have any siblings?” asked Aydon. He was a guy with striking green eyes and light brown hair.
“Yes. I have a sister named Karma,” I answered.
Katara looked over at me. I remembered the look on her face when Aydon asked her to join them. I was just going to hang out with her if she wasn’t going with them… I found her insanely attractive. She had looked so surprised when Aydon invited her. “You’re sister’s name is Karma?” she asked, large almond-shaped eyes widening.
“Yeah. She’s got a name most people associate with negative things, with dark things. She looks like an angel. It’s so contradictory,” I said.

Aydon
As soon as the human said that, Minsi’s eyes snapped to my face. I ignored her, concentrating on the rest of the nonsense the boy was saying. Melchior would want to hear this…
“Your sister looks like an angel? I’m guessing she’s the girl you were walking with earlier,” I said. I knew the pack was thinking about the prophecy. Funny how we meet this stupid little human, and he turned out to be a very valuable person indeed. If Karma was the angel of the prophecy we would have to keep Keegan around… even if it meant putting up with his horrible human instincts. Humans could be a lot of trouble. They were like dogs, a sorry excuse for an animal.
“Yeah. That’s my sister,” said Keegan.
“You said she looks like an angel… I can agree with that,” Rixon said, a devilish grin on his face.
The human’s eyes snapped to him and I saw a flash of protectiveness. I had a feeling he wouldn’t much like Rixon playing with her like he did all his girls. Karma would at least be allowed to live unlike the rest… if she were the angel.
“She’s got really nice hair,” Lo joked, her bell-like laugh turning a couple of heads. Lo’s hair was silvery blonde, just like Keegan’s sister. Lo had a very predatory look to her, with catlike shaped eyes the color gold. Her canines were slightly larger than normal, and her face was