Hi Friends!
I hope you’re doing well! Please let me know what you think of the new short stories. I was hoping to hear last week, but no one said anything. Either you were shocked with the brilliance, or disappointed. I’m going to pretend it was the former!
Tonight is the last dinner out for the end of the month of birthday celebrations. I am excited for the celebrations. I do love January for the happy times, but oof, it has been cold.
School started and walking around campus has chilled me to the bone. In book 2 of Jade, she and Piper walk around UW-Whitewater campus. As they slog over a hill, Piper wondered what the hill would be like in winter. When I first started working at UW-Whitewater, I would trudge over that hill in winter, slipping and sliding. Summer, I attack it to get a bit more exercise. Well, not the hill is closed all winter to save on a bit of money and for safety.
In my last email, I mentioned the ARC, advanced reader copy, for the dystopian fantasy book coming out in just over a month. I’m not sure if anyone signed up, which is fine. I can’t track where people sign up from, but I do have a total of three people who signed up from the link, and two who have told me they want to continue from previous ARCs. If you were one of the three, thank you.
If you still are interested in getting an early copy of Aura of the Chameleon in trade for an honest review, please fill out this form. https://forms.gle/qvKxuCH1d4JC9RLE9
If you’d like to read the first chapter first, use this link: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/sqw5qcd34o
- Don’t worry, the link to the sign up is at the end of the chapter!
If there is a short story you’re looking for, let me know that as well!
Happy almost February? 🤣🤣🤣
Huckle
Short story #2
Totally Unprepared
Binium
“Dre, I’m scared.”
My sisters and I have two moms and two dads. We call our moms Mom and Mama, our dads, Dad and Dre, short for Padre, the Spanish word for dad. I don’t know how these names were decided, but it’s how it’s always been.
“Bini, you’re going to be great. Just like your sister and cousin. I’m just so proud of you for keeping your epsilon secret for so long.” He slid his arm around my shoulder and squeezed.
Tonight would be the first night my sister Esperanza, my cousin Soren, and I would shift to wolves and run with the pack. Before I gave the secret of the animals away a few months ago, only Mom and I knew. “I still feel bad for blurting that out in front of everyone.” I slumped. “Annie just wouldn’t stop complaining.”
Dre’s arm tightened. “No one is mad at you, Bini. You calmed your sister down, and that was really well done. And now, I have a big job for you to do.”
My stomach clenched. I wasn’t sure I was up to doing anything more. “Are you sure it’s something I can do?”
His smile warmed me to my core. Dre could always make me feel strong and important. “Of course. I would like for you to speak with Annie and Soren’s wolves, find out if they’re ready to come out and play. I’d like to get the three of you out running early.”
The idea excited and terrified me. “Okay, yeah, I can do that.”
We got up from the couch, and I ran off to find the other two. It didn’t take long to find them in the basement playing on a gaming console. I wanted to take both their hands, but they were focused on their game and said ‘no’. Annie let me take her hand first.
Her grey wolf bounced up to me, as hyper as my sister. I loved the black star on her forehead. “Sis, are you ready to run in the sun with me?” I already knew my wolf was ready; it was just about finding out about the other two.
“Oh yes, yes, yes. Can we?” Her excitement made my black wolf run in circles, leaping in joy.
“Yes, let’s just find out if our cousin is ready, too.”
Once Annie was gone, I took Soren’s hand. I noted that the game was off. Apparently, heading out to our first run was more exciting than their game. Soren’s gray wolf soon joined my mindscape and just as quickly told me he was ready to run. The three of us scampered to the backyard, yelling to Dre on the way out that we were ready to go.
It wasn’t just Dre who met us in the backyard; Uncle Owen was there as well. His joyous personality made me smile, though the extra person was worrisome. “Dre, why is Uncle Owen here?”
Uncle Owen came over and ruffled my hair. “Someone has to run with you lot. José here has to be available for everyone else, which means I get to play with all of you.”
“Who wants to shift first?” Dre smiled at us, searching each of our faces. As bold as Annie was, her eyes looked wild. Soren stepped behind his dad.
With a shrug, I stepped forward. “Me. I’ll do it.”
We headed to the center of the yard, away from the others. “Okay, son, you’re going to need to strip down. I know you know this, and it’s uncomfortable, but you’ll get used to it.”
“It helps that everyone here is close family.” Despite my words, I turned from the others, stripped, and got to my hands and knees. I wasn’t really sure about anything beyond that. Werewolf training didn’t start until we got older. The pack tried to start with us once I announced our wolves were ready, but three months really wasn’t enough time, and we had school during the days.
Dre knelt down next to me. “Okay, Bini, things are going to be uncomfortable. This first time will be the hardest, but don’t worry, once your wolf comes out, you’ll understand.” He leaned down, placed his hand on my forehead, and his voice became somehow more. “Binium Cortez-Green, welcome to the pack,” his eyes bore into me, “come out … now.”
My body cramped. Bile filled my mouth as my stomach tried to crawl up, and my shoulders shimmied down. Then pain took over, and I nearly blacked out. Things retreated, then I heard cracking, and I wished I could pass out. After what seemed like hours, anger overtook me, and I wanted to attack.
In front of me stood a man, tall with dark hair and eyes. Snarling, I leapt.
He laughed at me, wrapping his hands around my snout, denying my bite. Loud, sharp sounds came from my left, and I wanted to snap. Lower sounds pressed into my ears, and I trembled.
Then I heard words. “It’s okay, Binium, you’re doing great.”
Everything came back to me, and I dropped to my belly. I was a wolf. Gazing around, I realized not only were my sister and cousin there, clapping, but my mom, mama, and dad were there as well.
And I was a wolf.
Slinking back from Dre’s hold, I shot to my feet and howled to the sky in my elation.
Huckleberry Rahr - Author 