Hope(less) by Melissa Haag Read Free Book Online Page B

very
persuasive logic that it didn’t make sense when human females appeared to be evolving
to fill in the need.
    Understanding the seriousness of this Introduction, I stood
near the door I’d entered.  If trouble broke out, I would step through the
sturdy, thick door, lock it behind me, and run like hell.  It wouldn’t slow a
determined werewolf.  Without an Elder standing between an oncoming werewolf
and me, I wouldn’t stand a chance.  Declared a safety zone, I would remain in the
hall beyond to wait until the Elders calmed whatever disruption might occur.
    Although the setting had changed, the rules hadn’t.  They
couldn’t force this on me.  It was up to Nature.  One more weekend to play it
cool and then… done.
    The Elders began to enter behind me.  During the informal Introductions
in the commons, two to three Elders always remained nearby.  If informal Introductions
called for at least two Elders, I knew to expect more for a formal Introduction.
    Sam already sat on a folding chair to my left.  Gradually, four
more filed in; four men, including Sam, and one woman.  I’d met Nana Wini two
years ago while still learning about Introductions.  A kind and patient
teacher, she’d explained so much to me.  Having her here comforted me and I
looked forward to talking to her afterward.
    Once the last Elder sat, without pause, the outer door
opened and ten men stalked in.  I successfully kept my feelings from my face,
but I knew they would smell my confusion.  Ten?  It explained the extra
protection by the Elders.
    Werewolves in their fur were all powerful and vicious, Elders
more so because of their position in the pack.  In addition to the increased
number of Elders, the ages of the werewolves positioning themselves on the X’s
ranged from young to old without restriction.  Screw Nature.  No way would I be
even remotely interested in someone old enough to be my father.  Especially
when I had no clue who my father might be.
    Wanting to get the Introduction over with, I stepped forward
so the toes of my socks rested just behind my safety line, and met the eyes of first
man.  Nodding a greeting, I turned with military precision and paced to the
next taped X to meet the second man’s eyes.
    Continuing, I slowly walked down the line meeting the eyes
of the third then the fourth, saying, “I’m Gabby.  Thank you for coming.”  I
paced past the fifth and sixth ensuring I made eye contact with all the
werewolves standing on the tape and said, “I’m glad I could meet you.”
    Once I’d met the eyes of each man, they all stepped back
from the tape and left.
    I stayed on my side of the tape watching their retreating
forms.  The door on their side of the room opened so they could file out.  It
felt weird not learning their names as I usually did in an informal Introduction. 
But I knew this typical of a formal Introduction.  Any interested werewolf
would remain on their taped mark allowing the others to step back to leave. 
This would give Sam a moment to note them.  Anyone on his list would have an
opportunity for a second Introduction where we would actually converse.  The
second round had more danger.
    Movement in the recently vacated doorway broke my chain of
thoughts.  The doorway stood empty for only a moment before ten more entered.
    Breaking protocol, I glanced at Sam.  He watched the men
entering the room still not making eye contact with me.  Without narrowing my
eyes like I really wanted to, I focused on the men making their way to their marks. 
In this group, all of them aged over forty.  I repeated the process from the
first group meeting each of their eyes and walking past them while introducing
myself.  One appeared to have the start of a black eye.
    I thanked them for meeting me and watched one remain on his
mark while the rest marched out.  The remaining man watched Sam make a note
then nodded at me before turning to leave.
    Again, ten more filed in as soon as the room