1 The sin of loving

They couldn't trust an ordinary human being. This was her sin. It had to be a wolf. She had to marry a man with a "wolf" blood because, otherwise, she was told, she would be marrying an enemy. That was a mortal sin. The entire wolf clans for centuries were shaken. They had split in two. Why couldn't somebody marry for love? Yes, young wolves agreed that love was a valid reason to settle for a marriage vow although the rule about wolf-wolf marriage was something that was not new to them. They knew, and the idea was revolting to them; they rebelled quietly. Now that the thing was brought up as a "wolf" issue, they couldn't remain silent. They needed to have a voice and damn they would fight for love. Meanwhile, the older ones thought that they were wiser for being either quiet or against said marital arrangement. Being on the safe side meant security for the entire wolf-dom.

The ax was about to fall on her head and every citizen in that town was watching because everyone heard the news that she was to be beheaded for the sin of "false marriage" as a public welfare and security issue.

The sun was high and the chief magistrate had announced the impending sentence. It was a harsh decision reached through a tribunal of twenty elders among the oldest of the clans.

Isabella's lips quivered in front of the crowd; they were excited for her blood. She didn't answer their questions, but her silence made them rage for her faster execution. Isabella's eyes were surveying the people surrounding her. They were her friends before, men and women. Not one could defend her now that death was before her eyes. Her uncle Tom was there, with a wide grin. He must have felt triumphant, she thought. On the contrary, she could feel that not all of the crowd was under the influence of the incumbent dispensation. She had wished that somehow he was there and that these men she saw were with him. She knew, she could feel, by those looks in their eyes. She was nervous, but she could smell his presence and so not all hope was lost.

Scattered were the renegade wolves of the more liberal view, the minions of Tatin. Some were on the higher grounds to where the guillotine was located. They were, in fact, everywhere. Some were also hiding behind the mountains. They were the believers who had witnessed what happened to strictly observed arranged wolf-wolf marriages. Eighty out of a hundred marriages broke leaving the children to the care of the elderly or the community.

A man raised his right hand to signal the fall of the ax.

That signal was the same signal for the rebellious wolf pack to come out of hiding. One of them who stood up in front of the ceremony, lit the torch, then, screamed, "for love and freedom!" Michael, a beta wolf, ran to Isabella's side to untie her hand, body, and feet. Then, they ran together towards the exit gate but were blocked by men who now had transformed into the horrifying creatures that they were. Isabella and Michael's eyes flashed like light bulbs, sensing an immediate danger. They had to change quickly into their animal form and faced the wolves surrounding them. Then, they lunged at the enemies as beasts ready to kill and defend themselves.

At least, that was Isabella's recollection.