SASCHA ILLYVICH

In between searching the globe for stranded and displaced wolves of the Opeth Pack, and translating her grandmother's ancient tomes, Selene manages to hold the position of Opeth Pack Witch, a duty she takes with reverence and a smart assed attitude.  We're currently seated in Józsi's condo in Clear Lake and while the Alpha is away with his lovers, Selene has agreed to sit and tell us more about the pack, the curse and fate.  She's dressed warmly, there's no hint of desperation in her posture, but there's that confident cougar attitude her mate Marco loves so much.  Red hair has been pulled back to expose a round face with pouty lips.  Her top exposes enough cleavage to make "me" cautiously happy, and of course, the hint of age and wisdom sparkles in her eyes.  If I had to guess, there's lupine blood in her, by the scent in the apartment.  It doesn't smell like Józsi's or Lukina's, nor does it have the delicate tang of Ilona's. 

 

Of course, Lukina is sitting next to her, dressed in jeans and a black top, her white cloak hanging over the edge of the leather sofa.  The air isn’t charged like it was with Józsi.

 

SI: I'd like to thank you for agreeing to meet with me and delve further into some of the questions your story left me hanging with.

 

Selene:  It's not a problem, (she offers a sweet smile.) I'm here to help in any way I can, despite the stupidity of the males of this pack.

 

SI: Ouch.  Why the harsh feelings toward them?  I mean your mate was sent here to learn maturity, right?

 

Selene: Yeah.  He was punished, sent to me in a move that was clearly calculated and somehow worked out to have me come back to that, (she looks at Lukina apologetically) pack to help them.  Marco was one of the few males who stayed and didn't pay any mind toward prophecy, probably because he wasn't supposed to play any part in it.  He'd always been thought of as a grunt.  But Józsi, Nicholaus, Álamos, all had duties.  Hell, even Les played a part in things but after he disappeared, no one knows what happened until he showed up one day, looking ragged and giving even more evasive answers about Prophecy than before.  Álamos is the one male to date who didn't shirk duty, while Józsi and Nicholaus vanished.  We haven't found Nicholaus yet but his mates are lonely without him. 

 

SI: I can imagine.  Does anyone know where Nicholaus is?

 

Lukina leans forward and puts a hand on my thigh.  Her warmth is very apparent though I start to smell a tinge of white pepper.  He's in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Dumbass.  We're going to get him soon as things settle down here. 

 

Tension fills the air and I realize I suddenly am thirsty.  Selene nods and rests back against the couch, sinking into the soft leather.  Her eyes grow weary but she manages a smile.  It puts the tension at bay while three glasses appear full of what looks like whiskey.

 

Selene: You seem surprised.

 

SI:  No, well, (hey, the bad boy of romance is blushing!)  I suppose I am.

 

Selene:  Just because the males of this pack are dumb and overdo it on the sauce doesn't mean some of us don't imbibe responsibly.  Besides, now that, I lost my... (She looks away, then back at me.)   I am older than everyone alive still save Les.  I think I've earned my drink.

 

SI:  I'd never argue that.  May I ask about your typical routine in the pack?

 

Selene: The pack witch is primarily responsible for assessing threats, teaching the healers, watching the world and working in that framework.  We move according to your human Wiccan cycles, and our magic is earth based.  That's how we function, how we charge ourselves without having to take in blood and bond with humans, though I suppose a human/wolf bond could occur.  It never has to my knowledge but I'd have to continue studying through the ancient texts Grandmother Emesh left before she passed.

 

SI:   So you're just a different race, albeit a more powerful one.  I'm guessing your time is short thanks to all the happenings now?

 

Selene:  (Laughs) That's an understatement.  This one, (she jerks a thumb at Lukina) has premonitions and seems to know where we need to go in order to collect our dispersed pack, and what the stakes are even though she can't always language it.  Unfortunately since she's technically my child, (The sparkle returns to her eyes) she is rather spirited.

 

Lukina sticks her tongue out at Selene and the two laugh. 

 

Lukina:  If the males weren't so goddamn stubborn I wouldn't have to yell.   (She crosses her arms over her chest and pouts.  It's rather cute but but I'm not about to point that out.  She's small, but she's still a wolf.)

 

SI: I put my hands up defensively, it's a male trait then?

 

Selene:  To hear Lukina tell it, yes.  But we have lost some females from our pack though we're pretty sure most of them didn't leave. Krystyna has…taken leave to find herself but she swore she'd return.   Álamos's mate, for example, just disappeared.  About the time Les did in fact.  But we know he didn't take her.  Lukina's having trouble finding that one, we've no idea why.  Listen, it's been real but it's almost time for me to call Marco.  He's been an outstanding mate and since he started studying and getting his business degree, he's taken to the education like a duck in water.  But we don't see each other right now, so you gotta bounce, kiddo.  We'll do this again soon.  I do have one question for you.  Why the different publisher for my story?

 

SI: When you told me your tale, I hadn't thought of the impact it would have on the world, nor had I thought far enough into the future to see the need for people to understand the great help mankind has in the wolves and just how badly you've alls truggled.  But like you, I need income, and finding the better market years later for the rest of the Opeth Pack's tale will get the message out to a larger reader base.

 

Selene:  I'm pacified!  Bye!  She smiles again.

 

I nod and sip the last of my whiskey in one gulp.  Then I thank them both, get a hug from both Lukina and Selene, and am out the door.  I take a great deal of pride in the fact that Selene flew me from California to Houston just for those brief few minutes to talk of the pack and her role, and look forward to more involvement.