"So, what now?" asks Bonnie.
"We need to find Lysandra Jones, the Alpha," says Ben. "I don't know the Purple Clan too well, but I guess we can ask–"
"No need," I say.
I can feel her. Just like the other Alphas, Lysandra Jones' aura feels something almost physical to me. It's not as strong as Nora's or Selena's, but I can still feel it. It's a bit stronger than Johnny Seaver's, and it's guiding me toward those buildings with the graffiti. I start walking, the three of them following behind me.
I'm feeling a bit... numb. Maybe I'm just tired from all these events today, but I feel a bit strange, thinking I'm going to meet yet another person who could have the answers. However, she could also have none at all. I mean, I'm only meeting that woman based on the assumption that Clarissa picked the name Mara Jones on purpose... although it's a relatively common name. I could be completely wrong, or I could be on my way to meet someone related to Mara, the original Mara, Nephera's unborn daughter. After all, if it was her real last name, does that mean she was connected to that Alpha, to the Purple Moon Clan? All the questions are rushing in my head, and I'm making too many assumptions.
We arrive at the entrance of the bunker-like building covered in graffiti. It's more like an abandoned building, actually, but the walls inside have been torn down to leave only the main structure, and inside, a giant skatepark has been established. It's not just a skatepark, though. To my surprise, there are about as many humans as there are wolves. I can't tell if they are doing some strange dance, fighting, or pursuing each other, but there's a lot going on. It's echoing like crazy in there, making the whole place crazy noisy compared to the quiet neighborhood just before.
"Oh, shit..."
I feel just like Ben, a bit overwhelmed. This place is crowded with people. Most look young, but there are some older ones too, who seem to be training them. Is this some sort of training area? I keep glancing around, following that aura I felt. It guides me toward a woman, sitting on a pillar, like a panther watching her territory. There are two men standing at the foot of that pillar with angry pit-bull faces, making me think I definitely found the Alpha. Moreover, her eyes are already on me.
She doesn't act or say anything, though, she only has that smirk on, and swings her leg around, waiting for me to come to her. She's wearing only sports clothes, and her long hair is split into two very long braids. She looks much younger than I thought. Her skin color is darker than mine, but she has gold tattoos on her arms and gold rings too. She even has a few piercings. I navigate between all the wolves and humans in the area to approach her, trying hard not to get hit or bumped into. I didn't think it would be this hard just to come and talk to an Alpha!
Finally, I arrive below the little pillar she is seated on. She smiles.
"Hello, little witch. Got lost?"
"I just came to ask you a few questions," I say.
"Let me guess. You're curious about Sylviana, right?"
I hesitate. Sylviana's house is on their territory. It makes sense they were... closer to her. Their pack probably knew of her existence long before others. I take a deep breath, and decide to be more direct.
"...More about Nephera, actually."
She loses her smile, and I see her frown a bit. Crap, maybe that was too direct? She doesn't look like the kind of woman I should mess with. Her aura seems quiet and tame at the moment, but I have a hard time reading her facial expression, and it makes me nervous. She's definitely gauging me, and I can feel her bodyguards, or whoever those two massive guys are supposed to be, glaring at me.
"...Why would you ask me about Nephera?" she finally asks.
"I... wondered if she had ever been associated with the name Jones."
"Jones?"
She stays silent for a moment, and I can tell she's scrutinizing me again. Although she doesn't seem to trust me, at least she's rather honest. After a little while, she comes down to the ground with an elegant little jump, falling silently on her feet like a panther. When she stands back up, I realize how tall and muscular that woman really is. Her aura seems more impressive from up close too.
"Come with me."
She guides me out of that place, and my friends follow after us as soon as we are out of there, all three of them rather quiet. However, Lysandra Jones doesn't seem to care about them. She goes toward one of the houses in the area, a large blue one. It has an old lady sleeping outside on a rocking chair, with some young pups sleeping at her feet like it's nap time. Lysandra walks past them and takes us inside.
It's a family house, but surprisingly empty. I would say it's a bit smaller than Nora's, more closeted too. It has a strange choice of decor, though. Some of the old items hanging in all corners reminds me of that old movie that took place in Louisiana, with the voodoo stuff, scented candles, and the likes... There are old pictures everywhere, it looks like the Jones Family has been around for a while... However, the furniture has been changed into something more colored, more modern that clashes with the rest. A big, black leather sofa is in the middle of the room, and Lysandra points her finger for us to quietly sit on it. Then, she turns around, leaning against a large mantle.
"Alright. What about the name Jones?"
"I don't know if you heard, but... Mara is basically looking to find her memories, and who she is," Bonnie starts explaining. "The White Moon Clan was... helping her until now, but..."
"You mean watching her," Lysandra interrupts her. "I know Selena, she is a good Alpha and a good woman, but she is too stubborn and wary of people to simply take pity on a young unknown witch, not after what happened. I already know all that, do you think Tonia and I don't talk?"
Bonnie stays mute and looks down, a bit embarrassed. I sigh.
"If you already know, then, do you know anything about... Mara Jones?"
She frowns, crossing her arms.
"Mara Jones? Who by Moon Goddess is that supposed to be?"
