by Unknown
I instantly shifted and lunged towards her spinning mid jump to avoid her blade. She slide under me as if she was on ice and came up behind me and held me up on two feet with her arm encircled around my neck. She had the strength of a hurricane. The pressure was like a vice clamped around me. She had her other arm shift into the silverblade and all I thought of was my mother and I was ready to finally meet her wherever death will take me. I felt the coolness on my fur and it was the lips tender and soft. I opened my eyes ready to meet my mother. I was surprised to see I was still in my room, and I fell to the floor. The wind creature moved to the far side of the room and put her blade away. She knelt down on the floor in a way a subordinate wolf would do to an Alpha. I’ve seen it before in the pack and I was seeing it now in my room. I was still on two feet and wasn’t going to give up my position. If this was the mage there was no telling what trickery it was up to.
“Connor, I am not the witch you think I am. In fact, I am worse. I came here to kill you and end this war before it begins.” She said in soft voice with nothing but kindness. But the truth in what she said made it so I was not going to relax. I was going to fight.
Can you hear me? I asked her.
“Yes, and I know how to sense you like you are sensing me.” She replied calmly.
If you are here to kill me then why didn’t you just now? I asked. Though I was still wary my wolf was starting to feel less threatened.
“Because I think you are more than you seem. I was ordered to kill you but I trust my instincts as I am sure you are now trusting yours instead of attacking me while I am in a position of vulnerability.” She replied in a way it made me wonder if she could read my thoughts before I even formulated them.
I don’t think you’re vulnerable at all, even in your position. I said with a hint of sarcasm.
She smiled and I was entranced by her beauty. She was breathtaking. Her features were soft and kind and she looked like a perfect sculpture. If I had to sketch a goddess it would look exactly like her. She looked like a siren encased by the movement of the powerful wind that continued to circle her.
I don’t think I want to kill you despite your moves to kill me. Is it some magic you’re casting? I asked honestly but even as I asked I knew I wasn’t under a spell but hey, it doesn’t hurt to ask.
“No Connor. I don’t cast spells like a witch. I’m not a witch, I’m an assassin. I have certain powers to manipulate thoughts but only of those I shift into.” She said still kneeling. “You would call me a shape shifter. I can shift my body into that of humans. My name is Bryn.” She said bowing her head in a way of a salute.
I gulped and decided to shift back into my human form since she was clearly not going to hurt me because she could whether I was in wolf form or not.
She patiently waited until I was done and asked me, “Would you feel threatened if I rise?
“No, please don’t kneel to me. I’m not the Alpha.” I answered feeling awkward that I didn’t explain it before.
“Yes you are. But it simply is not your time yet. You are a pure blood alpha. And it is my honor to finally meet you in my own shape.” She answered now standing tall at eye level.
“For a moment I thought that you were my mother’s spirit, I mean for a split second before you attacked me.” I said with a smile on my face to take the edge off of my words.
“I’ve met your mother and I will confess that I do her no justice. She far exceeds me in beauty of her soul. She impressed even my mother which is quite difficult to do. That is how you came to be.” She said watching me and waiting for me to register what she was saying.
My heart dropped along with my jaw. If she was right that would mean her mother was the mega mother of all. Mother nature. She was the one that lifted the curse and allowed my mother to have me. So this was getting interesting.
“Why does your mom want me dead?” I asked feeling nervous at the thought of such a powerful being wanting me dead. “And has she been the one sending the wolves to kill me?”
“No, it isn’t her. There is a traitor orchestrating this war so that your father can be challenged at his weakest moment. When he is mourning you.” She said and paused to give me time to consider the betrayal to me and my father by one of our own.
“My mother wants you dead for her own reasons. She is concerned with the power you will develop and the possibility of that power being used for dark deeds. But I will leave it to your father to explain your family history as it is not my place.” She raised her hand as I was about to object. “I’ve already broken rules in sparing you; I will not break this one. So do not insist.”
“I will ask him but before anything else let me say, thank you. I don’t know what made you trust me but thanks for not killing me when we both know you could have.” I said as a matter of fact. She chuckled in response.
“Being around you, watching you grow these last 17 years, I cannot kill someone I feel a bond to.” And in response to my look of puzzlement at being stalked she continued. “I’ve kept an eye on you, and this past year I have been around you almost daily, shifting into various people around you. Lately I’ve been Lisa to observe you and the situation you’ve innocently caused. You are too powerful for Mother Nature to be at ease, but I know you now, and I have faith that you are more like your mother.” She approached me and lifted her had to my face.
“You have her compassion and I trust you will be a noble alpha” She said tenderly.
“What do you mean shifting into people? Who? How?” I drill her for information on what or who my friends are.
“I’ve been classmates, friends, teachers, and even animals around the campground to watch you train. I borrow their bodies while I need it, that’s why you were unable to sense any difference in the people around you. But before you ask, I only take their shape for moments. Just small glimpses so I can watch you and those around you.”
Awkward. Did I kiss you when you were Amanda? I couldn’t speak the words.
She laughed and I couldn’t help but smile. “No. I don’t invade any private moments you have with your people. I like to be unobtrusive. I will admit the day you and Amanda had the encounter with a wolf in the woods, I was there to assist Amanda so she would not be harmed. But again, before you ask, I cannot tell you how. It is her secret to share with you.”
“Can you shift into a Were? Have you?” I asked in awe of the talents she possesses.
“I could but shifting into a mythical creature is very complicated. Humans have a single dimension where we are beings of multiple entities. With humans it is simple to take on their bodies and have their minds remember only what I place there. Mystical creatures are not that easy to manipulate. The day I had to help your coach fight off the attack at your homecoming I had to appear as I am now. I did my best to help spare any more bloodshed” She said and then closed her eyes and I thought immediately of Caitlin.
Wow. She was the one that shred the wolves apart. I was lucky she liked me.
“What happens to them when you take over?” I kept pushing for more.
“Shhh, we have little time. Your father is returning. Connor, you must end this war. That is the only way you will be spared from the other assassins my mother will surely send.” She said hurriedly.
“How much time do I have?” I asked with growing concern that I couldn’t put an end to this in time.
“I will protect you as long as I can but she needs to be convinced you will not throw the balance she created off its center. She needs this war over.” She walked to my window looking out.
I knew we needed a plan and I knew with Bryn by my side we could take on the rogues and save my pack.
“Ok. I’ve got a plan, but I need your help.” I said and she turned with a smile and answered, “I was hoping you would say that.”
CHAPTER 12
So the plan was simple really, I was going to draw the attention of the rogues. I figured I could tell my Dad that I wanted to head with Lisa, which Bryn will shift i
nto, to Oregon to check out the university. That way he can focus on bringing down the rogues while I would be safely away without it seeming like I was running and hiding.
This way I knew he wouldn’t send a pack member with me as that would be a sign of weakness. He would undoubtedly tell the pack, and the rogues would use the opportunity to take me on since I would only be with Lisa. Bryn will be the biggest surprise. The bonus will be that the word will spread that I’m a strong and deadly wolf since I won’t reveal Bryn to anyone. They will credit me with the shredded remains of the rogue wolves, and that will ward off anyone else wanting to take me out. But my life motto lately has become, nothing goes as I plan.
I was heading into the kitchen ready to set my plan into motion but I stopped dead in my tracks as my dad let out a growl that shook the dishes and windows.
“Vince I need you to stop acting like some lone bad ass and head over to Ula’s and make sure she’s ok. I’m going to B.J’s and we will meet at his place. We need to move on these rogues now before they tear our pack apart!” He said with a chilling tone.
I never heard my dad like this. Nothing I’ve ever done has ever gotten him this upset so I knew it was bad.
“Dad, how can I help? What’s going on?”I asked feeling my wolf rise up at the mention of someone attacking my pack.
“They are moving in small units attacking the council members and the strongest of the pack. Ralph, Lyall, and Tate have already been attacked and Tate is in really bad shape. Luckily Lyall and Ralph are old and experienced fighters so they managed to come out of it without too many injuries. A couple others weren’t so lucky. We have two wolves dead from silver overdose. I’m still not sure how.” He said putting his head back on the chair. To anyone else it would look like he was praying out of despair but I learned enough these past months to know when he was pulling on his pack bonds.
“Vince is with Ula. She’s ok.” He said with relief. “I have to go to B.J. my tie with him seems a bit weak so I’m worried he and Rollin are losing their battle. I feel extreme pain from him and I fear the larger attack was on him since he’s my second. Fridolf will be here any minute so you have someone to help you take on any rogues. Not that you need it seeing how you were able to fight off the attack last time.” He said with pride and worry in his voice.
“I never told you this but the house is protected. I had a talisman built into by from some very powerful beings and you’ll be safe here.” He said. I wonder if I should tell him he needs a stronger one since Bryn didn’t seem too deterred when she was about to slice my neck.
“As soon as I know B.J. is ok, we will group together and take them out. No more recon. And I want you with us.” He put his arm on my shoulder and I felt so close to him and the pack.
I didn’t know what to do. I knew that Bryn could take the rogues out without anyone of my pack members getting hurt, especially my dad. I had to somehow get away and met up with Bryn so I can tell her the change of plans and go off with her to get the traitor. She said she knew who it was but that telling me was something she could not do. She said some things could not be spoken without the wind taking your words to ears that shouldn’t be listening.
“Ok Dad, I’ll be here waiting and ready to join you guys.” I said and hoped our bond didn’t reveal my lie.
The doorbell rang almost on cue and I opened it to a frazzled Fridolf who was visibly bothered by what was happening.
“Fridolf thank you for coming.” My Dad said embracing him like a son would to a father. I realized at that moment that Fridolf was the closest thing my Dad had to a father, since his was gone. I never did ask my dad about what happened to his father and siblings but I assumed they didn’t survive the centuries as he had. If they had wouldn’t they be here? There was so much I still needed to learn about.
“My Ula? I haven’t been able to reach her.” Fridolf said with worry in his eyes.
“She’s fine. Vince is with her and even if there was an attack the two of them could easily fight it off.” Dad told him reassuringly. Fridolf knew the truth in those words and relaxed.
“I’m more concerned about B.J. and Rollin. I don’t feel Rollin at all and B.J.’s connection is very weak.” Dad looked over at me as he told Fridolf knowing that he had kept the part about Rollin from me. It stung. Him not telling me was bothersome but under the circumstances I knew he probably didn’t intentionally do it.
What stung most was knowing Rollin was gone. He was, in a way, like a big brother. Training and hanging out with him made me feel more like part of the pack than anything else had. More than that, we’ve been friends since I was a kid and those bonds are hard to break. I couldn’t imagine what B.J. was feeling. Even though with Weres he wasn’t a blood child, he was still B.J.’s son. He was turned by B.J. and they share that bond. Just like Ula and Fridolf. Another of my pack was gone and there was nothing I could do about it. I thought back to Mike and how somehow I knew I had something to do with his miraculous recovery. If I had been with Rollin or the others, maybe I could have saved them. I decided to tell my Dad. There was a lot that I hadn’t been telling him but this took priority.
“Connor, you should have told us.” Fridolf said searching his bag for a pen and paper to document it.
“It’s ok Fridolf. This is all new to him and to us. Lately, we’ve been so involved with your training that I stopped being there for you when it comes to other parts of your life and transition.” He said ruffling my hair and making me feel less guilty for not saying anything sooner.
“But now I must go to B.J.’s. I’ll send word to you as soon as I’m there so we can all move together against them. Connor if there are any other injured Weres I will send for you and Fridolf.” He said hugging me and a part of me felt like a child wanting to cling to him, worried that he was walking into a trap. I had to get to Bryn so I had a chance at killing the traitor and sparing any more harm to my pack. I reluctantly let go of him and watched him walk out the door.
I waited a couple minutes until I approached Fridolf. Getting past him won’t be so easy but luckily he was immersed in his log. After Dad left I gave him the details of what happened with Mike. He’s been on the computer and in his log ever since. I went out through my bedroom window and ‘borrowed’ Li’s car. I knew she wouldn’t mind cuz it wasn’t the first time. But I didn’t want to run into her since I knew questions she’d ask couldn’t be answered. She was being the good friend as it was. Not asking too many questions and giving me some space. I knew she thought I was trying to cope with my changes but she had no idea how deep this ran. I had to face the fact though that it was more than just what she saw that was keeping her away. I was preoccupied with Amanda and she has been going to see Mike every day since his accident. Even before then. Since the movies she seemed to be hanging out with him more. I guess our talk had her seeing things differently, and I was happy for her. Had my life not been so complicated lately with my pack and Amanda I might have been around her and Mike more to tease the heck out of them.
I finally got to the school lot where we agreed to meet. I was anxious to get to the traitor and put an end to all this. Finally, she appeared from the sun fuzzies. That’s what I call the little specs you see when looking at the sun rays. She seemed to form her cyclone body out of the sun rays and now looked like a glorious golden color.
“The pack is under attack and I need you to lead me to the traitor now, Bryn.” I asked her hoping she would feel the urgency in my voice.
“Connor, I broke the rules in not killing you but I can’t kill the traitor. I already choose to save you and killing the traitor will mean I am siding with your pack which I cannot.” She explained. “There are rules and balances that must be kept. If I spare you I must spare the traitor too.”
“Then I need to go find my father. He needs me and the pack needs me and I won’t hold you responsible. You already spared my life and I can’t ask more of you. Thank you Bryn.” I said holding my hand to my heart in a gesture to show h
er my gratitude since I really couldn’t give her a hug.
“I’m sorry Connor. But you have little time left. I feel my mother pulling on me which means she will know I failed and someone will be after you soon. Hurry.” And with that she sent a warm breeze around me and then it was gone.
I jumped in the car and picked up my phone. I had two calls to make, one to Fridolf to tell him I am heading to B.J.’s to meet up with my dad and another to Amanda to make sure no one has gone to her in search of me. But before I could dial my house I got an unknown call.
“Hello?” I answered.
“Connor? Is that you?” The voice was faint and weak. It was Rollin.
“Yeah it’s me, Rollin. Are you ok? Where are you?” I asked a bit panicked but I felt rage knowing he was hurt badly.
“They have me in some kind of farmhouse. It’s hard to tell where but it’s not that far out of town.” He said and breathed heavy. Broken ribs I suspected. “Can’t you pull on my bond, please Connor?”
“I’ll get my dad and he’ll find you.” I said.
“They’ll kill me if he comes Connor. They want you. I won’t tell you what to do but they’ll know if you bring him. Whatever you decide just please come.” And his phone cut out and I felt dread deep within me.
I called my dad and left him a message telling him what had happened. He didn’t answer as I suspected since I knew he had his own battle at B.J.’s.
I then pulled on my bond with Rollin. I wasn’t sure how to do it but I had to try. I started by pushing my senses farther out. I pushed it to the far stretches of town knowing his location was somewhere out there. First I felt his scent coming through then slowly more. I could hear his heartbeat, faintly. I then felt the pain and with the pain his presence was stronger. I followed it to the pumpkin fields a few miles from the school. I knew my wolf would get there faster so I shifted and ran as fast as I could. I knew that my dad would pull on our bond to find me.
I got to the farm and regretted leaving my phone behind. It would have been smart to call Fridolf and let him know where I was so he could be my wingman. Too late now.