New Beginning : A Beautiful Ethereal Creature (Spirit Wolf Book #1)

by Jacqueline Hakitten

  ‘She is an actually cute shortie.’ I joked and Hannah started to laugh. ‘Why you didn’t bring her directly home with you?’ She wanted to know. I am sure whatever I tell to auntie she would keep for herself. She was there fifteen years ago when my parents died and she knew that actually one of ours let them pass the borders. We questioned him and he said that several months ago his mate was killed because one of the clan members was talking too much after a few drinks and sadly some hunters heard him talking about the wolves in the woods. Since then auntie had a problem talking and usually kept everything for herself unless we talked together in mind-link.

  ‘She is still seventeen and doesn’t feel the bond yet. I guess it has some effect on her based on her reactions to me and despite her cautiousness and wariness she was pretty open to me. But when we entered our pack land today, she changed her scent and was presenting herself as a human. She is afraid. I want to show her we are not her enemies. Plus, if she was there when her whole pack was massacred, she was just eleven. I know that feeling when you are watching your parents die yet I still had you and poppa and the rest of our old pack. She lost everything.’ I explained to her and could already hear her silent cries. Auntie was a softie and cried really easily and I was sure she tried to imagine Rei’s feelings after what happened to her.

  ‘How did she survive here alone for six years?’ She asked me curiously. ‘Her wolf. Thoth told me that her wolf Maat has been with her since she was eight.’ I said and my aunt could not believe it. ‘Impossible.’ She murmured for herself.

  ‘Anyway, she would be coming to our pack since Emily asked Rei to teach her about the herbs and mixtures. She has really some pretty amazing skills and you know that Emily is already very skilled about what she does. Rei is able to create better medicine than the one Emily already has.’ I said very proudly. My mate is really something.

  ‘So, her name is Rei.’ She commented and I just realized that I actually didn’t tell her the name yet. ‘Yeah, Rei.’ I added. ‘When you bring her next time, tell me, I would come to meet her and help you to make her feel safe and secure with us.’ She told me and I was grateful. I would use any kind of help.

  ‘Auntie?’ I called. ‘Yes, my boy?’

  ‘Make sure those morons would keep it secret that I have found their Luna, please. I know I used my Alpha tone but still. As Elders, you all have a kind of power and authority yourself so they might be able to overcome my order.’ I asked her nicely and politely. I know she would speak to them and explain the situation. even Ismail might close his mouth and stay quiet at least one time.

  ‘I would do, don’t worry about that. We would bring your mate home in no time.’ She replied before she left our link and I was finally alone, half alone, in my mind with my thoughts. During the conversation, I already arrived back at our pack land. There were still pretty too many people because of the constant building but I didn’t mind the noise and rush around the place. It just reminded me that we need to bring the rest of our people especially women and children to us so they could be back under the protection. Knowing that they have only half of the protection, since most of the men were here building was making me pretty nervous.

  I walked around searching for Zack. I could have mind-link with him but honestly, I was enjoying the walk with the amazing fresh air and the smell of the woods and was happy to have a little bit of silence. ‘I am still here.’ Thoth spoke and I just gave him an annoyed face. ‘I could make a noise if you want to.’ He offered and I started to laugh. ‘Just go back to sleep or whatever.’ I told him back jokingly.

  I found Zack inside the pack house. It was lunchtime and part of the guys was now on break eating. They were eating in shifts since we had limited options now.

  “Zack.” I sat beside him while he was eating. “Yep?” He asked with his mouth full and I shook my head on him.

  “Make sure that they would paint the rooms today so it could dry tomorrow. I want to finish as many rooms as possible so we could start to move women and children to this place.” I told him. He understood my anxiety. His wife was here with him but he had to leave the kids there with others so for sure he and Tamara were missing them. So actually, hearing this made him happy and I was sure he would push them to paint the walls in two upper floors right after lunch. If he at least let them finish.

  “Glad to hear that man. would make them do it as soon as possible. I am worried about my kids and I am sure Tamara is missing them even more.” He told me with a smile and the food started to fall down from his mouth. I made a face to him and he just chuckled.

  Chapter 12

  REI’S POV:

  Rosie was pretty persistent while asking questions about Calen. It is not like I didn’t want to talk about him, it is just I had nothing to say honestly. I still don’t know him. Yes, I couldn’t get him out of my head but except that there is nothing else I could actually talk about. But I have to admit spending those last two hours with him was nice and for the first time in six years, I could feel I felt relatively safe. Does it make sense?

  ‘Yes, it does. Don’t think about it that much.’ Maat replied to me and I was really happy to have her in my own mind. ‘Thank you for being always with me Maat.’ I told her expressing how grateful I am for her. ‘Forever my dear. Forever.’ She replied to me and I could again feel the love she had for me. I am not sure if we should feel the feelings of each other but since we are sharing the same body and the same mind, I never thought about it as a problem. Sometimes it is better to let her feel what I feel than trying to explain to her.

  “Aw, why you don’t want to tell me anything.” I heard Rosie complain about my silence when it came to her questions about Calen. “Because there is really nothing to say. He brought me to their growing settlement and to the hospital to their doctor.” I replied to her and she was looking at me like I was just growing another head. I shook my head and gave her a shy smile. “Well, he is nice and gentleman but we just talked, he took me there and back. I made the deal with their doctor to teach her to take the medicine as I do so I guess I would be visiting more often but that’s really everything that happened. I swear.” I told her and she seemed to be pleased. I really have no idea what’s up with this woman. Is she trying to hook me up with him or what?

  “That’s a good start. So, what is your plan for the next two weeks until you come to see us again?” She winked at me making a strange face that I could read. I was looking at her a little confused before I thought about the next two weeks. ‘I really like her.’ Maat commented I am sure she was able to read her facial expression but for some reason, my own wolf was on the side of the woman who decided to tease me and Maat would be my Maat if she would not use this opportunity to pour some more into this cup. ‘Sometimes I doubt that you are my wolf and I think Moon Goddess made a mistake to pair me with you.’ I spoke to her back and she gave me a hurtful look pretending that her heart was bleeding. I have to say seeing a wolf acting this way makes you really laugh. Sadly, I had to control myself since I was still standing in the shop in front of Rosie.

  “Honestly I have no idea. Now when I think about it I did agree to teach her but I didn’t take any phone number, not like I have a phone to call her in the first place but I don’t know. I think I would do my daily job to prepare what I need for you guys and with them, I would see. Now I would need to make a little more since there are more people now. Oh, and by the way, he didn’t lie. I saw how they built the houses and they did really try to avoid cutting as much as possible. Their settlement is really something.” I told her in between our small talks and she nodded happily hearing the words I said.

  “That’s good news. I would not like it if they would destroy our lovely woods.” Rosie said and I could relate to that. “Yeah, me too,” I replied.

  Sadly, as every time I visit Windfield the time beside Rosie always flies like a wind during the storm. I loved to talk with her and enjoyed every day I was here but the evening was approaching and Rosie didn’t li
ke it when I was late in the woods alone. Well, I couldn't tell her not to worry that I am actually the deadliest predator there, well, was. I collected again my newly gained stuff and left the rest of my products in her shop. I bid my farewell because I placed my backpack on my back and headed back to my home. To my surprise, I smell four wolves nearby. I left it be but when I was halfway to my home, I felt they were following. ‘They are following us.’ Maat told me something I already knew. I knew they were trying to keep space between us but I could risk shifting to my wolf. We were exactly in the middle of the moon cycle which means they would see me from distance as a fire.

  ‘Maat.’ I said only her name and she perfectly understood what I wanted. She masked our scent completely which means since that moment I didn’t exist. Even if someone would stand right in front of me and he saw me by his own eyes he would smell nothing. Just pure air. For wolves whose senses are controlled by the smell, it is extremely confusing. I climbed up the tree pressing myself to the tree. The sun was already almost down so here was a good dark atmosphere to hide me. Thanks to Goddess I took black clothes for traveling and changed into my dress in Rosie’s shop and before heading back home changed back to my traveling clothes. She teased me about that especially after Calen dropped me back but it was still worthy.

  ‘They are below us.’ Maat told me and peeked carefully from my spot to see them under. They were confused and talking to each other.

  “Do you smell her?” The taller one asked. “No, you?” The other guy replied to him back. I focused on my breathing to slow down my heartbeat and make it almost impossible to hear. I was lucky that there were plenty of animals and I could easily slow down or fasten my heart the same as the animals around. “Damn, we have a problem, guys. Alpha is gonna kill us if we lose her. We were supposed to keep an eye on her and protect her if needed.” Another guy said. ‘He assigned them to protect us?’ I asked Maat, confused. ‘Why would he do that?’ I was really confused. He had no obligation to care for me. Honestly as a rogue and lone wolf he could actually drive me away from this land since they are pack and I am alone. ‘Why he shouldn’t. You saw that he is a very respectful and caring person. Maybe we are not part of his pack but definitely, he is the one who intrudes to our space. The only thing he could actually do is to keep us safe.’ Maat spoke wisely and I had to admit there was something about her words that made me feel so warm and wanted. It was actually a really nice feeling. ‘So, what would we do?’ I asked her. I didn’t want to make a problem for those guys but at the same time, I could now just jump down and let them see me without my scent. And suddenly releasing my smell would gain their attention two.

  ‘Well I guess we were not supposed to know about them so let’s leave them like that since they got caught by us.’ Maat chuckled and I had to admit this was evil. They were already afraid of punishment. ‘Don’t worry, their Alpha would not kill them. But I would like to see their punishment for being caught by us.’ She was really something. I laughed at her evilness.

  I saw their scent changed rapidly as the shame and worries were mixed with their own unique scents. I guess they mind-linked to Calen and he was giving them a lecture. “Shit.” The taller one said before they all started taking off their clothes. ‘Oh, Goddess they are going to change.’ I was horrified. I closed my eyes and was waiting until the dull sound of pounding pawns on the ground disappeared. When it was silent again, I opened my eyes and since I didn’t see anyone nor even the clothes around, I jumped down and ran to my home. I didn’t sense anyone close anymore but still was afraid to shit just in case someone might be watching from somewhere.

  Maybe it was not a very good idea to stay here anymore with the pack around. I would not be able to let Maat run. The point is Maat is very special. She has not the same body as other wolves. During the New Moon, we are free to run and we are practically invisible since her fur is pitch black and partly translucent so we are perfectly masked with the area around us. Like that its week prior to the New Moon and around the week after. But after this period of time passes, we are slowly changing and her fur is starting to glow on the moonlight. I saw her once beside our cabin when she let me see her image in the water. She was beautiful. In my mind, she looks pretty normal, well except that translucent part but because inside our mind, we don’t have our private moon shining upon her she doesn’t have that glow. But I see her fur slowly changing from black to silver and it’s beautiful. Her eye color is changing too. I never saw a more beautiful wolf than my Maat. ‘Because there is no other wolf like me. It is just me dummy.’ She told me and I chuckled.

  I ran the whole way back to our cabin. It was already dark when I got there so we cleaned everything we brought back to our cabin. ‘He is coming,’ Maat told me but I heard nothing or smell nothing. ‘Who?’ I asked her dumbfounded. ‘Calen.’ She said with a calm voice like it was normal to receive many visitors here. ‘WHAT?’ I screamed. I still didn’t take shower nor wash and I am sure I was still a little dirty from climbing the tree and running. ‘I still didn’t release our scent and the first thing you are worrying about is how you look? So amazing.’ She teased me and she was right. I should be thinking about more important stuff but at this moment none of those important stuff was actually coming to my mind. I heard Maat chuckled from how lost I felt.

  I heard a quiet knock on my door. “Rei? It is me Calen. Are you there?” I heard him call. ‘What should we do? Maat?’ I asked. I didn’t know what to do. Why the hell did I forget that we sealed our scent? Now it would be weird if I just release it.

  ‘Put on you the herbs and when he asks tell him you were down in the basement.’ She instructed me and I did as she said. Once I poured on me the perfume, I made especially for this reason purely from the herbs which made me invisible as a wolf. Everyone smelled only the herbs. So, he would realize there is someone the moment I pour the herbal scent and use my basement as an excuse would be good.

  I waited a little bit and once he knocked again, I shouted that I was coming. I felt his anxiety. Strange, not sure he had a reason to feel anxious. I went to open the door and his panicked face welcomed me. “Good evening Calen.” I greeted him. “What brings you here?” I asked him directly and at the same moment, the panicked expression increased with some other feelings. I guess this was fear and shame? Why would he feel like that? I didn’t know.

  “Ehm,” he started scratching his head. “I came to apologize.” “I don’t think there is something you need to apologize for.” I interrupted him and saw his nervousness. “May I come in please?” He asked me and I was thinking but Maat was quite persistent pushing me to let him in. So, I moved aside and motioned with my hand for him to enter. I led him to the kitchen and offered him a chair to sit. “Tea?” I asked him. He seemed he needed one to relax. ‘He definitely does.’ Maat commented too on him.

  “That would be great thank you.” He replied. I was preparing the water to boil and cups for tea and could feel his eyes locked. The place on my back burned as he was staring. “As I said I should apologize.” He started again. “Since my men lost you, I assume you found them. I didn’t mean to stalk you or something. I was afraid that something might happen to you here alone. No one knows when rogues might come and not everyone is like you.” He explained to me and I found him once again cute as he was anxious for me to not hate him or dislike him.

  “I know. I heard their conversation before they ran away.” I talked to him back without turning to him. I felt his posture and feelings change from worries to confusion. “They swore they lost your scent yet you are claiming to hear their conversation which means you had to be close. You did something similar to what you did in my pack land, didn’t you?” He asked me and I could sense curiosity in his voice. I turned to him, deciding what I should answer to him.

  ‘Ask him why he cares so much about us and depends on his answer you might decide whether we tell him or not.’ Maat suggested and I liked that idea.

  “Tell me. Why do you care about my we
ll-being, my thoughts about you and everything and I might consider answering your question?” I told him and this time I saw him discuss it with his wolf. There was something he was hiding from me and I guess now they were discussing to tell me or keep it for themselves.

  Chapter 13

  CALEN’S POV:

  ‘Can you f*cking explain to me how you four idiots managed to lose a seventeen years old girl?’ I was completely pissed off. They were supposed to keep the distance. I know she could alter her scent but didn’t expect my best warriors to be noticed in the first place for her to feel that she needed to alter it. I am she was only on her way home from madam Rosie. ‘Should we continue to her cabin Alpha?’ Rowan asked me. He was the best tracker in our pack but the moment he says there is no scent, no smell, it means there is really none.

  ‘Just leave it. She is probably already home. If something would happen to her you would feel the smell of other wolves around.’ I told them to come back to our pack. I would talk to them personally but first I need to go see her make sure she is seriously okay. ‘I am sorry Alpha.’ Rowan told me before I cut off our mind link. No need for their stupid apology. My best tracker and warriors who are training for I don’t know how many years couldn’t even a seventeen years old girl. I literally face palmed myself from the incompetence of my own people.