Shaping Destiny

by Hmonroe

  Was I really supposed to finish a war that my grandmother and the Sparks had started a hundred years ago? What would that accomplish, other than spilling more blood?

  “Max, I know you have much experience in protecting and fighting,” Dad said. “You have senses that I don't understand and that will be very helpful in defeating these lunatics. I can't lose my daughter. I need you to work with her and train her with everything you’ve got. Please don't let me down.” Dad held out his hand as if he were making another business deal.

  Max was in this one hundred percent. He got up and circled the table and placed his hand in Dad’s, then pulled him in for a hug.

  “I would risk my own life for your daughter, sir. I love her with all my heart, and I’ll let nothing happen to her.” Max spoke confidently into Dad’s ear.

  “That’s good to hear, son.”

  I picked up the picture and turned it over. Although faded from age, the name Sparks still stood out to me. Seeing it written down made me knew I'd seen it before.

  “Oh my gosh!”

  “What’s wrong, Leah?” Max asked.

  I stood up fast, as if I were going to do something that would help. Dad and Mom turned.

  “It’s Jared. I went to meet him for a dance performance. I snuck up on him while he was reading a letter. The word Sparks was on the letter. That’s where I’ve seen it. What if he's in danger? He did act weird when he saw me. What if because they couldn't get me, they were going after Jared?”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  I was frantic trying to locate my phone.

  In my room, I thought. While darting to my room, Max followed.

  “Leah, stop and think before you rush into anything.”

  “Rush?” I said surprisingly. “I've let all night and morning go by. How am I rushing? My friend could be in danger.”

  Max remained calm. “I know you can only think about saving your friend, but think about all the variables. What if that note you saw was just a prop, and it was meant for you to see. What if they're counting on you to call Jared and tell him where you are?”

  “There’s always a ‘what if’, and if that's their plan, then it has worked. I'm going to call.”

  I heard the phone ringing in my ear and my heart beating in the other. Everything went silent when I heard Jared say hello.

  “Jared! Hi! Are you OK?”

  “Yes, of course I'm OK. You sound worried. Are you OK?”

  I realized then he didn't know I had even left. I'm sure it was only a matter of time until my roommates would start to panic and would go tell him.

  “Yeah.”

  “Well, it's Saturday, and it's a nice day. Do you want to go for a walk?”

  “Wish I could, but I'm just not feeling up to it.”

  “OK. Do you need anything?”

  “No, but I wanted to ask you something. I noticed you held a paper with the name Sparks on it, and I wondered if that name means much to you.” I held my breath as Jared replied.

  “Sparks. Yes, that name means a lot to me. It’s a family name. I know we've never been to big family gatherings on my side before, but Sparks is my mother’s maiden name.”

  I felt sick and speechless.

  “Leah, you there? Why do you ask?”

  “Curiosity, I guess.”

  “All right. When you get to feeling better, call me. We’ll talk.”

  “Yeah, I'll talk to you soon.”

  I hung up the phone and then lifelessly put it down on the counter. Three sets of eyes were locked on me, waiting for answers.

  “You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Dad piped up. “Tell us what he said.”

  “They're family . . . I mean they’re his family.”

  “Jared’s family?” Mom asked.

  “Yes . . . Jared’s mother’s maiden name is Sparks.” We had never thought or considered that Jared was part of the enemy's family line.

  The first one to speak, Max said, “So is he in on it?”

  “NO!” I burst out. But then I thought about it. “I don't think so, I mean.”

  “Well, let’s think . . . When they first attacked you, you were walking along the sidewalk of campus. How did they know you would be there? Jared?”

  “Not necessarily. They could have just been stalking me.” Max and I went back and forth through all of our encounters with the Sparks family.

  “What about the time they grabbed you outside the student center?”

  “Again, they could have just been watching me.”

  “The parking lot fight? Or the last fight when we smashed into the semi? Jared could be their inside man.”

  “But we don't know that, and he's been so close to me for years. It’s just hard to believe.”

  “Yes, but didn't that guy you talked to last night say that he’s been watching you for a long time?”

  “Yes, me and my whole family.”

  “I'm just saying we can't rule it out,” Max said as his final words. I didn't want to consider that Jared could be a part of this at all. I put it in the back of my mind.

  Dad finally put in his two cents as if he couldn't hold back his thoughts. “I let that psychopath in my home and allowed him to be alone with my daughter.” Anger struck his face.

  But I had nothing more to add. He may or may not be behind this war. All I needed to know was that Jared was safe.

  “Max, we have plenty of land that is safe and fenced in, as you might have noticed. It’s time to train my daughter every day until she is ready, and even when she is ready she will train so she can stay sharp. We don't know when they’ll strike again, but until then, we'll be getting ready. We’ll not start this war, but if the war is brought to us, we’ll not run. We’ll fight and end this. Leah, I know you don't want to hear this but there will be death. They will not leave without getting what they came for. You must use this gift to once again save your family, just like Great-grandma had to do. After lunch, go and start to prepare.” He looked back at Mom. “Sweetie, I'm going to walk the fence line and make sure everything is still secure. I'll be back a little after lunch.”

  Lunch passed quickly, and Max and I were out the door before Dad returned. We walked through my property until our home was out of sight. Max walked ahead, getting the feel of the land, which gave me time for my mind to wander. The sky was cloudy and I could smell the scent of rain in the distance. I could hear squirrels scampering under and over leaves, preparing for the change in the weather. My senses were more heightened when I could relax and concentrate.

  “You have speed, hearing, and smell. Your senses are all extremely more powerful than you’re used to, and even your strength will increase when you're in animal form. These are things you have to get used to and familiarize yourself with. Also, you must be able to shift at will, without our connection.” I stood there with my hands in my pockets, just waiting for instruction. Max paced back and forth as he continued.

  “First, let yourself draw in the environment around you. Everything that's around you. Close your eyes, take in a deep breath, and feel the wind on your skin. Smell the storm that's hours away, and hear the wind swirl around your ears. Hear the plants and animals echoing in the air. Have nature become you. A wolf lives and sleeps in nature. She walks on her bare paws, on the cold ground, feeling the vibrations of the earth. She breathes in smells and hears noises miles way. You must find your inner wolf and feel as she does.”

  I pushed everything blocking my mind out, and I cleared my thoughts with a deep breath. I could hear Max's voice sounding farther and farther away as I grabbed on to the world around me. It was beautiful to immerse myself in peace and meditation. I could take on the world with the power I felt right at that moment.

  Max came up behind me with a large branch, holding it like a baseball bat. I didn't have to turn around, but his smell gave him away. I stepped to the side quickly and smoothly. I moved behind him with little effort.

  “What was that?” I threw my arms to the side.


  “Your first lesson, which you passed successfully. That was just one thing coming at you, and when this war comes, you’re not fighting only one person. You definitely won’t be dodging just one swing either. It will be many. Now, let’s do it again, but this time stay focused. You never know where they’ll be or how many times they may strike.”

  I was a little hesitant. I didn’t want to fail. I nodded and again closed my eyes.

  ***

  Hours passed as we fought each other. Drops of rain sprinkled down through a glorious orange sunset and landed on us. Our swift movements started to improve, and the ground looked well worn all around us. As we huffed and puffed, we both had the look of calling it a day. As we stood there silently looking at each other, I couldn't help but laugh. I looked over at him as my laugh started to fade, and he too had a smile of happiness. He walked over to me with quickness in his step. His two hands came up around my face and then slowed as he descended his lips to mine. I thought of only his lips and the heat of his body circling around me. The sky started to release more and more water, and the raindrops started to soak our clothes. As I could feel his lips pull away, I wrapped my arms around him.

  Minutes later we rested forehead on forehead. We smiled at each other in the rain, knowing that this was another lesson in controlling my new abilities. The sprinkle of rain turned into pouring water. We started to run toward the house. As we ran into the backdoor giggling, we could smell the aroma of dinner.

  “Oh dear. Let me go get you two some towels,” Mom said as she went to the hall closet.

  We dried ourselves off, and I started toward the front room.

  “Luke! Leon! How are you?” I put my arms out for a group hug.

  “Hey, sis!” Luke said back. “I hear you've had quit the excitement this past week. We thought we would stop by so we wouldn't miss out on all the fun,” Luke said jokingly.

  “Yeah, well I don't think fun is the word for it, but I'm glad you felt the need to check up on me. So Dad and Mom filled you guys in?”

  Leon gave an embarrassed look that gave away he’d heard a lot. “You can say that! Although everything we heard was kind of unbelievable at first. But our family sticks together and if you need anything, we want to help.” They both nodded.

  “Oh, no. You must not get involved. The last thing I need is to have any of you guys getting hurt.”

  Leon was my oldest brother, and Luke was the middle child. We all had dark hair and tan skin, but I ended up with brown eyes and my brothers had beautiful, ocean-blue eyes. Leon was always the sophisticated one: smart and bold. He had short hair that reminded me of a businessman. Luke had hair a lot longer, free and loose flowing, just like his personality. They were both shy of six feet tall, and very handsome. But I was biased.

  “No matter what you say, you know we can't just sit back and watch. So before you try to convince me, you must introduce us to him.” Leon pointed over to Max, who was drying his hair with the towel. Luke nudged me with his elbow, trying to see if I would tell him some juicy news.

  “I don't know how much you know about everything, but this is Max. Max, these are my brothers, Luke and Leon.”

  “It’s nice to meet you both.”

  “You too,” Leon said as he shook Max’s hand. “You have quite a title to live up to, I hear. Our father told us about the important role you have in our sister’s life.”

  “She is worth it,” Max replied.

  “Yes she is,” Luke said, winking at me.

  “How long are you guys able to stay?” I asked, hoping I wouldn't have to say good-bye soon.

  “Well, for as long as we can,” Leon stated. “This is a family emergency, and we don't plan on leaving anytime soon.”

  “Good, I was hoping you would say that.” I felt a sense of security having my brothers in the house with me.

  “Dinner's ready, everyone,” Mom announced. “Get around the table.”

  Dad sat at the head of the table, and Mom sat at the other end. My brothers sat on one side of the table, and Max and I were across from them. It felt perfect, having the family together again, laughing and catching up with each other. We filled in any gaps that my brothers had questions about, and my brothers filled us in on their lives. We stayed at the dinner table for a couple hours. These family times were always my favorite, and something about having Max there a part of the family made it that much more complete.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Two weeks later…

  Max and I grew stronger in our trust and love, while Jared's relentless phone calls and visits to the house made us grow further apart. Jared of course didn’t know where to find me. Every attempt that he made to contact me failed. My parents and brothers lied over and over, saying that they hadn’t heard from me for weeks. I wondered if he believed what my family told him. He knew how close I was to them.

  ***

  THROUGH JARED’S EYES:

  “Where is she?” an angry voice asked. I hesitated for a minute in fear, knowing that I had failed.

  “I told you I'm not sure. I've tried calling her cell phone, going to her parents’ home, and talking to her roommates. There is no sign of her. Her parents’ house is the first place she would go to be safe, but she isn’t there.” I put my head down.

  “So what you're telling me is that you have blown your cover. She knows that you're behind this. Your feelings for her have finally gotten to you, haven’t they?” His voice echoed in frustration.

  “I would be lying if I said I didn't have feelings for her. But how could I not when I've spent years with this woman. In the beginning, I gave you my word to not let you down, and I still plan on doing that. I just messed up.” I felt torn apart. I wanted to be Leah's hero and save the day, but I had never been a leader. I ran ideas through my head over and over again. What would my family say or do if I stood up against them? What would happen to Leah if I didn’t?

  “What do you want me to do next?” I asked almost too quietly for my cousin to hear.

  “I need you to find her! The more time we waste the stronger this wolf will become. We need to eliminate her while she is still unsure what is happening. It’s time to stop asking people if they know where she is and break into places and see for yourself. Go to her dorm at school and push her roommates out of the way. Go to her home at night and sneak through a window and search the house yourself. Do you know who that man she is always around is? Where did he come from?”

  “His name is Max.” I gritted my together in anger. “As far as I know, he is her new boyfriend. He came out of nowhere, and I have no idea what he wants with her. All I know is that he is always around and also a wolf.” Just the word Max had me pacing in defeat.

  “Don't give up yet, cousin. You’ll have your revenge on Max, but you must find him first. I have a feeling that wherever he is, you’ll find the girl. Now go, and don't come back empty-handed again. Call me when you know their location.”

  I left with a new-found courage to keep the mission going. I left the motel where my family had been staying for a couple days. They always bounced from place to place.

  I went to find Max; he would be my driving force. For now I headed to Leah’s home to storm my way in, no questions asked.

  ***

  THROUGH LEAH’S EYES:

  My mother kept food on the table, and my father made sure his property was safer than ever before. He bought more wood, bricks, and tools to enforce his fence line. He would come back to the house almost every night saying, “Nobody is getting in here.” I think the more times he told himself that the better it made him feel.

  Leon and Luke never went back to their lives. They stayed at home helping Dad and fixing things around the house that Dad never got around to. I could never convince them to leave; according to Luke they were here until the end. Max and my brothers became best of friends, as if they had known each other forever.

  There had been many days of training, and many days of stress, wondering each day was the day. A
s the days went by, we reminded ourselves that it was not over. If we got too lazy and assumed that today was just another day, that was when we wouldn’t be prepared. Maybe the enemy really didn’t know where I was, or maybe they were just letting days go by so they could attack when our defenses were down. We were very unsure of what and when things were going to happen. There had been no clues to help us better determine what to expect.

  It slowly warmed up as the day became late morning. We ran over our usual drills. I was getting fairly good at defending myself. Our training center in the backyard had transformed over the past couple weeks. We had a picnic table set to the side and blankets hanging up between two trees, acting as our changing rooms.

  “I can tell you one thing: you have been getting stronger and stronger every day,” Max said through puffs of air.

  “Thank you, but you have always been stronger.” I took a deep breath in.

  “I'll race you,” Max suggested. Because we both were so in tune with each other and the daily routine, I knew exactly what he meant. I raced behind the blanket. I then striped down my clothing as quickly as I could and transformed as my human legs were running. My feet became paws as I continued as quickly as my four legs could carry me. I was getting quicker and quicker each day, but I never quite could beat Max.

  As I made it back to our training circle, Max howled in victory while I growled back at him in defeat. His black fur moved freely, portraying his happiness. I tried to catch him off guard as I leaped for him and knocked him down in a wrestling spin. We rolled until I ended on top and got him pinned down. I knew I couldn't hold him down long, but just the few moments having him on his back felt good. He gently chomped down on my neck to show that he could still hurt me even in this submissive position.

  We both had our lips pulled back to show our teeth.

  “Hey guys!” Luke said from afar. We both looked his way.

  “I heard Max howling. He beat you again didn't he, Leah.” He laughed.

  I headed that way and whacked him in the leg with my heavy tail, then headed to my changing blanket.