by Jenny Frame
“I will. Safe journey.”
Dante smiled when they got in the truck. “Let’s get you to the airport, or that plane to Scotland will leave without you.”
It was happening. Kenrick’s dream was actually coming true.
Chapter Fifteen
Zaria held Kenrick’s hand tightly, reminding herself why she was taking this chance, why she was leaving everything she knew, and why she was in a plane thousands of feet above the ground.
She looked around the airplane and it wasn’t as packed and cramped as she expected. She and Kenrick had lots of room to breathe, thankfully. Kenrick had booked them in first class, yet another reminder of the gulf between them. Kenrick came from a proud pack that owned a large international business, and she came from a pack that had lied, cheated, and stolen their way through history. What would Kenrick’s parents think of her?
These were amongst all the millions of things that she had lain awake last night worrying about. Before she met Kenrick, she never would have imagined in a million years that she would trust a dominant at all, far less go halfway around the world with them, but the thought of letting Kenrick go was just too much to bear. She had no expectations for this trip, maybe she would fly home in a week or two, but she had to know if she could build something with this wolf the Great Mother seemed to be pushing her towards.
“Are you okay?” Kenrick asked.
“What?” Zaria smiled at Kenrick. “Just a bit tense. I’ve never flown before.”
“We’ll be there before you know it. I can’t wait to show you my home,” Kenrick said.
“How much longer?”
“A few hours. Not long. Then my pal Rhuri will pick us up from Glasgow Airport and take us to Wulver Forest. It should take us around three hours and bit. We’ll get home in time for a big steak dinner at my ma’s,” Kenrick replied.
Zaria sighed and tightened her grip on Kenrick’s hand.
“What’s wrong?” Kenrick asked.
Everything, Zaria thought. I’ve never felt so inadequate in my life. “Did you tell your mom you were bringing someone home?” Zaria asked.
“Aye, I phoned at the airport. Don’t worry, my ma is the nicest woman and Mater you could meet, and my da is a gentle giant.”
Zaria smiled. “Like you, you mean?”
“I’m gentle enough with my kin and those I care about, but I can be the fiercest wolf you’ll meet when I need to protect them.”
“I know, I saw that when you helped kill Leroux, but it feels like you’re bringing home a Lupa waif and stray.”
Kenrick wanted more than anything to kiss Zaria again and make her feel secure. So she inched forward and whispered, “You were never a waif and stray. You’re the strongest and bravest wolf I know to have been alone for so long. My parents will see that strength in you because I do. You’re only a Lupa by birth, you share nothing with them, and I want to offer a new pack, a new family name, but it’s your choice.”
Zaria searched Kenrick’s eyes and saw nothing but truth, love, and want. She parted her lips and invited Kenrick to kiss her, and she did with such tenderness that Zaria let go of all the tension she was feeling.
Kenrick pulled away and smiled. “Better?”
“Better,” Zaria replied.
“Good. I need to thank you too. I was dreading this journey home, not just because I was leaving you.”
“What else?” Zaria asked.
“I was dreading it because I was coming home to be Alpha, and my life was set out for me. I didn’t believe in myself or my abilities until I met you. When you ran to the Lupas, all the abilities I didn’t think I had rose to the surface, and I led the Wolfgangs to you. I know now that I was born to lead.”
Zaria caressed her cheek. “Of course you were. You’ll be the best kind of Alpha, kind, gentle, understanding, but fierce when you’re defending your own and your pack lands.”
“Thank you. That means a lot,” Kenrick said.
Zaria noticed they were getting a few glances from the humans around them. “I think we’ve caught everyone’s attention.”
“Nah. It’s not you. You can pass for a human female, a beautiful one at that, but still human. It’s me who stands out wherever I go.”
Kenrick smiled and pointed at her dreadlocked hair. “The hair, the build, the height—it all challenges the human constructs of gender. To them, I’m abnormal.”
Zaria gave a low growl. “Human gender rules are stupid. You are everything a wolf should be, Ricky.” Zaria truly meant that, but she’d never admitted it out loud before. Kenrick was perfect, her dream wolf, but could the life she could offer Zaria be her dream too?
“Thank you, lassie,” Kenrick said, then looked around quickly, “Let’s play spot the paranormal.”
Zaria laughed softly. “Spot the paranormal?”
“Aye, have you never played it before? We can’t be the only non humans on the plane.”
“No, I can honestly say I haven’t.”
“Well, let me tell you the rules. You spot a Vampire—ten points. Witch and fae—five points, shapeshifter and wolf—one point, cause that’s an easy spot.”
Zaria giggled. “Okay, game on, wolf.”
* * *
Kenrick was happy to see Zaria looking excitedly out of the plane window as it was coming to a halt on the runway. Zaria had been nervous for most of the flight until they had their talk, but now at least she was starting to treat this as an exciting adventure. Kenrick had to keep reminding herself that it wasn’t certain that Zaria was going to stay with her, even though she felt like she was bringing her Mater home to her pack. This was only a chance, a choice she had given Zaria. Zaria had to feel free to make her choice or she’d never be settled here.
“Look at the rain, Ricky. It’s bouncing off the runway.”
Kenrick smiled. “Welcome to Scotland. You’ll be seeing lots of rain.”
After twenty minutes they were finally ready to disembark. “This place is so busy,” Zaria said. She had never been somewhere so packed with people and it was a bit overwhelming.
Kenrick, who was carrying their hand luggage, said, “Just hang on to my arm tightly.”
They eventually made their way to customs, and Zaria held her breath while the customs officers checked her passport, but she got waved through quickly. Dante’s contact was clearly good at what they did.
“I thought my heart was going to burst,” Zaria said.
“Don’t worry. I trust Dante, and if she thinks someone is good at their job, then I know they will be. Let’s get the cases.”
Kenrick pushed the trolley, heavy with luggage, out into the foyer of the airport.
“Which one is Rhuri? There’s so many people.”
“Look for someone with hair like me, except dyed bright red,” Kenrick said.
Zaria scanned the hundreds of figures in front of them. “I’m never going to spot someone—” Then she did. Tall, well built, and with extraordinary hair like Kenrick, but a little different. Her dark brown hair was shaved on the sides, with the same Celtic symbols as Kenrick’s scalp, but on top she had a mane of obviously dyed flame-red hair. “Wow, you Scottish wolves sure like to stand out like peacocks.”
Kenrick laughed and Rhuri, spotting them, waved her hand. “Let’s go introduce you to my best friend.”
Zaria’s nerves came back. She was sure Kenrick’s friends and family wouldn’t be ecstatic about a Lupa wolf arriving in their pack lands. She followed Kenrick, and Rhuri came towards them, meeting them halfway.
Rhuri had a huge smile on her face. She thumped her chest in salute to Kenrick and engulfed her in a hug. “Welcome home, pal. Did ye have a good journey?” Rhuri asked.
“Aye, excellent. Let me introduce my friend, Zaria. She’s going to stay with us for a few weeks at least.”
Rhuri inclined her head respectfully. No dominant wolf had done that except Kenrick. “Welcome Zaria. I’m glad to meet ye,” Rhuri said.
Rhuri had a broader Scot
tish accent than Kenrick, and she had to concentrate on the words to make she understood, but her voice’s beautiful sing-song quality was the same as Kenrick’s. She wore the same leather wristbands on as Kenrick but had different ear piercings. Hers were black horn shaped ones piercing through her ears. Going by these two, Wulver wolves had their own unique look.
“I hope you’ll love Wulver Forest as much as we do,” Rhuri said.
“I’m sure I will.”
Kenrick and Rhuri packed the Land Rover with the luggage while Zaria gazed around at her first look at the city of Glasgow. It wasn’t what she expected. When Zaria thought of Scotland, she imagined rural villages and farmland, but from all the large buildings and built-up area around the airport, Glasgow could match many big cities.
Kenrick took her hand and said, “What are you thinking?”
“I wasn’t expecting a city like this. I thought rural villages and small towns,” Zaria said.
“This is the west of Scotland, lassie. It’s very different in the Highlands. I can’t wait to show you.”
Kenrick was right. It didn’t take too much driving time on the freeway, or the motorway as they called it here, for the large towering city buildings to give way to rolling fields, sheep and cows grazing, and mountains in the distance.
“It’s beautiful, Ricky.”
“This is only the start.” Kenrick smiled.
As they left the airport Zaria felt like someone was watching her. She turned around quickly but there was no one there.
Strange.
* * *
Rhuri had been driving them for a few hours and Kenrick was delighted that Zaria was loving the scenery around them. Kenrick was proud of her home, and also very proud of her friend Rhuri being so welcoming to Zaria.
She chattered non-stop to Zaria and took a very gentle approach to her. In Kenrick’s quick phone call home, she had briefly explained Zaria’s difficulties. She wanted her to feel as comfortable as possible.
“I’m glad you came to visit us, Zaria. All the pack is excited to meet you. It’s a great time to visit too, with Ricky’s Alpha ceremony next week.”
Zaria gazed at Kenrick with what Kenrick hoped was pride. “I’m looking forward to it, Rhuri.”
As their journey continued, Kenrick pointed out the mountain range in the distance that surrounded Wulver Loch.
“So has your loch got a monster like Loch Ness?” Zaria said with a smile.
“Aye, we have. The Water Kelpie,” Rhuri said excitedly.
Kenrick facepalmed. “By the Great Mother, don’t get her started on the Water Kelpie.”
Zaria laughed. “What’s a Kelpie?”
Rhuri said, “I saw it when I was eight years old. It was amazing.”
Kenrick shook her head. She had heard this story a million times from Rhuri and a few other believers in the pack, and then there were the human tourists who came to catch a glimpse.
“It’s different from the Loch Ness Monster. The Kelpie is a mythical water spirit, sometimes called a demon. It’s supposed to be able to shapeshift, take many forms—like a horse, a naked woman—but it’s only a myth.”
Zaria nudged Kenrick and said with a cheeky smile, “Surely a werewolf would have a more open mind than that?”
Rhuri piped up from the driver’s seat, “You never said a truer word, Zaria. I’ve been telling her that for years, but will she listen?”
Kenrick chuckled. “I guess I’m outvoted then. Well let’s see if you spot this Kelpie while you’re here.”
Zaria winked at her and squeezed her hand. Kenrick was delighted to see Zaria comfortable enough to poke fun at her. There was such a difference in her since they first met.
Hopefully it would continue.
* * *
“Drop us here, Rhuri. I want to show Zaria the loch,” Kenrick said.
The car stopped by what looked like a pathway into the forest. But the entrance was guarded by a car barrier and two big dominant wolves.
Zaria wondered why the forest needed a guard, but before she had a chance to think about it for too long, Kenrick had opened her car door and offered her hand to help her out.
As she did, Rhuri said, “Will I take all the bags to your den?”
Kenrick looked to her and said, “You don’t mind sharing my den do you? There are two bedrooms so you’ll have your privacy.”
Zaria didn’t want to be on her own in a new place where she was a stranger, so that suited her perfectly. “I’d like to be close to you.”
Kenrick gave her the biggest smile, and the smile warmed her heart. This was the first time in her life making another wolf feel good and happy meant something to her—apart from her sister.
“Good. Let me show you our beautiful loch.”
Zaria got out and was hit by the freshest scent. She filled her lungs deeply. There were notes of rain, water, wood, pine, and a distinctive earthy smell that made her shiver.
When she turned to Kenrick, she had her eyes closed taking everything in.
“I’m glad to be back home,” Kenrick said.
Rhuri drove away and was let through the barrier. The trees around the checkpoint looked almost designed to cover what was behind them.
The loch was much bigger than the lake in Wolfgang County and was surrounded by a mountain with rolling hills. Zaria could imagine how the loch was hewn from the mountainside by the great glaciers, millennia ago.
At the end of the loch, not too far from them, was a large white stone building with Wulver Whisky painted in black letters on the side. It was so near the loch that the water lapped at the sides of the walls.
“Look, this is the one of the best views. You can see right down to the end of the loch.”
Zaria was awed at the natural majesty of the loch and the quaint white cottages and small buildings that followed its contours, right down to the other side of the loch. Each building looked old but all of them had solar panels on the roofs. Clearly the Wulvers were ecologically aware.
Lots of humans milled around the buildings and stood by the loch’s edge, with children running around playing. It was a busy place.
“Is that where you live? Those buildings down there?”
Kenrick chuckled. “Nah, that’s for the benefit of the tourists. There are sweet shops, tea shops, gift shops, that kind of thing. We have steady stream of human visitors here. The adults love to come and tour the whisky plant, and the kids love the water, the adventure play park we have further down, and watching out for that Water Kelpie.”
Zaria smiled. “Sounds great. So where do your wolves live?”
Kenrick winked. “You’ll see.” She pointed to a large silver building down at the other end of the loch. “That’s Wulver Spring bottling plant. We have the freshest, clearest water in the world, I think. Come and try.”
Kenrick jumped down from the wall onto the stone beach and held out her hand to Zaria. She took her hand and jumped. Kenrick led them over to the water’s edge. Zaria could see how clear it was. No wonder Wulver Spring was so popular.
Kenrick crouched down and cupped some water into her hand and drank it quickly. She let out a long sigh. “Ah, Great Mother, I missed that taste when I was gone. Here, try some.”
Kenrick cupped some more water with both hands and brought it up to Zaria. The water dripped through her hands but there was plenty still in there. Zaria put her hands around Kenrick’s and lowered her lips to lap up the water. Kenrick wasn’t exaggerating. It was the clearest, freshest water she had ever had, and the deep, cold temperature made it seem as if you were drinking the water of the melted glacier that first sculpted this landscape.
Zaria drank a little more, then looked up at Kenrick with a smile. “That was delicious.”
Kenrick let the rest of the water drip onto the stone beach. “Just imagine how much better it tastes after your wolf’s had a long run in the forest.”
Zaria noticed a sparkle in Kenrick’s eyes, as if they were more alive somehow, and it totally c
aptivated her. “You look different here, Ricky. More vigorous, vital, and alive.”
Kenrick took Zaria’s hand and placed it on her chest. “Our pack has been here a very long time, and we’ve become connected to the air, the water, the earth, the trees. They sustain us and we sustain them. I can’t wait to show you and tell you our story.”
Zaria was certain that whatever the story was and whatever Kenrick showed her, she was only going to fall deeper and deeper for this remarkable wolf.
* * *
Kenrick offered Zaria her hand and was delighted when she took it without question. She could feel how nervous Zaria was and wanted to make things as easy as possible. They walked up to the security barrier and the two wolves on duty saluted.
“Jansen, how’s things?” Kenrick said.
“It’s been pretty quiet around here. Good trip?” Jansen asked.
Kenrick smiled at Zaria and then looked back. “Excellent. This is Zaria. Let everyone know she is to get full access.”
“Yes, Ricky. Nice to meet you, Zaria.” He turned to the other wolf and said, “Raise the barrier.”
They walked through and straight in front was a road that went up and around a bend, but they walked to the left to a wall of tall pine trees.
“Are you ready to see our marketplace?” Kenrick asked Zaria.
Zaria looked at the dense wooded area. “Your marketplace is through there?”
Kenrick nodded. “We like our privacy. The humans think we live out front at the shore, but this is the real Wulver Forest.”
Kenrick led Zaria though the trees on a well-worn path. After a few minutes’ walk they reached a high wooden post fence which had a gate with a security entry on it.
“Does this fence run around the whole of Wulver Forest?” Zaria asked.
“No, it’s too big. Just this end to try to keep the nosey humans out.” Kenrick raised her wrist to the security entry. “Our wristbands let us in.”
The large wooden gate opened and Zaria gasped. “It’s beautiful.”
It was truly a marketplace. Two lines of shops ran on either side of a wide wooden walkway. Every so many yards there were benches and small trees. Wolves and cubs went in and out of the shops with full shopping bags. Some stopped to chat with one another and others sat at tables enjoying coffee.