by D. D. Larsen
He walks over to the fridge, grabs a soda water and downs the entire bottle. Then he finally turns to me and says, “Sorry, I needed to take care of something really quick.” His hair is now dry and windblown, making me wonder what he was doing.
Not wanting him to realize how restless I’ve been while waiting for him, I try to act as nonchalant as possible. I take a sip of my now flat soda water and wait for him to talk first. He is keeping his distance, standing on the other side of the kitchen island. We both know we need to talk and that won’t happen if we get too close.
Finally, he breaks the silence. “Hey.”
“Hey.”
“How are you?”
“Don’t you already know since you have been keeping an eye on me?” The truth flashes in his eyes, he knows I have been spotting him.
“I wanted to make sure you were safe.” Safe from what? My mind jumps to the bad feeling I had before I walking into Wren’s house. Is there something out there that wants to hurt me that I don’t know about?
“Safe from what?” Unable to stop myself, I ask more of the questions I have. “Why would I need to be watched when I am in town and with other people? Is it related to the family that got attacked? What about the girl? What happened to her?”
Before I can ask more, Wren comes around the island, caging me between his arms using the counter to put his hands on. He isn’t touching me, but I still feel the heat radiating off his body.
“You won’t believe me if I told you. There are things out there, Jamie, that aren’t good. I have been trying to figure out how to tell you, but you just keep running away from me.”
“Well, I am here now. I came for answers and I am not leaving without them.”
The heat between us is growing and I feel my will power cracking at his proximity. Just when I feel myself breaking, he pushes away and starts pacing.
“Jamie, I want to start by saying I am sorry. I really am sorry. Typically I am a very in-control person but something about you just riles me up, and not just on an attraction level. I guess that’s a good place to start. I know the pull and need hasn’t gone unnoticed between us. I feel it just as strongly, if not more than you do, but I have the benefit of understanding why. Do you want something else to drink? This may take a while.”
I nod, not daring to say a word. He pulls out a bottle of wine and two glasses, pouring us each a large glass and staying with the island dividing us, again.
“All right, I’ll start at the beginning. In 1887, there was a war going on between two villages. One was said to be the settlement that now makes up Accalia and the other was twenty miles south, near Periculum. Between the two was a place called Peaceful Valley, it is still called this today. This was a migration route for elk. Each settlement thought it was their land and fought endlessly over who got to hunt there.
“The settlement that sits where Periculum is now had heard of a lady with magical abilities, who lived in the mountains to the west, The Lady in the Woods. They were desperate and needed more meat to get through the winter ahead. The Lady in the Woods offered them a spell that would turn their warriors into wolves so they would have an advantage over the other settlement. She warned there would be consequences, but they agreed.
“The plan worked great, but then the other settlement struggled through the next winter, since they were unable to hunt the land with the elk without being killed. When spring came, they were desperate, so they made the trek to The Lady in the Woods. They asked for help so that they could be a fair match to their enemies.
“Shortly after, the leader of the Accalia settlement got sick and passed away. Some said it was the payment requirement for the magic. Everyone was scared and nobody wanted to lead, for fear that they would meet the same fate. The leader’s daughter stepped up since nobody else would. Having a female leader at the time was unheard of, but she cared about the people and she could tell things were already starting to get disorderly without a leader.
“As winter approached, the war was heating up between the Acclia and Periculum, and both sides had lost many men. She took a chance and traveled to the valley with a group of Wolf Warriors to request a meeting with the leader of the other settlement. She had an offer to make that would hopefully bring peace to the two settlements.
“Two weeks later, they met to discuss a treaty. She stated that there was plenty of elk for both and fighting wasn’t helping either of them. They would make an agreement for how many elk each side could hunt, leaving enough for both settlements to survive winter. She also inquired about the consequences they faced after the spell turned their warriors into wolves. He replied that nothing had happened. She was concerned by this, but let it go.
“The leader of the Periculum tribe said he had three sons and if she were to marry one of them, it would be her choice which son, then he would agree to the treaty. Seeing no other way, she agreed. One week from that day, he would travel with his three sons to the Accalia settlement.
“Upon their arrival, there was a celebration. Everyone wanted peace and it was finally going to happen. The Accalia leader’s daughter was still uncertain, but decided that the choice was hers. All three of the boys had been given the ability to change into a wolf by The Lady in the Woods.
“The eldest son was very handsome, and everyone thought she would choose him. He was tall with blond hair and blue eyes. He was always set to lead his settlement when his dad passed away, but that could take a long time, so he was eager to oversee his own settlement.
“The middle son was burly and gruff. Having more muscle than brains. He was a good warrior, but not a good leader. His brown hair was messy, and he was not very intriguing to talk to.
“The youngest son was quieter but always had a look in his eye as if he was taking in everyone’s conversation and making plans in his head. He was known more for sitting around reading or writing in journals than going out to fight. He was handsome, but in a more rugged way than his older brothers, with dark brown hair and light brown, almost yellow eyes. She was intrigued by him and found herself enjoying their conversation.
“At the end of the three-day celebration, she was to choose and be wed to the brother of her choice. Everyone expected her to choose the eldest brother, but she shocked everyone by choosing the youngest. She seemed happy and her mother could tell that she was falling in love with the boy. Although concerned by the arrangement, she was excited to see her daughter happy.
“The eldest was furious at her choice and chose to leave instantly to return home. The treaty was complete, and everyone was happy, except the eldest son. Each village had enough food for the winter and the settlements flourished.
“Ten years after the treaty was signed, strange disappearances and attacks started occurring in the Accalia settlement. Young women and men would go missing never to be seen again.
“Since there hadn’t been any danger, and many of the warriors perished in the war between settlements, there were only a few people remaining in town with the gift to change into wolves. It was decided that they would run patrols at night to try and stop whatever was causing the disappearances and attacks. After a few weeks, the youngest brother joined the patrol. In the middle of the night, he came face to face with his older brother, whom he hadn’t seen since the wedding.
“He was confused by his appearance until he saw the young girl on the ground bleeding. His brother was the cause of the recent disappearances and attacks. He had only a single question for his brother—why?
“His brother explained that a few years after they had last seen each other, he started to feel the wolf inside him clawing to get let out. Every week he would transform and hunt. One day, he traveled far and came across a group of travelers in the woods. After he had slaughtered them, he felt a calm like he had never felt before. The burning need to run and kill was absent for the first time in as long as he could remember. And he liked it. He liked the power killing another human gave him. Over the last few years, he had killed all the o
ther Wolf Warriors in his town, including their other brother, because he felt they were a threat to his power. But he needed new people to hunt. Still mad at his brother for being chosen instead of him, he wanted payback.
“The youngest brother couldn’t believe what his brother was telling him. In all these years, he had never felt this way, nor had any of the warriors left in his village.
“The youngest brother was torn; this was his brother, but he had evil in his eyes. He couldn’t kill him, but he needed to get him away from both his people and those of the Periculum settlement. He banished his brother, sending word to his father, who was still alive and leading the other settlement, informing him of what had occurred.
“As the younger brother and his men banished his older brother, the elder brother turned around and said, ‘You will regret this little brother.’
“Concerned for himself and his people, he traveled back to The Lady in the Woods. He was astounded that she hadn’t seemed to age since the last time he journeyed to see her with his brothers. She explained that the Accalia settlement had paid their debt when the leader sacrificed himself. When asked, the leader of Accalia had accepted his death in payment for the Wolf Warriors, unlike the leader of the Periculum settlement. The wolf needed blood and since it wasn’t given when asked, it took for itself.
“She also informed him that his children would be passed the gift of being a Wolf Warrior and the children of the other warriors. All would be men and they would carry the gene through their families. Females were not able to carry the warrior spirit, so it wouldn’t be transferred to them.
“She warned that a bite or a scratch while in wolf form would lead to transferring the spell to those affected. Most would not survive; she gave great caution to not infect others. He thanked her for her help and headed toward the door. Before he reached it, it slammed shut.
“Surprised, he turned around. He saw the lady was now standing, but she looked different. Her hair was wild, and her eyes were rolled back into her head. She started speaking, but her voice was different than before.
“The evil will return, and he will have gained power and a following. The blood of the innocent keeps him young, but his rage never dies. A white wolf will be born out of wedlock and destined to be with your descendant. Their infernal connection will save the fall.
“After her premonition, she collapsed. Not knowing what to do, he brought her back to the Accalia settlement to nurse her back to health. After a week she awoke, grateful for his kindness. He insisted she stay a little longer to make sure she was all right. After another week, she had fallen in love with the town and decided to stay. She married one of the people in the settlement and she used her skills to help the youngest brother manage the young men that would transition into warriors when they hit puberty.
“They decided to start a school to help the boys adjust to this new side of themselves. They called it The Academy. Over the years, as technology began to increase, people stopped believing in magic and legends as freely, so they decided to keep the Wolf Warriors a secret.
“The Academy was and still is a sanctuary. Over the years, the word got out, and the youngest brothers’ children learned that there were others like them out there and opened their doors to them as well. There was a similar academy on the east coast, but that was still a very fair journey at that day and age.
“Most Wolf Warriors were born, but there were some that had survived from scratches and bites. The Academy was a safe place for them to learn to control the warrior inside and teach them how to use it for good.
“The Eldest Brother was still alive but he kept his distance and he didn’t bother The Academy, and kept moving so that they could never find him. He enjoyed killing and did it often. It was said that he located another witch who helped him extend his life, but the cost was taking the life of an innocent every month.”
Pausing for the first time, he moves around the table, looking into my shocked eyes. He brushes my hair out of my eyes then says, “Jamie, you are the white wolf and I’m the descendant of the youngest brother. I know it sounds crazy, but we have been destined to be together since long before either of us were born.
“Both of the attacks that have occurred this summer, along with the one on your brother and his friends, are thought to be by the Eldest Brother. That is why I have been keeping an eye on you. He has returned. He is here for you, Jamie; he wants you.”
Holy shit. I wanted answers and I got them. Everything he just told me is crazy, but a part of me tells me his words are true.
Chapter 28:
Two things keep circling in my head.
Wren said that I am a wolf. A wolf that was created out of wedlock.
Part of me has always known that there was something different about me. I’d always chalked it up to the typical doubt every teen and young adult holds.
I’m questioning everything I have ever felt. My pull to the mountains and Wren makes more sense.
I should be freaking out, but I feel calmer than I have in a while. I still need some time to think.
I stand up to leave. Turning to Wren, I say, “I need to go home and think this over.”
Wren stands with me, looking worried. We have been sitting here in silence for a while and this is the first thing I have said.
Just to settle him, I add, “I believe you. It’s crazy. I’m probably crazy, but it makes a weird amount of sense. I need a little while to wrap my head around it.”
I move to grab my purse from where I set it when I walked into the kitchen. My body feels like it is floating above reality, not really sure where to land. I’m a wolf, or a wolf warrior, as Wren called it. What does this mean?
Wren follows me as I walk towards the door, careful to keep some distance between us, but close enough that I know he is there.
As I reach the door, I turn around and lean my back against it. Wren stops a foot away, staring into my eyes. I focus on his yellow-brown eyes for a moment and it hits me.
The black wolf. It’s Wren.
He sees the realization form in my eyes and nods as if confirming my thought.
So many questions have been answered, yet I’m more confused than ever. He said that the prophecy stated we were destined for each other, but what if I just want a normal life? Is a normal life possible for me?
My thoughts drift to Liam and his normalcy. If everything Wren told me is true, if I really am a wolf, could I be with him without putting him in danger?
My eyes are still on Wren as I say, “I should leave.”
“Are you sure that’s what you really want to do?”
My body is telling me to stay, but my brain screams at me to run away as fast as I can. I never did like being told what to do, even if it is destiny speaking.
I reply with a curt, “Yes.”
I open the door. As soon as I’m outside, the earlier feeling of being watched returns. I scan the area and find no one, but I can’t seem to brush it off.
Wren approaches, obviously sensing my unease from the way he’s looking around. Of course, he’s the wolf. I don’t know how I didn’t notice it before. Everything about him is primal, wild, right down to the way he scans his surroundings like a predator stalking his prey. “I thought I scared him off, but he must have returned. I’m not leaving you alone. We can either stay here or I will come with you to your parents’ house. Your choice?”
Why is he always telling me what to do?
I ignore him and head to my car. He follows without saying anything and gets into the passenger seat.
My phone dings and I look down to find a text from Liam. Hey Babe, what time should I expect you so I can plan dinner?
Shit. Liam. I completely forgot.
I send him a quick text that something has come up and I will need to go to my parents for the night. I can’t face him right now.
I pull out of Wren’s driveway, my brain swirling with what he’s told me. I’m shaking as we wind down the road.
Sudde
nly, something jumps out in front of the car. Wren shouts something as I slam on the brakes. The car fishtails one way then rights itself before coming to rest inches from a guardrail.
Gripping the steering wheel tight, I strain to see into the dark forest. My heart is beating like crazy.
It was a wolf. I know it. And I have a feeling it didn’t jump out in front of my car by accident.
For the first time, I’m scared. Something or someone out there wants to cause me harm and I have no way to protect myself.
Wren puts a comforting hand on my arm. “Let me drive.”
I nod without argument and we switch sides.
After adjusting the seat, he continues down the road. I stare out the window, not sure what to think or how to feel.
We pass Liam’s driveway, and I peer up at the dark house on the hill and sigh. The last few weeks with him have been amazing and so normal, but I have a feeling that things will never be normal again.
The night is a blur. I ate dinner with my parents and Wren but stayed silent and didn’t follow what they were talking about. I’m in shock and mad at them for not telling me. They must have known. Wouldn’t they?
I caught my mom and Wren having a hushed conversation earlier, but they stopped as soon as I walked into the room. I need to take tonight for me and then I will confront them tomorrow.
Wren is a wolf. I am a wolf. We are destined for each other.
My brain keeps circling through everything I’ve learned. There is still a part that doesn’t believe what he’s told me. No one would blame me for saying he is crazy and never talk to him again. I almost wish I could. Forget everything I just learned and spend my life with Liam. A normal life.
As I lie in bed, I can’t seem to slow my brain down. To add to everything, Wren is sleeping in the room next to mine. How am I supposed to sleep knowing he is so close?
After what feels like hours of staring at the ceiling, Moon barks outside. She doesn’t do it often, so it instantly makes me concerned. I get up quickly and follow the sound of her bark.