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Screams filled the dark tense room while a wolf paced the room. The Alpha blood was working its way through Tatom’s system through out the night. Growls would be heard from the fire wolf as his mate would scream in painful octaves. Tibitha had peeked her head in, Dalson growled a warning towards her.

“Sorry sweetie, I’m just making sure he’s okay. I have to look at him.”

Guarding over his mate, Dalson jumped up on the bed. Flames lit the deadly cold glare upon him. Tibitha tucked her arms at her chest as she walked over to her son. Keeping her hair back, she peered down. Tatom was holding his stomach in serve pain. Sweat soaked the clothes on his body and the bed sheet he laid on.

“I have to look at his chest and stomach. Make sure that he has no wounds from him digging at himself.”

Dalson growled as he bite down on his mate. Shifting Tatom arms off of him. Tatom let out a death scream. Causing Dalson to snap his massive jaws at the mother standing a little too close at the moment. Tibitha backed up allowing the wolf to attend to her son.

“Can you tell me if he has any open wounds besides the ones on his arms?”

Smelling Tatom’s body, Dalson shook his massive head.

“Okay, I shall leave.” Backing out of the room, Tibitha quickly shut the door. Blowing out a deep breath, her son wasn’t to have no harm come to him. Even though he had given a legacy and she had joked about his pain. No mother wanted to see her son in pain.

Turning around the Alpha stood off to the side. There was a look of worry in his eyes. Vera had taken up the space beside him. She too gave that mother’s worry expression.

“He’s fine, Dalson is taking good care of him. I think I need to go lay down.”

“Of course, let me help you.” Vera stepped forward. “I made you some tea.”

“Oh thank you so much.”

Tibitha let Vera pull her away from her son and his wolf mate. Tonight was agonizing. Likely there was a pack doctor on wait as the legacy was given. He was able to cast over her arm in recorded time. The pain that her son was going through wasn’t able to be cast over or even touched with a mother’s whispers. Or a mate’s gently emotion. He had to endure the pain until there was no more.

Her eyes drifted closed before Tibitha realized that Vera had placed a sleeping agent in the tea. Falling down towards the ground, Alpha Blackwood caught her in his arms. Vera rushed ahead to prepare her sleeping arrangements on the couch. While the wolves hurried out of the Alpha’s way, they heard a high pitch scream coming from the bedroom. Next Dalson growled and snapped in anger. Then the wall shook down stairs with a loud crack.

“Jalin make sure he is no causing any fires. Ivan go with him.”

The War wolves rushed towards the bedroom when all went silent. Popping the door open, Jalin saw that his brother was attending a wound on Tatom’s head. The wall was broken in half, pieces of it was hanging round the side of the room.

“Bro, everything okay? We thought something happened to Tatom.”

Showing that he meant no harm, Jalin moved over to the foot of the bed. His hands were where Dalson could see them at all times, his body remained still and slow.

“Did he get hit?”

Dalson growled and nodded.

“It’s okay bro, look at it this way. He’s asleep now. If he’s sleeping, he isn’t in pain. Tatom knows you didn’t mean it. When he wakes up you can make it up to him.”

A whine came from the wolf on the bed.

“I know bro, I know.” Jalin went over to the bottle water thrown over the floor. “Here, you’re probably thirsty.” Pouring three bottles of water into a bowl, he placed it on the floor. “Strange huh? Us finding our mates and our brother in the same pack. What are the odds?”

Dalson looked up from his mate, the wolf was present not the man. However the wolf adored this man standing close to them. Jalin smiled, realizing that he had forgotten this fact.

“Is Dalson okay? I forgot that you are guarding both of them. Is he still weakened?”

The wolf nodded.

“Okay, I know you will take good care of them both. Next time howl twice in a row and I will come running.”

The wolf whined a bit before going back to the wound now on Tatom’s head.

The running the territory the Damned one yet loose for a moment. People don’t realize that he’s in there. His beast and the man where mixed together. The witch that cursed them cursed them to walk as beast and think like a man. His beast was trapped, unable to reach the surface. Hunting and traveling the way he has all these years has giving his beast the freedom he’s longed for.

When the witch came to find him, he was surprise on how much she knew about him. Brought him a feast to satisfy beast and man. She sat down on the ground like it was nothing. Told him the future of what’s to come. He knew about the witch giving the Blackwood pack a legacy. That three wolves would join the pack because of the Empathy. He also knows that his family will be safe among the pack as well. His bloodline. The witch said this wasn’t a good idea to share right off the bat with the pack or the Alpha. With Savage reeking havoc on the land, his mind was sealed shut. There was no way he was going to share his bloodline with anyone at the moment.

Liz did tell him that the reason why he was getting back his bloodline was because of the Empathy. They all revolved around him. The Empathy, Langdon Stark. The boy who has no idea what he really is or what he can actually do. The Halfling, whom is to be a myth. Alive and living. No one has figured out why he was taken besides that he’s a Halfling. Only one man knows the actual truth. From how Liz explained it. That wasn’t speaking anytime soon. He wasn’t a man who openly spoke to anyone. Which made Cornelius very happy. A part of him enjoyed a man who kept secrets. On the same hand, he wondered how hard it would be to get him to talk once it was time.

The sound level stopped, dead silence fell over the community. It’s inhabitance looked around waiting for something to happen. A witch walked to the closest tree. The birds were silent. No wildlife was making the natural noises of nature. She quickly ran towards her son and daughters. Snatching up her young son, she gathered her daughters around her and rushed them away. More people were starting to grow panic.

The witches community always followed the rule of, ‘when the wildlife ran away, you run with it’. Nature was one of the first signs that something wrong was happening. The highest Priest came rushing down the street towards the area where everyone had stopped. Red faced and worried, he studied the area even more.

“Come along, get inside your houses. Do not come out.”

Off in a distance, the community bell began to ring. Ordering all inside.

“We are investigating. Please remain calm.” He ordered once again.

Men in dark red jackets that resembled a smoking jackets rushed past the few that was still making their way towards their homes. Children cry’s to their parents as they were rushed inside behind closed doors. The High Priest called out orders to the men. Another group wearing blue jackets came from the west, joining the men in the search of the truth.

Watching from the window, Kagen geared himself up. His vest was tightened snuggly to his chest. Daggers placed in all corners, including down his legs and inside his boots. The Wolf’s Bane was stocked in small vials. Placing a Kevlar chocker around his neck. His eye caught movement far off in a distance.

Exiting the back door of his house, Kagen stood and listened. Nothing. Not even so much of the sound of an animal playing in the trees or on the ground. Checking the sky, the clouds hung low filled with rain. The smells in the air was filled with musky earth. A electrical current zapped the air, causing the hair on his arms to stand up on end. Shifting his weight between feet, his ears where trained on the sounds that people were not noticing. The trees were creaking. As if they were being used to hold something large.

Slowly he walked out into the woods, studying the very air that remain silent. That’s when he noticed one of the wolves. He was running beyond the boarder of the community. Checking up above him, nothing out of the normal. Stepping into the woods with his shoulders straight. Kagen stood as proud as a man could be. Ready for battle. The community might not enjoy his company any more than he enjoyed theirs. However, there was small children who were just as innocent as the day life began. This is what he was fighting for. The innocents within the community.

The dark colored wolf came into view. Baring his teeth, the wolf walked forward. Kagen flipped out his daggers as he crunched forward. Their eyes met, a challenge laid down. Both accepting. As Kagen flexed his arms, the wolf growled. What this mere creature did not know, his blades was just as deadly as their teeth.

“Time I teach you wolves a lesson. This is my land.”

The wolf snapped his massive jaws. Setting his paws, the wolf lunged forward. Kagen ran forth, full in power. Colliding with the wolf, the wolf bite down on his shoulder as a blade went his the side. Whining, the wolf backed off. Kagen adjusted his shoulder and prepared himself again.

“Hey Dart what’s up?”

“Not sure, I feel well unsettled, maybe?”

Dart geared up his bike for another ride. The wind was blowing in his direction just right to bring a sensation unlike before. Made his wolf stay alert with his nose to the air.

Calling an old friend up, he asked Jalin how Cornelius was doing among the pack. The Damned one was fitting right in with everyone. Kept his distance when he wanted time only. Here lately he’s kept to himself. Jace had asked him if everything was all right. It was just getting use to the fact that others are around.

Hearing that Dalson’s mate gave the legacy, Dart wished his friends good luck.

“Whoa, hold on. What’s up man? I hear it in your voice.”

“Nothing, just my wolf. Something in the air and I want to see what it is.”

“Let me know what you find. We have a few problems going on here.”

“Will do.”

With that they hung up. Dart wasn’t the man who sat around talking on any phone for any length of time. He was a man who asked what he need then off the phone he was. Plan and simple.

After he had gotten off the phone with Dart, Jalin made his way through the house towards the living room. Where Langdon was sitting on the floor listening to the wolves that was speaking to him by the wolf imprint. Pretty cool that wolves could speak by a thought when in animal form. Zero was the first voice he had heard. Now it was Max and Jen talking to him. Before Tatom took the legacy, he had written out things that they could do to help Langdon. Zero was watching over his mate like a wolf. He didn’t like not being able to hear Langdon. Jealously never looked good on a wolf.

~Many moons ago~

The grass stood tall among the over grown trees of the forest. Animals scampered around as they looked for the last meal of the day. Tree tops rustled in the breeze that sent mixture of smells into the nightly air. A film of fog rolled over the morning sunrise. Colors mixed in with the natural beauty of the land.

An early raiser walked across the vase land before her. Her cloak held snug to her body as the morning chill began to set in. Her bag swung at her side. The wind was blowing her scent away from the cave ahead. She was hoping that the wind could carry her scent towards those who is seeks. Warning them before she announced her arrival.

Climbing up the rocks took longer than what her grandmother had spoken. Her hand slipped, sending rocks down the side. Watching them fall, her stomach became tight. Closing her eyes she leaned up against the jagged rocks. Her breathing came in harsh short burst. Steadying herself, she glanced up. A pure black silk wolf stood at the edge of the cave looking down on her. Her presence had been announced. As she started to climb, the wolf took a seat and waited.

‘They won’t help child, you must remember that. Life has changed for them. The Empathy will take pity only if he feels your heart is true.’ Her grandmother word’s repeated through her mind.

‘Show them your bravery. Be respectful. The War wolves will rip you apart. They seek no comfort in the human world. Humans have been unkind to their generosity.’

“Be kind, show respect.” She mumbled as she climbed to the top of the rocks.

Laying her head down on a rock, the young woman rested as her breath began to come back to her. The wolf sat waiting and watching her. The shifting of the rocks told her that the others had joined him.

‘Do not ever, ever my child, ever look them in the eye. Especially the dominates. They will strike before your pretty little eyes shall see.’

“Don’t look them in the eyes.” She whispered softly.

Gathering herself up, she kept her head at a bow. “I am Liz. I seek the ancient wolves.” Shaking her head, the words were wrong. Respect them however show them who you are. Clearing her throat, “I am Elizabeth Mary Hawthorne. I am a child of Mabon, the Sacred Son of Celtic Lore. I am hearing to speak for my grandmother Mary Ann Hawthorne. Who is requesting your presence tonight under the New Moon. The earth will be covered in darkness. No one shall see you.”

Elizabeth’s bravery was beginning to waver. Her words had started to soft to a whisper. The shivers upon her body spoke in fear and coldness. She fingers the ends of her cloak to keep from running away screaming.

Her grandmother’s words entered her mind once again, ‘Do not forget to offer them the meat I am sending with you. Speak of more once they come.’

“I brought you food.” Quickly she gathered the bag hanging from her side. Undoing the bag, she brought out five good size chunks of meat. “Deer, I think. It’s that or cow.” Setting them below the black wolf’s paws, she backed up.

“Grandmother says there is more, tonight. A deer a piece. She has hunters in the woods as we speak finding you the best kills.”

A growl sounded behind the black wolf. A massive brownish color wolf appeared over his head. The black wolf turned to greet him with a rub against the neck. Elizabeth’s eyes grew in size as the fear struck her harder. The three remaining wolves gathered around their pack member.

“I– I– ” Elizabeth had lost her nerve completely.

The black wolf approached her with a gentle walk. She backed up against the rock that stood out farthest to the edge. Covering her neck with a hand, she kept her glaze down. The wolf smelled her. Low growls and noises sounded from his chest.

With that he left her be. A peace came over her as his back was the only thing that she seen. The wolves gathered up the meat and retreated to the cave. The biggest one out of them all, glared down at her. Snapped his massive jaws towards her. She bolted down the rocky side of the cave.

The night had fallen into the darkness. A moonless sky. The air around was silent. No nature spoke. No wind cradled the land. Elizabeth hurried to gather up the candles that her grandmother spoke up. Line them up in a straight line and light them all. Every second that pass, she would look over her shoulder. Her grandmother had awoken with another vision. The wolves are coming.

Seeing that her job was done, she went to retrieve her grandmother. When she turned the wolves were sitting behind her. A gasp of fright exited her already shivering body. Tripping over the wooden steps, she landed with a hard thud. A groan exited her mouth. The wolves watched her as she struggled to maintain some dignity.

Standing she backed herself up the stairs to the door. With her eyes upon the wolves, her hand behind her back. She fumbled with the handle of the door. It opened from behind, revealing her grandmother.

“Shh child, come now. Show them no fear. They shall leave us alone if we mean no harm.”

She walked gracefully down the steps towards the wolves with no fear hanging over her head. Once to the area where the wolves waited, she bowed her head.

“Elizabeth, do you know as a young child I was saved by these creatures. This one, the white golden one. Also known as the Spirit wolf. He took pity on me when I was a small child. A rogue was striking to kill me when he stepped in.” Mary Ann bowed her head to the Spirit wolf.

“Look how much time has passed my dear old friend. I am an old woman with grandchildren. My son has passed, my daughters married. This one here is of my son. She is a scared creature. Her young eyes has seen too much sorrow in the world. I do apologize for earlier. She spoke the truth. Elizabeth, get the hunters to bring their food. They shall not wait for a meal.”

Elizabeth ran down the porch, jumped over the side and straight to the back of the house. Leaving her grandmother’s laughter behind her. The hunters carried five large bucks to the opening of the yard behind the house. Placing them in front of each of the wolves. One hunter growled in disgust causing the reddish colored wolf to snap his teeth at the human. Mary ran towards the action. The hunter gathered his sword.

“Enough! I asked them to come in peace. There is no killing on my land. You showed no reason.”

“These are fiflthy creatures.”

“Who probably think the same of you. These creatures are the land. They are older than you and I. You fill your mind with false reasoning. These creatures shall rip us all apart before that sword in raised.”

The hunter stood tall only to meet the wolf’s shoulder. The wolf bared he’s teeth in a snarl.

“I ask you to show peace. Respect is not with you, I see.” Mary’s voice held disgust.

The hunters walked away grumbling among themselves. Mary turned to her granddaughter, “Elizabeth in the house you go. I need to speak alone with the wolves.”

“Grandmother?”

“Do as I say child. I shall be fine. These wolves mean me no harm as I mean them none. Now be gone.”

Elizabeth walked hesitantly inside the house. Once the door was shut, Mary leaned an ear towards the small wooden cottage.

“Go to bed child.”

Stomping was heard from the outside of the cottage.

“Well, enjoy your meal. I shall speak what I need then bid myself a good night.” Mary took a sit on the a stool as the wolves began to devour their deer.

“I had a vision. This vision was not like any other. You five inhabit human bodies. I see that you are greater than what you are now. Time shall only speak to you.”

Her voice drew dreamy as she spoke, “I wonder how old you truly are. There shall come a time to where you are different. I seen this in a vision. Although you are still the same.” Showing them her cut hand. “I have giving my blood to you. Inside the deer lies my blood. I have placed it where each of you have already eaten.”

The wolves sat up and growled.

“I seek nothing from you. You hold no debt to me. I have cursed my own granddaughter. She is the only one who is worthy of holding such an honor. With this I am damned. There shall be a time where you shall met her again. A time far from now. Her bloodline will serve you. Not by whole body, by speech.

“Tomorrow you shall find me a grave woman. I am old, my time is done. My granddaughter shall walk passed you in fear. In time she shall learn just to allow you your true reign.”

Mary stood and wrapped her shawl around her body. Her eyes filled with heavy worry. “I do not know why I was given this vision of your time. I do not question it. All I seek in clarity. You are great creatures of the land. We humans inhabit what is rightfully yours. I do see that your humans are different than the others. They all hold a magical gift in order to receive you as their wolf. Once this is sought after, man and beast shall reign together.”

Showing no fear, Mary walked to the Empathy wolf.

“It is you who keeps these wolves together. You are the true wolf. The beast that holds the madness and the chaos together. You are more powerful than the others. Yet you seek no emotion to remain them of this. You hold only honor for your pack. The pack you allow to reign as they so choose. Interesting.”

She tightened her shawl, “May I ask Empathy? Are you the first?”

The black wolf remained silent and still.

She nodded in reply. That question shall go unanswered.

Mary turned her back on the wolves. Walking to the door of her little cottage, she smiled.

“I shall see you in another life perhaps. Tonight is the end for me. I give you my last breath towards any creature on legs. My granddaughter shall find me when it is too late.” With that she entered her home closed the door and blew out the light.

Darkness took over the land as the candle blew themselves out. The wolves finished their meals and left through woods beyond the old woman’s house. The Empathy wolf rubbed up against a larger wolf in sadness. His heart was that of a fragile child. His soul was old and at times seeking shelter from the now cruel world.

Looking back over his shoulder, the Empathy let out a howl for the witch who’s now gone. His ears had picked up on the last breath leaving the old woman.

‘Good night child of Mabon. Rest with the earth.’

(MY FAVORITE WEREWOLF YELLED AT ME! HE WROTE, HEY!!! HOW’S RETURN OF THE ANICENTS GOING? IN WORDS, WHERE THE HELL IS IT WOMAN? HE’LL SAY THAT HE DIDN’T YELL. BUT! HE DEMANDED. I THINK I’M GOING TO COME UP WITH A CHARACTER THAT IS BASED ON MY FAVORITE WEREWOLF. PLACE HIM IN THE SECOND BOOK. HMM, IDEA?

(LOVE YOU LADYAFYON, READER AND NOW MY SWEET NADINE. BIG HUGS AND KISSES TO EVERYONE. AND MY FAVORITE WEREWOLF, I AM SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE. DEMAND MORE OF ME IN THREE DAYS. I SHALL POST AGAIN.)

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