The Red Wolf's Mate novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18

After saying my goodbyes to Lizzie, I found myself nearly sprinting back to the packhouse, Nathan trailing behind me. Nathan finally caught up to me as we approached the packhouse.

“Raina, Alpha Callan has indicated that Elder Rosemarie is waiting for you out on the back patio.”  He grabbed my hand as he spoke.  FFGood luck.” He pulled me in for a quick hug. He kissed me briefly and I paused at the kiss and then kissed him back.

He smiled at the kiss and I felt a calming run  through  me. I headed  around  the  back of the packhouse.

I could hear voices as I neared the back  patio. Alpha Callan,  Beta  Davis,  Beta  Jack, and Elder Rosemarie were all sitting around a fire on  the  patio. Alpha  Callan  noticed me approaching and stopped speaking, making eye contact with me as I approached.

“Elder Rosemarie,  it looks like  Raina  has arrived.”  The others  turned  to look at me as I arrived at the patio, a wave of shyness washed over  me as all four  wolves looked  at me.

F‘I am so glad that you were able to come, Elder Rosemarie.” She was beautiful. If not for the title of elder, I would  never  guess  that she was. Aside  from  her  long, white hair that fell in  waves  around  her, she  appeared  young. She stood  to  greet  me, pulling me in for a hug.

She whispers to me, “I will send all these boys away and we can talk.” She broke the hug. F’Gent1eman,  I appreciate the warm welcome, but I would  like to meet with Raina privately.”

‘F 0f course. Please let us know if you  need anything.” Al pha Callan turned towards me. “Raina, can you please come find me when you are done?”

I was surprised by the request, especially after how angry he always seemed to be around me. What could he want to talk to me about? “Um, sure, when I am done.” I nodded my head and turned back to Elder Rosemarie.

“Sit, Raina, let’s talk.” She motioned for me to sit down next to her. I felt very comfortable around her, and I was thankful that she has made the trip to our pack’s territory.

FF I feel like I have a million questions for you but I don’t know where to start.” I fumble as I speak, looking down at my hands, feeling quite nervous.

She smiles at me. “Why don’t I just start? You can ask the questions as we go.” I nod in agreement and she continued. FF t  is my understanding that you had no

information about the abilities of the red wolf until just recently, correct?”

I shook my head in agreement. “I had no idea of anything. My mom told  me that my red wolf was special, but she never provided me with any other details. I  ho nestly think that she did not know.”

“That does not surprise me. There has not been a red  wolf in  200  years. Any information that most wolves have about red wolves is just legend at this point.” She looked out to the forest line. “I love being outside. I am one with nature.”

“What are your abilities?”  1 asked, curiosity  getting to me. 1 knew that we were here  to talk about my abilities, but I found that I wanted to know more about Elder Rosemarie.

She smiled at me. “White wolves are known to be able to call on the elements. Earth, wind, fire, water. My element is water. My abilities allow me to bring in storms or send them away. I can call on the water from rivers, creeks, anywhere and use it as a weapon or a blessing.” She paused and closed her eyes. The clouds darken over the tree line and it suddenly starts to rain. Just as quickly as it started, it stopped.

Elder Rosemarie opened her eyes and smiled. ’FAlpha Callan told  me what he had  told you. Similar to how the red wolf brings peace, the white wolves lead to prosperity of the land and the packs. Because we can control the elements, we can increase the fertility of the land and bring the rain to water the crops. However, unlike the red wolf, we have not been hunted to extinction. The abilities of the white wolf seem to be beneficial to all and therefore we have not been seen as a threat.”  She placed her hand on my knee, perhaps sensing that I felt a bit uneasy about the shift in the conversation.

“Why is the red wolf such a threat?” I spoke quietly, trying to control my nerves.

“The red wolf is the protector. Your presence on earth provides almost like a protective shield over all of the wolf packs in the world. This does not mean that there is no fighting or attacks. But it means that there can be no wars.” She looked in the fire as she spoke. “As you can see, that means that there are those who would want the red wolf to be destroyed because of the role of the protector.”

1 looked out at the forest line. It has become dark and there  is a slight chill  in the air,  but the heat coming from the fire is comforting. As I gazed  along the trees, I  thought  that l could see  a  pair of eyes watching  us. It did  not make  me uncomfortable; in  fact, I found it peaceful. Someone in the pack was watching over us.

F‘But it seems that is not the only reason that the red wolf is sought out for the wrong reasons.” She paused and turned her gaze to me. “Tell me, Raina, what have you notice about your ability to control emotions?”

“Until a short time ago, I thought that it was just my own emotions that I needed to control. 1 have always felt emotions much more deeply than others. 1 have since I was  just a pup.” I stare that the fire, watching the flames jump. ’F But since coming to this pack, things have changed.”

FFTypically, wolves such as you and I would have guidance from the moment we shifted for the first time. Some elders in packs, especially other white wolves, are able to know instinctively when a wolf with abilities is born and training can start much, much sooner. Did your old pack not have a white wolf?” She looks out along the horizon. The sun has completely set.

“No, we did not. l had heard stories that she had died during a battle and we did  not have another one. Does this pack have one? I have never  met her.”  I  ask, feeling a wave of nerves again come over me.

FF El der Laura is a healer. She left this pack a few months ago to help in another pack who was suffering after a battle with rogues. She is also training  a young white wolf. She is supposed to be returning here next  month.  I  will  provide  you  guidance  for now and she can help you, if you still need it, when she returns.”

I shook my head in agreement, a slight chill running through me. She continued.

“Because you had no guidance throughout your life, I believe that your powers were subdued, so to speak, but have since been awakened.” She smirked at me.

F‘But why now?” I asked, a questioning look on my face.

'F Your 18 th   birthday. All wolves with abilities gain full access to their abilities on their 18'° birthday.“

I could only stare at her, surprised by the revelation.

“Red wolves are, by nature, sexually seductive. For those with mates, well, that becomes solely focused on their mate. For those without mates, they have been known to have many lovers and creates, let’s just say, quarrels, in the process. Please note, however, that this is by choice. Once you are able to learn to control your abilities, you can control that. However, herein lies what is perhaps the main reason that others may be seeking you out.” She took a deep breath and sighs.

My mind was racing and I was trying to figure out what to ask. I cou1dn’t think of any questions, because  there  were  just  too  many  to  think  about.  Elder  Rosemarie seemed to sense this and decided to continue.

“The thing is,” she leaned forward as she spokes, “the ability to control emotions, to influence people, goes beyond just sexual arousal and desire. It can really be anything. A red wolf doesn’t have the ability to make a person do something, but they do have the ability to influence their emotions which results in making the desired decision.” She sat back and continued. “While the idea of killing off the red wolves may mean that wars are possible and some tyrant Alpha could take over, your ability to control emotions and influence decision making is actually a much more powerful weapon. In the wrong hands, the ability to influence emotions and decision making could be, well, deadly. Tell me, Raina, can you control emotions?” She looked at me inquisitively.