White Bark Willow

Thankful for the advice and care from my parents, I took my mother's suggestion to heart. The walk to the Old Willow tree was a bit of a hike through the woods. My mother Luna had packed me a lunch and water in a small back pack for my journey. Giving me more advice and telling me just to trust my instincts.

I started the hike after breakfast, but I know I won't make it to the tree until about dinner. The woods where I hike now are also where we run in our wolf forms. Chasing and hunting little woodland creatures. Jumping, playing, and finding our place in the pack. I had so many happy memories here. I couldn't imagine spending my life anywhere else but here.

Halfway from the Alpha house to the willow is a large sparkling blue lake. It has a small waterfall, and at its deepest point, you can't reach the bottom while holding your breath. It's surrounded by a huge field of wild flowers. Judging by my stomach grumbling and where the sun is rising high in the sky, I should be about to the lake.

The water is as sparking as I remembered. Stripping off the clothes I dive right in. The cool water is taking the heat from my skin. Swimming under the water as far as I can before needing air, I end up under the waterfall. Swimming a few laps, I finally get worn out a bit and decide to just sit in the shallows. While sitting there, I start daydreaming of the sweet green eyed girl that plagued my dreams the night before. She is small. Maybe 16-17 years old, her skin ghostly white. Looking as it has never seen the kiss of the sun. I wonder what those plump little lips would feel like against mine.

My daydream took a turn to a more animalistic yearning. Just the thought of her small curvy frame in my arms, her lips against mine with my hands tangled in her long blond hair, is making me hot, even sitting in the cool water. I grin at the thoughts of her simple beauty and dove back into the water to cool off before heading the rest of the way to the willow.

Before fully drying off, I slip on my clothes to start my journey. I wasn't wearing anything fancy. Just some black shorts. They used to be pants, but I fell and cut a hole in the knee. Now I wear them while spending time outside.

The rest of the walk went pretty quickly. The great willow stands so tall that I can't even see the top. With its branches hanging low. Some touch the ground. Covered in green, the trunk of the tree is not even visible. It is single handily the biggest tree I've ever seen.

Usually, you can find the great Luna sitting under her branches. Shoes off arms wrapped around her legs, eyes closed just being one with nature and sorting out her problems. Or counting her blessings.

With the willow being so far out, the sounds of the city and noises of people can't be heard here. Lifting aside a few hanging branches, I make my way to the worn spot mother spends her time at. Once there, I slip off my shoes and slid my feet through the soft grass. Sitting and lean back against the white willow. Looking up the tree is so dense you can't see the sky. The silence is almost defining. A few minutes of sitting in the silence, the bird and critters start up their chitter chatter. The wind whispers through the branches, singing a soft, sweet melody. Closing my eyes, I steady my breath and focus on my sweet green eyed future, Luna.

Focusing on not only her but the room looking for it in my mind, hoping it will pull me in the right direction. Her little room was barely furnished with little decoration but a large stack of books. She's smart. This thought brings a smile to my lips. I like that she is intelligent. Looks can only get you so far, but a brain and wit will help you rule. I think she will be a strong, gracious leader.

For such a small space, it seemed clean and well taken care of. Everything was void of color and life except her blanket, covered in tiny purple and sky blue flowers. It seems to me her room is more a prison than a bed chamber.

After just a few minutes, I hear a small cry, almost just another whisper of the wind. Opening my eyes, I look around and search for the source of the sad sound. The realization that no one was with me hit like a sack of bricks. Closing my eyes, I search for the sound again. Reaching out with my senses, try to connect to her. "My Luna, why are you crying?"

With the question, the crying settles and a feel of confusion not of my own washes over me. Joy broke into my soul at our first connection. I can't help but be overly excited that I've touched her mind. When she doesn't respond after a moment, I worry I've scarred her off. Then, I started to feel a tickle at the back of my mind. A smile spreads across my whole face as I feel her testing our bond.

"Hello?" A shy, soft voice burst into my mind. Hesitant as to not scare her off, I send her a feeling of love and happiness that she responded to me, accepting our bond.

"Hello, sweet girl. I've been waiting for you for a very long time, my Luna." The words flowed across my mind to hers as easy as speaking them out loud. However, this conversation was special and just for her.

"W-who are you?" She stuttered, worry filling her mind. Feeling her worry and her sadness made me want to run to her. Pick her up and bring her home with me away from the damp, dark prison cell she's trapped in. Breathing deeply accepting her pain and sending her as much comfort as I can, I continue our exclusive conversation.

" I am sorry. I have forgotten my manners. My name is Adam. I am the future alpha of the White Willow pack. It is located in the northern tip of Idaho, close to the Canada border." I try to explain who I am without over sharing and freaking her out.

"Why do you keep calling me Luna? That isn't my name." Her heart was settling, and her mind opened to me more by the second.

"I call you my Luna because you are my future and the future of my pack. You are my queen." Some panic came to my head again. "Sweet, Luna. Do not panic. I did not mean to overwhelm you. Do you want to be Luna?"