Chapter 3
As Carina and her son reached the other side of the clearing, she saw the most extraordinary thing: a large, young, white female wolf lying crumpled on the ground before them. Struggling to stay conscious, her eyes flashed open, revealing startling violet eyes, then fluttered shut. She was unconscious.
Judging by the amount of blood pooled around their feet, the young wolf had little time left. Her bone had snapped in half, and the surrounding skin held it together. Quickly, Carina found a branch strong enough to pry open the trap. Bran removed her limp paw, and she shifted back to human form. She was indeed young. The girl could not have been over 16 years old. The size of her wolf was extremely rare for a young girl, and the color of her eyes confirmed that this was no ordinary wolf. Her human form was equally stunning but gave fewer secrets about who or what she was.
Back in human form, Bran stepped forward to pick up the girl. Much to his surprise, a low growl rumbled from Duncan’s wolf, Dante. Carina and Bran exchanged glances, and Carina placed her hand on Dante’s back to soothe him.
“It is alright. Let your father put her on your back.”
Bran lifted the delicate figure onto his son’s broad back. Dante rumbled again before racing off toward the pack hospital.
Bran shot her another glance with a raised eyebrow before shifting back and running off after his son. Luna Carina shook her head and giggled before shifting back and following them. It looks like her son had found his alpha nature.
Tatiana woke and found herself in a strange place. She was lying in a bed that was not hers, but the sheets felt like butter against her skin. As she moved slightly, a tweak of pain snapped through her ankle. The previous events all came flooding back. When she looked under the covers, she discovered that her leg had healed and someone had put an oversized T-shirt on her. Feeling vulnerable, she pulled the blankets under her chin and surveyed the room further. It was a beautiful room. It is minimally decorated but elegant. It was not her room or her house.
Suddenly, a thought flashed through her head. Her father.
She had to leave and find out if he was okay. Where exactly was she?! As she clamored out of bed, she noticed an outfit folded on the dresser next to the bed. She quickly changed into the clothes as she tried to figure out her next move.
Suddenly, there was a gentle knock on the door. Unsure what to do, she paused too long, and a slightly louder knock followed. Tia finally squeaked a reply, and the door opened. A beautiful, elegantly dressed woman stood in the doorway.
“You are awake!”
“Yes, I am. Where am I?”
“I am Luna Carina. You are at the Kalaloch Packhouse. What is your name?”
“Tatiana. Were you the wolf in the clearing?”
Luna Carina laughed. “No, that was my son, Duncan. He found you. What were you doing on Kalaloch pack land?”
“I am sorry. I did not know where I was. My father had a heart attack. I need to get back to find out if he is OK,” Tia implored.
Carina, confused, asked, “A heart attack? Is your father human?”
Tatiana averted her gaze as fear coursed through her. “Yes, please don’t kill me. I did not mean to come into your territory. I was upset, and I needed to run….”
Carina let out another sparkling laugh. “Kill you? Why would I do that, my child? You are safe here.”
Tia looked at her dumbfounded, “Why?”
“Why what? Why are you safe?”
Tia nodded.
She scoffed, sounding slightly irritated, “I can assure you we don’t kill children who accidentally wander inside our boundary.”
“I am sorry, ma’am. I meant no disrespect. This is all new to me because you are the first wolves I have met.”
Carina watched her for a moment in silence before continuing, “Very well. Come with me down to the kitchen, and we will get you something to eat while Zeta Luca finds out what he can about your father.”
Tia nodded quietly and followed her. Now that Luna Carina mentioned it, she realized she was famished.
Duncan leaned against the kitchen counter, finishing the rest of his breakfast. As he shoveled in the last bite, he saw his mother enter. His greeting caught in his throat when he caught sight of the girl trailing behind her. It was the girl from the forest. A smile spread across his face as he stepped towards her, extending his hand.
“Hello! I am Duncan. I am glad to see you are awake. Are you feeling better?”
Tia nodded. “You are the sandy wolf from the clearing.”
He chuckled, “Yes. I am surprised you remember after sleeping for three days.”
She gasped, “Three days!”
His mom shot him a cool glance. “Yes, we haven’t made it that far yet. Tatiana was telling me her father had a heart attack, and Luca is trying to locate him now.”
He shrugged apologetically at her. How was he supposed to know? Wait! Her Dad had a heart attack? Do wolves have heart attacks?
“Her human father.” His mother mind-linked.
That explained the heart attack but presented even more questions about this mysterious wolf.
He put his hand on her shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “I am sorry to hear about your father. Luca will find him.”
She looked between them, confused, “What is a Luca?”
Duncan laughed, “Zeta Luca is our second in command. I am sure you will meet him shortly.”
As he finished his sentence, his dad walked into the kitchen. “Duncan, we need to head into town now. Something has come up, so we have to leave early.” He stopped noticing the girl.
Duncan broke the silence, “Alpha Bran, this is Tatiana. She is from...Wait, what pack are you from?”
The girl’s cheeks flushed as she looked down. “I am a rogue. My human father found me as a pup and took me in.”
Bran looked at her silently, then reached out to shake her hand. “Hello rogue Tatiana. It is a pleasure to meet you. I leave you in capable hands with Luna Carina, and I hope to learn more about you tonight.”
He then motioned to Duncan to head to the car. Duncan put his dishes in the dishwasher and followed his dad out.
As Tia scarfed down her breakfast, she sensed someone approaching. A tall, muscular man with black wavy hair entered the kitchen.
He nodded to the Luna, “Good Morning, Luna Carina.”
She smiled and nodded, “This is Zeta Luca, Luca, Tatiana. Have you learned anything about her father?”
Luca’s eyes fluttered slightly, and he turned his gaze to her. Luna Carina approached Tia’s side and gently put her arm around her. At first, Tia found the situation rather odd until Luca spoke.
“Yes, Ma’am. Three days ago, he arrived at Harborview, suffering from multiple heart attacks. Most of them were mild, and he survived. Unfortunately, however, he died two days later of a massive stroke.”
Died! She could not even comprehend his words. He couldn’t die. He was all she had. An otherworldly wail filled the air, but it took a moment for Tia to realize it was coming from her. She collapsed into Luna Carina’s arms, sobbing. Pain ripped through her chest, and her body shook uncontrollably. She felt shattered.
The last thing she saw was Luca looking at her with such sorrow. Losing all concepts of space and time, all she could feel was the pain. She was oblivious that Luca had picked her up and was carrying her to her room. He laid her gently on the bed and softly brushed her hair from her face.
“I feel your pain, young wolf, but it will leave you soon.” He kissed the top of her head and gently laid his hands where he kissed. Suddenly, a wave of emptiness crashed inside her. Her pain vanished into nothing. The sensation made her gasp softly, and then she passed out from exhaustion.