Little Wolf The Promised Mate

Chapter Three

Fawn

Meeting up with wolfy, Fawn and her venture to the old falls. It's deep in the woods and has a very distinctive smell. The rocks that surround it almost look like they have faces carved in them. The water is so crystal clear as it falls over the rocks it almost looks transparent.

"Fawn, they say the last true shape shifter chose to die here. That now her wolf spirit lives on in these woods. Sometimes, I swear I can hear her howling in the wind. It speaks to me and pulls me in. I don't understand why I am so drawn to the wolves except for my name."

"You know the legend says a child will be born who can change into many shapes. Not just her spirit animal. My parents speak of it often. They say once we become of age, we will understand. I think they tell us these stories to scare us. Sometimes, I think it works on the younger ones."Fawn laughs as she plays with the water.

"Listen, did you hear that? Someone is coming, and it's smells like wet dirt. Come out Stalking Tiger. I can smell you. What are you doing here?"

"I was about to ask you the same thing. I came to gather the leaves my father wants for his pipe. They come from this very old tree here."Stalking Tiger tells them.

Fawn speaks up. "We are here for our school project. This old waterfall has a weird legend behind it. So we want to tell its story."

"You two are crazy if you believe that old legend. There isn't any truth to it. You will be laughed at by your teacher. "Gathering up the leaves, he heads back to the village.

"Don't listen to him. He's just jealous he didn't think of it. Did you see that weird shadow that was cast on the tree behind him. It kinda freaked me out. Made my hair on my neck stand up. There is something odd about that boy."Fawn tells Wolfy as they head off to school.

Later that day, Eagle and Bear scouted out the village along with some older warriors.The chief was worried about the strange scents that had been passing through the village. He knew there were several children coming of age, and soon, they would gain their powers. He knew of the tribe over the mountain and how they were seeking the young woman for mates. Especially wolfy, he knew of her special powers. Finding tracks that lead to the woods and over the mountain, the warriors set traps for their visitors. They hope this will keep them away until the village can get moved.

"Chief, we found many tracks and prepared traps along the way. We must get the village moved soon. I feel they will stop at nothing to get our young girls for mates. We are going to take turns guarding the village at night." The tribal elders all agreed with Running Bear. The warriors work out their shifts and make plans on the layout of their scouting trails.

"Hey girls,"Daffy calls out, running up behind them.

"Don't scare me like that, Daffodils."Fawn yells back.

"Please don't call me Daffodils . Call me Daffy, like the duck."She chuckles.

Soon, Buck meets up with everyone. Heading to class, he noticed a stranger among the kids in the hall. Pushing the girls along, he makes eye contact with the stranger. "You don't belong here. Go back to your village."He whispered as he passed by.

Being of age, he already knew of his powers. He mind linked Bear. 'Stranger from other village in school. I will keep the girls safe.'

Walking the girls home, he just had to pick on them about their project. Daffy joined them in presenting it for their major senior grade.

"Mom, I am home. Can I help you with anything?"

"Yes, help me move these boxes to the other room. Your father wants us to get our butts in gear and get this house packed up. I know you hate the idea of moving, but your father has to go. He's the tribal medicine man. That's very important to him. Plus, he wants to make sure his tribe is safe."

"I just don't want to go to a different school. I like my school. I will go do my homework now that we have moved all the boxes. This is so depressing." Off Wolfy goes to her room.She really likes her room. Her father put a sky window in so she could see the stars. Her mother helped her paint it with the colors of her favorite flowers. She really didn't want to leave.

Eagle comes upstairs and sits with wolfy. "I know this is hard for you to understand, but believe me, it's for the best. We are a small village and need to merge with the other village so we can be strong. They are of great number, and their chief is very powerful. He has many warriors who can protect you young girls coming of age. We know the warriors from over the mountain seek you girls for mates because they have very few of their own. "Eagle hugs his sister. "Come supper is ready." Heading down the steps, Eagle makes weird noises as he chases after her.

"Father, what do you know of the old waterfall? I am doing my senior project on it." Wolfy asked him.

"The legend says that the special child was chosen from the stars. This child could change into many shapes. It tells of how she fell in love with a young warrior, and they mated. Story says that a skin walker wanted her power, and the only way he could get them was to be mated to her, so he killed her mate to have her. Before he could mate with her, she threw herself off the side of the falls to the rocks below. Killing herself. That is why you can hear her howling in the wind. She is calling her mate."

"That is kind of creepy but interesting, too. To love someone that much. That will make a great senior project. A tale of love and hate.Do you think some of the older warriors will speak to me about it?" She asked her father.

"I can ask around and see if any of them remember the story. Now finish you supper, and help your mother. Eagle and I have first watch tonight."

Laying in bed, Wolfy couldn't help but think about the love story she was going to write. To love someone that much is truly a magical thing. Suddenly, she hears howling like she never has before. He mother comes into her room and sits with her.

"Mother, what is that awful howling? Is it a sick wolf that strayed into the village.?"

"Yes, don't worry about it. Your father is taking care of it. Sometimes, when they are dying, they wander into a village for help." Morning Dove sits with her until the howling stops.

Eagle and Bear changed into their wolf form. Very majestic and strong, they go after the wolves, causing the trouble. After the encounter, they send the wolves back to their village with a message. Several of their own warriors came to help.We dont want to kill you. We just want to be left alone. Go tell them of this. Changing back, they case the perimeter of the village and make sure it is secure again.

Morning Dove stays with wolfy til she falls asleep. Heading back downstairs, she hears footsteps that don't belong to her family. Being very quiet, she changes to her wolf form. Coming around the corner, she runs smack into the warrior who entered her house. Growling and being aggressive, she managed to scare him out of the house just to run into Bear and Eagle. The young warrior was very frightened and vowed to never come back.He told them he wanted to see the special child the warriors were all talking about.

"We will let you go, but never return here. Next time we won't be so nice." Eagle told him.

"Tell the other warriors to stay away. We don't want to fight them, but we will protect our village. "Bear tells him as he lets him go.

Wolfy can feel the presence of the other warriors and smell them. She tosses and turns in her sleep as her mind takes her on a journey in her dream..