The Forgotten Wolf Kin

Chapter 6 – Welcome Home

Malachi’s POV

Waking up, I felt like my old self. My tired, lacklustre body had rejuvenated overnight, and I felt as good as new.

'Morning sleepy head.'

'Says you!'

'Feeling better.'

'Yes, you?'

'Good as new.'

'Perfect. Eero?'

'It’s just best not to ask Malachi. You are going home, enjoy being with your family. The time will come.'

I rolled my eyes, frustrated, but he wasn’t going to say anymore, so I gave up. The door opened and in walked the nurse who was there yesterday.

“Morning Alpha Malachi. How are you feeling?”

“Amazing, look”

I lifted my shirt and even the scar had faded.

“Perfect. Well, that scar won’t disappear completely, but it looks as good as I have ever seen one heal. You must have good healing qualities.”

“Thanks. So I can be discharged?”

“Yep. I’m just filling in the paperwork. Your brother and Alpha Avery are waiting for you at reception. They are quite the pair!”

“Don’t,” I sighed, “I have an 8-hour car ride with them!”

She laughed, before handing me the discharge documents to sign, and that was it, I was ready to go. I got dressed and headed out to meet Avery and Marley.

“Here he is!” Marley stood from the chair he had occupied “Dude, what the f**k are you wearing!” he sniggered.

“I ran out of clothes! Apparently, no one here gets bigger than 6”4”.

He laughed all the way to the car. I was wearing Bermuda shorts in orange, brown, and red with a grey t-shirt which I borrowed from Avery and was a few inches too short. Thank the goddess it was warm, and we were warm-blooded. Being cold was not an issue.

“I packed up all your stuff. Well, to be honest, there wasn’t much, it was all in the car. We are set just to head straight home, ready?” Avery asked.

“Yes. Let’s get out of here”

Marley took the first leg of the drive. I sat in the front and Avery took the middle seat in the back of Marley's truck. We made sure we were at least an hour away from the Council headquarters before we pulled into a quiet layby and took our luggage and car apart to check for bugs.

“Is this necessary?” Marley asked quietly.

I nodded, but when we were satisfied there weren’t any, we continued our journey. Aware we may be being watched, I was sure to make it look like a wee stop, just in case. I was becoming paranoid, and I had no idea why, but there was no way I was taking any chances.

We continued on our way home, and I filled Avery and Marley in on everything that happened after they left the hospital room yesterday.

“s**t!”

“Right!”

“And Eero wouldn’t say anymore?”

“Nope. I have given up trying. I have just decided to accept what he said, pretend it didn’t happen for now, and enjoy being home”

“Let’s look at your scar!” Marley asked, a little over-excited about the mark that the deep wound that almost killed me had left. I lifted my shirt. “Whoa, that is pretty cool,” he said as he glanced at it.

“It’s a little weird though, right?” I pulled a face, knowing it was more than a little strange but not wanting to think too much about it.

“A little, yeah, maybe Mattie would know about it?” Marley suggested.

Mattie was my youngest brother, he was a skilled healer, and he was destined to be our pack's head Salutary/Healer when he came of age at 21. He had no interest in modern medicine and had no intention of becoming a doctor, but we had Dr. Francis for that. There was a place for both Mattie and Dr. Francis in our medical centre, and they worked well together.

Mattie’s talents were in ancient herbal healing, having a knowledge and understanding of the genetic makeup, chemical structures, and components of nature’s natural healing aids. It was his passion, and he was exceptional. He spent all his time studying and researching, mainly for fun!

Alongside this, he was one of the rare wolves who had the ability to be able to excel and promote the healing of others. With both his ability to heal and his use of herbal remedies, he was a gifted and proficient healer.

Mattie was only 20, so although he had his wolf abilities, he was yet to be able to hone them and have them come into full effect. This would happen when he came of age at 21, but even so, he was already better than a lot of our current healing staff, so we knew when he came of age he would stand out.

“I doubt even Mattie has seen this before, even in a book!” I laughed a little uneasily. It may look cool, but having no idea why it was like that, was a little unnerving.

“Only one way to find out….” Avery chipped in.

I knew he was right, and even though I wanted to know if Mattie knew what was happening, Eero’s words echoed through my mind. “No, Eero said no one else should know.”

“He doesn’t have to know it all, but surely we should try and find out why? It could help you”. Marley also seemed convinced it was a good idea.

“Maybe,” I said, more to myself than to them.

'Eero?'

'Mattie may be an asset. Just remember Malachi, keep your circle small.'

'Got it.'

Eero retreated. I think he was hoping I was done with the questions. He clearly didn’t feel the need to tell me anymore. I was frustrated, but that wasn’t going to help me, or make his stubborn ass change his mind. I got lost in thought as I took in the scenery around me.

We should have flown, but looking out the window, I couldn’t say I was completely against the drive. The rolling hills, craggy mountains, deep-set woods, and flowing rivers that meandered through the valleys around us, were nothing short of breath-taking.

I grew up in the countryside, the city never once appealing to me, and I would never tire of the beauty it bestowed, changing so dramatically with each season. It was mid-June and coming to the end of spring. The rain showers were minimal this time of year, and the weather was just starting to warm up.

When we reached the top of the valley pass, we were close. Our pack lands were the closest north of here, so we would arrive at Scafell first. The pack was set in many acres of forest land and had a relatively large river flowing through it, to the right side of the pack living area.

A small dirt track road led to the centre of the forest, where a large opening held the main packhouse. Here, the substantial four-story wooden building, much like an extravagant lodge, held the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma, their families, and any single unmated men and woman who were of age, 18 or older.

In the surrounding forest, mated couples and families lived in log cabins dotted around. It never sounded as impressive as it was, but the log cabins were spacious, comfortable, and modern. We had built our own community over the years, we had everything we needed.

We were self-sufficient for the best part, even having our own farmers' market, with fresh produce. We only ever really needed to go into the human town for a few things. If anyone wanted or needed things not available from the pack, they would head into town.

Anything additional the packhouse needed or wanted, we ordered online and had it delivered to a house we had on the outskirts of the pack closest to our land but nearer to the town and someone would collect it.

The humans, in the main, were aware we were here, but they didn’t know our secret. We kept to ourselves, and we had no bother from them. Technically, it was private land, but it was marked on the map as Scafell and known as a small village. Occasionally, people would come to investigate or stumble upon us, but due to our patrols, we were always forewarned.

We kept to ourselves and remained relatively elusive, without being hostile. The way we lived was different, but not unusual. We had nothing they wanted or needed, so they had no reason to come back here, nor did they. Not having deliveries here makes it more secure and less likely that unwanted attention will be brought to us.

The Human town was in the centre of the valley. At the pinnacle north, was us, Scafell. Forming a scalene triangle, to the lower left and furthest away from both Scafell and Coldfell, was the Blackfell pack. They were located in the centre of rolling hills, surrounded by rocky passes, heather, and bracken, and were further back from the Valley.

To the lower right, but closer to Scafell, was Coldfell pack, which was set deep in the craggy mountains, with caves, waterfalls, and a large lake that lay at the foot of the mountain, on the other side of the Human town. Fewer trees grew around their pack, but they were not completely out in the open. There were enough trees to be sparsely covered, and they were difficult to get to due to the challenging terrain.

To save our heritage, our livelihood, and our secrets, we, as an alliance, before any of us were even born, including the Crossfell pack before they disbanded, agreed it was our duty to protect the humans in the central town. It hasn’t been required for years, but back then, rogues and outer neighbouring packs thirsty for blood would prey on them. However, despite the changing times, we have always kept that clause in our alliance treaty.

As we turned into the Scafell packland's dirt track road, a huge sense of relief and excitement was bestowed on me, I was so happy to be home. A year away was a long time, and I had missed my family, my brothers, sisters, parents, and my pack. It was good to be home.

As we came to the outskirts of the forest, I could see two of our pack warriors in wolf form, doing the border run. When they recognised us, they howled loudly, alerting the rest of the pack of our impending arrival.

I had no doubt there would be a welcome committee. We entered the dense forest, and a few miles later, we pulled into the courtyard in front of the packhouse, where a huge crowd had gathered.

I opened the car door and stepped out, grateful to be able to stretch my legs. In front of me, the crowd cheered at my arrival back to the pack. In the front of the crowd, were Mum and Dad.

I was unsurprised to see Mum well up, her amber eyes shone with unshed tears. She rushed towards me and embraced me. At only 5”4, I dwarfed her, she was small for a she-wolf, it always seemed to amaze me that this tiny woman gave birth to so many tall, large offspring.

“Malachi, I am so glad you are home!”

“It’s good to be home Mum”

“You look well!”

She stepped to the side, her long black hair, swaying slightly in the light wind, had greyer streaked through it than when I left. Dad came into view, his salt and pepper hair was no different from when I left, his deep green eyes bright with joy.

“Son! I am so glad you are safe and home” he beamed.

I shook his hand. “Good to see you Dad”

“Oh, come here, you’re not too big for a hug from your old man.”

He was 6”1 and all his sons were taller than him, but obviously, I was by quite a bit. He hugged me and made way for my siblings. Mylee and Mykah were first, my baby twin sisters, now 18 and growing up way too fast for my liking. They were very different from one another. Mylee, like Mattie, was quieter, studious, humble, and was willowy in stature. She had grown.

“Mylee! Did you get taller”

She smiled wide, she appeared more confident than when I had left, she had always been so shy, but she seemed to hold herself with more certainty now, “Hey bro, glad you are home”. She must be at least 5”10.

“Mal!” Mylee stepped away and Mykah launched herself at me, jumping into my arms.

“Hey sis”

Mykah was more like Marley in spirit, cheeky, adventurous, and was much like my other brothers in her attributes. She was a little warrior! She loved to fight and, much to my mother’s disapproval, insisted she train with us. She was shorter than Mylee, around 5”8 and had a toned and athletic figure. She was feisty.

She jumped down “Looking good Mal”. She had always called me Mal. When she was little, she couldn’t say Malachi, and it stuck.

“Thanks, Sis, you too!”

Maddox and Maxxim came into view. Everyone thought they were twins, but they weren’t. They were both 6”4, and looked incredibly similar, with a few small obvious differences to those that knew them. Even in physical looks and personal characteristics, they were alike. There was less than a year between them, with Maddox being 23 and Maxxim 22.

They gave me a punch on the arm each and that was my welcome home! They were strong and are excellent Warriors, and only for Maddox being a little order, would I most likely be choosing him as my Gamma. I felt bad for Maxxim, but I couldn’t have two, I had to pick, and there really was nothing between them, other than perhaps Maddox was a little more domineering. It was marginal.

Last was my youngest brother Mattie, the healer. He was quiet, bashful, introverted, and articulate. He was like none of the rest of us and, although he trained and was fit and capable of fighting, he was no warrior, he was a healer through and through!

He was the smallest of the brothers, but still impressive at 6”2. I always had the feeling while growing up, he never felt like he fitted in, mainly because we spent most of our childhood kicking the crap out of each other and fighting, while he spent his time studying and reading.

I needed to get him on his own, I needed his advice, and hopefully his expert healing knowledge. I only hoped he could shed some light on what was happening to me.