The Moonstone Wolf

CHAPTER 9- Fitting All The Pieces Together

  ACYN

   I hate training with my old man some days because he’s as big as a mountain, hits like a freight train, and has all the necessary skills needed to make me look like an absolute first year pup who knows nothing about fighting in general. For being older, he’s still got ridiculous strength, speed and power. Add his powers and I really look ridiculous.

   I’d like to think that I give him somewhat of a fight, but he beats me stupid every time. However, on a bright side, it is taking him a bit longer to beat me till I’m stupid, so that's a plus.

   I headed to the shower and turned on the water full blast and as hot as I could stand it, my mind straying to thoughts of her- the eyes and lips that haunt me.  I suddenly feel uneasy, realizing that during the last dream she was headed somewhere we didn't know and she was alone. After all she went through, she’ll be alone, with no one to protect her. That we won't be there to protect her.

   Whoa, wait a second. Why am I getting possessive and protective over her, when I don’t even know who “her” is?  I've got to calm myself down nd think rationally.  There's no way I could find her, find out who she is or where she's going.  'Get a grip Ace.'

   I stepped out to start drying off and get dressed, when I'm hit with an overwhelming scent of something I don't recognize.  I finish dressing and follow the scent as it moves down the hall towards my father’s office.

   I went to his door to open it but the scent disappears, then comes back again as I move back down the hallway.  I closed my eyes and concentrated on the smell, and I’m pulled to a picture.

   I studied it and it’s one of my grandparents standing with another couple and their daughter. I looked quizzically at it, and I realized it’s in the part of the foyer/hallway area that my parents have sectioned off the space for some of the most powerful and important connections and relationships that our pack has.

   It’s hard to see specifics because it’s a little faded and also black and white, but there is something to this photograph.  I decided to use my gift at accessing memories, so I touched it and they played back for me like a movie.  Suddenly my hand jerks away and I'm left stunned.  That's why I had that dream last night- she and I are connected by the past.

******** 

   Normally I dress a little more formal for dinner because it's what everyone does, but I only have 3 things on my mind at the moment.

   Top of the list is food- I’m starving.

   Next is the picture.

   And third, telling mom about my plans.

   I spun around and went into the dining room, earning a disapproving stare from my father.

   “Acyn?” He simply stated with a raised eyebrow.

   “I know dad, I know. I’m not dressed appropriately, but I was in a hurry to find something out.” I responded while grabbing two plates of food. “Can I ask you guys a question about a picture outside your office? In the waiting area?”

   “I’ll try to answer- there’s a lot of pictures out there,” he sighed and stopped eating for a moment.

   “It’s the picture of my grandparents with another couple- the mother and daughter look almost identical and I think the daughter has dark hair. But, the daughter seems to be around your age and dad wasn’t in the picture yet,” describing everything as best I can.  "Do you happen to remember them?”

   The look my parents gave each other confirmed they knew, and I just raised my eyebrows and wait for them to answer me.

   “We'll talk after dinner, okay?”, dad answered.

   I nodded in response, then he added with a smirk

   “Besides… don’t you have something to tell your mother?”

   "Tell me what Acyn?", she asked with a raised eyebrow.

   "Well, you see..."

   After I laid everything out, I just sat in silence, awaiting her response. 

   It was terrifying. 

   I now have a new found respect for my father and the way he understands the power this female really holds over all our lives.

   “Well, I'm not thrilled about you leaving your family for the city.  However, as Luna I can see the need for this and it'll be good for you to be on your own. You've been searching for your own path for a while now and I believe this will help, so go for it!"  I sighed in relief, thankful that she understands me so well.

   “Brother, can we come visit you in the city?”, the twins asked simultaneously, their eyes bright and smiles beaming in excitement.

   “Of course you can!   We’ll make it work,” I said with a big smile on my face. They have been such a blessing to our family- especially to my mom.

   It had been 6 years after mom's last miscarriage, that Michael and Lillian’s parents were killed defending their pups against a group of rogues at the outskirts of the territory where they lived.  The attack had been unexpected and the warriors had tried to get there in time, but not soon enough.  Everyone was injured and all were taken to the hospital, but their parents and their two older siblings all perished from their injuries. It was the first rogue attack we had in decades that resulted in deaths that weren't warriors, and it hit our pack very hard.  Especially the children's deaths.

   My parents were especially affected and took the losses personally, and my mother came and watched over the infants day and night.  She was instantly attached to them- feeding them, changing them, doing everything their own mother would do.  She couldn't bare to let them go and so they were adopted by us- and I fell in love with being a big brother.  

   My father made sure that nothing like tis would happen again and developed the multi-layered defense and monitoring systems and protocols we have in place today.  A patrolling unit and bunker is never more than ten minutes away from any house, ensuring a quick response in five minutes or less.   

   I swore to my parents that I would always protect them at all cost, love them, and care for them my entire life, and help raise Michael to be a strong alpha for us, even if he isn’t by blood.  They are very much a part of our family, and anyone disputing that would face harsh, severe consequences.

   I made my way back to the picture, waiting for my father.

   “You saw something, didn’t you son?”, he asked without looking at me.

   “I did. The woman in my dreams? She’s related to this girl I think. Almost an exact image, actually.” I replied, never moving my gaze from her face.

   “Well, this is Frances and Gloria Prince with their daughter Esmane, taken the morning of her 18th birthday. I was also turning 18 that day, so I was busy preparing for the pack ceremony that evening with all the other wolves,” he explained. “They used to be part of the Black Moon Pack before she ran away and they were killed. They were very, very special wolves, son.  Especially Gloria and Esmane.”  He paused before continuing, his eyes growing dark and his lycan stirring.

   “Their alpha, Kane, was a sadistic, cruel alpha after Esmane ran away, and he treated the women in his pack horribly, having quite the reputation.  He was the type that was easy to hate.”  I watched my father’s jaw muscle twitch and his eyes grow hard at the memory of this alpha.

   “Well anyway, rumor had it that when Esmane turned 18...”

   “...They found out they were mates and he forced himself on her against her will…” I finished his sentence for him.  “She ran away and jumped into the river to escape.” I finished.

   My father’s eyes grew wide as he realized that I had been able to see what happened to Esmane after that fateful night.

   “Acyn, did you see everything that happened?”, he asked, looking astonished. “They never found her, just a lot of blood. It was assumed that she was killed by rogue wolves, but they never found a trace. And we both know that they usually leave a mess behind.”

   “Yeah, I saw everything which is strange because the picture was taken before then, and that happened later.  There must be a reason I was able to see that..." I wondered aloud.  "But what you assumed is true- she was hurt badly, and somehow made it down the river to shore. A lone wolf found her and took her in, and later she had a daughter,” I said fondly, a small smile forming.  “I can only assume that the woman I've been dreaming of is the daughter of Esmane, and maybe that's why I can see all of this unfolding,” I finished.

   "Do you realize Acyn, that if this girl is who we think she is, you have discovered the very last Moonstone wolves? And that she may be the most powerful wolf yet?”, my dad asked me, his eyes wide with awe.

   I shook my head and just listened, staring and absorbing everything I could from what he was talking about.

   “Dad, I think this is all connected, there’s a reason for all of this. I don’t understand it all just yet, but I’m going to find out,” I said determined to follow through with my words. There had to be a reason for these dreams and this vision, plus our family’s connections.

   “We’ll be ready to go by the end of this week for the city. I need to get some sleep and start making all the arrangements tomorrow first thing. Thanks, for everything,” reaching out and giving him a huge bear hug.

   He pulled away but left his hands on my shoulders, sighing at me.

   “I am so proud of the man you are becoming, son. Even though we don’t see eye to eye on a lot of traditional things, I have no doubt in my mind or heart that you will be an amazing leader for this pack, our family, and your future family.  Go, get some rest because if you think I’m gonna take it easy on you in training tomorrow, you have another thing coming,” he warned and chuckled as he left.

   My eyes widen just a little at the part about training.

   Great- he already kicks my ass but now he’s going to kill me from now on. Fabulous.

   My thoughts are swirling as I sink into the soft sheets and the plush mattress, the last thing I see before darkness overcomes me is an incredible pair of green eyes.