Chapter 6- The Whole Story

Graces POV

I waited for Rose to start talking, a million more questions filling my head. Instead of answers I just kept getting more questions. I was hoping Rose would be able to tell me more. If my parents were wolves then why was I not a wolf? And how in the world am I completely at ease with this? It took a moment to realize that Rose was beginning to talk and I needed to listen closely.

“Your mom and dad were two very important wolves in our pack. Your parents were best friends with my parents. When you were born your parents recognized the mark of the Moon Goddess on your ribs. They knew the legend and what that meant. Along with my parents they decided that to keep you safe they would move away from the pack. That way no one would be able to find you among the wolves. It also meant the wolf pack would be safer from threats coming to take you.”

So far everything Rose is telling me actually seems to be making sense. I feel a flashback of memories come to my mind. All the times mom and dad would go out in the woods just to run or have a picnic. Or how they would drive to the outskirts of the city on nights I was not with them. I used to wonder what they were doing, I guess now I did.

“They began to raise you and when you got to elementary school you were so smart. You used to get picked on all the time and they were worried about you growing up without anyone like you. That is why my parents sent me to your school. I was so thankful for being able to be your friend.”

I remembered the bullying. Kids would pick on me because I was smart. Sometimes, I even knew more than the teachers and often that did not sit too well with them. The teachers would often turn the other way, the day Rose came into my life and punched that boy it was like I had my own personal hero. We were instantly friends.

“In the beginning of high school, your parents started receiving weird messages. They were starting to worry about you and your safety and wanted to take you away. The night they died they were meeting with my parents to come up with a better way to protect you.”

No no no. I knew where this was going. My parents were murdered? For protecting me? How was I going to live with this? Suddenly I felt two strong arms wrapped themselves around me. At first, I started to push away but the soothing feeling and the safety were too much. Instead, I melted into them. It felt amazing like it was exactly where I belonged. I let myself cry.

There was a time in my life where I cried but then I knew I had to stop. I couldn’t let myself cry over my parents because I had to live life and had to be strong just like they had trained me to be. After what felt like eternity, I wiped my tears away. I looked into the eyes of the arms that were holding me. He was so close. I could see the bright blue specks calling out to me.

I started to wonder how good kissing him would be. I kissed a guy one time. It was fine, but I had a feeling that kissing Clay would be extraordinary. I wondered what his hands would feel like on my skin. What in the world was wrong with me? One second, I was crying over the murder of my parents and the next I was consumed with images of rolling around with Clay. Overcome with embarrassment I could feel my cheeks start to turn red. Clay let go a little but did not let go completely. I did not mind. His touch almost seemed to give me strength to hear the rest of the story.

Rose took a deep breath like she was dreading the rest of the story, “Your parents were sure that if they moved you somewhere else then you would be safe. My parents agreed that we should get you packed up and move you within our pack to someone who could protect you better. On the way home to get you they were crossing the bridge. They were stopped by the black witches. I am not entirely sure what happened, but when my parents did not hear from them they went to make sure you all were okay. They found your parents bodies on the bridge, the smell of dark magic in the air. They had people take your parents and they went to check on you. When they reached your house, they found you under your bed. You said…”

“Someone was in the house and they were not my parents.” The unease rested between us. I remember that night. I thought it was my parents home early but instead it was some person whose smell overpowered my senses.

I hid under my bed in hopes they didn’t find me. I felt transported back to that moment. I had heard the man talking and muttering to himself. He was saying something about how bad wolves stunk, I thought it was funny because the man smelled awful and why would there be wolves in my house. He also said something about finding the ‘stupid golden wolf’.

I had held my breath until a nice couple came in. They were so kind and helped me get out from under the bed. The insured me I was okay and broke the news of my parents to me. The next day I was moved into the foster home where I stayed for the next two years. My eyes blinking in realization, “the foster home. Mary is a wolf?” My foster mom was so sweet and exactly what I needed in that time. She was an older woman but seemed strong. I always felt so safe with her. Last year Mary had moved back home to her family.

Rose nodded at my question. “Mary was the one who was set to take you for a bit.” As if sensing my next question Rose said, “Mary is at the pack ranch.” I was so excited to at least be able to see Mary again.

Clay stood up. His hand holding onto mine and pulling me up with him. Standing next to him I realized how tall he really was. I looked up at him as he begun to speak, “Grace, I know you have lots more questions. I want to answer them all for you. However, we have already been here a long time and I do not want to bring trouble back home with us. We need to take you back to the pack so that we can be safe.” I nod. I know there are tons more questions and some that I will just have to wait to hear and understand.

Rose stood up. “ Alright well now lets go check out our humble abode.” I watched as Rose walked into the water and there appeared to be a whirlwind of water that rose around her. Then she was gone.