by Linda Palmer
Chapter Fourteen
He had that right.
"I need a minute alone." My head spinning with possibilities, I walked over to the swings a few yards from the course. I didn't sit in one, but did keep my back to the group as I hugged the weathered wooden support frame and tried to pull my thoughts together.
What would it mean if I became a wolf? Would I do more harm than good to the pack, splitting the ranks between supporters and non? Or would my presence, indeed, provide another, in my case softer, perspective? And why would I ever want to be a wolf if Rhyan wasn't one, too?
I realized I had to cut Rhyan out of the equation. This had to be my decision, based on my needs. As for Chief... How would he handle my role change? Would it threaten him or ultimately make him proud? I quickly realized I had to cut him out of the equation, too.
Though still undecided, I walked back to the gathering. "I have a question." I turned to Mason, the elder I knew best besides Chief. "Why did you guys shut out females in the first place? Did something happen?"
"Something certainly did," answered my grandfather before anyone else could speak. "Two males in the pack got into a fight over a female member. One killed the other. The tribe leaders knew then what they'd always suspected: female wolves provided too much distraction to the males."
He had to be kidding. The sudden rush of warmth to my cheeks told me my face might be as red as the winter scarf knotted around my neck. "What is this, the 1800s? Women have rights now. We can vote, own property, even run for office..." I shook my head in disbelief. "We're just as good as men, and if two wolves get into it over a woman, well, that's their problem, not hers." I turned to Rhyan. "Thanks for setting this up, though you could've included me in your plans."
He winced. "Sorry. Wasn't sure you'd go for it."
I next turned to the elders. "Did Rhyan tell you that I've passed the other two parts of the test?"
All of them nodded.
"And you're agreed that if I complete this course, I'm qualified to join the pack?"
They nodded again.
"Then let's get this show on the road. This tribe needs a she-wolf."
Though my words sounded brave enough, my knees wobbled like Jel-lo as Rhyan and I tossed our jackets and stretched to warm up. I thought of what lay ahead--an obstacle course I'd never truly completed before--and wanted to backtrack all the way home. Only Rhyan's obvious faith in me and the knowledge that I could always try again kept me running scared.
Chief dug his stopwatch from his pocket.
Rhyan glanced at me. "Ready?"
"As much as I'll ever be."
We looked at Chief.
"On your mark. Get set. Go!"
The slant of the terrain put the whole course in view of our witnesses. Highly conscious of their stares, I kept pace with Rhyan, who clearly had no breathing issues today. We first came to the low crawl-under barrier. I actually completed that faster than Rhyan, whose added height and girth challenged him.
Next came the horizontal ladder--murder on the knees, but doable. The vault came next. Rhyan flew over it, of course. I struggled until my boyfriend quietly pointed out that it wasn't fair for a person who stood five-foot-nothing in her bare feet to vault at the same height as a five-foot-eleven guy. After Chief agreed and adjusted the rail, I managed the vault. That left the tire footwork, more difficult for me because of my shorter legs, but I completed it without breaking my neck, falling flat on my face, or otherwise humiliating my gender.
We walked over to the rope, hemp and very long, stretching from the ground to a frame high overhead. I gulped. No way would I be able to climb it. Just no way.
"Watch me, Tehya, and remember what I told you," said Rhyan. "It isn't as hard as it looks."
I watched as he skinnied right up and then down the rope.
"Now you try it."
I sucked in a brave breath and grasped the rope, which felt scratchy to my cold hands.
"Remember the brake and squat technique I showed you. Inchworm all the way up. If you lose your grip, I won't let you hit the ground."
What did that mean? I wondered, grasping the rope as he'd showed me earlier. Slowly I climbed, truly inching my way as my shoes and knees pinned the rope. I only looked down once, and when I did, I saw Rhyan right underneath, ready to catch me if I fell. I squealed like the girl I was when I made it, then had to get myself down. I let go when I got close enough not to bust my butt on landing. Rhyan, good as his word, caught me. Our victory kiss resulted in a stern cough from Chief.
Oops. Forgot the witnesses.
We moved to the next challenge, the balance beam, which both of us aced. That left the ten-foot wall. Rhyan sailed over it just as he had every day, like a wolf with wings, then ran back around it to watch me. "You've got this, Tehya!"
I valiantly ran toward the wall, jumping to plant my foot as high as I could and push until I grasped the top of it. My fingers slipped before I could even try to walk my feet up.
I tried again with no better luck.
Breathless and already hurting, I attempted the wall one more time. As before, I fell.
Rhyan helped me up. I could barely see him through eyes filled with tears of frustration. Why had I ever thought I could climb the thing? I could almost hear Chief's stop watch piling up the seconds.
"I know you can do this." He kept his voice low.
"That doesn't help."
"Come on. You can't give up now."
"I can always try again later."
"But you won't."
Did he know me or what? With a sigh, I nodded. "One more time, but that's it."
He didn't answer. Once again, I backed up for a running start. Rhyan lined up with me. I gave him a look.
"Pretend I'm on the other side, unconscious and bleeding."
Didn't like that image one bit.
"Get ready. Go!" We charged the wall. Rhyan leapt to grab the top rim. I did the same and actually caught it in my fingers.
"Yeeesss!"
I stole a minute to get a better grip, trying to ignore the pain in my wrists and arms. Oh how I wished I'd trained in weights for six months, maybe more.
"Now walk your feet up the wall. You can do this. Do it now!"
The minute I bent my knees, my fingers started to slip. I realized I'd never truly appreciated the difficulty of the obstacle, even though I'd seen many a wolf fail at this particular spot.
By now, Rhyan straddled the top of the wall. I could tell he wanted to reach out and grab my wrists. I pretended that he had. Step by step, I placed the soles of my sneakers on the concrete blocks until I practically folded in half.
"Push yourself up."
I wanted to, but I didn't dare. My fingers slid as it was. If I tried to boost my upper body, I'd lose my tremulous hold and fall on my butt.
"Push. Yourself. Up."
With a gasp, I did it, somehow managing to get my elbows on the top of the wall. Then I scrambled up the rest of the way until Rhyan and I faced each other. His eyes swam. I heard his gulp.
Grinning like an idiot, I twisted to face the down side and jump off it. Rhyan somehow beat me there and caught me at the bottom. We ran the final sprint hand in hand.
The moment we crossed the finish line, he grabbed me around the legs and boosted me up into the air. His rebel yell made our victory perfect. It took a few moments for me to hear the cheers of the elders. Could they really be making all that noise? I made Rhyan put me down and peeked around the wall. I saw the elders, all of whom applauded, clapped each other on the back, and beamed at me. I also saw every member of the Quantauk wolf pack that currently lived on the reservation...except Cam, of course. Where had they come from?
I lost it. Rhyan hugged me as I boohooed my joy into his T-shirt. Then I remembered that stupid stopwatch. I broke free of my boyfriend and ran back to Chief.
"How's my time?"
He never even looked at the timer as he punched the clear button that set the digits back to zero.
"It'll do."<
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I threw my arms around him. He hugged me back and placed a kiss on the top of my head. Pride emanated from him like heat from his fireplace, and I felt it from top to bottom.
Chief next hugged Rhyan, who'd joined us. Through wet eyes, I watched the elders congratulate him as if they were all old friends. I suddenly realized why Rhyan didn't come home until late last night. He'd been out orchestrating this.
Warmth that started in my heart spread through every inch of me. Now that was love.
"Ceremony's tonight at seven," said Chief. He looked at me and lowered his voice. "Maybe we'd better practice that chant some more."
"Definitely." I intended for Rhyan to get every wonderful thing he deserved, even if it ultimately separated us.
The wolf-way finale traditionally took place near an ancient wooden hut on the back forty of Chief's land. The snow made things a little tricky this time of year, but everyone who came--as in almost every member of the tribe--dressed for the weather, and we had a huge fire. Looking out over the group, seated around the flames several rows of people thick, I saw folks who'd never bothered with something like this before. That told me the word was out--a girl was going to join the pack!
Standing, Chief gave his usual spiel, a speech that included tribal facts from the past until today. Only this time, he talked about the elders' decision to eliminate females from the tradition.
"But we were wrong," he said, winding down. "And I'm proud to add my granddaughter to the distinguished list of females who've walked the wolf-way."
He turned to me with a smile and slipped the symbol of the pack over my head. I immediately pirouetted so our witnesses could see the tiny, hand-carved wolf dangling from a smooth leather cord around my neck. Applause erupted. Rhyan and Chief each gave me a kiss.
Chief next motioned for me to join him. We walked together into the hut and dropped the blanket that served as a door. Under the light of the moon streaming through weathered ceiling, we faced each other. My heart thudded in my chest. Finally, I'd witness the incredible magic that turned humans into wolves.
My grandfather took my right hand firmly in his and gave me a proud smile. "It is done."
It was?
As in, that was it?
Oh yeah, I realized a nanosecond later. My senses zinged to life. Everything instantly looked, sounded, smelled, felt, and even tasted different. What a rush!
"Oh. My. God. What did you do?"
"I didn't do anything. I just gave you permission to free the wolf inside you. That's what a birthright is all about." Chief chuckled and pulled me into his embrace. For the longest time, we just stood there. I basked in the knowledge of his love for me. I understood his fears, his challenges, and his victories, as I never had before. I realized, truly realized, just how complex yet simple life could be.
"Ready to go out?"
I could barely nod.
Chief pulled the blanket aside. I stepped out with him right behind me. My gaze found and locked with Rhyan's. I could tell he'd caught my new, wolf-y scent, just as I'd caught his. His jubilant smile lit up the night ever better than the moon. Everyone rushed up, of course. Rhyan hung back, letting my tribe be the first to congratulate me.
Finally, I got to him, grabbed his hand, and as good as dragged him to Chief.
"His turn."
Chief nodded. Facing our witnesses, he motioned for them all to sit again. When things quieted down, he began to talk.
"I know you're all curious about Rhyan, here. I know that rumors about him have been flying around the reservation for days. Here are the facts." Chief told everyone how Rhyan had come to him for help, and then asked my boyfriend to share his own story. I sensed Rhyan's surprise -- clearly, he hadn't been forewarned that he'd have to talk.
But he rose to the occasion, squaring his shoulders and facing the tribe. While the fire hissed and crackled, he told his story of temptation, treachery, and tribulation. Instead of watching him, I watched my reservation neighbors. Within seconds of beginning his tale, Rhyan lured them all into his tragedy by sharing his belief that he had to shed his shapeshifting to set his world right. He gave me a tender smile as he described how lonely his life had been before he came to the reservation. Rhyan also thanked Chief not only for giving him a food and a place to sleep, but accepting him for what he was and being willing to help.
Finally, the love of my life ran out of words. A quick glance around showed me no heart had gone untouched by his history. I heard sniffles, but most sat in solemn silence.
Then a couple of the Quantauk pack spoke their minds. "Dude, your girl just became a wolf. Why change yourself now?"
"Yeah. You should join our pack."
"Did you see him scale that wall?" someone--a grownup--asked no one in particular. "Never saw anything like it. He could teach us all a thing or two."
"He's a dear, sweet boy," added a female voice I recognized as Hope Henry's.
Rhyan raised a hand for silence. "Listen, guys, I'd love to be part of the Quantauk pack. I mean, how cool would that be, especially now that Tehya's in it? But I can't." He explained about the Corteggio, which would never fully trust him, and admitted he didn't want to live his life as a suspect or in fear for his family. Rhyan also shared his valid worries that his former pack might show up someday.
"Bring your family here," yelled someone from the shadows. "Your mom's got Quantauk blood. This is where they belong. The pack will protect them."
Now why hadn't I thought of that? As I turned to Rhyan to check out his reaction, wolf me sensed his surprise and joy at the invitation, as well as his anguish that he didn't dare accept it.
Desperate to save him from angst of any kind, I grabbed his hand and caught Chief's eye. "We need to get on with this."
Chief nodded.
"Wait!"
That shout made all of us turn in surprise, seeking the source. Levi and Ben DeLuca stepped from the shadows.
What the heck? I tightened my grip on my guy and instinctively placed myself between him and the man representing the vindictive Corteggio.
Ben stopped right in front of us. "Rhyan Knox?"
"Yes?"
"I wish to offer a compromise."
Rhyan tensed. "What do you mean? What kind of compromise?"
"In light of your Quantauk blood and obvious ties to this tribe, I'm willing to take statements from the elders in support of your becoming a member of this pack."
My heart leapt right into my throat.
"This means you'd have to cut all ties with The Arm--"
"I told you I already have."
"--and be subject to and abide by all rules of this tribe." He looked toward the elders, who sat in a cluster to the right. "Do you support the official addition of Rhyan Knox to your pack and promise to mentor, teach, and protect him?"
Mason stood. "All against?" Some nodded. "All for?" Way more nodded, including Chief. "The majority speaks. We accept Rhyan Knox into the pack." He turned to Rhyan. "Is this your desire?"
I couldn't even breathe as I waited for my boyfriend to speak. I registered his rush of joy before I heard his answer.
"It is."
"Then you're free," said Ben DeLuca. He turned to the elders. "Please see me before you leave here tonight. I need signatures."
"So we're good?" asked Rhyan, his green eyes wide with disbelief.
Ben nodded.
"Forever and ever?"
Ben nodded again.
I whirled on Rhyan. "But what about your family?"
"They'll love you as much as I do."
"I'm not talking about that. You need to go home, Rhyan. You need to pick up your life where it left off without your parents having to move or--"
Rhyan covered my mouth with his hand. "My life begins and ends with you, so I'm not going anywhere except for a long visit. As for my parents, why wouldn't they want to come here? You've got rivers, mountains, and the nicest neighbors on the planet. Besides, I want to be with you forever as your mate, just like in y
our vision."
Chief, standing just behind us, gasped. He spun me around to face him. "You had a vision?" His heavy hands on my shoulder pinned me to the spot.
"It was a dream, and I--"
"Damn. I've never had a vision. Never."
"I told you it was a dream."
Ignoring me, Chief now raised his hands to silence the buzzing crowd. "There's more business we need to attend to tonight. Another official decision to be made."
Uh-oh.
"My granddaughter has recently revealed that she's inherited shaman magic--stronger magic than this tribe has seen in a very long time. I would like for her to publicly state her intentions as to these powers and her future." He grabbed my shoulders again. "Tehya Crane, do you accept or reject your birthright as shaman of this tribe?"
Way to put me on the spot, Chief.
Instead of answering, I placed my hands on his temples and opened my mind to him. Memory after memory cascaded upon me, just as they had before. But I didn't end the link this time. I somehow found the courage to keep communication open until I felt the rush of satisfaction my grandfather experienced every time he helped an injured or troubled member of the tribe or graduated a boy into a wolf. That pleasure knew no bounds, and, no longer caught up in what I didn't have in my life, I focused on what I had: everything a girl could desire.
"Holy shit."
That soft curse from nowhere made reality crash in on me. I realized my skin had begun to glow and yanked back my hands to swipe them down my pants leg as if that would erase it. Of course it didn't.
