Nature's Destiny

by Winter, Justine

  I inclined my head in understanding.

  “Most of the time the hospital is used for births. It’s not uncommon to find a new-born baby nearly every week here.” He chuckled as I gasped, that was a lot of babies being popped out.

  “Minor injuries happen all the time, especially with the children running around, though most of the time they’ve healed before the kid’s stopped crying. Broken bones and dislocations heal within a day or two, so long as they’ve been checked to make sure they’re setting right. There’s not much else Aled or Annabelle can do for them. And then there’s the major injuries, which thankfully…” He tapped his head, “Rarely occur.”

  “That’s good.”

  “You see those two log-cabin-style buildings over there?” He pointed towards the hospital and angled right.

  Jutting out from the woodland sat two cabins, one larger than the other, though they were both big. I couldn’t see them much more beyond their shape, they were quite far away.

  “The biggest is the one we use for large-scale pack meetings, celebrations and ceremonies. From mating rituals to birthday parties -”

  “Mating rituals?” I interrupted, unsure as to what he meant. It sounded a little explicit for an audience.

  “Weddings.”

  My mouth formed the shape of an ‘O’ as I realised what he’d meant. That sounded much better.

  “We still have the cake, dance, food and vows, but with a slight variation to a traditional human wedding.”

  My curiosity peaked as I thought about what was different. Mating suggested something carnal and primal, and if I knew anything about rituals from watching TV they always involved blood. That didn’t sound like the lovey-dovey day a wedding proposed.

  “And the other cabin?” I asked.

  “Learning institution.”

  I shook my head, unsure if I’d heard right. I didn’t know why it had surprised me so much after learning they had their own hospital. Why should a school be any different?

  “Young pups struggle to control their emotions, but it’s important that they learn how to interact with people. We teach them English, maths, science and history - both human and Lycan.”

  “What’s the difference?”

  “Lycan history is quite similar, except we focus on what Werewolves have done for us over the past. We have wars, ancestors, and inventions just like humans do. We also teach the basics of welsh.”

  “You do?”

  “Yes. It isn’t a secret that we’ve lived here for years, and if we hadn’t adapted to the language the townspeople would have gotten suspicious. We know you learn it in schools growing up.”

  “I learnt it in primary school, but I’m sure you would have been fine without it,” I said.

  “Maybe, but at least we’ll know if something untoward is being said.”

  I couldn’t disagree with that. I knew that everyone learnt the swear words first, whether intentionally or not. No matter what language you spoke, swear words would always remain the funniest and most interesting. And definitely the most used.

  We entered the woods and the light flickered through the trees.

  “Quite a lot to take in isn’t it?”

  “Mmhmm. I feel like I’m a child again, and learning the way of the world.”

  “We’ll just focus on what you need to know for now and work on the rest at a later date. OK?” he said.

  I hadn’t noticed before Riley had mentioned it, but my body temperature was still as toasty warm as when I’d been in the direct sun. It was weirdly awesome.

  The woods began to thin out, as the sound of water caught my attention. We entered a clearing and I gasped, again. Nature’s Destiny had turned me into a gasping parrot.

  I was staring at a beautiful waterfall that fell into a lake surrounded by rocks. A handcrafted bridge bowed over the lake, it was the perfect walkway from one side to the other. The grass was adorned with bright pink and purple flowers that seemed to flourish out of the ground. I was astonished, this place was magical.

  “Riley, this is…WOW! I don’t know what to say.”

  “I’ll take that as a sign you like it here,” he said, grinning.

  “Oh my goodness, I love it! Thank you for showing me.” I squeezed his arm as I wrapped mine around his, forgetting any boundaries that should have been between us. I was too excited to care.

  “It isn’t Italy or Hawaii, but it’s your own piece of heaven in the garden. I hope you find the time to write here.”

  “That would be perfect,” I said. “I don’t need to travel the world anymore, Riley.” I looked into his eyes. “I have everything I need here,” I answered honestly.

  My skin tingled with awareness, I was extremely close to Riley. His eyes swept across my face and focused on my lips. I subconsciously licked them, and he watched my every move. My breathing turned shallow as I tried to remember our conversation.

  “So…Um…Does the pack come here often?”

  “Sometimes,” he cleared his throat. “We like to swim in the lake. But there are several places within our boundaries for the pack to run and play. There’s a treehouse too, but we’ll save that for another day,” he winked.

  My belly flipped at the insinuation.

  “Let’s go sit over there,” he pointed at the rocks closer to the waterfall.

  As I sat on the rock the constant gush of the water falling behind me engulfed us, and though it was noisy it was completely calming too.

  Riley had obviously chosen the particular area for a reason. The waterfall dampened any noise from travelling too far. It was perfect, our own private bubble.

  “Will you tell me about the night you were bit?”

  I took a deep breath and began to tell Riley how I’d been attacked. I left nothing out because I didn’t know what it was Riley was looking for. I shivered as I remembered the moment my attacker’s teeth had sunk into my skin, which at the time I hadn’t even realised was his teeth. Adrenaline had been coursing through my body.

  “When I think about the whole situation I’m confused. Was I mugged because he needed money, or was it a cover up to bite me? It just doesn’t make sense.”

  “Trust me, I’m going to find the answer.”

  “Kind of ironic though. The first night I met you , you offered to walk me back to my car because of ‘monsters’ lurking outside.”

  “I should have been a little more tasteful. You were funny though, falling over,” he laughed at the memory.

  “Please stop. I’m so clumsy and that was really embarrassing. If I’m staying here, you’ll soon see how clumsy I am.”

  “Can’t wait,” he beamed. “I’m quite concerned though. I’ve never had a hybrid join my pack, and it worries me. It’s not common to find bitten Weres. We’re not like Vampires that need to feed off humans to live, we’re supposed to be the protectors.”

  “Vampires are real?” I asked, side-tracked.

  “Yes. There are a lot of supernatural beings out there Luna, and now you’re one of them. We stick to our kind, but that doesn’t mean you won’t come across one every now and again.”

  “I can’t believe I’ve been walking around as a human for twenty-one years without knowing all this fairytale stuff is real!” I fanned out my arms, exasperated. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.

  The rock I’d been sitting on had become uncomfortable and my arse grew numb. I stood for a moment as pins and needles settled in.

  “I know it’s a lot to take in, but I promised we’d take it slow and I meant it. I’m much more concerned that you were bit. I can’t shake the feeling that there’s a motive behind it. There has to be a reason.”

  I stopped pacing, and ignored the prickling in my buttocks. I squinted down at Riley. Something was up.

  “Is that why you’ve been looking so tense since last night?” I asked.

  “You noticed that did you?”

  “I did. In the study and today at lunch. You and Nick both have the face of worry.”
/>
  I couldn’t say the same for Shane as he’d been too wrapped up in his world with Roxy, but I didn’t blame him for it.

  “I want to keep this as quiet as I can. My sisters don’t know, but I imagine Roxy does.”

  “Why?”

  “Because of the bond she has with Shane.”

  I creased my brows together, I had no idea what Riley was talking about.

  “Their minds are linked, so they hear each other’s thoughts,” he explained.

  “Is that a wolf thing? Can everyone do it?” I supposed that explained why he wasn’t as worried.

  “Only those that have been through the mating ritual.” We were back to that again. “To get back on topic, I don’t want to worry everyone yet, not until I have something a little more concrete.”

  I sat down on the rock again, and concentrated hard on what Riley was about to say. He trusted me enough to tell me, and that was more than I could have asked for.

  “I’ve been receiving a lot of phone calls from packs in England. They’ve been having some trouble too, finding newly turned humans. It doesn’t make much sense and we’re trying to work out why. Nick thinks it’s a rogue causing chaos but I’m not so sure, something doesn’t add up.”

  I thought it over for a little while, and tried to connect any dots, but I couldn’t.

  “You think there’s a bigger picture?”

  “It all seems too coincidental. Until I work it out, we have to continue like there isn’t anything wrong. And if you think of something different, let me know.”

  I was beginning to taste the responsibility and the kind of pressures Riley had to face on a daily basis. He had to decide what should or shouldn’t be shared? There was no way it was easy being the Alpha.

  “I’m intrigued though. What happened when you found out you were a wolf?”

  “For starters, I thought I was going crazy!” I said, remembering the not-so-peaceful walk I’d had in the woods. “Before I knew it my vision changed, my sense of smell increased and my ears popped louder than a car backfire.”

  “Was it bad?”

  “It was worse not knowing what was going on. It was weird, but I couldn’t help feeling paranoid. And to add to my craziness I thought a shower would help.”

  I laughed at my stupidity. What had I been thinking?

  “Soon after that, I felt sick and your lovely loud voice cracked into my skull,” I joked sarcastically. “And to add to my wonderful bravado, I passed out.”

  “I’m sorry you had to go through that on your own.”

  I shrugged, it didn’t matter anymore. It was done.

  “I wish it had been easier for you. I didn’t even know you existed until the alarm bells went off in my head.”

  “Alarm bells?”

  “Well it feels that way with the information booming through my thoughts.”

  I sat in silence, thinking about what he’d said. Perhaps he’d suffered too.

  “It’s not like I was expecting you to come galloping in to rescue me, Riley. I’ve been through my fair share of shit in the past, I can take care of myself.”

  I didn’t want him to think of me as a poor, pathetic, little girl. I was much stronger than that.

  “Speaking of your transformation, there’s still one more thing you have to do before it’s completed.”

  My body filled with apprehension as I waited for him to explain. I didn’t want any more pain.

  “You have to shift into your wolf.”

  Chapter Twelve

  “Tonight is the full moon. You won’t be able to stop the transformation, but really it’s the best way for you to change. The sooner you do it, the better it’ll be,” said Riley.

  I gulped. I hadn’t been completely foolish into thinking I wouldn’t have had to change at some point, but I guess I’d thought I’d have more time before it came to it. It still didn’t change the fact that I was terrified.

  “What do I have to do?”

  “I’ll explain later, but there isn’t much to it.” He squeezed my shoulder in an attempt to offer some comfort. “Usually we’d run together as a pack when a new wolf joins, but tonight it’ll be just you and me. The circumstances are different. ”

  Relief washed over me. I was petrified enough without the pressure of an audience to watch me too.

  “Thanks, Riley.” I was grateful for having a kind and caring Alpha.

  “It’ll be fine, Luna. I won’t let anything hurt you.” He caressed my arm, and it warmed me completely. “You’ll see how easy it is, and you’ll enjoy it. There’s nothing like running on all fours. Have you spoken to your wolf much?”

  “My wolf? I can talk to it?”

  “That’s odd.” I watched him think for a moment. I was concerned that something was wrong with me. “Maybe yours won’t come to the forefront until you’ve shifted. The wolf is a part of you, nestled inside your head. You can have an entire conversation and nobody else would be wiser. It’ll probably feel a bit strange to begin with, like a trickle at the back of your head, but it’s still you.”

  I had to deal with a talking wolf inside my head too?

  “Is it like my subconscious?”

  “You could say so. Wolves are very instinctual. They pick up on things before you would, so don’t be shocked if they register things before your brain does. There’s nobody else inside you, it’s just a different aspect of you.”

  I took a few moments to let Riley’s words sink in. The sun was lowering in the sky, and I realised I’d had no idea how long we’d been outside for. Time was running out.

  “Let’s go back to the house. I’m amazed I’ve lasted this long without any interruptions. If I know Faye and Lara they’ll be sorting out dinner now.”

  “Do they always do the food?” I stretched out my limbs as I stood, feeling the pull.

  “It’s their job, and I don’t mean that in the sexist way it sounds,” he rectified quickly. “Everyone has a job within the pack, and Faye and Lara cook and clean for their wages. Roxy helps too, but she’s been doing less as her stomach keeps growing,” he laughed.

  “She used to work in a retail shop in town, but Shane was adamant that she quit the minute he found out they were having a pup together. I imagine I’d be just as protective.”

  I smiled at the vision of little Riley’s running around.

  “I also have patrol teams that check the perimeters daily and at night, there’s a lot of ground to cover. And then there are those that work in the teaching profession. They teach a variety from class studies to martial arts, and hand-to-hand combat classes.”

  My eyes widened at the sound of that. I’d never been to a martial arts class, but learning new skills as a Werewolf sounded good. Really good.

  “It’s imperative to learn how to protect yourself as a human as well as a wolf.” I was eager to learn a bit more about fighting. “The rest of the pack have jobs in town except for the retired of course. We work well as a pack and I’m very proud of every one of them.” He was grinning like a champion.

  “Sounds good. Is there a job I can do? I have money, but I don’t want to be the only one not working. It doesn’t seem fair.”

  I didn’t want to be seen as a slacker to the other members that didn’t know me. It wasn’t fair on them, and it wasn’t a nice portrayal of me.

  “I haven’t thought about it. Let’s just get you settled in first. I have more than enough money.”

  I knew he wasn’t boasting about the wealth of his pack, he was a genuinely nice guy willing to share his money with me. He had a big heart.

  “Thanks. I’ll keep an eye out for any jobs going in town.”

  We were within distance of the Alpha house, and it had only taken us nearly half the time as before to walk out of the woods. Talking with Riley skewed my perception of time, with him it always went too fast.

  The sooner dinner was finished with the better. I didn’t know if I could stomach much, anxiety was creeping through my system which made me feel na
useous.

  “Everything will be OK, Luna. I promise.”

  *

  The house was eerily quiet as I sat with Roxy staring out of the windows in the games room. Dusk greeted the sky, and I waited patiently for everybody outside to shift and take off for their run.

  Riley had thought it was a good idea for me to watch the others from inside. Though I’d already seen Riley change into a wolf before, it was different. It was like learning how to not screw up.

  Roxy couldn’t change forms when she was so far into her pregnancy, and it irritated her a lot. “I can’t wait for this baby to pop out so I can finally go on a run again. It’s torture having to stay behind every month,” she pouted.

  “I’d happily swap bodies with you Roxy,” I joked.

  “Aww, you’re just saying that because you haven’t felt how wonderful it is! Trust me Luna, after tonight you’ll want to spend all your time running as a wolf. It’s exhilarating!”

  I couldn’t muster the excitement everybody else had for my transformation, I was too anxious. After dinner, Riley had returned to his study. His whole demeanour had turned sombre after his briefing with Nick and Shane.

  Like an orchestra following a conductor, the pack shifted simultaneously as the moon peaked in the sky. Their bodies contorting like an over-exaggerated trill on a flute.

  I held still as they took off into the woods. I watched a mass of differing shades of brown, black and red cross the fields. It was fascinating, if not a little intimidating. There was a lot of wolves.

  “It’s time, Luna,” said Riley.

  Oh, man, he had that creepy, quiet, walk down to an art!

  “Enjoy Luna, I’ll see you in the morning. I’m looking forward to hearing all about it,” Roxy winked, and left.

  We walked into the garden and stopped on the cold, crisp, grass. I hadn’t bothered to wear shoes. I felt a weird pull at my body, like somebody was tugging at me. Was that what Riley had meant when he said I wouldn’t be able to stop it?