by T. L Smith
She startled with the sound and as she looked back, it all disappeared. It was daytime once again and no one was around, except Joe and Roger. As she turned her head to verify that, both men were moving towards her with concern etched on their faces. "Julie? You ok?" Roger asked as he came to stand next to her.
"Um, yeah, ... sure. I… I'm fine", she said as she tried to shake off the remaining fear that seemed to cling to her, so the guys wouldn't start asking a bunch of questions she wasn't prepared to answer. Joe stepped forward and took her by the shoulders making her look up at him.
"Honey, what just happened?" he asked. She tried to smile and put a naturally relaxed face forward to address his question.
"What do you mean Joe? Nothing happened. I was just looking over the grounds to see if I could see anything that might be out of place. You know how I get when I'm concentrating on something. It's like everything else melts away."
"Julie, we made a deal, you and I. We agreed that if anything started happening, if you started remembering anything, or if anything frightened you, you'd let us know. That was the condition to you coming out here. Are you going back on your part of that deal?" Joe asked with a stern face that meant he wouldn't tolerate anything but the truth.
Knowing that she'd never really been able to lie to him, she sighed as she relaxed into a less than strong stance. "Alright, something did happen, but I didn't scream or run away in fright. I really am ok. I just thought I saw something that turned out to be .... well, not there." "What did you see? Do you think it's a memory trying to surface?" asked Joe.
"Why would it be a memory?" she asked, a bit more shrill than she intended. She felt like a child trying to hide the truth from a parent and thought indignant posturing could throw them off the trail.
Joe sighed, running his hands over his head. He never should have agreed to this. THIS was not the way to get her to open up to her memories and start dealing with it all. What had he been thinking?? His kind heart where she is concerned may just cause more harm than good! Though he hated to do anything to rush things along, he knew that she needed to know the truth. "Julie, it could have been a memory because, ... honey, ... this is the same site that your parents were killed 17 years ago."
She started to say something but seemed to change her mind and her mouth snapped shut. In stunned silence, she turned to look back at the campsite. In her heart she seemed to know that Joe was telling her the truth. Seventeen years ago she had been here, in this very spot, as a young girl with her father, mother and brother. She had been a part of a complete family and knew that they had been happy. She struggled to understand how it all changed. WHY it had all changed. As she studied the site, her vision began to darken. Was she going to have another vision as she had before? Would she know the truth of it all? Her head began to spin and the outer edges of her vision narrowed until the darkness finally claimed her.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
As Levi ran, a sense of freedom washed over him. Thinking that nothing could hurt him, that he could have anything he wanted, do anything he wanted, go anywhere he wanted, … the freedom he felt spread a smile across his face. To say he felt joy running through the woods as he was doing, wasn't something he would admit. After all, there was nothing in his life that brought joy. But, he knew that as he ran to a destination unknown, he was free. He guessed that was the best reason to feel ... well, anything. In the very least, it was pleasant! And with that thought, he smiled again.
Unknowingly, as Levi relaxed into the comfort of this pleasant feeling, his guard against the beast slipped and before he could do anything about it, the beast sprang free! The man and his tiny bit of joy was gone. In his place now was violence, bloodlust and a fury like no other. The beast skidded to a stop and shook off any final remnants of Levi. Though it could appreciate the freedom his life offered, his focus lay more with satisfying the things he craved the most. Among the fury he felt and the blood he craved, something new had begun to stir deep inside. Something, or rather someone, that could satisfy a different kind of craving, was needed, though an understanding of it was beyond his capability. He just knew he needed it.
The beast gazed around at the surrounding trees, familiar yet not what he needed. The confusion he felt after the take over each time always left him a bit dazed and not sure where to head next, or even what exactly he needed next. He began to walk in the direction he found Levi heading in, for the lack of a better reason to choose a direction. Finally he felt the need for water. The transformation always seemed to drain him. Raising his nose into the air, he could sense a small stream further ahead in the direction he was heading. That would be his first desire to quench.
As he worked his way through the trees, he began to become aware of another presence. Not yet sure whether it was friend or foe, he pressed on towards the water. He could sense power. He could sense a kinship, yet couldn't decide how that was possible, or if he even desired it. Could this presence be the 'someone' he was needing? Intuition told him no. This presence that seemed to be like him was not one that he felt would satisfy his craving.
Dipping his head to the water, he surveyed the surrounding bush as he drank. He felt the presence more strongly and knew that it was close. As he drank his fill, a feeling of comfort swept over him. He always felt better once he could replenish his need for water yet this comfort appealed to a different part of him. A sense of belonging had been lacking from the beginning of his awakening. He felt drawn to this other being that he now knew was watching him nearby. Curiously, he raised his head and studied the area. If this being was like him, why didn't they show themselves? He didn't sense fear. Quite the opposite. The wave of power coming from them held a sense of confidence and strength. The beast knew that he must project his own strength to be sure he didn't become prey.
* * * *
Luke intently watched the wolf form of Levi as he drank, seeming to be searching for someone. He knew that he must confront him, but he wanted to get a feel for his frame of mind first. Was he going to be volatile or could he be reasoned with? As he studied him, he released a bit of the Alpha power that he was given permission to use. True, the approval came in regards to using it with Julie, but he was sure that Adam wouldn't mind him using it in this situation if it could keep things from getting out of control. Levi's body seemed to quiver a bit with the release of this power. Could it be out of submission or was it defiance? He didn't see any signs of him fighting the influence of the power, which ultimately was a good sign and showed hope for a successful intervention rather than a destruction of another wolf. "Well, no time like the present to find out which way it's going to go" he thought to himself. With head held high and the alpha power in place, he stepped out of the bush and made his presence known.
* * * *
Levi heard the rustle of the bush and a breath later, a large, dark wolf stepped out of the nearby trees. It was powerfully built with a broad chest and a well muscled body. He was instantly aware of the alpha power rolling off of it and he bristled with the implications of the expected submission it required. He hadn't had to submit to anyone or anything since his awakening and he wasn't sure he wanted to start now, yet, it wasn't something he could easily deny. He lowered his head for a moment and waited to see what might come next. At the first sign of aggression, he would show him he was not to be trifled with!
Luke gave Levi time to adjust to his presence as well as the alpha power before starting to approach. He hoped his power would provide a mental connection with him. It would make things much easier to assess the situation as well as control it. "Levi, my name is Luke. I would like to talk with you." As he sent his message across to him, he intensified his eye contact without intensifying the power just yet. He didn't want to come on so strong that Levi felt the need to defend right away. A look of confusion briefly passed over Levi's face. He'd never experienced a mental connection with another wolf before. His awakening was unassisted and had come on when he was alone, so the connection felt foreign a
nd intrusive.
"I'm not here to hurt you, unless you force me into something", Luke calmly said. Levi seemed to be able to gather the true intent from him and it felt calm and reassuring. It was actually a brief mental connection between the man and the beast. The beast was stronger, however, and in the snap of a twig, the beast roared to the surface under full control.
Levi's wolf was a bit smaller than Luke's, but was muscular. He was a brindle black and charcoal color with dark chocolate eyes with orange flecks. Though Luke outweighed him, he certainly wasn't a force to ignore. All wolves newly awakened, or those who awakened alone, carried a strength more than the average wolf. With the beast fully in control, all reasoning ceased to exist.
A growl started deep within Levi's chest. Though he felt the power rolling off of Luke, he refused to be submissive to it. In response, Luke stood taller, growling deeply with his own threat of violence if Levi didn't submit and he continued his approach, showing no fear, only the demand for respect. He pushed the alpha power out more strongly, causing Levi to stumble back a step and a whimper slipped out, from both pain and frustration.
Levi hadn't been challenged in any way during his days since the awakening. With each death he delivered, it seemed to boost his own confidence in the power he carried and the violence he wielded. Now, under the slowly crushing mental power coming from Luke, Levi wasn't so sure that nothing could stop him from going after what he craved. The insanity he'd carried over the years had stripped away all respect for life as well as removing the possibility that he would answer to any other being. Levi the man only made rare appearances anymore, and only for short spells. He suffered with the knowledge of what he'd become and prayed for the day it would all end. A brief flicker went through Levi's brain, wondering if this might finally be the salvation he'd prayed for!
"I understand it's been hard for you, and that you're confused with what is happening, but I demand that you submit so that you may come with me to the pack and be integrated in the way it was meant to be. You have much to re-learn, but it's not too late. You must realize that your way of life is now over. Either you submit and come back, or your life will be forfeit," Luke projected with strength and calmness and could see Levi struggling with the alpha power. Typically it wasn't something any wolf could deny, however since Levi had been running wild and free for years, the hold it normally had was diminished. Luke could sense the faint presence of the man but wasn't sure it was enough to be able to save him.
"Levi, if you can understand me, if you want to come back and regain control of your body, you must try to reach out and let me know!" Luke pressed. Their numbers had diminished as it was through the years. He knew that it was against their laws to kill another wolf shifter if it could be avoided. He MUST know that Levi is too far gone before he can do that, and it would have to be decided before taking him back, or ending him.
As Luke approached, Levi's growl intensified and his hackles rose as he struggled to shake off the alpha power pressing him down. The beast refused to submit and the fury within began to once again turn his vision red. Never had he been denied his desires and he could not believe that this strange wolf had it in him to be one to deny him.
It was apparent to Luke that the beast wouldn't submit without a fight and if there was to be one, it would be short lived. He couldn't allow him any leeway in this struggle and must be made to understand that the choice was no longer his own in how he lived his life. He pushed out the remaining alpha power he carried as he pounced on Levi, dodging his enraged attempt to grab him around the throat. He twisted at the last second, and using his superior body weight and strength, maneuvered the beast underneath him and closed his powerful jaws around his throat.
There was no question in the intention to have him submit or die. As each wolf roared out their outrage, Luke tightened his grip on Levi's throat causing a whimper to works its way among the growling. Levi struggled more, trying to work his paws closer to the under side of Luke's belly. He knew he could take the lead in the struggle and shred the soft underbelly if he could just twist enough to get his paws into position.
With the intensity of beast's struggles, however, Luke was more determined not to allow a shift in position or power and give him the upper hand. Instead of loosening his grip in the struggle, he gradually tightened it causing the sharp points of his teeth to break through the surface of the skin. If the pressure had to be increased much more, he would pierce his throat and the threat of death would become a reality. All while struggling, Luke mentally pushed, telling Levi to submit ... "SUBMIT and you may live!"
In the natural order of things among the canine world, it is an ingrained nature to submit to a stronger power, the alpha. With Levi having changed alone, he missed that lesson. Now, in the heat of the battle, a small part of his brain seemed to come alive and what should have been awakened long ago but didn't, snapped into place. Luke felt the release of tension in Levi's body followed by the action of submitting. Levi now lay limp beneath him. The battle was over.
CHAPTER TWELVE
As Julie came to, Roger had her head in his lap and Joe was perched over her waiving a strong alcohol smell in front of her nose. She wrinkled her nose and turned her head and started a light coughing. "Ok, OK... I'm alright!" she moaned. "What happened?"
Setting aside the smelling salts, Joe turned to her with his brows furrowed, shaking his head side to side. "Julie, I KNEW this was a mistake! You are not ready to be out here. A person can only take so much at one time and clearly your body is trying to tell you that you are pushing too fast!"
"Joe, please don't", Julie said as she sat up and got up off the ground, brushing the dirt off her clothes. "I get it, you're worried about me. But I'm fine. Maybe it is all coming at me a bit fast, but I think the worst is over. Facing the news, and then the actual site it happened on, maybe it was too much. But, I've got this now. I'm stronger than this. Some things can't be stopped, as clearly seen by my little pass out episode. However, with your and Roger's help, I think I can beat this, help get this guy that's killing so many people, as well as start facing what happened to me and deal with the results. Please give me the chance to do it! You know I've worked hard for many years now to prove that I'm just as strong and just as good as the other rangers. Don't make me look less than that now. PLEASE!" Julie realized she had been talking too much, rambling on too long, and just stopped, took a breath and with pleading eyes, waited to see what her fate would be.
Joe scrubbed his hands over his face and head. Still slightly shaking his head side to side, he understood where she was coming from but, could he REALLY let her continue? Would he let any other ranger continue if they'd passed out? Would it be favoritism if he let her continue or pride in the woman he knew her to be and faith in her abilities? If they weren't chasing a psychotic killer it would be different... there'd be no threat of harm hanging over their heads. But they were, and there was! He'd known having Julie assigned to his company may prove to be a conflict someday, yet he'd gone against his better judgment and allowed it anyway. That someday seemed to have just arrived.
Joe knew a decision had to be made and he'd have to live with it, as would Julie. Once decided, he couldn't go back on it. Taking a deep breath, he made the decision they'd all have to live with. "Yes ... I know you are strong and very capable in your job. I know you've felt you had something to prove from day one, even though you didn't. Under normal circumstances I wouldn't have one worry about whether you could do this job." Julie opened her mouth to protest, feeling that Joe was about to send her back when he raised his hand, stopping her. "Hang on a minute, I'm not done", he said. "The cards are stacked against you right now and if you were out here alone, there's no way in hell I'd let you continue. However, since Roger and I are both with you, I'm willing to keep it as it is and see what happens."
Julie's face broke out into a huge smile and she jumped up about to hug Joe when he stopped her. "Don't get me wrong little girl, if you pass out again or you
compromise anyone's safety, you're going back - NO discussion, got it!?? Only Joe could call her a 'little girl' and get away with it.
Rapidly shaking her head yes, she threw her arms around him. "Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU Joe!! You won't be sorry! I won't let you down! I promise!"
He sighed wearily, "Yeah, yeah, let's hope not." His fear for her versus his love for her warred within his heart. He could only hope that she was as strong as he knew her to be and they wouldn't both regret this decision in the end.
They all bent down to retrieve their packs and prepared to continue. They were still on a time deadline and Julie's 'episodes' had slowed them down. Joe hoped they could make good time from here to their border and still meet up with the sector four Team on time. Julie seemed to have recovered and was reassessing the grounds outside the trail. Whether she was avoiding the campsite so as not to react any further, and threaten her ability to continue, or that she had in fact gotten a grip on herself, wasn't something Joe wanted to ponder right now. As long as she could carry on, he'd trust that she could handle it. So they all returned to their earlier positions and continued to move forward. Joe was going to lead. He'd subtly try to increase their speed without being obvious so no explanations would be needed on their tardiness when they arrived at the border.
Since the police had been out earlier to run the crime scene and gather evidence, there was still yellow caution tape strung between the trees and around the site of the murder. Though they had thoroughly cleared the site of body parts, clothing pieces and such, the blood stains on the ground couldn't be removed. Aside from just being difficult to even do that, there was just too much of it to successfully remove it all. Joe worried that it might be another trigger for Julie, but she seemed to scan over it all in an analytical way and move on. He knew she was more focused on the path of departure than the signs of a crime having been committed. He always admired her tenacity to do her job despite her own issues or limitations. It's what made her such a good ranger and respected by so many.
