The Red Wolf's Mate

Chapter 18

After saying my goodbyes to Lizzie, I found myself nearly sprinting back to the packhouse, Nathan trailing behind me. Nathan finally caught up to me as we approached the packhouse.

“Raina, Alpha Callan has indicated that Elder Rosemarie is waiting for you out on the back patio.” He grabbed my hand as he spoke. FFGood luck.” He pulled me in for a quick hug. He kissed me briefly and I paused at the kiss and then kissed him back.

He smiled at the kiss and I felt a calming run through me. I headed around the back of the packhouse.

I could hear voices as I neared the back patio. Alpha Callan, Beta Davis, Beta Jack, and Elder Rosemarie were all sitting around a fire on the patio. Alpha Callan noticed me approaching and stopped speaking, making eye contact with me as I approached.

"Elder Rosemarie, it looks like Raina has arrived.” The others turned to look at me as I arrived at the patio, a wave of shyness washed over me as all four wolves looked at me.

Fl am so glad that you were able to come, Elder Rosemarie.” She was beautiful. If not for the title of elder, I would never guess that she was. Aside from her long, white hair that fell in waves around her, she appeared young. She stood to greet me, pulling me in for a hug.

She whispers to me, “I will send all these boys away and we can talk.” She broke the hug. F'Gent1eman, I appreciate the warm welcome, but I would like to meet with Raina privately.”

'F Of course. Please let us know if you need anything.” Al pha Callan turned towards me. “Raina, can you please come find me when you are done?”

I was surprised by the request, especially after how angry he always seemed to be around me. What could he want to talk to me about? “Um, sure, when I am done.” I nodded my head and turned back to Elder Rosemarie.

"Sit, Raina, let's talk.” She motioned for me to sit down next to her. I felt very comfortable around her, and I was thankful that she has made the trip to our pack’s territory.

FF I feel like I have a million questions for you but I don't know where to start.” I fumble as I speak, looking down at my hands, feeling quite nervous.

She smiles at me. “Why don't I just start? You can ask the questions as we go.” I nod in agreement and she continued. FF t is my understanding that you had no

information about the abilities of the red wolf until just recently, correct?”

I shook my head in agreement. “I had no idea of anything. My mom told me that my red wolf was special, but she never provided me with any other details. I ho nestly think that she did not know.” “That does not surprise me. There has not been a red wolf in 200 years. Any information that most wolves have about red wolves is just legend at this point.” She looked out to the forest line. “I love being outside. I am one with nature.”

“What are your abilities?” 1 asked, curiosity getting to me. 1 knew that we were here to talk about my abilities, but I found that I wanted to know more about Elder Rosemarie.

She smiled at me. “White wolves are known to be able to call on the elements. Earth, wind, fire, water. My element is water. My abilities allow me to bring in storms or send them away. I can call on the water from rivers, creeks, anywhere and use it as a weapon or a blessing.” She paused and closed her eyes. The clouds darken over the tree line and it suddenly starts to rain. Just as quickly as it started, it stopped.

Elder Rosemarie opened her eyes and smiled. “FAlpha Callan told me what he had told you. Similar to how the red wolf brings peace, the white wolves lead to prosperity of the land and the packs. Because we can control the elements, we can increase the fertility of the land and bring the rain to water the crops. However, unlike the red wolf, we have not been hunted to extinction. The abilities of the white wolf seem to be beneficial to all and therefore we have not been seen as a threat.” She placed her hand on my knee, perhaps sensing that I felt a bit uneasy about the shift in the conversation.

"Why is the red wolf such a threat?” I spoke quietly, trying to control my nerves.

“The red wolf is the protector. Your presence on earth provides almost like a protective shield over all of the wolf packs in the world. This does not mean that there is no fighting or attacks. But it means that there can be no wars.” She looked in the fire as she spoke. “As you can see, that means that there are those who would want the red wolf to be destroyed because of the role of the protector.”

1 looked out at the forest line. It has become dark and there is a slight chill in the air, but the heat coming from the fire is comforting. As I gazed along the trees, I thought that I could see a pair of eyes watching us. It did not make me uncomfortable; in fact, I found it peaceful. Someone in the pack was watching over us.

F'But it seems that is not the only reason that the red wolf is sought out for the wrong reasons.” She paused and turned her gaze to me. “Tell me, Raina, what have you notice about your ability to control emotions?”

"Until a short time ago, I thought that it was just my own emotions that I needed to control. 1 have always felt emotions much more deeply than others. 1 have since I was just a pup.” I stare that the fire, watching the flames jump. “F But since coming to this pack, things have changed.”

FFTypically, wolves such as you and I would have guidance from the moment we shifted for the first time. Some elders in packs, especially other white wolves, are able to know instinctively when a wolf with abilities is born and training can start much, much sooner. Did your old pack not have a white wolf?” She looks out along the horizon. The sun has completely set.

“No, we did not. I had heard stories that she had died during a battle and we did not have another one. Does this pack have one? I have never met her.” I ask, feeling a wave of nerves again come over me.

FF El der Laura is a healer. She left this pack a few months ago to help in another pack who was suffering after a battle with rogues. She is also training a young white wolf. She is supposed to be returning here next month. I will provide you guidance for now and she can help you, if you still need it, when she returns.”

I shook my head in agreement, a slight chill running through me. She continued.

“Because you had no guidance throughout your life, I believe that your powers were subdued, so to speak, but have since been awakened.” She smirked at me.

F'But why now?” I asked, a questioning look on my face.

'F Your 18 th birthday. All wolves with abilities gain full access to their abilities on their 18" birthday.”

I could only stare at her, surprised by the revelation.

“Red wolves are, by nature, sexually seductive. For those with mates, well, that becomes solely focused on their mate. For those without mates, they have been known to have many lovers and creates, let's just say, quarrels, in the process. Please note, however, that this is by choice. Once you are able to learn to control your abilities, you can control that. However, herein lies what is perhaps the main reason that others may be seeking you out.” She took a deep breath and sighs.

My mind was racing and I was trying to figure out what to ask. I coutdn't think of any questions, because there were just too many to think about. Elder Rosemarie seemed to sense this and decided to continue.

“The thing is,” she leaned forward as she spokes, “the ability to control emotions, to influence people, goes beyond just sexual arousal and desire. It can really be anything. A red wolf doesn’t have the ability to make a person do something, but they do have the ability to influence their emotions which results in making the desired decision.” She sat back and continued. “While the idea of killing off the red wolves may mean that wars are possible and some tyrant Alpha could take over, your ability to control emotions and influence decision making is actually a much more powerful weapon. In the wrong hands, the ability to influence emotions and decision making could be, well, deadly. Tell me, Raina, can you control emotions?” She looked at me inquisitively.

1 swallowed deeply, trying to maintain some composure. “I didn't know I was doing it, but I did. When I met Nathan, we went in the woods. My sexual desire was heightened, and I did it without knowing it.” I felt somewhat ashamed, although quickly remember that Nathan and I had come to an agreement about this. “And with Alpha Michael. I knew I was doing something, but I didn't know what. I knew that I wanted him to want me. He came on to me in the club and 1 wanted to have

some fun with him” I wrapped my arms around myself as a chill continues to run through me.

Elder Rosemarie laughed quietly. “Alpha Michael told me about that.” I looked at her, surprised by the statement. “Oh dear, I am his great aunt! We have always been close, and he has always told me way too much about everything. He can't lie to

me.” She was laughing louder now. “Whatever you did to him probably serves him right. He can be such a player at times!”

“Well, I definitely got that impression of him.” I said, laughing. I became quiet and 1 stared at the fire again, “But I still dorl t understand what I did when we were at the club. I mean, I know what I did, but I dont know how I did it." I looked up at Rosemarie. She nodded reassuringly at me.

F'In that sense, red wolves and white wolves are the same, thankfully.” She smiles at me again. I was glad that she was here. She made me feel comfortable with these abilities. While I wished that I had learned all of these things when I was younger, I was grateful that she was here.

I stayed quiet for some time. Finally, 1 spoke. “Elder Rosemarie, can you please teach me?”

F“Of course! The night is young. Are you up to starting now?” She asked. “Absolutely!”

Elder Rosemarie spent the next two hours instructing me on various techniques to control my emotions and to withhold placing my emotions on others. Most of the techniques involved mindfulness and meditation, things that I learned about in my psychology class. It was about clearing the mind and placing all of the control in the front of my mind, so that I was clearly thinking before I was speaking, or emoting. It also involved ensuring that my wolf and 1are of one mind. While some would assume that was an easy task, it is actually the most difficult of all of the tasks that she has educated me on. Wolf behavio r was often instinctual. Elder Rosemarie believed that this is why it has been so difficult for me to get final control over certain emotions, especially sexual desire. It was instinctual to Lela.

I was pleased to learn that most of what I have been doing was actually correct, even if I

didn't know it. I had been using relaxation and a form of mindfulness for years as 1 was able to control the less intense emotions. I knew, however, that Lela and I

were going to have to be on the same page if we were going to be able to control all aspects of this emotional control.

Elder Rosemarie stood. “l am a bit tired. Why dont we meetin the morning to discuss some other techniques? I am quite pleased to see that you already know a lot. Just a few things remain, but you will need to spend some time with your wolf. You are going to have to tap in to your innate, instinctual side and she is going to have to tap into your hu man, logical side. That is the hardest part.” I stood as she spoke, and she pulled me in for a hug, “N ow, dear, why don't you go see what the

Alpha of yo urs wanted.” She smirked at me, a knowing smile coming across her face. I wish I knew what she knew.

“Thank you. For everything.” We turned and walked in the house. Rosemarie stopped in the kitchen to FF grab a little snack”. I continued through the kitchen and over to Alpha Callan’'s office. I paused outside the door. I could hear voices on the other side of the door. It sounded as if my name was said, and a sudden wave of nervous energy moved through me. Using some of the techniques I already knew, as well as a new technique that Elder Rosemarie had taught me, I grounded myself, ensuring that my emotions were clearly in check.

“Lela, let's try to be on the same page.” I was afraid that I came across as scolding and I apologized “I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to sound like that.”

“Raina, don't apologize. I got your back.” Lela hummed, but adds a bit of confidence in her tone, and I could feel it running through me.

Using Lela’s confidence, I knocked on the door.

FFCome in," Alpha Callan’s voice called out.

Be confident, Raina. Control.

I gave myself a pep talk and opened the door.

The beautiful blonde standing close to Alpha Callan threw me for a loop, to say the least. Her hand was on his shoulder and she appeared to be leaning forward, talking to him, her cleavage on clear display.

“Raina, take it down a notch.” To my surprise, it is my wolf who broke in, helping to calm me. A wave of jealously had run through me when I entered the office, and her words helped to eliminate the jealous feeling,

FThanks.” I took a deep breath and walked in.

'F Raina,” Alpha Callan stood up quickly and the blotlde took a step back, having essentlally been pushed away by the Alpha’s movement. “Umm,” he fiddled around his desk. “Thank you, Katy. I will finish reviewing the reports and we can follow up tomorrow.” Katy glared at me but quickly left the office.

Alpha Callan moved from behind his desk and walked towards the couch and chairs situated in the corner of the office. “Please, have a seat.”

Sitting in the armchair, I tried to make myself comfortable, uncertainty setting in. Why was I here? Alpha Callan sat across from me. If I didn't know better, I would think that he was nervous. “How was your meeting with Elder Rosemarie?”

“It went well. She validated some of the things 1 was already doing, taught me some new things. She was great. So easy to talk to.” I smiled as I spoke, happy that I had such a good teacher today. Having some more informatio n about my abilities was helping to ease some of my uncertainty. Alpha Callan smiled, “That is great. I am glad that it went well. Are you meeting with her again?” “Tomorrow morning,” I confirmed. “Although, there is apparently much work that still need to be done to unify my wolf and I. She said that I need to learn my wolfs instincts and my wolf need to learn my human logic. It seems like that is a lot of work I need to do on my own.” I shivered, feeling a chill run through me. F'Are you also related to Elder Rosemarie?”

Laughing, Alpha Callan looked at me. “She is also my great aunt. She was my father's aunt. She didn't tell you anything about me, did she?” He looked, inquisitively. Oh, the stories I am sure that Elder Rosemarie could tell me about both Alpha Michael and Alpha Callan.

I smiled and laughed. “N o, she didn't. Although she did tell me that whatever 1 did to Alpha Michael at the club, he probably deserved.”

Alpha Callan laughed, a deep laugh. “She is probably right. Unfortunately, Alpha Michael has a bit of a reputation. I keep telling him that he needs to slow down, but he just doesn't stop.”

“He definitely seems to have a sense, of I don't know, entitlement.” I looked up at Alpha Callan and shivered again. It was not cold in the room, but I kept getting a chill. He noticed and grabbed his sweatshirt, handing it to me. “Thanks.” I wrapped the sweatshirt around me and I was instantly hit with Alpha Callan’s scent. Fresh rain and Sandalwood enveloped me. I liked the smell; it was quite calming and perhaps even, I don't know, alluring.

F'As an Alpha, women tend to almost throw themselves at you. Alpha Michael has taken full advantage of that.” Alpha Callan sat back down as he speaks.

Curiosity had gotten the better of me. “And how about you?”