I shake my head, and a wheezy, fluid-filled laugh escapes from the hole in my throat.
Chapter 12
Quartz Lake
JESSICA
EIGHT YEARS AGO:
May 18, 2016: 11 a.m.
Whitemore Plantation
Removing my shoes, I sit near the lake’s edge, dipping my feet in the cool water. Peering at the other side, I think about the seventh territory. It’s a large area of unused land so vast it is said to be one of the most extensive territories, compared to even the six significant territories of the Luna Solar realm, which form the LS territory.
The seventh territory once was known as the habitat of the white wolf shifter species. The history books claim that the great war occurred almost 200 years ago because of greed over land and power. So many innocent shifters died, and, in the end, it resulted in the extinction of the white wolf shifter species. No one has gained control over the seventh territory since the war.
Over the years, so many Alphas tried to lay claim, but the land is protected by the Alpha King. Under a royal decree, theseventh territory will remain vacant until the rightful owner returns. Supposedly, only the Alpha King knows who that is—a name passed down over the generations from Alpha King to Alpha King. Because of this secret and others’ greed, a small group of shifters, called the Resistance, plan to instigate another war and take over the monarchy and the seventh territory.
It’s a rumor, but nowadays, you never can tell. Greed is a potent evil.
As I ponder the history of this land, I frown at the clear water before me. How can I remember all of that and yet nothing about my life before I woke up yesterday? I rub my eyes and rest my elbows on my knees.
I am exhausted, confused, and scared. What will happen to me now? Will I end up in an orphanage if no one claims me? Do Iwantto be claimed?
I listen to the harsh wet sound of my breathing. The more I think about my predicament, the more questions pop into my head. What have I done to deserve this? Am I a bad person? Did I commit some injustice? The thoughts circle endlessly. As the overwhelming sensations build in my chest and the threat of tears burns behind my eyes, a soft rustle stirs across the lake.
My body freezes. Directly across from me, on the lake’s edge, sits a white wolf.
I don’t move, afraid to scare her away. I tilt my head, studying the beautiful creature. I turn my head to the right. Am I seeing this clearly with my own eyes, or is it some weird conjured mirage in my head? My vision blurs, blinking and readjusting until it comes into focus. The wolf is still there, head cocked in the same direction as mine. I lift my hand to rub my face, and the wolf lifts her paw. She mirrors my movements.
I close my eyes, convinced I’m hallucinating. Opening them again, I gaze into the lake’s clear surface at the reflection of my hooded face. The white wolf’s reflection is there as well,distorted by a ripple in the smooth water. As it settles, the white wolf is no longer alone.
I lean forward for a better look. In the reflection, four other wolves stand with her, two on each side. On her left sits a golden-haired wolf, fur as bright and warm as the sun, emerald-green eyes staring back at me. He reminds me of an empty field of lush grass bathing in the daylight. Eyes caress me, like a physical touch.
A chestnut-haired wolf with deep amber eyes sits next to him. As he stares back at me, his eyes change from amber to purple, red, and then black before returning to their original color. I could have sworn that his fur changed colors, too, reminding me of a chameleon. Despite an invisible barrier between us, his eyes convey a fierce protectiveness.
To the right of the white wolf sits a copper-haired wolf, fur glowing like flames in the sun. His intense steely grey eyes hold my own. A calmness settles over me, and the urge to run my fingers through his fur consumes me. I have the insane notion that he would burn the world down just for me.
Movement from the last wolf catches my attention. His fur is so black, it appears blue, and his dark blue eyes pierce me. He exudes a menacing, dangerous energy and a seriousness that supersedes that of the other wolves. The black wolf shifts his head, and a shadow lags behind. Turning back to face me, the blur takes shape. Is that a second head? His eyes are now a lighter blue color. Even his energy lightens, not domineering but just as intense. He is two souls trapped in one body. He should scare me, but confidence fills my soul instead.
Love, security, and strength flow among all five wolves. They convey a protective bond. I glance away from the reflection to see their physical forms at the edge of the lake, but there is nothing there. I drop my gaze back to the water’s surface, and their reflection vanishes.
Astonished by my vision, I stopped paying attention to my surroundings. A low growl rumbles against my ear, and hot moist air brushes along my cheek. A horrible stench of rotten meat reaches my nose.
Slowly, I turn my head. All I see are teeth. I pull back to distance myself from the angry wolf’s face. This isn’t any of the wolves reflected in the lake moments ago. This strange, ugly wolf is half dull brown and half gray with a jagged scar along its muzzle.
The wolf snarls and lunges at me. I raise my arms to protect myself and fall backward into the lake. I stand, sputtering in waist-high water, frantically searching for the bicolored wolf. But once again, there is nothing there.
Choking from the water that had gotten into my lungs through the hole in my throat, I wipe my face and rub my eyes. I scold myself for daydreaming and force myself out of the lake before I drown. In the distance, just before the trees beyond the lake, I catch a glimpse of a white wolf running toward the seventh territory. Wiping my eyes again, even though my sight is not crisp, this time I am sure of what I saw.
Chapter 13
A Gift From A Little Friend
JESSICA
PRESENT DAY:
