The trees of the great Qi forest had begun to shed. They littered the ground in a carpet of oranges, browns and maroons. Many of the Fae and sprites had begun to start hibernating for the coming Winter. The wind rasped through the trees and the once sunny skies had turned to a lazy grey.
But the weather had not stopped Deliah, Winnie or Colton from frolicking in the autumn woods. They raced through woods in a wild if not wolfish game of tag. Deliah was racing at an inhuman pace behind Colton who, for once was in the lead. Winnie was at Deliah's heels howling a wolfish howl. Their sister had grown stronger and was catching up to them in terms of speed. Deliah pounced on Colton and the boy wolf howled in dramatic defeat. Deliah smiled in triumphant glee. Winnie had stopped just a few feet away from her. shook her furry head and stared ot Deliah a wolfish grin spreading across her face. Deliah didn't have to reach out to know that she was already plotting. Because Deliah was 'it'.
Deliah let out a holler and then leapt over Colton and darted through the trees. She was laughing as the cold autumn air pierced her lung and made her feel so alive. The cold excited her. She worked her tiny legs faster and faster through the trees. She could hear Winnie and Colton trampling through the leaves after her. Deliah through her head back and howled wildly. She not a wolf but... a wolf. The thought sent a surge of joy through her entire being.
"Deeeeeliaah," called an old croaky voice.
Deliah froze and looked around her. She had gone into a different part of the forest and her siblings were nowhere to be found. When she looked behind her shoulder a smile too big for her little face appeared. Grannie had come to visit her. She turned to face the Forest witch and bowed polietly.
"Good autumn day to you Grannie Forest witch," Deliah said in a humbled tone. After her first encounter with the Forest witch her parents had begun drilling her and Winnie and Colton on the proper universal ettiquette of the Forest. Deliah had already known most of it but, her parents figured it wouldn't hurt her to relearn it. Indeed it had come in handy once again. Though their second meeting was different. The very air around them seemed to be tinged with an ancient and warm magic. It was akin to that of a very old grandmother meeting a long lost grand child. Deliah sensed this and knew that she had nothing to fear. Though she should still be polite.
"How are you my dearest Deliah? And how do you like your gifts," The Forest Witch asked with a genuine, if not toothy smile.
"I am doing well Granny. Actually guess what? Did you know that I finally beat Winnie and Colton at hide and seek. Oh! and thank you for the gifts Granny. They saved my Mama," Deliah said beaming with happiness.
"I see. Glad they've helped you Deliah my deary," granny said with another genuine smile. She stepped forward and gently squeezed Deliah's hand.
"But... Granny?"
"Yes Deary?"
"Is the Wolf god...real?" Deliah whispered looking around the forest. The forest witch couldn't help but chuckle. So her parent's had told her about their legacy. Such a heavy burden to carry for such a young thing. Still the girl and her wolf siblings didn't seemed crushed. They shouldered the burden and for some reason it gave the old witch hope. "Is he Granny?"
"Huh? Oh the Wolf god? Yes, unfortunately," said the Witch with a snort. If she had enough power the boy would have been taken out of this world a long time ago. He had been insuferable eons before his first encounter with the Saint of Wolves.
"Oh," Deliah said her shoulders sagging.
"But you don't need to worry about him. He's...asleep and will be for a while," said the Forest Witch wrapping Deliah into a hug.
"Sleeping? Granny is ...that code for something else?" Deliah asked suspiciously and then she whispered, "Its okay if...if he's gone into the skies. I swear I won't tell anyone." Deliah said puffing out her chest and crossing her heart with her finger. The old witch couldn't help but laugh at Deliah's seriousness.
"No dear one he is very much alive. Only asleep."
"He won't hurt my pack again," Deliah vowed with a slight edge to her voice. Her body felt tense.
"He won't, but I can't promise the same for the other packs."
"Other packs?" Deliah whispered. She shivered. The Wolves that had attacked belonged to Twelve. There were thirteen packs in total. Deliah's happened to ironically be Thirteen. Though Papa said that it was possible that they had once been called Seven when the original Saint of Wolves walked the Forest. If they hadn't been cursed perhaps this wouldn't have happened. Maybe they would still be Seven instead of Thirteen. It was the Wolf god's fault. Everything was. Deliah curled her tiny hands into fists.
"Yes deary. Go back to your family and warn them. Tell them that Twelve, Seven and Six are on the move," Granny said. Her eyes had taken on a shiny sheen. Deliah knew not to point it out.
"wai--" The old witch melted into the Autumn leaves and vanished. Deliah was left alone in the woods.
However, soon she heard howling. Winnie came crashing into the leaves and right towards Deliah. Winnie knocked the girl to ground and Colton came through the clearly with a happy bark of excitement. But He paused as Deliah soon as he saw Deliah's solment expression. Red hair was a maze of hair and autumn leaves. She gently placed a small hand on the side of Winnie's long snout and the wolf carefully climbed off of her. Deliah brushed the leaves out of her hair and ragged cloth dress and then very carefully pushed her self off the ground.
"Winnie, Colton we need to go home. Now," Deliah said. Both wolves began to bark in protest. Deliah sent them a serious look and they stared back waiting. Deliah stared at them and her eyes got a far away sheen.
The Great Forest says were in trouble an--
You met her Lilah? When? WHERE??? Colton cut through her mind with a wave of nervous protective energy. Deliah wished she could roll her eyes right now. Since Granny's gifts Deliah was able to communicate with her wolf family at all times. It was the gift she treasured most in the world. Now it felt as though she was more a part of their world. Even when they were wolves.
Just now but we really ne--
What is she like? Can we meet her? Winnie chimed in and Deliah could feel her annoyance spiking more and more.
WE.CAN. TALK. LATER. Right now we need to warn Mama and Papa. Now can one of you let me ride on your back--
Oh! so you admit I'm faster than you. Colton's voice taunted.
No you idiot. If anyone's faster its me! Winnie glaoated. Soon they were arguing back and worth and it made Deliah feel as though her head was going to explode.
HEY! We need to go now! so can one of you let me ride on your back. Please!
Yes. You can ride on my back Lilah. If you went on Colton's we wouldn't make it past the meadow.
Whatever, we need to hurry! Deliah said. Her eyes returned to normal and so did her siblings. Deliah got on to Winnie's back and they dashed through the forest. The Autumn air stung Deliah's lungs and her heart seemed to drop. Far off in the distance she could hear the howling of other wolves. Ones that didn't belong to Thirteen. She clung to Winnie's back she urged her sister and brother to go faster. They needed to warn their Papa and Mama.
The Winnie and Colton cut across the open meadow in order to get home quicker. However, they froze when they saw both their parents in wolf form with other wolves from their pack. Papa shook his giant head at them. All three siblings bowed their heads.
Where in the All knowing were you three, barked their father.
The Forest Witch she said Twelve, Seven and six are coming!
We know honey! Mama said soothlingly.
But aren't they dangerous? Colton demanded. His hackled had started to raise.
No. Twelve, Seven and Six's Alpha's wanted to meet.
You agreed Papa? Winnie said dumbfounded.
Yes. It was either that or start a war.
War? all three siblings questioned.
Yes. We are wolves. If something is different our instict is to kill.
Me. I'm different. I'm the problem! Deliah exclaimed humming with panicked energy. She could feel both her parents shutter their emotions, but not before Deliah felt their apprehension. Tears began to form on her face. She was a problem.
Deliah. It isn't your fault. They know something has changed. Some suspect the Saint of Wolves has risen again. We can't let them know about you until we know they aren't a threat. Now go hide. All three of you that a command, their father's voice boomed and it was enough to make and both Winnie and Colton scurry behind the rest of their pack and into thicker more skeletal trees.
The sibling sought refuge in between the giant parting roots of a great oak tree that still had a few leaves. It was far enough away that no one would notice their scent, but close enough that they could still see their pack and the oncoming wolves. The root was big enough that all three of the Siblings could crouch comfortably behind it. Deliah slid off of Winnie's back and carefully peered over the top of the root. She held onto to both of their wolf shoulders for comfort and support. They each nuzzled her cheek in response though their hackles were raised and their ears were flattened on their head as the resounding howl of other wolves rose through the meadow.
We don't need to worry. Deliah tried to reassure her siblings.
I don't like it. Colton said in all seriousness. Gone was his teasing tone.
For once I have to agree, Winnie added. Deliah could feel her unease as if it were her own. Another gift that as useful as it was annoying. Because Deliah couldn't control it...yet.
Can I get that in writing?
Shut up! Winnie snapped. Deliah couldn't help but laugh. Both her sibings sent her a low growl of warning. However, Deliah only rolled her eyes. It was nice that Colton could still break the tension.
When this is over you should do what he says, Deliah teased her sister.
Et tu? My dearest sister! Oh, why my own sister. My own partner in mischief betrayed me, Winnie said so dramatically that Deliah had to fight another chuckle. They were still close enough that the other wolves in the back might hear them.
Shhhhhh. Their coming! Look! Deliah said urgently pointing to a bunch of wolves that seemed to be filing out of the other side of the meadow. They stayed in three different groups and Deliah assumed that was because each group was a different pack. There was a black wolf dark as night that led the first group, then there was a smaller wolf that had mossy chestnut fur and finally the last group was led by a wolf that looked more gnarled and tougher than the rest. The wolves that followed each group felt tense and on edge. As if someone had put them in a cage and they were only now free. Deliah shivered. It was the first time she had ever, felt the emotions of wolves from another pack.
Lilah what's wrong? Colton asked and Deliah drew in a shaky breathe. The Autumn air did nothing to erase the looming sense of dread she was feeling.
The wolves from the other packs...there tense, on edge and cagey. It's like their waiting...for I don't know something.
We need to warn Papa! Winnie exclaimed and she readied herself to leap. Deliah grappled her to the ground. We can't. Papa gave us a command. We have to trust that they can handle themselves. We'll get in the way and make things much worse.
I really don't like this. Winnie pouted from underneath Deliah. The girl was stronger than she had been in the Spring and Winnie knew better then to try and run. She also wanted to trust in their Papa and believe that they could handle themselves. After all what were the offspring of a cursed pack do? No one else had cubs and their Papa had explained especially after the attack that they needed to be more careful and always, always, always protect one another.
Winnie felt that way about her siblings and she felt the same from them. It was a connection her parents called a fraternal bond. Since all three had come into the world on the same day(When Deliah was found she still had her umbilical cord). That was what they believed. It was a mystery because even before her sister was blessed with her gift this bond had begun to form in infancy and only became all the more stronger after Deliah had been blessed with her gifts. Winnie never felt compelled or shackled to it. Because Deliah was always willing to give just as much. Same with Colton. It was an odd bond, but it was what would keep them safe.
Dear reader,
I just wanted to take some time to thank anyone who is reading, has commented or voted on my story! I really love reading the comments and I am glad that people are enjoying the story so far. I never thought I would ever make it past 10 views, but I have [ me tears up as I write this]. So, I just wanted to say thank you. You will never know how much it means to me.
As always please feel free to comment and provide feedback as you read. I am always open to constructive feedback and I have enjoyed reading everyone's comments. Also if you like the chapter then please consider voting.
Until next update! Please take care and stay in good health!
Maple