Regina woke up once again with her heart racing and her breathing heavy. She could never remember any of the nightmares; she would only wake up panicked.
Regina knew she was waking up people, Marissa and Blake, especially. It wasn't like she could stop the nightmares; she didn't even remember them. Just red eyes and an evil grin. Nothing more, nothing less.
Once her breathing was back to normal, Regina yawned and stretched as she fully woke up. Marissa and Teresa were probably in whatever boring meeting so she would be free to do whatever she wanted.
What did she want to do? Regina fell to the bed, already bored. She had been outside and explored the yard. She had been all over the house, even went to the puAps a couple more times. There wasn't a spot Regina had visited; she had even gone down to the busy kitchen with Tyler.
There was one area, a staircase no one would let her go up. It was near the main entrance and above the hospital. There were other doors she couldn't go through; people probably lived there. But why would the entire second floor be restricted?
Marissa had told her firmly never to go upstairs, but that made the pup want to do it even more. Tyler and Blake weren't there, and Marissa and Teresa were at a meeting. If Regina were going to do it, this would be the best time.
Crawling down the stairs, Regina used her nose to push open the door. She didn't see anyone, and a smile grew on her face. Perfect!
She had memorized the way to the front door and back door a week ago, so Regina quickly found the staircase. This time though, it seemed giant! Regina had never seen that many stairs or had to climb them.
It wasn't like she had anything else planned for the day. She could spend all day climbing, as long as she got back to the room before Marissa and Teresa finished. Simple.
The stairs were easier than she thought, and soon Regina was at the top of the staircase. The hall made a turn, and soon she could see three doors. There was one door on each side of the hallway and another on the very end. She expected a lot more for the upper part of the house. Did only three families live up here?
As Regina was walking, she felt Speranza wake up. They hadn't talked much since Speranza took over, so Regina was a little surprised to have her wolf close.
Yet, the wolf didn't say anything. She was close enough to the surface that Speranza could talk if she wanted. Regina only felt excitement and longing?
Maybe Marissa was up here. She had been very kind and loving to Regina. Maybe Speranza liked the woman and wanted to see her.
If Speranza was that happy, Regina went along and decided to try and find Marissa. Regina sniffed at the ground; Marissa and Teresa's scents were fresh. They had come through this area quite recently.
Following her nose, Regina closed her eyes and walked blindly through the hallway. Because she was still walking, Regina assumed the scents were coming from the door at the end of the hall. So, she continued forward until she hit her nose on the door.
Seeping under the door was a soothing scent. Marissa and Teresa had never smelled like this; they smelt like wood and sweat. This smell was soft and flowery. It felt like home.
Regina opened her eyes in time to see Marissa open the door. But the smell wasn't coming from her. It was coming from the woman next to Marissa, who had shining yellow hair and bright blue eyes. Her eyes were soft and focused on Regina.
Regina didn't even notice she was walking. She went right past Marissa and Teresa, only stopping at the woman with yellow hair. Once at her feet, Regina took in a breath full of the calming scent, and she quickly relaxed.
****
When Marissa opened that door and saw Regina, at first, she grew excited. The pup had followed her up to the Alpha's office. Regina wanted to see her!
But then, Regina walked right past her and towards Mavis. The woman was speechless as Regina settled down on her feet. Everyone in the room was staring at each other, not sure why the pup was even here. Marissa kept her eyes on the pup; Regina hadn't come here for her; she had come here for Mavis and Atta. They had found Regina's pack.
"I, Atta, do you smell her?"
They all turned to the man to see him staring at Regina with watery eyes. By their reaction, Marissa knew for sure that this was Regina's pack.
"Marissa, Teresa," Atta was speaking slowly and softly as if he was afraid. "How is it that this pup smells like my dead daughter?"
Everyone turned to the pup while Marissa and Teresa made eye contact. This changes things; Regina somehow smells like a dead pup.
"I have no idea Attalo. Are you sure Regina smells exactly the same as her? Maybe they just have a similar scent."
Mavis shook her head and picked up the pup. Regina opened her eyes, looked at Mavis, and accepted the cuddle. Something that hadn't happened before.
"Cura Ann tells me this is her pup, and she smells the same as her." She looked up, tears in her eyes like her Fated. "Why does she smell like my daughter?"
Marissa had never heard of something like this happening. A wolf smelling exactly like another wolf. Even siblings and twins had faintly different scents. Then Cura Ann, Mavis's wolf, is saying Regina is her pup. But Bella would have been born with Cura Ann's pup, not some random wolf.
"I have never heard of this." Mavis and Attalo looked at Marissa, wanting answers. "I'm sorry, Mavis, Attalo. We know nothing about Regina or why she would have the same scent as your daughter."
"The strange thing is that I've never seen this wolf," Mavis admitted. "We lost our daughter before she had her first shift, so I have no idea if this is my daughter's wolf form."
"But you say she isn't from your pack?"
Attalo turned to answer Rosalia. "I have no records of a wolf with gray fur and green eyes at that age. She isn't from our pack."
"So, we still need to find her pack and figure out how she is connected to you." The Alpha clarified, and everyone nodded in agreement. "Let's see if we can get her to shift and hopefully talk to her wolf. Until then, Mavis and Attalo are free to their rooms with Regina."
Beta Liam stood up with Attalo and Mavis, Regina still in her arms. Marissa watched them leave, knowing the pup would never be hers.
A hand fell to Marissa's shoulder, and she looked over to see Teresa smiling at her sadly. Marissa gave back a fake smile and walked out of the room. Teresa had a family; she didn't understand.
Having a pup was the dream; raising and caring for a child was all Marissa wanted. When she and Blake didn't get pregnant for the first couple of years of their marriage, she decided to train to be a Theta. If she couldn't care for her own children, she could take care of the pack.
It had been years, and Marissa accepted that she wouldn't get pregnant. She and Blake went through so many tests, and the chance was near impossible. Still, she had hoped Regina would be her chance. Fate had other plans, and once again, Marissa would just have to accept that.
****
Regina would tell the people were walking, but she couldn't find it in herself to care. These people were strangers, yet she felt safe. Regina had no idea why she was feeling this way, and Speranza wasn't giving any answers.
When Speranza noticed the woman with yellow hair, she muttered something and went to sleep. Her wolf really wasn't that helpful, leaving her confused and unsure.
"This is where you and Atta will stay for the week."
Regina cracked her eyes open to see a man that looked almost exactly like the woman. Maybe they were related.
The man left, and soon Regina was on another bed, still in the woman's arms with another man sitting next to them. He was different, darker skin, dark brown hair, and brown eyes.
"Hey there pup, how are you feeling?"
Calm, peaceful, tired.
"Has Speranza been talking to you? I hope she was taking care of you."
How did they know her wolf's name was Speranza? There was no way for anyone else to know.
Regina sat up and crawled off the lap of the woman. Slowly, energy started to come back, and she could tell Speranza was waking up. Good timing because she really needed her wolf to tell her what is going on.
"I don't know how much Speranza has told you, but I'm Mavis, and this is my Fated, Atta. Somehow, you have the wolf of our daughter."
Regina didn't remember anything from her past, but she did know she had never seen these people before. Yet they said she was their daughter? How would that even work?
Thankfully, Speranza was awake and functioning again.
'Do you understand what they are saying? None of this is making any sense.'
'Well, each werewolf has two spirits: a wolf parent and a human one. Now they are usually the same person, yet I think you might have two in your case. I know these people; I can tell I'm connected to their wolves. But I'm the same as you; I don't remember them.'
"Can you shift? This would all be easier if you could talk to us."
Regina shook her head, and the two humans shared a look. Their eyes were suddenly hazy as they stared at each other. A few moments later, their eyes returned to normal, and they faced Regina once again.
"Our wolves know yours; I think they are connected. Because of this, there is something called a mind link. With a strong bond, family members can send thoughts to each other. Would you be willing to try that?"
'We should, I feel connected enough it should work. Step back for a moment and let me talk to Mavis and Atta.'
After she finished talking, Speranza stepped forward with power. Regina stepped back without much of a choice. Regina watched as Mavis and Atta closed their eyes, and Speranza followed.
For a while, it was dark and silent. Then hands were reaching for them. Instead of being cold and harsh, they were gentle and soothing. Shortly after, there was a strange feeling of someone else in Regina's head. It was like Speranza but not as comfortable.
'Speranza?'
That was the woman, Mavis.
Speranza was still in the front, and so she answered.
'Mavis, this is Speranza.'
The energy changed around them, and when they opened their eyes, Mavis and Atta's eyes were different. Instead of blue and brown, Mavis's were a bright yellow while Atta's were more orange with brown hints.
With the eye color change, Speranza went crazy. She was suddenly in Mavis and Atta's faces, licking, sniffing, and barking.
'Mom! Dad! I found you! I found you!'
Regina stayed in the back while the family bonded. She didn't know how her wolf was their child while she wasn't. None of this made sense and all she wanted to do was run away.
'Oh, Speranza! My pup.'
'My Speranza, how I've missed you.'
The three continued until Speranza called down again. She was back on their laps, but they didn't move as Regina took back control.
"I'm Cura Ann, Mavis's wolf,"
"And I'm Sicuro, the wolf helping Atta."
The two spoke strangely, they were human, and so they spoke English. But there was a roughness when the wolves were talking.
"Can you tell us your name?"
The connection was open to Regina, but as she went to talk, a sudden pain flashed through her head. Images of a man swinging something through the air filled her mind. Someone was screaming, and it felt like she was on fire! She had to get out, get away!
Regina took full control, pushing Speranza back in fear. She then jumped through the window, sending glass everywhere. Regina landed on the ground and was running in seconds. Someone was after her; she had to keep running!
Regina had no idea where she was going or how long she was running. Panic was controlling her now, and she had no idea how to stop. She couldn't think; nothing was working anymore. She couldn't even breathe!
Eventually, it caught up to her, and she collapsed to the forest floor, panting. Her limbs were losing feeling, and she couldn't breathe. What was wrong with her? Why couldn't she control her body? Why couldn't she breathe?
Regina's head was in pain, and her vision was going black. Before she knew it, Regina passed out in the forest, in the middle of nowhere.
****
"I'm Cura Ann, Mavis's wolf,"
"And I'm Sicuro, the wolf helping Atta."
Atta still didn't know how, but this pup was his daughter. When they connected, Sicuro bonded with Speranza, and he knew this pup was his pup. That meant, no matter what, they had to take care of her.
"Can you tell us your name?"
Instead of getting an answer, the pup's green eyes suddenly dilated. Without another word, the wolf was out of their lap and through the window.
Atta turned to his Fated, seeing her just as shocked.
'Speranza!' He called out through their link while rushing over to the window. The wolf kept running, and there was no answer.
"Her human must be in control." He turned back to his Fated. "If that's the case, we won't be able to get through to Speranza. We need to contact the Alpha."
The two rushed out and saw people already at the front entrance, one of them being Sarah. Mavis went up to the woman and explained the situation. While his Fated was busy, Atta hurried out the door. He shifted into his brown wolf form and rushed in the direction Speranza had gone.
'I've got her scent; it shouldn't be a problem finding her.'
'We still have to tell the Beta or Alpha. If she accidentally went too close to border control, they won't know that she isn't a rogue. With how she's acting, they could easily guess she is a savage wolf.'
'Something must have happened to Speranza's human. That panicked look in her eyes, that was pure terror. We should find her quickly.'
After his wolf spoke, Atta agreed and gave control over to Sicuro. His wolf would be faster if he were in power.
As they ran, they momentarily slowed down near the border. A patrol of wolves gathered, looking east. Speranza must have gone that way.
Sicuro continued running, noticing more broken branches. The wolf was losing control and running into more things.
Only a mile from the border, Sicuro stopped by a collapsed gray wolf. The scent was telling him this was his pup.
He nosed her side, but the pup didn't move. She had most likely passed out from the attack and adrenaline.
Thankfully, minutes later, his Fated and the Gamma found them. Some warriors were following and patrolled the area. They were outside of the pack, which meant rogues could see them.
'How is she?'
'Passed out, Cura. You are bigger; I bet she could ride you back to the pack'
The pack members turned away as Sicuro shifted to put his pup on Cura's back. She was a large black wolf that could carry the pup better than his own. Once Speranza was on Cura's back, Sicuro shifted, and they strolled back to the pack.
Border control greeted the small group, and eventually, the packhouse was in view. It took longer since Cura couldn't run, but it was worth it.
Wolves were already cleaning up the glass, and parents were guiding pups back inside. Marissa and Teresa were at the door, ready to check up on the pup. Sicuro and Cura could only pray their pup was okay.
Comments (0)
See all