The Red Wolf's Mate
Chapter 18

Chapter 18

After saying my goodbyes to Lizzie, I found myself nearly sprinting back to the packhouse, Nathantrailing 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 mebriefly 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 thepackhouse.

I could hear voices as I neared the back patio. Alpha Callan, Beta Davis, Beta Jack, and ElderRosemarie were all sitting around a fire on the patio. Alpha Callan noticed me approaching andstopped 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 atthe 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 ofelder, I would never guess that she was. Aside from her long, white hair that fell in wavesaround 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, canyou please come replace me when you are done?”

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

"Sit, Raina, let's talk.” She motioned for me to sit down next to her. I felt very comfortable aroundher, 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 agreementand 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 wasspecial, 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 mostwolves have about red wolves is just legend at this point.” She looked out to the forest line. “I lovebeing outside. I am one with nature.”

“What are your abilities?” 1 asked, curiosity getting to me. 1 knew that we were here to talk aboutmy 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 onthe water from rivers, creeks, anywhere and use it as a weapon or a blessing.” She paused andclosed her eyes. The clouds darken over the tree line and it suddenly starts to rain. Just as quickly asit started, it stopped.

Elder Rosemarie opened her eyes and smiled. “FAlpha Callan told me what he had told you. Similarto 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 towater the crops. However, unlike the red wolf, we have not been hunted to extinction. The abilitiesof the white wolf seem to be beneficial to all and therefore we have not been seen as a threat.” Sheplaced her hand on my knee, perhaps sensing that I felt a bit uneasy about the shift in theconversation.

"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 overall of the wolf packs in the world. This does not mean that there is no fighting or attacks. But itmeans that there can be no wars.” She looked in the fire as she spoke. “As you can see, that meansthat there are those who would want the red wolf to be destroyed because of the role of theprotector.”

1 looked out at the forest line. It has become dark and there is a slight chill in the air, but the heatcoming from the fire is comforting. As I gazed along the trees, I thought that I could see a pair ofeyes watching us. It did not make me uncomfortable; in fact, I found it peaceful. Someone in thepack 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.” Shepaused and turned her gaze to me. “Tell me, Raina, what have you notice about your ability tocontrol emotions?”

"Until a short time ago, I thought that it was just my own emotions that I needed to control. 1 havealways felt emotions much more deeply than others. 1 have since I was just a pup.” I stare that thefire, 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 firsttime. Some elders in packs, especially other white wolves, are able to know instinctively when a wolfwith abilities is born and training can start much, much sooner. Did your old pack not have a whitewolf?” 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 anotherone. Does this pack have one? I have never met her.” I ask, feeling a wave of nerves again comeover me.

FF El der Laura is a healer. She left this pack a few months ago to help in another pack who wassuffering after a battle with rogues. She is also training a young white wolf. She is supposed to bereturning here next month. I will provide you guidance for now and she can help you, if you stillneed 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 tospeak, 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 solelyfocused on their mate. For those without mates, they have been known to have many lovers andcreates, let's just say, quarrels, in the process. Please note, however, that this is by choice. Once youare able to learn to control your abilities, you can control that. However, herein lies what is perhapsthe 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 anddecided to continue.

“The thing is,” she leaned forward as she spokes, “the ability to control emotions, to influencepeople, goes beyond just sexual arousal and desire. It can really be anything. A red wolf doesn’thave the ability to make a person do something, but they do have the ability to influence theiremotions which results in making the desired decision.” She sat back and continued. “While the ideaof killing off the red wolves may mean that wars are possible and some tyrant Alpha could takeover, your ability to control emotions and influence decision making is actually a much morepowerful weapon. In the wrong hands, the ability to influence emotions and decision making couldbe, 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 withoutknowing it.” I felt somewhat ashamed, although quickly remember that Nathan and I had cometo an agreement about this. “And with Alpha Michael. I knew I was doing something, but I didn'tknow what. I knew that I wanted him to want me. He came on to me in the club and 1 wanted tohave

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 bythe statement. “Oh dear, I am his great aunt! We have always been close, and he has alwaystold 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 besuch a player at times!”

“Well, I definitely got that impression of him.” I said, laughing. I became quiet and 1 stared at thefire again, “But I still dorl t understand what I did when we were at the club. I mean, I know what Idid, 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 wasglad that she was here. She made me feel comfortable with these abilities. While I wished that I hadlearned 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 myemotions and to withhold placing my emotions on others. Most of the techniques involvedmindfulness and meditation, things that I learned about in my psychology class. It was aboutclearing the mind and placing all of the control in the front of my mind, so that I was clearly thinkingbefore 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 tasksthat she has educated me on. Wolf behavio r was often instinctual. Elder Rosemarie believed thatthis is why it has been so difficult for me to get final control over certain emotions, especiallysexual 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 tocontrol 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 thisemotional control.

Elder Rosemarie stood. “l am a bit tired. Why dont we meetin the morning to discuss some othertechniques? I am quite pleased to see that you already know a lot. Just a few things remain, butyou 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 hardestpart.” I stood as she spoke, and she pulled me in for a hug, “N ow, dear, why don't you go see whatthe

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

“Thank you. For everything.” We turned and walked in the house. Rosemarie stopped in thekitchen 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 myname was said, and a sudden wave of nervous energy moved through me. Using some of thetechniques I already knew, as well as a new technique that Elder Rosemarie had taught me, Igrounded 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 handwas on his shoulder and she appeared to be leaning forward, talking to him, her cleavage on cleardisplay.

“Raina, take it down a notch.” To my surprise, it is my wolf who broke in, helping to calm me. A waveof jealously had run through me when I entered the office, and her words helped to eliminate thejealous 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 beenpushed away by the Alpha’s movement. “Umm,” he fiddled around his desk. “Thank you, Katy. I willfinish reviewing the reports and we can follow up tomorrow.” Katy glared at me but quickly left theoffice.

Alpha Callan moved from behind his desk and walked towards the couch and chairs situated in thecorner 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. “Howwas 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 bedone to unify my wolf and I. She said that I need to learn my wolfs instincts and my wolf need tolearn my human logic. It seems like that is a lot of work I need to do on my own.” I shivered, feelinga 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. Shedidn't tell you anything about me, did she?” He looked, inquisitively. Oh, the stories I am sure thatElder 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 AlphaMichael at the club, he probably deserved.”

Alpha Callan laughed, a deep laugh. “She is probably right. Unfortunately, Alpha Michael has a bit ofa 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 andshivered again. It was not cold in the room, but I kept getting a chill. He noticed and grabbed hissweatshirt, handing it to me. “Thanks.” I wrapped the sweatshirt around me and I was instantly hitwith Alpha Callan’s scent. Fresh rain and Sandalwood enveloped me. I liked the smell; it wasquite 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 fulladvantage of that.” Alpha Callan sat back down as he speaks.

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