The Dormant: The Elemental Witches (Book Two)

Chapter 12: This Little Piggie Came Back

Dear Lion,

I am glad your lioness has adapted nicely to our ancestral home. I was despondent on hearing her move to our land had been such a dreadful experience for her, but when I read, you, as her protector and mate, did everything within your power to make it easier for her. I could only take a breath of relief at that.

This place is still a battleground. The wars, I believe, are taking a huge toll on my soul. The nights and days without you by my side, my kin, have been a loathsome experience, but for our family, I rejoice knowing that someday we will reunite and share memories of the happy times we will sure experience ahead.

I am not condemning you, Lion, for what you did. The tribal woman was yours and it was your job as a man to make sure she was safe, and you did the right thing, taking her away from this now devastated land. The news about her people is not good. Once it was a vast tribe, it has now been decimated by diseases, death, and despair. The indigenous population has a weak constitution, diseases that plague us and that only take us into a sickbed for a couple of days tend to take them easily to the afterlife, and our leaders have realized this weakness in them.

I have seen so many massacres of the sick ridden since you've been gone. They try to fight us, but it is no use. We are superior in weaponry and tactics. The captains only wait for a tribe to catch something and then surge towards their camps: killing, destroying and enslaving, plundering, ravishing everything they can put their hands on.

It is dreadful in this godless land, my mind can't wait to get back to the place I call home. I feel this place is no longer for me, not with the kinds of leaders we have around. I am growing melancholic each day that passes. I long for the touch of my wife, the laugh of my children. The kind words of our father and the kindred embrace of you, my brother.

Anyways, I am beyond myself that my future sister is alright, she is strong, but now without her people, we as a family must become what one day she would most need: a tribe that understands her.

Try learning from her about our lives, and the reason the Earls of Francos, the hateful Count of Leopoldos, the Aguilar Barons, and we, the Counts of Ariella, are always sought after by dreadful dark creatures. She, for some reason, seemed to be the answer to the old question. Why do we felines, a strong race, have slowly lost everything?

Be good to her, my kin, and I will see you soon. I am taking leave in about five full moons, more or less, and then I should be traveling back to you, back to my family in the Fragata La Esperanza. I should be back home to you by late winter of 1520. Wait for me, my lion, and give all my love to my children and wife.

The Lynx

Letter from Camilo ( The Lynx) Ariella to his younger brother Feliciano ( The Lion ) Ariella before his death in 1519 during the siege of Tehuantepec.

~Noah~

Finally, I was taking my kitten back to where she belonged, to the pack where she would be safe or safer as I could get her. I decided that the moment we were attacked in the night. She wouldn't be traveling with me to Chewattean country. It would be too dangerous, so I would drive to North Star Pack and set her up with the pack doctors, and she would have all the protection she needed until I got back from convincing the eagles to join us.

I took a step in front of the customs officer. He grabbed my fake passport and looked at it twice before stamping it and letting me pass. At another security checkpoint, Charlotte was receiving the same treatment. The difference between when we got here and now that we were leaving was that we had to do it in coach.

Feeling like a dog with his tail between his legs. How the powerful have fallen, I couldn't even give my mate a proper traveling spot.

None of the small pack was supposed to travel together. That seemed for the best if one of us was caught. It was best for the rest. So as we ignored each other, the mind-link was as busy as it could get. ¨Charly, kitten, I told you to lose the hat.¨ Charlotte grabbed her head and took a glimpse of me. ¨I like the hat makes me seem more undercover.¨

Leonora entered the conversation as she walked past customs and into a coffee shop. ¨Cousin, I think he means we shouldn't look undercover, and that hat makes you look like a tourist who is smuggling about four kilos of heroin.¨ Francesco passed her and sat down at the terminal across from where Charlotte was standing. He sprawled his arms over the seats and crossed his legs, putting an ankle on his knees, then threw his head back as if he was sleeping. ¨Leonora is right, Luna, that hat would probably get you probed…¨ I laughed while looking at shot glasses in a gift shop.

Then I turned to look at the decorations, a small Iberian lynx snow globe stood out. I grabbed it and went to pay for it. ¨The cat and the wolf are right, mate, lose it before I have to jump a customs officer trying to get to your drugs.¨ I could feel her eyes rolling as she swiftly took the oversize hat from her head, placing it inside of the Ariella letterbox she was carrying. ¨But I am keeping the glasses, and…¨ She grabbed the cellphone and put on a song.

I shot a look towards her as she adjusted the earbuds. On the mind-link, you could hear. ¨Are you blasting spy music?¨ Her sunglasses fell a little bit from her eyes as she gave a playful smile, quickly adjusting them back on. The mind-link was full-blown, playing a themed song from a James Bond or the Pink Panther soundtrack.

She turned to the coffee shop where Leonora had shock written all over her face. ¨Fine, I'll change it, but we could have rocked this soundtrack.¨ She lowered the music, and yes, it felt like a soundtrack, and I was thankful when she changed it.

Soon they were calling for us to board. First, Charlotte entered the plane, Leonora behind her, and then the rows where Francesco and I would be seated were called. I was thankful this plane wasn't full, and when I passed Charlotte's row, the seat beside her was empty. The chair diagonal to her was empty also, so I took that one, quickly putting my bag in the overhead compartment.

I sat on the middle chair, giving a small smile to the guy beside me. That's when Charlotte turned and, not even looking at me, spoke to the guy. ¨Sorry, sir, the thing is, I am heavily pregnant, and the sway of the plane makes me sick. Do you mind changing seats with me so I can run to the bathroom in case…. You know?¨ He gave her a look as she slowly rubbed her tummy and managed to look sick. ¨Yes, miss, sure.¨

He got up, and they changed seats as she slumped in the chair next to me. ¨Charlotte, we are supposed to be traveling all alone.¨ She shrugged her arms as she read a magazine. ¨I don't think we are talking, and either way, no one is really paying attention anymore. I just want to be with you when we take off because you are afraid of heights, and…¨ I scratched my head, grabbing a magazine in front of me. ¨ I am not afraid of heights.¨ She smiled, gazing at the objects that were offered in the magazine. ¨Yeah yeah, whatever. Look at page number twenty-seven. It's a self-closing dog gate.¨ I turned the page, giving her a chuckle. ¨Look at page number thirty. It's a solar charging USB key chain tracker.¨ I replied jokingly, then thought about the idea. Maybe getting a tracker on Charlotte wouldn't be that crazy.

She closed the magazine fast and squeezed her eyes, looking at the flight attendant as she was giving her seat belt demonstration. ¨I know what you are thinking, Cult-Leader, and that is obsessive thinking, You are throwing serious red flags right now…¨ She turned her face away as I smiled at myself, grabbing her hand and interlocking her fingers with mine. Jumping as the airplane began moving. ¨Not afraid of heights, are we?¨ She asked as I closed my eyes, my other hand grasping the chair and breathing slowly.

¨Easy Noah breath in and out.¨ I did that until at last the airplane stopped moving, and with the sound of her voice cooing at me, my eyes closed finally, falling asleep.

-------------------------

--------------------------

--------------------------

¨Noah…¨ I looked around at the now-familiar voice in my dreams. ¨Moon Goddess.¨ I stood up and opened my eyes as I looked into an arid desert landscape. The sun beamed down hard, and the parched land looked red and orange in its heat. I turned to my side, and the Goddess was standing beside me. ¨ I had a talk to the Eagle God, and he has given me the chance that my warriors could prove themselves.¨ I blinked, not comprehending. ¨We were going to Chewattean country so we could convince the eagles to join us.¨ She nodded. ¨They have agreed to that already, but before we can accept their help, you must pass a grueling set of tests created by a god himself to enhance the magic inside of you.¨

I looked at the area as she said this. ¨ Fine, I accept the challenge just let me take Charlotte back to North Star Pack and then make my way to Chewattean country.¨ She shook her head. ¨I need you to get to Chewattean land right away, and once I told you, your mate and you together would do great things. This is one of those times.¨ What could be so wrong that Charlotte was needed? I wondered, trying to put my mind into it. ¨ The power of the mate bond gives you strength, and as it gives you strength, it also weakens you when you are away from it. As a mated wolf, you need to have your mate beside you as you go through the changes that will soon come.¨ I turned to her. ¨Changes?¨

She stroked my cheek softly, giving me a proud look. ¨ What do you know about lycans, my wolf?¨ I laughed as she said this. ¨A strong kind that went extinct by murder.¨ She smiled at the air above. ¨Yes, it was a kind I couldn't support anymore. They became cruel and power-hungry, but I am willing to give them another chance, a chance perhaps with the help of a not-so power-hungry Alpha who will treat the rest of my kind fairly?¨ She looked at me. I couldn't understand why she was talking about this. ¨You will learn to enhance your magic. After this period is over, you and another five wolves will take the reign of the wolf kind and mold it to what it is supposed to be. The only way those old wolves would take a young wolf seriously is by strength, my child. After this period, you will no longer be a wolf but something greater, something faster, something stronger, you will be a....¨

The Goddess took a deep breath and remarked the word. ¨...Lycan... You will become not only one lycan but the lycan king. ¨ I looked at the Goddess speaking and let out a laugh. ¨Me? Why me? I the one who lost his pack? Me, who couldn't even keep his mate safe?¨ I was thrusting my index finger on my chest, trying to set the point as I was moved from the desert. We were now standing beside the airplane seat.

The Goddess hovered above me, pointing at my side. ¨Your mate is safe isn’t she?¨ I nodded as she took me on a whirl around, ending back in the desert. Lucas stood there training a pack of females. ¨ Part of your pack is safe?¨ She motioned her hand at the training going beneath us. I nodded again.

She zoomed me again, bringing me to an underwater bubble where people were walking. I squeezed my eyes. Danielle was walking, twirling around. Benjamin walked smiling by his side, Rowan and others I didn't know also walked and laughed. ¨Your pack is thriving and growing?¨ I nodded again as I felt my heart beating faster at the sight of my best friend, the friend I hadn't seen in a year.

¨You have everything you need to be a Lycan Alpha, and even more, you, my son, have learned how to lose and care. You are not power-hungry, but you are more interested in keeping your loved ones safe. Be happy with this anointment. You would have to wait for your whole pack to arrive. The members I've chosen for this transformation are Benjamin, Rowan, Kiera, Lucas, and Isabella.¨ I wrinkled my eyebrows in question.¨Isabella? ...Isabella Urbe? As the Alpha daughter of the Roman pack?¨ She nodded. ¨Already sent Benjamin and Rowan to go get her.¨

I was back in the desert. ¨So like everything I do with you... I give you a choice, wolf. As a Lycan, you will feel more, hate more, hurt more, love more. Are you ready?¨ Nodding, I accepted the new course my life would be taking. She kissed my forehead and mumbled. ¨Wake up.¨ I woke up with a bang as the airplane was taxing and already landing.

¨Its like ten o'clock at night, so are we going to Colorado? or are we staying in town until the morning?¨ I looked outside, and it was pitch black, just the blinding lights of the terminal overhead. ¨We are going to Chewattean land.¨ I mumbled to my side as Charlotte almost screamed on the mind-link. ¨You are letting me go with you? You are not leaving me in Colorado?¨ I shook my head. I would have to explain to her, but not here, not right now. Right now, I needed a straight-faced Charlotte while we crossed US customs.

~Charlotte~

¨Where is he going?¨ I opened my mouth, not believing the lone Italian wolf was abandoning our small, unassuming pack. Noah shrugged his shoulders and stated. ¨To the pack, back in Colorado. I need someone trustworthy to keep my father in check and report back to me without using phones.¨

Francesco gave Leonora a warm smile and kissed both her cheeks. ¨Take care, ordinary cat.¨ Rolling her eyes, she scoffed at him, feigning hurt. ¨Look who's talking, mangy dog.¨ They both laughed as Francesco turned to us. ¨Alpha… Luna.¨ He bowed his head, and both Noah and I gave him a nod in return.

¨Hell with it!¨ I looked at Noah, grabbed Francesco, and hugged him hard. ¨Thanks for everything, lone wolf. I will miss having you around to save the day. Thanks for saving me. Saving my mate and Leonora. I will always be grateful to you for everything you have done for us.¨ I looked into his eyes as he gave me a brotherly smile. ¨No biggies Luna. I would always be grateful you have accepted me, a lone wolf, the son of two rogues, into your pack without hesitation.¨

Noah took a step forward, offering his hand. Francesco took it, and with a shake, Noah finished what I was about to say. ¨And for your service, you would always have an important spot in this pack with no recriminations. Be safe.¨ He nodded once more, turning and walking away, probably to another flight.

Noah grabbed my hand, and we began walking to the exit of the terminal fast. The faster we got out of populated areas, the better, that was what he explained.

Not an hour before, we were hurled together on the plane. Noah had awakened with a sort of crazy look on his face. I thought he was frightened of the landing, so I took his hand. Shaking his head, he had explained to me how he had a visit from the Goddess. Through the mind-link, he explained we had to get to Chewattean country right away and that I was coming with him. I didn’t even question him feeling happy about it. I had to accept I was feeling left out that he was going to leave me behind in Colorado. Whatever he had to do, we could do it together.

I walked behind him, Leonora by my side, as he looked around in the parking lot in some sort of frenzy. ¨Ahha!¨ He pointed at a black escalade, then ran towards it and lowered himself to the ground. ¨He seems more cheerful than usual.¨ Leonora stated as he propped himself up with a massive smile on his face. ¨Aren't you sure you gave him a happy ending on the flight?¨I turned to Leonora with my mouth open, almost laughing. ¨Found them we should go.¨ He quickly said, opening the door making me blink. ¨ I don't think my hand jobs can do that kind of work.¨ He was in a pretty good mood, so I wanted to asked what the hell had he taken, or what did the Moon Goddess gave him.

I walked to the car, sitting on the passenger seat as we drove off into the night. He put the radio on and began singing along to a song. ¨This is the most lift up I've seen you since…¨ I tried remembering when and should have said since Liam died. I shook my head. No, I wasn't going to bring that memory back to him, not when he was this uplift. ¨I guess you are excited by the eagles?¨ He shook his head. ¨Told you. I had a visit from the Goddess on the plane.¨ Nodding, I put an index finger on my lip. ¨She must have relayed something really important if you are this happy about it?¨

Noah nodded, beaming with a huge smile. ¨Indeed she did. There's a part of werewolf culture not many wolves talk about.¨ I raised one eyebrow, trying to figure out what he was trying to say. ¨The place we are going would help us enhance ourselves. The Goddess almost talked about it like a place where any magical can go and get stronger. In my case, if I can make it past a few tests from their people, I have a chance to become something better.¨

I laughed, giving him a sweet look. ¨I am all up for bettering yourself, Cult Leader, but just so you know, you are perfect as you are.¨ I bit my lip, giving him a lusty look. He grabbed my chin, bringing my lips to him. ¨I know, kitten, but what she said was I would try and become something we werewolf don't talk about.' ¨And what is that?¨ He took a deep breath and just murmured a hopeful word. ¨Lycan.¨

Bastet entered the conversation at this time. ¨Did he say, Lycan?¨ I nodded internally. ¨Yes he said, Lycan.¨ I felt as if she was gasping inside of me. ¨Why are you doing that? Is it bad?¨A few seconds passed when she spoke again. ¨Not at all, Charlotte, but if I am correct, Selene can't make Lycans from already born wolf unless…¨ I turned towards Noah ¨Lycan?¨I asked him. He nodded. ¨Its like an enhanced wolf, bigger, stronger.¨ ¨Unless what Basty?¨ I commanded the god in my head. ¨He was talking about the land you are going to. If that land is magical enough to make a wolf into a lycan, it can surely be strong enough to…¨ I turned my head, remembering the conversation with my mate.

¨Well Cult Leader, I am happy about you, but you don't need to change, and I think you are perfectly enough the way you are.¨He nodded, giving me a loving look. ¨I know, but when a goddess herself asks you this…¨I smiled back at him. ¨How can you say no... Gotcha, Cult Leader, and I am with you every step of the way, no questions asked.¨ At that, Bastet's voice came into my head. ¨We can perform an even powerful awakening ritual, and maybe it is our safest bet, so I can exit you without.¨ ¨Killing me.¨ I finished her sentence. Another nod as I said this.

Putting my hand softly on my tummy, closing my eyes, not wanting Noah to see or feel my hesitancy at the glimmer of hope I was getting. ¨We need to speak about this to the Eagles.¨ ¨And how would we do that without him knowing?¨ I asked, stretching my arms and giving a huge yawn both Noah and Bastet spoke at the same time. ¨Sleep kitten, you look exhausted.¨ I nodded as Bastet finished her sentence. ¨Let me think about how we can manage.¨

-------------------------

--------------------------

-------------------------

I woke up with a hand caressing my cheek. ¨Hi kitten, wake up. We were about to enter no man's land, so I thought we should stop for food before we enter the desert.¨ I nodded, opening my eyes. I felt like I had slept for ages, but it was still dark outside. I patted Leonora's shoulder, waking her up, making her stretch and yawn too. ¨Something is not right.¨ I heard the link with the Goddess inside me. My eyebrows scurried as I saw the landscape around, which was pitch black.

¨Noah what time is it?¨He glanced through the rearview mirror and back to the windshield. ¨Not sure I haven't checked the time since we started driving.¨ I grabbed the cellphone and looked at the time. ¨It´s little past eight am¨ I lazily said as I shook my head that didn't sound right. Noah turned to me with a quizzical face. Turning the radio down and looking at the clock in the car, it was the same time.

¨Its eight am, and the sun hasn't come out.¨ I pointed at the obvious. Leonora looked out of the window. ¨Maybe an eclipse?¨ Noah shook his head. ¨We wolves are drawn to them. This is not an eclipse.¨ Then I felt a gasp and a sob from the Goddess inside.