The Keeper

Chapter 4

Seeing my hesitation Sage moved around the sofa and sat next to me, putting her arm around my shoulder. Does she realise as a human she has a comforting aura about her, soon as she is touch me I feel at ease.

“I...I am running, I left a bad situation at home. I don’t think it’s safe for me to be here for much longer, there’s nothing you can do to protect me from the pa…gang I am hiding from.” I try to be careful with my words.

“Which pack is it.” Mickey asked.

“I don’t know what you mean, I said gang. I am running from a gang.” I stressed.

“C’mon, You were about to say pack, we know about wolves and we have dealt with them before, so which one is it? I’d love to speak to the Alpha who allowed you to get to this state.” He grunted

“Sweetheart, look at me.” Sage spoke softly

“It is safe here; we know you’ve come from a pack. I can sense the wolves all over you. If Mickey found you, it was for a reason.”

I sat opened mouthed, gawking in shock at the pair of them.

“What are you guys?” I asked.

“Well, I am an empathic witch; I can feel people’s energies and sometimes get visions. Mickey is a hunter, it’s as I said if Mickey found you, you’re meant to be here.” Sage said.

“She is right” The voice popped back in.

“Did you hear that?” I asked them both.

“Hear what?” Mickey stood up on alert.

I guess only I can hear it, well here goes, I’m putting all my trust into the mysterious voice and these complete strangers. With all the books I have read not one mentioned anything like this, maybe I should have read more fantasy books.

“I was found at the age of 4, kept in an orphanage until I was 10 years old, then I was made the slave to The Shadow Pack after Luna Michelle was killed by a man who vanished into thin air. That was 7 years ago, last night I was woken by a voice who told me I wasn’t safe and to run. So I did, I didn’t have anything to lose but my life, so here I am.” I sighed

“I can only assume that the Alpha is to blame for the scars that litter your body?” sage questioned me.

I just nodded, at that moment there was loud banging noises downstairs. Mickey and sage gave each other a look, and then Mickey took off out the door to investigate. Sage took my hand and pulled me from the sofa.

“We have to go now, quickly sweetheart.” She rushed out in a hushed voice.

She led me down a hallway, where a framed painting of a forest hung proudly at the end. Sage stepped into it and disappeared, only to stick her hand back out and pull me through, I had to close my eyes as this was the weirdest feeling I’ve ever felt, like being sucked into a tube, it was quick though and when my feet felt like they were on solid ground, I reopened my eyes and sage was gesturing me to keep quiet. I glanced around the room we landed in, it was just a room with a small bed and a shelf of tinned foods, it looks much like a hideout.

“There is no one here, just as I told ya, now if ya don’t mind I need to get ready to open my pub. Damn wolves think they own the world.” A disgruntled Mickey said

“I’m Jaxon Black, Future Alpha of The Shadow Pack and I believe my mate to be in this area and I would like to have her back, are you sure you haven’t seen her?” Jaxon sounded suspicious.

“I don’t really care who ya are. Ya best keep looking, out there, in case she gets further away from ya; hmm I wonder why she ran, eh? ” Mickey s taunting him

“How dare you speak to me like that, you’re just a mere human. Guards take him with us.” Jaxon demanded.

“Ya can try.” Mickey sounded too confident

Jaxon would have many men to back him up, I’m sure of that. I look to Sage, she’s just sitting there calmly, and I am on the verge of a nervous breakdown, only I know that if I am found I’ll be slaughtered and who knows what they’ll do to Mickey. Silently Sage holds out her hand and I take it, I know now that her touch can help me.

‘Stay calm sweetheart, Mickey won’t get hurt and he won’t let him find you, her voice in my head shocked me, how many uninvited voices have access to my mind.

“I’ll give ya another chance, c’mon little Alpha, don’t let ya boys die here, for your fight. Ya want me come and get me.” I wish I was as confident as Mickey.

From the sounds of things Mickey is giving them the fight of their life, there is crashing, growling and grunting coming from just outside the painting. The more I just stand here listening the more anxious I become, not for myself, but for Mickey, I know Sage said he was a hunter but I don’t know what kind of power he has against a pack of wolves.

My body started to shake, I felt hot as my head started to burn.

“Celeste, what’s happening are you ok? Your…your ears; they’re changing, oh goddess you’re shifting. Dear goddess not now.” Sage’s frantic voice was in my head again.

The goddess she’s prayed to wasn’t listening, I was changing and painfully fast. My bones twisted and cracked, I grew taller, my claws elongated as well as my face. Within seconds I stood there panting excessively, Sage reached out to me, she caressed my face gently and smiled wide.

“Celeste sweetheart, you’re stunning! And not a werewolf as you thought. Look here quickly.” She handed me a small mirror from a bag on the shelf.

I look different, with silver fur and standing on at least 6 and a half-foot on 2 legs instead of 4. I’m even wearing clothing of some sort, a leather edged metal chest plate with a long leather split skirt with metal studs lining it. I feel something heavy on my back, reaching back I pull out a silver longsword with emerald gems in the hilt I need to find out more about origins as soon as I can but for now I will use this new body to help my new friend.