Summa Alpha Prophecy

Chapter Six

RAYLEE POV

I couldn’t help but grin as I went back into the kitchen. The kids are watching a movie on Disney plus and Maz is tapping away on her computer. She turns to me. “You look happy, I take it you guys have sorted out whatever was going on?” she asks.

“Yep, we decided to just start over, and I feel much more at ease. So, I’m gonna steal another couple of pieces of pie and make coffee. You want some?”

She laughs at me. “Nar girl, I’m good. Enjoy yourself.”

“Thanks…I’ll be back once the movie is finished to get Jada in bed. Can you text me when it's finished please?” I asked, giving my best puppy dog eyes.

“Yeah, no worries, now get out of here. Don’t keep him waiting.”

I get the pie dished while the kettle is boiling and make coffee for Cor and hot chocolate for myself. I find a tray in one of the cupboards and pile everything on it. Just as I’m reaching the door and contemplating how I’m going to go about opening it, it swings open and Cor steps in to take the tray from me.

“Here, let me give you a hand" he said. I could argue with him but decided to just give it over to him with a grateful smile.

“How did you know I was there?” I asked him out of curiosity.

“Oh, I heard you coming.” he says with a laugh, like that should have been obvious.

We settle back down at the wicker table and fall into a light conversation about hobbies and things we each like. I’m really enjoying getting to know him. I still don’t know how I feel about him, but I’m just happy there is no more awkwardness for now.

Before long, my phone pings with a text and I know it's Maz letting me know the movie is finished. I check it and frown.

“Well, that’s time up, the movie is finished so I gotta go be a mum again. Look, I had a really nice time chatting with you and I’m glad we can be friends.” I said as I collected up the coffee cups and bowls.

“Me too, and I look forward to spending more time chatting with you whilst you’re here. I’ll see you in the morning.” he says, holding the door open for me to take the tray back inside.

“Sounds good, Goodnight, Cor.” As I stepped past him, he quickly and softly kissed my cheek. I gasped and froze, as I finally turned to look at him, he was already walking away.

I just shook it off and took the tray to the kitchen before rounding up Jada to get her ready for bed. When she was all sorted, I headed back to the lounge to chat with Maz, but before she could even say a word, “He kissed me on the cheek.” I blurt out. Maz looked at me stunned for a minute.

“Well that’s OK, isn’t it? I mean you guys are friends and sometimes friends kiss each other on the cheek.” she shrugs and grins. I decide to just let it go and not get myself worked up about a sweet and hopefully innocent kiss on the cheek.

After watching a movie with Maz, I headed to bed and surprisingly drifted off into a deep, peaceful slumber.

The next day was fairly quiet. We spent a fair bit of time outside letting the kids burn off some energy whilst we potter around checking on animals and other ranch stuff. Things between Cor and I seem not to be weird, so I just forget about last night and carry on with life as normal.

I decided that I wanted to see an Arizonian sunset, so that night after dinner, Jada and I headed off up the hill to check it out. I find a nice spot at the base of a large tree and Jada is taking pictures of all sorts of things on her iPad about 20 metres away. I am also taking photos on my phone.

As it just starts to get dark, something catches my attention a little way behind Jada. My heart jumps into my throat as I zoom my phone in to get a better look. Standing a few meters away, looking in the opposite direction, is a massive sandy-coloured cat. It’s a bloody mountain lion.

My mind races, what do I do, how do I get Jada to safety without the mountain lion seeing her? My first thought was to shoot a quick text to Maz telling her about the puma and then I tried desperately to get Jada’s attention as subtly as I could.

I take very slow, careful steps towards her, but she suddenly jumps up and yells “Mum, come look.” she points near her and crouches back down.

Unfortunately, the Puma has now spotted Jada and has crouched down, moving slowly towards her. I know if she runs it will chase her, but if she stays it could pounce on her.

By this time, tears are quietly streaming down my face, I feel so useless. Maz appeared next to me with her shotgun. She sees the situation and swears.

“Dammit, how the hell are we gonna do this? I don’t really want to shoot the Puma, but if I just shot in the air it could startle and still attack her, s**t s**t shit.”

It's then I decided I needed to draw its attention off of Jada and on to myself. I’d much rather it attacked me than my child. As if sensing what I’m about to do, Maz grabs my arm. “Don’t do anything stupid.” she scolds me.

“Dammit Maz, that is my only child being stalked over there, I have to do this.” Just as I yell at the Puma, something miraculous happens. A huge black wolf with silver on the tips of its ears, tail and its four feet jumps in between the oncoming Puma and Jada.

I took this opportunity to scream for Jada to run toward me. Sensing my panic, she didn’t hesitate. Just as she reaches us, all hell breaks loose.

The puma has pounced on the wolf, and they are now going for it. The air fills with the sounds of growls and howls. The Puma manages to catch the wolf by its front leg, biting down hard. The wolf howls out in pain before flipping over and grabbing the big cat by its scruff.

The Puma, obviously realising it was beaten, pulls itself free and takes off into the darkness. Suddenly a spotlight shines on us all, it's bright enough to illuminate the whole area, Tate has arrived.

The large black wolf turns towards us holding its front paw off the ground. It was then I noticed a silver crescent moon in the middle of its large forehead, right between two liquid silver-coloured eyes.

It sits looking at us, still holding up its front paw. I instantly feel bad for this majestic creature and wonder if it’ll allow me to check its wounds.

“Maz, do you have some kind of first aid kit in the barn?” I asked her, without taking my eyes off the wolf.

“Ah yeah, but what have you got in mind? You’re not going to approach it, it’s a wild animal…”

Frustrated at where she’s going with this, I huff at her. “Maz, this wild animal just saved my daughters and possibly my own lives. If it will let me get close enough to check it out, I have to try…I at least owe it that much.”

I’m not sure if it’s the adrenaline wearing off or what, but at this point, tears are flowing freely down my face again. Maz gives me a brief hug. “OK, I’ll go get the kit, but first I’ll take Jada back to the house. I think she’s seen enough for tonight.”

I nod, unable to speak and give Jada a tight hug before she goes off with Maz. Tate came to stand next to me. “Can I offer you some advice? I kinda know a thing or two about wolves.” he says.

“Sure I’ll take whatever advice you can give me.” I turned back to the wolf, and it is now lying down panting slightly.

“OK, so when you first approach it, stay bent down and don’t make eye contact. He is an Alpha based on his size, so he won’t take it lightly if you rush him or stare him in the eyes, as that comes across as a challenge.”

“Oh wow OK, I’m glad you know your stuff, so what else?”

Maz arrives before he can say anything further with a massive medkit in hand. “Here," she says, "This should have whatever you think you’ll need.”

I took the kit from her and started rummaging around inside it. I grab some gauze, disinfectant wipes and a bandage. When I’ve got what I need, I turn back to Tate. “OK so stay low and don’t look him in the eyes, anything else?”

“Yes, when you get a few meters away from him, stop completely, keep looking down and hold out your hand palm up with the items in your hand…now it may take a bit of time, so you’ll have to have patience, but you need to wait for him to come to you.

If he does, let him sniff you and stay as still as you can. If he nudges your hand, he acknowledges you and you can slowly and cautiously look at his wounds. If at any time he growls low and bares his teeth, stop whatever you’re doing and get as low to the ground as you can…Do you understand?”

I stared at him for a few minutes before nodding. “OK, here goes.”