Fated | The Heir of the She-Wolf

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

[Valerio]

It was almost sunset when Lorenzo and I had almost reached the North settlements. Lorenzo was my most trusted guard, the one person I would rely on during such travels. He was with me when I met Matilda and it was his advice to take her in the Tower, and saved her life from a very miserable existence all these years ago.

“Lorenzo, what is your impression of our new guest at the Tower, Eleanor?”, I asked. It was Lorenzo that I had called two nights ago to stay in Eleanor’s pathetic condo and look after her until she woke up. Then, he was tasked with bringing her to the Tower and he did exactly that.

“She gave me a bit of a headache, sir.”, Lorenzo sighed while his eyes were fixated on the road as he was driving. I chuckled at his response and he curved at smile while meeting my eyes in the driver’s mirror.

“How come? I find her… quite amusing.”

“When she woke up, I told her what you instructed me to. I gave her fifteen minutes to wash up and get dressed. You know what she did, sir? She stated she needed a coffee and asked me if I wanted one, probably trying to poison me. Then, she said she needed thirty minutes and actually took forty-five.”

I laughed at Lorenzo’s explanation and he cracked a smile. We drove into the North settlement of the Magi as it was closer than the one of Lupi and parked in front of the hotel we were about to spend the night.

The settlements were small isolated towns where humans were not present. Throughout history, the different clans had set up their own closed communities where they worked, lived and had the freedom to not hide their supernatural side. Over two hundred settlements were in the United States, and the Tower was the only place located in a human city. The reason was, the Tower was a neutral zone. All beings were welcomed there, and the High Council represented by the different clans took place in the Tower. It was also the only place where troubled beings could come and train in order to get a good understanding of their powers before safely returning to their settlements.

After accommodating in the penthouse I had rented for the next three days, me and Lorenzo stepped into the fresh evening air. It was starting to get colder and colder as October was just three days away, and the wind was chilly and stinging the skin. Even though Triads did not feel cold like humans, they still had the habit of dressing appropriately for the season.

We got into the car and started driving towards the residence of the settlement’s leader. I was informed her name is Yolanda and while she had lost her powers and started aging years ago, she was still well respected and chosen leader of the community.

Yolanda was already waiting for us on the wide porch leading to her mansion.

“Good evening, my King.”, she greeted and extended her hands for a shake, firmly placing her palms over mine.

“Good evening, Yolanda. Pleasure is all mine, I have heard nothing but superlatives about your work in this community.”, I smiled diplomatically while trying to hide my surprise that she looked that old. I gestured towards the door. “Shall we?”

“Please, come in.”

Lorenzo and I stepped into the mansion which was decorated in light cream colors and vintage furniture.

“This way, if you may.”, Yolanda said while leading us to a large room with drinks already set on a small table in front of three large armchairs.

“I assume you are aware of the reason for my visit, Yolanda.”, I said while taking a seat in one of the armchairs.

“I am, and I can confirm what has already been brought to you by our High Magus, miss Ducray, that the land in question should rightfully belong to our settlement as its last owner was a member of our clan.”

“Yes, I was informed indeed.”, I said and with this, a long discussion opened up about the history of the settlements, their disagreements in the past and possible future of the land.

“My King…”, Yolanda started saying while we waited on the porch for Lorenzo to go start the car.

“Please, call me Valerio.”, I said and smiled at her.

“Valerio… You met her, didn’t you?”

“Who?”, I asked confused while my thoughts jumped to Eleanor.

“The She-wolf Heir. Come to me after midnight, alone.”

…..

Shortly after half past eleven on the same evening, I exited the hotel. Lorenzo was fast asleep in his room and had no idea I went out without protection. Not that I needed one, anyway. I was the strongest creature in the entire planet, and my transition to King of the Clans after my father’s death had made me even stronger.

Walking to Yolanda’s house, I was deep in my thoughts. The She-wolf Heir? But the She-wolf was nothing more than a legend, a fairy tale passed down from generation to generation. It was impossible she was real.

I arrived at Yolanda’s doorstep without feeling my legs taking me there, without noticing the houses and low buildings I passed, or the nightlife booming around me.

“Come in.”, Yolanda opened the door before I even knocked on it and invited me in. This time, she didn’t go towards the room Lorenzo and I were in earlier. Instead, she took the stairs, slowly, as her body had aged significantly since she lost her powers.

I followed her into a secluded small room lit with candles. What the hell was going on? The air was heavy with the smell of jasmine. And roses. The scent hit me and I looked around but I could not see any roses.

“What do you smell?”, Yolanda turned to me after closing the door and her wrinkled eyes narrowed while studying my face.

“Roses and jasmine.”, I replied quietly, my senses on the edge.

“Interesting… Take a seat.”

I looked around and saw no chairs or other furniture apart from a low table positioned in the middle of the room.

“On the ground, around the table.”, Yolanda clarified and chuckled.

“What do you know about the She-wolf?”, she asked after taking a seat on the ground across from me.

“Just what we are all taught growing up. The She-wolf was the strongest female Triad, a strong sorcerer with strong compassion for everyone.”

“The She-wolf is not just a legend, Valerio, but her story is also nothing close to what we tell our children growing up.”, Yolanda said and became quiet. Her eyes were focused on the table between us although I didn’t see anything on it.

“All clans derive from the first male Triad born thousands of years ago. Your bloodline, yes.”, she said after noticing the confusion spread on my face.

“I know that already. It is why I am the King of Clans, it is why the King of Clans is always someone bearing the Aberra name.”

“But what you don’t know is that it was a sacrifice which created the first wolf spirits who were also the first Triads.”, Yolanda smiled.

“A sacrifice? What do you mean first wolf spirits? How can they be two?”