A Wolf's Truth

Chapter 5 - New Home

Within, she did not feel ok. Winter was shaken and lots of things frightened her. She had not wanted to leave the hospital, but she was not given a choice. Once again, she was told what to do. While she did not remember who she was, most of her past, what she had remembered was painful and she was not ok with it. She did not know who either of those people were, and she really did not want to know. Yet, even if she tried to find reason to stay at the hospital, they would not let her, the ones she knew as Koby and Jake.

As soon as she woken from her induced sleep, Jake was giving her some clothing, stuff from somebody called Tilly. He gave her some privacy, so she could change and the moment she was in the loose slacks and the baggy top, he was back in the room, and advising her that she needed to follow him. She had not wanted to and right on queue, Koby arrived. She felt intimidated by him, and it was like she could not disagree for some reason. She knew he was siblings with Shay-Lee and she had told Winter that their mother was the Alpha of the clan, so she had to wonder, if he had used some of his Alpha blood to put in an order.

Leaving the hospital, Jake took her to a car, and behind the wheel he drove them through the streets. Winter looked out the windows, watching as large buildings went by, until they came to a stop by the side of a tall building and somebody approached, opening the door to the car. She stepped out, Jake throwing some keys over to the person and they gave him a nod, moving to the drivers side, getting in and taking the car. Winter said nothing, just followed him to the main doors of the building, to an elevator and then when they got out, he walked to a door, unlocking it with a pass card and opened the door, allowing Winter to step through first.

The flat… was more then just a flat. It was like a pent house! Top floor, large and open with plenty of natural light. Jake showed her around, supporting her as they moved. While she was up on her feet, she was still weak and though she did not voice it at that moment, she did let Jake know later she appreciated the help. During the tour, Winter found that the pent house had three large rooms, a personal office, a sitting room, a large living kitchen and dining space. There was a main bathroom and a second smaller bathroom to one of the main rooms, which Jake told her was to be her room, while he would take residence in one of the other rooms.

She liked the kitchen, as it was perfect for cooking, which on her second day there, she realised was something she enjoyed, and had asked if she could go to some shops to get supplies for the pent house. Jake said she was too weak to still go out too much and so had made some arrangements for another to do it for them, she just needed to write a list. Winter worried about how she was going to afford it though, but Jake told her not to worry, that she was the guest of their Alpha, and they would pay for everything. Winter was still not keen on this but Jake told her to stop worrying about it.

The strange thing was, while at the Hospital, Jake never said much and was quiet reserved. At the house, he was different, more relaxed, clam and talkative. They had been there for a week now, and Winter was starting to get used to him being around. He was a smart guy, strong took, and she learnt a little more about his skills. That not only was he a wolf but he was a witch as well, and a part of that was him able to see things from people. Sometimes he controlled it, and sometimes he did not. He admitted to her, that he had seen that memory, which freaked her out, but he was kind and gentle about it all, trying to help her through it.

Right now, they were sitting on the lounge in the living area, drinking from a mug each, hot chocolate. Winter was learning new things about herself by being out of the hospital and in a house environment. She did not like mess, she always found herself cleaning things, wiping stuff down. She took charge on making sure the meals were cooked, enjoying being creative. She was good at it too. She also found she liked to sit out on the balcony from the living area, sit on a bench and read, while the sun attempted to show through the clouds. It was cold, winter, but she did not care too much, fresh air was better then nothing.

“Winter, you ok?” Jake asked her looking over.

“I am… just thinking.” She answered in a soft tone.

That was the next thing, that during her long recovery she was finally able to talk. Not too much at once, but enough to give up using the tablet they had given to her at the hospital. Shay-Lee told her she loved her voice, that it was sweet and beautiful, it embarrassed her a little, but Shay-Lee had no shame complimenting her.

“Tell me… are you sure you are ok with me here.” Jake asked, going all serious.

“Why do you ask?” Winter wondered, looking at him.

“I just want to make sure, you are ok… comfortable with me here.” he spoke. “I know, it is not something anyone gave you a choice in, and I know… what happen was not pleasant, so I just want to, make sure you are ok with this still.”

“You are funny.” Winter said with a little grin, hiding the unease in the mention of what happened. “Jake, do not worry about that… I trust you.”

“You hardly know me, any of us.” He claimed.

“And you hardly know me, I do not even know me, and you trust me… I think.” She replied.

“I do. I trust you Winter.” He claimed.

“And besides, I think Zakari would be displeased if I assumed anything more of you. That you’d try something.” Winter claimed.

“What… what do you mean?” Jake asked confused.

“You two… are together right?” Winter asked.

“Oh my god.” Jake said shocked and surprised. “How did you? You know? Did somebody tell you?”

“No… I just worked it out.” She said.

Winter took a sip of her drink, gave him a friendly smile and stood. She felt a little unsteady on her feet as she did, but she played like things were normal. Winter took the mug to the kitchen washing it and putting it back into the cupboard right away. She felt warn down, so she told Jake she was going to have a lie down, to take a nap. He asked if she was ok, which she told him she was, and so with a nod, he watched her go to the bedroom.

It was a room with a large king sized bed, a couch, a large walk in wardrobe and a lovely vanity where she could sit and do her hair at. She liked the room, and she liked the bed, it was comfortable and inviting and she was very grateful to be given this opportunity to stay there, as a guest. Though, she knew sooner or later she would want to pay her way. Maybe when she was feeling better, maybe she could get a job and pay some money back to the Alpha, for her time she stayed with them.

***

She knew it was a dream, there was no other way to explain it. Winter found herself walking through light, with a thin layer of fog at the ground. The place looked clinical, white walls, floors and roof. There was no door, no windows, but she did not feel panicked, she felt calm and it was strange. She just walked, to see if she could find anything, wondering what her dreaming was all about. What meaning did it have behind it.

“I have missed you.” A voice suddenly spoke, soft and gentle.

She turned, looking behind, her long golden amber hair swaying as she moved. She saw somebody standing before her, a woman. Winter did not move. She did not feel fear, worry or threatened. She did not know why, but she felt safe, like this person was ok. They watched each other for a moment, the person before her smiling.

“Who are you?” Winter asked unsurely.

“I am family.” They replied. “Your guide through your Enlightening.”

“Enlightening?” Winter asked confused.

“Your new friends will explain when you re-awaken.” They told her. “For now, you need to rest, this is where you rest, to go through the Enlightening. Do not be afraid of it.”

“Who am I?” Winter wondered.

“That, I am not here to advise, in time, you will remember, I can not interfere with that.” They stated. “I am just hear to let you know, all will be ok. Trust this place, trust what you feel.”

“I am confused.” Winter explained.

“You will learn it all soon. Have faith, be yourself.” They said.

“Faith… in what?” Winter wondered.

“In this place….” They repeated.

She watched as they stepped back, the fog rising around them. They were gone. Winter looked around, confused. What was she meant to do now? She was silent and still for a moment, and then she started to walk again, to look around again. There was a noise, she looked over, a shape was in the fog. Slowly, she approached, curious as to what it was.

A box, and it sounded like there was something inside. She bent down, and opened, watching as a white dove flew out. She smiled, watching it, as it flew around the white space, before settling on a white stand that seemed to come out of no where. Winter was surprised, but in a more of a delighted way. She smiled, moving just a little closer to the dove, reaching out a hand slowly and it trusting her, she was able to stroke the dove’s feathers. The smile widened, it was amazing, she had never imagined being able to pet a bird like that.

After a moment tough, the bird cooed and took flight, it seemed to stir up some fog and then she could no longer see the bird. She was alone once more. Winter let out a sigh, while she did not feel like the place was a threat, she did feel alone, like she had nobody.

“Do not think like that.” She told herself, out loud. “It may seem you have nobody, but think about those people, who have recently helped you.”

It was crazy that she was talking to herself, but it meant that the place was not so silent any more. Maybe she was also hoping that the person from before would show up again. Yet, they did not. She was still on her own, wondering around in the white space in which she was currently in. This strange but calm place, this dream, that may not be a dream, but some strange inner reality.

***

“Come on Sweet Cakes, wake up for us.” A soft voice spoke in her ear.

She heard it, but her body would not reply. She wanted to wake, and tell Shay-Lee she was there and listening, but she could not. It was like she could now hear out side of her dream, but not be there in real. In the white space, she closed her eyes, trying to imagine herself sitting on a lounge with Shay-Lee talking to her, like they had done a couple of times since she had left the hospital. Shay-Lee, a female whom she hardly knew and yet felt close enough to, a female she liked and felt attached to, like they had an understanding.

In her mind, in her white space, Winter wanted to tell her she was going through some sort of Enlightening, what ever it mean. She was not sure if it was going to make any sense to Shay-Lee, but she wished she could have said something, to let the female wolf know that apparently everything was going to be ok.

“Hmm… that is interesting.” Jakes voice echoed into the white space.

“What?” Shay-Lee was asking.

It was like she could hear a whole conversation, but she was not there, just in mind. She listened, sitting on the white floor, legs crossed, and wondering what it was that Jake was thinking.

“Hey Koby, you are on speaker, Shay-Lee is here too.” Jake was saying.

“Ok. What is going on? Has she woken?” Koby asked back.

“Not yet.” Shay-Lee answered.

“But, I want to know, did you ever confirm how old Winter is?” Jake asked.

“No. That is a lot tricker then one would think. We are trying though.” Koby told them.

“I think she is like fifteen or something, she looks really young.” Shay-Lee said.

“I think she is about to turn eighteen.” Jake stated.

“Why do you think this?” Koby asked a surprised tone coming from him.

Winter listened, wondering, could Jake have found something out about her? She was a little excited. Wondering what it was he knew, hoping she could keep this up, keep up hearing their conversation.

“Ok, so, this is going to sound strange, but I think she is in her Enlightening stage. I feel like that is what she tried to project to Shay-Lee a few minutes ago.” Jake explained.

“Enlightening?” Shay-Lee asked confused.

“I think… she is like me. Has witch blood.” Jake announced.

“How do you know?” Koby asked surprised.

“Well, it is strange, and not seen often but I can kind of sense it now, since that feeling was projected and I started looking for it.” Jake explained.

“So, how does this confirm her age then?” Koby wondered.

“A Witch will go into Enlightening just before they turn eighteen, that is how I know.” Jake explained. “I had the same thing, it kind of, is an awakening of all powers.”

“How long does it last?” Shay-Lee wondered.

“She will wake, on her birthday.” Jake commented.

Winter smiled, well at least hearing this information gave her some hope, that this whole white space was not going to last forever. It meant too, that when she woke, they would be able to work out her date of birth, maybe that would help them find some information about who she is.

The fog around her seemed to shift, Winter was distracted and she could no longer hear the conversation that was outside her mind. She felt disappointed, but there was a new noise in there with her. Looking around some more she noticed a shadow behind some of the shifting fog. Hesitant for a moment, Winter watched and then taking in a deep breath, she stepped forwards, carefully and slowly. As she neared, she stopped, surprised.

Before her, sitting calm and quiet for now was a large dog… no wait. It was a wolf. She watched it, as the wolf lifted it’s head at her, their eyes locking. It had a golden coat, and golden eyes. Winter bent down and knelt in front of the wolf, the animal still watching her. She was eye level, and clam, intrigued. It was as if she knew, as if she sensed it. The wolf shifted, moving closer and Winter reached out as well, running her hands through the warm fur of the wolf, as it placed it’s long snout against her face, like they were forehead to forehead.

Winter smiled, she knew it, after what she had been told, this was a wolf, her wolf, the one she had not known was there until right now. The wolf had been in hiding, that was what she had been told, and yet right here, in the white space, they were meeting, like they knew each other, but had long since seen each other. It was perfect and it was instant.

“Welcome back.” She whispered to the wolf.

The moment she spoke, the moment she welcomed her wolf self back to her being, it was like the wolf vanished and yet did not. Winter could still feel her, present within herself, in her mind, in her soul. She smiled to herself, pleased, glad they were as one again. She was not sure what caused the wolf to vanish in the first place, but this was just proof to what her new friends had told her. She was a wolf, and she just needed time for that part of her to return. She felt calm, whole and now, all she needed was to leave this white space and return to the real world, outside of her mind.