The Wild Wolf Within

Southern Wolves

(One who Remembers POV)

I heard Ice tell me they were here walking out on the back porch, I seen eight southern wolves. I had contacted my first love's family. They were a very hidden group of wolves that had only surface about 50 years ago to me. Even then I did not know their origins. I knew Leto said they were not hers, nor did any of the Gods or Goddesses claim their creation. They were massively strong, their power unmatched by most demigods. They were loyal to me I knew that. But, I also knew I was gambling fate should one if these wolves click with Lia.

Ice came up to sit next to me, much like her great great grandmother she was. Vicious to those who would hurt me, sweet and kind to those who we cared about. Willing to do things not many others wanted to do. All in the name of love. "Joe, step forward." I heard her say.

I watched a large young wolf step forward. He bowed to me. "I am honored to answer your call My Lady." He looked up with warm amber colored eyes. All Southern wolves had that color. varying only slightly in shade. His were light very very light.

"You have something else in you." I annouced.

I heard him smile as he said, "I do, my mother was not wolf. She was royal dragon line." His eyes flashed a brilliant white.

I was even surprised by this. A southern wolf and a Dracoian? Why would they send me him? I would talk to Carlos later. "Royal line?" I raised my brow at him.

"Yes, she was not a changer, her blood tainted by what they said was low born. Early 1800's the line started as a male dragon time jumped from being chased because of who he loved. He started a series of events that created me. Our dragon powers only come to the surface during great need. Or when crossed on an ancient line. Then we gain various powers depending on our genetic code." He sat as I noticed so did the others.

"I am curious, who was your grandmother?" I could sense something in him familiar.

"Mercedes." He replied.

I sucked in a breath, she was the only other dragon changer I met. I fought by her side in the earlier war that occured here. She was a seer, but much like a warrior monk she could battle like none other. Always a great help. I had not realized she had gone south with the wolves. "How long ago did she depart to spirit?" I asked humbled and sad.

"She still roams, her love passed causing her to dwell deep within our mother. She still lives and teaches her ways." I could hear care in his words.

"It is good she still is here." I had seen so many leave this world. Being old a gift but always on the heels of loss and sadness. "Then she trained you in battle?" I looked back at him.

"Yes My Lady." He nodded.

I nodded my approval, "there is a house to the south of here. Near my great great granddaughters place. You will be protecting both her grounds and places here my protections can't." I needed to get back to other bits. I need time in my thoughts of the past.

"That was the smell we followed of the shadow kill?" He asked.

"Yes, these two soul mates were not trained. I did not know she was a changer until recently. Lada the brown wolf informed me Leto had chosen her." Something in me eyed this young male.

"I seen your great, great grandaughter. She has an aura much like yours. Faced us on the back of a buckskin stallion." He mentioned.

I laughed, my fangs out in plain sight. Years of keeping them hidden to avoid much after my magic had been awoken. "Sounds like someone else I know." Flash backs to the war when I rode my fjord stallion everywhere, shooting pistols and arrows during one of the worst battles in history. So many lives lost that day. Looking back at him, "she has not been trained nor has her wolf awoken fully. Keep an eye for the shadows they have killed near soul mate and he captured a pooka who was killing his friends." I nodded to them all and turned. So many memories of long ago. At least Mercedes was still alive. I walked back into my home. I needed to sit and remember past events. Give thanks to those who were gone.

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Red's POV

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Next morning I got up and headed straight out to the bunk house to check on everyone. After the night we had had in town I wanted to make sure things were better. There had been some pretty wild events that took place for these everyday people. People who went to work, church and the store not thinking that there was a hidden world of spirits and a magic of sort.

I was on the trail that led down to the bunkhouse. Always carried a side arm, there were predators all around as we lived in an area that was remote. I was at a good pace when I felt it, eyes watching me. My pace did not waver, though I made sure I was checking all around. I would mention it to the guys so they were aware.

Rounding the corner, I seen everyone milling around cooking breakfast, splitting wood and generally getting bits done for the morning. I seen Jay, Hooker and Butch chatting off by themselves. I made a bee line straight to them.

"Ah, Red glad to see you. So, we seen some of those big wolves early this morning." Jay informed before I had even finished getting there.

"Yeah that is why I held back yesterday. The One who Remembers called for them. They are from the south and supposedly have no connection to the ones we seen in town." I shrugged. "Granted I felt I was being watched on my way here this morning "

"Yeah been having that feeling since late last night." Hooker huffed.

"So are they something we should worry about?" Jay looked at me.

"At this point, trust us as a whole. Outside us lets make them earn it." I glanced around. "I suspect we will see who they call to after a little bit. Should those things in town come up here." I took another look around. My gut was telling me, we were being watched but at the same it wasn't a threat.

We told everyone to stay close to the bunk house until we could sort out what was going on. I seen a group of kids head to the pond area which was still close to the house. Noting their direction I continued to keep planning how we were gonna use supplies and who was going to be in guard rotations.

"Wolf!!" One of the little kids screamed. The whole group coming back from the pond at a run. All of us picking up weapons and yelling to get the kids in the house.

Running down the trail til just before the turn we slowed as the corner got closer. There I peeked and seen Lada and one of those southern wolves facing each other. I nodded to the guys telling them I was going to go in but for them to stay back and wait for orders. My hands making the universal signs for just that.

Standing up straight, I turned the corner. My eye on the southern wolf. Lada I kept a smaller eye on as she been protecting Lia and had made sure this necklace got to me. "May I ask what is going on?" I asked while walking up to them.

Lada turned to look at me, "The wolves were thirsty, did not mean to scare the children. I have told them about a different water hole away from the area they can drink." Lada nodded to me and stood.

"Ah, we are on edge after seeing what we seen in town the night before last. All of us expect it to come up here." I nodded back to her. "You have a new friend?" I asked her.

"My name is Joe, I was called by the One who Remembers. She asked that we patrol both this area and the areas her wards do not protect." The other silver and black wolf came forward.

"Hello Joe," I greeted. "My guys are very jumpy right now. They have never seen the bits that showed themselves in the town below. Perhaps it would be wise to keep a low profile?"

"Yes, I did not mean to scare the children. I was thirsty. This area is new to us. So the pond was our first choice." Joe sat infront of me.

"I understand." I nodded. I was just about to say how thankful we were that they were offering protection when in the distance I heard a howl. then another. Both of the wolves before me, became alert.

"Excuse me," Joe said and was gone before I could even say a word.

I looked to Lada, who was listening in the distance. "What is going on?"

"There has been a breach in line." Was all she said as she leaped forward. "Get everyone in the house. Stay there til I return!"

I didn't even think I turned and told the guys to get back to the house. It wasn't until I had closed the door that I realized Lia was out. My heart sank, I started to go out the door and it was locked like some kind of magic had been placed on it.