The Wild Wolf Within

Protection

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Lia's POV

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I was worried about Red, I knew he had been in fights before, but I did not know how good he was or if there was someone better out there. I was mid worry, standing at the closed gate as a storm above was starting.

"Lia," I heard Lada say. Tala always excited to see her.

"Lada," I smiled and turned to look at her. In her mouth she held a bone necklace. I could feel a warmth coming from this. It had power, yet in a good and meaningful power.

"This is for you," She lifted her nose gently to my hand.

I took the necklace from her and eyed it. It was a dire wolf fang with symbols I had never seen. "What are these?" I looked to her to ask.

"It is a long dead language of magic. I have a friend who still uses it. She made this specifically for you." I watched Lada sit, if she could puff out her chest more she would have.

"I feel the magic and the warmth of it but what does it do?" I was curious.

"The high monsters in charge of the chaos send nefarious things to people that they deem a threat. This is to help keep them away." Lada gave a wolfish grin.

"Am I a target?" I knew there was something more but couldn't put a finger on it.

The grin wiped from her face, "Yes sadly. One has been sensed in town." Lada finished head down.

"Red?" I sucked in a breath.

"No, but close to him. There is a matching necklace being sent to him as we speak." The grin back in place.

I and Tala sighed inwardly happy in the knowing that he was and would be safe for now. Lifting the leather bound necklace above my head and letting it settle around my neck it was almost like a hug your family would give. As if your ancestors woke to cuddle you all at once. "Thank you Lada," I nodded to her.

"Most welcome, young cub," she stood. "When it is time I will take you to meet the elder who made it." She touched my forehead with hers in a manner of affection. No information passed but again I felt as though I was hugged and reassured at the same time.

I watched her leave, Looking to the stables I needed to do the evening feeding and also make sure there was enough food in the bunk house to go around. This storm was going to be strong. I felt an urge to run in it. But pushed the urge down to get my chores done and make sure there was wood and food available in the bunk house tonight. I needed to make sure they were taken care of while I waited to see how this whole event played out. I hoped it ended so as I wanted to see Red again. I missed him, missed him much more knowing he was or could be in danger.

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Red's POV

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I was sitting in one of their SUV's at the end of the road that leads to the highway up to the Ranch, waiting for Jay to get back. I needed to hear Lia was ok and the kids had made it. That Shadowy monster that killed the wounded creep had me spooked. I was amped, on high alert and ready for anything. So, of course I didn't notice the shadow coming up on me fast along the very highway I had been watching.

I glanced both ways, then looked directly ahead when I heard the sound. It was something had jumped on the hood. My attention snapped to it. I had a momentary panic until I noticed it was a black dog, well that was until the dog looked into the front window. It's eyes a so blue they glowed. It was unnerving, it just stared at me. Standing on the hood like an attack dog waiting for the go ahead. The only thing that was not visible was the teeth. Finally it jumped off the hood and landed next to the driver side door. It sat down and whined at me. Puffing out its chest to show me the necklace around its neck. How odd I thought. Why would a dog be wearing a necklace?

That perked my interest, was this a message from Lia, I wondered. Had she sent this dog to me? The necklace was a dire wolf fang, of that I was certain. The marks reminded me of Vikings and Nordic traditions. The black dog looked and me whined and danced it's front legs wanting me to come outside.

"What the hell," I thought. Opening the door slow and steady I got up to stand in front of this dog. It leaned its neck over to its hindleg, shoving the necklace off its neck. Then picking it up with its teeth an offering it to me. Kneeling down, on a knee, I reach out to have it fall in my hand. I felt an odd warmth. Just as that feeling spread up my arm the dog licked my face and whined. It looked down the road toward the way it came.

"I get it, you want to head back. I wouldn't want to be here either. These people need the skills I have." I knew animals understood us had seen that with Lia many times. The dog jumped up to help push the necklace around my neck. Making it like I needed to hurry. Once around my neck I heard the dog in front of me say, "This is a gift from the One who Remembers. She gave this to you to protect you from the shadows. Accalia has one as well. This offers you a chance hear the thoughts of animals who wish to communicate." The black dog stood, "Your friend comes, I must get back to my other duties."

My mind was reeling, "Thank you." I spoke with an odd feel to it. "Will I meet the One who Remembers?" I asked as I seen he canine about to take off.

"Very rarely does she meet with anyone. Yet, you married into her family perhaps you will." The dog shrugged!

I watched it take off, then could not track it once it got a distance away. Almost like it went poof. I noticed then the Scout coming back down the road. I dropped down just a bit until I could make certain it was Jay coming back.

Once closer I could tell it was him, standing up I waved. He slowed down, pulling up next to me. Opening the door he scooted over to let me in the driver's side. I jumped in and put my rifle down in the back.

"They made it, Lia is good. She sent you a specific message." He paused and glanced over his shoulder in the back. I looked in the rearview mirror to see my sniper rifle and my gilli suit.

"Thank you Jay." I looked at him and closed the door to the Scout. "Lets get these people loaded and fed." Turning the Scout toward where we had left the people who helped get some of the scum cleaned up.