Chapter 3 – "The Ranch"
864 Words
The Hale ranch looked like something from a horror movie.
Broken fences. Dead grass. A barn with no roof. And in the middle of it all, a bonfire that lit up the night like a second sun.
I killed my bike engine. Cade parked next to me. Behind us, six Asphalt Wolves spread out. Nellie was on her moped, trying to look tough.
"You didn't have to come," I told her.
"And miss this? No way."
Cade grabbed my hand. "Stay close. If anything feels wrong, we leave."
"Agreed."
We walked toward the fire.
Iron Claws were everywhere. Ten. Maybe twelve. All in leather. All watching.
Damon stood by the bonfire. His gray eyes found me immediately.
"You came," he said.
"You said you had answers about my mom."
"I do." He nodded toward a wooden chair by the fire. "But the Elder tells the story. Not me."
An old man sat in that chair. Thin. Silver hair. Pale eyes. He wore a suit. In the middle of a dead ranch. In Texas heat.
He looked like someone's grandpa.
"Lena Calderon," he said. His voice was soft. Warm. "I've waited a long time to meet you."
"You know my name. I don't know yours."
"Call me Hale. This was my family's land once."
I didn't sit. Neither did Cade or Nellie.
Hale smiled. "No need to be frightened. I just want to talk."
"So talk."
He nodded. "Your mother, Maria, was a good wolf. Strong. Loyal. She was part of my pack before she married your father."
"You had a pack?"
"Once. Long ago. Now I'm just an old man who watches." He leaned forward. "Your mother left the pack when she met Ray. He was human then. Hadn't shifted in years. She loved him anyway."
"That's a nice story. It doesn't tell me why I'm here."
Hale's pale eyes glittered. "Because your mother was killed, Lena. And I know who did it."
The air left my lungs.
Cade's hand tightened on mine.
"Who?" I whispered.
Hale looked at Damon. Then back at me.
"A rogue wolf. One who wanted your mother's power. She had a rare gift she could calm any pack. Stop fights. The rogue wanted that for himself."
"What was his name?"
"He's dead now. I made sure of it." Hale stood up. He was shorter than I expected. Frail. "But before he died, he cursed your mother's bloodline. Said her daughter would never know peace. That the wolf would tear her apart from the inside."
I shook my head. "I don't have a wolf."
Hale tilted his head. "Don't you?"
The fire crackled.
Behind me, Nellie whispered, "Lena. Your eyes."
I turned to her. "What?"
"They're glowing."
I stumbled back. My hands went to my face. I couldn't see anything different. But everyone was staring.
Damon stepped forward. "The wolf is waking up. I told you."
"It's not possible," I said. "I'm human."
"You're Calderon blood," Hale said. "The wolf doesn't skip. It waits."
My chest tightened. My bones ached. For a second, I thought I might shift right there.
But nothing happened.
Just the ache. Just the pull.
"I want to go home," I said.
"Of course." Hale smiled. "But before you leave, take this."
He pulled a small leather journal from his coat. Handed it to me.
"Your mother's words. She wrote it before she died. It explains everything."
I took it. The leather was soft. Old.
"Why are you helping me?"
Hale's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Because your mother was my friend. And because the rogue who killed her had friends who are still alive. They'll come for you, Lena. Soon."
"Let them," Cade said. "We'll be ready."
Hale looked at him. "You're brave, human. That's rare."
"We're leaving." Cade pulled me toward the bikes.
Damon blocked our path.
"Damon," I said. "Move."
"I just want to say one thing." He looked at me. Really looked. "The bond I feel? It's real. But I won't force it. When your wolf wakes up completely, you'll understand. Until then… I'll stay back."
He stepped aside.
Cade didn't let go of my hand until we were on the road.
We rode home in silence.
Nellie stayed close on her moped. The Asphalt Wolves flanked us.
When we got to the garage, Tío Ray was waiting outside. His face was gray.
"What happened?"
I held up the journal. "Mom's writing."
Tío Ray's eyes went wide. "Where did you get that?"
"A man named Hale."
Ray grabbed my shoulders. "You went to the Hale ranch? Lena, that man is dangerous."
"He knew Mom. He gave me answers."
"He gave you lies." Ray snatched the journal from my hands. "This is a trap."
"Give it back!"
"No. Not until I read it first."
He walked inside and slammed the door.
I stood there, shaking.
Cade put his arm around me. "We'll get it back."
"Tonight," I said. "I need to know what she wrote."
Nellie hugged me from the other side. "We're not leaving until you do."
I looked at the office door. Then at the moon. Still not full. Still pulling.
Something was coming.
And I wasn't sure I was ready.
- Writer
