The Whispers and The Wolf

Thirty

When I woke up, I was alone. I don’t know why I was surprised. Did this man not sleep? I scrambled on the bedside table for my glasses and phone which I found. I looked at the time: 11.56PM. I also noticed a text from Conlan.

“In my office, come find me.”

He sent the message 2 hours ago. “Challenge accepted Mr Maxwell.” I got up and quietly opened the door, peaking out to see if anyone was there. I was met with silence, and darkness. I tiptoed down the hall towards his office and froze. I could hear voices.

“She can’t know, Campbell. It would break her.” Conlan? What was he talking about?

“Con, I don’t think it’s a good idea to keep it a secret. If, or when, anything else happens, how are ye supposed to protect her?” I presume this was Campbell?

“Arghhh!” Something crashed in the room and I jumped. “How can this be happening? She’s only just settled into this life and I’m about to spring this on her too?”

“Conlan, calm down babe. You’re going to wake her.” A female voice. Who the f**k was this? And why did she call him babe? It wasn’t Sadie. Every terrible thought ran through my head in that split second. Did he have someone on the side? Is that what this was about? “Not again.” I breathed. I could feel the tears threatening to spill, so I about turned and tried to tiptoe back the way I came. I had only taken 3 steps but stopped suddenly as the floorboard creaked underneath me. “s**t!” I whispered.

“Shhh!” A voice came from the office. The hallway flooded with light. “Ah yer awake.” Came Conlan’s cheery voice. Too cheery, too false. Trying to cover something up. “Come in, wee birdie.” He held his hand out for me. I slowly walked towards him and when I reached him he wrapped me in a hug. “How was yer sleep baby?” He kissed the top of my head.

“It was fine.” I said shortly. He tensed, he could sense something was wrong. Then he sighed.

“How much did ye hear?” He pulled away and watched me intently.

“Enough to know you’re hiding something.” Was all I had to say. He sighed again and took hold of my hand.

“Come on, let’s talk about it.” He lead me into the office. It took me a second for my eyes to adjust to the bright lights. And to notice the 2 people in the room. A man and a woman sitting in the 2 chairs facing the desk. They stood to face me when I entered.

The man, as tall and handsome as Conlan, had fair hair and was clean shaven. He had a kind smile that reached his warm brown eyes. I presumed this was Campbell. “It’s a pleasure to meet ye properly, Autumn. I’m Campbell Coyle,” He nodded, keeping both hands in his pockets. He looked a bit uncomfortable.

The woman was smiling as well. Fake b***h, I thought to myself. She was absolutely stunning. She had dark curled hair that cascaded over her shoulders. She was tall and curvy. It wasn’t until I looked at her blue-green eyes that it clicked. “You must be Catherine?” I exhaled the breath I didn’t know I was holding.

She came straight over to me and enveloped me in a hug. “Oh please, it’s Catie. It’s amazing to finally meet you, Autumn. Conlan and Sadie have told me so many amazing things about you.” She had a soft soothing voice, and was more well spoken than her brother.

“You too.” I managed to reply, returning her smile. “Sorry this is a wee bit overwhelming. I’ve just woke up from a wine fueled sleep.” I half laughed. They all laughed back.

“Don’t worry about it.” Catie insisted. “Let’s sit, we’ve got some things to talk about.” She said, sitting back in her chair. Campbell followed suit. I was very aware that I had no place to sit so stood uncomfortably, shifting my weight. Conlan took me by the hand, sitting in his chair and pulling me in his lap. He tucked his head into my neck and inhaled. “I missed you.” He growled. I could feel his hardness grow under me. I was embarrassed that he was acting like that in front of other people.

“Don’t be embarrassed!” Assured Catie. “Newly found Mates. We get it! Especially when you’ve been waiting as long as our Conlan!” She and Campbell burst out laughing but stopped when they saw Conlan’s stony expression. “Sorry…” she muttered, still smiling.

“So what’s all this about?” I asked. I couldn’t take it anymore, I hated secrets. My request was met with silence. I looked into Conlan’s face, he couldn’t meet my eyes. “Tell me what’s going on, Conlan, or so help me god…”

“Try yer best birdie,” he laughed, stroking my face. “Guys can ye give us some time, please?”

“Yes Alpha.” They answered in unison and both left, closing the door behind them. Conlan took me off of his lap and put me on the desk in front on him, taking both of my hands in his.

“Do ye want the short or long version?” He was stalling.

“I want the point with an explanation please?” I was getting impatient.

“Do ye remember what ye told me before ye fell asleep?” He asked. I struggled to remember, trying to piece it all together. My face dropped when I remembered. I had confessed to him the only secret that I had. “The Whispers…”

“Yes Autumn, The Whispers.” He squeezed my hands. “We believe they are a precursor to something else-“

“I’m not mad. I told you! Believe me, my parents had me tested!” I cried out.

“I know baby, that’s not what I’m saying. Can ye remember what age they started?” Why was he asking me all this?

“I don’t know… when I was about 4? What’s this all about, Conlan, you’re scaring me.”

“Well… according to our legends and ancient texts… we believe they could be one of 3 things…” he paused.

“Get to the point, Conlan!” He growled but quickly corrected his demeanor. He definitely did not like being spoken to like that but he was really pissing me off.

“Well…” he began again. “It could either be a dormant wolf, or-

“Sorry, a dormant wolf?” My eyes were popping out of my head. This was a sick joke.

“Aye. If ye weren’t raised by wolves, ye wouldn’t know of her existence. So she would lay dormant until she was lured out. Only appearing when ye needed her most. Or ye were chosen by the Moon Goddess for a higher purpose, so it is her guiding ye through yer mind.”

I couldn’t breathe. In 5 short days my life was thrown upside down, and every time I got to grips with it something else pulled the rug out from under me. “And the 3rd option?” I asked, not sure I wanted to hear what he had to say.

“The 3rd would be… both.”