Wolves Of Spirit and Blood

Chapter 3

The first dream came unexpectedly. I was walking through the woods under a silver moon, its light casting an ethereal glow over the forest. The air hummed with energy, alive and charged, as though the trees themselves were breathing. Then I saw her. A wolf with fur like fresh snow, streaked with silvery strands that shimmered in the light. Her eyes, amber and piercing, locked onto mine, and my breath hitched. It was her, my grandmother. “Grandma?” My voice cracked as I took a step closer. She didn’t answer with words, but I felt her voice all the same. It rippled through me, warm yet firm, a steady presence that pulled me forward. The wolf turned, her tail swishing as she padded deeper into the woods. I followed, the leaves crunching underfoot, until we reached a clearing. There, in the center, stood a woman cloaked in shadows.”Maria.” The woman’s voice echoed, soft yet commanding. “You must find Greta.” I blinked, confusion gripping me. “Who’s Greta?”

Before the woman could answer, the shadows shifted. Dark shapes emerged from the edges of the clearing, their eyes glowing like embers. My grandmother’s wolf growled, stepping protectively in front of me, but the figures surged forward fast and relentless.

I jolted awake, my chest heaving, the echo of her growl still reverberating in my ears.

I needed clarity, or at least a distraction. So, I decided to visit Stella my childhood best friend. Her family’s house was on the outskirts of the pack’s territory, a modest home surrounded by sprawling gardens. As I knocked on the door, I realized how much I had missed her the one person who had always felt like home. When Stella opened the door, her face lit up with surprise and joy.

“Maria!” she squealed, pulling me into a tight hug. “You’re actually here!”. I laughed, hugging her back. “I missed you too.” She dragged me inside, chattering nonstop about everything I had missed the pack gossip, her family, and how much things had changed. But as she talked, I could see the questions flickering in her eyes. “You okay?” she asked finally, her voice soft. “I don’t know,” I admitted. “It’s… complicated.” Stella nodded, her expression understanding. “Well, whatever it is, you’re not alone. You know that, right?”

Her words eased some of the tension in my chest. For the first time in days, I felt a flicker of peace. Our conversation was interrupted by her father, beta Romero, who entered the room with his usual commanding presence. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a graying beard and a sharp gaze that missed nothing.

“Maria,” he said warmly, extending a hand. “It’s good to see you again. It’s been far too long.”I shook his hand, feeling the strength in his grip. “Thank you, beta Romero, It’s good to see you too.” He studied me for a moment, his expression turning serious. “I’m sorry about your grandmother. She was a remarkable woman. “Thank you,” I said quietly. Beta Romero sat down, his eyes never leaving mine. “She always spoke highly of you, Maria. Said you had a fire in you, something special. Don’t lose that.” I shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. “I’m not sure I even know what that means.” “You will,” he said. “But be careful. Not everyone around you will want you to embrace it.”His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken meaning. “Not everyone is to be trusted. Watch your back.”I swallowed hard, his warning igniting a fresh wave of unease. With that he left Stella and I to continue our chat.

Dinner in the Silverclaw packhouse wasn’t just a meal tonight it was a tradition. La Tavola di Addio, an Italian wolf custom, brought the pack together to honor the departed and prepare for the funeral. It was a solemn ritual, meant to share stories, celebrate life, and fortify pack bonds. But for me, the atmosphere was anything but comforting. The long table was filled with faces, most familiar, some distant. My stepmother Letti sat at my father’s right, her polished demeanor grating on my nerves. Across from me, Luigi, my youngest stepbrother was balancing a breadstick on his nose, clearly unfazed by the weight of the gathering. “Maria, check it out,” Luigi whispered, leaning across the table as the breadstick wobbled. “A little longer and I’m auditioning for Wolf Circus.” I bit back a reluctant smile, but Letti’s shrill laugh cut through the room, dragging me back to reality. “…a shame, really,” Letti said, her voice carrying over the hum of conversation. “Your grandmother was so… eccentric. Always rambling about destiny and spirits. It’s no wonder people questioned her sanity.” Luigi’s breadstick fell with a soft plop onto his plate. “Oof. That’s a bit harsh,” he muttered, shooting me a cautious glance. The fork slipped from my hand, clattering loudly against my plate.

“Oh, Maria,” Letti said, turning her attention to me with mock concern. “I didn’t mean to offend. It’s just… well, she was a bit unconventional, wasn’t she? Spending all that time with her little rituals instead of focusing on the pack.” The heat in my chest flared, spreading like wildfire. “She was more than that,” I said, my voice low and trembling. “Of course,” Letti replied, her smile sharp as a blade. “But one can’t deny her priorities were… misplaced. She should have been supporting Matteo more, rather than indulging in those odd beliefs of hers.” Luigi cleared his throat loudly, raising his glass. “A toast! To… uh, eccentricity!” He grinned awkwardly. “Where would we be without a little flair for the dramatic, huh?” No one laughed. The air around me grew heavier, the heat burning hotter in my core. “Stop talking,” I said through gritted teeth, my voice barely above a whisper. Letti tilted her head, unfazed. “Maria, dear, this is supposed to be a respectful gathering. Don’t let your emotions ruin it.” My vision blurred as the heat exploded, consuming me. The table seemed to stretch away, the voices around me distorting. My bones began to shift, pain ripping through me as my wolf surged forward.

Gasps echoed around the room. Plates clattered as pack members scrambled to their feet. When my vision cleared, I was no longer standing. I crouched low on all fours, claws scraping against the wooden floor. My fur was a sleek gray, and when I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the polished glass, I saw glowing blue eyes staring back. Luigi, to his credit, didn’t run. Instead, he muttered, “Well, that’s one way to make an impression.” Letti stumbled back, her chair crashing to the floor. “She’s out of control!” A low growl rumbled in my throat, primal and threatening. My muscles coiled, every instinct demanding I lunge, that I silence her for good. “Maria!” Matteo’s voice boomed, the Alpha’s command striking through the haze. “Stand down!” The weight of his voice rooted me in place. Trembling, I forced my wolf back, claw by claw, until I was human again. My knees hit the floor, my body drenched in sweat, every breath a struggle.

The dining room was silent. Letti pressed herself against the wall, her face pale as she clutched her chest.”Well,” Luigi said, breaking the tension as he reached for his fallen breadstick. “That was… dramatic. Anyone else hungry, or is that just me?” Stella snorted into her wine glass, but no one else dared laugh. Matteo stood slowly, his gaze hard as stone. “Everyone, leave.”

The pack members hesitated for only a moment before filing out, whispering among themselves. Luigi lingered, giving me a thumbs-up. “Hey, at least your wolf has great fur. Super shiny.” “Luigi,” Matteo snapped. “Right, right, I’m going.” He scurried out, but not before whispering to me, “Hang in there, sis.” When the room was empty, Matteo turned to me. His expression was unreadable, but his tone was cold. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”. “She insulted Grandma,” I said, my voice hoarse. “That doesn’t matter,” he snapped. “You lost control in front of the entire pack. Do you realize how dangerous that was? You could have hurt someone.” “She deserved it,” I muttered, though the shame was already creeping in. “You need training,” he said firmly. “Starting tomorrow, you’ll join Andre and the rest of the pack to train with Romero . You need to learn control.” My stomach dropped. Training with beta Romero meant endless drills and grueling discipline exactly the kind of structure I hated plus I’d have to tolerate Andre’s presence longer than normal. “I don’t need their help,” I said, crossing my arms. “Yes, you do,” Matteo said sharply. “This isn’t a request, Maria. It’s an order.” As I left the dining room, Andre leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “Quite the spectacle in there.”

“Not now, Andre,” I muttered, brushing past him. He stepped in front of me, blocking my path. “You think you’re the only one who’s lost control? You’re not. But if you don’t get it together, you’ll end up hurting someone or worse.” “I don’t need your lectures,” I snapped. “No,” he said coolly. “You need discipline. And trust me, Maria, starting tomorrow, you’re going to get it.” Luigi poked his head around the corner, grinning. “Ooh, is this where the tough love begins? Because I love a good drama.” “Get out, Luigi,” Andre growled, shoving him back down the hall. Luigi winked at me. “See you tomorrow, superstar.”

I sighed, exhaustion washing over me. Tomorrow was going to be hell.