The Reincarnated Wolf

Death

[EMELDA POV]

Briefly, I obeyed. I stay on my belly under the bushes. The thorns were like a thousand cuts, but it was nothing compared to the pain I have felt today. Not just my shift either. The constant waves of pain and agony that I feel through my bond with my parents. Their pain was so immense they couldn’t keep it from me. It was more than they could bare.

Ollie? Can I take some of their pain? I asked my wolf. If only I could help them in this small way.

I can try. You’re still wearing the talisman, so as long as your mother is still wearing hers, we should be able to pull her pain. Olivia said.

My wolf began funneling my mother’s feelings to me like turning on a faucet. I was overwhelmed, and the pressure felt crushing. How could she be handling all this pain on her own? I moaned in anguish. I could only continue to insist my wolf slowly increased the flood of pain.

Snap! I felt the bond tethering me to my father break. I let out a mournful howl at the loss of my father.

I felt myself shift. It happened so much faster than my first shift. The pain felt like nothing compared to the agony I was taking from my mother. This pain was nothing compared to the feeling of anguish when I felt my father’s spirit break from mine.

I hurdled myself towards the chaos. Full speed ahead…directly back into the clutches of danger. I had no time to contemplate or even care about the consequences of the pack seeing my omega wolf form. My small wolf frame darted with ease through the cacophony of c*****e. My wolf let out another mourning howl when seeing all the slain members of my pack being torn apart.

Then I saw my father’s body mangled on the ground. My mate was busy fighting a group of six royal wolves that were trying to continue to rip my father’s corpse apart.

He’s gone. I didn’t want to admit the obvious truth. My wolf and I shared a whimper as our snout prodded our father. Willing him to awaken. Praying to the Goddess that he would open his eyes or take a breath anything.

My paws were covered in blood from the ground. It was impossible to avoid the sea of red that now covered the ground. Everything around me looked red. Everything around me smelled metallic. All the sounds around me melded into one constant screech.

I looked up and, through the red haze and the tears in my eyes, I saw that whiteish wolf that chased me before. Its eyes are full of bloodlust. Drool was hanging from its mouth. A wicked-looking grin, if you can call it that, was on the wolf’s face. It was standing among the surrounding trees staring at me. It’s fur completely untouched by the blood that painted the atmosphere. It seemed to be enjoying the show.

The familiar call from my mother’s howl tore my attention away from the mysterious wolf in the trees. I reluctantly left my father’s body with a yelp as I charged towards my mother’s call.

I am so useless. I cried out to my wolf.

If we can get there, maybe we can… my wolf started.

Before she could finish, something collided into my side, sending me through the air and into a heap of bodies. I yelped and stumbled back to my feet. I took off running to my mother again. The royal wolf that ran into me gave chase. It was a male wolf. Large and powerful. He mockingly snapped his jaws at the back of my heels. He was making sure I knew how easily he could catch me as I heard his wolf make a sound like laughter.

Then I saw her. My mother. The guiding light in my life. My own Goddess was in her human form. Her skin and dress were dyed red with blood. She'd been tied down to the altar. The alter was used earlier for my ceremony. Multiple royal wolves were holding her down. I could see she’d lost most of her strength as her movements seemed heavy and weak as she struggled against them. She let out scream after agonizing scream to the moon.

My wolf let out a howl, drawing the attention of my mother. Her eyes were devoid of color, and I could see life draining from her. I could feel her life force leaving through our bond. I was still filtering a lot of her pain to myself, but it was beginning to sputter. Her eyes held no look of recognition when she saw me. Almost as though she could no longer see me…no longer feel me…no longer sense me…her pup. She was dying.

The wolves that had tied her down were watching me with amusement. They were daring me to come closer. To approach my mother. To dare to try and rescue her. They knew it was far too late for rescue. It was impossible to change this fate of mine.

Devoid of reason and logic, I sprung forward. They were faster. I could only watch as one of their clawed arms shot out towards my chest. Then I watched their arms plunge deep, aiming for the heart. Only it wasn’t me they struck. Mate.

Somehow, my mate had managed to get between me and the attacking wolf. He took the deathblow for me. I watched them rip my mate’s heart from his chest. I watched his body collapse. I felt my mate bond die.

Before the pain of the death of my mate could hit me, something pierced me through my back. Everything went numb when my spine was obliterated by the large arm that emerged from my chest. I looked down at my own heart, then darkness.

[EMELDA POV]

I died today. My father died. I felt his life force rip away. My mother died. I felt the agonizing pain of her lifeforce being slowly drained. My mate died. I watched it. Then I died…I died…my wolf… Ollie…. Ollie died. I’m sorry Ollie. I’m sorry your human was too weak, too pathetic to do anything.

These thoughts kept circling into the void of nothingness. Just never-ending darkness. No smells present. No sounds and nothing to see. Just emptiness. It felt vast and suffocating at the same time. The only presence I could make out was a sense of drifting. Like my body was floating in the sea. A sea of nothing.

Then something white.

Is this that white light people mention before they die? I thought to myself.

You’re a very resilient human. An ominous-sounding voice broke the absolute silence of the abyss.

I tried to open my eyes, but I couldn’t even tell if I had eyes to open in this form. Am I even a form of anything in this darkness? Just a white blur against a black background.

I devoured your heart. The voice sounded menacing and amused.

At least I didn’t have to feel that. I thought to myself. The haunting sound of laughter filled the void.

Even if you could feel it, you mere human, would’ve endured it. You’re quite a masochist. The voice seemed to respond to my thoughts.

Did it taste good? I thought. Wondering if this foreboding presence would hear my question.

Oh yes. It was quite a delicacy. The best heart I’ve ever had. The voice spoke through that diabolical laughter from before.

Are you the God of death? I asked. Since I was clearly dead.

No. I am much worse than that fool. The voice mused.

The white mass began to move around me. It took a form slightly. I still couldn’t make out what it was. The voice was clearly emanating from this white figure.

Are you that white wolf that chased me through the forest? I asked.

You know you shouldn’t be able to see me. It was then that I realized you might be a good vessel. The voice taunted as it continued to stalk around me. I didn’t bother to try to turn while it circled behind me.

Vessel? I questioned. It felt like I was fighting sleep as my body continued to experience the gentle rocking feeling…like floating.

Yes human. I need a vessel. You want to live, don’t you? The lurking white mass began to form into something closer to a wolf as it spoke.

My wolf? I uttered.

The weak little omega. The white wolf laughed. Dead. It said.

Then no…I don’t want to live. I admitted.

What? The wolf sounded flabbergasted. Who wouldn’t want a second chance at life? Who would willingly choose death in this situation?

I have nothing to live for. My parents are dead. My mate is dead. My pack is dead. My wolf….my wolf… I choked out.

Revenge human. The wolf spoke. Power seemed to radiate from its voice. It was as if I could feel the vibrations from this wolf’s voice through the sea I was floating on.

Revenge? How? I mumbled a response, wanting desperately to close my eyes and sleep. If only I could sense my eyes to order them to close.

Your wolf was weak before. This time you will have me as your wolf spirit. I can help you avenge your pack…avenge your family. The wolf tempted.

You’d be my wolf spirit? I asked.

Indeed. You’re strong enough to carry me. The wolf continued as it stopped its circling.

What’s the catch? What are you getting? I inquired. Another haunting laugh filled the surrounding abyss.

Smart human. I should’ve known you would ask. You’d let me return to your realm. I haven’t roamed there in so long. The wolf seemed to lament.

But I saw you there. I countered.

No. You saw me through the veil between our realms. Not a normal ability. The white wolf explained.

So, you just want to be let out? That can’t be all. I insisted.

Smart one…smart little human. The wolf continued its ominous laughter. Being my vessel isn’t easy human. My soul is far too powerful for a human, even a shifter like yourself. My presence will devour yours as my power overwhelms your very existence. But you want to die anyway, so why not live a little while longer? Get your revenge, then come back to your sweet relief of death. The wolf explained cheerfully.

Could I do it? Could I hold on long enough to avenge my family? Could I avenge the mate who wanted to reject me? A mate whose name I never learned. I am not strong. I have always been weak. I always thought I was smart, but at that moment of terror I acted stupidly. In the end, I was useless.

With me, you will be anything but useless. The wolf seemed to read my inner turmoil.

Until you completely devour my soul. I commented.

I’ve already devoured your heart. The taste was delectable. I will enjoy your soul. The wolf taunted me.

I…will…I will do it… I started weakly. But…you must destroy everyone involved. Even the king himself if he’s a part of this. I laid out my condition.

The white wolf-like shape snapped into focus suddenly. Those dark red eyes are full of excitement and something evil. It’s mouth in that twisted grin. Drool mixed with blood leaked from the wolf’s teeth. The white fur around its mouth is stained red.