Fight or Flight

Part 1

       It’s been almost a month since the incident in the Forrest. I nearly torn my mate apart... what the hell!! Did I seriously just call my husband my mate what is wrong with me??!!!!

I summed my out of body experience up to William when I told him it wasn’t his fault. I knew what I had to do now was find out about my family and learn my heritage.

      My mind runs wild with my imagination on what I may discover as I step into my shower. Once I enter and am under the steady stream of steamy water I watch as blood runs into the drain. All of a sudden flashes of animals and people wailing in pain as well as horror. The pleas... the enjoyment of the chase with the taste of blood the taste of victory. I fall to my knees puking at my repulsive memories/feelings.

       By the time I finally laid my head on the pillow I lulled into sleep quickly as darkness welcomed me I finally felt at peace for the first time in forever. The next morning I woke up relaxed as well as replenished. I’m ready to take on my next challenge. I bounded for my dresser snatched a pair of clothes to wear for the day, as I reached the door I grabbed my keys. I jump the moment I hear my husband clear his throat at that moment I knew my adventure hit a brick wall to a sudden halt “oh come on can I not get a bloody brake?” I spun on the ball of my heels to face William but I beat him to the punch before he had the chance Yes sweetie I know don’t speed, don’t draw attention to myself, and don’t maul innocent bystanders.

        It took sometime but I finally convinced William to allow me some slack on the rains once I stated I was going to figure out my heritage even if that meant doing it without his support. I could see him weighing everything until we locked eyes, then with a heavy sigh he responds “I guess there’s no turning back now and it would be nice to find out your heritage.” I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face as joy overwhelmed me because at this moment nothing could possibly go wrong...... well that was what I thought. Geez why do I always have to jinx myself?

        We visited my parents who eventually dropped a massive boom shell...... !!!!ADOPTED!!!! ARE YOU SHITTING ME!  By this time all I was seeing was red as I shot to my feet in my “adoptive parents living room” so when were y’all actually going to tell me? Never I suppose since I’m the one here searching for answers. William stood up stroking my arms in a attempt to dull my rage. I don’t know but this time his touch as well as his voice was like a intoxicating drug one that I couldn’t get enough. 

      His voice was hypnotic to me. “It’s ok sweetie try to calm down ok?, “I’m sure they had a valid reason for not telling you just give them a chance to explain.” Once finished with his sentence he glanced down to my hands then back to my eyes. I looked down confused as to why he’d look at my hands at this moment. I froze as fear plastered through me.. 

       m..my nails were replaced with claws, and my hands had four bloody spots where my claws must’ve penetrated my skin from me clinching my fist shut. My gaze falls upon my parents when I feel a tear slide down my check. I’m sorry for my out burst. My parents faces were full of sorrow. Mom was the one to break the agonizing silence “We were sworn to keep your true identity a secret sweetie that’s why we never told you.” The question flew out before I had the chance to think, Why?

       William stopped me just before making it to the attic. “Leighann I know your still adjusting but you can’t allow your emotions to control you or your wolf.” You think I don’t know that William. It’s not like I had a conversation with my wolf and said wolf let’s go ape s**t crazy on our emotions. I was startled by my mom when she gently placed her hand on my arm “Are you ready sweetie?” The realization of everything finally began to set in the moment we set foot into the attic.

         I was taken back by how organized everything was. My parents led us past row after row of shelves full with boxes and filling cabinets. The further we ventured inward the more my curiosity swelled with desire to know. I was so mesmerized by my surroundings to notice everyone in front of me had stopped walking. Naturally like a klutz I walk right onto them. Oh come on I can’t believe I seriously just did that.... Bad Leighann. 

        William side way glanced at me with the enormous smile I have ever seen then asks “Couldn’t resist the opportunity?” My face turns a whole new shade of red the moment I realized what he was inferring about.... I wouldn’t doubt if my face was the same shade as a coke can. I guess it was some kind of messed up instinct of mine to huge whom ever I bump into...... yeah let’s just say a freak accident on where one of my hands ended up. I spontaneously jerk my hand away as I feel the heat from my face.

         It’s not like this moment could possibly get anymore embarrassing my attention is redirected to my dad as the sound of him clearing his throat is produced. Well I guess it can and just did get even more embarrassing what do ya know it is possible. “We’re here” was all dad spoke as he turns to grab for something. But what though? “Click”........ WHAT!!! There’s a blasted secret compartment?!?!? I watch my dad with such overwhelming mixed emotions beyond ready for some answers.

        Time seems to have slowed as I watch him reach for the chain around his neck revealing a hidden key. He proceeds by slipping the chain off then inserts the key just before Turing the key he inhales a deep breath. “No turning back now.” Was all he said just above a whisper. I could hear locks and tons of pivots rotating as the wall begins to move down. My parents are the first ones to walk into the hidden room, then William and I. 

        It took me a little bit to adjust to the brightness. As my eyes are coming accustomed to the light I begin to notice details within the room, but all of my attention was locked on a crest hanging on a wall. I kept my eyes glued upon that seal while asking my question. Is that my family’s crest? Since venturing to the attic my mom had been quiet until now. Her voice seemed as though she was frail as one word escaped her lips “Yes”.

        My dad stepped up to me then placed his hands on my checks. With such emotion in his eyes like a raging storm spoke with a shaky voice. “Everything about your family and lineage is in this room.” “Never forget you are still our daughter and that we still love you.” With that he gave me a kiss on my forehead as a farewell then left. I was standing where my dad just left me bewildered why he was saying goodbye to me.

        Yeah I was kept in the dark for twenty some odd years but it was to protect me right? Right? Oh hell i’m talking to myself now what the f**k. Im jolted from my thoughts as my mom steps up to me. I can tell she’s been crying silently as another tear slides down her face. Pain stabs my aching heart knowing this is gonna be round two as well as a K.O. She wraps her arms around me just holding me in her arms so I do the same to her tears begin forming then I tell her before I lose control of my voice. 

no matter what I still love y’all and I will not abandon y’all. After mom left William eased my aching heart.              “Now let’s get some answers my shewolf”. I shock my head yes then at long last we began our search. I immediately walked towards the crest. I noticed a large book laying on a antique podium with etches engraved on it as far as their meanings well let’s just say I’d put a bolder to shame on its density. On the podium lay a book the cover of the book seemed as aged leather with the word Gaelic embroidered on it and a tree behind it. 

On the right side close to the end of the book is what look like something that’s keeping the book closed.

I pull my phone out to google the word Gaelic and found the definition. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Words for family members and other relatives in Scottish Gaelic, a Goidelic Celtic language spoken mainly in Scotland. ... Family words in Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

     Wow..... William I think I just found my family tree. “Really? That’s awesome” only problem is I can’t open the book without some kind of key. William walks to me from behind with his right hand rubbing his chin. He walks up to the podium and crouches inspecting the engravings then looks at me. “Do you know what these mean by chance?”

 I’m just as lost as you right now. “Well we still have tons of other things to look at who knows maybe we’ll find the key.” True, did you find anything interesting? “As a matter of fact I seriously don’t know but may have.” What do you mean? “Everything is in a different language but I can see you came up with a solution.” Pointing at my phone all I could do is smile at him at that moment. Show me and I’ll look up the translation. “Ok, it’s this one (Eòlas-bodhaig).” _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ anatomy in Scottish Gaelic anatomy     IPA: /əˈnætəmi/; Type: noun;

Eòlas-bodhaig

branch of biology and medicine that considers the structure of living things eòlas-bodhaig The art of studying the different parts of any organized body, to discover their situation, structure, and economy; dissection. The science that deals with the form and structure of organic bodies; anatomical structure or organization._________________________________________________________________________________________________________

    Weird why would there be a book about anatomy in here? “Looks pretty old too.” I put my phone back up then grab the book. I open the book each page is more astonishing than the previous. My eyes widen with each page I flip. I hadn’t finished flipping through the book before getting William’s attention. William I think you should see this.

 “Let me see....this is unbelievable.” If this got into the wrong hands do you have any idea how bad this could be for our people? William looked at me with a dark impression. “Let’s keep looking around...

Google this word.” I grab my phone once again then type in the word (fear-faol)

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

werewolf in Scottish Gaelic

werewolf

IPA: /ˈwɜrwʊlf/, /ˈwɪəwʊlf/,/ˈwɪərwʊlf/,/ˈwɛːwʊlf/,/ˈwɛərwʊlf/; Type: noun;

fear-faol { noun masculine } wolflike human

fearolc { masculine } wolflike human (mythology) A person who is transformed or can transform into a wolf or a wolflike human, often said to transform during a full moon. After a couple of pictures I come across a page with another word I don’t understand so i did what I thought I could do best and googled the word (stiùireadh)

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Guideline in Scottish Gaelic guideline Type: noun;

stiùireadh { noun masculine }

a plan or explanation to guide one in setting standards or determining a course of action

a non-specific rule or principle that provides direction to action or behavior. ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________

I turn the page and lord I probably shouldn’t have. The only positive thing I saw was there was two languages being used. One on the front while the second was hidden behind the page.!!!!! FINALLY SOMETHING I CAN READ!!!!! William walked over letting a giggle free in the process. I look at him then back at the book pointing to the pages in English. I’m serious look.

 “Ok sweetie calm down, ok?” “ Now we need to see what it says then search for the key”. My smile dropped spontaneous.... man and I literally thought we were finally getting somewhere with this stuff. “You gonna read what it says?” I swear if a woman could kill someone with a glare or the one and only notorious go to hell death stare then William would have suffered a thousand deaths by now.

                                                                                  stiùireadh

                                                                                (Guidelines)

1. Secrecy must be sworn by every individual/individuals of the age of twenty to their leader from which the individual/individuals resides. 2. Failure to pledge loyalty results in banishment from said pack.3. Parents/Guardians are held accountable for a minor (pups) unlawfulness. 4. Leaders are required to accept or decline a challenge to power depending upon the position of the challenger. 5. Leaders can not refuse a challenge to power from royals, other leaders or potential leaders as well as their mates. 6. All leaders are to answer to each royal family from their domain.7. All royals are to be initiated to the royal leaders once of required age or announced the next head heir of their family. 8. Royals are the ones to place rules for their followers. 9. Punishment for defying a royal is death A trial will be held by leaders and royals. 10. Punishment for a royal defying rules can very from banishment to death. 11. Every decade a head ruler is chosen by the moon goddess. 12. Only a King/Queen may change as well as refine rules and overrule a verdict given at a trial. 13. A King/Queen can decline all challenges to power other than from another royal  heir to the thrown. 14. The (alfa óimige) alpha omega is the highest position bestowed upon our kind. 15. Only another alfa óimige or potential alfa óimige chosen by the moon goddess can call for (cath) battle. 16. The (Cath) battle is a secret challenge for the spot of (alfa óimige). 17. The (ruith gealach) Moon Run is a traditional pack run which occurs every full moon. 18. The (ruith gealaich) Lunar Run is a secret tradition for one to hunt ones mate which occurs every lunar eclipse. 19. The (ruith grèine) Solar Run is a secret tradition  packs do in welcoming pups who have come of age for  their first transformation this occurs every solar eclipse.