Unknown Wolf

Arriving in the Night

********* Lucy's POV

The attack caught me off guard, and it terrified me to watch people I cared so deeply for getting hurt. My heart stopped when I saw Rowen bleed, and another wolf went for his throat. They remained calm and focused while I froze. I was nothing but a scared little girl. I saw the look in Rowen's eyes when he glanced at me upon his return from the woods. I was weak.

After we went to the abandoned barn switching vehicles for the last time, I felt the adrenaline start to fade, making me feel sluggish. I had to climb up into the maroon truck. Rowen said he would be driving. It was loud as he started it up, rumbling. We pulled out with Wesley and Jordan behind us, continuing on our way as if nothing had happened.

Though it was only mid-afternoon, I felt exhausted and slowly began to drift off to the lull of the truck and radio.

************

Suddenly, I found myself standing in a field full of fog. A slight breeze began dispersing the fog slightly, and my vision adjusted to see I was standing in the middle of a lavender field. The smell of lavender, rose, and sage filled the air swarming around me as it had in my bath.

"Lucilla..." someone whispered my name upon the breeze eerily.

Turning around, I saw them hidden partially by the fog, but there was no mistaking it. The silhouettes of Laoise Hess and Roisin Blackwood stood side by side in the lavender field, just like in the picture at Arthur's house. Their dresses flowed in the breeze around them as they held hands.

I knew I was stuck in another dream, but it felt different. Why do my dreams sometimes feel like something more? Suddenly, I was shifted forward. Flowing through the field as if the wind was pushing me towards them by force. It stopped as suddenly as it started, and I now stood right in front of them. I blinked a couple of times to regain my balance and focus on them.

They were both beyond beautiful and had an unearthly glow about them. Blonde and Auburn hair shining, and blue eyes twinkling as if holding secrets I had yet to figure out for myself. They smiled gently at me, and I felt a peace and warmth with them.

"Lucilla, why are you not wearing the necklace?" Roisin asked me, pointing to her collarbone.

I felt guilt overcome me, and I looked down, not able to meet her eyes. She placed a finger under my chin, raising it so my eyes met hers. She seemed confused by my reaction.

"Darling, you have nothing to be ashamed of. You are a powerful being, even if you have yet to figure that out." I looked at her in question and surprise, not fully believing her words. "You are a white wolf, and with that comes strength and powers."

"I froze today. I am weak. Nothing, but a scared little girl. Rowen was ashamed of me. I'm not worthy of him or your necklace. There is nothing special about me." I replied, disgusted with myself.

She surprised me by smiling, "You are Princess Lucilla Louise Grey, daughter of Athelstad Louis Grey and Lillianna Katerina Grey. Mate to the second Prince Rowen Niall Blackwood. The first white wolf to adorn our world in thousands of years, and blessed by the moon goddess herself. There is unknown power within you and strength. You are a born ruler and leader who simply needs to believe in herself and see her own value. I know you and my son will unite our two kingdoms and create peace for our world. Why do you doubt yourself so much?"

I stood there speechless, taking in what she had just said. Laoise and Roisin just smiled lovingly towards me.

"Rowen was not ashamed of you, my dear, but worried for you. He knows what lies ahead and the threats that surround you." Laoise explained.

"You are worthy, Lucilla. Accept my gift and my son, please. Take this time to train and become strong. You will need to in order to deal with the battles that lie ahead." Roisin finished as the fog became thicker and engulfed them. I was pulled away from everything into the darkness. Then there was a thud.

***********

It was almost pitch black outside, only the truck lights lighting the way. Rowen must have hit a pothole jarring me awake out of my dream. He turned towards my sudden arisal.

"Are you all right?" He asked simply.

"I'm fine." I whispered, staring ahead, replaying the dream I just had.

He sighed, knowing there was something more but pushing conversation away from it. "We are almost there. I'm sure Wesley and Jordan are exhausted from the long drive."

I saw the clock on the dash say it was nearly 3 in the morning, and none of them had been able to sleep like I had. We had left Arthur's early yesterday morning, so they had almost been up 24 hours.

"How are you still awake? We should have stopped along the way to rest."

"That would have been too risky, especially with the attack yesterday. We needed to hurry to be safe." He answered. He was being short with me and spoke matter of factly. Rowen was annoyed with me...

"What's wrong?"

He turned towards me, surprised by my question, but still took his opening. "I'm surprised you have to ask. You have been closed off towards me all day and lying about nothing being wrong with you. Will you please tell me what is going on? What happened at Arthur's?"

"How much longer until we get to the house?" I asked.

"What?" he asked, taken aback by my lack of answers.

"How far?"

He growled in annoyance, "Just up ahead."

"I'll tell you when we aren't driving anymore."

He looked me over and nodded. Then, I took a sharp turn down a road I hadn't even noticed existed. further down this road, I saw lights. As we drew closer, I noticed a large iron gate with stone wall footers on either side. Wood poles as big as tree trunks rose out of the stone walls and were connected at the top with more logs, making an arch which a sign hung from. The sign had an ornate B carved into it. On either wood post was a lantern, creating the only light around. At the ends of the stone walls, there were two matching black stone wolves carved in the howling position, and then iron fencing connected by more stone columns flowed out to surround the grounds. Rowen had pulled up beside a keypad, which he typed in a code, and the gates opened. I noticed several cameras and what seemed to be an intercom system.

We went through with the others following behind us. The drive was long until we finally saw lights to a large rustic cabin retreat made of grey stones and logs. Large glowing windows capturing the views. Even in the dark, it was beautiful over looking a large pond in the front. I couldn't wait to see it in the light of the day.

After pulling up in the front, we got out, and Rowen grabbed the luggage. I grabbed his hand as we turned to walk in, and he smiled down at me. I didn't have time to take everything in as we all rushed in. I knew they were all exhausted.

We entered into a huge great room with vaulted ceilings and floor to ceiling windows on one end. The walls and ceiling were all wood. There was a large stone fireplace with a bright fire alight within, leaving a warming glow about the place, and a moose head mounted over the mantel. Large brown leather sofa and two arm chairs around the fireplace with dark blue and red pillows to match the rug in front of it.

To the other side, it was open to a kitchen with a bar fitting five bar chairs matching the couch, and the far corner there was a large kitchen table. Even a standing stuffed grizzly bear stood menacingly in the corner. A wood stove in the middle of the windowed wall as if the fireplace wasn't enough. I turned to spot a large Christmas tree in the other corner of the room.

I had forgotten all about Christmas. It was beautifully decorated with white lights, gold ribbon wrapping around it, red and blue ornaments , and woodland creatures such as owls, deer, bears, and wolves of course.

"What day is it?" I suddenly turned and asked Rowen.

"Today is the 24th. We made it here just in time for Christmas." He smiled towards the tree. He turned and pointed to the staircase on the far wall opposite from the windows.

"Up there are your bedrooms, Wesley and Jordan, along with a bathroom. Ours are down this hallway. From here on out, we have to use our aliases when referring to each other. Ryan and Lindsey Benson, Wyatt and Justin Gentry. Alright, don't slip up." We all nodded in agreement, and Wesley and Jordan stumbled up the stairs to bed exhausted.

I followed Rowen down the hall. There were a few different doors, but he went right to the end of the hall.

"This is my room. Yours is right across the way." He went on into his room, and I followed him inside his room, which must have been the master bedroom.

He had a large king-size four poster bed with cream colored linens, a light grey fur blanket at the foot of it, and blue throw pillows that matched the persian rug on the floor There was a fireplace at the end of the room with blue velvet chairs in front of it. The ceiling had large wood beams across it, and the room contained white walls with taupe curtains framing the windows. It was simple yet homey. It looked like Rowen.

"Come on, and sit down, Lu. You said you would tell me what was going on when we got here."

I followed him to sit on the bed. Once we were both settled, I took out the box and letter sitting it in front of him. He looked at them both for a minute, confused.

"Is this what Arthur gave you before we left?" I nodded and watched as he picked up the envelope, inspecting it.

He seemed to recognize the green wax seal on the back, and his eyes looked mournful.

"May I?" I nodded in agreement, not knowing yet what to say.

I watched him carefully as he took out the letter and read it over, so many emotions ran over his face I couldn't keep up. Then he opened the box afterward, staring at the necklace within he lightly ran his fingers over it before looking up at me.

"Lucy, why didn't you put it on? Do you not want it?" He looked at me, his eyes filled with hurt and sadness.

"I don't feel worthy." I was looking down at the blankets fiddling with my fingers. When I finally was brave enough to look up at him, he looked in shock. That apparently wasn't the answer he expected.

"Why would you feel that way?" He pulled me close to him. Pulling me onto his lap, I laid my head against his chest.

"I don't know. When I read the letter, I felt guilty like it wasn't meant for me, but someone else. I'm just confused. We haven't even marked each other yet, and the reason I'm wearing the rings is for our cover. If she knew that, she wouldn't have given me the necklace."

"Oh Lu, didn't we go over the rings the other night? I gave you the rings because I know you are my mate, and I love you. I wouldn't have given someone that set of rings just for a cover. I know you're confused still, and that is why I'm trying my best to be patient. I want you to be ready and willing for me to mark you as mine, not just take it and force it upon you. Trust me, I would love nothing more than you to bare my mark." He proclaimed, staring down at me in his arms.

"Part of me knows this and understands these feelings rushing through me. The other part has so many doubts. I feel so much pressure to be so many things, and I haven't yet even figured out who I am."

"You will. It takes time. Finding yourself doesn't happen in a day, though the realization of the fact that you have may seem all at once. It took you time to get there. You're young, my love. That's why I brought you here to stay safely away from this war until you are better prepared and ready to face it. Can I please put this necklace on you?"

"Yes, I saw your mother and aunt in a dream while in the truck. She verbally gave me her blessing and love. She told me to trust you and open up to you more."

He brushed my cheek and ran his finger over my lips, sending shivers down my spine. He leaned forward to grab the box, taking out the necklace and slipping it around my neck. Then he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a tight hug and kissing my forehead.

"Whether you believe it or not, Lucy, I love you. I am completely and utterly smitten with you." He whispered into my ear before nibbling on my earlope, causing me to shiver again. "Now I'm exhausted. Would it be alright if we just cuddled? I'm beyond tired, and I sleep better with you near. I swear I'll be a complete gentleman, and if you wish, you can return to sleeping alone in the other room."

I nodded, also feeling a bit tired, and he turned to throw off the decorative pillows and pull back the covers. Too tired to change out of our clothes, we snuggled underneath the blankets, and he pulled me into his chest. I breathed in deeply, taking in his delicious scent, and let the steady drum of his heartbeat lull me back to sleep. I was warm and content in the safety of his arms. There was nothing more I needed in this world right now than that.