Norse Wolf Rising Rosie Chelsea-Black

5

"Same family Ástríðr, different wolf"

"Yes Rosie, this male is desperate to please. That sweet smell is not one of your sugar treats. That is the scent of marking. This wolf is warning others to leave his property alone"

This is only part of a conversation I have been having with my wolf. We are out on patrol or on the hunt, depends on your perspective. Tonight I would say we are out on the hunt, the scent we discovered in Jackson Square is familiar to us, another reason why Ástríðr has been restless. She imprinted with me a couple of months ago when our bond had grown stronger, not only did she want us to be able to communicate with our words as well as our emotions, she wanted to be able to share memories and scents from the past. The two of us have always been bonded, it was explained to me that I am now in my fourth life cycle. When she told me this and Antonia was able to confirm this tit bit, I laughed so hard I swear I broke a rib or three. Telling the two of them I didn't believe in that hocus pocus was comical considering I was talking to my inner wolf and a witch. While they didn't try to convince me I was wrong, the black wolf living within me took it upon herself to imprint on me. I felt violated, which is embarrassing considering I was told that I had basically violated myself when she committed this 'violation'. Matthew, my adopted brother, explained that usually a male and female animal imprint on each other in our world when they have bonded and mated. It is part of the ritual if they are true mates, which means no secrets can be kept from the past present and future. After the shudders, multiple showers and begging for an internal scan, yes overkill I know, I finally accepted that the imprinting was a benefit. Since then I have seen my past lives, my senses are heightened and my emotions are still struggling to remain under control.

Leaving Jackson Square, we notice the scent from Jessica's abduction is stronger than before, this indicates the wolf has returned to the scene of the crime. This isn't the abduction we are out to track. We should ignore it and stick to protocol. We should allow Jeremy and the NOPD to handle this case, we are meant to be on the hunt for the 'OG Girls' but there is a second scent circling Jessica's wolf. Hey, we have our ways to keep track, it's the autistic brain, so it may not make sense to you but keep up ok. Before this hunt continues, I have to call Jeremy and find out if there is an update since I have been out of the office. Tapping my chest twice, the tracking - with a chip embedded that calls the 'on call hunters' line' is activated, the call is placed to Jeremy.

"Jeremey speaking"

"Standing in the middle of Jackson square, any updates from NOPD?" When we are out on patrol and communicating with other team members, we don't have time to be polite. Direct conversation and sometimes in a voice equivalent to shorthand is used. We have worked together long enough to understand these conversations.

"No updates, feels like they are stalling boss!" The frustration in his voice is enough for me to be pissed off. Putting a little smile on his face isn't something I live for, but he needs to have his spirits lifted here so I update him on my findings.

"There is a second scent surrounding the original. No idea why I began the hunt for the OG crime scene. Two scents around J's scene. My gut says they are related." While I give him time to process the information my eyes are scanning the area, ears listening out for anything unusual for this location and time of evening. Resting my body against the Andrew Jackson Statue, right leg bent with my foot resting against the plinth. My head bobbing up and down to give the outward impression that I am relaxed and listening to music. My senses are not noticing anything new from before I made the call, my mind begins to wander until Jeremy speaks.

"You don't need me to tell you what to do boss, I have made a note in our files. Follow where your evidence takes you and keep me updated." He signs off. The wolf and I dance internally knowing we have just been let loose.

"Time to play baby, let's go find our new chew toy" Ástríðr rubs herself against me, she knows she can't switch places with me, but together we make a great team and the game is on.

Jackson Square is behind us, the breeze has been kind and shown us that the scents are intermingled and in the direction of St Peters Street. Turning and walking down the street, we keep our senses on high alert and walk in silence. The smells and sounds along this street are enticing, especially for a wolf who should be on her best behaviour and working. The sounds of laughter from the children heading home, adults preparing for a night out allows me to smile and nod at the oncoming pedestrians. St Peters Street intersects with the infamous Bourbon Street, but we are not going that far. Ástríðr growls at me, I think it is because we have just passed a Gumbo Café, closing down for the night, until she kicks me and tells me to pull my head out of my ass and inhale. Ignoring her attitude, I do as she says and take a deep breath, bingo. They changed direction, still together. Crossing the street to the left of the road, my footsteps echo as we enter the alley way hidden between a Salon and a Coffee Shop. The echo of my footsteps tickle my ears while the smells from the coffee beans and the ammonia in hair dye are sensitive to my nose. Rubbing the tip of my nose with the back of my hand, I am already regretting taking this alley way. This has to be why the wolves took this route to their location, my nose is reacting as if I suffered from Hay fever, holding in any sneezing, the palm of my hand covers my nose and mouth while I make a quick walk through the alley.

Resting my backside against the brick wall, my upper body folded over while I gasp some clean air and clean out my nostrils. Closing my eyes, I take a few deep breaths and check on the black wolf within making sure she has calmed down from her temper tantrum. While walking through that alley she would not shut up, constantly complaining how inconsiderate humans are with their chemicals, polluting the air but mostly destroying the hair and cilia in our noses. With our senses back on high alert and no longer under attack, I stand and lean fully against the wall that happens to be next to the front door of the Kitchen Witch on Toulouse Street. I love this shop, so instead of remaining in position I cross over the street so I can watch the comings and goings of the patrons. This shop is usually open until midnight so the local covens and tourists can buy supplies. Perfect spot to see if any of the coven witches act suspiciously and discuss anything related to the cases I am now working on.

Leaning against the wall opposite the Kitchen Witch, I can hear every word being said within the walls of the building. Discussions about potions, spell casting and altars bore me so I tune out and focus on the inside with one ear while I give the appearance that I am sleeping against the wall. This is until I am snapped out of my rest with dark menacing words, "Ahh the alpha b***h has come to play!" The blood curdling laughter from the two wolves pulls my head off the wall and my eyes search the dark corners of this street, the roof tops and doorways. It is then I see them up on the roof like cats on a hot tin roof. They smile down at me while they have the arrogance to wave at me with their front right paw. "The pack is surprised Ástríðr, you have forgotten us already. Such disappointment, your mate will be even angrier with you now." The white teeth gleam in the darkness which only enhances the twinkle in their crystal blue eyes.

A howl of pain laced with anger is bouncing off the building walls, laughter is falling from the sky and there is confusion within my body. All of these sounds and emotions are blinding me to what is happening, Ástríðr trying to take over my body. The cruel laughter coming from the wolves above me doesn't gain the reaction from my body that they thought they were going to get. Aww did I screw up their plans? While grinding my teeth I warn Ástríðr the harm she will do to the little girls of New Orleans and any little girl who enters this city if she takes my body from me. She snarls that she doesn't care, the vermin trying to do her harm must pay. "I agree with you. You controlling my body in the middle of the city is only going to cause more harm. Jackson will hear about it, order a muzzle placed over our mouths and we will be put in the cage." Before I can finish my little rant to her, she freezes in place and retreats deep into my soul where she licks her wounds. Thankful I have been able to contain any further damage, my eyes return to the rooftops where I see nothing but stars, the moon and the dark sky.

The two wolves, who it seems knows my black wolf, are obviously wanting to play a game of cat and mouse. Like hell am I allowing them to force me to be the mouse. Deciding to change the game to my advantage I shoot Jeremy a text message;

"Found the sweet fur buckets that have been causing the pest control office a little problem. Turns out they are wild dogs. Send the trappers to the Irish Pub on Decatur. Time to discuss strategies."

While I walk and text, my lips move allowing my voice to carry each word I have typed. The brothers are still out there, I know they can hear every word. But I am not interested in heading right to the location I have stated, no, I am going to follow their scent because I want to know every street they have been down, every shop they stalked and pin point where they could have taken, killed or the gods forbid tortured these little girls. I want to find their base of operations.

While I walk down Royal Street and pass the court house and law library, around the corner onto Cannti Street I notice their scents have separated and now there are two tracks to follow. Standing with my hands on my hips, I call upon my wolf to come forward and lend me her abilities. "Come on Tri," I call her this when she needs soothing "They have split up, you heard where I have set the trap. We still need to follow their paths, which one do you feel I should take, lead me in the right direction Tri. Please." Without even having to beg, my eyesight improves tenfold, hearing more than tripled and my nasal passage is able to inhale deeper and catch more scents than I knew possible. This is Tri giving me half of her power to control while she licks her wounds. Sending her images of love and comfort I thank her and follow the street named Chattres.

The trail ends outside a candy shop where I see a six foot seven male standing in front of the huge glass windows. He is standing there with his hands in his front pockets, legs slighting apart. There doesn't seem to be any reason for him to be standing there. Thanks to moving slowly behind him but across the street from him, I can see over his shoulder any children inside the shop. There are tourists looking to buy the local creole sweets, women searching for the perfect confections for their girls night out and another group of women looking for sexy sweets for a hen night. So why would this tall, dark haired and heavily tattooed man be standing as he is, in front of the shop? The hackles on the back of my neck rise when I ask myself this question. The scent on the air is the same as the one I have been following so I know he is here. Scanning the area around me, I want to make sure I see, smell and hear every detail in this area before I even consider moving on to the next part of the patrol. Knowing I will not forget this male before me, my eyes scan over his body zoning in on each tattoo. It is then that I see it. A tattoo on the back of each arm, just above the elbow. A howling wolf with another symbol, at least I think it is a symbol, over the top (in the foreground) of the tattoo. The symbol looks familiar. While trying to place where I have seen the image, Tri wakes up and snarls. She scratches the insides of my eyes, yelling at me not to look at him, he is death and will do anything to take her back. Okay that is interesting and something we will have to discuss later tonight before I sleep.

Pushing her down I wait to see what will happen with this male, but nothing happens. He simply walks away. Not to worry, I will recognize him again, it shouldn't be too hard to find him if I need to. From the reaction of my wolf, I would say that is something I will be looking into. "Rosie, Rosie, Rosie. My sexy alpha, man do you fill out well in that uniform!" Spinning around to find the voice, my head raises to the roof top where I see the man who was just standing in front of me. "Baby, you look good enough to eat!" He licks his lips in a dirty s****l manner, but before I can even reply he continues with his taunting. "Such a shame you're off limits little bud, never mind I took my fill with your younger ᛞᛟᛈᛈᛚᛖ ᚷᚨᚾᚾᚷᛖᚱᛋ" The look of confusion on my face has him laughing then curling his forefinger in a come hither motion then he vanishes from sight.

"ROSIE, DON'T DO ANYTHING, GO HOME!" She is screaming at me with nothing but fear, but not fear for herself, for me.

"Tri, what were those last words he said, I recognized the language but not the words?" The curiosity has captured me as he knew it would.

"Does not matter, just please leave. You are not safe and you are certainly not strong enough to take on these wolves. Please baby, go home and leave this to the humans." Okay, now I know I have to sort this out.

"TELL. ME. NOW!" The authority and anger in my voice snaps her out of it. She licks her snout then lowers her head.

"To explain, we need to go somewhere safe and separate. We need to be in wolf form so I can show you. But first set the trap, we will sleep in the Bayou tonight where I will tell you as much as I can, it is time.