The Wolf Kingdom

Chapter Two

I didn’t get to speak with David about it later he was pretty quiet on all things to do with the meeting. The next few days went by in a blur we started helping to plan the celebration and that seemed to lift some spirits. The celebration was eight days away and tonight we made plans to venture out for a run. Me, Annie, David, Axel and Jeremiah were meeting up at the back edge of the forest. Annie was waiting in the kitchen. “Hey, the guys headed out a few minutes ago. Said to meet the there.”

            That was unusual, “You know why they went there early?”

            “Not really they just said that they wanted to check out the area. That’s kind of weird right? They haven’t done it before.”

            “Yea, it is weird hopefully they let us in on what’s going on soon. The celebration is a great distraction, but it won’t last forever.”

            Nodding her head, I link our arms and head out the back of the house with her. We make small talk about the nursing program that we are ending soon, and I try yet again to bring her and Jeremiah up. That she just flat out ignored smiling running off ahead of me. I have always been fast one of the fastest in the pack. I take to the race and we both come to stop at the clearing by the edge of the forest. All the guys are there and from what we could see they were teasing and laughing with each other. Seeing a chance to be the little sister that my brother loves dearly I look at Annie and hold a finger to my lips, she laughs lightly and shakes her head.

            Be as quiet as I can I change directions as we get closer and head up directly behind my brother. Axel sees me and pretends like he doesn’t, Jeremiah is staring at Annie approaching and David is laughing at something that Axel said. Thinking that I have the upper hand I lean back on my legs and use my wolf strength to jump at my brother right as I think I have him he turns grabs me around the waste and flips us to that I am on my back on the ground. He must have stopped my impact some because I barely feel it. Looking up at him he has his trademark smirk on his face.

            “Too slow JJ. Your losing your touch.”

            “Humf. That’s what you think maybe I wanted you to catch me.” In one swift move I bring my knee up and push him off them pounce on top of him gently. “Can’t let your head get any bigger brother.”

            I jump back before he can respond and land gracefully on my feet. He does that flip up using his hands above his head. Everyone laughs including us. “Okay if the sibling fight is over can we start the run I need stretch it’s been while.” Annie looks overly excited and I agree so we all say yes and go to the little gazebo type thing that was built to give us privacy when we change. We might be wolfing in the wild but running and showing each other our naked tid bits ain’t something most of us want to do. The gazebo is built like a locker room with taller walls. Beams keep the roof up and there is about a foot and half of space between the roof and wall. Inside there about fifty stalls with dressing room doors and a bench in each. You can put your clothes in the locker inside they lock by using a thumb print it takes about fifteen minutes for everyone to get ready and change to wolf form.

            I am grey wolf; most wolfs are like my friends and brother with dark fur varying in different shades of blacks and browns. Grey wolfs aren’t as rare as the white wolf, but we are few and far between. Meeting up outside I move closer to Annnie and use the mind link ‘you ready?’

            ‘Yes this is exactly what we need.’

            ‘Okay guys listen up. We can free and stretch but its important that we stay close and in the group for now.’ My brothers voice was strong but not dominating like it will be when he becomes the alpha. ‘Okay, but sooner or later you or dad is going to have to tell us what is going on David’

            ‘We will later for now lets just relax and have fun…. together’ with that we all take off for the forest. Remembering to stay close to each other we race around one another making a game out of it. After a while we all settle down in an area where the trees parted at the top and the sun through. These times were the ones that I truly show the magic of the world. Me and Axel and David lay out on a huge log. After a moment I realize that Annie and Jeremiah aren’t with us. Looking over I spot them a few feet away laying down next to each other, it wasn’t intimate, but it felt like I caught something. What ever was happening with them all I could hope for was that it brought them both happiness. She would tell me when she was ready.

            After laying out for a while we decided to head back as the sun setting. It was a good day for us. Running in a group we make our way back to the pack as we get closer though we hear more wolfs running but they are coming from behind us and gaining fast. I look to David ‘Are we expecting company?’

            ‘No, and they will catch up before we make it the clearing. Axel, Jeremiah stand with JJ and Annie.’

            We all stop, and the guys stand on our sides while David stands in the front. We all prepare to fight if necessary and a moment later three wolves come to stop in front of us. Two are brown with some white there is fur light highlights. The one is the middle is midnight black, not that pitch black but the black with a tint of blue in it and he is massive. He is the largest wolf here with bright green eyes. He takes us all in and lingers on me the grey wolf.

            My brother speaks first, ‘What is the meaning of this Landon?’

            My interest peaks finding out this is the alpha of the fallen pack. Alpha’s aren’t suppose to come unannounced. He looks to my brother, ‘I need to speak with your father immediately its about the….’

            ‘Not here wait till we return to the pack house.’ As my brother interrupts him David’s eyes shift to me. Alpha’s of other packs are the only ones that speak to each other in wolf form. Landon’s eyes find me and he gives his head a nod in understanding. Worried I am not sure what to do, ‘Is everything okay brother?’

            ‘Yes it will be fine run ahead with Annie we will follow and they will follow us’ leaving no room to argue me and Annie turn and take off with the others following us. Making it back to the clearing we all head back to the gazebo to change. I realize that the three wolves have a bag of clothes tied to their legs. It only take a few minutes to change but we still are the last ones out to the clearing. My brother and Landon are talking in hushed voices and while Landon looks angered my brother has worry etched on his face. We make our way over and I take a moment to see the intruding wolves.

            The to companions are bother dark hair and brown eyes with lightly tanned skin tone. Both at atleast five nine to six foot they are intimidating with there bulking frames. Not any bigger than Axel and Jeremiah though. Landon has black hair and green eyes like his wolf and sits at well over six foot, with a muscular frame but not overly bulky like his companions. Him and David are almost the same height but he taller than David at six three. As we approach, we draw there attention and Jeremiah moves next Annie who edges closer.

            “Jazlyn, this is Alpha Landon Black from the fallen pack and his beta’s Andrew and Oscar. They need to speak with father I am taking them through the front could you and Annie go through the kitchen and let them know we will have guests for dinner?” David’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts.

            “Nice to meet you all. We can do that, but will you be okay?”

            I see Landon smirk, “Yea everything will be fine I will come find you in a little while. Okay?”

            I look from him to the other wolves who haven’t said anything, “Okay.”

            I take Annie’s hand and we head back to the house. I risk a look back to see Landon still staring after me. I don’t feel threatened, but I don’t necessarily like his attention either. I have no idea why they came unannounced all the way here and it makes me nervous.

            “what do you think is going on?” I can hear the worry in Annie’s voice.

            “I don’t know but after this either my father or brother is going to need to give out some answers.” Thank fully my voice doesn’t reflect the worry I feel over the situation.

            We make it back to the kitchen to find mom and Rachel with some of the staff already started on dinner. We make our way over to the island and take a seat. “Mom, David sent us to let you know we have three guests today for dinner. They weren’t expected.”

            The both stop what they are doing and look up at us. Mom’s brows knit together in confusion, “Your father doesn’t like unexpected visitors. Who are they?”

            Annie answers her question before I can, “It’s alpha Landon and two of his betas.”

            With her words most of the kitchen stops what they are doing and turns their heads toward my mother. Some curious and some worried. She looks at us then around and I see her put her Luna face on, “That is unexpected but nothing to worry about it’s most likely about the upcoming festival. Let’s get back to work. Annie and Jazlyn, can you help with the vegetables?”

            “Actually, mom I was hoping to go and see what’s going on.”

            In a firm voice that my mother has rarely used on me even as a teen troublemaker she looks at me, “Absolutely not unless your father calls for you, you are to stay away from the visitors. Please go and help.”

            Not sure what to make of it, I was bout to push the subject when Annie grabbed my hand and squeezed. Looking to her she shakes her head at me letting me know she feels it would be in best interest to let it go. Sighing, “Fine but someone is going to have to give some answers soon or I will go looking for them.”

            “I know honey, just please give them more time.” This came out in a hushed voice that could only be heard at our table. I shake my head and me and Annie and move to one of the tables to help some of the staff prep vegetables. The whole time we are prepping dinner my thoughts go back to the visitors as the conversation turns to hushed whispers of what could be going on. Finishing the prepping me and Annie let our mothers know that we are heading back to my room to get ready for dinner.

            “Okay but remember what I said please Jazlyn. Go straight to your room don’t try to see your father right now.”

            Looking from her to Rachel I see the worry in their eyes, “We promise mother straight to my room and then to the dining hall.” With that we take our leave to my room and resist the urge to run to my father. I wanted answers, the meeting, the celebration and now a visit from the neighboring back. Something was coming and I wasn't going to protected from it. My family and my pack was obviously in danger and I wouldn't let them deal with it with out me. "We will be okay Jazlyn. I think Jeremiah and Axel went with them to the meeting. Maybe if your father and brother don't give us answers after they leave the others will."

    "Your right lets go get changed and come back down." We are silent as we get ready and make our way back down. Lost in thoughts.