Wolf Spirit Awaken, The Summoner Series

Chapter 14

Chapter 14: POV Tessa

She is no longer there. “Huh?” What just happened? I think I am still in a meditated state as everything seems still in a little bit of a hazy daze. I squint my eyes closed, maybe I just need to wake up, I think.

I slowly opened my eyes again and found that the field and the typical Maine wildflowers had returned to normal. “That was soo weird,” I said aloud. I can’t believe she knew information about my family and was able to tell me kind of what happened. This is soo crazy. I need to tell my parents, they will be shocked.

My parents were right to be cautious when I first shifted. Gosh, why do people get all crazy when they find out about someone who might be different or even superior? I know I don’t have bad intentions, but if I am meant to lead and help others, then that is what I will do. I will work on my land and help others if they need it. It’s not like I can recruit people away from their current packs to my property. Gosh, I don’t even have other houses.

I stood up and made my way back to my house. I think Jackson can help me out and maybe provide me with some local contacts to help build my land into a “pack land”. I wonder if the moon goddess meant that Jackson might want a pack. He is an Alpha and has been alone, so would he even want to be in one now? I guess I owe him a visit. I think we have even more to discuss now. He could be a good ally regardless of what happens, but since I know he is packless he would be the first person to ask.

An hour later, I was on my way to Jackson’s bar, Willow Inn. I am in a clearer and more driven mindset now. I feel like I have more purpose after speaking to the Moon Goddess. Before, I felt like I was just building my life for myself specifically to be away from people and I was fine with that, but now, to know that I have a greater purpose. I suppose I feel refreshed.

I saw the Willow Inn’s wooden sign hanging off in the distance as I approached the bar. It’s early afternoon, I am not even sure if the bar is open yet. As I pulled into one of the front parking spots, I could hear the gravel crunch under the weight of the tire. Around this area, only the main roads are paved, and it isn’t uncommon to have gravel parking lots or dirt roads. Welcome to Maine!

I turn off the car and pull my keys out of the ignition. Mhmm, maybe he is closed. I don’t see any lights on from here. I walked over to the large bay window and peeked inside. I cup my hands around my face to block the glare of the sun reflecting off the window. I use my sharp vision to search for movement inside the building. I looked past the tables and over to the bar, mhmmm no one. Darn!

I think he said he lived here though, upstairs perhaps? Maybe there is an entrance in the back to his apartment. Hopefully, he won't find it strange me knocking on his door. After all, I know he saw me shift, so I am sure he also has a million questions to ask me. I made my way around to the back of the building. The dark brown shingle-styled bar is a little worn down, probably due to the weather in Maine and its age. I look around the area as I make my way to the back. I saw a large green dumpster but I also immediately noticed the wooden staircase leading to the second story. That is probably his private residence.

I walked up the stairs, creaking slightly with every step. I extend my hand to knock on the door and as my fist is about to make contact with the door, it opens quickly. My fist connects with Jackson’s firm chest instead.

“Oh hello there!” I said quickly and withdrew my hand to my side, embarrassed that I just touched his chest.

“I heard you coming. The stairs kind of give away any unexpected visitors or intruders.”

“And who am I?” I chuckled.

He smiles and his eyes gleam with mischief as he contemplates his response.

“Neither. I had a feeling you would be coming around, just didn’t know when.”

I nodded my head in response and smiled back. What a smart cookie.

“Well, are you going to invite me in or are we just going to stare at each other all day?”

He throws his head back and laughs. He opens the door wider and steps out of the way.

“You always seem to have a way with words.”

“Thanks, I guess?”

I enter into the small entrance which is right off his kitchen to the left. It’s a small residence but it seems homey. It suits him well. I look around and take everything in, I don’t know Jackson much and we are about to have a conversation about many important things. One is if he wants to start a pack with me, I need to learn anything I can about him. I have this feeling from the energy that I can trust him, but I still need to do my due diligence. I think Jackson is who the Moon Goddess was also hinting at, so she can’t be wrong, can she?

His kitchen is in a small “U” type style. The single-door refrigerator is against the exterior wall. The sink is in the “U” part. It's a single wash basin made from porcelain. The cabinets are a light oak color and it looks like he updated the counter and added a butcher block top. There are four bar stools off the counter since it doesn't look like he has a dining room. The kitchen peers into the living room. He has a cream sofa and a lazy boy recliner, a faded navy color. The seating frames the brick fireplace, which is a surprising feature he has up here. There is a bookshelf near the fireplace, with dozens of books and movies. He also has some magazines laid on the rectangled coffee table. He must be a reader.

“Do you want to sit down or do you plan on standing and scanning the room all day?”

Oops, busted.

“Sure, “ I responded, embarrassed.

“Feel free to sit where you like. Would you like something to drink?”

I peeled off the light summer jacket that I threw on before coming over here. I have a white lacy tank top that is a little low in the front, and somewhat revealing, but the tank is cute. It has small frilly pom poms spread out on the top. The tank is also deep cut in the back so it almost shows my whole back, but it has a thick strap that holds the two sides together and, luckily, it has a built-in bra.

Jackson clears his throat. Mhmm, my tank top must have done the trick. I know Jackson is attracted to me and I was hoping to use that to my advantage for our conversation. Not that I plan on seducing him or anything. I mean he is a hunk, but if I plan on adding him to my pack, I do have rules I need to put in place and that includes not fraternizing with pack members or future members, especially someone who might be a ranked wolf.

I don’t turn around to make eye contact. “Water is fine.” Instead, I gently place my jacket on the back of the recliner and make my way over to his bookshelf. I am just curious about what he likes to read. Is he a Sci-Fi nerd? Does he like fantasy or action novels, or comic books? I peer at the various titles, “Alexander Hamilton,” “Beneath A Scarlet Sky,” “The Da Vinci Code,” looks like he likes history and then he has several Stephen King novels. Maybe he likes him since he is local? In between the books and movies, one shelf contains a small wooden sailboat replica. It is very ornate looking amongst the books.

He passes me the water as I am hunched down looking at his sailboat.

“Oh, thanks!”

“Having fun?”

“Just solving the mysteries of Jackson?”

He chuckles, “I don’t know about that. I don’t think my books are going to divulge much about me, but I am an open book. You can ask me anything, but I think I have to ask you some questions first. I mean, after all, you showed up on my doorstep and kind of threw me a curve ball when you were last here.

“Yeah, about that.” I made my way to sit on his sofa. I take a sip of the water and place it on the coffee table.

“Well, first, thank you first for opening the door. At least you're willing to speak to me and not scared or feel threatened by me.”

“Let me stop you before you continue. I didn’t mean to spy on you, and I do apologize. I was just so intrigued by what had happened. I don’t know what you fully are but I assume either you're going to tell me or not. I just want you to know I have been on my own with my mother all my life and then by myself when she died a few years ago, so I completely understand what it is like to be different or not part of a pack. People find it strange that I am an Alpha with no pack like I have ulterior motives. Anyways, I don’t mean to rant, but you can trust me. I won’t share your secret with anyone. That is if you even want to share it with me.”

“Thank you for saying that. I actually know that I can trust you, and it's not because you said it.” I laugh. “I get these feelings and have these strong instincts that guide me. I guess I should first say that I am a werewolf, but I do have abilities. I am different. For example, you thought I was human because I have the ability to mask my scent. I think it is more of a protection ability more than anything.”

“That explains a lot and I could have already told you that you were different,” he says, and he leans back in his chair.

“I am an Alpha as well, but I am not just a werewolf. I am a summoner, a wolf spirit summoner. As you saw in the woods when you followed us, my eyes are different when I shift. They glow bright and are golden in color, which is the color of the wolf's spirit energy. I actually had a visit from the Moon Goddess today. She revealed a lot of things I didn’t know about myself. It has been eye-opening, to say the least.”

He listens intently but doesn’t interrupt me as I speak. He couldn’t contain his surprise at the mention of the Moon Goddess. He tried to conceal the shock on his face, but I saw it before he masked his expression.

“Summoners are very rare and not well documented, many people see us as threats due to our power and abilities. Before, I felt like I was kind of living in fear and hiding my true self. Only a few close people and my parents, the ones you met, actually know my identity but they don’t know what I am. It’s funny and odd I guess. You're the first person I told since it happened. I feel like there is this connection between us. I can’t explain but as I sit here talking to you, it is all clicking into place now.”

“Yeah, what is that?”

“I am meant to start a pack and lead people according to the Moon Goddess. I think we were drawn together, we clicked right away and it is easy to talk to you. I think we are meant to be together, but not in a romantic way if that is what you are thinking.”

We both laugh out loud at the same time.

“I feel the same way. At first, I was very drawn to you. I thought it was lust, but there was this protectiveness also. I was very confused. You didn’t have a smell and, at first, I thought you were human, so I didn’t believe you to be my mate.”

We sat there thoughtfully for a minute.

“I think you are supposed to be my Beta,” I said.

“I mean I was never raised in a pack, so I don’t even know what normal pack behavior or mentality is. Is that a thing? Does a Beta have a connection to its Alpha? Can an Alpha even be a Beta?”

“Hear me out. I am not a normal werewolf. I am superior to other Alphas, even you. So for me to lead a pack, I might just need to have an even stronger than normal Beta, an Alpha, if you will. I feel like it is meant to be because what Alpha from a pack would ever agree to be a Beta? But we are not going to be a normal pack, that I can for sure tell you. What do you think? Have you ever thought about joining a pack?”

“I guess that makes sense. I had thought about it, actually, when my mother passed away. I thought maybe my father would accept me and take me in, but I was the bastard's son and who was going to take me in and not see me as a threat as well, since I had Alpha blood and they already had a son, who was to be the future Alpha. I didn’t want to run the pack, but they wouldn’t have believed me. I have just stayed my distance from packs. Not many would take an Alpha into their pack either for the same reasons. I have found that packs in this area seem to be more accepting but I wasn’t going to risk it.”

“So, will you join my pack and make it a party for two?”

He chuckles, “Yes, I think I will. You're going to have to kind of teach me what a Beta is supposed to do though. I promise… I am trainable,” he laughs along with me.

“Deal. I think maybe you can help me train myself as well. I need someone with the strength to spare while honing my skills. I need to practice being a summoner. I will not lie to you, the Moon Goddess warned me of challenges that lie in the future. There will be trouble, we need to be ready.”

“I think this is the first time I also have a new purpose since my mother, Willow, passed away. I am not afraid of a challenge or threats. Just because I wasn’t in a pack doesn't mean I haven’t trained. If anything, being on my own has made me more prepared for attacks at any time.”

“Well, cheers to that Beta!” We smack our water glasses together.

“To the glowing Alpha,” he raised his glass at me.

“Ohh shut up, don’t call me that,” I splashed him with water.

He gasped from the unexpected water tossed at his body and face.

“Ohh it is so on now, Alpha mine.”

“Oh my goddess, don’t call me that either,” we started to chase each other around the room. Things seem to be going in the right direction. I like where this is headed.