Beyond the Spirit

Holding onto my Promises

---POV Lily---

---Two Years Later---

"I cannot believe they are still making you do this." Marí grumbled as I shook out my hands and stared off towards my brother. He seemed so calm and there was something...off about him.

"What's wrong?" I asked, trying to make contact with him.

He flinched and closed his eyes before taking a breath and walking to the center of the mat. Is he really ignoring me right now? Maybe this was bothering him as much as it bothered me? No. My brother loves to fight. "Don't pay attention to him. Just focus." Marí cut in and I turned my head to face her.

"How did you-"

"That's not important right now. You need to win this or they will never shut up." Cutting me off is one thing, and I'm fine with it, but this whole deal has always rubbed me the wrong way. I don't care which one of us is stronger. The fact that I have to fight my little brother is killing me.

But like she said, I win...they'll shut up. I nodded to my best friend and headed off to meet my brother in the center of the ring. "This fight is until the other is incapacitated or taps out of the fight. Are we clear?" Uncle Bryce asked as the audience looked on with such seriousness that it almost made me sick.

"Yes." The two of us said in tandem and Uncle Bryce grinned at us.

"Just remember we love you both. You got this kiddos." He called through the link before shouting that the match had begun.

To say my brother was an easy opponent is a complete lie. His hits seemed harder than Faith's at times and his maneuverability is flawless. I gasped as I hopped away to catch my breath. He continued to hop from one foot to the other, keeping his body ready to pounce, and I grit my teeth, doing my best to focus on the task at hand. I need to get him to tap out. A win from their oldest. It's what my family wants. "You got this Lil'! Go Brenden!" Hollered our family and it helped, even if only for a bit.

"Don't let him win!" My wolf howled. "Show those old geezers who you are!"

I dug my feet into the ground and launched at my brother, knowing if I didn't get him pinned by this final move...it would be over for me. I heaved my body around his neck and slammed both of us into the ground. "Sh*t." He grumbled, just low enough for only me to hear.

I yanked on his arm and locked my legs around his neck before twisting just enough that there was no where else for him to turn. "Yield brother!" I called.

He groaned irritably and tapped his finger tips on the mat as best he could. "I...I yield." He heaved through his lips and the elders fell silent while my family clapped for the both of us. I released him and he helped me up. "That's the sister I know and love." He mumbled in my ear before heading off to meet up with our parents.

I, however, stood planted in the middle of the mat with shock on my face and a tear in my eye. I'm...I'm going to be the next Head of the Western Territory.

---Two Years Later---

I packed my last shirt neatly on one side of my suitcase and looked at the room I grew up in with such awe. I had so many moments in here that I will never forget. At least after I was told what to remember. When I was twelve, I had...an interesting experience that led to the loss of my memories. I've regained a majority of them. Well…all accept one. The boy I used to play with when I was young. I walked over to my dresser holding all of my pictures from my childhood until now. Most are with Marísol, my best friend in all the world. The other half of me that just…understands.

I stared at the frame of her and I with the two other boys, I so desperately tried to remember, but I couldn't. All I do know is they just stopped coming by one day and we never saw them again. After I started to gain my memories back, Marí decided to spend even more of her time here and we even converted another bedroom for her to sleep in. Brenden and Theo share a room and they are thick as thieves, just like their fathers. I feel like so much has changed since I was that goofy girl in pigtails, but in the end, I’m still sad to see this world in my rearview mirror.

I sighed and grabbed my two favorite pictures of Marí and I for my dorm. Yep, we are going to college together at the same school we have been training at for so long. Walray Academy. I am too excited to finally let my wolf out. No more holding back this year. At that thought, my wolf snorts in my mind. “Remember Lily, we still have to respect our fellow students.” She added, I’m sure she is distinctly remembering how Marí and I tend to put many of our fellow students in their place…regularly.

I smirked and walked back to my suitcase, only to be shocked out of my pants by my brother, who is now flopped on my bed. “The hell Brenden?! Pretend to think before you do stupid things like sneak around my room.” I growled.

“Nope. That would be too easy. I need to keep you on your toes, sis.” He added with a grin. “You are going to be living on campus now. No room for error. I have to make sure you are prepared!” He smirked mischievously.

I rolled my eyes. “There are enough people who want me for themselves to keep me on my toes for the rest of my life! Thank you very much.” I plopped some of the frames on top of my clothes and pulled the jacket I was going to wear out from under him. He huffed and pulled himself off the bed.

“Yeah, I guess you are right, but this school should be safe enough. Especially the college side. Supposedly, only the top twenty percent of the high school students get admitted and only five percent are external admittance.” Brenden said, stuffing his hands in his pockets as he leaned on the headboard.

“And you are telling me this, why?” I asked, zipping up my last suitcase before putting on my favorite jacket. He’s knack for random trivia can be quite out of left field sometimes.

“Well, you may not be the smartest tool in the shed, but there are many others that will serve well to keep you safe and remind you that you aren’t always the best at everything.” He said with a grin and darted out of my room.

We used to be best friends and he really helped me out when I had trouble remembering everything, but now, I think I’m going to kill that punk before he reaches the second stage of puberty! “Brenden!” I shouted and ran out of my room, close on his heels, only to skid to a halt right in front of my mom. “Hey mom….” I said innocently.

“Let me guess. Brenden…again.” She said, but it wasn’t a question.

“Shocking that you already know.” I said, pouting a bit. "Why is he so evil?!" I grumbled.

She kissed my cheek, and I couldn’t help the smile that appeared. “Don’t worry about it. That little yeti will calm down at some point. I don’t know why he is so bent on tormenting you. I mean he’s already fourteen. He needs to get it together.” She said and I smirked. Ha! Yeti....

“I swear there is no way he gets that from you.” I added.

She full on laughed now. “Nope, he gets that from his father.”

I nodded with such conviction that both of us were having a good giggle at their expense.

“So, are you ready to head out soon?” She asked curiously.

“I was…but I need to talk to you about something.” I said with a bit of concern. I have completely lost interest in Brenden now. This was much more important. I was going to talk to her earlier, but Marí called and told me that we will be moving in at eleven instead of one-thirty. I had to finish packing first.

“Sure, let’s head up to my studio.” I guess she got the memo that this was an important and private conversation. Our house is always buzzing with so many people, it really is a challenge to keep up and keep quiet. It doesn’t help that we all have impeccable hearing. What can I say? We are wolves.

Once we made it up to the third floor, we walked into the sleek sunset-themed, soundproof room that my mother lives in if she isn’t taking care of me and my siblings. Yep, I now have a little sister as well. Little Sophie is as cute as a button. I have to admit. “So, what was it that you wanted to talk about?” She asked with that perfect motherly love.

She isn’t my real mother, and I knew that from the start. It’s not because we don’t look alike, that was obvious. She has luscious curly brown hair…I have long dirty blonde hair. She’s tall and has curves for days and I tend to be a little more petite in nature. Even her caramel skin and my sun-kissed peachy tone tend to run on opposite sides of the spectrum, but in reality, it’s because she never told me she was. Both her and my dad told me about my real mother and how much of a strong woman she was to have me. I knew she was ill, but it felt good to know that she tried so hard to stay with me even when she knew she couldn’t.

Terra…she allowed me to call her my mom because I was comfortable with it. We signed the papers legally when I was twelve though. It happened shortly before my incident. She never told me or treated me any less than her actual children and that made my heart filled with admiration and love. She not only raised me but now two of her own. She raised Brenden and I to be strong in our own right, protected us from harm, and killed anyone who thought otherwise. She is by far the best stepmom I could have asked for. I cannot complain. She’s invincible.

I curled up to one side of the small futon and she took the other, tucking her legs underneath her. “I am having…dreams again.” I whispered. The last time this happened, I became what I am now. A freak…even if no one would say it out loud.

I lost my wolf and…gained a new one. Along with the new arrival, some of my memories became a bit…foggy. Hence the missing memories. I know…impossible, right?

A few years before that, I supposedly talked to the Moon Goddess. Either way…there is something about me that even my parents can’t understand and it’s starting to make me worry.

My mom froze and looked at me with the same expression, I’m sure, is written on my face. Concern. “What kind of dreams?”

I shook my head. “Ominous with strong warnings to hone my new wolf and focus on my powers. I’ve had her as my wolf for six years and I have never felt such a pull to get stronger…more resourceful. Almost like...my time is running out or something.” I confessed leaving out my concern that I might not even want that pull to continue. When I was fourteen, I promised myself I'd keep that between Marí and I only. My wolf isn't too happy about my hesitation, but I don't know how to tell her it's not that big of a deal. She still thinks she isn't strong enough for me not to worry about my future, but that is far from the case. I just don't want to have so much pressure.

My mother nodded and looked out towards the piano my dad got her for their third anniversary. It really was a thoughtful gift until everyone realized how difficult it is to get an upright piano up three flights of stairs. Let’s just say that thing will never see the ground floor again. “I guess the timeline is starting to fall in place.” My mom finally said.

“Timeline?” I asked curiously.

“So, you know that your aunt can read timelines almost as if it is a precursor to your life’s trajectory. Well, over thirteen years ago, she told us about a line that we walked into with strong children who will protect the Rogue pack.” She turned to me, and a grin formed on her lips. “Then, when you were twelve you went through a shift in blood types and wolves. Scared the hell out of us.” I sighed and she grinned softly, trying to calm my inner turmoil. “I know you still think it’s strange, but it isn’t. We were waiting for something like this to come ever since you told us about your visit from the Moon Goddess.”

“But what if I am? What if I’m some crazy being that is going to go on a rampage or something? The last time I was threatened, I almost killed the criminals with an inch of their life. I completely blacked out.” I said, shivering. Six years is not a long time to get used to things. To get used to a new wolf, in particular. I grew up with my first one, not the one I have now. She is her own spirit, and we tend to but heads often. However, the one thing that terrifies me more than anything is when she takes over. I become a completely different person and those around me suffer. No one is safe.

Mom rested her hand on my leg and patted it softly, immediately calming me down. I don’t know what it is about a mother’s touch, but she can calm my mind without even trying. I blame it on her power. “But you didn’t, Little Cub. You will always have us to fall back on. You will not be going through this alone. Remember that. You are strong with a will to fight. You will overcome your instincts and fight through your worries and concerns. Then, when it gets too hard, come to us. We will be here to help.”

I smirked and a grin formed on her face. “Okay…okay.” I said with a sigh.

“Good. You will do wonderful in the college program. Don’t hesitate to show who you are. Be strong in your own right my lovely girl.” She leaned back and I nodded. “Anything else you want to tell me?” She asked.

I shrugged, again forcing my mind not to wonder. Of course, it decided to take a different course of action as a flash came through my mind of the two boys I used to play with as children. “I…I feel this pull to children I have met before, but I don’t remember now.” Especially the one with the silver eyes.

She hummed softly and nodded. “And this pull, what is it like?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s like a need to see them again. I know I was heartbroken when they left, but they were our best friends as children. Now, I just feel like something is going to happen and I can’t quite figure out what. But you know what is even more frustrating?! I can't even remember their names!” I said, now lost in my own thoughts.

She sighed and dropped her hands on her thighs. “Well, from what I have seen throughout our family, the Moon Goddess really works in mysterious ways. I don’t think you should dwell too much on this. Just know that we are here for you. Always remember that. You will find your answers in due time.”

She gave me a knowing glance and I finally smiled fully with my pearly whites. “Yes, momma, I promise. I’ll never forget.”

“Good, then let’s get those bags in the car before your father’s annual ‘talk.’ At least this time it will actually make sense. It's like he has been begging you to stay home for years before you actually have to live on campus. Oh wait...it's because he has.” She said, rolling her eyes.

I snorted and started laughing. My dad’s idea of a talk is to try and persuade me to stay home…every year. It’s really adorable and I will miss him more than anything when I have to leave, but he should know I can do this. I can be on my own. Well, actually I won’t even really be on my own. I know half the teachers on campus, and I will be going through this journey with my best mate, Marísol. No need for him to worry so much.

I stood to my feet, and she followed after me. We both headed to my room, and we grabbed two suitcases each. “Why do I have a feeling that the next time we come in this room, it will never be the same?” I asked my wolf.

She chuckled softly as I used the elevator to the garage, putting my bags in the back of dad’s SUV. “Because it won’t be...hopefully. But I know we can get through this. I know I was given to you for a reason.”

I smiled at my wolf. “Yes, and that’s a reason that we will find out sooner or later.”

She was laughing now at my intentional sarcasm. “I vote for sooner!” She called before my brother and father appeared from the elevator I had just came from.

“Let’s get this show on the road. Dad, do the talk in the car this time.” Brenden said with his snarky attitude and dodging the head slap from my dad. He ran over with a mischievous grin on his face and hopped in the back seat. He will be starting at the high school in a month. They start later than we do. The college students have to get comfortable on campus. At least...that's what I keep telling myself while my brother gets to enjoy a whole extra month of summer.

“Terra, Mya has the baby. We will go together.” Dad said before turning to me.

“Yes dad, I know it’s dangerous. No, I will not trust every person who is nice to me. Yes, I will make sure I talk to my teachers if I see something out of the ordinary, and no, I’m not coming or staying home.” I said with an innocent smile.

He opened his mouth then closed it with a knowing sigh. He walked up to me and rested his hand behind my head, pulling me into a hug. I’m not the tallest kid in the world, so I made it to his chest. He held me for only a moment and kissed the top of my head. “Okay Lil’, I trust you. I’m so proud of you.” He whispered before walking to his side of the car and hopping in.

I wasn’t expecting that, but I’m glad. I’m glad to move forward. I'm glad that this feeling. These dreams.... They seem like I'm getting closer to answers. Maybe those very answers will help me figure out all of my worries, and give me some sort of clarity. The main concern still stands though…even with the clarity...those answers may not be what I want to hear.