Wolves of the Falling Stars Book 4: The Return

Chapter 14

Golden Flower awoke slowly and stretched her sore limbs. Copper Rock had been working her more than normal, but the payoff had been worth it. She'd been improving her skills significantly, and Copper Rock was happy to assure her that one day, she was most definitely going to be a great addition to the pack. His motivating words encouraged her to keep trying, and she woke up with a smile on her face, ready to begin another day of training.

However, when she got to where she normally met the dog, he was already waiting for her with a sour look on his face.

"No practice today," he said.

"Huh? How come?" Golden Flower asked.

"The dawn patrol found scents of rogues nearby. They're not letting anyone that far into the woods for safety reasons," Copper Rock said. 

At that moment, another patrol was returning. Feather Wings was at the head of it.

"How did it go?" Copper Rock asked the gray wolf.

"We don't see anyone, but we're keeping out of the woods just to be safe," Feather Wings said. There was a pause as Feather Wings said, "I'm sorry. I know you were hoping that maybe Hazel Branch had returned."

Golden Flower stiffened. "W-Who?" she asked.

"Oh, you weren't here when the disappearances happened," Feather Wings realized. "Honestly, Copper Rock, you need to keep her up to date. Not too long after the battle, two of our pack members went missing. One of them was Hazel Branch, Copper Rock's sister. The other was Crow's Laugh. He's Panther's Screech and Tabby Yowl's brother, if you know who those two she-wolves are. But no signs of them. We'll keep patrolling the borders. I think the rogues have passed, but we can't be too safe."

"Thank you," Copper Rock said.

Golden Flower was shaking slightly. Her parents...they were part of this pack. And her mother? She was the alphas' daughter?!

"You didn't tell me you had a sister!" Golden Flower exclaimed.

"I guess it never came up before," Copper Rock said. He was looking at her suspiciously, and though she was trying to hide the way she shook, Copper Rock appeared to see right through her.

"Come with me," Copper Rock said.

"But we're not allowed to go that far into the woods," Golden Flower argued.

"We're not going far, just to that clump of boulders in the distance," Copper Rock said, beginning to walk that way. Golden Flower considered turning away and running back to her den, but that would only add suspicion. Instead, she slowly followed Copper Rock until they came to a large pile of boulders that other wolves often avoided lingering by too long because snakes liked to hide in the cracks.

"Who are your parents, really?" Copper Rock said.

"You wouldn't know them. They--"

"You're such a bad liar, Golden Flower. I've been watching you and paying attention to you since you came here. With the way you're shaking right now, I think we both know the truth. I spoke to Panther's Screech the day you were taken away as a pup from here. She swears she saw her brother carry you off, but no one in the pack believed her because she was grieving his disappearance at the time."

Golden Flower gulped, finding tears coming to her eyes. "You can't--"

"Sh, sh. I'm not mad," Copper Rock said. "Keep your voice down. I won't tell. I knew my sister was pregnant when she took off."

"You knew she left?!"

"Yes. And I know the reasoning why."

"Does the pack know?" Golden Flower asked.

"No. I'm the only one who does. Your parents, they're not really dead, are they?"

Golden Flower shook her head. "I lied. I'm sorry. But Mom always told me I needed to protect my identity and--"

"I understand. How are they? How are your parents? I knew Crow's Laugh would take good care of her, but I still miss my sister. I didn't want her to leave, but she had no choice."

"Why?" Golden Flower asked.

"Our parents asked us not to have pups with any other wolves because some tensions still run deep between those who like having dogs in the pack and those who don't. To ease those tensions, my parents thought it was best for us to not have a mate or pups. But then your mother fell in love, and...she had you."

"I have two brothers too," Golden Flower murmured.

"You do? Do they look like you?"

Golden Flower laughed slightly, feeling the tension ease off her shoulders. "No, no. More like my dad."

"And your parents are well?"

Golden Flower nodded. "They've done their best to protect us and care for us."

"I know you look more like a wolf, but I could see my sister in you some. You have her spirit," Copper Rock said.

"T-Thanks," Golden Flower said. Suddenly, guilt filled her for the way she had treated her parents. They had been working so hard to protect her from shame and keep her safe, and she had betrayed them by coming here. She could not imagine life without living in this pack, but suddenly, she realized how immature she had been.

"If you're here though, then where are your parents?"

"They didn't want to come back," Golden Flower said. "They...let me go on my own volition, because they knew how much I wanted to be a wolf, but they won't come back, nor will my brothers. They're happy out there in their den. I'm sorry. I don't want to tell you where they are in case--"

"I understand. I wish they would come back though. A part of me thinks this would just be a misunderstanding, and we'd all forgive them, but...I don't know. Maybe it's better Hazel Branch got away from all this. She can be who she wants, and she has someone who loves and accepts her, despite the fact she's a dog. Crow's Laugh always saw your mother as a wolf. That's true love."

Golden Flower smiled slightly. She hoped she could find someone like that one day.

"My parents would tell us stories about the pack sometimes," she said. "I'm sure my mother was always thinking of you, and her parents as well. I know she probably misses you."

"Your mother had to do what was best for her. I'm just happy to know she's alive and well and has three pups of her own now. Your brothers are healthy?"

Golden Flower nodded. "Yes. They're going to be big, I think, like my father."

"Good for them," Copper Rock murmured. "It must be hard for them letting you go like that."

Golden Flower gulped, not wanting Copper Rock to know she had staged her own death in order to escape.

"Yes," she said. "Yes, but...they want me to be happy so...I'm here."

"I hope one day we can see them again, but we should probably head back. I'm so happy to find out I have a niece," Copper Rock said gleefully. "And I'm happy to hear my sister is doing well. I've been so worried, but now I can rest a little easier."

Golden Flower smiled. "You have to keep this secret though," she warned.

"Oh, of course. As I said, I'm the only one who knows of your existence anyway," Copper Rock said. "Now, come on. Let's head back. I won't keep you here anymore and bore you with stories of your mother. You deserve a day off."

"Thanks, Copper Rock," Golden Flower said. She truly meant it. If he had not kept this secret, then Golden Flower was sure her mother's fate would have been different. Still, guilt swirled within her as she thought of the calculated lies she had told him to convince him her parents had wanted her to come here. She hoped he wouldn't be disappointed in her if he ever found out the truth.