Northern Lights: The Druid of Black Lake

Chapter 3

The drive to Brandon was long. Marie and mother played and sang Taylor Swift for the majority of the drive much to mine and father's dismay. Michael and Byron stayed behind at Red Rose. My father was sullen the entire drive. He doesn't nap, he doesn't read, he just starred off into space with a deep sadness in his eyes. With Marie and mother in the front seat singing I touch my father's hand to pull him out of his trance. He turned his head to face me, "Yes sweetheart?" I look into his face and I manage a small smile, "I know you want to protect us dad. This is out of your control. I know that. We will be alright. I will be alright."

"Please listen Charlotte," he whispered quietly, "don't search it out. Just try to pass the days without making any kind of contact. If you float by and no one catches scent of you, then we will take you home to be safe. Just be a fly on the wall sweetheart." I nodded. I truly was my father's daughter. That was my plan, for what little I could plan for it. I turned and looked out the window again. Marie smacked my hand while singing along to the song, I just smiled at her and looked away again.

I could feel my wolf getting more active as we got closer to Brandon. She wasn't excited per say, more like she was very aware of something. She could sense something.

We pulled into the large event centre, there must have been over one hundred vehicles in the parking lot. Brandon was huge compared to our city. The hotel was attached to the event centre and we saw it was also large and it looked very fancy. I guess the territories like to put on the dog. We parked the van, got out our luggage and walked into the hotel. My dad carried our garment bags for us so the dresses wouldn't touch the ground. In the lobby of the hotel I had never seen so many young wolves in my life. All around my age, most looking so excited to be here. I gulped a bit when I saw how some of the girls were dressed, they were showing mid drift, wearing a lot of make-up and long fake nails. I looked like a dumpy country wolf for sure.

Father and mother led us to the front desk and we waited in line for our turn to check in. Marie's head suddenly shot up and she looked around. I glanced at her and asked her what was up without words. "Mate." She whispered. I looked around, there were probably fifty young wolves in this lobby alone, plus parents and event personal. She smelled the air deeply, looking around franticly. My father caught her and sighed heavily. It was finally our turn, he pulled Marie in front of him and stepped up to the desk.

"Marie, honey, just settle please. You will meet him tomorrow." My father whispered to her. She whimpered slightly, and her head fell. My mother pushed her hair behind her ears while father checked us in. I looked around again to see if anyone was coming towards us. I could tell there were many males who were looking around, but none that settled on us specifically. I subconsciously sniffed the air, annoyed immediately at myself for doing it. Nothing, no one particular. I exhaled happily. Maybe he wasn't here. Maybe I could go home.

My parents got an adjoining room to Marie and I, mainly so that they could keep an eye on us in case anything happened like what just had in the lobby. Marie put her bags down and sulked on the bed. My father was not amused.

"Why can't I just go and find him daddy? Isn't this the whole reason we are here? You knew I would probably find my mate here, just let me go find him, please?!" Marie whined. My father was annoyed; I could see he was agitated. He walked around to the other room and back again, I have never seen him this annoyed.

"Dorothy would you please explain it to her." My father finally requested before rising, going to their hotel room and closing the door behind himself. My mother sighed and sat down next to Marie on her bed.