The Calling

Chapter 14 ~ Ethan Woods

As we take my private elevator down to the underground parking lot, I worry about how she is coping with everything I just told her. If she'd only had Underworld parents, this wouldn't be an issue. She would have known all about our world and way of life. At least it all makes sense now, why she didn't realize that she is a Wolf or able to recognize our bond. I have so much to tell her, but I don't want to overwhelm her more than I already have. I will tell her everything that she needs to know now, and then tell her more as time goes on.

She is quiet on the drive home to her house. At least she is still willing to hold my hand, so I assume that's a good sign.

"Are you OK?

Shannon sighs. "Yes. I think so. I'm just trying to process everything that you've told me. It's a lot to take in. I'm sure that you have so much more to tell me, and I appreciate that you're giving me only small pieces of information at a time."

Several minutes pass and then she says,

"I have never told anyone this, but I've always struggled with feeling like I fit in or belonging, like there was a part of me missing, maybe this is what I have been missing. Obviously, I don't know everything that I have been missing, but at least now I am starting to feel a little more whole."

I lifted her held hand in mine to my lips and gently kiss her hand. "You don't ever have to feel that way again. I will always be here for you. We will figure this out together."

For the rest of the ride, she remains pretty quiet. I wish I knew what she was thinking. Once she accepts our bond, it will be a lot easier to read her emotions. As soon as we pull into her driveway, she seems anxious.

"Are you ready to go inside? Do you want me to go with you?"

Shannon looks up at me with teary eyes and says, "Of course I'm not ready, but I would feel a lot better if you came with me. I am sure that my parents will want to meet my knight in shining armor."

"Of course, I'll go with you. I want introduce myself to your parents, they're going to be seeing a lot of me."

As we're about to open the front door, the door opens before us and her mother and father are there waiting for us. Her mother embraces Shannon, and her dad shakes my hand and thanks me for saving their daughter.

"Thank you, Ethan. We cannot even express our gratitude. We're so lucky that you were there when the accident happened."

"You're welcome. I too am glad that I was there at the right time. You have an amazing daughter. I hope I am not being too forward, but with your permission, I would like to get to know your daughter better."

Shannon's mother and father make eye contact, and then they look to Shannon for her approval. I start to get a little nervous because no matter what they say, I will be seeing Shannon; it would just be nice to have their blessing for Shannon's sake.

Her father replies, "Yes, that would be ok with us as long as Shannon agrees. One thing that you will learn about Shannon is that she is strong willed and knows what she likes and doesn't like."

"I definitely sense that from her. Well, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor I won't keep you from being with Shannon. It was a pleasure meeting you and I look forward to seeing you again."

Before I even got to say anything to Shannon, she quickly embraces me, and I return the embrace. She looks up at me and says,

"Thank you for everything Ethan."

I bent down and kiss her forehead. "Goodnight Shannon".

Shannon retreats back inside with her parents and I head back to the car. I have to see Gavin tonight; I need to know what information he's found. I call Gavin from the car and tell him that I'm on my way to the pack house. Gavin said that he has some information for me, not a lot, but it's a start.

I pull into the pack house driveway, and park at the back of the house. I head straight for the library to find Gavin. I find Gavin surrounded by books and scrolls. Gavin looks up at me and says,

"Well, I don't have a lot of information to give you, but you also haven't given me a whole lot of information to work with, other than a green-eyed Wolf."

Before I tell him that Shannon is also a Witch, I think it's best to see what he has found.

"I have been going through our history and it says the same thing, that all Wolves have blue eyes, there is no mention of a green-eyed Wolf. I'm not sure what possessed me to look into our scrolls, but I did. This is where it gets interesting. Locked away in the archive vault, I found some Vampire scrolls that were stolen many years ago during a daylight heist, long before the Underworld treaty and council was forged. Most of the scrolls have either been damaged or destroyed by time, but it mentions a prophecy, it talks about a hybrid species that has green eyes."

I don't say anything. I just pull out a chair to sit down. Just when I think I'm starting to understand what is going on with Shannon, I get thrown another curve ball. What does she have to do with vampires?

"Gavin, does the scrolls say anything about the prophecy?"

"No, they don't."

"Of course, they don't."

"I mean, they may have at one point, but the scrolls are either too damaged or missing sections pertaining to the prophecy. Ethan, I have to know, you have to tell me what is going on. If I know more, I might be able to get more information".

I think for a moment. If I tell him about Shannon she could be in danger, but if I don't tell him, she might be in worse danger. I don't think I have a choice. I may even need help from the pack to protector.