The Phantom Wolf

Chapter 8 (The Legends)

*3rd Person POV*

When Pearl awoke the next morning, she found herself still to be in her wolf form. Unsure of how to change back, she thought back to the legends and stories she and her siblings were told as children.

The legend of Taha Aki the Great Spirit Chief who defeated his enemy, Ultapa, by merging his body with that of a wolf, to create one single being. The Chief who changed the tribes future, forever.

Pearl had always been interested in the legends, so whenever her father told the stories, she always paid pretty good attention to them. Leah never seemed to care much for them, but Seth and herself enjoyed the legends. Now knowing that all of those stories may be true, she couldn't help but feel grateful for her childish curiosity.

It is said that the Quileutes have a strong connection to the spiritual world and that they were once able to separate their spirit from their body. They used this power at times of war, to protect their people. According to the legends, all animals have a natural connection to the spiritual world and it is said, that when the Quileutes wandered as spirits, they could communicate freely with the animals that surrounded them. And as such, could enlist their help in times of peril.

Over many generations, the power to travel in spirit was banned and forgotten. What was left, was the stories passed down by the Great Wolf or sometimes known as the Spirit Man.

Man and Wolf were united by Taha Aki and became one, many generations ago. The power of shapeshifting was then passed on through the blood of the warriors. Ensuring that each future generation would have the magical blood needed to protect their tribe. After becoming a spirit warrior, man did not age. The spiritual connection the man and wolf shared, kept them young and able bodied, for many years. Those who chose not to transform continued aging as normal.

After the sacrifice of the third wife, the conditions to transform for the first time, were changed. No longer did man change when they came of age. Now, the transformation into a spirit warrior, can only take place when a Cold One is near.

Resiting the legends, Pearl came to the conclusion that she was both a Spirit Warrior and a Cold One. Due to her gene not being activated at the time of the attack, the venom from the Cold One, spread through her veins too quickly to be destroyed, but not quick enough for her spiritual wolf (that was contained inside of her blood) to die. In order to survive, her wolf must have merged with the venom allowing her to become both a Cold One and a Spirit Warrior.

*Pearls POV*

I couldn't help but feel slightly proud at the fact I survived a cold ones attack by becoming both my natural enemy and my ally, all at once. "I guess I really am an outsider" I barked out. Rolls eyes at hearing a bark in place of words.

Okay. How do I change back? I don't particularly feel like staying as a wolf. So, is this like my ghost ability? Do I need to think about changing in order to do it? Like when I think about going invisible. Hmm....

Picturing myself as a human in my mind, I saw my 4 foot 10 inches tall body. Long brown hair and I pictured my bright blue eyes. I focused in on all of the details that could be important, only to realise a few minutes later that nothing had happened. I don't feel any different.

I looked down at my body and felt disappointed. 'I'm still a wolf!' Growling out slightly in frustration. I stood up and exited the cave. Heading towards the lake for a drink of water. Walking through the forest was fairly easy this time. Walking on four legs felt, a lot more natural. I guess sleeping as a wolf gave me time to adjust to my new body. But still, I wonder why it didn't work. Why didn't I change back? I did exactly what the legends said. What's different?

Pearl paused mid step at the realisation. Eyes widened, lightbulb above her head. Upon thinking over what she had just thought.

How could I be so stupid? I'm not human anymore. So I look different. Sitting down in the middle of the trail I took that leads towards the lake. I began focusing on what I looked like when I first saw my reflection in the lake after the attack. When I realised I had become a vampire.

My body started tingling all over, as I pictured my vampiric self, with my eyes closed. As the tingling sensation grew, I felt myself changing. When it finally came to a stop, I was standing on two legs instead of four. Opening my eyes, I looked down to see my human body complete with hands, feet and toes. No claws or fur! Eh... right. Correction. I looked down to see my vampire body. I've changed. And it's time to accept that there is no going back. Smiling to myself softly. I started running along the trail at full speed. Reaching the lake in a matter of minutes.

Gazing into the water, I took in my reflection properly, for what felt like the first time. 'This is me', I thought. 'I Pearl Clearwater, am a vampire, who needs to drink the blood of others to survive, but I am also a descendent of the Great Spirit Warriors, whose job and purpose revolved around protecting their land and their tribe. I have their magic blood, in my veins, and therefore, also carry that same duty and responsibility.

So... does that mean I... need to go home? They didn't... exactly... want me... before. Why... would... now... be any different? In fact... they'd probably hate me more than before. I mean... I'm also now their natural enemy. Would I really be welcome? I was rejected once. I don't want that to happen again.

Maybe... it's best... to stay away. I can't imagine them wanting me now. Not after everything that was said, before. Everyone's thoughts and feelings were made clear, when I was human. They wouldn't have changed, just because I have. I'm not welcome there. I don't belong there.

I need to let go of what's holding me back. My past self, is gone. The Pearl Clearwater, who had a family, who cared for her, is gone. All that remains, is me. A rogue. A lone Wolf. I have no pack. No family.

And I don't need them, in order to survive. I'm better off on my own.