The Last Royal

Chapter three

(Image Leah's wolf form)

I lowered my eyes and began fussing over the counter tiles while waiting for a response from Rosie, I still wasn't sure where she fit in to this or why she seemed so wise but I trusted her.
When I dared to lift my gaze to meet hers I saw her staring at me with sadness and my stomach twisted in to knots.
Loneliness I could deal with, pain on my own just seemed to go dull, suppressed by survival instincts and buried deep beneath my skin.
But someone kind to absorb my emotions and lend gentle words or a hug and I would surely break in to a million pieces.
"Goddess...Leah, your parents...your grandparents? All of them? I saw Joe last summer at the elders council meeting, he was so happy the way the packs were growing and thriving and how everything seemed to be going smoothly, we all were, he talked about you, how strong a warrior you had become, surpassing all expectations, and the healing! He mentioned you were studying healing as well? Oh sweet child I'm so sorry, why? How? Who?..." Her voice cracked slightly and I knew what she meant.

Rogues on their own were nor smart enough nor strong enough to take out a pack like Red Claw, but it had been known that rogues had taken to serving blood suckers, and that would make sense. A werewolf amped up on vampire blood? Scary stuff...

Wait.

"You knew my grandfather?" I gaped at her in astonishment. I had no idea Rosie was an elder, or that she knew my family, I expected her to know of them because everyone did, hell there were books dedicated to our bloodline and we appeared in almost all of our kinds historic moments, but for her to casually drop my fathers, fathers name was just...
"I knew Joe, and Ruth, and your parents Patrick and Jenna, but I only met them briefly. Joe, Ruth and I held seats on the elders council for a long time. They were truly amazing wolves...and people, for that matter..." Her voice trailed off sadly as she stirred honey in to both mugs of steaming peppermint tea.

I nodded slowly, knowing what she meant. My grandparents had always been proud wolves, teaching and guiding others. But even in human form they had been pillars of society, holding charity events to help a large amount of causes, making donations to schools and other philanthropic endeavors.
"They were amazing. My grandmother was the one who taught me most of what I know about healing and between father and grand father I was instructed on combat techniques...my mother was a seer but I didn't inherit enough of her gift to be able to use it practically, just visions from time to time. I can't believe you knew them, I'm so sorry, I thought word would have traveled by now..." I took a tentative sip if tea and it was delicious.

Rosie nodded and then shook her head as if in confusion. "We heard there had been a problem in florida, but I never would have imagined everyone was gone...we never got a request for help so we assumed there had been enough to survive that we weren't needed...ai'm so sorry we could not help." She sipped her tea as her eyes became wet with u spilled tears.

Reaching out toward her I patted her arm, somewhat awkwardly. I had been on my own so long that the nurturing, comforting side of me was rusty to say the least. "It happened so quickly, it must have been well orchestrated because the knew exactly where to attack from...almost as if there had been someone guiding them...but no one in the pack would betray us like that...we were having Sunday dinner, in the hall and we heard screams...we rushed out but it was a trap...we were surrounded..." My eyes glazed over slightly as I remembered the sound of flesh tearing and the piercing screams of agony as one by one my pack members fell. The smell of death, blood and decay hit me in full force once more and I had to grab hold of the counter to steady myself. Clearing my throat I blushed slightly and glanced up at Rosie. "I'm sorry it's just...I know it's been nearly a year but I still see it, them...I bolted, when I realized everyone was...dead. I guess my instincts kicked in to preserve the blood line and I ran...I don't remember where exactly, at some point I formed a plan to cross over to Canada...I know the borders are well patrolled and there is plenty of wilderness...I didn't really get past that part of the plan." I shrugged apologetically and smiled at Rosie, sipping my tea thoughtfully.