Shape-Shifter's Promise

Chapter 2

The next morning the cubs were all watching Mercy suspiciously. She kept looking toward the side of the mountain where the fortunetellers told her the secret path to them was.

“Mercy?” Mercy's siblings asked when their curiosity got the best of them.

“Yes? What do you want?” she answered.

“We just wanted to know why you keep looking over there.”

“There is a path over there that I am going to take.”

“Oh!Can we come?Please?”

“No.”

“Why not?” asked Kira.

“I must do it alone. I am going to visit someone I saw in a dream that can help me with my dream.” she answered.

“I'm telling mother!” exclaimed Meredith.

Meredith ran off to tell Maria about Mercy's plan and she was furious and confused.

Maria ran to get Var so they could both talk to Mercy. They ran back to the den in silence, contemplating on why Mercy would want to leave.

One thought came to her mind as she thought about what Meredith said.

“mother! Mercy is going to run off to see someone, and she won't let us go with her!”

When Maria asked why Meredith answered simply.

she said something about the “friend” she is going to see would help her with her dream.

Maria thought about what Mercy's dream could be. She thought back to all the times she had seen something strange about Mercy. All the times she had seen the longing in her eyes when they pack ran past another wolf pack and seen the Alpha's cuddling or caring for their cubs, or when they passed a nest with a mother bird with her chicks and their father...

“Of course!” exclaimed Maria

“What is it dear?” asked Var.

“Don't you see? Mercy's dream was to find her true love! I can't believe we didn't see it.”

“I never noticed anything.”

“She never told you about it. When she first began to understand the concept of love she told me many stories of how she always wanted to find her true love. I thought it an old cubs tale, true love and all that.”

“I never believed it until I met you. But your right we need to get to get to the cave fast.”

Var and Maria pushed their speed to its limit and it wasn't long until they saw the huge willow tree. Since they were in a hurry they jumped to the first rock and used all the power in their strong legs and jumped all the way across the river landing gracefully on the other side. Once they landed they glanced at each other quickly, they nodded to each other and sprang of at full speed. Soon they spotted Meredith, Kira, and Kari tensed and growling at their sister who was a mirror image of them.

“They're holding her for us.” Maria acknowledged.

“Brave like their father, holding off the strongest wolf in the pack.” mentioned Var.

“Mercy! What is the meaning of this?” exclaimed Maria as she and Var slid to a stop.

“Mother?” she gasped. “Father!”

“Everyone under the willow tree. Now!” commanded Var in the Alpha's voice.

The pack met under the willow tree and sat in a semi-circle around the trunk. Var and Maria sat with their backs to the trunk and Kira, Kari and Meredith backed Mercy into the center of the semi-circle by baring their teeth and snapping at her paws. She was tensed and ready to spring, but then she lost her concentration when the Alpha's let out a howl that seemed to shake the willow tree's veil. As the two Alpha's howled so did the other three young wolves, except Mercy, as is tradition.

“We have gathered here for a trial and discussion. This particular discussion is on how we shall decide if Mercy will travel the mountains alone or if we go with her. First, we shall hear her reasons, then we will hear your reasons and we shall vote as we hear . If the vote is unfair on account of certain reasons then the Alpha's shall make the final vote. Are we clear?” announced Var.

“Yes.” answered the others.

“Mercy, what are your reasons for leaving alone?” asked Maria.

“I am leaving alone because I had a dream and I am only doing it alone to protect my family.” she answered.

“What are you protecting us from.”

“My dream was of an old she-wolf whose companion was a Snowy Owl. The she-wolf's name was Jeara, and the owl's name was Maldor.” Mercy explained.

There were muted gasps amongst the gathering.

“They are strangers to me but I can see that you have heard of them haven't you mother and father?”

“Yes child, we have. They are very dangerous and not to be trusted. If you are granted permission to go you must be very careful.”

“Yes. Now, as I was saying, they said they called upon me because they saw me in their future, or something, and they showed me a path that will lead me to them and then they can lead me to my true love. Mother, father, I need to go to them. Mother, you have known since I was a few months old that I wanted to find him. I am not some little cub anymore. I can take care of myself. For Mora's sake, I'm the strongest wolf in the pack!” she explained with a growl.

“Okay, we see your point. Kira, Kari, Meredith, what are your reasons?”

Kari stepped forward with his sisters and Mercy stepped out of the center. Kari raised his muzzle to speak, but then he hesitated.

“Kari? What do you have to say?” his mother asked.

“I have nothing to say, I agree with Mercy. She is able to do this on her own. She is the strongest wolf in the pack and the bravest,besides you and father. She is, after all, stronger than all of us. I think she can do this.”

Meredith gasped and Kira snarled at her twin. Var gave a warning growl. Mercy stepped up and licked Kari on his muzzle softly. They both stepped back to their places in the semi-circle. Kira raised her muzzle to speak.

“I am sorry sister,” she said softly to Meredith. “But Kari is right.”

Kira stepped back to sit beside her brother. Meredith glared at her siblings then her eyes flashed to her parents, who were waiting patiently for her answer. She growled to herself and stared at her parents for a few seconds. Then, she gave in to the truth.

“Mother, father,” She finally admitted. “We were driven by jealousy. She would not let us come with her, and we sort of got mad. I am sorry, there is no need to continue here. Let her leave in peace.”

Meredith dipped her head to her parents and went up to her siblings. She was apologizing when Var suddenly announced. “Mercy, you shall leave in the morning. Come. Let us sleep, it is late.” As he finished he let out a great howl and the others joined in immediately and they went into the cave and all slept soundly.