Ghost Wolf (Wattys2014)

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Twelve: Beginning of Forever

Two Months Later…

As I hit the road, for brief seconds I caught sight of Kaiden’s cream-grey pelt rushing alongside the road, leaping through the greenery of ferns and brushes before disappearing. Thick fog lined the forest’s edge making it almost impossible to see him while focusing on the road. I smiled at the thought of how protective he was.

Mist eased its way towards Hobart. Its thin watery substance hit the Honda’s windshield as I drove under the cloud’s edge as it hovered over the small town.

Coming into my father’s driveway the Honda came to a halt under the DIY car-port. Wolf-Kaiden appeared a second later, pushing through the hedging.

From the driver’s seat I slipped out and stood against the bonnet. Phasing back, Kaiden’s jeans and shirt became visible around his arm. My cheeks blazed before I glanced away. My eyes landed on the trophy deer over the entrance door. I scowled. Hunting was cruel; I hated the way my father paraded it with pride.

When I heard a zipper’s teeth knit together, my gaze shifted back to Kaiden approaching with a smile. He pinned my frame against the car’s silver bonnet. My arms wrapped around his neck as his smooth hand cupped the side of my face. I felt his arm come around my waist and pull me into his body. Hazel eyes caressed my own before leaning down and brushing my mouth as he sealed the kiss. I shuddered into his body, wanting him closer.  

“I finally spoke to my parents,” he breathed between kisses.

“And?” I panted.

“I told them everything… They adopted us after their son died—Todoka—trying to save a wolf. Todoka was accidentally shot and the wolf had bitten him. The wolf was rabid. That’s why he bit the others—he didn’t mean to.”

“That’s so sad,” I whispered, biting my lip. I could feel Kaiden’s eyes on the side of my face. He bent down and slowly kissed a smile back to my mouth. He won after nipping my upper lip.

“Better? I don’t want you to be sad.”

“Better.” I nodded. “Tell me the Ghost Wolf legend. I’ve only heard it from Bruce’s side. I want to hear it straight from a true source.”  

“It started when it became legal to hunt wolves.

“When a human intentionally tries to kill a wolf the spirits give a wolf a special power to give warning to other hunters that there will be consequences to shooting and trapping wolves. A dying wolf bites a boy to turn him into the Ghost Wolf to get revenge on the hunter. The legend says the next night the was human boy will wake wolf with golden eyes and an aqua-blue aura.” He paused. “But the boy isn’t supposed to die. I guess that’s why I never had the aura until Todoka passed on.” He shrugged. “My parents said he must have chosen me because I already lived with them and he knew I’d protect them, his people, lands and animals. He hadn’t passed on because he needed to tie up all ends before he could rest in peace. Healing my friends was his last untied end.”

“Why’d he take so long doing it?”

“I think it was because he didn’t want me to feel alone in this—he felt guilty for what he had to do and had done. He was the only one who knew until you came along. I think he knew you were my mate.”

 I nodded in agreement. For the things Todoka had said, I thought he knew it too.

“Sounds like something out of a movie,” I whispered, feeling slightly confused.