Embrace of the Wolf by Mysterie (books to read in your 30s TXT) 📕

1

The wind howled throughout the village. The streets were empty, but I knew otherwise. The wind carried a scent so familiar to me. I crouched low to the ground. He was close. I felt my heart hammering in my ears. Funny thing the heart is. I could feel his presence. It stood out in this empty place. I could hear his footsteps now. I sunk down lower, trying to hide myself within the shadows. I could faintly hear his heart as he came into view. A few more steps and he’ll be right on top of me. He took those last steps and I jumped out of the shadows landing on him as he fell to the ground.
“You’re dead.” I said standing up and dusting myself off.
“Skye this is no time for games.” Luke replied doing the same. “The others have been looking for you.” He straightened his back and stood tall. Luke was taller than me by 4 inches. He was 6’0 and I was 5’8.
“I don’t wanna have to go to the boring meeting.” I said as Luke took my arm.
“Well you have to it’s your duty.” He began walking towards the castle. I looked up at him trying to see my friend but he was all serious. I’ve known Luke for almost 100 years. Yeah I know that’s a long time to be alive. See that’s the thing about being a werewolf your immortal. I was born in a small village in England in 1590. Skye Claiborne. Yup that’s me. I was the only daughter of the village’s medicine man. I was bitten the day after my 17th birthday. I had been out picking herbs for my father when a werewolf attacked me. Luke had been the one to find me after I was turned. It’s a terrible thing, transforming your first time. It feels like your body is going to split open as your bones and organs move themselves inside you. It still hurts, I won’t lie, but you kinda get used to it. He had told me what he was and that he could help me. So he took me in and trained me and then 80 years ago we came to America with the first settlers. We came here hoping to get away from werewolf hunters. Apparently people will pay good money for our fur. Especially me, I was targeted a lot because of the fact that I have silver fur. People called me the ‘Silver Flash’ because of how fast I am.
“We’re here.” Luck said letting go of my arm. The castle was a creepy place. It had gargoyles and it loomed over the village like it was watching the villagers. The castle was black and it looked ancient, it had missing shingles and most of the paint had been washed away over the years. I sighed and opened the doors and stepped inside.
…
“Alright time to start the meeting.” Caldwell said as I took my seat. Caldwell looked to be about 40 but in reality he was well over 400.
“Miss Claiborne it’s nice of you to finally join us.” I scoffed and mumbled a thread of cruse words under my breath.
“Now then, I would like to start this off with good news but unfortunately I have none.” I looked at the people of the room. It seemed the whole village was here. We were in the throne room of the castle. The elders at the front, each in their own chair, and the people standing or sitting where ever there was room. According to Caldwell I am an elder, even though Luke is much older than me.
“Eldon and I were out in the woods the other day and there seem to be some rouge wolves around.” The villagers all gasped and started to panic. I met Luke’s eyes from across the room. His green eyes locked with my blue ones.
“People settle down.” Eldon said calmly. “Garrick and Landen have been out patrolling the area. So there is no reason to worry.”
“We just wanted to let you know to be on the lookout, and if you see anything suspicious let us know. Thank you that will be all.” Garrick and Landen are the two other elders along with Eldon and Caldwell. I got up to leave but Caldwell put his hand on my arm.
“Stay child I must speak with you.” He looked at Luke and Luke nodded and left the room. I looked for Eldon but he had left to. Eldon was about my age when he was bitten. He had been 15 at the time, but now he was almost 330 years old. Garrick and Landen were the same age when bitten, and they’re from the same village. Both were bitten at 24 and by the same woman. Now they were almost 279. Luke was older than me he was bitten at 21 and is now 200. Me? I’m only 117. I’m the youngest and the only girl in my pack. I sat back down in my chair and waited for everyone to leave. Once the doors shut Caldwell turned to me.
“Child I fear that those rouge wolves may be here for you.”
“Wow Caldwell you got right to the point didn’t you?” I smirked.
“Skye this is not a game. You’re the only female wolf for miles, not only that you’re also the only silver wolf in existence.” He said taking some of my silver hair into his hands. “Think about this. They want you and they will stop at nothing to get you.”
“They can’t have me.” I stood up. “Is this all you wanted to tell me?” I walked to the doors and glimpsed over my shoulder. “Caldwell the worse has already happened to me.”
“My child the worse has yet to come.” Then I left. I found Luke by the fountain out front.
“So what did the old man want?” I shook my head.
“Nothing really.” He fell into step beside me.
“So Skye what are you going to do this full moon?” Werewolves don’t have to shift on the full moon but it always feels so great.
“I’m going to shift this time.”
“Want some company?”
“Sure that would be nice.” I smiled at him and he smiled back.
“Lucian Blake.” A voice called out behind us. I knew that voice. I would recognize it anywhere.
“Ryder.” I heard Luke mumble. “What do you want this time?” Ryder was another boy in our pack he was older than me by 20 years.
“I want to battle.”
“Again?” Luke sighed. Ryder was always trying to prove that he was better than Luke. Luke and I know that it’s just to get my attention. Ryder wasn’t ugly quite the opposite. He had pale blond hair and bright blue eyes. Some of the village girls named him the pale wolf. Whereas Luke was the dark wolf.
“Yes again do you have a problem with it?” Ryder raised an eyebrow.
“Yes I do have a problem. I was just talking with Skye here when you interrupted us.”
“Ah Skye when are you going to ditch him and love me instead?”
“Love? Who said anything about love? And besides I can’t stand you.” His mouth fell open.
“One day I shall make you fall for me.” Then he turned and left. I clenched both my hands.
“One of these days I am going to knock his teeth down his throat.” Luke just laughed.
“Want to get something to eat?” I nodded and we walked to the bar.
It may seem weird that humans know of our existence but this whole village knows. We needed their help and they needed protectors. As me and Luke entered the bar everyone stared.
“Mr. Blake. Miss Claiborne. Can I get you two anything?” Brendan said coming up to us.
“Yes I would like a Hare and what about you Skye?”
“Same.” Brendan left to go get our food.
“Since when did you start eating Hare?” Luke asked looking me over. I just shrugged my shoulders.
“Guess I wanted to try something new.”
“There’s nothing wrong with that.” Luke said. He started to drool a little. Brendan set down a plate in front of him then in front of me.
“These two are fresh. Divan caught them this morning.” Luke instantly bit into his. He really was a wolf. I couldn’t help but laugh.
“What’s so funny?” He asked between bites. I didn’t reply but bit into my own rabbit.
“You know this is actually very good.” I took another bite and smiled at Brendan. “Keep up the good work.”
“Thanks Miss Claiborne.”
“Please call me Skye.” He patted my shoulder and left us to eat.
“You know Skye I think this is the first time I’ve ever seen you eat a rabbit.”
“So?” I asked looking up from my dinner.
“Oh it’s nothing.” I studied him for a moment. His green eyes were sparkling and his black hair hung down in a tussled mess. His jaw was firm. Luke looked up and caught me staring. I just smiled and went back to eating. After dinner Luke took to my rooms then left. The whole pack lived in the castle but we all had our own rooms. Except for Garrick and Landen they had wanted to share. I started a fire to light up the room. Then I changed out of my usual leather suit and into my shorts and t-shirt. I stopped in front of the mirror. Staring back at me was a beautiful woman, with silver hair that cascades down to her shoulders and piercing blue eyes. I blinked and so did that woman. Was she really me? I smiled and the woman looked even more beautiful. There was a knock at the door. I looked away from the mirror. I tensed and reached for one of my daggers.
“Relax Skye it’s only me.” I recognized Luke’s voice right away. I walked over and opened up the doors for him.
“Did you not smell me?” I shook my head.
“I was distracted.”
“Distracted by what?”
“Nothing. So why are you here?”
“Caldwell stopped me in the hall and said that I was to watch over you until those wolves leave.” What the hell? Caldwell had sent Luke to babysit me?
“I don’t need you watching over me I can handle myself.”
“Skye you were too distracted earlier to even sniff out my scent what makes you think you won’t get distracted again?” Because I’m not going to stare at myself in the mirror while you’re in the room.
“Fine you can sleep on the couch.” I went over to my bed and tossed him a pillow.
“Thanks Skye.” I crawled under the covers.
“No problem. Good night.”
“Good night.” Luke softly replied back. I could hear his heart and his scent filled my nose making it impossible to sleep. I tossed and turned all night. I had almost fallen asleep when I heard Luke grunt and sit up. I watched as he crossed the room and went into the bathroom. He came out a few minutes later and headed to my bed. I quickly closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep. I heard the bed creak as Luke sat down on the edge. I then felt his hand on my face. The bed creaked more as Luke leaned closer to my face. He’s going to kiss me, but the sudden knock at the door made me jump up and mine and Luke’s heads collided with a thump.
“Ow.” I began rubbing my head. The knocking at the door became more urgent