Chapter 40

The plane ride passed smoothly, and I didn’t realize how tired I was until I rested my head back and fell asleep almost instantly. Although the trip was going to be short, I was happy to be getting any sleep at all, since I was sure the days ahead would leave me with more than one sleepless night. The humming sound of the plane was like a lullaby to me, and I was able to sleep peacefully. Until some turbulence turned my dream into a nightmare. One where another white wolf stood before me in a field wet with blood. He holds his large form in an attack posture, growling and baring his teeth at me ready to attack. He lets out a defining howl before charging toward me and I am enveloped in darkness.
The intensity of the dream jerks me awake and I can feel sweat trickling down the side of my face. I look around trying to ground myself to the real world again and Natalia looks to me with concern.

“Luna? What is it? Do you not feel well?” She asks, wiping her eyes.
I must have woken her when I awake suddenly.
“I am fine, just a bad dream.” I tell her, trying not to think too much about it.
“My people believe dreams are a way of us seeing what the future holds. What did you dream of?” Alo asks me, leaning forward to look at me.
“I saw a white wolf, but it was not me. It was a male and he was in an attack posture. He howled and charged for me and then everything was dark.” I tell him.
“As far as I am aware, there has never been more than one white wolf alive at once. This dream is troubling, and you must be sure to tell the elder of this when we arrive.” Alo warns me.

I was really beginning to hate all the unknown and mystery surrounding me. It was frustrating not understanding what was going on half the time, and everyone seemed to talk in riddles when it came to anything regarding the white wolf. Thankfully I had slept most of the trip and soon we were descending into California. Alo ushered us through and we made it out into the arrivals area in record time. When we walked out there was a man dressed in a similar way to Alo waiting for us.

“This is Cheveyo, he is a member of my tribe and he will take us to the reservation now.” Alo says.
Cheveyo bows his head to me as I draw closer to him.
“White wolf, it is an honor. Your presence has already been felt by many and they wish you strength.” He says.
“Thank you.” Is all I can think of to say and he leads us out to a jeep that is parked nearby.

It is still dark out, but the night air is warm and inviting and I feel at peace here. The anxiety that I had felt began to ease and the light warm breeze that passed me almost sounded melodic. There was something about this place that I could not explain. It felt safe.

“It is not far to the reservation. The tribe has prepared lodging for you so that you may rest for the remainder of the night. The elder would like to meet with you at first light.” Cheveyo tells me over the sound of the passing cars.

First light would only be a few hours away, and after the dream I had I was not looking forward to sleeping right now.

“Is there any way I can meet with him now? I have been so stressed; I don’t think I could sleep now even with how tired I am feeling.” I tell him.
“I am sure he would be happy to accommodate you; he has been in solitude since he knew of your arrival. Calling on the memories of the white wolf. When we arrive I will take you to him.” He tells me with a nod.

I noticed he did not smile much, and I found that strange in someone so young. He was very handsome, and had an intense look in his eyes, like he had seen so much already. It did not make him looked weathered or aged, just wise beyond his years. I was sure we were close in age, but he looked far wiser than I was, and it made me feel uneasy under his stare. It felt like he was looking deep within me and trying to see all that was hidden below.

“Your wolf, she is very old.” He says suddenly.

How did he know that?

“Yes, she has been chosen to be with several white wolves before me. But how did you know?” I ask him.
“She has reached out to my wolf, they are communicating.” He says simply, with his eyes fixed on the road.

Our wolves were communicating. Anaya was not the social type usually, and she never communicated without me knowing. At least not recently. So why was she talking to Cheveyo’s wolf?

“She must have blocked me out.” I say softly.
“It seems she has some concerns for you, that she has not yet shared. She wants to be sure what she has been thinking is what you have been experiencing.
My wolf is also very old, and they have crossed paths in the past. It seems they are old friends.” He says, and this time he cracks a small smile.

Why was he smiling? Man, I hated when Anaya shut me out like this! Why was she always so mysterious about things? How did she know Cheveyo’s wolf? What kind of friends were they?
I watched Cheveyo’s face for some time as his expressions became more interesting. He must have been able to hear what our wolves were saying to each other, and for some reason found it amusing. Well, I didn’t.

‘Anaya, what are you doing?’ I ask in annoyance.
‘Nothing little one. Just catching up as you say!’ She said with a giggle.

A giggle! What the heck! Why as she giggling?

This was all too weird, and suddenly I just wanted to sleep and forget about everything. Maybe it would be best to wait to speak to the elder. We arrive at the entrance of the reservation. The entryway was wooden and carved beautifully, and as we passed through, I thought my eyes were playing a trick on me. The air around use had a shimmering quality.

“What was that?’ I ask looking around us confused but intrigued.
“It is a protection spell, similar to the one around your pack home. This one however is a bit stronger, that is why you see it. Humans however cannot, and it is often we have human visitors. Ones curious about our tribe and what we do here, looking for a reason to push us out. History may have been written, but that does not mean anything has changed.” Cheveyo says with hurt in his voice.

It hurt me to hear that his people were still subjected to such harsh treatment even now. Part of me wondered what battle I was sent to fight. Even though I knew at our pack the enemy was the alpha, Owen’s father but I was sent to fight for all of our kind. Did that mean the war was bigger than what the alpha had planned? We didn’t actually know his plan in any case. His true motives seemed unclear. The only thing we had learned was he had formed an alliance with Alpha Cole before Owen was to be made Alpha. Which must have meant that our pack was not the target he was preparing to fight in the beginning.

He must have had a bigger plan that our resistance must have disrupted, and now he needed to take us out. We passed by many wooden cabins decorated with beautiful ornaments and wind chimes and native artwork. I was amazed by the historical look the homes held. Even in the dark the moon shined bright here and looked bigger in the sky. Maybe that was why I felt so differently when I arrived here, the moon’s power was stronger here. The further we drove into the reservation; one by one members began to emerge from their homes. I watched them bow as we passed them, and I wasn’t sure what to do.

To them I was someone important, but to me I was still a nobody. I had this great calling, but it still did not feel real to me. Only on rare occasions I felt a connection to that part of me, but it never lasted too long. It was like a glimpse of something but not being able to see the full picture.

“They have waited a long time to see a white wolf again. Some for many lifetimes.” Cheveyo says looking at each person as we pass them.
“How?” I ask.
“Like you their wolves are very old, some not as old as others and only a small few have seen a white wolf in their past lives. Most white wolves were kept hidden and used as weapons. You are the first free white wolf in many centuries. They have hope that you being free means that you will help all of our kind. Maybe this time the white wolf will be used as a shield instead of a sword.” He says in a deep peaceful tone.

His words made me shiver. There was truth in his words, the desire to fight was far from my thoughts. I found myself hoping to protect our kind even in battle. Leading to my argument with Owen. I was a free wolf, not forced into service to the pack I was born. I was different, and history was about to be rewritten.