Chapter 98 Unsuspecting

*The Keeper *

I never wanted to be keeper, yet it was an obligation I inherited from my parents and them from their parents. It was strange when Eric's grandfather came visiting our pack and even stranger when Eric's father came, in search of the descendant of the leader of the Black Resistance. The Lockwoods were from the Lotus Pack, the pack the black wolf had created during her reign on this earth, thus a sworn enemy. However, they were wolves who believed what the Black Resistance believed, that wolves were the superior beings on this planet.

The pack who adopted my ancestors were not forgiving. After they had adopted the heir of Aranck, a great misfortune in the form of total darkness came causing illness, famine, and ultimately brought pack members to their untimely deaths. The Alpha decided to leave the pup to survive on its own like all other packs do with all its orphans. The Omegas of the pack continously abused him until one day the pup could no longer be found. He was believed to have wandered off into the cold forest during a torrent of rain. When the Omegas went in search of him all they could find was a piece of his clothing near the overflowing river. It was then concluded he either had drowned in the river or had been eaten by a wild animal.

My ancestor who had sworn to be keeper of the black sapphires did not burden herself with his death. She believed the pack was better off with him gone, for after his 'disappearance', the sun came shining once again, blessing the territory and allowing a bountiful harvest. However, there was one place the rays of the sun did not touch, the place where the chest of black sapphires lay hidden within an old tree.

A group of members of the Black Resistance retreated into a dark cavern at the foot of the mountains in the north never to be seen again. There were rumors they were keen on getting their vengeance, but since the keeper never visited their territory out of fear, no one knew for sure. In her journal, my ancestor wrote she oftened regretted taking the post as keeper knowing she would never be free of the darkness. But what was done was done and for generations, the obligations of keeper were accepted without complaint, just loads of regret.

Years went by and the secret of the chest had passed from one generation after the other. When Eric Lockwood's father came in search of the descendant of Aranck, the Alpha summoned my mother and told her of a plan to rid our pack of three burdens. That is, an Omega causing problems within the pack, Eric Lockwood's would be mother, an offspring from an affair, me, and a dark secret hidden in an old tree, the chest of black sapphires. The pack would definitely be better off and the Alpha would receive a million dollars for the so-called descendant of Aranck. I accompanied my mother to the Alpha's home and stood behind her as the Alpha adressed her.

"Alpha Lockwood does not know Aranck's rightful heir has perished. However, we can make him believe that Esther is his descendant. All we have to do is create another genealogical tree pointing to Esther as Aranck's descendant," my former Alpha had told my mother. My mother was keeper of the scrolls of the pack and had authority over the genealogical diagrams.

"What do you ask of me, Alpha?" My mother asked him.

"Create a new family tree for Esther. She finally agreed to the charade after days of negotiating...that vile vixen!"

"What will be my reward if I do this?" My mother asked. My mother wished me to be mated to a wolf of rank like a Beta or Gamma, so the family could finally live in comfort, but at that time, I was still too young.

"You will be elevated as lady-in-waiting for the Luna while your daughter will become the lady-in-waiting for Esther when she leaves to mate Alpha Lockwood. As for the secret you hold which is in the woods, have your daughter bring the chest into Lotus Pack territory, so whatever is in the chest can create misfortune within the territory of the black wolf. I doubt if the black wolf will return, but if she does, her and her enemies may go into battle in her territory, so other packs around the world will not be harmed," the Alpha explained. "I often regret the pact my ancestors before me had forged with the Black Resistance. Finally, an opportunity has arisen to rid me of the ails of this pack. Now do you agree to my terms or will I ask another to do what you can not?"

My mother bowed, agreeing to the terms of the Alpha. When she lifted her head, she turned her head at my direction and sneered. My mother never wanted me for I was a reminder of her infidelities. When I was born, I came out with olive colored skin and curly black hair, a strong contrast to both my parents who were fair-skinned. My father took one look at me and he knew my mother was not the faithful mate she made him believe.

I was sent as Esther's lady-in-waiting with the chest of black sappires hidden within my belongings of my suitcase as well as a small box which allowed me to use magic. I was still a young girl then, just barely in my teens not even of age yet. When Eric was born, I became his nanny and when his children were born, I became the head female servant of the household.

Esther, the bitch that she was, never mothered Eric. After being a poor Omega at our former pack, she was thrusted into wolf high society. She never worked or helped with the businesses except for spending all the money she could get her hands on. Eric's father, on the other hand, loved to gamble and gamble he did, risking all of their valuables. When Eric was a teenager and was smart enough to put two and two together, he figured out the Lockwood empire was about to fall. I may not have had finished college, but when twenty cars become two, that means there was no longer any money coming in.

I already had given Esther the chest as a gift when Eric was born, but I can no longer stand aside and watch Eric suffer for his parents' misdeeds. I tapped into the dark magic my grandmother had taught me when I was still a pup and called on the evil that lived in the box I had to help young Eric. Fortunately, Eric's parents died in a car accident and Eric steered the Lockwood empire back to its former glory.

"Mama Lucy, do you need any hand with the dishes?" Athena asked me, breaking my thoughts. I smiled at her. Bless these children of Eric. They have been so kind to me. I had watched them all grow up to be what they are today.

"Chase got me a new dishwasher. All I need to do is stack them in neatly. Athena, is it true that Lucas's girl is the black wolf?" I asked her.

"Yes, Mama Lucy. Good thing you're still alive. You have the privilege to meet her. She's so nice and has been living as a human all this time. Lucas did good with her. She is so down-to-earth...except when Onyx comes out. That's when she roars!" Athena was rambling on while helping me stack the mugs into the dishwasher. "Oh my gosh! I haven't formally introduced the both of you. Hold on, Mama Lucy, I'll go find her so I can introduce the both of you. You'll love her." Athena wiped her hands and was about to turn around to find Diana when I stopped her.

"You don't have to do that, Athena. I'll meet her later when everyone is no longer busy." I had to steer clear of the black wolf and her Beta. I still couldn't believe Eric had hidden him within the tunnels of the territory all this time.

Good thing I was old and could use my old age to feign sickness. Unlike the other wolves who were nursing injuries caused by the black wolf, I was able to shield myself from her onslaught through my magic box. "Right now, I need to lie down. All this noise has tired me out," I told Athena. She patted my hands and took the mug I was about to place in the dishwasher.

"Oh, okay. How about I finish here and you rest, Mama Lucy? I'll come in and check on you later." I nodded my head and walked out of the kitchen through a door which led to the servants' quarters. I knocked on a door to ask an Omega to help with the chores before going to my room.

I walked into my room, took out a box from a drawer in my nightstand and sat on the edge of my bed. Inside were the pieces of the rocks the black sapphires were encased in when they were found. Some slivers of black sapphires were still embedded in some of the rock. This is where the generation of keepers has taken their magic throughout the years. It was believed to be connected to the group that pledged to disappear, however I have not seen any evidence of the matter.

When I heard the howl of the queen two nights ago, I woke up and instantly took the box out to avert the magic of the black wolf. I knew she would start her reign of terror by visiting all the wolves in their dreams to remind us to repent or face the consequences. Now that she is near, I would need all the power I had left to hide.

I opened the box and was surprised the rocks were emitting a faint red color. I touched one and in a flash of light, my spirit was transported into a dark cave. I looked around and could see figures cloaked in black. As hard as I tried, I could not see their faces. All of them had gold necklaces on with large pendants where dark jagged stones sat in the middle.

"Keeper, you have done well. You again have unleashed the black star sapphires to unsuspecting fools," a cloaked figure moved forward. "Those wearing the sapphires are on the way to bringing the Black Resistance to victory."

"I do not understand. What do you mean? Who has the black sapphires?" I asked. I wasn't sure Eric had found the black sapphires. When he went through the belongings of his parents, he never mentioned anything nor did he ever discuss these things with Chase. I would know, I eavesdrop on their conversations when they were in the study.

"The elder kin of the black wolf," the cloaked figure replied. Eric has the sapphires! "He plans to retrieve the Alpha Ring of the Lotus Pack. If a black sapphire was to merge with the ring, the Black Resistance will again arise and will be unstoppable. Keeper, has the black wolf found her Beta?"

"Yes, she has been rejoined by her Beta," I answered. All of them hissed their discontent.

"Assist the black wolf's elder kin. I can see you have put the remaining slivers to good use. Continue to use them to shield yourself. If tonight is fruitful, the heir of Aranck will rise again." Darkness enveloped me and when I opened my eyes, I found myself back in my room still clutching the box of rocks. I lifted the box to my face and peered down at the slivers of black sapphires. The faint red light was now swirling in the slivers.

I looked at my watch and was surprised an hour had passed. It only felt I had been gone for only a few minutes. I put on my gloves, took a sliver from the box then closed it and placed the box back inside the drawer of my nightstand. I gently placed the sliver on a doily that lay on top of my nightstand and wrapped the doily around it. Eric was the one I had to help, but I had to help him without being seen.

The only way to get the ring was from the black wolf's Beta. To anoint the black wolf he would have to raise the ring to catch the light of the moon then place the remaining gem to complete the ring. Before the ring catches the moonlight, I would have to either distract the Beta or hurt him or maybe both, then I can merge even a tiny sliver of black sapphire.

I had to make sure no one suspected me to be the keeper. The Beta of the black wolf is cunning and one of the strongest mages in the land. Despite his old age, he has more magic in his pinky finger than all the cloaked figures combined.

I may be old and uneducated, but I think I still have it in me to outwit a mage. Maybe I can ask Chase to help me. If Eric does not come for the ring in time, Chase is the only option I have. Actually, I think it would be best if I spoke with Chase first. Then, maybe he can relay the message to his father while I keep myself hidden.

I placed the sliver I had wrapped in an envelope and tucked it away in my pocket. I will use my magic to keep my meeting with Chase a secret. I exited my room and opened the door to the kitchen slightly to talk to the Omega I had asked to help in the kitchen. She saw me peeking through the door and walked up to me.

"Where is Alpha Chase?" I asked.

"He's outside giving his mother a tour, Miss Lucy," she said. "Should I call him?"

"No, that's not necessary. I'll just talk to him later. I'll be in my room resting. But before I go back to my room, can you fill up my thermos with coffee, please?" She nodded, walked to the cupboard to get my thermos and filled it with coffee from the coffee pot. She turned around and handed me the thermos.

"Thank you." I gently closed the door and walked  back to my room to get the sleeping draft I had made from the herbs I had Chase purchase. It was ripe and just a drop would put any wolf to sleep after one sip.

That's all I need to put my plan in motion. Tonight, a black sapphire will merge with the ring.