Chapter 4

**Derric Shadow's P.O.V.**

I stand in my mirror, buttoning my button up and rolling the sleeves up. There's a soft tap on my door before it opens and mom stands in the doorway, leaning against the door.

"So," Mom says "Your dad told me your wolf almost took control the other day when the two of you set out with the hounds and hellhounds to find the Gaia."

"Yeah," I say "He got a little weird on me."

"Well," Mom says "Why don't we go have breakfast, walk around the park, and talk about it?"

"Alright," I say, nodding "Let's go then."

Mom nods.

"Alright," Mom says "I'll meet you downstairs."

I nod. Mom closes my door behind her and I grab my gold Rolex wrist-watch and buckle it on. I grab my wallet, sliding it into my pocket, sliding my cell phone and keys into my other pocket. I walk downstairs, my mom waiting at the bottom, talking to my dad.

"No," Dad says "According to the hellhounds, she's very powerful. They feel her presence as if she's right next to them."

"There hasn't been a Gaia that powerful since the Moon Goddess," Mom says "Do you think she could be the Moon Goddess' replacement once she passes?"

"Not possible," Dad says "The Moon Goddess is immortal. She only gets stronger."

"So," Mom says "Just how powerful is this Gaia?"

"We're not sure," Dad says "Since she's on the territory of Blue Moon Pack, we can't go in and get her without permission from their Alpha but he's yet to contact me back."

"Well," Mom says "Just relax. He'll contact you back and we'll get her."

Dad nods, sighing.

"Alright," Mom says "Ready, precious boy?"

I nod. Mom smiles, grasping my arm. Dad swoops down, kissing her softly and I smile, loving the bond that my parents have. Mom smiles, promising to be back soon. We get into the car, heading to one of our favorite restaurants where we're very well known. We slide into our normal seats. As we're waiting to order, mom plays with a salt packet, like she always does.

"So," Mom says "Tell me about the feeling you get whenever you begin to lose control...when you begin feeling her."

"It's complicated to explain," I say "The best way I can explain it is hearing her voice in my head...it's almost like hearing a mother trying to comfort a crying child."

"Hmm," Mom says "Tell me what her voice sounds like when you hear it."

"It's soft," I say, stirring my vanilla milkshake once the waitress brings it "Almost like she's whispering to me."

"And," Mom says "Since you and the hellhounds felt her presence, how has it been?"

"I haven't heard her," I say "Not yet since we felt her presence...but I know she's there. It's...weirdly comforting."

Mom raises her eyebrow, curiously.

"So," Mom says "You've yet to hear her since you felt her presence...but you still feel her?"

"I don't feel her," I say "Well, I do, per se. But it's more like...not a presence, it's like that feeling you get when you first start to feel your wolf. You can feel their presence but you can't see them or hear them yet."

"That's normal," Mom says "The hellhounds said they haven't heard her, but have felt her presence. Your dad said as she's just shifted, she doesn't know what's going on yet. As she gets stronger, you'll feel her presence much more as she gets stronger and then you'll be able to hear her. And once she meets all of you, every single one of you will be able to connect with her on a much deeper level."

"This is so weird," I say "Dad still hasn't found anything on why I can hear her and feel her, even though I'm a lupus?"

"The only thing we can think of," Mom says "Is that one of your great-great-grandfather's was a hound so that is why you can feel and hear her."

"But," I say "If that were the case, wouldn't one of you be able to?"

"I felt her last night," Mom says "I didn't know what it was or what was going on. All I know is that my wolf suddenly got very protective and territorial and your dad had to lock me in a room to keep everyone safe while you, him, and some hellhounds went to find her."

"So," I say "You didn't feel her before then?"

"No," Mom says "I didn't. It came as a surprise to me when I felt her."

"So," I say "What's going to happen? How are we going to get her?"

"That will take some time," Mom says "According to your dad, some hellhounds and hounds reported to the Council that they had felt her. They led the Council to her location and the Council is currently working on taking her out of the secured pack she is in to take her back to their grounds to be trained, properly."

"So," I say "You're saying we might not get her and she may get trained wrong."

"No," Mom says "According to your dad, the Council will have no effect over her actions. Her wolf will train her to do her duty and the Council will oversee it."

"Why can't she do that here," I say "Or in a regular pack?"

"Too many wolves," Mom says "If anyone finds out what she is before she's properly trained by her wolf, she'll be easily influenced to make bad decisions with her abilities."

"Great," I say "So, there's absolutely no way to get her until she's been trained by her wolf."

"Yes," Mom says "After that, your dad believes the Council will send her on missions in an effort to maintain order and regain control of the hellhounds, bloodhounds, and hounds, who have lost control since the last Gaia walked the Earth."

"Great," I say "So, it could be months or even years."

"Yes," Mom says "But we're going to have to be patient. Eventually, her wolf will lead her to us because we match her strength and we have the most hellhound, hound, and bloodhound presence."

I sigh, rubbing my stubble on my jaw.

"Great," I say "So, I have no face to put to this voice or presence."

"None of you do," Mom says "None of us do...not until we meet her for the first time."

I sigh. The waitress comes back.

"Hello," She says, smiling overly happily at me "What can I get for you two today?"

I look at my mom who smiles.

"Uh," Mom says "I'll take a steak, well done, with green beans, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and an appetizer of mozzerella sticks."

The waitress nods, jotting down what my mom says before turning to me.

"And you," The waitress says "What can I get for you, handsome?"

Mom sips on her milkshake, eyes locked on me. I ignore the waitress' flirting.

"Uh," I say "I'm going to get the double plate of double stacked cheeseburgers with lettuce, tomato, pepperjack cheese, bacon, mayo, ketchup, mustard, and pickles with sides of macaroni and cheese and corn on the cob with an appetizer of fried shrimp."

"Wow," The waitress says "A man who can eat. I like that."

I reach over, grabbing my mom's menu and handing it to the waitress.

"Oh," I say "And we need refills on our shakes."

"Of course," The waitress says "I'll bring those right over with your appetizers."

I nod, returning my attention to my mom.