Chapter 19- The Book

**Clay POV **

We looked through the books all morning long. While there was certainly lots of information there was not anything we found about the golden wolf.

“We have been at this all morning. Have either one of you found anything.” I asked the two women next to me. I was rubbing my eyes, looking at the print of the books all morning had made me feel as if I was going to go cross-eyed.

“I found a reference to the legend but no details about it.” Rose said. Her voice sounded sleepy and husky from the lack of speaking for hours.

“I am new to this whole supernatural world. It all seems so amazing. There is just so much information in here t devour.” Grace sounded so perky and happy, like she was exactly where she wished to stay. “But I have not found anything about the Golden Wolf.”

As soon as Grace said the words Golden Wolf a book came floating off the shelves, the book glowed a bright color that the three of us had to put our hands above our eyes, as if the sun was in the house and then just as quickly as it started the book stopped floating and glowing and landed with a thud on the floor.

“Well, that was something.” Said Rose staring at the book, “Who knew all we had to do was just speak the words, Golden Wolf, and we would get what we needed.”

I looked at Grace she seemed deep in thought.

“Lilliana says that the book only responds to me because it is about me.” Grace finally said after having the talk with her wolf. Grace walked over to the book and grabbed it up off the floor. She walked over to the couch as if she was a zombie and sat down with it in her lap.

“Lilliana didn’t feel the need to tell us that before we spent a few hours reading?” Rose said sarcastically but also with some sass that let everyone know she was a bit annoyed.

“She didn’t know. She said she could feel something calling but was not sure where it was coming from until the book flew out.” Gracie was still just staring at the book on her lap. I walked over and sat with her on the couch. I grabbed her hand and squeezed. She looked at me with her green eyes that seemed to say thank you.

“Gracie, go ahead open the book. Let’s see if it has our answers.” I squeezed her hand again and then let go. She opened the book, it was blank inside.

“Give us the answers we seek.” Gracie said. Nothing happened. “I was hoping that would work.” Gracie laughed at herself for the simple fact that we were so close and such a simple request did not work.

“Child,” came a deep voice around us, “ask the questions so that I may give the answers.”

“No way!” Rose yelled. I simply stared at the book. It just spoke to Grace. I live in a supernatural world but even I had never heard of a speaking living book before.
“Do books not speak to you?” Grace asked so innocently both Rose and I started to laugh.

“No Grace I can’t say they have ever spoken to me before.” I answered her and kissed her on the temple.

“How can you speak?” Grace asked the book.

The deep voice answered aloud again, “I was a living being once, full of knowledge and wisdom. When I had come to old age my granddaughter meant me to live forever. To take my wise words with her. She sent my spirit into this book so that I may help those who call on me.”

“Why did you come to me when I said, ‘Golden Wolf?” Grace asked now.

“None of the books in here can give you the answers that you seek regarding your destiny child. I am here to assist you on your journey. As I said, I am full of knowledge and wisdom.” The book answered. The books seemed ready to go on our journey with us, for which I was grateful if it was truly as wise and knowledgeable as it stated.

“What do we need to do first?” Grace asked next.

“First you must learn to become one with your wolf child. Not growing with a wolf alongside you is a difficult thing. Learn to be one and train for the battles ahead.” I grinned at this reply. I was more than ready to get Grace out on the training field. Grace of course looked at me and sighed.

“After becoming comfortable with my wolf where must we go first?” Grace asked, seeming slightly annoyed by the first reply.

“Then you must go to the land of fire and brimstone and meet with a dragon. Use this time wisely my child. You need to make sure you can trust yourself and your mate, become one with your wolf for the dragons see into the souls of those that seek them out.” The books reply seemed to support the first answer more. It also led me to believe that visiting dragons was going to be no small task and one we should study up on more.

“Thank you book.” Grace said.

“Alfred. My name is Alfred.” The book replied. I never thought of calling a book by name, but this was something so much more than a book.

“Well Alfred thank you. We will get started on our training today.”

“Good thing child.” Just at that moment Grace shut the book and looked at me. She instantly grinned.

“Well Clay, it seems like you will be getting your way. We need to train. So, let’s grab some food and go!” Grace got up and grabbed my hand and pulled. I held her back and pulled her into me, meeting my lips with hers. Her lips tasted so wet and were silky. It felt good to take a moment to feel her so close to me. Suddenly I heard a clearing of a throat in the room. Grace and I both looked up.

“I thought we were getting food.” Rose said. Grace and I laughed and followed Rose out of the room.

“We are.” Grace laughed as she replied to my sister. As we came out of the library we noticed my parents talking with the men from last night. We all froze and listened before rounding the corner for them to see us.

“I hope you are not putting to much stock in this golden wolf legend.” The tall man from last night said to my dad.

“I will hold the legend where I believe it should be. In the meantime, I believe our solution for the dark witches attacking your pack is a good band-aid.”

“It will not stop them from coming.” The other man said firmly to my father. He looked full of rage and like he wanted to beat my dad. I knew this pack was not going to be kind.

“It will hopefully scare them off for a bit. There is something in numbers you know?” My father responded again very calmly to the two men.

“I hope you are correct because it will be your people next.” The man said through clenched teeth.

“We should not and can not begin fighting one another while the battle is raging against the dark witches.” Again, my father remained calm. I was amazed by his ability to do so. All I wanted to do was take their heads clean off their shoulders but, watching my father remain calm amid such fools, let me see the importance of not letting anger get away from you.

The men both grumbled as they walked away, realizing they were not going to get a rise out of my father. When they were both out of sight my parents turned and face one another and smiled.

“It is far easier to kill flies with honey than with a sword.” My father said a bit more loudly and the three of us came out of our hiding place.
“I hope you learned a good lesson son.” My dad gripped my shoulder and squeezed.

“I did father. Your calmness was amazing.” I said with a sort of awe in my voice. Grace squeezed my hand.

“Well thank you son. Now I must head down to the training ground so I can truly get out the anger I feel.” We all laughed at this.

“We were just headed for lunch and then headed there as well Daddy.” Rose said. “We are going to train Grace on how to use your wolf in battle.”

“Ahh, wise. A shifter in oneness with their wolf makes for an unbreakable bond.” My father replied and looked at Grace, “I look forward to witnessing your abilities, Grace.” Grace nodded at my father.

“Thank you, sir.”

“Oliver, I insist. We are family.”

“Well thank you Oliver.” My father nodded and then him and my mother headed to their room with smiles on their face. They seemed happy that Grace was part of the family. I however, was still not sure how much my father had forgiven her for what she did in hiding Grace’s wolf from her.

“C’mon. Let’s go get some lunch.” I pulled Grace along to me and the three of us walked down to lunch.