Chapter 25- Mapping it out

After all of us got to spar a bit more out on the field we headed inside to clean up and found ourselves back in the library. I had nothing against the library, I just was more of an outdoors guy. I could hang out in the garden or the field all day, but in a stuffy library it just was not where I wanted to be. Yet, here we all were gazing over maps, new and old.

“Now this map is from 2000 years ago. See how the lines between the human world and the supernatural world are almost invisible?” Rose was showing us all she had found while studying the maps. I had to admit this stuff was fascinating.

“What does that mean?” I questioned. Rose rolled her eyes at me right before she started explaining.

“It means,” she took a breath, “that the pathways to cross and find where we want to go will not be that hard to find. Even though they have updated the territories on paper, the transports to the worlds are on these lines.” She dragged her finger over the dotted lines.

“What your saying is that they made the supernatural world appear smaller because humans that overtaken these areas, but we need to use those transports to get where we want?” Grace asked.

I was not shocked by this finding. For hundreds of years the humans have overtaken areas unknowingly, from the supernatural worlds. Where werewolves use to run over the length of the land now there were cities and towns that had to be taken into consideration.

“Yes. Simply put, we need the old maps in order to do this.” Rose pulled out a long piece of paper. “Here are the new maps. See how small each of the territories are. This will help us know where the dense population is of the supernatural creatures. However, the old map will tell us how to get there.”

“I got it now. This isn’t surprising but Rose you did an excellent job!” Grace hugged my sister and then came back to me placing her hand in my own.

“So the next question would be, where is the dragon land. I see their port on the old maps but there is nothing about their existence on the new.” I realized after looking closer that I could not see anything about dragons on the new map.

“Well that is the thing.” Rose started. She looked at both of us confused. Grace nodded at her.

“It means we will go by the old map and wander for a bit. Hopefully they are not extinct.”

“They are not extinct. They just like to keep to themselves.” I heard my fathers voice come in behind us.

“You know that for a fact?” I asked my dad. The alphas passed down information over the years and I knew my dad was probably a reliable source.

“Have I ever seen a dragon? No.” My dad answered, and it made me want to give up his idea but then he continued, “my grandfather told a story long ago, one that I will never forget.” He gave a daydream look on his face like he was remembering my great grandfather. I never got to meet my great grandfather because he was killed in a pack war. The other pack was sacrificing their cubs to the dark witches and our pack stood up to them. We won the war and defeated everyone, but then someone was about to shoot my father with bow and arrow. My great grandfather dove in the way saving his life and keeping our legacy alive. He was quite the hero. I gave a little cough to let him know we were waiting.

“My grandfather was a special alpha. He wanted and longed to know about every nook and cranny of the supernatural world. I remember walking into this library watching him as he studied the maps. It was fascinating to watch. Anyways, one night he was telling me that about 500 years ago the supernatural world realized that the humans were overtaking their lands. They held a large meeting to discuss what to do about this.” My father smiled to us and walked closer towards the maps. Pulling out the oldest one.

“This land here. Is the land of the dragons. People were beginning to knock down caves and mine in the mountains. Because of this they had a good witch cast a spell to hide away the dragons from the human world. This way the mountains and caves were blocked from being seen and mined.”

“That makes so much sense. That is why they disappear from the map! But what about the other supernatural creatures? How are they in parts of the ‘world’ but not on earth?” Rose questioned. I was curious about the same thing. When magic was involved, it got confusing as to what the good witches would do and not do.

“The other supernatural creatures liked the idea. The fairies ended up blocking off a part of the forest. And the merpeople parts of the sea.”

“Is that like the Bermuda triangle?” Grace asked. She was half laughing until she noticed the seriousness of my fathers face.

“That is exactly right Grace.” Grace instantly stopped her giggling and looked back at my dad. We all nodded for him to continue.

“What the dragons did, however, was make sure that no one would be able to find them. They took themselves off the map. Even though there are great tales of dragons throughout time, they made sure that no one would know how truly real they are.” My dad said this in a storytelling tone.

“So, dad, if we go to this port, will we be able to get to the dragons land?” I asked. My biggest question is what we would find on the other side of this port. I did not expect us to be greeted kindly, especially after what my dad just shared.

“I believe that you will reach the dragons land. They were kind once, fearsome, and giant but kind and logical. However, it has been centuries since they have been seen or heard from, even in the supernatural society. I warn you to be careful, make sure you stick together and probably go in trying to get an idea of the land.” My dad nodded once more and then left the room. His advice was noted, and we continued to work on a plan for the rest of the day.

“I think this will work.” I told Gracie. We were to drive out to Arizona where the port was located. Then we were to take the port into the land. We were going to go in quietly. Making sure we would not speak and not in our wolf forms. That way we would be able to hide better when needed and get a scope of the land.

“I hope so.” Gracie said in a whisper more to herself than to me. I could tell she had a ton on her mind, this was a productive day and we had come up with a plan.

Grace POV

**Grace we need to talk to Alfred.** I heard Lilliana say when we had come up with a plan.

**I know, I don't like that we did not ask for his input before we created it.**

**I feel like something is amis about it. Like it sounds good in theory but we are missing a puzzle piece.** I knew what Lilliana was saying. It was weird that it seemed so easy. I was hopeful that tomorrow we would be able to talk to him.

**We will talk to Alfred first thing tomorrow.** I let Lilliana know.

**Good plan.** Lilliana replied and then I heard Clay's voice making me come back to the present.

“How about some food?” he whispered in my ear. Clay already seemed to know what my love language was, food. I perked up immediately.

“Food sounds wonderful!” We exited the library and went down to the kitchen for some food. I had no trouble eating all my food and after we headed to bed. We were planning to leave within the week and if we were going to be successful, we would need lots of training and rest.

“Thank you, Clay.” I said to Clay as I closed my eyes. He simply kissed me on the forehead and I could feel him watching as I fell right to sleep.