The Last Spirit Wolf (Elena Norwood)

-Vera-

I’ve been tossing and turning all night, hoping tonight of all nights I could get some decent sleep. The clock on my nightstand reads 4 a.m.; it’s time to get up and I’ve barely even rested. I put on my leggings, sports bra, a loose tank top, my running shoes and take off.

The forest at this time of day is breathtaking; only the soft glow of the impending day lights my way. The birds have begun to wake up and sing, the night critters are making their way back to their dens, and the mist in between the trees makes everything seem so alive.

I stop at my usual spot, on the cliff that hugs our famed waterfall. It’s about 10 miles from the pack house and now only visited for special ceremonies or celebrations. It’s a shame people don’t come to admire it more often.

The Jade Waterfall gets its name from all the green that surrounds it. A thin, vibrant layer of moss found nowhere else covers the 60-foot cliff from which the water falls; the deep pool at its end is of crystal-clear water revealing all the rocky, green terrain underneath. Under the right moonlight, the entire waterfall appears to be made of pure jade. Its gentle fall of water also makes this the perfect place to meditate.

Closing my eyes, I begin to stretch, breathe, and clear my mind but as I’m about to sit down, I feel everything around me still and a chill runs down my spine. My eyes frantically scan the surroundings, from tree to tree, from plant to plant. The forest is trying to tell me something is wrong and alarm bells ring in my head, fear creeping up my spine.

Well, ‘morning to you, too- I interrupt her before she can continue.

I need scouts by the Jade Waterfall.

Vera, what’s wrong?

I don’t know yet, but –

Yes, I know.

Not ten minutes later about twenty-five scouts are joining me, feeling the same tension in the air I do when they approach. Our Alpha arrives shortly after, accompanied by her mate in wolf form. We are all feeling uneasy, but none more so than I. Even in human form, no one is more attuned to the forest than me. Our Alpha speaks first,

“Whatever this is, it isn’t only affecting Vera. Everyone, gather in pairs and search the forest starting from the north side. Keep me informed.”

The scouts do as they’re told, rushing into the forest with a howl. Our Alpha turns to me,

“You should head back with us, Vera. You have an important day ahead of you.”

you don’t mind, Alpha -” She

you don’t mind… Sofia… I’m going to stay here a

other since we were young and know everything about each other, but now that she is our Alpha, this knowledge feels a little intrusive. It doesn’t even

but you still can’t shift. Whatever is out there, is strong enough for us

The fact that I have not yet been able to shift has been a great concern of mine. Any decent wolf can transform by the age of 12. I’m 23

in her very pregnant state, he has given her no choice. I help her climb on top and he gently stands, bowing his head my way in a silent ‘thank you’. Sofia squeezes

on the ground, putting both my hands deep in the soil. I take a deep breath, and begin. Goosebumps rise all over my body as I connect to the forest. The wind has once again begun

my mind and focus only on my senses; how humid the air I breathe feels, how my hair blows at the wind’s whim, how all the hairs on my body are standing

5 minutes

15 minutes

30 minutes

nothing. It seems that whatever was there is gone along with the eerie feeling. With a sigh, I take my shoes in my hand and begin walking barefoot through the

and I stop

blood. A lot of

room. The smell of blood was intense, but there was no way of telling who’s it was or where it

and grab my duffel bag for the day. Heading down to the pack clinic,

could happen at any moment. I’m starting to feel a little

Violet? Do we

gives me a puzzled look as she double checks our charts. I notice her usually long dark curls have been straightened, and

we have a quiet day

just to ease my nerves. This uneasiness seems unshakeable, it’s almost as

life changing day, for me. Today is Dr. Owen’s retirement party, which means today I become the Head Physician

signed a peace treaty over forty years ago, proposed by their lycan King at

the wolf population in our pack, and as the Head Physician, I will have to oversee all of the clinic activities, even administrative. Quite frankly, I feel severely unequipped to handle such responsibilities; I’ve been getting no more than four hours of sleep a night just pre-stressing about

one of the most important people in my life and we have worked hard to make this a very special day for him. He took me in as an apprentice when no one