Torn Page 2

  “For all our sake, let’s hope you find her.” Chad said.

  “I think I’ve found my mate,” Mike said with a huge grin on his face. “Did you see that beautiful creature at lunch today?”

  “Like you’ve ever had a problem with that before,” Collin joked.

  “Alright, come on lets get to class” Devin said.

  Just as the boys got to their 4th period science class, a not so friendly face met them at the door. It was Stephen. Stephen and Devin don’t get along.

  “What are you doing here?” Devin growled

  “I’m here to make your life easier,” Stephen smirked.

  “Sure you are,” Mike said

  “Why don’t we take it outside” barked Chad.

  “Let’s go,” Stephen said and he started towards the door.

  “Calm down, all of you.” Devin ordered

  “We can’t fight here. At the other school it was tolerated because it was run by our own members. Here we will be thrown out.” Pointing at Stephen, Devin said. “You know how upset our dad’s would be at both of us. Is that what you want?”

  “No,” Stephen finally said, “We are expected to be deserving of our title.”

  “Well, alright then, we can’t get kicked out either. The consequences are to steep.” Devin sighed. “Do you agree to get along while you’re here?” Devin asked Stephen.

  “I wouldn’t go that far Devin. I just said I wouldn’t do anything to get kicked out of school. I don’t plan on making your life here a picnic,” he snarled. “You better keep your mutts under control,” Stephen threatened.

  Collin said, “You’d better watch your back dog boy!”

  “Or what,” Stephan demanded. “You going to do something about it?”

  Devin let a low rumble roll out of his body. All the boys could feel the vibration. A warning that this had better stop. No one else noticed, but all the boys knew what it meant. Even though Devin and Stephen are both their tribes respective soon to be Alphas, Devin is the more dominant one. And unless someone wanted to get their butt kicked they’d better shut up. That went for both sides. They were all standing there in silence when the bell rang. Devin turned his back on all of them and marched into class. They all followed, but Stephan sat on the opposite side of the room as Devin.

  Well this is going to be an interesting year, Devin thought. I wish my great great grandfather had killed his great great grandfather when he had the chance.

  Robert, Stephens’ great great grandfather, decided that he didn’t like the way the pack was being lead. He tried to over throw Mack, Devin’s great great grandfather. There was a fierce battle. Both men were in wolf form and as a result there was a lot of damage. Traditionally this would have been a fight to the death, but they had been friends for a long time.

  Mack defeated Robert, but left him alive. Instead he banished him from the group. He told the pack that if any one wanted to go with him they could. Enough went with Robert for him to start his own pack. He became the leader of that group. When Robert took on the role of pack leader of his tribe they became concerned about how the tribe would continue now that they were separated. How would they find the mate that made it possible to have the wolf form? Would the gift still bestow itself on this tribe even though it was no longer with the original tribe?

  These questions haunted the tribe until Robert’s son came home from a trip to town and told him that he had met a girl that was a descendent of the chiefs. Robert asked him how he knew that. He told him that he could just tell. Well, Robert thought that it might be the one mate meant for the original tribe, but after he asked around, he found out that Mack’s son already had his mate. So, it didn’t happen like it did for the original tribe. The mate didn’t come to them, but they figured out the up and coming leader could sense if a girl was a descendent or not. As long as she was, the wolf gene was passed on. It has required more work for the new leader of this tribe, but in some ways it has made them stronger. The original tribe has become complacent. Just waiting for her to show up required no effort.

  It has not been a peaceful existence between the two packs since Devin and Stephens’ dads have taken over. Stephens dad, Bobby doesn’t like that two packs exist and has been trying to provoke a fight between the two hoping he can over throw Devin’s dad, Arthur. Thus, causing hostility between the sons.

  5

  ALEXIS

  I’m glad this day is over, Alexis thought. She would be driving home this afternoon, because Scott has football practice. She couldn’t help but think about Devin. Since lunch she hasn’t been able to think about anything else. She convinced the PE coach she was sick and he let her lay down in the locker room. Last period she was the attendant in the office. (One of the few luxuries of being a senior). Well at least I was able to dodge Camille, I don’t know how I’m going to explain this to her. She won’t let me hear the end of it. Maybe I can talk to mom about it. We’ve always had a good relationship and I feel comfortable enough to talk to her about anything. I just don’t know if I’m ready to admit what happened today.

  “Hey mom,” I called as I entered the door.

  “Hey honey, how was your first day?”

  “Oh, it was fine.”

  “You don’t sound too excited about it,” she said

  “Something weird happened today.”

  “Oh honey, what’s wrong. Did somebody do something to you?”

  I could hear the panic in her voice, and I could see her putting on her “I’m going down there and kick somebody’s butt look.” I grinned at her and tried to talk her down. Moms are so protective.

  “No, no, no, mom. It’s nothing like that.”

  “Well, what is it then? Tell me what happened.” mom said.

  “Only if you promise not to laugh at me. It’s weird.”

  “I’m not going to laugh at you sweetie.”

  I took in a deep breath and let out a long sigh. “Ok, for the past few months I’ve had these dreams. Its different places, but it’s the same boy always. And before you jump to any conclusions mother, it’s not what you think. In my dreams the boy always tries to talk to me. He seems to never get the words out before I wake up.”

  “Okay, honey, that’s not weird. It sounds like you might have a crush on him. Who is he?” she asks.

  “That’s just it mom, I’ve never seen him before in my life.”

  Mom’s just sat there with a stunned look on her face, looking at me like I’m crazy. I know she would never say it and I know she doesn’t really feel that way, so I continue.

  “That is until today, when he showed up at my school. We got a lot of the transfers from the school they shut down out by the reservations. I felt so strange today. It’s just weird mom.”

  “Humm, well maybe you’ve seen him and just don’t remember it,” Mom said

  “Maybe.” I said but knowing deep down that the only place I’d seen him was in my dreams. I would have remembered seeing this boy before. I think mom could see the disappointment on my face, because she immediately went into mom mode.

  “You know this reminds of a legend your great grandfather used to tell me.” Mom said

  “Yeah? An Indian legend?” I asked

  “Yeah.” Mom said

  “Tell me about it, will you?”

  “Okay, let’s see if I can remember where it started. You know how he loved to tell stories.”

  “Yeah, I remember he always told me stories when we would hike out in the swamps around where he lived. Creepy stories. I hope this isn’t a creepy story.” I eyed mom to see if she rethinking the story.

  “It’s not creepy, but tell me if he told you this one.” Mom answered.

  “The Calusa Indians were a small tribe along the southwest coast. They were feared by many. They were fierce warriors. For whatever reason they were bigger than all the other tribes in the area. Not in numbers but as in physical stature. They killed out many of the other local tribes, and even some of the European that had settl
ed in the area. Soon their reputation spread. It was a challenge to other tribes, so they rose up against the Calusa’s. The Calusa’s defeated many of these challengers right away. But the battles took a toll on the tribe’s numbers. The chief knew if he didn’t do something that his tribe would soon be no longer.

  The chief prayed many hours to the spirits for guidance. He woke from a dream in the middle of the night with the answer to his prayers. The spirits had visited his dreams and told him what to do. This ritual would help him defeat the other tribes.

  The Calusa’s believed that the body has 3 souls and that when you die 1 soul stays with the body and the other 2 go into animals. The spirits told the chief to sacrifice one of his souls so that it could be placed into an animal that was strong and could help in battle. Once he completed the ritual he would perform it again with the matriarchs of his tribe. The chief thought long on which animal to choose. He knew once he performed the ritual that he would be in a weakened state. He needed something that would make a formidable warrior.

  Late that night he prayed to the spirits again seeking guidance. While deep in his meditation he heard the lonely bay of the wolf. He listened as his bay was answered by another, and his was answered also. The spirits had provided the chief with the answer to his prayers once again. The wolves lived in a pack. They worked together to hunt, they communicated with each other, and they had rulers just as man did. The chief chose the wolf.

  He summoned the Medicine Man to help him call upon the spirits and make the sacrifice. He preformed the ritual relying on the dream that the spirits had given him. After many hours of performing the ritual, his sacrificed soul rose from his body. It began to travel through the woods in search of its destination. It found the Alpha of the pack and merged with the wolfs’ spirit. The chief could sense everything that was happening in this moment. It transformed the wolf. It grew in size and girth. It was more than the chief had hoped for.

  He asked the other high members of the tribe to perform the ritual as well. They agreed and when it was all complete they had 10 wolves in all. Each human was connected to his wolf. They could feel each other and understood one another. The chief was happy. He could have the wolves patrol the outskirts of the colony and defend against any intruders at the same time alerting the others to the incoming danger. It didn’t take long before the chiefs’ theory was tested. Sure enough, the other tribes came but were so scared at the size of the wolves, they fled. It was told the land was cursed, and that there was black magic at work.

  Everything was going as planned until after the first full moon cycle. One night while the chief was meditating by the fire, his wolf came to him. Before his eyes the wolf transformed into a man. The soul was more powerful than the chief knew. The man wanted his freedom. He didn’t want to be bound to the wolf form, and to serve the chief. The others joined him in human form as well. They refused to go back to their wolf form. The human spirit had breathed a life they didn’t know before into their bodies and they were fully embracing it.

  Days passed without a solution. Then the Spanish settlers invaded the chiefs’ territory. They were in large numbers and the chief knew they would be defeated. He pleaded with the wolf men to help. The chief agreed to give them their freedom in exchange for their protection. He told them that they wouldn’t have to obey orders, that they could have free will if only they would help defeat the settlers. He offered his own daughter to be married to his own spirit wolf hoping to persuade them. He told them that they could be the first of a new race. This persuaded the wolf and he accepted the chiefs’ offer. But like any good leader he wanted to make sure that his new race would withstand the test of time, and not die out with these few.

  The wolf required that from that day on, that when it came time to pass on leadership to a new leader that an heir of the chief’s would be sent to the new leader of the pack as a mate. That they would be joined heart and soul. This would keep the two tribes connected. That was the blood oath made. The wolves were happy with the agreement and stayed with the tribe. For years the wolves protected the tribe even though it wasn’t required. After all, their souls were connected. The Spanish settlers began to come in and trade with the Calusa Indians. With them they brought the European diseases that they were not immune to. The tribe got sick and many died, the ones left alive including the chief believed that a curse had been brought upon them and they fled seeking refuge elsewhere.. The wolves moved farther inland to live. They wanted their privacy and they needed room to roam.

  Every generation though a female descendant to the chief would find them. They were soul bound to the pack. They multiplied plentifully, so their numbers grew rapidly. When they asked the young women how they found them, they would tell them that it started with a dream. She could see her soul mate in her dreams. Then as the dreams grew more frequent, the man would tell her where to find him, so she would come. As long as the pack leader has his mate, the male offspring of all the others were capable of turning wolf. It would first happen around puberty, as the boys turned to men.

  I just stared at mom, dumb founded at what to say.

  She just shrugs at me like she told me the most normal thing in the world.

  “You don’t believe that, do you? “I asked mom.

  Mom laughs, “No, it was just a story your grandfather told me when I was little.”

  I let out a relieved sigh.

  “It was easier than the sex talk!” Mom said. “Which I’m guessing that this is all abut. After all you are 17 years old.”

  I just laugh at her. “Yeah, I guess so.”

  “He didn’t tell you that one?”

  “No, not that one, but he did talk about giant wolves sometimes.”

  I dream of him again tonight. This time he makes it to me. He say’s “Hi my name is Devin.” And then it ends.

  6

  DEVIN

  “Hey Dad!”

  “Hey son, how was your day?”

  “It was a great day, I’ve got good news.” I say with a grin

  “Yeah!”

  “She’s there, at school, I just have to find her.”

  “Well that is good news son. Dad said as he came over and clasped a hand on my shoulder. “See you’ve been worrying for nothing. I’m sorry son that this has been a stress on you. It used to be easier. The girl would just come to you. She would be drawn to you by the dreams. I think it’s because the blood line is weaker now.”

  “What do you think will happen in the future? I mean if the bloodline is getting weaker and the number of descendants is shrinking.”

  “I don’t know, Dad said. The council has been talking about it for years now. Some of the members think that when there is no more soul mates that the wolf line will end.”

  “What do the others think?” I asked

  “The older members think that a price must be paid to the black magic that breathed life into the first wolf. They think that the price will be that breathe.”

  “What does that mean? That we will all die?” I asked

  “Now Devin don’t over react to this. We don’t know what will happen. Maybe nothing. Don’t go and tell your friends this. I shared it with you because you will be Alpha soon and you need to know. I don’t want to start a panic among the people.”

  “I won’t Dad, I appreciate you telling me. What do you think will happen with the other pack?”

  “Not sure of that either. We have been in negotiations with them lately. We know that we need to be in communication on this matter because it affects both packs futures. We have made some progress with their elders, but Bobby is a real pain.”

  I laughed and said, “Like father like son”.

  “Stephen giving you boys problems?” Dad asked

  “Nah, not really. He’s out numbered so he won’t get to cocky. Doesn’t mean he’s not being a pain though.”

  “Hey let’s Celebrate! Why don’t we go out for a run? A real run Dad,” said with a grin on his face

  I kno
w what that means, and I’m out the door first. Once the first change happens, you have to change on the full moon every month. For most of the boys, that’s enough. It’s harder for them to change any other time. The good news is that they can change back as soon as they want to. But for the Alpha’s it is a little different. An alpha line can change at will. There’s a need to change more often, but not a necessity. An alpha wolf gathers a lot of strength and energy from changing. It’s not as bad as you would think. It doesn’t hurt. It’s a very natural thing for our bodies to change. It happens real fast. An alpha can be completely changed within about 30 seconds. It’s a magical experience. I never feel as free as I do when I’m able to run. Really run. When I’m in my wolf form, I’m faster and stronger. My senses are sharper. I feel at one with nature. I can feel my forefather’s spirits join me in my wolf form. It’s such a rush.

  We try to keep it down most of the time. There are so many people around here now that we would hate to get a rumor started about wild wolves running loose. Then there would be crazy people with guns running around. It could end in disaster. When I run I can feel the spirits filling me with energy and strength. Dad and I run until we are exhausted.

  “Thanks Dad, that was just what I needed.”

  “Your welcome son. Your spirit will be strong tomorrow. Maybe that will help bring her to you.” Dad said.

  7

  ALEXIS

  I wake up feeling different today. A new found confidence maybe? I’m more conscious of what I’m going to wear today. Maybe I’ll try the new clothes Camille picked out for me. This is ridiculous. I shouldn’t have to look a certain way to impress Devin. But it wouldn’t hurt to try and get his attention. I’m going to do it. Put on the clothes I’m the least comfortable in. well maybe just the top, I say as I look at how tight the jeans are.