Waxing Gibbous

Chapter 10

It was late in the afternoon and Tegan was sitting at the table eating lunch with Storm. Someone went scurrying past the open kitchen door and up the stairs. A few moments later, Ulrick and his wife rushed past. Then Soren strode by at in a quick gait.

Curiosity clawed at Tegan. She looked at her familiar. “Do you know what that was all about?”

He shrugged and stuffed a fork full of salad into his mouth.

“I’m going to go find out,” Tegan said, wiping her mouth with her napkin and getting up from the table. She followed the crowd into the living room. There she saw Ulrick embracing a blond man. Lyn had her hand on his shoulder while Soren was in the background, his infamous scowl plastered on his face.

“It’s good to be home, dad,” the blond guy said, still locked in the embrace.

“It’s good to have you back, son,” Ulrick replied, unwinding his arms from the newcomer. They broke apart from each other. Blondie then turned to Soren.

“Hey, little brother,” the stranger said.

Soren crossed his arms over his chest and stood defiantly before his older brother. “It’s nice of you to grace us with you presence. How long has it been? Three years?”

“Soren, please,” his mother begged. “Let’s just…”

“Welcome him back with open arms like nothing ever happened? I don’t fucking think so. That son of a bitch can go fuck himself,” Soren barked hotly.

“No. He has every right to feel that way,” the blond told Lyn.

“He may be entitled to his opinion, but it still doesn’t make it right,” Ulrick growled through clenched teeth. His hands were balled up at his sides and he was glaring at Soren as if he wanted to throttle him. “We haven’t seen you in a very long time. He could at least be pleasant.”

Soren clicked his teeth and rolled his eyes. Tegan could tell he was barely containing his anger. And she wondered why all that hate was trained on the newcomer. It was not unusual for him to be all moody and rude, but something ran deep this time. This was not the normal superficial anger he cast out to anyone and anything.

“Ah, this must be Tegan, the new healer.” Tegan jumped upon hearing her name. Looking away from Soren, she noticed that the stranger had stepped closer to her. He was looking down at her intently, his head cocked to the side. Studying her like a slide under a microscope, he looked her up and down.

She put him under her own scrutiny.

As Tegan examined his face, she could discern the family resemblance. Both of the sons took after their father, but the eldest had his mother’s emerald green eyes. He had his father’s sandy blond hair and stocky, muscled build. He was also taller than both his brother and father, reaching about the same height as Storm.

She bobbed her head up and down. “Yeah, that’d be me. And you are?”

“Kerr? You’re back,” Storm said, coming up behind Tegan. He must have heard the commotion and his inquisitive nature urged him to investigate.

“Wow, Storm. Long time, no see,” Kerr greeted in return, inclining his head in acknowledgement toward her familiar. “I was just meeting your witch. I have got to say, you sure did get lucky in that department. She is cute,” Soren’s brother gushed, winking at him and the dazzling her with a wide, toothy smirk.

Kerr moved in a little closer to her. “I’d like to properly introduce myself. I’m Kerr.” He held out his hand for her to take. “That one’s,” – he pointed at Soren’s glowering form behind his back – “more charming and handsome brother.”

Tegan reached out and took his proffered hand. Instead of shaking it, he brought it up to his lips and kissed the skin along the knuckles.

It was obvious that Kerr had a very different personality than his brother. It was offsetting, really. If he hadn’t looked so much like an older version of Soren, she would have sworn that they were not related. They were polar opposites. Perhaps his more lighthearted personality came from their mother, Lyn.

“Um, it’s nice to meet you, Kerr. I wasn’t aware that Soren had an older brother,” Tegan said, snatching her hand back from him.

“As far as I’m concerned, I don’t,” Soren snapped then proceeded to stalk out of the room. Seconds later, a door somewhere in the house slammed shut with enough force to make the frames on the wall rattle with displeasure.

“What was that all about?” Tegan asked, startled. Her eyes glanced around the room waiting for someone to give her an answer.

Kerr shrugged. “Soren and I just have some unfinished business. It’s a quarrel among siblings, nothing more.”

“Well, son,” Ulrick said, cutting into the conversation and changing the subject completely, “we need to catch up. Would you mind going to my study with me? There is work I have to do and I could use a little company.” He clapped his eldest child on the shoulder and started leading him out of the room with Lyn on their heels.

“Sure, dad. It was nice meeting you, Tegan,” Kerr called over his shoulder, giving her a small wave.

Everyone parted ways and the house settled once more. Tegan and Storm went back in the kitchen to finish the lunch they had abandoned.

“What was that all about?” Tegan asked again once she and her familiar were reseated in front of their food.

Storm just shook his head and pushed the remains of his lunch away, no longer interested in the strips of chicken or leafy greens. “It isn’t my place to say.”

“Oh, come on,” Tegan begged, plopping a juicy cherry tomato in her mouth.

“I suggest that you just let it go and not get in the middle of it,” Storm warned with a fixed stare.

Tegan swallowed the tart mouthful then nibbled at a leaf of lettuce. Her curiosity was eating her alive. Her inquiring mind wondered about this lost brother of Soren’s and why they didn’t get along. He was always sarcastic and sullen, but there was an underlying bubbling fury that wasn’t normally in his snappy retorts and snide comments. All was not right in Werewolf Land. Risking his wrath, Tegan decided to talk to him about it.

Time seemed to past quickly. Throughout the day people seemed to go in and out of the house, scurrying this way and that. All Tegan did was kick back with Storm and take it easy. Pretty soon the sun was settling low in the sky, ready to crawl into bed while the moon rose for its shift.

Soren came striding into the sitting room that they were in. His hands were tucked in his jeans pockets, his head was down, and he seemed to be sulking.

“Soren,” Tegan called. At the sound of her voice he picked his head up.

“My dad asked for me to come see if you are ready or not,” he uttered quieted.

She looked over at Storm, who nodded slowly. “Yeah, I think I’m good to go. Are you okay?”

He shrugged one shoulder, but didn’t answer her. “Come on. I’m supposed to take you to the dais.”

“About your brother –”

“There is nothing to talk about. I just wish everyone would shut the hell up about it,” he said, cutting her off.

“But…”

“I don’t have all night to sit here and play twenty-one goddamn questions. Are you coming or not?”

She rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “Yeah, lead the way.”

Tegan and Storm followed Soren through the forest. They had to go downhill in rough terrain. Tegan stumbled over jagged and loose rocks, losing her footing on the slippery surface more than once. Had it not been for Soren or Storm, she would have fallen and probably broken her neck.

“You are so clumsy, you know that?” Soren muttered in annoyance. “You need to learn these woods so you are not always floundering about.” He sighed heavily and shook his head as she tripped over a tree root.

“Not everyone can be perfect like you, wolf-boy,” she replied bitingly.

“First you strip me naked and now you think I’m perfect. I’m beginning to think you are really starting to fall head over heels for me,” he teased.

“You’re an ass,” she said reproachfully.

“Is there something going on between the two of you?” Storm asked, he brows drawn down low.

“No!” Tegan shouted.

“Yes,” Soren answered at the same time.

“I just cleaned his wounds,” she explained, glaring at the beta’s back. “Somewhere in his twisted, delusional brain he had equated it to me wanting to see him naked. I’d rather gouge my eyes out with a spoon, you perverted little ingrate!”

The two continued to bicker all the way to the center of the island. When they got there, the pack was milling about, talking with each other in low murmurs. Ulrick had already taken his place on the platform. He was standing next to a red slab of stone in the middle. All conversation stopped as soon as the three made their way into the clearing.

“Go stand up there with my father,” Soren told her. He grabbed her hand before she could leave his side. He leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Good luck, witch.”

Tegan did as she was told and stepped up the stone stairs to the pack leader. Storm stayed behind to watch the proceedings. He flashed a friendly, calming smile when she looked over at him.

Be strong. He sent the thought to her mentally.

“Tegan,” Ulrick rumbled, getting her to focus on him. He positioned her so that she was standing in front of him. The entire pack had crowded around the front of the altar, trying to get as close as they possibly could.

Ulrick cleared his throat, gaining the attention of all his subjects. There were over thirty wolves that settled down to hear what the leader had to say. There were men and women, elders and young.

Even Kerr was grinning broadly at her. All of them listened keenly. Their eyes glowed citrine yellow and the air surrounding them crackled with power and magick.

“Tonight we have all gathered to witness the rise of a healer. This will be a turning point for the Darkwood clan. This is a time when our numbers have dwindled and the pack is in desperate need of magick and healing. We now have a savior,” he proclaimed loudly. The small crowd roared vociferously.

Ulrick turned deep cinnamon brown eyes her way. “Will you remain true to those that you are sworn to nourish and sustain?”

She glanced at the crowd around the raised rock then back at the pack leader. “I will,” she said nodding.

“Will you assist us when we are in need of your guidance?”

“I will.”

“Will you watch over us even when the darkest hour is upon us?”

“Yes.”

The questions were getting more ominous by the second. She expected thunderclouds to roll in any minute and kinky webs of lightning to vein out overhead. She expected fog to bubble up from the earth and the wind to start howling. Then someone would pull out a crude ritual knife so she could stab herself in the hand and offer her blood to an unnamed god…

Maybe Soren was right. Perhaps she did need to lay off the boob tube for awhile.

“Do you accept this honor bestowed upon you until you go to grave?” Ulrick questioned, dragging her back to the here and now.

“Um…” She swallowed, taking a moment to absorb the death part. “Yes,” she said hesitantly.

“Then meet our new healer, Tegan Daniels.”

There were yips and howls that rippled through the crowd. The atmosphere thickened and shifted into something more…something stronger. It was her essence bonding with all of the pack’s…the essence of her wolf within, to be more specific.

“Then let the ceremony commence,” Ulrick’s voice boomed. “Lay down on the slab,” he directed Tegan more gently.

The newly established healer followed orders and lay down on the red granite protruding from the middle of the dais. Surprisingly, it was heated. Although it was warmed, it was still a rock, and therefore, hard and uncomfortable. At least there was a pillow placed under her head. Ulrick whipped out a blanket and covered her with it.

“Tilt your head up,” Ulrick whispered into her ear. He brandished a dark glass vial. He pulled out a tiny dropper. “Relax. And try not to blink. I don’t want to waste this.”

Tegan held as still as she could. It was hard not to finch knowing some weird substance was going into her eye. As promised, he dispensed a drop to each eyeball. It didn’t burn at all. In fact, the extract was warm and smooth. It was like someone wrapped her eyes in silk.

“Now, close your eyes and relax,” the alpha instructed.

She did as she was told and slammed her eyelids down. As she waited, she listened to the sounds around her – or lack thereof. The pack was completely silent, waiting to see what happened next. Minutes ticked on and Tegan felt no different.

Maybe that stuff really wasn’t going to work on her. Maybe she wasn’t powerful enough. Maybe she wasn’t their healer after all, she thought. Disappointment bloomed in her heart, surprising her. She certainly wouldn’t have been this dismayed two days ago.

Then the heat welling in her eye started spreading to the other parts of her body. Color bursts flashed in her vision. It was like someone was lighting fireworks behind her eyelids. Reds, blues, yellows, purples, and greens exploded before her.

Though Tegan’s body didn’t move, I felt like she was floating up and away. When her soul finally settled down and the colors had melted away, she was in a ghostly body. Tegan lifted up her hand and could see through her non-corporeal palm. Beyond her see-through fingers she could make out the strange world she now saw herself in. It was dark. She looked up to the sky and saw billions of glowing stars, like someone had strung up every star in the Milky Way and they were all clearly visible. Lights like giant fireflies flickered and swirled through the air, lighting up everything in their path. Grass grew tall in the meadow, reaching for her waist. Flowers sprung from the ground and swayed in the gentle breeze. A stream tumbled down from high cliffs to her right, forming a glorious waterfall that ran right down the middle of the meadow.

She had made it, or rather her soul had. She was in the Realm of Guardians.

Or Ulrick had lied about what he had given her and she was tripping balls off acid or something.

“Tegan,” a voice said from behind her. She turned to find the spirit of her mother approaching.

“Mama?” she whispered to the almost invisible form marching toward her. If she could cry, tears would have welled in her eyes and spilled. But apparently in her ghostly form that wasn’t going to happen. She was grateful for it.

“Yes. It is me, my dear.” Her mother’s ghost stopped before her. She reached out with a steady hand and touched her shoulder. Tegan could feel an icy pressure wherever her mother made contact with her. Even as an apparition, Celeste Daniels looked the same. Her long raven hair flowed down her back, stirring in a warm breeze that licked at everything it could get its airy tongue on. The woman stared at her daughter with icy cobalt eyes. Her milk white skin made her look like some kind of gothic beauty.

“You are not dead, so I guess that they have found you,” Celeste said, taking her hand away. So much for some dramatic reunion – her mother wasn’t that kind of woman. Straight and to the point was more her style.

“The werewolves? Yeah. Why didn’t you tell me about what I was? Why did you keep something so important from me?” Tegan demanded. Anger swelled in her, taking over any momentary grief she felt about seeing her mother after she had been taken from her so suddenly in a car accident.

“I did what any mother would. I wanted you safe. It wasn’t to be cruel. Among the werewolves you would have been a target. I didn’t want that life for you. I wanted you to be happy. I wanted you to live without the constant threat of someone taking you away,” her mother said sharply.

“But more than my life was at stake! They have all suffered greatly. Even my familiar has suffered because of my absence,” Tegan argued.

“I will not apologize for what I did.” And Celeste wouldn’t. Right or wrong, she never regretted any path she chose to follow. It was a part her aloof nature.

Tegan sighed. Even dead, her mother was very fixed in her ways. “Arguing is getting us nowhere and there are other, more important things to discuss.”

Celeste smiled. “Oh, like what? I can keep you within this realm for however long I see necessary.”

“Mother, I love you dearly, but I don’t plan on hanging out with you in the land of the dead. I need to know what to do about Storm. He said you bound him to the island using my magick. I want to know how to undue it,” Tegan said, getting right down to business.

“How is Storm treating you? He was quite the loyal little thing when he first appeared on our doorstep,” her mother said, lifting her non-hand up and inspecting the fingernails. It was just like her to do things on her time. Tegan forgot how frustrating she could be.

“Other than the fact the he is trapped because of you, he is doing fine,” she ground out through gritted teeth.

Celeste glanced up from her inspection. “You should have never gone back to that godforsaken island. I cannot help you now. From here, I cannot interfere with the world of the living. As soon as you wake from this, leave. Leave and don’t look back. They will come after you. They will come for you,” her mother warned ominously.

“Who?”

“The ones that killed your father,” she replied vaguely.

“It’s already too late. I think they are coming for me now. They already attacked Storm. That is why I need to free him from the island in case I do need to leave, because I will not leave him behind. I cannot do that to him again.” Even if Tegan couldn’t find out a way to break the curse he would remain loyal. But she had promised to help him. She couldn’t let Storm down now.

Her mother’s head dropped and she shook it solemnly. “Take this then.” Suddenly a necklace materialized on her outstretched palm. Attached to a black cord was a nest of metal. In the heart of the silvery tangle a white stone with an odd glow shone brightly. “This is his freedom. Take it to him and place it around his neck. You have to be the one to do it. He will be able to venture off the island after that.”

Tegan took the offered item and held it up to inspect it more closely. “What is it?” There was an odd heat radiating off the pearl-like stone.

“It is a rock from Timber Island. I soaked it in your blood and hid a piece of his soul inside. Once the glowing stops, he can take it off. The missing part will absorb back into him,” Celeste explained to her.

“Why did you bind him in the first place? Why didn’t you take him when you fled with me?”

“Because he was a part of that world. I wanted no traces of the wolves and magick to reach you.”

“I want to help them. They need it, mom. I can’t let them die off.”

“You always were too caring for your own good,” she chastised. “Always so reckless with your own life, but when it came to someone in need you were always ready to help. A curse and blessing all rolled into one. You take after your father in that respect. He was a good man. And George loved you more than anything.”

Tegan gasped. It was the first time her mother had ever really mentioned anything about her father, much less his very name.

“That…that’s his name?”

“Yes. I didn’t tell you about him for the same reason I didn’t tell you about Storm,” her mother answered before Tegan could ask the question hanging on the tip of her tongue. “Would you like to meet him?”

“Meet him? How?”

“The same way you are talking to me.”

“Yeah…yeah I’d like to meet him.” Her mother smiled warmly and pointed at something behind Tegan.

“My darling daughter,” called out a voice from behind her. It was deep and masculine. Her father’s voice.

Tegan spun on her heel.

The man standing behind her was tall and broad of shoulder. His shaggy brown hair was disheveled and dark brown eyes, so much like her own, were steadily fixed upon her. It was as if he were trying to stain her face to his memory. There was a fierce protectiveness that rolled off him like you would be the safest person in the world if you were wrapped in his arms.

Tegan took a halting step toward him. Then another and another until she stood in front of the apparition of her father. "I was starting to think I was a pod child," Tegan murmured jokingly. It wasn’t really the first thing she wanted to say to him, but at the moment, clever words seemed to have escaped her. "I knew nothing about you, not even your name."

He smiled tenderly and cupped her cheek. "I wish I could have spent more time with you, but that is not what fate had in store for me."

"I wish I had known you, too." Anguish and yearning welled up in her heart. She had been cheated a father because someone had taken him from her. Now this was probably the only time she was going to be able to speak with him, and there was very little of it.

“I want you to know that I am proud of you, even though your mother thinks it is foolish for you take your place among the pack. I have faith that you will do well,” he told her, pride shining through his voice.

"And are you not the least bit worried that your daughter will die, George?" Celeste asked bitterly.

"Celeste, I think our daughter is stronger than you give her credit. I believe in her.”

"She just can't let her heart lead her. Look where it got you."

George looked startled at her mother tactlessness, but he recovered quickly. "You knew what kind of man I was when you married me."

Her mother stepped closer to them. "Yes, and it is why I fell in love with you. But I didn’t know it would be your downfall. Your daughter is too kind for her own good. Do you want to see her follow in your footsteps, dying before her time?"

"History can change,” George mumbled.

She twisted her body so she could face both of her parents. "Both of you are forgetting that it’s my choice. I choose to be a part of the wolves. I am choosing to help them, to fight along with them, if the need be. I think a life with them wouldn't be so bad. They have welcomed me among them as family. They have sheltered me, fed me, and told me what I am. I kind of want to be with them, to be a part of something bigger than myself. Mom, I know you don't understand. Among them, I feel like I belong, like I am meant to be there,” Tegan said.

Celeste sighed and crossed her arms in indignation. "I'm not going to argue with you about it. You are going to do what you want and anything I say will be wasted."

Tegan smiled. "I don't expect you to understand why I'm doing this –"

"I know why you are doing this. It is because you have the same personality as your father. You are unable to say 'no' when someone begs for your help. I had no such problem when I left."

"I know, mom. I know you did what you had to do in order to keep me safe. And I am grateful that you loved me enough to do that. But it is time for me to figure out my way. Be it a good or bad decision is yet to be decided. But this is what my heart and my head are telling me to do. I cannot and will not let the pack down,” she spoke firmly.

"Then I will pray for you," her mother whispered.

Her father placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed lightly, but all she felt was a cool pressure and nothing more. "And I shall cheer you on."

Tegan didn't know how her mother and father could ever love each other if their feelings laid on different sides of a coin. They were the opposite in every way from what Tegan could tell.

"It is because of our differences that I love him," Celeste told her, having plucked the question from her head. "He balances me like no man ever has. Despite hardly agreeing on a lot of issues, I have this undeniable love for him that I have never had for anyone. He is my first and only love, and though this might sound selfish to you, my daughter, I was happy to die because I was able to connect back to the one person that I loved more that I could ever fathom." She went over to her husband and entwined her hand with his. They looked longingly in each other’s eyes. By that look alone, one could tell that they loved each other deeply.

"And I love you, my darling wife, more than you will ever know," George murmured before his face descended and captured his wife’s lips with his own.

Tegan coughed to gain their attention when their intimacies were getting a bit too carried away. "If you two are about to jump each other – a mental image I so do not need – I can always go back earth side, you know."

"Sorry," her father said sheepishly. "I have watched you from here. I have watched you grow and learn. I have witnessed you become an adult from this realm. You still have a lot of growing to do, but I am glad at how far you have come."

Tegan reached out and took his ghostly hand into hers. "I'm happy I got the chance to at least meet you. I think I would have been proud to have you as a father."

He smiled, but then his face grew into a somber expression as if he had remembered something horrible. "I have a warning for you, Tegan. One that you should not take lightly. Beware the serpent."

Her heart leapt to her throat. "What do you mean by that?"

"That is all I can tell you. That is what the other spirits have whispered unto me.”

Tegan thought for a moment and what the warning could possibly mean. "Do you know who killed you?"

He frowned. "No I do not. It was dark and storming. All I remember was a rope slipping around my neck, strangling me until darkness swallowed me whole. And then I was here, stuck as I watched those dear to me mourn and then move on. I can only look after those that are connected to my spirit, not those who are not of my kith or kin."

"I'm going to try to find out who murdered you," Tegan declared resolutely.

"Do not foolishly put yourself into danger. What's done is done. There is no going back to try to change the past," he said.

She shook her head. "But you deserve justice just like everyone else. Tell me, if I had been the one strangled on that very night, wouldn't you try to find out who had killed me? I'm going to look into it whether you like it or not. The person who was after you might be trying to come after me. And they will undoubtedly stop at nothing to do so. I have to find out. For everyone’s safety, I must."

George swore. "At least have the pack protect you."

"I have Storm."

"Storm will not be enough. Have other werewolves with you at all times. Trust no outsider but them. They are the only ones that will be loyal to you.”

"Do what you father asks, Tegan. I do not want to see you on this side for a very, very long time. Well after you bore me a few grandchildren." Both father and daughter groaned. She might have been a little out there as mothers go, but that didn’t mean she didn’t want some of the same things.

"Mom! I'm only twenty. I don't need to be thinking about baring any grandchildren for you. "

"And I don't need to be thinking of some horny little bastard defiling my daughter."

"Dad!" Tegan yelled automatically, feeling quiet strange after the word tumbled out of her mouth.

"That is the first time I have heard that." Before she knew it, she was in her father’s ghostly embrace. "I wish you could stay longer but you need to go back. There is still danger lurking about and it is best not to keep you within this realm for too long."

"We have to give her the marking," her mother reminded.

"And what marking will this be? Is it like a tattoo?" Tegan inquired.

"Sort of. More like a magickal tattoo. It identifies you as the pack healer and someone that has travelled to the Realm of Guardians. You will be distinguished as a high official. Only the alphas and betas will be above you in power, and even they will not ever cross you. Your words are their wisdom and guidance. They will trust everything that you tell them. They will follow your advice," Celeste said.

Tegan nodded. "So, where is this mark going to go?"

"Give me your hands," he mother commanded, ignoring her question.

Tegan reached out and touched her mother's outstretched palms. An electric buzz started from where her fingertips connected with her mother's skin to her spread throughout her body. It didn’t hurt, but it felt very strange.

"You will go back now, Tegan. We will look upon you and may fate be kinder to you than it was to us,” her mother whispered.

George leaned in and kissed her temple. "Be well, Tegan. And trust in yourself, your mind and your heart. Until we meet again, may you be safe and loved by those that live beside you."

Tegan felt her non-corporeal form begin to collapse in upon itself. The lights that floated about the strange plane swirled around her in a whirlwind of excited streamers of radiance. It became blinding and then suddenly she was no longer in the Realm of Guardians. She was floating down peacefully into her physical form.