Disclaimer: The Twilight book series and all recognizable characters and situations belong to Stephanie Meyer I don't own any of that. But I do so love her stage.

A/N:

Mircea is married to Adam's cousin Flori. Leah met him back in chapter 13.

By popular request I am working on a glossary of Shape-Shifters found in this book. I will publish separately so I don't interrupt up the flow of the chapters in this book.

Chapter 33: The Spiritwalker

Unknown Pov

Pack Korzka is a Lucacinian pack of spirit-walkres, which can trace its origins the red mountains near Leydwolf.

The current Alpha Rex Matthew Elijah Korzka-Hemming is a member of that pack on his paternal side. He allows those closest to him to affectionately call him Korzka.

Most think it's fitting because in reality he is the head of the Korzka family. He is simultaneously the head of his maternal side of the family. They consist of Lucacini's Royal Family the Hemmings.

Leah's Pov

I woke up groggy when Delta Allen hit a bump maneuvering into a gravel driveway. Seth was laid out on the back seat snoring loudly.

Delta Allen turned off the engine and glanced back at Seth, "He sure is loud for someone who SWEARS he doesn't snore."

I couldn't keep the smile off my face, "Umm-mm."

As if on cue Seth sat up yawning and looked around.

We were in a semi-residential area at the top of a hill. The driveway led to a sloping road which ended in a parking lot further down. Several driveways and the main road branched off from the parking lot.

I opened my door and climbed out. Whiffs of smoke drifted through the air from dozens of campfires that dotted the surrounding mountains. I could almost see the embers floating, and hear the fires crackling, despite the light trickle of rain that muffled through the area. It was well after midnight. In fact, the sun should be coming up in a couple of hours.

Suddenly I felt lightheaded as I perceived my senses sharpening, beyond anything I had ever experienced. The first thing I noticed was the concentrated scents of many wolves for miles around. The second thing I noticed, was that I could sift through, isolate and deduce the dominance of individual wolves from their scent alone.

I breathed in deeply. The wolf magic is an integral part of this place just waiting to be absorbed. A rush of power pulsed through me, hot, earthy and invigorating. I experienced an almost overwhelming urge to phase, to run, to dominate, and protect.

I was immersed within the wolf magic itself. With that merge came an ancient knowledge, an instinctive knowledge, offered by the magic itself.

Shape-shifters, werewolves and vampires are not new races. We have walked the earth as long as mankind, mostly in the shadows.

The first vampires were a wise and gentle people who gave up progeny in exchange for immortality. But over time they came to admire the exuberance of life, and to covet something of it for themselves.

In an attempt to capture the life spirit granted to man, vampires experimented with drinking of the forbidden human blood.

Consequently they began to crave it, causing an imbalance among the races by the influx of newborn immortals.

Then the werewolves evolved into their natural enemies as a form of population control.

The shape-shifters are similar to werewolves in addition to being sentinels, protectors of the magic. They were allowed to choose their spirit animal enabling them to thrive in any environment.

In modern days the dhamphir are being born as a bridge between humanity and the mystical races. These half vampires will...

"Leah!" Jacob's panic filled voice snapped me out of whatever haze I was in.

The air stilled and I blinked. Jacob and Seth were looking at me like they'd never seen me before.

I startled, "When did you come out here?"

Jacob sighed, "Just now, but you looked lost. Are you that tired?".

My heart beat wildly in my chest and I twisted my hands together, "I don't know I was having some kind of vision."

"Vision?" Jacob asked looking bewildered.

I said, "I don't know it was surreal like I just knew stuff."

"You were spirit-walking," Delta Allen's words cut through my confusion.

I released a quiet breath, "Why would you say that?"

"I recognized what was happening. I have spent a lot of time with active spirit-walkers. I am more familiar with them than most people." he replied matter-of-factually.

Jacob was impressed, "You have spirit-walkers?"

Delta Allen looked at him like it should be obvious, "Pack Korzka are spirit-walkers. It's their ondah. Korzka himself is one of the better know living spirit-walkers."

Seth looked at me with wide eyes, "What did you see?"

Delta Allen held up a hand stopping him, "It's considered impolite to question them. Spirit-walking is a very personal experience."

Seth surprised me with his reaction, "I knew that. Sorry Leah you just caught me off guard."

I looked closer at him. His stance has been changing recently. He'd been standing straighter and exuding a new confidence, "You're the True Alpha," I blurted out.

Jacob looked at me sharply, "Seth? Wait what are you saying?"

I hesitated, "Seth is the True Alpha. I don't know how I'm doing it but I can sense it."

"High Alpha's have an ability to analyze other wolves such as you're describing," Delta Allen muttered from his position by the Jeep.

Seth didn't deny my statement. He took a step back and frowned at Jacob, "Why aren't you upset?"

Jacob returned his look with a hint of humor, "Even though Earl Bishop is a good alpha, I've been worried about the pack since I imprinted. This may just allow me to choose Miriella with a clear conscious."

"You're leaving the pack?" I blurted out.

Jacob glanced at me and shrugged, "I don't know yet, but I am planning to spend lots of of my time here with Miriella.

"But I'm not ready yet," Seth said under his breath.

Jacob smiled at him, "That's because you're young. One thing I learned since I've been here is that the best alpha skills take time to develop."

Seth turned to Delta Allen, "But...But."

Delta Allen smiled reassuringly at him, "You will make a fine alpha once you have matured into the role. Besides, you told me you might have a child to guard coming soon."

That's right Seth was expected imprint on Paul and Rachels baby. Of course we now know, it will be a guardian relationship based on our pack ondah."

Seth looked pensive, "Yea but since Leah's staying here with Korzka, and my mom with Adam, I've been thinking about settling here."

Delta Adam shook his head slightly, "Adam is a dual-citizen. He spends ample time in America. He also travels a lot as First Beta. Either way none of this has to be decided right now. Let's go inside."

Sacred Crest turned out to be a medium sized two story military barracks built around a training yard. The ground floor included an industrial sized kitchen, dining rooms, laundry facilities, two recreation rooms, a gym with showers and several offices. The sleeping quarters were upstairs.

Most of the occupants had turned in for the night, but a few Lightfoots were up and about. Jacob quietly led us to our assigned rooms. Mine was furnished in the minimalist fashion, common to such barracks worldwide.

Seth came in and put my duffel bag on the bed, "Goodnight Leah."

Despite sleeping only a few hours, I woke up feeling refreshed. I might have been thinking if I happened to see Elijah I wanted to look good.

I decided to wear my best black designer jeans that hugged my curves just right. A classy v-neck lace top completed my outfit.

I kept my make-up light and natural since I would be phasing. Once I was satisfied with my appearance, I slipped on my favorite jeweled flip flops, and headed down to the kitchen.

The building was a hive of activity with Lightfoot wolves going about their morning routine. I almost giggled when I saw one wolf standing outside the bathroom door brushing his teeth. But I was more interested in following the smell of food to the kitchen.

A huge coffee urn was on a sideboard brewing coffee. Two guys wearing aprons were unloading a catering van, and setting up a self serve buffet.

A couple of wolves were eating, others were waiting for the food or standing around talking.

I heard someone calling my name. Seth was sitting besides Mircea at one of the tables. They had already started their breakfast.

"Good morning" I rolled my eyes at Seth, "Did you even sleep last night?"

He nodded, "Yep." and took another bite of food.

The windows were open and the room was filled with fresh air still scented from the campfires. A persistent thunder of drums echoed in the distance lending an aura of solemnity to the morning.

"What's with the drums?" I asked.

Mircea said, "Traditionally, they mark the countdown to the beginning of the run. They have been going nonstop since the Rex arrived."

He looked at his watch, "We still have a couple of hours."

I said, "Wow that's so cool."

I wandered over to the buffet and grabbed an oversized muffin and a cup of coffee. I wanted to eat outside and soak up the ambiance. I had noticed some picnic tables earlier.

I went to the front entrance where the door was standing open and almost dropped my breakfast. Elijah was down near the parking lot hugging a trim petite woman.

A/N: Leah is a major character in this fiction because she is one of my favorite wolves. But ultimately this is a story about shape-shifter society.

I wanted to explore some of the more obscure aspects of the shape-shifters that Stephanie Meyer hinted at. She never really explained how the races came to be, or much about Jacobs ancestors.

Aro did say the Quileute were shape-shifters who choose to be wolves. That would suggest there is more to their origins than meet the eye.

I'm choosing to portray the Quileute wolf genes as having always been in the people.

For this story the Quileute shape-shifter origins myths, like most stories passed down through generations have been embellished. In this case embellished quite a bit.

The vampires have Volturi and the shape-shifters have Lucacini

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