Chapter Six
Mathew Donner returned home after a restless day at the police station, no more relaxed than he had been when he had left that morning. It had been pretty quiet with only one complaint that was quickly resolved, but Matt had been unsettled the whole time he was supposed to be working. He snapped at Molly for the littlest things, and spent most of his time worrying about Sophia rather than working. When he walked into his house though, his thoughts were replaced with a feeling that worked its way through his nostrils all the way down to his toes. Sophia was cooking. How she ever learned to cook as well as she did was a mystery to him. Marie died before she had a chance to teach Sophia all of her cooking secrets, and lord knows a disaster happened every time he even stepped into the kitchen.
But he smelled it as soon as he opened the door, Sophia was making his favorite. Prime rib, very rare. Everything was set up on the table when Matt walked into the kitchen and Sophia was putting the food on the table. "Hi Daddy!" She said as she heard him walk in. "You're just in time."
"Smells great honey. How was work?"
"Fine. It was pretty steady all day but not to bad."
"Did any of the other kids come in?" Matt cautiously asked afraid of what she might come out of his daughter's mouth.
"Yeah but Luke had a talk with them. Everything will be all right." Sophia assured her father. "They even invited me to one of their parties tonight."
"Sophia, I don't know..." Matt began.
"Daddy I am not a little girl anymore and I know how to take care of myself. You don't have to worry."
"But honey I'm not so ancient to not know what goes on at those parties."
"Dad trust me. All these years of warning me against the dangers of boys and skinwalkers didn't just go in one ear and out the other. It taught me how to handle myself. Besides Luke will be there and I am sure he will kick anyone's butt in a second who does anything wrong. Now sit and eat!"
"All right but I want you to know I don't feel good about this." Matt gave in and sat down at the table. An hour and a half later Sophia and the sheriff had had finished their food and lapsed into one of their conversations that always seemed so natural to them. They had always been able to talk to each other and would sit for long periods discussing their day and how life was treating them. They were still sitting at the table when the doorbell rang startling them both. "I'll go see who that is." Matt said and got up from the table. "I'll be right back to help you with the dishes."
"Ok, I'll wash you dry." Sophia agreed and started grabbing dirty dishes.
Matt walked to the front door as the bell went off again and whoever was waiting pounded like there was no tomorrow. When he wrenched open the door he found Sherman standing on the steps with his breath heaving like he had just run five miles without stopping. "Matt you need to get over to Kanin's cabin right now. Ruby made her way over there and Tyler found out." Sherman managed to get out as he gasped for air. "I'm afraid Tyler will do something he will in no way regret. If he has the chance, I wouldn't be surprised if he ripped Kanin's guts out and spread them all over Wolf Lake."
"Right." Matt said and sighed knowing he was going to have real trouble when it came to Tyler and Kanin's fight over Ruby. "You start over, I'll be right there."
"Sure." Sherman agreed and slowly made his way back to his old station wagon that waited in the driveway. "I'm getting to old to be running around like this anymore."
"Sophia." Matt yelled and strode back into the family room to grab his gun and badge. "That was Sherman; there is a problem over at John Kanin's cabin."
"What happened?" Sophia asked and placed the last of the dishes in the dishwasher.
"Ruby tried to come out of hiding and I'm guessing Tyler didn't like who she decided to talk to."
"Kanin?" Sophia half asked and half stated.
"Yeah, I better get over there before something really bad happens. I'll see you later."
"Ok, bye." Sophia said and watched her Dad leave. She glanced up at the clock out of habit and shrieked when she realized how late it was. It was already eight o'clock and Luke was coming pick her up in one short hour. She was going to her first rave as a skinwalker and wanted to look extra good. She wasn't going to let anyone else have any reason to her a half breed ever again.
Sophia could feel the music vibrating through her body even before they saw the party. The lights were flashing and the dance floor was crowded with people who were gyrating to the strong pulses they felt from the music. Luke parked the car and got out, watching all of the young skinwalkers to see what would happen. "Luke I'm scared." Sophia interrupted his thoughts to confess her feelings over their private mental pathway.
"Babe you have nothing to be scared of. You were great against those males today, and you will be great tonight." He assured her and grabbed her hand pulling her from where she was still seated in the car. "Now come on we've got drinks calling our name, and a dance floor waiting for us to conquer it." He said and pulled her from the passenger seat. They were both laughing and holding each other's hands when they walked up to where Luke's crowd was waiting for them. "Hey guys what's going on?"Luke asked.
"Luke." Sean acknowledged him with a nod of his head. "We weren't sure if you were going to show up tonight, or if you were going to spend the night at home with company." He said with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye that clearly said what he was thinking.
"No man, I couldn't let Sophia miss her first rave as a member of the pack. We are here to party." Luke responded and noticed how even though the music was still blaring the people on the dance floor had slowed down. Likewise all the people who were talking and drinking were watching as their leader arrived with the young woman whom many had been taught to think was beneath them.
Sophia had noticed what was happening around them and was starting to cower against Luke when Sean spoke up breaking some of the tension she felt all around. "Hey Sophia, what's up?" He asked and smiled at the obviously nervous young woman.
"Not much Sean, thanks." Sophia answered instantly starting to relax when she heard Sean's words of friendship.
"So Sophia, I've got to ask, now that you are with Luke, does that mean we get free food at the dinner?" He asked in a hopeful tone.
Sophia laughed. "Maybe, but if I keep giving you free food, I could loose my job you guys would starve and then what would you do?"
From then on the atmosphere of the rave went back to one of merriment. Sophia had even managed to make some new friends among the Beta's that Sara introduced her to. Everything was going fine for those first forty-five minutes, but then Presley showed up with her group in tow. Sophia knew she was coming when the people all around her started to back away. Their faces which had been happy for the past few hours quickly grew cautious and guarded. By the time Sophia had turned around to face Presley everyone had left her.
"So half-breed, you think you can just waltz right in and become a member of the pack do you?" Presley asked with her crowd of lackeys behind her. "Well I don't think so. I challenge you for your place in the pack as Luke's mate."
Everyone around her gasped as they watched the scene enfolding before them. They had all ceased talking and slowly formed a circle around the two young women. "Sophia you don't have to do this, I could put Presley in her place." Luke said to his mate through their private mental link.
"That's all right Luke; I am going to have to show people who I am eventually, now is as good a time as any. All right Presley I accept." She said leveling her gaze at the female standing across from her.
And so it began. Presley stared at Sophia for a few seconds and then started to take her tight leather outfit off. Sophia did the same and realized her new skinwalker traits were keeping her from being so self-conscious of the others looking at her naked body. Sophia had never learned what to do in a situation like this, but seemed to have an instinct that guided her actions. She crouched down on her haunches and at once felt the change begin. It took five seconds and then she was standing there in full wolven glory. All of the whispering ceased when Sophia's color was revealed.
It had been assumed that if she had managed to flip Sophia would be the chestnut color her long hair bore. Or like her father, a strong shade of gray that mingled with the black and white tuffs all over his pelt. But no one imagined a skinwalker that was half human would have the most desired color of all. No one talked let alone moved except Luke who laughed out loud as he watched the shocked faces all around him. They looked at Sophia in disbelief and one by one slowly lowered their eyes in acknowledgement to her position in the pack.
Presley was shocked though and took a little while longer to bow her head. Luke had told her the pother night that Sophia was his mate and he had good reason to now. With Luke the alpha male and Sophia a white wolf, there would no question as to whether they belonged together. A skinwalker would have to be crazy to try and get in-between them. So she did the only thing that would save her hide, she submitted. She lowered her eyes and turned her face away. It was the lowest she had ever felt in her whole life.
"Come on babe, let's go for a run." Luke said and shed his own clothes before flipping.
"Sounds good." Sophia answered and took one last look at Presley before turning to run off into the woods. They ran for half an hour before stopping in a small clearing that Luke had lead them to.
They changed back to their human forms and lay draped across each other just enjoying the adrenaline rush they received from running through the forest.
"Luke, now what's going to happen?"
"What do you mean?"
"Now that everyone knows about me, am I going to have to declare myself or something?"
"When Presley gave up her claim and submitted so did everyone else. They acknowledged who you are, and will look to you for guidance. Things will definitely change when we get to school tomorrow."
"Luke I'm scared."
"You would be crazy if you weren't." Luke said and held her even closer. "Let's just worry about that when the time comes."
The next morning Luke picked Sophia up and drove her to school. The feeling of dread that had been coursing through her the night before, was pouring through her once again by the time they pulled to a stop in front of the school. Everyone was watching as they got out of the car but for different reasons. The skinwalkers were all watching Sophia to get a good look at their new leader, while all the human students were just surprised to see the reigning bad boy with the local good girl.
They walked into the building hand in hand, and Sophia noticed how the crowd parted to give them a clear path through the hall. "Well so far so good." Luke piped up trying to get Sophia to relax. "Maybe they won't bring out he pitchforks and torches until we feel safe."
Sophia giggled and wrapped her arm around Luke's while laying her head up against Luke's shoulder. They were in the same position when they reached Sophia's locker. "Thank you." Sophia said and gave Luke a quick peck on the lips before opening her locker.
"For what?"
"For making me feel better. I'm going to need some humor to keep me going today."
"No problem. Call me anytime and I will be there." He said and heard the five minute warning bell. "Come on I'll walk you to class."
"No that's all right, I happen to know that your Math class is on the other side of the school. You wouldn't make it if you walked me to mine."
"Aw come on babe, I'm late all the time, Mrs. Muhally expects it." He whined and tried to walk with her down the hall.
"No Luke." Sophia warned and then laughed as she tried to push Luke backwards. After pushing a few seconds she finally gave up and offered him an ultimatum. "If you go I'll make it up to you later."
Luke immediately stopped struggling and looked at her with raised eyebrows. "I'm going to hold you to that." He promised her and then walked in the opposite direction towards Algebra.
Sophia watched him for a few seconds and then turned to go the short distance to her history class. As she walked into the classroom all the young skinwalkers got quiet and watched her. It was a little unnerving, but Sophia held her ground and calmly walked to her seat. When she sat down though she realized who was sitting in front of her and suddenly became very worried. Scott was sitting facing the front of the room acting like he didn't even realize Sophia was sitting behind him. "Scott?" Sophia asked trying to get him to look at her. "Scott please talk to me." She pleaded and suddenly realized every skinwalker was listening to her pleas and holding their own little conversation among the mental link.
"Mind your own business." Sophia warned them and turned back to trying to get Scott's attention. "Scott."
"What do you want Sophia?" He finally turned around and asked.
Sophia was surprised by the bitterness she could hear in his voice. "Are you all right?" She finally asked.
"I'm fine."
"Ok. I just wanted to make sure you weren't hurt." She answered and looked down at her hands.
"No." Scott said and turned back to face the front of the room. He was silent for a few seconds and then got up his nerve and turned around again. "Sophia what happened Saturday?" You just disappeared and then show up today all over Lucas Cates who I might add is the one who knocked me out!"
"I know, I'm sorry about that, Luke can get a little jealous."
"Oh really, you think!" He replied and wouldn't let the anger he was feeling subside. "What is going on with you two, are you together?"
"Well..." She started to say but was stopped by the arrival of their teacher.
"Sorry I'm late class; I know you all hated missing valuable time to learn about World War II and your pop quiz." Mr. Greenwalt was answered with a chorus of groans and shuffling as students got out pencils and paper. "Miss Donner I was asked to give you this, it's your revised schedule."
"Thank you." Sophia said as she took the sheet of paper. She was confused at first because she had not requested any changes, but then remembered now that she had flipped she would have to take "Mr. Blackstone's" class. Sure enough there in the eighth period time slot instead of study hall was History 101. As well as being the pack's keeper, Sherman also taught one U.S. History class and a special class just for young skinwalkers that taught about the history of the pack.
"All right class your quiz will be true/false, and will be twenty five questions long." Mr. Greenwalt said and turned on the overhead projector. "You have ten minutes."
Sophia scanned over the questions and was pleased to see that they all were about Italy. When she had applied for the chance to study in Florence for a semester, she had devoured anything and everything that had to do with Italy. As a result she had become rather proficient on the country and knew all the right answers to the quiz questions.
As she finished with the last question she picked it up again. The skinwalkers were talking to each other along the mental link about her and Scott. Sophia wanted to shout at them to stop, but instead decided to listen before saying anything.
"Why would she try talking to him?"
"He's just a meat boy, what does she want with him?"
"Didn't you hear Luke beat him up the other nigh?"
"She probably feels bad."
Sophia's head was starting to spin from all the voices that were popping in and out. She would hear one voice say something and then right away hear someone else respond. It was nonstop. She was just about to yell at them again when she heard Sara speak up.
"Hey everyone shut up. Sophia said to stop butting in. You don't want to get on both of our bad sides do you?"
"Thanks Sara you saved me from making a scene."
"No problem, they were starting to annoy me anyway." Sara said over the mental link and smiled at Sophia. "Do you want to have lunch? I could tell you about the social hierarchy at school here."
"I'm supposed to meet Luke and Sean, but I'm sure they won't mind."
"Oh I don't want to intrude."
"You won't be. I'm sure Sean would be really happy to have you show up."
"Oh shut up." Sara answered and then turned back to the front of the room where Mr. Greenwalt was starting his lecture on World War II.
Four periods later Sophia was walking to the lunchroom when she was pulled aside by Sherman. "Good morning Sophia, how are you today?"
"I'm good Sherman thank you. Can I help you with something?"
"Actually I need to talk to you about something. It would be better if we go to my room; I have a few things to show you there."
"All right." Sophia slowly said starting to worry about what Sherman might want with her. "Could you hang on a second? I told Luke I would meet him for lunch, and he will wonder where I am if I don't show up."
"Actually what I need to talk to you about involves Luke, so you can ask him to join us."
"Ok. Luke."
"Yeah babe, what's up?"
"Sherman just stopped me and said he needed to talk about something."
"Ok I'll see you later then."
"No Sherman said that this involves you as well, so he wants you to come."
"Really? All right I will be there in five minutes." Luke said getting as confused as Sophia was as she walked with Sherman to his room.
When Luke arrived three minutes later Sophia was helping Sherman look through the large pile of papers scattered all over the very unorganized keeper's desk. "Is this it?" Sophia asked and held up a small blue book that had been buried under the mound of paper's that littered the desk.
"Yes thank you. Hello Luke, thank you for joining us, please have a seat." Sherman said and sat down in his own chair. "Now I know you two are very confused about why I wanted you here, but I want you to know that what I am about to tell you is not to be taken lightly."
Sophia had never seen Sherman so serious. Even when he was trying to help a young skinwalker make it through his or her first flip, he had a joking manner about him.
"Right before you flipped Sophia and your color was revealed, I found a book that was used by the keeper that took care of the pack when they first came to Wolf Lake. It was full of notes about the original pack and had a few prophecies in it that I paid no attention to until after your flip. I want you to read this one." He said and handed Luke that blue book that Sophia had found for him. They both looked at the Page that Sherman had opened to and saw in fine handwriting:
In the night when the light disappears and the stars start to fall,
One shall become two and unite the broken.
"What does this mean?" Luke asked after reading the prophecy over three times.
"Luke you surprise me, I always took you for a relatively smart guy." Sherman joked.
"The one become two is me and Ruby isn't it?" Sophia asked ignoring Sherman's comment.
"Ding, Ding, Ding! When you flipped Sophia, your pelt made one part of the prophecy come true. The existence of two white females."
"Wait what about this part about the light disappearing and stars falling? I don't know about you, but I never saw any stars fall out of the sky." Luke spoke up.
Sherman laughed for a second and then started talking again. "your were both a little to busy to notice on the night of Sophia's flip we had a lunar eclipse and a meteor shower."
Both Sophia and Luke were silent as they slowly looked at each other. The significance of the prophecy finally starting to sink in. "What does unite the broken mean?" Sophia finally asked.
"When the pack originally left Bolivia they were separated and put onto two different ships that were going to America. Over the course of the trip one o the ships was caught in a hurricane and believed lost at sea. Your ancestors then believed that they were the only skinwalkers left in the world."
"But we weren't were we?" Sophia asked starting to piece things together.
"No. I have been following the news and doing some research ever since I found the book. The first keeper believed the other boat made it to land, while the rest of your ancestors believed they had all perished. There is a small town in Oregon called New Glaris. Over the past two hundred years there have been a number of unexplained crimes happening there. A lot of them get investigated by the police and then just go cold."
"You think the pack could be there don't you?" Sophia asked.
"Yes I do. It's not just the news stories that make me think that though. In the book the keeper mentions an area he believes the other ship may have landed at. That area is smack dab in New Glaris."
"Well, now what?" Luke asked completely bowled over by the idea of more skinwalkers existing beyond Wolf Lake.
Sherman smiled and realized that for once Wolf Lake's resident teenage bad boy didn't know what to say. "I have already explained the situation to your parents, and even though they are hesitant, they agree the other pack needs to be searched for. You two leave Wednesday morning."
Sophia reached for Luke's hand and held onto it as the confidence she had felt all day started to fade. She knew her life as a white wolf and all the duties that came with it was starting, but she could feel the dread and fear as well that she knew would only grow worse.