A/N Hi everyone. Bet you never thought you'd see an update after all these years. I haven't forgotten about this story and the occasional reviewers over the dry years always helped to get me thinking of the story again. So thank you to all of you who have written me. It does make a difference. I hope you are still interested. Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own Wolf Lake and I do not make any money from the writing of this fiction.
White Wolf Magic
Sophia lay unconscious in a cage in Sherman Blackstone's garage. The old shaman lived in a rural part of town, away from the main population, and so their privacy was assured. Lucas sat by the cage, his hand through the bars holding onto Sophia's. He was so relieved she was alive, even if they had to deal with this current problem. Matt, Vivian, and Sherman stood in a small group behind him, discussing what should be done.
"Do you think she'll heal on her own, over time?" Matt asked, deeply concerned.
"I've never come across something like this, so I can't really say," Sherman replied. "There are cases of the opposite situation - normal in skin, wild in wolf form - but this is the first where someone in their skin is feral. All I know is that different parts of the brain are in operation when one of us flips between human and wolf. She must have damaged the human part of her brain."
"But, it can heal, right? Even humans with brain trauma - they heal, don't they?"
"Matt, I believe some of them do, yes, depending on what kind of damage and the extent of it. And perhaps, if I can find out more, we may be able to help the healing along."
"Rituals?" Vivian asked. "There might be some rituals that could help."
Sherman nodded. "Perhaps."
Lucas interrupted. "She waking." He squeezed her hand. "Sophia, baby, it's me, Lucas."
Her eyes opened drowsily and looked about. Matt, Vivian, and Sherman drew closer to the cage.
"Sophia, sweetheart, it's your dad," Matt crooned.
Sophia startled as her eyes snapped to each person in the room and finally to the hand holding hers. She growled and bit Lucas' wrist before he had a chance to withdraw. Sitting up in the cage, she screamed, making a terrible noise like a frightened and angry animal. Her fingers grasped the cage so tightly and she shook it, trying to free herself, and snarling at her captors.
Lucas felt his eyes water as he watched her, wanting so badly to make her better, to be able to do something for her. She seemed as if she was in so much pain. "Do something for her, Sherman," he snapped. "You're the pack shaman, help her, damn you."
"She needs to flip, Lucas," Sherman replied. "We need to talk to her rational mind. We need to find out what happened to her exactly."
Lucas stepped up to the cage, uncaring that Sophia was spitting mad at him and trying to scratch him through the bars. "Baby, listen, you need to flip. Be your wolf, Sophia. Flip, baby, please." Lucas shook his head. "She doesn't understand," he shouted, frustrated.
"Lucas, try flipping yourself," his mother suggested. "As your mate, she may follow, she may be compelled."
"Maybe we should all flip," Matt added. "All of us under the transformation would seem a threat to her. She may flip to protect herself."
Vivian nodded and they all quickly shed their clothing, flipping at the same time. The garage lit up with the light of their transformations, and the four wolves watched as the female skin walker in the cage let out a final cry and transformed into her wolf.
Sophia! Lucas projected to his mate.
Lucas? Oh, my God. Dad? Vivian? Mr. Blackstone? Why… why am I in a cage?
Stay in your wolf, Sophia, I'm going to change back and let you out. Sherman advised.
The shaman flipped back to human form and opened the cage, smiling at the happy reunion as Sophia, Lucas, and Matt wagged their tails and affectionately nuzzled one another.
Lucas licked her face over and over. Baby, I missed you so much.
Matt sat on his haunches next to her. Sophia, tell us everything that happened.
"Yes, I'd like to know that as well," Sherman said, the only one in human form. He sat down on a chair and sighed.
Why was I in a cage? She asked again.
"What's the last thing you remember before now?" Sherman inquired.
I was running to Lucas and I decided I wanted to flip and then… I'm in that cage.
Baby, I came to you when you were in your skin and you didn't recognize me. You didn't recognize any of us. You were wild.
What? What do you mean?
You attacked me at first, like you were scared. Sherman thinks that you may not be healed in your human part of your brain. We had to tranquilize you. I'm sorry, baby.
I flipped and I don't remember it? Oh, God, this is bad! Did I hurt you? She looked about the room, making sure there was no blood.
We are fine, Sophia. Vivian answered. Tell us what happened to you. Your scent ended at the road. Were you hit?
Yes, I went out for a run and I guess I wasn't paying attention. A big semi truck hit me.
Matt whimpered. Oh God, Sophia, you are lucky to be alive!
I know. I woke up in a veterinary hospital somewhere. It must have been far because I couldn't link with any of you no matter how hard I tried. And my head hurt badly. The doctor was nice to me, though. The driver must have told him where he hit me, because he brought me back to Wolf Lake when I was well enough. I wanted to flip so badly. I still want to…
"No!" Sherman barked. "Don't flip, Sophia. Not unless you want back in that cage."
So there is something wrong with my brain? I'm not healed enough?
"It seems so. You were in your wolf when the accident happened?"
Yes.
"And you healed from your trauma in your wolf form?"
Yes. I couldn't flip around the humans, after all.
"Then I guess there is still a part of your brain that needs more time."
Time? How much time? I want to be in my skin again. She glanced at Lucas, and he at her, both longing to be together as they were use to.
"I wish I could tell you. For now, stay in your wolf. I'm going to meditate on this dilemma and see what comes to me. The spirits may have some answers. And perhaps it will heal on its own as well."
So that's it? Wait and see? Matt growled, impatiently.
Sherman sighed. "Why don't we come back here in three days, have Sophia flip, and see if she is better or making any progress. I think she should flip only under controlled conditions for now, so that no one is in danger, including herself."
I agree with that. Vivian projected. Sophia, you'll need to stay in your house, or mine. You can go for runs at night with Lucas, of course. Already the news is spreading that you are back. I can sense the excitement of the pack. But we'll tell them that you are still recovering from your accident and won't be attending school yet. However, it's best we leave out the details about this situation. Things have been very volatile lately and Lucas needs to let the others see that everything will be returning to normal.
I'm sorry I caused so much trouble.
Baby, don't think that way. It's not your fault. It was an accident. I'm the one who caused the problems.
But, it was because of me.
No, it was because of me. I'm the one who couldn't handle losing you. But all that's in the past now. You're back and you are never leaving me again.
No never again. She licked Lucas's muzzle and snuggled her face against his neck.
Sherman cleared his throat. "Well, I hope I don't have to remind you two… Given you'll want pups some day, but it's best you wait until Sophia's completely healed to make that decision."
Sophia looked at Lucas, longingly. It seemed like ages since they had been intimate. But, no, she did not want to conceive if she couldn't have her babies in her skin. For skin walkers, that could be dangerous.
Lucas looked sad as well and whimpered his dismay. But he tried to console her. It's all right, baby. We can wait. We'll do whatever it takes to get you better.
OOOOO
Lucas had returned to school the next day and everyone had surrounded him with questions about Sophia's well being. He had only told Sean and Sarah the whole truth late last night and for everyone else he explained that Sophia had been hit by a car and was taken to a hospital outside of Seattle. But she was home now and recovering. He also made sure to say that she was not to be disturbed by visitors but he would be sure to pass along their well wishes.
A wave a relief seemed to settle throughout the halls that Lucas Cates was back and in seemingly good spirits. Some were still cautious around him, however, wondering if he'd break into violence all of the sudden. It was confusing to see such a radical change in their Alpha, from crazy to normal, so quickly. Some could hardly believe it.
Sarah came directly over to Sophia's house after school and hugged the wolf enthusiastically, crying with happiness. "Oh, my God, Sophia. I was so worried."
Sophia had been sitting in her wolf next to her cousin Paulo on the sofa, watching television. Paulo had taken the day off from work in order to spend time with her, even though he had no way of communicating with her when Matt wasn't home.
Sarah sat down on the other side of Sophia, her arm about her friend. "She says she hates this show and wishes you'd change the channel."
Paulo laughed. "That's why she was looking so glum. Sorry, Sophia, I can't hear you like the others can. Here, bark when I land on something you like." He began channel surfing, but had a feeling Sophia was no longer watching but communicating with Sarah in their minds.
The sound of a motor filled their ears as Lucas pulled into the driveway. Him and Sean stepped out the car, talking loud enough for Sarah and Sophia to hear.
"I don't know why I didn't think of that myself, Sean," Lucas said, clapping Sean on the back. "Thanks."
As they stepped into the house Sophia leapt off the sofa and stood on her hind legs, her forepaws on Lucas' shoulders as she covered his face in wet licks.
Lucas hugged her wolf form. "Hey, baby, how was your day? Everyone misses you at school."
It was boring. I can't wait until it gets dark. I want to run.
"I know, but maybe you don't have to wait. Sean reminded me that maybe Ruby can take a shot at healing you. She's a white wolf, after all."
Sarah smiled. "Oh, that's right! We should definitely ask her."
Paulo frowned from the sofa. "She can't go until dark. You can't have a wolf walking around town in the daylight. People will freak."
I can lay down on the floor of the car.
"I agree," Lucas said. "Let's go."
Paulo jumped up from the sofa. "Wait a minute. You agree to what?"
Lucas glanced at him, wishing he didn't have to explain things to ungulates. But he had learned to extend certain courtesies to Sophia's cousin for her sake. "She can lay low in the car."
Paulo ran a hand through his hair and sighed. "O.K., but I'm coming too. I don't want to be here when Uncle Matt comes home and Sophia's gone. I'm suppose to be taking care of her."
"No way," Lucas protested.
Lucas, let him come. It will be okay.
"Fine," Lucas relented. "You can come. But you come at your own risk."
Paulo smiled and shrugged. "What can happen?"
OOOOOOO
Ruby was already standing in the doorway as they pulled up the Creed driveway. Lucas had alerted her that they were on their way with a shared mental pathway as he drove.
The house was set in a wooded area away from town so they didn't worry very much when Sophia came from the car and into the house. Now they stood in Ruby's living room, having said all their greetings.
"So, do you think you could give it a try, Ruby?" Lucas asked, hopefully. "I don't know why Sherman didn't suggest it yesterday. The old man must be losing it."
Before Ruby could answer, her husband, Tyler, walked into the room. "Sherman's not losing it. He had good reason not to ask Ruby to do this. And I agree with him. You are not going to put my wife and child at risk."
Everyone froze, dumbstruck for a moment, looking at Ruby.
Ruby? You're pregnant?
Ruby looked at Sophia and smiled, nodding her head.
That's great. Congratulations! Sophia walked around Ruby's legs, affectionately hugging her as she passed.
"Yes, congratulations," Sean and Sarah added as well.
Lucas glanced at Tyler, sickened that his sister let that asshole touch her, but then his eyes met Ruby's and he could tell that she was very happy to be pregnant. He sighed. Maybe this would be good for his sister - something to focus on besides John Kanin.
"Yeah, I'm happy for you, sis," he finally said, hugging her.
"Thank you, Lucas," she replied.
We won't put the baby at risk. We'll just do it Sherman's way.
Lucas was disappointed about Ruby not being able to heal Sophia, but he wouldn't put his sister's health at risk. "Yeah, I agree."
"Wait a moment," Ruby said. "I don't think a healing session would harm me. Sherman never said I couldn't heal others while I was pregnant."
Tyler stepped forward. "Over my dead body. She's feral, Ruby. What if something goes wrong? What if she attacks you?"
The way Tyler spoke about Sophia, as if she were lowly, ticked Lucas off and his eyes flashed in warning. "She perfectly fine in her wolf, Tyler," Lucas spat. "Does she seem feral to you?"
Ruby held up her hand to signal that everyone should calm down. "Okay, you both have a good point. Tyler, Sophia is fine in her wolf. But, Lucas, it is not her wolf that will need my healing energy. It is her human brain. She's going to have to flip."
No! I won't put you and the baby at risk! If… if something happened, I'd never forgive myself. Lucas, let's just have patience and do this Sherman's way.
"You're a smart girl, Sophia," Tyler replied. "This… healing isn't going to take place. I won't allow it."
"Tyler, stop," Ruby snapped. She took a deep breath. "There could be a way we could do this if she was held down. I need to have access to her head and you need to keep her as still as possible."
"NO!" Tyler barked.
"There are three dominant males in this room. Are you telling me that together you cannot hold down one female?" Ruby asked, irritated at Tyler's obstinacy.
Lucas was filling with hope again. "Yes, we can do that! We can partially phase for extra strength."
"SHE can partially phase for extra strength too," Tyler yelled, pointing at Sophia. "One quick swipe of her claws, or one bite from her mouth, and Ruby could be lying here bleeding."
"We won't let that happen," Lucas growled. "Ruby's my sister. You think I'd want to do this if I wasn't absolutely sure I can subdue Sophia? Besides, I was able to subdue her yesterday morning. She still recognizes me as Alpha, even in her feral state."
"That's my child she's carrying," Tyler growled.
Ruby stepped between them, laying a hand on each of them to keep them apart. "Stop this. You two are causing me more stress than trying to heal Sophia would."
The two men looked at Ruby and they pulled back their anger.
When she saw that they had calmed, she said. "Now, Tyler, I really want to try to help Sophia. I know you object. But I think I'll be safe as long as all of you keep her on the floor, holding her down and keeping her arms and legs trapped."
Tyler sighed in frustration, turning about and noticing Paulo for the first time, sitting by the door. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at The Den?"
"You gave me the day off, boss, remember? To be with Sophia?" Paulo answered.
Tyler frowned. "Yeah, whatever." He turned back to the group. "If Ruby gets one scratch, just one fucking scratch, I'm the one who'll go feral. Do you understand?"
Lucas' back stiffened at the threat. Threatening an Alpha was always risky business. He had to shove his need for violent retribution down. He needed to focus on helping Sophia, not taking Tyler down a few pegs. Not right now, anyway. "Not a problem," Lucas spat.
Are you sure about this? Sophia paced the floor nervously.
"Yes, Sophia, I want to try," Ruby replied. She knew how important Sophia was to Lucas' sanity. She wanted to do whatever she could to keep the pack strong and her brother happy again.
"Paulo, why don't you go wait in the car," Sarah said.
Paulo was a bit worried as to how extreme things might get. He nodded. "Will Sophia be okay?"
"That's the plan," Sean answered. "Go on."
Paulo left the house to sit in the car and wait. Sophia had already lain down on the floor, panting in nervousness.
Ruby sat down near her head and patted her. "It's going to be all right, Sophia."
Lucas straddled her wolf form, getting ready for the transformation. "Sean, Tyler, you get on both sides of her. I'll pin her arms, but you both need to make sure she doesn't slip one out at any time. Sarah, sit on her legs as soon as she flips.""Ruby, move back until we have her completely still," Tyler warned. Ruby scooted backwards and waited.
Lucas looked down at his mate. "Okay, baby, flip."
Please forgive me in advanced for any bad things I may do…
The room flashed with light as Sophia's wolf form exploded into energy, forming her skin walker body. She looked up at Lucas in surprise.
Lucas threw his weight onto her immediately, trying to gather her arms against her body and pin them there with his own while he still had the advantage of surprise. Behind him, Sarah had sat down on Sophia's knees to keep them from bending and trying to dislodge Lucas.
Sophia's face contorted with rage when she realized she was being pinned. A wild screaming growl filled their ears as she tried to twist herself free. The three males and Sarah were now partially fazed, their eyes flashing, their claws and fangs growing, as they applied extra strength to subduing the feral skin walker trying to buck them off with all her might.
Sophia roared in rage as the three dominant males kept her arms locked, Lucas on top and Sean and Tyler on either side of him, pressing in on her. Her head thrashed and her teeth snapped, and they feared that she would try to flip back into her wolf before Ruby could do anything.
"We got her," Lucas growled through clenched teeth, his voice deeper with his partial faze. "Do it, Ruby."
Ruby scooted closer to Sophia's head. It would be better if Sophia was relaxed, but that didn't seem like it was going to happen anytime soon. She laid her hands on either side of Sophia's head, crooning calming words. But Sophia wouldn't be calmed. Her head was the only body part she could move and so she moved it wildly, trying to get Ruby's hands off her as she snarled.
"SOPHIA," Lucas commanded, loudly. "SUBMIT." He bent his head to the top of her shoulder and bit down hard, asserting his dominance as Alpha and as her mate. The coppery taste of her warm blood filled his mouth as he stayed locked onto her and he felt her slowly calm, slowly soften, submitting to her instinct to be dominated by the Alpha.
Ruby put her hands gently on Sophia's head, breathing in relief that Lucas was able to buy her a little moment of calmness. The others did not leave their positions, still needing to guard during these unpredictable events.
Ruby began her healing chant, closing her eyes as she guided her energy into Sophia's mind. Her hands moved over Sophia's scalp, lingering longer in some places as she worked her healing magic.
Sophia was watching her with a guarded expression, whimpering at times, but mostly distracted by Lucas' scent and the feel of his teeth pressing into her shoulder. At times her eyes drifted closed, almost peacefully, as Ruby continued her healing chant.
After about 20 minutes, Ruby began swaying with exhaustion. Healing always required lots of energy, and Sophia's injury seem particularly needy. Rivulets of sweat dripped down the healer's face, and she was panting, but she continued on.
Tyler watched Ruby carefully. "Enough," he finally said. "Enough, Ruby, you need to rest."
Ruby opened her eyes and looked at him a moment, coming mentally back into this reality. She nodded and wiped her face with her hands. "I hope that helped," she said, tiredly.
As she backed away, Lucas slowly took his teeth off of her shoulder, licking the wound to help close and heal it. He was almost scared to find out if Ruby's healing worked or not. He took a deep breath and raised his head to look at her face.
Sophia's eyes were now closed, like she was deeply resting.
Is she asleep? Sean projected.
Lucas' eyes shifted to Ruby. Ruby? Is she okay?
"I don't know," Ruby whispered.
"How did you get her to flip back into her wolf last time?" Sarah asked, still sitting on Sophia's legs.
"We all flipped in front of her, so she flipped in self defense," Lucas replied. "But, if she's healed, we might not have to do that."
"How can we be sure?" Sean asked.
"Ruby, lock yourself in your bedroom for awhile. I'm going to slowly get off of Sophia. The rest of us will have to be ready to flip - just in case," Lucas decided.
They waited until Ruby was safely in her room before they slowly moved off of Sophia. Sophia still appeared to be sleeping on the floor. The group stood cautiously, watching Sophia the whole time, ready for anything.
"I have a cage in the garage," Tyler said with a low voice. "We should put her in it until she awakens and we know for sure what we are dealing with."
Lucas glared at Tyler, but he knew he was right. No one knew if the healing had worked or not until Sophia woke up. He finally nodded. "I'll carry her. Stay close, everyone."
Lucas gently lifted Sophia in his arms and held her snuggly against his chest. He missed her so much in her skin walker form and now he didn't want to let her go. He kissed her forehead as they made their way outside and towards the garage. "I'm sorry, baby," he whispered, hating to have to cage her again, but hopefully for the last time.
And then it happened.
It happened so quickly.
Sophia seemed to spring from his embrace, lithe and swift. Lucas, caught off guard, tried desperately to keep his hold, but she slipped through his arms like butter. She stood a few yards away, breathing hard and looking at the group with wide eyes.
Everyone stood ready to flip, watching Sophia carefully.
"Sophia?" Lucas tried, cautiously. "Can you understand me?"
Her eyes locked with Lucas' and her forehead scrunched with effort, as if she were trying to remember him, trying very hard. Her mouth opened slightly. "Luke…"
"Sophia," Paulo yelled from beside Lucas' car. He raised his arm and waved at her from across the yard, distracting the group.
Sophia's eyes snapped to Paulo and her lips drew back over her teeth in an angry snarl. She growled, partially phased and took off into the thick forest.
"SOPHIA!" Lucas yelled.
OOOOOO
A/N OMG, I finally finished this chapter. I'm glad I was able to get it out to you after all these years. Sorry, about the wait. I hope there are still readers around. Let me know and I promise I'll get the next chapter out much sooner. Some danger coming up with wild Sophia on the loose! Hopefully the gang can find her before things get too bad.