Share
Ronelda
"It would have been her maiden name, of course, she inherited the house and started her career under it and kept it professionally. I don't know why I didn't catch it," Mains said, his face in awe, "it all makes so much sense now!"
"So you think your grandmother is behind the texts?" I asked, equally awestruck by our discovery. Mains nodded solemnly, his mind whisked away in memory.
"She ignited my love of history. She tended to the archives before me, she taught me so much of what I know. I don't know why I didn't immediately peg this as her. I don't know why I'm having such a hard time remembering." He said, defeat laced thick in his words.
"I have the day off from training tomorrow. I can come over. Maybe there's more evidence in your personal family documents?" I posed, desperate for a reason to cheer him up and continue the chase.
"You're right, kid, and hopefully the old photos will drum up some memory. Be over early."
I agreed an
Related chapters
Ablaze Audience
The Alpha scheduled a meeting with me early the next morning in his office at the pack house. I had woken up incredibly early, my mind never truly letting me rest the night before. I spent the morning repeating a ritual I’d come to know as comforting, showering and preening myself for the day. I washed away the previous day’s dread, scrubbing myself to a calm, clean slate. I delicatel
Ablaze Fist
Training that afternoon held a new weight. My mind was still reeling from my meeting with the Alpha. Once his sickening, seductive thoughts cleared my conscience all that remained was burning anger.The Alpha had dismissed the findings we had presented to him, had chastised me for doing research on behest of the pack, and had then used his overwhelming aura to blind me into some sort of sexually charged submission. I was white hot with rage, seething on the surface. I had no doubt were someone to lay a hand on me they would burn themselves, the flames of anger licked at my skin. I was unhinged.Clarice called out our sparring partners, and I was delighted to be paired with a massive wolf named Wyatt. Wyatt had a reputation for being ruthless. He was built like a brick wall, tall and muscular, and his path to being a warrior was spelled out before him. He took training incredibly seriously, and what he lacked in speed he made up for in sheer strength and pow
Ablaze Search
I wanted to sprint to Mains' house then and there, but my legs felt like Jell-O and my skin was thick with sweat. I needed a shower and rest, I needed my mind and body to be alert and sharp. I had been dismissed from training for the next few sessions as the Beta and Clarice prepared for my assessment, meaning I had the whole next day to spend with Mains searching for the missing journal.I shoved the dry crumbs of my sandwich in my mouth, determined to make it an early night and soak in as much sleep as possible. I showered quickly, rinsing off the sweat and hastily running shampoo through my matted hair. I rushed through every routine, desperately hurrying to my bed as if the morning would come sooner if I did. When I finally lay my head on my pillow I was met with urgent dreams, dreams of lapping flames and resounding screams. I dreamt of families being ripped apart, of dancing demons with glowing eyes licking at broken hearted wounds. My dreams burned, searing more
Ablaze Coping
Preparations for the Firelight Festival were underway at full force, and the whole town was buzzing with excitement at the promise of a night of laughter, dancing and free flowing alcohol. The main event of the night would be a mind linking ceremony, the Alpha would proclaim us as his pack and we would accept him, thus sealing the mind link. We would not only have a one way link to him, but to every other wolf in the pack.Mom was busy making sure the library was cleaned up, she and Alex had worked to gather pieces from the Archives telling the history of Stay's Landing, and Sherry had gone out and photographed the town today to compare to some of the old photos we'd drummed up. It would be a drop-by spot, for our new neighbours to learn about where they now lived. I worked with Mains almost every day, and spent my nights training and honing my skill with Clarice. My mind rarely rested, between the looming doom-filled thoughts of what I learned reading the journals and t
Ablaze Festival
I awoke the morning of the Festival rested and in high spirits. My time at the pier - even if I was still unsure if it had been real - had restored in me so much peace. I was bright and excited for the new day ahead, of the lights and dancing the festival promised, the prospect of meeting new members and understanding their stories. I loved my poeople fiercely, even the ones I had only just encountered. I wanted nothing more than their safety and happiness, and tonight I could be a part of one of those things.Torrance had made me promise her that I would come get ready with her at the Pack House. She had big, brilliant plans to style me and had left me a long list of clothing pieces to bring, some a mix from our shopping trip and others items I already owned. She said she's leave my hair and makeup to me, but she'd be damned if I didn't let her approve of my outfit."What if your mate's there! They have to see you at your best." She argued, her tone liltin
Ablaze Taking Charge
We huddled in the library for what felt like days, the night grew and swelled above us, and the whispers of lights began to streak across the sky. Leona and I had gone around offering tea to anyone who would need it, encouraging people that needed a distraction to take a book. My mother had gathered up all the kids and was reading to them, book after book, to keep them from getting too scared.While the atmosphere was tense and troubling, it warmed my heart to see the more vulnerable members of our community band together to protect each other.After a few hours, once I knew everyone was taken care of and as comfortable as they could be, I crept downstairs to the study to find Mains, a now lukewarm cup of tea in his hands, studying Ronelda's journals like he had for so many weeks. He looked calmer as he read, and despite the raging violence outside he seemed relaxed. His brow wasn't furrowed, his law was unclenched, but he never moved beyond turning a page, h
Ablaze Patrol
As if only minutes had passed since my eyes closed, they were welcomed again by the streaming of early morning light and the Alpha's voice calling out across the link, "Rise and shine, Theo! Time for your first day."I groaned as I rose from bed, not even bothering to dress as I strode out the front door and shifted immediately. I gently jogged into the treeline, letting Sage control my movements, my own mind still sluggish from the night prior. The morning dew was wet on our paws, the mud between the trees sticking as we walked gently through. I followed the link to the border where the breach had occurred the night before, where a few warriors and The Alpha stood. The huge wolf turned as I approached, and padded over to me lightly, the morning sun pricking at his fur."Good morning," I groaned through the mind link."Good morning, Theo, I know it was a rough night but I need you alert, understood?" The Alpha's commanding voice said."Understood, I
Ablaze Mains
The next few hours were a blur. My mother had, at some point, rushed down the stairs and ran to check for a pulse. I held the back of my hand to his mouth to feel for breath. He was alive, faintly wheezing and unconscious. Kip had come, and we had whisked him off to his clinic. He was hooked up to fluids and machines and a mask pumping full oxygen into his frail frame.I walked through in a haze, my mind and body not fully connected, my legs moving on their own. I sat, cold with fear, grasping the weak hand of my compatriot. His chest rose and fell in measured breaths, wheezing even with the oxygen mask. The beeping of monitors and rusting of papers as Kip came by, checking on him in rotation, blended together into white noise. My blood pounded against my ears, and my mind was blank with worry. I couldn't make my eyes focus, I was fully dissociated from the reality I stood ground in.Mains was my best friend. He always had been. I couldn't lose him, not now
Latest chapter
