Chapter Two

 

“Is that coffee any good?”

Dani, Dannika by birth and a Healer by the grace of the Universe, gave a slight nod as her only answer while taking another drink of her second cup of coffee. It was hot, black and strong and not doing a diddly darn to help her wake up after her fourth or fifth night of little to no sleep. She listened to Rebecca, one of her best friends, chatter on about what all she had to get done that day, glad someone had gotten a good night’s sleep.

Sitting down across from her, Rebecca continued to talk as she put a ton of sugar and just as much creamer in her coffee, took a sip and then asked, “Still not sleeping well?”

“Nope, not at all,” Dani shook her head. “I am just so damned restless. I work until I can’t see straight then go home, eat and watch some TV until I am literally falling asleep, but the minute my head hits the pillow, my brain goes into overdrive.” She took another drink of her coffee, sad to see the bottom of the mug. “And if I do actually nod off, I’m met with the craziest dreams.”

“Dreams?” The lovely grey and white wolf asked. Rebecca, Becky to most, had been Dani’s best friend from nearly the moment they met.

“Yeah, sorry, thought I’d told you about them.” She watched her friend shake her head while looking over the rim of her mug. “They’re really not that exciting, just annoying and non-stop. I’m walking through what looks like a forest with a lot of lakes and streams searching for someone. I can hear myself calling to a wolf, like saying the word ‘wolf’ over and over, but I never see anyone.” She pushed back her chair and added, “Just the back of some really tall guy who apparently can’t hear me because he just keeps walking the other way,” as she got up to get yet another cup of coffee.

“Sounds creepy,” Rebecca acknowledged. “I’d tell you to talk to the Healer about a sleeping draught but since that’s you,” Her friend chuckled. “I’ll just ask if you’ve taken anything to help you sleep?”

“Trouble sleeping, Dani?” Daire, the Alpha of the Blue Ridge Wolf Pack, asked as he entered the room.

“Yeah, nothing serious. Just some crazy dreams.” She gave Becky a quick look, begging the female wolf to keep her mouth shut as the Healer sat back down and looked at the Alpha before continuing, “Since I don’t see a mug in your hand and it’s too early for lunch, I’m guessing you’re here for me?”

Smiling and nodding, Daire pulled out the chair next to Dani and sat down before answering, “Can’t get anything over on you.” He tapped the table, a sure sign he was anxious, making Dannika dread whatever he was about to say before he even opened his mouth.

Laying her hand over his bouncing fingers, she forced a smile and teased, “Whatcha need, Daire? The Goddess knows we’ve known each other long enough to not beat around the bush. So, out with it.”

Shaking his head, the Alpha chuckled, “Sometimes your Perception is a real pain in the ass, you know that?”

“I believe you’ve said that a time or two…or a hundred, before,” Dani snorted before taking a drink of coffee. Setting her mug on the table, she looked up at Daire, raised an eyebrow and not so patiently waited as she moved her hand off of the Alpha’s.

“The wolves from the Wolfe Pack and Gaelach Lán are coming here to hammer out the final details of the treaty between our Packs.” Dani watched as Daire purposely avoided eye contact, staring at his hand where it still lay on the table. She could feel the tension inside him and waited in silence for the Alpha to finish whatever he was finding so difficult to say.

Finally, meeting her eyes, Daire continued with a sigh, “You know there are some in our Pack who think I’m making a mistake?”

“Yeah, the older wolves and some of their mates. But, they’re in the minority and will just have to deal with it. From what you’ve shown me, it’s good for all of us. It increases the land we can travel through to do business and gives us new allies should we need them.”

“Exactly,” Daire nodded. “But there are still those who are going to cause a fuss no matter what we decide, and that’s why I want you at the meeting.”

“But I’m not a wolf and don’t sit on the Council. I’m just your Healer. I’ve never been a part of any political or bureaucratic decisions…ever.” She took a long drink of her coffee, looking at Becky with wide eyes that she hoped conveyed her need for help.

“Yes, I know, but let’s be honest, you’ve been here as long as any of us. You may not be a wolf in reality, but you are in spirit, and most definitely a Leader in our Pack, whether you like it or not. People look to you for advice and guidance. They trust you and,” Daire leaned forward, touching her knee as he got that puppy dog look he’d been using since they were kids to get his way, “And I trust you. So does Darragh, and you know he doesn’t trust anyone. Please, Dani, help me with this one.”

At the mention of Daire’s younger brother, Dani flopped in the seat of her chair, blew her bangs off her forehead and rolled her eyes while glancing out the window. Crossing her arms over her chest, she sighed, “You know I hate it when you give me that look.” She glanced at him and leveled her gaze. “You only use it when you think you might not get your way, damn you.”

Tapping her foot, Dani all but pouted while shaking her head as she glared, “I really hate you, Daire MacTavish. I mean really hate you.”

Smiling his brilliant smile, the one she’d seen turn the heads of way too many women over the years, Daire jumped out of his chair, stepped behind Dani giving her a big hug and kiss on the cheek. “Thank you, sis. I promise to make it as short and sweet as possible.”

He was already on his way out the door when he hollered over his shoulder, “And get some sleep. The other Packs’ representatives will be here in two days.”

Looking at her cup, Dani mumbled, “I’d throw this at him if it wasn’t my favorite mug.”

“Wouldn’t do any good anyway,” Becky chuckled.

Laughing, despite her mood, Dani agreed, “You are so right.”

“He has got to be the sexiest man alive,” Becky whispered, with a sheepish grin and a waggle of her eyebrows.

“You think so?” Dani looked through the empty doorway Daire had just exited. She sat up in her chair and leaned her chin on her hand. “I never thought about it.”

“No, I guess you wouldn’t since he’s basically your brother.”

“True, without his mom and dad only the Goddess knows what would’ve happened to me.” Lost in thoughts of the past, Dani waved as her friend took a phone call and mouthed that she had to go.

Memories flooded back like a clip from a long-forgotten movie…

Stumbling through the forest, battered and bruised, Dannika used every ounce of her strength to simply put one foot in front of the other. Her tear-stained cheeks stung as the harsh winter winds of the Blue Ridge Mountains beat against her small frame. The words her mother had spoken as the sounds the attack echoed through their cave still rang in her ears. “Go to the wolves my Morning Star. Find the one they call Joshua. He is their Alpha, the Leader. He and his wife, Jennifer, have promised to keep you safe until we can come for you.”

“But momma…”

“There is no time, precious one. You are the hope of all our kin.” Dacia pressed a small jeweled box into Dannika’s tiny hands. “Put this in the pocket of your cloak. Show no one, not even Joshua. This is your birthright mo banphrionsa beag. One day you will use it to protect not only all you hold dear but every being blessed by the Universe.”

Dannika had been told of the Prophecy for her future from the moment she was old enough to understand, but had always thought there would be more time. It was too soon. She was too young. There was no way she could go on without her parents.

Grabbing onto the hem of Dacia’s cloak, she cried out, “No, momma, no! I will not go! I will stay and fight. I am Dannika DoChara, Morning Star of the Crystal Clan, born to lead my kin long after you and poppa have gone to the Heavens.”

Kneeling, Dacia hugged Dannika tight. “Yes, mo 'níon lómhara, you are all those things and so much more, but now is not your time. You need to grow, learn, become stronger than you ever thought possible, and when the time is right, and you have your mate by your side, you shall reign victorious.” Her mother leaned down until they were eye-to-eye and in a reverent tone reminded Dannika, “Only Joshua knows who and more importantly, what you are. As soon as you have reached the wolves, you must cloak yourself in the magic of our Ancestors and politely speak these exact words in the language of olde, ‘Tóg dom ar an Alfa. Bhí mé ag gealladh tearmann.’”

Her mother leaned back slightly with a brilliant mixture of pride and love shining in the depths of her violet eyes. “”

With a bittersweet smile, filled with so much love Dannika could feel it filling her heart and soul, Dacia kissed both her of daughter’s cheeks and pointed towards the back of the cave. “Now, take the secret tunnels, just like we practiced. Do not stop, no matter what you hear, until you reach the wolves. Show Joshua your birthmark.”

Her mother held her tight once again and kissed the top of her head then whispered, “Be well my Morning Star. Know that never has a mother loved her child like I love you.”

Not wanting to add to the pain she felt inside her mother, Dannika took a deep breath as Dacia stood. Gathering all her strength, the little girl nodded, “I will do my best to make you and poppa proud until you return.”

“You always do.” Dacia’s voice cracked as she tried to hide the tears threatening to fall.

Spinning around, fearful if she waited one more second she wouldn’t be able to leave, Dannika ran towards the tunnel with the speed given to her by the Universe. Tears ran down her cheeks as she heard her mother’s final call, “Remember, above all else, we love you. You are our Morning Star, Dannika. Live well and live happy.”

Although her mother’s goodbye sounded final, it was the hope that she would see her parents again and the love she felt for both her parents that kept Dannika moving forward. Sounds of the fighting filled the skies. The scent of burning flesh filled her nostrils and the cries of those who sought to destroy her kin echoed through the mountain range, but the little girl moved ever forward, determined to complete her mission.

Crossing the final ridge, drenched from the snow, barely able to feel her feet and hands, Dannika crossed the border onto the lands of the Blue Ridge Wolf Pack. She felt the magic of their ancestors like butterfly kisses on her exposed skin. Covering herself with a blanket of powerful ancient dragon magic, the girl smiled as her beast growled a welcoming sound, assuring her that no matter what, she would be protected.

Stumbling to a stop as two large men blocked her path, Dannika whispered, “Joshua…please… Tóg dom ar an Alfa. Bhí mé ag gealladh tearmann.”

The biggest of the men scooped Dannika up in his arms, held her close to his chest and ran as fast as he could while shouting, “Get the Boss. He’s in the Lodge. I’m taking her to Jennifer!”

Shaking herself out of her dream, Dannika looked out the window and smiled. That had been nearly a century ago. Although her parents had never returned and after almost a month Joshua along with a few of his best Trackers had gone out to find them, coming back with their heads hung low and sad expressions of condolence, Dani knew she had been loved.

She had grieved and slowly moved on with the knowledge that someday she would be reunited with the two people she loved with all her heart when her time came to rise into the Heavens. But until then…Dannika Aili DoChara had grown up happy and healthy with an adopted family who loved her unconditionally. She knew what it was like to have two brothers who were Alphas through and through. Who had teased her relentlessly, as if she were truly a born and bred MacTavish. She’d felt the acceptance of a large, united Pack and most importantly had been allowed to develop her Universe-given talents to the best of her ability.

Dani had thrived in the face of adversity and come out stronger because of it, but once again…the winds of change were on the horizon. Her beast, who’d lived so very many years in a state of semi-hibernation was waking up. The Healer’s Perception was on high alert, and her dreams were trying to foretell the future. Life was about to get seriously interesting.

Great! Just another day in Paradise…