Chapter 9

Calla’s Perspective

Maya and I made our way along the familiar path to Aunt Iris's cottage, the afternoon sun filtering through the canopy above us. Despite the peaceful setting, tension coiled in my shoulders.

"I'm nervous," I admitted.

"We face this with courage," Lyra's voice echoed in my mind, offering strength. "You are never alone."

I smiled slightly, drawing comfort from my wolf's presence. Maya noticed the subtle change in my expression and grinned, nudging my shoulder playfully.

"Don't worry. Aunt Iris has known you almost your whole life, and now that you're a freaking werewolf, she's probably over the moon about finally having someone else to talk about magic and supernatural stuff with."

As we approached the cottage, the door swung open before we could knock, revealing Aunt Iris in all her silver-haired, crystal-adorned glory. Something seemed different about her today—an alertness in her posture, a sharpness in her pale blue eyes that I'd never noticed before.

"Welcome, girls," Iris said warmly, though her gaze lingered on me with obvious curiosity. "Come in, come in. We have much to discuss."

The cottage's interior had been transformed since our last visit. What was usually a cozy living room filled with houseplants and crystals had been reorganized into something resembling a magical workshop. Books on supernatural lore were stacked on every surface, herbs hung in bundles from the ceiling, and various implements were laid out on tables with careful precision.

"Calla, dear," Aunt Iris said, settling into her favorite armchair, "I'm so glad you've finally come to me about your awakening. Maya has told me bits and pieces, but I sense there's much more to discover."

"She sees us clearly," Lyra observed. "This one understands the old ways."

"That's putting it mildly," I replied, choosing a seat across from her. "Everything's happened so fast. I'm still trying to understand what I am."

Aunt Iris moved with surprising grace, her long silver hair catching the light as she prepared tea. "The awakening of supernatural abilities is never easy, especially when it happens suddenly. But you're not walking this path alone."

Maya leaned forward eagerly. "Aunt Iris, what can you tell us about Golden Wolves? Her aunt and uncle seem to think Calla is something special."

Iris paused in her tea preparation, her expression growing thoughtful. "Golden Wolves are extraordinarily rare. In my seventy-three years, I've never met one personally, though my grandmother claimed to have encountered one during her youth."

"What did she tell you about them?" I asked, though part of me wasn't sure I wanted to hear the answer.

"That they were bridges," Iris replied, settling back with her steaming mug. "Beings capable of connecting different communities in ways that others couldn't. Natural diplomats and mediators." She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "But she also warned they were often targets, because their very existence could shift the balance of power in our world."

The words sent a chill down my spine. "So if someone wanted to prevent supernatural communities from working together..."

"They would eliminate the Golden Wolves," Iris finished gently. "Your parents' pack may have been destroyed for other reasons, but now that you've awakened as a Golden Wolf, you represent a much larger threat to those who profit from keeping supernatural communities divided."

Maya shifted uncomfortably. "Is there anything else we should know?"

Iris rose and moved to a wooden chest I hadn't noticed before. From it, she withdrew an ancient book, its leather binding worn smooth by countless hands.

"This has been in my family for generations," she said, placing it carefully on the table between us. "It contains records of supernatural alliances throughout history—the successful ones, the failures, and the lessons learned from both."

I leaned forward, studying the intricate symbols carved into the cover. "Have there been other Golden Wolves?"

"A few, scattered across the centuries. Each one played a crucial role in bringing supernatural communities together during times of crisis." Iris opened the book, revealing pages of detailed illustrations and text in multiple languages. "The question is: what will you choose to do with your abilities?"

"I don't even know what my abilities are yet," I said honestly.

"Then that's where we start," Iris said with a warm smile. "Understanding yourself is the first step toward understanding your place in the larger supernatural world."

As we spent the afternoon discussing werewolf lore and the basics of supernatural politics, I felt a sense of purpose beginning to take shape. Whatever was coming, I wouldn't face it unprepared.