Spirit Wolves pt. ii

MACK POV

We make our way to the east spirit hold. I don't have my usual items for summoning on my person so I explore what is available on the forest floor. My eyes spot some dry leaves and dry-wood that can be use to sustain a flame. I empty out my water bottle and refill it from the fresh water stream.

After about twenty minutes of walking the spirit hold comes to view. It's off to the side of the water stream and difficult to notice if you don't know what you're looking for. A rock formation marked with the symbols of the spirit wolf ancestors and a pit of sand in the centre. I make my way to the centre sand pit and motion for Raina, Len, and Harrison to join me. We stand in a circle together, pass the water bottle around, and take turns rinsing our hands. When this is done I take my lighter to the dry leaves set a small fire in the centre of the sand pit. While it burns we recite the summoning mantra until the flame’s light withers away. Then we wait patiently, listening to the natural sounds of the forest. Likely five minutes pass.

A white light glows from where the flame burned and it shines brightly into the twilight sky. It swirls and dances around us momentarily until it takes on the forms of the wolf spirits. 

They are absolutely breathtaking. They posses such beauty and elegance that shines through much more effectively in person rather than through text. I smile, bow politely, and greet the spirits. Raina, Len, and Harrison take note of my actions and do the same. The spirits reciprocate by bowing back to us.

"Why can't we greet the spirits in their human forms again?" Harrison asks.

I hit his arm lightly. "They remain in their wolf form to maintain anonymity," I say.

"Pfft."

"Be respectful."

The spirit wolves’ lights dims. I take note of their careful expressions and thoughtful energy before they bow one last time and disappear altogether. I let out a long breath.

"That's it?" Len asks. 

"Yes," I say.

"Did it work?"

I smile. "Check your markings."

Raina and Len do as such and I watch as both of their faces light up eagerly. Len in particular is practically beaming and shakes Raina's arm heavily.

"Dude, dude," Len says. "I'm a spirit reader. I get to read everyone’s soul." Len turns towards me. "Oh I’m definitely taking full advantage of this. Watch out Mack, I'm coming for you."

“It will still take you a while to learn everything.”

"It can't be that hard."

"Oh sure, that's what you'd think before you've had a chance to try it yourself."

I feign indifference but I can’t seem to hide the giant grin that’s spreading on my face. Finally I can share the joys and burdens of these powers and responsibilities with someone else. Spirit readers are individuals who can read the souls of people and discover a person's true intentions behind the words they say and what secrets they hide. Spirit readers also have the ability to read the wolf spirit ancestors and interpret true meaning from their insights. 

People chosen to have this ability by the wolf spirits usually have a good understanding of how people think and act. They understand the deeper meaning to things and situations. The power typically comes with the responsibility of becoming the pack's spiritual lead of the group. One spirit reader is great for a group but two or more is always better as spirit readers are never absolutely correct on their own and they are always influenced by their own biases. 

I'm not too surprised the wolf spirits chose Len to become our pack’s second spirit reader. Len's personality and temperament is precise and yearns to understand logical motivations of people around him. I feel he will be good at remaining impartial but may struggle to understand more emotional aspects of people he reads.

"What’s with that grin,” Len says.

“Nothing,” I say.

Len stares at me a moment longer but ultimately looks away. I wonder if he has already begun to understand the extent of his abilities.

"What does mine mean?" Raina asks. She holds out her wrist and I take a thoughtful look at her new marking.

"Well, that's interesting," I say.

"Why?"

"It's quite a rare ability. Many packs only have one member with this ability or none at all."

Raina turns to Harrison, getting into his face. "Take that little angel boy," Raina says. "I'm rare."

"A rare ability doesn't necessarily guarantee good one," Harrison says, folding his arms.

"She bares the mark of strong wolf," I say. "They bestow the power of strength and resilience, granting the individual with unmeasurable physical strength and endurance."

"Oh my gosh yes!" Raina says, and jumps up and down while saying this. "That's like literally the best one." She turns to Harrison while saying this and Harrison makes a face back at her. "How do I use it?" Raina says, turning back to me.

"Uh well- all the time?” I say. “Basically you will have superior strength and stamina now. Unless you choose not to or disgrace the virtues of strong wolf."

"So does that mean if I hit Harrison-" Raina says, and strikes Harrison lightly with the palm of her hand. This causes a greater impact on Harrison and I can tell that neither of them were expecting that. Harrison grunts at her touch. I see Harrison's squirms and grab his shoulder in response.

"Hey ouch," Harrison says, rubbing his shoulder. "How about not abusing your own pack mate with your new little powers?"

Raina giggles.

"Seriously. Angels bruise easily you jerk."

"You'd better hope our pack gains a healer soon," Raina says.