Josie grasps the book and rotates the lock anticlockwise until the vines retract, permitting the book to be opened.
“Laura, could you read from the pages?” Josie enquires, while Jadi’s eyebrows arch in perplexity.
“Ta-Ricky is not a sí-Moonlit wolf,” he states. “S-she is unable to comprehend it.”
“She is also not typical,” Mark murmurs, as Jadi and I direct our gaze towards the King. “Her healing was atypical.”
“Oli-”
“She is not ordinary, and you are aware of it. You experienced pain while healing her,” Mark replies. “You have not encountered pain during the healing of another since the witch poisonings, and we never ascertained the composition of the poison initially.”
I possess numerous enquiries, nevertheless Josie disregards her companion and persists. “Kindly open the book. If you can discern the words, we will obtain another clue regarding your wolf.”
“How are you aware of my wolf?” I enquire, the Queen smiling as if my question is self-evident. Jadis’ eyes widen upon receiving confirmation of my non-human status.
“I am an Ivory wolf,” Josie states nonchalantly. “I can perceive your wolf’s essence within you, but there is a barrier obstructing her, preventing me from accurately discerning her nature; I only know that she is distinct. That is all I can ascertain.”
I hum in acknowledgement, drawing the book closer and opening the first page, where I observe an illustration of two white wolves adorned with medallions around their necks.
“You can see the first page, correct?” Josie enquires, to which I respond with a slow nod.
Bray, still cradled in my arms, gazes at the book and indicates the first page.
“Observe, mother. Beautiful wolves,” he whispers, as those present in the room gaze at the puppy.
He is also able to perceive the pages.
Laura
“Observe, Mother. Beautiful wolves,” Bray whispers, as those present in the room gaze at the pup. He scrutinises the image, his diminutive finger following the outline of the wolf.
“Thus, he possesses a gift as well,” Josie murmurs to herself, her brows knitting in perplexity. “However, neither of you are Silver wolves. I would have detected that by now,” she contemplates, tapping her chin with her finger. “Moreover, your former husband was an ordinary Alpha.”
“Mediocre Alpha,” Mark mutters irritably, as Josie smirks playfully at him.
“Oh, is the diminutive Frenchman upset that he cannot view the images in the book?” she mocks, while Mark rolls his eyes at his companion. “My unfortunate little French elitist,” she chuckles, as Mark’s eyes narrow into slits, silently glaring at her.
The Queen flips the page for Bray, allowing him to examine the illustrations and images within the magical book.
“Not all Silver and Gold wolves are identical,” the Queen asserts. “As with all aspects of existence, there are exceptions to the norms.”
“L-like what?” Jadi enquires.
Josie shrugs. “It is widely acknowledged that Silver and Gold wolves possess unique gifts, correct? They typically receive a singular gift on the day of their transformation, although, on rare occasions, a gift may manifest earlier or later,” she elucidates. “I was 18 when I acquired my earth and healing abilities, prior to my transformation. Conversely, my aunt recounts that my cousin Salvador first exhibited his gift as a toddler. Clearly, the parameters for gift manifestation differ among wolves,” she smiles. “Moreover, the Moon Goddess occasionally introduces unexpected elements.”
“What do you imply?” I enquire, as the diminutive Queen beams with self-satisfaction.
“Occasionally, our Goddess shows compassion towards our suffering,” she states softly. “I was reared by my uncle Walker, who possessed one of the rarest abilities a Moonlit wolf can have: Healing. This gift is conferred by the Moon Goddess solely upon her most virtuous wolves.” Her voice diminishes, and her courageous smile quivers slightly. “He was murdered six years ago.”
“I extend my condolences for your loss,” I state, going over to grasp her hand.
“It is acceptable. I can still sense him at times,” the Queen responds softly. She pauses to gather her thoughts before proceeding. “In any case, my uncle’s twin sister, Valentina, was assaulted and, after nearly perishing, she awakened with my uncle’s gift.” A solitary tear descends her cheek, which she swiftly wipes away. “Silver wolves do not receive secondary gifts, yet I prefer to believe this was the Moon Goddess’s way of granting my aunt a fragment of her brother. Ultimately, the Moon Goddess acts as she wishes, so perhaps you are merely another exception to the norms. My family is replete with exceptions,” she chuckles. “One might say we are an extraordinary Moonlit wolf clan.”
“W-what is the name of your clan?” Jadi enquires, while the Queen puffs out her chest with pride.
“My father was the Alpha of the Altico Moonlit Wolf Clan,” she states with pride. “My mother was his Queen, and he was her devoted soldier.”
“Are you an Alt-Altico?” he enquires, astonished and incredulous. “I believed they were extinct?”
“Not extinct, merely concealed for many years,” Josie responds. “All the Silver wolves in my Kingdom are Altico wolves,” she continues, as Jadi’s astonishment deepens.
“What distinguishes Altico wolves?” I enquire, thoroughly bewildered by the discussion.
“The Silver Wolves in my family’s lineage were renowned for their formidable abilities,” Josie states. “My father had telekinesis. His father could conjure storms at will. His grandfather could manipulate the flow of time. Numerous abilities within my family remain unparalleled, rendering them unique wolves.”
