Silver-White (The Great North Woods Pack #1) by Shawn Underhill Read Free Book Online Page A

necessities. Now—”
    “Okay,” Evie said, “I promise I’ll
listen to all the rules as soon as I know why .
Why are we wolves? How did this happen?”
    Joseph Ludlow smiled down at his
granddaughter. “Now you’re talking my language. Origins have fascinated me all of
my life. Our history is very rich. I’ve studied it in depth, and I’ll be more
than happy to share it with you in due time. The best I can offer right now is
the condensed version.”
    Evie shrugged. “I’ll take it.”
    “I have no exact years to offer, but in
ancient times our kind was given the power of the wolf, the speed, the valor.
Not for pleasure but for service. Makeshift Keepers was our believed original
purpose, in place of the failed original Keepers. But we shifters have played
many roles since then. Guardians, Watchers, Punishers, Messengers,
sometimes slaves. Always we have been feared, and understandably so with
our intelligence and strength. But our greatest power is the secrecy in which
we thrive. So for many years, all of my lifetime, we’ve been the protectors and
keepers of great secrets.”
    “What’s a Keeper?” Evie asked.
    “A Steward. It simply means caretaker.
Commonly they’re known as men and women … the intended caretakers of the earth.”
    “So—”
    “Not now; dinner is ready and you’ve not
yet heard my rules.”
    Evie pressed her lips together.
    “Changing … becoming the wolf is
something you learn to do on your own. Others can coax, even push, but it’s you who ultimately makes it happen—an
active decision you make and cause to become a reality. When this first happens,
you’re quite likely to feel overwhelmed, almost drunk with power. Bluntly,
you’ll be wild .”
    Evie raised her eyebrows but said
nothing. Wild sounded sort of fun .
    “But here’s the kicker,” her grandfather
continued. “You will always be you … theperson you were born as and have become.
All your wits and personality will remain present within the wolf. It’s no game
of opposing halves; the wolf, rightfully used, is an addition to what is
already present. Therefore it is your responsibility to act in accordance with
all laws, of wolves and men. Wolves who flout the laws are subject to the punishment
of wolves, even death. No excuses. Do you understand?”
    She only nodded. Her earlier inclination
toward sarcasm had completely vanished. As her grandfather progressed, his eyes
seemed to flair again, and his strong voice further deepened. The wolf she had
seen flashes of seemed on the verge of breaking free of the calm man’s control.
    “You will not show yourself to humans,”
he continued. “You will not openly discuss your gift outside of the family. You
will not make the shift during daylight until you are mature; the night is yours.
You will not kill prey and get the taste for blood until you have matured. You
will not go to certain places as the wolf. Ever .
I will show you the places forbidden for your own safety when time permits. Am
I clear?”
    “Yes,” Evie said, almost shyly. The
Alpha nature had completely overshadowed her kind Papa Joe. The thinly veiled beast
standing before her demanded her utmost respect, arguably favorite
granddaughter or not.
    “The last rules for now are simple,” he
said gentler, the storm in his eyes subsiding. “You may roam freely on my land
and only my land. This won’t be a
burden; I own thousands of acres in two states. But young wolves are not
permitted to roam far without company in their early days. If you seek
solitude, seek it near to this house, the trails and places already familiar to
you. Otherwise you will be with a pack member at all times. You’ve got a very large
family, many of which will be eager to run with you. With them you may go. Am I
clear?”
    “Yes.”
    Joseph Ludlow’s demeanor had by now settled
to normal. “Good,” he said in his common tone. “Dinner is on the table. Aunts,
uncles, and cousins will be here within minutes.” He smiled